Lugo: it hasn't worked out as a Sox (The Pro-Lugo Movement)

by Randy Booth on Jul 2, 2009 11:08 AM EDT in News

As much crap we give Julio Lugo, I feel bad for the guy:

Now, even Lugo himself admits it hasn’t worked.

"No, it hasn’t," he said late yesterday afternoon, after his 11th-inning single drove in what would be the deciding run in the Sox’ 6-5 victory over the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards.

"I thought it would work, but that’s not where we are," he said, almost matter-of-factly. "But one thing I am not going to do is throw a log on the fire. It’s just the way it is right now and I have to deal with it."

A quick Lugo story: My brother (nhredsox) met Lugo during spring training and Lugo actually struck up a conversation with my brother because he was wearing a t-shirt that said "dad" on it. Lugo just wanted to talk about each other's kids. Lugo just came up behind him, slapped him on the back and started asking questions.

I don't care how he plays baseball, that's a nice guy right there.

And you can see it in Lugo on the field. Here is a truly talented athlete playing in a place he's always wanted to play, and he's struggling. Can anyone imagine how bad that must hurt for him? It's just not working out for him, but he's been working his hardest to make it happen.

I say we start a movement. Let's start the "Pro-Lugo" movement. Instead of booing this guy, let's cheer for him. Instead of sighing when he comes into the game, let's root for him to make a nice play or two. Let's give him some classic Red Sox love. What's the worst that could happen: He actually does well?

So I'll say it now: I'm done bashing Lugo. He bashes himself enough for not playing well. Let's turn it around and give this guy a leg to stand on -- the Royal Rooters.

What say you?

Tweet Comment 37 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

good post

I agree. I feel bad for him. Sure, he is a pretty bad player. Sure, he makes a lot of money and does his job poorly. But he is known as a good guy in the clubhouse. It is sort of strange how fans root against their own players. I think this is because it feels good to have an easy scapegoat. But, don’t we want success from all of the Sox players?

by Buzzy on Jul 2, 2009 11:37 AM EDT reply actions

A nice guy who was arrested for punching a woman and slamming her face into a car? I don’t care if his ex-wife did drop the charges, that is not a nice guy.

He could be batting .330 and playing error-free defense, I still wouldn’t want him on the team.

by jsee on Jul 2, 2009 11:45 AM EDT reply actions

Lugo sucks, nice story, nice hit for him yesterday, doesn’t change the fact he sucks. Get him out of here.

DO NOT BRING JACK WILSON OR NICK JOHNSON TO BOSTON !!!

by matzushocka45 on Jul 2, 2009 11:46 AM EDT reply actions

absolutely right

Lugo = loser; always has

by ccthemovieman on Jul 3, 2009 2:59 PM EDT up reply actions

Agreed.

Any team that wants to win a World Series should never have this guy start; or even be on the roster. His momentum sucking will preclude any team that he is ever a part of from winning, especially winning in the playoffs. What I hate is that he never, ever is able to deliver a hit in extra innings to win a game for his team. His presence on the team alone, even when he does not play, will cause the team to lose. The man is simply a born loser; he never has and never will be part of any team that wins.

"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

by BTLove on Jul 4, 2009 12:51 AM EDT up reply actions

Every time I think about changing my Lugo attitude, I remember the spousal abuse.

That’s all I can say, teally.

by Ben Buchanan on Jul 2, 2009 11:49 AM EDT reply actions

But magentally, I totally agree.

OverTheMonster - ALLERGEN WARNING: May contain peanut butter.

by bdalebs on Jul 2, 2009 8:32 PM EDT up reply actions

He's part of the team...

So I’m with you.

"We'll show up tomorrow and do the same thing we try to do every day, Kick Pedroia's ass in cribbage and try and win a baseball game."

by tito (eight and oh) on Jul 2, 2009 12:06 PM EDT reply actions

Im with you Randy

The one thing that separates us from the Wanna-be MFY fans is that we support our players, ie Papi.

I have never booed this guy, sure I am disappointed with his play at times, but he is a Red Sox and that is enough for me to keep cheering for him. Lugo is trying his best and wants to win.

