Daily Dodger in review: Aaron Miles, thanks for unexpected season
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AARON MILES, 34, infielder
Final 2011 stats: .275, three homers, 45 runs batted in, 49 runs, 17 doubles, .314 on-base percentage.
Contract status: Free agent.
The good: Miles was something of a surprise. First came the surprise that the spring-training invitee even made the club, then the surprise that he became a useful, versatile infielder. Played a decent second base, hustled, added a veteran presence on what became an increasingly younger team. Incredibly, with all the team injuries, had 454 at-bats.
The bad: It seemed as if he had a better season than his final numbers revealed. Struggled playing third base. Was OK at most things, but excelled at none.
What’s next: Probably life elsewhere, though he’ll probably earn a contract from someone needing a versatile infielder. It could still be the Dodgers, but if they’re only planning on returning one veteran utility infielder, it figures to be Jamey Carroll. The take: Miles had a terrific 27-game stretch during the month of June and into the first week of July where he batted .420 (34 for 81). But the other 109 games of the season, he hit just .244 (91 for 373). And since he doesn’t have much power or speed, that’s a fairly empty final .275.
He turns 35 in December, so there’s no future there. The Dodgers moved rookie Justin Sellers around the infield late in the season, and although his hitting was disappointing, he is easily the superior glove.
A lot of how you ultimately feel about something turns on what you expected to feel. If you end up seeing a movie everyone told you was rotten and it turns out to be mediocre, you come away pleasantly surprised. Miles was that movie.
There was nothing to really complain about, nothing to get too excited about. But he was at least solid, which given where he started from and given the team’s injuries, goes down as a pleasant surprise.
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-- Steve Dilbeck