By - Bruce Jenkins
Category - Family Hotels In Miami
Posted By - Inn and Suites In West Miami
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The Dodgers got some bad news Thursday on Hanley Ramirez, and they weren't the only ones who took a hit. This doesn't speak well for the World Baseball Classic's future, either.
It's not that the tournament's existence is in doubt; MLB officials confirmed last weekend that it's definitely set for March 2017. But the selection process of the U.S. team, among others, has always been compromised by the fear of players getting hurt.
Look what front-office executives, managers and agents have in their portfolio now: Mark Teixeira, injured wrist during WBC batting practice. David Wright, a candidate for the Mets' disabled list with a rib-cage injury. And now Ramirez, merely the key to the Dodgers' season, is out some eight weeks as he recovers from thumb surgery.
And that's only what we know at the moment. It's entirely possible that a pitcher or two will have been worked too hard, too early, for the sake of his country.
The Dodgers already faced a potential crisis at shortstop if Ramirez, whose defensive skills have eroded in recent years, couldn't handle the position. Now it's up to Luis Cruz (moving from third base), Dee Gordon or Justin Sellers, said to be the best of them defensively but optioned to the minor leagues Tuesday due to minor injuries.
To put it another way: If Cruz is the shortstop, Juan Uribe could see some time at third base. The same Uribe who, after leaving the Giants, signed a three-year deal with L.A. and immediately went into the statistical tank.
The Dodgers are just a mess, period. Don't believe their PR propaganda suggesting Zack Greinke's elbow soreness is "no big deal." It's a huge deal. Carl Crawford still isn't fully recovered from Tommy John surgery, and Matt Kemp (shoulder surgery) may not have his A-1 power swing until mid-season.
Perhaps it all comes together for the free-spending Hollywoodites. Then again, come September, perhaps we'll hear that Ramirez's injury "screwed up our whole season." Exactly what the WBC does not want to hear.
It's not that the tournament's existence is in doubt; MLB officials confirmed last weekend that it's definitely set for March 2017. But the selection process of the U.S. team, among others, has always been compromised by the fear of players getting hurt.
Look what front-office executives, managers and agents have in their portfolio now: Mark Teixeira, injured wrist during WBC batting practice. David Wright, a candidate for the Mets' disabled list with a rib-cage injury. And now Ramirez, merely the key to the Dodgers' season, is out some eight weeks as he recovers from thumb surgery.
And that's only what we know at the moment. It's entirely possible that a pitcher or two will have been worked too hard, too early, for the sake of his country.
The Dodgers already faced a potential crisis at shortstop if Ramirez, whose defensive skills have eroded in recent years, couldn't handle the position. Now it's up to Luis Cruz (moving from third base), Dee Gordon or Justin Sellers, said to be the best of them defensively but optioned to the minor leagues Tuesday due to minor injuries.
To put it another way: If Cruz is the shortstop, Juan Uribe could see some time at third base. The same Uribe who, after leaving the Giants, signed a three-year deal with L.A. and immediately went into the statistical tank.
The Dodgers are just a mess, period. Don't believe their PR propaganda suggesting Zack Greinke's elbow soreness is "no big deal." It's a huge deal. Carl Crawford still isn't fully recovered from Tommy John surgery, and Matt Kemp (shoulder surgery) may not have his A-1 power swing until mid-season.
Perhaps it all comes together for the free-spending Hollywoodites. Then again, come September, perhaps we'll hear that Ramirez's injury "screwed up our whole season." Exactly what the WBC does not want to hear.
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