Dustin Pedroia May Play Shortstop In 2010
by Randy Booth on Dec 1, 2009 11:53 AM EST
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PrintWith a thin market of available shortstops, it looks like the Red Sox may turn to their second baseman to play shortstop next year and, perhaps, into the future:
The team has asked second baseman Dustin Pedroia, who won the AL MVP Award in 2008, if he could play shortstop for the team if needed next season.
"They've asked me if I think I could play shortstop," Pedroia told ESPN's Peter Gammons. "They've put it out there and I've told them I'm all for it. I can do it. I can't wait for [Terry Francona] to call me and ask, 'can you do it?' I can do it. I really want to do it."
[...]
Francona played him some games at shortstop in spring training in 2006 and was unimpressed.
"I was 20 pounds heavier. I tried to get big and it was a disaster. I know it. It's all about quickness, agility and flexibility, and I know it," Pedroia said. "I've really worked hard on speed, agility and flexibility as well as all the strength, conditioning and endurance programs," Pedroia said. "It's really helping me. I have much more quickness and speed than I ever had. Maybe there is some question about my arm strength, but I'm working on that. I can do it. I hope it happens."
Pedroia is a great defensive second baseman and there is no doubt in my mind he'd play a great shortstop, but his numbers would most likely take a hit (UZR/150 would go down). I think this is a better option than signing Marco Scutaro, but I'd rather see the Sox sign Adam Everett to play shortstop (a great defensive shortstop, mind you) than move Pedroia. Keep Everett at short for a year or two just for his glove and then hopefully Jose Iglesias will be ready to man the position.
What say you? Would you approve a Pedroia-to-shortstop move? Do you think it's a smart idea from Theo & Crew, or just a lazy/cheap one? If this were to happen, who would play second base? I vote Mark Bellhorn (I'm kidding, of course ... or am I?).
(H/T to beantownbeamer for the FanPost)
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i'm not sure why this adam everett idea is catching on
the dude is a horrible hitter. OPS under .700 horrible. plus he hasnt played a full season in years.
Because he'd be a glove-first guy to help Jed come back.
@bs_uf15bosox9be 12 pieces of bacon, a Red Bull, and go get 'em; Learn to use SB Nation
No, no
He’s a glove-first guy. Yeah, that works. But that last part is not the reason why I want the Sox to sign Everett…
I mean that Jed wouldn't be our only SS.
But you can’t say that you don’t want Jed to return to at least his 2008 production.
@bs_uf15bosox9be 12 pieces of bacon, a Red Bull, and go get 'em; Learn to use SB Nation
glove-first: good
varitek-like production: bad.
Different positional standards.
Besides, it’s not like he’d be the full time starter for all 162 games – he’d be splitting time with someone else, preferably Jed.
@bs_uf15bosox9be 12 pieces of bacon, a Red Bull, and go get 'em; Learn to use SB Nation
Catcher isn't really a top offensive position...
by Ben Buchanan on Dec 1, 2009 10:57 PM EST up reply actions
But it's higher than SS, usually, no?
@bs_uf15bosox9be 12 pieces of bacon, a Red Bull, and go get 'em; Learn to use SB Nation
Don't want him to play a full season
Our left side defense was awful last year, and that frequently killed us. I would have Jed as plan A (because he’s a good defensive and great offensive player when/if he’s healthy) with Everett there as an emergency backup so that if Jed can’t play we at least know we won’t get stuck with someone who can’t play the position well. Same concept as if we re-signed Gonzalez.
Why do it?
Are there any good 2B available? I don’t know of any.
Pedroia can probably handle SS. His arm is weaker than most shortstops’ – 3.5 Throwing Strength according to the Fan Scouting Report, but comparable to, for example, Adam Everett’s.
Well
Orlando Hudson for one, who I wouldn’t be thrilled about. Of course Uggla may be available (who isn’t available on the Marlins?) and there have been hints that Brandon Phillips is available as well.
Pedroia has the work ethic and mentality to make a smooth transition to SS and I don’t imagine it would be very difficult, he came up at the position. My only concern is having Pedroia at short with Lowell at 3rd. Hell i’m concerned about anyone at SS with Lowell at 3rd.
If they could pry Brandon Phillips from Cincinnati on the cheap I would be very happy.
But as USG said, he is an OBP nightmare and he is also on the trade block....
He won’t require anything major. Something around maybe Reddick or Bowden.
