The news reveals Loretta Lynn that Dustin loretta fells in Pedroia is willing to move to shortstop to accommodate the Red Sox is a sign of his selflessness. It is also a sign of his willingness to do whatever it takes to help his team win. But, naturally, questions have arisen as to whether Pedroia can actually play short, whether he has the range, and, particularly, the arm strength for the position. However, it’s important to remember that Pedroia has a long history of success at shortstop, going all the way back to college.

At Arizona State, Pedroia was a star shortstop that gained national attention van lear rose loretta lynn . In fact, he beat out Ian Kinsler, another future All-Star middle infielder, for the position loretta lyns . Pedroia was nothing less than a sensation at short, twice a first-team All-American, and the national Defensive Player of the Year in 2003 loreta lynn . When the Red Sox drafted him out of ASU in 2004, they were particularly compelled by his defensive prowess at the position laretta lynn . In 2004, Pedroia played 42 games at shortstop in the South Atlantic and Florida State leagues without making an error.

He only moved to second base in 2005 at Portland because the Red Sox had another rising sensation at shortstop, Hanley Ramirez . Despite this, Pedroia still played shortstop in both Portland and Pawtucket lorette lynn . In over 270 minor league games, he made a total of just seven errors The evidence is compelling; the guy can indeed play short lorretta lynn . But why would the Red Sox move their MVP, two-time All-Star, and Gold Glove winner to shortstop? Because there are better and more affordable short-term possibilities available at second base this offseason . The Dodgers did not offer arbitration to free agent second baseman Orlando Hudson. The eight-year veteran, who will be 32 in a matter of days, is a career .282/.348/.431 hitter More importantly, he is a four-time Gold Glove winner. Hudson made only $3.38 million this past season, and would be a very affordable option to the Red Sox.