Dodgers Fan Takes: What’s Next at Second Base in Los Angeles?
The Dodgers’ second base situation is one of the top storylines in baseball. Everyone expects L.A. to make a move for a second baseman, and the team is turning over every stone to find one.
As part of a new series we’ve created here at Dodgers Nation, we want to hear YOUR opinion. Be sure to check out our weekly question and let your voice be heard. Usually it will be a question plus an explanation.
Fan thoughts: With Brian Dozier talks at a stalemate, who do you want at 2B and why? Best answers could be featured in an article!
— Dodgers Nation (@DodgersNation) January 20, 2017
The answers were widespread, ranging from re-signing Chase Utley to promoting Willie Calhoun to acquiring Jonathan Villar from Milwaukee. Here’s a look at the responses.
go with @11WillieCalhoun #savetheprospects
— Jedimind1207 (@JediMind1207) January 20, 2017
Logan Forsythe b/c he won't cost us JDL, cheap for 2 years, .800 OPS, 4 Win player last 2 yrs & he's versatile which we love
— J. Story (@CoachStoryBB) January 20, 2017
https://twitter.com/kdodger81/status/822505278008528896
https://twitter.com/cptljay_/status/822294191778607105
https://twitter.com/EWOKinLA/status/822293098747179008
https://twitter.com/oscarhernande13/status/822293059002138625
if we're going cheap I like Ceaser Hernandez, nice Lil switch hitter who could lead off and swipe some bases.
— Ken Henley Jr (@KdubJr23) January 21, 2017
Brandon Phillips as his deal is short-term(no trade clause)& he would serve as a great mentor to Calhoun (if he's not moved).
— Juan (@lakerfanami) January 20, 2017
Keith Law praises the Dodgers’ farmIan Kinsler because I think he can be a more consistent hitter then Dozier and more long term success.
— Matthew Doyle (@MDoyle18) January 20, 2017
https://twitter.com/velanvinny/status/822313350067470339
willie is too young in the mean time I'd trade for kinsler,Forsythe,or Dozier and at the end of those two years put willie in
— Josh? (@ThaReaIDirtyDan) January 20, 2017
I think the bigger focus should be the 8th inning and landing a guy like Holland. Keep prospects and see if Kike can step up.
— Brendan McNamara (@Bpatrick_mc) January 21, 2017
Is Cody Bellinger the best first baseman prospect in baseball?Fill the position from within the organization, Utley and maybe someone from AAA. Don't deplete our farm system for Brian D
— Glenn Munoz (@GlennMunoz6) January 20, 2017
I like the thought of trading for Brandon Phillips to be a mentor for Calhoun just like Rollins was for Cory
My solution for second base . . . move Justin Turner to second (his natural position) and try to aquire a third baseman like Todd Frazier.
A number of alternatives for second base, but consider this; Dodgers have not had a second baseman since Jackie Robinson, some 60+ years ago, who came close to the number of runs produced (runs scored + RBI – home runs) by Dozier over his last 3 seasons, second only to Ian Kinsler. WAR comparison over last 3 season: Altuve – 18.2; Kinsler – 17.6; Cano – 17.1; Dozier – 14.1; Forsythe – 9.4; Harrison – 8.8; Murphy – 7.6; Utley – 6.0. Using WAR and runs produced as the benchmarks, if Dodgers are unable to acquire either Dozier or Kinsler they should pass on second basemen like Forsythe, Hernandez, Profar, and others who only add an incremental improvement in WAR above Utley yet require parting with a couple of highly regarded prospects. My option for 2017, find a LH hitting second baseman who can platoon with either Culberson, Hernandez, or Taylor and also back up Turner at 3b and acquire an OF’er like Braun, JD Martinez, Melky Carbrea, or Andrew McCutchen for LF who can crush LH pitching. FA Daniel Descalso fits that description, but so does Derek Dietrich of the Marlins.