The Knucklehead:  Getting shot in the leg is enough to cause you to get branded as a knucklehead, but there’s a lot more to it than that.  Vicente Padilla arguably has some one thebest stuff you will ever see, but it’s his “knuckle-headedness”  which has kept him from achieving his potential.  Obviously, something happened in Texas which caused many of his teammates to turn on him and the Rangers to eat his contract.  In spring training this year, he was regarded as a “knucklehead” in several establishments which service alcoholic beverages and he was regarded as a “knucklehead” by people who leased him his expensive sports car and his neighbors around the condo he leased.  Thus, it comes as no surprise that Padilla is involved in some form of “incident” in a hotel room in the 3-4 AM hours.  Once a knucklehead, always a knucklehead.  I thought that since he was a 1-year deal, he might settled down and pitch like he is capable, and his stuff is #1 stuff, but his head is #13.  A True Knucklehead he is!

Linchpins: Matt Kemp, Manny Ramirez, Russell Martin and James Loney are all important to the Dodgers offense, but the Dodgers “Offensive Linchpins” are, without a doubt, Rafael Furcal and Andre Either.   After going 3-4, Raffy looks to be back and Andre is due back at any moment.  The Dodgers are an entirely different team when they are in the lineup.  Raffy sets the tone, but if you have to pick one true “linchpin” it is “Walkoff” Ethier.  I am considering changing his name from “Walkoff” to “Game-Over.”

Leftys:  It’s always something with left-handers.  Case-in-point – George Sherrill, who seems to be very good or very, very bad and lately it has been the later.  Hong-chih Kuo has outstanding “Closer” type stuff, but his arm hangs by a thread and each pitch could be his last.  An MRI could tell a lot, but I am sure that neithe he nor the Dodgers wants to know…  And then we have Mr. Scott Elbert, whose curve-ball and slider should play out much better than in the PCL, but who is wilder than a March Hare.  What is it with these left-handers anyway?  They are all wacky, except for Mr. Clayton Kershaw – he’s OK in my book, and after all, he is our Ace.  The Dodgers last two attempts to trade for an ace were exercises in futility (Brown and Schmidt).  I think the Dodgers have to get an Ace the old-fashioned way – you grow one!

I Told You Sos: In the off-season before this season, I said that I was in favor of not offering Orlando Hudson and Randy Wolf arbitration.  Most of you have disagreed with me, but you will change your minds soon enough.  Watch and learn.  You surely have learned that what I said in the off-season before the start of the 2009 season is true.  I said that I was not in favor of signing Manny Ramirez, but if I signed him it would only be for one year.  I was told by most of you that Manny would require a three to five year deal and was called all kinds of names for saying I wouldn’t sign him.  When the Dodgers signed him for two year against no other bidders, I was somewhat relieved, but felt that $45 mil for an aging superstar was too much and too long… and it was!  I root for Manny because he is a Dodger, but I fear that we are seeing the best of this aging-former-steroid-using-superstar-who-can’t-recover-as quickly-as-he-needs to.  I fear that there is little market for him and if the Dodgers can trade him, it will be at the expense of having to eat half his salary or more – they might as well keep him for that.  The only team I can see wanting or affording him is the Yankees and that would be “iffy.”  You got what you wanted with Manny and now you are stuck with him.  I hate to say I told you so, but “I told you so.”

Cliff Lee, Zach Greinke and Roy Oswalt will all be on the market this year.  Randy Wolf makes more than Cliff Lee.  Who would you rather have?  The Dodgers can now be players for those pitchers because they don’t have the salaries of Wolf or Hudson… or both.  They would really be sitting pretty if they didn’t have Ramirez!

2012:

Lineup:

1. Gordon  SS
2. DeWitt 2B
3. Ethier  -  LF
4. Pujols  - 1B
5. Kemp  CF
6. Beltre  3B
7. Sands  RF
8. Ellis  C

Subs:

• May
• Hu
• Paul
• Hoffman
• DeJesus

Rotation:

1. Kershaw
2. Lee
3. Martin
4. Ely
5. Haegar

Bullpen:

• Wade
• McDonald
• Guerra
• Link
• Adkins
• Leach
• Lindblom – Closer

Parting Shots:

• The Dodgers lack of hitting doesn’t concern me, right now – they will hit.
• Garrett Anderson is stealing space from a worthy ballplayer.  He is soooooooooooooo done – stick a fork in him!
• The Dodgers need to convert Lindblom back to a Closer
• James McDonald is back on the road to LA
• Xavier Paul will surprise you – watch and see.
• Rumor has it that Elbert will go back down today to make room for Ethier, and that Paul will go back to make make room for Haegar on Tuesday.  A better move would be to keep Paul and DFA Anderson.  Answer this question:  Are the Dodgers better with XP or GA?  End of discussion…

… and nothing but the truth!  That’s why you come here, because I am going to tell you the truth.  God knows it’s not because I’m a writer.  At any rate, let’s consider the following and see if what is happening is true or false.

True or False:  Ned Colletti, Frank McCourt and Dennis Mannion have all been “singing out of the same hymnbook” that it’s business as usual for the Dodgers”?

