What is Wrong with Carl Crawford?

Carl Crawford. The $142-million man. The next great left fielder in Boston Red Sox history. Sucks.

Crawford has 9 hits in 63 at-bats for a glorious batting average of .143. Only two of the nine hits have been for extra bases and he has only walked twice, giving him an OBP of just .182. Without being on base, his speed has yet to be utilized with just two stolen bases.

So what the hell is wrong with Crawford?

I have a couple of theories and here they are…

1.) The bright lights of Boston are just to bright for him. We have seen this many a time, not with the caliber player of Crawford but many a time. Exhibit A, Edgar Reneteria. Renteria was a stud with the Cardinals before coming to the Sox and he just couldn’t hack it in Boston. Exhibit B, Julio Lugo. A Tampa Bay Rays product turn Red Sox who couldn’t hack it in Boston. Coming from a small market to a large market can’t be easy but come one dude you make $20-million a year, suck it up.

2.) He has no real permanent spot in the batting order. Back in Tampa, Crawford was always the two hitter. He knew where he was going to be in the order before going to the stadium. Now in Boston, Crawford has hit anywhere from leadoff to seventh. It is a well known fact that Crawford hates batting lead off. Find this guy a permanent spot in the lineup and he should turn things around.

3.) He misses the hot girls on the beaches of Tampa Bay. Ha ha. No, but really, I would miss that too.

4.) He is just not as good as advertised. Just kidding. He is, he will figure it out, I hope!

What do you think is wrong with Crawford? Vote in the poll and leave your thoughts in the comments section.

Give Lowrie a Chance

Photo Credit NESN

Ever since the departure of Nomar Garciaparra, the Red Sox have had a plethora of players start at the shortstop position i.e. Pokey Reese, Edgar Renteria, Orlando Cabrera, Marco Scutaro and more.

Manager Terry Francona has said that Marco Scutaro is his starting shortstop for the 2011 season but should he be so quick to name a starter?

When Jed Lowrie returned from injury late last year he really brought an offensive spark to the team hitting .313 with nine home runs and 21 RBI in the months of August, September and October. In the same span Scutaro hit just .262 with four home runs.

I know Lowrie has had major injury problems in his young career but the stretch run last year showed us what he can do when healthy. Personally, I think a healthy Lowrie is better than a healthy Scutaro.

I don’t want to hear all the babble about how Lowrie is more valuable coming off the bench because he can play multiple positions. That is not how this works, you play to win the game. And to win the game you put the best team on the field for 162 games and there is a good possibility that the best Red Sox team that can be fielded includes Lowrie at shortstop.

Now I am not saying name Jed Lowrie the starting shortstop and ditch Marco Scutaro immediately, I just think Francona should give Lowrie a fair shot and not name Scutaro the starter in January.

Lowrie has great potential, give him a chance to live up to it.

Does Lowrie deserve a fair shot at being the starting shortstop? Leave your comments or vote in the poll below…