The Return of Rafael Furcal
by Eric Stephen on May 18, 2009 12:00 PM PDT
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PrintSince Rafael Furcal went of the disabled list last May with lower back pain, the Dodger shortstops have not performed well at all. Furcal's last game before going on the DL was May 5 against the Mets. Up to that point, Furcal was easily the Dodgers' MVP, hitting .366/.448/.597, with 34 runs scored in 32 games.
Since last May 5, the Dodgers have played 169 regular season games, slightly more than a full major league season. Here are the stats for the Dodger shortstops during that stretch:
| PA | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | BA | OBP | SLG | OPS |
| 668 | 610 | 77 | 134 | 28 | 3 | 7 | 48 | 44 | .220 | .276 | .310 | .586 |
Mark Belanger, anyone? That is truly awful production out of the shortstop spot. Luckily for the Dodgers, Furcal is expected back tonight against those same Mets against whom he last played. Hopefully, his return will increase the production of the...
What's that? Furcal has been playing this season? All season? Are you sure?
Furcal has played the worst baseball of his career in 2009, hitting to the tune of .233/.290/.293. Furcal and the Dodgers say he's fine physically, but I don't think a healthy Furcal would be hitting as badly as he is. Kevin Baxter of the LA Times suggested the problem might be overanxiousness:
Furcal's anxiety is causing him to jump at some pitches and overswing on others, a tendency opposing teams are exploiting.
The Dodgers have had the best offense in the National League, even with subpar production from their shortstop, but they need Furcal to get going offensively to remain on top. Juan Pierre won't be hitting .419 all year, after all.
Among National League teams, only Pittsburgh (.543 OPS) and Philadelphia (.557 OPS) have received worse production out of their shortstops in 2009 than the Dodgers.
Hitting coach Don Mattingly suggests a fresh approach at the plate for Furcal:
"I really get more concerned with just him getting frustrated and letting things kind of snowball. That's what I don't want to happen," Mattingly said.
"There's a big chunk of the year left and sometimes guys let that early-on [slump] affect what's going to happen instead of putting this behind them.
"And that's really what I want to happen. For him to flip the page and start over. It's today. It doesn't matter what happened yesterday."
Furcal's new season starts tonight, against the last team he played against before getting hurt in 2008.
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Just want to add
The SS OPS for the 168-game stretch was .575, before Juan Castro’s great day raised it to .586.
Unfortunately
That’s still not very good.
by Brendan Scolari on May 18, 2009 12:31 PM PDT up reply actions
I meant "Predicted OPS" (or PrOPS)
from Hardball Times, which is what his numbers should be, based on how he has hit already (line drive rate, fly ball / ground ball ratio, etc). Not going forward.
Not sure if I was clear on that.
by Eric Stephen on May 18, 2009 12:46 PM PDT up reply actions
That would be great production to get from Raffy.
I doubt he’ll be that good though. He’s only had an OBP above .360 once in his career and has never slugged higher than .445 (not counting his injury shortened 2008).
by Brendan Scolari on May 18, 2009 12:36 PM PDT up reply actions
If that is AVG/OBP/SLG
then it’s complete BS.
by silverwidow on May 18, 2009 12:37 PM PDT up reply actions
But of course, it isn't!
I’m not used to seeing OBP/SLG/OPS
by silverwidow on May 18, 2009 12:39 PM PDT up reply actions
A. Martinez continues to make my head hurt
While he gave them props for once since they beat the East (he called them right now “the premiere team in the NL” and said he’d lay off them for a week), he also suggested this trade:
Kershaw and Loney for Cliff Lee and Victor Martinez
That is so stupid.
Drop Kershaw and Cliff Lee from that trade and you’ve got a deal
by Michael White on May 18, 2009 12:59 PM PDT up reply actions
I know
But I’m a Dodger fan, so I prefer the lopsided deals go in my favor…
by Michael White on May 18, 2009 1:01 PM PDT up reply actions
A. Marintez would make a horrible GM.
Its doing deals like Cliff Lee for Kershaw is what made L.A. so devoid of talent during the late 90s-early 2000s
If you wanted Cliff Lee
who would you be willing to give up? Hu plus a lower level prospect? Blake Dewitt straight up (I fear we would be giving up too much there.)
by Michael White on May 18, 2009 1:16 PM PDT up reply actions
Cleaveland is going to want a boatload of prospects.
