When I said Saturday night that Matt Kemp would learn, little did I know that he would learn by Sunday. After flying out weakly on the first pitch with the tying run on base Saturday Night, he had an excellent 8-pitch at bat before driving a double into the gap with two outs, scoring the tying run. Andre Ethier followed with a monmuntal triple (nothing soft about it) for the lead run and Russ Martin brought in an insurance run which J-Brox needed. Martin’s block of the plate on Drew’s attempt to score on a triple he tried to stretch into a HR was also a key play. Troncoso also was impressive with 5 K’s in 2 innings. In other words, it was team effort! Arizona has 2 better starters than us, but their pen is suspect at best! Mark it down – todays’ victory was a very big one, maybe the BIG ONE! We showed the Snakes that we can play with them and that a lead is never safe!
Now, we just have to keep building upon what we are doing. We can win with Nomar and Kent up the middle because what they have lost in speed, they make up in experience, but we can’t continue to win with DeWitt and Jones at 3B and CF respectively. DeWitt has settled to .255 (and falling) and while he is playing great defense, 3B is a spot where power is needed. Blake DeWitt is a work in progress and needs to be in AAA to work on his power stroke. I think he’ll be a nice player in a another year – he’s way ahead of where I thought he would be. We have less than 10 days until the trade deadline and Andy LaRoche needs to play every one of those games. If Sweeney is indeed activated today, then DeWitt needs to be sent to Vegas. He helped us when we were down to zip at 3B, but the league has caught up to him and he just needs to regroup. We simply have to see if Andy LaRoche is ready, or if we need to get someone like Adrian Beltre, who may be available.
You know how I feel about Beltre, and I think that a return to LA would re-energize him. In LA, I think he’s a .290/30 HR/100 RBI player who plays Gold Glove defense. He hates Seattle. If he comes home, he’ll play with a vengance! That said, I’d rather see if Andy LaRoche can play like I think – he’s not a Gold Glover (above average though), but I do think he’s that .290/30/100 guy. Give him 10 days, Joe.
We also have to give Andruw Jones 10 days – he’s back from surgery, he has 2 coaches working with him, but if he’s not hitting by August 1, it’s time for Pierre (or another LF like Ibanez). How Jones does in the next 10 days could determine Ned’s fate. If Jones is still mired at a sub .200 average, then he has to be DFA’ed! Enough Already!
Rants & Raves
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Hu was 1-3 last night
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Meloan lost his 10th game but pitched 6 innings while allowing 1 ER and striking out 7 (4 BB)
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Carlos Santana was 2-4 with his 32nd double last night
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To you Kemp Bashers: Go to dodgers.com and look at some of the interviews with Matt Kemp. You just might change your mind about him. In fact, I know you will!
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Scott Elbert pitched another shutout inning yesterday at Jacksonville – his ERA now sit at 2.33. He’ll be a late season callup. He has now logged 27 innings and the league is hitting .157 against him. The Dodgers say that they are intent on making him a starter, but I think he’s closer material!
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Rumor has it that Clayton Kershaw might start a game at Coors!
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Let’s hope Eric Stults can spin one in Coors tonight!
A great win yesterday. I have read so much about Drew’s error and Lyon’s hitability. That’s not our fault. The D’Backs didn’t lose the game, we won it. Errors, great glove work, poor pitching, stellar pitching, unusual events, umps calls, are all part of the game. They do balance out. Jeff Kent knows that from Saturday’s game. Why downplay our win – it is a significant one. Our pitching held us relatively close until we could get Webb out of the game and get to their bullpen. And you still gotta hit the ball – Nomar did, James did, Andy did, Matt did, Andre did, Russell did. Lyon might not be great, as a Blue Jay he wasn’t, but he wasn’t throwing batting practice. So, why bother to even write about what the D’Backs might have done. They didn’t do what they had to. We beat them two of three. An error is made, the other team has to capitalize. We did. This may not be a turning point, an omen of things to come, but for me, it is a feel good moment, I am enjoying it and and I don’t give a dang what the D’Backs did or didn’t do.
Matt’s AB was the AB of a major league player. Mark, I know you must be taunting me with the Andre is soft stuff. Why aren’t the other guys soft when they fly out or ground out softly with RISP? Andre is making a good contribution with his bat, his glove, his arm.
TJ Simers wrote:
ANDRE ETHIER, who sometimes gets lost in the background because he’s more solid than spectacular, made an interesting observation.
“They don’t like consistent players in this game unless you’re older,” Ethier said. “They want to see the young guys flash a lot of stuff or they get impatient.”
