American League Gold Gloves: Jeter, Longoria, Suzuki Head 2009 Awards

Every year, the Gold Glove is given to the player judged to be the best defensive player at his position in his league. Unfortunately, there is no set criteria to determine who is the "best" defensive player, and as such the Gold Gloves end up being one of the most subjective awards given out each year. The American League Gold Gloves for 2009 are no different. Some are given to players having all-around good years (Derek Jeter, Joe Mauer) or to those players who have won the award before (Torii Hunter, Ichiro Suzuki). Some deserve them more than others, although none of the players given the award this year had a "bad" year. The most surprising American League Gold Gloves this year are, for completely different reasons, Evan Longoria (third base) and Derek Jeter (shortstop).

Evan Longoria, in only his second season in the majors, established himself not only as an offensive threat but also as a solid and exciting defender at third base. Although certainly benefitting from the declining effectiveness of past winners Adrian Beltre and Eric Chavez, Longoria's ability to make not only routine plays but also the occasional outstanding one set him apart from the rest of the pack in the American League. Considering his youth and the fact that he's not done developing his skills, it is foreseeable that Longoria could finish his career with five or even ten Gold Gloves if he is able to remain healthy.

Derek Jeter, on the other hand, had a solid defensive season, but not one generally worthy of a Gold Glove. Although Jeter always has the ability to make a game-changing play, he generally counterbalances that with a lack of overall range, something that most great defensive shortstops have. 2009, however, was possibly Jeter's best defensive year, and the voters decided that having a "better-than-normal" year is worth more than having a truly great year. Jeter is far from being the worst shortstop in the American League, but I would hesitate to call him "Gold Glove caliber," and the fact that he has won four Gold Gloves is almost mindboggling. A more solid choice probably would've been Jack Wilson, who played solid defense for both the Pirates and the Mariners this season, although his campaign for a Gold Glove was probably hurt by his switching leagues mid-season and a sub-par offensive performance.

The complete list of 2009 American League Gold Glove winners, with career number of Gold Gloves won in parentheses:

C - Joe Mauer, Minnesota Twins (2^nd)

1B - Mark Teixeira, New York Yankees (3^rd)

2B - Placido Polanco, Detroit Tigers (2^nd)

3B - Evan Longoria, Tampa Bay Rays (1^st)

SS - Derek Jeter, New York Yankees (4^th)

OF - Ichiro Suzuki, Seattle Mariners (9^th)

OF - Torii Hunter, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (9^th)

OF - Adam Jones, Baltimore Orioles (1^st)

P - Mark Buehrle, Chicago White Sox (1^st)

(All statistics, including the list of winners, acquired from ESPN.com)