Dodgers 2013 End-Of-Season Player Evaluations: Jerry Hairston, Jr.
Jerry Hairston, Jr. was signed to a two-year deal in the 2011 off-season and has spent the past two seasons filling a utility role off the bench for the Dodgers. Hairston missed the end of the 2012 season with hip surgery but came in healthy this season.
Regular Season Grade: C-
Hairston played in 96 games for the Dodgers and hit .211 with two home runs and 22 RBI. He started a handful of games at third base and left field and was used as a defensive replacement late in games. Hairston began the season well, hitting .272 in the first 91 games of the season.
However, Hairston fell out of the bench rotation late in the season after ending the season hitting just .143 after July 20. The 37-year-old began to lose playing time with the emergence of Juan Uribe at third base and Skip Schumaker as the first outfielder off the bench. After a successful campaign in 2012 before the injury, Hairston struggled at the end of the season and appeared in just 15 of the team’s final 26 games. He was also held without an RBI the last 34 games of the season and finished 3-45 to close out the year.
Regardless of his offense, Hairston continued to provide solid defense at any position he played. He had a few great plays at third base this season and finished the season without an error in the outfield.
Playoff Grade: Incomplete
Hairston was left off the postseason roster in both the NLDS and NLCS after spending the whole season with the team. He was skipped over in favor of Skip Schumaker, Nick Punto, Dee Gordon and Scott Van Slyke for a spot on the roster.
The Dodgers decision to leave Hairston off the roster was a bold move considering he spent the season with the team, but the decision was based on production rather than seniority.
Overall Grade: C
Hairston handled the situation of being left off the playoff roster well, further proving his status as a positive clubhouse player. On the field, Hairston couldn’t replicate his 2012 numbers and fell out of favor with Don Mattingly at the end of the season.
All signs indicate that Hairston’s time with the Dodgers could be done as he’s a free agent and the team could be looking in a different direction. Hairston could find his way onto another team or may decide to retire.
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