If we maintain this 10 Ks per game pace... less concerned about the defense. But the Jose Abreu experience showed what bad defense even in non premium defensive positions can do...
Neither Dezenzo nor Whitcomb are considered good defenders at 3b even in the minors. Dezenzo looks to have the raw tools and will likely get better but need lots of reps and we will feel the growing pains. Whitcomb has had enough experience and reps that it should be obvious that he is what he is - an outfielder who has been pressed into a position of need. His bat is what has him there. I'm afraid that if Bregman can't play 3b then the best defensive option is Dubon, but he's not the same there as he is at 2b. We've been spoiled by Alex's glove and his relative durability
Dubon reminds me of a glorified Tony Kemp... and I never wanted Tony Kemp at third. Dubon's lowest fielding percentage is at 3rd and he has negative runs saved at that spot whereas he is a positive almost everywhere else. If Bregman is done playing third this season... might be worth shifting Peña over to that spot. Whitcomb played short in college... stats not available on how proficient...
Regardless of how Whitcomb turned out, moving Pena off OF SS is a terrible idea IMO. Pena is an average hitter who is a net positive and 3-4 WAR player because of his glove. Move him ANYWHERE else and he becomes a JAG.
Bregman does not have much of an arm. I think quickness, hands, and muscle memory are the biggest reasons Bregman is the best 3b on this team, not his arm.
Your wrong about this and even if you were right, you never move a gold glove level SS off of SS. SMH
New York prioritized Jeter over Arod at short despite the latter being far superior. And arguably did the same with by sticking Bregman at third when he was projected to be better than Correa at short. I'm arguing Peña has the profile to succeed at either left side of the infield positions whereas Dubon has the skill set of a middle infielder with no business playing third. Dezenzo and Whitcomb at his point remind me of Mike Lamb. Of course, I thought JD Davis profiled as a prototype 3B. Baseball Prospectus on Bregman in 2017: Bregman has the chops to play shortstop, but that won't be happening in Houston as long as Carlos Correa is around. He can play third base just fine, but he would be most valuable at shortstop.
I get what you're arguing, neither player is A-Rod and that was a special thing because Jeter was the captain. My philosophy and most managers philosophies are, you dont move a GG level player from his position.
A gold glove player is likely to be still good at other positions whereas other players when moved out of their "natural" spot... it may get ugly in a hurry.
Pena has touched the ball 481 times this year, Bregman 291 times. A gold glove fielder does not have the same impact at all positions. Not to mention the positions have some significant differences, like fielding choppers and bunts, and reaction time. Quickness within smaller zone but less range.
Bregman never projected to be better than Correa at short. Correa was projected to be one of three best defensive shortstops in the league and bregman being slightly above average there.
Various players learning new positions and/or the differences between players at different positions besides their primary.
They are assuming Bregman won't be able to field the rest of the season, and be stuck at DH. In that scenario, they are debating the best defensive options for the left side of the in field: Option 1. Put Dubon at 3B where he is bit below average and keep Pena at SS where he is GG level, or Option 2. Move Pena to 3rd where he may be average or good (we don't know) and put Dubon at SS his more natural position where he would be average.
