Dodgers’ Dave Roberts Opens Up On ‘Tough’ Decision to Send James Outman to Minors
Within the Dodgers’ massive roster move earlier this week, outfielder James Outman was sent down to the minor leagues. Despite being the starting center fielder for the last two seasons, Outman has struggled this season.
In 36 games, Outman hit .147/.250/.266 with three home runs, 10 RBIs, and 40 strikeouts. His OPS-plus sits at 48, 52 percent, which is below league average.
Los Angeles was hopeful that Outman would break out of the slump at some point but it never happened. This move was made so he could refine his swing but it wasn’t an easy decision. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts opened up on the “tough” decision that had to be made.
“It was a tough one — I don’t think any of us expected to be in this position, given last year and our expectations for him this season,” Roberts said of Outman. “But with the inconsistencies, the struggles, Jason coming back, Andy [Pages’] play in the last six weeks, we just felt James needed an opportunity to go down and play every day.”
Per Dave Roberts via The Los Angeles Times
The hope is that Outman can fix things down in Triple-A and return to the Dodgers later this season. He is still a very talented player and the Dodgers are banking on that fact.
“There’s something to getting out of this performance-based environment and just going out there and playing baseball. Once we can get him back on track, then we can get him back here.”
Per Dave Roberts via The Los Angeles Times
For now, Outman will work on things and try to clear his mind for the stretch run. If he can get himself back into form, he could be a very valuable piece for the Dodgers in their quest to win another World Series.
Photo Credit: Lucas Peltier-USA TODAY Sports
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Maybe Outman only needs glasses.contacts. He acts like he is not seeing the ball well, especially the off speed and sliding pitches. If he has too he needs to choke up a little and slap the ball. That big homerun in his debut against the Cubs may set the expectation a little higher than they should have been. His defense is great, He just needs to flatten his swing a little… Some times and option like this a slap to his noggin to get back into the right swing habits. I pray he can do it…
I agree with you as I had a suspicion that perhaps he needed to have his sight checked. It’s happened to other players and many came back to expected form after they were fitted with glasses or contacts. And let’s do hope he makes a comeback as we have certainly recently seen Pages is not the savior messiah he was originally projected to be; indeed the Dodger’s TV announcers keep telling us how great Pages is and all he is doing recently is striking out wildly, popping up, or hitting into rally-killing double plays just like Outman was.
I really hope that James Outman will “fix” his at bat problems in OKC soon… We really miss seeing him in Center field! He so often makes outstanding catches!! I keep thinking, recently, James Outman would have made that catch!! ….. I know his batting has been disappointing…but he is definitely missed!!! (Maybe contacts or glasses?)