Dodgers Force-Feed Top Rookie Jerry Sands

With reserve right-fielder Marcus Thames unlikely to come off the disabled list when eligible May 18,  rookie Jerry Sands looks to gain continued playing time as Dodgers manager Don Mattingly force feeds the youngster with starts not only in left field,  but at his natural position at first base.

The 6-foot-4,  240-pound Sands,  primarily filling Thames role as right-handed power bat off the bench,  has been starting almost every day in left field,  then moving to first base against left-handed pitchers while starting first baseman James Loney struggles with a .125 average against them.
 
Though half of Sands' 14 hits have been doubles,  and he has given a number of pitches a long ride to the wall, so far he has failed to take advantage of his opportunity,  with his average stuck at the.200 mark.   However,  he will not have reached the 100-at-bat benchmark until near the end of next week,  a juncture at which he is likely to be reassessed.

The Dodgers are desperate for punch, and will turn to veteran Jay Gibbons, a left-handed batter recovering from blurred vision, to start in left field against righties, thus putting Sands in a virtual platoon.

While Sands' emergence -- if it can be called that -- is purely opportunistic until now,  theoretically he could surprise observers by winning regular spot in the lineup if only he could perform even fractionally as well as he had been playing at Triple A Albuquerque when the Dodgers called him up as a stop-gap measure.

Sands, 23, the 2010 Dodgers Minor League Player of the Year, was hitting a homer in just about every 10 at-bats,  a total of five to open the season,  and pounding minor league pitching at a .400 clip.  With Thames out possibly into June,  time remains for Sands to prove himself.

Never Say Never to Dodgers Prospect Jerry Sands

Highly regarded Dodgers prospect Jerry Sands -- a non-roster invitee wearing No. 68 at spring camp in Camelback Arizona -- is making the most of his chances against major league pitching, having hit his second home run of the pre-season in a 7-1 victory over the Rockies.

The 23-year-old, six-foot-four, 220-pound slugger also hit a towering triple that dropped in front of the 410-foot center field marker.

Though Sands likely will not make the team this spring and perhaps not for the entire season, never say never to manager Don Mattingly. Anything is possible under the right circumstances, he indicated to the Los Angeles Times.

"I guess it depends on what's going on," Mattingly said to writer Bill Shaiken. "...If there may be a need and you're not afraid of calling him up, at that point you make a decision."

Working in Sands' favor is the team's need not only for power, but youth. A deep backup for starting first baseman James Loney, who is being held back by swelling of the knee, Sands is ticketed for Double A Chattanooga.

Andre Ethier, fully healed, Predicts Dodgers Uptick

With a broken pinkie no longer holding him back, star outfielder Andre Ethier predicts greater personal output for the 2011 season, and a new kind of intensity with manager Don Mattingly having replaced the more laid back Joe Torre at the Dodgers helm.

"I think you're going to see a little bit more of a hands-on approach (from Mattingly,)" Ethier said. "...If the players mess up, he's going to be right on top of them, and if they do something right, he's going to be there too."

Speaking by telephone to Fox Sports Radio from the Dodgers Community Caravan bus as it rolled down Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles, Ethier hinted that he would be able to improve his stats as compared to last year, when his home runs were held to 23 compared to 31, and his at-bats were limited to only 517 as compared to nearly 600 in 2009.

Not wanting to use it as an excuse, he none the less admitted that a broken pinkie was more than a little bothersome last year, limiting his ability to grip his bat.

"It was annoying...definitely frustrating," Ethier said. He's "100 percent healthy" now, he said.

Dodgers Jason Schmidt Abandons 98-mph Fastball

Dodgers hurler Jason Schmidt -- trying to come back from a torn labrum and other shoulder injuries -- has conceded he will no longer be able to throw his trademark 98-mph fastball, but said he can still be effective throwing in the 80s.

Readying for an outing against the White Sox on Friday, Schmidt needed only 11 pitches to retire teammates Juan Pierre, Mark Loretta and Matt Kemp during a recent intrasquad workout, though he gave up an infield hit to Casey Blake. Nine of his pitches went for strikes.

