Through all of the lineup changes the Dodgers have undergone this year, one tweak should stay: Howie Kendrick in the 2-hole, and Justin Turner at 3.
Want proof? Check out these numbers:
Kendrick at #2: 6 games, .542 AVG, .586 OBP, 1 2B, 1 HR, 6 RBI, 3 SB
Turner at #3: 13 games, .277 AVG, .382 OBP, 3 2B, 1 3B, 5 HR, 11 RBI
Any questions?
Obviously, you can't expect Kendrick to continue hitting that well, and Turner isn't exactly a home run threat. But right now, it's all working out, and there's no reason to toy with it.
What each man has going for him is that they're both described as being "professional hitters." They're prone to slumps like anyone is, but they're also experienced enough to figure things out and not keep the slump going for long.
With the All-Star Game approaching us, both guys should receive plenty of consideration. Dee Gordon will get the start at second for the National League, and deservedly so. Kendrick will have competition from Joe Panik, Brandon Phillips, and Kolten Wong for the backup spot. It'll be close.
It'll be tougher for Turner to get in, because the NL is loaded at third. Todd Frazier, Matt Carpenter, Nolan Arenado, and Kris Bryant are just a few names, not to mention someone like Matt Duffy. Hopefully he can get in based on his versatility, and can be the NL's "super sub" for late in the game.
All-Star nod or not, these two have been steadying influences on a team that has gone through many injuries, and many inconsistencies at the plate. They're both locked in right now, and should keep doing what they're good at.
I still say Yasiel Puig should be the leadoff hitter, as he's not hitting home runs, but is fast enough to beat out infield hits, and takes some walks. Don Mattingly can then pair up Adrian Gonzalez and Joc Pederson in the 4-5 slots, and even Yasmani Grandal when he's swinging a hot bat. That's a pretty good lineup.
But it all circles back to keeping Kendrick at two and Turner at three. Donny, please don't mess with that!!!
Showing posts with label Turner. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Turner. Show all posts
Friday, July 3, 2015
Saturday, May 30, 2015
Grandal is back, and Rollins is dropped to 8th
A couple of items to discuss before the Dodgers once again try to solve the puzzle this is the St. Louis Cardinals...
* Yasmani Grandal is being activated from the 7-day concussion DL, needing the minimum amount of days to do so. He got knocked around, literally, in the noggin against the Padres a week ago, so precaution was understandably taken. Chris Heisey will be sent down to Triple-A Oklahoma City, just four days shy of five full years of service time, meaning he could've refused the assignment. I'm no expert, but I'm guessing that why he was the chosen one.
For now, the Dodgers plan on keeping three catchers on the active roster, meaning young Austin Barnes will be the emergency catcher. I can't imagine that will last long; maybe only as long as Grandal shows he's fully healthy and there's no reason to worry about him.
The Dodgers definitely needed this bit of good news, as Ellis has given them next to nothing at the plate. No one will ever question his heart and preparation with the pitching staff, but at the plate, he's about as lousy as one can get. There is nothing about him with the lumber that scares anyone.
* The other bit of news is that after starting all 41 games he's played in the #2 hole, Don Mattingly has decided to slide Jimmy Rollins down to #8. In his place will be Justin Turner making another start at third.
This is a move many people, myself included, have been clamoring for for many weeks. Rollins is only hitting .210 with a .278 OBP. But, if you look a little closer at the stats, you'll see that he's on a six-game hitting streak, raising his average from .194. He also had the Dodgers' only extra-base hit on Friday, a double.
So why the switch? I have to think it's because Donnie is trying all he can to wake up a deadbeat offense on the road. They've gone an absurd 37 straight innings away from home without scoring one damn run. That really is embarrassing. So while Rollins has improved, it's not like he's killing the ball, it's been mostly singles.
I like the move because it gets some new blood at the top, as Turner is hitting .298 with a .383 OBP, five homers, and 19 RBIs. He's one of those guys who consistently leaves a mark when he's in the starting lineup, so why not move him to a more important spot in the order?
The next domino falling in the order could be Joc Pederson. He's had an exciting season, but is striking out way too much at 57, and has only taken two walks in his last nine games. That's not exactly a good combination for the leadoff hitter. He'll still have his games where he's tearing the cover off the ball, but when he's not, it's a whole lot of swings and misses.
Maybe Rollins continues to hit well from the #8 spot. I can then see him becoming the leadoff hitter, moving Pederson down to #5 or #6 to drive in more runs with that wicked swing of his. We shall see.
* Yasmani Grandal is being activated from the 7-day concussion DL, needing the minimum amount of days to do so. He got knocked around, literally, in the noggin against the Padres a week ago, so precaution was understandably taken. Chris Heisey will be sent down to Triple-A Oklahoma City, just four days shy of five full years of service time, meaning he could've refused the assignment. I'm no expert, but I'm guessing that why he was the chosen one.
For now, the Dodgers plan on keeping three catchers on the active roster, meaning young Austin Barnes will be the emergency catcher. I can't imagine that will last long; maybe only as long as Grandal shows he's fully healthy and there's no reason to worry about him.
The Dodgers definitely needed this bit of good news, as Ellis has given them next to nothing at the plate. No one will ever question his heart and preparation with the pitching staff, but at the plate, he's about as lousy as one can get. There is nothing about him with the lumber that scares anyone.
* The other bit of news is that after starting all 41 games he's played in the #2 hole, Don Mattingly has decided to slide Jimmy Rollins down to #8. In his place will be Justin Turner making another start at third.
This is a move many people, myself included, have been clamoring for for many weeks. Rollins is only hitting .210 with a .278 OBP. But, if you look a little closer at the stats, you'll see that he's on a six-game hitting streak, raising his average from .194. He also had the Dodgers' only extra-base hit on Friday, a double.
So why the switch? I have to think it's because Donnie is trying all he can to wake up a deadbeat offense on the road. They've gone an absurd 37 straight innings away from home without scoring one damn run. That really is embarrassing. So while Rollins has improved, it's not like he's killing the ball, it's been mostly singles.
I like the move because it gets some new blood at the top, as Turner is hitting .298 with a .383 OBP, five homers, and 19 RBIs. He's one of those guys who consistently leaves a mark when he's in the starting lineup, so why not move him to a more important spot in the order?
The next domino falling in the order could be Joc Pederson. He's had an exciting season, but is striking out way too much at 57, and has only taken two walks in his last nine games. That's not exactly a good combination for the leadoff hitter. He'll still have his games where he's tearing the cover off the ball, but when he's not, it's a whole lot of swings and misses.
