Defense: Just How Important is it?

Posted By on October 3, 2023

You ask 100 fans that question, you might get 100 different answers. One thing is for certain, bad defense is going to cost you games. It cost the Dodgers a game only yesterday. Max Muncy blew what should have been an easy double-play grounder, and the Giants won, 2-1. As of today, the Dodgers are the 10th best fielding team in the majors. 6 playoff teams are ahead of them. The Diamondbacks have the highest fielding percentage and the fewest errors with only 55. The Dodgers have made 75. The Rangers are right there with the D-Backs with only 58 errors.

The Braves are ranked 16th. Worst in the majors? The Giants. Defense can win you games. If you think otherwise, just look back at the 2020 season. In the NLCS against the Braves, Mookie Betts was a one-man defensive highlight reel. His catches and throwing arm stopped a couple of Braves rally’s from ever getting off of the ground.

The Braves had a 2-0 lead in that final game. Defense saved the day, and some clutch hitting. We are indeed blessed with one of the best fielding shortstops in the league. We have a couple of Gold Glovers on the team, Betts, Freeman, Peralta, Heyward. We have some who also are very good and very dependable late inning replacements.

The one problematic position is third base. I have little faith in Muncy defensively. His offense speaks for itself. But his glove at third at least, is very suspect. Hernandez plays the position well as does Taylor. But their bats make them bench pieces.

The Dodgers have a ton of talent capable of playing second, Mookie, Rosario, Taylor, Hernandez, and Wong, who made a couple of really good plays there this week. Rojas is one of the best at short, Hernandez and Taylor are better defenders there than Rosario. But Miggy Ro will get most of the reps.

Freddie at first. Case closed. Muncy, Heyward and Hernandez can also be there if some sort of emergency were to arise. But Freddie will be there, every game, every inning.

The outfield. LF. Peralta and Taylor offer excellent defense and will get the bulk innings. CF. Outman, who is improving leaps and bounds defensively will be the bulk guy here. Heyward or Hernandez can play the position capably. RF. Mookie and Heyward have been an outstanding defensive tandem in the field. Hernandez has gotten some time here also.

C. Will Smith and Barnes are both very good defensively, IE few passed balls, and both call an excellent game. The bad part is the lack of being able to catch runners stealing bases. Smith’s 21% and Barnes 10% bode well for the opposition’s runners. The pitchers need to do a much better job holding runners.

P. The pitchers overall have made 12 errors this season. Not bad considering that there have been so many new guys on the roster. They have for the most part fielded the position well. Almost all of those errors are on throws.

The Dodger defense is solid. They will play only one team, Arizona, if they get there, with a better fielding team. But look for some spectacular plays in the post season. And you can pretty well guess who will be making those plays.

This article has 51 Comments

  2. I saw a really cool photo on X, what used to be twitter. I wish I could post it here. It was a photo of the Padres on the field sitting and watching a TV. The caption said, “Hey Padre fans, your team getting ready for the playoffs.” Fitting and poetic I thought, Francona officially stepped down as manager of the Guardians. There are at this point in time, four MLB managerial positions open. Giants, Guardians, Mets, and Angels. Machado had surgery to repair a tendon.

  3. Next year:

    C–smith
    1b–freeman
    2b–betts
    Ss–lux
    3b–vargas
    LF–Taylor
    CF–outman
    RF–heyward [back on fa deal]
    DH–muncy

    Bench–barnes, rojas, busch, deluca

    This won’t happen but it could

    Wish busch could play 2b

      1. Yeah, this lineup seems very plausible.
        This is basically the “stand-pat” plan, because everybody but Heyward is under contract–and Heyward wants to return.
        But I assume the brass will want to do more tinkering, because where is the fun in standing pat? AF may want to do more than sign Blake Snell or ??, especially with Ohtani on the market.
        Perhaps Busch platoons in LF with Taylor–or DeLuca. Taylor could revert to a super UT role, with some starts at DH. Depending on the R/L splits on Busch, DeLuca and some others, but we could see a few platoons and late defensive substitutions. (Outman showed he can hit lefties, but his power is against righties.)
        I think Dodgers like platooning Heyward with Mookie, and Mookie seems comfortable with it. Against southpaws perhaps Taylor plays 2B. Max would be primary DH but also insurance at 1B and 3B.

        Congrats to the D’backs. They made some smart deals at midseason and it paid off. Dodgers should beat them, of course, but it won’t be easy.

  4. Even the best of the best have days that don’t go well. I’m sure there’s been performances on stage for you Bear that you wish such thing as a do-over button was available. We’ve all seen the Dodgers have flat games and there is no telling when that can occur. The Dodgers aren’t a good team, they are a great team. With a chip on their shoulders and a spark that won’t fail I can promise they’ll be the last team standing. That I whole heartedly believe. The crap-shoot is Monday can be any day and we all hate Mondays.

  5. not a lineup i would want. no Taylor starting. no heyward starting. and between Lux and Vargas , one of them probably doesn’t end up starting. i agree eventually Lux either plays outfield or gets traded if Mookie plays 2nd.

