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Don't drink the Kool-Aid – See a Different Game
Categorized | Mark Timmons
… and I will be there! I was at the last game ever in Dodgertown, and now I’ll be at the first game ever at Camelback Ranch. Get that grass watered and make it ready to play! Roger and I should roll into Glendale about Noon on Sunday, March 1st – just in time to walk in and watch BP. Manny should be signed by then, and it looks like Orlando Hudson may be coming into the fold. 
About Mark Timmons
When you see the invisible, you can do the impossible!34 Responses to “Camelback Ranch First Game March 1”
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Mark, I agree. The minor league system is once again becoming the lifeblood of teams. The age of building by transplants is passing, having been a failure by all measures – winning, financially, team building, team stability, etc.
A seventeenth pick is a good one but the chances of success multiply by the more picks and early picks we have. Who could ever forget Mike Piazza being picked a bit lower than seventeenth. I think that was the 62nd round. We do get two picks from Atlanta – sandwich and second round I think.
However, as snazzy as O Dog and Raffy would be as DP combo, the stats you provide indicate offensively O Dog would not be a big upgrade on Dewitt. He is becoming more injury prone and Dewitt seems to have a dog chewing on a bone mentality. In hockey he would be called a grinder. I like those kinds of players.
In any event, I just wish whatever is going to happen, happens soon. It seems unreasonable for players to report to ST late, or very late, because they are not signed. Rumor has it Manny would be satisfied not to go to ST. Just a rumor but would not be conducive to team building.
GO DODGERS!!
I want to see Abreu and DeWitt go at it. I too, thought that DeWitt was just starting to get the feel for hitting in MLB at the end of the season. Remember he was sent down for quite a while before being recalled at the end of the season, so he had some catching up to do during a tight pennant race, no small feat. Tony Abreu is a hitting machine, if he stays healthy, it may be tough for DeWitt to even get a lot of playing time, ahh wouldn't that be a nice problem to have?
Like I said yesterday, the word is Manny signs this weekend or Monday (might wait for bigger splash in the media by waiting until Monday). Just banging out a few final but significant issue(s). Manny will be wearing the Dodger uni sometime next week. Now you know what will happen don't you? He will get into camp, do to much and injure himself and screw up his season (and the Dogs, as well). How many times have you seen that or something similar happen in these big FA signings? Too many.
to, too, two, T.Hu (SS Hu's little brother)? Take your pick and insert above (for those so inclined to notice). Thank you.
BR,
Here's the last Baseball America Report on Tony Abreu:
Background: Though often overshadowed in Los Angeles' deep system—he was left out of the team's 2006 media guide—Abreu quietly has established himself as one of its top position players. He won the 2005 high class A Florida State League batting title with a .327 average and had a solid 2006 in Double-A.
Strengths: Abreu is an aggressive, instinctual player with four plus tools. He has above-average bat speed and lashes line drives to all fields from both sides of the plate. He stays inside the ball well, has outstanding plate coverage, can turn around inside fastballs and maintains his balance through his swing. A switch-hitter, he has more pop from the right side but uses the whole field better from the left. He's an above-average runner with plus range. He has soft hands and enough arm to handle shortstop.
Weaknesses: While he makes consistent contact, Abreu isn't selective and doesn't work deep counts. He could drive the ball better if he gets stronger, but projects to be more of a doubles hitter rather than a home run threat. His concentration wanes, and at times he exhibits lazy footwork defensively. He's a conservative baserunner and could better utilize his speed on the basepaths. He's streaky and the Dodgers would like to see more consistency in his game.
The Future: Abreu profiles as an everyday second baseman who can hit .280-.290 with 8-12 homers while playing quality defense. He should spend most of 2007 in Triple-A.
Sounds a lot like Orlando Hudson to me…
I hope Ned is watching this…
Don't Do It Ned!
No Dope-Fiend Moves!
Another thing to think about is if Hudson only plays one season in LA and leaves after the 2009 season for more money elsewhere as DeWitt shows he's worthy in the minors, wouldn't we recoup the draft pick in 2010? It may be a later selection then 17th but we can polish our championship rings as we are thinking about who we should select.
So Haze, you want a not so sure handed 2nd basemen who can hit if he's injury free in 2009 with a weaker pitching staff to field behind? I just wanted to sum it up correctly. In a horse race his odds would be set at 250 to 1.
But I'm also hoping he's the man if Ned has a brain freeze with Orlando.
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090220&…
Noooooooooo!!! Ned not that orlando.
Cabrera would be a good backup to Furcal when he gets injured OR on those days when he has to takes a day off (I read where Torre wants Furcal to take one day off a week). Again we lose the 17th. With that said I like Mark's batting lineup. Martin at the two spot works for me (good contact and will hopefully stop him from overswinging). We don't really need Cabrera OR the other "O" we have enough guns
IF WE SIGN MANNY (and take care of that small hole in our left handed relievers).
FOCUS NED, finish this off and lets go to war.
