The Revolving Door Continues: Red Sox Decline Option On Alex Gonzalez

Since Nomar Garciaparra was traded in July of 2004, the Boston Red Sox have had a revolving door at shortstop. It looks like in 2010, the revolving door will continue.

The Red Sox have declined the $6 million option for 2010 on shortstop Alex Gonzalez. This was a no-brainer move by the Red Sox as Gonzalez isn’t worth the $6 million salary in this down economy.

This move leaves the Red Sox with two options for filling their shortstop need in 2010.

1. The Red Sox are now free to pursue free agent shortstops Miguel Tejada or Marco Scutaro. Jack Wilson could also be a possibility if the Seattle Mariners decline his $8.4 million club option for 2010 (highly likely).

2. They could bring back Gonzalez at a reduced salary. Gonzalez did hit .284 and played solid defense down the stretch for the Red Sox in 2010.

I didn’t mention Jed Lowrie as an option for the starting job in 2010 because I feel the Red Sox believe he is too much of an injury risk. I had high hopes for Lowrie, but wrist injuries have probably taken away what might have been a promising career.

Whomever the Red Sox starting shortstop is in 2010, it’s going to be a short-term solution. The revolving door will continue until 19-year-old Cuban phenom Jose Iglesias is ready to play in the majors.

If you were to ask me to decide between Gonzalez, Scutaro, or Tejada, believe it or not, I would pick Gonzalez. Tejada is more of a third baseman at this point in his career and I feel Scutaro has a free agent bust written all over him.

Gonzalez will be more cost-effective, will play better defense, and will not just completely kill the Red Sox lineup offensively.

You can follow The Ghost of Moonlight Graham on Twitter @ theghostofmlg.