The Strange Saga of Joaquin Arias

A vintage, badly weathered Polaroid of Arias circa 2006On Monday night, Joaquin Arias committed two 8th-inning defensive blunders that heavily subsidized Tampa Bay’s four-run outburst (video here). Manager Ron Washington was uncharacteristically harsh:“"We've got to get our heads outta our butts and play better baseball tomorrow."I’d only assign Arias partial blame for the over-the-shoulder miscue. Yes, he raced after the pop-up awkwardly, but, as evidenced repeatedly last night, the Tropicana ceiling transforms ordinary fly balls into hazardous, “where’s Waldo” eye-squinters. Also, right fielder Brandon Boggs was making his first MLB appearance in two years and arguably could have called Arias off. However, Arias’s “fielder’s choice” decision befitted rookie league. Per Washington: "He should have took the out [at first] right there," Washington said. "That's Baseball 101." My quick ta...