Gotta tell you, I agree with TJ on this one – I take solid over spectacular anyday. Solid is always there, spectacular doesn’t always show up.
And, not a bad observation by Andre.
GO DODGERS!!
Oh yes, and remind me again why we should trade Matt Kemp. Do we want him to be another Paul Konerko, or Mike Piazza. Or, maybe a Pedro for DeShields?
DON’T TRADE MATT KEMP!!!!!!!!!
Yesterday was a fun win and exciting to watch. Is it just me or do you think a starter should be on our grocery list as well?
Russell Martins play at the plate was a tragedy waiting to happen. The way he sticks one leg out into the runners path is a sure way to get that leg broke or worse a knee. Lets hope someone talks to him. He blocks the plate that way everytime (even in the All Star game last week).
Lets hope we continue our dominance of Colorado and Chicago beats up on Arizona. We should see first place all alone by the end of the week!
I am glad you saw this too Harold!
“TJ Simers wrote:
ANDRE ETHIER, who sometimes gets lost in the background because he’s more solid than spectacular, made an interesting observation.
“They don’t like consistent players in this game unless you’re older,” Ethier said. “They want to see the young guys flash a lot of stuff or they get impatient.”
Gotta tell you, I agree with TJ on this one – I take solid over spectacular anyday. Solid is always there, spectacular doesn’t always show up.
And, not a bad observation by Andre.”
I couldn’t agree more. When does he start getting some respect from the fans and us? His bomb yesterday was clutch!
It wasn’t an error Harold, as you cannot assume the DP. It was a bobble of an easy DP ball hit by our $18 million man.
Kemp was 1 for 5, but in his defense, he has done o.k. in lead-off spot with a .365 OBP. Not bad for a middle of the lineup guy. And, I have not seen any Kemp bashers in here, all I have seen are guys trying to offer up trades that might make this team an actual World Series contender. I would trade Kemp in a deal that does indeed make us better.
DON’T TRADE MATT KEMP!!!!!!!
Would you trade him for Josh Hamilton? Yeah, thought so.
From somewhere:
Arizona Diamondbacks
Record: 48-50
Run differential: +3
They’re good: When Brandon Webb or Dan Haren are pitching, which, unfortunately for the Diamondbacks, is only 40 percent of the time.
They’re bad: Against the NL Central, with only seven wins in 20 games.
Number crunching: More on Webb and Haren: Take them off the Diamondbacks’ pitching staff, and the ERA jumps from 3.99 to 4.96 – which would drop them from ninth to 25th overall.
Before July 31: Get a bat. Whatever it takes. This division can be had, and perhaps the Diamondbacks’ playoff experience from last season would help them avoid the same ugly stumble they experienced in the NLCS.
Carry us, please: Webb and Haren. Again. Because none of the Diamondbacks’ bats seem primed to do so. After scorching starts, Conor Jackson and Justin Upton have cooled off. Mark Reynolds has 19 home runs – and 114 strikeouts against just 38 walks.
Schedule: Lots of games against the West, and that’s a good thing. With an even home-road split, the Diamondbacks simply need to play better than the .400 ball they’re playing on the road.
Odds: 4/1.
Los Angeles Dodgers
Record: 48-50
Run differential: +11
They’re good: At spreading out their offense. Matt Kemp, Russell Martin, James Loney and Andre Ethier each have between eight and 11 home runs, 45 and 50 runs scored and 42 and 52 RBIs.
They’re bad: At scoring. The Dodgers’ 406 runs rank ahead of only Washington, San Diego and San Francisco in the NL.
Numbers crunching: The Dodgers’ bullpen has been phenomenal, its 2.93 ERA second best in the majors. And yet it could be so much better had Joe Torre not been reacquainted with one of his go-to Yankees, Scott Proctor. Subtract his numbers and Dodgers relievers would sport a 2.50 ERA, nearly a quarter run better than the big leagues’ best, Philadelphia.
Before July 31: Do something. Preferably on the offensive side. And, accordingly, not involving David Eckstein. The Dodgers were in the Sabathia sweepstakes but got nowhere when they wouldn’t give up Kemp. For what’s out there now, it probably wouldn’t be worth it. But that doesn’t mean the Dodgers have to sit on their cache of minor-league players, which remains deep.
Carry us, please: Jonathan Broxton. Takashi Saito’s elbow is on the mend, and his return isn’t inevitable. Broxton needs to take his massive self and seize the closer’s job just as Saito three years ago. He’s off to a good start.
