Understanding why Doug Mientkiewicz needs to come back to camp

It’s understandable. Really, this is one of those where you can easily see both points of view.

Garret Anderson has beaten out Doug Mientkiewicz as the Dodgers’ primary left-handed pinch hitter. Manager Joe Torre gave Mientkiewicz the news on Friday. He also offered him a role as a coach.

At which time Mientkiewicz left camp and assumed he was going to be released. He still wants to play.

Only the Dodgers did not release him and don’t plan to until they have to on Friday.

Which upset Mientkiewicz, who felt it would inhibit his ability to latch on with another club.

But Anderson is 37, an age when injury can strike at any time. And if he does get hurt, then the Dodgers go back to Mientkiewicz. So they’re playing it smart and keeping him as long as they can.

"I'm not upset at that decision," Mientkiewicz told Ken Gurnick at dodgers.com. "I'm upset with what's transpired since then.

"I understood from the minute they signed Garret. I appreciated the chance and walked away quietly, figuring it was a no-brainer that I'd get my release. They found somebody better. When Joe told me, I assumed I was released. Next thing I know, my agent calls and says the club is calling me unprofessional for leaving. So I'm not bitter or pouting, but I feel like 'The Shawshank Redemption.' Let me go. No place I'd rather be than with the Los Angeles Dodgers. But I'm not one of the 25. I'm OK with that. I get it. Then, why hold on to me?’’

Mientkiewicz, however, should know all about sudden injury. He made the club last year as the left-handed pinch hitter, but two weeks into the season, he dislocated his shoulder sliding into second.

This year he had the misfortune of the market driving Anderson’s price down until he became affordable to the Dodgers. Anderson (.333) has performed well this spring.

So has Mientkiewicz (.292), enough that he understandably believes he can still play.

It’s all understandable. That the Dodgers granted the release requests of Eric Gagne and Angel Berroa is not relevant, because neither figured in their plans under any circumstance.

Not so with Mientkiewicz, who remains under contract with the Dodgers. He needs to honor that contract and report back to camp.

The Dodgers and Mientkiewicz have always had a good relationship, so you hope they get together. We’re talking five days. Meanwhile, Mientkiewicz can stay sharp.

And be ready should he then be able sign elsewhere.

-- Steve Dilbeck

Photo: Doug Mientkiewicz. Credit: Brian Vander Brug / Los Angeles Times.

Comments

[Owen]

I agree. Get back to camp, Mientkiewicz!

[dodger4life]

This is just more bad taste coming from the new organization, He has been told he wasn't going to make the club, he wants to continue playing. He should be granted his release early.........

[oldbrooklynfan]

Let me get this straight.
Meintkiewicz has to wait 5 days in case Anderson gets injured. If Anderson goes down with an injury, within that time, the job is Mientkiewicz's
Oh, Just like to spell his name out. (lol)

[bob cuomo]

I still think Mientkiewicz should have made the club, not Anderson. That being said, I understand his thinking. Heck, Torre told him wasn't going to make it, so he assumed he'd be released.
But I agree with you...he's still under contract, and it certainly wouldn't hurt him to be back in camp working out and staying sharp in case he gets another job.

[Go Blue 2010]

Doug Mientkiewicz walked away and it shows he is not a team player. Let some of the youngsters get a crack at the big leagues if Garrett should go down... At least they will not walk away if given a crack at the big leagues.

[Grandpa]

The Dodgers will be sorry they chose Anderson -- he's really a load.

[Bill V]

Unless the reported info is wrong in some way, it seems to me the Dodgers should grant him the release.
Assuming he did believe he was being released, he was only mistaken, not malicious. Similar concession should be made to the Dodger reaction. That's just civility based on love of neighbor.
The business desire to hold him is logical, but if it would mean in high probability the end to his career, then it seems to me that proportionality and the value of the individual prevails.

[Laurieann]

I would hardly call Doug unprofessional; hes a great player, team player and an all around good guy. He deserves to play by all means. Personally I would love to see him go back to Minnesota!