At this position, it's a very short stop
In Boston, at least, the position could not be more aptly named. From Orlando Cabrera to Edgar Renteria to Alex Gonzalez and now to Julio Lugo, the layover always has been brief. Inarguably, it has been a short stop.
| MAZZ'S HOT STOVE SERIES: Starting today and ending on Nov. 13, the day before free agents can sign with any team, the Globe's Tony Massarotti will tackle an offseason topic of interest to Red Sox fans. Check out the schedule below. Shortstop in focus Yankees: Under contruction Manny of the moment Top prize: Mark Teixeira Potential Sox trade partners Big-ticket starters and the art of building a bullpen Tony's best- and worst-case offseason scenarios for the Red Sox and Yankees MORE FROM MAZZ: |
Who will be the next Red Sox shortstop?
Think of the possibilities: With Michael Douglas playing the lead role, we produced "The American President." Maybe Kevin Costner can become "The Red Sox Shortstop." Easy storyline there: A man takes over a position that has experienced less stability than the stock market, then brings productivity, grace, and dignity to a place that badly needs it.
Added benefit: the ageless Annette Bening co-stars.
For those keeping score, the Red Sox now have had six regular shortstops in the last five seasons, which is as much a meaningless statistical aberration as it is any sign of volatility. During the same period, the Sox have been to four postseasons and three American League Championship Series while winning two world titles. The Red Sox are building teams first, which means they're going to hit on some positions, miss on others.
At midseason 2007, just before the All-Star break, general manager Theo Epstein was asked about the problems the Sox have had at shortstop and offered the following reply: "You sure you don't want to talk about second base instead?" Indeed, from 2003 through 2006, the Sox had a succession of second basemen. including Todd Walker, Mark Bellhorn, Tony Graffanino and Mark Loretta. All of them generally played well, Bellhorn serving as a key contributor on the 2004 club that won the world title.
Now the Sox second baseman is none other than Dustin Pedroia, who is one of the best players in baseball.
But shortstop? That has been Theo's Waterloo. Beginning in 2004, when Epstein made the gutsy, franchise-altering trade that swapped Nomar Garciaparra for Cabrera, the Red Sox have changed shortstops like wiper blades. It really has been nothing short of an annual hardball transfusion. Going back to 2003, in fact, no Sox shortstop has made it through two full seasons as the starter, suggesting that the Sox have somehow constructed a dead-end position in the middle of the infield.
How many rotaries have you driven with a stop sign in the middle?
For the sake of accuracy, here is the lineage: Garciaparra, Cabrera, Renteria, Gonzalez, Lugo, and now Jed Lowrie, the last of whom assumed the lease after Lugo was lost to a leg injury. Those obsessed with technicalities might point out that, due to Lugo's ailment, Lowrie never was truly named the starter, but we all know in our hearts that a healthy Lugo wasn't getting his job back.
Which brings us to where we are now.
This week, along with the rest of his peers, Epstein is at baseball's annual general managers meetings, surrounded by the breathtaking views of the Pacific. On those cliffs, baseball's 2008-09 offseason will truly begin. The GM meetings typically are where the game's decision-makers do their fact-finding for the coming weeks, when teams will make many of the decisions that could very well determine the outcome of next year's playoff races.
For the Red Sox, shortstop certainly does not seem like a priority given the club's issues at catcher and in the middle of the lineup. Nonetheless, one can only wonder: What if the Sox must include Lowrie in a trade for a middle-of-the-order bat? What if someone will take Lugo? How do the Sox really feel about the parcel between second and third bases at Fenway Park, a piece of land that seemingly nobody wants to buy?
In recent years, during the ownership and administration headed by John Henry, the Sox have made many things clear. One is that they are not afraid to think big. Another is that they are not afraid to cut their losses. As evidence of the latter, the Sox cut bait with Renteria after just one season, agreeing to pay $11 million of the remaining $29 million on his four-year, $40 million contract, meaning the Sox ultimately paid Renteria a whopping $22 million for one year of service during which he committed a major league-leading 30 errors.