Schmidt's fastball was not clocked, but it appears as though he has lost at least 10 mph in velocity, and he indicated he has given up hope of ever being a hard thrower again.

"I just have to get it around the plate and get them to hit it on the ground," he told the Los Angeles Times at Camelback Ranch camp near Phoenix. "...I know I can do it."

The session was his first since a rehabilitative start in August. Schmidt has thrown fewer than 26 innings since signing a $47 million contract tmore than wo years ago. This is the final year of the pact.

Athletics Seeking Backup for Ailing Eric Chavez?

Talks reportedly taking place between the Athletics and oft-injured free agent infielder Nomar Garciaparra may tell as much about the health of third baseman Eric Chavez as Garciaparra.

Though Chavez, 31, has been fielding third base grounders, he has not been cleared to make a single throw to first base since undergoing the second of his two shoulder surgeries six months ago. It remains unclear whether the A's will need to find a backup, either a part-timer like Garciaparra, or a full-time replacement such as free agent Orlando Cabrera.

Though Chavez has been hinting that he will be ready to take the field by opening day, the fact that he has chosen to sit out the first week of spring games points toward a more uncertain outcome. Having also undergone two invasive spinal procedures, Chavez ability to play a 162-game schedule appears highly remote.

Garciaparra, 35, who moved from his familiar shortstop position to corner infield positions for the Dodgers, has had a similarly dismal health outlook after it became known that he has been kept off the field in part by a hereditary condition that causes his body to build up excessive scar tissue.

Garciaparra claims he can play, however, and in addition to the Athletics, the Phillies and Twins reportedly have expressed an interest in the former Boston Red Sox No. 1 pick.

Rangers Eye Andruw Jones as Cleanup Hitter

Apparently not put off by numerous reports that outfielder Andruw Jones was difficult to direct if not altogether uncoachable before being run out of town by the Dodgers, hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo has made the newly acquired former superstar his personal project at Rangers camp in Surprise, Ariz. with the idea of converting him to a cleanup hitter.

Jones -- criticized as being slow and overweight while playing in Los Angeles -- has signed a minor league contract with the Rangers and reported to camp 25 pounds lighter than his playing weight last year. Key to getting Jones turned around will be rediscovering his homerun swing, which observers said seems to have been lost in bad mechanics at the plate, especially an infirm and erratically planted right shoe or "happy foot."

Manager Ron Washington recently told the Dallas Morning News that Jones is in the mix to bat behind No. 3 hitter Josh Hamilton, who reportedly tended to wilt at times last year due to lack of protection in the lineup.

"It all depends on how the team shakes out," Washington said.

Jones, 31, has been a shadow of his former self for two and a half seasons, though he hit 41 homers in 2006.

Heyman Maneuver: Pudge, Orlando(s)

SI.com's Jon Heyman passes along a few tidbits in today's Daily Scoop:

• Catcher Ivan Rodriguez is drawing looks from the cash-strapped Astros and Marlins. Pudge's power is pretty much gone (it went with the steroids?), although is batting average remained respectable - at least until he got to the Yankees (.219 in 33 games) last year.
  
  
• The possibilities for 2B Orlando Hudson look to be the Dodgers or Nationals. But Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times earlier claimed in a column that Hudson was more interested in the Dodgers than the other way around.
  
  
• The Athletics want to sign shortstop Orlando Cabrera, but for no more than $5 million and preferably closer to $3 million.
  

Adam Dunn, Nationals Agree On Deal

That was quick. Not long after our previous post titled "Abreu Deal May Force Adam Dunn's Hand," Adam Dunn agreed to sign with the Washington Nationals according to the Washington Post.

The Post cites two independent sources and says the deal is for two years and may be announced on Thursday.

It has been believed that Dunn had an offer on the table from the Nationals for a couple months now, but that he was waiting to see if his first choice, the Dodgers, would come calling.

