Gwynn or Gomez

[Crash2303]

rocobrewfan- is Gomez considered a better defender? They are both excellent, and although people have mentioned Gomez's potential to be one of the best defenders, Gwynn is more consistently excellent in the field.

[RobertR]

Gwynn has problems staying on the field. Maybe it's just bad luck, but it's certainly a red flag for anyone that wants to rely on him in any role at this point.

 

Of course, Gomez just has no clue. I don't know if it's lack of instruction, stubbornness, or if he just doesn't have the instincts, but he has little going for him other than unrefined tools. I don't know how good Cain is going to be, but you can see the guy has a plan at the plate. That's one of the reasons I'm fairly bullish on Cain as a long term answer. Cain won't sustain this current BA, but I do see him being able to adapt and avoid a huge crash ala Gomez, Francoeur, etc.

 

Robert

[sveumrules]

As far as defense goes here are Gomez and Gwynn career in CF.

 

Innings | UZR | OOZ | ARM

 

2660 | 28.4 | 202 | -1.4

1810 | 19.2 | 123 | -5.0

 

It looks like UZR has them right around equal, with Gomez making Out of Zone plays at a slightly higher rate and with a better arm. That seems pretty accurate with the ever popular eye test. TZL had a clear edge for Gomez, but that's only up through 2009 as I don't believe 2010 numbers will be available until after the season.

 

I guess I'd rather have Gomez in the field, Gwynn at the plate and neither as anything more than a 25th man.