Its the same with some about Dice-K. Sure its a funny joke about his walks but he is our player so I support him and treat his play as if he was my kid and can do no wrong.

Lets go Lugo, rally it up!

by SoxAcumen on Jul 2, 2009 12:09 PM EDT reply actions

I agree somewhat

I may get ridiculed because I’m the new kid here and haven’t read all the Lugo bashing but I think he’s a better hitter than Lowrie with whom I’ve never been too impressed especially batting from the left side, Lugo needs to play better defense however! I’d like to trade JD Drew if we could get a talented youngster…I don’t think he will ever reach his potential…I’m just not thrilled with having players who strike out so much…give me the contact hitters like Dustin..
DB

by db24 on Jul 2, 2009 12:32 PM EDT up reply actions

The only question with Drew is durability

When he plays, he is very good. He has a career OPS of .893. Last year his OPS was .927. So far this year, has an OPS of .873. (He gets a pass for 2007 because he was dealing with a serious family issue). Drew is a very consistent, upper-echelon player.

Incidentally, Jason Bay, a player most Sox fan consider a must to re-sign for $15+ million, has a career OPS of .892. And Bay isn’t in Drew’s league defensively.

I gotta go 'cause I'm probably definitely gonna nod out again.

by Drugs Delaney on Jul 2, 2009 1:19 PM EDT up reply actions

Durability is important though.

If a guy isn’t on the field, he is useless. Also, last year Drew was consistently average all season except for that absurd June. He had an OPS between .787 and .821 for each month except June (1.309 OPS). I think he’s a fine player, but the contract seemed unnecessarily large at the time and still seems that way.

"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

by BTLove on Jul 2, 2009 1:58 PM EDT up reply actions

True

But Drew has played more games than Youk this year. Youk’s single-season high in games played is 147, which he did in 2006. I think Drew’s contract is on the high side, but it’s not an awful contract. Based on his career numbers, he is only slightly overpaid. Let’s see what Jason Bay gets.

I gotta go 'cause I'm probably definitely gonna nod out again.

by Drugs Delaney on Jul 2, 2009 3:06 PM EDT up reply actions

He is only slightly overpaid per season, but it is the length of the deal that bothers me. 5 years for a notoriously injury prone player. I just don’t think there was any other market for the guy and we were bidding against ourselves. But he is a very good player, and as long as he plays 140 games per year, the contract won’t really hurt us too much. Its not nearly as bad as the SS contracts that we throw around.

"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

by BTLove on Jul 2, 2009 3:19 PM EDT up reply actions

Agreed.

I gotta go 'cause I'm probably definitely gonna nod out again.

by Drugs Delaney on Jul 2, 2009 3:54 PM EDT up reply actions

Youk has missed games because of being hit so much.

Not quite the same as Drew, who, at times, seems to get injured running out to his position.

OverTheMonster - ALLERGEN WARNING: May contain peanut butter.

by bdalebs on Jul 2, 2009 8:58 PM EDT up reply actions

Missed games are missed games

It doesn’t matter how a player gets injured.

I gotta go 'cause I'm probably definitely gonna nod out again.

by Drugs Delaney on Jul 2, 2009 10:13 PM EDT up reply actions

Yes, but it's not like Youk's fragile.

He could solve his injury issues by backing off the plate a little, or pissing off the opposing pitchers a little less.

OverTheMonster - ALLERGEN WARNING: May contain peanut butter.

by bdalebs on Jul 2, 2009 11:45 PM EDT up reply actions

I might be the only one

but I love JD Drew in our lineup, he fits perfectly with Youk, Pedroia, Papi, Lowell and Bay.

14 million is very tough to move.

by SoxAcumen on Jul 2, 2009 2:19 PM EDT up reply actions

You are not the only one.

Nancy can stay in Right for the rest of his career as far as I’m concerned.

After his grand salami in the ‘07 ALCS…he earned his keep in my book. He might strike out looking a tad too much, but he’s a patient and dangerous lefty, who pitchers do not like facing in the least.

