In a new series of posts, we’re examining each of the Los Angeles Dodgers’ position groups; analyzing which players are gone, who is returning and which free agents might be on the team’s radar.
Click here to see our pieces on starting pitching, the bullpen and the outfield.
Heading into the offseason one year ago, few expected the Dodgers infield to experience much of a shake-up. They ended the season with a group that featured A.J. Ellis, Adrian Gonzalez, Dee Gordon, Hanley Ramirez and Juan Uribe.
While Ramirez was believed to be on his way out the door, Ellis, Gonzalez, Gordon and Uribe were all under contract — with Gordon and Uribe both coming off of the best season of their respective careers.
And then, things went haywire.
Gordon was shipped to Miami for a package of players, the Dodgers traded for Yasmani Grandal, signed Jimmy Rollins and traded for Howie Kendrick.
What seemed to be a stable and predictable group had been flipped on its head in just a matter of weeks — leaving the Dodgers with three-fifths of a new infield (Ellis remained as a backup, with Gonzalez and Uribe penciled in as starters).
So, can we expect the same this off-season?
Free Agents: Howie Kendrick, Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley
All three of these veterans played a significant role last season, but it’s hard to imagine any scenario where Rollins or Utley are back in 2016.
Given the cost of acquiring Kendrick, there’s a chance the Dodgers are interested in re-signing the second baseman, but with plenty of youth waiting in the wings, they could opt to receive the compensatory draft pick instead of retaining Kendrick.
Rollins was a disappointment for the Dodgers, hitting .224 with a .285 on-base percentage, along with playing below replacement level defensively; he posted a -0.1 WAR according to ESPN.
Likewise, Utley was dreadful in 34 games with the Dodgers. He hit .202 with a .291 OBP. Defensively, at least, he posted a 0.7 WAR in his time with the Dodgers.
Kendrick, on the other hand, was a different story. In 117 games, he posted a .745 on-base plus slugging percentage, which was right in line with his career numbers.
Defensively, however, while he was believed to be an upgrade, he posted a -1.1 WAR according to ESPN.
CONTINUE READING: Returning Infielders, Potential Newcomers
