What to do with Dee when he returns?

Discussion in 'Los Angeles DODGERS' started by 4everblue, Aug 1, 2012.

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What to do with Dee when he comes back

  1. Bat him leadoff

    1 vote(s)
    11.1%

  2. Bat him 8th

    2 vote(s)
    22.2%

  3. Bench him

    2 vote(s)
    22.2%

  4. Send him to the minors

    4 vote(s)
    44.4%
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  1. 4everblue

    4everblue DSP Regular

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    What should DBB do with Dee when he returns?

    I think that the best way to get value from him will be to keep him leading off and hit Victorino 6th, not because of what he provided, but because I think his value will be completely lost in the 8th spot. As leadoff we know what he can do (.250 AVG/.280 OBP) and yes it sucks, but at the start of the season the model of hit/stolen base/Ellis moves him to 3rd/Kemp drives him in was working pretty well and it should keep working. Batting 8th he will get a lot of fastballs that might overmatch him as they wont pitch around him. Also, if he does get on base, the pitcher comes next, so the stolen base is less valuable as the opposing will throw first pitch strike, which our pitcher will have to take to allow Dee to steal and it leaves him with only 1 shot at a good sac.

    Bench him wont make him any good and AAA is not an option as he comes back at the end of August, close to the roster expansion.

    Thoughts?
     
    4everblue, Aug 1, 2012
    #1
  2. IBleedBlue15

    IBleedBlue15 DSP Stud

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    I think what's best for the team is Dee playing short and batting 8th. Cruz has been a surprise but I don't expect him to still be in Cruz control when Dee is healthy again.

    Victorino 7
    Ellis 4
    Kemp 8
    Ethier 9
    Ramirez 5
    Rivera/Loney 3
    AJ Ellis 2
    Gordon 6
     
    IBleedBlue15, Aug 1, 2012
    #2
  3. irish

    irish DSP Staff Member Administrator

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    I see what you did there
     
    irish, Aug 1, 2012
    #3
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  4. MZA

    MZA MODERATOR Staff Member

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    IBB has it right. If you are going to bring him back to the lineup, he needs to prove himself before he hits leadoff. Victorino has the experience and Dee needs practice.
     
    MZA, Aug 1, 2012
    #4
  5. irish

    irish DSP Staff Member Administrator

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    Personally, I think he still needs work.
    Horrible approach at the plate -- he should never, ever, hit the ball in the air. If anyone should be a slap hitter it's him. Otherwise he's wasting his speed; his best (if not only) attribute. There's an old saying that you can't steal 1B, and his .229/.280/.282 line supports it.
    Also needs to take more pitches, work deeper into counts.
    The Dodgers are fortunate to have two of the greatest leadoff hitters in baseball history in their organization, two guys who could help lead/mentor him, and it doesn't seem to be helping him... at least not yet.
    Management needs to meet with Dee a send him a very clear message -- you either listen to and learn from Wills and Lopes, and adopt this new approach, or you won't be playing... at least not for us.
    Send him down.
     
    irish, Aug 1, 2012
    #5
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  6. IBleedBlue15

    IBleedBlue15 DSP Stud

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    For me, it's not about proving yourself. We got Victorino to lead off, so I'm putting him there. I don't like having both Ellis' back to back in the lineup. I like Mark batting before Kemp. That lineup is the best one we can put out there.
     
    IBleedBlue15, Aug 1, 2012
    #6
  7. 4everblue

    4everblue DSP Regular

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    But what value does Dee has batting 8th???
     
    4everblue, Aug 1, 2012
    #7
  8. irish

    irish DSP Staff Member Administrator

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    he has limited value no matter where he hits :shrug:
     
    irish, Aug 1, 2012
    #8
  9. blueplatespecial

    blueplatespecial DSP Legend

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    Stick him in AAA and dump him first chance. He has no place on the team we are building - not even as an IF utility/pinch runner. Cruz is doing a good job for now, and if he fails - and he might - HRam can play SS. Apparently HRam wants to play SS anyway. And we've got IF utility guys to back him up, too. But if it comes down to it I don't think finding a SS who can hit the ball into the OF would be so difficult. Dee's a fun guy - great personality and all that - but we must win.

