It was official, and then it wasn't. And now it looks to "officially" be official. Got that?
Juan Uribe sure does, and after a day of going back and forth, the trade that sends Alberto Callaspo and others to the Dodgers for Uribe is done. Apparently Callaspo had a change of heart about playing for the first place Dodgers. Or maybe he was told he would be DFA'd if he didn't accept the trade anyway. Who knows.
What we do know is that after a day of going back and forth with the Braves, the two-time champion Uribe is going across the coast to Atlanta. Actually, he's going across the field to the visiting clubhouse, as the Braves are still in LA. Go figure.
Before looking back at what Uribe brought to the Dodgers, it's important to note why exactly this deal was executed, especially after all of the praise of Uribe being such a great "clubhouse guy" on a team that was dysfunctional in the past. It's true - he is very well-liked, and I'm sure was invaluable in helping Yasiel Puig get adjusted to the Majors.
But, this year has brought a whole lot of change to the Dodgers, and keeping an older, declining guy in the fold over younger, better options just doesn't make a whole lot of sense. Justin Turner can play many positions and hit well, and Alex Guerrero has already brought enough power to warrant more playing time.
So Uribe is the odd man out.
In reflecting back on Uribe's tenure with the Dodgers, let's remember that he was a Gold Glove finalist at third base the last two seasons. I thought he got robbed in not winning one of them, but it is what it is. Even when the hitting wasn't there, he really could flash some serious leather at a very hard position. His Defensive WAR the last two seasons are 1.8 and 2.0, respectively.
That's the good side, but the not-so-good-side has been his inconsistency in both staying on the field and at the plate. He's battled leg injuries the last couple of years, limiting him to 103 games last season. For a guy who's 36 and in his 15th season, that's some understandable wear and tear.
When Uribe was first signed before the 2011 season, he was coming off a World Series championship with the Giants. Ned Colletti, formally of the Giants' front office, liked his championship experience (he won another one with the White Sox in 2005), and wanted his leadership to rub off on the Dodgers.
Well, things didn't quite work out initially to say the least. His 2011 and 2012 campaigns featured some of the worst baseball any "big" free agent signing has ever played. He hit .204 with four homers and 28 RBIs in 77 games in '11, and followed that up with a .191/2/17 line in 66 games. To sum it all up, he was really, REALLY pathetic.
Somehow, some way he was able to survive being cut, and wouldn't you know it, in 2013 he actually looked like a real player again, going .278/12/50 in 132 games. Not huge, overpowering numbers, but much-improved and complimented his slick play at third very well.
Last year was when injuries limited him to 103 games, though he was effective at the plate by going .311/9/54 in 103 games. And he again failed to win a Gold Glove, even if he deserved to win.
The offseason signing of Hector Olivera to a six-year, $62.5 million contract (which only recently became official) along with the emergence of Guerrero had only further clouded Uribe's future in LA. Now, he's an ex-Dodger after 4+ years of service.
It was an interesting ride for Uribe, at times bumpy, and at times smooth. He was described as being very emotional about the trade, which one can only imagine what that must feel like. His teammates will definitely miss him, no doubt. The fans have grown to appreciate his hard work, too.
But in the end, the Dodgers made the correct call in freeing up some of the logjam (think Matt Kemp's trade helping the outfield), and will give more swings to Guerrero and soon Olivera.
Showing posts with label Uribe. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Uribe. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 27, 2015
Tuesday, May 26, 2015
Callaspo doesn't hesitate to block deal to Dodgers
Juan Uribe was THIS close to becoming an ex-Dodger today.
The only problem was that Alberto Callaspo didn't want to become a current one.
After the Dodgers and Braves agreed to a deal centered around swapping the third basemen and a few minor league players, Callaspo quickly put an end to it, as he rejected the trade. It's not because he has a no-trade clause (far from it), it's because he had until June 15 to refuse any deal since he signed as a free agent this past offseason.
And you know what? I don't blame Callaspo at all.
Think about it - For a guy who wants more playing time, isn't the Dodgers one of the last places to go? Considering there's Justin Turner and Alex Guerrero already battling for at-bats, and Hector Olivera readying himself for the call-up, Callaspo would be nothing more than a pinch-hitting option late in the game.
It wasn't too long ago when Callaspo was a solid hand for the Angels, hitting .288 in 2011, then following that up with 10 homers and 53 RBIs the next season. Last season with the A's his numbers went way down to .223/4/39, and this season with the Braves is even worse at .208/1/8.
Nonetheless, Callaspo appears to be fixated on getting more playing time somewhere else, and that's well within his rights. Andrew Friedman liked him off the bench because he keeps his strikeouts low and has a career .328 OBP. But, it wasn't meant to be.
Now the focus turns to Uribe, and what the Dodgers now do with him. He's had one of the most bizarre careers in Dodgers' history, going from absolutely pathetic in 2011 and 2012, to reinvigorating himself at the plate and nearly winning a Gold Glove twice the last two seasons. This season, though, he's down to .247 and a .287 OBP in 29 games, and is clearly getting passed over for Turner and Guerrero.
So, it should come as no surprise that Friedman is ready to let him go. His glove is excellent, but at 36, in his 15th season, and with a recent history of leg injuries, it's not looking like he'll be the everyday third baseman again.
I wouldn't expect this to be the last of trying to move Uribe, as the younger, better options are making it necessary.
The only problem was that Alberto Callaspo didn't want to become a current one.
After the Dodgers and Braves agreed to a deal centered around swapping the third basemen and a few minor league players, Callaspo quickly put an end to it, as he rejected the trade. It's not because he has a no-trade clause (far from it), it's because he had until June 15 to refuse any deal since he signed as a free agent this past offseason.
And you know what? I don't blame Callaspo at all.
Think about it - For a guy who wants more playing time, isn't the Dodgers one of the last places to go? Considering there's Justin Turner and Alex Guerrero already battling for at-bats, and Hector Olivera readying himself for the call-up, Callaspo would be nothing more than a pinch-hitting option late in the game.
It wasn't too long ago when Callaspo was a solid hand for the Angels, hitting .288 in 2011, then following that up with 10 homers and 53 RBIs the next season. Last season with the A's his numbers went way down to .223/4/39, and this season with the Braves is even worse at .208/1/8.
Nonetheless, Callaspo appears to be fixated on getting more playing time somewhere else, and that's well within his rights. Andrew Friedman liked him off the bench because he keeps his strikeouts low and has a career .328 OBP. But, it wasn't meant to be.
Now the focus turns to Uribe, and what the Dodgers now do with him. He's had one of the most bizarre careers in Dodgers' history, going from absolutely pathetic in 2011 and 2012, to reinvigorating himself at the plate and nearly winning a Gold Glove twice the last two seasons. This season, though, he's down to .247 and a .287 OBP in 29 games, and is clearly getting passed over for Turner and Guerrero.
So, it should come as no surprise that Friedman is ready to let him go. His glove is excellent, but at 36, in his 15th season, and with a recent history of leg injuries, it's not looking like he'll be the everyday third baseman again.
I wouldn't expect this to be the last of trying to move Uribe, as the younger, better options are making it necessary.
Monday, April 27, 2015
With Puig on the mend, Guerrero gets his chance
If there's ever going to be a silver lining in a superstar like Yasiel Puig getting placed on the DL, it's this: Alex Guerrero may finally get his chance to play everyday.
And if all goes to plan, maybe he never comes out of it.
That's what the Dodgers can only hope for, as they'll look to turn a negative into a positive. Don Mattingly won't go so far as to say Guerrero will be in the starting lineup as long as Puig's not, but comments like the following are encouraging:
The Dodgers are 11-7 right now, which is tops in the NL West. Even though they're the division favorites by most accounts, there's already some cracks in the armor. The back end of the rotation has the potential to be a mess, as Brandon McCarthy may have a creaky elbow, Hyun-Jin Ryu is still on the DL, and Brett Anderson hasn't exactly set the world on fire. The bullpen is better than last year, but very young, and still without Kenley Jansen for a few more weeks.
