Will Julio Lugo And J.D. Drew Have A Better 2008 Season Then What They Both Did In 2007??

Question

Lugo's Stat's=AVG .237,HR 8,RBI 73
Drew's Stat's=AVG .270, HR 11,RBI 64

And Actually Earn All The Money They Were Signed For??

Drew Signed For $14,400,000 And Lugo Signed For $8,250,000.

Answer 1

As a diehard Red Sox fan, I sympathize with your concerns. Our concerns, I guess I should say. When your throwing around numbers and figures...it is frustrating that the return on investment doesn't live up to the money spent. For the most part, I would say Julio Lugo and JD Drew have been an experiment that haven't produced the best results. BUT, I will say this. Playing in a market like Boston and carrying the pressure to be the best (or your gone tomorrow) I think both Lugo and JD Drew will have better seasons in 2008. Just look at how Josh Beckett adjusted after his first year with the Sawx. (Remember, it's what have you done for me lately) JD Drew did have that Grand Slam in game six of the ALCS that brought New England to it's feet. I think they will both have significantly better seasons. They have to. Or, it's see you later.

Answer 2

I expect a solid bounce back year from J.D. Drew. He had a "bad" season but still had an OBP of .370 which means his pitch selection is just as good as ever. He had a strong finish including a GS in the World Series so I think he'll have an all-star calibur season next year when he gets more of his power back. Remember it often takes a season to adjust to a new team, especially in a new league; Beckett and Lowell both had so-so seasons their first year with the Sox but then had career years last year.

Lugo will also do better (not that he could do much worse) but will still be a bottom of the order-type hitter. He does provide steady defense with some offense (still drove in 70 runs).

I think they're both better values than Torii Hunter at $18 million a year, that's for sure.

Answer 3

Lugo had some personal issues and he was playing for the team to which he wanted to get traded two years ago...my guess is he was putting a lot of pressure on himself to impress the Boston fans.

He's also a guy who likes to hit up high in the order. If the Sox continue to keep him in the bottom third of the order, I think his average will still hover around the .265-.270 range, but I'd expect better defense and power.

Drew is one of the most frustrating guys in baseball. I know it's probably unfair, but it looks like he's just coasting most of the time. He's got a sweet swing, but it doesn't look like he makes adjustments, so he is prone to slumps. He's always been paid based on his potential, but at best, I think he's a .280/20HR/80RBI guy.

Of course, on a loaded Sox team that should be pretty good. Drew's always demanded Superstar money, but in reality he's a good complimentary guy to have on a Championship team.

Answer 4

Julio Lugo had an off season due to some personal issues but I expect him to be back strong this coming year.

As far as JD... take it from a Sox fan who is also a Braves fan, his hitting will NOT improve though his fielding may get him moved to center with Jacoby taking over in right.

Answer 5

as a dodger fan, I am glad they are no longer on my squad
Lugo actually did ALOT better(rbi) than what what I thought he would, everything else is what you should expect

Drew should homer 20-25 times, .300 avg, he was injured but not much more than that

Answer 6

They are both up and down players as far as expectations and you never know which one will show up from year to year. They were both roll players last year but did their parts to help the Red Sox win the world series. Every team has to have players like these two and I would expect you will see more of the same from both of them in 2008.

Answer 7

If neither gets injured and misses a lot of games, then I think the answer is yes, simply because it would be almost impossible not to improve on those numbers.

Answer 8

lugo you can count on for defense, not offense, dont expect much out of him, and jd drew ive always felt was a bit over hyped, the numbers you got out of him last year were probably pretty good
add ramirez and ortiz getting older and more beat up pyhysically, and youve got a recipe for NO REPEAT!!!!!!!

Answer 9

There playing for the wrong team. Sorry but the Bosox suck and were the luckiest team in baseball today. They should go and play for a bunch of winners, not winers.

Answer 10

Both of these players are chronic underachievers-- be thankful their salary is not coming out of your pocket.