Answer:  True and False!    It’s true that it is “business as usual,” but the “business model” has been changed, so that’s false.  Let me explain.  Ned has made some acquisitions the past few years which have not proven to be (how should I say it?) prudent (how’s that?).   Now, under some circumstances, he might be fired, but not in this case because Frank McCourt, as the new owner of the Dodgers was trying to make an impact and the signings of Pierre (I love Juan Pierre, but he was a bad signing),  Schmidt, Jones and Manny were all approved  (or even “pushed”) by Frank.  So, Ned does not bear all the culpability for those bad deals, and Frank and Ned have come to an understanding:  Frank will be an owner and Ned will be the GM.  Frank has also assured Ned that if he needs more funds to sign a player, he can feel free to come to Frank for more money.  Frank wants to keep the payroll at around $100,000,000 this year, but after the May hearing, he will have a better idea if the Dodgers can be buyers in August and he thinks they can. 

The truth is that the Dodgers have a very good team this year. Maybe it has escaped some of you, but they have some extremely good young players who have gotten better (much better) the past three years.  Even our oft-maligned catcher is rated 4th to 7th in most Fantasy Leagues.  If you can’t have Joe Mauer, the 4th to 7th best Catcher ain’t so bad!   We have some young pitchers who are suddenly just going to “get it.”  BANG!  Our aces-in-waiting will become our aces.  None of  this is lost on savvy baseball people, but it is lost on some of you. 

Forget the TOP 100 or TOP 50 Baseball Prospects.  Ethan Martin is in the Top 50, but I think we have 4 or 5 others who are better than him- Aaron Miller, Chris Withrow, Garrett Gould, Josh Lindblom, Alan Webster and Nate Eavoldi may be among them.   Think Andrew Lambo’s stock has dropped?  Keep thinking that!  Watch him rake this year.  Dee Gordon?  This kid has “star”written all over him! 

What about the big club?  Why did we sign Jamey Carroll only to sign Ronnie Belliard a few weeks later?  Simple – Ned had to make sure we had a veteran second-baseman, and Lopez, Belliard and Hudson were asking Big Bux.  Ned signed Jamey to make sure he had a fallback plan. Plan A is to give Blake DeWitt the opportunity to win the job (forget his season last year, as he bounced around like a yo-yo from the Ravine to Albaquacky 9 times).  The year before, he hit over .300 for 2 months and he has some decent power.  Unless he tanks, the job is his.  Carroll will be a “Dave Hansen Type” Pinch Hitter and Belly will be Belly. 

You naysayers are in for a surprise.  This team isn’t just “good”  – IT’S VERY GOOD! 

Dodger fans – you are in for the ride of your life, and in August, the Dodgers will probably be buyers because they haven’t blown their budget. 

 Like Dave Ramsey says “Live like no one else now, so you can live like no one else later.”

Maybe it is business as usual. 

Maybe it’s really not “the divorce” that is keeping the Dodgers out of the Free Agent Market.

Maybe the Dodger brass has concluded that paying big bucks (in most cases) for Free Agents simply isn’t worth it.

The Dodgers sought a CF for a few years and signed Juan Pierre and Andruw Jones over Aaron Rowand, Gary Matthews, Jr. and Torri Hunter.  Only Hunter was a wise signing, but it didn’t get the Angels a title.  Big bucks spent on Jason Schmidt was wasted and there are lots of stories like that on the market. 

Even the money for Manny could have ben allocated better.

Maybe the Dodgers have decided that by waiting they might get a much better deal.  Maybe this was decided BEFORE the divorce.

Belliard isn’t signed – he could be a bargin.

Sheets, Padilla, Garland – all might be had for a song.  Or maybe, the Dodgers will just wait until the trade deadline and get what they want.

By the way, we got our CF from “within.” 

Sometimes, it’s best to make a list of who you want and go in that direction, instead of just settling for “who’s available!”

Of course, if the Dodgers are heading that direction, they have no obligation to tell you or me.  In fact, they would be silly to do so. 

Watch and see – I have a hunch everyone is wrong about the Dodgers!

Look, it is apparent that the Dodgers are trying to stay around $100 mil in payroll.  The Angels are not spenders either, and I would not be surprised if their payroll was lower than the Dodgers.  While attendance was good, I think that other revenue streams in LA have receded.  It apparent from the (in)activity of both teams.  Frank McCourt is sitting on a Gold Mine with all the property around Chavez Ravine to be developed, an upcoming cable deal, and stadium naming rights. 

However, he may (or may not) be the owner of the Dodgers, and pending that resolution, very little money will be spent until the arbitration cases are settled.  Deal with it – it’s the way it is.  We aren’t the Padres with a $35 mil payroll and few scouts and farm system personnel.  The Los Angeles Dodgers have a FULLY STOCKED FRONT OFFICE, with more professional baseball people running it than any other team!  

The Dodgers recently hired Ken Bracey who was one of the top player development people within San Diego’s organization and also added Bruce Hines, who also has 25 years experience to our Minor League Staff.  They continue to have a deep instruction base in the minor leagues.  To say that McCourt just wants to plunder the team, brands you as a crackpot.  To think we didn’t offer arbitration to Wolf and Hudson because we didn’t want to pay a first round draft pick is borderline psychotic!  There may not have been much of a chance either would have accepted, but THERE WAS A CHANCE, and due to the Dodgers payroll limitations, they simply couldn’t take that chance.  If they were really intent upon pillaging the farms system, you get rid of all the suits with six-digit salaries first.  Then, you would quit spending on personnel and development at Camelback Ranch.  GET A GRIP ON REALITY!

