Report: Elian Herrera on his way to the Dodgers

Elian Herrera

Wait, who? Oh, Elian Herrera (I'll give you a few minutes to look him up).

Tony Jackson of ESPN LA tweeted the news tonight:

"I'm told Elian Herrera on his way up. Not sure what it means other than that Gordon probably will move out of leadoff spot"

Not sure what to make of this, other than the Dodgers might be making a rash decision (which I'll get into later in the post).

Herrera, a 27-year-old career minor-leaguer, is hitting .358/.381/.550 with two home runs, nine doubles, four triples, nine stolen bases and 22 runs scored in 28 games for the Albuquerque Isotopes this season.

OK, so he's mashing at Triple-A, but who isn't (you know, besides Jerry Sands, who has responded to my post from last night with a two-home run game tonight and nine total bases).

Herrera hasn't exactly distinguished himself outside of the friendly confines that is Isotopes Park (1.046 OPS at home, .816 on the road), but he's done enough, apparently, to earn a call-up.

Herrera is a career .282/.363/.388 hitter in more than 2,000 minor-league plate appearances. So, his on-base skills are decent for his career, but they aren't nearly as impressive this season. I guess hitting .358 doesn't leave a whole lot of room for walking, but he's drawn just five walks in 127 plate appearances.

To make room on the 40-man roster, someone needs to be designated for assignment. The candidates: Matt Angle and Trent Oeltjen. Mike Petriello threw out Adam Kennedy, but that'd be too good to be true.

Herrera is the definition of a utility player, as he's played five positions in 28 games, with 10 games coming at second base, six at second base and four at shortstop.

Jackson also speculated either Matt Kemp could hit the disabled list (having an MRI on his hamstring tomorrow after coming out in the fourth inning today) to make room for Herrera. But the one move I thought about immediately involves Dee Gordon.

Dee Gordon

My guess Gordon is getting demoted to Albuquerque after posting a .211/.250/.273 line in 136 plate appearances for the 23-11 Dodgers.

If a move must be made, I'd prefer Gordon get dropped in the lineup (to eighth) before he were to be demoted to Albuquerque. The Dodgers are in first place with a six-game lead in the division. If there's any time for them to allow a young player to work through his struggles with the big league club, it's now.

It wouldn't be the worst thing for Gordon to get more seasoning in the minors, but he's already here -- the Dodgers just need to let him fight through it. He did post a .304/.325/.362 line in 233 plate appearances last season, so the ability is there.

We all knew Gordon would have his growing pains. That's the kind of player he is. But if the Dodgers feel like a duo of Justin Sellers and Herrera is better at shortstop right now, then sobeit.

If it's between Gordon getting demoted and Kemp going on the DL, I'll take the former. Let's hope it's Juan Uribe's wrist acting up, Kennedy getting Das Boot  or something else completely unforeseen... or maybe not.

Photo credits

Herrera: mwlguide, Flickr

Gordon: bridgetds, (Flickr), UC International (Wikimedia)

Dodgers cut Russ Mitchell, sign Jamey Wright

In a couple of really minor moves, the Dodgers designated Russ Mitchell for assignment to clear a spot on the 40-man roster for the newly signed Todd Coffey.

Mitchell, 27 in a week, was a surprising cut. It was a little curious the Dodgers decided to cut him instead of Trent Oeltjen, as the Dodgers have a glut of outfielders and not a lot of third basemen.

Having said that, Mitchell's Major Leauge career has been less-than impressive thus far.

Mitchell's career numbers (101 plate appearances):

.151/.208/.290
4 HR
7 RBI
1 2B
7:18 BB:K ratio

So, the Dodgers aren't missing much. Besides, he's probably not going to get picked up by a team. He's nothing more than Triple-A roster fodder.

The Dodgers also signed journeyman pitcher Jamey Wright to a minor-league deal. Tony Jackson of ESPN LA reported he has an out-clause that allows him to be a free agent at the end of March if he's not added to the 25-man roster.

Much to my surprise, Wright actually pitched well for the Mariners in the last season and a half. He posted a 3.41 ERA and 1.24 WHIP in 2010 and a 3.16 ERA and 1.33 WHIP in 2011.

Maybe this is the guy who comes out of nowhere to make the Dodgers' bullpen -- it happens every damn year.

I wouldn't be at all surprised to see him earn a spot in the bullpen by the end of Spring Training. We all know the Dodgers' bullpen was too young to possibly do any good this season. The last three additions have been Mike MacDougal, Coffey and Wright -- all guys in their 30s who will, in all likelihood, not be any better (or worse) than some of the youngsters.

We'll see what happens.

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The Chicago Cubs designated former Dodger Blake DeWitt for assignment on Tuesday in somewhat surprising move.

Man, Ned Colletti just had to have Adam Kennedy, didn't he? DeWitt would have been a much, much better signing than the over-the-hill Kennedy. I'm sure he'll get a look with another team.

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Apparently, Josh Macciello's bid for the Dodgers (the team, the stadium and the land) is $2.2 billion.

"$2.2 is for everything guys. Team, stadium, media rights deal and ALL THE LAND!!!"

Well, there's that.