What should we do about 3B?

I know there were a few posts about this in the other thread, but this is becoming a serious situation so I figured it deserved it's own thread. Tony Jackson is now saying we're all but sure to acquire SOMEONE from outside the organization, so who should it be? Over at the blog, I just went through all of the MLB teams to see what we might be able to obtain at 3B, and let me say, the pickings are slim.

Seems like there's the two vets with past successes that we don't want (Crede and Inge), some okay options for backup purposes that would be overexposed if forced into full time work (German and Belliard).. and one name that I came up with that I kind of like: Mark DeRosa, assuming the O's finally send Roberts to Chicago. What do you think?

BluePastorKyle:

Unless Pierre is involved in the trade, I say stay within the organization. If Nomar is hurt more seriously than first believed, then go with Hu or DeWitt until Andy is ready. That's mid-May. There's no reason to panic.

Yea, I agree. If Ned freaks out, then it'll be like what happened at the beginning of last year when J.D Drew decided to opt out of his contract, we brought in Gonzo of all people. Just to figure out that we had a monster in waiting in Kemp. And Ethier.

in this order:

Hu
Panda
Ensberg/Betemit (if the Yankees release one)
McPherson (again, if released)
DeRosa
German
Ensberg/Betemit (if the Yankees don't release one and we have to give up something)
McPherson (same as above)
Belliard
DeWitt
Crede for Slappy

The LaRoche injury is not the issue here, it's the Abreu lingering injury that is the problem.

As I've stated before, I don't believe LaRoche was ever slated to start at 3B. Nomar was going to start about 2/3 of the games there all along and he still will. Problem is, Nomar can't start much more than 2/3 of the game there, but I still don't think they would have "wasted" LaRoche by having him up with the big club to start just over 1/3 of the time.

However, Abreu could have seen over 1/3 of the games playing time between starts at 2nd and 3rd, plus he'd play just about every single game as a late defensive replacement in the games he didn't start. Reading both between the lines and with what is actually said (Kent really nailed it the other day) I think most of the organization is quite disappointed with Abreu at this point. There seems to be a general feeling that he should be "toughing it out." It's this situation that is requiring the organization to look at a trade possibility.

While Hu could be an intriguing option, I think club officials really want him to spend a good chunk of the season at AAA proving himself a worthy option to replace Furcal next year. That being said, he might still be the way to go.

However, the problem with the folks mentioned from outside the organization is they don't provide the excellent defense/pretty good offense package that Abreu could have been expected to provide. All of the options listed seem more excellent offense (from a bench type player)/pretty good to not very good defense.

I'll go with the ever-popular name we haven't heard yet as the player we'll acquire. If you want to look at other rosters for a possibility look for a strong defensive player who can hit a little bit. I'm not sure many of those beasts exist, however.

Well, as I mentioned over in the other thread, I do think we are "okay" in our 3B situation. That said, IF Ned is hell bent on going outside the organization, he should NOT have to give much up for what would be to us, just a platoon type player.

Here is who we have:
Nomah
Hu
Young
Dewitt

The latter three are probably not what Ned and Joe envisioned as part of the equasion.

I purposely left Abreu off of the list. I think his constant "injuries" have put him both in the doghouse and probably a non-factor in the future. No way can we depend on Tony. A good hitter and decent fielder, he just is either snakebit or just that type of player. I am HOPING that Laroche doesn't fall into that snakebit category. But so far, he seems to be almost in that club.

On the FA market is really only one 3B (Cirillo) that could come in and play sparingly (if that). And frankly, I would hope the Blue would set it sights higher on getting a replacement, IF that is where we are headed.

As far as 3B targets in trade. We have to choose from (possibly):

1.Wes Helms- $2.15M in '08 w/$3.75M club option for '09 ($0.75M buyout) ..and what it would take to get him might preclude that

2.Mark Loretta- see above, makes $2.75M for '08, could do worse

3. A 3B that is on the bubble from another team (German, Betemit, Ensburg, McPherson,etc)

4. Brandon Inge- makes way too much $ for what he brings on the field. Unless we could deal an equally bad contract in return, I'd pass.

5. Joe Crede- see above. Unless Kenny Williams has a Slappy McPopup fixation, doubtful. Also pass.

6. A 3B not on the radar that would be a fixture for years to come (ie. Beltre or Ramirez). I just can't see either team trading either one of these... unless we bowled them over with talent back. And, we don't really have to go that route (as of today). If Laroche continues to break down and Dewitt proves he might have reached his ceiling, then perhaps. But not at this time, IMO.

SO, I think given all that, If I am choosing from that pile, I'd go:
Helms
Loretta
German
Betemit/Ensburg/McPherson or another team castoff

Best choice, IMO:
Roll the dice with Nomah and the gang we have IN HOUSE (Hu, Young, Dewitt) for now .

TBoneShelby:

If we trade Proctor, I'll freak out. That being said, I like the cheapest option because realistically with Nomar, LaRoche & Abreu one of them will be healthy in a month.

I'd just wait for a team to drop a guy or deal on the cheap: (Ensburg, McPherson-although it sounds like he's injured again, Hannahan-OAK, Marte-CLE, N.Punto-MIN)

If we really want to make some waves, what about bringing Aybar or J.Guzman back, TB has several 3b options. Or sign Spezio to a contract that includes AC Green as his personal assistant?

Spiezio would be a better fit for the Giants... he'll have to play in an orange jumpsuit after all......

grabarkewitz:

Nice rumor running that Giants are interested in Brandon Inge. They would like to dump one of their bad contracts on the Tigers in the deal. Dave Roberts for Brandon Inge - almost works out. I bet the Giants wish they could dump Zito on someone, anyone. Geez, he is freakin' awful this year, as is Lincecum. Not a good year to be a Gints' fan.