The past few seasons, we have signed Jason Schmidt, Juan Pierre, Andruw Jones and Manny Ramirez.  By staying out of the game right now, we may be in a better position come Spring or July.  Big contracts haven’t gotten us much.  It is what it is and it isn’t the end of the Dodgers.  By July, they should have their ownership resolved.  McCourt will be in (or out) and then the Dodgers should have a direction.  Quit raving like lunatics – this too shall pass… and we might (JUST MIGHT) be better for it.

Sometimes you get better from within…

UPDATE:  SI’s Jon Heyman reports that the Dodgers may be interested in Adrian Beltre…

It’s no secret that the McCourts are in the midst of a messy divorce, but would things be any different if Frank and Jamie were still together?

Would that have caused the Dodgers to offer arbitration to Randy Wolf and/or Orlando Hudson?  Would that have caused the Dodgers to sign Wolf?  Well, no one can be sure, but do you really want 3 years of Randy Wolf?  I mean, two years ago and even last year, many of you didn’t want him back. 

Yeah, the Randy Wolf of 2009 was pretty nice, so nice that he earned the Type A Free Agent Rating, but what are the odds that he stays healthy or continues his level of success in 2010, 2011 and 2012?  I would say the odds are not good.  That’s just my opinion, but I don’t see him as a workhorse.  I do see a guy who could say that he was a Type A Free Agent who had better stats that D-Lowe, and D-Lowe makes $15 mil a year.  That was the most that Wolf stood to make – $15 mil a year, but if he would have asked for, say $13 million a year, he would have had a decent shot at it, especially if the Dodgers offered less than $10 million. 

You might say that the Brewers offered him about $30 mil over 3 years, but what makes you so sure they would have offered the contract if they had to give up compensation?  You don’t know, and there is no way to ever know, but it’s circular thinking to think it would have happened the same way.   I think the Dodgers decided (change that – I know that the Dodgers decided that they did not want to give Randy Wolf a multi-year deal in the $10 mil per year range and they felt he would accept arbitration because (1) he knew he could get $11-15 mil in arbitration ($15 mil is probably too high, but maybe not); and (2) they did not want to commit to a multi-year deal with him.  This is all conjecture, but offering arbitration would have changed the whole dynamic. 

For similar reasons, Orlando Hudson, who did not want to come back to LA, would have jumped at a chance for a $10 million payday.  He was an All-Star and Gold Glove 2B on multiple occasions, and again – a case could be made that he could command up to $10 million a year.  Likely?  MAYBE NOT, BUT POSSIBLE!   It is an extreme example, but it’s possible that the Dodgers could have had 25% of their $100 million payroll tied up with two players.  Again, it may not have been likely, but it was a scenario that the Dodgers had to consider as possible.  If that had happened it would have crippled the Dodgers ability give raises to their youngsters.

Randy Wolf and Orlando Hudson made us better in 2009, but I have reason to believe that one of our youngsters can step in and fill their shoes.   McDonald, Troncoso, Elbert, Lindblom and Haeger are in the mix for the first 2 spots behind Billingsley, Kershaw and Kuroda.  Again, come July, more arms will be on the market at a cheaper price.  I see nothing wrong with trying the youngsters and then shopping in July, if necessary.  Should Ned tell you that?  Why play your cards?  This team is going to be very good next year, if only because our players are another year older and more mature.  Blake DeWitt is a “Ballplayer” at 2B, and I would not even sniff at Belliard or Carroll, unless it’s as a utility-man.

Manny Ramirez will also be playing for a new contract and I think he will return with a vengeance.  I also don’t see the Dodgers buying-down Pierre’s contract.  They will keep him or trade him for a pitcher with a “bad contract.”  I still hope for Harang (because I think he has a higher upside than Arroyo), but who knows?  The Dodgers still need bench help, but we already have Xavier Paul, Jason Repko, Juan Pierre and Chin-lung Hu.  Brad Ausmus is a strong possibility again,  and so all we need is another RH infield bat – not Craig Counsell who is LH.

So, back to the question first propounded – would things be any different if the McCourts were a couple?  I can’t answer that, but I will ask, should things be any different if the McCourts were a couple?  This is a business and is it prudent to sign players like Jason Schmidt, Andruw Jones or, for that matter, Manny Ramirez?  I say no.  I am on record this time last year as saying the Dodgers should not sign Manny (something for which I was castigated), but Manny was mostly a “non-factor.”  Go after “Blue Chip” Players, not “cow chip” players.  If we had went after C.C. Sabathia instead of Manny, we would be talking right now about Hudson or Wolf, and we might have won the Series last year. 

I say that when it comes to Free Agents – Go BIG or Stay Home!  Think about it!  There are no “BIG” ones this year, so we should stay home.  Quit trying to “make a silk purse out of a sows ear.”  So, if you are one of the naysayers who say “The Dodgers Won’t Win With The Pitchers They Have,”  You are probably the same ones who told me the Dodgers wouldn’t win without Manny. They didn’t win WITH him.

