I still believe that we will sign Manny, but until we do, here is WHAT IS:
DEPTH CHART:
1B: James Loney
- Casey Blake
- Mark Loretta
- Mitch Jones
- Brad Ausmus
2B – Orlando Hudson
- Blake DeWitt
- Tony Abreu
- Mark Loretta
- Juan Castro
- Chin lung Hu
- Ivan DeJesus, Jr.
- Hector Luna
- Luis Maza
SS – Rafael Furcal
- Mark Loretta
- Tony Abreu
- Juan Castro
- Chin lung Hu
- Ivan de Jesus, Jr.
- Hector Luna
- Luis Maza
3B – Casey Blake
- Blake DeWitt
- Mark Loretta
- Rusell Martin
- Juan Castro
- Tony Abreu
- Chin lung Hu
- Hector Luna
- Luis Maza
LF – Juan Pierre
- Casey Blake
- Andre Ethier
- Jason Repko
- Delwyn Young
- Xavier Paul
- Jamie Hoffman
- Mitch Jones
CF – Matt Kemp
- Juan Pierre
- Jason Repko
- Xavier Paul
- Andre Ethier
- Jamie Hoffman
RF – Andre Ethier
- Matt Kemp
- Delwyn Young
- Jason Repko
- Casey Blake
- Xavier Paul
- Mitch Jones
- Jamie Hoffman
C – Russell Martin
- Brad Ausmus
- AJ Ellis
- Danny Ardoin
Starting Pitchers
- Chad Billingsley
- Hiroki Kuroda
- Clayton Kershaw
- Jason Schmidt
- Rndu Wolf
- Eric Stults
- Claudio Vargas
- Scott Elbert
- Shawn Estes
- Ramon Troncoso
- James McDonald
- Eric Milton
Relief Pitchers
- Cory Wade
- Hong -Chic Kuo
- Guillermo Mota
- Ramon Troncoso
- Claudio Vargas
- Scott Elbert
- Jon Broxton
- James McDonald
- Greg Miller
- Eric Stults
- Victor Garate
- Brent Leach
- Jeff Weaver
- Scott Strickland
- Justin Orenduff
- Jesus Castillo
- Yency Brazoban
- Travis Schlichting
- Shawn Estes
- Tanyon Sturtze
- Travis Chick
- Carmen Cali
The ones in Italic are highly unlikely to make the team. That doesn’t mean that all the rest will either. For example, Jason Repko and Xavier Paul may not make the team and unless someone has an amazing Spring, most of the players in italic have no shot.
Opening Day Lineup as I see it TODAY:
- Furcal SS
- Hudson 2B
- Ethier RF
- Martin C
- Loney 1B
- Kemp CF
- Blake 3B
- Pierre LF
- Billingsley P
It’s interesting how Castro is the 1st and 4th backup at SS. Our starting closer is ranked 7th and McDonald is ranked 11th for starters. This tells me you really like Castro but don’t think much of Broxton and McDonald. I agree that Fidel isn’t what he used to be at SS but Broxton and McDonald will have breakout years. I am still excited about the Hudson signing and feel once Manny caves in we will have a great 2009 team. It’s almost time for Dodger Baseball as Vinny says.
I will search Stub Hub today for Opening day at Dodger Stadium against the Hated Giants of the Bay. Opening day is always the best game of the year to watch in person. Peace
Yeah, I don’t think that is the actual depth chart as Rndu Wolf is probably going to be our third/fourth starter and Wade might be on the DL. Broxton is the closer and who knows who is going to be the set up guy. There are a lot of question marks on that pitching staff.
I read in the Times that Bowa really liked Abreu’s infield work outs – that surprised me I must admit. There was mention that Abreu may be Furcal’s fill in. That would be interesting. If he is healthy enough to make the team, it makes us that much better, and cheaper.
Speaking of cheaper, that is a very affordable Opening Day lineup. Only one guy makes 8 figures and he is the guy we want to replace.
This kind of reinforces the point I was trying to make yesterday:
“Fantasy – Ethier signing -
Impact: Ethier gets a nice raise from the $424,500 he made last year. The deal also includes some undisclosed performance bonuses. As a side note, the report also included this odd quote from GM Ned Colletti: “Neither side was tremendously happy with it, the earmark of a successful agreement.” Having a guy who you hope is one of your cornerstones be “not happy’ doesn’t sound like much of a success to us. Dodgers fans would no doubt love to see guys like Ethier, Chad Billingsley, Matt Kemp, Russell Martin, etc. locked up to long-term deals, but the club has given no indication it is willing to do so at this point.”
