Rawlings announced the Gold Glove Finalists today, and some expected names popped up for the Chicago Cubs, with each of Anthony Rizzo and Jason Heyward – winners last year – making the cut as finalists.
But they weren’t the only Cubs featured. The second baseman also got a nod.
You know … Cubs second baseman and elite defender Ben Zobrist.
That’s not a typo (apparently), as Javy Baez did not get the finalist nod at second base, and instead it was his teammate, Ben Zobrist.
To be clear, I don’t want to take away from Zobrist’s play at second base, which is consistently steady, solid, and reliable. The advanced metrics actually had him slightly better than Baez this year at the position, and in about 40 more innings.
But the obvious reality to anyone even passingly observing the Cubs is that, when they wanted their best defensive lineup out there, Baez was playing second base, not Zobrist. So, then, it’s pretty hard to make the case for Zobrist as the top defensive second basemen in the league when he’s not the best defensive second baseman on his own team.
As for the other finalists in the NL, I could certainly make an argument that Willson Contreras should have been in there at catcher (yes, a lot of errors, but also so many assists and other defensive value), and that Kyle Hendricks should have been in there at pitcher (tied for league lead in pick-offs, fields well to my eye). Addison Russell’s time on the shelf cost him at shortstop, and probably the same was true for Contreras and Hendricks.
The award winners will be announced November 7.
Here’s the full slate of finalists:
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Pitchers:
LHP Chris Sale, Red Sox
RHP Marcus Stroman, Blue Jays
RHP Alex Cobb, Rays
Catchers:
Yan Gomes, Indians
Martin Maldonado, Angels
Salvador Perez, Royals
First basemen:
Carlos Santana, Indians
Eric Hosmer, Royals
Mitch Moreland, Red Sox
Second basemen:
Brian Dozier, Twins
Ian Kinsler, Tigers
Dustin Pedroia, Red Sox
Third basemen:
Manny Machado, Orioles
Jose Ramirez, Indians
Evan Longoria, Rays
Shortstops:
Elvis Andrus, Rangers
Andrelton Simmons, Angels
Francisco Lindor, Indians
Left fielders:
Brett Gardner, Yankees
Alex Gordon, Royals
Justin Upton, Angels
Center fielders:
Lorenzo Cain, Royals
Kevin Pillar, Blue Jays
Byron Buxton, Twins
Right fielders:
Kole Calhoun, Angels
Mookie Betts, Red Sox
Aaron Judge, Yankees
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Pitchers:
RHP R.A. Dickey, Braves
RHP Zack Greinke, D-backs
RHP Zach Davies, Brewers
Catchers:
Buster Posey, Giants
Yadier Molina, Cardinals
Tucker Barnhart, Reds
First basemen:
Joey Votto, Reds
Paul Goldschmidt, D-backs
Anthony Rizzo, Cubs
Second basemen:
DJ LeMahieu, Rockies
Dee Gordon, Marlins
Ben Zobrist, Cubs
Third basemen:
Nolan Arenado, Rockies
Anthony Rendon, Nationals
David Freese, Pirates
Shortstops:
Freddy Galvis, Phillies
Brandon Crawford, Giants
Corey Seager, Dodgers
Left fielders:
Gerardo Parra, Rockies
Adam Duvall, Reds
Marcell Ozuna, Marlins
Center fielders:
Billy Hamilton, Reds
Michael A. Taylor, Nationals
Ender Inciarte, Braves
Right fielders:
Yasiel Puig, Dodgers
Giancarlo Stanton, Marlins
Jason Heyward, Cubs