On Julio Lugo

by ~ July 18th, 2009 at 12:04 pm

There has been a lot of talk about the Red Sox’ desire to get rid of SS Julio Lugo.  This has led to a lot of buzz among Mariner fans.  Lugo isn’t great, but he’d be an upgrade over Ronny Cedeno or at very least Josh Wilson, right?

First things first, I keep hearing/reading Mariner fans saying that Lugo has been released, and therefor can be picked up for free.  That is not the case.  He has been designated for assignment (DFA), which means the Red Sox can remove him from their rosters but have 10 days to waive, trade or release him.

With that said, I highly doubt the Mariners are going to get Lugo.  If Lugo becomes a free agent it appears that Omar Minaya and the New York Mets are going to snatch up Lugo.  Even if they don’t there are several other teams interested so the Mariners wouldn’t necessarily be able to get him even if they wanted him.

If the Mariners want Lugo they’re probably going to have to trade for him, thus giving up real live bodies and possibly taking on a bit of salary, or claim him off the waiver wire, which would require them to take on all that’s left on his salary, which amounts to something like $14M through next season.

I’d definitely take him at the pro rated league minimum as a free agent, but if there are millions of dollars involved or minor leaguers with even a hint of promise, I’m content to stand pat.

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  • SABR Matt

    The Mets going after Lugo leaves me to wonder if they intend to trade Jose Reyes for as many bodies as they can get to fix their severely lopsided and horrible roster/farm system.

    Would you trade Jose Lopez, Brandon Morrow, Jeff Clement and Mike Saunders for Jose Reyes?

  • Mariners121212

    No way they trade Reyes.

  • The Kid

    I am fine with not getting Jose Reyes because giving all that up would leave too many other holes. At this point, I would not want to give up anything for Julio Lugo. Cedeno is doing a surprisingly good enough job for now. Are we in any kind of running for Halladay? Or while on the topic of the jays, how bout Alex Rios? Give us a more than steady left fielder for once this year.

  • http://www.marinercentral.com Lonnie

    Would bringing in Lugo be worth it if it could possibly upset the team chemistry? I think we’ve got something pretty good going right now with Cedeno at SS and I’d hate to see that apple cart get upset.

    No one appears to miss Betancourt because he wasn’t exactly a team guy. Cedeno on the other hand is a very good team player and is working hard at his craft.

    I really don’t see ENOUGH upside to bringing in Lugo.

    Lonnie