Jose Iglesias signs with Red Sox

YTF

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I agree with this. You can’t stick Arroyo at 2B in a do-or-die Wild Card playoff game with effectively zero ML reps since the All Star break. I also recognize that you have to make it there first, but given their current lead there can hopefully be a balance.

I want and expect Iglesias to start for all 3 Yankees games of course. Tonight you probably keep Iglesias in there to start because they’ve got the win streak going and need to win with Sale on the mound, and see if Arroyo can be a late inning sub if the Sox are up (or.. nevermind) by a lot.

Apart from that, I think than hope has to be for Arroyo to get at least a few starts next week in Baltimore and Washington unless disaster strikes and the Sox are fighting for their playoff lives.

Let’s hope they sweep the Yankees this weekend and basically render it a moot point.
This is pretty much where I'm at. I think this is the approach we'll see and hopefully putting the final nail in the MFY post season hopes allows Arroyo to knock some rust off in the final week of the season. One place where we do differ is that I'm not 100% that Arroyo starts a Wild card game as that leaves one of Verdugo or Schwarber on the bench. The opponent and pitching matchup will be a factor, but it's going to be interesting to see if Cora chooses defense or offense
 

Sandy Leon Trotsky

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This is pretty much where I'm at. I think this is the approach we'll see and hopefully putting the final nail in the MFY post season hopes allows Arroyo to knock some rust off in the final week of the season. One place where we do differ is that I'm not 100% that Arroyo starts a Wild card game as that leaves one of Verdugo or Schwarber on the bench. The opponent and pitching matchup will be a factor, but it's going to be interesting to see if Cora chooses defense or offense
You're thinking Kike? That would make some sense but it really hurts the OF defense which I think is more important than IF defense. Maybe Cora will really think outside the box and throw Dalbec at 2nd and Schwarber at 1st??????
joking.
 

Bosoxian

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I think the obvious plan is to keep Iglesias at second through the Yankees series and then (hopefully things are pretty close to settled by then) and then give Arroyo his reps.
 

YTF

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You're thinking Kike? That would make some sense but it really hurts the OF defense which I think is more important than IF defense. Maybe Cora will really think outside the box and throw Dalbec at 2nd and Schwarber at 1st??????
joking.
I think it's definitely an option, but I see it more of a choice between offense and defense and not one of the the two different defensive alignments. As I said, it's going to be interesting to see which way Cora goes.
 

johnnyfromspain

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They did get Arroyo into the game last night once the score got out of hand, just to shake off a little rust. Perhaps that will be the plan going forward.
This is exactly what any savvy manager would do: let Arroyo get his feet back under himself, once the game has been pretty much decided. This may happen or not in the Yankees series, depending on how the games go. But chances are he should get a few reps in the IF and 4 or 5 ab's during the weekend. This will be a good way for Cora to see if he must continue using Arroyo as a back up or, hopefully, Christian gets his timing down quickly enough to be able to start in meaningful regular season games. Players fully understand this, and respect it.
 

cantor44

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Iglesias declined this year, but seems revived playing for the Sox. He's hot and his current pace would be unsustainable, BUT - he's not that old, and his general decline this year could've been more mental (motivational) than physical. It is not hyperbolic to say that his presence has helped stabilize the defense (he's been good at second and allows Kiki to anchor the outfield). Let's not let that go unnoticed, it's a massive development. And he's a pesky presence hitting ninth.

I'm going to reassert my desire to see him on a one-year deal next year. Could start at second, and cover short (we have no other natural shortstops on the bench) ....keep the spot warm for Yorke, who may well rip through the minors right quick (could see him sometime in 2023) ....Arroyo has more power potential, but is he better at anything else? Maybe he can be developed into a true utility guy in 2022 with Kike mostly in center.
 
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Heating up in the bullpen

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Yes, the highlights showed him dropping the exchange on a double play. 2 ABs, 2 Ks.
He looked particularly rusty in those at bats. First K he was way behind a fastball. Second was looking at a pitch on the inside black (it was a strike, not a bad call). Great that he can see these pitches in no stakes situations to get back to speed.
 

