The San Diego Padres had been dealt a tricky blow amid their collection towards the Minnesota Twins when it was introduced that shortstop Xander Bogaerts would possible miss the rest of the common season with a damaged bone in his foot.
Discovering a alternative shortstop this late within the 12 months is hard, and whereas Jose Iglesias and doubtlessly even Jake Cronenworth might take over in Bogaerts’ absence, one other potential possibility may very well be on the desk.
Nonetheless, in line with Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the Padres are insisting that this unusual plan, to maneuver Jackson Merrill to shortstop, is not within the playing cards for the workforce.
Padres Aren’t More likely to Make This Unusual Determination
“They insist there isn’t any plan to maneuver former shortstops Fernando Tatis Jr. or Jackson Merrill from outfield to shortstop.” Nightengale writes.
In concept, shifting a kind of outfielders to shortstop, and enjoying Gavin Sheets, Ramon Laureano, and/or Ryan O’Hearn, and the opposite outfielder daily, could be one of the best ways to assemble the lineup in Bogaerts’ absence.
However the protection, if such a choice had been to be made, could be an enormous concern. With shortstop being one of the vital necessary defensive positions in baseball, attempting out Merrill or Tatis at shortstop could be a wierd determination to make.
If this transfer had been examined within the offseason and through Spring Coaching, and labored on over the course of the whole 12 months, it might be a unique story. However amid a push to win the World Collection, it might be a baffling transfer from the Padres.
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On paper, it might work, however in actuality, it is an enormous threat. Merrill is banged up as it’s and is slowly working his method again. There’s little upside or purpose to maneuver him to shortstop, particularly when he isn’t 100%.
Tatis makes a little bit extra sense, as he has MLB expertise enjoying shortstop. However, he is extremely worthwhile in proper subject, and the rotation of Iglesias and Cronenworth must be sufficient to shut out the common season.
The lack of Bogaerts stings, and whereas changing him within the lineup will not be straightforward, shifting Merrill and even Tatis again to shortstop is unnecessary for the Padres.
As Nightengale experiences, the Padres are insisting such a transfer will not happen. Even when Merrill was completely wholesome, it’d nonetheless be a baffling determination to make, and thankfully, such a transfer is not coming for the Padres.
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