Michael asked for it, so here’s me and my beautiful wife and Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels.
I have a nickname. It’s “the Mountainmover,” but that’s another story, however I do specialize in moving mountains. The Great Prophet Jesus said that if you have faith, you can move mountains. Don’t worry, this is not a religious diatribe, but faith is simply “the ability to see the other side of the mountain.” The “mountain” is a metaphor for any obstacle in your life. In this case, the Dodgers have a mountain to be moved and I am not talking about Andrew Jones. That mountain that we have to move is whatever it is that is blocking our way to a World Championship. In order to move that mountain, we do have to see the other side of the mountain. Before we look there, let’s take a look at the two World Series teams this year.
The Rays have one of the lowest payrolls and really don’t have a “star”. The Phillies have 3 MVP candidates on the team (Howard, Utley, Rollins) and a 4th big bopper (Burrell). The Rays have had Akinori Iwamura leading off all year and he had 8 stolen bases. Jimmy Rollins had 44 stolen bases this year for the Phillies as their leadoff hitter. Both players hit leadoff for their teams practically all year. Both players had identical on base percentages of .349, and even though Rollins stole 36 more bases than Iwamura, he scored 76 runs to Iwamura’s 91. I think Dodger fans need to reconsider just how valuable it is to have a speedy base thief at the top of the order. Maybe we don’t need Raffy afterall.
Here’s my point: Raffy Furcal has had one healthy season in 3 years. We will have to pay him big bucks to sign him. I say just forget it! We need to spend elsewhere. What do we need to do? Well, we need to sign Manny on OUR terms. Manny would love to be the highest paid player in baseball, but he wants a five or six year deal, which is crazy, so the best I would offer is $85 million/3 years, which makes him the highest paid player in baseball. He’ll be 40 years old by then and can decide if he wants to DH or retire. In order to justify signing Manny, we will have to let Raffy walk. I purpose that Russell Martin becomes our leadoff hitter. He could be a .300 hitter with a .400 OB% from the leadoff spot and give you 20-30 SB’s.
I do have a plan B and that is to play Juan Pierre in LF and have him hit leadoff, with Martin moving to #2. Also, we should sign Felipe Lopez to a 2 year/$14 mil deal. He can play SS and be a very credible #8 hitter. Next, we trade Young, Elbert and Lambo to the KC Royals for Jokim Soria. We get our new closer, and I know some of you think Broxton will be our closer – I don’t! Let Wade and Broxton be setup men. I think plan B is the most likely.
Andruw Jones doesn’t want to be here, so let’s trade him for another underperforming player who has 2 years and $25 million due on his contract. That player is Scott Rolen. Jones for Rolen could work for both teams. The Blue Jays save about $7 million and the Dodgers save $6 million next year while getting a player who just might give a credible performance at 3B. Worst case is we have to pay the difference in salaries next year and hope that Rolen can play a credible 3B. Rolen is 34 and may be motivated to reach his former level of success in the last two years of his contract. Maybe we would have to throw in Hu to make it work.
Look, some of this stuff is a “crapshoot.” You have to take chances. You have to hope that some young players step-up and that some injured players recover. We can’t afford Sabathia – we have a full rotation and we have options
Rotation:
1. Billingsley
2. Kershaw
3. Kuroda
4. McDonald
5. Schmidt
Yes, I said Schmidt. Two years later, he’ll do it.
2009 Lineup:
1. Pierre LF
2. Martin C
3. Ethier RF
4. Loney 1B
5. Kemp CF
6. Rolen 3B
7. DeWitt 2B
8. Lopez SS
WE OFFER ALL OUR FREE AGENTS ARBITRATION AND COLLECT AS MANY DRAFT PICKS AS POSSIBLE!
Here’s the deal. If we don’t sign Manny, we can sign CC – I just don’t know if it’s wise!
Mark, Do you have a LA LAKER talk? The Lakers finished their preseason with an impressive win tonight. Not only was it the last preseason game before the start of the 2008/2009 season but it was played in the Inland Empire (Ontario Ca.) This was the first time ever that an NBA game was played in the I.E. The Lakers appear to have the deepest bench of all NBA teams and if everyone stays healthy this year should make it back to the NBA finals. Phil Jackson has moved Lamar Odam to the second team this year which will allow his team to bring an Allstar off the bench to attach a tired opponent towards the end of the first quarter. This was fun but will be my last Laker post. I’m just excited about the other LA team that everyone around here also loves.
