With the starting rotation solidified, Dodgers GM Ned Colletti said his focus has turned to among other things, a bat. MLB.com's Ken Gurnick reports that the Dodgers are now targeting infielder Juan Uribe, a pickup that would serve the double-purpose of helping LA and hurting the rival Giants.
Uribe, 31, hit .248/.310/.440 with 24 home runs this season, then hit a pair of huge homers in the playoffs to help the Giants to their first World Championship in San Francisco. He's spent considerable time at second, third, and short during his career, and UZR has nice things to say about his defense at all three spots. Uribe earned $3.25MM in 2010, his third straight one-year deal. As a Type-B free agent, he would give the Giants an extra draft pick if he signed elsewhere, though his new team would not have to give one up.
Earlier today, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports explained why Uribe would make sense for the Dodgers.
The only question is, would he play 3rd or 2nd?
I’d say 2nd, with Casey Blake still at 3rd and Carroll as backup
You want Blake full time at 3rd? Then who plays LF?
I want Kyle Russell to get a shot at either 3B or LF. He has nothing to prove in the minors, and he is a power bat if nothing else
Tell me more about this Kyle Russell guy, this is the first time ive seen his name mentioned
I actually got him confused with Russell Mitchell. But Ill tell you about both quickly.
K. Russell is a lefty who played mainly RF last year in AA, but played a few games at LF and CF as well. He is 24 and raked at A+ to start the season. When moved to AA, he struggled mightly for the 1st month with the strikeouts(his biggest hole, K’ing 177 times in 547 plate apperances last season, but K’ing over 33% of the time in AA). Anyways, he has very good power, and hits at a decent clip(291/375/558 last year). He’ll probably start in AA, possibly seeing AAA late next year.
The man I really meant was R. Mitchell. He is 25, and played at AAA all of last year. hit 315/363/535 for the year. He is a righty who is mainly a 3B, but played a few games at 2b and 1b. Very few walks, but also very few Ks. Good power with a 535 slugging and 63 extra base hits. At his age, he has nothing to prove in AAA and should get a shot in the majors.
Didnt Mitchell get called up at the end of last year? Howd he do?
He did get called up at the end of last year. In 43 Plate Appearances he hit .143/.140/.286. I’m not sure how you get a lower OBP than Batting Average though..
Maybe he didnt walk all that much and struck out some? Dont know if that makes sense lol
It would mean he didn’t walk much but he did have some sacrafices. A sacrafice counts against your OBP but does not count as an AB in your batting average.
You can do this if you have more sacrifices than walks.
Ah. Thanks.
as people have said below… he sucked. But it was 43 appearances, it was a minuscule sample size.
Russell has GG potential as a RF IMO. If he is “Dunn lite” with plus D in RF, he will end up okay.
The only thing is Russell has struck out more than Dunn did at the same level, 3 years older. 32% at A ball and AA, compared to about 19% in AA/AAA for Dunn… He does have the defense though. The question is if the Ks will even allow him to get to the majors
I’d prefer him at 3rd, with a Loney/Blake platoon at first and Dejesus with Carroll behind him at second. And, obviously, Furcal at SS.
Of course, Mattingly would never do such a thing as platoon Loney/Blake, that’d be, you know, smart.
I like the idea of DeJesus/Carroll at 2nd. If Blake is platooning with Loney at first, what about the gap in LF? I like a Blake/Gibbons or a Blake/Pods platoon in LF, keeping Loney at 1st since it seems he has 0 trade value unless we can somehow sign an upgrade at 1st
I still think De Jesus is a desent .350+ OBP guy for 2b. We need someone like him hitting #2 IMO. Take the Uribe money and the Crain money (other rumor) and just sign Beltre already.
I would LOVE seeing Beltre back in Dodger blue but I just dont see it happening
If not Beltre, at least invest it in a big-time bat.
