Daily Dodger in Review: Matt Treanor and the second-half stumble
MATT TREANOR, 36, catcher
Final 2012 stats: .175 batting average, two homers, 10 RBIs, .281 on-base and .281 slugging percentages in 103 at-bats
Contract status: Free agent
The good: This could prove a challenge. He hit .300 in the fourth inning and .313 in the fifth. Hey, I’m trying here. Through the middle of June, was actually hitting .295. Wife won another Olympic gold medal. Flashy dresser.
The bad: Unfortunately, after June 17 he hit a miserable .085 (five hits in his last 59 at-bats) and all but disappeared. This required A.J. Ellis to start almost every game, which wore on their No. 1 catcher for a stretch.
Though solid behind the plate, threw out only three runners in 21 attempts (14.3%). Normally upbeat and a good clubhouse presence, he did have one memorable feisty exchange with Los Angeles Times columnist T.J. Simers, for which he later made amends.
What’s next: Appears done with the Dodgers, who are currently planning on going with Ted Federowicz as their backup next season. If he wants to keep playing elsewhere, that career-low batting average will be difficult to overcome.
The take: The Dodgers were expecting more from the veteran, and although his playing time was erratic even when he was hitting well, he just completely lost all confidence at the plate in the second half.
It was the first season for Ellis as their starter, so the catching situation hardly unfolded as designed. Fortunately, Ellis hit and played better than anyone could have dared hope, so Treanor’s shortcomings largely were overlooked.
He’s a high-energy guy I always enjoyed talking with, but he’ll be 37 in March, so this could prove to be career wrap-up time for the Mater Dei High School product. Still, for a guy who didn’t make the big leagues until he was 28, he spent parts on nine seasons in the majors.
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