Schedule: Rough. Of the Dodgers’ last 35 games, 23 are on the road, and even though they finish with 31 straight against sub-.500 teams, we can’t forget the Dodgers, too, are one of those too.
Odds: 5/1
We are obviously still in this thing. Let’s not get giddy over one game, let’s stay focused and fix the glaring holes in this team.
We still need a 3b and we need to do something with Jones. Perhaps, maybe, could be, there’s a chance that Nomar can finish standing. Hope so. But we have 63 games left, and, with his record, does anyone really believe he will play all of them? Same thing can be said about Kent. I sure wish we had the depth to rest those guys come late August. I don’t see it.
I am going to choke on this but, let’s bring Beltre here. That addition will strengthen our weak infield and I think mover could be right about his homecoming. McChange can afford it. Make it so.
10 days.
DRomo – I also think a starter is important. Everything starts with pitching. Just ask Texas. However, I think that decision is on hold waiting for Penny and Kershaw to decide what they can do. Brad back as Brad off the DL and Clayton able to throw strikes and get big league hitters out. Lowe and Bills aren’t totally consistent and Kuroda keeps up a bit off balance with a bad outing once in a while. I like Stults and hope he is the answer as a fifth starter until that time. If Brad and Clayton can’t do the job, then we need a starter but not a Loaiza type.
Russell does put his leg in jeopardy. Too bad he can’t get some instruction from Mike Scioscia. Mike was absolutely one of the best plate blockers and rarely got injured by doing it. Russell’s style looks like if really hit his whole body doesn’t go but his leg goes and not his body. That seems dangerous.
GO DODGERS!!
Russ Martin is Superman!
He plays every game – he must be!
I do think that if LaRoche and DeWitt can’t cut it at 3B, we may have to consider a C, like Martinez or Jojhi. Martin hasn’t been throwing well. I know he’s tired and he’s going to get tireder! If we can get a good defensive C who can hit .270 or better, we would be a better team with Martin at 3B. That said, LaRoche has to get a chance. Martin needs a couple of days off!
From Rosenthal, talk on Holliday trade, maybe to Phils, maybe to Dodgers:
“Finances also are an obstacle for the Dodgers, who are under orders from owner Frank McCourt to make “payroll-neutral” trades, sources say. McCourt vetoed a potential trade for Indians lefty CC Sabathia, third baseman Casey Blake and infielder Jamey Carroll because it would have added more than $7.5 million in 2008 payroll, according to those same sources. McCourt has denied that charge.
To make a Holliday/Fuentes blockbuster work, the Dodgers would need to include an expensive major leaguer such as left fielder Juan Pierre along with top young players such as outfielder Matt Kemp. Pierre, who began his career with the Rockies, is owed $28.5 million over the next three seasons.
Rival executives continue to express concern over Holliday’s home-road splits, fearing he is somewhat a product of Coors Field. Holliday is a career .277 AVG-.341 OBP-.449 SLG hitter on the road. Bay offers better career road numbers — .278-.370-.525 — and is signed for $7.5 million next season, while Holliday will earn $13.5 million.:
Holliday is a Borass client.
Rosenthal is also the one who put forth the Pierre/Hu for Dunn deal, saying a few weeks ago it would work well for both teams.
Harold,
In the past, Andre Ethier has been soft in that he wilts under pressure (see September) and while he is solid, he hasn’t seemed to get the big hit. Loney, Martin and Kemp have shown some flare for the dramatic, but Ethier hasn’t been that guy, until lately. I have seen several hits of yesterday’s variety from him this year and I am encouraged by that. None were bigger than his triple yesterday. He’s 26 and will get stronger. In another year, that triple is out of the park! He’s a 30 HR guy in a year or two.
I would not include Matt Kemp in a trade for Matt Holliday under any circumstances.
Badger – makes no difference. You wrote – “It wasn’t an error Harold, as you cannot assume the DP. It was a bobble of an easy DP ball hit by our $18 million man.” Not our bobble. We just capitalized on it. Not their loss – our win. You do what you have to do to win. We did that – get five hits in a row, given the opportunity to do so.
Sure I would trade Matt Kemp for Josh Hamilton but not Adam Dunn. When I say don’t trade Matt Kemp I am worried about a Pedro – Deshields trade or Konerko – Shaw. A Kemp for Wilson trade. I am concerned about a package of good young players for the average or downhill type of player. We have enough of those. We have a nucleus – Martin, Lonet, Bills, Broxton, Loney, Ethier, Kemp who are becoming established players. Why toy with that? Are they superstars? I expect not but who knows. They give us a base to build around. We don’t need a team of superstars – we need a team period, not a collection of individuals.
