What if the Dodgers go to camp and Tony Gwynn Jr. actually hits?
Then boys and girls, Tony Gwynn Jr. would likely start in center field.
Season tickets are now available.
The concept is, Gwynn starts in center, Matt Kemp moves to right and Andre Ethier to left.
That’s a lot of movement to make room for the weak-hitting Gwynn, but it does have one tremendous upside -- a strikingly better defensive outfield.
Defense is improved at all three spots, and Ethier would be a major step up in left over Jay Gibbons or Marcus Thames.
This may not be the current No.1 plan, but it is certainly an option the Dodgers will seriously consider this spring.
At baseball’s owners’ meetings in Arizona two weeks ago, General Manager Ned Colletti acknowledged the Dodgers outfield could be realigned if Gwynn shows during camp he’s ready to hit again.
"I wouldn't rule it out," he told ESPN Los Angeles’ Tony Jackson. "It depends on a bunch of factors. That is why you have spring training, to play it out and see what happens. Nothing is etched in stone. It just depends on how everybody performs."
Last season, of course, Gwynn did not hit a lick. He batted a feeble .204 on a poor-hitting Padres team. The Padres were so unimpressed, daddy or no, they did not tender him a contract. To paraphrase Tommy Lasorda about another Padre, Gwynn couldn’t hit water if he fell out of a boat.
"A couple of years ago, he hit pretty well," Colletti said. "He is a very good defensive player who has speed. His playing time at this point will be dictated by how well he hits. If he can get on base enough and hit enough, he could give us added flexibility because he can play all three spots, including center field."
The trouble is, even when Gwynn has hit, he hasn’t hit much. Two years ago, he hit a career-high .270 for the Padres. In parts of the last five seasons, Gwynn has lifetime averages of .244 hitting, .323 on-base and .314 slugging. That’s hard to hide in the lineup. And if he does start, he’s probably bats eighth, which doesn’t do anything to address the team’s need for a No.2 hitter.
Colletti made these comments a few days before the Dodgers signed Thames, who, along with Gibbons, is something of Gwynn’s polar opposite -- can hit but, to put it politely, struggles defensively.
Likewise, ESPN Los Angeles’ Jon Weisman came out somewhat reluctantly in favor of starting Gwynn in center, at least to start the season, before Thames came on board.
But really, Gwynn is 28 and there’s little upside there. Plus, he’s another left-handed bat the Dodgers really don’t need. Gwynn has actually hit slightly worse against right-handers (.240 for his career).
The fact that the Dodgers would have this option on the table also says something about their faith in Kemp to play center.
For now, the first option apparently is the Gibbons-Thames platoon in left, with Kemp and Ethier remaining in center and left. Gwynn remains a late-inning defensive option, the simplest being him taking over in left.
The Dodgers have left themselves with outfield options, just none too exciting.
-- Steve Dilbeck
Photo: The Dodgers can only hope Tony Jr. hits even half as good as his father, Tony Gwynn, pictured here. Credit: Kent C. Horner / Associated Press
Give him a look in spring training, and if he hits, play him. Didn't his dad teach him anything?
Posted by: California Son | 01/30/2011 at 02:02 PM
Considering the defensive improvements, Gwynn starting in center would probably be the ideal outcome, even if he doesn't provide much offense.
Posted by: Troy | 01/30/2011 at 02:40 PM
The Good news is , if Gwynn Jr. hits we have a better defensive outfield--The bad news is welcome back Pierre offensively, an outfielder with no power. But the Dodgers don't seem to mind having only two outfielders with pop as they've been doing it so often in the past.
Posted by: OldBrooklynFan | 01/30/2011 at 02:58 PM
Tony Gwynn Jr cannot hit major league pitching. It's that simple. He doesn't hit for average, doesn't bunt terribly well, doesn't make enough contact, has zero power and doesn't walk much. These things are unlikely to change at 29 years of age. He is what he is - a defensive replacement. Expecting anything more from him will only frustrate you.
Posted by: Jamie Hoyle | 01/30/2011 at 03:17 PM
What, is Matt Kemp your whipping boy now? Kemp is a gold glove center fielder. What it says is, an outfield of Ethier-Gwynn-Kemp is better defensively overall than an outfield of Thames/Gibbons-Kemp-Ethier. Obviously. The problem isn't Kemp, it's left field defense. A pitching-rich team can afford to be a little less than murderers' row offensively if it means more balls will be caught.
What was the Giants' outfield last season? They would've taken Ethier-Gwynn-Kemp in a heartbeat over what they had. A pitching-dominant team needs d.
Posted by: Vail Beach | 01/30/2011 at 03:41 PM
If, and I suppose it's a big if, Gwynn proves he can hit a little (anything over .260 would be great...plus taking some walks to get on base) than you definitely have to put him in center, move Kemp to right and Ethier to left. Sorry, I don't really think Gibbons is the answer in left. As for Thames, he's a DH...period!
