Walking on eggshells
Having officially reached their breaking point with the lack of production at third, the Dodgers are moving Nomar across the diamond to patrol the hot corner. He could start there as early as Friday against the Padres. Beyond shoring up the production at third, the move gets James Loney in the lineup every day. The big catch, of course, is the risk to Nomar's health, and I've written more than once that it makes me squeamish. I've seen this tactic as last resort type deal. The break glass in case of emergency position change.
Risk aside, I give the Dodgers credit for recognizing the problem and making the change in time for it to have some impact. It should have a positive impact on the lineup. But since Grady Little makes it clear that they're not planning on moving him back this season, it likely means that Ned Colletti thinks he won't be able to bring in a big bat on that side of the infield. First base (Mark Teixiera, for example) could still be an option, but it looks like third is out in terms of trades.
In the meantime, we'll all get to see how fragile Nomar is these days. Plenty more on this tomorrow.
BK
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Yeah Nomar, good job. We appreciate it. Now if we can only clean up the starting pitching (of late).
Posted by: Faith | June 25, 2007 at 07:55 PM
why are you so worried that nomar will get hurt? do you think the other home run he will hit this year might help?
Posted by: dave m | June 25, 2007 at 09:35 PM
Stupid comment...Teixiara, yes, let's trade Billinsley and Kemp for him..!!! Totally idiotic comment from someone with a Fantasy Baseball mindset!
Posted by: DODGER 1955 | June 25, 2007 at 10:10 PM
BK,
I've agreed with you about Nomar's injury risk at 3B, but at this point, Nomar on the DL is no worse than Nomar at 1B, blocking Loney. The only way this could backfire on the Dodgers is if Nomar stays healthy, but proves to have a throwing arm barely stronger than Pierre's.
Posted by: Makoto Ueno | June 25, 2007 at 10:34 PM
Wow, somebody's been reading the comments on this blog or what? It's about time. Loney has been scorching the ball. Nomar can bring better productivity at the plate than the Abreu/Betemit combination, even if it's just singles with RISP. Meanwhile, Nomar and Kent will continue to get their rest by having Abreu and/or Betemit filling in from time to time. We still need to get Matt Kemp more playing time. Start him in center field! He's got to have a better arm than Pierre and will obviously provide more offense.
As far as starting pitching, (1) hopefully Penny's second half will be a repeat of the first half rather than a repeat of last year's second half, (2) Lowe has pitched well but not gotten good run support, (3) Kuo has shown signs of excellence, just need to stay with him, (4) Billingsley can get the job done, (5) Wolf is not terrible as a fifth starter.
That being said, this is a tough division this year, especially with the pitching of the Pads and the Snakes. The Blue needs to keep the runners moving to avoid the double plays and set themselves up for RISP.
It's a long season. I'm not sure how much longer I can take being in a virtual three-way tie for first place. Seems like we've been here for a month already.
Posted by: Crash24 | June 25, 2007 at 10:40 PM
YES, There is a God!! Nomar is a gamer and will produce at 3rd base. This gives the everyday line-up some extra firepower. My only question is why did it take so long to make this change? It should have been tried months ago. I sound like a broken record for the number of times I have suggested it.
BK
I know there is a possibility that Nomar could get hurt but there is also a possibility that anyone could get hurt. Most of the players make big bucks and this is something that only makes sense.
Posted by: Package | June 26, 2007 at 06:58 AM
Package, Makoto-
I think you guys are both correct in that at this point, the production is such that even if Nomar gets hurt, it's better that they stop blocking Loney(Makoto's point, I believe) and that the move makes sense (Package). Like I wrote, I'm impressed they made the move with enough time for it to have some impact. And if he manages to stay healthy, and Loney continues to hit, it'll prove to have been the right one, and that I was too conservative in my thinking for a while. We'll see. I do like the move more with 80 games to go as opposed to 125, no doubt.
DODGER 1955-
A) I didn't say the Dodgers should give up Bills and Kemp for Teixiera, only that a first baseman would theoretically still be an option in a trade, if they are indeed committed to keeping Nomar at third for the duration. And while I wouldn't give up both in a package for Teixiera, figuring out a way to bring him in (yes, it'll cost a prospect or two) is hardly a fantasy baseball mindset. The guy is a proven middle of the order power bat and a gold glove caliber first baseman.
BK
Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | June 26, 2007 at 07:24 AM
They need to do something about the top of the lineup 2 for 15 today which is par for the course. Raffy's really hurt 1st and 3rd and he doesn't take second. i think he should be put on the DL to heal his ankle
It's about time Little listens to us about shifting nomar to 3rd and inserting Loney...Now how about replacing Pierre for awhile with Kemp and if raffy plays move him to the 8 spot he doesn't have the speed anymore to be utilized as a leadoff hitter.
Here's my lineup if pierre and raffy are playing: Pierre, Martin Loney, Gonzo, Eithier, Kent, Nomar, Raffy.
Here's my lineup if they aren't: Martin, Gonzo, Kemp, Loney, Eithier, Kent, Nomar and Abreu
Posted by: K T USN | June 26, 2007 at 08:06 AM
Crash24:
"It's a long season. I'm not sure how much longer I can take being in a virtual three-way tie for first place. Seems like we've been here for a month already."
Well, dig in for another couple months of it. This race has the looks of going like this all the way down to the wire. At least the Dodgers will get the Giants (who, hopefully, will have waved the white flag and started playing their Triple-A roster by then) at the Ravine for the last weekend.
This will be race to watch in the NL, to determine who wins the West, who gets the Wild Card, and who goes home heartbroken.
It'll sort of be like "Glengarry Glen Ross" -- first prize is a new car, second prize is a set of steak knives, third prize is you're fired.
Posted by: Eric B. | June 26, 2007 at 08:17 AM
Thank God. It's appalling that the Dodgers wasted half a season without Loney in the line-up just to protect Nomar from a possble injury. I had a letter to the Times begging for this move months ago. Loney is without a doubt the BEST young hitter in the organization. Don't forget that Nomar is signed through next year, so the only way to keep Loney around is to make this move. And I agree with one of the posters that given Nomar's production since last year's all star break, if he gets injured, so be it.
Posted by: Howard | June 26, 2007 at 09:44 AM
WELL, OF CORSE GRADY LITTLE NEEDS MORE BATTING AVG.BUT MOVING NOMAR TO THIRD BASE IN MIID SEASON HAS GOT TO BE THE MOST DESPARATE CHANGE ,AND STUPID THING ANY MANAGER CAN DO ,DID ANY ONE SEE LONEY THROW TO 2ND BASE LAST NITE AGANST THE D-BACKS 2-0 LOSS,GET A CLUE ,GRADY,WARES TOMMY WHEN WE NEED HIM. GOO!! DODGERS
Posted by: GEODODGER | June 28, 2007 at 08:56 AM