The Dodgers Have Fallen in Love with Jerry Sands All Over Again

The Dodgers are having their second romantic affair with Jerry Sands, and I am afraid they are just going to have their hearts broken like before. Reminiscent of a young teenage girl getting her heart ripped apart by a charming lothario.

Today the Dodgers designated outfielder Tony Gwynn Jr. for assignment, and called up outfielder/first baseman Jerry Sands from Albuquerque. This move somewhat came out of nowhere. It’s no secret the Dodgers need more power in their lineup, what with only three legitimate power threats in the lineup being Matt Kemp, Andre Ethier, and Hanley Ramirez, ok and maybe A.J. Ellis now with his ten home runs, but I digress.

Look I’m not saying Gwynn was great or anything. Gwynn is being DFA’d because with the addition of Shane Victorino in left field, the Dodgers don’t really need Gwynn any longer. Gwynn was not hitting well obviously. He isn’t much of a hitter, although I thought he had a good start to the year. Gwynn was only hitting .232/.276/.293 with no home runs, 17 RBI, 4 triples, 13 stolen bases, 60 hits, in 259 at-bats, and 103 games played. Gwynn can play all three outfield positions, but Victorino can play center field, so I guess the Dodgers felt they didn’t need him anymore. Gwynn was under contract for next season, and the Dodgers will be on the hook for the rest of his two million dollar contract.

As for Jerry Sands, I refuse to be blinded, and I refuse to fall in love again. Sands got hot, down in Albuquerque, and it seems his nicely timed little hot streak, has fooled the Dodgers once again. Haven’t we been here before though? Yes we have. This is what normally happens. Sands gets hot in Albuquerque, and the Dodgers start drooling, and they call him up, and he completely and utterly sucks.

Remember, they called him up last year, and he sucked. He got a chance in spring training to take the left field job, and he sucked again. Then the Dodgers called him up earlier this season, only because of injuries, and he sucked yet again.

Sands has hit nine home runs since the PCL all-star break, and he also hit two grand slam home runs in one game which tied a PCL record. Sands has hit 21 home runs down there, but is also hitting .286. Normally that is good, but down there in Albuquerque, .286 is considered struggling in that high altitude where everyone hits .300, and the balls go flying out.

Sands has a major league line of .248/.329/.381 (54 for 218) with only four home runs, and 27 RBI. He has 26 walks, and has whiffed 59 times. I could only guess that Sands will see more time at first base, since left field is filled by Victorino. Since Loney sucks so bad, and Rivera isn’t much better, the Dodgers are hoping he’ll provide some pop. I’m also going to assume he spends most of his time on the bench as a pinch-hitter. Sands has played first base, right and left field this season in Albuquerque.

I’m not that upset over losing Gwynn, I mean, I’m sad to see him go. I think he’s a great outfielder, just not a very good hitter. I understand the Dodgers didn’t need him anymore, and I am fine with that. But please don’t pretend like this is some great move or anything, because we all know Sands will just suck again. It’s like the Dodgers have Billy Ashley syndrome with him.

I’m warning everyone, not to fall in love Jerry Sands again. He’s never proven he can hit at the major league level. This season in 20 at-bats he was 4 for 20, that’s a line of .200/.238/.300, with no home runs, and one RBI. (I know small sample size, but still) Meanwhile Juan Uribe continues to stink up the bench, and waste a roster spot.

No disrespect to Sands, he’s a good guy, but I am not getting fooled again. Jerry Sands has to prove he can hit at the major league level. Until that happens, I’ll believe it when I see it.