Infielder Felipe Lopez Signs With Red Sox

Lopez wouldn’t have been eligible for postseason play with San Diego, so it’s not like he turned down a shot at the playoffs. Even so, it’s a strange move. For Boston’s part, why did they make this move? Writes Scott Miller:

News spread earlier in the morning that Lopez had been sent home by the team, so it makes sense that they would follow it up by releasing him outright. It seems there were two contributing factors: Lopez showed up late for Monday’s game - which wasn’t the first time he’d been tardy - and, in addition, he wasn’t in line to get any playing time the rest of the way anyway, with younger players hanging around.

Lopez ends his season with a batting line of just .231/.310/.340, well down from his career averages. Though his versatility makes him useful, and though he doesn’t turn 31 until next May, one wonders just how much interest he’ll garner this offseason, given his struggles and attitude concerns. The Cardinals are not the first team to question his commitment.