Badger – you also wrote re:Matt – “… in his defense…” Why does he need to be defended? Why isn’t what he has given good enough for a 23 year old? You are right about leading off. That is certainly not the most suitable spot for him but he is doing it and doing the best he can.
Do we trade to make our team better? Yes and no – yes if it is a longer term deal with some legs down the road – no if it is just to win the division now at the expense of too many young players. I personally don’t think we are on the threshold of greatness yet. Could we win a WS? Sure, anything can happen especially with good pitching. I say we build our own rafters and not bring in ready made trusses that collapse. eg. Andruw and others for the last 20 years. That roof won’t stay supported anyway without a strong foundation.
Something does have to be done about 3B. Let LaRoche play or do a trade that includes him. The present situation is just not fair to him as big leage pitching has caught up to Blake. I have mixed feelings about Beltre. His contract expires at the end of ’09 I think. The twins are after him and the Mariners are asking for at least two top prospects. We could perhaps swing a deal without any present roster players, except Andy and perhaps keep Kershaw out of it. Is it worth it? I don’t know but it is intriguing to say the least. Is a 20-25 homer 80-90 RBI guy with 100 K’s enough to meet our needs? Matt’s numbers are better than Adrain’s but we question Matt’s output. However, Adrain’s would be an upgrade at 3B for us. I think I would do it if the price in kids is not too high and keeping in mind he is a FA at the ned of the ’09 season. The fans in LA would most likely give Andrain a strong welcome home. Blake could then earn his stripes at AA or AAA.
DON’T TRADE MATT KEMP!!!!!!!!!!!
GO DODGERS!!
FREE ANDY LAROCHE!
It would seem our big deals are going to be after we shed some of the 60-70 million that doesn’t play. If trades have to be revenue neutral then we can only do bandaid work at this time. We have already done too much of that. Who would have thought Andruw could have tied up the whole organization and held us hostage with his $18 contract? Not his fault – he was offered it. However, part of a big contract for this year wouldn’t be so bad with money being freed up for 2009 – Kent, Nomar, Raffy, etc. Two years down the road even better – Andruw and Schmidt. But keep the young players – DON’T TRADE MATT KEMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
GO DODGERS!!
His 1 for 5 in the lead-off spot is .200 OBP. Not good, but, in his defense, he has done better in that position than he has in the middle of the order. Batting 3rd it’s .340, batting 5th it’s .250, for the season it’s .336. That is why I wouldn’t have led him off. I look at him as an RBI guy. Someday, hopefully, he will be. At present, we don’t have a lead-off man, so, that is why he is there. Like I said, I would have temporarily put our best OBP man, Martin, in that spot.
Let me be clear, I don’t really want to trade Matt Kemp, and I too would not trade him for Holliday. I don’t think I would trade him for Bay either, though at this point in their careers, for this year only, Bay would help us more than Kemp is. Just look at the numbers. In the future, I think Kemp will be as good as, maybe better, than Bay.
If the rumors about McChange dictating a “nuetral payroll” trade are true, Fred is indeed handicapped in his ability to help this team. His signing of Jones, who is owed another $25 million or so, and is worthless in trade scenarios, is an anchor in all dealings. If these rumors are true, adding Beltre, without subtracting something, ain’t gonna happen.
We have huge holes in this team. Fortunately, we have strong pitching. Anything can happen.
Tonight I would rest Kent and Martin. Save them for pinch hitting, if necessary. Here’s my lineup:
1. Ozuna 2B
2. Ethier LF
3. Nomar SS
4. Loney 1B
5. Kemp RF
6. Jones CF
7. LaRoche 3B (I don’t care if a RH is pitching – we need power!)
8. Danny Boy C
Any trade with Colorado had better be for Atkins not Holliday. Don’t get me wrong, I like Holliday, I’m just not a fan of dismantling the team at this point for one guy. All we need is either Atkins, Beltre or Guzman and a relief pitcher to make a run at the playoffs. A starter would be nice, but we have alot of options here already. Bills, Lowe, Kuroda, Penny (in two weeks), and Stults. Park, Kuo and Kershaw are not bad options and better then anything we can get now anyway. Our major weakness is CF and 3B. I still like picking up Guzman and moving Nomar over to 3B. When Pierre returns- show Jones the door or have a 18.2 million dollar pinch hitter. Anyway the win yesterday was a confidence builder and hopefully now they will believe in themselves. I haven’t had the feeling that we can come from behind since the 2004 team. Hopefully now they can build from yesterdays win and we will see more late inning rallys. Stay Tuned.
