Editorials

Dodgers Rumors: Orioles Engaged In Talks For Andre Ethier

Andre Ethier
Once the Los Angeles Dodgers traded away outfielder Matt Kemp, it was thought that they might be done making moves in the outfield.

The fact of the matter is that with Yasiel Puig, Carl Crawford, Scott Van Slyke, Andre Ethier and Joc Pederson, the outfield is still a bit crowded. Many expect Pederson to take over in center, while Crawford and Van Slyke will continue their platoon in left field. That leaves Ethier without a job again, but it wouldn’t be expected of him to show the same feelings as last season. The former All-Star let it be known this offseason that he was interested in a starting position, even if that was not in Los Angeles.



According to Roch Kubatko of MASN, the Dodgers have had talks with an AL East team about the 32-year-old:

They maintain a lower level of interest in free agent Nori Aoki and have engaged in trade talks with the Dodgers regarding Andre Ethier, according to an industry source.

The Orioles had talks with the Dodgers about Kemp, but it appeared that the Dodgers asking price of top pitching prospects Dylan Bundy and Kevin Gausman was too much. Ethier would come at a much cheaper price, although it’s unclear what the teams are discussing. Following the loss of Nick Markakis and Nelson Cruz, the Orioles need another bat and outfielder in their lineup. If the two sides can come to an agreement, it would benefit both teams and possibly benefit Ethier more than staying in Los Angeles.

Ethier has been on the decline in recent years, going from an MVP candidate in 2009 to the fifth outfielder last season. He hit just .249 with four home runs and 42 RBIs last year, the lowest totals of his career.

Now that there is at least one team engaged, others may follow and Ethier could be gone by April.

Vincent Samperio

Vince is currently the Associate Editor and Social Media Manager for Dodgers Nation. Hailing from San Pedro, CA and a student at Cal State Long Beach, Vince has previously written for the Daily 49er and LASF Magazine.

14 Comments

    1. Why Jimenez? You do not need another under performing starter….the guy has not been good for 2 years. Also, this guy forgets the Dodgers also have Heisey. They got the guy from Cincy for a reason…the reason is if Joc cannot cut it in spring……good glove so so bat….which except for Kendrick is what every acquisition they have made this off season has….Rollins used to be great…now..not so much

      1. Oh yeah, and do not go citing Grandal’s OBP…the guy still cannot hit all that great…

        1. True, he’s no Piazza but he’s a huge upgrade over Ellis. Very sound defense, switch hitter w/ some pop, young and inexpensive.

          1. AJ has a higher career BA…..Grandal has more power. AJ calls a great game and his pitchers trust him….Grandal supposedly is a great pitch framer….whatever good that is…AJ will still catch Kersh..

          2. Completely agree on all your points. Especially AJs game calling and he’ll be Kershaws man no doubt but we’ve lost some punch w/ Kemp and Ramirez gone. I’m just excited about someone else behind the dish, younger, different skill set. Pitch-framing has its benefits and so does AJ but just can’t get over him not grabbing Quentin before he got to Greinke last year.

          3. I think he was totally surprised that Quentin went after him..and that was 2013 not last year. I agree Grandal has a lot different set of skills, but I am not convinced that he is that much better than AJ….when AJ got healthy his numbers improved…power wise Grandal has an edge..but AJ is smarter….My biggest negative is that the guy was suspended for PED use….I have no soft spot for cheaters and my personal belief is that we do not want them on the Dodgers….and he also has had knee problems…I can think of a few C I would rather have had than that guy…..and I do not think he was worth Kemp…

          4. Oh I know the Quentin thing was 13′, you would think I’d be over it by now but that’s another story. I could talk this stuff all day long, I just think AJs best yrs were in the minors and it’s time for a change. I’m banking on Grandal having a good yr but time will tell. Been good chattin with ya????. Go Blue!

    1. I haven’t had a reply so here’s my email address if you’d like to give me details on when/where to meet as I can’t wait to get this done. My email is [email protected]

      1. response will be coming to your email address……….sorry you have to wait……

  1. I agree that would be best for Ethier. He handled the situation well last year. I am still concerned about the Bull Pen. We must have a solid Lefty to help JP and Paco or Mattingly will kill those guys again this year. Yes I agree Heisey is the insurance for Joc.At least the Front Office is covering their bets. I read somewhere they have had Guerrero learning to play in the Outfield, he apparently can hit but his glove must be very bad. I hope they keep Van Slyke he has been very good as a platoon guy.

  2. That would be awesome, and I don’t even know what we’d get back. Matt Kemp era has come to an end, we need to get rid of Ethier and finish the purge. Kemp, Loney, Ethier and Martin. The dumbest quartet of Dodger farmhands in history. A bunch of emotional prima-donnas that never understood winning and team comes before personal accolades. I’ll miss Kemp for his pure talent, but I’m tired of making excuses for all the stupid things he’s done over the years including the stupidity that caused both of his most recent major injuries.

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