Perhaps the 1-year, $5 million deal that Bobby Abreu agreed with with the Angels scared Dunn into acting now on the Nationals' offer, rather than waiting any longer. It will be interesting to hear the details of the deal.

Update: MLB.com cites a "baseball source" confirming the deal, says a press conference will be held on Thursday.

Update II: SI.com says the deal is worth $20 million.

Abreu Deal May Force Adam Dunn's Hand

(Update: That was quick. Dunn has agreed to play for the Nationals, according to the Washington Post.)

Bobby Abreu has agreed to a 1-year, $5 million (plus incentives) deal with the Los Angeles Angels. The Angels are thinking they got a steal. The Rays are thinking they overpaid Pat Burrell at $8 million. The Phillies are thinking they really overpaid giving Raul Ibanez $10 million.

And somewhere, Adam Dunn is stretched out on a couch, thinking, "Maybe it's time to consider a few things I haven't been willing to consider before."

Things such as a one-year deal. Earlier in the free-agent season Dunn's agent was Adamant that a multi-year contract was what his client wanted. (No surprise there.) But even after the market clearly shifted, Dunn's agent has not indicated whether his client will consider 1-year deals. Abreu didn't want (or deserve) a 1-year deal, either, but his agent isn't whining about it: He says Bobby will win the MVP for the Angels and go back on the market in 2010.

Things such as moving to first base. Dunn is set on remaining an outfielder, even though his poor outfield defense is a major part of the problem he's having finding work. If he indicates a willingness to move to first, he'll find more teams to negotiate with.

Things such as teams he has previously discounted. Dunn wants to play for the Dodgers, but so far the Dodgers haven't shown much interest (they're busy trying to wait out Manny Ramirez). The Nationals have shown plenty of interest, but Dunn isn't reciprocating. The Mariners have indicated a willingness to talk to Dunn, but Dunn hasn't returned the favor.

If Dunn is willing to go to first base, and sign a 1-year, $5 million deal, you know which team might take a run at him? The Los Angeles Angels. Two sluggers for the price of one.

The best possible place for Dunn at this point may be his old team, the Reds, even though the Reds have maintained all along they don't want him back (because who wants 40 homers and 100 walks when you can sign Willy Taveras?). But a 1-year deal with Cincinnati would mean another season in Great American Ballpark, and Adam Dunn at GABP means another guaranteed season of 40 home runs. If I'm Adam Dunn's agent, I make that call to Walt Jocketty, make an offer he can't refuse, and try this again next offseason. Not gonna happen, but I'd still try.

Eric Milton and the Dodgers

In the Transaction Report from two days ago, we noted that the Dodgers had signed a bunch of retread pitchers to minor-league deals. Then I added a mocking comment:

Los Angeles Dodgers: Agreed to terms with pitchers Jeff Weaver, Shawn Estes, Ronald Belisario, Charlie Haeger and Tanyon Sturtze on minor league deals. Eric Milton wasn't available.

Hey, the Dodgers are signing a bunch of guys who can't get Tommy Lasorda out, but at least they didn't sign Eric Milton!

But life, as they say, is stranger than fiction. Today comes a report that the Dodgers are close to a deal with ... Eric Milton.

Milton is now 33 years old. He hasn't pitched in the majors since 2007, when in six games with the Reds his ERA was 5.17. He then underwent elbow ligament replacement surgery and spent last year rehabbing in the Yankees' farm system. Late in the season, he got in six starts at Triple-A, going 0-4 with a 5.17 ERA.

Dodger Stadium can make bad pitchers look only below average; below average pitchers look decent; decent pitchers look good; good pitchers look very good; very good pitchers look great. But it can't do anything for Eric Milton.

On the other hand, the Dodgers are only signing these ghosts to minor-league deals, so no harm, no foul.

Options Shrinking for Manny Ramirez

Where will Manny Ramirez wind up? It's starting to look as though - barring something crazy like going to Japan for a year - Ramirez will be back with the Dodgers, and likely for less money than he hoped to get at the start of the free agent season.

