With the uncertainty surrounding Jed Lowrie’s wrist injury, the Red Sox are growing increasingly desperate to find an upgrade at the shortstop position. Case in point, a report from the Boston Globe citing “major league sources” thatthey have put in a claim on Cristian Guzman.
Though the claim is not confirmed, it would mean the Red Sox 48 hours to work out a deal with the Nationals. The Nationals could also decide to just give up Guzman’s contract or pull him back.
While Guzman ranks tenth in the National League in batting this season, he also has a .333 on-base percentage and has drawn just 11 walks in 402 plate appearances. He has 4.7% career walk rate -- you know, Delmon Young and Jeff Francoeur territory. Guzman is widely known as one of the least sure-handed shortstops in the majors (-6.3 UZR in his career).
The Nationals should be packing his bags already. Guzman is in the first year of a two-year, $16 million dollar contract. If Mike Rizzo can get the Red Sox to take on that contract, he just might get the “interim” tag removed from his job title.