Plodding, ponderous, plain bad — all words used to describe Jesse Winker’s defense this season before his campaign ended with shoulder surgery. In particular when I wrote two weeks ago that Winker was the third-most valuable trade asset the Reds have, you all were quick to point out in the comments that Winker cannot possibly be ranked that high because good lord the man just can’t play defense.
I want to posit a different interpretation: Jesse Winker’s defense frankly doesn’t matter.
Before his injury, the rookie had a 128 wRC+ over 334 plate appearances, walked more than he struck out, and and about a quarter of his hits were for extra bases.