The Morning Glory 2058.05: Linares to 2B

[bcslouck]

With some injuries that are causing some infield shuffling, the Oysters are going to give Federico Linares some reps at 2B for the remainder of Spring Training.

Original plans had the middle IF being manned by rookie Paul Mallett and newly signed Sid Turcotte. Originally, scouts had Mallet with the better range and set to play SS even though Turcotte has the better arm. Mallet recently went down with a broken knew cap running the bases.

While Linares is Diamond Glove caliber corner OF, he has shown ability to play 2B and 3B if needed. He just hasn't had many reps.

"We were talking about giving him time at one or the other for flexibility," said GM Brandon Slouck.

"We kind of dropped the ball on not being proactive and now he's lost some time to get comfortable at 2B. We think he can get there but we should of had him there from taking reps from the start."

The organization thinks he has a shot to at least be average at 2B. Turcotte's defense at SS has started to slip some. Originally hoping to get Diamond Glove caliber defense at 2B, they are now hoping for average defense out of him at SS as too. Emphasis this offseason was improving the defense and overall, all of this could be a step back on that.

"I think the defense can be fine. There are some 2B out there we talked to but we didn't love the price tags on them. At least to this point. We think the money can be best spent improving some other things and these moves will help us with that."

Reports are that the team may be looking at another OF in free agency or trade on a short term deal. The organization has some good OF prospects about ready but look to be opting for someone more established this season in hopes of getting back into the playoffs.

[BaseClogger]

If Linares could repeat his -2 ZR in CF he's got more than enough bat to make up for that.