Dodgers Reportedly Looking at Infield Help Outside of Organization
With the hand/wrist injury to utility infielder Enrique Hernandez, the Dodgers will need to add an infielder capable of backing up at shortstop. That appears to be the primary reason Hernandez hasn’t been placed on the injured list already — he can still play short.
Just don’t ask him to bat.
With the team in need of help, but not willing to call up wunderkind Gavin Lux, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts mentioned that they may be looking outside the organization for help.
#Dodgers Dave Roberts repeated that IL move for Kike' Hernandez is "inevitable." Will probably happen tomorrow. Roberts acknowledged LAD might have to go outside the organization to find a replacement with middle infielders Chris Taylor and Hernandez injured
— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) July 28, 2019
Being down a healthy Hernandez, and still missing Chris Taylor thanks to his wrist injury, shortstop help is running thin. Corey Seager is currently healthy and starting to lock back in, but as the team has already seen this season, you can lose him at a moment’s notice.
Within the organization, there is plenty of corner infield help already on the 40-man roster — Matt Beaty and Edwin Rios can handle 1B and 3B, minor league catcher Austin Barnes can play 2B — but none capable at shortstop. Newest Dodger Tyler White has 265.2 innings played at short in his minor league career, but he’s not looked at as a realistic option.
Daniel Castro saw a lot of time at short with the Dodgers during spring training, but is currently on the 7-day IL for Oklahoma City. His teammate Drew Jackson is healthy but barely hitting at short for OKC. Moreover, he would require a move to add him to the 40-man.
Enter the outside hire.
Toronto currently has 2 shortstop types that would fit the mold as middle infielders with the Dodgers. Eric Sogard (Sogard was just traded to Tampa Bay) and Freddy Galvis have 886 games of experience at SS between them, and would bring some pop off the bench.
The Dodgers have also been linked to the Blue Jays with starting pitcher Marcus Stroman and reliever Ken Giles in the past, so both clubs undoubtedly understand one another’s farm system.
The New York Mets are ready to become sellers, along with about 8 AL teams that are looking to build their farm systems.
More to come on this before Monday.
RH hitter Daniel Robertson of the Rays, or LH hitter Marco Hernandez Red Sox; both play SS, 2b, and 3b
Adalberto Mondesi(Kansas), switch hitter, great defender. Adeyni Hechavarria(mets)RH,good defense, Jonathan villar(orioles) some power and good base stealer.
What about Omar Estevez? I thought he did well enough during ST. Anyone has an opinion on this, as I thought about the middle infield help that is now necessary.
Hey, if Roberts was really concerned about the infield then he wouldn’t be playing Pederson at first base.
The guy is horrible there. He’s not bad in rightfield, but he just does not have it at first.
Matt Beaty plays a good 1st base, as does Muncy & Bellinger.
Roberts needs to stop this obviously failed & silly experiment now before the Dodgers start making a habit out of losing.
Thanks.
With Gavin Lux (infield) and DJ Peters (outfield) doing so well in AAA, why do the Dodgers feel the need to go picking up all these floundering players/pieces on other teams?
IMHO Joc can be dealt if needed because we have guys who are better suited for 1st base and Joc is not hitting enough at this time to warrant him playing 1st, as it is known that his defense there is hurting the team. the off season is a time to learn this new position.