Los Angeles Dodgers: 10 Sluggers Who Could Replace Manny Ramirez in Their Lineup
The Mannywood era of Dodger baseball came to a close in 2010. Now that the slugger has moved on from the City of Angels, the hunt is on to replace him.
Dipping below 700 total runs scored in 2010 for the first time since 2005, the Dodgers need to improve their offense if they plan on climbing to the top of the National League West once again. Even with Andre Ethier and Matt Kemp, they were a team that was 27th in baseball in home runs at 120 and 24th in RBIs at 621.
For the Dodgers to succeed in 2011, they will need some help from Ned Colletti to improve the offense. Can he lure Princewood to Los Angeles?
Here are 10 potential sluggers who can make Mannywood a thing of the past at Chavez Ravine in 2011.
This article was featured on the blog Talking Giants Baseball.
To view a supplemental article on this piece, click here to get to the blog entry.
1. Jermaine Dye
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In 2009, Jermaine Dye proved that he still had something left in the gas tank. Now, at age 36, he could return to baseball and help the Dodgers in a similar fashion to what Manny Ramirez did.
Dye hit .250 with 27 home runs, 81 RBI and a .340 OBP in 2009. Like Ramirez, Dye could be a force in the middle of the lineup.
Dye probably will not post his 2009 numbers, but he is another professional bat with playoff experience who can get on base.
His defense may be an issue. He more than likely lost a step or two, but he cannot be any worse than Manny was in the outfield.
Although he is not the best slugger out there, Dye would be the easiest to obtain. Since he is still a free agent and does not have to be traded for, Dye could be had without breaking up the Dodgers' solid starting pitching staff.
2. Prince Fielder
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Can Princewood be a reality at Chavez Ravine?
For a couple years now, Prince Fielder's name was tossed around as a potential trade target. If the Brewers fall out of the race, which is less likely now that they traded for Zack Greinke and Shaun Marcum, Fielder could be an option in 2011 for the Dodgers, especially since it is a contract year for him.
Fielder can flat-out hit. In 2010, he mashed 32 home runs with 83 RBI. He also gets on base, owning a career .385 OBP. He would dramatically change the look of the Dodgers' lineup and serve as a nice tandem with Kemp and Ethier.
Like Manny Ramirez, Fielder can be a defensive liability. His 2010 UZR was -7.4, and his size could hinder his range at first base.
Two problems will make this deal unlikely, however. One, the Brewers expect to compete in 2011, as shown by the Greinke trade, and two, the finances might still be a bit tight with the McCourt divorce.
3. Jose Bautista
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One hit wonder or legitimate power threat? Call it what you want, but it is not easy to hit 54 home runs in a major league season.
Depending on Jose Bautista's arbitration case, he could become available, especially if he wins his case. If that happens, the Blue Jays would have to pay lots of money, so they might want to unload him.
If the Dodgers trade for Bautista to replace Manny Ramirez, their lineup would look better — if 2010 was not a fluke. In 2010, Bautista hit 54 home runs and had 120 RBIs, and he could be the replacement the Dodgers are looking for.
One major problem that could hamper the Dodgers' chances of getting Bautista is that the Jays will want good talent in return for him. It is likely they would want to pry Billingsley or Kershaw away from the Dodgers, something it does not seem like the Dodgers want to do.
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4. Justin Upton
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Justin Upton is a young power hitter who is a force at the plate. If the Dodgers could somehow pry him from the Diamondbacks, a National League West title might be in the cards for the boys in blue.
Upton is signed by the Diamondbacks through 2015 and figures to be a big part of their offense, but for a pitching-starved team like the D-backs, they might have to listen to offers for quality pitching, something the Dodgers have.
Although Upton hit only .273 with 17 home runs and 69 RBIs, he is only 23 years old and will only get better. He has the tools to be a star in the major leagues and maybe a winning atmosphere will get him going.
5. Derrek Lee
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The Orioles recently signed Derrek Lee to a one-year, $7.25 million contract. However, the Orioles may want to unload him midseason if they fall out of the race, which might happen since they are in the same division as the Yankees, Red Sox and Rays.
Currently, James Loney plays Lee's first base position, but Lee might still be a fit for the Dodgers. If Loney can move to the outfield (he has played three career games in right field), the Dodgers can put both potent bats in the lineup.
In 2010, Lee hit .269, with 19 home runs and 80 RBIs. He may not be able to hit 40 home runs anymore, but he can still be a threat to leave the yard.
6. Vladimir Guerrero
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Vladimir Guerrero may be 35, but he can still hit like he was 25.
In 2010, his .300 average, 29 home runs, and 115 RBIs helped the Rangers get to the World Series. If he were to be inserted into the Dodgers' lineup to replace Manny Ramirez, watch out.
Although Guerrero looked lost in the outfield during the World Series, it cannot be any worse than Manny Ramirez's outfield play. It might be a chance worth taking.
Since Guerrero is a free agent, the Dodgers could pick him up without giving anyone up. The question is, how much are the Dodgers willing to spend for the slugger?
7. Jorge Cantu
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The 2010 campaign was a down year for Cantu. In his worst full season as a big league player, Cantu hit just .256 with 11 home runs and 56 RBIs.
When healthy, Cantu can be a legitimate power threat. In 155 games played in 2008, he hit a career high 29 home runs.
Although he can play all around the infield, Cantu's best position is first base. The Dodgers might be able to get away with putting James Loney in the outfield, but if Uribe or Blake struggle, second or third base might open up for Cantu.
With Cantu's down season, he may be a cheap option on the free agent market. Also, since he is a free agent, the Dodgers would not have to part with anybody to pick up Cantu.
8. Vernon Wells
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In 2010, Vernon Wells checked in with another fine season, hitting .273 with 31 home runs and 88 RBIs. He rebounded nicely from a down 2009 year and is a powerful force at the dish.
Wells is under a seven-year, $126 million contract. If the Dodgers can trade for Wells in a package that includes pitching, he could be had.
Wells would be a significant upgrade over Manny Ramirez. He has arguably more power than Ramirez right now in his career.
Plus, "Vernonwood" has a nice ring to it.
9. Garrett Jones
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He has been a Dodger killer so far in his young career, so why not bring him to Los Angeles?
Jones can be an adequate replacement for Manny Ramirez. Although he hit just .247, he hit 21 home runs with 86 RBIs and could hit the ball further than most.
Jones might want a change of scenery now that the Pirates plan on platooning him with Matt Diaz in the outfield. A winning atmosphere might be what he needs to maximize his potential.
The price to pay for Jones? Pitching, pitching and more pitching, especially for the pitching-deprived Pittsburgh Pirates.
10. Jason Bay
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It's just not happening right now for Jason Bay in New York, and a new home might be just the thing to get his bat going again.
In a season in which Bay was injured, he put up sub-par numbers in the 95 games he played in 2010. In his worst season of his career, Bay hit .259 with six home runs and 47 RBIs.
The Mets might want to hang on to Bay, thinking he should be better in 2011 if healthy. However, if the Dodgers come up with a nice package deal for him, he could be patrolling left field in place of Manny Ramirez (if he waves his no-trade clause to come to Los Angeles).
This article was featured on the blog Talking Giants Baseball.
To view a supplemental article on this piece, click here to get to the blog entry.
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