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'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.