The Red Sox are about to face some tough decisions in the coming weeks on their pitching staff and at the shortstop position.
Future Hall of Famer John Smoltz is just about ready to make his debut in a Red Sox uniform, and Jed Lowrie is itching to come off the disabled list and get back on the field.
You can bet Theo Epstein and company are working on more than just the amateur draft … they are also scouting for trade possibilities.
The Sox entered spring training with Julio Lugo and Lowrie battling for the starting shortstop position. Then Lugo went down with a knee injury, and Nick Green
played his way into the backup role to start the season. A week into
the season Lowrie was lost when his troublesome wrist needed surgery.
Enter Green as the starter.
Nobody expected all that much from the third-string shortstop, but
he has played very well. Even when Lugo came back, Green has made a
case tostay as the starter, with Lugo delegated to the backup role.
So with Lowrie ready to return what do the Sox do? Ship Green down
to Pawtucket because they can’t do that with Lugo? Or try to trade Lugo
so they can continue to groom Lowrie as the shortstop of the future?
If I was a betting woman I would go with the latter. The Sox seem
pleased with Green, and I don’t think they want to send him back to the
minors.
Even more difficult is the decision with the pitching staff. None of
the five starters stands out as a player to take out of the rotation,
so where do you put Smoltz? Daisuke Matsuzaka has had
some trouble this year, but can you really send the pride of Japan and
MVP of the World Baseball Classic to the bullpen. Not realistic.
Brad Penny says he wouldn’t be surprised if he was
traded. He’s heard his name bantered about, which has to be tough.
He’s been reunited with his good friend Josh Beckett and has done a nice job for the Sox. Pitching coach John Farrell says he’s looking as strong as ever, and has given the Sox some quality starts.
With Smoltz likely ready to make a start for the Sox on June 16,
these issues are going to have to be addressed soon. I agree with Terry Francona who has said many times, “I’m glad I’m not the one who has to make these decisions.”
