Dodgers DFA Marcus Thames, Trade for Juan Rivera
July 12, 2011 at 11:11 am | Posted in Juan Rivera, Marcus Thames | 66 Comments
The Dodgers acquired outfielder Juan Rivera from the Blue Jays for a player to be named later or cash considerations and designated Marcus Thames for assignment, announced the team.
First off, let’s not worry too much about the player to be named – Rivera was DFA’d himself on July 3 and would have cleared waivers in another day or so, so it’s not like the Jays had a whole lot of leverage there. On the field, this seems like a tiny upgrade; Rivera wasn’t doing a whole lot for Toronto at .243/.305/.360, but it’s still better than Thames for the Dodgers at .197/.243/.333 – when Thames was even healthy enough to play. Against LHP, Rivera was doing what Thames was supposed to do, hitting .327/.400/.509 in 65 PA. And while Thames is an atrocious fielder, Rivera has been a plus defender at times in the past, even playing 40 games in center field throughout his career (though he hasn’t started there since 2006). That’s probably no longer the case at 33, but at least there’s some positive history there. He’s also got some experience at first base, which is more valuable than you think, because with Casey Blake on the shelf, the Dodgers don’t have a viable righty option to pair with James Loney. Rivera should be expected to now play 1B against most lefties.
So on the field, this seems like an upgrade, if a barely visible one. The question I have is what this means in the larger scheme of things. On the financial front, Rivera was due $5.25m this year and has something like $2.4m remaining. The issue of whether the Dodgers actually have $2.4m to spend on anything aside, Rivera is almost certainly not a big enough upgrade on Thames to warrant spending that kind of additional money on. (Besides, since Rivera was about to clear waivers, thus sticking the Jays with the remainder minus the minimum salary if he signed elsewhere, you’d have to think the Jays agreed to eat some of the money – otherwise it makes no sense to trade for him rather than wait until he’s a free agent.) Dylan Hernandez reports the Dodgers will receive cash, but we don’t know how much yet.
The second concern is, does this mean the Dodgers still fancy themselves “buyers”? It’s a thought that’s always terrified me. I’m not ready to raise the red flags just yet, because this is a relatively small acquisition that probably won’t cost the team too much. Still, that’s a conversation we’re going to be having a lot between now and July 31.
In the short term, this deal probably makes the team better than they were this morning. Not by much, perhaps, but that’s good enough.
******
If I had known this was coming, I’d have held off for a bit on the previous post, but don’t miss the pitching and management midseason grades from earlier.
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Ned, Frank, all is forgiven.
Comment by Brandon— July 12, 2011 #
Oh God…you guys know what’s coming next. That player to be named later is going to be Jerry Sands. I mean, given Ned’s history, why would we expect anything less. Someone please stop this guy before Kershaw’s traded for the carcass of Kevin Brown.
Comment by Doug Harris— July 12, 2011 #
Meh I doubt it
Comment by Eephus Blue— July 12, 2011 #
NO RETREAT! NO SURRENDER!!
Comment by Eephus Blue— July 12, 2011 #
This is Ned’s first really big coup since he got Manny. When do playoff tickets go on sale?
Comment by DAVID S— July 12, 2011 #
No shit. What an idiot.
Comment by @BrocNessMonster— July 12, 2011 #
I think “terrifying” is spot on. The 4 game win streak has Ned thinking playoffs even though we’re 11 games out. Nice. Now if he can convince Castro to come out of retirement we’re good to go!
Comment by Scott— July 12, 2011 #
It could go down as the worst 4 game winning streak in Dodger history.
Comment by lca780— July 12, 2011 #
I gotta think that discounts the stellar pitching a little too much.
Comment by Dave Pomerantz— July 12, 2011 #
Call me crazy, but I was wondering in Spring Training why the Dodgers didn’t go after Rivera when the Jays already had a crowded outfield. It was probably for the better since we seemingly get him for less, talent and money-wise. I don’t really see this as the Dodgers being buyers so much as Ned not wanting to look like he’s giving up entirely. Calling Jerry up to split time with Tony doesn’t seem like the answer either.
