Dustin Pedroia – Bostons New Shortstop?

ESPN’s Peter Gammons today is reporting that the Boston Red Sox have asked Dustin Pedroia if he’d be willing to play shortstop in 2010. Gammons also says that Dustin would welcome the opportunity with open arms and is very excited about the possibility. Such a move makes a lot of sense when you look at the free agent and trade market.

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“They’ve asked me if I think I could play shortstop,” Pedroia says. “They’ve put it out there and I’ve told them I’m all for it. I can do it. I can’t wait for Tito [Terry Francona] to call me and ask, ‘Can you do it?’ I can do it. I really want to do it.”

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First, Pedroia has experience at short, its not like the Red Sox are going to ask him to learn a new position. Dustin was an all-American shortstop when playing at Arizona State and still takes ground balls at the position throughout the season. Pedroia was initially a shortstop in the Sox organization but had to move to second base because of one Hanley Ramirez. He was pretty damn good there too, only seven errors in 184 games.

Second, the free agent market for shortstops is horrendous. The Sox have struggled to find a competent shortstop for years and if they rely on free agency they’ll continue to struggle. The best options? Orlando Caberera, Marco Scutaro, Miguel Tejada and Adam Everett (whom the Sox have already contacted). The first three, Cabrera and Tejada aren’t even legitimate options in my opinion as both are aging players, will command a fairly high salary which may not be worth what they provide.

So moving Pedroia who can hit and play defense over to short could make some sense. Even more so when you look at the available second baseman. In free agency you have Orlando Hudson, Mark DeRosa, Placido Polanco, Adam Kennedy and Felipe Lopez. When you go deeper and look at those available via trade it makes even more sense.

There have been rumors of Dan Uggla and Brandon Phillips are available in the right trade. Both of those players would be perfect fits in the Red Sox lineup and on the field. Uggla would provide the power Big Papi has been calling for, while Phillips could provide even more speed, some pop and solid defense.

Unfortunately the move isn’t official yet, the Red Sox have only approached Dustin about the idea. But its actually a damn good idea and one the Sox should give some serious, very serious consideration too. Out of all the rumors in Red Sox Nation this off season, this one makes the most sense. It’s the one that could and should improve the team the most.

In addition to that it adds even more intrigue to the New York / Boston rivalry.

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“When the idea of moving back to shortstop was floated to me, I welcomed it,” Pedroia says. “I’m excited. Tell Derek [Jeter] to enjoy the gold glove and silver slugger awards while he can. Obviously, I’m not serious about the fun I have with Derek, but I’m never stopping believing in the goal. I believe I can play shortstop and help get the Red Sox back where they belong.”

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I love Pedroia’s excitement, he’s one of the few Sox players I actually do like. Much like Jeter he plays the game the right way and gives it the respect it deserves. Seeing the heart of both teams play the same position and compete for the same awards, the same starting All-Star spot would be exciting. It would add just another wrinkle to the best rivalry in sports.

But here’s the only thing I don’t like. What the hell does Dustin mean get the Sox back where they belong? In my opinion, the 2010 season put the Sox back where they belong. In second place and watching the greatest franchise in sports history win another championship.

So sorry Dustin, but you’ve already brought the Sox back to where they belong.