Statement: Third base is a position that requires a great deal of defensive skill, more so than any position but catcher, second and short, and as such, having a strong defender there is as important as having strong offense from the third base position.
In real terms, what this means is that while whar you really want is obviously an Evan Longoria who's great on both sides of the game, an elite, highly athletic defender with only moderate-to-good offensive gifts, such as Adrian Beltre or Chone Figgins, can be considered every bit as successful a third baseman as more footslow, unathletic power hitters as Pablo Sandoval or Aramis Ramirez.
Agree or disagree?