Their really aren’t any big bats out their other than Beltre and Werth, and I don’t think either of them wants to come back.
Adam Dunn… or try to work something out via trade. Beltre coming back is more likely than Werth coming back. But I agree with you: Neither of them are likely to return.
I just have to believe the Dodgers can do a lot better than Juan Freaking Uribe.
I did forget Dunn. I really hope Juan Uribe is not Ned’s idea of a big bat.
compared to Theriot and Dewitt? Uribes bat is HUGE!!!
Because you already think Mattingly is an idiot…before even manageing game 1?
He’s managed 2 major league games.1st time out: Submitted an incorrect lineup card2nd time: Accidentally removed closer from game and replaced him with the worst reliever in the bullpen after accidentally making two mound visits.
Hes got nowhere to go but up..
Sabean will allow LA to set the market for Uribe, just like they did with Huff. Either way, the Dodgers lose because they know they have to over-pay to pry him away from SF. Meanwhile Tejada or OCab will be cheaper with not that much downside from Uribe. But, just like Huff, I wouldn’t mind seeing the Giants overpay for Uribe to bring him back.
Colletti is playing Sabean like a fiddle so far this offseason. Drove the price up huge on Huff and seems to be ready to do the same with Uribe.
The price for Huff was right about market value. Huff wouldve brought a power lefty bat at either 1B or LF, both of which are big holes for LA. Losing out on a guy for exactly the same price you were wanted to pay him doesn’t exactly mean you’re playing another GM “like a fiddle.”
Huff has been worth 5.7, -1.4, 4, and .7 WAR is his past 4 seasons. Bill James expects his walk rates and BABIP to regress slightly to give him an 800 OPS, less than his .891 OPS in 2010. While his fielding was spectacular last season at 9.7 UZR/150, I would expect it to be closer to his career average of -3.0.
Below average defense and good offense puts him at about 2-2.5 WAR, meaning Huff is being paid at or slightly below what he is worth.
Sabean was not played, he paid him exactly what he wanted to pay for him, regardless of whether he is worth that much (which he probably is).
That’s reaching about as far as a Dodger fan can these days to try to rag on the WORLD CHAMPION San Francisco Giants!!
youve been waiting a long time to be able to say that.
But honestly, who pays 20-something million over 2 years for a guy who posted his 3rd highest OPS in his CAREER at age 33? Not good baseball management. It could be argued that Colletti had something to do with that.
For comparison, just look at Aaron Rowand…
It could also be argued that Huff is better than Loney and Colletti is looking to upgrade.
There is zero comparison between Huff and Rowand. Rowand put up crazy numbers in a hitters park and got far, far overpaid contract. Huff has put up multiple 25+ HR / 100 RBI seasons.
While Huff’s contract is overpaid…it’s far from a bad contract. He would have gotten at least a 2 yr 16 mill offer from someone else, so it’s 2 mill more a year. 2 mill in Baseball terms is change in my car ashtray.
I’m not arguing Huff vs Loney. Its a no doubt Huff is better. And Huff will be paid 2x as much, at least.
And HRs and RBIs are not the way to judge a player. I said it in my first response, he posted his 3rd highest OPS every. Rowand posted a career year(something you could argue Huff had last year), and cashed in. If Huff goes back to 09 levels, it’ll be a bad contract.
And apparently math is hard for you, because it is 3M more a year than what you think he would have gotten, not 2. Lol
I’m not arguing Huff vs Loney. Its a no doubt Huff is better. And Huff will be paid 2x as much, at least.
And HRs and RBIs are not the way to judge a player. I said it in my first response, he posted his 3rd highest OPS every. Rowand posted a career year(something you could argue Huff had last year), and cashed in. If Huff goes back to 09 levels, it’ll be a bad contract.
And apparently math is hard for you, because it is 3M more a year than what you think he would have gotten, not 2. Lol
I’d say 2nd too, I still think the Dodgers will upgrade 3rd as well by either signing Beltre/Cantu/Wigginton
.
reply fail, sorry
Haha. Uh… What?
