Watching Xander Bogaerts this year--I keep thinking about this nebulous idea--let me see if I can frame it with some clarity.
He's got talent crackling off his spit, so he probably has the ability to become an average defensive shortstop; but he's certainly not one yet.
The Red Sox seem to be all-in with this year's hand. Let Bogaerts "marinate" in the show, and see once and for all if WMB can lay off outside shit and smash 30.
After watching last year's team, and the noodle bat tandem of Iggy and Drew, I have become a believer that winning in baseball's current landscape hinges upon making every possible out, an out. Last year's team was incredible at this; the best defensive Sox team of my lifetime.
This year's team is an interesting contrast: as we've seen from Victorino's absence, the early Sizemore-in-center experiment, spotty fill-ins at 3rd, and anyone but Napoli at first, plus the X-man himself.
It's early and all: for the 2014 team and the young career of Xander Bogaerts. But does he really have to be a shortstop?
My oppinion--and I'm looking for numbers and sharper observations from folks who disagree--but a strong SS who manages to field 1 extra out per game might be worth as much or more than a poor fielding SS---even if they're raking like Teddy Ballgame.
Alternate title: Bogaerts: Lugo two, electric boogaloo
He's got talent crackling off his spit, so he probably has the ability to become an average defensive shortstop; but he's certainly not one yet.
The Red Sox seem to be all-in with this year's hand. Let Bogaerts "marinate" in the show, and see once and for all if WMB can lay off outside shit and smash 30.
After watching last year's team, and the noodle bat tandem of Iggy and Drew, I have become a believer that winning in baseball's current landscape hinges upon making every possible out, an out. Last year's team was incredible at this; the best defensive Sox team of my lifetime.
This year's team is an interesting contrast: as we've seen from Victorino's absence, the early Sizemore-in-center experiment, spotty fill-ins at 3rd, and anyone but Napoli at first, plus the X-man himself.
It's early and all: for the 2014 team and the young career of Xander Bogaerts. But does he really have to be a shortstop?
My oppinion--and I'm looking for numbers and sharper observations from folks who disagree--but a strong SS who manages to field 1 extra out per game might be worth as much or more than a poor fielding SS---even if they're raking like Teddy Ballgame.
Alternate title: Bogaerts: Lugo two, electric boogaloo