Who deserves the Gold Glove in 2022: Nolan Arenado, Ke’Bryan Hayes or Ryan McMahon?

The Athletic's beat writers debate who should win the Gold Glove Award at third base. The Cardinals' Nolan Arenado has won the award in each of the last nine years. Ke’Bryan Hayes of Pirates is a new player who just completed his second full season in the majors. Ryan McMahon of Rockies made a league-high 17 errors last season.

Biertempfel thinks Ke'Bryan Hayes should win his second straight Gold Glove instead of his first. Hayes played the whole season this year despite a nagging hip injury and back pain. He topped fielders at all positions with 24 defensive runs saved.

Hayes is a finalist for the Gold Glove at third base. Pirates have collected 51 Gold Gloves since the award was created in 1957. Hayes is quiet and doesn't like to talk about his stats. Manny Machado was a close second to Hayes in the voting. Machad had a better fielding percentage than McMahon. He converted more outs than Hayes. The difference between Machada and McMahon was range. The stats are bogus. They are a snapshot. There are many variables involved. It's only a sliver of a view of the whole. For example, the wide-ranging play where you go, “Wow that was the great play,” the one that costs us a base and maybe multiple runs is the thing to judge a fielder.

Ke'Bryan Hayes is the current Gold Glove winner. Nolan Arenado, Ryan McMahon and Ke'bryan hays are the other two finalists.

Biertempfel, Groke and Woo discuss who deserves the Gold Glove in 2022. Hayes has produced an MLB-high 40 DRS in the past two seasons. Arenado remains baseball's best defender at the hot corner. The last third baseman to win the NL Gold Gloves was San Diego’s Chase Headley in 2012. The Rockies have filled in for Arenada at third base since they traded him to the Cardinals. Ryan McMahon moved from second to third. He's not as good as Arenad at that position. Neither is Hayes. It would be difficult for Hayes, McMahon or really anyone to unseat Arenados.

Nolan Arenado deserves the Gold Glove in 2022. Ke’Bryan Hayes or Ryan McMahon should get it too.

Biertempfel, Groke and Woo predict Arenado will win his 10th consecutive Gold Glove. Hayes is an enticing, electric young talent with a high ceiling and plenty of potential. The award will continue to get closer with Hayes' continued rise. Even if Arenad's reign extends another year, the chase for Gold Gloves No. 11, 12 and so on will become more difficult. The Gold Globes are like the Oscars. Sometimes you have to be nominated a bunch before voters give in and hand you the award.

Ke'Bryan Hayes is a good enough player to win the Gold Glove at third base. Nolan Arenado is still superb with the glove at 31 years old. Areno hit .293 with 30 home runs for the NL Central champs. Hayes has yet to put together a full, healthy season. He drew criticism this season when a TV camera showed him snacking on seeds during a play.