The Baseball Winter Meetings are being held in Indianapolis beginning on Monday, December 7th thru Thursday, December 10th.  While MLB would not issue me a credential, I will be there and hopefully get lucky.   The only thing that credentials really do is get you inside the interview room when there are news conferences. I can still walk all over the hotel where everything is going on without a problem and report on all that’s going on. Usually, agents or GMs just stop in the hallways and talk to people and I will be right there.  I have one purpose at these meetings – I would like to get a feel of what is really happening with the Dodgers… and I will! 

Ken made a good point yesterday that maybe the Dodgers had a verbal agreement with Wolf and Hudson that they would not offer them arbitration.  That could be a possibility.  I’ll try and find out.  Besides, who should the Dodgers really try and get?   Halladay?  Lackey?  Martinez?  Wolf?  It would take a lot to get Lackey or Halladay and either one is a prospect for arm and/or injury issues.  I am almost of the opinion that we sign Padilla andor Wolf IFthe market is soft and they don’t get better deals elsewhere.  Then, try and get some pitchers line Noach Lowery, Eric Milton, Jeff Weaver, et al for insurance.

I’d sooner see the Dodgers get a power hitter for 2B than spend to get Halladay or Lackey.  I may be crazy, but I would not be afraid to go into the season with Kershaw our #1, Billingsley and Kuroda battling for #2 and Haeger as our #5.  Then, let Elbert, McDonald, Troncoso, Lindblom and other battle for the #4 spot.  Something good will come out of that bunch.  You have to bank on internal growth by your young players.  Shoot, I wouldn’t mind a platoon of Jamie Carroll and Blake DeWitt at 2B or maybe try Adrian Beltre at 2B – he’s an excellent athlete.  Think about it!  We’d have power at the position.

I am most concerned about locking up Kemp, Ethier, Kersahw and Billingsley long term.  Are the Dodgers willing to do that?  We have a plethora of pitching prospects who are a yera or so away – trading for a vet who could have arms issue is felony stupid – witness the Jason Schmidt Debacle.

At any rate, I’ll be at the meeting and I’ll be reporting what I see and hear – or maybe I’ll report half of what I see and none of what I hear…

 This team is far from needing rebuilding, but any good team needs to ”retool” every year.  Last year, the Phillies won the World Series with Pat Burrell in LF.  They evidently decided

Must Be A Padre Fan...

 that he wasn’t the answer this year, so they signed a guy even older who ended up having his career year.   The Phillies may yet be sorry that they signed Raul Ibanez, but right about now, that move is looking pretty good.    They added Shane Victorino and Jason Werth in 2005 and 2007 as key pieces to the puzzle.  How did they get them?  No Big Blockbuster Deals, just incidental signings, which turned out to be pretty good.    I don’t think we need to rebuild – the core of the team is in place, but re-tool, we must!

I have taken the 40-Man Roster, plus some others who are technically not on it and divided them into three (3) groups:

1. Core players who we need to keep – in BLUE;
2. Players who we needs to keep under the right conditions – in BLACK; and
3. Players we need to try and lose, trade, release or not sign – in RED.

It’s not hard to see that our core is young and will get even better.  I have Jon Broxton on the BLUE list (even though I have serious doubts about him), because we don’t currently have better options (that too could change).  Now, I am not saying that I wouldn’t trade Broxton or some of the others, but it would have to be a trade that we would make from a point of strength.  Read the full story

Rumor has it that after Tuesday’s extra-inning loss, the reporters were not allowed into the Dodger clubhouse for quite some time as Ned Collottimet privately with Joe Torre.   What was said?  Look, Ned could have called Joe or had a beer with him later, but he chose to come to the clubhouse and talk to Joe right after the game.  I am sure it was a case of “kick the cat” in that Frank McCourt had already reamed-out Ned and so Ned kicks the cat and reams-out Joe Torre.  We’ll never know what was said, but I guarantee it wasn’t cordial!  I am sure that Joe is on notice that he has to win or he is history!  That’s a good thing!  Being in a comfort zone right now does us no good.

TJ Slimers of The LA Times is on Don Mattingly in today’s paper.  This has been my concern for quite some time.  We have 4 veteran players who are having their worst hitting seasons in quite some time (or ever) – Hudson, Martin, Loney and Raffy.  What role does Donnie Ballgame have in this?  We have 2 hitting coaches in Pentland and Mattingley.  Is that a problem?  I am losing confidence in Donnie.  I mean, his own son is in his 3rd year in A ball and can’t hit above .235?  What does that tell you?

RANTS & RAVES:

• Randy Wolf is 4-0 with a sub 2.00 ERA his last 4 starts.  This guy has ben amazing for us! Read the full story

I wanted a sweep, but I’ll take 2 out of 3, especially since Lincecum was pitching yesterday.  But, dag-nab-it, we could have won.  Our bullpen guys were nearly as good as the past Cy

Martin and Sandoval - Ben Margot - Associated Press

 Young Award winner… until Mota!    One other thing – Russ Martin will fight!  So will James McDonald.  I like James McDonald a whole lot more after the Big Panda (carrying a bat) walked towards Jimmy.  The Panda outweighs Jimmy by 2-1, but Old McDonald just kept coming and said “Take your base,  punk!”  Turns out the guy wasn’t even plunked!  I love how Martin went off – Notice to MLB – Don’t mess with Russ!  Nobody has mentioned it much, but Russ ended the game at 3B, his first time playing that position this year!

