Red Sox Roundtable: What Do The Red Sox Do With Jose Iglesias When Stephen Drew Returns?

Last week BSI ran a poll asking what you thought the Red Sox should do with Jose Iglesias once Stephen Drew returns from the DL. What was not know at the time was just how hot Iglesias would remain.

Apr 7, 2013; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Boston Red Sox shortstop Jose Iglesias (10) throws out Toronto Blue Jays baseman Mark DeRosa (not pictured) at the Rogers Centre. Boston defeated Toronto 13-0. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

As of Sunday’s trouncing of the Toronto Blue Jays Iglesias was batting .529 with a .556 on base percentage. Since mid-way through spring training on through the first week of the  regular season he continues to exceed expectations and in doing so may force John Farrell’s hand. Friday night after getting hit in the elbow in an at bat in Toronto he made a stunning backhand stab and submarine strike off his back leg to Dustin Pedroia to get an improbable force out at second base. I’ve watched a lot of baseball. This play stuck with me all weekend.

Proponents of the hardcore business aspects of the decision say that Boston has 9 million reasons to insert Stephen Drew into the lineup. They cut a deal in the offseason to make him Boston starting shortstop and Farrell says he intends on honoring it.

Those who support Iglesias say that he’s ready and is doing exactly what the Red Sox have asked him to do, namely start hitting to complement his stellar field play. From a financial perspective the Red Sox have nearly as much tied up in Iglesias as they do Drew. Including his $6.5 million 2009 signing bonus and salary since the signing, Boston has approximately $8.5 million invested.

After over 100 votes, our poll showed that 90% of you thought that Boston should either keep playing Iglesias and insert Drew once he cools off of stick with Iglesias even if he cools off. Only 10% of you thought that Drew should be inserted into the lineup when he was ready and that Iglesias should be sent back to the minors. Our readers have spoken. Now it’s time for the BSI staff writers to weigh in.

Join the the commentary. This is a juicy one.