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Dodgers Replace Maza with Ozuna
2008-07-20 10:22
by Jon Weisman

The Dodgers announced today they have signed 33-year-old former White Sox infielder Pablo Ozuna (released by Chicago July 8) and designated infielder Luis Maza for assignment.

Ozuna's claim to fame was a 2006 season when he had a 105 OPS+ in 203 plate appearances. Last season, his OPS+ plunged to 47, and this season he was at 71 (18 for 64 with two walks). His career batting average is .285 in 695 plate appearances, but with two home runs and 22 walks.

Career games by position:

74 third base
55 left field
50 second base
19 shortstop
6 center field
2 first base
2 right field

When he gets a start at third base over Andy LaRoche, it's not going to be pretty. Ozuna is a career .302 hitter against lefties, so if you don't care about walks or homers, he's your guy.

Comments (68)
Show/Hide Comments 1-50
2008-07-20 10:25:25
1.   D4P
Dan - two minutes early.

Ozuna looks like a prototypical Ned kinda player.

Career:

.285/.322/.358/.680, 77 OPS+

2008-07-20 10:25:40
2.   The Trolley Dodger
Released by the White Sox to make room for Paul Konerko, unironically.
2008-07-20 10:26:09
3.   Greg Brock
Well he isn't very good at all.
2008-07-20 10:28:35
4.   whodat807
If he takes away playing time from Berroa, I'm ok with this signing. I had an irrational fondness for Maza though, his lack of hitting prowess notwithstanding.
2008-07-20 10:28:53
5.   D4P
Funny how Ned keeps acquiring the exact same kinda player over and over, expecting it to work "this time".
2008-07-20 10:28:54
6.   Bob Timmermann
Maza is worth 15 points in Scrabble. Ozuna is worth 14.

Hence Maza is better.

2008-07-20 10:29:34
7.   Bob Timmermann
Can I continue to hate Dick Young in this thread?
2008-07-20 10:30:48
8.   Greg Brock
Jon Weisman is dominating the Toaster Sidebar.
2008-07-20 10:31:43
9.   Jon Weisman
8 - I keep expecting to be called away, and didn't want to save everything for one big post today. But it hasn't really happened yet.
2008-07-20 10:31:47
10.   The Trolley Dodger
7 YOUNG would only be worth 9 points. TIMMERMANN, 16. So, yes.
2008-07-20 10:32:33
11.   Bob Hendley
OK, so thankfully we aren't going with Guzman, who, with Bob's help should be able to shed the "h", but is probably stuck with the moniker "All Star" for the rest of his career.
2008-07-20 10:32:41
12.   Ken Noe
7 Yes, and I will join you.
2008-07-20 10:33:58
13.   Bob Timmermann
11
That's TWO-TIME All-Star Cristian Guzman if you please.
2008-07-20 10:34:30
14.   Travis08
10 There's only two M tiles in a regular Scrabble set, so you'd have to use a blank for one of the M's.
2008-07-20 10:35:58
15.   D4P
I believe Greg Norman's top-4 finish gets him back in the Masters next year. I thought he'd never play in another Tradition Unlike Any Other.
2008-07-20 10:36:06
16.   larry slimfast
apparently Jeff Kent has batted 'not right-handed' 4 times this year.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/splits?playerId=2668

i'm confused

2008-07-20 10:37:06
17.   jasonungar07
46 out of 50 golfers in the top 50 on todays leaderboard shot better than Norman. Poor guy.
2008-07-20 10:37:36
18.   Travis08
16 Yesterday's game isn't included.
2008-07-20 10:38:25
19.   Bob Timmermann
Greg Norman is 53. And he finished close to the top in brutal conditions. I wouldn't feel sorry for him at all.

This would be like the Dodgers suiting up Mariano Duncan and playing him at second base.

2008-07-20 10:40:36
20.   Greg Brock
When he gets a start at third base over Andy LaRoche, it's not going to be pretty.

Feelings.
Nothing more than feelings.
Trying to gauge Joe's feelings.
Teardrops rolling down my face :-(

2008-07-20 10:41:12
21.   bhsportsguy
Actually, when Ozuna plays 3B this year it won't be because he's playing instead of LaRoche.

This move pretty much seals (at least to me), Andy LaRoche's return to Vegas when the Dodgers activate Sweeney later this week.

