Cardinals: Was Albert Pujols really inferior to Derek Jeter?

Defense

Now the discussion gets really fun.  How do we compare a shortstop to a first baseman, with each position assigned the responsibility of performing very different tasks vs. the other.  One has to range left and right, snag grounders and liners, get in position to fire to the appropriate base.  The other has to react to balls faster (though with lower overall expectations), scoop short hops, and stretch to reign in errant throws.

An evaluation of Jeter’s defense yields a wide range of results.  We’ll touch on awards later, but let’s talk highlight reels now.  Jeter has two plays that epitomize his intelligence, grit, and determination.

The first is The Flip, his Oct. 13, 2000, stunner of a play I still can’t believe happened.  Who backs up the backup relay receiver on a ball thrown by the right fielder, especially a shortstop?  Jeter had to range from his typical position in the hole between second and third bases to the first base line halfway between home and first, gather the errant throw, and backhand it to Jorge Posada, who tagged Jeremy Giambi‘s leg just before his foot touched the plate.  Un-be-liev-a-ble!

The second play is The Dive, his July 1, 2004, catch in foul territory against the Red Sox, of course.  Trot Nixon fouled a ball toward the stands partway up the left field line.  Jeter pursued it, caught the ball, and did a Superman dive into the stands.  He emerged bruised and bloodied, and with the ball.  Un-stopp-a-ble!

Pujols has no such highlight-reel plays, though he did play shortstop like Jeter – for two innings in 2002.  Pujols also spent time at left field, third base, right field, and another miniscule amount at second base.  That versatility early in his career was helpful to lineup construction, as he could be moved around to a few spots and allow other players to field their typical positions.  However, Pujols has played all but three innings at first base since 2015.  And of course, he’s been a designated hitter in 571 starts, with Jeter checking into that lineup spot 73 times.

Still, advanced defensive metrics, imperfect though they may be, paint a less pretty picture of Jeter’s defense than those two highlight-reel plays indicate.  Total Zone and Defensive Runs Saved consistently rate Jeter as below average throughout his career.  After all, there’s a reason a New York restaurant had a dish called Pasta Diving Jeter.

And then there was the controversy of Alex Rodriguez moving to third base upon joining the Yankees, a move made in deference to The Captain and in spite of the fact that A-Rod was the superior defender at shortstop.  No one could ever question Jeter’s heart, but they certainly could question his glove.

Pujols’ defense was a mixed bag, peaking at a very high level in his mid-20s as he gained a few years of experience at first base before tapering off as his age and injuries increased.

So how to compare a below-average defensive shortstop and a first baseman with a high peak and a long, slow decline?  Jeter played the tougher position with fervor, if not consistent excellence.  Pujols had it easier with the glove, so even if the newer numbers say he was an overall positive to Jeter’s negative, shortstop is significantly more difficult than first base.  Advantage, Jeter.