How much would Cantu or Wiggington cost?
A bag of Doritos?
I like the idea of Wigginton. He could play 2nd, 3rd, even a little LF. Although I’m sure his defense is probably weak.
It’s weak because of his range but he’s got sure hands and obviously can play everywhere so I think he would fit in LA. Plus he can rake for a fatass.
What about Theriot..? They should sign Cantu and Uribe, or J.J Hardy, since Furcal is almost injured every time….Cantu should provide depth at 1B with Loney, and Uribe at 3rd, and for Blake can platoon with Podsednik
We have Carroll who showed he can provide depth at SS. If we have Uribe also we have 2 players that can play at 2nd, SS, and 3rd. Theriot should only be seen as a backup plan if we cant find a 2nd baseman who can actually hit. I even like DeJesus Jr at 2nd over Theriot b.c then he can get experience and has the potential to hit better than Theriot for cheaper and he can play SS, though Theriot can also
I wonder why nobody suggests Martin taking over at 3rd? He used to be a 3rd baseman and it might show an improvement in his offense taking him out from behind the plate
No guarantee he’d improve enough offensively. I’d rather him get a shot at 2B. His bat would play a lot better there.
He’s never played 2nd though, he has experience at the hot corner. Then you stick Uribe at 2nd if he signs and Martin at 3rd and turn your focus to LF and C. I know theres no guarentee of an offesnsive resurgance but its worth a try, and if it doesnt work you trade him, move Uribe to 3rd and play DeJesus Jr or maybe even Dee Gordon at 2nd if hes doing good at AAA and its late enough in the season
If he wasn’t coming off hip surgery, perhaps the Dodgers could entertain moving him to 2B. I know he has experience at 3B, but his bat doesn’t play well there.
And they should take whatever money they’d spend on Uribe and put it toward a big bat and let De Jesus play 2B.
Because he was not good defensively during the time he spent playing third, and it leaves his bat in the lineup, which is what everybody seems to gripe Martin for in the first place. I’ve never understood the attraction some fans seem to have for scrambling players randomly into positions they have never or rarely played. Even if they can become competent at their new positions, they’ll spend weeks if not months playing mediocre to poor defense. As for Uribe, is he really an upgrade for Theriot?
I was trying to say play him at 3rd IF his bat comes back, if it doesnt, trade him. And its not a new position for him, he used to be a 3rd baseman. I’m not saying I like the idea, but why not have it mentioned as an option? Maybe it would have been better for me to keep my mouth shut on this idea..
And yeah, Uribe is an upgrade over Theriot
I don’t see how you play that one on an “if.” First of all, it’s unlikely that he’d not only succeed defensively but find that changing positions gives him more time to work on his bat. Second, what’s Plan B if it doesn’t work out? I guess with Uribe it’s his wonderful lifetime .256 BA and .300 OBP that gets everyone so excited.
he is an amazing defensive C and has a bad bat. Not a 3B…
Guy is a hack with the Glove. I admire a fans fans passion but the dude is garbage. Reason why they are Looking at guys like Yorvit Torealba and Miguel Olivo…that reason is that in the last 3 years his entire game has been in a steady regression both with the bat and glove.
Are you really trying to say Martin’s a bad catcher?? The reason we’re looking at other options is because his offense has steadily been decreasing over the last couple years and he’s coming off a hip injury which makes him a pretty expensive defensive catcher. He handles the pitchers and pitches pretty good though
I’m saying he has a below league avg arm, has been near the top of the NL in errors each full season he plays, and was primarily an offensive catcher when he started and never developed with the glove or arm. I do think he calls a good game but I think that is what makes him even passable. Athletic? yes without a doubt. Good defense catcher? Nope
Wonder where that gold glove came from then…
Ask Derek Jeter! Gold gloves are an irrelevant gauge to how god defensively a player is (and it is very sad that this has become the case because there was a time when they mattered)
but he’s also 5’th in the league in % of basestealers thrown out and the amount of errors is tied strongly to the fact that he played so many more innings at the position.