Maybe Rollins continues to hit well from the #8 spot. I can then see him becoming the leadoff hitter, moving Pederson down to #5 or #6 to drive in more runs with that wicked swing of his. We shall see.
Tuesday, April 14, 2015
Could the third base race of '15 be like the outfield battle of '14?
If you're Alex Guerrero, you're certainly hoping it is.
In case you missed it, Guerrero got another chance to strut his stuff on Monday, and strut his stuff he did. He got another start at third for the banged up Juan Uribe and Justin Turner, and responded with a bases loaded, walk-off single in the 10th to lift the Dodgers over the Mariners at home 6-5. The Dodgers fought back from an early 4-0 deficit.
While the single was Guerrero's only hit of the night, it certainly was the biggest, and showed the confidence he has at the plate. He said right during Spring Training that he had no desire to be sent back down to Triple-A and deserved to be with the Big Club. So far, he's right.
And with that, we have to wonder what Don Mattingly is now thinking when it comes to playing Uribe as the everyday third baseman. Or for that matter, giving Turner the call on Uribe's days off. Is Guerrero going to get more serious looks at the hot corner?
While it's too early to compare this situation to the outfield logjam of 2014, there are certainly some similarities. Last year featured Yasiel Puig, Matt Kemp, Carl Crawford, Andre Ethier, Scott Van Slyke, and Joe Pederson (in September) as guys who all wanted time in one of the three outfield spots. For Mattingly, it was a daily juggling job that left few happy with the lack of an everyday role.
Now, we have three guys for one spot at third. Actually, I'll say it's more like 2 1/2, only because Turner knows his role of utility man means he'll be playing all over the place. That's what he was brought in for and excelled at so much last season, so that won't change.
So that leaves Uribe and Guerrero as the everyday options at third. Uribe is a clubhouse favorite, Gold Glove contender, and two-time World Series champion. He's also 36, has battled hamstring injuries, and isn't getting any younger or fresher. Guerrero is 28 with plenty of mileage left in his body. He certainly has a small sample size, but has clearly shown an ability to make a difference with the lumber. You can't ignore that.
As of now, Uribe looks to at least get a chance to show why he's still the top dog, as Mattingly will start him at third on Tuesday night. However, much like last season when he moved Kemp out of center and sat Ethier in the second half, I wouldn't be surprised to see him lean towards Guerrero over the long hall.
Every year there's some sort of position battle, and third base looks to be the one in 2015. Kick back and enjoy.
In case you missed it, Guerrero got another chance to strut his stuff on Monday, and strut his stuff he did. He got another start at third for the banged up Juan Uribe and Justin Turner, and responded with a bases loaded, walk-off single in the 10th to lift the Dodgers over the Mariners at home 6-5. The Dodgers fought back from an early 4-0 deficit.
While the single was Guerrero's only hit of the night, it certainly was the biggest, and showed the confidence he has at the plate. He said right during Spring Training that he had no desire to be sent back down to Triple-A and deserved to be with the Big Club. So far, he's right.
And with that, we have to wonder what Don Mattingly is now thinking when it comes to playing Uribe as the everyday third baseman. Or for that matter, giving Turner the call on Uribe's days off. Is Guerrero going to get more serious looks at the hot corner?
While it's too early to compare this situation to the outfield logjam of 2014, there are certainly some similarities. Last year featured Yasiel Puig, Matt Kemp, Carl Crawford, Andre Ethier, Scott Van Slyke, and Joe Pederson (in September) as guys who all wanted time in one of the three outfield spots. For Mattingly, it was a daily juggling job that left few happy with the lack of an everyday role.
Now, we have three guys for one spot at third. Actually, I'll say it's more like 2 1/2, only because Turner knows his role of utility man means he'll be playing all over the place. That's what he was brought in for and excelled at so much last season, so that won't change.
So that leaves Uribe and Guerrero as the everyday options at third. Uribe is a clubhouse favorite, Gold Glove contender, and two-time World Series champion. He's also 36, has battled hamstring injuries, and isn't getting any younger or fresher. Guerrero is 28 with plenty of mileage left in his body. He certainly has a small sample size, but has clearly shown an ability to make a difference with the lumber. You can't ignore that.
As of now, Uribe looks to at least get a chance to show why he's still the top dog, as Mattingly will start him at third on Tuesday night. However, much like last season when he moved Kemp out of center and sat Ethier in the second half, I wouldn't be surprised to see him lean towards Guerrero over the long hall.
Every year there's some sort of position battle, and third base looks to be the one in 2015. Kick back and enjoy.
Sunday, February 15, 2015
2015 Season Preview: Infield
I've already gone through the pitching staff, so now let's focus on the guys behind them. Today will be all about the infield.
2014
C - A.J. Ellis
1B - Adrian Gonzalez
2B - Dee Gordon
SS - Hanley Ramirez
3B - Juan Uribe
Bench - Drew Butera, Tim Federowicz, Justin Turner, Miguel Rojas, Chone Figgins, Erisbel Arruebarrena, Darwin Barney
2015
C - A.J. Ellis/Yasmani Grandal
1B - Adrian Gonzalez
2B - Howie Kendrick
SS - Jimmy Rollins
3B - Juan Uribe
Bench - Ellis or Grandal, Justin Turner, Darwin Barney, Alex Guerrero
Then Compared to Now:
Obviously, there's a big change in the middle, as out go Hanley and Gordon, and in come Kendrick and Rollins. Other than Matt Kemp being traded to San Diego, the infield is the biggest story. Since A-Gon and Uribe stay the same, the major question will be whether or not the new is better than the old.
Let's not forget that Gordon started off the year as an afterthought, and barely even worth drafting in fantasy leagues. He then turned himself into an All-Star who led the league in stolen bases pretty easily. Hanley had a rough year for his standards by only playing in 128 games, but did hit .429 in the Division Series without a strikeout.
The other change is the addition of Grandal, who was part of the Kemp deal. There's no doubt he brings much more offense than Ellis. But defensively, he still has to prove he can handle a staff like Ellis can.
Individual Breakdown:
Ellis (2014 stats): .191 AVG, .323 OBP, 9 2B, 0 3B, 3 HR, 25 RBI, 0 SB
He's never been a star with the lumber, but even with that said, he really struggled to generate anything on offense. About all he could give was a walk, which is why his OBP is so much higher. There's no doubt, however, that the Dodgers did the right thing in bringing in an offensive catcher in Grandal. As valuable as Ellis is behind the plate, especially with Clayton Kershaw, the offense just comes to a halt when he's up.
