Moneyball is dead!  That’s right dead, and it officially ended when an “old-school GM” fleeced Mr. Moneyball himself!  That’s right, Ethier for Perez and Bradley now rates right up there with the Pedro Martinez trade, and it was done by a guy who (according to the CyberGeeks) wasn’t smart enough to do it!

Let’s look at some more of DePo’s acquisitions:

1.  JD Drew - Platoon player, for $11 mil a year?  Please!

2.  Odalis Perez - nothing more to say!

3.  Signed Gagne - Hasn’t pitched in 2 years

4.  Bradley?  If Colletti hadn’t fleeced Beane, that would have been another blunder.  Good Save, Ned!

5.  Dionaro Navarro was the guy DePo wanted and “Pugita” is a semi-star on the Rays!  Duh!

DePo did trade for Penny and sign Lowe, but that’s about it.  Ned has been a breath of fresh air to this franchise and he hasn’t mortgaged the future.  Who are the moneyball guys?  Beane (in contention always, but no cigar); Epstien (well they won one, but I wouldn’t classify their payroll as a moneyball team) - most of the good GM’s are just baseball guys who may use statistical analysis as a means but not as an end!  I’m sick of the stats (although I watch them too).  Look at a guy.  Can he play?  Does he work hard?  Does he have heart?  Is he passionate about the game?  What stats measure those things?  What stats measure the ability of a group of player to come together as a team? Give me a good old-fashioned GM like Ned Colletti anytime and I’ll give you a chance to win!

LAST NIGHTS GAMETo say that Penny was erratic last night would be a gross understatement, however the Dodger defense, led by the oft-maligned Raffy Furcal saved his butt over and over again!  I hate to think where we would be this year even if Izturis was healthy all year!  Furcal has been a gem for us, as has Kenny Lofton.

The bullpen tried to give it back, but Big Brox and his 98 MPH juice squeezed the life out of the Reds.  I have had to watch the last 5 games on MLB as Brighthouse had the Dodger games scheduled, but were never actually televised in my area. 

The rookies all did their jobs last night - Martin, Ethier and Broxton.  Now, we have a little breathing room, but we can’t let up.  I hear that Ned is still trying to acquire pitching (you never have too much).

NOTES:

1.  Andy LaRoche was removed after 2 innings last night.
2.  Ryan Ketchner was promoted from Vero Beach to Las Vegas - nice comeback Ryan!  He could be in the mix next year.

Wilson hit a key home run in yesterday’s game while C-Bill gave up 2 runs in 7 innings.  It’s nice to see JD and Jeff Kent get a couple of hits each as well.  Let’s hope Brad Penny decides to just pitch and quit worrying about the calls.  He’ll be much better for it.  His biggest enemy is not the umps - it’s Brad Penny (some umps are calling him “Bad Penny”).  Let’s sweep the Reds at home!

A glimpse into the future (check out the highlighted stats):

ANDY LAROCHE 2006 STATS

MATT KEMP 2006 STATS

No one player is the key to the pennant.  We will win or lose as a team.  It will certainly help if Jeff Kent, JD Drew and Nomar all heat up, but we need Wilson Betemit, Russ Martin, Andre Ethier, Raffy Furcal and Kenny Lofton as well.  During our winning streak, it was a team effort and the push to the playoffs has to be the same.  We don’t have that “Big Bopper” who hits 30 or 40 HR this year, but I would not be surprised if JD Drew, Jeff Kent or Nomar were to hit 10 HR in September or 22 to 23 COMBINED!  We are due.

Tomko:  He is most effective not pitching in back-to-back games as he learns the ropes in the bullpen.  He is a key piece. 

I say the two key guys in the pen are Sele and Dessens, because it puts less strain on Broxton, Tomko and Saito for the 8th and 9th innings.  If Dessens and Sele pitch well in long relief, our pen will be a strength.   After next Friday, we will have Kuo as well and this can only help.  Maybe he will start.  Maybe he will relieve, but he should be an asset!

Role Players:  Lugo, Hall, even Hendrickson are likely one-season Dodgers, but all have fit in.  I still believe that this season can be special.  These are Destiny’s Dodgers!C-Bill goes today.  Let’s hope he can show his stuff!  He has to be tired, but the pennant is on the line!

Scott Elbert is the same age as Billingsley and has a higher upside.  Look for it to happen!

D-Lowe has to step up and stop this slide.  A no-hitter would work!   Get ‘em D-Lowe!

1.  Say, couldn’t the Cards or the Stros or the Angels or the Sox use Lugo?

Can we slip him through waivers?

Has Ned tried?

2.  Does anyone believe that Tim Hamusuck is a better option than Cararra (who was DFA’ed today)?

3.  Mark Alexander was shipped back to AA for the playoffs.

4.  Why not call up Kuo or Miller instead of Hamusuck?