Boston Red Sox Should Award Mike Aviles Starting Shortstop Position

Mike Aviles is the best possible option for the Boston Red Sox at shortstop and will get the nod to start in the lineup on Opening Day.

The other two shortstops, Nick Punto and Jose Iglesias, will be the backups for now and will only get the look at shortstop if Aviles needs a break or if he gets hurt. The Red Sox have some options at shortstop.

Nick Punto Can't Hit

Mick Punto may have won the World Series in 2011 with the St. Louis Cardinals, but he is not the best option to put in at shortstop for the Boston Red Sox.

Punto's offense has not been that great. In 11 seasons, he has a career .248 batting average and has hit only 14 home runs in his career.

Mike Aviles could do that in one year!

The best thing about Punto is his defensive ability that could earn him the starting job. He has only committed 28 errors at shortstop, and has shown that he can field the ball extremely well in the infield, but Aviles will still get the nod on Opening Day.

Jose Iglesias Is Not Ready

The 22-year-old shortstop is almost ready to play at shortstop at the Major-League level, but he is not there yet for the Boston Red Sox.

Jose Iglesias has only six at-bats in the majors, and while he may have two hits, he has also struck out twice.

Once he gets more reps at the plate and field in 2012, Iglesias will be the best fit at shortstop—especially if he can field well and hit well in the majors going forward.

Mike Aviles Has Some Pop

Mike Aviles has averaged  about six home runs in each of his four seasons in the majors. He hit two homers in 101 at-bats for the Boston Red Sox, and definitely could hit 10 or more in a full season as the starting shortstop.

However, he has never gotten more than 424 at-bats. Maybe more than that will hurt his power, but we shall see what he will be like in 2012.

Aviles Plays Every Position

In 2011, Mike Aviles played at shortstop, second base, third base, right field and left field. In all those positions, his two errors came when he played at third base.

That tells me one thing: Aviles can hold his own while playing any position asked. He will get many of the starts at shortstop, but if other players need a rest, he can fill in nicely.

This means if the Boston Red Sox are desperate, they do not have to put Adrian Gonzalez or Kevin Youkilis in the outfield, but can rely on Aviles to get the job done.

Aviles Will Want the Starting Job More

Mike Aviles will fight with all his might to be the starting shortstop for the Boston Red Sox in 2012. He has the ability to have a tough out toward the bottom of the lineup and can even make some noise with his bat in clutch time.

Aviles wants his chance to prove his worth after being traded from the Kansas City Royals, and earning the starting job will be his top priority.

No matter who gets the shortstop position, Aviles gets my vote any day of the week!