Peace
Good morning everyone, I was really excited when i first heard that the dodgers were intrested in signing O.Hudson not excited at all about O.Cabrera. I have changed my mind about this one. I would rather have the 17th pick instead of one year of Hudson. I think that the dodgers have plenty of players that are very capable of playing that position. Dewitt,Abreu,Loretta,Dejesus,and Hu. I think you go with whoever is playing well, no need to sign a player when so many in the system are capable. I say sign Manny spend some of that $$$ on some bullpen help and keep the 17th pick. It would be different if the dodgers had no options,but they do.Sign Manny,Beimel/Reyes,keep the pick and
LETS PLAY SOME BALL.
We lost the 17th pick according to mlb traderumors
yeah baby……
TrueBlue – Camelback Ranch is strange indeed. Apparently a nearby mountian is a landmark that looks somewhat like a camel's hump, but is not visible from Glendale. At least that is what I read. Also camels were brought to that region in the 1850's by the US army as beasts of burden. They didn't thrive apparently, and died out. I suppose this represents the Dodgers pioneering spirit – Jackie Robinson, move to LA, international scouting, etc. Not sure how the move to the desert continues that spirit, but it is apparently a truly exceptional facility, maybe the first of its kind.
GO DODGERS!!
Mark your list of names from the 17th overall pick and later is amazing but you failed to list the name’s that never made it to the majors. Why not show the full list of all the 17th overall picks only over the past 25 years. That way we can get a true feel for how important that pick will become in 3-4 years.
Abreu has not shown that he can avoid injuries and stay healthy. Has anyone checked on his fielding percentage or the number or errors he is making in the minors and in his short stays in the Bigs? Why are we putting so much stock in his success? Someone says he should be good and the pack follows.
DeWitt is a good project that was rushed to the majors last year. Why not season him at Triple A and let him get his work in. If he tears up the minors this year then we have our man next year.
Orlando is a proven Allstar/ Golden Glove that is a switch hitter and can be had at a bargin price. I just don’t understand why we wouldn’t improve our team by adding this caliber of player.
Hopefully Ned isn’t that felony stupid.
We have the young talent that along with a few more parts can make a serious run at the championship this year. We also have the money to spend to field a very good team in 2009. Why waste the moment? The World Champion Los Angeles Dodgers has a very special ring to it.
Yup, 1 @ 3.4 + incentives.
I am with Bill on this one. And mark, you say 31 like it’s ancient. At 31, he still has at least 3 good years, maybe many more. The key to his success is whether a team of orthopedics say he is fine. I don’t really trust our own doctors, so I would get about a half dozen outside opinions. DeWitt is only 23 and this is what ESPN has to say about the situation:
“Blake DeWitt – 2009 outlook:
Casey Blake’s return to the Dodgers means that DeWitt will move from third to grab at least a share of the second-base job. The Dodgers signed Mark Loretta this offseason, with the idea that the useful veteran will fill Nomar Garciaparra’s role as the utility infielder. However, it wouldn’t be a surprise if the right-handed-hitting Loretta eventually works his way into a platoon with the left-handed-hitting DeWitt, despite DeWitt’s reverse platoon splits in his rookie season. Loretta has hit lefties at a .300 clip with an OPS more than 120 points higher than against righties over the past three seasons. DeWitt is still the player you want out of the two, but Loretta’s presence will eat into his at-bats and make DeWitt a potential nonfactor in mixed leagues. He’s still going to be a viable NL-only play, though the numbers are going to be fairly underwhelming across the board.”
Maybe it would be better for him to be the everyday second baseman, hitting at the top of the order, at AAA. I say maybe because I don’t really know, but if we could trade a 17th pick for an All Star Gold Glove middle infielder with a career BA of .282 – I think we should do it. Again that comes with a caveat – is he 100%?
Sorry BRuss, but I have liked Abreu since he first showed up on the big team two years ago. The guy hits, if I recall his fielding was adequate nothing spectacular (others may remember better than I). However, if you are looking for a hitter, he is the guy, or at least he used to be prior to all his medical issues. However, if they finally really fixed the original issue, then he should be good to go and not really more of an injury risk than anybody else on the roster. I really don’t think he is going to be having an ongoing problem in his belly, surgery put two and two back together.
On another note, the other day we were talking about Schmidt’s final shoulder surgery to remove the arthritic end of this clavicle, I wanted to mention that years ago, I had that surgery. It is called the Mumford Procedure, I also had to have all the crushed cartilege removed in that joint as well. Anyway, if that is what was bothering Schmidt, I can tell you from experience he should be able to make a full recovery, health-wise. That surgery feels like you have had a miracle performed once you are recovered.
I played QB and OF and abused my right shoulder all my life, had the surgery when I was 28 or 29 yrs old. Was able to throw with total freedom, had to relearn that throwing a ball wasn’t supposed to hurt. So if Schmidt is recovered from that surgery (and he should be for sure with all the months that have passed since the knife), he could be a viable candidate for a SP. I would have to question his ability to regain his form after a two year layoff, more than worry about his shoulder soundness. Just thought I would throw in my personal experience with this surgery, for what it is worth.
