Polanco to LA

by Marc Normandin on May 12, 2005 9:34 AM EDT

The Dodgers need a third basemen now that Jose Valentin has hurt himself and Norihiro Nakamura has been designated for assignment. ESPN.com tells us that Placido Polanco is their first choice.

Polanco has turned himself into a pretty valuable player the past few years (defensive stats for 3B):

2003 (Philadelphia)
.289/.352/.447
HR: 14
SB: 14 (88% success)
2B: 30
Rate: 105
WARP1: 6.5

2004 (Philadelphia)
.298/.345/.441
HR: 17
SB: 7 (64% success)
2B: 21
Rate: 119
WARP1: 6.4

So far this year he is not hitting well, but it is in limited playing time, not to mention he is not happy at all.

The Dodgers could use Polanco in their lineup (2005 VORP scores in parentheses):

Cesar Izturis (12.9)
Hee Seop Choi (10.3)
J.D. Drew (7.3)
Jeff Kent (20.3)
Milton Bradley (12.9)
Jose Valentin (2.7)
Ricky Ledee (7.7)
Jason Phillips (7.3)

Polanco was projected for 24.8 VORP this year by PECOTA, so adding him to the lineup is a must for a team now lacking someone to man the hot corner. Valentin's PECOTA projection stood at 17.2, with a dropoff to 9.9 in 2006, so getting Polanco is important.

Polanco's 75th percentile projection has him at .303/.360/.454, and a 32.8 VORP. That is a number he could reach in his time with the Dodgers if everything goes well, but I'd bank on his weighted mean projection of 24.8 instead.

With the addition of Polanco to the lineup the Dodgers would be even more of a force, boasting a very strong lineup core, and it would be hard for me to pick anyone else to win the NL West (I already think they can, so this certainly would not hurt).

What exactly would the Phillies get for Polanco though? Most likely prospects to retool their system, especially since they are currently struggling, but who? Leave your thoughts in the comment section on that note.

Tweet Comment 3 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Polanco would be a good fit..

... Seems like the right on-base, character type guy the Dodgers need. However ...

As a Brewers fan and knowing we have a glut of third baseman, I'd like to see the Brewers send Wes Helms for a couple mid level minor league pitchers. He offers some power, solid defense, and he's somewhat malcontent on our bench right now, but overall he's a good guy. He hasn't been hitting well this season, but he hasn't gotten much time behind Branyan and Cirillo.

Maybe I'm just dreaming, but I could see it happen if Polanco doesn't come through.

by nmc on May 12, 2005 10:47 AM EDT reply actions

Wes Helms

Could bring some prospects from some team, but I don't see DePo taking the bait on that one for some reason. I think he would agree with me when I say his 2003 was an outlier. If Polanco falls through, you never know. I know Doug Melvin is too smart to trade Russ Branyan, unless the package was ever so sweet.

"I don't set the rosters, I just make fun of the guy who does" - Rob Neyer

by Marc Normandin on May 12, 2005 12:44 PM EDT up reply actions

Dodgers system

The Dodgers' system is chock full of guys... maybe a couple OK prospects? (Polanco is a nice player, but he's no stud. I don't think they'd trade a top flight guy, like a Joel Guzman. Andy LaRoche is a nice little prospect; he hits a LOT of extra base hits. Maybe a guy like him and then a minor league arm...

by Dan Scotto @ Beyond the Box Score on May 12, 2005 5:49 PM EDT reply actions