"Morale has dropped from ‘low’ to ‘I’d like to burn this place down’.
You know what they say. It’s nice to want things. But the team sucks, Lee is 30 years old and the Cleveland economy isn’t exactly chugging along. They can hold out for a boatload of prospects, and they may well get it. But they didn’t exactly hit a homerun in the deal that sent Sabathia to Milwuakee.
by Michael White on May 18, 2009 1:25 PM PDT up reply actions
What was the proposed Dodgers-Cleaveland trade?
The one where the Dodgers would have gotten Sabathia and Blake.
"Morale has dropped from ‘low’ to ‘I’d like to burn this place down’.
If I remember right it was:
Kemp, McDonald, Elbert, Santana, Meleon, for Sabthia, Blake, and Jamey Carroll.
If that trade went down, I might have stopped being a Dodgers fan.
OMG
It’s like people just assume they can fleece the Dodgers.
by Michael White on May 18, 2009 1:40 PM PDT up reply actions
They almost did!
That trade was approved by Ned Coletti and the Indians FO, but McCourt stopped it from happening!
Not because he thought Kemp was worth saving, but he didn’t want to pay for Sabthia, Blake and Carroll’s contracts.
While I don't think Coletti will do Kershaw for Lee
he might give Cleveland every remaining prospect for Lee.
"Morale has dropped from ‘low’ to ‘I’d like to burn this place down’.
Trading pitching for pitching would be pointless.
"Morale has dropped from ‘low’ to ‘I’d like to burn this place down’.
In a Kershaw vs. Lee move
It would trading a pitcher with high upside, for ‘established’ pitching.
The only problem is that the ‘established’ pitching isn’t really established.
Sorry for any Cliff Lee fans, but the guy is a fluke. Kershaw’s can be as good as their 3rd best starter this year, while Cliff Lee can be a potential free agent, and is already 30.
I wouldn’t say I’m a Cliff Lee fan, but I don’t think he’s a fluke either. Last year was a fluke to be sure, but he’s not pitching all that poorly this year. Currently his FIP is 3.17. His WHIP is poor at 1.41, but that goes along with a very high .352 BABIP.
I would be all in favor of landing Cliff Lee if the price is right. I figure Lee to be better than Weaver, Milton, Stults, and McDonald right now— so if we can send over a favorable trade, it would be an upgrade.
by Michael White on May 18, 2009 1:37 PM PDT up reply actions
Yeah, but he's not good enough to give up for your best player, or your potentially best player.
Martin, Lambo, Kershaw, etc. shouldn’t even be discussed in a trade for Lee, and you know the Indians would only want players of that class.
Completely agree
My offer would top out at Dewitt. If that doesn’t land Lee—- I’ll find some way to get by.
by Michael White on May 18, 2009 1:40 PM PDT up reply actions
Newday reported
Reyes is likely to start tonight. Cora got hurt sliding into 2nd last night anyway, and me be out.
by Eric Stephen on May 18, 2009 1:01 PM PDT up reply actions
Based on the first 1.5 months
My top 5 prospects now:
1. Ethan Martin – Destroying Midwest League less than a year out of HS.
2. Andrew Lambo – Slumped of late, but very young for AA. High ceiling bat.
3. Josh Lindblom – Excellent K/BB ratio. Mid-90s FB. Only one bad start.
4. Josh Bell – Improved walk rate and conditioning. Probable future L.A. 3rd baseman.
5. Dee Gordon – Big time tools and speed. Flashy SS glove and strong contact hitter.
I wouldn’t move Bell up until he redisplays his power and proves he’s a 3rd baseman. The improved walk rate his great but he’s got a lot more work to do.
BA in the latest prospect news rhetorically asked if Gordon was the top breakthrough prospect in 2009.
Martin is for sure number one, still to early for me to figure out who gets the 2nd spot. Lambo has been hot and cold and his power peripherals are poor at the moment.
I like it other then Bell. I might have it Martin/Lindblom/Lambo/Gordon…
The Loons are loaded with the guys making huge impressions. Martin, Gordon, Russel, and Delmonico.
The only prospect to really fail to impress has been Eovaldi. So far it has been a banner year for the prospects. 2008 draft is looking awesome.
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