Think of it this way: In 2008, the Sox were still paying $3.67 million of Renteria's salary with the Detroit Tigers. That is on top of the $9 million they paid Lugo, who was the worst defensive shortstop in baseball (at least based on errors) during the first half of the season. Should the Red Sox find a taker for Lugo this offseason, they will find themselves in a familiar predicament: paying a shortstop to play for someone else. Lugo has two years and $18 million remaining on his contract, and in all likelihood, the Sox would have to eat at least half of his salary in any deal, which means they'd be paying him in the vicinity of $4.5 million this season to ply his trade elsewhere. All of that has made shortstop nothing short of a money pit, which is something the Red Sox can afford only because they have a license to print cash.
Lugo's appeal to a potential trade partner would be based on the fact that his contract is short and relatively inexpensive (again, with the Sox picking up a large chunk of his salary), particularly in comparison to the more expensive shortstops currently available. This winter, in the event you are wondering, Renteria, Cabrera and Rafael Furcal, among others, are free agents at a position that has riddled the Sox in recent years.
Given that history, the Sox are not likely to bid on any of them so much as they are likely to hand the keys to Lowrie, who was sure-handed, reasonably productive and absurdly cheap. Lowrie (who played with a sprain and small non-displaced fracture in his left wrist from May to October) batted just .195 and struck out 43 times in his final 153 at-bats of the regular season -- from the left side, the switch hitter batted .222 for the season and struck out once every 3.3 at-bats -- but the Red Sox seem to believe that Lowrie has the necessary offensive and defensive tools to be an everyday shortstop.
If they're right, the Sox won't be making any moves at shortstop this offseason and they will be celebrating newfound stability at this position come this time next year.
If they're wrong, the keys will be left under the mat for the next man who dares venture into the pit.
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Leave lowery alone............ and don,t waste to much time on veritek... keep your eyes on the prize( middle relief and a right handed power bat)
I don't know about this seemingly strange infatuation that Theo has with shortstops.But,he should've stopped looking,after he found Cabrera.For two years,Theo was in hot pursuit of Lugo.And he has been the very worst.I cringed almost every time a ball came at him.I do know one thing here though,Jed Lowrie is only going to improve.....Theo should be seeking more pitching and a big bat.Why spend money on something that you may not need.If I were he,I'd be looking for a catcher,keep Varitek to use as mentor.Jason is too smart to let go,unless the price is too high..But,shortstop,lay contented,he might be in the fold.
The problem with Lugo is that he was so bad with either the bat/glove that he was costing the Sox quite a few games. He wasn't just slumping- he was going for the record(s)!
Sox fans should be patient with Jed. He's a smart guy who did not throw out excuses, even when he was hurt. Any Sox fan should have noticed that this guy was already picking up on the little things he needed to do to win. If he continues to do that, he will surely flourish in Boston.
Ummm I believe you mean Michael Douglas...not Kevin Costner.
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz...........u had better insight when u worked for the herald..peeeeace out
Why not trade for JJ Hardy of the Brewers?
He's a great all around player, about the same age as Lowrie, and a proven track record. Better bat and better range than Lowrie, who really faded at years end.
Brewers need pitching, so it's a good match. They also have a great minor leaguer to replace Hardy.
I'm still not convinced that Lowrie has the range to provide the defense required at the major league level. Is the OC going to be prohibitively expensive? Perhaps because you would need to eat Lugo's salary on top of it? He proved he could play in Boston and just ate up everything hit at him. I think they have to at least innvestigate the possibility.
The problem is that Theo wants Nomar back...not the groughy, underperforming, always hurt, Nomar - the young Nomar that Ted Williams loved. Probelm is, no such creature is available on the market. The Sox problem is that if they keep 'Tek they need better than average offense out of SS. I'm not sure Lowry will give you that.
I enjoy your work, Mazz, but where's your editor? Too much redundancy and too many comparisons made for a choppy read.
To quote Dorothy, why go searching for your heart's desire, when you can find it in your own back yard?
It's Lowrie. Period, end of discussion.
This was funny. I like Jed Lowrie because (well listening to Jerry Remy at least) it is important that the second baseman and shortshop feel like they are a team that can communicate best with each other and Pedroia (who if we treat him right will probably someday be in Jerry Remy's seat) seems most comfortable with Jed Lowrie. My only real worry was that he and Youk weren't as great on the left side as Lowell and Lowrie were, but I understand they will be working out in the off season together so, lets stick with the kid for awhile...
