Dodgers Sign Mark Loretta

The Dodgers just signed a 2B, and they're probably signing Blake.

We all know what's next. Dewitt's going on the bench?

Didn't see that coming.

I'm just hoping DeWitt gets a solid chance at everyday playing time. He is a hell of a ball player

wow...unreal. I hope this is just as a utility/back up role. We just lost Kent and we replace him with a 37 y/o? I guess at $1.4M he's a cheap replacement but he's not going to help us improve our team

Loretta is a utility infielder. He could play all four infield positions without hesitation. He is a bargain as a utility man for $1.4 million.

I doubt he starts or blocks anyone, but he's good enough at what he does at this point in his career.

Gotta be a utility player.

there had been some discussion about loretta being a possible pick-up for the Dodgers (I remember the posts but can't remember where I saw them).

This did come out of left field though...

They have a couple of options if this signing took place. They could split time at second between Loretta and DeWitt with either player as the pinch hitter when not playing.

or, they could use Loretta exclusively at SS and leave DeWitt at second, provided they seal the deal with Blake. This would end talks with Furcal who may have priced or year-ed himself out, and may have to accept a shorter/cheaper deal.

there had been some discussion about loretta being a possible pick-up for the Dodgers (I remember the posts but can't remember where I saw them).

This did come out of left field though...

They have a couple of options if this signing took place. They could split time at second between Loretta and DeWitt with either player as the pinch hitter when not playing.

or, they could use Loretta exclusively at SS and leave DeWitt at second, provided they seal the deal with Blake. This would end talks with Furcal who may have priced or year-ed himself out, and may have to accept a shorter/cheaper deal.

MattyMets is right. Loretta is going to be a utility IF who will spell Blake occasionally as well as maybe the SS too.

He hits lefties well so I would bet he gets a decent amount of ABs as a semi-platoon player with DeWitt.

I have to laugh at some guys on here who have very little ability to analyze Dodger moves here.

DeWitt to the bench? Ya, replaced by a 38-year old who has been primarily a utility player for a few years now. Geesh.

"DeWitt to the bench? Ya, replaced by a 38-year old who has been primarily a utility player for a few years now. Geesh."

I think its ridiculous.

With how Andre Ethier got benched for inferior players, I wouldn't rule it out with Ned Colletti and Joe Torre at the helm.

Okay the more I think about this the more I don't mind this signing at all. Die-Hard Dodger fan makes several good points.
Whenever Colletti doesn't do something thats completely stupid I tend to get caught up in the moment.

"Not sure if he'll be an everyday 2b or a utility guy." From Tony Jackson. So yeah, laugh all you want Die-Hard Dodger Fan, but you never know.

This is a fine signing. From what I'm hearing in LA, Loretta is strictly a backup. He'll play some 2B against lefties, filling at SS and 3B when the starters need a day off, and pinch hit. Great clubhouse guy. Basically Nomar's replacement.

If he is a utility guy, then this is a really good move. If he is supposed to be a starter, and blocking Blake at 2nd (since Blake is close to signing apparently), then this is just another frustrating move that I dont get.

"How in the world is Ethier's playing time going to be affected by Loretta?"

You really missed the point there. The complaints about Ethier losing playing time are well founded because of all the time he lost early in the season because both Jones and Pierre were starting.

"Anybody looked at the splits yet? Platoon w/ DeWitt might make sense, or a few starts less than a true platoon would be cool too."

DeWitt raked against lefties last year and his batting style suggests that was no fluke. It would make more sense to platoon Loretta with Loney against tough lefties.

"If he is a utility guy, then this is a really good move."

Look at the price and make a determination. Loretta is there to spell the entire infield and play a light-platoon with possibly both Loney and DeWitt.

"For this price i wish Houston could have hung onto loretta for another year."

All things being equal, I think location won out for Loretta.