Tony Graffanino to accept arbitration

[ORS]

I really dont think they are looking at any backup catchers as the market is currently bare. Ken Huckaby was signed to a minor league contract under the guidelines he had to catch Wakefield's knuckleball every fifth day. Keep in mind, the Sox let Wakefield have a say in who to get. Spring training we will basically see Shoppach and Huckaby battle it out for opening day roster.

 

With Graff back at 2nd base, they can move Loretta to shortstop. That wouldnt at all harpen Pedroia's chances of making the majors since both Loretta and Tony are just signed thru 2006.

 

And whose to say if they have tony on board for $1.5 milliion... Do you think from that, they will then be strapped of signing anybody?

Huckaby on a MiLB contract means he's most likely injury/suckitude insurance. Shopp has drastically out-performed Huckaby at every level in the minors, the job should be his regardless of what happens in Ft. Myers.

 

On the thread topic, keeping Graff at ~$2M is a no-brainer. He's a cheap option as a super-sub that can play, in a pinch, just about every non-battery position. However, he could be some extra incentive to get a deal done to fill a bigger need (CF, SS). Whether he goes or stays could go either way. Right now, I'm in favor of keeping him, but trading him to address a more pressing need won't have me crying in my cornflakes the next morning.

[Cityofchampions33]

Having Loretta at shortstop hurts the teams defense. Both Loretta and Graffanino already have average range at best. They need someone who can cover some ground at short and can hit alittle. The red sox went into this offseason not wanting to bring back graffanino but they did not want to lose him for nothing and now the plan has backfired. I see the sox moving him as they really do not need him anymore with loretta on this team.

 

Read the link already given: http://www.boston.com/sports/basebal...s/extra_bases/