Correction 18.1 million dollar pinch hitter. I may have made Ned look bad by miss quoting
Pissed at myself for not watching yesterday’s game… but the beer and pool were somewhat worth it. I think it could be a major win if we continue to build on it. We are getting the job done.
I just want to say that I’d trade Hu/Pierre for Dunn on any day of the week and twice on Sunday! ARE YOU KIDDING?
ALL DAY.
Don’t trade Kemp. The whole point of trading for someone like Holliday, Bay, Dunn, is that you get to keep your studly OF prospect (is he still a prospect?). Trade the other guys who are down in the minors building praises.
We have the pitching to get it done… we need a bat, or two.
Trading for Beltre would be great… as long as we keep Kershaw and Kemp.
All the “trade for Josh Hamilton” is pretty ridiculous. Even to mention Kemp in that deal is crazy. The guy (Hamilton) is a first season wonder who is a drug addict. He can’t go anywhere with out supervision. So lets bring him to L.A.? There are no drugs and temptation here, right? Maybe you all are smoking Josh’s left overs here but I think we tried the ex-druggy plan before Daryl didn’t really pan out. I have been hard on Kemp but I think he shows signs of getting it. You guys that think he walks on water just make me laugh though.
As for Ethier wilting in the stretch run. That must be talking about his rookie year when he had an injured shoulder right mark? You guys crack me up with that. Ethier has been clutch since he came up and can’t buy a break from you guys. I just don’t know what he has to do to get some respect. The kid is a natural ball player that does everything right, not flashy just the right way. I don’t see how we could ask for anything more.
Does anyone think Colorado will trade Holliday to the Dodgers and not have it involve Kemp or Kershaw?
Nope, I really don’t Bill. Either, Broxton, Meloan, LaRoche seem like a possibility?
Ethier*
No way in heck that the Rockies deal someone of that caliber with us. Actually I am glad too, because imagine the talent we would have to give them in return.I do not want to face Kemp in Coors field for years to come.
I do think we address the bullpen. Jonny Broxton is going to kill me as the closer. I don’t trust him. We will not get Sherril or Fuentes so who else is out there? Huston Street would cost us a ton in prospects so where does that leave us? Does anyone think Penny or Lowe would/could close?
Give Wade a shot at closing, if and when Broxton melts.
OK,
I am not a big stat freak and I am basing what I say about Ethier being “soft” based upon my gut, so I’ll provide some statistics to back it up:
3-Year Splits:
James Loney
September BA: .375
Scoring Position, 2-out: .321
Men on, 2out: .325
Matt Kemp
September BA: .325
Scoring Position, 2-out: .311
Men on, 2out: .326
Andre Ethier
September BA: .205
Scoring Position, 2-out: .223
Men on, 2out: .231
Now what?
HISTORICALLY SPEAKING, IT IS A FACT THAT ETHIER DISAPPEARS IN THE CLUTCH! “Ethier has been clutch since he came up?” Not on this planet!
Look up Martin’s stats as well. He’s better than Ethier, but not as good as Kemp or Loney. RISP alone is not a good indicator. September is and hitting with runners on with 2 outs is. Ethier was clutch yesterday and I hope he keeps it up, but to say that he has always been clutch is just plain WRONG!
Well Mark, maybe I dreamed this happened last year.
http://www.pe.com/sports/baseball/dodgers/stories/PE_Sports_Local_D_dodgers_07.3947cfb.html
Clutch homerun off the bench.
Or maybe when he first came up (like I refered too) I didn’t see him produce when we needed him like this:
http://jetking.newsvine.com/_news/2006/05/21/213480-out-of-the-ethier-and-other-rivalry-weekend-fun
I’ll stop there, but there is more like the times in the field where he has saved games, like in Kurodas 1 hitter. But stand on your stats, that is your opinion. Stats tell only half of the story. I will always believe what my eyes tell me.
My point is the guy is solid and is over looked even though he is our most consistant player outside of Martin most of the time.
Look, you can point to some big hits, and HE HAS BEEN BETTER THIS YEAR – A LOT BETTER, but in his first September he hit .143. In September of 2007, he hit .247, so that’s an improvement, but day-in-and-day out Loney and Kemp deliver in the clutch much better than even Russ Martin and Ethier is a distant fourth.
Now, he ain’t chopped liver and he’s getting better – this years’ clutch stats are much better. I like Ethier and I like Martin, but both of them are surpassed by Kemp and Loney when it comes to clutch hitting. Russ Martin is my Favorite Dodger, but he’s a little soft lately. That’s part of the reason I want to move him to 3B! I think he’s worn down and would hit .320 or more if he didn’t catch. He isn’t a BIG MAN – he’s 5-10! Mike Sciosca was (is) 6-5!
i bet will be in first place by wedsday
reason being we face the rockies and the dbacks got the cubs the best team good news for us
Don’t forget who is leading the team in RBI’s.
