re: New MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred "Open" to Eliminating Defensive Shifts

quote:

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Shifts are a contributor, but not a big one. BIS estimated the number of runs saved via shifting in 2014 at 195 runs across the majors -- or 6.5 runs per team, on average, over the entire season.

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I'd be interested in knowing how they factored runs saved by shifting. To me, if the SS or 3B is playing traditional 2B, then the shift isn't responsible for the out if a ball is hit to that position.

Basically, in my opinion, the only time the shift "works" is when a hard hit ball goes to the 2B playing shallow RF. Otherwise, its just a ball hit to a normal position, just not a position being manned by the usual player.