How about this line up?
Ellsbury CF
Pedroia 2B
Ortiz DH
Texierra 1B
Youklis SS
Lowell 3B
Drew RF
Bay LF
Varitek C
I think the Red Sox could have alleviated much of their problems at the short stop position by offering Orlando Cabrera two or three years following the 04 championship winning season. Orlando's defensive skill and consistency at the plate are two attributes he possesses that the Sox haven't had at that position since he left. As far as Lowrie is concerned, I think a decision needs to be made sooner than later (to play or trade) while you have some talented shortstops on the market. Yes, Lowrie is cheap, but, that just makes his trade value higher, and we all know that money is no object concerning the Red Sox. The fact of the matter is, we need a bigger bat at shortstop, and I don't think Lowrie is the answer. What is the answer? Bring in experience and offer two years, get rid of all that extra money we are still paying players that don't even play for us anymore, and start all over again at shortstop with a clean sheet. -Ross Cummiskey
Nice writing. Theo's Waterloo about sums it up. Love the idea for the series to get the hot-stove boiling.
The obvious choice is Lowrie and Lugo fighting for the job. The Sox never really just turn a job over. Youk took a year and half to nail the job and Cora was a constant presence as Pedroia grabbed the second sack by the anchor bolt. Lowrie is a component, but not likely a Pedroia, so he's definitely tradable. Furcal proved what a catalyst he could be (when healthy). Why wouldn't the Sox make a run at him? With Ellsbury still a question mark and catcher looking uncertain no matter what the outcome, will the sox take a chance at SS as well?
Lugo has no choice if he's back to accept the supersub role that made him the $36 million contract in the first place. And with Cora likely gone, and slowing, it appears the sox have a hole for him to fill.
*I think a guy like Kalil Green in San diego would be a good fit for the sox. What do you guys think? Should we trade for him?
The Sox made a terrible error in judgment in not keeping Cabrera in the first place after 2004.
Khalil Greene is available!!!!!!!
Isn't it true that some of the problem is that the Fenway infield is awful? Or was it just Renteria griping?
Beechman
The Red Sox tried to keep Cabrera after the 2004 season but not at the money he wanted.
Granted he had a great post-season but I think there was some thought in Red Sox Nation that he wasn't worth the money that Anaheim eventually gave him.
The Sox should stick with Lowrie for a variety of reasons. First off, much like Pedroia, the Sox must show faith in their minor league system and the players it produces. Second money, you can't have superstar contracts at every position. Third defense, even if Lowrie is a 270-10-60 guy every year, his glove appears to be legit. Let the kid grow up before signing another overpriced mistake (Furcal) or trading good young pitching assets for someone who may or may not be that much better (Hardy). At worst, the kid could be a great utility man off the bench with a good attitude and not afraid to get dirty.
---the Sox received two draft picks for losing cabrera to free agency: ellsbury and lowrie. think about that before complaining about not re-signing him.
This should be the lineup:
Ellsbury (CF)
Pedroia (2B)
Texierra (1B)
Youklis (3B)
Ortiz (DH)
Bay (RF)
Drew (LF)
Lowrie (SS)
Tek (C)
Joe:
Kevin Youkilis can not play SS in the big leagues. I know that lineup looks amazing, but defensively it would not have any staying power. Youk is built to play the corner IF positions, NOT up the middle at SS or 2B. If you improve the middle of the order with a big bat like teixara, you dont need your SS to have power or hit for big numbers. I think Lowrie can provide steady defense at SS and should compete with Lugo heading into 09.
You forgot Pokey Reese. In 2004, he started more games at SS than Nomah or OC, and hit 2 of his 3 homers in one glorious Saturday afternoon game at Fenway, one inside the park standing up. Someday we'll learn what OC did off the field to get him banished - certainly it wasn't on the field performance.
trade Lugo (pay half of what his salary is), Coco Crisp, and Manny Delcarmen for Peavy. San Diego needs a ss and speed and we can pay some of the salary. Again SD needs a CF and speed in Coco. And Manny can be a great set-up for Heath Bell when Hoffman retires at end of '09. Or he can actually be their closer.