These guys won’t all be affordable for very long. The team needs to decide who they want and lock them up or they will eventually be gone.
Billy,
The pitchers are really in no particular order. I love McDonald, but I am not all that confident in Broxton as the closer. Kuo, Elbert, McDonald and others could all be considered for that role. Brox just needs to learn how to mix up his pitches. If he threw a 99 MPH fastball followed by a 81 MPH change from the same arm slot, the hitters would screw themselves into the ground.
What mark, is Broxton soft? Next to Kershaw, I think he is the most impressive young pitcher we have. A 1.17 WHIP and a .217 BAA from a 23-24 year old doesn’t impress you?
Again what Fantasy says:
“2009 Season Outlook
Don’t buy into the notion that Broxton hasn’t had much experience as a closer and is thus a risky play. All he has done over the past three seasons is prove how much of a shutdown reliever he is, and a change of inning is likely not going to alter that. Stepping in for an injured Takashi Saito last year, Broxton showed he could do the job, and expect him to do so over a full season this year. When you strike out 11.5 batters per nine (as he did last season), throw strikes and keep the ball in the park, you’re going to succeed, regardless of role. At age 24, he has the ability to be among the elite closers in the game.”
I do agree that he needs to develop an off speed pitch he can throw for strikes. Once he does, he will be another Gagne.
Please sign Cruz to a 2 year deal for a 2nd round draft pick.
Please do not ever place two major strike out Kings back to back in a baseball lineup.
Furcal – OBP & take the extra base
Hudson – Contact hitter
Martin – Doubles hitter
Either – Our RBI Man
Kemp – Hit or Miss
Loney – Doubles hitter
Blake – Hit or Miss
Pierre – Start a New Rally
I guess we still need Manny to win it all
Regardless of whom Torre picks to be the 5 starting pitchers I am concerned over how deep 4 of them will be able to go into games. Therefore the nonselected starting candidates will be needed as long relievers. The Dodger should carry 3 long relievers that always pitch through the 7th inning thus saving the 4 short innings relievers to pitch exclusively in the 8th and 9th innings and thus being saved for the playoffs. We all know that Torre likes to burn out relievers with too many innings. Ned should suppply Torre with at least 3 starter wannabes that Torre can attempt to burn out while the pitchers are trying to prove that they can pitch the innings required of a starting pitcher.
Sign Cruz – 2 years
Sign Manny – 2 years
Trade Pierre (plus cash in 2010), Repko, Mota, Castillo (2009 #5) and Johnson (Steve)(2010 #5) to SD for Peavy.
Ken’s not a genius….
Hey there Spookybarb,
Glad to see yer alive and well. Gettin’ hit with a virtual nuclear weapon, or any virtual WMD fer that matter can be painful.
It’s going to be hard to self-censor when we both have autographed Duke Snider baseball cards he also sent me an 8″ by 10″ glossy which he autographed as well.
Only problm is, the autograph on the card an d the autograph on the glossy don’t match the autograph which was printed by topps on the card itself..
Did you know Duke had bad knees which shortened his career?
He also went to federal Prison for a brief period of time for failing to report income from selling his autograph? His wife is named Beverly and he owned a rather large avocado ranch in Fallbrook which is where he planned to spend his retirement years.
It’s amazing how I can just rattle that all off, eh?
Okay Spokane, old boy. You made an allegation without any supporting documentation that Duke Snider had an ego problem as a mere lad. In fact, you inferred that because of this elevated self confidence, Duke would have been way too arrogant to go to O’Malley and ask for a trade because he wasn’t good enough to help our Dogs back in 51. Such an allegation would seem to harm the Duke’s reputation as a humble lad so I hope you can establish the truth in what you say. Otherwise it would appear to be libelous and as such, actionable.
Can you site verification for this alleged fact? Or have you been involved in some of that re-writing baseball history you were so quick to accuse me of doing the other day?
And Badger, SpookyBarb is a Dog fan. His problem with me is strictly political. And therefore personal. Goes all the way back to 2000.