2008-07-20 10:42:03
22.   Jon Weisman
So when I do multiple posts, will people signing on in a few hours read them, or do they only click on what's hot from the Toaster?
2008-07-20 10:42:44
23.   Travis08
17 The pairing in front of Norman each shot 79's.
2008-07-20 10:42:49
24.   bhsportsguy
19 He also just married Chris Evert so 2008 has been a pretty good year for him.
2008-07-20 10:42:56
25.   larry slimfast
Oh, that makes sense. Thanks. Looks like he scored 30 runs yesterday? That must be some kind of record!
2008-07-20 10:43:52
26.   bhsportsguy
22 Only your children will read multiple posts.

:)

2008-07-20 10:47:59
27.   Jon Weisman
Post updated to note that Ozuna is a career .302 hitter against lefties. 100 hits, nine walks.
2008-07-20 10:50:41
28.   Ken Noe
The article linked to TJ's blurb actually is worth reading--White Sox were furious when Ozuna went, and Ozzie went Ozzie as a result.
2008-07-20 10:52:03
29.   Travis08
From the last thread:

"Bob I agree with that ..as I read it I tried to scan my brain for another example and couldn't. Can anyone? (more famous for 2nd, or loosing)"

1964 Phillies
1972 U.S. Olympic men's basketball team
Greg Norman, multiple majors
Jana Novotna

2008-07-20 10:52:35
30.   larry slimfast
What is his professional at bat ratio? PABR drinking game! Drink a Pabst every time he grounds out weakly.
2008-07-20 10:53:07
31.   jasonungar07
I don't feel sorry for him. I mean simply poor guy, he's bummed right now. He has to be. He had a shot today to win a major and most people on planet (me included and I'm a golfer) had no idea he still played! Making excuses for him about marrying people and how others shot makes no difference to him right now, that's all I am saying. It was awesome he was in it and congrats to Padraig back to back is impressive..
2008-07-20 10:54:37
32.   Greg Brock
27 .302/.332/.399

I'm sure the vaunted braintrust looked at on base and slugging.

Or they saw the shiny "3" on the batting average and decided to kick the tires.

2008-07-20 10:59:32
33.   Bob Timmermann
Pablo Ozuna has played every position in the majors except pitcher and catcher.
2008-07-20 11:01:23
34.   Bob Timmermann
Pablo Ozuna was also once part of a deal that included Juan Pierre.
2008-07-20 11:05:10
35.   Greg Brock
if you don't care about walks or homers, he's your guy.

A friend of mine said something really interesting the other day. So many people, even at the highest levels, just refuse to look at walks as anything other than a pitcher's error. Like it's not even a skill to have plate recognition. Like we're still in Little League.

I get the feeling that our front office feels that way.

2008-07-20 11:10:23
36.   D4P
So many people, even at the highest levels, just refuse to look at walks as anything other than a pitcher's error

Not only that, but that walks reflect cowardice on the part of the batter.

2008-07-20 11:10:37
37.   Jon Weisman
ESPN says the Brewers got Ray Durham.
2008-07-20 11:10:56
38.   LoneStar7
Is this the big splash that Plaschke thinks Ned had to make to save his job? : )
2008-07-20 11:11:26
39.   D4P
Anyone can draw a walk, but it takes a Ballplayer to slap ball four to a middle infielder.
2008-07-20 11:13:22
40.   goofus
17 But Norman is a Proven Veteran Leader...
2008-07-20 11:13:26
41.   Greg Brock
When a player wears a pitch off his elbow, it's celebration time. Gamer!

I guess some free bases are more gritty than others.

2008-07-20 11:13:39
42.   D4P
Rotoworld on the Durham trade:

That's pretty unimpressive. Durham could have been had for nothing at the start of the season if any team was willing to pick up his contract, and it's not like he's a better bet now than he was then. The Giants must be picking up some salary in order to get two prospects for him.

Strangely enough, Rotoworld has yet to comment on the Ozuna pickup. I guess they're penning a long writeup.

2008-07-20 11:15:49
43.   goofus
29 Andy LaRoche?
2008-07-20 11:34:18
44.   Greg Brock
WFAN's Joe Benigno: Phil [Niekro], how's your brother doing?

Niekro: He had an aneurysm about a year and a half ago and died.

Benigno: I did not know that.

