Dodgers: Adrian Gonzalez Dodger career may be coming to an end

Dodgers first baseman Adrian Gonzalez has had a rough season with multiple stints on the DL. His Dodger career may be coming to an end sooner than expected.

Injuries are really starting to catch up to the 35-year-old 5-time all-star, as he has only played in 49 out of the teams 71 games this year. He is currently on the 10-day DL with the herniated disc that continues to bother him, and there is no timetable for his return.

Gonzalez’s back problem have severely hurt his production at the plate this season, and he may no longer get back to what he used to be. His numbers have been abysmal averaging career lows across the board.

Because of this, his Dodger career may be coming to an end sooner than previously expected considering all the young talent that is coming up. The biggest fall off for Gonzalez is his power number; he can no longer drive the ball anymore.

His slugging has been on a steady decline every year since 2014. This season his power has completely vanished having only one home run while slugging just .339. Gonzalez power production started to decline last year as he hit only 18 HR which was down from 28 in 2015, but the drop off this year was even more than anyone would have expected.

Gonzalez has one more year left on his 7-year $154 million contract he signed back in 2011 with the Boston Red Sox’s. He is due to make over $22 million next season for the final year of his deal.

The Dodgers were hoping he could play out the rest of his contract that goes through 2018 then let Cody Bellinger take the reins at first starting in 2019.

The organization had been grooming Bellinger to be the eventual replacement for Gonzalez, but the emergence of Bellinger has forced the team to change their plans.

At this point in his career, Gonzalez might be better served as a platoon role starting against favorable matchups. The Dodgers have multiple guys that can play. Perhaps, it can better serve the team to have Gonzalez be a part-time player now. It’s not like the Dodgers have the luxury of a DH to keep both Bellinger and Gonzalez in the lineup.

What makes things difficult for the Dodgers is that you can’t move Gonzalez around the field. He is one of the very few position players on the roster who only plays one position.

It is a hard thing to ask of him to sit given his track record, but it might be the best option for the Dodgers going forward. Bellinger can continue to play in the outfield, but with all the depth the Dodgers have out there, they can give other players more at-bats if they play Bellinger at first more often.

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Giving Bellinger more starts at first when Gonzalez comes up back frees up more playing time for players like Chris Taylor who can continue to play the outfield with Bellinger playing first.

It has also freed up some more time for Joc Pederson who’s glove is worth having out there and is starting to hit better since he has come off the DL. At this point, it is hard seeing Gonzalez as the full time starting the first baseman next year.

He either has to learn to accept a smaller role as Chase Utley did, or the Dodgers look to move him in the offseason.

However, for the rest of this season, I still believe he holds a lot of value as a late game clutch hitter. He might not have the power anymore, but he can still deliver a big hit for you with a runner in scoring position.

Seeing how good the Dodgers offense has been without him, Gonzalez should focus on getting 100% healthy no matter how long it takes. A healthy Gonzalez is more valuable in October than it is in June.

If he can get himself healthy for the stretch run of the season that will be more beneficial to the Dodgers.

I don’t believe he is a full-time starter anymore, at least not with the Dodgers. But his experience will be much needed come playoff time, especially since the Dodgers are relying on and so many young guys right now that have not played in big situations.

It’s safe to say El Titan is probably at the end of his career. He gave us some really good years, but he is nowhere near the player he used to be. Time will tell if he will be here next season.

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With that being sad, he can still help the Dodgers win a World Series this year as a late game situational batter. He still is a smart hitter with a have IQ, and that is something that age will not take away from him.