The Gaping Hole At Third Base: What Option Should the Sox Exercise?

Ever since Will Middlebrooks fizzled in the first third of the season – .192 in 53 games with 8 errors and .939 fielding percentage – the Red Sox have been a team in search of a bona fide third baseman. Before he was traded to Detroit as part of the Jake Peavey deal Jose Iglesias performed admirably but his offensive numbers were starting to catch up with him by the time of the trade.

March 24, 2013; Clearwater, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts (72) against the Philadelphia Phillies works out prior to the game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Bright House Networks Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Since the Iglesias trade one thing is clear; neither Brock Holt nor Brandon Synder are the answers. They posses a combined flaccid slash line of  .220/.261/.344/.605. That’s enough to make 63-year old Mike Schmidt come out of retirement. In a combined 95 at bats the two have two home runs and 18 RBI between them. Holy Mario Mendoza! Boston has options. With 46 games to go, it’s time to make a move for the stretch run.

Their first option – a good one at that – is to call up Xander Bogaerts. Bogaerts has made steady progress the past two seasons. In 2013 with the double A Portland Sea Dogs and  Triple A Paw Sox, the 20-year old Aruba native has a .293 batting average with 14 home runs and 61 RBI. Although a shortstop, he projects nicely as a power hitting third baseman or corner outfielder. Bogaerts is ranked #1 on the Red Sox’s Top 20 Prospects list and#6 on MLB.com’s Top 100.

In a piece written today by MLB.com’s Bernie Pleskoff, he confirmed what was asserted here at BSI early in the season; Bogaerts’ thick upper body and otherwise lean frame (6-foot-3 and 185 pounds) hasn’t stopped filling out, which means he’ll likely lose the range and speed required of a shortstop and settle in at a corner position.

"By every account writers, scouts and opponents all recognize the he’s a gifted athlete. With Boston on the road in Kansas City, now would be an opportune time bring Bogaerts up, away from the Fenway fishbowl."

Option two is to bring Middlebrooks back. While this likely isn’t their best move – Middlebrooks has been so-so back on the farm in Pawtucket, batting .259 in 42 games with 10 homers – he would likely be a more steady presence down the stretch than would the less seasoned Snyder or Holt. If Boston doesn’t want to rush Bogaerts, Middlebrooks becomes a more likely proposition.

Middlebrooks also has a few of other advantages over Bogaerts. First, he’s already on the 40-man roster. Middlebrooks has also been in the bigs and experienced some success and, unlike Bogaerts, wouldn’t need to learn the position.

“It’s not predetermined that Xander is going to be the guy,” manager John Farrell told mlb.com last night before the Sox played the Astros.

Farrell also hinted that Boston was considering the third option of platooning Snyder and Holt down the stretch, the least palatable option as things really heat up, the dog fight begins in earnest and the pressure cooker will be sealed.

What option do you think Boston should exercise to give them the best chance of making the playoffs?