Joe Torre praised Martin and expressed confidence in him to Ken Gurnick of Dodgers.com:

Day game after night game and catcher Russell Martin was back in the lineup Wednesday as the Dodgers went for the series sweep against the Giants.

Martin’s offensive drop this season — he entered the game batting .267 with three homers and 33 RBIs — has been the fodder of much fan chatter. But manager Joe Torre’s pregame discussion with the media supported his catcher.

“Maybe hitting up in the lineup [second during this series] helps him,” suggested Torre. “He knows he’ll get strikes to hit. He’s been more level, not too long in his swing. He still feels he should be doing more. He’s a good hitter. He has all the attributes of being a .300 hitter. But when you’ve hit home runs, it puts you in the situation that when you don’t, you think you should hit them.”

Martin hit 10 homers with a .282 average in 121 games his rookie season of 2006, jumped to 19 homers and .292 in 2007 when he won the Silver Slugger for catchers, then slipped to 13 and .280 last year. He’s on a pace for only four homers this year.

“He’s the type of hitter who should hit home runs almost by mistake,” said Torre. “He should hit a line drive and it just keeps going. But he should knock in runs and hit .300. The long ball is not necessary. He just hasn’t had a consistent approach this year. I go back to one swing in the playoffs last year, it was so natural, against the Cubs, a line drive to left-center. The swing was short and quick and the ball jumped off the bat.”

Martin is only 1-for-9 in the two games with the Giants, but he’s batting .315 in the past 15 games and .311 over the last 32, ranking second on the club on the season with a .371 on-base percentage. He came into Wednesday’s game 0-for-7 lifetime against Giants starter Tim Lincecum with four strikeouts.

Defensively, Torre said the catcher has been much improved from what he saw last year from Martin, who won the Gold Glove the previous year. More days off could be a reason. His catcher’s ERA is 3.53 and he’s thrown out 23 percent of potential basestealers compared to 19.5 percent last year.

“His consistency behind the plate is really different,” Torre said. “Like night and day. And he’s been a little beat up. He has a little knee stuff, a little elbow stuff. He’s had issues. But you saw the quick release the other night, with the pitch in the dirt and he got rid of the ball well [to throw out Fred Lewis trying to advance to second base]. He’s athletic. He does his pregame work [preparing with the starting pitcher]. That’s commendable for me.

DODGER NOTES

• The boys can use a day off to rest until Kershaw and Haren have a Duel in the Desert on Friday!  It’s time Clayton establishes he can beat any one’s ace!
• Check out the Phillies – Pedro is back, doing his best Jason Schmidt impersonation (Jamie Moyer is not happy he had to go to the pen – can you spell “dissension”).  On another note, David Howard is hitting .236 with no HR and 22 K’s since July 28th and Cole Hamels, who has struggled all season is getting worse (8.71 ERA in past 2 starts).  Add in a heaping helping of Brad Lidge blowing saves and his 4.01 ERA and the Phils don’t look so hot right now.
• The only 2 pitchers I am interested in are on the D-Backs roster – Garland and Davis – doubtful we could get either one and in fact, it is rumored that the Brewers have claimed Doug Davis.

Minor League Recap – 8/12/09 – From Jared at http://thinkbluela.blogspot.com/

Albuquerque won 8-6

Tony Abreu – 2 for 5, 2B, R, E (.341 BA)
Blake DeWitt – 2 for 4, 2B, 3 RBI, R (.256 BA)

http://tinyurl.com/qufuyn
Chattanooga won 5-2

Lucas May – 2 for 5, 2B, R, K (.292 BA)
Andrew Lambo – 1 for 3, HR (11), 4 RBI, R, 2 K’s (.263 BA)

Javy Guerra – 0.1 IP, 0 Hits, 0 R, 0 BB, K (4.15 ERA)

http://tinyurl.com/oledlx
Inland Empire lost 6-1

Preston Mattingly – 0 for 4, 2 K’s (.235 BA)
Trayvon Robinson – 1 for 4, HR (14), RBI, R, 3 K’s (.305 BA)
Scott Van Slyke – 0 for 3, K (.289 BA)

http://tinyurl.com/omfkxc
Great Lakes lost 1-0

Dee Gordon – 0 for 4, 2 K’s (.296 BA)
Jaime Pedroza – 2 for 4, 2B, K (.256 BA)
Mario Songco – 0 for 3, BB, K (.161 BA)
Kyle Russell – 0 for 3, BB, 2 K’s (.272 BA)

Aaron Miller – 5 IP, 3 Hits, ER, BB, 4 K’s (1.38 ERA)
Geison Aguasviva – 4 IP, 2 Hits, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K’s (1.51 ERA)

http://tinyurl.com/ppx6od
Ogden lost 3-2

BCG – 2 for 4, K, CS (.335 BA)
Blake Smith – 0 for 4, 2 K’s (.205 BA)
Nick Akins – 2 for 4, 2B, RBI, R (.250 BA)

