It has been brought to my attention that some Dodger fans don't like the signing of Garrett Anderson.
I am on the opposite side of that opinion. I think it was a really good signing. The guy isn't going to be playing the outfield that often, and if he does, he's no worse than Manny Ramirez.
And it's not like he's expected to carry the offense. He's a solid left handed pinch hitter with a little bit of pop still in his bat. It's nothing to get worked up over, either way, actually.
He also adds depth to the outfield, and he creates competition which is great.
Here are the options after the three starters, Matt Kemp, Ramirez and Andre Ethier...
Reed Johnson
Johnson is going to be the teams fourth outfielder. He would have to get hurt to not start the season with that role. He's a scrappy player, who played good defense and can hit a little bit. I don't love this signing, but I'm not all that against it, I guess.
Jason Repko
The reason I'm not exactly thrilled with Reed Johnson is that the team already has a Reed Johnson, just with a different name. Repko is not going to get his chance this year. Too many outfielders, now.
Xavier Paul
Paul was in line to be the fourth outfielder after Juan Pierre was traded, but then the Dodgers signed a slough of average to slightly above average players. Paul is a solid player with a lot of potential, it's just not his time yet.
Garrett Anderson
If Anderson can give this team 150-200 AB's, and hit five to eight home runs, I'll take it. A .250-.260 average would be great. Dude has a knack for driving in runs, so I think he'll come up with some big hits. Not a horrible spot starter option.
Brian Giles
The Dodgers went from hoping that Giles could regain form and be the left-handed bat to just now hoping to be surprised. Giles isn't going to hold up, but now he has incentive to perform and that can only be good for competition. He'll truly have to earn a spot, and if he does, that means he'll give them some production.
I wasnt too stoked on the Reed signing because it didnt answer the power lackage off the bench, but having him as the fourth outfielder for defense and quick spells is okay, BECAUSE OF GARRETT ANDERSON!!!! He provides the power from the left side that we desperatly need (Giles is like Bill Mueller signing). Now I want Dewitt to win the second base job because our bench will be stacked.
C-Ausmus
INF-Belliard, RH power off bench, 1B/3B/2B
OF-Johnson defensive sub for Manny, scrappy player w hustle, much like the repko four years ago
INF-Carroll see johnson but problem is he isnt a SS (big problem if Torre carries 12 pitchers which he does quite most of the season)
OF-Anderson LH power off bench, can spell Manny from time to time and wont make our defense any worse
Again the big problem is not having a backup SS if Torre carries 12 pitchers...making it more likely that Belliard starts at 2B, and Dewitt is in the minors, and either Green/Berroa/Hu make it as the backup middle infielder
Martin out four to six weeks, the curse of martin continues...should have signed my mitt! Now there is a starting job up for grabs w ellis, may and closser in the mix for a gig. Ellis is defensive minded if I remember right and may is a young prospect that I know little about. Closser was a top prospect in the rox org that intirgued me when we signed him...I think he hit 12 bombs a while back
Martin out four to six weeks, the curse of martin continues...should have signed my mitt! Now there is a starting job up for grabs w ellis, may and closser in the mix for a gig. Ellis is defensive minded if I remember right and may is a young prospect that I know little about. Closser was a top prospect in the rox org that intirgued me when we signed him...I think he hit 12 bombs a while back
Like the outfield breakdown. Good stuff.
Not too worried about the Martin thing.