Yes, this is a loaded question.
Yes, expectations for J.D. Drew and Julio Lugo are bigger than they were a year ago. At least that’s my opinion.
Both were whipping boys for their lack-luster performances at the plate. Lugo hit only .237 and walked only 48 times while Drew knocked in only 64 runs (9 fewer than Lugo) and missed his standard 20-plus games.
That won’t cut it in ’08. The fact that both of them had decent playoff runs helped their causes, but the Red Sox need a little more punch out of each because of the tougher league this season. There are three or four worthy Wild Card possibilities as opposed to one or two from a year ago.
Lugo needs to be closer to .290 and Drew needs to be at 90 RBI with this star-studded lineup in front of him.
This is a big year for both players, particularly Lugo who is batting under .230 over his last 800 at bats.
The World Series title got each player a pass this Hot Stove season. Now it’s time to perform at a higher level.
Do you agree?
