MLB Spring Training 2012: Decision on Jose Iglesias Might Not Be on Bobby V

The spring battle for the Boston Red Sox Opening Day shortstop job grew even more interesting today, according to ESPN's Jayson Stark. Stark tweeted that Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine wants shortstop prospect Jose Iglesias to be his shortstop, but he is unsure of how the front office feels about the transition.

The position battle this spring has been primarily between Iglesias and Mike Aviles, with newly-acquired infielder Nick Punto also vying for the spot. 

Injuries have plagued the young shortstop for part of the spring, but Iglesias has still managed to appear in six games. In those games, he's only 3-for-15 (.200) but has shown better discipline at the plate, something he really lacked in previous years.

Last season in Triple-A Pawtucket, Iglesias only hit .235/.285/.269 in 357 at-bats. He only had 10 extra-base hits the entire year, including nine doubles and only one home run, which really has kept him out of the major league discussion recently.

Aviles, on the other hand, has hit .265 in 11 spring games, with four extra-base hits, and has also shown improvement at shortstop, proving he can make the plays on a regular basis. Punto hasn't gotten a ton of playing time this spring, which could mean he's out of the running, but has still hit .222 in eight games, with three runs.

The real question is if the front office still doesn't feel comfortable with Jose Iglesias as the everyday shortstop, then why would they trade Marco Scutaro and Jed Lowrie during the offseason?

At the time of the trade, Boston only had Aviles at the major league level who could play the position, and it was thought that Iglesias would take over in the near future.

Well the future is now, and a decision is going to be made within the next few weeks. Will Jose Iglesias be in the Opening Day lineup, or will the front office end up sending him down to Triple-A?