Lugo vs. Lowrie begins

Does Julio Lugo become this year's Coco Crisp for the Boston Red Sox? A veteran player talented enough to play every day, but who can't do enough to keep a youngster out of the lineup? Last year Jacoby Ellsbury nudged Crisp into a utility role. Now Jed Lowrie is poised to bounce Lugo from the lineup.

A quadriceps injury ended Lugo's season July 11, although he said he could have played if Boston reached the World Series. He batted .263 with one homer and 22 RBIs after hitting .237 with eight homers and 73 RBIs in his first season with the Red Sox.

"This is a big spring for Julio," Francona said. "He feels like he has a lot to prove."

The 33-year-old Lugo could win the job or enhance his trade value with a solid spring. He heard rumours during the off-season about being dealt for Detroit pitcher Dontrelle Willis, who missed most of last season with a knee injury.

"This is a business," said Lugo, playing with his fourth team since reaching the majors with Houston in 2000. "You want to be where people want you. That's it. If I don't get traded it's because (the Red Sox) want me."

Lowrie has more experience at the other infield spots so might be a better fit as the utility player. He could spell AL MVP Pedroia at second base and Mike Lowell, recovering from off-season hip surgery, at third.

At 25, Lowrie isn't exactly the face of youth, but he's still got growth potential and put up halfway decent numbers on his way up the ladder. He can probably outperform Lugo in every offensive category except for steals.

Fantasy Impact: Something tells me Boston doesn't trust either one of these two. They trusted Ellsbury. That's why Lugo was jettisoned in the offseason. Lowrie and Lugo were both brought back, and my guess is they share time at second. Lugo will get more time, Lowrie will play more of that dreaded utility role. Leave them alone, unless you're dying for Lugo's wheels.