Daigoro Rondon – 1 IP, Hit, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K’s (4.02 ERA)

http://tinyurl.com/qrfw9g
AZL won 5-1

Jonatahan Garcia – 1 for 4, R, K (.282 BA)
Austin King – 2 for 4, 2B, HR (1), 2 RBI, R (.196 BA)
Jan Vazquez – 0 for 4, K (.170 BA)

Carl Webster – 5 IP, 2 Hits, R (0 ER), BB, 8 K’s (2.05 ERA)
Beyker Fructuoso – 3 IP, Hit, 0 R, 2 BB, 3 K’s (7.23 ERA)

http://tinyurl.com/qv72ed
Player of the Day – Carl Webster, RHP

An unheralded 18th round pick out of a NC high school, Webster was solid in his debut but struggled mightily with control (17 walks in 18.1 IP). This year, he has walked only 13 in 44 innings while striking out 52. Carl’s making a case for a late season promotion, but he’ll be just 20 next season which is a fine age to start full season ball.

Jason Schmidt leaving town - www.LaDodgerTalk.com - 2009

After last night’s debacle of the pen, the Yankees led by a walk off home run by A-Rod, claimed the best record in baseball from Joe Torre and the Dodgers.   That says it all.

I felt early in the game that Billingsley was still favoring his hamstring and did not have his normal “follow-through” during his pitching motion.  When Chad came out of the last game, it was incorrectly assumed by those who want to demonize Billingsley that he hadn’t taken in enough fluids.  You know what happens when you assume.  There are 4 or 5 things that can cause hamstring pulls, which include lack of hydration, mineral imbalances, improper biomechanics, poor diet and repetative stress.  To assume it was hydration, well the first 3 letters of the word “assume” tell the story.  I look for Billingsley to go on the DL for 15 days, complicating our pitching situation, but problems are sometimes opportunities in drag, and who knows who might step up.

Of greater concern to me is our closer, or lack thereof.  Maybe you know why the Dodgers acquired Sherrill now.  Chew on this for a while:  In the modern game, the closer has become a key component of a championship team.  He’s the guy who NEVER gives the lead back.  He closes (SLAMS) the door on the competition.  In his 14 years in the league, Mariano Rivera has been the epitome of that guy – 513 saves verses 27 blown saves.  As belittled as Brad Lidge has been, in his 7 years in the league, he has 185 saves and 33 blown saves, but what is most important is that he had 41 saves verses ZERO  blown saves for the Phillie’s last year in their Championship run.  Closers make a huge difference.

Which brings me to to Jon Broxton.  In his 4 years in the league, he has 43 saves and has blown 23 saves, including his 4th blown save of the year.  THINK ABOUT IT – In his career, Broxton blows a save for about every 2 saves he gets. That is totally unacceptable, and something that will lead to an early demise in the playoffs if it continues, which is why we may see more of Sherrill in that role.   Those 4 games that Broxton has blown are 4 games where were were ahead, had taken the lead and had defeat snatched from the jaws of victory.  It’s demoralizing, is what it is! 

• I failed to see the logic of bringing in Kuo when Bills left the game.  James McDonald would have been a much better choice, if only for the reason that Kuo shouldn’t pitch in back-to-back games.
• Yes, Kuo gave up 2 runs and Tronscoso and Elbert got torched, but make no mistake – Jon Broxton blew this game for us.  Yes, a fan ran onto the field and may have distracted him.  Maybe the fan distracted the hitters too.  NO EXCUSES!  A closer has to be tough and Broxton ain’t!  Bills and Broxton both have to get tougher if we are to win this thing.  We need them both to step it up in the clutch.  Change your thinking, change your life.  Andre did!
• Have we seen the last of Jason Schmidt?  It seems like he may have had enough.  He can=me back.  He gave it his best.  Now he rides off into the sunset.  His locker was cleaned out, indicating that he wants to quit or was forced out by the Dodgers.
• Casey Blake continues to roll..  Mighty Casey stuck to the script, Broxton blew his lines!
• I think James Loney should sit today and let Abreu play 3B with Blake going to 1B, even though there is a RH going today.  James is pressing.
• The pen needs a long outing by Clayton today.  Our ace needs to step up.
• Don’t look now, but Martin is up to .271!
• Charlie Haeger left the ALBQ game after 4 excellent innings… what do you make of that?
• First-round pick Aaron Miller allowed three hits and struck out six over five innings Friday as the Great Lakes Loons blanked West Michigan, 3-0. The 36th overall selection in this year’s Draft is 1-0 with a 1.13 ERA in two Midwest League starts.
• Kyle Russell has 24 HR at Great Lakes but also has 143 K’s, which means he strikes out once every 2.7 AB’s!
• Elbert can probably still start Sunday if Joe wants because he only threw 13 pitches in the game.  It’s like a bullpen session, but who knows?  Stults or Haegar or Weaver may get the call…

P.S.  I predicted the Tony Abreu callup two days before it happened.  Get it here first, Folks.  Extra, Extra, Read all abaout it!  We make up the news before it happens!

