I tend to think he was referring to what was tried and didn't work for him, namely being relegated to part time play and situational AB's in the second half of the season. All of his stats dropped off the second half when he was used less (except for OBP) when the desired result was to see him be more effective by being used more prudently. At least that's the way I read it.
still, we've known that Ethier's been putting up platoon numbers for a long while now, so his value took a hit a long time ago..long before he was benched. the man turns into Drew Butera against lefties, so for him to want to start..it's cute, but hopefully Zaidi rents a plane and flies a sign over his house that reads " PLATOON WHEREVER YOU GO, BRO. " just is no longer an everyday guy at this point. hell, even as a platoon guy, or 4th outfielder, SVS has to be prioritized over Ethier and that's before you consider their salaries and ages. i know there are more righties than lefties, but SVS just slashed a pretty good .279/.353/.413 against righties, so there's room for growth there and you have to see what's there. don't get me wrong..16HR/76 RBI is just fine and Ethier gets to those numbers because of his skill against righties. but if he wants to play everyday, i'm assuming he's gonna have to hit up the Japanese league. i can't see anybody penciling him in against lefties. haven't heard a peep from Crawford, so if he's down with platooning with SVS again, that's worked out. he stayed fresh, stole 23 bases and is still historically a dangerous bat come September/October. SVS and CC can combine for 20-25HRs, .290/.360/.465, steal 30 bags, play solid defense, stay fresh and be happy with the arrangement. gotta go with CC/SVS over " everyday Dre ".
Lets see we have a team approach with a organizational level that is different and if they can adapt to it hopefully us peons who really don't matter can accept it.
The Dodgers will trade an outfielder this winter. Maybe more than one. But while they're talking about Kemp with the Orioles, Mariners, Padres and others, dealing Kemp is the option they're least interested in -- basically, their "Uh-Oh, We Can't Move Anybody Else So We'd Better Move Him" plan. So teams that have spoken with the Dodgers report they're working much harder to deal Andre Ethier and/or Carl Crawford. No shocker there. And they're trying to determine how much of those remaining contracts (four years, $73.5 million on Ethier; three years, $62.25 million on Crawford) they would have to chomp on to make that possible. Don't forget that with Hanley Ramirez gone, trading Kemp could potentially leave the Dodgers with no right-handed power other than the streaky Yasiel Puig (a guy who hit two homers in 310 trips in June, July and August). So will there be lots of Kemp buzz next week? Hundred percent chance of that. But does that mean he actually gets dealt next week? Only if it's a trade they can't possibly say no to. http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/11979452/mlb-winter-meetings-10-names-watch .
Dodgers Rumors: Orioles Engaged In Talks For Andre Ethier by Vincent Samperio | Dodgers Nation -- January 04, 2015 Once the Los Angeles Dodgers traded away outfielder Matt Kemp, it was thought that they might be done making moves in the outfield. The fact of the matter is that with Yasiel Puig, Carl Crawford, Scott Van Slyke, Andre Ethier and Joc Pederson, the outfield is still a bit crowded. Many expect Pederson to take over in center, while Crawford and Van Slyke will continue their platoon in left field. That leaves Ethier without a job again, but it wouldn’t be expected of him to show the same feelings as last season. The former All-Star let it be known this offseason that he was interested in a starting position, even if that was not in Los Angeles. According to Roch Kubatko of MASN, the Dodgers have had talks with an AL East team about the 32-year-old: "They maintain a lower level of interest in free agent Nori Aoki and have engaged in trade talks with the Dodgers regarding Andre Ethier, according to an industry source." The Orioles had talks with the Dodgers about Kemp, but it appeared that the Dodgers asking price of top pitching prospects Dylan Bundy and Kevin Gausman was too much. Ethier would come at a much cheaper price, although it’s unclear what the teams are discussing. Following the loss of Nick Markakis and Nelson Cruz, the Orioles need another bat and outfielder in their lineup. If the two sides can come to an agreement, it would benefit both teams and possibly benefit Ethier more than staying in Los Angeles. Ethier has been on the decline in recent years, going from an MVP candidate in 2009 to the fifth outfielder last season. He hit just .249 with four home runs and 42 RBIs last year, the lowest totals of his career. Now that there is at least one team engaged, others may follow and Ethier could be gone by April. _
If Rasmus signs somewhere else, I can see Ethier going there. Actually think he will do well in that park.
Actually. I call them terrorists. Bag droppers and Croats. They find that funny. And the terms they use on me are equally as funny and predictable.
That's all you could come up with? You're slipping in your old age bud. Or maybe it's the off season.
Mattingly Expects Andre Ethier In Spring Training by Matthew Moreno | Dodgers Nation -- 59 minutes ago ©ZIMBIO Although the Los Angeles Dodgers traded Matt Kemp to the San Diego Padres, the outfield picture remains a muddied and crowded situation. Outside of Yasiel Puig likely returning to right field, what the future holds for the glut of outfielders is largely unknown. The uncertainty is more specifically tied to Andre Ethier and what role, if any, he’ll have with the Dodgers in 2015. Manager Don Mattingly met with members of the media Monday and said he expects Ethier to be with the team for Spring Training and added the outfielder will have the opportunity to win a starting job, according to Bill Plunkett of the OC Register: Bill Plunkett @billplunkettocr #Dodgers Mattingly says he expects Andre Ethier to be in spring camp and compete for job. "If you put up numbers, you're going to play." 10:42 AM - 14 Jan 2015 With Kemp no longer on the team and Puig’s expected return to right field, Ethier conceivably could start in either center or right field; when Mattingly made the decision to bench Kemp and remove him from center field last season, Ethier was the first player he turned to as a stopgap at the position. Although Mattingly offered his confidence that Ethier would be with the Dodgers for Spring Training, it shouldn’t now be considered a certainty. The Dodgers reportedly were near a deal to send the 32 year old to the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Baltimore Orioles are believed to have held trade talks for Ethier. In December, Ethier expressed his desire to remain in Los Angeles as a starter, which wouldn’t appear to be in his favor given how last season unfolded. After settling on an outfield alignment of Carl Crawford in left field, Puig in center and Kemp in right, Ethier rarely saw the field and primarily served as a pinch-hitter. Assuming Crawford and Puig anchor the corner outfield positions, Ethier would need to beat out Joc Pederson, among others, to start in center field. Recently released ZiPS projections predict .239/.337/.420 with 22 home runs and 20 stolen bases from Pederson in 573 plate appearances next season. As for Ethier, he’s projected at .259/.335/.392 with nine home runs and two stolen bases in 472 plate appearances.
