Annual Rant on the Gold Glove Awards

Every year I complain about the Gold Glove awards, because the voters clearly don’t understand:  (1) the Gold Glove should go to the best fielder at each position, not the best overall player; and (2) how to evaluate who, in fact, is the best fielder at each position.

The case in point this year (and in years past) — Derek Jeter won his fourth Gold Glove award this year, although he has probably been the American League’s worst defensive shortstop the last decade.  Derek Jeter won the award for two reasons:  he hits great for a shortstop, and he led the AL with a .986 fielding percentage.  However, his other defensive, and more important, fielding numbers were just awful.  His 3.9 range factor was dead last of the ten AL shortstops who played enough to qualify, and his 75 double plays was tied for 7th, even though he was third in innings played at the position.

It’s worth noting, however, that Fangraphs has Jeter with a UZR of 6.6 and a UZR/150 of 8.4 in 2009.  This is the first time in the eight seasons for which Fangraphs has provided UZR ratings that Jeter has had a zero or greater rating in either category.  As a result, I tend to think this year’s positive numbers more likely reflect defects in the UZR ratings system than that Jeter, at age 35, has suddenly become a great defensive shortstop.

Traditionally, people inside baseball have overvalued fielding percentage.  However, since at least Bill James’ work in the early 1980’s, people should by now realize that range is more important than fielding percentage.  O.K., Jeter is great at fielding balls hit right at him, but there are numerous other shortstops in the AL who are better at turning ground balls into outs, either by their superior range, better positioning or stronger throwing arms.

I’m not saying you wouldn’t want Jeter as your everyday shortstop, because he’s going to go to the Hall of Fame on the strength of his bat.  However, he was not the best defensive shortstop in the AL in 2009, and he has probably never been the best defensive shortstop in the AL at any time in his career.  In fact, he probably isn’t the best defensive shortstop on the field any time Alex Rodriguez is playing third for the Yankees.

Give the Gold Glove award to the players who truly provide the most defensive value at their respective positions.