Dodgers Depleting Farm for Marginal Upgrades - Lasorda's Lair - Lasorda's Lair - A Los Angeles Dodgers Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and More

For all the talk and hoopla over Cliff Lee and every other name pitcher mentioned in the free agent market, what is consistently overlooked is how weak and meager the Dodgers infield continues to be.  While the team boasts an outfield trio as talented as any in the majors, the Dodgers infield home run totals are as follows: Martin – 4, Loney – 5, DeWitt – 1, Furcal – 3, and Blake -8.  As a group, they have the same number as Tigers first basemen Miguel Cabrera.  While the Dodgers have made it to the NLCS the last two years, it is difficult to fathom anything beyond that without a sufficient power upgrade in the infield.

The Dodgers difficulties in acquiring infield talent is somewhat understandable.  In Russell Martin and James Loney, they have two young players with outstanding pedigrees who have shown their ability in spurts.  Martin arrived and thrived early, garnering great fanfare and expectations.  Loney is a former 1st round pick who is a favorite of Dodgers management and coaches Joe Torre, Larry Bowa, and Don Mattingly.  The team consistently praises his attitude, work ethic, high-RBI totals and anything else you can think of.  Their effusive praise of Loney at times seems to be almost an act to send a message to the more self-assured young guns like Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier.  But the reality is that they are average players at best, currently.  The Dodgers should be lauded in giving the young guys every chance to star, but the failure to upgrade at these positions is glaring when cheap upgrades such as Troy Glaus, Aubrey Huff, and Adam LaRoche were available and subsequently acquired by NL teams in free agency.  Meanwhile, Casey Blake provides veteran leadership, solid defense, and serviceable production at the hot corner.

Which leads to second base.

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Dodgers Should Try to Catch a Fish from South Florida - Lasorda's Lair - Lasorda's Lair - A Los Angeles Dodgers Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and More