13 replies to this topic

[TheYellowDart5]

And Casey's back with the team. So says Cafardo:

Alex Cora has been activated and Jed Lowrie has been sent back to Pawtucket. Sean Casey is with the team, but has not yet been activated.

Cora is also starting at shortstop tonight, with Julio Lugo still healing from a mild concussion, but we don't yet have a full lineup.

[DieHard3]

I guess it was absolutely imperative to send Lowrie back to AAA before he won the starting SS job.

[Shelterdog]

I guess it was absolutely imperative to send Lowrie back to AAA before he won the starting SS job.

Yes, that is the only plausible explanation.

[Fratboy]

I guess it was absolutely imperative to send Lowrie back to AAA before he won the starting SS job.

Thanks for the substance. What did you expect them to do? DFA Lugo? Trade him for pennies on the dollar in a nonexistent market? Look, they did the only thing that they could have reasonably done, and that was option Lowrie back to AAA.

He gets to play everyday there instead of rotting on the bench. That's Cora's gig.

[BoSoxLady]

Lugo aside, Lowrie's not a SS.

[DeJesus Built My Hotrod]

I guess it was absolutely imperative to send Lowrie back to AAA before he won the starting SS job.

Or the closers job.

[LondonSox]

I really think this is the right move. Lowrie needs to be playing everyday, there is no way the Sox are going to eat Lugo's contract in early May and hurt the depth by dumping a starting short stop and replacing him with a guy with one very good season in the minors and plenty of questions about defensively. I personally think that Lowrie can play, but let's see him prove it at least eh. He's got some 600 ABs above A ball, and let's remember a year plus ago he wasn't seen as much of anything after some injuries and disappointment.

I understand Lugo is annoying everyone but come on now.

[Lose Remerswaal]

Lugo aside, Lowrie's not a SS.

Maybe not yet, but that might be changing!

With Cora - 3 for 4 last night - again on the 25-man roster, Jed Lowrie headed back to Pawtucket. Lowrie will join the PawSox tonight for the final game of a homestand. He will play shortstop six days a week, other positions on the seventh day. Lowrie also may play first base.

[RingoOSU]

What do you mean changing? And "not a shortstop?" In Pawtuckett, Lowrie has played 38 games at SS, and 10 at other positions. In his entire minor league career he has 211 games at SS and 18 at other positions. He may not be ready to be a shortstop at a major league level, but his usage isn't "changing."

[BoSoxLady]

What do you mean changing? And "not a shortstop?" In Pawtuckett, Lowrie has played 38 games at SS, and 10 at other positions. In his entire minor league career he has 211 games at SS and 18 at other positions. He may not be ready to be a shortstop at a major league level, but his usage isn't "changing."

I saw Jed Lowrie all ST this year. He played 2B, 3B and SS. I understand that his current position is SS but we weren't impressed. His range is below average, and his arm was strong but erratic. The Red Sox obviously believe that Lowrie will develop enough to be an adequate SS but is that what we really want? Lowrie might be another example of the Red Sox falling in love with a player's offensive prowess. IMO, Lowrie's more suited at 3B or 2B, two positions that are unavailable. Unless the Red Sox give up on Lugo, Lowrie's going to be a trade chip.

[yecul]

I think it's a combination of 1. lack of depth at the position, 2. him needing the most work there, and 3. maintaining his trade value.

Right now he's looking like a Cora replacement more than anything. Might as well give him as much of an opportunity to improve at SS as possible. Pedroia was not seen as a ML SS either, but he played up through the minors at that spot.

[RingoOSU]

Right, I can see how he's not perceived as a SS, but my point is him being used as one in the minors is not a change. But keeping him there will either increase his skills at the position or make him more valuable for trade.

[yecul]

Sure, I was just citing their reasoning.

BSL and others are probably right -- he's not going to stick in the ML as a full time SS. No matter how much practice time he gets in. Pedroia wouldn't have either.

[E5 Yaz]

It sounds as though they're grooming Lowrie to replace Cora as the multi-position sub. A switch-hitter who can hit, and play adequately all around the infield, would be two roster spots all by himself.

Or, Lowrie could just be this season's Gabbard/Murphy and be traded in July for a more-needed piece.