While the Dodgers are enjoying a 12 of 16 run that has surged them back into a tie for first place with the Giants, I thought I'd take some time to look at how some of the 2013 Dodgers are doing. That is, those who have since moved onto different teams. Here we go.
Ricky Nolasco, SP, Twins: 4-6, 5.74 ERA, 1.59 WHIP, 69 K's in 95 2/3 IP
Wow, he's been a disaster. He was very good for the most part with the Dodgers last season, giving them many quality starts over the second half. Then he faded, and was barely heard from in the postseason. Nonetheless, the Twins gave him four years and $49 to fix their awful rotation. It hasn't worked. Phil Hughes and Kyle Gibson have been pretty good, but Nolasco was brought in to lead that staff. He looks like a huge waste of money right now.
Edinson Volquez, SP, Pirates: 6-6, 4.07 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, 63 K's in 93 IP
I'm not sure what the Pirates expected out of him, but all things considered, he's been pretty decent. Considering he has a career 4.69 ERA and 1.48 WHIP, his numbers this year look even better. The Pirates lost A.J. Burnett to the Phillies after their great run last season, and the team as a whole is struggling to find their footing. The thing with Volquez is that I'm not sure he can get any better than this. A second half plunge wouldn't surprise me at all.
Chris Capuano, RP, (formerly of) Red Sox: 1-1, 1 HLD, 1 BLSV, 4.55 ERA, 1.55 WHIP, 29 K's in 31 2/3 IP
The Red Sox tried to make Capuano their swingman, ala Paul Maholm with the Dodgers, but it didn't quite work. He was designated for assignment on June 25 after getting shelled by the Mariners a couple days before. He's certainly had his fair share of arm problems, and at 35, who knows if he has any chances left.
Ronald Belisario, RP, White Sox: 3-4, 8 SV, 6 HLD, 4 BLSV, 5.54 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, 28 K's in 37 1/3 IP
Three days ago, Belisario was canned as White Sox closer after he was given a three-run cushion against the Blue Jays, but couldn't finish the job. Maybe Robin Ventura has never walked to the other side of Camelback Ranch, because if he had, he'd have seen just how wild and unpredictable Belisario is. There's no way he should've been a closer in the first place. Ventura learned his lesson the hard way.
Javy Guerra, RP, White Sox: 0-0, 3 HLD, 1 BLSV, 2.40 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, 16 K's in 15 IP
On the flip side, a pleasant surprise has been Guerra. He spent the first couple of months in Triple-A and earned his way up in June. Good for him, as his Dodgers' career ended with a thud, going from 21 saves and "closer of the future" in 2011 to barely existent thereafter. Maybe he's found confidence again, who knows. On a team like the White Sox full of horrible pitching, he's got a great chance in front of him, and so far, has made the most of it.
Carlos Marmol, RP, Reds: 0-3, 1 HLD, 1 BLSV, 8.10 ERA, 1.95 WHIP, 14 K's in 13 1/3 IP
It's been a tough road for Marmol this year, as the stats above all came with the Marlins before he was given his walking papers on May 19. He was then signed to a minor league contract by the Reds about a week later, only to leave Triple-A without permission a couple weeks after that. Weird stuff, but I think even he realizes he's at the end of the road.
Mark Ellis, 2B, Cardinals: .194 AVG, .276 OBP, 6 2B, 0 HR, 12 RBI, 4 SB
Ellis had a solid career with the Dodgers, but after the signing of Alex Guerrero, he was shown the door. Guerrero hasn't emerged with the big club yet because he wasn't ready defensively, and has since had part of his ear bitten off by that nutcase Miguel Olivo. Dee Gordon, however, has come on strong enough to be an All-Star candidate. So, releasing Ellis was a smart move because Gordon is the everyday leadoff hitter, and Ellis is really struggling at the plate. He'll never have big numbers, but the ones he has now are pretty bad. It's hard not to like how hard the guy plays, but the bottom line is that he's just not producing.
Skip Schumaker, OF/2B, Reds: .242 AVG, .276 OBP, 6 2B, 1 HR, 13 RBI, 1 SB
Schumaker only played one season with the Dodgers, as he was a favorite of hitting coach Mark McGwire from their Cardinals days. Like the Dodgers, the Reds have used him all over the outfield and at second base, making him the super utility guy. His average continues to tumble, as this is the fourth straight year it's gone down. But, like I said before, that's less of a concern because he's there to plug in holes when necessary.
Nick Punto, 2B/SS, A's: .235 AVG, .336 OBP, 5 2B, 0 HR, 10 RBI, 2 SB
Much like Schumaker, Punto is mostly there for his utility work, as he's appeared mostly at second and short, but also a little third and right field. He's getting a pretty good amount of at-bats on a very good team, and thanks to 20 walks, has a decent OBP. He appears to be well on his way to his fifth postseason in his career, and that experience is where he's truly most valuable, just like when he was a Dodger last year.
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