Dodgers Sign Luis Gonzalez

According to MLB.com, the Dodgers have signed left fielder Luis Gonzalez to a one-year, $7MM deal.  This one had been rumored all day.

With the signing, L.A.'s outfield appears set.  It features Gonzo in left, Juan Pierre in center, and Andre Ethier in right.  Sound good?  It's quite mediocre.  Let's compare the trio to the league averages from 2006.

Left field NL average:  .277/.359/.478
           Luis Gonzalez: .273/.357/.447

Center field NL average:  .264/.335/.418
                 Juan Pierre:  .292/.330/.388

Right field NL average: .268/.345/.453
            Andre Ethier:  .308/.365/.477

Looking at Ethier's second half, I'd say there's a good chance the Dodgers are below average offensively at all three outfield positions in 2007.  And it's not like these guys are Gold Glovers.

Comments

[nrmax88]

Does he come with or without the needle?

[GoBoSox420]

so we're keeping manny, sweet.

[jd]

This is why I love this site, new topics even at 1:00 in the morning!

[jd]

"so we're keeping manny, sweet."

^^^^^^^^

AMEN!!!!!

[bsox21]

From Drew, to Manny, to Gonzo.....

Whatever....Dodgers fans wont realize until the end of the basketball season that they got Gonzalez.

They will have no idea that they tried to get Manny.

[desturbd1]

Great move Ned...benching all the ml-ready talent you refused to trade for Manny to sign a guy whose D is close to as bad who'll be lucky to post an .800 OPS. I'm sure he'll be an impact bat...a real difference maker.

[nrmax88]

bsox, agreed. LA is funny, there is so much shit going on there even the basebal fans are oblivious to what the hell is going on with their baseball team. A lot of them anywya, to all you dodger fans on here, this isnt directed at you. One instance of this was Pedro going to LA to play against Grady Littles Dodgers would have probably been on the cover or ever NY paper, after the whole redsox grady/pedro incident. I remember mets broadcasters saying how strange it was that in LA, they didnt even mention anything about this. Whatever

[nrmax88]

This is why A-Rod would be a perfect fit for either LA team

[Spundin]

I hope Ned Colleti had a rule written into Gonzo's contract that requires for him to take roids, and if caught, the deal is void.

[nrmax88]

Haha spundin that would be a good rule. Anybody know any site where you can find an active MLB players stats from when he played in the minors? Even if his minor league play was from years ago?

[bryan]

Where does Matt Kemp fit into this equation besides trade bait? Or could Gonzalez end up being the 4th outfielder before year's end? This sounds like a move the Giants would make actually.

I don't take much stock into Ethier's second-half numbers in '06. He's too young to consider that a trend in his career. Not that he's going to turn into the next Hank Aaron or anything, I just like his upside.

[chavezchavez]

Please don't take pot shots at Dodger fans. Feel free to log on to dodgerthoughts.com anytime to find more than enough proof to squash such erroneous stereotypes.

[DentalPlan]

I don't much care for Andre Ethier. He's one of these tweener outfielders who won't hit enough for left field, I suspect. If you look at his minor league numbers he's closer to his second half than his first. I could put up him down for a .780-800 OPS average a season, but I wouldn't bet on anything beyond that.

You have to like the Schmidt signing if you're a Dodger fan though. This means they lose their 1st round draft pick though, right?

[bsox21]

nrmax,

www.baseballcube.com

[jskohl]

Ned Colletti used to work in the Giants front office, right? I couldn't tell with all the broken down senior citizens he's signing. I'ts like the Giants philosophy has been broght down here to SOCal. Although, with 8 starting pitchers signed, and a boatload of young desireable talent, it still feels like a trade is gonna happen.

[rawr]

Gil Meche signed with the Royals over the Cubs and BJ's.

[ca!i sty!e]

Ethier had a smoking season for a rookie. We couldn't have asked for much more. He feel off at the end, but he'll be back stronger than last year.

As for blocking Kemp, He wasn't projected to be ready until mid 07, to early 08. Gonzo is signed for 1 year, so a block isn't in place at all.

The only rookie this affects in 2007, is loney.

I'm hoping to see a Penny, betemit/laroche trade for a 3rd basemen...That would make me happy.

[dan1to]

Well this might officialy be the biggest waste of money ever. (I say might, because you never know, Gonzo could be so pissed off that he actually hits 20 HR's, but i REALLY doubt it.)

I would have much rather let the young guys play for the same production. Come on, Loney, Ethier, Kemp and Marlon Anderson can produce the same numbers as Gonzo, and they are MUCH cheaper. I think they wanted a lefty bat too much. (it would not have been a problem if we had let Loney be our 1B)

Oh well, Dodger fans must hope for a breakout season with Gonzo now, or that he breaks his leg or something so we see the kids come out to play.

[bryan]

I think Gonzo's "breakout" season occurred nearly 10 years ago. :)

[nrmax88]

"I'm hoping to see a Penny, betemit/laroche trade for a 3rd basemen...That would make me happy."

Umm.. why, If Laroche is all hes cracked up to be then why would you want to trade him... I am one of the believer that if Wilson Betemit gets a full season at 3B playing every day, He will be good for 30 and 100. This kid is a ball player, and never played because he was blocked by chipper and furcal, then by chipper and renteria.

[bobo]

Sad. Loney would likely put up the same numbers as Gonzalez. Not only does this block him, but Kemp as well.

How can they be so good with pitching, and so clueless about offense?