We have good arms in the minors to comliment Masterson and Paps in the bullpen. Go get Teixeira and we are done. Offer Varitek good money for 2 years and if he wants more years then lets move on.
Rumor has it that Cabrera was an off the field liability with his "lifestyle." That being said, Theo should've known it before trading away Nomah.
did some moron really write Youk @ SS?
Edgar hated the Fenway infield and he's done well elsewhere, so good chance the infield is difficult for shortstops. Ellsbury needs a chance to play at shortstop, he's done it before.
Dunno, but there must definitely be some baggage with O-Cab. Next year he'll be on his 5th team since '04. A lifetime OBP of .322 isn't anything great either. I say, let Lowrie grow into the position. As long as it's not Julio Yugo, we're all set.
Lots of Cabrera love here. But it's 4 years since he played for the Red Sox (for a few months), he's 34 (and his stats dropped this year, despite the contract year), and there's reasons he gets traded so much (rumblings of him causing some troubles, both with Red Sox and White Sox). I think catcher/Varitek is the bigger issue, unless they trade Lowrie.
You forgot Pokey Reese at shortstop when Nomar was injured
Joe, Joe, Joe....
Have you seen Youks lately? Does he look like a prototypical SS to you? Really?
Everyone is trying to find a spot for the acquisition of Mark Texeira... ain't gonna work without dealing Lowell and I think Boston could be better off using the money spent on Tex(100+ mil) on pitching, pitching and more pitching.
Step away from the Texeira bandwagon everyone, please....?
Cabrera was never the answer he was a clubhouse cancer and would have ended up like all the others a average SS on a great team.
Something about Theo and shortstops. Does anyone remember Edgar Rent-A-Wreck?
How about Michael Young along with a young catcher in a really big deal?
Spelling lesson for today....L-O-W-R-I-E.
Put your pink hats away for a second and pay attention.
How could you leave out Pokey Reese, who threw leather with the best of them?
*Joe. The idea of that lineup is nice for a video game but youk doesn't have the range to play short. Not sure Mike Lowell would have it either.
Khalil Greene has hit a career high .273 in 2004 and has a career average of .248. He also only hit .213 last year in the NL west! Plus he has an average fielding percentage of .976 (not great). He also has a career average OBP of .304 in the NL West! Anyone still want to trade for this guy? Lowrie is a much better option than Greene.
PS Mazz: Annette Benning is beat!
Apparently, Cabrera has some personal issues that make him unattractive as a player. There's a reason he keeps bouncing around from team to team each year.
Switch hitting, healthy Lowrie is the answer. He has a steady glove and confidence to make it at any level. He tatooed the monster from the left side with runners on base before hand injuries. Lugo can't be traded, but could serve as a expensive utility player at most positions, including OF. He could also come in to PR and steal a base. I don't get the Texierira talk, unless you move a great fileder (Lowell) or trade Youk (ouch) or trade J. Bay, moving Youk to LF. Financially, it would be a fiasco. If I have money to spend, I buy more pitching. One great lefty (CC Sabathia) has indicated the highest bidder (NYY) is not a done deal. Imagine the rotation, plus being able to keep Masterson in the pen, Clay B. in the minors, or pen and develop Bard, Pauley and Bowden. Can Youk catch? He's done everything else asked.
Did someone seriously just put Youk in as starting shortstop? A GOLD GLOVE first baseman, who was/is a 3rd baseman doesn't mean he can play shortstop too!
Khalil Greene????? the .213 hitting 100 strikeout to 22 walks Khalil Greene???? That guy sucks more than a $2 crack whore on Broadway!
And who was the Donkey that put suggested Youk should play short! Did everyone here play right field in Little League in your last season of Baseball.
I can't believe that I read those posts, that is 6 seconds of my life I can't get back, you Donkeys owe me that time back, so just keep reading....
blah, blah, blah, Imagine your team with no Jason Bay, he will be gone by the July trade deadline, blah, blah, blah, pray for the how do we get innings for Mark Texiera, Youkilis, Lowell and Ortiz problem and while your at it add an extra prayer in there for Jarrod Saltalamacchia to replace V-tek in 2 years. And except that Lowrie is a good cheap excuse for a SS because we are not going to get Hanley Rameriz back in any trade scenario!
