ByKen Gurnick\/MLB.com|07\/29\/12 4:15 PM ET <\/p>\n
SAN FRANCISCO -- With rumors of the Dodgers seeking multiple additions such as Ryan Dempster, Shane Victorino, etc., before Tuesday's Trade Deadline, manager Don Mattingly was asked about the balance between roster improvement and clubhouse chemistry. <\/p>\n
\"You've always got to try to get better,\" Mattingly said. \"You do worry a little if you have a clubhouse that gets along; you want to create a baseball environment for everybody. But this is professional sports and we're here to win and be the best club we can be. <\/p>\n
\"It's hard to say, 'We need to get rid of this guy and get another guy in.' If we get guys that don't fit, they won't stay around.\" <\/p>\n
In addition to Dempster and Victorino, who clearly are the Dodgers' top two targets, the club has been rumored in talks for starting pitchers James Shields and Matt Garza, slugger Corey Hart, reliever Brandon League and outfielder Hunter Pence. <\/p>\n
SAN FRANCISCO -- In the four games Hanley Ramirez has played for the Dodgers, he's 6-for-16 at the plate. In those same four games, Luis Cruz is 5-for-16. <\/p>\n
Not that Cruz should be considered of the same caliber as Ramirez, but he's done enough since taking over for injured shortstop Dee Gordon to stay in the lineup. <\/p>\n
\"He's not Ozzie Smith at shortstop, but if he gets his glove on the ball, he catches it and throws them out,\" said manager Don Mattingly. \"He's stabilized the position and swung the bat well.\" <\/p>\n
Mattingly expects Ramirez to slide over to his original position of shortstop, although he still takes more pregame ground balls at third base, where he started again Sunday, with Cruz still at shortstop. <\/p>\n
Cruz said he's just grateful to be playing anywhere after a journeyman's career spent mostly in the Minor Leagues, with three previous callups of no significance. <\/p>\n<\/p>\n
See original here: ByKen Gurnick\/MLB.com|07\/29\/12 4:15 PM ET SAN FRANCISCO -- With rumors of the Dodgers seeking multiple additions such as Ryan Dempster, Shane Victorino, etc., before Tuesday's Trade Deadline, manager Don Mattingly was asked about the balance between roster improvement and clubhouse chemistry. \"You've always got to try to get better,\" Mattingly said. Continue reading
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