As the saying goes, the best offense is a good defense. Well,
no one informed Julio Lugo about that.
Friday marked the end of an era. The Lugo era was cut short
after the Red Sox designated the 33-year-old shortstop for assignment in hopes
that another team will pick up a bulk of the salary still owed to him.
Despite hitting over .280 on the year, Lugo had his fate
sealed by defense — or lack thereof. During his stay in Boston, the former
Tampa Bay Ray moved around the shortstop position like his glove was made of
lead, sometimes making the routine play look like it was worthy of an Akrobatik
SportsDesk play of the week.
Lugo’s exit brings overwhelming feelings of both excitement
and dismay to Boston, but even after catching wind of the news, Julio remains
the class act he has been all season. The Boston Herald’s Steve Buckley spoke
with Lugo after the announcement was made and Buck had nothing but glowing
reviews about Lugo’s attitude during a phone interview Friday evening on SportsDesk.
For now, all ol’ Julio can do is play the waiting game. Apparently,
there is a market out there for a guy who can put the bat on the ball,
pinch-hit a little, and at times look clueless as a defensive shortstop.
Please do not misconstrue my criticism for delusions of
grandeur. I could never in my wildest dreams attempt to make the plays that
Lugo muffed for the Red Sox. But when you get paid $9 million a year to
routinely turn double plays with the reigning league MVP, there comes a time to
get to work or, as Lugo found out the hard way, get designated for
assignment.
It might not be what the Sox or Lugo wanted, but in the end,
it was the best thing for the team. Now it’s time for Nick Green to step up to
the plate (literally) and Jed Lowrie to show what he can do after returning
from injury.
It will most definitely be an interesting second half, so here
we come.