BR,
As I said, there have been “lots of busts” in those picks. These are just the gems of which there are only about a half-dozen a year (or less). The odds of picking one of those players is maybe about 35% (which could improve with good player evaluators), buy the odds are ZERO, if you don’t have a pick. Those picks are the future of the Dodgers.
Badger,
Baseball Prospectus predicts that DeWitt will be at 10/50/.264 with a .330 OB%. They predict 9/54/.291 with a .360 OB% for Hudson. I think that may be high, as Hudson hit .315 at Chase Field and .274 on the road. I think he’s a guy who will not be as much of a factor in a park that is not as “hitter-friendly,” such as Dodger Stadium.
Orlando Hudson at .274 would not be a Good #2 hitter.
I’d rather see Martin at #2.
1. Raffy SS
2. Russell J. C
3. Ethier RF
4. Manny LF
5. Loney 1B
6. Kemp CF
7. Blake 3B
8. DeWitt 2B
Thanks for the background on the name Harold. Man so it was name for a natural land mark and camels that died out because they couldn't survive? No Bueno. I would have liked a little more optimism regarding our name lol.
Hudson with the Dodgers, Boras running his mouth like he always does….there are some interesting things going on today. At least it's not quiet.
Not let's sign Juan Cruz since our pick is gone.
I just checked his 3 year splits and they are considerably better at home. But his road numbers are better than DeWitt’s overall numbers.
Interesting stat though – against the Dodgers (he tore them up) he had 157 total at bats, but only 23 of them at Dodger Stadium (where he was horrible). Why would he have 6 times the number of at bats at home? The numbers look similar at Petco too. Something doesn’t look right with that.
Either way I suppose I am ok as long as Manny signs.
Is Abreu ready? Who knows. The guy has 166 career at bats with .309 OBP and so far hasn’t shown a lot in the field. He is way down the depth charts but, maybe he can tear it up at AAA and earn a spot on the team.
Wow just got back in and I'm a happy man. Let's get Manny and tee it up. Great offensive lineup and defensive infield. I'm getting excited now.
mover, Hudson has hit higher than .287 for 3 straight years. Why do you predict he will only hit .274? And why are your predictions for the Dodgers youngsters always so much higher than your predictions for anyone else? Maybe wearing those blue glasses again?
I guess Abreu isn’t horrible in the field. I just reviewed his stats again and in 348 games since 2003 he’s made 50 errors. That works out to only 1 error per week. Maybe it’s just lazy footwork as the scouting report states. He looks like the typical Latin hitter that swings at everything. You can’t walk off the Island they say.
Look’s like the Dodgers are interested in Orlando Cabrera…Per mlbtraderumors.com
I also just read that report about Orlando Cabrera. Maybe this would be a backup plan in case Furcal goes down. I would still rather have the other Orlando. Manny is the true missing link.
Why on earth of all the names did they choose Camelback Ranch??
Cabrera at 2nd, Dewitt to his natural 3rd and Blake to left field is very possible. Casey has played quite a bit a right field. That would mean no Manny and if Furcal is injuried Cabrera would be a solid back up, not like a Maza or Hu and Dewitt could move back to 2nd, Blake back to 3rd and Pierre in left.
Sounds like musical chairs but I believe if we wanted Manny, we would have got him already.
We’d lose the 17th pick for Hudson but we’d get compensation for him if he’s only signed a year and becomes a FA and signs with another team right?
Is this the drizzle before the splash?
The O-DOG is in the house.
Anyone see what Boras is running his mouth about now?
“Manny is now the face of that franchise. So it comes down to a choice of winning or losing. Dodgers fans know what life was like without him. And they know what life was like with him. The truth of the matter is that he makes that much of a difference.”
What a jack ass! The part that really pisses me off is… He is right!!!
CAN A BROTHER GET A SPLASH!!!
You answered for me, before I could check back in, BRuss, very efficient of you. I just think that Abreu brings a lot to the table. He is fun to watch at the plate, can you imagine, Furcal, Abreu, ManRam, Martin, Loney, Ethier, etc. that would be one hell of an order. Even without Manny it doesn’t suck, as long as Abreu can light it up, which he has done before in LA (short lived, I admit). I still like to see a battle for the 2B position this year, hand it to no one, make someone earn it. So yes, BRuss I want to see Abreu given a fair to great chance to strut his stuff. Damn, and he is a switch hitter to boot, not bad.
I just got this on MLBTRADERUMORS.com
Sirius XM’s MLB Home Plate is reporting Orlando Hudson has agreed in principle with the Dodgers, pending a physical.
We may have Hudson in the fold.
Is this the beginning of a splash……
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090220&content_id=3855982&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb
1 year $3.4 million plus incentives for staying healthy. That is a great deal. DeWitt can get a full year in AAA at 2b and Loretta can backup.
Now if we can only see
Furcal
Hudson
Manny
Ethier
Kemp
Loney
Martin
Blake
pitchers spot
That is a hell of a line up!
Do it man SPLASH SPLASH SPLASH!!
Ken Rosenthal on Dodgers/Hudson deal looking likely:
http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/9238106/Sources:-Dodgers,-Hudson-getting-close-to-deal
*Now let’s sign Juan Cruz