Around the Horn: Middle infielders

02/01/2006
ST. PETERSBURG -- A popular chant at Tropicana Field during the 2005 season would see one Devil Rays fan stand and shout: "Jorge Can't Do!"
Following the delivery, another fan would stand and offer the rebuttal: "Jorge Can-tu!"
If there's one thing the Devil Rays could count on during the 2005 season, it was Jorge Cantu's offense.
The second baseman did it all with the bat, producing one of the best offensive seasons in Rays history.
Cantu, who turned 24 on Monday, finished with a club-record 117 RBIs, which tied him with St. Louis' Albert Pujols and Philadelphia's Pat Burrell for eighth in the Major Leagues. Only 10 players since 1961 have driven in more runs in a season before the age of 24.
In addition, Cantu led the team in home runs with 28 and doubles with 40. Only five players have reached Cantu's numbers in doubles, home runs and RBIs in one season before the age of 24: Hal Trosky, Ted Williams, Pujols, Joe DiMaggio and Alex Rodriguez.
And Cantu accomplished all of those marvelous offensive feats during a season that didn't see him settle in as the team's full-time second baseman until the second half.
Cantu started 76 games at second base and 58 at third base. But entering the 2006 season, the native of Reynosa, Mexico, will be firmly entrenched at second.
The big question regarding the Rays' middle infield heading into Spring Training will be whether they'll start the season with the "Two J's" as their keystone combination.
Speculation that shortstop Julio Lugo would be traded has been rampant throughout the offseason. Lugo has one year remaining on his contract with the team, and he is coveted by several teams that need a solid everyday shortstop.
During the 2005 season, Lugo set career bests in games (158), average (.295), hits (182), triples (6), walks (61), and stolen bases while starting a team-high 155 games. In fact, no other shortstop in the Major Leagues matched his numbers in average, doubles, triples, RBIs and stolen bases.
Nevertheless, the Rays organization is in building mode, which means if the right deal comes along, Lugo could be traded.
If Lugo goes, highly-touted prospect B.J. Upton would likely be the team's shortstop.
Upton had a rough season in the field at Triple-A Durham during the 2005 season when he made 53 errors in 139 games, which helped fuel speculation that he would switch positions. But for now, the Rays are committed to letting him remain at shortstop whether it's at the Major League or Minor League level in 2006. This commitment is fueled by Upton's athleticism, offensive skills and desire to become a Major League shortstop.
There are few doubts Upton will hit at the big-league level. Last season, he hit .303 with 18 home runs and 74 RBIs at Durham and stole 44 bases.
To help Upton's progress, he has been working with Hall of Fame shortstop Ozzie Smith during the offseason.
Nick Green, who was acquired in a trade with the Braves before the 2005 season, will compete to remain the backup at both middle infield positions.
Green showed promise as the team's everyday second baseman early on during the 2005 season. During May, June and July, Green started 65 of 82 games at second and was batting .312 through May 29. But he hit just .205 the rest of the way, which explained his starting just 20 of the team's final 58 games.
Green will likely get some competition this spring from non-roster invitee Luis Rivas, who hit .257 in 2005 with one home run and 12 RBIs while playing second and shortstop for the Twins.

Source: http://tampabay.devilrays.mlb.com/