Draft picks are just draft picks. Losing the 17th in the first round means little. This is not like the NFL. It’s more like the NBA who reduced it’s draft to 2 rounds because of lack of talent and lack of interest thereafter. Most of the stars come from all over the draft. A first round pick at the 17th spot is no “sure thing”
We have created a log jam at second base and third base. You have to wonder why Casey Blake was paid 16 million for 3 years when he’s about to turn 87 years old and has diminishing skills up the wazoo.
Always liked that word. “Wazoo.”
Now we’ll have a young student 3rd baseman coming into his own who will have to platoon with Blake. This has Andruw Jones and Juan Pierre written all over it. Don’t expect DeWitt to play second. He was tried there and by his own admission, the experiment “didn’t go very well.”
And Jed is hardly “brilliant” by showing both Casey and O-Dog the money when he has DeWitt waiting in the wings. This will limit the playing time of both and probably hinder the development of DeWitt while we scream at Frank for signing Blake, for not firing Jed and hiring Fred.
It’s funny, I always thought second base was probably the easiest infield position to play except maybe 1st base.
Have we signed Manny yet?
Then you both should get over it already…
Yep, 2000, acutally 2001 is when it all began, was 8 long years ago. And as you know, his problems were with not only both of us, but also with all but a few on the other board.
I still say let it go. You were right all along. That should be enough.
From so-hood online magazine:
Torre: I’d be surprised if Manny isn’t playing for Dodgers. The truth is that Ramirez is in Florida, working out in Pensacola during the week and returning home to Miami on the weekends, agent Scott Boras says. He’s in great shape, according to Boras, and will be ready for opening day whenever he signs. “When you’re that good of a cake,” Boras says, “it takes little frosting. “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.” Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti says they have a one-year, $25 million contract offer on the table. Ramirez already rejected a two-year, $45 million deal, along with salary arbitration from the Dodgers. The San Francisco Giants are the only other team to publicly acknowledge interest, but they have not divulged any contract offers. I definitely would be surprised if he’s not playing for the Dodgers,” Torre says. “I don’t even want to think any other way.”– USA Today
AND…. I think DeWitt is going down to AAA and Abreu is the one they want on the bench. At least, that is what I read this morning. DeWitt needs to play every day and that won’t happen here. They may want to take it easy on Abreu since he has a history of injury. Playing a couple of times a week here might be just what he needs to finally get it together for a complete year.
McLoan and Jed are counting on Manny. If he doesn’t come, this is a second place team.
I think that without Manny we still win the division, but we are obviously better with him.
We also need to think about what can happen during the season. We could have players hurt and as it stands right now, we have options. Other teams could have players hurt and we could fill the void for them as well. Let’s say that a team in the pennant race loses their 3B. Casey Blake could fill the bill and DeWitt could step in, or vice-versa. We have a lot of options, especially as teams drop out of the race.
Well, you guys who’ve been saying Manny’s only option must be the Dodgers, I finally find myself forced to agree. The pitchers and catchers have reported for spring training and a player of O-Rod’s capability has finally staggered into our camp with a contract which is so low it’s a joke. He should be insulted. Instead he’s playing.
I think the reason Blake got that fat contract at his age is because it was offered before the economy tanked. He’ probably be lucky to get a 2 year $5.5 million dollar deal now.
If there was a way to bet on it, I’d bet Manny will not sign with anybody until the economy improves or a team finds itself where we were last August and is just one fine slugger away from contending. Then some smart club will give him a 3 year $69 million deal even tough that’s way more than the market would bear right now.
Funny thing about the bad blood between Spokane Bob and myself. I’ve actually met him. One Christmas after RUth and I first moved up to Washington State we had breakfast with him. Ruth’s sister is in Spokane. We talked for what seemed like hours. We agreed on almost everything that had to do with the Dogs–like our mutual admiration for Duke Snider and later Sandy Koufax. Then George Bush was elected and you can’t find two people more at odds with each other on this board anyway that Bob and I proved to be. It’s a shame really. Particularly since Bush is no longer our President. At one point he asked me to refrain from using a name I frequently called our President which he found particularly offensive. I complied remembering our former friendship. We even planned on getting together to watch the Dogs play the Mariners when they came to Seattle to play. But the election of George Bush left him believing I was some sort of crazed communist and I was convinced he was unwittingly a closet Fascist. Needless to say, we haven’t communicated much since.
