Saturday, June 06, 2009
THE FIXABLE ISSUE IS AT DH NOT SHORT
It is difficult it is for a hitter to overcome a wrist injury, as Jed Lowrie is trying to accomplish. According to Will Carroll, most players initially have a loss of power and bat control. [Carroll tweeted the above about wrist injuries a few days ago, but today, June 9th, repeated that Lowrie's issue is more like a broken arm than a wrist injury, which should be less of a issue at the plate. Regardless, I'm still skeptical of Lowrie just not as much.] This would translate into fewer homers and more strikeouts. After only 300 plate appearances in the Show, it seems unlikely he will be the answer at short in 2009.
Unfortunately, quality two way shortstops are rarely available on the trade market. When Rickie Weeks went down, even the faint thought of a J.J. Hardy blockbuster deal was dead. (The Brewers have an excellent shortstop, Alcides Escobar, in AAA). Old friend, Orlando Cabrera, would appear to be an option, but he may not be an upgrade given his play to date. It is rare that teams give up on players that play in the middle of the diamond and can hit.
Shortstop is likely to be a weakness all year. Although if the Sox can get production from the DH spot, which is a relatively easy issue to resolve (more on this soon), Argenis Diaz should see some time. He is a wizard with the leather, but not much with the stick even in Portland. If none of the options at short are going to hit, play the plus defender that doesn’t cost the Sox anything. Diaz could be the Olde Towne Team’s everyday shortstop in August.
It is difficult it is for a hitter to overcome a wrist injury, as Jed Lowrie is trying to accomplish. According to Will Carroll, most players initially have a loss of power and bat control. [Carroll tweeted the above about wrist injuries a few days ago, but today, June 9th, repeated that Lowrie's issue is more like a broken arm than a wrist injury, which should be less of a issue at the plate. Regardless, I'm still skeptical of Lowrie just not as much.] This would translate into fewer homers and more strikeouts. After only 300 plate appearances in the Show, it seems unlikely he will be the answer at short in 2009.
Unfortunately, quality two way shortstops are rarely available on the trade market. When Rickie Weeks went down, even the faint thought of a J.J. Hardy blockbuster deal was dead. (The Brewers have an excellent shortstop, Alcides Escobar, in AAA). Old friend, Orlando Cabrera, would appear to be an option, but he may not be an upgrade given his play to date. It is rare that teams give up on players that play in the middle of the diamond and can hit.
Shortstop is likely to be a weakness all year. Although if the Sox can get production from the DH spot, which is a relatively easy issue to resolve (more on this soon), Argenis Diaz should see some time. He is a wizard with the leather, but not much with the stick even in Portland. If none of the options at short are going to hit, play the plus defender that doesn’t cost the Sox anything. Diaz could be the Olde Towne Team’s everyday shortstop in August.
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