Transfer of Utilities?

My West coast moles tell me that the Red Sox have contacted free agent infielder and former Arizona State standout Willie Bloomquist. According to the Boston Herald's Sean McAdam, the Sox aren't planning on bringing back Alex Cora which leaves the the loser of the starting shortstop position battle between Jed Lowrie and Julio Lugo to be the utility infielder going into the season. However, if the Sox are still pursuing another middle infielder like Bloomquist, then Lugo or Lowrie may be part of a bigger trade that's brewing for either a hitting shortstop like Michael Young and Hanley Ramirez -or- a young catcher like Miguel Montero and Jarrod Saltalamacchia.

Julio 'Wally Pipp' Lugo?

Similar to Wally Pipp getting injured in 1925 and losing his job to a back-up named Lou Gehrig, Julio Lugo may be in danger of losing his job to rookie Jed Lowrie. Even though Lugo makes $9 MM more a year than Lowrie, performance ranks supreme in Boston and based on the exibition Lowrie is putting on thus far, Lugo may never start another game at Shortstop.

Jed Lowrie's 2008 Stats:

Doubles - 13

Triples - 2

RBI's - 29

Avg. - .310

Games - 42

Lowrie's Last 7 Games:

Hits - 10

Doubles - 6

RBI's - 7

Avg. - .400

• Jed Lowrie tied a career high with three hits on Aug 14th against Texas. He also accomplished the feat May 10th at Minnesota.
• Lowrie has 3 straight multi-hit games, and has hits in 12 of his last 13.
• He also has at least one double and one RBI in each of his last four games.

Scouting Report (Offense):

"Lowrie hits for average very well, and equally from both sides of the plate. Outstanding plate discipline, in true Red Sox form his best attribute may be his ability to work pitchers for good at bats. Fundamental and athletic."

Scouting Report (Defense):

"An intelligent Shortstop with a decent glove and average range. His arm is strong but he needs to work on his throwing accuracy. So far Lowrie's defense is ranked 5th among the 62 major league shortstops (Derek Jeter and Jose Reyes are ranked in the 40's)."

Notes from the Coast:

The Celtics are 2-0 to start the playoffs, but what happened to Eddie House? Along with James Posey, House was the spark off the bench all year. His energy, defense, and deadly shooting were key to many Celtic victories. He even served as the back-up point guard to Rajon Rondo. When the Celts got Sam Cassell, it was obvious that Sam's energy level and 38 year old legs didn't gel with the up-tempo offense and aggressive defense the Celtics and House had played all year. Yet the playoffs have started and Cassell is getting much more playing time and House is relegated to 'garbage time'. One has to wonder if maybe Eddie has been burried on the bench because he's stuck in Coach Rivers' dog house for some reason.

• Even though the Boston Bruins lost Game 7 to the Canadiens, I am happy to report that the Versus Network and Time Warner Cable decided to show the game in Los Angeles. I think it may have had something to do with all the calls (including mine) flooding their offices that day.
• Why am I happy that the Cleveland Cavaliers and LeBron James have suddenly come alive in their series against the Washington Wizards? Because the Wizards match-up great against the Celtics and already beat them 3 times this year. Also, a hot Cavs team has a better chance to knock off the Detroit Pistons in the next round of the playoffs.
• Looks like UMass is far from the top program John Calipari built in the mid-90's. After taking UMass to the finals of the NIT in his second year, upstart Coach Travis Ford flirted with Providence College before finally accepting the coaching job at Oklahoma State .
• Jed Lowrie's early success this year makes me think that we could be looking at the future middle infield for the Boston Red Sox. Once Julio Lugo's contract ends, you may see Dustin Pedroia move to Shortstop, his position in college, and Jed Lowrie back to his natural position at Second base.
• It appears that the Patriots are still looking into trademarking the phrase "19-0". Considering the Pats finished last year 18-1, I would expect Tom Brady and Randy Moss to have another monster season in 2008.