The biggest reason that Ramirez appears wedded to the Dodgers at this point is that nobody else seems to want him. The Yankees and Mets have stated they aren't interested. The Red Sox? Not bloody likely. Who else has the money? There had been some reports that the Nationals - the Nationals! - might make a run. But who's kidding whom?

Ramirez wants a 4-year deal worth $100 million. The Dodgers are holding the line at two years. They've offered Ramirez $45 million for two years, and agent Scott Boras rejected it. They've offered Ramirez one year at $25 million, and Boras rejected that, too.

In this game of chicken, who blinks first? The Dodgers need Ramirez - but Ramirez needs the Dodgers, because they're his only good option.

Does Anyone Want Andruw Jones?

Perhaps my favorite line from any of the news articles reporting Andruw Jones' release by the Dodgers is this one by Ken Peters of the AP:

When the Dodgers added Manny Ramirez in a trade deadline deal July 31, that left Jones with minimal opportunities. But with the staggering performance by Ramirez (.396 with 17 homers and 53 RBIs in 53 games) and the fine work of fellow outfielders Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier, Jones was hardly missed.

Um, Jones was batting in the .150s. Mario Mendoza could have been in the outfield for the Dodgers and Jones wouldn't have been missed.

Jones' collapse started a couple years ago. He truly fell off a cliff in 2008, however, "hitting" .158 with three homers and 14 RBI. The Dodgers finally threw in the towel late last week.

What is the likeliest destination for Jones now? Somebody is going to take a chance on him, after all; the first 10 years of his career combined very good offense with what some argued was all-time-great defense in center field.

His old team, the Braves, may be the most likely landing spot for Jones. The fact that after his release by the Dodgers Jones attended a college basketball game in Atlanta wearing a Braves cap lends credence. But the Braves are said willing to offer only a minor-league contract, despite the fact that the team signing Jones will only have to pay him the MLB minimum (because the Dodgers are still on the hook for $21 million).

Should the Reds Take a Flier on Andruw Jones?

The Dodgers have worked out a deal on Andruw Jones' contract that should help the team lower its payroll and get rid of the hugely disappointing outfielder. Jones signed a large free-agent deal with the Dodgers to patrol centerfield, but wound up patrolling the bench after batting .158 in 209 at-bats. That's sub-Mendoza Line. That's even sub-Bill Bergen Line.

But now the Dodgers have restructured Jones' deal so that he is only owed $5 million in 2009. That's assuming the Dodgers trade him; the restructured deal will make him a free agent if the Dodgers can't find a trading partner by Jan. 15. Somebody is going to take a chance on a 10-time Gold Glove centerfielder who was, for most of his career, a good (sometimes great) hitter.

The Rangers have been mentioned (GM Jon Daniels said Texas "probably" isn't interested). A return to the Braves has been broached as a possibility; the Yankees, Red Sox and Angels (the usual suspects, in other words) have also come up.

I think the team that should take a flier on Jones is the Reds. If the Reds open 2009 with their current roster, they will have one of the worst offenses in baseball. Barring a major breakout season by Jay Bruce (which is a possibility) and a major improvement from Edwin Encarnacion (which isn't), anyway. They've done nothing so far to upgrade the offense. In fact, they arguably made it worse by signing Willy Taveras.

At the same time, the Reds still have gaping holes in their defense. Let's see: Bad hitting, bad fielding. What's that equal? Bad record.

So take a flier on Andruw Jones and hope for the best. Sure, a return to pre-2006 form is unlikely. But you never know.

Since July 2006, Jones has batted .209 with 46 homers, a .312 OBP and a .401 slugging percentage. Atrocious. But guess what? That .713 OPS has been bettered by Taveras only once, is 100 points higher than the OPS Taveras posted in Coors Field last season, and is 50 points higher than Taveras' career OPS.

The Reds signed Taveras to a 2-year deal, so they probably aren't going to bench him in favor of Jones. But opening the season with Bruce in left, Taveras in center and Jones in right at least improves the defense, and Jones could move over to center once Taveras shows himself to be Corey Patterson without the home runs.

