R.I.P. Julio Lugo

 

Today, it was learned that Julio Lugo passed away in his native Dominican Republic.  Lugo was just 45 years old.  A shame, he was way too young.

Lugo was a member of the 2007 World Championship team.  He was signed prior to the season to be the team's starting shortstop, replacing Alex Gonzalez.  Lugo was a more offensive-minded player with some impressive speed.  Unfortunately, he did not really play that well throughout his time in Boston.  Over three seasons, Lugo hit .251/.319/.346 with ten home runs, 103 RBIs and 48 stolen bases.

2007 was the only season Lugo was a regular with Boston.  That year, he hit .237/.294/.349 with eight home runs, 71 runs scored, 36 doubles, 73 RBIs and a team-leading 33 stolen bases.  He ended the season on a bright note though, hitting .385 in the World Series.  He was mostly injury-prone the next two seasons, and was ultimately traded to the Cardinals in 2009 for Chris Duncan.

Busts Pt. 19: Julio Lugo

Sometimes, offseason acquisitions work out. Sometimes they don't. Sometimes, they are spectacular failures.JULIO LUGO
I could do an entire series just on the disappointing Red Sox shortstops. Just as I KNEW Boston would sign Edgar Renteria during the 2004 season, I KNEW Boston would sign Julio Lugo during the 2006 season. Boston had tried to acquire him on a couple of earlier occasions and they of course were going to have a vacancy at the position since Alex Gonzalez was only on a one-year contract and did not hit terribly well.

In theory, this was a good idea. Lugo was a decent offensive shortstop with some major speed. He was not a good defensive shortstop, but his offensive output was usually enough to make up for it.

Unfortunately, it just did not work out.

Lugo's speed was an asset in 2007 as he lead the team with 33 stolen bases, but his offense was a disappointment. Lugo hit .237/.294/.348 with eight home runs and 73 RBIs his first year and was brutal defensively. He was only slightly better the next season, but missed about half the season. In 2009, he again was injured a lot and Boston finally decided to cut him loose after Jed Lowrie emerged, sending him to the Cardinals in a trade for Chris Duncan, who barely played for Boston.