Badger and I had a similar problem with Ducks on the world crossing board but we somehow managed to look over the politics when the election was over and we realized whe’d never change each others minds an anyway.
Whaddaya say! Bob? Life is too short to go on bearing grudges. I can meet you half way and agree that we are both seen by the other as passionate and insane–but friends when you get beneath the politics and hit our Dodger skin. I’ve been a Dodger fan a lot longer than I’ve been a Democrat. And I used to have a pet parakeet that I suspected was really a Nixon fan…
Actually most of my mother’s friends and relatives voted for Eisenhower We managed to get along although we each thought the other’s politics were crazy.
I think you’ll see DeWitt get packaged with a bout 4 top tier prospects for an ace. We don’t have the pitching to contend–with or without Manny.
Peavey would be the guy that would make the most sense.
Right on Lawdog
Dewitt, Mcdonald, Elbert, Stults, Dejesus, Paul, for Halladay..
Can you say Dynasty….
As much as I would like to see Peavy or Halladay, I just don’t see the Dodgers doing it. Hallady’s contract calls for $14.25 million in 2009 and $15.75 million in 2010, and Peavy’s numbers are even higher. The Padres would love to dump him because Peavy made only $6.5 million in 2008 but will make $11 million in 2009.
And the new money kicks in in 2010, when he’ll make $15 million. He’ll earn $16 million in 2011 and $17 million in 2012. The club holds a $22 million option for 2013, or a $4 million buyout. That doesn’t sound like McFrankenjamie money to me.
Maybe Hallady. We did pay that much for Schmidt, but being burned on it might make them gunshy to do it again.
Interesting story ldog. Did you ever hook up with OD? Amazing how the last 8 years divided people. Maybe the next 8 will get us re-united again.
If OD is Ducks I’d have to say we’ve become friends. I misread some allegations he made about charity work he’d done in New Orleans. It turned out I misread what he wrote and sincerely apologized after going back through Dodgertalk 12 to double check. We’ll still play the Roger Palen Monty Python game every now and then where we both simply contradict what the other has just said–but it’s tongue in cheek and we both know it. My political view has moved a bit more towards the center since the crash of September–but it will return to it’s place of lefty honor as soon as the economy is up and running again which might take longer than you think.
I probably spend 5 hours a day reading what I can on the subject with guidance from my old Math Prof from UCSC who is now very conservative–he voted for McGovern right after I was in school with him.
Anyway, I’ve discovered the stock market is not a compassionate place. I salute Obama for trying to find ways to stimulate the economy in ways which still support his compassionate agenda. I hope he can make it work. But the market is basically as greedy and irrational as the people who try and run it to their advantage. The downside to all this is that it’s going to take so much time and money to try and fix an irrational market Obama may lack both to get his programs like one payer universal health care on the books.
How about a speedy lineup?
1. Furcal SS
2. Pierre LF
3. Hudson 2B
4. Ethier RF
5. Martin C
6. Kemp CF
7. Loney 1B
8. Blake 3B
Mario’s deal would get us Halladay, but that is a lot to pay.
Why not sign Barry Bonds and Manny Ramirez!
A-Rod’s going to want out of the big apple soon, trust me. We could probably get him for DeWitt and Elbert
How about a speed lineup? with Loney and Blake? That sounds like a turtle race. Haven’t you heard that speed kills Marky Mark?
Can’t a brother get the big splash? It’s time for the MANRAM to get busy shedding 10 pounds and swinging the lumber. Sign on the dotted line my brother. 3 years $66 – $70 million is my prediction.
We will pickup a starting pitcher before the trading deadline. Bills, Kuroda, Wolf, Kershaw and the new guy will lead us to the first Dodger championship since 1988.
I am giving the #5 spot to McDonald. Mark is ranking him #11 on his depth chart but he might as well be writing scenes for two and a half men. It’s all comedy my Dodger brother. Micky D was the pitcher of the year in the minors for which you base your whole entire life on. How can you bypass this guy? I am so thankful that Ned isn’t as dumb as some of you guys were saying. Let DeWitt and Abreu battle it out for 2nd when a very cheap Allstar is begging to play for the Dodgers. Place Blake DeWitt in a pan of water and let him simmer over medium heat for the entire 2009 season at AAA. If he becomes the player some of you are projecting, he will be promoted in 2010 and we will decide if we want Hudson to return or the studdly Blake DeWitt fresh from his stay in the minors. And we all know Abreu will be hurt by April 1st. That’s a given. Tony is just not the tiger on the corn flake box. As my Dodger brother Badger says “Get Manny and Tee up 2009″ Play Ball.
