Julio Lugo just looks to me like he’s playing timid because of his knee.  Opposing players are bearing down on him in double play and he hasn’t dirtied his uniform for a ball in the hole since returning from knee surgery last month.  The first time someone knocks him over with a hard slide to break up a double play, it will bring him back.  He might land awkwardly, but he’ll be ok and he’ll finally know that he doesn’t need to play so conservatively.

Carl Crawford is 22 for 22 in stolen base attempts so far this season including 6 steals in as many attempts against the Red Sox last Sunday.  The way he runs and the amount of pitcher attention he draws from the while on base reminds me of Mickey Rivers, but the only ball player from my playing era who could have both had the opportunity to steal 6 bases in a game is Rickey Henderson.  Guys just don’t on base often enough to accomplish
that type of feat.

Let’s hope that Dustin Pedroia can bounce back quickly from the groin injury that forced him to leave last night’s game.  He’s a lead by example type in the field and a vocal leader in the clubhouse.  A lot has been made about the humorous side of Dustin’s personality, but in the clubhouse he is frequently the one to stand up, tell the other players to turn off the music, and give a talk about the upcoming game.  He just brings so much to the ballpark each day.

Lowrie hit a home run for the Paw Sox last night and, more importantly, performed well in his brief call up to the major leagues. Some people have questioned whether Lowrie projects to be a shortstop long term or whether he will eventually switch to second or third base. It was tough to tell how Lowrie’s skill set will translate in the Major Leagues because his spot starting made it difficult to tell how he was adjusting to top talent.  We really need to see him play everyday against major league caliber pitching

I am not sure where the Red Sox will play Lowrie long term but his versatility works in his favor. What he needs to concentrate on is just getting in the big leagues. His willingness to play whatever position is asked of him will be what makes him catch on with this team - or any other. I remember Jeff Bagwell back when he was in the Red Sox organization as a young third baseman. We had Wade Boggs firmly entrenched at third in those days so Bagwell started taking work at first before he started his career in Houston.

With the millions of dollars committed to Lugo, Pedroia at 2nd base, and two potential third basemen in Lowell and Youkilis, would anyone be suprised to see if the Red Sox shop their prized prospect to other teams?

There was a lot of concern about the errors made by Julio Lugo last week.  I had a few questions asking me whether or not Jed Lowrie will take over the shortstop role this year.  The bottom line is that Julio Lugo gets too much money to sit on the bench.  You will probably see Jed Lowrie this year, but Lugo’s job is safe for at least this season.

As for Lugo this season: don’t worry about the errors because with the position he plays, you are going to have some bobbles and poor throws.  I worry more about his hitting.  It just seems that defense and offense compliment each. When you feel good at the plate you tend to be more relaxed in the field and vice versa.  If Lugo has a few games in a row where he can pick up a couple of hits, then expect the defense to come along.