In the past six or so years, I have not really questioned the moves of Theo Epstein and the management of the Red Sox - I mean, who could with 2 championships and trips to playoffs in every year except for one? I usually question most of Theo's moves and realize that they were smart moves once they have played out (for the most part). Ok, so Theo struck out with the Gabbard for Gagne deal last year - no harm no foul though because Gabbard isn't an elite starter and if Gagne had pitched the way his reputation stated, the move never would have been questioned.
That said, one move that I still haven't figured out is Julio Lugo at shortstop. Through a month and a week into the season the Red Sox have a grand total of 20 errors. Of the 20 errors, 10 of them are held by Julio Lugo. I could live with the errors if, and only if, Lugo had a bat like Garciaparra had when he first came on the scene. Lugo has been hitting fairly well as of late, but as always I have absolutely no faith in him to do anything when the game is on the line other than to blow the game.
I blew my stack tonight when Lugo bobbled what could have possibly been a double play ball in the ninth inning. Not only did Lugo's error result in all runners being safe, it resulted in a blown save and a loss for Papelbon. Pap may not have had his best stuff in the game tonight, but even when a closer has a bad night he can typically get the job done when he doesn't have to get 4 or 5 outs.
What the heck are the Red Sox going to do with this guy? We are stuck with him for another 2 years beyond this year and his salary is so high it's not like we can easily unload him and make him another team's burdon.
Anybody have an suggestions? Maybe we should send him the way of Renteria and pay his salary when he plays for another team? Maybe Cincinnati will take him, hell they take all of the rest of our junk players and seem to make out like bandits. Maybe Arizona can take him and make him into a winner? Who knows - all I know is that I'm tired of watching this guy make errors in the field and strike out at the plate. Lugo stinks.
Can we get rid of Lugo please? Like I need another reason not to be able to sleep. Mr. error needs to go away. Having half of the total errors on the team should be enough of a reason to try to shop him around, but then again the Rays were smart enough to unload him. Maybe the Cubs could use him.
What you have to remember about last night is that Julio Lugo made an error on the second play in the ninth only. In the first, it was a check swing which he made a fantastic effort with and the winning run was a broken bat single which a lot of SS wouldn't have made. It's easy to prey on Lugo right night because everyone has the bat swinging and the gloves humming. But our concern should be the middle releif. If you had one move tomorrow who would it be? We can always rest Lugo for Jed Lowrie every few days but we cannot afford to have the bullpen as crappy as it has been. Jonathon Papplebon was tired last night, he wasn't himself. No pick off throws...not even one, and he's one of the best, up there with Andy Pettitte.
I am not defending Lugo to the point that he'll come around like he did last year. We tend to have less patience the second time round. Papi was swinging at air for the first month and nobody said anything AND he doesn't even have to worry about defense until the playoffs.
Put him on notice but don't slap him with a fish quite yet. I still lament the fact we lost Cabrera.
I completely agree with you, and am so upset that we have another 2 years with this loser, i wish we could get rid of him, even if it was for someone like Orlando Cabrera, which is another situation that I disapprove of. Epstein should have never let him go after 2004, even though it is hard to argue with that second championship that they got without him. To make a long story short, Lugo is a loser, and I wish he was gone!
It'll be hard to get rid of lugo with the salary he has, however, if theo can pull off some deal that rids the sox of him, I think the best replacement is lowrie/cora for the remainder of the year and go after rafeal furcal who will be a free agent, yes it'll be an expensive contract, but furcal is one of the best all around SS out there and would be a great addition. Hell, even keep lugo for the remainder of the year and still pursue furcal and worry about trading lugo after signing furcal.
hey you said that Lugo came around last year? I dont know what Red Sox season you were watching but if i remember right he finished the year with an average in the .230s and 19 errors. And he had single digit home runs and if you look into his career he has never been very good but now he is an average player making a ton of money. My solution, CUT HIM and bring up Lowrie. Trade him if possiable but if you have to cut him.
