Getting’ Jiggy with Iggy

The Red Sox have made a change on the left side of their infield, and I couldn’t be more thrilled. I hated to see Will Middlebrooks go down to Pawtucket. But, it was a necessary evil. Because, after all, nothing says “high trade value” quite the same as “starting third baseman for first place club.”

And that’s really what this has to be about. Right? This is basically giving Jose Iglesias one month to convince the rest of the teams that he might not be a fluke. But, he’s not part of the Red Sox plans. Correct? Will Middlebrooks has shown that he can play third base well enough, and can hit more than well enough. Xander Bogaerts is the future at short…as early as next year. Sure, I suppose, you could put Bogaerts at first or some other position. But, I’m guessing the Sox would have done that by now if that was in their plans. So, is appears Iglesias is expendable. Expendable players hitting over .400 for the season are great chips to have.

Don’t get me wrong. I don’t have a problem with Iglesias. Until recently, I would have insisted upon trading Bogaerts and keeping Iglesias. I figured Bogaerts would have more trade value based upon his potential, and Iglesias would be more than just a consolation prize. But, I think Iglesias’s performance has thrown a wrench into that idea. He has now shown he “can” hit in the bigs. Obviously, other teams aren’t going to think he can hit .400 forever. But, people always said that if he can hit .250, his glove would make him a star. I bet the Sox could convince other teams he can hit .250 at this point. So, the Sox just might have the opportunity to deal the lighter hitting glove prospect, while keeping the power hitting prospect. And, if another team thinks the opposite…the Sox can feel a lot better about that move too.

Whichever way they go, the Sox find themselves with the opportunity to be a major player at the deadline if there’s a deal worth making.

Which could make for an interesting month.