After signing Juan Uribe, Dodgers send Ryan Theriot to Cardinals for reliever

Minutes after the Dodgers officially announced the signing of infielder Juan Uribe, they sent Ryan Theriot to the Cardinals for right-hander Blake Hawksworth.

No tears were shed.

Theriot was going to be non-tendered after the signing of Uribe, so at least the Dodgers were able to get something for him.

Hawksworth went 4-8 with a 4.98 ERA for the Cardinals last season in 45 games (nine starts), and will turn 28 in March, so it’s not like he has some kind of exciting upside. But at least he’s someone who can eat up some middle innings and provide an emergency start, which, at this point, is more than you would have expected to get in return for Theriot.

Theriot came along with Ted Lilly from the Cubs for second baseman Blake DeWitt at the trading deadline, and continued an unimpressive season. In 54 games for the Dodgers, he hit an empty .242, with one homer, a .323 on-base percentage and a lowly .283 slugging percentage.

He had a little speed, was probably better defensively than anticipated and was good in the clubhouse, but he hurt the lineup and just wasn’t going to help the Dodgers win.

It made for a brief, unmemorable Dodger career. But right now, brief sounds good.

-- Steve Dilbeck

Comments

[N.P.Krohn]

The kid could be good down the road. What kind of control do the Dodgers have over his contract?

[Steve Dilbeck]

N.P.Krohn: He's only been up for two seasons, so he's not even arbitration eligible until 2013.

[Steve Dilbeck]

N.P.Krohn: He's only been up for two seasons, so he's not even arbitration eligible until 2013.

[joe]

I like this trade. Like Steve mentioned, we weren't going to get anything in return for Theriot anyway so it's nice to see that we actually got something. I expect Hawksworth's numbers to improve at the pitcher friendly Chavez Ravine. What I like most is the fact that he can be an ocassional starter in case that's needed. And with Monasterios expected to start the year at AAA to gain experience, it makes this trade much more likable. Thumbs Up!

[Bill]

It never hurts to have more healthy, young arms on your staff. And, Hawksworth has some good experience also. Very impressive off season so far!

[JW]

Glad the Dodgers got something in return for Theroit. Sorry he didnt work out, i was excited to see him here and he never caught on. Good luck with the Cards.

[Steve Wimer]

Urbie's RBI production will be missed in San Francisco, and it will be welcome in L.A. if he can continue to get big hits. I hope he's a better fielder than it appears.

[OldBrooklynFan]

It's not surprising to see Theriot go in a trade, it's better than him leaving on his own for nothing. I'm sure the Dodgers will find plenty of use for Hawksworth.

[Jim McVeigh]

OH GOODY, a few more moves like this and our hall of fame owner and gm. will start printing world series tickets. remember ned do not spend too much, frank has his eye on another place to dwell. HOCK EVERYTHING YOU OWN AND BET AGAINST ned or frank SIGNING CARL CRAWFORD OR LEE........

[NY Times Reader]

Good move to sign Garland and to get rid of Theriot for an affordable reliever but that Uribe signing is horrible.

[NY Times Reader]

ESPN's Keith Law on the Uribe signing. Spot on.

"The Dodgers gave three years and $21 million to Juan Uribe, he of the .302 OBP (once you back out intentional walks) in 2010, a walk year in which he posted career highs in walks and home runs. Putting men on base was not a strength of the Dodgers before they added Uribe, with only Andre Ethier and oft-injured Rafael Furcal coming off seasons where they posted OBPs over .350. Uribe, meanwhile, has never so much as seen a .330 OBP and eats up some of the value he adds on defense by making extra outs at the plate -- and since his BABIP and home run total were both flukishly high in 2010, he's not a great bet to earn his salary over the course of the deal. I liked Uribe on a shorter-duration deal and/or for a club that needed defense but had guys who got on base at higher clips, but the Dodgers don't seem like a good fit for his skill set."

[alanw19]

Hope this works out. Good to get something for Theriot rather than nothing. But Uribe signing still stinks.

At least we know there will be some differences in our team next year. Still major holes to fill in LF, at C, and bullpen.

[World Series Champion San Francisco Giants]

We are excited to see Blake Hawksworth in a Dodger jersey!

[Juan's Mom]

Dodger fans will be lovin some Juan Uribe, mark my words. He's an RBI machine for a second baseman and adds fire and fury to the lineup. Back out intentional walks from his OBP? Typical Keith Law cherry picking stats to make a point. Juan is not being paid to get on base -- he's getting paid to drive in runs, which he will do. Plus, with Blake and Furcal in their walk years, he'll be badly needed in 2011 and 2012.

Get on the Uribe train, Dodger fans. UUUUUUUUUU--ribe!!!!

[jason]

he's not getting paid to get on base, just to drive in runs. what a stupid thing to say. If you give anyone 600 ABs in a run producing spot in the order they are bound to get 80rbi. (see Loney) but if your team as a whole is made up of guys who can't get on base but can drive people in then what the hell does it matter.

[Mike]

Sadly, I think "Juan's Mom" fails to understand that in order to score runs, you must have runners on base. That is way on base percentage is arguably the most important offense statistic you can examine in baseball. I think someone calculated its event three and a half times more important than slugging percentage. His career .300 OBP suggests he will make many outs offsetting and limited defensive abilities he may have. He is on the replacement level threshold.

[HI Dodger Fan]

If you look at the scouting reports and blogs, the Cards and others have been and continued to be high on this guy. He's had injuries to deal with and command issues but the stuff is apparently there. Dodger Stadium will help and a change of scenery perhaps. All in all, I'd say way more than the nothing I thought we'd get from Theriot. Got to give credit to Ned on this one. Maybe he ought to just stick to trades and chuck the FA signings altogether.

[BlueSangre]

Good riddance.

A reliever with a 4.98 ERA? I thought we were trying to PATCH holes in that bullpen...not curse it with new ones!

[Juan's Mom]

Don't be calling Juan's mama stupid. I know having high obp guys on the team is critical to success. I'm just saying that's not what Juan is paid for. He's paid to drive runs in. Fact: of Uribe's 24 homers in the 2010 regular season, 11 either tied the game or put the Giants ahead, most coming in the 7th inning or later. He continued being clutch in the post season.

The Giants aren't world series champs without UUUUU-ribe. Dodger fans will love my Juan, guaranteed. Don't you be hatin on Juan.