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Dodgers Out On Damon, Prefer Right-Handed Bats

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | January 13, 2011 at 3:21pm CDT

Dodgers GM Ned Colletti told Bill Shaikin of the LA Times that he isn't pursuing Johnny Damon. The club could pursue a left field platoon partner for Jay Gibbons, but right-handed hitters are preferable for the Dodgers. That rules out Damon and suggests Scott Podsednik, another left-handed hitter, is not a fit in L.A. either.

Manny Ramirez is not an option, but Marcus Thames and Scott Hairston are potential fits (in my opinion). Gibbons, who boasts a career .259/.319/.464 line against right-handers, could be effective in a platoon with a righty batter like Thames (.838 career OPS against southpaws) or Hairston (.829 career OPS against southpaws). Both free agents have spent the majority of their careers in left field.

Colletti told Shaikin that he's open to adding relief help.

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Los Angeles Dodgers Johnny Damon Scott Podsednik

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27 Comments

  1. doyers

    15 years ago

    what about Jermain Dye he is right hander hitter with power threat.

    Reply
    • bleedDODGERblue

      15 years ago

      Dye hasnt played for a year, though I believe his ’09 numbers were decent. I think he got squeezed out because he was asking too much though?

      Reply
  2. toomanyhatz

    15 years ago

    Damon has always hit lefties very well, and is an OBP guy which is something the Dodgers desperately need. And he’s certainly no worse a fielder than Thames, and not that much worse than Hairston. I think it’s silly for them to drop out of the Damon stakes.

    Reply
    • Gumby65

      15 years ago

      No disrespect, but Damon actually should have never been brought up in the first place. XPaul is already there, cheaper and younger, as your 4th/5th LH hitting outfielder.

      Reply
      • toomanyhatz

        15 years ago

        Paul has yet to show he’s got the ability to be a full-timer in the majors- the advantage of Damon is that you know what you’re getting, plus you get the veteran clubhouse influence. At best Paul should be filling what appears to be the Gwynn role. Were it up to me that would’ve been the deal I would’ve avoided. But if the Dodgers have shown me anything, it’s that they OFTEN do exactly what I’d prefer they don’t. ;<)

        Reply
  3. Bob George

    15 years ago

    They’re really counting on Gibbons to play everyday LF vs rhp?

    Reply
    • condorave

      15 years ago

      I think that’s the point, they’re looking for a RH platoon partner for Gibbons.

      Reply
    • condorave

      15 years ago

      my bad, just reread your post. yes, it looks like are. that’s the sad state of my dodgers.

      Reply
      • Bob George

        15 years ago

        I could understand a team like the Pirates or Royals (no offense, fans) gambling on a guy like Gibbons as an everyday player, but the Dodgers? Seems like Gibbons makes more sense as a bench guy who gets more regular playing time if he outperforms the regular. I’m surprised they don’t have another choice there.

        Reply
  4. ieblue

    15 years ago

    Now Colletti needs to come out and say that the team isn’t interested in Posednik. I’d rather they go into the season as is then have Pods or Damon on the team. Thames or Hairston would be good additions though.

    Reply
    • Threat_Level_RedSox

      15 years ago

      Thames would probally be the best choice, Pods and Damon make since from the OBP and speed stand point but given their likey salary demands i Thames seems like a logical choice. My geuss is they want to sign a fourth clear fourth outfielder and let Gwynn and Paul battle it out in spring training for the 5th spot.

      Reply
  5. WisBrave

    15 years ago

    Hey, Andrew Jones is still available I believe, lol.

    Reply
  6. thegrayrace

    15 years ago

    Not quite sure I see the point in platooning Gibbons, who has a very modest career LHP/RHP split, while James Loney hit .222/.262/.313 against LHP last season.

    Seems to me it would make more sense to platoon Loney at 1B.

    Reply
    • BlueSkyLA

      15 years ago

      Gibbons actually has a better career BA against lefties, so he’s not an obvious platoon candidate. But hold your horses on Loney. He had a rough time last year all-around, just like some other Dodger players we could mention. In years past Loney has hit lefties very respectably. I see no reason why he can’t again.

      Reply
      • thegrayrace

        14 years ago

        For his career, Loney is still .261/.321/.381 against lefties. Not exactly what you should be looking for out of your NL 1B.

        Blake should be a platoon candidate, too. Awful numbers against RHP last year.

        Reply
        • BlueSkyLA

          14 years ago

          I know you’re one of the “anybody but Loney” people, but to be fair, in the past Loney has hit lefties quite well. Last year was terrible, and for someone with only a few years of service, the average is pulled down noticeably. When I see a player with one bad season, I don’t assume it’s a trend. Blake might be another story, given his age, but again I don’t assume one poor season is a trend, and if in fact he is breaking down, I don’t see where left field is the answer.

          Reply
          • thegrayrace

            14 years ago

            Problem is Loney’s numbers have been trending downwards consistently since 2007. Every year since his BA, SLG and OPS have declined.

            Reply
  7. Corey Italiano

    15 years ago

    Anyone who signs Marcus Thames to be a big league outfielder is nuts. The guy can hit, but he should have thrown his glove away a long, long time ago.

    Reply
  8. Peter

    15 years ago

    “Flanders” is just playing to hard to get. Damon is that scrappy gritty player he adores.

    Reply
  9. Peter

    15 years ago

    “Flanders” is just playing to hard to get. Damon is that scrappy gritty player he adores.

    Reply
  10. cookmeister

    15 years ago

    Juan Rivera?

    Reply
    • Juan Henriquez

      15 years ago

      for ivan de jesus?

      Reply
      • cookmeister

        14 years ago

        i was thinking for nothing, but sure

        Reply
  11. cookmeister

    15 years ago

    Juan Rivera?

    Reply
  12. BruinPirateAnteater

    14 years ago

    I like the idea of Marcus Thames

    Reply
  13. MagicDodgers

    14 years ago

    A platoon of Gibbons and Thames could net clost to 30 homers.

    Reply

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