Jose Lopez, Part Deux

So the Jose Lopez era begins. Again. He gets two hits in a 5-0 win by the Mariners over the Mets.

I suppose that this does signal the beginning of the end for Boonie, but I wouldn't count on it. Hargrove talked about getting Boone some rest. 5 or 6 days to work on some stuff. I would expect that Bert will get another shot at second at that point. It may only last a week or two, but they will at least give him that.

I imagine that they are trying to trade Boonie, if anyone will take him. It only takes one GM to think that he might turn it around to make a deal. I wouldn't expect much for him though. I also hold out little hope that he CAN turn things around, but its not out of the realm of possibility. If he could even get back to last years model (.250 with some power) he would have more trade value then he has right now.

And while Bavasi said he wants Lopez to play, he also said, both in the P-I and on KJR, that there was no "mandate" to play him every day. Lopez actually makes sense as a backup infielder because he can play second, third and short which no one else on the roster really can right now. With Beltre out and Hargrove unwilling to use Dobbs, the M's had a serious short term need for a 3b.

I think there are two ways this could work out. One is Lopez plays well at second and the team releases or DFAs Boone. Hopefully Boone's roster spot would then go to Leone, Snelling or Choo, rather than Dobbs, redux. But the other thing that could happen is that Boonie gets his 5 days off, Beltre comes back strong and Lopez goes back to AAA after a week on the roster.

Really its an awkward way to handle things. Hargrove is supposed to be good in the clubhouse. If Lopez is up to take Boone's job, Grover is going to have his hands full.