The other problem is the offense, which looks to be deep and dangerous one game (11 runs on Saturday), and lifeless the next (one on Sunday). It's not like we can count on six or seven runs a game, but after going a perfect 6-0 a couple weeks ago, they followed that up by going 3-3 last week and scoring six runs total in the loses.
A guy like Guerrero can help turn around an offense that is a bit stuck in neutral. He's only appeared in 11 games, only has 22 at-bats, but his numbers are incredible: .500 AVG and OBP, five homers, two doubles, 13 RBIs, and five runs. You can't ignore stats like that, especially when he was regarded as being a very good hitter when the Dodgers signed him before last season. He may not have the greatest glove, but he looks to have definitely improved upon that as well.
The bottom line is that with Andre Ethier sliding over to right field to fill in for Puig, Guerrero will get looks both at third and left field. In my mind, if he's not playing one position, he needs to be playing the other. Juan Uribe (.244, one homer, three RBIs) and Carl Crawford (.229/1/3) look terrible and old. I can appreciate Donny wanting to give his veterans a chance, but not at the constant expense of someone as exciting with the lumber as Guerrero.
The best thing Guerrero can do is continue to play well on both sides of the field, and force Mattingly to etch his name into every starting lineup. The offense will benefit on the whole if he does.
And if all goes to plan, maybe he never comes out of it.
That's what the Dodgers can only hope for, as they'll look to turn a negative into a positive. Don Mattingly won't go so far as to say Guerrero will be in the starting lineup as long as Puig's not, but comments like the following are encouraging:
"There's a good chance you're going to see him out there. Obviously with Yasiel down, it changes some things. A guy swinging the bat, you're going to find a place to play him, that's just the way it is."I like the sounds of that.
The Dodgers are 11-7 right now, which is tops in the NL West. Even though they're the division favorites by most accounts, there's already some cracks in the armor. The back end of the rotation has the potential to be a mess, as Brandon McCarthy may have a creaky elbow, Hyun-Jin Ryu is still on the DL, and Brett Anderson hasn't exactly set the world on fire. The bullpen is better than last year, but very young, and still without Kenley Jansen for a few more weeks.
The other problem is the offense, which looks to be deep and dangerous one game (11 runs on Saturday), and lifeless the next (one on Sunday). It's not like we can count on six or seven runs a game, but after going a perfect 6-0 a couple weeks ago, they followed that up by going 3-3 last week and scoring six runs total in the loses.
A guy like Guerrero can help turn around an offense that is a bit stuck in neutral. He's only appeared in 11 games, only has 22 at-bats, but his numbers are incredible: .500 AVG and OBP, five homers, two doubles, 13 RBIs, and five runs. You can't ignore stats like that, especially when he was regarded as being a very good hitter when the Dodgers signed him before last season. He may not have the greatest glove, but he looks to have definitely improved upon that as well.
The bottom line is that with Andre Ethier sliding over to right field to fill in for Puig, Guerrero will get looks both at third and left field. In my mind, if he's not playing one position, he needs to be playing the other. Juan Uribe (.244, one homer, three RBIs) and Carl Crawford (.229/1/3) look terrible and old. I can appreciate Donny wanting to give his veterans a chance, but not at the constant expense of someone as exciting with the lumber as Guerrero.
The best thing Guerrero can do is continue to play well on both sides of the field, and force Mattingly to etch his name into every starting lineup. The offense will benefit on the whole if he does.
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.
Saturday, March 28, 2015
A-Gon likes what he sees defensively
"We have guys with really high baseball IQs."
That's what Adrian Gonzalez recently told Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times. He was referring to his new infield of Juan Uribe at third, Jimmy Rollins at short, and Howie Kendrick at second, in addition to the current Gold Glover at first.
It's not hard to see why A-Gon is this excited, because those names listed above are about as good an infield as it gets in baseball.
As Hernandez wrote, the new-look Dodgers' infield has a whole lot of experience and runs saved in comparison to last year. Gone are Hanley Ramirez and Dee Gordon playing up the middle. Hanley was clearly hanging onto his last breathe as an everyday shortstop (in fact, he's now the Red Sox left fielder). Gordon was underrated as an improving second basemen, with plenty of room to still grow. But he's no Kendrick with the leather.
Keeping those four guys healthy and in the everyday lineup will be huge, because the pitching staff is already getting hammered with one injury after another. Hyun-Jin Ryu, Kenley Jansen, and Brandon League are already out for various periods of time. Brett Anderson is always one misstep away from going to his second home, the DL. The depth is being tested right away.
Knowing that four slick fielders are right behind the pitching rubber at least puts Don Mattingly's mind somewhat at ease as he runs out a bunch of pitchers he didn't think he'd have to use already in April. Granted, guys like Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke won't need even average fielders to put up terrific numbers, but it certainly doesn't hurt either.
As Yasmani Grandal continues to get used to his new club, Yasiel Puig returns to his natural position of right field, and Joc Pederson hopefully gets the call to be the starting center fielder, nearly every part of the Dodgers' defense will be top notch and ready to win plenty of games of small ball.
About the only weak spot in the field belongs to Carl Crawford. You know, the guy who dropped a fly ball and cost his team two runs last night against the Giants...
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.
Tuesday, November 4, 2014
A-Gon and Greinke come up Golden
Congratulations goes out to a pair of Dodgers on Tuesday, as Adrian Gonzalez and Zack Greinke won Gold Glove Awards for first base and pitcher.
For A-Gon, it's his fourth overall award, as he won twice with the Padres (2008, 2009), and once with the Red Sox (2011). This season, he had a magnificent .996 fielding %, with only six errors in 1,442 total chances. That's amazing, and an improvement on his 11 errors in 2013.
Greinke is a first-time winner, but a very well-deserved one. The funny thing is that he actually had his first error since 2010 with the Royals, but even Andrelton Simmons messes up every once in a blue moon. This season, Greinke had 30 assists and a career-high eight double plays turned, which I'm sure played a huge role in winning this award.
One man who got close but narrowly missed out for the second straight year is Juan Uribe at third base. Nolan Arenado had his number once again, though it seems a bit odd. Uribe had a .979 fielding %, six errors, and a 2.0 Defensive WAR; Arenado had a .959/11/1.9 line. But for whatever reason, Arenado is still considered better, so it is what it is.
Despite another Uribe snub, the Dodgers have to be very proud of landing two defensive stars for 2014, along with Uribe and Clayton Kershaw as nominees.
For A-Gon, it's his fourth overall award, as he won twice with the Padres (2008, 2009), and once with the Red Sox (2011). This season, he had a magnificent .996 fielding %, with only six errors in 1,442 total chances. That's amazing, and an improvement on his 11 errors in 2013.
Greinke is a first-time winner, but a very well-deserved one. The funny thing is that he actually had his first error since 2010 with the Royals, but even Andrelton Simmons messes up every once in a blue moon. This season, Greinke had 30 assists and a career-high eight double plays turned, which I'm sure played a huge role in winning this award.
One man who got close but narrowly missed out for the second straight year is Juan Uribe at third base. Nolan Arenado had his number once again, though it seems a bit odd. Uribe had a .979 fielding %, six errors, and a 2.0 Defensive WAR; Arenado had a .959/11/1.9 line. But for whatever reason, Arenado is still considered better, so it is what it is.
Despite another Uribe snub, the Dodgers have to be very proud of landing two defensive stars for 2014, along with Uribe and Clayton Kershaw as nominees.
Monday, August 18, 2014
Dodgers hit a lull, so what's the problem?
For anyone who thought the Dodgers might be able to run away with not only the NL West, but the National League as a whole, think again.
The Brewers came into Dodger Stadium and showed why they're a legit contender with a three-game sweep, finishing off the Dodgers with a 7-2 shellacking on Sunday. Couple that with last weekend, and the Brew Crew have to feel good about taking five of six from LA. And that's with both Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke starting four of the six games.
