Can you win with a 4 2B?

[elpasopesos]

The 2010 set is weak at 2B we all agree.... I always go for Cano whom this time I didnt get. I am going with a platoon of K Johnson and Sean Rodriguez (K Johnson will DH vs left) plus I have Rodriguez set as a defensive replacement at 2B. Even with injuries that makes K Johnson set to play only 50-60 percent of the time at 2B any comments?

[visick]

There are many ways to skin a cat.

If I'm you, I go with defense @ SS and CF. Nothing worse than a 2 in both spots. Gotta play in a hitting park too and maybe use a defensive sub late in the game.


visick

[apolivka]

I've seen it done several times with guys like Weeks or Uggla before in parks that were _very_ beneficial to them. I always look at defense as a team based metric. 2b and ss are somewhat unique in that the percentage of potential double plays is quite a bit higher than with the other positions, but bad D at one position won't "doom" your team.

Just make sure that Johnson is a perfect fit offensively to your park and club--because that's where he's going to have to give you about 95% of his value.

With the 2010 set, don't overlook using an "injury platoon", especially in pitcher's parks. I've seen a lot of success with a setup like Hudson/Blanco or Roberts/Brignac combined with a 15 game injury guy at 3rd or ss to try to maximize the value of your sub.

[artie4121]

I hate this year's cards. :x While I was a "Virgin" with the '08 set, I did very well with the '09 cards. This year, I cannot put together a good team.

I'll take the notes you gave as potential help.

Thanks,

Artie

[mesquiton]

I usually play in slugger parks, where I think defense in general is way overpriced.

Have used Johnson at 2b on 3 teams in 2010, playing D both ways on 2 of them (over 700 PAs on both), and platooning with Pedroia on a currently active 100M Tour team. Pedroia's doing fine, with the expected injuries, but Johnson is outperforming him in every offensive category, including PAs. Each has 3 errors on the season. No doubt Johnson has allowed some extra hits, but not enough to matter much.

These teams have also had 3s at SS and 3b, and at least one 4 in the OF, including CF vs. lefties, mostly 3s elsewhere, very few 2s. Even a 5 on occasion. Other than the Pedroia platoon, I don't recall if I've used a 1 in the field for 2010...definitely not many.

All but one of these were/are Tour teams, all made the playoffs, and the active team is (knock on wood) in 1st with about a week to go in the season.

In short, until I just jinxed myself, I've had good luck with bad fielders in 2010, including 4s at 2b.

Have also seen other successful 2010 teams playing Uggla or Weeks at 2b4 in slugger parks.

[elpasopesos]

Thanks for the great advise My only other real option is Neil Walker and I figure the offense Johnson will give me plus the lower injury possibility (Wrigley field) will make the difference. I am playing Jeter at ss so I am just going to try this my weakest defensive team ever.....

[paul.czarnecki]

Funny, I've been playing online Strat since it launched and just fielded my first 4 at 2B (Uggla in Comerica).

Team made it to the finals and lost in six. So, I came close, but no cigar.

[JedimasterTjg1]

You guys have guts...I never tried!

[SGTD]

You can win in strat with 4's and lose with 1's, hell, I won a title in strat with a losing record. SGT D