Yet one more concern for the Dodgers -- their defense
This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.
How about that Dodgers defense?
Pretty excited, are you? Just imagining it in action kind of triggers the goose bumps. Such anticipation.
As currently envisioned, I guess, the Dodgers are built around pitching. Strong pitching, of course, usually coincides with strong defense. At least that’s the working theory.
The Dodgers’ defense, however, is not looking too inspiring. It may not be looking scary, but it has that potential.
The 2009 Dodgers were a very good defensive team, committing only 83 errors, seventh-best in the majors. Last year, they committed 98 errors, and it’s a downward trend that could continue.
It’s not just the lack of errors, but the amount of ground covered that makes for a great defensive team. And if the Dodgers pitching really is that good, it had better make batters hit it at somebody.
The only two starters who can cover some serious ground for the Dodgers are shortstop Rafael Furcal and center fielder Matt Kemp.
Furcal struggled to stay healthy last season, and Kemp made getting a lousy jump on a ball an art form; but he is so fast, he often comes screaming by to still make the catch.
It’s not exactly Furcal, Kemp and the seven statues, but there doesn’t figure to be a buzz of activity around them.
For the most part, this is the same defensive team as last, only older.
In the infield, the lone addition is Juan Uribe at second base. Uribe has a great glove and arm, and covers about as much territory as Jeff Kent. Uribe’s best position is really third. James Loney has a wonderful glove at first, but also covers precious little ground.
On the other side of the infield is Casey Blake (37) and Furcal (33). Blake still plays a solid if unspectacular third. Furcal may no longer be in his prime -- and sometimes shows a tad too much confidence in his cannon arm -- but he’s still an above-average shortstop capable of making the dazzling play.
Rod Barajas is 35, and even at 25 was never confused with Ivan Rodriguez behind the plate. On the bright side, he certainly appeared serviceable during his time with the Dodgers, not committing an error in 23 games.
Andre Ethier is an average major-league defensive outfielder, who ideally should be moved from right to left, but over in left is the dreaded Jay Gibbons-Marcus Thames combo. Left could be cover-your-eyes material.
Then there’s the enigma of Kemp in center. Sometimes last year he would look like the sensational center fielder who won a Gold Glove, fully deserved or not, in 2009. And sometimes he looked plain bewildered.
He had better look plain fast in center in 2011, and start shading to left right now.
-- Steve Dilbeck