After getting the lead in the NL West up to over six games, the lead over the Giants has dropped to 3 1/2. Washington and Milwaukee are now ahead of the Dodgers in the race for #1 seed in the NL.
Simply put, like the headline says, the Dodgers are in a lull, dropping three straight and four of five. So what's the deal? Here's the deal:
* In those four loses, the offense has scored nine runs, averaging 2.3 per. Even with great starting pitching, it's hard to win many games like that.
* Hyun-Jin Ryu was placed on the DL with a sore glute muscle. Kevin Correia will fill in, and while he had a great opening act, isn't the caliber of Ryu over the long haul.
* Juan Uribe was placed on the DL with a strained hamstring. Justin Turner will see action at third, but his glove has been shaky to say the least of late.
* Greinke hasn't been as sharp in August. In three starts, he's 0-2 with a 3.50 ERA. He walked five in only five innings his last start, running his pitch count way up to 99.
* The bullpen completely imploded on Friday night, as Jamey Wright and Brandon League combined to give up five runs in the eighth. The eighth inning, as I recently wrote about, has been a huge disappointment.
* Even Kershaw was off his normal dominant self, giving up a couple of home runs in losing on Saturday. Of course, he still went the distance and only surrendered three runs, but his offense gave him nothing.
* Dee Gordon still has his big games, but has seen his numbers dip a bit after the break, and one has to wonder if he's slowing down a bit just from the grind of the long season.
* Matt Kemp was red hot in July, but in August he's back down to hitting .219. He's actually hit safely in 12 of 17 games, but most of those are 1-for-4 or 1-for-5.
* The defense is much-improved since the start of the season, but is still middle of the pack in fielding %. Losing Uribe at third does nothing to help, either.
* All the good vibes Dan Haren had coming into Sunday may have come to screeching halt, as the Brewers smacked him around.
Brian Kamenetzky of ESPNLosAngeles.com wrote a good article about how this is not a time to panic, and to instead "keep the faith." It makes a lot of sense, as every team is bound to go through peaks and valleys over the course of a 162-game season.
But, for the many reasons listed above, it's also realistic that the Dodgers need to figure things out in order to keep that first place standing in the NL West. When one of their key starting pitchers and starting third baseman get hurt, then they get swept at home, there's reasons to be a little nervous.
There is some good news, as Hanley Ramirez looks like he'll be ready to go when he comes off the DL next Sunday. As a bonus, it looks like he might play some third, something he did in his Marlins' days when they acquired Jose Reyes. That will get his bat back in the lineup, and keep the better fielding Miguel Rojas at short.
That's still a week away, and in the meantime the Dodgers will welcome the Padres and Mets into town starting Tuesday. Even though they both stink, with the way the Dodgers play at home, they can't afford to overlook anyone. If they do, they might find themselves in second in no time.
We'll see what the Dodgers' depth can do, as they will go deep into their 25-man roster to stay afloat. It would be great if guys like Kemp, Gordon, and Adrian Gonzalez have a big week, and the Dodgers can get rolling again. They are the stars, so now they need to step up and play like it.
Oh ya, and not blowing more leads in the eighth inning would help too.
The Brewers came into Dodger Stadium and showed why they're a legit contender with a three-game sweep, finishing off the Dodgers with a 7-2 shellacking on Sunday. Couple that with last weekend, and the Brew Crew have to feel good about taking five of six from LA. And that's with both Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke starting four of the six games.
After getting the lead in the NL West up to over six games, the lead over the Giants has dropped to 3 1/2. Washington and Milwaukee are now ahead of the Dodgers in the race for #1 seed in the NL.
Simply put, like the headline says, the Dodgers are in a lull, dropping three straight and four of five. So what's the deal? Here's the deal:
* In those four loses, the offense has scored nine runs, averaging 2.3 per. Even with great starting pitching, it's hard to win many games like that.
* Hyun-Jin Ryu was placed on the DL with a sore glute muscle. Kevin Correia will fill in, and while he had a great opening act, isn't the caliber of Ryu over the long haul.
* Juan Uribe was placed on the DL with a strained hamstring. Justin Turner will see action at third, but his glove has been shaky to say the least of late.
* Greinke hasn't been as sharp in August. In three starts, he's 0-2 with a 3.50 ERA. He walked five in only five innings his last start, running his pitch count way up to 99.
* The bullpen completely imploded on Friday night, as Jamey Wright and Brandon League combined to give up five runs in the eighth. The eighth inning, as I recently wrote about, has been a huge disappointment.
* Even Kershaw was off his normal dominant self, giving up a couple of home runs in losing on Saturday. Of course, he still went the distance and only surrendered three runs, but his offense gave him nothing.
* Dee Gordon still has his big games, but has seen his numbers dip a bit after the break, and one has to wonder if he's slowing down a bit just from the grind of the long season.
* Matt Kemp was red hot in July, but in August he's back down to hitting .219. He's actually hit safely in 12 of 17 games, but most of those are 1-for-4 or 1-for-5.
* The defense is much-improved since the start of the season, but is still middle of the pack in fielding %. Losing Uribe at third does nothing to help, either.
* All the good vibes Dan Haren had coming into Sunday may have come to screeching halt, as the Brewers smacked him around.
Brian Kamenetzky of ESPNLosAngeles.com wrote a good article about how this is not a time to panic, and to instead "keep the faith." It makes a lot of sense, as every team is bound to go through peaks and valleys over the course of a 162-game season.
But, for the many reasons listed above, it's also realistic that the Dodgers need to figure things out in order to keep that first place standing in the NL West. When one of their key starting pitchers and starting third baseman get hurt, then they get swept at home, there's reasons to be a little nervous.
There is some good news, as Hanley Ramirez looks like he'll be ready to go when he comes off the DL next Sunday. As a bonus, it looks like he might play some third, something he did in his Marlins' days when they acquired Jose Reyes. That will get his bat back in the lineup, and keep the better fielding Miguel Rojas at short.
That's still a week away, and in the meantime the Dodgers will welcome the Padres and Mets into town starting Tuesday. Even though they both stink, with the way the Dodgers play at home, they can't afford to overlook anyone. If they do, they might find themselves in second in no time.
We'll see what the Dodgers' depth can do, as they will go deep into their 25-man roster to stay afloat. It would be great if guys like Kemp, Gordon, and Adrian Gonzalez have a big week, and the Dodgers can get rolling again. They are the stars, so now they need to step up and play like it.
Oh ya, and not blowing more leads in the eighth inning would help too.
Wednesday, August 6, 2014
Dodgers need Uribe more than ever
The Dodgers are in the midst of a rough stretch, with a very tough schedule against good teams and injuries on the pitching staff mounting. Even the great Clayton Kershaw was roughed up a bit on Tuesday night against the Angels.
That's where Juan Uribe stepped in and stepped up, as his three-run homer in the second soon led to a single and game-winning run in the ninth, giving the Dodgers a 5-4 walk-off win over the Angels.
Then it became obvious to me - if the Dodgers want to survive this hard stretch in the schedule in which the next 12 games are against contending teams, they need someone like Uribe to play well. And by "play well," I mean have nights where he's the hero just like Tuesday.
We all know the Dodgers' troubles - poor back end of the rotation, lack of good options in the bullpen, inconsistent offense. So when you look at the box score and see Uribe's line of 2-for-4 with two runs, three RBIs, and a home run, you know they have a chance of winning anyway. Take away his night, and it's another easy win for the Halos.
Uribe is capable of breaking out and having big nights. Remember last season on July 5 when he hit a double, triple, and homer against the Giants for seven RBIs? That was a big win that gave the Dodgers a two-game lead over their rivals. Of course, we can't forget his game-winning homer to clinch the NLDS against the Braves.
Through it all, on good nights at the plate or bad, he's always bringing it at the hot corner with the glove. I still feel that he was robbed of a Gold Glove last year, so maybe this year he gets his just due. You never know with the voting on that damn award, so we'll see.
Tuesday night definitely made me appreciate what Uribe brings each game even more. I'm not sure many people realize he's hitting .300, as he's hitting .313 since the All-Star break. Those are numbers the Dodgers need, as it would be great to count on his consistency on a team surrounded by so much uncertainty.