  6. I am thinking about 2024…How about this trade?
    Burns + Yellich + $10 million for each of his remaining contract years for Busch, one young catcher and a young pitcher?

    1. I’d be more interested if Burnes was a lefty, especially in case Kershaw decides to retire.
      Yelich had a nice bounce-back season but I noticed this season that everybody is running on him. Perhaps it’s temporary, but something seems wrong with his arm. I saw a highlight of a line-drive single to Yelich with a runner at 2B. I was expecting a play at the plate but Yelich’s throw came in soft and short. If that doesn’t improve, his future could be at 1B or DH.
      Dodgers do have a nice stockpile of young catchers. Rushing has surpassed Cartaya, and now young Thayron Liranzo is moving up. Galiz and Fernandez all get good reviews.

  7. Like him or not, recent info after the settlement of Bauer’s case points a pretty damning picture of his accuser.

      1. So Trevor Bauer’s case is resolved with this Gold Digger chick with no money exchanged. How ironic. Bauer’s situation has been analyzed ad nauseam, so I have little to add now. I will say that I warned everyone about jumping to conclusions prematurely, based the Duke Lacrosse fiasco and other accusations adjudicated prematurely in the court of public opinion. We never seem to learn our lesson in this climate of wanting immediate answers and resolutions. Like an hour long TV show.
        I do believe that Manfred had it out for Bauer and the Dodgers and enjoyed screwing both.

        https://thefederalist.com/2023/10/04/corrupt-media-declared-trevor-bauer-guilty-until-proven-innocent-and-ruined-his-life/

          1. I don’t think that Manfred had it out for the Dodgers as much as he is just a woke idiot who has no clue.

          2. I definitely don’t think he’s woke (whatever the fuck that means.), I definitely don’t think he has it in for Bauer, and I definitely don’t think he has it for the Dodgers.

            I do think he runs a multi billion dollar sports. And he has a ludicrously overpowered role in these processes.

      2. There is reportedly video of Julio striking the lady in question. And the difference is, this is his partner, not some bimbo he picked up online.

  8. I saw 2 very flawed teams last night. Its the postseason and ANYTHING can happen but we are head and shoulders better than both those teams last night.

  10. I think defense is extremely important. Runs saved count as much as runs scored and seem to take more wind out of the other teams sails a little more. Impressive comeback by Dbacks. Facing them has me a little more concerned than brewers being in that they know us real well and got that payback, tired of being whipped on revenge intangible going similar to padres last year plus their a pretty feisty good team when on their A game. We gonna need to be battle ready not taking anything for granted whoever we play and hope last year is not forgotten. I’m wondering what percentage of game one winners take series in a three game set. Pretty high would imagine

        1. Even with the pitching issues, I’d argue that this 100-win Dodgers team is in better shape going into the postseason than that 111-win team was.
          When the playoffs started last year, Trayce Thompson incredibly had emerged as the team’s second-best OF option, after Mookie. Belli was just terrible, and Gallo and Chris Taylor really weren’t much better. Even though he was hitting below the Mendoza line, Miguel Vargas made the playoff roster. This year’s roster is much better.
          Consider these slash lines from CF…
          Bellinger ’22: .210/.265/.654
          Outman ’23: .248/.353/.790

  11. I’ve heard Dodgers execs and players use the term “run prevention” which feels more comprehensive than just defense.

    This led me to this article which is fascinating:

    https://community.fangraphs.com/rethinking-how-we-look-at-team-defense/

    Two big findings that I found great:
    Which Positions Have The Greatest Defensive Impact?
    Based on the defensive spectrum, here are the most important positions:

    Catcher
    Shortstop
    Center Field, Third Base, Second Base
    Corner Outfield
    First Base

    What should we take away from this?

    Yes, defense does help when it comes to outperforming FIP and allowing a lower BABIP, though the effects of defense are still limited compared to simple variance. For the most part, however, you shouldn’t tailor your defense to your pitching, though a whiff-heavy pitching staff would allow you to not focus on defense as much, and vise versa.

    1. I never agreed with 1b being so low on these lists. There are too many bad throws from infielders that first basemen save from being potential errors.

      We’ve seen the stiff 1b play and not help his infielders, and we’ve seen the smooth ones like Freeman, Bellinger, A-Gone, Loney, etc who do a great job of digging balls out of the dirt and saving huge innings.

      2. Since the other infield positions are ranked higher than first base, I think this list signifies that there won’t be as many bad throws. Maybe? Maybe maybe maybe???

        1. I suspect 1B gets dissed because a lot of big lugs who don’t move well play there, like Pete Alonso and Rowdy Tellez, and the job doesn’t require a great arm. Garvey played first because of his erratic arm.
          But a great glove at 1B can prevent a lot of runs.

  12. We used to have a person on this blog who said, “I don’t care about defense.” He’s not here anymore because he felt people were picking on him. My advise was and is: “Don’t say stupid shit, then.”

    1. Mark.

      A care little about defense. I’ll take a .260 BA .800 OPS hitter at any position over a so called defensive wizard like .236 BA .612 OPS Rojas.