"Hating the New York Yankees is as American as apple pie, unwed mothers and cheating on your income tax." -- Mike Royko
by sox-inda-south on Dec 1, 2009 5:47 PM EST up reply actions
He's still young-ish, and under control for at least 2 more years
His OBP is low, but he hasn’t hit less than 20 HR’s in the past 3 years (2007 he hit 30), he steals bases making him a 20/20 threat every year.
Cincinnati is dumping payroll, but he still won’t come that cheap.
DFA Beckett
by South Coast Ghost on Dec 1, 2009 7:17 PM EST up reply actions
True
But Everett would come with low compensation and wouldn’t keep Jed out of the lineup with consistency. Phillips would be a starter.
by Ben Buchanan on Dec 1, 2009 10:58 PM EST up reply actions
If you believe rumors Jed will be in AAA to start the year anyway for the first month or two
The problem with getting Phillips (and I like Phillips, by the way) is that you’re committed to him for 2 years at 2B so if Pedroia can’t play SS you’re screwed.
DFA Beckett
by South Coast Ghost on Dec 2, 2009 12:03 AM EST up reply actions
We'll see about Jed.
I have my doubts the Sox are willing to go into the season starting Everett with Tug Hullet on the bench.
by Ben Buchanan on Dec 2, 2009 12:44 AM EST up reply actions
I don't necessarily disagree
But I also have my doubts that they’ll just hand him the starting SS job. A Everett/Lowrie platoon-esque situation might be had for a while until Lowrie can prove he’s healthy for several weeks in a row.
DFA Beckett
by South Coast Ghost on Dec 2, 2009 1:23 AM EST up reply actions
Given the options
I think our best option at SS is from within or a cheap FA that we don’t have to sign to a multi year deal considering our minor league depth. If Lowrie can’t perform (I don’t think this is the case though) I wouldn’t mind trying Pedey there as long as there is someone capable of playing 2nd we can get. Though hopefully Jed will pull through his injury woes and play like we know he is capable of.
"We are not normal, We are Legends. People will tell their kids about us." - Deon Butler before Ohio State Game 2008.
i dont like it
While SS might be a problem for the Red Sox, such a move might create 2 problems one at SS and one at 2B. It kinda reminds me of having him leadoff while he is one of the best 2nd hole hitters in the Mlb. He is prolly the second best 2B in the MLB behind Utley. As a huge Pedroia Fan i would also say in his own personal interest its not the best. He can win multiple Gold Gloves at 2B at might even have a slight chance at the Hall of Fame, a longshot but not impossible.
Yeah it could work out but if it aint broken dont fix it, second base that is.
by German Red Sox Fan on Dec 1, 2009 12:19 PM EST reply actions
I don't understand it.
It’s not like there’s an impressive 2B market out there. Brandon Phillips is an OBP nightmare, Hudson is a subpar fielder on the decline.
I would believe you but would not wish the negative Boston fans on anyone. I can imagine Bellhorn is the target of many jokes, but I say leave him alone as he is no longer playing at the major league level. But hopefully someone remembers what he did do as a Red Sox. Like win game 1 of the 2004 world series. That said, I think Pedroia would make a wonderful SS.
We all love Mark Bellhorn.
People are constantly advocating bring back the 2004 team. That was the joke.
"Ninety percent [of my salary] I'll spend on good times, women, and Irish whiskey. The other ten percent I'll probably waste."
-Tug McGraw
Eh, the 2B market is better than SS, but not much moreso
You got Polanco, Felipe Lopez, Phillips, Hudson, Uggla, Derosa, Luis Castillo, Kelly Johnson.
Not really any great options there, but if you really believed Pedroia could play SS then those are probably better options than Scutaro/Everett or whatever’s available on the trade market.
DFA Beckett
by South Coast Ghost on Dec 1, 2009 12:53 PM EST up reply actions
That said, I don't think it happens
Pedroia is a good player at 2B, moving him creates questions about how well he can play SS. Just keep him at 2B and bite the bullet on a crappy SS for a year and hope Lowrie gets better.
DFA Beckett
by South Coast Ghost on Dec 1, 2009 1:11 PM EST up reply actions
Exactly
We have to basically consider any loss from moving Pedroia. Say he loses a few RAR from that. You’ve basically gotta chop that off the value of any signed 2B.
Maybe we're getting Utley!
Pretty much the only 2B better than Pedey.