Grandal (with Padres): .225 AVG, .327 OBP, 19 2B, 1 3B, 15 HR, 49 RBI, 3 SB
He's been busted for PED use, he's torn up his knee, and he's not even considered that great of a defensive catcher. But he is still young (26), and he's clearly shown good pop from behind the plate when he can stay on the field. Plus, he appeared in 37 games last season at first base, which is great since he hits right-handed and can spell Gonzalez if need be. There's a lot to like about him, but as I said before, he'll have to show he can stay on the field to really be worth the while.
Gonzalez: .276 AVG, .335 OBP, 41 2B, 0 3B, 27 HR, 116 RBI, 1 SB
I'll bet very few people, outside of Dodger fans, would be able to tell you that A-Gon led all of baseball in RBIs last season, even ahead of the mighty Mike Trout and Miguel Cabrera. That's because he played in 159 games last season, and hit .333 with runners in scoring position. Plus, his defense improved, cutting down on his errors from 11 to 6. All in all, he's Mr. Reliable, and even as he turns 33 in May, has proven to be the rock in the Dodgers' lineup.
Kendrick (with Angels): .293 AVG, .347 OBP, 33 2B, 5 3B, 7 HR, 75 RBI, 14 SB
Two big reasons why the Dodgers preferred him over Gordon: he's consistently put up numbers at the plate since his debut in 2006, and the brass feels as though Gordon has already peaked with his best season in 2014. Time will only tell about that last statement, as Gordon will have lots of chances to show his worth in Miami. As for Kendrick, he's a clutch hitter who also brings the goods in the field, rating at an excellent 1.4 DWAR. He'll be playing for a new contract this year, so there's even more motivation for him to show his addition was a smart move.
Rollins: .243 AVG, .323 OBP, 22 2B, 4 3B, 17 HR, 55 RBI, 28 SB
Boy will this be weird seeing him in Dodger blue this season. It will be an adjustment for everybody, but after Hanley bolted for Boston, the addition of Rollins looks like a great move. He's won a ring once, lost in the World Series to the Yankees another time, and will be looking to provide the leadership the Dodgers need to bring them their first title since 1988. He looked completely washed up in 2013, but fought back for a much better 2014. He won't be the same hitter Hanley was, but defensively, he's light years better, and that's what the Dodgers want the most.
Uribe: .311 AVG, .337 OBP, 23 2B, 0 3B, 9 HR, 54 RBI, 0 SB
Entering the last year of his contract, he backed up his resurgent (and that's an understatement) 2013 with another good year at the plate. Most importantly, he gave Gold Glove caliber defense at the hot corner, barely losing out on the award again. He'll be 36 when the season begins in April, making him a little long in the tooth, so you have to wonder if this is his last year in LA. He needs to show that he can stay on the field more as well, playing in a low 103 games last season.
Turner: .340 AVG, .404 OBP, 21 2B, 1 3B, 7 HR, 43 RBI, 6 SB
What an addition he turned out to be, as he constantly gave bit hits off the bench (.400 as a PH), and played all four infield positions. Heck, he could've probably been a better option out of the bullpen than the bums the Dodgers had last year as well. While it would be very hard to expect those types of offensive numbers again, they can expect him to provide a lift when needed, and play the role of late-inning sparkplug.
Barney (with Cubs and Dodgers): .241 AVG, .300 OBP, 11 2B, 2 3B, 3 HR, 23 RBI, 1 SB
A deadline addition by the Dodgers last season, he only got 33 at-bats in LA, and was mostly brought in for insurance with Hanley constantly in and out of the lineup, and Gordon fading some in the second half. He'll probably resume that role this season, as he can spot Kendrick a day off here and there if needed.
Guerrero: .077 AVG, .077 OBP, no other stats to speak of
Who knows if he'll even be on the roster Opening Day, but considering his potential to be a good hitter, he's someone to remember. He only appeared in the beginning of the season and at the end with September call-ups, in between getting into a fight with Miguel Olivo and getting part of his ear bitten off. Let's just hope he avoids the drama this season and give the Dodgers a lift off the bench.
Is Now Better Than Then?
Defensively, absolutely. There's no question about that. Rollins and Kendrick are a huge upgrade over Hanley and Gordon as a double play combination. While Gordon I believe was a bit underrated for his improvements made with the glove, Hanley became a big liability at short. Perhaps we remember his error that cost Kershaw a chance at a perfect game? That's just one example of how bad he became, and now he's in left field for the Red Sox.
At the plate, it will remain to be seen mostly because of Gordon. If he shows that he's not a one-year wonder, then losing his speed at the top will definitely hurt. However, Rollins and Kendrick both stole their share of bases as well, and combined hit for more power. In the end, if those numbers stay the same, then the Dodgers are not only an upgrade in the field, but at the plate as well.
Grandal will be given plenty of chances to stay in the lineup if he can get his bat going. The Dodgers don't have that instant pop that Kemp and Hanley provided when healthy, so they'll be relying on a few guys do pull their weight instead. A power hitting catcher is one way of picking up the slack. I fully expect Ellis to be Kershaw's personal catcher, but after that, it should be Grandal's job to lose.
With two great, albeit older, fielders at the corners, the Dodgers are a more well-rounded, better team all across the infield for 2015.
2014
C - A.J. Ellis
1B - Adrian Gonzalez
2B - Dee Gordon
SS - Hanley Ramirez
3B - Juan Uribe
Bench - Drew Butera, Tim Federowicz, Justin Turner, Miguel Rojas, Chone Figgins, Erisbel Arruebarrena, Darwin Barney
2015
C - A.J. Ellis/Yasmani Grandal
1B - Adrian Gonzalez
2B - Howie Kendrick
SS - Jimmy Rollins
3B - Juan Uribe
Bench - Ellis or Grandal, Justin Turner, Darwin Barney, Alex Guerrero
Then Compared to Now:
Obviously, there's a big change in the middle, as out go Hanley and Gordon, and in come Kendrick and Rollins. Other than Matt Kemp being traded to San Diego, the infield is the biggest story. Since A-Gon and Uribe stay the same, the major question will be whether or not the new is better than the old.
Let's not forget that Gordon started off the year as an afterthought, and barely even worth drafting in fantasy leagues. He then turned himself into an All-Star who led the league in stolen bases pretty easily. Hanley had a rough year for his standards by only playing in 128 games, but did hit .429 in the Division Series without a strikeout.
The other change is the addition of Grandal, who was part of the Kemp deal. There's no doubt he brings much more offense than Ellis. But defensively, he still has to prove he can handle a staff like Ellis can.