Comment by SteveT— July 12, 2011 #
I agree, it is a bit of an upgrade. If they can keep Juan Castro around to tutor Dee Gordon and Dejesus for a few years that would be great. I wouldn’t be surprised to see the GM add castro to the roster in September because of his glove.
Comment by Old Charger— July 12, 2011 #
One word: delusional.
Comment by Dusto— July 12, 2011 #
Sarcasm hopefully?
Comment by Scott— July 12, 2011 #
Juan Castro’s glove hasn’t been above average for years! No AL team will take him because his bat is atrocious, and only playoff hopeful teams will be looking to add bench depth. Maybe Pittsburgh or Philly is dumb enough to add a 39 year old who can’t field or hit…
Comment by Dusto— July 12, 2011 #
Also… he retired?
Comment by Mike Scioscia's tragic illness— July 12, 2011 #
phew… Aside from the guy being totally worthless, he really isn’t available. But the point here is… he is worthless.
Comment by Dusto— July 12, 2011 #
The Dodgers are buyers. Anyone got a Captain and Coke for me to chase this entire bottle of pain killers down my throat?
Comment by @BrocNessMonster— July 12, 2011 #
Maybe in a way this was a move to block the Giants from getting him? Other than that, this makes no sense at all. At 11 games back, we just need players to man the positions and look to 2012.
Comment by Dusto— July 12, 2011 #
He’s at least a little better than Thames, no?
Comment by Mike Scioscia's tragic illness— July 12, 2011 #
true, but it still makes no sense to try to add payroll at this point in the season. The team is not a playoff contender. It only makes sense if we try to flip him before August for something useful come 2012. How does winning games in 2011 help 2012?
Comment by Dusto— July 12, 2011 #
Maybe in a way this was a move to block the Giants from getting him?
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Why not? Its how we ended up with Juan Pierre. Or maybe Ned just likes the name Juan. Or maybe, just maybe Ned’s a friggin idiot.
Comment by EnchantedTheBeav— July 12, 2011 #
enchanted, what’s up dude!
Comment by Scott— July 12, 2011 #
I was only assuming the ideas of why we might need someone like Juan Rivera? Not that we actually do need him.
When considering the reasons Ned Colletti does anything one has to open their mind so far, that most anything else will fall out. I’m sure that’s what Ned does.
Comment by Dusto— July 12, 2011 #
delusional Ned is delusional
Comment by the Status Kuo— July 12, 2011 #
The way I see it, we still aren’t buying, just trying to win a few more games. Thames wasn’t doing anything for us, and Ned probably figures if Rivera does well the rest of this year, we can bring him back next year…we’ve seen how well that usually works out though…
Comment by Carlos Ladios— July 12, 2011 #
Don’t see what the fuss is all about. Replacing the 25th man on the roster shouldnt garner this much emotion, but par for the course for some here
Comment by Juan Pierre— July 12, 2011 #
this.
Comment by Mike Scioscia's tragic illness— July 12, 2011 #
Pretty sure 25th man is Velez.
Comment by Dusto— July 12, 2011 #
You might be the first person to ever refer to Velez as a man.
Comment by Mike Scioscia's tragic illness— July 12, 2011 #
He certainly isn’t a baseball player.
Comment by Dusto— July 12, 2011 #
LOL
Comment by Eephus Blue— July 12, 2011 #
Um, hello, this gets us one closer to the vaunted “most left fielders in Dodgers’ history” record which is what we (and Ned) are obviously playing for!!! How is that not in the post!!!
Comment by BMcD— July 12, 2011 #
SHIT. Huge fail by me. You win free admission to the blog for a year.
Comment by Mike Scioscia's tragic illness— July 12, 2011 #
Woohoo
*jumps up and down like a schoolgirl*
btw, James Loney on TMZ tonight
Comment by BMcD— July 12, 2011 #
Clearly ossum squared.