Other thoughts from the game:
* Things didn't look so hot at first, but it was a tale of two Kershaws as the game progressed. Fortunately for the Dodgers, he was unhittable in innings 4-7, making up for giving up three runs and being hit hard through three. Overall, he finished at seven innings, seven hits, three runs, two walks, and seven strikeouts. He'll take that.
* Then there's Brian Wilson, who might be among the game's worst setup men. Albert Pujols tied the game in the eighth with a towering solo shot. Granted, Pujols has done that to a lot of people, but it was predictable nonetheless. Wilson's ERA is up to 5.05, and there's really no reason to keep running him out there in the setup role. Enough already!
* Dee Gordon bounced back from a tough night at the plate on Monday by getting two hits, including a double. He also made a fantastic play at second, scooping a low throw from Kershaw and flipping to first from his knees for a double play in the first. His defense at second continues to be excellent.
* Let's also show some love to Matt Kemp, who made the most of his one single in the sixth. He then stole second, beat out Mike Trout's throw to third on the overthrow, and came home on Scott Van Slyke's sac-fly RBI. I don't think we're used to seeing him make noise with his legs anymore, so that was a great sign.
* Also was great to see Van Slyke in left, and not Carl Crawford or Andre Ethier. Anyone is better than those two bums.
* Yes, I know Ethier was at the plate when Uribe scored the winning run, but his little dribbler to third pretty much summed out how little he has left to give at the plate. It's kind of sad to watch.
Dan Haren gets the start tonight, as the series shifts to Anaheim for two. It's probably a good thing the Dodgers were able to find a way to win this one, as Haren's stock has just plummeted. This might not be pretty...
That's where Juan Uribe stepped in and stepped up, as his three-run homer in the second soon led to a single and game-winning run in the ninth, giving the Dodgers a 5-4 walk-off win over the Angels.
Then it became obvious to me - if the Dodgers want to survive this hard stretch in the schedule in which the next 12 games are against contending teams, they need someone like Uribe to play well. And by "play well," I mean have nights where he's the hero just like Tuesday.
We all know the Dodgers' troubles - poor back end of the rotation, lack of good options in the bullpen, inconsistent offense. So when you look at the box score and see Uribe's line of 2-for-4 with two runs, three RBIs, and a home run, you know they have a chance of winning anyway. Take away his night, and it's another easy win for the Halos.
Uribe is capable of breaking out and having big nights. Remember last season on July 5 when he hit a double, triple, and homer against the Giants for seven RBIs? That was a big win that gave the Dodgers a two-game lead over their rivals. Of course, we can't forget his game-winning homer to clinch the NLDS against the Braves.
Through it all, on good nights at the plate or bad, he's always bringing it at the hot corner with the glove. I still feel that he was robbed of a Gold Glove last year, so maybe this year he gets his just due. You never know with the voting on that damn award, so we'll see.
Tuesday night definitely made me appreciate what Uribe brings each game even more. I'm not sure many people realize he's hitting .300, as he's hitting .313 since the All-Star break. Those are numbers the Dodgers need, as it would be great to count on his consistency on a team surrounded by so much uncertainty.
Other thoughts from the game:
* Things didn't look so hot at first, but it was a tale of two Kershaws as the game progressed. Fortunately for the Dodgers, he was unhittable in innings 4-7, making up for giving up three runs and being hit hard through three. Overall, he finished at seven innings, seven hits, three runs, two walks, and seven strikeouts. He'll take that.
* Then there's Brian Wilson, who might be among the game's worst setup men. Albert Pujols tied the game in the eighth with a towering solo shot. Granted, Pujols has done that to a lot of people, but it was predictable nonetheless. Wilson's ERA is up to 5.05, and there's really no reason to keep running him out there in the setup role. Enough already!
* Dee Gordon bounced back from a tough night at the plate on Monday by getting two hits, including a double. He also made a fantastic play at second, scooping a low throw from Kershaw and flipping to first from his knees for a double play in the first. His defense at second continues to be excellent.
* Let's also show some love to Matt Kemp, who made the most of his one single in the sixth. He then stole second, beat out Mike Trout's throw to third on the overthrow, and came home on Scott Van Slyke's sac-fly RBI. I don't think we're used to seeing him make noise with his legs anymore, so that was a great sign.
* Also was great to see Van Slyke in left, and not Carl Crawford or Andre Ethier. Anyone is better than those two bums.
* Yes, I know Ethier was at the plate when Uribe scored the winning run, but his little dribbler to third pretty much summed out how little he has left to give at the plate. It's kind of sad to watch.
Dan Haren gets the start tonight, as the series shifts to Anaheim for two. It's probably a good thing the Dodgers were able to find a way to win this one, as Haren's stock has just plummeted. This might not be pretty...
Monday, June 23, 2014
Updated look at possible All-Stars
About a month ago I blogged about potential All-Star selections for the Dodgers. With a little over three weeks to go until the game, here's my updated look at who I think has a chance to represent the Dodgers:
Definitely
Yasiel Puig, OF. He's currently leading the National League in outfield voting, and rightfully so. A rough stretch in June has dipped his average to .317, but there's no denying he's the complete package this season and deserves to start. I just hope he doesn't tear some arm ligaments trying to make some crazy throw.
Clayton Kershaw, SP. The last time I discussed this subject, he was just coming back from his shoulder injury. Then he reminded everyone just how good he is with a no-hitter against the Rockies in one of the most dominating pitching performances ever. Currently at 7-2 with a 2.52 ERA and 0.92 WHIP, he's earned his way back in.
Dee Gordon, 2B. While he's slipped to third in NL voting, he should be a backup to Chase Utley at second. He's still tops in baseball with 39 steals, besting Billy Hamilton by 8. And if you're beating Hamilton in that category, you must be doing something right. His defense has been much-improved of late as well, so he'll be fine.
Josh Beckett, SP. As if throwing a no-hitter against the Phillies wasn't convincing enough, then the fact that he's only getting better as the season wears on should be. His 5-4 record doesn't come close to telling an accurate story of how good he's been. Being third in the NL with a 2.28 ERA does, and his 1.02 WHIP is fourth.
Possibly
Zack Greinke, SP. I bumped him down a notch from last time for a couple of reasons. One, he's been a little bit off in June with a 3.60 ERA in four starts. Two, he's more victimized by Kershaw and Beckett, who've been better. There's nothing against the rules of having three starting pitchers from the same team, and it can definitely happen here. I think he will get in, as he's 9-3 with a 2.57 ERA and 1.16 WHIP. Those are All-Star numbers when it's all said and done.
Kenley Jansen, RP. The good news is that he's tied for second in the NL with 22 saves, three behind Francisco Rodriguez for the lead. The bad news is that he's done that with a 4.26 ERA and 1.39 WHIP, hardly All-Star numbers. And as you saw on Friday night against the lowly Padres, he gets hit around too much. What could convince those making the choices are his saves and his NL-leading 53 strikeouts among relievers. This one could go either way.
J.P. Howell, RP. Since the All-Star "counts" now, I'll throw his name out there as a situational lefty. He's tied for third in the NL with 17 holds, and owns a 1.61 ERA and 1.07 WHIP. It's not uncommon anymore for middle relievers to get some All-Star love, just like Hong-Chih Kuo did back in 2010. The only roadblock is Tony Watson of the Pirates has better numbers and is also a lefty, so we'll see what happens.
Hyun-Jin Ryu, SP. A pure darkhorse candidate at this point since the NL is loaded with quality starting pitching. He is 9-3 with a 3.06 ERA and 1.19 WHIP, so if some pitchers are hurt or ineligible because of not enough rest, Ryu's name could be floated out there as a replacement.
Names Added: Howell, Ryu
Names Bumped: Adrian Gonzalez, Juan Uribe
Definitely
Yasiel Puig, OF. He's currently leading the National League in outfield voting, and rightfully so. A rough stretch in June has dipped his average to .317, but there's no denying he's the complete package this season and deserves to start. I just hope he doesn't tear some arm ligaments trying to make some crazy throw.
