I'm not. It's not like he's never played baseball, even though he has relatively few games played for his age, he's a professional and everything I hear says he conducts himself like one, showing up early and working hard. He's 27 and mature, and seems to be taking it very seriously so I like his chances of success. Except for Figgins, none of those other clowns have proven they can hit a baseball on a regular basis, and even he hasn't done it for several years. As I've said before, if his bat plays all he has to do is play league average defense, and that's not asking a lot.
Yeah but very few IFA position players make the jump from their league to the big leagues. Could you imagine how Puig would of done if he hadn't spent a year in the minors? Much rather Guerrero get some seasoning with American baseball in the minors first. Use one of the other guys to plug that hole for the time being. It's not like we don't have the offensive capability now to not make up for it.
totally agree and there's a reason they included the minor league caveat just in case side note: punto or mark ellis would have been pretty handy right now
I think its natural to clamor for the unknown. Its the same phenomenon that makes the backup QB the most popular guy on the team. Honestly, the reports from winter ball have made me temper my expectations quite a bit. Hope for the best, but prepared for a season of a revolving door at 2b
I think Puig and Guerrero are different cases. Sure both sat out for a period of time, but Guerrero is older and is already more seasoned than Puig. Puig was closer to a real rookie while Guerrero is more of a veteran. FWIW I have the opposite stance on Guerrero that I did with Puig a year ago...I was definitely down with Puig doing his minor league time last year and his quick call up showed on the field. But with Guerrero it's just a case of switching positions and all he really needs are the repetitions to ingrain his new spot, why not get those reps against the best competition?
He's still learning a new position, and his glove was considered to be the weakest part of his game. I would much rather he get those reps at AAA where it wouldn't potentially cost us in a tight game early in the season.
If not Guerrero, I want Gordon with Turner as the backup. But I prefer Guerrero be our 2B as soon as possible.
Yeah, if he's going to cost the team than he needs to start in the minors. I'm hoping he's ready though, of course. Guerrero definitely has a lot working against him(lots of nerves, tons of rust, culture shock, language barrier, new position, new league, expectations, etc.) but he does seem pretty talented. No matter what happens early on I feel like he'll make steady improvement as he get's more comfortable. I wouldn't be surprised if it takes a while for him to reach peak form, though. Maybe even not until next year. However, the question is, will he be effective enough in big league games to justify his playing time while he's adjusting and knocking the rust off? I actually feel fairly confident that the team will make the right decision with him. Shit, maybe the dude will knock our socks off. (Fingers crossed)
He's still learning a new position, and his glove was considered to be the weakest part of his game. I would much rather he get those reps at AAA where it wouldn't potentially cost us in a tight game early in the season. The question to be answered is "Is his glove going to cost the team more than the bats of Gordon, Turner, and Figgins?" IMO his bat (if it plays much at all) will more than make up for any defensive weakness. That's what was up with Puig last season, he did bad things in the field but he was too valuable to sit. Also IMO, can he really be THAT bad in the field that a .275 average won't balance out the equation? We're not gonna get .275 out of those other clowns. I think they should give him a shot, the worst that could happen is he gets sent down for a couple of months.
