2010 Sox Utility Infielder.

[Spudboy]

O.K. This is serious stuff. Put aside the Sox need for a LF and another big bat.

 

Starting pitching. Pssssh.

 

Bullpen replenishment? Not to worry.

 

Let's get down to the real nitty-gritty.

 

The all important back-up infielder. For purposes of discussion, let's define that as someone that can play a possition other than 1st base. Remember, the Sox have that covered for now with Kotchman.

 

Who would you like to play 3rd, SS, or2nd in a reserve role?

 

Feel free to post any and all stats and relevant data. Or not. Opinions are allways welcome on Spudboy threads.

 

My opinion? Easy.

 

Nick Green. Please don't throw tomatoes at me.

 

Justification? Nothing really tangible. Except that he has shown that he can play short, 2nd, and third (I think). He can hit well enough in a reserve slot to justify a roster spot.

 

Also, He can (cough, cough), pitch.

 

He is comfortable playing in Boston too. I mean, he is tappin (pun intended) Heidi after all.

 

This all is contingent on the reports that the Sox have secured Marco Scutaro as the new shortstop.

[riverside sluggers]

I have heard the Sox say they are interested in Bobby Crosby, and told Jamey Carroll that they will be keeping tabs on him

[Dipre]

I like Carrroll.

[Spudboy]

I like Crosby.

 

Not that I am adverse to anyone that can help.

[SCM33]

I like Carrroll.

 

Second.

[BSN07]

Second.

 

3rd

 

What are the odd Felipe Lopez takes a super utility role?

[Dipre]

3rd

 

What are the odd Felipe Lopez takes a super utility role?

 

I think he won't. He can probably get a starting gig somewhere.

[BSN07]

I think he won't. He can probably get a starting gig somewhere.

 

That's what i figure as well, but if it gets late and he isn't signed they should definitely look into him. I believe he plays 2B/SS/3B/OF. That's a lot of versatility along with a good bat. Also the reasons he probably gets a starting gig somewhere:D

[Dipre]

That's what i figure as well' date=' but if it gets late and he isn't signed they should definitely look into him. I believe he plays 2B/SS/3B/OF. That's a lot of versatility along with a good bat. Also the reasons he probably gets a starting gig somewhere:D[/quote']

 

I'd love to have him as an utility IF here.

[TheMino007]

Carrol is the guy I would be looking at

[Dojji]

I don't think this takes a lot of thought. I mean, it's a utility infielder. Not exactly a big offensive position. There isn't much to gain from having a great one IMHO.

 

I'd have no problem with just promoting Tug Hulett. I don't think there's more holes in Hulett's game than there is in that of an average utility man.

 

It does have one big advantage over any of the FA's, because Hulett has an option year left. You can send him back down if he struggles and comb the waiver wire for a replacement, or you can get him out of the way if Lowrie can prove he's past the injury problems he's been having over the last couple seasons and take over the role himself.

 

Personally I think Lowrie's at least our future utility man for the next multiple years, and there's no sense spending money for a stopgap there if we already have one on the roster -- that we traded for no less.

[Dipre]

I don't think this takes a lot of thought. I mean, it's a utility infielder. Not exactly a big offensive position. There isn't much to gain from having a great one IMHO.

 

I'd have no problem with just promoting Tug Hulett. I don't think there's more holes in Hulett's game than there is in that of an average utility man.

 

It does have one big advantage over any of the FA's, because Hulett has an option year left. You can send him back down if he struggles, or if Lowrie can prove he's past the injury problems he's been having over the last couple seasons and take over the role himself.

 

Personally I think Lowrie's at least our future utility man for the next multiple years, and there's no sense spending money for a stopgap there if we already have one on the roster -- that we traded for no less.

 

A strong bench is extremely important for a contending team like the Sox.

 

Why have a suckfest for an utility man when you can have a decent option like Jamey Carroll? He could supply a .700 plus OPS and can play basically every position decently.

 

I love how you bash an idea of signing a guy like Adrian Beltre but pine hard for someone like Tug friggin' Hulett to make the Major League roster.

 

Absolutely ridiculous.

[Dojji]

Tell me, when was the last time Carroll ACTUALLY played shortstop?

 

Answer: THREE FREAKING YEARS ago he started a grant total of FIVE games there.

 

You're right, a strong bench can be very important. That's why it's ABSOLUTELY important that we NOT get Carroll. The guy's a backup 2B and that's pretty much it.

 

I think by September, our utility infielder will be Jed Lowrie. I have no problem going to the bargain bin for the guy who'll hold down the job until Lowrie proves he's ready.

[Dipre]

Tell me, when was the last time Carroll ACTUALLY played shortstop?

 

Answer: THREE FREAKING YEARS ago he started a grant total of FIVE games there.

 

Also, while he CAN play 3B, his defensive numbers there have been anything but inspiring.

 

You're right, a strong bench can be very important. That's why it's ABSOLUTELY important that we NOT get Carroll. The guy's a backup 2B and that's pretty much it.

 

I think by September, our utility infielder will be Jed Lowrie. I have no problem going to the bargain bin for the guy who'll hold down the job until Lowrie proves he's ready.

 

Utility types who can play SS and do not suck as much ass as Hulet:

 

Bobby Crosby.

 

Jerry Hairston Jr.

 

Nick Green.

 

Juan Uribe.

 

Khalil Greene.

 

Your point was Tug Hulett as the Util IF, it was never whether the person playing was capable of playing SS consistently, for that end, i present you a number of options who could fit the bill and not suck absolute ass.

[Dojji]

And I have every confidence that Hulett can be better than at least Crosby, Uribe and Greene on that list, probably Green as well.

 

You have to admit, that's not precisely an exacting standard to meet.