Individual Breakdown:
Ellis (2014 stats): .191 AVG, .323 OBP, 9 2B, 0 3B, 3 HR, 25 RBI, 0 SB
He's never been a star with the lumber, but even with that said, he really struggled to generate anything on offense. About all he could give was a walk, which is why his OBP is so much higher. There's no doubt, however, that the Dodgers did the right thing in bringing in an offensive catcher in Grandal. As valuable as Ellis is behind the plate, especially with Clayton Kershaw, the offense just comes to a halt when he's up.
Grandal (with Padres): .225 AVG, .327 OBP, 19 2B, 1 3B, 15 HR, 49 RBI, 3 SB
He's been busted for PED use, he's torn up his knee, and he's not even considered that great of a defensive catcher. But he is still young (26), and he's clearly shown good pop from behind the plate when he can stay on the field. Plus, he appeared in 37 games last season at first base, which is great since he hits right-handed and can spell Gonzalez if need be. There's a lot to like about him, but as I said before, he'll have to show he can stay on the field to really be worth the while.
Gonzalez: .276 AVG, .335 OBP, 41 2B, 0 3B, 27 HR, 116 RBI, 1 SB
I'll bet very few people, outside of Dodger fans, would be able to tell you that A-Gon led all of baseball in RBIs last season, even ahead of the mighty Mike Trout and Miguel Cabrera. That's because he played in 159 games last season, and hit .333 with runners in scoring position. Plus, his defense improved, cutting down on his errors from 11 to 6. All in all, he's Mr. Reliable, and even as he turns 33 in May, has proven to be the rock in the Dodgers' lineup.
Kendrick (with Angels): .293 AVG, .347 OBP, 33 2B, 5 3B, 7 HR, 75 RBI, 14 SB
Two big reasons why the Dodgers preferred him over Gordon: he's consistently put up numbers at the plate since his debut in 2006, and the brass feels as though Gordon has already peaked with his best season in 2014. Time will only tell about that last statement, as Gordon will have lots of chances to show his worth in Miami. As for Kendrick, he's a clutch hitter who also brings the goods in the field, rating at an excellent 1.4 DWAR. He'll be playing for a new contract this year, so there's even more motivation for him to show his addition was a smart move.
Rollins: .243 AVG, .323 OBP, 22 2B, 4 3B, 17 HR, 55 RBI, 28 SB
Boy will this be weird seeing him in Dodger blue this season. It will be an adjustment for everybody, but after Hanley bolted for Boston, the addition of Rollins looks like a great move. He's won a ring once, lost in the World Series to the Yankees another time, and will be looking to provide the leadership the Dodgers need to bring them their first title since 1988. He looked completely washed up in 2013, but fought back for a much better 2014. He won't be the same hitter Hanley was, but defensively, he's light years better, and that's what the Dodgers want the most.
Uribe: .311 AVG, .337 OBP, 23 2B, 0 3B, 9 HR, 54 RBI, 0 SB
Entering the last year of his contract, he backed up his resurgent (and that's an understatement) 2013 with another good year at the plate. Most importantly, he gave Gold Glove caliber defense at the hot corner, barely losing out on the award again. He'll be 36 when the season begins in April, making him a little long in the tooth, so you have to wonder if this is his last year in LA. He needs to show that he can stay on the field more as well, playing in a low 103 games last season.
Turner: .340 AVG, .404 OBP, 21 2B, 1 3B, 7 HR, 43 RBI, 6 SB
What an addition he turned out to be, as he constantly gave bit hits off the bench (.400 as a PH), and played all four infield positions. Heck, he could've probably been a better option out of the bullpen than the bums the Dodgers had last year as well. While it would be very hard to expect those types of offensive numbers again, they can expect him to provide a lift when needed, and play the role of late-inning sparkplug.
Barney (with Cubs and Dodgers): .241 AVG, .300 OBP, 11 2B, 2 3B, 3 HR, 23 RBI, 1 SB
A deadline addition by the Dodgers last season, he only got 33 at-bats in LA, and was mostly brought in for insurance with Hanley constantly in and out of the lineup, and Gordon fading some in the second half. He'll probably resume that role this season, as he can spot Kendrick a day off here and there if needed.
Guerrero: .077 AVG, .077 OBP, no other stats to speak of
Who knows if he'll even be on the roster Opening Day, but considering his potential to be a good hitter, he's someone to remember. He only appeared in the beginning of the season and at the end with September call-ups, in between getting into a fight with Miguel Olivo and getting part of his ear bitten off. Let's just hope he avoids the drama this season and give the Dodgers a lift off the bench.
Is Now Better Than Then?
Defensively, absolutely. There's no question about that. Rollins and Kendrick are a huge upgrade over Hanley and Gordon as a double play combination. While Gordon I believe was a bit underrated for his improvements made with the glove, Hanley became a big liability at short. Perhaps we remember his error that cost Kershaw a chance at a perfect game? That's just one example of how bad he became, and now he's in left field for the Red Sox.
At the plate, it will remain to be seen mostly because of Gordon. If he shows that he's not a one-year wonder, then losing his speed at the top will definitely hurt. However, Rollins and Kendrick both stole their share of bases as well, and combined hit for more power. In the end, if those numbers stay the same, then the Dodgers are not only an upgrade in the field, but at the plate as well.
Grandal will be given plenty of chances to stay in the lineup if he can get his bat going. The Dodgers don't have that instant pop that Kemp and Hanley provided when healthy, so they'll be relying on a few guys do pull their weight instead. A power hitting catcher is one way of picking up the slack. I fully expect Ellis to be Kershaw's personal catcher, but after that, it should be Grandal's job to lose.
With two great, albeit older, fielders at the corners, the Dodgers are a more well-rounded, better team all across the infield for 2015.
Thursday, September 25, 2014
How the NL West was won
It was all good in Dodger Stadium on Wednesday night, as Clayton Kershaw dominated, Yasiel Puig homered and showed off his amazing arm, and the Dodgers rolled right by the Giants 9-1. The NL West once again belongs to the good guys.
Just how did the Dodgers get to be back-to-back division champs? Here's how:
* Clayton Kershaw. Unbelievable. The guys has done it all this season. After mowing right through the Giants in the clincher, he finished this season at 21-3 with a 1.77 ERA, 0.86 WHIP, and 239 K's in 198 1/3 innings. He even added an RBI triple last night. There's simply nothing the guy can't do on the field, as he embraces putting the Dodgers on his back and carrying them. That's what they'll need in October, too.