Clayton Kershaw, SP. The last time I discussed this subject, he was just coming back from his shoulder injury. Then he reminded everyone just how good he is with a no-hitter against the Rockies in one of the most dominating pitching performances ever. Currently at 7-2 with a 2.52 ERA and 0.92 WHIP, he's earned his way back in.
Dee Gordon, 2B. While he's slipped to third in NL voting, he should be a backup to Chase Utley at second. He's still tops in baseball with 39 steals, besting Billy Hamilton by 8. And if you're beating Hamilton in that category, you must be doing something right. His defense has been much-improved of late as well, so he'll be fine.
Josh Beckett, SP. As if throwing a no-hitter against the Phillies wasn't convincing enough, then the fact that he's only getting better as the season wears on should be. His 5-4 record doesn't come close to telling an accurate story of how good he's been. Being third in the NL with a 2.28 ERA does, and his 1.02 WHIP is fourth.
Possibly
Zack Greinke, SP. I bumped him down a notch from last time for a couple of reasons. One, he's been a little bit off in June with a 3.60 ERA in four starts. Two, he's more victimized by Kershaw and Beckett, who've been better. There's nothing against the rules of having three starting pitchers from the same team, and it can definitely happen here. I think he will get in, as he's 9-3 with a 2.57 ERA and 1.16 WHIP. Those are All-Star numbers when it's all said and done.
Kenley Jansen, RP. The good news is that he's tied for second in the NL with 22 saves, three behind Francisco Rodriguez for the lead. The bad news is that he's done that with a 4.26 ERA and 1.39 WHIP, hardly All-Star numbers. And as you saw on Friday night against the lowly Padres, he gets hit around too much. What could convince those making the choices are his saves and his NL-leading 53 strikeouts among relievers. This one could go either way.
J.P. Howell, RP. Since the All-Star "counts" now, I'll throw his name out there as a situational lefty. He's tied for third in the NL with 17 holds, and owns a 1.61 ERA and 1.07 WHIP. It's not uncommon anymore for middle relievers to get some All-Star love, just like Hong-Chih Kuo did back in 2010. The only roadblock is Tony Watson of the Pirates has better numbers and is also a lefty, so we'll see what happens.
Hyun-Jin Ryu, SP. A pure darkhorse candidate at this point since the NL is loaded with quality starting pitching. He is 9-3 with a 3.06 ERA and 1.19 WHIP, so if some pitchers are hurt or ineligible because of not enough rest, Ryu's name could be floated out there as a replacement.
Names Added: Howell, Ryu
Names Bumped: Adrian Gonzalez, Juan Uribe
Monday, May 26, 2014
Just when you think the Dodgers are healthy...
They get bitten by the injury bug... again.
This time it's A.J. Ellis, who is back on the 15-day DL with a right ankle sprain. Tim Federowicz is back. Look for Drew Butera, who caught Josh Becket's no-no on Sunday, to get the majority of starts behind the dish.
Currently not on the DL, but not in the lineup against on Monday is Hanley Ramirez, who continues to rest his sore right calf. At least that's what he's saying it is, but it's also feared to be an Achilles' injury. And if you're a sports fan in LA, then you know how dangerous that injury can be (see: Bryant, Kobe). Maybe I'm fearing the worst, but that word makes me shake.
Juan Uribe is the only other Dodger on the 15-day DL right now, as he hurt his hamstring running the bases in New York, and is still about 10 days away from being eligible for activation. I have no idea if that will happen right away, but we should soon find out. Justin Turner and Chone Figgins will continue to man the hot corner.
At least the starting rotation is fully healthy, as Hyun-Jin Ryu makes his second start on Monday against the Reds after missing nearly a month with left shoulder inflammation.
This time it's A.J. Ellis, who is back on the 15-day DL with a right ankle sprain. Tim Federowicz is back. Look for Drew Butera, who caught Josh Becket's no-no on Sunday, to get the majority of starts behind the dish.
Currently not on the DL, but not in the lineup against on Monday is Hanley Ramirez, who continues to rest his sore right calf. At least that's what he's saying it is, but it's also feared to be an Achilles' injury. And if you're a sports fan in LA, then you know how dangerous that injury can be (see: Bryant, Kobe). Maybe I'm fearing the worst, but that word makes me shake.
Juan Uribe is the only other Dodger on the 15-day DL right now, as he hurt his hamstring running the bases in New York, and is still about 10 days away from being eligible for activation. I have no idea if that will happen right away, but we should soon find out. Justin Turner and Chone Figgins will continue to man the hot corner.
At least the starting rotation is fully healthy, as Hyun-Jin Ryu makes his second start on Monday against the Reds after missing nearly a month with left shoulder inflammation.
Sunday, May 25, 2014
A look at possible All-Star candidates
The All-Star Game is less than two months away on July 14 in Minnesota. Let's take a look at possible candidates that could be representing the Dodgers. I'll break it down by Definitely and Possibly.
Definitely:
Yasiel Puig, OF. He's second in the NL in the average (.349), slugging % (.623), OPS (1.061), and RBIs (38). Toss in 12 doubles, 10 homers, and 5 steals, and you see just what kind of an impact he has at the plate. Oh ya, he can throw, too. He should easily be voted in as a starting outfielder.
Dee Gordon, 2B. Who would've thought this before the season? Not me, but I'm happy to say that he absolutely deserves to go. He's leading the league in stolen bases with 30, 12 ahead of the guy who got all the hype coming into the season, Billy Hamilton. He's also 10th in runs, but that's mostly because the guys behind him haven't hit well. I'm not saying he should start over Chase Utley, but he should be picked over Daniel Murphy.
Zack Greinke, SP. National League pitching is so deep, his 2.01 ERA is actually fifth best. But, he does lead with seven wins, and is seventh with 65 K's. He clearly took over as the team's ace when Clayton Kershaw was shelved for 1 1/2 months. If he keeps doing what he's doing, he's a lock.
Possibly:
Josh Beckett, SP. In case you didn't hear, he threw a no-hitter against the Phillies on Sunday. Right now he is 10th in the NL in ERA (2.43) and 9th in WHIP (1.02). What a turnaround he's had after nearly ending his career a year ago with a nerve issue. The only reason I'm saying this isn't a definite is because the NL is so deep in pitching, as I said before. But, let's also remember how many All-Stars end up being picked thanks to the off days around the time of the game. I think he'll get in.
Clayton Kershaw, SP. Normally this would be a no-brainer, but again, keep in mind he missed a big chunk of time. He's only made five starts, and did have that clunker against the Diamondbacks recently. Take that away, and he absolutely is the stud pitcher we're used to. A handful of good starts should get him that extra push to get in.
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B. The good news is that he leads all NL first basemen with 10 homers and 36 RBIs. The bad news is that a horrible May in which he's hitting .209 has really caused his production to level off. At the end of April he was hitting .317, and now it's .277. If he keeps the power numbers up, he should get some love. But, I get the feeling it won't be enough.
Kenley Jansen, RP. A 4.15 ERA and 1.43 WHIP are way too high, but his 14 saves are tied for fourth. What's working for him is that he's only three away from first, so if the Dodgers get hot and he can close out a bunch of games coming up, then he should get a strong push to get in.
Juan Uribe, 3B. It's probably a stretch, especially since he's currently on the 15-day DL with a bad hamstring. The only reason I'll throw him out as a possibility is because the third basemen in the NL are average at best. David Wright is leading with a .311 average, but only three homers. Nolan Arenado is very talented, but just broke a finger and could be out awhile. Todd Frazier has good power numbers with 9 homers and 27 RBIs. If Uribe can come back healthy, hit some more, and show his usual good glovework, then he's someone to keep an eye on.
Definitely:
Yasiel Puig, OF. He's second in the NL in the average (.349), slugging % (.623), OPS (1.061), and RBIs (38). Toss in 12 doubles, 10 homers, and 5 steals, and you see just what kind of an impact he has at the plate. Oh ya, he can throw, too. He should easily be voted in as a starting outfielder.