"We'll show up tomorrow and do the same thing we try to do every day, Kick Pedroia's ass in cribbage and try and win a baseball game."

by tito (eight and oh) on Jul 2, 2009 2:25 PM EDT up reply actions

Lowrie has been a worse battter as a LHB than as a RHB (tOPS+ of 75 and 159, respectively)...

But remember, he had a broken right wrist last year, which would be the bottom hand as a LHB.

Lowrie’s career OPS+ is 81, just below Lugo’s career 88. Even without a healthy wrist for part of last year, Lowrie was at 90 while Lugo was at 78.

OverTheMonster - ALLERGEN WARNING: May contain peanut butter.

by bdalebs on Jul 2, 2009 9:06 PM EDT up reply actions

Sox can handle Lowrie's bat

As long as he play a good SS, or can be a stopgap at 3rd or 2nd when need be, they downplay his hitting.

Let’s put it this way, if he start double plays against the Rays, on that thing they called a “surface” in the St. Pete warehouse, then he can hit around the Mendoza line.

by superferret on Jul 2, 2009 10:55 PM EDT up reply actions

Why are we downplaying his hitting?

He’s a pretty good batter for a SS – he’s not a burden.

OverTheMonster - ALLERGEN WARNING: May contain peanut butter.

by bdalebs on Jul 2, 2009 11:46 PM EDT up reply actions

Agreed

He had good minor league numbers. And last year he was an injured rookie. If healthy, his offense should improve in the pros.

I gotta go 'cause I'm probably definitely gonna nod out again.

by Drugs Delaney on Jul 3, 2009 9:54 AM EDT up reply actions

Lugo isn't a bad outfielder...

How Lugo is hitting, and especially in a clutch situations at this moment, (the ball hit yesterday against the O’s was a gimme, given the infield was in) I am pretty sure he can traded. Seattle needs an outfielder, and I think he would be a good fit there, perhaps in a three way trade. Sox eating half his contract, so another team is paying 4.5 million or so for two more years. That is how I see the Sox alleviate this conundrum.

What I have seen as Lugo as a SS, he isn’t a good leader, he should call off people or judge the situation better. He doesn’t turn double plays well. It isn’t his athletic skills, which can be pretty good, but his baseball smarts

Another team that may need him as utility player/outfielder, and he could hit flares all game is the Rockeis,

The biggest obstacle is his salary, and many teams in contention have cash crunches…

by superferret on Jul 2, 2009 7:11 PM EDT reply actions

Yeah, you convince some GM to take him, I don't care how he leaves.

As long as we don’t give up prospects to get rid of him. Also, Lugo’s played all of 60 innings in the OF in the majors.

OverTheMonster - ALLERGEN WARNING: May contain peanut butter.

by bdalebs on Jul 2, 2009 9:14 PM EDT up reply actions

I don't think the Sox need to sweeten a deal..

The Mets need a SS or another bat to replace Reyes. Beltran is coming back, but they may need another outfielder to help Sheffield etc. However, what team is going to swallow 1 1/2 year contract @9 million a year?

However, they may be a team that would want Lugo’s bat, like the Reds, (they don’t have the money), even the Cubbies…..

by superferret on Jul 2, 2009 10:59 PM EDT up reply actions

Lugo’s bat is basically replacement level (if not lower) as on OF’er. No team in their right mind would trade for him, pay him $9M per year and play him the OF. It would be absolutely disastrous. And who knows how he would adapt to playing the field? I see almost no chance that he will be traded unless we pay almost all of his contract.

"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

by BTLove on Jul 3, 2009 1:07 AM EDT up reply actions

The Sox have to eat alot of Lugo's salary

for a trade to take place. The Sox would have to do what they did with Renteria. I believe the Sox paid half or more of Renteria’s salary while he was playing in Atlanta. I think a trade can happened, especially if Lugo has been hitting well right now. He may be an okay table setter (ie leadoff) hitter. He is not worth his $9 million salary, but he isn’t washed up either.

by superferret on Jul 3, 2009 11:35 AM EDT up reply actions

What say you?

I say, NO.

by NG on Jul 2, 2009 7:59 PM EDT reply actions

GET OFF MY LAWN!!!