Billy,
I am picking Schmidt instead of McDoanld (whom I like a whole lot) in the rotation for two main reasons:
1. Schmidt is haelthy and will be in the rotation; and (here’s the big one)
2. The Dodgers have said that McDonald will not be a starter this year and that he will pitch out of the pen.
So, now what?
By Tony Jackson on February 21, 2009 4:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | ShareThis
Ned Colletti just told us he has had more conversations with Scott Boras about Manny Ramirez “in the past seven days than in the past few months. The conversations are more frequent and longer.” When asked what that means, Colletti said, “The days are ticking off the calendar.” He wouldn’t say whether he considers it progress, but it sure sounds like they are getting closer to a deal — not that “closer” in any way means “close.” … Anyway, Hudson passed his physical, meaning the one-year deal has now been ratified. The base salary is actually $3 million, plus a $380,000 signing bonus. The incentives, which are all based on plate appearances, max out at $4.62 million, which means the most the contract can possibly be worth is $8 million. As for his health, he was examined by a hand/wrist specialist who consulted with the doctor who did the surgery last fall, and Hudson has been cleared to take part in all activities. … If this team ends up with Hudson AND Manny, it could be an exciting summer, especially in the N.L. West.
Early predictions on where players are projected to play never pan out my dear friend Mark. Mark my word Mark, McDonald will start this year. He is the real deal. No relation to Holyfield however.
UPITER, FLA — While the Cardinals play down its potential, free agent closer Jason Isringhausen insists he remains interested in returning to the club as a non-roster invite this spring.
On his way back to his Tampa home after a weekend spectating at the Daytona 500, Isringhausen insists he has fully recovered from September surgery to repair a torn flexor tendon and is willing to compete for a role other than closer.
“I don’t mind working with those young kids there, especially (Jason Motte and Chris Perez). I don’t mind helping ‘em. I really believe it could work for everybody,” Isringhausen said.
Isringhausen, 36, stands at 293 career saves, including a franchise record 217 in seven seasons with the Cardinals. The Los Angeles Dodgers and Milwaukee Brewers also have expressed interest in bringing him into camp to audition for middle or set-up relief.
Isringhausen is coming off a disastrous season in which he converted only 12 of 19 save chances and twice lost the closer role.
“I know last year was a terrible year at a terrible time for my career,” Isringhausen said. “But I don’t need money. I need to get back pitching again and figure out if I can still get major-league hitters out. To me, that means getting into camp and making somebody’s team.”
Last year’s problems at times brought Isringhausen into conflict with manager Tony La Russa, who referred Monday to “complications’ associated with bringing him into camp.
“I don’t have a problem with Tony. I don’t know if he had a problem with me,” Isringhausen said. “We had our shouting matches. That’s the way things go. I talked to him about it. And he’s talked to me. I have a lot of respect for him. We had seven pretty good years together.”
Billy,
I have been saying that about McDonald for 3 years, but unless Schmidt goes down, McDonald will be in the pen just like C-Bill was in his rookie year. He may make a few starts, but he won’t be a regular in the roation this year… if ever. A lot of the Dodger brass think he’s closer material. May be.
Lawdog,
That article on Isringhausen is old news – He reported to the Rays camp today.
Keith Law says what I have been saying:
The Dodgers’ signing of Orlando Hudson is easily one of the biggest bargains of the offseason. He’s a very good offensive second baseman who in the past was also a plus fielder. Hudson’s defense has slipped in the past two years, particularly in 2008, and it’s unclear whether his range has been limited by the leg problems he’s had in that time or whether he’s simply showing his age and the early decline experienced by many second basemen. His tremendous range on popups makes up for his average range on ground balls, and he’ll be an improvement over incumbent Blake DeWitt offensively and defensively.