DFA Beckett
by South Coast Ghost on Dec 1, 2009 2:36 PM EST up reply actions
Im a big fan
of Mark Derosa. He is a solid right handed bat with some power, can play almost any position outside of Catcher and pitcher and he just seems to get clutch hits in big situations.
If Pedroia can play SS well, signing Mark Derosa would be an excellent addition to the Sox at 2B.
Also, then you can trade Lowell without any concerns since Derosa can play 3B well and can back up that position.
i think there's better options
His bat is pretty good, but not phenomenal. And he can play any position, but he doesn’t seem terribly good at any of them. At 2B/3B, fangraphs had his career UZR/150’s at -6.5 and -7.5 respectively
Yeah, didn't realize how bad he's been at 2B past few years
IF they did do this they’d need a top defensive 3B to make up for any lack of range Pedey has at SS, like Beltre.
I like the 2B options more than the SS options, but I don’t know if the difference between the two is enough to risk the move.
DFA Beckett
by South Coast Ghost on Dec 1, 2009 2:35 PM EST up reply actions
It was more like arm-range
I like the 2B options, but this strikes me more as a “We’re not desperate for a SS” story.
DFA Beckett
by South Coast Ghost on Dec 1, 2009 2:54 PM EST up reply actions
But then I figured, when will I ever make it back to Haiti?
BAD IDEA JEANS.
Galactus does as he pleases. Because Galactus is drunk.
wow that's considered good?
gonna be a long season
Release Jason Varitek before ST is over !
Do not pay Jason Bay !!
Trade Buchholz !!!
It's not going to happen
If the Sox thought Dusty could play SS, he’d have been moved there a while ago.
I gotta go 'cause I'm probably definitely gonna nod out again.
Even if it did happen. It's only a two year fix at most....
The patience for Iglesias is what Redsox Fans need…..There is your Defensive savior.
"Hating the New York Yankees is as American as apple pie, unwed mothers and cheating on your income tax." -- Mike Royko
by sox-inda-south on Dec 1, 2009 3:54 PM EST up reply actions
Pedroia @ SS beats the shit piles we have put there over the last however many seasons
Do it and get Uggla, and say screw it.
Release Jason Varitek before ST is over !
Do not pay Jason Bay !!
Trade Buchholz !!!
No thanks to Uggla
Can’t really field his position, everyone asking about him seems to want to move him from 2B.
At least go after a Polanco-type to field the position, since we’d be moving a Gold Glover at 2B to SS. Also probably would be smart to pick up Adrian Beltre to make up for any shortcomings there might be.
DFA Beckett
by South Coast Ghost on Dec 1, 2009 7:21 PM EST up reply actions
Can't forget his All-Star Game errors...simply splendid.....
"Hating the New York Yankees is as American as apple pie, unwed mothers and cheating on your income tax." -- Mike Royko
by sox-inda-south on Dec 1, 2009 9:29 PM EST up reply actions
That was hard to watch
I wanted the game to end just to put him out of his misery.
Galactus does as he pleases. Because Galactus is drunk.
Are you on crack?
I say I’d go all in for Cheryl Tiegs and pay her instead of the strippers at the bar 4 nights a week, doesn’t mean Cheryl Tiegs wants my money. It ain’t happening.
Release Jason Varitek before ST is over !
Do not pay Jason Bay !!
Trade Buchholz !!!
Nope.
Pretty much Sandy’s standard – and the perfect reply for that insane comment.
@bs_uf15bosox9be 12 pieces of bacon, a Red Bull, and go get 'em; Learn to use SB Nation
I like the idea
“I’m excited. Tell Derek [Jeter] to enjoy the gold glove and silver slugger awards while he can. Obviously, I’m not serious about the fun I have with Derek, but I’m never stopping believing in the goal. I believe I can play shortstop and help get the Red Sox back where they belong.” ~Vin Diesel aka Dustin Pedroia
Also, to throw my two cents in, Placido Polanco.
How about Polanco?
I read the Tigers aren’t offering Arb to Polanco who is a Type A free agent.. Pedroia at SS and Polanco at 2b? yea, yeah I saw his numbers, but he is respected on the Tigers, and he makes Scutaro look like a young buck, but I just throw up a trial balloon
Pedroia doesn't have the arm to play SS
That’s why he was moved to 2B.
I gotta go 'cause I'm probably definitely gonna nod out again.
by Drugs Delaney on Dec 2, 2009 7:25 AM EST up reply actions
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