Rovin Romine

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He looked particularly rusty in those at bats. First K he was way behind a fastball. Second was looking at a pitch on the inside black (it was a strike, not a bad call). Great that he can see these pitches in no stakes situations to get back to speed.
As a data point he had 11 AB over 3 games in the minors prior to his callup. 4Ks, 0BBs, 1 single.
 

cantor44

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From Alex Speier (Iglesias' presence matters):

For most of the year, the Red Sox infield has been the most porous in baseball. Through Sept. 9, they had allowed a .274 average on ground balls, easily the worst in the game and far worse, in the estimation of Statcast based on the type of contact, than the .245 expected average on such balls.

Since Xander Bogaerts returned from the COVID-19-related injured list Sept. 10, allowing the Sox to move José Iglesias to second base, they have allowed a middle-of-the-pack .252 average on grounders (with a .241 expected average). Meanwhile, double plays — which had gone missing in August — have again become routine, with the Sox turning 11 in the last 10 games.
 

Sandy Leon Trotsky

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I imagine that his revived play-and showing he can quite nicely handle 2B- will land him a decent 2 year contract around 8million total as a guy to fill in either spot on a young team.
Possibly back to the Tigers? Marlins?
I’d like him to stick around but it doesn’t mKe sense.
 

Smiling Joe Hesketh

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One of things that Bill James wrote about years ago is that we all accept that offense goes into a slump but people seem resistant to the idea that players can slump defensively as well. Iglesias rated out pretty poorly on defense this year but seems to be playing much better in the field since arriving in Boston.
 

Archer1979

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One of things that Bill James wrote about years ago is that we all accept that offense goes into a slump but people seem resistant to the idea that players can slump defensively as well. Iglesias rated out pretty poorly on defense this year but seems to be playing much better in the field since arriving in Boston.
That's really the human factor playing into it as baseball is one of those sports that trying harder actually hurts you. For example, playing defense and stepping up your game creates mistakes (you rush throws, you try to field the ball before you have it, etc.). It's pretty much a straight line in Iglesias' case as he's been hurt and his offense suffered, so I can see why his defense slumped.
 

simplicio

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Thanks for the last month, Iggy. It was a damn treat to see you with Boston again and killing it. I'd venture there'd be no baseball on Tuesday without you.
 

scottyno

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Thanks for the last month, Iggy. It was a damn treat to see you with Boston again and killing it. I'd venture there'd be no baseball on Tuesday without you.
Iggy, Shaw, Schwarber, hell probably even Robles, take any of them off the team and there's a good chance that at best they're playing tomorrow and a good chance they're booking tee times.
 

jmcc5400

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So glad to see this thread bumped. I dare say I’m not the only one that was fine with Iggy replacing JD in the lineup. Love too see him back next year as the starting second baseman/utility guy.
 

cantor44

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Iggy, Shaw, Schwarber, hell probably even Robles, take any of them off the team and there's a good chance that at best they're playing tomorrow and a good chance they're booking tee times.
This is Bloom's handy work indeed. I say this as a vocal critic of his deadline moves. I still wish there had been an additional marquee move (or he had gotten someone who could have helped right away July 31). But under-the-radar moves are where he really excels.
 

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This is Bloom's handy work indeed. I say this as a vocal critic of his deadline moves. I still wish there had been an additional marquee move (or he had gotten someone who could have helped right away July 31). But under-the-radar moves are where he really excels.
The Sox finished 8 games behind Tampa. There is literally no marquee move that would have changed the eventual standings. And if it came at the expense of Iggy, Shaw, Schwarber, or Robles, they actually could have finished worse and given up real prospects. Bloom had a great deadline+
 

GB5

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Wonder if he is in their plans next year. Does he get a FA contract anywhere or in Boston or is he a spring training invite?
 

radsoxfan

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After his 317 PA with the Red Sox in 2011-2013, never in a million years would I have imagined this type of return nearly a decade later.

A mediocre glove and 0.915 OPS bat as a crucial addition down the stretch. Baseball is weird.

As far as next year, I'd give him a shot as a spring training invite but I'm guessing this end of 2021 was mostly fluke.
 

