Upton and 3rd base

[bstyle]

Now that Tampa has traded Lugo looks like Upton will move to SS. Will he get 3rd base eligiblity from his time in the minors? I picked him up thinking he would play 3rd not SS. I have Rollins and I can't use him in the Utl as I have Pujols and the man child Papi.

[Mr. Baseball]

i am wondering the same thing

[Ryno23]

TB called up Zobrist today, too, to play SS. Upton will be at 3B.

[DaCowGod]

Upton is not, by most accounts (notably the people who matter in Tampa), defensively-capable of handling SS in the big leagues right now. He's quick and has good reaction time, and makes the big plays, but his form and mental lapses keep him from being even remotely consistant on the easy plays... OK at 3B, but a big no-no at SS. Every indication suggests he will play 3B the majority of the time in Tampa.

Also to note, not only was Zobrist called up to share time with Tomas Perez at SS... but Joel Guzman, the absolute stud Tampa got for Lugo, projects as either a SS or an OF... and Tampa has less room in the OF than the IF. Everything I've heard suggests the Rays have an eye on Upton/Guzman on the left side of the IF for a couple years, and they'll trust Guzman at SS over Upton at least this year and probably next.

Worth keeping an eye on though, as Guzman to 3B is probably more logical in every area with the exception of defense. But for the time being, expect Upton to qualify at 3B well before he's shifted to SS full-time.

Moo.

[Snakes Gould]

"The Devil Rays will recall INFs B.J. Upton and Ben Zobrist from Durham for Tuesday's game. Maddon said Upton will start at third, replacing the injured Ty Wigginton (broken hand). Zobrist will play at short. ... "

yahoo recap of tonights game.