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2010 Player Profile: Doug Mientkiewicz, Vagabond No More?

It's easy to see why Doug Mientkiewicz came back to the Dodgers, as a non-roster player for the second spring in a row.  Over the last six seasons, Mientkiewicz has played for seven teams, including starting each of those last six years with a brand new team.  It is understandable that he would like to return to familiar settings for the first time in a long time.

Most Teams Played For, 2004-2009
Player Teams
Jorge Julio 8
Doug Mientkiewicz     7
Elmer Dessens 7
Luis Vizcaino 7
Kip Wells 7
per Baseball-Reference.com

Plus, there is a sense of unfinished business for the man affectionately known as "Eye Chart."  Mientkiewicz was in the same position last season, a non-roster player who won a job on the bench, as the primary lefty pinch hitter and backup first baseman.  However, in just the 10th game of the season, Mientkiewicz slid headfirst into second base to complete a two-run double.  He was safe at second, but reached base anything but safely.  He dislocated his shoulder, and missed the next four months.  Admirably, he fought hard through rehabilitation, and ended up returning to the team in September.

However, the shoulder injury sapped much of his ability to play the field.  Once a defensive whiz at first base (his UZR/150 was between +12.2 and +16.3 every season from 2005-2008), Mientkiewicz even to this day still has trouble throwing.  While Mientkiewicz and Garret Anderson are battling for a pinch-hitting role, likely one that won't result in much time in the field, Joe Torre still likes to have versatility and flexibility on the bench for late-game maneuvers.  Anderson himself isn't much of a fielder (in left field) himself, so the defensive bar for Mientkiewicz (at first base) isn't set very high.

Contract Status

Mientkiewicz signed a minor league contract that will pay him $550,000 if he makes the major league roster.  Mientkiewicz can also earn up to $200,000 in incentives based on plate appearances, ranging from 150 to 350.

2010 Outlook

Year Age PA 2B Runs RBI BA OBP SLG wOBA
2006 32 361 24 37 43 .283 .359 .411 .340
2007 33 192 12 26 24 .277 .349 .440 .346
2008 34 334 19 37 30 .277 .374 .379 .337
2009 35 20 1 0 3 .333 .400 .389 .358
2010 Projections - Age 36 Season
CHONE 286 15 31 32 .249 .336 .364 .316
Marcel 243 13 27 25 .264 .344 .392 .325
ZiPS 211 12 27 32 .266 .341 .404 .334

There has been some talk this spring of the Dodgers starting the season with 11 pitchers, rather than their usual 12.  This would create an extra spot on the bench, which could increase Mientkiewicz's odds of making the club.  However, I will believe the Dodgers will use only 11 pitchers when I see it.  Mientkiewicz's best case scenario is to have a shoulder healthy enough to play the field, to make the club, enter the final game of the World Series for James Loney after a double switch, and keep the ball that recorded the final out, Evan Longoria's groundout to give the Dodgers a win over the Rays.

My guess is that Mientkiewicz loses the final bench spot to Anderson, but if he makes it I'll pick .281/.351/.380. 

What are your predictions for Doug Mientkiewicz (BA/OBP/SLG)? 

***********

Vin Scully fell last night at his home in Los Angeles, but he is OK.  Dodger Vice President of Communications Josh Rawitch released a statement late last night:

I just spoke with him and he told me that he was in bed this evening and simply got up too quickly and fell and bumped his head. For precautionary reasons, he went to the hospital and will stay overnight for observation but he fully expects to be at Camelback Ranch this weekend for the the telecast on Sunday.

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I predict Minky will lose the LH PH job to GA before latching on to the team as a coach or special assistant.

by kinbote on Mar 19, 2010 8:26 AM PDT reply actions  

I agree

I don’t see MInky making this team. He’s not a good enough hitter to make up for the fact that he has no value in the field.

by Michael White on Mar 19, 2010 8:27 AM PDT reply actions  

GA has looked good this spring. He’s getting hits, hanging in there against lefties, and even showing some extra base potential. I was reading a preview mag last night and dude has some crazy counting stats (hits, doubles, etc.), mostly because he never walked that much. I think he’s a near-lock for the roster. The only [non-]thing Minky might bring is that cool/wacky vibe that keeps the bench loose (Think Mark Sweeney). After seeing Reed Johnson swat that dinger yesterday, I’m starting to get a decent feeling about our bench.

by kinbote on Mar 19, 2010 8:39 AM PDT up reply actions  

Count me among the doubters

If GA’s bat shows life, Eye Chart doesn’t make the team. Mientkiewicz was considered more of a defensive 1B, not a hitter, in his prime years, and I can’t see the bum shoulder helping him at the plate either. If by some chance he makes it, .244 / .322 / .342, but my real prediction is .000 / .000 / .000.