Khalil Greene? Of course he's available, he sucks. Why trade Tylenol for Excedrin? I see a Lowrie/Lugo platoon of some sort at short. If they add a BIG bat, they should be fine with the aforementioned platoon and most likely Tek at the bottom of the order. ADD MORE PITCHING. As we all know, you can never have enough quality pitchers.
I am guessing but am not certain that Lowrie's major league numbers are pretty comparable to Pedroia's after the same number of ab's - remember Pedroia was pretty pedestrian when called up in 06, and for the first few months of 07. Also throw in the fact that this was probably his "hit the wall" season in terms of games played, and the hand injury as additonal reasons to give him the keys again this year and give him a shot to succeed - he fields better than average and much better than Lugo, and I am thinking he is a better hitter than he showed this year. .270 with solid defense is fine with me out of the SS position.
The Sox wanted to keep Cabrera but he made it impossible because of his problems in the clubhouse and off the field. There is nothing they could do about that. Alex Gonzalez should have been signed. He was as good defensively if not better than Cabrera and hit fairly well.
Mazz, can we get a Print option for your blogs, like with the normal stories? I like to read these pearls on the bus home. tak to ya.
Good idea Joe - Youk could definetly play shortstop. We should probably just trade for A-Rod and put him behind the plate or something...amateurs...
I'd love to see Michael Young at short for the Sox. How about Young and a Texas catcher for some of the Sox young talent. God knows, the Rangers need some pitching. Make Lowrie the utility guy replacing Cora.
Why not move Pedoia to short stop, Youk to 2nd and sign Tex for 1rst. IMO this would be the best thing for the team.
Anyone who saw the problems that Cabrera's attitude played with the White Sox this year will know why Theo didn't sign him after '04. He's a selfish ballplayer and routinely threw his teammates (and the official scorers!) under the bus.
I agree, spend the money on pitching. We have a lineup with too many guys who strike out entirely too much . . . Bay, Lowrie, Tek, Drew. We need some more OBPS . . . I wonder who's name Bill James is whispering in Theo's ear?
With Alex Cora filing for free agency, Lugo is a perfect candidate to replace him as the Red Sox utility player - albeit a very expensive utility player. He has played all INF positions as well as some outfield while he was with LA and Tampa. Sure he's not as good as Cora at all positions and he will not like the situation but given his options, he doesn't have much of a choice. Put up or shut up. Finding a trading partner will be next to impossible. The Sox always preach bench strength and this situation fits right into that mold.
It's obvious that Lowrie is the long term answer at SS.
Why didn't the sox sign Alex Gonzalez? I thought he made a great number 9 hitter, considering how defensively solid he was...
Tony, two paragraphs into this article I started to speed read it. I don't know how to speed read either. Not a single nut or bolt of interest here. Just a re-hash of everything we already know. If you're going to serve re-hash, can I get a couple of eggs OE to with it?
Hey Joe, How about this for a line up???
Ellsbury C
Pedroia LF
Drew 2B
Lowell RF
Bay 1B
Lowrie 1B
Varitek 3B
Youk Short RF
Ortiz CF
Nobody Playing Short for consitency sake
Mazz:
I think you would need to cast Warren Beatty as the shortstop to get Annette Benning. I believe you meant the ageless Susan Sarandon. . . . I'm just saying.
Hey Joe, How about this for a line up??
Ellsbury C
Pedroia LF
Drew 2B
Lowell 1B
Lowrie 1B
Youk SS
Varitek RF
Bay 3B
Nobody Plays SS To Keep Things Consistent
As I see it the Sox only have a couple of serious needs one being a cather for the future. The Rangers seem to be the best team to fufill that need. I would go all out. The second need is a big time bat to replace Manny and protect Ortiz. Bay did a great job but he's not Manny. Teixeria would fill that but the Sox would be bidding against the Yankees who have the greater need at 1st and greater resources. If we can get Teixera I wouldn't sorry about the s.s. position. As for pitching I think we are fine unless a good deal comes up.
