Nomar Garciaparra, Orlando Cabrera, Edgar Renteria, Alex Gonzalez, Julio Lugo, Jed Lowrie.
Six starting shortstops over the past five seasons. Jed Lowrie has certainly made a statement over the past twenty-five games. He has played (.300 average, most rbi since all star break for a shortstop and no errors at shortstop) his way into the starting shortstop position for the next four to five years. Not since Nomar have the Sox had a shortstop that combines ability, performance and a team friendly contract that allows fans to envision a shortstop of the present and future.
Then there's Julio Lugo. The good news for the Sox is Lugo's injury allowed management to promote Lowrie permanently and give him a chance to play everyday. The bad news is Lugo is rehabbing and will probably be added to the big club after the rosters expand on September 1st. What will the team do with a guy who they are contractually committed to for the next two seasons at roughly $9 million per year?
Due to the high price tag, the Sox will have to be creative in moving Lugo. But trading Lugo this coming off season is what they will like to do. My feeling is they will need to "eat" a good part of his contract like the Sox did when dumping Rent-a-Wreck after the 2005 season.
Before signing with the Sox, Lugo was traded to the Dodgers in 2006 for the pennant chase. He was used as an utility player appearing in games as shortstop, third base and the outfield. Lugo struggled with this role and consequently became disgruntled. I mention this for two reasons.
#1 If the team does not trade him, Lugo could be a great bench player seeing time at third base, shortstop, second base and left field. He would also be a running option off of the bench. For this reason, I can see him staying with the team through next year.
#2 Will Lugo be able to handle a non-starting role? He didn't in LA. Lugo seems to enjoy his playing experience in Boston. He will be paid like an everyday starter. The Red Sox do not need any clubhouse distractions during their quest to make the playoffs.
The remainder of the season will prove to be interesting as afar as Lugo is concerned.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
5 comments:
I personally don't see the Sox keeping Lugo through next season. I don't think they're going to have a 9 million dollar a year guy coming off the bench & why would we want him to? Can't hit, can't defend, this year has proven he wouldn't be a defense replacement. I think the Sox like you said will eat the majority of his contract & get rid of him in the off-season.
Hapi -- What team would want a player in your words can't hit or defend? The Sox should try to get something back in a trade. If the Sox are faced with paying $8 million of Lugo's salary and keeping Cora as the utility guy, I would say keep Lugo and not resign Cora (Single A manager job). Money-wise it is the same and you keep the better player.
This is all contigent on Lugo being okay with not starting.
Do you HONESTLY think Lugo is not going to have a problem with not starting? If he does have a problem it could turn into another disruption in the clubhouse a la Jay Payton. Which judging by how badly Red Sox management wanted him out of town they will do everything in their power to avoid a repeat performance.
He would have 9,000,000 reasons to be a happy camper. Who is to say he would be a starter anywhere else?
You can’t be naive enough to think that because he’s making 9 million he will be ok with coming off the bench. If anything his high salary may lead him to have an “entitled” attitude as many high-priced athletes are want to do. And as far as starting somewhere else that's not the Red Sox problem.
Post a Comment