Red Sox To Sign Nick Punto

Just hours after shipping Jed Lowrie and Kyle Weiland to Houston for Mark Melancon, the Red Sox have effectively upgraded both of them. Melancon is clearly better than Weiland, and just now, the Red Sox signed Nick Punto-- who will effectively replace Lowrie. They signed Punto to a 2 year/$3 million contract plus incentives. With his bat, Punto's .278/1/20 2011 season is no better than Lowrie's .252/6/36. However, with the glove, Punto is clearly superior, as the 34 year old is a great defender at second base, shortstop, and third base; all the positions Lowrie played. Punto played for the Cardinals in 2011 after playing for the Twins from 2004-2010 and the Phillies from 2001-2003. His best season offensively came with the Twins in 2006, where he batted .290/1/45. As you can probably tell, Punto doesn't have a whole lot of power; however, he has maintained an OBP of higher than .300 every year but one since 2003. I'm liking the Melancon trade a whole lot more since the Sox made this move.