It’s getting to that time of APBA league season for some managers. They see the writing on the wall for the current year and start looking forward to next year. The MLB season is wrapping up and they know what kind of players they should expect for the coming year (assuming keeper leagues, of course). For those leagues with strict limit rules, some managers are already counting up at-bats and innings to find out what kind of coverage they need for the coming year.
It’s this time of year when I thank the APBA gods for one particular player on my team. One who I really could not do without. He quietly does a job that few in baseball can do and I am grateful. Who am I talking about?
Julio Lugo
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Eh? Julio Lugo? A few of my IAL leaguemates are probably guffawing at my choice. Not only is the infielder Lugo’s .334/.386 OBP/SLG pretty dismal, I’ve heard some say he’s one of the worst ballplayers in baseball.
But there’s this… year in and year out, Julio Lugo plays multiple positions during the actual season and that pays off dividends when making sure I’m covered at each position. This year is no exception. In 2010, Lugo played five different positions in the field (not including DH, of course).
Take a quick look at the IAL’s limits rules regarding positions:
- a) The first position listed on a player’s card is unlimited*
- b)If a player played 40 games (inclusive) or more at a position he is unlimited*
- c) If a player played 10 to 39 games (inclusive) at a position he may play 40 games at that position
- d) If a
Lugo covered two positions in 2009, too.
player played 1 to 9 games (inclusive) at a position he may play 10 games at that position
- e) If a player has a position on his card that he did not play he may play 1 game at that position.
*unlimited up to actual number of games
So thank you Julio Lugo. Not only can you back up Orlando Hudson but because of your 26 games at short, you can cover Troy Tulowitzki. Heck, you could even play 10 games at third or in the outfield if I so desire (no thanks!).
Because of Lugo’s versatility, he saves me a draft pick. Instead of using one to pick a rookie second baseman to cover a position, my options are open to choose who I want (though the snarky answer to that is that if Julio Lugo is your backup at short AND second, maybe you should shore up your infield, dude… point taken).
So let’s hear it for the Julio Lugos, the Miguel Cairos, the Rich Amarals and the Tom Brookens (am I dating myself yet?). We think you utilitymen are the tops.
