BoSox Injection
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Red Sox Rankings: American League East Third Basemen

By Drew Peabody

Sep 20, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Boston Red Sox third baseman Pablo Sandoval (48) gets to first on a fielding error by Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Brett Cecil (not pictured) in the eighth inning at Rogers Centre. Boston defeated Toronto 4-3. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 20, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Boston Red Sox third baseman Pablo Sandoval (48) gets to first on a fielding error by Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Brett Cecil (not pictured) in the eighth inning at Rogers Centre. Boston defeated Toronto 4-3. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 28, 2015; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees third baseman Chase Headley (12) hits a single during the first inning of the game against the Boston Red Sox at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory J. Fisher-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 28, 2015; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees third baseman Chase Headley (12) hits a single during the first inning of the game against the Boston Red Sox at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory J. Fisher-USA TODAY Sports /

4.  Chase Headley

Despite his best efforts to be the worst third baseman in the league, Headley was not able to sink lower than Sandoval in 2015.  The 2012 National League Gold Glove third baseman had his worst year fielding by far in 2015.  His 23 errors were 10 more than his previous high for errors.  Like golf, it is not a category in which you want a high number.   His .946 fielding percentage was also easily a career worst.

For Headley, he might remind fans of Jacoby Ellsbury in that he had one incredible year with home runs and RBI then went back to far fewer entries in those categories.  2012 was a magical year for the former San Diego Padre.  He had career highs in home runs (31), runs batted in (115 which led the National League), walks, and tied for a career high in stolen bases.  It is as if it is a different player because Headley has no other season with more than 13 homers or 62 RBI.  Hendricks Sports must be on Scott Boras level of negotiation tactics as they managed to secure him a 4 year 52 million dollar deal before last season despite having just that one spectacular season.  Just for good measure, his OPS that season was more than 100 points higher than any other year in his career.

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Even considering all these average stats, a 93 OPS+ for 2o15 making him worse than the league average.  His stats were still superior to Sandoval’s as Headley finished with a 1.1 WAR for the season beating out Panda who was negative in that category.  A .259/.324/.369 batting line isn’t great but it doesn’t make you the worst in the division when Sandoval plays in the division.

Next: Pablo Sandoval

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