* The second half resurgence of Matt Kemp. Before the All-Star break, he hit .269 with eight homers and 35 RBIs. Decent numbers, but nothing special. Plus, his defense in center was so bad, Don Mattingly pulled the plug in late May. After the break? A whole new player at .303, 16 homers, and 51 RBIs. As for his defense, it was a whole heck of a lot better in right. He's peaking at the right time, and is once again a true power threat in the cleanup spot.
* First-time All-Stars Dee Gordon and Puig. Both guys took a step back in the second half, but still play major roles on this team. Gordon has an MLB-leading 64 stolen bases, and has even outlasted the blazing fast Billy Hamilton. He also is tops in triples with 12. Puig is certainly an enigma at times, but there's no denying the high ceiling of talent he possesses. He went through a huge power outage in the middle of season and finished with 16 home runs, but is still a big threat every time he steps up to the plate. Oh ya, moving to center has been a great move, as he continues to gun down runners.
* Zack Greinke, baseball's best #2 starter. How many other teams would he be the ace? The All-Star has more than settled into his role with LA, and his eight-inning gem on Tuesday helped put the Dodgers on the brink of the division title. Overall, he finished at 16-8 with a 2.74 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, and 201 K's in 197 1/3 innings.
* Kenley Jansen and his 44 saves. It was a bit of a bumpy ride at times in the first half of the year, as he seemed to be too reliant on throwing the same pitch (cutter) over and over. Since the start of July, however, he's given up five earned runs in 29 appearances, lowering his ERA from 3.67 to 2.67. He's as close to automatic as closers come.
* Justin Turner, the unsung hero. What an end to the season he has had. He cranked two home runs in support of Greinke on Tuesday, and finished the year by hitting .333 with seven homers and 41 RBIs in 106 games. Clearly, he's a sparkplug when he's in the lineup, and has become a big weapon for Mattingly to deploy off the bench. Plus, he's versatile enough to play all four infield positions, which is huge when making double switches in the playoffs.
* Last, but certainly not least, MLB's leading RBI man, Adrian Gonzalez. Quite an accomplishment for a guy hitting .201 against left-handed pitchers. After hitting the cover off the ball in April, it looked like it was going to be a lost season with a very rough May and June. That all turned around with a big July, and he reached the 20 RBI plateau in each of the last three months. The Dodgers would be lost without all the big at-bats he's had.
Friday, August 22, 2014
Turner provides just enough pop for Kershaw
It sure looked like another lifeless night in Dodger Stadium on Thursday. Tyson Ross was mowing the Dodgers down left and right, and Clayton Kershaw was down 1-0 despite not giving up a hit until the sixth (to Ross, of all people).
So what finally made the crowd come to their feet and wake everyone up? Why of course... a two-run homer by Justin Turner!
Yes, that really did happen, as Turner's two-run shot in the eighth put the Dodgers ahead for good, as they went on to beat the Padres 2-1. It sure didn't seem like it, but the Dodgers actually won two of three in this series, and are 3 1/2 games in front of the Giants in the NL West.
Mark Saxon of ESPNLosAngeles.com wrote a great article about how Turner's blast not only gave the Dodgers a needed jolt, but kept Kershaw's MVP hopes alive. It's true, because any loss Kershaw takes from here on out, no matter how good he is, will only hurt his chances of claiming the NL's top prize.
Right now, Kershaw is 15-3 with a 1.82 ERA, 0.83 WHIP, and 184 K's in 153 1/3 innings. He's now leading the NL in wins, ERA, WHIP, winning %, and complete games. He's third in strikeouts, despite missing all of April with a strained back muscle. Stephen Strasburg leads with 198 K's, and he's made six more starts than Kershaw.
So yes, Kershaw has been awesome.
What Turner's game-winning homer did was put the spotlight back on Kershaw and his dominant run. Say the Dodgers took another loss because their offense didn't come through, just like his last start against the Brewers, then the focus would be on the pitiful offense. It's not like the bats did a whole lot better in this game, but they came through just when it was needed.
And with a little over a month left in the season, the Dodgers will gladly take wins by any means.
Other thoughts from the game:
* I actually feel badly for Padres fans. If they had any clue how to finish games, they would've gotten a sweep. Instead, despite grabbing the lead in all three games, they drop two of three. That lineup is just brutal, and I'm not sure if there's any help on the way. They just have to hope different guys like Ross step up and deliver.
* Kenley Jansen's 36th save gets him up to fourth in the NL, only two behind leader Francisco Rodriguez. Who would've though that guy would flashback to his K Rod days? Good for him. Jansen is tops in strikeouts by one over Craig Kimbrel (83 to 82) among closers with at least 10 saves. Pretty impressive.
* Take away Turner's homer, and the last two games have been pretty ugly at the plate. On Wednesday they had one run on six hits, and last night it was two runs on four hits. Add it up, and that's three runs on 10 hits in two games, which really sucks. They just look like a tired bunch.
* Some good news is that all signs are pointing to Hanley Ramirez being activated from the DL on Sunday. He's not the same hitter as last year, but still an instant threat that this offense desperately needs. Considering his replacement Miguel Rojas is hitting .203, it's safe to say it's an offensive upgrade. I mean, duh.
* Dee Gordon continues to struggle, as he's only hitting .243 this month. He's swinging and missing too many times, and when he did get a single last night, he was instantly erased trying to swipe second. I wasn't surprised to see him press the issue, as I'm sure he's trying to make things happen a little too much. The Dodgers really need him to get back on track in September and beyond.
The Mets are next into town for three. They are once again going nowhere, but are 5-4 on the road this month, if you're a Mets fan and looking for a silver lining. Dan Haren gets the call in the first game.
So what finally made the crowd come to their feet and wake everyone up? Why of course... a two-run homer by Justin Turner!
Yes, that really did happen, as Turner's two-run shot in the eighth put the Dodgers ahead for good, as they went on to beat the Padres 2-1. It sure didn't seem like it, but the Dodgers actually won two of three in this series, and are 3 1/2 games in front of the Giants in the NL West.
Mark Saxon of ESPNLosAngeles.com wrote a great article about how Turner's blast not only gave the Dodgers a needed jolt, but kept Kershaw's MVP hopes alive. It's true, because any loss Kershaw takes from here on out, no matter how good he is, will only hurt his chances of claiming the NL's top prize.