Translation: wonderful news for us. I feed on the tears' of gints fans.....sick, yes. But I don't apologize for it.

BLUEFAN:

Going back to the Dodgers 3B issue, I will bring up a name that we discussed over the off-season

Mark Teahen

He came up as a 3B and is now in RF for the Royals. He also has some experience as a CF. This type of player would give us a strong 3B, yet give us the positional flexibility that we need/desire. With his ability to play all three OF spots along with 3B and 1B, it would allow us to carry one less OF.

Since Pierre is probably here to stay (cringes), how about Either and one of McDonald/Meloan/Orenduff

The Mets are looking for a RHH OF who can play all 3 positions ... what about Repko for either LHP Nathan Vineyard or RHP Scott Moviel, both 2007 draft choices.

-----

If the Royals would prefer to keep Teahen (move him to 3B) and deal Gordon, I would be ok with that too

Teahen is their starting LF now, since Jose Guillen is in RF. If I'm the Royals and I'm offered Ethier for Teahen straight up, I do it - and if the Dodgers start adding any pitching names you just mentioned, I fall all over myself submitting the paperwork.

Yes ... bat wise Teahen for Ethier (at least in our eyes) is a straight swap. Teahen would give us a lot more flexibility defensively which I like. It would also solve the Pierre vs. Kemp/Ethier issue we currently have. With the talent being thrown around in trades this off-season I just doubt we could acquire MT without giving up more than Ethier.

CarolinaBlues:

this may be all working itsself out. I watched nomar take groundersxat third and short for an hour today, he is catching and throwing fine, expect to see him in a game before opening day

I'd rather have Nomar there, rather than to deal Ethier because he's a fine player. I'd hate to see him playing in anything else but Dodger Blue. But, if he does indeed leave, i'd wish him the best of luck.

DeWitt, a left-handed-hitting former first-round Draft pick, split time last year between Class A and Double-A. Torre said the staff has offered mixed reviews on whether DeWitt, only 22, is ready for the Major Leagues.

"Some say yes, some say maybe," Torre said of DeWitt's readiness. "The whole package you need to have, he may be lacking. It all comes down to what I see."

General manager Ned Colletti, who, along with Torre, spent the past week on the China journey and hasn't seen much of DeWitt, said he would likely watch DeWitt play for a week before deciding if he needs to acquire
an infielder from another organization. DeWitt already has impressed teammates with his gumption.

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080319&content_id=2444997&vkey=spt2008news&fext=.jsp&c_id=la

well Bryan-corey is flattered by the compliment...

And ken-brendt is also right, if we are going to go get a crappy scrub vet whose team doesn't want him, we need to get a FREE crappy scrub vet whose team doesn't want him... Either that or just go with our kids, who in all likelihood can give us the 600-700 OPS that Joe Uringe will put out, for a fraction I the price... Picking up a crappy vet scrub to block our kids and nomar/laroche when they comes back makes no sense, paying out the nose to pick up a crappy vet scrub to block ourkids and nomar/laroche when they come back makes even less sense.

if y'all will excuse me, all this talk has given me the urge to go dig through my neihbor's trash can for some discarded used toilet paper... after i find some, i'm gonna knock on his door and offer to give him 50 bucks for it.

I still say go with German. He struggled some last year, but still had a .351 OBP. Yet this guy can hit. He hit .326 AVG, .422 OBP in 06. Then in 05 at AAA, he hit .313 AVG, with a .400 OBP. 04 at AAA, .329 AVG, .380 OBP. He is older and experienced. We can use him now and still use him through out the year.

Sure, we could go with Dewitt or Hu, but in reality neither of them are ready now. Dewitt needs more time (it would be good if he had a strong half in AA at least).

German can also play 2nd and even the OF. He would be a solid pitch hitter

Babe Herman:

German looks like a great alternative, IF available. Is German available? What's the cost? We throw out these names like other GMs can't wait to part with their little jewels for next to nothing.

No doubt, DeWitt isn't ready. Abreu is still an injury concern. Who knows if Hu can handle 3rd. But for 3 weeks the Blue could even let Torgy handle third. All I'm saying is that if the Dodgers are out of the pennant race by May 1st, they have way more problems than who is holding down the hot corner. I still think we should work for a solution in house rather than make some knee jerk trade or signing.

Thanks for the love, Babe. I think my range is better than Nomar's, but the lefty thing may be a deal killer. Plus, I have zero pop and my bat speed is worse than Slappy's. Mind you, if Ned appeared on my doorstep with a contract, I wouldn't say no. I know one thing, I would be happy to sign autographs all day long and be grateful for the opportunity, unlike Nomar.

Babe Herman:

German looks like a great alternative, IF available. Is German available? What's the cost? We throw out these names like other GMs can't wait to part with their little jewels for next to nothing.

No doubt, DeWitt isn't ready. Abreu is still an injury concern. Who knows if Hu can handle 3rd. But for 3 weeks the Blue could even let Torgy handle third. All I'm saying is that if the Dodgers are out of the pennant race by May 1st, they have way more problems than who is holding down the hot corner. I still think we should work for a solution in house rather than make some knee jerk trade or signing.

Callaspo, Alberto will likely take German's role for KC. I would not have mentioned him if I did not think we could get him. A little homework is all it takes.

And, German gives us options for beyond three weeks. Who knows what will occur with Nomar or Andy. German will be very solid bench player at the least. A player I believe that we can rely on all year. Acquiring him could cause us to win 1 or more games than not acquiring him. And that 1 game or more could make difference . . . three weeks or not. That's why its not "some knee jerk trade or signing". He is a solid role player who could fill in at a number of positions. He will not cost much, not block young players long term, give young players a chance to develop in the minors, and he would help our bench all season long.