Dee Gordon, 2B. Who would've thought this before the season? Not me, but I'm happy to say that he absolutely deserves to go. He's leading the league in stolen bases with 30, 12 ahead of the guy who got all the hype coming into the season, Billy Hamilton. He's also 10th in runs, but that's mostly because the guys behind him haven't hit well. I'm not saying he should start over Chase Utley, but he should be picked over Daniel Murphy.
Zack Greinke, SP. National League pitching is so deep, his 2.01 ERA is actually fifth best. But, he does lead with seven wins, and is seventh with 65 K's. He clearly took over as the team's ace when Clayton Kershaw was shelved for 1 1/2 months. If he keeps doing what he's doing, he's a lock.
Possibly:
Josh Beckett, SP. In case you didn't hear, he threw a no-hitter against the Phillies on Sunday. Right now he is 10th in the NL in ERA (2.43) and 9th in WHIP (1.02). What a turnaround he's had after nearly ending his career a year ago with a nerve issue. The only reason I'm saying this isn't a definite is because the NL is so deep in pitching, as I said before. But, let's also remember how many All-Stars end up being picked thanks to the off days around the time of the game. I think he'll get in.
Clayton Kershaw, SP. Normally this would be a no-brainer, but again, keep in mind he missed a big chunk of time. He's only made five starts, and did have that clunker against the Diamondbacks recently. Take that away, and he absolutely is the stud pitcher we're used to. A handful of good starts should get him that extra push to get in.
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B. The good news is that he leads all NL first basemen with 10 homers and 36 RBIs. The bad news is that a horrible May in which he's hitting .209 has really caused his production to level off. At the end of April he was hitting .317, and now it's .277. If he keeps the power numbers up, he should get some love. But, I get the feeling it won't be enough.
Kenley Jansen, RP. A 4.15 ERA and 1.43 WHIP are way too high, but his 14 saves are tied for fourth. What's working for him is that he's only three away from first, so if the Dodgers get hot and he can close out a bunch of games coming up, then he should get a strong push to get in.
Juan Uribe, 3B. It's probably a stretch, especially since he's currently on the 15-day DL with a bad hamstring. The only reason I'll throw him out as a possibility is because the third basemen in the NL are average at best. David Wright is leading with a .311 average, but only three homers. Nolan Arenado is very talented, but just broke a finger and could be out awhile. Todd Frazier has good power numbers with 9 homers and 27 RBIs. If Uribe can come back healthy, hit some more, and show his usual good glovework, then he's someone to keep an eye on.
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.
Sunday, February 23, 2014
Signing Arruebarrena sends a message
The Dodgers have officially inked Cuban shortstop Erisbel Arruebarrena to a five-year, $25 million deal on Saturday, with a $7.5 million signing bonus. He's still in the Dominican Republic working on getting his visa, then is expected to start the season somewhere in the minors.
After that? It's full speed ahead in LA and into the future.
Ned Colletti made no bones about it - he sees Arruebarrena as the starting shortstop of the future. The praise for his defense has been high, and he also brings some pop with his bat. It's acknowledged that his offense does need some work, but they're hoping he can hold his own at the Major League level while providing great defense up the middle.
So, what's the message that is being sent? It pertains to Hanley Ramirez. He needs to prove he can stay healthy over the full course of a season in order to get the extension he's looking for, and he needs to be willing to move to third in a year or two.
As great as Ramirez has been since becoming a Dodger towards the end of 2012, he definitely has had his injury issues (thumb, hamstring, back, ribs...). I can certainly understand his desire to get a huge deal worked out, but from the Dodgers' point of view, that will only happen if he spends more time on the diamond and less in the trainer's room.
Juan Uribe is currently etched in at third for the next two seasons, but that doesn't mean it will stay that way. Suppose Uribe goes back to his old ways of... well, doing a big pile of nothing. Then it's not out of the question to see Ramirez slide over to third, while Arruebarrena becomes the everyday shortstop.
If Colletti is serious about promoting Arruebarrena to the big club sometime in 2014, then his signing is also a message to Uribe, so has been benched plenty of times in the past. Is it possible to see an all international infield of Ramirez, Arreubarrena, Alexander Guerrero, and Adrian Gonzalez starting in the playoffs? It certainly could be.
On a side note, in order to make this signing official, someone had to be the odd man out on the 40-man roster. That guy is Justin Sellers, who went from starting shortstop in 2013 to DFA'd a year later. Ouch. Unfortunately, it's really not a surprise. He simply never showed an ability to hit Major League pitching, so it's the right call.
After that? It's full speed ahead in LA and into the future.
Ned Colletti made no bones about it - he sees Arruebarrena as the starting shortstop of the future. The praise for his defense has been high, and he also brings some pop with his bat. It's acknowledged that his offense does need some work, but they're hoping he can hold his own at the Major League level while providing great defense up the middle.
So, what's the message that is being sent? It pertains to Hanley Ramirez. He needs to prove he can stay healthy over the full course of a season in order to get the extension he's looking for, and he needs to be willing to move to third in a year or two.
As great as Ramirez has been since becoming a Dodger towards the end of 2012, he definitely has had his injury issues (thumb, hamstring, back, ribs...). I can certainly understand his desire to get a huge deal worked out, but from the Dodgers' point of view, that will only happen if he spends more time on the diamond and less in the trainer's room.
Juan Uribe is currently etched in at third for the next two seasons, but that doesn't mean it will stay that way. Suppose Uribe goes back to his old ways of... well, doing a big pile of nothing. Then it's not out of the question to see Ramirez slide over to third, while Arruebarrena becomes the everyday shortstop.
If Colletti is serious about promoting Arruebarrena to the big club sometime in 2014, then his signing is also a message to Uribe, so has been benched plenty of times in the past. Is it possible to see an all international infield of Ramirez, Arreubarrena, Alexander Guerrero, and Adrian Gonzalez starting in the playoffs? It certainly could be.
On a side note, in order to make this signing official, someone had to be the odd man out on the 40-man roster. That guy is Justin Sellers, who went from starting shortstop in 2013 to DFA'd a year later. Ouch. Unfortunately, it's really not a surprise. He simply never showed an ability to hit Major League pitching, so it's the right call.
Saturday, December 14, 2013
Welcome back, Juan Uribe
*** UPDATE ***
The deal is for two years and $15 million, according to Buster Olney of ESPN.
***
After floating the idea out there that Michael Young could be the Dodgers' starting third baseman in 2014, Ned Colletti was able to convince Juan Uribe to stick around after all.
Uribe has agreed to stay in LA by signing a two-year deal, as first reported by Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. The money is not known yet, but is probably in the $10-15 million range, as best I can guess.
The picture above is a huge reason why Uribe was able to get something more than just a one-year deal with maybe an option for another, as his NLDS-winning two-run run to beat the Braves will go down as one of the biggest moments in Dodgers' postseason history. That hit was the culmination of a complete turnaround from where he was after the previous two seasons.
And what a turnaround it was. After winning a World Series ring with the Giants in 2010, he signed a three-year, $21 million deal with the Dodgers. In 2011, he played in 77 games and hit .204 with 4 homers and 28 RBIs. The following year he played in 66 games, hitting an even more pathetic .191 with 2 homers and 17 RBIs.
Yet, there he was on the 2013 Opening Day roster at third base, albeit as a backup to Luis Cruz. Thanks in large part to Cruz's own incompetence, Uribe slowly got more starts, and ended up playing in 132 games, hitting .278 with 12 homers and 50 RBIs. He also was fantastic at the hot corner, becoming one of the three finalists for Gold Glove that ended up going to the Rockies' Nolan Arenado.
During the latter part of the season, I wrote about how Uribe probably earned himself a new deal thanks in large part to his good season, and because the free agent market for third basemen was so pitiful (check out my article here). There was a thought that the Dodgers would chase after current shortstop and World Series champion Stephen Drew and push Hanley Ramirez to third. Then there was the recent talk of putting Young at third, which seemed like a pretty desperate solution.