Olivo, by the way led the majors in passed balls and torrealba was right up there with him. And if we think that martin can’t hit, just look at olivo’s 2010 year or his whole career, martin still hits better. Torrealba isn’t an upgrade either offensively or defensively
Only argument i can see is martin isn’t worth the 6mil in arb that he’ll get versus what these guys will get, but that’s a different argument
I don’t see many (if any) MLB teams who would look to sign him if non-tendered to be there everyday backstop. I just don’t think he is any better than a slightly below avg, maybe league avg catcher. If a team is lookig to replace you with Yorvit Torealba, they must fill the same
Im gonna reply to all your comments here. Errors for a catcher mean nothing. As do passed balls. They reflect the pitchers who are throwing the ball to them. The staff of Kershaw, Billz, Kuroda and Padilla over the last couple years can be VERY wild at times, not to mention the pen. Anyways, this is why he is a good defensive catcher:
http://www.memoriesofkevinmalone.com/2009/01/russell-martin-is-sorta-good_31.html
http://www.memoriesofkevinmalone.com/2009/05/russell-martin-throwing-ability_16.html
And for kicks, heres about his offensive output:
http://www.memoriesofkevinmalone.com/2010/08/missing-russell-martin.html#disqus_thread
http://www.memoriesofkevinmalone.com/2010/08/be-careful-what-you-wish-for-russell.html
Finally, remember that the Dodger catchers after Martin went down caught something like 2 would be base stealers…
huh? This is why he is good? Because a Dodger fans blog cherry picks some stats to make there point two years ago? Passed balls are reflections of a catcher Wild Pitches are that of the pitcher. Passed balls are awarded when a ball is viewed as being routine is misplayed. Wild Pitch is the reflection of a young pitching staff, passed balls is a direct reflection of ineptness at the catching position.
How is using actually stats cherry picking? It is known that SB% and CS rates depend greatly on the pitcher, as do wild pitches and passed balls. Why? Because try catcher a Kershaw curve that breaks 12 inches. Because it didnt hit the dirt, it is a passed ball. Yet, it is very easy to say it is because of the pitch. And did you read the articles or just look at one, see it was from a Dodger site, and spew BS? If you did what I think you did, at least read this part…
“In order to do this, i’m using pop times and break times to figure out how effective Russell Martin and Brad Ausmus have been at gunning down runners this year. “Pop times” are measured in the amount of seconds that elapse from the time the ball hits the catcher’s mitt to the time the ball hits the covering infielder’s glove. “Break times” are measured in the amount of seconds that elapse from the time the pitcher makes his first move towards home plate to the time the ball hits the catcher’s mitt. To measure “pop times” and “break times”, I took 3 recordings of each with my stop watch and then averaged them out. If, for whatever reason, I got unusual variances of 0.1 seconds or more between the 3 recordings, I scrapped the data for that particular attempt and did it over until I got more reliable data.
For the purposes of this study, I excluded attempts to steal third base because I have no idea what the normal times are for that scenario, and I strongly believe that you steal third primarily off the pitcher’s timing anyway. In addition, I excluded stolen base attempts on the back-end of a double steal, stolen base attempts of home plate, and pickoffs by the pitcher, mainly because all of those things have nothing to do with the catcher’s throwing ability.
Of course, like all statistics, this table is completely meaningless without context. After all, who cares what the times are if you don’t know what they mean.
