Shortstop: why do the best change addresses so often?

Recently, I came across an article that rated the best shortstops on the league. For those interested, Francisco Lindor finished in first place.

Here is the text in question.

We’ve ranked the top 10 shortstops in MLB for 2023.

From veteran leaders like Trea Turner and Carlos Correa to rising stars like Wander Franco and Bo Bichette, there’s no shortage of talent at the position. https://t.co/1u4gUCNL4h

— Audacy Sports (@AudacySports) January 16, 2023

What struck me about the ranking is that the majority of shortstop players who are in this ranking have changed addresses recently.

Here are the players.

• Francisco Lindor moved from Cleveland to New York recently.
• Trea Turner played for Washington and Los Angeles before signing for Philadelphia.
• Carlos Correa played in Houston before signing in San Francisco At New York in Minnesota.
• Xander Bogaerts left Boston for San Diego.
• Corey Seager left Los Angeles to go to Texas.
• Dansby Swanson chose to leave his home (Atlanta) to go to Chicago.
• Wander Franco is a product of the Tampa Bay organization.
• Tommy Edman has never played elsewhere than in Saint-Louis.
• Willy Adames was sent to Milwaukee after losing his job in Tampa Bay.
• Bo Bichette has always been in Toronto… but the file is not simple.

Examining the cases for the Blue Jays at $5m and Bo Bichette at $7.5m and what to extrapolate from their looming arbitration clash: https://t.co/yZDgSCTXCY

—Shi Davidi (@ShiDavidi) January 16, 2023

Marcus Semien and Trevor Story, who played at shortstop in the past, also signed big contracts to change address, but to play at second base. Javier Baez (Chicago, New York, Detroit) has also traveled extensively.

We can add, to a lesser extent, the fact that JP Crawford (Seattle) is no longer in Philadelphia and that Amed Rosaria (Cleveland) was in New York before Francisco Lindor landed.

Like it or not, that’s a lot of uncertainty and changes to a crucial position.

I have difficulty explaining the phenomenon to myself. After all, it’s not necessarily to go to good big rich teams that guys leave.

Last year, on the autonomy market, the Rangers, the Twins and the Tigers broke everything.

My theory? When a young infield prospect pushes into the minors, he’s often at shortstop. It’s later that he goes to second base or third base.

Look at the draft: there are a lot of shortstops in the first round.

I have the feeling that some clubs think that a youngster can do the job more cheaply (compared to a veteran) and that others want an established player. But for every Jeremy Pena who replaces Carlos Correa, how many cases are there that don’t work?

• The last of the 2016 World Series: Kyle Hendricks.

It hasn’t been an easy few years for Kyle Hendricks, but the only active player remaining from the Cubs’ 2016 World Series team is taking the long view.

Hendricks might not be ready for Opening Day, but he told @PJ_Mooney he’s eager to reinvent himself.https://t.co/5KALKhtTiE

— The Athletic MLB (@TheAthleticMLB) January 22, 2023

• The Rockies haven’t been active this winter.