REMINDER:

This website is for died-in-the-wool Dodger fans who realize that while statistics are important, they are just another tool and know that humans, not numbers, play the game of baseball. To that end, we do not live and die by sabermetrics or statistical analysis.

We are civil to one another and do not talk politics and religion. Cursing and derogatory language are not permitted. Show respect to one another and let’s root for the Dodgers.

Here are a few rules we observe here:

1) Do not use profanity or any euphemisms for profanity;
2) Do not personally attack other commenters;
3) Do not bait other commenters;
4) Do not argue for the sake of arguing; and
5) Do not discuss politics or religion.

Now I am adding a 6th – Post only under your own name or nickname or moniker.  Several people (more than 6) are posting under multiple names and unless you can provide me with a doctor’s excuse that you have multiple-personality disorder, please refrain from posting under other names.  Our software will soon block those typoes of posts.

I confess – I posted a couple of times under the name Orel Sax.  Anyone want that name?

It’s been a while, but unless you havn’t checked, Tony Abreu is back… with a vengence!

Tony Abreu

What is a player who is switch-hitter, can play all the infield positions (shoot, probably all the outfield positions), has decent power and above average speed, worth?

Tony Abreu (former TOP 5 Dodger Prospect) is back and better than ever.  He has 148 AB’s at ALBQ and here’s his stats:

• .988 OPS
• .342 BA
• .377 OB%
• .612 Slugging
• 8 HR
• 34 RBI
• 13 Doubles
• 3 for 4 in SB

Yeah, Mark Loretta is a good teammate, but put him on the DL for a hangnail and call up Abreu who can pinch hit from either side of the plate.  A couple of years ago, Dodger Brass thought that Abreu was “jaking” it.  Two or three surgeries later, the doctors fixed his groin problem.  He WAS injured.  He’s back and he’s a hitter.  Can you keep him down long?   This Guy Is A Stone-Cold Hitter!

Question of the day?

What to do with Jason Schmidt?  His control is poor (it has been in every game) and it is painful to watch him pitch.  It would have been a nice story, but I really don’t see him being effective.  Now, we only scored 1 run lat night, so it wasn’t his fault we lost.  We average 5+ runs a game.  If we score our average, we win.  Instead gets a leadoff HR and we only can manage 4 hits after that.  Wade, Belisario and Lindblom are all ready.  What do we do with Jason Schmidt?  How about Jeff Weaver?

Manny & Prince - Gus Ruelas / Associated Press

Chad Billingsley was roundly criticized last year in the playoffs against the Phillies for failing to hit a  batter after manny had been hit.  I can see the logic, but do you really want your starter ejected in that situation?  Maybe, maybe not, but someone does have to hit their guy at some point.   Russ Martin said it best:  “It’s protection.  It’s just about keeping the team unified and pulling the wagons together.”  The Dodgers are simply send a message that they won’t play SOFT when it comes to hitting their guys.

Manny was plunked in the 7th inning, but the Dodgers waited until the 9th inning to drill Prince Fielder, and Mota hit him in the thigh, so what’s the problem?  I can see wanting to fight if you are hit in the head, but Prince should know this is the way you play the game.  You hit our best hitter, we hit yours!  It’s that simple!  Fielder was lucky he didn’t get into the Dodgers clubhouse, because the Dodgers would have beat the crap out of him!   I don’t care how big he is.  That’s felony stupid! 

Look for some more bad blood tonight as Jason Schmidt goes for the Dodgers (hold your breath – you never know how he will do).   If the Brewers brush our guys back or hit anyone tonight, we have to retailiate RIGHT AWAY, especially with Schmidt on the mound.  A good fight can galvanize a team and I’m still waiting for Joe Torre and Larry Bowa to get ejected.

RANTS & RAVES:

• Albert Pujols is 7-9 with the bases loaded this year with 5 Grand Slams.  WOW!
• Matt Kemp is now hitting .323 (tied for 4th in the NL) and is tied for the team lead in RBI’s with 69.  I think he has demonstrated he is a middle-of-the-order hitter.  Just imagine what he will be in a year or two – can you say MVP?
• Andre Ethier is thriving hitting ahead of Manny as most of us said he would.
• 17-4 – Don’t get too excited – it’s only 1 game!
• Matt Kemp has been our most consistet player and I would argue, our MVP this year.  He has hit over .300 every month except one and that was .292 in May.  Last year he struck out every 3.96 AB, this year he’s at 4.4. 
• Dodger OPS Leaders:  Manny 1.034, Kemp .893, Ethier  .873, Blake .839, Loney .762, Martin .710
• Still the best record in baseball.
• The Dodgers are 1st in the NL in batting, 2nd in runs scored, 2nd in ERA and 2nd in Fielding.  They are solid top-to-bottom.
• Kuroda seems to be getting a little better every start.
• As bad as Russ Martin has been this year, his OB% is .377 and he is 2nd in Runs Scored by Catchers (trailing only Joe Mauer).

