It isn't clear where Colletti will turn for that additional bat off the bench he is looking for. Dodgers officials still haven't completely closed the door on re-signing Nomar Garciaparra, who fits what they are looking for despite the fact he did six stints on the disabled list in his three seasons with the club."We would also like to address the bench and maybe add one more player, somebody who can come off the bench with some versatility. There are a lot of different ways we could do that. But I think having a veteran bat off the bench would be a plus."
There haven't been any rumors regarding this player, and he still might choose to retire, but the Dodgers should take a serious look at Jeff Kent.
You'll say he's old, but the role of pinch hitter allows that.
You'll say he's slow, but once he gets on base he could be replaced by speedster Juan Pierre.
You'll say he has limited fielding range, but he won't be doing much fielding in 2009.
You'll say he has lost his power, but clutch hits and doubles have been his MO all along.
You'll say he's a club house cancer, but lets not forget that the sheriff of Dodgertown is none other than Joe Torre. Who better to manage an aging, grizzled veteran?
Last season when Torre wrote in Blake DeWitt as his starting second basemen during the playoffs nary a word was heard from Kent. Had it have been Jim Tracy or Grady Little running the ship, Jeff Kent would have raised holy hell. However, the respect for each other transcended that situation. Kent has been known to view his baseball stature above others, but how can you view yourself above Joe Torre? Even Kent knows to stay clear of that one.
Jeff Kent would provide the Dodgers with a veteran clutch bat, spot starts and a professional approach to the game. Is it in him to accept a lesser role and subsequently lesser pay for one more shot at a championship? Will he be willing to come off the bench only to go right back on it?
Some of you don't think he will, and frankly I don't disagree.
But remember, that 92 times last year, when the Dodgers really needed someone to come to the plate and deliver a late innings hit they turned to Mark Sweeney and his .130 batting average. Need I say more?
Posts
7 comments:
I just lost all respect for this blog.
Jeff's career numbers as a PH is
.139 .262 .194
With all that clutchiness and veteranyness, you'd expect the team to have gotten better last year when he finally got healthy. Strangely they got worse when he returned and better when he left. He shouldn't have even been on the team last year.
Is this a Ned Colletti blog or something? Ned: sign Jeff so you will get fired already. Sign Ben Sheets to a 5 year 60 million dollar contract so someone will attempt a suicide mission to kill you and McCourt.
Aren't you the guy who suggested we trade James Loney?
I don't think it's right to judge Kent's PH'ing abilities after only 36 career PH at bats.
When they sign Nomar to fill that void and he goes down within a month, you'll be looking at Juan Pierre. Oh boy.
Yeah. I did say trade James Loney. After signing Adam Dunn for 8 Million a year.
But look at what James did last year. Naturally I think, and hope, he'll have a better season next year. But last year he was league average on both sides on the ball. He makes some handy plays on D but he still makes crucial mental errors as well.
We wont be looking at Juan for the majority of pinch hitting anyway. He'll be Manny's caddy in left. I really think Delwyn Young should be our main pinch hitter next year.
And this idea that we need more veterany, clutchness, gritty players on the team is an abomination! It's the last thing this team needs. Mixing old and young is like mixing oil and water. It just doesn't work. AND IT HASN'T.
I like that you are thinking outside the box but Nomar or Kent is not the answer for our main pinch hitting duties. I thought that was why we signed Mark Loretta?
The bench is set.
Delwyn Young
Ellis/Ardoin
Mark Loretta
Juan Pierre
Hu/Abreu
Good points, sir.
And for the record I don't want Nomar or Ben Sheets.
The bench is not set. Spring training will decide who plays second base for the Dodgers. I'm not sold on DeWitt at all. I foresee a platoon for the beginning of the season with Loretta.
Delwyn Young is a young, exciting hitter, but there's no way Torre dubs him the first option off the bench in a late inning, crucial game situation. He was more patient at the plate last year, but that doesn't sell it.
Although Kent wouldn't be my first choice as the PH, he's an upgrade over the past.
My game socks, that could walk on their own, are a better option than last years.
I hate Jeff Kent and that is where this stems from. I don't think he'd do better than Nomar or Delwyn. I can't see why we have to spend so much on crap every year with guaranteed contracts. It blocks prospects and guarantees that they have to play even if they aren't the best option for the team.
Eric Hinske for 1-2 mil to the Pirates. Another steal the Dodgers are missing out on for some reason.
Post a Comment