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Dodger emergency at short

The Los Angeles Dodgers infield has been ravaged by injuries so far this year. They were in such dire needs at third base, that AA prospect Blake DeWitt had to open the season as the teams guy. Now the team is being forced to go with Chin-Lung Hu at short stop. The reason? The team’s starting shortstop Rafael Furcal was placed on the 15-day disabled list before Monday’s game. There are reports that the team is actively looking for a veteran guy to play the position. Read more

Dodgers young injured in BP

Los Angeles Dodgers OF Delwyn Young was injured during batting practice for today’s game against the San Diego Padres. It was a pretty freak injury and it’s actually a surprise it doesn’t happen more often. Young was standing in the Dodgers bullpen when a ball hit by Russell Martin hit him right above his right eye. Young immediately hit the ground and stayed there for a few minutes. He was examined by trainer Stan Conte as he was feeling pretty woozy. It was determined he did not suffer a concussion, which is a good thing.

Young has a nasty bump over his eye now but should be available to pinch hit today if needed.

Destinations for Wes Helms

It’s looking more and more likely that Wes Helms days in a Philadelphia Phillies uniform are numbered. Helms has been on the trading block for a while now, even before the team signed Pedro Feliz to play third base for them. A trade is still possible but looking more like a long shot. Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports says Helms is expected to be released on Wednesday if no deal is made. Here is a look at what teams could use Helms the most.

Atlanta Braves. The Braves have a glaring need for bench players. Their current crop is a very weak hitting group and we all know in the National League you do need at least one solid power bat off the bench. Unfortunately, Helms is not that. Even more unfortunate for the Braves he’s more of a threat then any bat they do have in reserve. How little of a home run threat is Helms? Last year 5 bombs in 280 at bats, so obviously not much of one. But when you compare him to the likes of Ruben Gotay, Gregor Blanco, Brayan Pena and Martin Prado, he looks like a big time hitter.

Florida Marlins. The Marlins never wanted to lose the guy, that much is known. Only reason he became a Phillie is cause the Phils outbid them and signed Helms for a 2-year $5.45 million deal. For them his power numbers were a bit different in 2006, he had 240 at bats with 10 homers. Pretty big difference there, ironic thing about it, Citizens Bank Park, nowadays is the easiest place in baseball to hit a homerun.

Los Angeles Dodgers. The Dodgers are playing Blake DeWitt at third, thats all you need to say. The reasons why he probably won’t wind up a Dodger are Nomar Garciaparra, Tony Abreu and Andy LaRoche. Once those 3 are healthy and available Helms wouldn’t even have a place on their bench.

Helms would benefit the Marlins and Braves the best out of the options. The reason why a trade won’t happen is his contract no one wants to pay him $2.9 million after a deal is made. With Helms on waivers those teams will just wait till Wednesday and then make their free agent pitch to him. Good job by the Phillies throwing some money away the last 2 years on the guy. Can’t help but to think what the Phillies could of done for their pitching if combined that money and the money offered to someone like Adam Eaton or Freddy Garcia and went after a solid pitcher.

Giles no show in Vegas

After a whole off-season of talk about Marcus Giles becoming a Los Angeles Dodgers, it isn’t happening. Giles was recently released by the Colorado Rockies after refusing a minor league assignment. The Dodgers, who almost traded for him agreed to a minor league deal with the third baseman earlier today. The plan was for Giles to spend 10 days at AAA-Las Vegas to reacquaint himself with third base and get some more at-bats, then come up to the majors and split time with Rookie Blake DeWitt at third. So what happened?

Giles was in his car driving from his home in San Diego on his way to Las Vegas, when he changed his mind. He turned his car around and went home. He literally just decided I’m not going I don’t feel like it. Supposedly now he doesn’t have the desire to play anymore and might retire.

For the Dodgers, this is absolutely the worst case scenario for them. They’re already down 3 third baseman and passed up other options thinking Giles was a lock. Alex Cintron was one of interest that they could of had, but he signed with the Baltimore Orioles yesterday.

Hot corner a concern for the Dodgers

Third base has turned into an area of concern for the Los Angeles Dodgers. The team has already lost 3 of them during the course of spring training. Where does that leave them? With minor leaguer Blake DeWitt as their Opening Day third baseman, barring a last minute trade. I’m sure Dodgers fans are even going who the hell is DeWitt?

DeWitt played at AA - Jacksonville last season but only logged 168 plate appearances there, with a .281 avg 6 hr and 20 rbis. No doubt, the guy put up some decent numbers but with so little experience there the plan was to start him off there and let him to continue progress. General Manager Ned Colletti has conceded he won’t be an offensive threat at all but should play good enough defense to warrant him being at third till players start to return from injury. The Dodgers wounded include Nomar Garciaparra, Andy LaRoche and Tony Abreu.

Due to the injuries the team has been exploring trade options. They’ve tried to contact the Houston Astros but were told Mark Loretta was unavailable. They’ve also contacted the Kansas City Royals regarding Esteban German. The Dodgers were willing to move pitchers Jonathan Meloan and Miguel Pinango for German, but the Royals held out and demanded Chin-Lung Hu. Thats a price the Dodgers weren’t willing to spend for a stop-gap third baseman. Especially, with German being more of a second baseman and Hu being a valuable back-up for the shortstop position.

This doesn’t look good for the Dodgers who have high hopes this season. The first one expected back is LaRoche but thats not till early May as he recovers from surgery on his right thumb. DeWitt did flash some power Saturday night homering off Jonathan Papelbon at the Colisseum, but don’t expect much of that yet from the 22-year old.

Rays looking to make a trade

The Tampa Bay Rays are actively searching for an additional outfielder, be it via trade or free agency. The Rays strength right now is their young pitching and with that being said, the Rays are willing to deal Edwin Jackson or Jason Hammel if need be. Both players are out of options, so they’d be the first candidates to be dealt. Rays VP Andrew Friedman said “we’ll be aggressive if something presents itself.” There are a few teams who have spare outfielders and are in need of some pitching help.

Those possible partners include the Seattle Mariners, Los Angeles Dodgers and obviously the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. The Angels could move Juan Rivera and the Dodgers they’ve got a problem on their hands with Andre Ethier thinking he deserves more playing time. Where a deal happens thou is all up in the air and purely speculative at this point. The Dodgers just would want to get an outfielder off their hands, while the Angels well they’ve been stricken big time by injury.

Internal options for the Rays include Eric Hinske. Obviously the team isn’t to sold on him being their extra outfielder. If the Rays do make a trade, J.P. Howell could be called up from the minors to take the last rotation spot.

Marcus Giles trade update

A trade between the Colorado Rockies and Los Angeles Dodgers for Marcus Giles is looking less likely. Even with the team contemplating putting both Jeff Kent and Nomar Garciaparra on the disabled list, the trade interest from the Dodgers is minimal. Giles agent, Joe Blick, said that the two teams have had conversations but a deal seems unlikely. Giles is still hopeful thou that something can be worked out.

The Dodgers seem pretty intent on filling any holes on their team from within. If i was the Dodgers, I’d fore go a trade and wait for Giles to hit the free agent market. Giles has been pretty insistent that he will not accept a Triple-A assignment if it was offered by the Rockies. If the Rockies attempt to demote Giles, and he rejects he’s sure to hit the free agent market. Why should the Dodgers give up a young minor leaguer for Giles (even if its a low ball player), when they can get him for a signed check instead. Keep your minor leaguers, and just pay the guy. Why give up a player and pay him.

But yea like the headline says, just a trade update. Not much more brewing on this front.

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