The Los Angeles Dodgers have had many moments this season where the outfield has lacked appropriate production both offensively and defensively.
Specifically, Michael Conforto’s .103 batting average during his first 119 games as a Dodger, along with an Outs Above Average ranking in just the seventh percentile across MLB have greatly hampered the left field position.
Manager Dave Roberts spoke about how he isn’t afraid to shake things up in the lineup, regardless of who is underperforming.
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Roberts also spoke on the outfielder opposite from Conforto, Teoscar Hernández, and his recent struggles that led to his benching on Sunday. Hernández struggles similarly on defense, with his Outs Above Average grading in only the second percentile, and batting .211 through the month of August.
“He’s an everyday guy, but I do think that where we’re at, you’ve got to perform, too, to warrant being out there every single day, regardless, right?” Roberts said.
When asked if this extends to everybody, the skipper wasted no words in his response.
“Yeah, it does,” said Roberts.
Now, threatening to bench key players is one thing, but publicly holding the defending champions of the baseball world accountable ahead of the final month of the regular season is not the same as that. Roberts clarified that the liability being carried by the entire team should be viewed as a positive.
“I think that’s a good thing,” Roberts said. “No one is going to be exempt. No one. I just think that we’ve got to play the best players and that’s just the way it should be, right?”
The sentiment stays the same, but it appears that his MVPs are going to be safe, barring any major changes.
“Obviously Shohei (Ohtani) is going to be playing. Mookie (Betts) is going to be playing,” Roberts said. “But the point being is, we’ve got to ramp it up and we’ve got to be better. If some other guys deserve more opportunities, then they’re going to get them. That’s just the way it should be.”
Conforto has struggled for quite some time, but his .167 batting average across his last 25 games sounds like it might be leading to the final straw in Roberts’ eyes.
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Photo Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
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6 Responses
It’s about damn time.
Puto roberts, still thinking about benching bumforto?
Roberts is a coward. So is AF. Many other players in the organization would be better in the line up than Conforto. DFA Conforto. Long overdue.
You have given Conforto a very long leash. Unfortunately, he has failed and this turned out to be a wasted signing. As for Teo, I get that he has been dealing with injuries this year. But the bottom line is that we wont win a world series without him, let alone get to one. After watching the Dodgers on full display this year as I watch ALL of the season, its been tough watching them flounder. We can hope they flip a switch and start playing to their abilities, but in all honesty I am not sure that is going to happen. I can only hope that they bring some joy to their fans this year because there has been very little to this point.
I think they are now the dumbest team
Its hurt to say it . If your Team holds the World Champion Series last year
your supposed to be unbeatable, wiser and toppest . But now slumpy and lazy, sluggish o don’t know what to say its frustrating Teoscar is he paid for throwing sunflower seed for the homer. Michael Conforto..u..t. Ohtani his superstar stardom is fading it’s disgusting how he played.
I think they are now the dumbest team
Its hurt to say it . If your Team holds the World Champion Series last year
your supposed to be unbeatable, wiser and toppest . But now slumpy and lazy, sluggish i dont know what to say its frustrating Teoscar is he paid for throwing sunflower seed for the homer. Michael Conforto..u..t. Ohtani his superstar stardom is fading it’s disgusting how he played.