Dodgers Need a Third Baseman

Ken Rosenthal has a bunch of news and notes, including a bit about the misshapen offense of the Dodgers.  They have plenty of bats and plenty of prospects, but not enough to solve every problem they’ve got.  Rosenthal mentions Morgan Ensberg, Hank Blalock, and Joe Crede as potential trade targets, but rightfully notes that none would make that big of a difference.

The Dodgers recently called up prospect Andy LaRoche, a third baseman, and moved another prospect, Tony Abreu, to third at Triple-A Las Vegas.  So they are at least trying some different things while Wilson Betemit continues to not hit.  Through yesterday’s games, Dodgers 3Bs (mostly Betemit) combined to "hit" 183/291/240, which is barely 80 points of OPS better than Dodgers pitchers! 

The move that would solve all of their problems would be giving Nomar Garciaparra a shot back at the hot corner.  Nomar played some third with the Cubs in 2005, but I certainly understand the team’s reluctance to put any more pressure on his body.  But it would be perfect: Nomar at third would open up first base for James Loney, one of the best blocked prospects in baseball, and one of the guys teams will invariably ask about as the Dodgers try to upgrade during the season.

By Jeff Sackmann
Brew Crew Ball