OverTheMonster - ALLERGEN WARNING: May contain peanut butter.

by bdalebs on Jul 2, 2009 9:14 PM EDT up reply actions

Drew....

Does anyone have numbers on J.D. on the day (and couple of days after) he moves in the batting order?

I may be mistaken….It just seems to me that you can pencil in a couple of hits when he’s been pushed around the order?

by GJ on Jul 2, 2009 8:22 PM EDT reply actions

Might be kinda difficult...

I know BBRef has splits for each spot in the lineup…

OverTheMonster - ALLERGEN WARNING: May contain peanut butter.

by bdalebs on Jul 2, 2009 9:15 PM EDT up reply actions

I checked out the game logs.

There’s no pattern… Some players seem to need waking up, but no conclusion can be made from the stats.

by GJ on Jul 2, 2009 11:22 PM EDT up reply actions

That is the Stupidest Thing I've Ever Heard

Lugo not only stinks at baseball, but he’s not a nice guy either. A nice guy would give back his 9 million per year. Or accept that he stinks and learn how to bunt. Or stop hitting foul balls that break guys’ umbrellas. Or not do this: http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/print?id=1547624&type=news

Big Pupi

by Big Pupi on Jul 2, 2009 9:45 PM EDT reply actions

He was found not guilty and his wife later admitted to greatly exaggerating the story.

by Gnick on Jul 2, 2009 10:06 PM EDT up reply actions

Okay, I need to start researching stuff.

Thank you for that Gnick.

OverTheMonster - ALLERGEN WARNING: May contain peanut butter.

by bdalebs on Jul 2, 2009 11:47 PM EDT up reply actions

First.. he can't be altruistic...

There is this thing called the players’ union, and fidgeting the contract is a huge verboten as part of the collective bargaining agreement. If he wants to donate all his money to charity, he can as long as he pays his agent and the pertinent taxes.

Lugo has actually been hitting pretty well, when he is playing, he has started some rallies… his OPS is better than Green’s OPS and a couple points lower than Pedroia and Ellsbury.can, his OBP isn’t bad or embarrassing, actually it is better than Els.

On the aspect of the bunt, Any Sox fan knows his bunt that started an eight inning rally against the Indians in Game 5 of the 2007 ALCS.

Lugo has failed in his role for the Sox. He was paid to be a versatile Shortstop and be a good table setter. He failed kind of bad in both roles. Right now, he has been hitting pretty well, he has some speed. He can be packaged as an outfielder, a position he played a bit with the Dodgers.

The problem is finding a good trade for the Sox. The Sox have a pretty good bench. Ignoring my bleeding eyes from Tuesday game against the Orioles, they have a pretty good bullpen. I would probably trade Lugo for 2 AA prospects or top AAA prospect. Second, most teams aren’t that in good shape to handle additional payroll without 1:1 parity in payroll reduction for payroll gain.

by superferret on Jul 2, 2009 10:49 PM EDT up reply actions

I agree with alot...

Firstly, I think that a big chunk of what’s going on with Lugo is in his head. His self-effacing statements sound like Papi right before he sat a few out. Superferret, the earlier poster has made a case that his baseball smarts aren’t the greatest, I concur. Secondly, though, I am of the type of fan that believes that it is unacceptable to boo the men who wear the Red Sox uniform. That is what forums like this, and radio shows are for. Frustrated with Lugo’s play? Call in to ‘EEI and yell like a lunatic! Want to go to Fenway and boo somebody? Make sure they aren’t wearing a red ‘B’ on their hat, that’s just not helpful. Where I part ways with this article is that I feel this, and places like this, are the PERFECT place to tear the guy apart. I think the author should absolutely continuing to bash Lugo here, as long as the situation warrants. The off field stuff doesn’t interest me as a fan. I looked at the ‘Big Pupi’ posted link, and was struck with a thought: maybe Lugo needs to grow the funky facial hair again. Why not? Recent Red Sox history dictates that this might just give him an edge. Just a thought…

by MonsterShadow327 on Jul 3, 2009 1:24 AM EDT reply actions