While Manny Ramirez is out, Dodgers should give Xavier Paul a look
While Manny Ramirez recovers from his strained calf, why not play Xavier Paul? Why not give the kid a shot?
Exactly what is there to lose?
When the Dodgers released their lineup for Monday's rained out game against the Mets, it was Reed Johnson scheduled to start in Manny’s spot in left. Sunday, Garret Anderson started. Paul started one game Saturday after flying all night to join the team, went 0-for-5 and hasn't started since.
Johnson and Anderson are role players, and although part of that role is to step in when others are hurt, there is no particular long-term upside.
It's not like Anderson is suddenly going to find his major-league groove at age 37. Sunday, he went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts, lowering his average to .143.
Johnson, 33, is another known quantity. He's useful, but it's not like he's still coming into his own and developing as a player.
Paul is unknown. In a minor league system currently bereft of anyone on the eve of being major-league ready, he comes about as close to a prospect as they have.
In 61 at-bats at Triple-A Albuquerque, Paul was batting .361 and had scored a team-high 22 runs. He had three home runs, nine RBI, three stolen bases and a .409 on-base percentage.
He does lots of things very well. But his problem is that, outside of having a superb arm, he doesn’t do any one thing dramatically well. No one thing has "wow" power.
His overall game, however, deserves a look. He's 25 and on the roster. It's still only April. Manny is out for 15 days. Seems like the ideal time to find out what he can do at this level if given a good look.
The years have already shown us what Anderson and Johnson can do. Let’s find out what Paul can do.
-- Steve Dilbeck
Exactly what is there to lose?
When the Dodgers released their lineup for Monday's rained out game against the Mets, it was Reed Johnson scheduled to start in Manny’s spot in left. Sunday, Garret Anderson started. Paul started one game Saturday after flying all night to join the team, went 0-for-5 and hasn't started since.
Johnson and Anderson are role players, and although part of that role is to step in when others are hurt, there is no particular long-term upside.
It's not like Anderson is suddenly going to find his major-league groove at age 37. Sunday, he went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts, lowering his average to .143.
Johnson, 33, is another known quantity. He's useful, but it's not like he's still coming into his own and developing as a player.
Paul is unknown. In a minor league system currently bereft of anyone on the eve of being major-league ready, he comes about as close to a prospect as they have.
In 61 at-bats at Triple-A Albuquerque, Paul was batting .361 and had scored a team-high 22 runs. He had three home runs, nine RBI, three stolen bases and a .409 on-base percentage.
He does lots of things very well. But his problem is that, outside of having a superb arm, he doesn’t do any one thing dramatically well. No one thing has "wow" power.
His overall game, however, deserves a look. He's 25 and on the roster. It's still only April. Manny is out for 15 days. Seems like the ideal time to find out what he can do at this level if given a good look.
The years have already shown us what Anderson and Johnson can do. Let’s find out what Paul can do.
-- Steve Dilbeck
I've been saying the same thing all week. I agree 100%.
Posted by: jimishelter | 04/26/2010 at 09:47 PM
Not a bad idea at all...I agree. As you said, he's here, so let's give him a shot and see what he can do in the show...at the very least for three or four games, anyway.
