Dodgers have too much at stake, collectively and individually, to become complacent
NEW YORK – Trevor Bauer.Andruw Jones.
Jason Schmidt.Scott Kazmir.If something doesn’t change, Kyle Tucker’s name will be alongside theirs on the list of the worst free-agent additions in Dodgers’ history.When the Dodgers return from the All-Star break on Friday to open a three-game series at Yankee Stadium, they will do so with an 11 ½-game advantage in the National League West.
With the most substantial division lead in baseball, they should be able to cruise into the postseason, very likely as one of the two NL teams with a bye in the wild-card round.No such margin for error exists for Tucker individually, the 29-year-old right fielder batting .244 with seven home runs and 47 runs batted in.As much as the Dodgers are willing to invest in their roster, making Tucker the most expensive No.6 or 7 hitter to ever play the game couldn’t be what Andrew Friedman envisioned when he signed him to a four-year, $240-million contract over the winter.Tucker hasn’t accepted his fate as an all-time bust, with manager Dave Roberts revealing the four-time All-Star has worked overtime with the team’s hitting coaches.“I’ve tried basically everything,” Tucker said last month.This feeling is why the Dodgers won’t be the hare in the race against the tortoise.
As comfortably positioned as the team might be, Tucker has something to prove.In that regard, he’s not alone on this team.The Dodgers have underperformers who are determined to return to the levels at which they’re used to being.They have older players who want to show they will remain useful beyond this season.
They have players returning from injuries who know the time they missed won’t be held against them if they perform in October. So, don’t be concerned about them falling into a slumber.They might not have the Arizona Diamondbacks or San Diego Padres breathing down their necks, but they have very real incentives to continue playing hard over the final 10 weeks of the regular season.After ...