Right now, Kershaw is 15-3 with a 1.82 ERA, 0.83 WHIP, and 184 K's in 153 1/3 innings. He's now leading the NL in wins, ERA, WHIP, winning %, and complete games. He's third in strikeouts, despite missing all of April with a strained back muscle. Stephen Strasburg leads with 198 K's, and he's made six more starts than Kershaw.
So yes, Kershaw has been awesome.
What Turner's game-winning homer did was put the spotlight back on Kershaw and his dominant run. Say the Dodgers took another loss because their offense didn't come through, just like his last start against the Brewers, then the focus would be on the pitiful offense. It's not like the bats did a whole lot better in this game, but they came through just when it was needed.
And with a little over a month left in the season, the Dodgers will gladly take wins by any means.
Other thoughts from the game:
* I actually feel badly for Padres fans. If they had any clue how to finish games, they would've gotten a sweep. Instead, despite grabbing the lead in all three games, they drop two of three. That lineup is just brutal, and I'm not sure if there's any help on the way. They just have to hope different guys like Ross step up and deliver.
* Kenley Jansen's 36th save gets him up to fourth in the NL, only two behind leader Francisco Rodriguez. Who would've though that guy would flashback to his K Rod days? Good for him. Jansen is tops in strikeouts by one over Craig Kimbrel (83 to 82) among closers with at least 10 saves. Pretty impressive.
* Take away Turner's homer, and the last two games have been pretty ugly at the plate. On Wednesday they had one run on six hits, and last night it was two runs on four hits. Add it up, and that's three runs on 10 hits in two games, which really sucks. They just look like a tired bunch.
* Some good news is that all signs are pointing to Hanley Ramirez being activated from the DL on Sunday. He's not the same hitter as last year, but still an instant threat that this offense desperately needs. Considering his replacement Miguel Rojas is hitting .203, it's safe to say it's an offensive upgrade. I mean, duh.
* Dee Gordon continues to struggle, as he's only hitting .243 this month. He's swinging and missing too many times, and when he did get a single last night, he was instantly erased trying to swipe second. I wasn't surprised to see him press the issue, as I'm sure he's trying to make things happen a little too much. The Dodgers really need him to get back on track in September and beyond.
The Mets are next into town for three. They are once again going nowhere, but are 5-4 on the road this month, if you're a Mets fan and looking for a silver lining. Dan Haren gets the call in the first game.
Sunday, May 25, 2014
Dodgers have a Southpaw problem
Yesterday I wrote about the Dodgers' continual problems with defense, as evidenced by their 5-3 loss to the Phillies on Saturday in which four of those runs could've easily been avoided with better D.
Then I remembered a comment made during the game by either Charlie Steiner or Orel Hershiser (forgive me, I forgot which one), and that's their inability to hit left-handed pitchers. So I checked the stats. Boy were they not kidding.
Coming into today's games, the Dodgers are dead last in all of baseball with a .217 average against lefties. Ouch.
Here's a look at how some of the key left-handed hitters are doing against Southpaws:
Andre Ethier: 4-for-22, .182
Adrian Gonzalez: 11-for-59, .186
Dee Gordon: 8-for-41, .195
Carl Crawford: 5-for-24, .208
Totals: 28-for-146, .192
And now, here's a look a some of the key right-handed hitters:
Matt Kemp: 8-for-51, .157
Juan Uribe: 6-for-32, .188
Justin Turner: 8-for-37, .216
Hanley Ramirez: 9-for-39, .231
Scott Van Slyke: 11-for-35, .314
Yasiel Puig: 14-for-41, .341
Totals: 56-for-235, .238
Team Totals Overall: 99-for-457, .217
For some guys, this is surprising. A-Gon is obviously better against righties, but also has a career .276 average against lefties. Kemp has long pounded lefties for a .333 average. Hanley is at .306.
For others, it's not a surprise. Ethier has been saddled his whole career with the stigma of not hitting lefties (.234), and he's once again proving why he can't quite be considered an everyday player with numbers that pathetic. Crawford (.258) and Gordon (.216) also are much worse against lefties.
The bottom line is everyone on here, with the exception of Puig and Van Slyke, has to perform more to their career averages against Southpaws. Not only are most of these numbers down, but in some cases, not even on the same planet as to where they've been in the past.
There's really no excuse for guys like Kemp and Hanley to continue to look so lost against lefties. They've both feasted on these types of pitchers in their careers, and now is the time to step up and perform to that level again. If not, then expect the rest of the National League to load up on lefties whenever they play the Dodgers. The numbers prove it works.
Then I remembered a comment made during the game by either Charlie Steiner or Orel Hershiser (forgive me, I forgot which one), and that's their inability to hit left-handed pitchers. So I checked the stats. Boy were they not kidding.
Coming into today's games, the Dodgers are dead last in all of baseball with a .217 average against lefties. Ouch.
Here's a look at how some of the key left-handed hitters are doing against Southpaws:
Andre Ethier: 4-for-22, .182
Adrian Gonzalez: 11-for-59, .186
Dee Gordon: 8-for-41, .195
Carl Crawford: 5-for-24, .208
Totals: 28-for-146, .192
And now, here's a look a some of the key right-handed hitters:
Matt Kemp: 8-for-51, .157
Juan Uribe: 6-for-32, .188
Justin Turner: 8-for-37, .216
Hanley Ramirez: 9-for-39, .231
Scott Van Slyke: 11-for-35, .314
Yasiel Puig: 14-for-41, .341
Totals: 56-for-235, .238
Team Totals Overall: 99-for-457, .217
For some guys, this is surprising. A-Gon is obviously better against righties, but also has a career .276 average against lefties. Kemp has long pounded lefties for a .333 average. Hanley is at .306.
For others, it's not a surprise. Ethier has been saddled his whole career with the stigma of not hitting lefties (.234), and he's once again proving why he can't quite be considered an everyday player with numbers that pathetic. Crawford (.258) and Gordon (.216) also are much worse against lefties.
The bottom line is everyone on here, with the exception of Puig and Van Slyke, has to perform more to their career averages against Southpaws. Not only are most of these numbers down, but in some cases, not even on the same planet as to where they've been in the past.
There's really no excuse for guys like Kemp and Hanley to continue to look so lost against lefties. They've both feasted on these types of pitchers in their careers, and now is the time to step up and perform to that level again. If not, then expect the rest of the National League to load up on lefties whenever they play the Dodgers. The numbers prove it works.
Monday, April 28, 2014
Dead spots in the order
The Dodgers are off on Monday as they fly to Minnesota to prepare for a three-game set against the Twins. Even though the Twins have horrible pitching, their offense has been surprisingly good with the fourth most runs in baseball. As a result, they're only one game in back of the AL Central leading Tigers.
