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I would be skeptical there with the position switch until they obviously proved themselves otherwise, and it does seem very late in the game to be doing that with either guy, but apparently the Rox were pretty impressed with Stewart's athleticism there in the early going and thinks they can both size down a little and give the team more firepower by finding a spot for another bat.
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I'm really skeptical about Stewart making the move. I think he's always been a third baseman, and I can't think of a successful 3B to 2B switch.
Baker? About time they tried him at 2B. He was a college SS, and apparently a pretty decent one defensively. I'm also skeptical about that one, but it would seem to have a chance of working out ... if only to get a bit more roster flexibility by being able to use Baker occasionally at 2B.
Still, neither guy strikes me as any kind of "answer." And I think DOD is bluffing more than anything else, trying to signal to other clubs/free agents that we won't overpay for a second baseman.
Which is why I'm still bothered by things like Yorvit/Herges. I know I do this every offseason, but here I go again. If Yorvit is making about $3.5 million, and Herges gets $2.5, well, then you've just spent 6 million bucks next year on a roughly half-time, below average catcher and a guy who projects as no better than the 4th man out of the bullpen.
Which would be all fine and dandy if you're the Yankees and have an almost unlimited budget, but is not o.k. for the Rox. Wouldn't we be better off with, say, the following:
C Iannetta + Miguel Ojeda/Oliva type
2B Iguchi
extra RP winner of a spring training NRI derby
than with
C 2/3 Torrealba + 1/3 Iannetta
2B mash-up of a couple out-of-position guys (Baker/Stewart) + Carroll + Quintanilla + Nix + whoever else we can sign
extra RP Herges