The Dodgers are Already Trolling Us

Ned Colletti, apparently deciding that the roster just needed some minor tinkering for our “playoff run”, kicked off the midseason trade tradition by acquiring Juan Rivera for a player to be named later or cash considerations (anyone want to bet that with McCourt in charge and the MLB having to approve any transaction over $5000 it certainly won’t be cash considerations?). In turn, Marcus Thames was Designated for Assignment. Reports out of Toronto indicate that the Blue Jays are paying all but the remaining pro-rated minimum of approximately $175,000 for Rivera’s contract. What does this mean for the Dodgers going forward? Well… nothing, really. The team got younger, sort of. We still have trouble believing that Thames is only a year older than Rivera, but them’s the facts. Rivera should theoretically do what Thames was supposed to do: mash lefties and provide a mostly punchless offense with some pop while occasionally spelling James Loney at first. It probably makes the Dodgers better, but not by any significant amount.
Thames has been a disappointment this year- a minor one, to be sure, in the vast sea of disappointment that is the 2011 season, but a disappointment nonetheless. His nagging leg injuries have prevented him from playing in the field, and now that interleague play is over, the Dodgers don’t have much (any)use for a pinch-hitter incapable of playing defense (insert Juan Rivera playing defense joke here). All in all, we have trouble getting worked up one way or another by this move except for the very rational looming fear that Colletti is going to attempt to acquire more marginal upgrades in a vain attempt to make a run at the division, gutting the farm system in the process. AGAIN. As for the PTBNL? Truly, we can’t imagine it’ll be anything more than a marginal prospect at best, although history has shown Ned has a willingness to overpay on PTBNL, especially when the other team takes on salary (see: Tony Abreu for Jon Garland and salary, 2009).
As for Thames, we’re actually sort of sorry to see him go. Not because he was good as a Dodger, he certainly wasn’t, but because in some small way it vindicates TJ Simers horribly mean-spirited article from a few months ago. By every account by someone not named TJ, Thames is a great guy off the field and in the clubhouse. Here’s hoping he can find a taker on an AL team and regain some of his swing again.
Hold onto your butts, the era of Juan Rivera has begun. Or whatever.