[BSN07]

I'd have no problem with just promoting Tug Hulett. I don't think there's more holes in Hulett's game than there is in that of an average utility man.

 

Of course you don't. He ranks about a 4/5 on the "Dojjita" scale.

[Dojji]

As a middle infield prospect with his OPS in the minors? You betcha he does.

 

I'm not saying the guy should be our starting SS people. This is a utility infielder position. Part time player. What's the harm, when we already will have at least Lowrie in reserve in Pawtucket, with giving a guy with Hulett's MiLB numbers a crack at a roster spot?

 

Sometimes these things DO work out, you know, and Hulett's a better-than-average bet on that score.

[BSN07]

As a middle infield prospect with his OPS in the minors? You betcha he does.

 

I'm not saying the guy should be our starting SS people. This is a utility infielder position. Part time player. What's the harm, when we already will have at least Lowrie in reserve in Pawtucket, with giving a guy with Hulett's MiLB numbers a crack at a roster spot?

 

Sometimes these things DO work out, you know, and Hulett's a better-than-average bet on that score.

 

I don't disagree. I would be open for him getting a chance to be the utility guy. I just like busting your chops now and then;)

[Keeper]

As Dipre said, Hulett could be a AAAA guy. The fact that the Mariners and the Royals never gave him a shot is a little worrisome. But I wouldn't completely rule him out. He's had two short cups of coffee. Hard to tell what kind of player anybody is in that SSS. I would give him a lot of ABs in ST and go from there.

 

Frankly, I don't know why he would adopt the nickname Tug either. Especially when Tim is a perfectly good first name.

[CanadianSox]

I like Greene and/or Crosby.

[SCM33]

The Sox already signed their utility player. Marco Scutaro......oh what? waiiiiiit a second, he was signed to be the starting shortstop? FML.

[redsoxrules]

The Sox already signed their utility player. Marco Scutaro......oh what? waiiiiiit a second' date=' he was signed to be the starting shortstop? FML.[/quote']

 

and what would you have done ?

[Dipre]

and what would you have done ?

 

Not directed to me but, i would have signed Adam Everett to a one-year deal.

[Dojji]

I don't really trust him, but I'd only have let AGonz walk if I was sure I had a better player than Scutaro waiting to replace him.

[SCM33]

and what would you have done ?

 

Anyone of the ideas thrown around here on the board.

 

Everett? Sure

A Gon? Yup

O Cab? why not

Tejada? aging, but sure at a small deal.

 

A 34 year old utility player, who had a breakout season, which by the way, is pedestrian to quality major league SS's.....No thanks. If hes terrible next year, we will be eating yet another contract.

[Dipre]

Anyone of the ideas thrown around here on the board.

 

Everett? Sure

A Gon? Yup

O Cab? why not

Tejada? aging, but sure at a small deal.

 

A 34 year old utility player, who had a breakout season, which by the way, is pedestrian to quality major league SS's.....No thanks. If hes terrible next year, we will be eating yet another contract.

 

We agree yet again.

 

If we lived close by, i'd totally buy you a beer.

[SCM33]

We agree yet again.

 

If we lived close by, i'd totally buy you a beer.

 

I just dont know how else to see it.

 

I think he is a starting SS on poor teams, and utility player on good teams. He had a breakout year last year, but we arent talking about Brady Anderson 50 HR (roid) breakout seasons, or Robinson Cano .342 BA breakout seasons, or David Ortiz 31 HR season when he was given a chance to play everyday, or Jon Lester 16 win seasons......were talking about a guy who is 34 years old, who got on base last year, hit 12 HR, batted in 60 RBI and stole 14 bases.

 

Marco Scutaro already has tremendous pressure at this moment to produce what he did last year (which was average AL production), which he wont. I guarantee, if he gets off to a slow start, this city will bury him. If Marco Scutaro produces stats that are on par with his career averages, this is a FA signing BOMB. We are expecting him to produce numbers he has shown throughout the majority of his career he cant, he is already set up to fail.

 

Alex Gonzalez....he had nothing to prove here, we already knew what to expect of him. Anything he did with that bat was great. It was a win win deal that Theo dropped the ball on, all for pennies on the dollar.

[redsoxrules]

Anyone of the ideas thrown around here on the board.

 

Everett? Sure

A Gon? Yup

O Cab? why not

Tejada? aging, but sure at a small deal.

 

A 34 year old utility player, who had a breakout season, which by the way, is pedestrian to quality major league SS's.....No thanks. If hes terrible next year, we will be eating yet another contract.

 

Everett..meh

A gon SUCKS

O cap MORE SUCK

Tejada he's what 55 years old now?

[SCM33]

Tejada he's what 55 years old now?

 

Nope, 35.....1 year older than Marco Scutaro right now.

 

He also played 158 games last year and had a better year than Scutaro last year, what a geezer.

[Keeper]

Anyone of the ideas thrown around here on the board.

 

Everett? Sure

A Gon? Yup

O Cab? why not

Tejada? aging, but sure at a small deal.

 

A 34 year old utility player, who had a breakout season, which by the way, is pedestrian to quality major league SS's..

 

His OPS+ was 111. How is that pedestrian? Only a handful of SS's had better years. One thing I think is being overlooked. Scutaro nearly doubled his highest walk total this year.

 

That's no accident. It means he's finally become a patient hitter. A little late in his career, yes, but again 57 BBs to 90 BBs is no accident - and I don't think it's an aberration either.

 

On the other hand, the .400+ SLG probably is an aberration. But he could coneivably do it again playing at Fenway.

 

I really think the disgust towards this signing has been overblown. If Scutaro provides solid defense and is league average at the plate, he will help this team.