The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.

by David Young on Mar 19, 2010 8:40 AM PDT reply actions  

Minky is a pretty useful player, or at least he was prior to that ill-advised slide last season. However, I just don’t see him beating out GA, who just gives the team more flexibility and a little more power. I think our bench figures to be pretty strong this season.

by OB12 on Mar 19, 2010 9:02 AM PDT reply actions  

Good point on flexibility. GA gives us a 5th OF, which is better than having another backup 1b. The positional makeup of our bench would be pretty solid:

Ausmus—C
Carroll—3b/SS/2b
Belliard—3b/2b/1b
Johnson—LF/CF/RF
Anderson—LF/RF/1b

The only area we might be lacking is SS, but we know Torre’s going to ride Furcal hard this year. If Furcal gets injured, we have a legitimate backup in Hu just a phone call away.

by kinbote on Mar 19, 2010 9:15 AM PDT up reply actions  

Madness has begun

Interesting early games with West Virginia down early, Cornell looking to represent the Ivy League, and much much more.

by kinbote on Mar 19, 2010 9:42 AM PDT reply actions  

Power vs. OBP

I’d rather have GA over Doug. Doug would probably have a higher OBP, but GA would provide more power which is what I like to have off the bench. Fun fact: Doug has more walks than GA in his career in less than half as many plate appearances.

by Hllywoodgq on Mar 19, 2010 9:47 AM PDT reply actions  

Watching minor leaguers practice. DeJesus is listed in minor league camp now

by Eric Stephen on Mar 19, 2010 10:09 AM PDT via mobile reply actions  

I got to see him take BP a couple weekends ago, he’s got a good swing.

by Ivdown on Mar 19, 2010 10:59 AM PDT up reply actions  

"Broadcaster Scully Hospitalized"

Seeing that headline at cnnsi.com scared the hell out of me. First thing I did was come here to see if anyone else had any new news. I can’t imagine life without Vin…

by KellyStephen on Mar 19, 2010 11:06 AM PDT reply actions  

He bumped his head getting out of bed too fast and went to the hospital as a precaution and stayed overnight. Apparently everything is ok. When I heard I got very nervous until I heard what actually happened.

by Ivdown on Mar 19, 2010 11:07 AM PDT up reply actions  

Me too

It all happened after I fell asleep and I didn’t notice until this morning. Kind of a jolting wake up.

by Eric Stephen on Mar 19, 2010 11:29 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions  

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/shame-we-cant-see-dodgers-true-potential-031910

Actually a good article on the Dodger’s lack of spending the last few years by Ken Rosenthal. I’m surprised.

by Ivdown on Mar 19, 2010 11:06 AM PDT reply actions  

Also, many random Giants and Rockies fans on sports websites are idiots (just as I’m sure random Dodger fans are, but they should definitely stop) and just say things that make no sense. I can’t even imagine how espn.com forums look.

by Ivdown on Mar 19, 2010 11:11 AM PDT up reply actions  

I don't know ...

He gets bogged down in all that “ace” talk, somehow making that a financial issue. Now we’re told that the Dodgers would have had CC Sabathia but for a lack of money?

And again, he’s using attendance as a baseline for payroll, ignoring the issue of the TV contract.

I’m not trying to defend the McCourts, and you don’t need to bring up Carlos Santana, but this struck me as more of the same broad brush the national media typically uses.

by JonWeisman on Mar 19, 2010 11:12 AM PDT up reply actions  

Besides the whole “ace” thing, I think he’s got some good points. The CC offseason thing was a choice between CC and Manny, and I think the right choice was made. CC would have been way too much for way too long to sign.

