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.
what about Jermain Dye he is right hander hitter with power threat.
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?
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.
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.
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. ;<)
They’re really counting on Gibbons to play everyday LF vs rhp?
I think that’s the point, they’re looking for a RH platoon partner for Gibbons.
my bad, just reread your post. yes, it looks like are. that’s the sad state of my dodgers.
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.
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.
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.
Hey, Andrew Jones is still available I believe, lol.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Problem is Loney’s numbers have been trending downwards consistently since 2007. Every year since his BA, SLG and OPS have declined.
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.
“Flanders” is just playing to hard to get. Damon is that scrappy gritty player he adores.
“Flanders” is just playing to hard to get. Damon is that scrappy gritty player he adores.
Juan Rivera?
for ivan de jesus?
i was thinking for nothing, but sure
Juan Rivera?
I like the idea of Marcus Thames
A platoon of Gibbons and Thames could net clost to 30 homers.
Thames is fun to watch for about 2-3 weeks when he hits a home run every game and then just stinks it up the rest of the year.