Lugo: What should the Red Sox do?
Jun 27th, 2007 by Bill Burt
It’s officially a MAJOR problem.
The Red Sox have a gaping hole when Julio Lugo is playing. That is obvious. He not only hasn’t had a hit since June 14, but he hasn’t knocked in a run either. Remember during his early struggles? At least he was knocking runners in. Now he can’t even do that.
Worse, he has been only average defensively. He is on pace with his worst-ever season of 24 errors (in 2005) with 9 errors already in 69 games. He also has botched a few plays with this glove, which good shortstops would have made, that were called hits.
Yes, he has been a big busteroo.
What should the Red Sox do, short term?
The starting pitching has done its part, hiding Lugo’s warts this season, but this has officially gone on too long.
Next year and beyond is another issue.
Let me know what your solution is for right now, this season.
9 reader comments to “Lugo: What should the Red Sox do?”
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1John said:
Bill I would do what Francona did earlier in the year with Pedroia and Cora. I would play a few games with Cora at SS, then a Few with Lugo. Do that for a few weeks and see if lugo gets out of the funk like Pedroia did. Can’t lose.
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3Mort said:
Even though it is 20/20 hind-sight, the Lugo signing has had me shaking my head since Day 1. Even during the season of ‘06 it sounded like signing Lugo during the off-season was a done deal. The Red Sox were going to do whatever it takes to sign him (See: Drew, J.D.).
Now the Red Sox have to live with their over-paid Mario Mendoza. Jim’s idea of sitting Lugo is intriguing, but the Red Sox are the best team in baseball. Why make a drastic change like this right now? If the Yankees were breathing down Boston’s neck, and they were in jeopardy of falling into the Wild Card Pit, then changes would be much more necessary.
But with the way things are going, I just think of the old adage: “If it ain’t broke, why try to fix it?”
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4CK Dexter Haven said:
“If it ain’t broke, why try to fix it?”
That sounds like ‘complacency.’
I’d prefer a proactive approach. Constant improvement should be the objective, no matter the Sox’ position in the standings. I’m not suggesting that Lugo should be benched indefinitely. But, i also don’t think this is the same situation as when Pedroia wasn’t performing well at the beginning of the season. With Pedroia, it turned out to be a great decision to let him play into shape. Lugo has far more experience, though, and probably requires a different approach. Give Cora a lot of time over the next couple of weeks and take Lugo away from his current mindset. Phase him back in later, and hope for the best.We have the top record in the league, but i’m still not happy with how the offense performs, especially against good pitching. I’m not confident in the postseason potential. And, with a team this good, this is the year when we HAVE to win it all. Good enough isn’t good enough, with this much on the line. And, this is no longer about The Yankees.
There’s zero risk in sitting Lugo down right now. Whomsoever replaces him can’t do worse. Whenever he’s reinserted, he won’t do worse. Are we afraid of damaging his ego by sitting him? He couldn’t be in a worse psychological state right now. A brief hiatus is just the ticket.
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5David said:
I think Lugo has been so bad, and is so out of it, trading him is the best move available. Cora is a good utility player, and shouldn’t be expected to play SS from here on out.
Looking at SS who may be available, perhaps Toronto has some options (Clayton or McDonald), or Alex Gonzalez, as funny as that may be, is having another good year for a Cincinnati team that is out of it. I wonder if St. Louis would part with Eckstein. Would Lugo, with half his salary paid, and a B prospect like Gabbard or Moss be enough for one of these guys?
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6Jim Loomis said:
I have always liked Lugo and was glad when he was signed. He’s a lifetime .275 hitter, has better-than-average range in the field, and puts out 110-percent every game. Furthermore, I admire his hang-in-there-attitude. He’s had terrible luck during this stretch … for example, one of the games in Atlanta when he absolutely smoked four balls, all for outs, then hit a single to center that went as a fielder’s choice when Tek misjudged it and was thrown out at third. And let’s not forget he’s 20 for 20 in stolen bases. Lugo is a proven major leaguer, but needs to relax and get his head squared away. So, yes, let Cora play short and sit Lugo for 2-3 days in a row. But it’s just foolish to give up on the guy.
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7Nashua said:
Got to agree with the guys that said “…play a few games with Cora at SS, then a Few with Lugo.” I was thinking the same thing. Probably the best thing for the Julio right now. Aside from being in a batting slump, Lugo does bring the tool of speed to the field, 1st to 3rd, 1st or 2nd to home to score and 20 Stolen Bases - Caught Stealing 0. That’s amazing, especially for a team such as the Red Sox where hit & runs and stolen bases are hardly used in their game plan. Interestingly, when was the last time you witnessed a Red Sox team with two players in the AL ‘Top Ten’ of stolen bases (Coco @ 15 + Lugo @ 20).
I’m not looking it up, but I bet it was a very long time ago.
I really think that this pressure cooker market is effecting him. Heard rumors that this slump is really bugging Lugo, that he can’t even sleep well. Can see that easily, play in Tampa (yawn), then get traded to the Cal Dreamin’ Dodgers country club where they “platooned” him and then come to Boston where every twitch is scrutinized. Hope he busts out if it.
Note: Curious to see a David Eckstein reference appear. He WAS once in the Sox system. They let him go on waivers, lost him for a lousy $20 Grand. Go ahead, guess who the Sox “Protected” instead of EcKstein? Izzy Alcantara! Are you sick yet?
Eckstein has Two World Series rings now. Go Figure…. -
8Mort said:
I tell you, Burt…I am glad Tito doesn’t make decisions based on Internet blogs and forum posts. Lugo hitting .500 (19-for-38) since July 8. Complacency? Bah!
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9CK Dexter Haven said:
Sure, Mort. That’s two weeks after the suggestion was made. It was “broke,” and it eventually worked itself out. But, it’s rather closed-minded to suggest that ‘what happened’ was THE solution. Maybe you could allow yourself to imagine that if they had sat him down for a week, he might be hitting 20 for 38 since July 8. And Cora, in his place, might have contributed to a couple of wins before your (random) July 8 stat start….