Comment by Rob McMillin— July 12, 2011 #
Perhaps we are already giving this thing more space than is warranted. Sort of like discussing whether a player gets a ‘C’ or a ‘B’ from Mike. Lets’ hope he is just a space filler and Toronto picked up the tab for the rest of the season. We know Ned likes those deals no matter what
Comment by DAVID S— July 12, 2011 #
Is it just me, or did McCourt/Colletti just send an $^$&^&*^ to Bud Selig and MLB with this transaction. Selig is well known to frown upon any transactions taking headlines away from “special events”, like the All-Star Game, Playoffs …
Comment by BLUEFAN— July 12, 2011 #
I doubt it. This isn’t a big enough deal to draw any real attention away from the game. Rivera’s DFA and waivers mean there were some timing concerns here too.
Comment by Mike Scioscia's tragic illness— July 12, 2011 #
I think the post above was heavy sarcasm. If not, then it is just you.
Comment by EnchantedTheBeav— July 12, 2011 #
What if Rivera turns into 2006 Marlon Anderson and we go on a 10 game winning streak…
Comment by Brian R— July 12, 2011 #
You play to win the game – Herm Edwards
Comment by Juan Pierre— July 12, 2011 #
If we’re doing NFL coach rants about this year’s Dodgers, Denny Green works way better: “They ARE who we THOUGHT they WERE!”
Comment by Dave Pomerantz— July 12, 2011 #
PLAYOFFs rant by Jim Mora also works
Comment by Juan Pierre— July 12, 2011 #
LOL
Comment by Scott— July 12, 2011 #
Honestly, I improve the team and all I get is grief from everyone!
Comment by Ned Colletti— July 12, 2011 #
about 3 too many “Juan’s”.
Comment by Dusto— July 12, 2011 #
to say the LEAST.
Comment by Dusto— July 12, 2011 #
Why did the Dodgers have to go out and win four-in-a-row. Wait after the trade dead line. How things would have been different if DePedesto had never been fired.
Comment by JayDavis— July 12, 2011 #
I was telling a friend of mine that this move would at least make a little sense if Frank was instituting a scorched earth policy, but the sad truth is, Ned’s just dumber than a lug nut.
Comment by EnchantedTheBeav— July 12, 2011 #
It would be pretty much a non-news item except for the fact that it clearly signals that DumbAssNed thinks:
a.) The Dodgers are still contenders, or
b.) This will bring one or two Anaheim fans through the turnstiles to see a fallen Angel, or
c.) He plans to peddle him to the Giants, his true love, once we’re 20 games out.
Comment by SamAdams— July 12, 2011 #
I can’t help but be just a little frightened by the “player to be named later.” I just don’t ever trust Ned with anything.
Comment by Bip— July 12, 2011 #
Everybody BREATHE! This isn’t a sign that we are selling the farm. Relax. This will at least make the club a little better and maybe moderately more watchable for the immediate future.
Comment by Eephus Blue— July 12, 2011 #
Living in Raiders Country (dear god help me), you see that Al Davis gets the guys HE wants.
Having said that, isn’t it possible that Coletti gets the guys McCourt wants? I mean, if McCourt’s willing to do all this dumb stuff with payroll, then he’s probably the guy saying things like “Get me Juan Uribe!”
Comment by Omer— July 12, 2011 #
Doubtful in Juan Uribe’s case… you are forgetting, Uribe was a Jint, so of course Colletti was drooling over the possibility of collecting more crappy Jint players for the Dodgers.
Comment by James— July 12, 2011 #
A step up but not much of a step. Hopefully it’ll be a move where we can then move this Juan when Ned realizes that this team isn’t a contender this year. If someone could get Uribe to stop acting like he’s chopping wood that would be a bigger move.
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Look at Jeter’s last ab on Sunday when he got #3,000. Runner on at 3rd with less than 2 out and the infield up — he shortened his swing and poked one up the middle. I betcha Uribe would of been swinging from his heels and popped one up to second.
