Los Angeles Dodgers: The biggest mistakes to avoid in 2019
By Jason Reed
1. Not giving Alex Verdugo enough of a chance
If you follow my work here at LA Sports Hub then you know I am a pretty huge fan of Alex Verdugo and want to see him as much as possible on the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Verdugo did make the big league club out of spring, which is a step in the right direction, but still appears as if he is not going to get the chances he deserves to prove all of that massive potential that has been following him.
Right now, it appears likely that the Dodgers are going with a Joc Pederson/Chris Taylor left field platoon, leaving Verdugo as the fourth outfielder that will fill in for off-days as well as when Taylor needs to play the infield.
And while the Dodgers do not really need to rush Verdugo, as he has an entire career in front of him, he has already been held back and continuing to hold him back is a mistake.
Verdugo has been big-league ready since last season and his numbers in AAA Oklahoma City have proven that. On most other MLB teams Verdugo would already be an everyday starter.
It just does not make sense as it has appeared as if the front office is so hesitant to even include Verdugo in trade talks but are not giving him his proper due. It is not like a door is opening soon, as Pederson, Taylor, A.J. Pollock and Cody Bellinger are all under contract for years to come.
I get that potential is just potential until he proves it but Verdugo has not even gotten the chance to prove it. Hopefully, he gets his proper time in 2019.