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The possibility of free agent Julio Lugo replacing Alex Gonzalez at shortstop apparently does not sit well with the Red Sox' fans.
After mentioning the fact in a column in yesterday's Journal that Boston seemed to be coveting Lugo -- an infatuation that dates back to last year at this time -- several people sent e-mails upset that the Red Sox would opt for Lugo over Gonzalez, also a free agent.
Lugo began last year in Tampa Bay and was shipped to the Dodgers around the trading deadline. While he is an upgrade over Gonzalez offensively, with a decent on-base percentage, he is by no means a power threat, as evidenced by the fact that he didn't hit a homer after joining Los Angeles.
The Sox need someone to get on base at the top of the order. Lugo's on-base percentage of .384 was solid enough.
But I have never been a big fan of Lugo's. Defensively, I think he is prone to lapses of concentration, leading to dispiriting errors. I'm not sure that his offensive contributions would make up for his defensive shortcomings, and anyone who watched the Red Sox play this year marveled at Gonzalez's smooth, stellar defense, which helped out the so-so Boston pitching staff immeasurably.
Hey, if the Red Sox feel they need an upgrade offensively at shortstop, there's someone else on the free agent list they might want to look at.
Do they know that Nomar Garciaparra is out there?
-- Steven Krasner