Ethier may be developing a flair for the dramatic, but Loney and Kemp have already done it multiple times.
DO NOT TRADE ETHIER!
So what do you say Mark?
Who do we trade if there is an opportunity? Ethier is solid as they come, Kemp is showing signs of being the player we all hoped he could be, Loney is a gold glover that can hit too, & Martin is our heart and soul.
I know you love LaRoche but he has got to go. The biggest reason is Torre doesn’t like him. I am guess here but it is pretty obvious to me Torre will not give him a shot so why waste him on the bench?
I am of the mind we just play this out with the kids and see how it goes but on the other hand it is tempting to think a few pieces may just do the trick.
How about Yorvit Torrealba for Lucas May and James McDonald?
Think about it.
Ianetta is ready to take over for Yorvit.
1. Pierre LF
2. Ethier RF
3. Martin 3B
4. Loney 1B
5. Kent 2B
6. Kemp CF
7. Nomar SS
8. Torrealba C
If Martin plays 3B every day, think of how more productive he would be.
LaRoche plays 2b next year!
I am taking my 9-year-old son to see the Indianapolis Indians and the Charlotte Knights tonight at the World’s Greatest Minor League Ballpark: Victory Field in Downtown Indy! It’s $1.00 hot dog and $6.00 beer night, so they will get $4 from him and $30 from me. What’s wrong with this picture?
I’ll be back tomorrow AM – I’ve TIVO’ed the Dodger game!
Since June 1, Blake DeWitt has batted .195 with four extra-base hits — all doubles — in 123 at-bats
LA needs help at closer and 3B. Lost in the excitement of yesterday’s game is that Broxton gave up a run in the 9th. It is a VERY good thing he had a two-run cushion, or else the headlines would have been that Arizona just turned its skid around.
I’d love to see Beltre back. LaRoche and a low-level prospect? I’d do that. LaRoche and Repko? LaRoche and Young? I’d probably do the the latter two also, but I’d think about it longer. Beltre and Ichiro for LaRoche, MacDonald, Lucas May, Hu or DeJesus, and Andruw Jones (to balance the money)? That would fill all of LA’s offensive holes, and no holes would be created. Also, LA could worry about longterm plans at SS in the offseason; even if Nomar breaks between now and October, this line-up should be able to carry a light bat at SS:
Ichiro RF
Ethier LF
Martin C
Loney 1B
Kemp CF
Beltre 3B
Kent 2B
Nomar SS
P
I like the idea of Penny as closer if his health cooperates. Torre moved Park to the pen because he said he was more concerned about who finished games than who started them. If Penny were to replace Park in the pen, Kuroda, Billingsley, Lowe, Stults, Kershaw, Johnson, and Park would give LA enough starting options.
Rumblings continue that Florida will start dealing some arbitration-eligible players, perhaps even Uggla. With Kent at second still, should LA make a play for him anyway? Get Uggla, convince Kent to move to 3B (assuming he could even still play there)? It would be a defensive sacrifice–and no doubt the price would be steep–but Uggla is just what LA’s offense needs.
I saw a game at the Nationals’ new park last Sunday. It’s a nice park, but somewhat bland; it reminds me a bit of Turner Field without the crass commercialism. I’ll see Yankee Stadium in about two weeks; its the last Old Timers’ Day there, so I suspect it will be quite a spectacle.
That was me.
lol… Yorvit? Just a month ago or so he and Matt Kemp were throwing blows.
I really don’t think Ned is thinking about bringing in a catcher. Martin will stay at C people, I think we should move on.
(Unless we make some huge deal for Beltre/Ichiro/Suzuki or any combination thereof)
I like your enthusiasm Voldomer but Ichiro aint coming my man. The money doesnt have to match up in baseball for trades to go through. I know a lot has been said about McCourt wanting to watch the money but I guarantee you if it was Ichiro coming he would mortgage the Think Blue sign to pay for it. Anyway it isn’t happening.
As for Yorvit…no.
Ethier was hitting over .350 for the season last year when he hit the wall, like a lot of players in their first full season in the majors do, sometime in the middle of August. The minor league season is much shorter and a rook is playing balls to the wall all year to prove they elong. It’s understandable they might slump at the plate as the year grinds on in the dog days of summer. The kid can hit the ball! He’s more valuable than Kemp as he’s consistent while Kemp will be spectacular one night and look like Punchless Judy the next.
