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Baltimore Orioles: Where does shortstop J.J. Hardy rank among AL East peers

By Nate Wardle

Apr 27, 2016; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Baltimore Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy (2) fields the ball and throws to first for the final out of the game during the ninth inning of a baseball game at Tropicana Field. The Orioles won 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 27, 2016; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Baltimore Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy (2) fields the ball and throws to first for the final out of the game during the ninth inning of a baseball game at Tropicana Field. The Orioles won 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 10, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts (2) singles in the second inning against the Cleveland Indians during game three of the 2016 ALDS playoff baseball series at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 10, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts (2) singles in the second inning against the Cleveland Indians during game three of the 2016 ALDS playoff baseball series at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Boston Red Sox

Red Sox’s shortstops – Xander Bogaerts, Brock Holt, Josh Rutledge, Deven Marrero

Bogaerts is the obvious choice at the top at shortstop in the AL East. The offense is stellar, with the only questions revolving around his defense.

Bogaerts hit .294/.356/.446 with 21 HRs, 34 2Bs, 89 RBIs and 115 runs in 2016.

Bogaerts is a two-time Silver Slugger and was an All-Star in 2016. His oWAR the last two years has been 4.6 and 4.7. But, his dWAR was 0.9 in 2015, but -0.1 in 2016.

Also, Bogaerts’ range and total fielding runs above average numbers are not good. Nor is his fielding percentage. So, the question surrounding Bogaerts in 2017 is whether he can move to an all-around great shortstop, not just a great offensive shortstop.

Next: Orioles Roundup: Preseason predictions, picks, and projections

Backing up Bogaerts is likely the team’s utilityman, Holt.

There you have it, any issues with the rankings? Let us know in the comment section!

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