Saturday, May 4, 2013

With Hanley out, here are his brutal replacements

It hasn't been made official yet, but it's only a matter of time before the Dodgers announce that Hanley Ramirez will go on the 15-day DL with a hamstring injury.  It's a tough break for him and the Dodgers, who desperately need his bat in the lineup.

The early word is that Dee Gordon will be brought back up to fill his spot.  It's not so much that he deserves to be up, but more because the Dodgers have some awful players on their roster as it is, so they have to give it a shot.

Speaking of those awful players, let's take a look at those players who could see increased at-bats in Hanley's absence.

Dee Gordon
(With Triple-A Albuquerque) 25 G, .319 AVG, .397 OBP, 0 HR, 12 RBI, 14 SB
We all know the story of Gordon, who was great in his appearance at the end of the 2011 season, couldn't get on base or stay healthy last season, and began this season in the minors.  As you can see, at least he's playing pretty well down on the farm, as he's finding ways to get on base and has only been caught stealing twice.  But, he once again is struggling with the leather, as he has eight errors in 25 games.  That just won't get it done at the big league level.  If he wants to get to LA and stay there, that has to get better.

Nick Punto
20 G, .386 AVG, .471 OBP, 0 HR, 3 RBI, 1 SB
About the only part-time player who's given Dodger fans any confidence has been Punto.  He plays hard and can get it done defensively at multiple positions.  He certainly won't give any help in the power department with 15 home runs in 13 seasons, but that's not his game.

Jerry Hairston
18 G, .234 AVG, .275 OBP, 1 HR, 5 RBI, 0 SB
I like how hard Hairston plays, but once again, it's another example of someone getting all sorts of playing time with little results.  In 47 AB's, he has two extra-base hits.  There's just nothing special he brings to the plate anymore.

Justin Sellers
23 G, .194 AVG, .270 OBP, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 0 SB
Awful, just awful.  He was the surprise Opening Day starter at short, and has shown everybody why he completely didn't deserve it.  Absolutely no pop in his bat, and just an eyesore to watch.

Luis Cruz
22 G, .098 AVG, .125 OBP, 0 HR, 2 RBI, 0 SB
I can make the case that of all the players who receive regular or semi-regular playing time, Cruz is the worst.  In 61 official at-bats, he has six hits.  Think about that.  SIX FREAKIN' HITS.  That is so horrendous and embarrassing, I don't even know what else to say.

Skip Schumaker
23 G, .119 AVG, .288 OBP, 0 HR, 1 RBI, 0 SB
Schumaker was brought to the Dodgers on the advice of hitting coach Mark McGwire, who had some success with him in St. Louis.  Well, that success must have never made the plane ride over from Missouri, as Schumaker has been pathetic.  He's slugging .143, too.  That says it all right there.

Juan Uribe
17 G, .200 AVG, .391 OBP, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 0 SB
The average is no surprise, but the on-base is a pleasant surprise.  Not that it matters because he hasn't stolen a base since 2011 with a whopping two.  The fact that after his first two seasons of miserable baseball in LA he's still receiving at-bats is a perfect reflection of just how bad the Dodgers are offensively.  And how desperate they are for somebody to step up.

Bottom Line:
I wouldn't be opposed to Gordon getting the call-up, as with the exception of Punto, everybody else has no business whatsoever of getting Major League at-bats.  In a perfect world, Sellers and Cruz would be sent packing to Triple-A, or just flat out DFA'd.  Because of injuries, that's probably not going to happen.  Schumaker should also be a goner, but will be given a longer leash because of his track record.  I've already accepted the fact that Uribe isn't going anywhere because of his contract, so that's just the way it is.

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