When Victorino and Middlebrooks come back...

[BSN07]

No, no, no.

 

Iggy is hitting well right now, but literally one of every two balls he puts in play is going for a knock. That's insane, and literally impossible to sustain.

 

He's certainly proven that he can hit major league pitching, and his new approach is giving him huge improvement. He's driving the ball way, way more than he used to.

 

While he will never hit enough for a corner IF position, he has shown that he can be a .250/.315/.375 hitter, which is about an average SS, and with his glove would make him a well above average SS.

 

No, Iglesias will never push Middlebrooks out of 3B directly. BUT, if he plays well enough to push Bogaerts off SS (much like the Hardy/Machado situation), Middlebrooks could very well be pushed off of the position for Bogaerts.

 

That's a pretty fair rundown of the situation.

 

Some of us mentioned the possibility of WMB moving to 1B and Bogaerts moving to 3B if Iggy could show anything with the stick. A lot of people couldn't see it and well rightfully so, Iggy real had shown nothing at all to make a large part of the fan base believe he could stick in the ML. But with Napoli having a good season so far, he is likely to land a big deal this off season, something the Sox probably won't match(I can see him getting 3-4 years at around 15M per if he stays on pace). Add that to the fact Bogaerts has been doing very well and honestly is showing he could be like a few of the other young stars in the game and make the jump to the ML at a very young age. Add that all together and a 2014 infield of 1B WMB, 2B Pedroia, SS Iggy, and 3B Bogaerts is very plausible.

But that's now and the season is long, just have to see how things play out.

[rjortiz]

That's a pretty fair rundown of the situation.

 

Some of us mentioned the possibility of WMB moving to 1B and Bogaerts moving to 3B if Iggy could show anything with the stick. A lot of people couldn't see it and well rightfully so, Iggy real had shown nothing at all to make a large part of the fan base believe he could stick in the ML. But with Napoli having a good season so far, he is likely to land a big deal this off season, something the Sox probably won't match(I can see him getting 3-4 years at around 15M per if he stays on pace). Add that to the fact Bogaerts has been doing very well and honestly is showing he could be like a few of the other young stars in the game and make the jump to the ML at a very young age. Add that all together and a 2014 infield of 1B WMB, 2B Pedroia, SS Iggy, and 3B Bogaerts is very plausible.

But that's now and the season is long, just have to see how things play out.

 

There's no way someone goes that high for Napoli. Sox should let him walk if someone offers that.

[SoxFanForsyth]

There's no way someone goes that high for Napoli. Sox should let him walk if someone offers that.

 

He may not get that much cut he could certainly get 3/39 or 3/42. And I'd pass on both of those, but I absolutely despise excessive strike outs (I also hate Salty).

 

Not sure Middlebrooks would be much of an improvement in terms of the K rate, though, and the Sox are pretty empty at the 1B position in terms of minor league depth.

 

Maybe you give a look to Michael Morse or maybe you try to make a trade at the deadline for a change of scenery guy like Smoak, see how he reacts in Pawtucket, or an offseason deal for Brandon Belt.

[mvp 78]

Strike outs are bad. So glad we don't have a bum like Chris Davis!

[Thunder]

Strike outs are bad. So glad we don't have a bum like Chris Davis!

 

I would take those K's for a triple crown threat anyday.

[SoxSport]

Do you think Iggy could hit his way to win the 3B job from Middlebrooks?

 

Likely scenario is Iggy sticks as IF backup and Ciriaco gets optioned or DFAd. The kid is getting on base and is rock solid at 2B, 3B and SS. He isn't going anywhere. They have big money in him, and he gives them versatility. Ultimately, maybe Drew gets dealt.

 

Middlebrooks still has a lot to prove. He has been making too many outs. Maybe got a bit ahead of himself.

[Dojji]

I don't think it's a good idea to sell low on Ciriaco when Iggy has options.

[SoxFanForsyth]

Strike outs are bad. So glad we don't have a bum like Chris Davis!

 

Because 23.8% (only slightly over league average of 20%) is so comparable to Napoli's 32% or Salty's 34.1%....you know, 60-80% greater than league average....

[Bellhorn04]

Because 23.8% (only slightly over league average of 20%) is so comparable to Napoli's 32% or Salty's 34.1%....you know, 60-80% greater than league average....

 

I think Napoli's numbers to date give a solid example of how a hitter can be very productive with high K's.

 

Middlebrooks' numbers, OTOH, give a solid example of how a hitter can be very unproductive with high K's.

[Thunder]

I think Napoli's numbers to date give a solid example of how a hitter can be very productive with high K's.

 

Middlebrooks' numbers, OTOH, give a solid example of how a hitter can be very unproductive with high K's.