Dear Joe,

First of all, I respect your record and the air of professionalism you bring to the Dodgers.  I know we have the best record in baseball and the players like you.  I just have a laundry list of things I want you to consider:

1. Don’t bring Mota in with runners on base.  He’ll always let them score.   Bring him in to start an inning and he’s good for two innings.
2. Of all the great managers who have managed around 3,000 games, you have the lowest percentage of being ejected – 59 times in your career, but I can’t remember the last time.  Yes, I know you are laid back.  I know you are prepared.  I know you are not a screamer, but when your players get some bad calls (like that double taken from Ethier), I think you just need  to “go off” on an umpire to let them know you will defend your players and most importantly, show the players you have their back.  You can apologize to the Ump after the game and tell them you were just doing it for your “boys.”  Get kicked out of a couple of games soon, OK?
3. Oh, and while you are at it, have Larry get kicked out a few times.  He won’t have any problems with that.  He knows what to do (maybe he can give you some free lessons). Get some fire going!
4. You need to have a talk with Casey Blake who hurt his wrist lifting weights after a game.  He should be hoisting beers, not weights after a game.  Evidently they don’t raise them right in Iowa.  Teach him what to do.
5. Rotate a pitcher back to AAA every other day and brin g a new one up, so you’ll have fresh meat available in the pen.  So, rotate Kuo, Belisario, Wade and Lindbllom every other day.  It’s really simple…
6. Would you have someone beat Russ Martin over the head with a bat everytime he tries to pull the ball?  I meant it!
7. Oh, and move Matt Kemp up in the lineup!

DODGER NOTES:

• Belisario is on a rehab assignment to IE.
• Corey Wade was optioned to AAA after his rehab was over.
• Josh Lindblom pitched one shutout inning at ALBQ and now has a 2.75 ERA there.
• Matt Kemp is becoming out best clutch hitter.  I mean CLUTCH!
• Elbert looks like he will be useful.
• Jason Schmidt does it all.  You cannot stop him, you can only hope to contain him.
• Ethier, Kemp and Loney all with 3 hits – NICE!  Martin with 2. 
• Milwaukee comes to town tonight – King Clayton goes for LA.
• Dylan Hernandez of The LA Times:

Martin said dropping three games to St. Louis at the start of the trip opened the Dodgers’ eyes. “It made us realize what type of team we’re going to have to beat in October,” Martin said. “Both of these teams were tough, but St. Louis was tough. They don’t give anything away, they pitch well, they play good defense. They’re in the back of our minds, I’m sure.”

 

Oh, and play nice today!

After his last start I had relegated him to the scrap heap and if anyone says that they thought Jason Schmidt would pitch 6 innings of 1 hit baseball last night, they are either lying or delusional!  But, he did it  and I couldn’t be happier – maybe that’s a tear in my eye.  If anyone deserves it, it Jason who has worked so hard to get back.  Maybe he can build on this and be even better…  He didn’t have great control (never has), but he was effectively wild (always was) and make the big pitch when he needed it.  Schmidt is a “fly-ball pitcher” (2 ground Read the full story

We didn’t get Cliff Lee or Roy Halladay, or for that matter Jared Washborn, but we did get George Sherrill.  Big deal you say?   I am going to suggest that it is bigger than the Phils getting Cliff Lee – here’s why:  The Phillies are heavily left-handed and another solid lefthander on our pen, who can also close, IS HUGE!   In a playoff game, Randy Wolf will be in the pen and lefties might as well leave their bats on the bench when he’s pitching.  Kuo and maybe Elbert will also be in gthe pen, so we are in a position to handcuff the Phillies LH hitters. Read the full story

• Clayton Kershaw was 7th in innings pitched in all of major league baseball and 1st in ERA for the month of July.  Spin it how you want – that’s pretty impressive!
• The Dodgers are not as good as you think.
• The Dodgers are not as bad as you think.
• The Dodgers would be better if they had Kemp-Manny-Ethier back-to-back-to-back. Read the full story

Does anybody still think Billingsley can’t step up in a big game?  He stepped up big time, and then when he failed to get a call on Pujols (WHICH WAS A STRIKE AND BOTH CARDINAL ANNOUNCERS SAID SO), he lost concentration.  That is not good by any measure, and Chad has to be able to overcome that, but for a kid who celebrates his 25th birthday today, he’s pretty good – he just sometimes chokes in the clutch.  Not the first guy and it doesn’t have to be a continual thing.  He just needs to build on some successes.  Everyone is blaming him, and rightfully so, but I do not believe Chad should have been in that position. Read the full story

The Dodgers had 11 hits but, 1 for 9 with runners in scoring position coupled with 4 twin-killings doomed the dodgers.  We hit, but not when we needed to.  Wasted opportunities was the games’ byline, and finally it was sad to see the wasted opportunity that was James McDonald.   After James McDonald was re-called from AAA on June 20th, Joe Torre refused to use him but on occasion.  He pitched 3 innings in June and so far has 8 innings in July.   When James came up last September he was full of confidence and showed how effective he can Read the full story

• … some days the bear gets you!  The bear got us yesterday, but I see it as no big deal.  It’s just another game, and we just need to get them tomorrow.  Move on…
• Jason Schmit was lucky his first start – he’s toast.  It was a valiant effort to come back and his son got to see him pitch, but it’s over and you know it, Jason.  What could have been…
• Jason should retire today! Read the full story

Ned Colletti and company play their cards pretty close to the vest, so usually when the Dodgers make a trade it comes out of nowhere!   Boom!  Here’s the trade… Read the full story