Bowden's piece. Take it for what you will: The Dodgers' second base solution March, 2, 2014 By Jim Bowden | ESPN.com With Alex Guerrero not yet ready, the Dodgers' second base job is up in the air. It's no secret that the Los Angeles Dodgers think they are the favorites to win the World Series, and with their star-studded roster it's hard to disagree. There's only one problem: They don't have a second baseman. Yes, they signed Alex Guerrero to a four-year, $28 million deal last fall, but the 27-year-old Cuban hasn't proved himself in spring training, and manager Don Mattingly told me the position is "up in the air." I was in Dodgers camp Friday, and multiple evaluators told me that Guerrero needs extensive time at Triple-A to refine his skills at second base (he played shortstop in Cuba) and regain his timing after not playing at all last year. The club loves his work ethic and thinks he will be a contributor down the line, but signs point to him beginning the season in Albuquerque. Assuming that's true, the Dodgers need a second baseman. Let's break down the possible alternatives to Guerrero both inside and outside of the organization. Internal solutions Dee Gordon: He's gained about 20 pounds of strength in his upper body and is trying to prove he can barrel the ball up with authority. He's still a little careless in the field, but if he can cut down on his errors and hit .250 with 30 stolen bases, he would be playable. The club will also give him some reps in center field to increase his versatility down the line. Chone Figgins: Don't laugh -- there are a lot of people in Dodgers camp rooting for Figgins to be a comeback story. But he is 36 years old, and hasn't been an impact player since 2009. If he makes the club, it will more likely be as a utility guy who can fill in at second, third and left. Justin Turner: He posted a respectable .275/.319/.388 line over the last two years as a bench player with the Mets, but even though second base is his natural position, the Dodgers think he will be exposed with an everyday job and is more likely to take over the bench role occupied by the departed Nick Punto. Brendan Harris: He's a decent right-handed hitter but has below-average range at second and third. Similar to Turner, but probably not as good at this point in his career. External solutions If the Dodgers decide that their in-house replacements can't hack it, there are some alternatives outside the organization. Brandon Phillips makes the most sense if the Dodgers were willing to eat his big contract, but I don't think they want to do that. Here are some more realistic possibilities: Stephen Drew, free agent: He is still on the market, and despite sincere interest from the Mets and a few other teams, a deal has not been reached yet. The Dodgers could probably get him for a one-year deal in the $10 million range, but don't want to give up the draft pick to get him. Furthermore, he has never played second base in the majors and would need some time to adjust. That said, I think he has the baseball acumen to pick up the position quickly and might be the easiest fix. Nick Franklin, Seattle Mariners: Seattle has been talking to several clubs, including the Rays, Mets, Yankees and Blue Jays, about a possible deal involving Franklin. With Robinson Cano signed for 10 years and Brad Miller the better defender at short, Franklin is available for outfield or bullpen help, and the Dodgers can certainly provide the latter. Franklin and Gordon could certainly at the very least share the position until Guerrero is ready, and Franklin's power would blend nicely with Gordon's speed. Darwin Barney, Chicago Cubs: In some ways, Barney is the best strategic fit for the Dodgers since defense is his calling card and the Dodgers don't have any elite defenders up the middle. He's expendable in Chicago because the Cubs have a plethora of infield prospects on the horizon -- including Javier Baez and Arismendy Alcantara -- and he is not a long-term fit there. The Cubs would need to get a starting pitcher in return, but the Dodgers have some depth in the minors and could certainly find a match. Scooter Gennett or Rickie Weeks, Milwaukee Brewers: Brewers GM Doug Melvin told me there is a strong possibility that one of these guys is traded by Opening Day. Gennett would be the better fit for the Dodgers because he's a better defender than Weeks. However, the Brewers control Gennett for a few more years while Weeks has only one year left on his deal (with an $11.5 million vesting option for 2015 if he gets 600 plate appearances), which makes it more likely the Brewers move him. Weeks' power is still there, and he's the kind of guy who could benefit from a change of scenery. Daniel Murphy, New York Mets: He would be an offensive upgrade, and the presence of Wilmer Flores might make the Mets willing to deal him, but he would further weaken the Dodgers' up-the-middle defense. Gordon Beckham, Chicago White Sox: Scouts have finally accepted that he is not going to be the star many predicted, and if you can forget about the fact that he was once an elite prospect, he could still be a solid player who could also benefit from getting away from a team and fan base that views him as a disappointment. Danny Espinosa, Washington Nationals: He lost his everyday job to Anthony Rendon and struck out at an alarming rate in both the majors and minors last year. On the flip side, he wouldn't cost much and has shown he can contribute in the majors, slugging 21 homers in 2011. If I had to bet, I'd wager that Gordon ends up getting the job on Opening Day since he is the best internal option. If I was in GM Ned Colletti's shoes, I'd be working hard to trade for Franklin, offering up a package leading with Chris Withrow and also including another pitcher (Javi Guerra?), or perhaps a low-level outfield prospect.
