We’ve been running this feature for a couple years, so here we go again…
As a team, the Yankees are ranked very poor defensively. According to UZR/150, the Yankees are the 3rd-worst defensive team in the American League at -6.2 runs below average, with the main culprit being lack of defensive range. TotalZone, as measured by Baseball-Reference, has the Yankees tracking at 7 runs below average over the course of the year.
The individual breakdown is below. Total Zone (by Baseball-Reference) is also included. Keep in mind that the sample size is still very small for these, so we expect these numbers to fluctuate significantly. But, it still gives us a pretty good understanding that the Yankees’ defense has been a problem so far.
| Rtot | Rtot/yr | |
|---|---|---|
| Robinson Cano | -2 | -7 |
| Eric Chavez | -1 | -15 |
| Brett Gardner | -0 | -3 |
| Curtis Granderson | -2 | -6 |
| Raul Ibanez | 2 | 11 |
| Derek Jeter | -3 | -11 |
| Andruw Jones | 1 | 12 |
| Eduardo Nunez | -3 | -27 |
| Alex Rodriguez | -3 | -16 |
| Nick Swisher | -4 | -19 |
| Mark Teixeira | -0 | -2 |
| Team Totals | -18 | -7 |
18 Comments
Brandon May 19, 2012 21:56
Ibanez has a positive rating in LF? What? Obviously he’s really bad in RF.
Joe G. Says... May 19, 2012 22:51
Ibanez is clearly the better RFer.
Negrodamus May 19, 2012 22:04
So basically, with the exception of 4 guys, our defense is shit.
AndrewYF May 19, 2012 23:15
Actually, it means that UZR is meaningless over samples less than 2 years.
So really, UZR is meaningless unless looking at value in a historical sense. And maybe not even that.
Why are we using UZR as some kind of reliable metric again?
Brian S. May 20, 2012 04:21
“Keep in mind that the sample size is still very small for these”
How about keeping in mind that Total Zone only looks at play by play data and not actual games!! It’s a total joke of a metric. Stop touting this nonsensical stats made up ONE douche bag with no life!
Seriously this is ONE GUY reading PBP data – how the fuck is this accepted by anyone is mind boggling.
This metric meets no known criteria of scientific method. I repeat the numbers you see are reported by one guy reading PBP data.
stop using these metrics.
Barack Obama May 19, 2012 22:51
You just wait for me to get re-elected, I’ll have more flexibility and I will show you what defense is with my comrades the ruskies.
Negrodamus May 19, 2012 23:46
OK, I’ll entertain the troll.
Ruskies? Really? The cold war ended over 20 years ago you retard troll. Are you 15 or 75?
Barack Obama May 20, 2012 00:21
Sorry, I menat tovarisch.
Mitt Romney May 20, 2012 01:15
You know, I’m glad the Cold War is over. I’ll take a lot of credit for that.
Barack Obama May 20, 2012 08:05
Would’ve used “soviets” if I meant cold war, but tovarisch not sure you would understand.
Troll? Only if you are a Mitt Romney campaign donor!
Blocked missile defense in Poland. Russia blocks sanctions on Iran, North Korean and Syria … yet I’m willing to be more flexible on missile defense with the Russians after this election (“flexible” meaning reducing). We all now, that just like guns, nuclear missiles kill people, that’s why we have to get rid of them!
If you can’t figure this things out, I’m sure you will vote for me AGAIN come this November!
Curtis Granderson May 20, 2012 01:16
Am I really that bad?
Your first step May 20, 2012 02:45
is always in the wrong direction.
Miami Heat May 20, 2012 01:25
What do you need defense for nowadays?
The Truth May 20, 2012 08:16
Uh you do, along with a bench, some heart and player who can take over a game instead of deferring to the other.
Eduardo Nunez May 20, 2012 09:10
I guess my UZR/150 is so shitty it couldn’t be computed, thus not shown on the picture of the field. Joe should file that nugget into the binder and keep me off the actual field in case I somehow find my way back up to the team… Cuz you know, despite how shitty I have been and always will be, I will be back, and it will once again be TIME TO SHINE!!!!1!11!!
Routine Groundball May 20, 2012 10:47
fake!
A-Rod May 20, 2012 17:30
Who cares, it’s all about me….
A-Rod May 20, 2012 17:30
Who cares, it’s all about the money….