Dodgers' manager Don Mattingly facing 'make-or-break' season in 2013

Under normal circumstances, Don Mattingly probably would have been dismissed after the 2012 season. The new ownership group came in and would presumably like to hire its own management.

However, General Manager Ned Colletti was signed to a long-term extension, paving the way for Mattingly to stick around.

Mattingly is entering his third season as the Dodgers' manager and, no matter how much upper management and ownership like him, it's a make-or-break season for him.

Mattingly owns a 168-155 (.520 winning percentage) record in his first two seasons -- both of which ended without a playoff berth. With the insane amount of money ownership is committing not just to payroll, but to the stadium itself, it expects to win.

The Dodgers may not have the best 25-man roster in the game, but it is infinitely better than it was just one year ago. The additions of Hanley Ramirez, Adrian Gonzalez and Zack Greinke have made this team instant contenders. With that added pressure, something Mattingly is embracing, it is more important than ever for the team to be competitive.

Nothing in sports would make me happier than to write a blog post in late October that has the words "Dodgers" and "World Champions" in it. But the Dodgers don't need to win the World Series in 2013 -- despite what the media might claim -- for Mattingly to keep his job.

The magic number for Mattingly to keep his job -- and this is my own thinking -- is 90. The Dodgers need to win 90 games for Mattingly to be the team's manager going forward. Now, if the Dodgers make the playoffs at less than 90 wins, that would presumably be enough for Donnie Baseball to stick around.

Hell, if he stopped bunting so much, I'd sign him to a multiyear contract extension.

Injuries happen, and that would be taken into consideration, depending what the Dodgers do in 2013. But the team needs to be competitive and play well so ownership sees Mattingly is the man to captain this extremely expensive ship through the rough waters that are the Major League season.

Everyone involved with the organization seems to like Mattingly. There haven't been any reports about clubhouse problems or players getting into it with Mattingly. I wouldn't expect that to happen, despite some of the turmoil that was present when Joe Torre was the Dodgers' manager.

The roster is star-studded, ownership is willing to do whatever it takes to upgrade the roster and the fanbase is more than ready. It may be a lot of pressure for one man, but that's what managers sign up for. This is Don Mattingly's time.

Oh, and it'd be nice to win one for Vin Scully before he unplugs his microphone.

Photo credit: BryanKemp, Flickr

Moving Dee Gordon from shortstop to the outfield doesn't make a lot of sense

The Dodgers are reportedly considering moving Dee Gordon to the outfield, something that makes little sense.

Shortstop is the least-important offensive position in the game. Gordon's offense is substandard and would only be worse (presumably) as a center fielder.

Gordon's career .260/.299/315 line leaves plenty to be desired. If he could get on base even 32 or 33 percent of his plate appearances, he'd be acceptable at shortstop -- as long as his defense were to also improve.

There's no denying Gordon's athleticism -- he's one of the best athletes the Dodgers have ever had. But heading into his age-25 season, it's too early in his career to give up on him as a shortstop.

He has the tools to be at least average at the position. His arm strength and range are unquestioned. He gets in trouble with his footwork and an inconsistently release point on his throws.

Gordon has made some amazing plays in his brief career and it'd be a shame if the Dodgers lessened his value further by moving him off the position.

It's the team's prerogative to make such a move and, with Hanley Ramirez firmly entrenched as the team's shortstop, I can at least see why Don Mattingly would consider such it.

Gordon isn't even a lock to be in the organization, let alone the 25- or 40-man roster, come Opening Day. He's been the subject of trade rumors this winter and could still be dealt. It might be the best thing for all parties involved.

If Gordon isn't traded, he could be the Isotopes' shortstop, because it doesn't make a lot of sense to make a guy with Gordon's potential a utility player so soon.

There's little doubt Gordon could handle the outfield, but any value in his bat goes out the window with a move. His bat is barely passable at shortstop. In his first 143 games, it isn't passable.

Gordon's position won't matter if he doesn't start hitting better -- something else that isn't guaranteed.

Photo credit: SD Dirk, Flickr

Podcast: 'Dugout Blues' episode 18 - Renovations, signings, Hall of Fame

On this episode of "Dugout Blues," Jared Massey (L.A. Dugout) and I talk about the Dodger Stadium renovations.

We also look at a few siignings the Dodgers made sign our last episode, including J.P. Howell, Alfredo Amezaga and -- the one we're most excited about -- Ariel Sandoval..

And in perhaps the greatest moment of the episode, we spending a good chunk of time ripping the Baseball Writers Association of America for not electing anyone to the Hall of Fame on Wednesday. We're particularly pissed about Mike Piazza and Jeff Bagwell being excluded.

We close with listener questions, which is quickly becoming a staple of the podcast (keep 'em coming!). Is there an Andre Ethier trade out there that makes sense? Could the Dodgers land Mike Morse in a deal?

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Look for new episodes of "Dugout Blues" every Wednesday. Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast and review us on iTunes. We want to make this the best podcast we can so we're always looking for suggestions and ways to improve.

If you have questions you'd like us to answer or certain topics/players you want to hear more about, feel free to email us (ladugout@gmail.com or feelinkindablue@gmail.com) or send us messages on Twitter (@LADugout or @FeelinKindaBlue). We always welcome audience participation.

Image credit: Joe Martin

Dodgers sign Dominican teen Ariel Sandoval for $150,000

Ben Badler of Baseball America, one of the best when it comes to international signings, reported today the Dodgers signed Ariel Sandoval for $150,00.

Sandoval, 17, is an outfielder from the Dominican Republic. Badler said the Dodgers' brass was impressed with Sandoval's potential to hit for average and power. He also has above-average speed that is currently good enough for center field.

Sandoval, righty all the way, is 6'2, 180 pounds and, at 17, figures to fill out a bit more. Badler said he has enough arm to play right field

Before people get too terribly excited, Sandoval will likely play in the Dominican Summer League for a couple years at minimum. He's at least five years away, if not a little longer.

This is the Dodgers' first six-figure bonus signing since overhauling the international scouting department, including Vice President Bob Engle and Latin American Scouting Coordinator Patrick Guerrero.

There's nothing not to like about this signing. He won't crack my Top 50 prospects (which drops the week of Jan. 14), but he is definitely someone to keep an eye on going forward.