Jed Lowrie mad the first start of his career vs. the Indians Tuesday night.  At third base.  Has me wondering what his future role with the Red Sox is.  Pretty clear the Pedroia is embedded at second for years to come.  Lugo has a couple more years at $10 million a year and Lowell is in the first of his 3 year deal.

Where does that leave Jed Lowrie?  Is his future the infielder utilityman currently occupied by Alex Cora.  Is he going to challenge Lugo for the starting shortstop position?  Can he even play that position every day?

Here’s my prediction. 

Lugo isn’t going anywhere.  At $10 million a year, no one will want him.  Maybe sox will be willing to eat a part of the contract (a la the Renteria deal) and if Lugo does ever heat up and start hitting, well thats why the Sox got him in the first place.  I think we’ll see Lowrie spending the year in the minors, then take over Cora’s spot as infield utilityman for a couple years.  Lugo and Lowell become free agents after the 2010 season (that also happens to be Manny’s final option year) and that would seem the logical time to decide if Lowrie is an everyday player at shortstop or 3rd base or neither.

Then again, if we already know he’s not an everyday shortstop, perhaps he’s a useful trade asset now.