FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — When the Red Sox picked up Marco Scutaro’s option in October, it appeared they would be set at shortstop for 2012.
Until a deal popped up that they couldn’t refuse.
In an unusual salary dump for Boston, the Red Sox traded Scutaro in January to Colorado for right-hander Clayton Mortensen.
All of a sudden, there was an uncharacteristic hole in the infield.
As a result, new manager Bobby Valentine must decide between Nick Punto, Mike Aviles, and Jose Iglesias for the position. Neither Punto, who joined the team as a free agent in December, nor Aviles, who was acquired at the trade deadline last season, has played a full season at shortstop. And Iglesias just turned 22.
Indeed, this race will be one of the more interesting over the next few weeks.