I think his point stands (though I don’t think the Dodgers should have a payroll of 150 million, but they SHOULD be spending more than they are, if not just on extensions for Kemp, Kershaw, Ethier, and Billingsley. I don’t care that there were no big free agent signings or giant trades that wreck our farm system (then again, who WOULDN’T want that???), but those 4 players have to be extended past free agency. I would settle for Kemp and Kershaw getting long extensions, too.

by Ivdown on Mar 19, 2010 11:21 AM PDT up reply actions  

If it is true that the Dodgers asked for $5M in a Sabathia deal, I could imagine that being part of the price for, once again, including high-quality players from the Dodgers in the deal.

The biggest point Rosenthal misses is the suspected size of the Dodger debt service required to keep the team going and the highly-leverage nature of the purchase to being with. That’s the big issue, and it existed whether or not the McCourts stayed married or started divorce proceedings.

The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.

by David Young on Mar 19, 2010 11:37 AM PDT up reply actions  

Meh

This reads as the same old tired refrain “You’re the Dodgers! Spend like it!” There is nothing particularly insightful about this article.

by OB12 on Mar 19, 2010 11:14 AM PDT up reply actions  

It’s my jealousy of Arizona, and KC, and Tampa Bay, and Milwakee and whatever other teams have already signed some of their young studs to team friendly, or even if they are expensive, bargain deals. It feels like it isn’t even being discussed :(

by Ivdown on Mar 19, 2010 11:23 AM PDT up reply actions  

I think his Minnesota comparison is a bit misleading, as they are launching a new stadium and are likely to scale back in coming years. That’s like discussing Sandra Bullock as a great actress cuz she won an Oscar.

by kinbote on Mar 19, 2010 11:27 AM PDT up reply actions  

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NL West Standings

W L PCT GB STRK
San Diego 60 42 .588 0 Lost 2
San Francisco 60 45 .571 1.5 Won 2
Los Angeles 54 50 .519 7 Lost 4
Colorado 54 50 .519 7 Won 3
Arizona 38 66 .365 23 Lost 1

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2010 Dodger Payroll

Pos No Player 2010 Salary
C 55 Martin $5,050,000
1B 7 Loney $3,100,000
2B   Theriot $909,290
3B 23 Blake $6,000,000
SS 15 Furcal $8,500,000
LF  21 Podsednik $640,710
CF 27 Kemp $4,000,000
RF 16 Ethier $6,000,000

SS/2B/3B 14 Carroll $1,350,000
2B/3B/1B 3 Belliard $825,000
OF 30 Paul $264,481
PH/OF 9 Anderson $550,000
C 12 Ausmus $850,000

SP 22 Kershaw $440,000
SP 18 Kuroda $14,100,000
SP 58 Billingsley $3,850,000
SP 44 Padilla $4,025,000
SP   Lilly $1,696,721

CL 51 Broxton $4,000,000
LHP 56 Kuo $950,000
RHP   Dotel $636,612
RHP 36 Weaver $800,000
RHP 74
Jansen $159,563
RHP 37 Monasterios $460,000
LHP 52 Sherrill $4,500,000

DL 5 Johnson $800,000
DL 99 Manny $7,267,760
RL 54 Belisario $173,566



Pierre $4,000,000


Andruw $3,600,000


Schmidt $2,000,000


Wolf $2,000,000


Hudson $1,440,000


Nomar $1,250,000
Ra.Ortiz $349,727
AAA 45 Miller $292,623
DeWitt $264,372
AAA 17 Ellis $222,951
AAA 38 Troncoso $204,590


Ohman $200,000
AAA 49 Haeger $195,393
AAA 47 Wade $194,514
AAA  48 Ely $161,749


Repko $122,951
21 Green $96,175
AAA 59 Schlichting $87,431
Ru.Ortiz $63,934
AAA 50 Link $48,087
DFA 35
Taschner $39,344


Zerpa $35,000
McDonald $28,771
AAA 60 Hu $13,148
AAA 57 Elbert $6,557
AAA
Hoffmann ($25,000)


Stults ($400,000)

Totals
$98,391,060
 
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