Let's get this out of the way first: Marco Scutaro is not a great hitter. He has been below league average every year of his career before 2009, but was one of the better hitting shortstops in MLB in 2009. (Stats.) He's also 33 (my age) which isn't old in real life, but could be old in baseball terms.
Depending on your fielding metric of choice, Scutaro has been either very good, or at least above average, since he started playing SS frequently in 2005. Paired with Pedroia, it should make for a solid double play partnership. And since the Red Sox SSs sucked in the field last season, this should be a huge upgrade.
So overall I think this is good. A 2-year contract is reasonable, as is the salary. I also prefer this to moving Pedroia over to SS, a position he hasn't played regularly in years. I would have been OK with that, but that only shifts the hole in the infield, it doesn't solve it.
Now the Sox just need to find a LF and some more arms for the bullpen...
Is it possible for a SS to have a good year in Boston? I think the Sox might now have the curse of Nomar. Seems like they're all hyped up and then they come here and stink. The only exception might be Alex Gonzalez. (this is ben)
ReplyDeleteSox definitely going in a run prevention direction. But it could work - the Lackey signing is good value, though health is always a concern with any sport of pitcher.
ReplyDelete