    But what do I think will actually happen? I think they will keep him around and we will get more of the same...
     
    blueplatespecial, Aug 1, 2012
    #9
  10. dodgers

    dodgers DSP Legend

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    Short stop
     
    dodgers, Aug 1, 2012
    #10
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  11. MZA

    MZA MODERATOR Staff Member

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    He could steal second and then bunt him over to third? It would take some work, but as of right now Dee shouldn't be leading off. If he plays better, then yeah, bat him lead off. But for right now, with his injury, it's better not to have an automatic out leading off.
     
    MZA, Aug 1, 2012
    #11
  12. Shaw

    Shaw DSP Legend

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    Send him down. 1) Cruz is better defensively 2) Cruz has produced more offensively.

    If we keep him on the roster, then bat him 8th. 1) Victorino is a better lead-off guy 2) he needs to earn his placing within the lineup. If he can't get on base, then he's useless as a leadoff guy
     
    Shaw, Aug 1, 2012
    #12
  13. doyerfan

    doyerfan MODERATOR Staff Member Moderator

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    The key is that when Dee comes back, it's not like he's just gonna get healthy then boom, see MLB action. He's going to have some rehab appearances in the minors. Our staff can determine from those appearances if he's improving in any way or form. It gives him some time to go back to the minors and work on things. Essentially, he can be there for awhile. When he comes back, it's already been said that more than likely he'll hit 8th. I'd like that, and then eventually like a 1-2 of Victorino-Ellis against lefties and maybe a 1-2 of Dee-Victorino against righties (since M. Ellis is pretty bad against righties).. I'd actually consider Dee hitting 7th rather than 8th just cause putting AJ 7th and Dee 8th could slow down Dee considering AJ walks a lot and with the pitcher behind him Dee is kinda stuck and can't run.
     
    doyerfan, Aug 1, 2012
    #13
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  14. irish

    irish DSP Staff Member Administrator

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    great post doyer
    have him take his time in the minors to work on his game
    I also like your argument about him hitting 7th instead of 8th -- another factor, AJ and his .393 OBP hitting 8th means pitchers leading off innings less frequently than with Dee and his anemic .280 OBP.
     
    irish, Aug 1, 2012
    #14
  15. bestlakersfan

    bestlakersfan DSP Legend

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    The best would be that he stays in AAA a bit more after his rehab and just works on shit. He doesn't need to stay down that long, I'm thinking maybe 7-10 games. This way he gets a taste of the minors again and really works hard.

    By that point, he should be 100% and more focused on getting back and playing to his capabilities. When he is back, start him off batting 8th and let him re-adjust to the majors. After about a week or two, move him up to bat leadoff. Victorino is good leading off, but would be DYNAMITE batting second. Plus, let's not kid ourselves, Cruz will regress to the mean within 10 days and most of you turds will be asking for his head and forget everything he has done.
     
    bestlakersfan, Aug 1, 2012
    #15
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  16. MZA

    MZA MODERATOR Staff Member

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    Like Christmas every year, it is bound to happen.
     
    MZA, Aug 1, 2012
    #16
  17. irish

    irish DSP Staff Member Administrator

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    DeeFA

    see what I did there?:woot:
     
    irish, Aug 1, 2012
    #17
  18. LAdiablo

    LAdiablo descarado

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    maybe he can take some time in the minors and learn some basic skills like bunting
     
    LAdiablo, Aug 1, 2012
    #18
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  19. irish

    irish DSP Staff Member Administrator

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    :clap:
     
    irish, Aug 1, 2012
    #19
  20. N.Z

    N.Z DSP Legend

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    I miss his spark. Sure he needs a lot of work but he can be fun and hilarious to watch. Cruz will eventually hit sub .200 too once people start giving a shit about getting him out. I'd have him as our everyday shortstop hitting 8th.
     
    N.Z, Aug 2, 2012
    #20
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