Dewitt, of course, can play third, and there’s a good chance that he’ll outproduce newly overpaid third baseman Casey Blake in 2009 if given the chance. Blake’s three-year contract extension makes it unlikely, but the Dodgers’ best alignment would have Blake in a utility role, spelling either Dewitt or Hudson when a lefty is on the mound.
The major drawback for the Dodgers in the Hudson signing is the loss of their first-round pick, 17th overall, a point in the draft when there are still some prospects on the board who will turn into stars or well above-average big leaguers. (To pick one draft at random, in 2003, the following players were still available at No. 17 and went in the next 20 picks: Carlos Quentin, Conor Jackson, Adam Jones and current Dodger Chad Billingsley.) The Dodgers’ farm system is already thin after years of promotions to the majors, and now they won’t have a pick until somewhere in the sandwich round between the first and second rounds.
Some of you think the 17th pick is no big deal – I suggest that you are so very wrong. We will be sorry we did the following:
1. Failed to sign Beltre (that’s already a given);
2. Traded LaRoche;
3. Traded Santana;
4. Signed Hudson and failed to get a 1st round pick in 2009!
You guys are so short-sighted sometimes….
Speaking of short sighted, why is it so important to forgo the current Major league season and to worry about the 17th pick which may or maynot panout? Again, this isn’t Pittsburgh or K.C. that is forced to go that direction always. Pushing DeWitt back into the farm system should strengthen it, shouldn’t it? Los Angeles is a BIG market team that doesn’t always have to grow their crops internally. Yes it’s fun and less expensive to grow your own but it’s quicker to buy on the open market when you have a chance to bring in an Allstar caliber player that may push you into a Championship. Now is the time. I’m tired of the wait till next year mentality and we can only groom from within crap.
We currently have a good group of young players at the Major League level that should last for the next 5-6 years giving us plenty of time to restock the farm. I don’t want to hear you cheer for Hudson this year if you keep snibbling over the 17th draft pick.
Just sit back, relax and enjoy the ride this year. Once Manny signs, this may be our best team of Dodgers in a very long time if not ever.
In Fact the World Champion Dodgers of 2009.
Oh but our 17th draft pick is lost…..
Boo frickinwho
MT
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And of course our farm system has thinned, Paul Depodesda’s kids are all in the majors now. But it took awhile.
Mark, I agreed with you about Santana and LaRoche but not so much on Beltre. He is way overpaid for what he produces, but, I think he would be better than Blake. But, he is not in our limited budget.
But this 17th pick you are stuck on tells me you are not living in the present. The plan, I think, is to go for it while Manny is here. Once Manny arrives, our lineup is good enough to win the West. All we are going to need is the starter we will pick up at the deadline. We still have enough on the farm to get somebody.
The next 2-3 years is our window and the 17th pick wouldn’t be here until after that, if he got here at all.
Back from travels . . .
Lot of great posts over the past two days.
Last year listening to Mark Grace do some D-Back games — he loved Hudson there. He thought he was great and important to their team.
I am for winning this year. Hudson might make the difference….it is a long season and he know how to play the game.
We do need Manny. But thinking while I was away, if Manny hits third, then I might switch who is hitting behing him, as to the pitcher out there.
And who is hot.
For instance, if it is a left handed pitcher, then either Kemp or Martin 4th. If a right handed pitcher, Ethier or Loney.
That way, Manny might not get walked as much, it the pitcher (and their manager) know that the next out will be tougher with the l-r or r-l in our favor.
I want to roll the dice this year. Heck with the 17th draft pick.
As I said last week or so, back in the 90s we had bunches of Rookie’s of the Year — and did not win.
Go with Hudson and Manny.
If you guys remember, I started tooting the Odog horn last year after watching him everyday here in Arizona. The guy is an All Star middle infielder and we got a lot better by adding him.
Now all we need is that Manny feller and a front line starter and we could actually win this thing.
Ken,
I have seen that before and there is some really good stuff there. It doesn’t work on these guys…
They respond to pain…
I will be rooting for Orlando Hudson to have a career year.
.311 BA
.379 OB%
14 HR
39 Doubles
71 RBI
Gold Glove
It could happen.
Badger said:
But this 17th pick you are stuck on tells me you are not living in the present.
I prefer to live in the present with my eye on the future.
My wife, who works with me says that I am always thinking 2-3 years ahead.