That looks like a .500 team to me Mark. I will not renew my season tickets looking at that lineup.
I am off for a long hike up Munds Mountain down to the Village of Oak Creek, about 11 miles along the ridge line, and have no time this morning to address the above lineup.
I’ll just say I agree anonymous Bill.
We need more power. Rolen may or may not bring it. Besides, nobody is going to take a chance on Jones unless we pay for it.
Do not count on Schmidt in the rotation.
I am outta here.
God be with you Badger. Tell us about the ETs you see while at the Indian burial ground. I’m serious.
The Lakers are AWESOME!! I don’t think I’ve ever seen a team this deep or this strong. If nobody gets hurt–they are a llock for the championship. hen Lamar Odom is your 6th man you know you’ve got something–although I like the lineup with Dafish, Kobie, Gasahol, Odom and Bynum on the floor at the same time.
The LA Times has a pretty good Lakers blog as does the OC Register. Don’t really know of any others although I imagine the Daily News would have a decent one as well.
WC ldog.
I don’t see anybody better than the Lakers. It’s a long season though. If they would have had Bynum last year, they would have won it. Anything can happen.
I like it! Except we'd still need that Big Bopper to hit third. Beltre might be enough to make the nut, but I'd still like a Jason Bay type to play left.
Just checked some of the Winter League stats, didn’t see any Dodgers doing anything of note. Maybe I missed something, but, the leaders were all from other organizations.
Speaking of Winter Leagues, watched most of last night’s W.S.. Nice weather back there. I think I would have let that last ball roll, it had a chance of going foul.
ldog, it was very quiet up Secret Canyon. Beautiful, serene, no evidence of alien activity.
I got nothing else.
The beauty and silence are evidence they were near. If you took pictures, trying turning them sideways and upside down. Check out the markings on the hillsides and cliffs if ou took pictures and turn them the same way. Left a message at World Crossing too.
Here’s my lineup prediction for 2009
Rotation
CC Sabathia
Billingsley
Kuroda
Kershaw
McDonald
C- Martin
1B Loney
2b DeWitt
SS Furcal
3B Beltre
Lf Pierre
CF Kemp
Rf Ethier
RP Broxton
RP Proctor
RP Schmidt
RP Elbert
RP Beimel
RP Kuo
Bench
D Young
Nomar
Ozuna
This is what I see after all the dust clears.
We pick that up at the trading deadline.
anonymous Bill I think you are on the right track.
But, one question, you believe the Dogs will outbid the Spankees for C.C.? I know Sabathia has said he prefers the N.L. but I also know money talks and bullsh*t walks. The Yanks don’t get outbid by anyone, especially by a parking lot owning Red Sox fan. Take a walk McJamie.
CC is down playing his custom built home in SO Cal. The Dogs will win out on this one. Maybe Manny becomes a Spankee.
Thats anonyous Bill signing out for now…
Manny, Lowe and Teixeria to the Spankees
Billy,
How did we get Beltre? Who did we trade?
The Red Sox want Teixiera, but have to move Lowell first, so that Youk can go to 3B. Lowell is owed $12 mil a season for 2009 and 2010. Lowell is coming off hip surgery, so his value isn’t high. How about we send Jones to the Boxsox for Lowell. Maybe they would do that….
Beltre is a salary dump from what I hear. It shouldn’t take too much. Let’s throw in your X Paul, and some AA guys. I hope A Jones wants to play in Seattle.
Even if it’s a salary dump, it will take more than X. Paul. I think it would take DeJesus, Stults and Lambo. Beltre is a Gold Glove 3B who is going to hit 25+ HR and 90 RBI. Those guys don’t come cheap. Don’t get me wrong – I would love to have Adrian back!
If Seattle wants to dump salary, how are they going to pay Jones?
Realstically, we will not be big player in FA this winter. Furcal has only 1 full season in the last 3. Is he going to magically keep healthy at 31 and older? NO! It would be a huge waste of money to sign him for a half a season, which is likely what we would get. I would love to have JJ Hardy, but I doubt we can get him without gutting our team or the farm. Manny is going to get insane money, as is Lowe. Penny is suspect so let him walk. Kent? We know that answer. Nomar could come back, but I doubt it. I think Beltre is likely. I think Pierre, Kemp and Ethier will be our outfield, but we all have to understand that Kemp and Ethier will be even better next year. For them to put us the numbers they have at such tender ages bodes well for their future. I see nothing that leads me to beileve they won’t improve immensely!
