May 26th, 2013 at 8:47 am 
by Ron Cervenka Every time a Dodger player finishes up a rehab assignment and is ready to return to the 25-man roster, somebody else has to go, and it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to realize that the most obvious guy to be sent back down to Triple-A Albuquerque when Dodger utility infielder Jerry Hairston Jr. returns from the DL within the next day or two will probably be backup infielder/outfielder Scott Van Slyke.
Why, you ask?
Same old story – Van Slyke still has options while the most blatantly obvious person who should go, Luis Cruz, does not.
At some point the Dodgers will (hopefully) realize that they need a power bat off the bench, something that Scott Van Slyke (and Tim Federowicz) can give them. (Photo credit – Mark J. Terrill)
So instead of keeping the first real power bat that the Dodgers have had off the bench all season long, the Dodgers will probably play status quo (again) by hanging onto Cruz simply because the Dodgers are afraid of losing him off of waivers should they DFA him.
No, seriously.
As a result, Dodger manager Don Mattingly will remain in the hot seat while Dodger general manager Ned Colletti quietly slips out the back door unscathed.
I can certainly understand Colletti and the Dodgers rolling the dice and keeping Cruz if he were showing some sign… any sign of improving on his absolutely unacceptable and inexcusable pop-up laden .096 batting average, but let’s be real here, does Colletti honestly believe that another team would even consider picking up Cruz off of waivers? Sure, I guess it’s possible that the Astros or Marlins might, but exactly what benefit is there for them to do so? And even if they do, who cares? Don’t forget that Cruz is 29 years old.
So instead, the Dodgers will likely send the guy who trails only Carl Crawford (5), Adrian Gonzalez (5) and Andre Ethier (4) in home runs back down to the minors and hang on to a guy with zero home runs and only 2 RBIs. I neglected to mention that Van Slyke has hit his three home runs and collected his 6 RBIs in only 23 at bats (Cruz has had 73).
It’s not as though Cruz has a huge contract that is forcing the Dodgers to hang onto him, say like Ramon Hernandez or Juan Uribe (who actually has improved); in fact, releasing Cruz and keeping Van Slyke would actually save the Dodgers money (albeit only $15,000). So for once this isn’t about the money; it’s about about simple logic and common sense – but then again, It’s a Whole New Blue.
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I never like to diss a player but Luis is a very replaceable part with guys at AAA and perhaps even AA (Ynoa). There is zero chance he will be claimed off waivers but if he is not going to play, his baseball life would be better if he was waived.
A couple of SVS’s outs yesterday were long fly balls that died in the outfield expanses of Dodger Stadium. He is zoned in. I never did understand the Hernandez thing other than to move Harang. Fedex should be with the Dodgers.
I heard Cruz has a clause in his contract that is another reason for concern for the Dodgers. Being a (nearly) life long Minor Leaguer at the time of his signing Cruz has a clause that allows him to opt out of his deal should he be sent down and not claimed of waivers to a Major League roster. He can then become a free agent and sign elsewhere. That doesn’t just mean here, he can sign with Japan for example should no MLB offer be presented.
If this clause is in fact real them the Dodgers will essentially be cutting him if he gets sent down as Cruz will no doubt refuse to ride the bus again. Even if his current play warrants it.
Good point Ron, I agree with you 100% This time I think that Colletti will keep Van Slyke and let Cruz go. I will be shocked if the reverse happens.
To put things in persepctive, Cruz needs to go 10 for 10 in order to raise his batting average above the .200 Mendoza line. For now, he remains just below the Cruz line, (.100).
There is no reason to keep this player on the roster, unless your owner is that fictional character from the movie “Major Leagues,” and you are purposefully tanking games.