Dodgers Diaries

Color me puzzled by this acquisition. Reports say he can fill in at first base, second base and third. But he can’t play shortstop. So that means the Dodgers still have to keep Juan Castro around to spell Rafael Furcal.

The Dodgers already have a guy who can play first and third in Mark Loretta. Belliard’s .246 average and .296 OBP are hardly better than Loretta’s .230/.309. His five homers are hardly what I’d call power.

About the only thing that he adds to the Dodgers is dreadlocks. Maybe the Dodgers thought he’d help Manny with his haircuts? Who knows.

I do know that if I’m Blake DeWitt, I’m pissed. He’s a lefty bat off the bench who can play third and second, and can fill in at short on an emergency basis. Why the Dodgers won’t give him a shot at that role is beyond me.

Belliard’s signing also points out the lack of a power bat on the bench. Juan Pierre is the first pinch-hitter off the bench, but he’s not going to Matt Stairs anyone. Nor is Ronnie Belliard. Jason Giambi would have been a better signing.

If the Dodgers get to the World Series, the need for a big bat becomes even more acute as they will have to sport a DH. Manny Ramirez fits that bill, but all it really means is adding the light-hitting Pierre to the lineup. --- John Rosenthal.