Comment by colliethecCollie— July 12, 2011 #
& a HUGE congrats to Ned & Frank — after many years of having no RBI’s by a Dodger in the AS game Dre did it (Piazza did it in ’96)! Great job getting us to the playoffs and now an RBI in the AS game!! Woo hoo!!! Time to pat yourselves on the back.
Comment by colliethecCollie— July 12, 2011 #
There is no question that the Dodgers are buyers, with the next six games critical in establishing how much more they will be buying. If the team wins the next two series at AZ and SF, with a large bulk of games still to be played within the very unstable and volatile NL West, the Dodgers believe, smartly, that they could see themselves right back in the race by the end of July, say within five or six at a shout. Rivera will most likely cost the team a million, a no-name prospect, and immediately sends a strong message to the rest of the men that the organization will not stand pat. Numbers are only somewhat relevant here, in Rivera’s case. I think he will platoon less than we think, will most likely be featured between Kemp and Loney (God, if only Mattingly would take a cue from Bochy and switch Kemp and Ethier to #3 and #4. I think Kemp is prototype deluxe in that spot, and Ethier’s power numbers would take off, along with a righty/lefty/righty/lefty with Loney in the six hole), and with Barajas back, suddenly a healthy Furcal at the top and now you really have some MEN back in this show. This is what Ned is seeing, and if rumors are to be believed, he may be rolling the dice to save his spice. Gentlemen, start your horses. Vamanos!
Comment by Anthony Forkush— July 13, 2011 #
Positive thinking Anthony.
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Yeah, the Dodgers won 4 in row, averaging 3 runs a game in the process. Let’s not forget they lost 5 in row before that. No doubt they will be playing in an empty stadium at home and feel like maybe nobody believes in them. They could pull together and rally for a storybook finish.
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The problem as I see it is they just don’t have the players to get it done. And there is always this to consider – there is no money in this organization, Ned is no genius in making trades and I really doubt good players will be asking to jump into this mess.
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Last place is a better bet than this team taking the division.
Comment by Rory— July 13, 2011 #
At least we didn’t “shore” up the bullpen and trade for KRod.
Comment by @BrocNessMonster— July 13, 2011 #
They’re in buy mode no matter what: as reported by Ken Gurnick of MLB.com
– the words of Ned Coletti
“That said, we need to execute better in the second half and gain the confidence that we can, and we’ll be in buying mode at the [Trade] Deadline, as usual. I’m still confident we can make a run, pick up a game a week and be in a decent spot. We still have a load of games in the division.”
Comment by RedSoxNation3— July 13, 2011 #
I wouldn’t put too much stock into that. Of course that’s what he’ll say publicly. It does him no good to go, “nah, we’re F’d. Definitely selling.”
Comment by Mike Scioscia's tragic illness— July 13, 2011 #
But Ned is dumb enough to say that he’s selling. Seems he has too much pride to not always be a buyer. But you never know, we’ll see what happens.
Comment by RedSoxNation3— July 13, 2011 #
This move is for and obvious reason, Rivera in left, Gwynn moves to center and Kemp moves over to right after Ethier is traded.
Comment by Loney'sLimpBat— July 13, 2011 #
[...] winter. For now, we need to praise Rivera for his performance since arriving in Los Angeles; was cautiously optimistic when he was picked up after being DFA’d by Toronto, saying that “this deal probably [...]
Pingback by Dodgers Swept as Rare Display of Offense Fails to Overcome Shoddy Pitching and Worse Defense « Mike Scioscia's tragic illness— August 10, 2011 #
[...] failed to hit and missed several more games with a calf strain. He pinch-hit twice in July and was finally DFA’d in favor of Juan Rivera over the All-Star break, eventually returning to the Yankees on a [...]
Pingback by MSTI’s 2011 in Review: Left Field « Mike Scioscia's tragic illness— October 18, 2011 #
[...] preceding it, but the acquisition of Rivera from Toronto certainly falls under that category. At the time, expectations were small, since he wasn’t doing a ton with Toronto before being DFA’d; [...]
Pingback by MSTI’s 2011 in Review: Right Field « Mike Scioscia's tragic illness— October 21, 2011 #