Kemp was better last year when he hit .340+. This year he\w can’t stay over .300. He looks like a .275, 20-25, 75 kind of guy to me. Ethier will be a .315, 25-30, 95 type.
Kemp might have more of that so called “potential” but my gut tells me he’ll nev er mature much beyond what we see today. He’ll always swing too hard, rom the heels, and he’ll always look foolish when a saavy pitcher throws him changeups/sliders/curves 6 inches off the plate, in or out, at the ankles or in the dirt after setting him up with hnigh fastballs.
Do you want Kemp’s “potential” we’ll probably not see until he’s in his free agency year or would you rather have a .300 35 100 guy who’s in hi\hs prime and has done it two years running in 05 and 06 ansd is on his way again in 08. And we can have him right now! That’s what we’d get in Bay and we can have him right now for Kemp, Hu, May and McDonald– all of whom(except Kemp) we’ll never see play on the big team anyway. The Pirates would apparently throw Wilson and his .300 average and ss glove in on the deal as well.
I don’t know about the rest of you, but I’m sick of waiting for guys with potential to break out. Reminds me of all the years we suffered with Beltre before his one and only season where he put up hall of fame numbers (and used them to get the megabuck deal with Seattle.) I don’t want the same to happen with Kemp–particularly if he is a head case as has been reported. One Baby Beltre and Raul Mondesi was enough.
And speaking of Beltre–Baby has said openly that he wants to sign withg LA when his deal is up next year and wishes he’d never left. I’ve been saying for over a year now that we should give up the cupcake and half bottle of flat Keystone Light to get him. Seattle wants him gone and would take anything in return. Realistically, we’d need to send them maybe 3 second tier prospects we’ve never heard of and will never miss.
Beltre murdered us when he got a chance to play at Dodger stadium last year. He loves our park and hits like Steve Garvey in LA. Jahjima killed us in inter-league play last year as well and has historically hit .280-.290 until falling off this season. He’s someone we could use as well. And Ichara is still Icharo even if he’s only hitting around.310 instead of .345, All three could be had. Trade Kemp, DeWitt and half the farm (with only McDonald being higher than second tier) and you’d have the following lineup:
Icharo cf
Ethier rf
Martin c
Bay lf
Loney 1b
Beltre 3b
Wilson/Nomah ss
LaRoche 2b
Jahjima could catch half the time and Martin could play in the infield when that happens.I think we’ll win more games and have a better 3 year run with this lineup than with the one we have right now.
I wouldn’t worry about Broxton in the closer’s role. His fastball now starts cold at 99 and moves up to 101 and it has late movement if your eyes are good enough to notice the blurr move. He also has a nasty 89-90 mph slider that is unhittable. He used to be afraid to throw the slider but he uswed it to get a sgrikeout of the second batter he faced in the first game he closed.
He’s another Gagne waiting to happen–without the steroids.
Penny, Schmidt, Kent and Judy Jones are all TOAST!!! And all should be given their outright releases since no other major league club would be foolish enough to play them even as reserves. Only the Dogs are that stupid.
Thanks Torre! Just keep batting Kent forth and Jones 5th or 6th and damn the consequences! Rally killers? What are rally killers? All hitters are equal and it doesn’t mater where they are placed in the batting lineup! Right Joe!
Penny will be OK!
Just read on http://www.DODGERUPDATES.com that kershaw is on to colorado right now to join the dodgers
Nobody on this site ever seriously proposed a trade for Josh Hamilton. The idea that he is up for sale is ludicrous.
lawdog is right.
Like I said earlier, if we could trade Kemp for Bay straight up (and we couldn’t) then get Kemp back in two years, I would do it. Bay’s numbers fit better on this team and frankly his presence down the stretch would comfort me much more than Kemp’s.
Seattle will be dumping payroll soon. The idea that they would take Jones off our hands is also ridiculous. They might put him on their bench if we pay for it.
I don’t believe now, nor have I ever believed that Ethier is soft. He has faded some in September, but he did improve .100 pooints last year. If he does it again…….
We have holes in CF, 3b, back-up C, no depth at SS and 2b, a suspect closer (jury still out) and SP. Is Penny OK? I don’t know yet. If he is we should be ok, but, this is a team that has it’s youngsters carrying it. Can the core of Martin, Kemp, Loney and Ethier carry this club all the way?
5/1 odds.
I wouldn’t put more than $20 on that bet.
9 days
somefin gonna change
I think it’s close to useless to try and include May in a deal to get a player of value.
