Halfway Point-- Biggest Surprises and Biggest Disappointments

[jung]

I am hoping Iggy at 3rd was just a stop gap measured based on FO thinking that WMB would make it back. Now that WMB coming back is almost off the table from what I have seen, they have to find a way to get Iggy back to SS full time. Not sure how long Holt can go before he blows up. Synder has obviously already blown up.

[User Name]

Putting a square peg in a round hole? That's exactly what they're doing by playing Iglesias at 3B.

 

Look over the stats again. Iglesias's UZR this year is equally as bad as Young at 3B. We can't expect him to outhit his poor 3B defense for the rest of the season.

 

Then move Iglesias back to SS and promote Bogaerts. You know why? Because Young sucks.

[jung]

That actually sounds about right at this point UN. Why is XB more of a gamble than Holt? I guess you could say that Holt has already played a few games up here. However XB could get hot and completely outplay Holt. I think we know what Holt is at this point.

[mvp 78]

Holt will be back in AAA in less than a week when Drew comes back.

[Palodios]

Then move Iglesias back to SS and promote Bogaerts. You know why? Because Young sucks.

 

Bogaertz needs to start getting some work in at 3B then. The Red Sox seem very reluctant to move him over.

[User Name]

There's very little chance Bogaerts stays at SS long term with that frame.

[mvp 78]

He's smaller than Cal Ripken.

[User Name]

Hey he moved outta SS late, but still moved.

[mvp 78]

2,633 for Xander. Book it!

[Spitball]

There's very little chance Bogaerts stays at SS long term with that frame.

 

He is 6'3" and 185 pounds. Derek Jeter, Troy Tulowitzki, Hanley Ramirez, Brandon Crawford, Jhonny Peralta, and a few others are all about that size.

[User Name]

But they all had either better defensive tools or eventually outgrew the position, which is the problem with Xander, who's that big and isn't even done filling out. Peralta, Hanley and Jeter are good examples of guys whose defense eroded quickly once they finished growing into their bodies (Jeter was always bad but he was captain 'Murrica!), and many theorize that playing SS is part of the reason for Tulo's many injuries.

 

Who knows? Maybe Xanders could stay at SS for a while, maybe his whole career while being passable/good at SS.

[jung]

It seems to me that we have been hearing that the "plan" was to move XB to 3rd all along. Now that WMB is flaming out, why should that change now? Even if WMB does not flame out, why should the plan change with regard to XB?

[lospunchados]

Many reports this year say that Xander could actually stick at shortstop and at least for a good chunk of his career.

[jung]

I think the Sox would be out of their minds if they at this point did not plan on a middle infield of Pedey and Iggy, going forward unless they have some grand plan to solve what will be a difficult rotation problem in the coming years. I suspect they are going to need a middle infield that good at the rate they are going. I still think the Sox will find a way to talk themselves out of Iggy because he is big time atypical for a Sox SS. However IMO it would be dumb dumb dumb.

[italstallianion]

I would never dream of moving Iglesias silky smooth and sexy SS defense unless he's hitting below .200 and even then he seems to at least take a few pitches to get out.

[BornToRun]

I would never dream of moving Iglesias silky smooth and sexy SS defense unless he's hitting below .200 and even then he seems to at least take a few pitches to get out.

I think that's one thing worth mentioning. This is purely based off memory here but it seems like Iggy was putting up some pretty solid AB's during his streak of dominance. Maybe that can lead to him possessing enough plate discipline so that he can walk enough to put up a low .300 OBP if his average and power don't come around. Shortstops tend to suck with the bat as a rule so if he can reach a consistent level of performance that's at least bearable, his glove work should be more than enough to outweigh whatever failings he has as a hitter.

[italstallianion]

I forgot what the average SS triple slash performance was but it was pretty lousy. Even for Iglesias projections.