Lately the Dodgers have been spinning their wheels at the plate for a variety reasons. Here I'll take a look at three spots in the order that have been holding this team back. I'll give a stat, and in (parenthesis) I'll list their ranking in the 15-team National League.
#2 - 13 R (7), 42 TB* (5), 12 RBI (3), .229 AVG (13), .294 OBP (11)
* Total Bases
Some of the power has been there thanks for Yasiel Puig, but the overall averages are way too low. Carl Crawford and Justin Turner have played most there behind Puig and have been awful. This is exactly why I like Puig in back of Dee Gordon at the top. Puig can give you an instant big hit, and even if he doesn't, he's not nearly as dead at the plate as Crawford and Turner.
#3 - 14 R (7), 48 TB (8), 10 RBI (12), .260 AVG (11), .336 OBP (9)
This is the spot that has belonged to Hanley Ramirez for nearly every game. While he hasn't been terrible, he hasn't lit the world on fire like he's capable of. Then again, he did suffer a thumb injury recently, and whether he wants to admit it or not, it's definitely affected his play. The result has been a lot of ground balls and not much else. He should be hitting third, but not if he can barely grip a bat.
#8 - 6 R (14), 23 TB (14), 4 RBI (13), .204 AVG (11), .275 OBP (12)
There have been a variety of players in this spot, led by Tim Federowicz and his blistering .119 average in this spot. The other two catchers, A.J. Ellis and Drew Butera, are both under .200 as well. Coming into this season, I thought the Dodgers would use Gordon here, but because of injuries and his hot bat, that hasn't been the case. Either way, the Dodgers either need to trade for a better hitting catcher, or just pray that Ellis returns healthy and can start to rake.
Spots that have been good are leadoff and cleanup thanks to the success of Gordon and Adrian Gonzalez. So it's not like everything has been off.
It's probably a good time to remind everyone that the Dodgers have only played 26 of their 162 games this season, so it's not like these three spots listed above will stay low all season. If you want further proof, then go back to last season around the end of June and look at the next two months. You'll see how quickly things can turn around when the bats get hot.
But then again, if the bats don't get hot, then the pitching will have to post a whole lot of zeros for this team to get back into the postseason.
Lately the Dodgers have been spinning their wheels at the plate for a variety reasons. Here I'll take a look at three spots in the order that have been holding this team back. I'll give a stat, and in (parenthesis) I'll list their ranking in the 15-team National League.
#2 - 13 R (7), 42 TB* (5), 12 RBI (3), .229 AVG (13), .294 OBP (11)
* Total Bases
Some of the power has been there thanks for Yasiel Puig, but the overall averages are way too low. Carl Crawford and Justin Turner have played most there behind Puig and have been awful. This is exactly why I like Puig in back of Dee Gordon at the top. Puig can give you an instant big hit, and even if he doesn't, he's not nearly as dead at the plate as Crawford and Turner.
#3 - 14 R (7), 48 TB (8), 10 RBI (12), .260 AVG (11), .336 OBP (9)
This is the spot that has belonged to Hanley Ramirez for nearly every game. While he hasn't been terrible, he hasn't lit the world on fire like he's capable of. Then again, he did suffer a thumb injury recently, and whether he wants to admit it or not, it's definitely affected his play. The result has been a lot of ground balls and not much else. He should be hitting third, but not if he can barely grip a bat.
#8 - 6 R (14), 23 TB (14), 4 RBI (13), .204 AVG (11), .275 OBP (12)
There have been a variety of players in this spot, led by Tim Federowicz and his blistering .119 average in this spot. The other two catchers, A.J. Ellis and Drew Butera, are both under .200 as well. Coming into this season, I thought the Dodgers would use Gordon here, but because of injuries and his hot bat, that hasn't been the case. Either way, the Dodgers either need to trade for a better hitting catcher, or just pray that Ellis returns healthy and can start to rake.
Spots that have been good are leadoff and cleanup thanks to the success of Gordon and Adrian Gonzalez. So it's not like everything has been off.
It's probably a good time to remind everyone that the Dodgers have only played 26 of their 162 games this season, so it's not like these three spots listed above will stay low all season. If you want further proof, then go back to last season around the end of June and look at the next two months. You'll see how quickly things can turn around when the bats get hot.
But then again, if the bats don't get hot, then the pitching will have to post a whole lot of zeros for this team to get back into the postseason.
Friday, April 18, 2014
How are the leadoff hitters doing?
Here we are 16 games into 2014, and one spot in the order that hasn't quite been figured out yet is leadoff. Let's take a look at the numbers of each player in that spot:
Dee Gordon
8 G, 12-for-32, 1 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 4 R, 6 SB, .375 AVG, .417 OBP
There was no way at the start of Spring Training that anyone would have thought Gordon could put up these types of numbers leading off, or any spot in the order for that matter, but much to his credit he has. The word on him was that he put on some muscle in the offseason, and maybe that combined with more confidence and seasoning has paid off. He still isn't the slickest fielder on Earth, but what he's done at the plate in the early going cannot be ignored.
Carl Crawford
5 G, 6-for-22, 1 2B, 1 RBI, 3 R, 2 SB, .273 AVG, .304 OBP
Crawford seems like a more prototypical leadoff hitter compared to Gordon, but the results aren't as good. Then again, taking walks has never been Crawford's thing, so maybe these numbers shouldn't be too surprising. It's hard to get too excited about him these days, as he clearly looks like he's on the downside of his career. That's not to say that he can't contribute anymore, because he can, but with five healthy outfielders, his playing time is pretty scattered.
Yasiel Puig
3 G, 3-for-14, 1 RBI, 1 R, .214 AVG, .267 OBP
I came into this season really believing in Puig leading off. I still do, but these numbers don't exactly back me up. If Gordon comes back to Earth some, then I can see Puig getting more starts in the #1 spot. Obviously his weakness is swinging and missing, as he's pretty much all or nothing at the plate. But when he's on, he sets quite the tone. We definitely have not heard the last of him leading off.
(Note: Justin Turner has three at-bats in the leadoff spot, but that was in relief of Gordon. He did have an RBI single, at least.)
Analysis:
Gordon has earned more starts at leadoff, as you can't ignore those numbers. The only downside is that he's hitting .222 against left-handed pitchers, including being blanked against Madison Bumgarner on Thursday. Hitting .405 against right-handed hurlers is much more encouraging.
