Dodgers Team News

Dodgers Rumors: Indecisiveness Led Mark Ellis To Leave For St. Louis

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A Spring Training of uncertainty at second base has ended with Dee Gordon seemingly taking the spot and the Los Angeles Dodgers left with many questions, including if he’ll be able to hit enough to stay in the lineup.

Last season, the Dodgers had veteran Mark Ellis at second and many thought he would return, even after the signing of Cuban infielder Alex Guerrero. according to Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports.com, the Dodgers lost their chance at the second baseman because of an error on their part:



Ellis, after speaking with Walter, was under the impression that the Dodgers wanted him long term. After the season ended, the team indicated that it might make him a two-year offer. Right up until the moment that Ellis signed with the Cardinals, a one-year deal was still within reach.

In the end, Ellis grew weary of the Dodgers’ indecisiveness. His role with the Cardinals is not clearer than it would have been with the Dodgers; the Cardinals also are grooming a younger second baseman, Kolten Wong.

Not to mention, Ellis was reassured the Dodgers knew his value after chairman Mark Walter voted against trading the veteran infielder to the Kansas City Royals for reliever Luke Hochevar. The Dodgers would’ve flipped Ellis after acquiring second baseman Howie Kendrick from the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim for pitching prospect Zach Lee.

Once Ellis left, the Dodgers were without all four of their veteran infielders from 2013 with Jerry Hairston, Jr. retiring, Skip Schumaker joining the Cincinnati Reds and Nick Punto heading with the Oakland Athletics. Voids were left in the field and in the clubhouse, giving the Dodgers little time and options to fill in. The team could have used Ellis to hold down the spot at second base until Guerrero was ready to take over. Now they’ll head into the season with Gordon at the position, with the memories of his .229 batting average the past two seasons fresh in mind.

Behind Gordon, the Dodgers have 36-year-old Chone Figgins, who was out of baseball last season, and former Met Justin Turner. Don Mattingly will have to mix and match this season at the position, until a player emerges from the group to take over and give the Dodgers some stability.

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Vincent Samperio

Vince is currently the Associate Editor and Social Media Manager for Dodgers Nation. Hailing from San Pedro, CA and a student at Cal State Long Beach, Vince has previously written for the Daily 49er and LASF Magazine.

5 Comments

  1. Who cares anymore? We want to know when TV coverage will finally be offered So Cal wide. Quit sending us these frivolous news reports and make a statement immediately about what you are going to do about this TV debacle!

    1. Really? That’s what you care about? TV? Quit laying on that horn. It’s getting annoying. TWC and the rest of the video suppliers will come to an agreement sometime soon. RADIO will be there to fill the void. What in the heck would you have done 80 years ago when NO ONE had TV? Take a friggin’ chill pill.

      1. You’re the one that’s annoying! The Lakers still aren’t on DISH Network two years later – there are no guarantees TWC will come to an agreement “sometime soon” with “the rest of the video suppliers.” Your ignorance is staggering. As for your “80 years ago” comment, what could be a more irrelevant, stupid statement? Baseball’s been on TV for close to 60 years now…the Dodgers broadcasted many games even when they were in Brooklyn! You’re the one who needs to take a friggin’ chill pill. Moron.

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