Now that Uribe is back for the next two seasons, the Dodgers obviously have to hope that he doesn't repeat the first couple of season from his old deal. It's hard to name a worse player in all of baseball than him from that time, or at least one who received as much playing time as him. He was slow, old, out-of-shape, and had a look on his face that suggested he was completely lost. I couldn't wait for him to leave town.
Then 2013 hit, and when the other options weren't there, I never thought I'd say this, but I'm happy Colletti was able to convince him to stay with a reasonable deal. One year with an option would have been better, but two years isn't a big commitment in the grand scheme of things (Uribe reportedly wanted a three-year deal to start the offseason). For Uribe, the motivation will be to prove that he's not simply another "contract year" player who rose to the occasion, got the money, then tanked again.
Colletti can now shift his focus on adding to the bullpen and his bench... and who knows, maybe a trade of one of his outfielders? We'll see.
Saturday, December 7, 2013
Dodgers enter Winter Meetings looking to get younger, fill some gaps
Mark Saxon over at ESPNLosAngeles.com wrote his latest blog about the Dodgers' intentions as they head to Lake Buena Vista, Florida for the Winter Meetings. In a nutshell, don't expect a huge splash like they had last year in signing Zack Greinke and Hyun-Jin Ryu.
What we should expect to see is a focus on adding a third baseman (which could mean re-signing Juan Uribe), and a focus on restoring bench depth and relievers.
It's not exactly the most exciting news in the world, but keep in mind the Dodgers have already done some work in November. They signed Alexander Guerrero with the hope that he can anchor second base the next four years, or even play some short and shift Hanley Ramirez to third. Dan Haren was chosen for one year over Ricky Nolasco for four, which was a smart move. They also brought back Brian Wilson to continue one of the best late inning combinations with Kenley Jansen, a fantastic move.
As I pointed out during the year, the timing for Uribe's resurgence could not have been any better for him. The free agent market for third basemen is basically zilch. Uribe went from hitting .191 with 2 homers and 17 RBIs in 2012 to .278/12/50 this past year. His OBP shot up from .258 to .331, and his games played from 66 to 132. There's always a risk that he could regress again, but a similar contract to Wilson's (one year, with an option for another) would make sense.
On the relief side, there's a bunch of guys with closing experience like Grant Balfour, Joaquin Benoit, Fernando Rodney, and Kevin Gregg (who was actually released by the Dodgers last Spring Training). Those guys will probably require longer contracts than one or two years the Dodgers will offer, so I'd be surprised if any of those guys sign.
For middle relief, names like Mitchell Boggs, Jesse Crain, and Kyle Farnsworth pop up from the right side, and J.P. Howell and Matt Thornton from the left side. The Dodgers would like to bring back Howell, but again, he wants a three-year deal, and the Dodgers appear to have learned their lesson from the horrible Matt Guerrier and Brandon League deals, and don't want to go above to. Good for them.
None of these names will blow you away, but then again, the Dodgers have their core in place, especially if Clayton Kershaw and Hanley Ramirez get extended before next season. Right now it's all about plugging in holes, so stay tuned for small signings here and there.
What's about the only news that could blow you away? If Matt Kemp or Andre Ethier get traded. Buster Olney takes a look at that possibility (Insider only).
What we should expect to see is a focus on adding a third baseman (which could mean re-signing Juan Uribe), and a focus on restoring bench depth and relievers.
It's not exactly the most exciting news in the world, but keep in mind the Dodgers have already done some work in November. They signed Alexander Guerrero with the hope that he can anchor second base the next four years, or even play some short and shift Hanley Ramirez to third. Dan Haren was chosen for one year over Ricky Nolasco for four, which was a smart move. They also brought back Brian Wilson to continue one of the best late inning combinations with Kenley Jansen, a fantastic move.
As I pointed out during the year, the timing for Uribe's resurgence could not have been any better for him. The free agent market for third basemen is basically zilch. Uribe went from hitting .191 with 2 homers and 17 RBIs in 2012 to .278/12/50 this past year. His OBP shot up from .258 to .331, and his games played from 66 to 132. There's always a risk that he could regress again, but a similar contract to Wilson's (one year, with an option for another) would make sense.
On the relief side, there's a bunch of guys with closing experience like Grant Balfour, Joaquin Benoit, Fernando Rodney, and Kevin Gregg (who was actually released by the Dodgers last Spring Training). Those guys will probably require longer contracts than one or two years the Dodgers will offer, so I'd be surprised if any of those guys sign.
For middle relief, names like Mitchell Boggs, Jesse Crain, and Kyle Farnsworth pop up from the right side, and J.P. Howell and Matt Thornton from the left side. The Dodgers would like to bring back Howell, but again, he wants a three-year deal, and the Dodgers appear to have learned their lesson from the horrible Matt Guerrier and Brandon League deals, and don't want to go above to. Good for them.
None of these names will blow you away, but then again, the Dodgers have their core in place, especially if Clayton Kershaw and Hanley Ramirez get extended before next season. Right now it's all about plugging in holes, so stay tuned for small signings here and there.
What's about the only news that could blow you away? If Matt Kemp or Andre Ethier get traded. Buster Olney takes a look at that possibility (Insider only).
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
Uribe reminds us why "the other guys" are so important
Yasiel Puig, Hanley Ramirez, and Adrian Gonzalez all did their part in an 8-1 victory over the Diamondbacks on Monday night. Puig reached base twice; Ramirez homered, doubled, and scored three runs; and Gonzo also doubled and homered.
But the story of the night was one Juan Uribe, who put on an absolute show. Three solo home runs, then an RBI infield single just for fun. And even though he committed only his fifth error of the season on a bad throw, he also had a dazzling barehanded pickup and throw to nail Adam Eaton in the third.
And with that, it's a reminder just how much the Dodgers need someone other than the "Big 3" mentioned above to step up when it matters most. Since the Dodgers were on a four-game skid and playing the second place Diamondbacks, Uribe did just that.
I still won't change my belief just how much a healthy Matt Kemp would boost this club, but I also have to assume it won't happen. Or, we all should just accept the "believe it when we see it" slogan. If he comes back, that's great. But until then, guys like Uribe need to chip in in order to win big games.
For further proof that the rest of the order has to contribute, take a look at the previous series against the Reds. Observe the stats of the Big 3, then compare them to all "the other guys":
Game 1 (3-2 loss) - Big 3: 3 hits, Ramirez solo homer; Others: 2 singles
Game 2 (4-3 loss) - Big 3: 6 hits, Puig two-run homer; Others: 4 singles
Game 3 (3-2 loss) - Big 3: 3 hits, Ramirez solo homer; Others: 3 singles
Just to emphasize the point even more, none of "the other guys" had an RBI all weekend. With the exception of A.J. Ellis going 4-for-7 in two starts, nobody else did a lick. The result was a one-run loss in each game, and that big hit just wouldn't come.
With Uribe finding his swing in a big way, it's time to see even more of "the other guys" to get things going as well. Carl Crawford is one who comes to mind right away. In his last four starts, he's gone 2-for-17 with a double and six strikeouts. He's still hitting .286, which is pretty good, but we've seen him do more. Even Don Mattingly may be losing some patience, as he was hitting in the #2 hole on Monday, rather than his customary leadoff spot.
Another couple of guys who get regular playing time and could step up at the plate more are Andre Ethier and Mark Ellis. Ethier, to his credit, started the scoring barrage last night with a solo homer in the second. Still, he's hitting a dismal .192 in eight games this month, and even though it's not a large sample size, could be much better.
Ellis is hitting .174 this month and .269 overall. While I would never question his desire and hard work, I can definitely see him losing more playing time to guys Mattingly is looking to get some swings like Michael Young, Skip Schumaker, and Nick Punto. Seeing that Ellis only has 10 doubles, six homers, and two triples in 110 games, he might have to get a little more used to watching from the bench.