Dodger Impostor

Headline spotted on Yahoo News:

Man accused of posing as Los Angeles Dodger on field

My first thought:

Andruw Jones?

Will Athletics Trade Bobby Crosby? Fat Chance!

It's hard to believe that Atheltics shortstop Bobby Crosby not so long ago was one of his team's top weapons, so highly regarded that he actually hit regularly in the No. 3 hole despite his mediocre batting average and lack of consistent power.

And now fans are expected to believe that Crosby will be dealt in the off-season to make way for untested 2005 first round pick Cliff Pennington? Why? In the first place, no one wants Crosby, and in the second place, Pennington is even worse, with "bust" written all over him.

But even if Pennington should find himself over the winter -- a very big if -- who would want Crosby, who at 28 has been unable to stay healthy for even a single season since his rookie campaign. His series of injuries even include a broken back.

Just how bad is he? Consider that Dodgers scouts studied Crosby when star shortstop Rafael Furcal went down to an injury in the midst of this year's critical pennant race, and passed in favor of Royals minor league veteran Angel Berroa, the one-time top rookie who hit just .234 in his last major league season two years ago.

Yes, expect Bobby Crosby to hang around for the last year of his contract with the Athletics next season, not because he deserves to, but because there is no one to take his place, and worse, no one wants him.

Really Embarrassing to be Mario Salas

Juan Pierre hit his first home run in 1070 at-bats off Pirates mess Mario Salas.  I don't know what is more embarrassing, surrendering a Pierre home run or having Salas' 8.47 ERA.  I'd probably take the 8.47 ERA.

Juan Pierre Impostor

A casual fan watching tonight's Dodgers/Pirates game may have assumed that Juan Pierre was in left field for the Pirates in the second inning.  The Dodgers Nomar Garciaparra hit a ground ball past third, which was cut off quickly by the Pirates left fielder.  At this point the camera was on Nomar making a hard turn for second base, no doubt causing millions of Dodger fans to assume that Matt Kemp was coaching first base.  

But despite Nomar having just barely rounded first, a gaunt man in left field casually turned to make a throw to third base. Confused?  I was.  Until i saw his Juan Pierre-like throwing motion and the ensuing 17 bounce throw wide of third base.

The impostor is named Nyjer Morgan.  Like Pierre, he throws left handed but looks like he should throw right handed, he looks like he hasn't eaten in weeks, and he can't hit the cutoff man on the fly from left field.  His first name is also questionable.

Brad Penny - GIANT Mess

Dodgers porker Brad Penny, the guy who wears Hurley gear during post-game interviews (when he was good enough to warrant an interview) despite being from the number one hick state in the union (Oklahoma), made his much anticipated (by the Padres) return to the mound tonight.  

The at least 260 pound Penny met and surpassed all expectations.  He walked his first batter then gave up two singles, and was disqualified by Joe Torre before he could record an out.

The final batter to single off Penny, whose name matters not, is a September call-up despite hitting .215 in AAA.  Vin Scully found this curious and amusing.

OH GOD

"Batting 6th, center fielder, Andruw Jones" - Dodgers lineup card.

Christ on a crutch.  It was one thing in July when Joe Torre continuously allowed this guy to violate the batters box.  Voluntary ignorance, you may call it.  But there are now two weeks left in the season and the Dodgers have a slim lead for first place.  Allowing Andruw Jones - or any .160 hitting position player - anywhere near the field is nothing short of aggressive ignorance, flagrant violations of common sense, and incompetence not seen since the signing of Andruw Jones.   

Jones struck out in the second inning.

This Makes Sense

I stopped counting after Joe Torre left Nomar Garciaparra out of the lineup for six straight games.  I think the streak got up to about nine or so, but Nomar was back in the lineup tonight against the Padres.  

Nomar's absence from the lineup was warranted - he's hitting .232, and .222 since the all-star break.  But he is an acceptable one night substitute for James Loney, who has the night off. What is curious, however, is that Torre thought it rational to put a guy who was not good enough to hit 8th yesterday into the cleanup spot tonight.