In Russell Martin’s first three years with the Dodgers he played in 427 games in which he was 430 for 1,508 (.285 avg, .806 OPS) with 239 runs scored, 42 homers, 221 RBIs and 49 stolen bases. Could it be possible that the Dodgers rode Martin too hard and he’s starting to wear down? He has played in 134 games for the Dodgers this year and he is 122 for 479 (.255 avg, .683 OPS) with 58 runs scored, 6 homers, 49 RBIs and 10 stolen bases. The Dodgers should really consider bringing in a backup catcher who can play more than someone like Brad Ausmus to give Martin a break once in a while.

The Dodgers spent over $36 million bucks over the off season to secure the services of center fielder Andruw Jones for two seasons and it’s looking like a huge mistake. Jones has played in 30 games this season for the Dodgers and he is 16 for 98 (.163 avg, .529 OPS) with 14 runs scored, 1 homer and 4 RBIs. Jones has also whiffed an alarming 34 times already this season! The Dodgers do have the option of replacing Jones with Juan Pierre. Pierre was beaten out for the left field job by Andre Ethier but he has kept focused and productive. Pierre has played in 23 games for the Dodgers this season and he is 22 for 68 (.324 avg, .777 OPS) with 8 runs scored, 11 RBIs and 9 stolen bases. Pierre would be a huge downgrade defensively from Jones but the Dodgers might have to think of making this move in the near future.

Olmedo Saenz had been one of the best pinch hitters in the National League the last few seasons but he has fallen on hard times this year for the Dodgers.  Since the All-Star Break, Saenz has played in 29 games and he is 5 for 34 (.147 avg, .401 OPS) with only 1 run scored and 4 RBIs.  For the season, Saenz has played in 84 games and he is only hitting .186 (.622 OPS) with 8 runs scored, 3 homers and 17 RBIs.  It will be interesting to see if the Dodgers give him another chance to make the team next Spring or if they will let him walk away.

Wilson Betemit needs to get his act together soon before he gets nailed to the bench.  He opened the season as the starting thirdbaseman for the Dodgers but he lost the job because of his bat.  He is only hitting .206 this season with 19 runs scored, 9 homers and 24 RBIs in 131 atbats.  He also has whiffed 42 times this season which is way too many for a hitter like him.  Olmedo Saenz is off to a rough start to the 2007 season also as he is only hitting .206 with 7 runs scored, 3 homers and 12 RBIs.  Saenz is one of their most important bench players so they need him to regain his stroke at the plate.  Backup catcher Mike Lieberthal doesn’t get to play much but that doesn’t excuse his poor performance so far this season.  He is 10 for 45 (.222 avg) with only 2 runs scored and 1 RBI this season.  Ramon Martinez has looked lost at the plate this season for the Dodgers as he is only 10 for 63 (.159 avg) with 2 runs scored and 9 RBIs. 

It’s possible that Nomar Garciaparra is having problems with his wrist again.  Nomar is having a awful season with the bat in his hands so far this season.  Garciaparra has played in 67 games so far this season and he’s only hitting .279 with a .662 OPS.  That is not an acceptable OPS for a starting first baseman in the major leagues as most 1B have an OPS of over .750.  He isn’t producing runs either as he’s only scored 17 runs, cracked only 1 homer and has 37 RBIs.  Top prospect James Loney is now with the Dodgers and he could start stealing some of Garciaparra’s at bats unless he starts to play better soon.