Why Alex Cora at 3RD?!

[BigPapiEnFuego]

Why the heck is Alex Cora playing 3rd base when he has not played it his whole ML career AND we have Youkilis tearing it up in AAA? Youkilis is a freakin major leaguer. In like 3 games at 3B Cora has 3 errors and a .571 Fielding PCT. What the hell... What is Francona thinking?

[Sox Fan on Cape]

Why the heck is Alex Cora playing 3rd base when he has not played it his whole ML career AND we have Youkilis tearing it up in AAA? Youkilis is a freakin major leaguer. In like 3 games at 3B Cora has 3 errors and a .571 Fielding PCT. What the hell... What is Francona thinking?

More importantly, why wasn't he at 2nd and Tony G. at third ( I believe Riverside S pointed this out in another thread- by I agree ) ?

[Sizzlin22]

It's a great idea to call Youks up, one problem, who do you send down?

[Sox Fan on Cape]

It's a great idea to call Youks up, one problem, who do you send down?

And do you do it on a game by game basis ?

[stevece80]

I'm guessing he was at third because he's the utility infielder. Just a guess.

[Sizzlin22]

No way, you have to bring him up for good, or let him get at-bats in the minors.

[CalvnHobs6]

The only mistake was the Tony wasn't at third. Mueller was getting a night off, and Youkilis wouldn't have been an option to bring up for a player's scheduled off day.

[BigPapiEnFuego]

I'm guessing he was at third because he's the utility infielder. Just a guess.

 

 

Graffanino is considered a Utility infielder, and he's played more career games at 3rd. Why not put Graf there, and Cora at 2nd?

[riverside sluggers]

exactly really Tony G was the best bet for 3rd base, having 15 errors in 150 games played at third. Alex Cora now in 1 game with 2 errors, besides does give more defense at 2nd, NESN post game reports and WEEI were talking about this flub on the defensive alignment because if not for cora's throwing error, the game wouldnt have needed a save situation

[stevece80]

Graffanino is considered a Utility infielder, and he's played more career games at 3rd. Why not put Graf there, and Cora at 2nd?

 

I may have misspelled it before, but because Alex Cora is the utility infielder. He was at third base because he's the utility infielder. If you haven't been noticing, Graffanino is the starting 2nd baseman, not the utility infielder, which is Cora's job. They're giving him reps at third because he is the utility infielder on the Boston Red Sox.

 

They need to find out at some point if their utility infielder can handle 3rd base in game situations, and decided to do so with a flyball pitcher on the mound. It didn't work out.

 

This thread would have been a bit more valid had it not been done with the benefit of hindsight.

[26 to 6]

i dont think theres any denying that Franconas not the greatest manager in the world.

[BigPapiEnFuego]

from rotoworld.com:

 

Alex Cora went 0-for-4 and committed two errors today in his first career start at third base.

Red Sox manager Terry Francona has made some baffling moves during his tenure, but starting Cora at third base and Tony Graffanino at second base on the same day takes the cake. Graffanino has quite a bit of experience at third base. Cora doesn't, having played the position for the first time last month and committing an error in three innings then. Add in that Cora is the far superior defensive second baseman and today's arrangement made absolutely no sense. Francona is fortunate it didn't cost the Red Sox a win. Cora's second error did cause them to have to bring Curt Schilling into a game that never should have been in doubt

[riverside sluggers]

this is just for one game, true steve but tony and alex would have been starting either way tonight, and best bet is have cora at 2nd. and tony g at 3rd, in 150 games played I think he understands more how to deal with the line drives and range to throw to first and second base from there--and Sox wouldnt have lost any edge at 2nd as cora has proven to play great defesne

[schillingouttheks]

OK, we won the game. Happy?

[Sizzlin22]

I'm never happy.

[schillingouttheks]

Hahaha, this is true. A year of posting with you knows this

[Sizzlin22]

Hey my Dad has taught me three things.

 

Don't cheat, don't smoke, and always always be pissed a the Red Sox.