May hit .244 with 11 hrs and 48 rbis at AA this year.
Ain’t nobody gonna even give us a bag of hammers for his rotten butt!
Funny, I seem to recall that Ethier actually was injured in that infamous first season, in fact, I believe it was a shoulder injury. He never complained about it and simply was fighting injury like a good soldier. Prior to that injury, he tore it up. So all this soft-September crap is really moot, unless you count it against a guy for playing while he is injured.
Kershaw to pitch in the big time at Coors where we must win but they don’t want him to pitch at Vegas in AAA where he can work on his craft. Oh well. Here’s hoping.
Up to Andy to take the 3B spot when he gets a chance.
Batted around in the first – a good start. Should help Stults to go and relax a bit even at Coors.
GO DODGERS!!
Nice to see Andy get a start. He better hit 3 homers to ensure Joe gives him a start tommorow. You have to give him a reason to remember who you are Andy. P.S. Do they have the mercy rule like in little league, that when it’s 12 zip, then that’s the game. Just kidding, we might see a 23-17′er tonight.
I really feel badly for Andruw and the team but I expect the silver lining is that when he strikes out he doesn’t hit into a double play. Man, they simply have to play Delwyn and accept Matt as a CF. Perhaps they are waiting for JP to reurn to play center.
GO DODGERS!!
Mark, I found a solution to my blackout problem. I cannot guarantee it will work for you or other posters but it was my discovery, about 2 hours after yesterdays’ 9th inning metamorphis that I solved the problem that has plagued me for the last several seasons. I live in Utah, actually about 5 minutes from the rookie level Ogden Raptors stadium but that is another story. Well, I had MLB on Dish network when they had it a couple of years ago, MLB on my computer for the previous 2 seasons and Direct TV this year. Always the same problem, Arizona games would be blacked out. Tonight I can’t get the LA feed of the game, I have to watch the Rockie feed but at least I get the games, but Snakes were always blacked out, so I couldn’t watch the thriller yesterday. Well like I previously stated, I have Direct TV extra innings this year. Direct TV also has a regional sports pack for $12 more per month. Last night I decided to purchase it and Eureka! I’m getting their feed now and for the first time since I had a hacked card I will see nearly every game. P.S. The only games I will miss now are the ones that neither teams broadcast that game on FSN. I never get the feed when KCAL does the game and awhile back both teams were doing the game on their non-FSN feeds so that remains the only SNAFU.
It’s crazy that Martin is still in this game; I guess that is the problem with not having a third catcher.
Torre isn’t taking many chances with this one, and the Rockies do keep nibbling. He’s using the lesser arms in the pen; why not also see what DeWitt can do at 2B and let Nomar get an inning or two at 1B (presently there is no other real backup there)? Also, DY could use a few innings.
I just noticed how much Ozuna resembles Beltre. It’s an omen–or else Ned is planning some sort of clever bait-and-switch when the Mariners aren’t looking.
I just felt a breeze–oh wait, Jones just fanned again.
It pains me to type this, but go Cubs (vs. D’backs)!
Just wathced as the Dbacks totally shut down the Cubs offense. Snakes won with only 2 hits, RJ with win #291. Great pitching match-up between he and Harden.
The rumor is LaRoche is being showcased for a possible trade. Knowing Ned, he will probably trade LaRoche to Pittsburgh for Wilson. If that happens, I will become the best damn lawn dart player in So Cal. Ned DONT BE STUPID
Lawdog,
You are kidding about May right? Lucas May has great power. He is really progressing in learning to catch and has a great arm. He is also among the league leaders in RBI’s and HR (per at bat). He only has 287 AB’s and the leaders in RBI and HR have around 400. He was over .300 for a couple of months and has slumped in BA recently, but remains a TOP PROSPECT. Loney had to play in AA two years. His first year, he hit .238! DeWitt hit .103 in his first stint as JAX and was sent back to IE, so Lucas May is doing well in what in a “pitchers’ league.”
LaRoche being showcased? A guy that has been sitting on the bench while a AA player with a .650 OPS plays his position is being SHOWCASED?
Common sense calling Joe Torre – put LaRoche in the lineup and leave him there. You are so enamored with DeWitt’s “baseball IQ” then send him to AAA where he can use that IQ to figure out how to hit again.
This situation is nuts. We have needed a strong presence at 3b for about 2 months now, LaRoche is healthy (isn’t he?) and now I hear we are showcasing a guy in whom we have zero confidence.
No wonder this team is under .500 this far into the season. They have mental midgets in charge.
8 days