      The better hitter will contribute more to wins than the so called defensive wizard. That’s a fact.

      How many errors does a team make per year and how many of those errors cost a win.

      Don’t give me defense stats either because they a flawed.

      Don’t put words in my mouth if you don’t remember my words.

      This is also why I dont post here

      1. I’ll be brutally honest since you brought it up.

        It wasn’t “they” it was Bear specifically and he wasn’t picking on me, he was being an asshole almost everytime I posted something and I didn’t “say stupid shit”.

        1. And to add to that, when Bear was being an asshole to me it was him that was “saying stupid shit” because I always proved him wrong.

          It’s like he still reads the back of a baseball card.

          You brought this stuff up not me.

          1. Sorry you feel that way, and you did not always prove me wrong, I can go back and find plenty of times when you were wrong, but it doesn’t matter one way or the other. You are the one holding the grudge and calling me names. I really don’t care. I will still be writing here. Defense matters. You can dis it all you want, but in the overall scheme of things, it matters. Dodgers don’t even win the NLCS in 2020 without some outstanding defense. One of the greatest defensive shortstops in baseball history was a terrible hitter until he was 30 years old. Ozzie Smith’s first seven years, he never hit above .253. He sure did not get into the Hall of Fame by his hitting prowess. I don’t read the back of baseball cards, the print is much too small. You can post here anytime you like, I am only answering this one because you directed your comments at me. Dodgers don’t win the 1955 World Series without one of the best defensive plays in World Series history. Sandy Amoros’s catch of Berra’s drive down the left field line.

          2. Don’t forget this one. Bear accused me of wanting Trayce Thompson to get injured so “my guy” DeLuca could be brought up. And there was name calling directed at me in that post by Bear.

          3. Did you ever think Eric that maybe I said that about Thompson because of the way you worded your response? I honestly do not think any true fan wishes an injury on another so a player he likes can be promoted. You were right about Deluca. He made it to the majors, then got stopped by an injury of his own. He should get a good shot at being on the roster next spring. There will be many changes. That post was months ago. You should be over it by now.

  13. Texas sends the Rays home. They win 7-1. At last check, Minnesota was winning their game against the Jays. Story on Yahoo news said that the Giants are not going to pursue any starting pitching. Also read one that stated that the Mets are going to target Yamamoto rather than Ohtani. If true, that really limits his options.

  14. Several players have entered free agency. Mostly part timers who spent some time in the bigs this season. Minnesota got out of a bases loaded jam in the top of the 6th by getting Matt Chapman to hit into a double play.

    1. game of inches huh? 1 pitch earlier, he’s that close to hitting a game tying double.

      Next pitch? DP, inning over. Maybe season over. Especially after Vlad idiotically got picked off 2b.

  15. Search for the new Frontline (public tv) episode on “The Astros Edge” for a very interesting show on the cheating scandal. Available online, at least temporarily.

  16. I see so many poor tags at bases these days. The Twins Correa damn near blew the timing pick off of Vlad Jr. at 2nd with a needless reach to the runner on the tag. The throw from Gray was 3 feet high right on the base, where Correa was set and blocking with his right knee. For some reason, Correa decided to lunged at Vlad to tag him on the chest, the throw did not draw him toward the runner. The shitty tag arrived just in time, Just go to the bag with the glove and don’t chase the runner! A huge blunder by Vlad almost blown by Correa.
    The extremes management will go to change over a batting line up from LHB to RHB has never been more evident then pulling a successful Berrios in the 4th on 47 pitches. I don’t think he was a planned opener? It appears that a computer somewhere told the brass, this was a good idea. It wasn’t. Over-management to me, but what to I know?

  17. The reliance on athleticism over proper fundamentals showed up again on Bouchette’s lame pivot on the 3-6-3 dp attempt. He hot dogged the relay, throwing flat footed and wide to 1st. Little Leaguers are taught to move their feet, set up and throw on a routine play. Bouchette appears to think he’s too good to bother with proper mechanics.

    1. You mean Bichette???? Anyway, Brewers in trouble in the 6th. Az has picked up 3 runs and shooting for more. Looks like a LA-AZ NLDS.

  18. Dodgers vs D-Backs in the NLDS, two teams very familiar with each other.

    D-Backs have excellent speed
    and hit the ball well. No Dodger let down like last year……let’s go Blue!

    1. Gallen pitched tonight and went 6 innings. Bullpen shut down the Brewers the rest of the way. They scored 4 of their 5 runs in the 6th inning. Gallen would be available to pitch game 2 in LA on Monday. Gallen is 0-4 lifetime at Dodger Stadium. Kelly, who will probably get the game one start is 0-11 lifetime against the Dodgers including 0–5 at Dodger Stadium. D-Backs did not steal any bases tonight. Phillies cruising over the Marlins 7-0.

  19. A friend’s son is one of those stat geek analysts who helped build the Rays and now works for the Blue Jays. I was rooting for the Jays only because I enjoy his mom’s baseball posts.
    But I’m happy for the Twins after so much post-season failure.
    Still rooting for the Phils, and I hope every game against the Braves goes into extra innings.

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