Red Sox think Jose Iglesias is ready but won't commit to him as starter

The Boston Red Sox think Jose Iglesias is ready for the majors but are not ready to name him the starter at shortstop.

While the Boston Red Sox feel that Jose Iglesias is ready to be a shortstop in the major leagues, they are not prepared to install him as the starter heading into the offseason, according to the Boston Herald's Scott Lauber.

Mike Aviles, the Red Sox shortstop for 128 games in 2012, was traded to the Blue Jays as compensation in the deal that brought manager John Farrell to Boston.

Iglesias is widely considered a plus defender but hasn't brought his offense to an acceptable major-league level, hitting .118/.200/.191 in 77 plate appearances with the Red Sox last season.

He also hit .266/.318/.306 in 396 plate appearances with Triple-A Pawtucket in 2012.

If the Red Sox don't bring in competition for Iglesias from outside the organization, they could still have him battle Pedro Ciriaco for the starting shortstop job in spring training. Ciriaco hit .293/.315/.390 in 272 plate appearances with the Red Sox this season.

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