Why the Dodgers Cannot Afford to Keep Playing Dee Gordon

I want to like Dee Gordon, I really do. But the 24-year-old Gordon just isn't getting the job done for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

In just his second season as a major league ballplayer, Gordon is obviously struggling at the plate as well as on defense. Gordon has put up a meager .234 average in his 57 games thus far in 2012. He has also committed 10 errors on the defensive end.

That doesn't seem to fit in what the Dodgers are trying to do.

Having signed Matt Kemp to a lucrative contract, as well as Andre Ethier, the Dodgers are a team that is in the middle of serous transition. We're not talking some minor-league level transition period. No, we are talking about Magic Johnson and Company spending some serious coin on the blue to turn the team into a contender for more than just the 2012 season.

Realists understand that Gordon is not a part of that future.

Under the old Frank McCourt regime, perhaps Gordon would be afforded a longer leash than what is expected right now. However, while somewhat dazzling defensively, at the plate, Gordon just falls short.

The Dodgers could typically afford to take the time to transition and develop Gordon, but it almost appears as though the team views him as a lost cause to some lesser degree.

Having just extended Andre Ethier, the front office needs to start addressing the rest of the organizational needs. That, in and of itself, should be evidence of the Dodgers need to unload Gordon.

Offense will boost the team far in to the playoffs; their constituted pitching will win them a World Series.