Posted by: bob cuomo | 01/30/2011 at 04:01 PM
Gwynn will be a defensive replacement and someone that will give Kemp some rest every now and then with a start here and there. Forget about that for right now. Why haven't the Dodgers signed Eric Chavez yet to platoon with Casey Blake. Give him a 2 million dollar one year contract with some added incentives. The most it will cost us is 2 million dollars if he fails. But, if he succeeds then it will bring a lot more power to the lineup.
Posted by: Brian | 01/30/2011 at 04:07 PM
I can only assume that Thames-Gibbons-Gwynn are only here to hold a spot for Sands until June. Anything else would mean that Ned doesn't know crap about how to acquire major league talent for a major market club - and what are the odds of that?
Posted by: Labeldude | 01/30/2011 at 04:13 PM
@vail - Kemp was awful defensively last year. That's not to say he can't improve, but you're totally overlooking 2010 here.
Posted by: vtadave | 01/30/2011 at 04:49 PM
and what if the sun comes up in the west?
Posted by: Guess Again | 01/30/2011 at 04:50 PM
Rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic. This discussion is just plain silly. Can't wait until spring training to see how bad this team really is. It won't matter where Mattingley will play Gwynn, or anybody else. Mattingley will be blamed for the lousy play of this lousy team. Never mind McCourt's disgusting stewardship of this franchise. People will second guess and blame Mattingley. But Mattingley is a man and he's up to it. That's more than I can say about his boss.
Mattingley will be fired and move along to win some place else. McCourt will stay and continue to further destroy the Dodgers.
Boo him.
Posted by: Since '58 | 01/30/2011 at 05:49 PM
Are we just forgetting about X Paul, who I beleive is out of options. We the Fans nor the Team seem to be giving him a second thought. Then there is Robinson. How dose He fit into the infield picture? Something to mull over as we head to CBR in AZ.
Posted by: Aman | 01/30/2011 at 06:05 PM
Gwynn does not inspire offensively, but San Diego is a hitter's graveyard. I would give a full, open-minded chance to any hitter escaping there, before writing them off.
Posted by: coach | 01/30/2011 at 06:35 PM
ALL TOGETHER NOW.........
You put a left fielder in
You pull a left fielder out
Another left fielder in
And you switch them all about
You build the hokey Dodgers
And you sell some season tickets
That's what it's all about!
Posted by: skyharbor | 01/30/2011 at 06:38 PM
@Since 58 said, "Rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic. This discussion is just plain silly. Can't wait until spring training to see how bad this team really is. It won't matter where Mattingley will play Gwynn, or anybody else. Mattingley will be blamed for the lousy play of this lousy team. Never mind McCourt's disgusting stewardship of this franchise. People will second guess and blame Mattingley. But Mattingley is a man and he's up to it. That's more than I can say about his boss.
"Mattingley will be fired and move along to win some place else. McCourt will stay and continue to further destroy the Dodgers.
"Boo him."
That's what I was gonna say. So the only thing I can add is 'amen'.
Posted by: k | 01/30/2011 at 08:10 PM
Bravo, skyharbor.
Posted by: Since '58 | 01/30/2011 at 08:22 PM
Typical Coletti acquisition, missing the player's prime years. Except this time he got the wrong generation of Gwynn!
Posted by: LV Blue | 01/30/2011 at 08:35 PM
Tony Gwynn, Jr. will surely play some fine defense, but please...the Dodgers should have signed Tony Sr. if they wanted someone to hit. He's a Padres castoff
for Gawd Sakes!
Posted by: Pat Thomas | 01/30/2011 at 10:24 PM
Do you believe in miracles?!
.
We don't.
Posted by: Al Michaels and Tony Gwynn, SR. | 01/31/2011 at 01:32 AM
Some players are late bloomers. Who knows? He could surprise everyone and hit .270.
Posted by: California Son | 01/31/2011 at 01:35 AM
Jon Weisman supporting another insane move by Dodger management? No? Surely you jest.
What if Tony Gwynn hits? Hits what? He's a .240 hitter.
Posted by: Hollywood Dodger Mark | 01/31/2011 at 03:19 AM
skyharbor - Post of the Year!
And like the play Buerhle made for the Chisox on opening day last year, it's doubtful it shall be topped.
Pleeeeze get us to spring training so we can have meaningful conversation.
As for a feeble attempt, anybody keeping an eye on MLB Network and their countdown of the 20 greatest games since TVs could record it so they will have something to show? Did you vote? Which Dodgers' game did you vote for? I voted for Koufax's perfect game - his fourth no-no. Gibson's HR was great and all, but Koufax was one thing - a Dodger. Face of the franchise decades after he retired.
Posted by: alanw19 | 01/31/2011 at 05:30 AM
I hear you Aman, Xavier Paul has very solid batting numbers the past five years in the minors (I know, all you haters will say that's the minors!), but it shows some consistency. He was probably pushing too much when he came up to the big team and trying to impress.
