January 21, 2012

Scutaro Scoots West

The Red Sox traded Marco Scutaro to the Rockies.

He was projected as Boston’s starting shortstop but will play second base and bat second in Colorado, where the Rockies also have added Michael Cuddyer and Ramon Martinez in an offseason makeover following last year’s disappointing slide.

Boston gets pitcher Clay Mortensen.

Marco posted a .358 OBP in 2011, the second highest of his career. Rockies #2 hitters got on at a .336 clip last season, so if Marco can repeat his Fenway performance, there should be some improvement at the top of the order. Even if he falls back to his .338 career mark, that would be a nice improvement from the .304 Rockies second basemen posted last season.

I’m not sure what the Red Sox see in Mortensen. So far in the majors, none of this three true-outcomes are outstanding. He does not strike out batters at a good rate, and his walk and home run rates don’t make up for it. Maybe the Red Sox were happy to save the $5 million they owed Marco in 2012.

Update: It looks like the Red Sox are going to use the money to go after Roy Oswalt.

1 thought on “Scutaro Scoots West

  1. pft

    They are saving 6 million. Just a salary dump or maybe they want to stock up on players with DUI convictions (to join Padilla).

    Punto has been on the DL 5 times the past 3 years and has not played much SS since 2009, nor has Avilas. Also, Youkilis has been injured a lot the past 2 years and both players are depth at 3B with Avilas expected to play some OF.

    Signing Oswalt would still put them over the salary tax threshold, especially if Papi wins his arbitration case.

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