There are two ways to evaluate a player:
1. Eyeball test. Scouts do this, I'm told, to determine a player's attributes, tendencies, strengths, weaknesses and overall abilities.
2. Stats. Coaches and analysts love this stuff, since it gives them ammunition for the things they want to work on that they see from No. 1.
To get a full picture, you really need both. As fans, most of us will never be able to adequately do No. 1, therefore No. 2 becomes our crutch. Problematically, it doesn't tell the "whole story", but this is what makes us fans -- partial truths clung to as gospel. Here endeth the lesson.
Oh yeah, and this argument is dumb. Sys was right -- last summer was the time to whine about Clemente. He ain't changing his spots. He will take mind-numbing shots, he will hit pretty floaters, he will play average defense and he will mostly stay away from turnovers. So beat your head against the wall if you want, but I'll spend my time worrying about Frank's contract instead.