Petagine in a Bottle

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He was awesome, he stabilized 2b in a time of extreme need. With the race so tight, it’s quite possible it made a material difference.

It seems like he enjoys Boston and the team will need a backup infielder. Is Arroyo the starter at 2b, hard to tell how enamored they are with him. Is Kiki? Do they go after Semien or Baez, moving Arroyo to the utility role?

Ultimately seems like there will be a lot of moving parts but I’d imagine they will keep the lines of communication open with him as he seems like a good fit for a variety of reasons.
 

billy ashley

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I don't think he stays with Boston next year as he's played well enough to earn a more full-time gig elsewhere. Someone will give him a shot at a starting role on the promise of a 90 wRC+ and average to good defense (I know the numbers were bad this year, but it's just one year, he was still excellent in the field as recently as 2019)
 

Red(s)HawksFan

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He was awesome, he stabilized 2b in a time of extreme need. With the race so tight, it’s quite possible it made a material difference.

It seems like he enjoys Boston and the team will need a backup infielder. Is Arroyo the starter at 2b, hard to tell how enamored they are with him. Is Kiki? Do they go after Semien or Baez, moving Arroyo to the utility role?

Ultimately seems like there will be a lot of moving parts but I’d imagine they will keep the lines of communication open with him as he seems like a good fit for a variety of reasons.
I don't think Iglesias returns. Like billy ashley said, he's going to get offers elsewhere. To come back to Boston, he'd probably be leaving money and potential playing time on the table somewhere. Maybe he does it, but it's a crowded roster as it is.

The Sox would be wise not to commit to a free agent for 2B (so no Semien or Baez), not when they have some good middle infield prospects in the system. Kike and Arroyo is a reasonable plan for 2022 with Arauz on the shuttle and Downs hopefully pushing his way into the picture sometime during the season.
 

YTF

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I don't think Iglesias returns. Like billy ashley said, he's going to get offers elsewhere. To come back to Boston, he'd probably be leaving money and potential playing time on the table somewhere. Maybe he does it, but it's a crowded roster as it is.

The Sox would be wise not to commit to a free agent for 2B (so no Semien or Baez), not when they have some good middle infield prospects in the system. Kike and Arroyo is a reasonable plan for 2022 with Arauz on the shuttle and Downs hopefully pushing his way into the picture sometime during the season.
This is what we saw this season and I fully agree that it's likely the plan for next year. There really isn't a spot for Iggy in this organization.
 

joe dokes

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I don't think Iglesias returns. Like billy ashley said, he's going to get offers elsewhere. To come back to Boston, he'd probably be leaving money and potential playing time on the table somewhere. Maybe he does it, but it's a crowded roster as it is.

The Sox would be wise not to commit to a free agent for 2B (so no Semien or Baez), not when they have some good middle infield prospects in the system. Kike and Arroyo is a reasonable plan for 2022 with Arauz on the shuttle and Downs hopefully pushing his way into the picture sometime during the season.
Not really advocating for Iglesias, but doesn't Kiké at 2B depend on whether they have a CF?
 

chawson

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Iggy, Shaw, Schwarber, hell probably even Robles, take any of them off the team and there's a good chance that at best they're playing tomorrow and a good chance they're booking tee times.
Robles didn’t allow a run from 8/29 on! 8th-highest reliever fWAR in MLB in Sept/Oct and as far as I can tell, the 3rd-most productive reliever moved at the deadline (Holmes, Tepera). Truly wild for a deadline addition that felt like an afterthought to almost all of us at the time.

Not really advocating for Iglesias, but doesn't Kiké at 2B depend on whether they have a CF?
There are so many options forward. I think we leave Kiké in center unless we somehow land Buxton, but then Semien is a decent possibility too and we’d need Kiké in the starting 9 somewhere.

Ideally we’d have traded Arroyo by now, in my mind. He’s about to get pricier and his injuries this year have clouded the certainty that he’s a starting 2B. Down’s isn’t ready. Iglesias would be nice to have around for a few million, but it doesn’t seem likely.
 

Rovin Romine

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I don't think Iglesias returns. Like billy ashley said, he's going to get offers elsewhere. To come back to Boston, he'd probably be leaving money and potential playing time on the table somewhere. Maybe he does it, but it's a crowded roster as it is.

