A.J. Ellis has a .405 on-base percentage this season and, in 216 plate appearances, a .360 OBP in his career.

On a ballclub that has struggled with on-base skills (even considering the recent offensive surge), we're past the point of considering whether Ellis belongs. He deserves a spot on the team until he proves otherwise, not the other way around.

Ellis has thrown out 27 percent of opposing basestealers in his career (13 of 48) with one career error and two career passed balls in 511 1/3 innings behind the plate.

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Meanwhile, a comparison:

• Russell Martin, Yankees: 425 plate appearances, .325 OBP, .414 slugging, 17 homers, 8-of-9 stealing, 95 OPS+, .262 True average (Baseball Prospectus), 2.9 WAR (Fangraphs)
• Rod Barajas, Dodgers: 289 plate appearances, .289 OBP, .445 slugging, 15 homers, 0-of-0 stealing, 102 OPS+, .261 True average, 1.3 WAR

Martin has played more and been more effective defensively, but offensively, Barajas' power has been an asset this year. Barajas would have to be willing to take a paycut to return to the Dodgers in 2012 – perhaps he will.

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Tim Federowicz has a .431 on-base percentage and .627 slugging percentage with six homers in 83 at-bats since coming to Albuquerque in the Trayvon Robinson trade. Expect the Dodgers to call up the 24-year-old in the next couple of days.