Dallas News: Grant: Blalock isn’t reason for Young’s potential move (RR)

Evan Grant introduces his “Tops Razor” (sounds like Headon wandered into Sid’s...uhh, dressing room) stat…

Revised zone rating (RZR), a refined version of zone rating (both of which sprung from the mind of Fielding Bible author John Dewan, who ranked Young as the worst defensive shortstop before 2006), has Young fifth overall right now and second in the AL. According to the RZR, Young was 17th his first year, bottomed out at 24th in 2005 and has steadily gotten better since. He was 14th in 2006, 11th in 2007 and fifth this year.

Now, just for fun, let’s factor in offense. Lets come up with a formula. Call it “Tops Razor” or TOPS (Total of On-base-Plus-Slugging and Revised Zone Rating). Just add OPS and RZR and ­ voila! ­ another index is born. Young’s Top Razor for 2007 was 1.597, which ranks 10th in baseball. Troy Tulowitzki had the top number last year (1.699), and Jimmy Rollins was second (1.578). Among 2007 AL shortstops, Young ranked behind Miguel Tejada (1.647) and Carlos Guillen (1.632).

Bottom line: If the Rangers are going to move Young, they are going to have be sure they’ve got a shortstop capable of being among the 10 overall best in baseball. That has nothing to do with Blalock.