The Sox would be wise not to commit to a free agent for 2B (so no Semien or Baez), not when they have some good middle infield prospects in the system. Kike and Arroyo is a reasonable plan for 2022 with Arauz on the shuttle and Downs hopefully pushing his way into the picture sometime during the season.
I'd agree he's likely to get offers from elsewhere. Theoretically though, the Sox as presently staffed really could use a 1 year SS/2B backup type. Arauz and Downs are far from sure things for 2022 2B, and Durran is also a question-mark for CF.

Of course, that can change radically depending on trades, etc.
 

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I think it's easy to overlook how bad Igelsias was for LAA this year: -1.0 WAR with terrible defense. I have no idea why he was so awful there and so much better in Boston, but that pre-Sept.12 part of his 2021 season is going to play heavily in his valuations this winter.

In LAA this year he was -19 runs saved at shortstop. In Boston he was 0 runs saved at 2B, so it seems clear his shortstop days are likely behind him, which will also lower his offers.
 

OurF'ingCity

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Exactly, if Iglesias wants to stick around for like $3 million, he can be a useful piece with at least a little bit of bounceback potential. If some team wants to give him more than that, fine.
 

Archer1979

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And if he sticks around he's going to have to play 2B. He can't play shortstop any more.
This is probably why he won't stick around. They needed him to be the primary second baseman down the stretch which is his value for 2022. If they are looking for a utility in-fielder, Bloom is looking for one guy that can play 2nd, SS, and 3rd.


I think it's easy to overlook how bad Igelsias was for LAA this year: -1.0 WAR with terrible defense. I have no idea why he was so awful there and so much better in Boston, but that pre-Sept.12 part of his 2021 season is going to play heavily in his valuations this winter.

In LAA this year he was -19 runs saved at shortstop. In Boston he was 0 runs saved at 2B, so it seems clear his shortstop days are likely behind him, which will also lower his offers.
Change of scenery; lower expectations; hit better with Boston which translated into not taking it with him when he was in the field... or all of the above.
 

OurF'ingCity

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This is probably why he won't stick around. They needed him to be the primary second baseman down the stretch which is his value for 2022. If they are looking for a utility in-fielder, Bloom is looking for one guy that can play 2nd, SS, and 3rd.
I feel like it's a little premature to say he "can't play" short anymore - I know his defensive stats at that position were atrocious this year, but don't you have to factor in that in years prior he was just a mediocre defender at the position, not a terrible one? Is there a specific reason he suddenly got terrible at playing short this year other than bad luck?

Assuming even a moderate bounceback to something like -5 DRS at SS, would Iglesias really be that much worse of any option all things considered than, say, Jonathan Arauz? Now ideally Bloom finds someone better than either of those guys, but Iglesias is at least an option if better alternatives don't materialize for whatever reason.
 

InsideTheParker

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I have no idea why he was so awful there and so much better in Boston
Well, he was injured in May. Maybe he took a long time to recover, which in itself is not a good thing. Here it is:
  • The Angels have placed shortstop Jose Iglesias on the 10-day injured list with a left hamstring strain, the team announced. Iglesias, whom the Angels acquired from the Orioles in the offseason, has batted .283/.317/.396 with four home runs and two stolen bases over 167 plate appearances. He hasn’t started since May 25, leaving shortstop to David Fletcher.
    [*]
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/05/injury-notes-j-iglesias-j-castro-luplow-ruf.html
 

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Not really advocating for Iglesias, but doesn't Kiké at 2B depend on whether they have a CF?
Well, Duran's going to need a spot unless they're ticketing him for a full season in Worcester (or trading him). Barring trades, it's most likely Kike splits his time between CF and 2B, with Arroyo and Duran picking up the other half of the three-way platoon. I imagine if they pick up another player for the bench, they're probably looking for another Marwin Gonzalez type who can play more roles than Iglesias does.

Something to keep in mind is Iglesias' entire time with the Sox this year was after rosters expanded for September. He's a luxury they may not be able to afford with just 26 spots and their propensity for carrying a lot of pitchers.