Replacing Nomar Garciaparra

2013 will be the tenth year since Nomar Garciaparra played a full season as the starting shortstop for the Boston Red Sox. Since his departure in a July 2004 trade, the position of shortstop has become a revolving door of personnel. But none of the people replacing Garciaparra have managed to bring the same level of offense to the Red Sox.

This year the projected starter was to be Drew Sutton. However, after being hit in the head during Spring Training, he will start the season on the disabled list. Starting duties will likely fall to Jose Iglesias, oft touted as the star shortstop of the Red Sox farm system. He has earned that reputation mostly on account of his defensive skills. In two dozen games last year he was well below what is sometimes called the Mendoza Line, a batting average below which even defensive skills cannot compensate for poor hitting.