By signing Nomar Garciaparra to a two-year $18.5 million contract, the Dodgers essentially cut ties with first base prospect James Loney.
Loney, 22, proved that he is ready for a big league job last season by leading the minor leagues in batting average. He hit .380/.426/.546 with 8 home runs and 33 doubles in 366 at-bats at Triple-A Las Vegas and played top-tier defense.
After struggling in the major leagues in April, Loney returned to the Dodgers in late-July. He hit .323/.373/.726 in 62 at-bats with the big league club between August and October – that earned him a spot on the post season roster where he went 3-for-4.
A bit of a disappointment in his first two full professional seasons, the Dodgers 1st round pick from 2002 (19th overall) has stayed healthy for the last two seasons and is coming off his best season. While he’s not a top 25 overall prospect in my books, the 6-foot-2, 220-pound lefty has the tools to be an above-average major leaguer.
Los Angeles knows that Loney is a special talent. They’ve just decided that he’s just not going to help them push for the playoffs in 2007 and 2008 as much as Garciaparra, who has a no-trade clause in his new contract.
You may be thinking: The Phillies were able to house Ryan Howard in their minor league system for a year or so after he was ready. And that hasn’t seemed to stunt his growth.
While that may be correct, it’s important to note that Loney already has more Triple-A at-bats than Howard ever had (366 vs. 321). Also, given that Loney was placed on the Dodger’s 40-man roster around this time last year and was sent to the minors in late-April, he only has two options remaining – he can only be toggled back-and-forth between the minors and majors for two more years before he has to pass through waivers. So Loney’s getting close to being in a position where he’ll need to remain on a major league roster.
Loney is also very close to being big league ready. Currently playing first base in the Dominican Winter League for the Tigres del Licey, where he is batting .250/.340/.450 with 6 walks to 4 strikeouts in 40 at-bats, the lefty doesn’t have much to prove in the minor leagues. And teams like the Red Sox, Marlins, Reds, and Pirates would probably be willing to give him a first base job on opening day.
While I’m sure that the Dodgers would love to keep Loney on board, he isn’t worth nearly as much to them in the outfield or a first base platoon – expecting Nomar to move back to third base isn’t out of the question, but it is unlikely – as he would be on the trade market. Gold Glove caliber first basemen who put the ball in play as often as Loney does are pretty hard to find.
Come
April, Ned Colletti and Co. will have parted ways with James Loney.
Holding onto the lefty with hopes of shuffling him into the lineup
every once and a while just wouldn’t make sense for Los Angeles.
Adam
Foster wants to know where you think James Loney will be traded or if
you think he is nuts for being so convinced that Loney will be dealt.
You can email him at adamwfoster@gmail.com.