AL Gold Gloves: Third Base

Here are the AL Gold Glove candidates at third base. I'll evaluate them using Fielding Win Shares and Fielding Wins Above Average (derived from fielder runs above average on BP, divided by 9):

Third base   FWS    FWAA
Lowell       6.0     1.4
Inge         4.7     1.8
Punto        4.6     0.0
Gordon       4.1    -0.3
Blake        3.8     0.4
A-Rod        3.7     0.4

Lots of disagreement between WS and BP on this one. WS likes Punto, Gordon and Blake. BP thinks they were about average. But, BP thinks nearly all the third basemen are about average.

This is a contest between Lowell and Inge. Lowell has the reputation and will win it.

Using the composite score method (see the NL Catcher's gold glove post), based on an average third baseman achieving 2.0 fielding win shares, Lowell has a very (very) slight edge over Inge. I like it whent he unknowns win. My Gold Glove goes to Inge.

The iron glove goes to....hold your hat....

Eric Chavez! Can that be true? The former gold glove winner? To say this wasn't his year is an understatement.