 

Funny how they are keeping WMB at Pawtucket until he shows consistency at the plate. They probably just want to keep Iggy in the lineup as long as they can.

 

In other news, Victorino returns for game 2 tonight (my game), so it will be interesting to see what the lineup for that game looks like.

[User Name]

I think Napoli's numbers to date give a solid example of how a hitter can be very productive with high K's.

 

Middlebrooks' numbers, OTOH, give a solid example of how a hitter can be very unproductive with high K's.

 

I think your point is actually about "plate discipline". WMB wouldn't strike out even half as much if he didn't swing at everything. Napoli's problem is good ol' lack of contact.

[Bellhorn04]

Napoli's philosophy seems to be 'Swing hard in case you hit it.' Personally I can't argue with his results so far. It was good to see him get that 'productive out' on Thursday though.

[Dojji]

I've lusted after Napoli for years, So glad we have him and he's doing OK.

 

There's definitely a level of play offensively that Napoli can get to that he isn't right now.

[Palodios]

I've lusted after Napoli for years

 

I agree with your word choice here:lol:

[User Name]

I agree with your word choice here:lol:

 

Well played, sir. Well played.

[wyo-sox]

One thing we haven't talked about, I don't think, is could we ever get more trade value out of Iggy than right now?

[Rdsxmbnt]

Likely no. Teams aren't going to make decisions based on his whole minor and major league record. I think continued decent major league hitting raises his value significantly.

[Bellhorn04]

One thing we haven't talked about, I don't think, is could we ever get more trade value out of Iggy than right now?

 

Trade Iggy? That's an abhorrent thought right now.

[Thunder]

One thing we haven't talked about, I don't think, is could we ever get more trade value out of Iggy than right now?

 

Last night, I was actually thinking the same thing. Middlebrooks is the 3B of the future, and I guess the Sox expect Bogaerts to be the SS. I guess if they don't resign Drew then they could keep Iggy, but if they get a good young player, then I guess it would work. Do the Red Sox really have any needs position wise though?

[User Name]

Bogaerts is not staying at SS long term. If Iglesias can get on base, why trade him? WMB has a lot to prove, and if he does regain his control of the strike zone, then he could be moved to first base.

 

I don't get the obsession with trading.

[Thunder]

Bogaerts is not staying at SS long term. If Iglesias can get on base, why trade him? WMB has a lot to prove, and if he does regain his control of the strike zone, then he could be moved to first base.

 

I don't get the obsession with trading.

 

Just a thought, not an obsession. WMB to first is a good idea. I would do it after Ortiz retires, so they can move Napoli to DH.

[User Name]

Napoli is probably not staying with the Sox beyond this season. Someone will likely give him more money than the Sox will feel comfortable offering.

[a700hitter]

Just a thought, not an obsession. WMB to first is a good idea. I would do it after Ortiz retires, so they can move Napoli to DH.

If they have Napoli when Ortiz retires. Plus, if the big man is still hitting like this next season, I think he gets re-signed.

[MJantomaso]

Why trade for talent when you have it right in front of you? I would rather not have Napoli back next year if Xander is ready for the show. That would give us a great YOUNG infield that we could build around for years to come. We can spend the money on talented arms, maybe a big bat corner OF...catcher?

 

I also believe Ortiz has a few more great years left in him.

 

The Sox have a great situation right now. I think we should all take a moment out of our busy schedules and thank the Los Angeles Dodgers organization for being the idiots that they are.

[User Name]

Why trade for talent when you have it right in front of you? I would rather not have Napoli back next year if Xander is ready for the show. That would give us a great YOUNG infield that we could build around for years to come. We can spend the money on talented arms, maybe a big bat corner OF...catcher?

 

I also believe Ortiz has a few more great years left in him.

 

The Sox have a great situation right now. I think we should all take a moment out of our busy schedules and thank the Los Angeles Dodgers organization for being the idiots that they are.

 

I do that every day. Twice for every day Crawford and Beckett spend on the DL.

[VA Sox Fan]

I think we should all take a moment out of our busy schedules and thank the Los Angeles Dodgers organization for being the idiots that they are.

 

I do that every day. Twice for every day Crawford and Beckett spend on the DL.

 

I may have a new sig from this!

[Behindenemylines]

If Iggy is hitting he has to be your SS moving forward. The D he gives you at that position will save numerous runs for the pitching staff. His ability with the glove will make him one of the best fielding SS in baseball. I keep seeing Bogaerts being moved (3B, 1B or OF). Middlebrooks is either your 3B or 1B of the future. Remember both Drew and Napoli are on one year contracts and I believe nether will be back next year. The pieces are all there it is just a matter where each piece plays.