Chemistry

In today's statistic-crazed baseball world, the statistics whizzes have yet to come up with a method in which to measure team chemistry. The Dodgers traded an important ingredient in that team chemistry yesterday when they traded backup catcher A.J. Ellis to the Philadelphia Phillies for backup catcher Carlos Ruiz. Ellis statistics have dropped off the past several seasons, hitting below the Mendoza line in two of the past three seasons, but his value to the team cannot be measured. He was drafted by the Dodgers out of Austin Peay State University in the 18th round in 2003 and this was his sixth season at the major league level.

Ellis was one of ace pitcher Clayton Kershaw's best friends on the team and I was stunned when I first saw the report that the Dodgers had traded Ellis. Baseball is a business but there are role players on every team that are revered for being great teammates and great for team chemistry.

The trade made good baseball sense. Ruiz brings a lot more to the plate offensively and the Dodgers have struggled from the right side of the plate this season. The San Francisco Giants are stacked with left handed starters and Andrew Friedman made a move that would help the team out as they go for the National League West title.

A Curtain Call On The Road

Los Angeles Dodgers fans and baseball fans got to see a rarity last night and that is a visiting player getting a curtain call. Former Philadelphia Phillies second baseman and current Los Angeles Dodger Chase Utley received a standing ovation that lasted for over a minute when he made his first plate appearance. He later homered and he received his first curtain call. Utley finished his return to Philly with a grand slam and received his final curtain call. The grand slam was the big blow in a 15-5 Dodgers victory and also helped the Dodgers take sole possession of first place in the National League West over the San Francisco Giants.

Philadelphia fans often get a bad rap as being extremely harsh and quite often a brutal environment for opposing teams but Philadelphia fans are very knowledgeable about their sports and they love their sports heroes. Utley spent his first 12 seasons in Philadelphia before being traded to the Dodgers last season. This curtain call was in recognition for his 12 seasons spent in a Phillies uniform.

The Trade That Didn't Happen

The Los Angeles Dodgers didn't make a splash at the major league baseball trade deadline; they barely caused a ripple. The got starting pitcher Rich Hill (who was even on the Disabled List because of a blister problem) and outfielder Josh Reddick from the Oakland A's and relief pitcher got relief pitcher Josh Fields from the Houston Astros and Jesse Chavez from the Toronto Blue Jays. All of these players were acquired for minor league players and the Dodgers did not have to empty out their farm system of the best prospects.

The biggest news on this day was that the Dodgers finally took a hardline stance with Yasiel Puig. When the Dodgers could not package Puig in a trade deal, the Dodgers decided to option Puig to AAA Oklahoma City. Puig is not having the worst statistical season of the Dodgers outfielders but Puig has always been cursed with a world of potential but appears disinterested most of the time and has spent his fair share of games on the bench with nagging injuries. The trade for Reddick, Enrique Hernandez and Scott Van Slyke making it back from injuries, and with Trayce Thompson due back soon made Puig dispensable. Puig may have finally wore out his welcome with the Dodgers and may have taken his last at bat with the Dodgers.