Red Sox Preview - 3rd Base

Team: Boston Red Sox
Position: 3rd Base
Primary player and backup(s): Mike Lowell, Alex Cora, Tony Graffanino

Note: I will also be only focusing on Lowell as I have already discussed the backups at other positions.

HITTING - Lowell has a seriously bad year in 2005 for him. After averaging almost 28 HR a year for the last 3 seasons he had only 8 and he batted only .239 compared to his lifetime .272 BA (I'm sensing a pattern developing with all the Red Sox hitters here coming off horrible years). From 2002 to 2004 though, Mike Lowell was one of the top 3rd basemen in the game and a perennial All-Star. He still had 36 doubles last season and you can expect that number to rise with him banging them of the monster. He is making a jump from a pitchers park to a hitters which could aid in his returning to form. The only thing that scares me is that at times last year he looked god-awful with the bat in his hands. As a former Yankee farm hand I've always liked Mike, but that doesn't mean I'm not hoping he crashes and burns in his new surroundings. I think he plays better than last year, but I don't forsee a return to the caliber he was. Look for a .255 BA, 19 HR, 68 RBI, and 66 R. Decent, but not great. B-

FIELDING - In Mike Lowell the Red SOx get one of the best defensive third basemen in the game today.In 2005 he committed only 6 errors in 135 games and in 2004 he set an NL record for fewest errors by a 3rd basemen. Although he only has a career .975 fielding percentage, his last 3 years he hasn't committed more than 9 errors. Let's face it, not matter what he brings offensively, he'll be a rock defensively. Look for him, if he can produce offensively and stay in the lineup, to get Gold Glove consideration. A

BASE RUNNING - Lowell has never stolen more than 5 bases in his career and has never scored more than 88 runs. Here, he is average at best. He's a vet that won't make any stupid mistakes, but he's not going to test any arms either (maybe Damon's, but not many). C-

DEPTH - This could be a major area of concern for the Sox if Lowell doesn't produce. None of his listed backups are pure 3rd basemen. However, since 2000, Lowell has played in over 130 games every year, so injuries shouldn't be a worry. The Sox could always move Youkilis back to 3rd where he played in college and the minors, but you would hate to see him try and make that transition during the season. It could cost Boston games. D+

INTANGIBLES - Like many of Boston's offseason moves, Lowell adds another veteran guy who has gotten it done at the highest levels. He has a ring, he has the All-Star selections, he's moving to a hitter friendlier park, and he is getting to play next to the exact same guy he played with on the left side of Florida's infield (Gonzalez). However, he isn't a true leader (Boston already have theirs anyway) and he doesn't always produce in the big spots (career .196 BA in the postseaon) Also, there is the ever rising question of whether he can shake off last year. C-

OVERALL - I've always been a fan of Mike's, but he was just really bad last year (I wonder how many fantasy teams he helped crush last year) and I haven't heard any excuse about an injury oe other problem. He may really be on the decline. I think his stats doubles and homers wise will improve, but I still see his BA and OBP sucking big time. He's got a great glove and will be a rock at 3rd, but I think the All-Star hitting is a thing of the past. This, like many of the moves the Red Sox made in there infield, is a big gamble. C