Study the Rays. They dumped Lugo. Stole Barret and Garza. Made the World Series. Sometimes we think too much. Don't pay players for what they've done....pay them for what we think they are going to do.
It's time to say goodbye and thanks to Varitek. Any good catcher who can bat .265 is our guy.
It would seem that the Teixeira buzz will get him more than the Sox will pay. That said, if they did get him, any chance of keeping Lowell in the Sean Casey role and/or platooning with Big Papi at DH? Tito's ability to keep people involved would come into play here, and the Sox would get a chance to see how Lowell's hip and Ortiz' wrist are or aren't affecting them, at least for the first half of the season. Then, having spent only money for the big bat, young players and Coco could go into the mix in deals for a catcher -- and with good fielding and good hitting all around, leave Lowrie at SS!
Where does Mikey Lowell fit into this picture or are the Sox just going to pick up his $24 million dollar deal over the next 2 years in addition to Lugo's. If he is healthy, perhaps a big IF, then he can play for me any day. Lowrie's outstanding fielding, 1 error at short, throws Rent-a Wreck's complaints about the infield into the garbage bin. Renteria just stunk up the position in Detroit this year also. Lowrie deserves a chance to show he can hit. If he can then he is the answer and on the cheap. I remember a lot of people were ready to run a certain 2nd baseman back to the minors not too long ago after he struggled in his first 200 at bats.
I'm with Wade (comment 49): move Pedroia to SS. But keep Youk and Lowell. It must be easier to find a 2nd baseman than a SS!
My advice to Theo:
1.) Ignore the Teixeira sweepstakes. Or, at the very most, make an empty offer to stoke Boras's fantasies and put Hank the Tank over a barrel. We all know he'd mortgage the new stadium, sell off his prized array of olive turtlenecks and pawn the old man's respirator if only to escape the ignominy of losing out to the Sox.
2.) Spread any free agent dollars between Furcal and Burnett/Lowe.
3.) Find out what Seattle will take for Adrian Beltre. The Mariners, on the cusp of a true fire sale, will likely be dangling their fantastically underrated first baseman for cheap.
4.) Take whatever remains of the trade bait pu-pu platter (Lugo, Lowrie, Lowell, Crisp/Ellsbury, assorted minor leaguers) and put together a deal for a young, promising backstop--preferably Cleveland's Kelly Shoppach. Or, alternatively, one of the incalculable Rangers prospects. Or anyone who can crouch.
5.) Pick up Wake and Tek for at least another year.
This plan will give us improved offense in two positions--third and short--as well as slightly upgraded defense at third (Beltre's glove is beyond sick). It also provides us with a "true" leadoff hitter (Furcal) and adds depth to the rotation while subtracting comparitively little in terms of prospects.
Youk at SS? Trade Youk? What have you people been smoking? I'd do everything possible to move him back to 1st. His ability to stretch & catch throws & keep his foot on the bag makes him a natural for 1st. And move Pedroia? If it ain't broke.... Ditto with Ellsbury...have you even been watching the Sox games?? With his speed & ability to cover the field, surely the Sox wouldn't consider moving Ellsbury from outfield? Youk catch? Didn't he say he would play any position EXCEPT catcher,? That would be a huge waste anyway. We need him at 1st. SS? Lowrie, of course! He's young & should be kept & developed; he's off to a good start.
The implication is that the Sox would have been just as successful had they kept Renteria for the length of his contract.
Pedroia will command big money in the future. Make him your short stop and sign a more affordable player to second (do you really want to budget future Pedroia dollars to a second baseman?). Pedroia was drafted as a short stop and played that position (with good range) in college and high school. It was only after the Red Sox drafted him that he was shifted to second.
Lots of fantasy here. There are some people that make sense. Here's my lineup:
Crisp/Ellsbury CF
Pedroia 2B
Youkilis 1B
Ortiz DH
Drew RF
Lowell 3B
Bay LF
Lowrie SS
Varitek / Other C
The thing is, the bats were not that bad last year. A healthy Ortiz and Lowell will make the lineup fairly strong. Spend money on another top pitcher and a middle reliever. Remeber, we came one game away from the WS with the lineup above. When healthy, it could only be better.
