And he's into the idea:"They've asked me if I think I could play shortstop," Pedroia says. "They've put it out there and I've told them I'm all for it. I can do it. I can't wait for Tito [Terry Francona] to call me and ask, 'Can you do it?' I can do it. I really want to do it."Pedroia was a shortstop at Arizona State and played a bit of short in the minors, but he was bumped off the position by Hanley Ramirez in the Sox system -- himself no great defensive shakes -- and has only played six games at short in the majors. Moving to the left on the defensive spectrum is a tough nut to crack, and the odds don't favor success.
But it's worth a try, right? I mean, it's way easier to find a decent second baseman out on the market than a shortstop.
(Thanks to Jason at IIATMS for the heads up.)
Clearing the way for Orlando Hudson.
Just like "Jonathan Papelbon will be a starter this year" in 2007? Theo is just posturing to give himself a better position to trade for a SS.
Maybe the Boston fans can tell us what's up with Jed Lowrie. He missed most of last year, but he was playing 3rd and short during their last championship season. Are Lowrie's injuries so bad that he'll never return to MLB level play?
They aren't that bad, but the 08 ALCS was the last time we saw him play to anything close to his best. Since he hasn't really played at a high level in over a year, they want him to spend time in AAA in 2010.
He had surgery on his wrist, and looking at guys like Nomar and even Ortiz earlier in the season, you never know what'll happen to a guy coming back from that injury.
"Maybe the Boston fans can tell us what's up with Jed Lowrie. He missed most of last year, but he was playing 3rd and short during their last championship season. Are Lowrie's injuries so bad that he'll never return to MLB level play?"
I don't think they see Lowrie as a SS. I'm not real crazy about AS players switching positions, especially to a more challenging position. But if added Uggla to the lineup, along with replacing Tek with VMart, then our DH is our worst offensive player, and we'd have the best offense in BB.
LOL at Joey B saying Boston would have the best lineup in Baseball.... After wathcing your pathetic team you need more than just Youkillis to have the best lineup...
Funny that the defensive spectrum Wikipedia page you linked to has pitcher as the toughest position to field.
IDIOTIC
Wow, 6 decent comments before a moron posted. Maybe NBCsports is getting better.
Anyway, if he can play it, go for it. While I don't want to tempt fate by saying "he can't be worse than Lugo"... it would be tough.
Being worse than Lugo isn't that tough-- Nick Green was able to do it, after all.
Pedroia as a shortstop would be below average, but not a disaster, IMHO. He played shortstop extensively in the minors, and was a two-time National Defensive Player of the Year playing SS at Arizona state.
As far as this being a bluff, well, that's certainly possible. It could just be the Sox keeping all their options open as they look to re-tool their infield. Pedroia and Youk are the only ones guaranteed to be there next year, and if they can both play multiple positions, that give the Sox more options for trades or FA signings.
John learn to read. He said best defense in baseball not best lineup... get hooked on phonics. Read what is said and your reply before making statements that make yourself look totally retarded and stupid
then our DH is our worst offensive player, and we'd have the best offense in BB.
YOU SHOULD PICK UP THAT HOOKED ON PHONICS FOR YOURSELF,,,,,,,,,,
RETARDED ??? REALLY ???
then our DH is our worst offensive player, and we'd have the best offense in BB.
YOU SHOULD PICK UP THAT HOOKED ON PHONICS FOR YOURSELF,,,,,,,,,,
RETARDED ??? REALLY ???
There are a lot of shortstops playing MLB that are being asked to switch to other positions. Many have already been switched to third base or second base. This is a much easier transistion than asking a second baseman to move to short. Being a good major league shortstop requires different physical skills than other positions. Just because you play a position in High School or minor league ball doesn't mean you can do it in the majors. Very, very unlikely positive outcome. Won't happen.