Bench Making Strong Case, but Jury Is Still Out

Watching Todd Worrell work last season was stressful for Dodger Manager Bill Russell, but he had worse problems.

The Dodger reserves caused him more headaches than the former closer, contributing to the team’s failure to win the National League West title. Pinch-hitters disappointed Russell in key late-season situations, demoralizing teammates and irritating fans.

But the Dodgers didn’t make bold off-season moves to improve their bench, so journeymen and unproven players are being relied on again. Still, the Dodgers believe the results will be better.

“We had some key games that came down to late-inning situations, and our bench just didn’t get the job done,” Russell said. “We’re going to have some new guys here, some new faces, and we feel they’re going to make us better.”

That won’t require much.

Dodger pinch-hitters were third-worst in the league, batting .189 with one home run and 25 runs batted in. The Colorado Rockies were first with a .285 average, and the New York Mets led with 11 home runs and 44 RBIs.

Infielder Chip Hale was supposed to be the Dodgers’ main pinch-hitter. Hale set a Minnesota Twin franchise record in 1996 with 19 pinch-hits, but failed from the outset with the Dodgers.

And last season’s primary reserves also struggled, batting .214 with 12 homers and 53 RBIs. That’s why most of the group has been replaced.

“The season is so long, you need your bench to pick you up sometimes,” all-star catcher Mike Piazza said. “A guy coming off the bench can get everyone going with a big hit, and everyone knows that didn’t happen enough last year.”

The newcomers most likely to make the 25-man roster are outfielders Mike Devereaux, who began life in the big leagues with the Dodgers; Thomas Howard, Matt Luke and touted rookie Paul Konerko, a converted catcher and infielder. The holdovers are defensive specialist Juan Castro and backup catcher Tom Prince.

Wilton Guerrero, being converted from a second baseman to an outfielder, and outfielder Trenidad Hubbard are also candidates. But the group appears to be set, and the Dodgers like what they see.

“Devereaux and Howard can help us in a lot of ways,” second baseman Eric Young said. “When you’re battling for a [title] and things are getting tough, you want to know there are guys on the bench you can rely on. You need veterans who have been through it before.”

Devereaux made his major league debut with the Dodgers in 1987 and played 30 games in their 1988 World Series championship season. He has since played for the Atlanta Braves, Baltimore Orioles (twice), Chicago White Sox and Texas Rangers, who released him last season after 29 games.

Devereaux, however, brings intangibles that teams seek. He was a key reserve on the Braves’ 1995 World Series title team, and was selected the most valuable player of the National League championship series.

“In the National League, everyone has to be ready to play, and I pride myself on being prepared,” he said.

“I’m not saying that coming off the bench is easy in the American League, because it’s not, but managers don’t have to make as many moves in the AL because of the DH. It seems like a simple thing, but whether your bench is prepared can make the difference.”

Howard, who has played parts of eight seasons, appeared in 107 games for the Houston Astros last season. A switch-hitter, he batted .247 with three home runs and 22 RBIs. Howard and Luke will be the only left-handed hitters in reserve if Guerrero, also a switch-hitter, doesn’t make the team.

“I’ve done this for a while, so I know how to deal with the pressure of coming off the bench,” Howard said.

The Dodgers are pleased with Prince, who handles the pitching staff well in relief of Piazza, so whatever he does offensively is a bonus. Castro plays every infield position except first base, and can play the outfield. His hitting has also improved, Russell said.

Luke, claimed on waivers from the New York Yankees, has been among the most productive players here. He can play first and has provided left-handed power, making Russell one of his biggest fans.

Luke also is out of options, which helps his chances. He would have to clear waivers if the Dodgers wanted to assign him to Albuquerque.

Guerrero, despite his problems at second last season, batted .291, and he has hit well this spring. However, his inexperience in the outfield and his poor baserunning instincts are concerns.

Hubbard has spent parts of the last three seasons with Colorado, San Francisco and Cleveland. The Dodgers like his versatility, but others are ahead of him.

Konerko is the wild card. He was minor league player of the year at Albuquerque last season, batting .323 with 37 homers and 127 RBIs. He has less experience in the outfield than Guerrero, but first and third are occupied by Eric Karros and Todd Zeile and the Dodgers want him on the team, so . . .

“You never know how young players are going to respond [to coming off the bench] until you put them in those situations,” Russell said. “Whether he can do it is a question we need to have answered, because we have to get more out of our bench.”