Posted by Kevin Jacobs, Sun Staff
There seems to be only one relatively controversial story this spring for the Red Sox, and it’s the position battle for shortstop.
The contestants are veteran Julio Lugo and sophomore Jed Lowrie, who split time last season due to Lugo’s quad injury (261 at bats for Lugo and 260 for Lowrie). Lugo is projected by many to be the starter, and boasts a higher batting average (.268), on base percentage (.355), and stolen base total (12) from last season.
However, Lowrie is not far behind Lugo in most categories hitting .258 with a .339 OBP and a steal. Additionally, he drove in 46 runs (24 more than Lugo). The RBI’s can’t realistically be attributed to batting order position, as both men hit near the top or bottom of the order. Even if Lugo hit at the top of the order more often, Lowrie also scored 7 more than Lugo (34 total).
And yet, I still haven’t gotten to the most valuable aspect of Mr. Lowrie. His defense.
Lowrie played 49 games at shortstop last season, and didn’t commit a single error. By contrast Lugo played 81 games at short, and committed 16 errors. Lugo’s .945 fielding percentage pales in comparison to the likes other top shortstops, even the increasingly defensively challenged Derek Jeter (.979).
Sure it might be easier to give the job to Lugo because he has more experience and because Lowrie selflessly devote himself to a bench role. But shouldn’t manager Terry Francona be thinking about wins and production?
Lowrie provides the Sox with better numbers on both sides of the ball, and the 24 year-old has much more room for improvement than Lugo, 33. Given the opportunity, Lowrie could very well blossom into the division’s top all-around shortstop.
The good news is that no matter which direction Francona goes, there won’t be a media circus.
There are no contract disputes, major injuries (don’t worry I was knocking on wood before even typing that), and best of all there’s no Manny being Manny.
This is a classic case of no news being good news. GM Theo Epstein has put together a well oiled and hard working machine, that I believe, will pump out runs and wins with surprising efficiency.
Dustin Pedoria, Kevin Youkilis, Jonathan Papelbon, and Jason Bay have emerged as the new leaders in Boston and, unlike stars on the past, use their performance on the field to do a majority of the talking. I don’t anticipate any whining about trades or effort this season, something that can’t be measured by statistical experts.
This incalculable and mysterious element, often referred to as “chemistry,” is what will enable the Sox to surpass the Yankees. In Joe Torre’s book The Yankee Years, he cites clubhouse chemistry, a desire to win, and hard work as the foundation of his 1990’s dynasty teams. Do those elements sound pleasantly familiar to anyone else?
In “Yes We Can” news, it’s safe to say there was a collective sigh of relief throughout Red Sox Nation last night after seeing Josh Bard effectively catching, blocking, and smothering every single Tim Wakefield knuckleball.
No need for previous stats here, everyone remembers the steady stream of passed balls in 2006. Repeat after me, “Yes. He. Can.”
Who's your pick for the starting shortstop position, and how do you think the Red Sox and/or Josh Bard will fare this season?