An infield of Beltre, Hu, DeWitt and Loney would not be bad, especially since Loney and DeWitt will both be better as well next year! Hu would hit #8 and if he couldn’t cut it, we’d have to import someone else.
Look at these numbers and tell me this is not possible:
1. Pierre LF (.300/60 SB/100 Runs)
2. Martin C (.300/15 HR/20 SB/90 Runs)
3. Ethier RF (.300/30 HR/100 RBI)
4. Kemp CF (.290/25 HR/100 RBI)
5. Loney 1B (.300/20 HR/100 RBI
6. Beltre 3B (.270/30 HR/90 RBI)
7. DeWitt 2B (.260/18 HR/70 RBI)
8. Hu SS (.220)
I think that is rational look at what we could expect from these guys and if they achieved that, we would be pretty good. By not spending a bunch of money on position players we would then be able to afford Sabathia!
Look at this rotation, with Sabathia:
1. Sabathia
2. Billingsley
3. Kuroda
4. Kershaw
5. Schmidt (if he can pitch, he will start – McDonald has shown he can pitch WELL out of the pen-Schmidt won’t be in the pen)
I like that team! We have committed to the youngsters – we have to let them finish!
Schmidt and Sabathia?
I don’t see that as realistic.
I don’t think Seattle would need all that much to dump Beltre. From what ldog says, they don’t like him much up there. (Not lawdog, Beltre)
As for your numbers, I think it would be possible for Loney, Kemp and Ethier to get 100 rbi’s, but not on this team. That requires a whole bunch of guys that get on base night after night. I just don’t see who is going to score all those runs.
I agree that we will not likely be big players, but I do hope we get one big name. C.C. or Manny. Break the bank McFramie, with the corporate logos you are selling all over the park, and the slow but sure renaming of Dodger Stadium, you will only have to swallow an olive (well two olives – alias Schmidt and Jones) for one year then, with 50K plus filling the seats every night, you will get all your money back.
When Beltre came to moss land he wasn’t anymore popular than Judy Joes in LA last year. Big contract—no hits. He’s a little better liked this year because he did hit a few long balss and drove in some runs–but he could e had for a dodger dog and a Miller Lite.
I don’t know, Dodger Dogs are pretty popular.
Proctologist turns to his assitant, who is handing him a beer, and the doctor says “I said I wanted a BUTT light!”
Yeah, I know, old. But, so am I.
Speaking of butts, nice early call by the blue. Longoria almost loses his glove up Rollins’ butt, but the ump missed it. You gotta get those calls right. This isn’t a Little League game. Having said that, why wasn’t the ball thrown to second base?
As a type A free agent next year, Beltre would get Seattle 2 picks. They would be crazy to give him away with no compensation. I still think we would have to give up at least what I said.
Schmidt and Sabathia? What’s wrong with that? It usually takes a pitcher 2 full years to come back. The last surgery Schmidt had in September shaved some bone off that was impinging his delivery. The reports are that he feels better than he has in 2 years. Schmidt has always been a horse and thrown a lot of innings. I don’t think it’s unrealistic that he’ll have one decent year. I know everyone thinks he’s not going to do anything because he hasn’t done anything, but history proves otherwise when dealing with pitchers like him. Schmidt used to be a pretty good pitcher and I think his injury is behind him. Look for him to win the Comeback Player of the Year in 2009. He tried to come back this year, but his shoulder impingment prevented him from exceeding 90-91 MPH. He’s throwing free and easy now.
Pierre has a .346 career OB%, Martin has a .376 career OB%, Ethier has a career .346 OB%, Kemp has a .342 career OB% and Loney has a career OB% of .353. If they mature and increase that by just 10%, I don’t see why they can’t drive in 100 runs – Loney was close this year. Kemp would also have been had he not hit leadoff so much. This would not be a BIG jump for them.
My 9 year-old son said “His glove tagged his butt and broke it. It has a crack in it now.”
If Longoria’s glove was made out of Charmin, He would of had proof that the tag was made. What a poor call.
Baseball needs replay for horrible calls like that. No salient argument can be made against it!
Beltre hit .266 with 77 RBI’s. That is a type A player? Do they go by the size of his contract?