Well, after ringing a couple scouts, talking to some players, and recalling what i’ve previously been taught, the consensus seems to be that the maximum pop time for a major league catcher should be below 2.10 seconds. The league average catcher is probably in the 1.90-1.95 range, and the elite catchers will consistently be below 1.80 or so. For reference, I believe Ivan Rodriguez has been cited as consistently having a pop time around the 1.65-1.70 range. In terms of break time, a pitcher should be around 1.50 to give the catcher some sort of chance. However, the league average is probably around 1.35-1.40 or so, and a good time would be somewhere below 1.20. Pitchers that use a slide step can come in around 1.00 seconds, so the pitcher certainly has a large effect on whether a stolen base attempt is successful or not.
Martin’s data paints a totally different picture from Ausmus’. His pop times were in the borderline elite range, and were more than 0.20 seconds quicker than Ausmus was. His caught stealing rate of 5/17 was an average 29.4%, but when you exclude instances where he didn’t even get to make a throw, Martin is 5/13, which is a much better 38.5%. Analyzing the video, you can easily see Martin’s strengths and weaknesses in action. When he’s on his game, and is recording sub-1.70 pop times, he’s throwing absolute seeds down to second base right into the slide of the runner”
Martin isn’t an “amazing” defensive catcher, but he’s far from terrible. On a good day, he’s above-average.
He wasnt a very good 3rd baseman. He is very good behind the plate, I dont care what UZR says, his pitchers love him. Hes as tough as they come, a very durable catcher. Offense isnt really supposed to be expected from a catcher, and if you look around the league, other than the few elite catchers, that rule really seems to apply. I dont think Martins offense is the Dodger question, its his health, because catchers with broken hips dont come around very often. Then again, if Martin leaves, his last play as a Dodger will be a run scored.. very fitting.
it might end up just being driving the market up for uribe. at least thats something. if he comes it would only be for 2nd in my opinion. with the dodgers already spending so much they wont have the money to absorb blake as just a bench player. they will basically use blake at 3rd and lf to platoon with gibbons. blake doesnt play bad defense so he is fine at third. we are stuck with loney so live with it.
If any team gives this guy more than a one year deal they will regret it before the ink dries. Guy hit below 200 in the post season but is being called a post season hero. Guy is a solid utility player but ISNT an everyday starter. With Kemp, Blake, Ethier and Uribe in the lineup you have a lot of K’s for a pitcher. Though I like what they have done thus far to their starting staff, they still need a bat to protect Ethier and Kemp (they both strugged mightily the last two years whenever Manny was out) and Uribe better not be their only plan.
they calling Uribe a post-season hero because he is – he won Game 4 of the NLCS with a sac fly off Oswalt in the bottom of the 9th, he won Game 6 of the NLCS with a solo HR in the Top of the 8th off Madsen and he put Game 1 of the World Series out of reach with a 3-run bomb in the 5th…he had 8 RBI in the NLCS and WS and most of them were big runs – and he made a bunch of big defensive plays…
I found myself rooting for the Giants as the post season went on so I understand your emotion, however he was 7 for 47 (149 Ba with an OPS of 473) RBI’s are a product on an entire lineup not an individual player. Guy had 2 clutch hits but I have a hard time calling a guy who hit 149 and struck out in almost half of his ab’s a post season hero. He is a replaceable player who if the Giants are smart they let someone else overpay.
ask Giant fans if they think Uribe is a postseason hero or not…..i bet its 90/10…when it counted he came through…
and considering what he’s done for them for the last 2 years for $4.25 mil in salary, the Giants owe him a decent payday…
that is a Yankee’s players logic! You don’t pay on past performences you pay on future projections based on past performences. I think its safe to project a 245 avg wtih 15 Hr’s and versatility around the diamond from Uribe….this is someone you sign to a one year deal not a long term investment.
eh, you’re prob right… he seems to be on the decline again esp if you look at his month to month avg’s for 2010…i just appreciate what he brought to the Giants in the last two years and for very little salary…and to read what some of the Philly fans(and Ranger fans) said about Uribe – “We got beat by Juan ‘freakin’ Uribe” lol…acc to FanGraphs he was around 6th best SS in MLB last year…better than Jeter, btw…
Haha, I like what Baggerly wrote.
