Julio Lugo’s Red Sox career has not gone at planned for $9 million a year he was supposed to add some offensive punch to the short stop position and play some solid defense. Injuries have slowed Lugo to the point that he’s now third on the depth chart at shortstop. His defense has been woeful, he’s lost what limited range he had and his inability to effectively turn double plays has cost the Red Sox numerous runs.
But as Jose Offerman followers know, double play ineffectiveness doesn’t show up in the stat book. He won’t replace Mo Vaughn’s OBP but Julie Lugo is showing some prowess at the plate. He’s hitting .285 and can still steal a base, (which makes you wonder why he can’t get to a ground ball). Julio Lugo is not the shortstop of the present never mind the future.
However, there is opportunity. No disrespect to Aaron Bates or Jeff Bailey, but with Mike Lowell out shouldn’t Lugo be able to fill in at third base? Isn’t that the natural progression for a shortstop with failing defense? Lugo played all over the place during his stint with the Dodgers. Apparently he didn’t like it, but if you’re a baseball player it’s got to be better than not playing.
With Lugo at third and Green at short the Sox get to reunite the Gold Glove right side defense with Pedroia and Youkilis. The move adds some hits and some base running aptitude to the line up. Lugo needs to suck it up for the team and offer to make the change in order to make the Red Sox better.
Julio, third base, it’s not just for triples anymore.
