Lopez hasn't played SS since 2004. If you can't play SS, you either need to hit well enough to start at 2B/3B or you don't have a job (see Luke Hughes). After over 4000 plate appearances, Lopez has an OPS+ of 84. Assuming he can regain that level of offense with adequate defense, is that what we want from our starting 2B next year?

The problem with quoting career stats is that they often miss context. Justin's career numbers are really nothing special, yet Justin in his prime was a special player. That's due to a nasty sophomore slump and a year or two worth of playing through various injuries. You cannot look at a guy like Lopez and state "he has a decent career OPS" when his last 3 seasons have been nothing close to his career average... He's on the downside of his career at this point, and taking on a flier like that makes absolutely no sense for a rebuilding team.

No thanks....just play Casilla everyday....Nishi has about a week left before he's back at AAA.