Those OBP aren’t that great mover. Maybe if they all get up around .370 one of those guys might get 100 rbi’s. But 3 guys on a team with 100? This team would be lucky to have one.
Does it seem that most of the calls are going against the Rays?
Some interesting numbers:
the Dodgers paid Schmidt, Jones and Furcal around 46 million.
The entire starting lineup for the Phillies tonight makes around 49 million.
The entire Rays team makes around 44 million.
…leading one to believe that you can’t buy your way in.
And, the last I checked, Manny wasn’t on either team, and yes, the Rays are getting hosed.
Adrian Beltre’s average season (162 games) for 10 years has been .271/25 HR/89 RBI/10 SB (from ESPN). He is currently tied with Dusty Baker, Sal Bando and Roy Campanella for 203rd on the All-Time HR lost. He’s ahead of players like Bobby Abreu, Kevin Mitchell, Eric Chavez, Roberto Clemente, Cliff Floyd, Tony Oliva, Don Mattingly and Nomar.
I think because Adrian was not a mega-star, we underestimate what he has accomplished and how good he really is. Adrian Beltre could easily finish his career in the TOP 50 HR HITTERS OF ALL-TIME! TOP 50! That ain’t chump change!
I also think that back in LA he would really thrive and he doesn’t like Seattle. Beltre could really ramp up our offense.
Those are interesting stats mover, but Beltre has never played 162 games, and as he gets older he may start playing less. In his 11 years in the bigs he has averaged 22 HR’s and 78 RBI’s. And that is with his one monster year. Even with that year his OBP is only .327 and his OPS is .786. I don’t consider those Type A FA numbers, but, I don’t know how they rate those things.
Now I do agree he would be an upgrade at 3b for us and I would be ok with his coming back. But he is paid over $13 million for those numbers and in my book that makes him WAY overpaid.
But, most of them are.
As I look at it now, I don’t see anyone at third for us. DeWitt maybe, if we can find a bat at another position and live with his maturing process. He is a couple of years away and should be playing every day at AAA.
I think the guy we will go after is C.C.. After that, successful or not, Fred will do what he always does – get a Rich Aurelia or a Ray Durham type player to fill in.
Casey Blake will get 7-9 mil and Beltre is much better. I also think a reunion in LA will help Adrian immensely. Beltre is a guy who plays hurt and only misses games with a real injury. He does not appear to be injury-prone and I doubt he’ll be injured much.
Let’s not forget Tony Abreu, who was a top prospect until he got hurt. After corrective surgery, he is now fine, working out in the AFL. I have always thought he’s a .300 hitter. He’s a switch-hitter and fine 2B. I had almost forgotten him. How about this:
1. Pierre LF
2. Abreu 2B
3. Ethier RF
4. Kemp CF
5. Loney 1B
6. Martin C
7. DeWitt 3B
8. Hu SS
Then we can sign Sabathia!
That is a young lineup, but could be a good one, especially with solid pitching.
I forgot about Abrue too! As long as he is healhty, he can help us as his bat is legit. Ethier, Kemp and Loney are all 30 HR guys, and should know by now what it takes. As you know, I am fine with Pierre. He does what he does, and as long as you don’t ask him to do more, 50 stolen bases and 100 runs scored makes our team better.
You may be right about Beltre being helped by coming home, and that is one reason why I am ok with it happening now. He has been on that NW island long enough, he may just need some warmer weather and some home cooking to have his best years.
Beltre and C.C. would make us better. Good enough? Maybe in our division, but there are some very good teams out there.
Beltre hits very well in LA. In fact, one of the reasons he wants to come back is that he believes he’s a much better hitter in LA. But if he truly believes he’s a much better hitter in LA he will be a much better hitter in LA. For the same reasons mover was able to move his mountain and Jesus told the crowd that if they had enough faith they could say to the mountain “be cast into the sea ” and it would happen.
A mind certain about something has amazing power.
Hey Badger! Do you have the link for Worldcrossings’ new Dodger Talk 13? I think DodgerBoy must have locked me out of the new board cause I can’t even find a link at Public Forums at World Crossing.
If anybody has the new link, I’d appreciate it. I need to get my political fix this am.
Thanks!
Mark, I like your lineup but we have the money for CC, and Furcal. I know Furcal has been injury prone but no ones better when healthy. I cringe at the sound of HU. Just for my health and sanity, can’t you at least put Furcal in the lineup? I won’t ask for anything else. PLEASE
FA to take care of our power problem? And 3b?
