Dodgers Pushed to Release Slumping $17 Million Veteran As Losses Pile Up
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The defending World Series champions are suddenly on the ropes.
On the heels of a 12-21 stretch since July 4, the Los Angeles Dodgers have fallen to second place in the National League West. They held a nine-game lead before this cold streak began, making it almost impossible to see the fall coming.
The Dodgers can still win this division race, but they'll need to quickly get up off the mat, especially with six of their next 10 games against the new division leaders, the San Diego Padres. Could that be cause for a roster shakeup?
PITTSBURGH, PA - MAY 10: A New Era Los Angeles Dodgers baseball cap is seen against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the game at PNC Park on May 10, 2022 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin...
PITTSBURGH, PA - MAY 10: A New Era Los Angeles Dodgers baseball cap is seen against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the game at PNC Park on May 10, 2022 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)FanSided's Katrina Stebbins thinks the Dodgers have no other choice but to cut their losses with an expensive veteran who has been a thorn in his team's side all season.
On Wednesday, Stebbins urged the Dodgers to release veteran Michael Conforto, who signed a one-year, $17 million contract in December and has produced minus-0.6 bWAR as the regular starter in left field.
"Conforto successfully duped the front office into thinking that his July success was sustainable and they weren't proactive about finding a replacement outfielder (at the trade deadline)," Stebbins wrote. "Now, their internal options are low with three utility men on the (injured list). Still, Dodgers fans would probably prefer to see a minor leaguer come up or Dalton Rushing get some major league reps in the outfield than keep watching Conforto play."
The Dodgers designated outfielder Jason Heyward for assignment and subsequently released him last August, a precedent Stebbins was quick to point out. And though Conforto is making nearly double Heyward's salary, it's not as though Los Angeles is worried about keeping its payroll below a certain threshold.
Conforto is now 3-for-30 in August. Could a couple more bad games do him in?
More MLB: Astros $95M Six-Time All-Star Seeking Second Opinion After 'Gut Punch' Injury
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