If Theo Epstein has established one pattern in his two years as Red Sox General Manager, it is that he targets two types of players: the truly elite and the truly undervalued. Obviously, hindsight will manifest some deviation from these two camps but I think by and large it is safe to say that identifying and pursuing these players is the philosophical focus of Epstein’s Major League roster compilation.

There isn’t one shortstop available that fits either of these criteria. The “cream of the crop” all have major question marks. Garciaparra is not coming back, the 2004 Renteria was just OK and Orlando Cabrera has had just one season of making significant offensive contributions. There is also most likely not a value play in the bunch.

Looking back over Part 2, I was awfully generous in categorizing those fellas as “acceptable”. Most of them straight suck. Still, I do think there are three scenarios that could make some sense. I will list them in order of desirability.

1) Sign Jose Valentin

His .287 on-base in 2004 is doubtless a concern but a gander at his career numbers reveals that he is probably due for something of a boost in 2005. One potential pitfall would be Valentin’s utter ineptitude against lefthanders. He is a switch hitter the same way that Deion Sanders is a two-sport athlete and Britney Spears a musician-actress.

Jose Valentin Three-Year Splits

As LHB: .246/.317/.502
AS RHB: .137/.194/.216

This creates problems. For starters, the lineup immediately becomes a little two susceptible to left-handed pitching. Ortiz and Nixon have well-documented troubles against southpaws and Valentin would only worsen what is already a valid roster construction concern. Also, this move would necessitate the acquisition of another shortstop and preferably a right-handed hitting one. Cristian Guzman might fit. He posted a .780 OPS against left-handed pitching in 2004 and would compliment Valentin nicely not only as a platoon partner but also as a late-inning defensive replacement. The problem then becomes money. The two players combined to make over $8MM in 2004 and probably would not be too crazy about taking a pay cut. If Theo could ever hammer out a situation wherein the two make a combined $6MM, the Red Sox immediately become all set at shortstop for 2005.

2) Sign Deivi Cruz

I was all over this guy the other day when I posted Part 2 of the Whither Shortstop series. He had an impressive season in the unfriendly confines of SBC Park this year and I thought his 2004 productivity was certainly a harbinger for things to come. Then I looked at his career totals and his .269/.293/.389 line appeared a little ominous for me.

But hey, in a shit market, sometimes you have to settle on shit and hope for the best. Cruz did have a productive 2004 and just may have established a new performance trend. Signing Deivi Cruz with an insurance policy of sorts could be a viable solution. If they spend only $3MM or so on shortstop, that’s another $3 to $5 million to be allotted to upgrades elsewhere. And hey, if a Deivi Cruz from Jose Valentin downgrade is smaller than, say, a Lenny Dinardo to Steve Kline upgrade, then you did all right for yourself.

Edit: Cruz re-signed with San Francisco.

3) Sign Barry Larkin

I am pretty sure I do not advocate this in any way whatsoever but provided he comes along with an insurance policy, Larkin certainly does intrigue. I don’t think he moves well enough to play an acceptable short but who knows? If he comes cheap enough and commits in the off-season to trying to recapture some range, you may have a good one-year stopgap to hold the fort until the youngsters come along. I realize this is a prime example of wish casting but I am doing so unapologetically. Larkin is a shoe-in hall-of-famer and I would love to watch the guy wrap up his career here. If he does end up here and is Plan A at shortstop, the smart money says Theo has an equally viable Plan B.

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