I give you chipper Jones who hit .364 last year. Then you can let Juan Pierre and Judy fight it out over the last outfield position and you still have a strong club.
Furcal ss
Ethier rf
Chipper Jones 3b
Kemp cf
Loney 1b
Martin c
DeWitty 2b
Pierre lf
Hippo Sabathia
C-Note Billikngsley
Curveshaw
Kuroda
McDonald
Keep the same pen
Or add Vlad Guerrero who hit .303 and is 32. Then you can put Beltre on 3rd and wind up with two plus bats to go with the kids.
Furcal
Ethier
Guerrero
Beltre
Martin
Kemp
Loney
DeWitty
That line up would rock!
Nope ldog, I don’t see a new link. You could try emailing Dodger Boy at the address posted on the site. He hasn’t been around much in a while. I don’t even know if his address is still good.
Lowe, Manny and C.C. to the Spankees (anonymous Bill) Yeah, I could see that. They don’t care what the payroll gets to, they want to be in the World Series every year.
Another Jones ldog? Is he a FA?
Since we really don’t know yet what team wants to move what players in a who knows what kind of deal, we are all pissin’ in the wind here. We know C.C. is available and is a west coast native.
I wonder if ARod is available? He is as Hollyweird as any player out there and would be a perfect fit in La La land.
Jones and Guerrero are restricted Free Agents with Club Options. Neither will hit the market.
Blue Chipper Jones is a FA and is 32 years old.
Oops. I didn’t know there were any restrictions on Chipper’s status. Sorry about that.
Same goes for Vlad. I was just looking over the list of FAs at Cots Contracts. He apparantly either doesn’t indicate which FAs are restricted or I’m not reading the list in a competent fashion.
Mark, if you are going to leave the same picture up there for a few days, at least make it appealing to my eyes. Just have a hottie up there and I promise I will never complain again.
Bud,er buffoon slug is at it again. Isn’t it about time that Bob Costas becomes the Commissioner.
Lawdog,
Chipper is not so chipper. He will be 37 in April and the Braves will pick-up his option. We can sign him when he’s 38!
Is that Pat Boone in the photo?
I don’t look like Pat Boone and neither does my wife…
I have had the pleasure of meeting Mover’s wife and she is a sweetheart. Plus, she is from Norhern California, so, she’s got that going for her. I won’t say much about mover cuz that sasquatch looking guy there next to the Mrs. is him. Don’t know anything about the mousy looking weasel in the picture. Looks like mover’s accountant maybe.
I have been wondering wehn the east coast weather would win a World Series. Looks like this could be the year. It’s supposed to be worse today. The good news is, they can wait this thing out because the weather won’t change on the field in Florida. Can’t help but wonder what would be happening if Boston was the other team in this.
CF Damon
SS Jeter
RF Abreu
3B A-Rod
LF/DH Manny
1B Teixeira
lF/DH Matsui
C Posada
2B Cano
Add C.C. to the rotation, and I think this team has a chance.
Who’d we have to throw into the trade to get all those prospects Badge?
Old age is not for the weak Anonymous Bill. You’re right about Chipper’s age. It’s Vlad who’s only 32. I don’t know how I managed to get his age reversed with Chipper’s. But then, I forgot where I put my shoes last night and haven’t been able to find my car keys for 3 days…
Thank God I still have my teeth so I can’t misplace them for days.
Lawdog. That was another Anonymous fellow refering to the chipster. I haven’t had to reboot my computer lately. (mrgreen)
I still think Mitch Daniels looks like Pat Boone. I was just reading the live chat over at MLBtraderumors and Tim Dierkes predicts that the Dodgers resign Manny and Furcal and sign Crede and Oliver Perez. I guess I can see that.
I think he looks like ET. I remember Pat Boone in the 60s but not back in the surfer movie days but that makes sense since Bill is much older than me.:} 56.4
Michael, I’m 52 are you 56.4? or was that a typo?
Also Pat Boone was a singer not a surfer. I think you are refering to Frankie Avalon. And let me clarify this, I wasn’t a fan of Pat Boones. I just saw him in the Christmas Things he did. White XMAS. Speaking of XMAS, will the Dodgers sign Manny or CC? Reports I read today says the Yankees are now the favorites for CC according to Jimmy Rollins one of CC’s best friends. Who know’s what to believe.
Believe only me!