Speaking of Kenny Lofton's defensive prowess, I thought it would be interesting to take a quick look at Lofton's fielding win shares* (per 1000 innings in order to level the comparison) compared to the other Phillies centerfielders:
Player/(WS/1000IN)
K Lofton/3.74
M Byrd/3.38
D Glanville/5.06
J Michaels/4.05
MLB/4.14
There are really only two standouts, Marlon Byrd (well below average) and Doug Glanville (well above average). However, none of these differences are so large that it would warrant greater playing time over another player. The bottom line is that the best option overall - offense and defense combined - for the Phillies centerfield job would be the Post-All-Star Break 2003 Marlon Byrd.
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* Stats via The Hardball Times Baseball Annual.
