I don't think that anybody is super hyped up about moving JBJ. There is difference between wanting a guy who can really play to hit better and trading him. As the years go by though, trades are going to happen and someday he might be a part of one. As for our bullpen, I think that it could turn into one of our strengths as the season moves along.
Let me repeat. " There is no dilemma." Smooth sailing ahead. Be happy.
Wharf Rats
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=20dic8S3cWI
Lin could probably be a starting 2B for the bottom third of the league, but he's going to fade if he gets exposed. He's a good tap hitter with some speed, and a soid middle infielder, but not a star. I like him in the Alex Cora style role, supersub and pinch runner. He can def start if he needs to. But any of Holt, Nunez or Petroia will outperform him as a starter for an extended period of time.
That said he's been impressive as a fill in, and I'm def glad we have him. He's very useful a a depth option and like I said, I think he could start at an average-or-so level based on the very low bar 2B tend to have to clear offensively, especially with a little experience. Reminds me somewhat of Chris Getz or Willie Harris and they made half decent MLB careers for themselves. But if given time to really get exposed he's not going to be hitting for a .900 OPS, that's for absolutely certain.
Absolute ceiling for Lin is a Chone Figgins style career. I don't see him getting there. That said a serviceable tweener utility man/long term fill in guy can make an MLB career for himself, and would be a good outcome for Lin. He's definitely worth working with, but he won't beat Pedey or Bogey once those two are healthy.
If history tells us anything, the path to redeption for any bad baseball team is marked with a deep rotation of durable starters, a world class defense in both infield and outfield, a lineup that can generate runs in more than one way, a bullpen that won't steal defeat from the jaws of victory, and a top end catcher to hold the whole package together. These are the conditions by which victory is achieved, anything that does not accomplish these objectives is a waste of resources.
That would be tough - Chone Figgins at peak was a pretty rich man's Eduardo Nunez. A playable guy at a lot of positions (but not "good" at any of them) but you want his bat in the lineup.
Lin's competition is not Bogey, Pedey or Nunez (on offense anyways).
It's Lin vs Holt, and even Holt might be sent down when Pedey returns, since Swihart is out of options.
Who's due back first, Bogaerts or Pedroia? If Bogaerts, will Nunez remain at 2nd or will Holt, with his recent offensive production, have forced his way into 2B discussion until Pedroia returns?