The Dodgers' magic number is down to eight, so the division title in well within their sights. The next step is getting home field for as long as they can, so hopefully that will push them to stay focused through September so they're sharp for the Division Series. Getting more of "the other guys" to chip in a little more at the plate will help them do just that.
But the story of the night was one Juan Uribe, who put on an absolute show. Three solo home runs, then an RBI infield single just for fun. And even though he committed only his fifth error of the season on a bad throw, he also had a dazzling barehanded pickup and throw to nail Adam Eaton in the third.
And with that, it's a reminder just how much the Dodgers need someone other than the "Big 3" mentioned above to step up when it matters most. Since the Dodgers were on a four-game skid and playing the second place Diamondbacks, Uribe did just that.
I still won't change my belief just how much a healthy Matt Kemp would boost this club, but I also have to assume it won't happen. Or, we all should just accept the "believe it when we see it" slogan. If he comes back, that's great. But until then, guys like Uribe need to chip in in order to win big games.
For further proof that the rest of the order has to contribute, take a look at the previous series against the Reds. Observe the stats of the Big 3, then compare them to all "the other guys":
Game 1 (3-2 loss) - Big 3: 3 hits, Ramirez solo homer; Others: 2 singles
Game 2 (4-3 loss) - Big 3: 6 hits, Puig two-run homer; Others: 4 singles
Game 3 (3-2 loss) - Big 3: 3 hits, Ramirez solo homer; Others: 3 singles
Just to emphasize the point even more, none of "the other guys" had an RBI all weekend. With the exception of A.J. Ellis going 4-for-7 in two starts, nobody else did a lick. The result was a one-run loss in each game, and that big hit just wouldn't come.
With Uribe finding his swing in a big way, it's time to see even more of "the other guys" to get things going as well. Carl Crawford is one who comes to mind right away. In his last four starts, he's gone 2-for-17 with a double and six strikeouts. He's still hitting .286, which is pretty good, but we've seen him do more. Even Don Mattingly may be losing some patience, as he was hitting in the #2 hole on Monday, rather than his customary leadoff spot.
Another couple of guys who get regular playing time and could step up at the plate more are Andre Ethier and Mark Ellis. Ethier, to his credit, started the scoring barrage last night with a solo homer in the second. Still, he's hitting a dismal .192 in eight games this month, and even though it's not a large sample size, could be much better.
Ellis is hitting .174 this month and .269 overall. While I would never question his desire and hard work, I can definitely see him losing more playing time to guys Mattingly is looking to get some swings like Michael Young, Skip Schumaker, and Nick Punto. Seeing that Ellis only has 10 doubles, six homers, and two triples in 110 games, he might have to get a little more used to watching from the bench.
The Dodgers' magic number is down to eight, so the division title in well within their sights. The next step is getting home field for as long as they can, so hopefully that will push them to stay focused through September so they're sharp for the Division Series. Getting more of "the other guys" to chip in a little more at the plate will help them do just that.
Sunday, August 18, 2013
Is Uribe playing himself into a new contract?
Here's a statement I never, EVER thought I'd make: Juan Uribe could be earning himself a new contract with the Dodgers.
Yes, that's how much he's turned around his career this season with the Dodgers. After spending two years looking like one of the worst free agent signings in franchise history, his three-run shot on Saturday night against the Phillies was another reminder of how good he's been this year.
In 98 games this season, Uribe is hitting .275 with 15 doubles, 7 homers, and 35 RBIs. Heck, he's even thrown in three stolen bases.
I can't even begin to accurately describe to you just how much better he is this year compared to the last two. In 2010, he hit .204. Last season, it dipped even worse to .191. He had a combined six homers and 45 RBIs. He was lost, awful, and pretty much a complete waste of space on a lineup card.
For one reason or another, the Dodgers and Ned Colletti have stuck with him, and his numbers have reflected their confidence (which was foolishness for a long time, by the way). What makes him even more valuable to the team? His fielding % is .985, which is second in the National League to Placido Polanco. He's only committed three errors in 183 total chances. Time and time again, he's made tough plays at the hot corner look routine.
And for all of those reasons above, the Dodgers may have to do something they probably considered unthinkable for the past two years: sign Uribe to a new contract.
Something else that is very much on Uribe's side is the list of free agent third baseman after this season. Simply put, it's nothing special at all. According to MLBTradeRumors.com, the only names that I would consider somewhat appealing are Michael Young, Kevin Youkalis, Mark Reynolds, and Polanco. Even those names are either old, injured, or just not very good anymore.
You can tell that Uribe is a favorite among the boys on the team. Plus, he's taken over a mentor-type role for Yasiel Puig, something that can't be easy to do. I'm sure his teammates have seen how hard he's worked to get back to the level he's at this season, and it's appreciated and respected. Considering the Dodgers are in the thick of a historic 42-8 run, the hard work is rubbing off on everybody.
So yes, Dodger fans, if Uribe finishes the season strong, and is his usual solid self in the postseason (which is how he got a three-year, $21 million contract in the first place), then get ready to see him sign a new contract for next season. And you know what? He'll finally have earned it.
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.
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.
Saturday, March 23, 2013
On second thought, maybe Cruz will play short
After news broke of Hanley Ramirez missing two months with a torn thumb ligament, the speculation quickly turned to who will take his place. One option was to keep Luis Cruz at third and play the likes of Dee Gordon, Jerry Hairston, and Nick Punto at short. The other was to move Cruz to short, while Hairston, Punto, and Juan Uribe play thrid.
I thought for sure that Cruz would stay in his spot at third while the others filled in at short.
Naturally, I thought wrong.
At least it sure appears that way, as Don Mattingly seems to be favoring moving Cruz back to short. In 23 starts at short (24 total appearances) with the Dodgers last season, he compiled a great .981 fielding %, with only 2 errors in 104 total chances. He's also had much success in short stints with the Pirates and Brewers in the past.
So, it's not hard to see why Donny Baseball likes Cruz to move over a slot, because he's shown to be very capable of pulling it off. Throw in the fact that he's hitting .308 this spring with four homers, and that he played very well in the World Baseball Classic (when he wasn't inciting bench-clearing brawls), and you can see why he needs to be in the lineup no matter where he is on defense.
Now that leaves the aforementioned other three guys to man the hot corner. Whom should it be? Well, Hairston has a career .893 fielding % in 19 games manning the hot corner, Punto is at .908% in 40 games, and Uribe is at .964 in 259 games. The advantage in career stats is with Uribe.
But this is also the same Juan Uribe who hit .204 in 2011 and .191 last season with the Dodgers. So ya... I don't see him starting everyday at third. Sadly, he probably will get some time there, and that's just something we all have to deal with. I fully expect Hairston and Punto to get the majority of time there, though. As well they should be.
I thought for sure that Cruz would stay in his spot at third while the others filled in at short.
Naturally, I thought wrong.
At least it sure appears that way, as Don Mattingly seems to be favoring moving Cruz back to short. In 23 starts at short (24 total appearances) with the Dodgers last season, he compiled a great .981 fielding %, with only 2 errors in 104 total chances. He's also had much success in short stints with the Pirates and Brewers in the past.
So, it's not hard to see why Donny Baseball likes Cruz to move over a slot, because he's shown to be very capable of pulling it off. Throw in the fact that he's hitting .308 this spring with four homers, and that he played very well in the World Baseball Classic (when he wasn't inciting bench-clearing brawls), and you can see why he needs to be in the lineup no matter where he is on defense.
Now that leaves the aforementioned other three guys to man the hot corner. Whom should it be? Well, Hairston has a career .893 fielding % in 19 games manning the hot corner, Punto is at .908% in 40 games, and Uribe is at .964 in 259 games. The advantage in career stats is with Uribe.
But this is also the same Juan Uribe who hit .204 in 2011 and .191 last season with the Dodgers. So ya... I don't see him starting everyday at third. Sadly, he probably will get some time there, and that's just something we all have to deal with. I fully expect Hairston and Punto to get the majority of time there, though. As well they should be.
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