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| DUSTIN PEDROIA / MLB.COM |
The Pawtucket Red Sox had a doubleheader yesterday. Dustin Pedroia, our top position prospect now that Hanley Ramirez is a Marlin, was DHing in the first game, but was yanked from the game after two at-bats and is not playing the second game. A journalist attending the Pawtucket game asked Pedroia why he was pulled, but Pedroia had no idea and confirmed he was not injured.
Meanwhile, Alex Gonzalez has missed the last three games with a strained back. The Boston Globe said last night that it was a Grade 1 oblique strain, with a disabled list stint a possibility.
While any announcement is doubtful to come until right before gametime, it’s very possible Dustin Pedroia may be making his major league debut and even if he’s not, he’ll be in the majors in nine days anyways.
Not including yesterday, Pedroia, who has been compared to Marcus Giles, is at a .306/.386/.428 line with the PawSox.
His monthly splits with the PawSox tell a different story.
APRIL: .255/.364/.383
MAY: .263/.346/.347
JUNE: .324/.380/.463
JULY: .363/.460/.510
AUGUST: .318/.375/.409
Pedroia’s certainly shown the ability to hit for average, power, and get on base at a great clip. Despite his wrist injury affecting him earlier in the year, he maintained his batting eye and once he got his effectiveness back, started stroking. This is a valuable player, and if he can replicate that success in the majors, he will be an All-Star.
If Gonzalez goes on the DL, Pedroia should split time with Alex Cora at shortstop and give Mark Loretta a day off here and there. Terry Francona already said he wanted to give Loretta the day off yesterday, but couldn’t once Gonzalez was scratched – so if he is indeed called up to the majors, you can expect him to start at second base either the first game or the second game (if Francona wants him to settle in).
Splitting Pedroia between short and second would also enable the Red Sox to judge whether or not Pedroia is best suited as a shortstop or a second baseman in the majors. My guess, however, is that he’s moved to second no matter what, for not only would Alex Gonzalez be a more palatable choice to resign than Mark Loretta for a multitude of reasons, but Julio Lugo will be a free agent. It is no secret the Red Sox are quite high on Lugo. Lugo, disenchanted with a utility role with the Dodgers, is almost sure to bolt, and the offer of money and a shortstop role on a winning team would attract him.
A look at the 2007 team therefore gives:
C Jason Varitek/Doug Mirabelli
1B Kevin Youkilis/Eric Hinske
2B Dustin Pedroia/Alex Cora
SS Julio Lugo/Alex Cora
3B Mike Lowell/Kevin Youkilis/Eric Hinske
LF Manny Ramirez/Eric Hinske/Gabe Kapler
CF Coco Crisp/Gabe Kapler
RF Wily Mo Pena/Eric Hinske/Gabe Kapler
DH David Ortiz
Please note that I’m assuming Gabe Kapler notches a backup OF spot, with Jacoby Ellsbury sent to Triple-A and David Murphy traded for Taylor Tankersley of the Marlins, as is oft-rumored.
As you can see from above, the 2007 position players are largely set in stone, barring any trades (Possibly Mike Lowell to the Padres for Scott Linebrink) or free agent signings (Seung Yeop Lee from Japan to play first, with Mike Lowell traded for *insert need/prospect here*).
Dustin Pedroia is just the first step towards 2007 for this team. Getting Pedroia at-bats is only going to help him for next year.
While we’re definitely not out of the playoff picture yet, if and when we are, I would also advocate getting Jonathan Papelbon some starts, like we did with Derek Lowe a while back.
As a matter of fact, let’s just continue the 2007 lesson and look at pitching.
SP Curt Schilling
SP Josh Beckett
SP Tim Wakefield
SP Jon Lester
SP Kyle Snyder/David Pauley/Kason Gabbard/etc.
CL Jonathan Papelbon
MR Manny Delcarmen
MR Keith Foulke
MR Craig Hansen
MR Taylor Tankersley
MR Julian Tavarez
MR Mike Timlin/Jermaine Van Buren/Craig Breslow
Looking pretty good already. The reason why I’ve slotted Papelbon here as the closer’s role is because he’s flat out dominated as a closer, and unless he impresses as a starter, it would be silly to comprehend him being moved into the rotation.
However, if we do move him in the rotation, the closer’s role is going to be up for grabs. Keith Foulke, Mike Timlin, Manny Delcarmen, and Craig Hansen could all fight for it, as could wild card Scott Linebrink, or a high-profile bullpen signing (no “bargain” free agent relievers again, please) such as JC Romero, Ron Villone, (yes, I’ve heard his name linked with the Sox) Joe Borowski, or Francisco Cordero could enter the discussion with only the last two being considered virtual locks for the closer’s role.
As you can see by the turn this discussion has taken, Dustin Pedroia represents 2007 and all the brimmering promise it suggests. If it’s indeed Dusty Time tomorrow, I’ll watch with great anticipation, for he could be the spark this team needs to lead into the returns of Tim Wakefield and Jason Varitek, and then the transition into 2007, where the future looks a lot better than the present.
[UPDATE] SOSH member says: “Seems to be a call-up. Paw Sox radio guys saying although Pedroia denied knowing of it between games that he had a huge smile on his face and [Adam] Stern then winked, smiled and said Dustin knew.”