Posted by: bob cuomo | 04/26/2010 at 11:22 PM
You're right. Why play Garret Anderson and Reed Johnson? They are proven Major Leaguers who were acquired to play if Manny got hurt or needed rest. In fact, they were gotten on the cheap to replace Juan Pierre who we used to replace Manny, when Manny got hurt, suspended or needed rest. Now we pay the White Sox money to play him. Why have any Major League players at all. Bring 'em all up. They are Frank McCourt's meal ticket if he has to sell the team (no long term contracts) or if he doesn't sell the team (lower payroll, increase ticket prices). I have always said that McCourt's wet dream is to have a minimum wage player at every position just once in his ownership reign. Sure, bring up Xavier Paul. Why not? Because normally teams defending Division Titles don't do that. Normal teams go out and get a Roy Oswalt from a faltering team like the Astros when their starters go down. Normal teams do not let pitchers like Brad Penny (3-0) or Derrick Lowe (3-0) get away without just compensation. Normal teams do not give up a Jon Garland and watch him sign with the now first place Padres as their Number one starter. Normal teams do not give up Gold Glove, All-Star game starting second basemen and turn the job over to out-of-position minimum wage rookies. Normal teams do not give up a number one starter to the Brewers like Randy Wolf out of fear of losing arbitration. Normal teams do not let a Juan Castro slip through their grasp and then watch as he starts for the Phils as Rollins heals. Na, we get Jamie Carroll who hasn't played short for three years to be the back up shortstop. Nah, that's not what normal teams do. It's what the Dodgers do. So sure, sit Anderson and Johnson. Let Paul play. Watch Matt Kemp try to convince us he's a Gold Glove center fielder. Just don't pull back the curtain. You might find out that the Emperor, Ned Colletti has no clothes.
Posted by: Hollywood Dodger Mark | 04/27/2010 at 01:22 AM
In a different world, yes, Paul would be given a chance. In Torre's world, however, rookies are given splinters. the vets play, no matter how badly.
Posted by: HI Dodger Fan | 04/27/2010 at 02:44 AM
Anderson, other than running into a hanging slider and hitting a home run, has been worthless. I would play the X-Man in left and see what he can do. He has been excellent throughout his minor league career. Reed Johnson is okay, but I don't think he's really any better than Jason Repko, who we let go. Jamey Carroll has looked overmatched in most plate appearances. The only bench player with any punch is Ronnie Belliard.
Posted by: Airedale | 04/27/2010 at 04:48 AM
Lets maybe try him out as a starting pitcher as well, just sayin...
Posted by: Go Blue 2010 | 04/27/2010 at 07:52 AM
It's definitely an upgrade to Anderson at least. He showed promise last season.
Maybe he'll be in the lineup with the doubleheader.
Posted by: mti312 | 04/27/2010 at 08:35 AM
Amen Steve! The geezers are locking us into a 54-108 season. If now is not the time to look at the kid, then when will it be?
Posted by: lawdog | 04/27/2010 at 08:36 AM
It seems every year Joe has to be forced to use some promising kid. He prefers 'quality' at bats from seasoned vets who bat under .200. Loney and Kemp had to bat .400 before Joe finally gave them a shot
Posted by: David s | 04/27/2010 at 09:25 AM
I would argue contrary. Immediate priorities are the 2010 season. If opportunities exist for role players then they must be honored. Let Johnson and Anderson tune up their skills and be reminded of their expected availability. If X.Paul is the real deal then he will surely benefit from sitting on the bench, establishing an MLB routine, and soaking up the aura of this young team's new found experience. Let X.Paul have an occasional at bat off the bench, just enough to keep him chomping at the bit. Long story short, when Manny comes back X.Paul still wont be an everyday player.
Posted by: El Valen-toro | 04/27/2010 at 10:31 AM
Paul should be given a shot. Doesn't seem like anything comes off his bat except linedrives and smoke. Johnson is great guy to have on the bench, the best pinch hitter of the three. How you gonna hate on Garret? He'd be a sure fire HOF'er(Bonds' numbers would be only slightly better if he had played clean) if he hadn't been a clean player in the steroid era. The Dodgers are gonna start catching the ball and when they do alot of the pitching problems are going to go away. At that point we are going to win games and Anderson, who got off to a terrible start last year but went on to have a great summer, will show that he is not done and might even help us break our habit of slumping after the all star break. Health issues don't go away when you get to your late 30's, especially when it's the legs and you run the bases as much as Manny. Garret will prove to be the only positive impact move of the off-season. Having said that X-man is a real talent. I love his swing. He seems to have all the same tools Ethier had 4yrs ago. Might even be better but we won't know until he gets to play.
Posted by: N.P.Krohn | 04/27/2010 at 12:57 PM