Why does Bruce Bochy play at shortstop at the ends of close games? This is one of the more puzzling things for me because it is not like he is reluctant to try to put a better defensive team on the field when it comes to his outfield.

For as much as I have piled on Tejada this season for not playing very well he has been hitting better as of late and with the limited options that the Giants have he has made sense getting playing time at third while was out and helping out at second base when was on the disabled list.

That being said there really shouldn't be any reason to have Tejada at shortstop when the Giants have a lead late in the game.

Tejada has seen his range deteriorate to the point that he is no longer viable option at shortstop especially when the Giants have a guy on the team capable of playing plus defense in .

Here are the last years of UZR/150, Total Zone and Fan Scouting Report for Tejada at shortstop:

2009: -11.2, -18, -3
2010: 0.3, 14, -3
2011: -12.2, -8, NA

The though of Tejada going after a ground ball in the ninth inning of a 1 run ball game should make you queasy to think about and really doesn't make sense when there is a better alternative.

Bruce Bochy needs to treat him the same way that he treats when he is in left field and get him out of there after 7 innings when the Giants have the lead and get your best defensive team out there to support this pitching staff.

---

Become a and follow the on twitter there is lots of good stuff going on there. Sign up for our free newsletter!