If he knew he had a chance X would probably settle down and become the player we hoped he would be. Unless he has some flaw that would prohibit him from ever hitting in the big's I think he deserves a hard look this spring.
Posted by: MJRodDodgerlifer | 01/31/2011 at 08:36 AM
Matt Kemp is not a gold glove centerfielder. He fooled people a couple of years ago with his speed overcoming his defensive deficiencies and his mental lapses. Last year, he was unmasked. He'd better enjoy the gold glove he's got -- I doubt he'll be getting any more.
Posted by: BlueinAZ | 01/31/2011 at 10:09 AM
"To paraphrase Tommy Lasorda about another Padre, Gwynn couldn’t hit water if he fell out of a boat."
- Kurt Bevacqua actually hit .333 one year... same record as Lasorda vs the NY Yankees in 3 World Series - he needed 18 games to win but one Title.
Not unlike 'K'emp who every now & then plays semi-reliable defense (as in 1 year his entire career) & that human statue in RF, who rumor has it was once able to actually stop a single from becoming a double - but not a triple.
Of note, when Gwynn played the most games in his career he made 8 errors in the outfield...he'll fit right in with that headless chicken running around in uni 27 and the Range Rover (towing a barge) that labors as he blows, 16.
Musical chairs or deck the Titanic same, will be obscene by any descript - and that's just on defense...
Posted by: 16blows | 01/31/2011 at 11:17 AM
If Gwynn Hits? LOL
Posted by: BRian | 01/31/2011 at 11:40 AM
"A couple of years ago, he hit pretty well," Colletti said."
A couples years ago everyone in the league hit pretty well due to roids, HGH, cream/clear or whatever PED they were using!
Colletti is just plain horrible. He'll be the first one out the door once the new owners arrive.
Posted by: PEDs | 01/31/2011 at 01:07 PM
It doesn't matter who is in the outfield with Ethier & Kemp; whether it be Gwynn, Thames, or Gibbons, McCrap's Disgraced Dodgers are not going to score runs.
Posted by: KoufaxFan | 01/31/2011 at 01:11 PM
Hits what? .260? .270? Gwynn has to seriouly upgrade his past performance to merit that kind of realignment of the outfield. You do that for a carl crawford, or a jayson werth, but tony gwynn, jr.? How about this more likely question? If Gwynn goes hitless in the spring, or hits something below the sub-mendoza line, do the Dodgers still keep him and let xavier paul walk?
Posted by: HI Dodger Fan | 01/31/2011 at 01:41 PM
Really- platoon... Gibbons hit great in AAA and well in the majors. He should be the #1 primary left fielder. Statistically he is fine against lefties, but Thames could get starts to stay fresh. But unless Gibbons bombs, he should get 450+ plate appearances and he'll hit 25 homers. Could be a good #6 or 7 hitter. Defense is good, but you can't win a game with 0 runs. I also don't understand why it is so fashionable to trash Ethier's defense. I saw him make good plays in right and he has a fine arm. Frankly the whole team will go as Furcal goes. If he gets hot and Carroll can bat 2nd a lot, then Eithier, Kemp, Loney, Uribe (at 3rd), Gibbons (Blake? Thames), Barajas. Gibbons, Barajas, and Uribe together are 60 homers+ over and above their predecessors last year. Tey may be pretty good after all!
Posted by: alan harris | 01/31/2011 at 01:56 PM
Re: Gibbons, Barajas, and Uribe together are 60 homers+ over and above their predecessors last year.
Sorry, not buying. No they're not. They're not even good for 60 homers between them.
Posted by: alanw19 | 01/31/2011 at 03:36 PM
A/B -list hitting. What do we have to do to get it?
Get some kind of monk to light himself on fire over homeplate? Come on Ned...Frank..this is EMBARRASSING.
Posted by: Blue Sangre | 01/31/2011 at 04:44 PM
I am expecting big things from a Rihanna free Matt Kemp.
Posted by: Jonathan | 01/31/2011 at 06:10 PM
Speaking of 'great' defense - a quality not employed by any of the lost angeles dudgers outfielders...
Juan Pierre not only led all MLB in stolen bases in 2010 - his first year in new league - he was also the leader putouts & fielding % among all AL leftfielders - naturally, JP was also better than all 7 of those failures the dudgers put into Juan's old spot to try (unsuccessfully) replace him defense, offense, catalyst.
Oh, how good it would be in 2011 to see Juan Pierre leading off as the starting LF'r that giant cavity exists there now... our loss, Sox gain.
Posted by: 16blows | 02/01/2011 at 09:20 AM
Tony Gwynn a hitter!! Thanks man I needed a good laugh today. Here is another good one. Broxton might loose 100 pounds and learn how to trow change up or Matt Kemp might learn how to run the bases.
Posted by: JC | 02/01/2011 at 04:16 PM
If they are considering Gwynn as staring CF, then they'd better give equal time and consideration to Trayvon Robinson. Robinson can do all the things Gwynn can, if not better.
Posted by: DodgerTweets | 02/02/2011 at 08:45 AM