2008-07-20 11:34:28
45.   Bumsrap
16 -apparently Jeff Kent has batted 'not right-handed' 4 times this year. It seems like more though
2008-07-20 11:35:35
46.   KG16
35/36 - here's the thing, I think... walks are a passive offensive stat. In a lot of ways, drawing a walk is a result of pitcher error or pitching around a guy, more than it is anything else. Of course, swinging at bad pitches is a bad thing, but at the same time, the guy at the plate is called a "hitter" because they are suppose to hit the ball. Nor, in the minds of many (myself included), is drawing walks the equivalent of patience. It's having "a good eye", but again, at some point you're expected to swing the bat. Ultimately, it is a sign that the pitcher did not throw good enough pitches to induce an out, so in a way, yes, it is a result of pitcher error.

And I wouldn't say it reflects cowardice on the part of the hitter, if a pitcher pitches around a guy, it's cowardice on the part of the pitcher (see Bonds, Barry circa 2005).

2008-07-20 11:35:42
47.   Neal Pollack
That is just a pathetic signing.
2008-07-20 11:35:52
48.   Bob Timmermann
Beningo is not a regular Griddle reader.

I can't believe no one commented on Steve Mingori's death.

2008-07-20 11:36:07
49.   Bumsrap
LaRoche can show more in Vegas than he is allowed to show currently.
2008-07-20 11:36:11
50.   D4P
I did not know that

At least he didn't add, "Weird, wacky stuff."

Show/Hide Comments 51-100
2008-07-20 11:36:42
51.   goofus
I liked Maza from what I saw of him on TV. He wasn't a very good player but he looked like the kind of guy who worked as hard as he could, put in as much practice time as possible, willingly did anything the coaches or manager asked of him, and was happy to have a job. People speak well of Osuna, maybe he has that same good attitude.
2008-07-20 11:37:56
52.   Bob Timmermann
46
KG16 is not a member of either the Max Bishop or Roy Cullenbine Marching and Chowder Societies.

And if you say "Eddie Yost" in front of him, you get beaten up.

2008-07-20 11:38:10
53.   D4P
Of course, swinging at bad pitches is a bad thing, but at the same time, the guy at the plate is called a "hitter" because they are suppose to hit the ball

Right. Don't swing at the bad pitches, do swing at the good ones.

2008-07-20 11:39:11
54.   D4P
I liked Maza from what I saw of him on TV. He wasn't a very good player but he looked like the kind of guy who worked as hard as he could, put in as much practice time as possible, willingly did anything the coaches or manager asked of him, and was happy to have a job

Ned's kinda player. Heck: kinda like Ned.

2008-07-20 11:41:20
55.   scooplew
Old friend Brian Myrow started at first base for the Padres today...
2008-07-20 11:43:01
56.   Bumsrap
Why can't the young Dodgers wear an ear piece and have Torre talk to them while they hitting. Torre could make them smarter hitters by saying things like, the pitcher is probably going to throw a curve ball down and away on the next pitch and your job is to take it to right, but be careful because he might throw you a fast ball up and in instead.
2008-07-20 11:44:04
57.   Greg Brock
Pitching around Bonds was not cowardice. Like avoiding a fight with Sonny Liston in a back alley was not cowardice.

Pickett's charge was brave, I guess. Pretty stupid, too.

2008-07-20 11:44:20
58.   Dexter Fishmore
Jon's back with a vengeance! I am pleased.
2008-07-20 11:46:00
59.   JoeyP
Why not dump Berroa instead of Maza?
2008-07-20 11:47:29
60.   berkowit28
58 And even telling us when there's an NPUT! Fortunately.
2008-07-20 11:48:38
61.   D4P
Why not dump Berroa instead of Maza?

6.5 of one, a half baker's dozen of another.

2008-07-20 11:50:38
62.   Bob Timmermann
59
The day has officially begun!
2008-07-20 11:50:58
63.   JoeyP
This move pretty much seals (at least to me), Andy LaRoche's return to Vegas when the Dodgers activate Sweeney later this week.

The real question will be whether you will criticize the move.

If Bhsportsguy comes over to the dark side, that will be a momentous day.

2008-07-20 11:51:36
64.   Fallout
50 D4P
44 Glad he didn't followup and ask,"How's your mother doing?"
2008-07-20 11:53:34
65.   Greg Brock
64 For anybody who had to listen to Joe Benigno for any length of time, it's splendid.

The man is dumber than a bag of hammers.

2008-07-20 11:53:57
66.   Fallout
Not having seen either, how is Ozuna an improvement over Maza?
2008-07-20 11:55:05
67.   Jon Weisman
NPUT
2008-07-20 13:49:21
68.   scareduck
42 - their regular blue-tinted snarkfest caused a cerebral hemorrhage on contact.

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