What’s wrong with that?
…but, while I root for him, I remain unconvinced that he was enough of an upgrade to forefit the #17 pick to out arch rivals!
Because Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.–John Lennon
Mark, it is nice to have the big bannana today, and plan something for the morrow.
The Dodgers have had such a terrible high draft pick luck over the years —
Here are some of the picks:
1992 Pedro Martinez, rhp great
1995 Todd Hollandsworth, of not much
1996 Karim Garcia, of not much
1999 Angel Pena, c no much
2000Chin-Feng Chen, of not much
2002 Ricardo Rodriguez, rhp ???
2004 Edwin Jackson, rhp – jury out
1992 Ryan Luzinski not much
1993 Darren Dreifort the guy is a $$$$ nothing
1994 Paul Konerko Great
1995 David Yocum ???
1996 Damian Rolls ???
1997 Glenn Davis ???
1998 Bubba Crosby ???
1999 Jason Repko ???
2000 Ben Diggins ???
2001 Brian Pilkington ???
2002 James Loney – great
2003 Chad Billingsly – great
With a rack record like that we should jump at the chance to trade the 17th pick for a guy wo is a proven all star, gold glove adequate hitter who is a switch hitter and can bat #2.
Beats the heck out of drafting a fellow who’s arm is about to fall off or Bubba Crosby, Ben Diggens, Glenn Davis or (drum roll please) Angel Pena–the only first round pick to eat himself out of baseball while still a rookie.
Nice one Roger..
Mark can’t say sh.t now…but he’ll try
I can’t add any more than those guys did mark, just this – want to make God laugh? Tell Him your plans.
I too believe in planning. I believe in setting goals and I believe in having objectives but in the end there are many things that can have an impact on what the final picture will actually look like. There is no substitute for “be here now”. The Dodgers, with the addition of a serious power threat, are here now. You make a good point about giving our arch rival our pick, but they gave us their All Star middle infielder. As Wind in His Hair would say ….good trade.
Lawdog — on Angel Pena.
While he was in the Dodger minor league system, he played here in San Antonio for the Mission (then a Dodger AA farm team). Angel hit the heck out of the ball.
It was back in 1998.
126 games
483 ABs
81 runs
162 hits
32 doubles
2 triples
22 Home Runs
105 RBIs
48 walks
80 Ks
.335 BA
.395 OBP
.547 slugging average
.942 OPS
9 stolen bases
Angel was a terror. And remember this, at the Mission’s ball park, the wind blows in most nights. Hardly ever out. Hitters did not like hitting here.
But, alas, the majors was just too tough for him, or major league pitching was too tough for him to overcome.
He did look like the next coming of Roy C.
I was one of his biggest fans here. Really wanted Angel to succeed as a Dodger.
He had two enemies:
1. Laziness
2. Fattness.
Hudson sounds like a great teammate, Abreu is still the favorite to back-up Frucal, Torre knows he needs Manny. From the Daily:
It’s conceivable Hudson’s wrist won’t be 100 percent by Opening Day and DeWitt could still make the club. As for a utility role, Torre implied that a healthy Tony Abreu would be more likely because he can play shortstop, presumably with DeWitt playing every day at Triple-A. But Abreu needs to show he’s shaken two years of injuries.
Torre indicated a healthy switch-hitting Hudson would be a good fit to bat second behind Rafael Furcal and that he might move Casey Blake to left field (and DeWitt to third), but that was more a double-switch option than for everyday positioning. Torre emphasized he still is counting on unsigned free agent Manny Ramirez to start in left field.
While Hudson might seem injury prone, he’s also the kind of player for which nobody has a bad thing to say.
“He’s a solid dude, a teammate everybody loves,” said Juan Pierre, who attended Hudson’s wedding in November. “Some opponents might take offense at players who are energetic and talkative, but that’s just him and you can tell about a guy by the way teammates talk about it.”
Claudio Vargas, now fighting for a Dodgers’ pitching spot, was a D-backs teammate of Hudson in 2006.
“He’s a happy guy, he plays hard, he’s a good teammate who fights for everybody,” said Vargas. “This is a great deal for us to get him.”
Hey, Pena was a lot better for us than was Andruw Jones.
Betty Crocker was better than Andruw Jones.
Betty Crocker was better for the team than she was for Angel Pena.