Sign Mark Texeira, trade Mike Lowell or Julio Lugo from Red Sox to Detroit, Nate Robertson or Dontrelle Willis from Detroit to Texas, Teagarden or Saltalamacchia from Texas to Red Sox.
Mary, Mother of God...please keep Lowry and suck it up...either...trade Lugo - pay part of his salary and put him in a cab. Or...make him an expensive bench player... But spare us any more of this shortstop nonsense!
ONe point you all missed is the Ellsbury has proved that he is not a leadoff hitter and hits much better in the u,8 or 9 hole. Red Sox need a decent leadoff hitter not Drew, not Youkllis, not Crisp and not Ellsbury. Pedoria is another one who proved he is not a lead off hitter. Once Ellsbury has a couple of years under his belt he could be tried again at leadoff. So lets do something about a leadoff hitter.
*John from Portland (OR)
Who cares about giving Pedroia a huge contract to play second base. If he's the best 2B in the league, its worth it. He won't be the best SS in the league. Besides, the sox can afford it.
Some monumentally crazy-a** ideas here.
Youk at SS? He runs like he's towing a refrigerator. His range would be even less than the very range-limited Derek Jeter.
Trading Lowell is out. His salary is too much for the Sox to have to eat, especially if they have to eat some of Lugo's pay-per-error cash. Besides -- you've got Gold Glove corner defense in Youk and Lowell, solid hitting from Lowell if he stays healthy and great hitting from Youk. And none of it solves SS, but only adds to the cost of the eventual solution.
It's too early to tell whether Lowrie's the guy or not. His late-season fade means either fatigue caught up to him, or AL pitchers did, or, most likely, a little of both.
Howver, every lineup has a guy at the bottom, who hits poorly-to-mediocre but plays solid defense. Lowrie does that, and can steal some bases. Live with him another year and see what he's capable of. He'll still be a cheap trade option next year if you have to, or can stay as a capable backup.
Keep Lugo -- he's the Cora fill-in. Or trade him for middle relief and re-sign super-sub Cora for the role.
I don't think the Sox have a lot of problems to solve this year, and Lowrie's worth one more good look.
I love Sox fans this time of year. TRADE THEM ALL!!! WE NEED KHALIL GREENE!!! PUT YOUK AT SS!!!! One game from the world series. Perhaps they don't need wholesale changes? Add some pitching, sign Varitek or sign/trade for another catcher. Those are the NEEDS. Would it be nice to acquire Jake Peavy, CC Sabathia, Teixeira, Ichiro, Joe Dimaggio and Zeus? Of course.. but let's be realistic people.
Switch hitting, healthy Lowrie is the answer. He has a steady glove and confidence to make it at any level, reminds me of Michael Young. He tatooed the monster from the left side with runners on base before hand injuries. Lugo can't be traded, but could serve as a expensive utility player at most positions, including OF. He could also come in to PR and steal a base. I don't get the Texierira talk, unless you move a great fielder (Lowell) or trade Youk (ouch) or trade J. Bay, moving Youk to LF. Financially, it would be a fiasco. If I have money to spend, I buy more pitching. One great lefty (CC Sabathia) has indicated the highest bidder (NYY) is not a done deal. Imagine the rotation, plus being able to keep Masterson in the pen, Clay B. in the minors, or pen and develop Bard, Pauley and Bowden.
Trade for JJ Hardy, and keep Lowrie as the utility guy (ss, 3b, 2b). That way we have two low salaries, power at SS, and insurance. And we can trade one of our three rising stud pitchers and coco to get Hardy.
For those suggesting K Greene, you are out of your minds.
Texeira won't be in Boston next year the Yankees will over pay to lock him up at firstbase, the infield will be the same as last year they won't trade Lugo cause nobody wants him even if they pay his whole salary , only player traded Coco ,Tek will be back , maybe Rocco for back up outfielder if they move Coco.
I like the Texas Rangers trade idea
Young (ss) and one of their million catchers :) for???
young pitching
then Coco for a middle releiver
then...
sign Tex NOT Tek
finally trade lowell to the phils and re-stock the farm system after the texas deal.
go away pink hats!
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is taking a few days off to celebrate the arrival of summer.
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