Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine said he could see it in Jose Iglesias' eyes during a recent slump. And that is one reason among others why Iglesias was sent to Triple-A Pawtucket on Tuesday, ending the shortstop competition in spring training.
Mike Aviles will be the starting shortstop.
Other moves were made Tuesday, including the expected demotion of first baseman Lars Anderson to Pawtucket.
Iglesias was in the hunt for the shortstop job because of his incredible fielding. But he batted only .200 and, during a recent 0-for-11 slump, Valentine said Iglesias looked like he was doubting himself.
"I like to think that I don't stop believing in a player until I kind of see him stop believing in himself," Valentine said Tuesday morning.
"I saw that the other day. He came in the dugout and he had that kind of look of wonderment I don't like to see. It's not the time to be searching. You can't go into the major league season searching. You have to be confident."
Iglesias, shown above when he played in Portland in 2010, did not think he lost his confidence.
"I just had a couple of bad games hitting," he said. "I don't think it's something else. It's just part of the process.
"It's always difficult to hear the news.I think they know what they're doing, the best for my development, for my career. We'll see what happens.
"I go down to Triple-A, get some good AB's, do my best as always. We'll see."
Concerning Anderson, who batted .343 with a .968 OPS, Valentine said "he added to our scouting report with his ability to drive the ball to center and left center ... on another team, he could have made the big leagues."
Valentine hopes that Anderson will play some outfield in Pawtucket to increase his value.
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Kevin Thomas covers baseball and basketball for the Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram. He wisely moved to Maine in 1994 after working for the St. Petersburg Times. He is married to Nancy and they have nine children.
Follow his thoughts on the Boston Red Sox and Portland Sea Dogs on Clearing the Bases
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