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My take on the Fig/Lop flip-flop is that Lopez playing third INCREASES his trade value - and might double the potential teams showing interest.
Doc is correct that a lot of defensive rating is "perception". Does a player "fit the mold." This is NOT, (and never has been), a National League thing. It's a major league thing. It's a 100-years-its-been-this-way thing. It's a -- "I'll tell you where you can stick your stats" thing.
There were "experts" screaming that Youkilis would be a defensive disaster at third. Why? Because physically, he just didn't look like Brooks Robinson.
Honestly, I don't think the 2b/3b experiment is focused on what's good for the 2010 team. I think there's a mindset that it might not make the team worse. And if THAT is the case -- if the move simply treads water defensively, then the trade value for Lopez leaps up -- and all those GMs out there going -- ("Sorry, we need a decent glove at second.") -- will start salivating at the idea of a young, 30-HR (once he's out of Safeco) third-sacker.
Given the club's concern with defense, I have NO doubt that if they feel the swap is going to actually be defensively detrimental, that they'll drop the experiment. And the choice won't be made based on where Lopez *IS* at the end of March ... it will be based on where they think Lopez can get to defensively at third, (and how quickly).