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I'd argue that it was not the exceptional defense of Everett, or the whatever-they-love-about-Ausmus abilities that made the Astros world series participant last year. It was exceptional pitching. Pure and simple.


The problem with your statement is that it is very difficult to separate defense from pitching. The two facets of the game are synergistic. That's one of the reasons that the measurement of defense is not easy. By some measures, the Astros and White Sox had the best defensive teams in the MLs last year and both made it to the WS, even with poor offenses. Of course, both teams also were near the top in pitching too. The two facets go hand in hand. As one who watched Ensberg and Everett handle hard hit grounders time after time last year when Pettitte was on the mound, my conclusion is that he could not have achieved a career year without exceptional defense.