“Dodgers drove up price on Huff. Now are after Uribe. I think Colletti is also eyeing the leftover turkey sammich Sabean is having for lunch.”
Yeah because the guy that voted for Jeremy Affeldt in his top-10 MVP ballot last year is a guy to quote in posts…
He really voted for Affeldt?
He gave Affeldt his last place vote to acknowledge his great season. It didn’t affect the balloting.
It’s not as bad as a So. Cal reporter leaving Buster Posey completely off the R.O.Y. ballot.
Wow. I don’t think any midde relief pitcher should ever get a vote for MVP.
I saw that. A Pittsburgh reporter left Heyward off too I think. They picked Walker and Tabata over him. Biased much? Hahaha
It wasn’t for MVP…it was last years Cy Young.
No, it was MVP, because it was a 9th or 10th place vote. Cy Young only went to 3rd place in 2009.
The vote was explained as being a vague tip of the cap to Affeldt for having a really good season, but also to highlight how absurd 10 ballot spots for MVP voting is. It was a political move as much as anything, and had zero impact. Anybody who gets ruffled about Baggarly’s voting in that instance has too much time on their hands.
Which So. Cal reporter?
EDIT: Nevermind I looked it up.
I believe it was a Japanese reporter. I can’t remember his name though.
It was Cy Young…not MVP.
I want cantu and kubel/hawpe!
juan uribe is a bad idea
Noooo, not this ugly pile.
This just in.
The Dodgers have interest in Bengie Molina, Edgar Renteria, Pat Burrell along with Juan Uribe.
oh i get it cos the Dodgers like signing players that played for the Giants…cos apparently these players were career Giants…nice one
. I’ve kind of already resigned myself to the fact that he might leave. That being said, iI don’t know if i could take the Jazz Hands in dodger blue. Either re-sign or if you must gogo to the Cardinals, Juan.
let the dodgers take the scrap heap route or overpay for someone washed up like tejada.
I like the prospects of getting Uribe for a 2 year deal. There has been some consideration in the past when the Dodgers were looking for a 2B. I am comfortable with signing Uribe and as a platoon with Theriot.
no way uribe goes to the dodgers. he’s a giant for life. uribe hits dodgers fan in the head: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w17-G-uRRIg
Why is Ned going after Uribe? Doesn’t he realize that there are much younger options available, such as Kevin Kouzmanoff in Oakland whom the A’s are sure to non-tender since claiming Edwin Encarcinino from the Blue Jays. I know Kouz is no monster bat, but I think he would be a better option than Uribe and younger than Uribe. As for Martin, his career is following a similar path to that of Craig Biggio. Biggio started out as a catcher and was converted to a 2B after 3-5 season behind the plate in Houston. There were some growing pains with being transitioned to the IF, but his bat recovered nicely after the move and Houston was able to use his legs in their running game for a lot more years. This is why I believe Martin is prime candidate to be moved to the IF to save his legs and recover his bat.
Thank you
so your comparing Ethan Martin to Craig Biggio? really now…
um… Russell….?
Ethan Martin is a wild-ass minor league pitcher, Russell Martin is a C.
Which of the above do you think would take the “Biggio route” of moving from C to 2b?
interesting tidbit about Biggio. I forgot he started as a catcher. But how was he defensively? Martin is a very good game caller and has a quick release and strong arm behind the plate. Was Craig the same way?
dodgers need someone to play 3rd…what’s Ripken doing these days? I believe Cey is busy with other ventures…speaking of ventures what about bringing Ventura back for a 2nd time?
Really other than taking a shot at Werth, Beltre and some warm body behind the plate the only way they improve the team will be via trades and/or the hope and a prayer that someone will step up in the OF and from AAA/AA ball. Pretty much nothing else out there actually improves the team is brought in.