If you are looking for an interesting storyline to come out of Fort Myers this spring look no further than the battle for the starting shortstop position. Terry Francona has said that Scutaro is the starting shortstop and Lowrie will find a way into the lineup with his ability to play second and third as well. Lowrie wants to be the starting shortstop:
“In my mind, I’m an everyday player…I’ve won the job [in spring training of 2009] and then needed surgery…I haven’t really talked to them about [a role], but I’m going to prepare myself to be the everyday player I know I am.”
As Red Sox fas we have seen this play out before in the battle for center field between Coco Crisp and Jacoby Ellsbury. What we learned from that is Tito is loyal up to a point with sticking with his first choice but it is not a given he won’t change his mind. If I were a betting man I would say that Scutaro starts the season as the starting shortstop with a pretty short leash if Lowrie has a good spring.
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