Like I said above, I still believe in Puig at leadoff as well. So here's my simple solution: if a righty is on the mound, then Gordon is at leadoff and Puig hitting second. With a lefty, flip-flop it. Imagine both of those guys getting on base to start a game. How distracting would that be for an opposing pitcher and defense? That would be fun to watch.
Crawford in the leadoff spot? Not so much. Let Gordon and Puig handle it.
Dee Gordon
8 G, 12-for-32, 1 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 4 R, 6 SB, .375 AVG, .417 OBP
There was no way at the start of Spring Training that anyone would have thought Gordon could put up these types of numbers leading off, or any spot in the order for that matter, but much to his credit he has. The word on him was that he put on some muscle in the offseason, and maybe that combined with more confidence and seasoning has paid off. He still isn't the slickest fielder on Earth, but what he's done at the plate in the early going cannot be ignored.
Carl Crawford
5 G, 6-for-22, 1 2B, 1 RBI, 3 R, 2 SB, .273 AVG, .304 OBP
Crawford seems like a more prototypical leadoff hitter compared to Gordon, but the results aren't as good. Then again, taking walks has never been Crawford's thing, so maybe these numbers shouldn't be too surprising. It's hard to get too excited about him these days, as he clearly looks like he's on the downside of his career. That's not to say that he can't contribute anymore, because he can, but with five healthy outfielders, his playing time is pretty scattered.
Yasiel Puig
3 G, 3-for-14, 1 RBI, 1 R, .214 AVG, .267 OBP
I came into this season really believing in Puig leading off. I still do, but these numbers don't exactly back me up. If Gordon comes back to Earth some, then I can see Puig getting more starts in the #1 spot. Obviously his weakness is swinging and missing, as he's pretty much all or nothing at the plate. But when he's on, he sets quite the tone. We definitely have not heard the last of him leading off.
(Note: Justin Turner has three at-bats in the leadoff spot, but that was in relief of Gordon. He did have an RBI single, at least.)
Analysis:
Gordon has earned more starts at leadoff, as you can't ignore those numbers. The only downside is that he's hitting .222 against left-handed pitchers, including being blanked against Madison Bumgarner on Thursday. Hitting .405 against right-handed hurlers is much more encouraging.
Like I said above, I still believe in Puig at leadoff as well. So here's my simple solution: if a righty is on the mound, then Gordon is at leadoff and Puig hitting second. With a lefty, flip-flop it. Imagine both of those guys getting on base to start a game. How distracting would that be for an opposing pitcher and defense? That would be fun to watch.
Crawford in the leadoff spot? Not so much. Let Gordon and Puig handle it.
Friday, February 14, 2014
Despite signing Guerrero, 2nd base looks wide open
Perhaps the Dodgers aren't ready to just hand Alexander Guerrero the everyday job at second right away?
It sure looks that way based on recent quotes from Don Mattingly. While the Dodgers eventually see Guerrero as the guy, especially since he's armed with a four-year, $28 million contract, Mattingly acknowledged on Thursday that he's not ready to declare Guerrero the "everyday guy" quite yet.
The word on Guerrero is pretty simple - he's a great hitter, but will be a work-in-progress with the glove at second. He's been a shortstop in Cuba before defecting to the US in 2013, and the transition to second isn't as smooth as people may think. When you're so used to pivots and angles of fielding and throwing from one side of the diamond, it can be pretty tricky to adjust all of that to another.
So if Guerrero is slow to pick up the nuances of second, whom do the Dodgers turn to?
The list is quite long, and it starts with old friend Dee Gordon. Once looked at as the primary leadoff hitter and shortstop for years to come, ineffectiveness at the plate, with his glove, and injuries have all made him an afterthought.
The good news is that he's tacked on about 30 pounds on his wiry frame, from 150 to 179. He still has plenty of speed, so that will never change. He also has spent time working in the outfield, which is smart because at the very least, he can be quite the utility player and super-sub if he shows the ability to handle multiple positions.
There are a few other names to keep in mind as Spring Training gets underway. Justin Turner is a former Met who hit .280 in 86 games last year. I can see him making a push to replace Nick Punto as a utility infielder.
Justin Sellers broke camp last year as the starting shortstop after an injury to Hanley Ramirez, and horrible play from Gordon. He then proceeded to hit .188 and earn his way back to Albuquerque. By the way, the link above is worth clicking because he's hilariously referred to as "Justin Fellers" in the article. Poor guy!
The remaining two names are Miguel Rojas, who came over from the Reds, and Chone Figgins, who's 36 and looking to make one last push. Never say never, but I wouldn't count on either one of them.
The race to start at second will be a big battle to watch in Spring Training, along with juggling four outfielders and filling out the back end of the rotation. Let's see how it all plays out.
It sure looks that way based on recent quotes from Don Mattingly. While the Dodgers eventually see Guerrero as the guy, especially since he's armed with a four-year, $28 million contract, Mattingly acknowledged on Thursday that he's not ready to declare Guerrero the "everyday guy" quite yet.
The word on Guerrero is pretty simple - he's a great hitter, but will be a work-in-progress with the glove at second. He's been a shortstop in Cuba before defecting to the US in 2013, and the transition to second isn't as smooth as people may think. When you're so used to pivots and angles of fielding and throwing from one side of the diamond, it can be pretty tricky to adjust all of that to another.
So if Guerrero is slow to pick up the nuances of second, whom do the Dodgers turn to?
The list is quite long, and it starts with old friend Dee Gordon. Once looked at as the primary leadoff hitter and shortstop for years to come, ineffectiveness at the plate, with his glove, and injuries have all made him an afterthought.
The good news is that he's tacked on about 30 pounds on his wiry frame, from 150 to 179. He still has plenty of speed, so that will never change. He also has spent time working in the outfield, which is smart because at the very least, he can be quite the utility player and super-sub if he shows the ability to handle multiple positions.
There are a few other names to keep in mind as Spring Training gets underway. Justin Turner is a former Met who hit .280 in 86 games last year. I can see him making a push to replace Nick Punto as a utility infielder.
Justin Sellers broke camp last year as the starting shortstop after an injury to Hanley Ramirez, and horrible play from Gordon. He then proceeded to hit .188 and earn his way back to Albuquerque. By the way, the link above is worth clicking because he's hilariously referred to as "Justin Fellers" in the article. Poor guy!
The remaining two names are Miguel Rojas, who came over from the Reds, and Chone Figgins, who's 36 and looking to make one last push. Never say never, but I wouldn't count on either one of them.
The race to start at second will be a big battle to watch in Spring Training, along with juggling four outfielders and filling out the back end of the rotation. Let's see how it all plays out.
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