Players Shaded a faded Gray

Out of curiosity, if I'm replacing a left fielder with another left fielder, why are some of the players shaded a faded gray while others are in normal, black print?

Is it because even though they are eligible to play the position, their primary position is something else?

Also, if I'm right, does that mean if I play that player at their non primary position, are they more likely to commit an error?

Thanks for reading.

Players already in your lineup are greyed out; bold players are not.

The players listed in the free agent pool were grayed out in some and normal print in others.

Can you reclarify?

I'm pretty sure your first thought is correct about it not being their primary position. I can't answer your second part for sure but I think the rating they're given is what will determine the probability of an error and not the fact that is not their primary position. That is how I see it but others on here are far more knowledgeable than I so take their word over mine.

Yes, players grayed out on a free agent search by position are those that play the position but it is not their primary position. But that does not necessarily mean they are more likely to commit an error. Many players are very good defenders at multiple positions. Take into account their range (1-5, low number is better) as well as the error number when you evaluate them. I like to have plus defense at catcher (go for a negative throwing arm as well as good range and error numbers), shortstop, second base, and centerfield. But no one is perfect - last night, my 1e7 cf and 2e17 2b made an error each and my 1e17 ss made 2 in one game!

I would say that it's because it makes it easier to follow stats across horizontally. Unless I'm missing something every other player is grayed out regardless of their primary position.

If the position and the fielding rating are a light gray and italicized it is because it is not the primary position of the player ( as mentioned earlier).

Usually a player has their best fielding rating at their primary position, but not always. Look up Tommie Agee in the 60s game. His primary position is CF. At CF he is rated 2e10, but in LF he is 1e10. This happens occasionally for outfielders and sometimes at 1B too. Outfielders have the same error rating at all three OF spots, but infielders will vary depending on the infield position.

Only when a player Is forced to play a position he is not carded for (due to injury or a thin bench) will he tend to have less range and make more errors.