Self Editor

Forum: base
Page 18708
Subject: Dodger Talk XI

Posted by: Razor - [36241218] Tue, May 30, 2006, 10:44

New thread time...

After finally cooling off against red hot Washington, the Dodgers picked up where they left off by thrashing Atlanta 12-5.

In a surprise move, the Dodgers called up OF Matt Kemp straight from Double A Jax. This is especially surprising considering Delwyn Young and Jöel Guzman are both outfielders in Vegas who were thought to be on the verge of the big leagues. Kemp's had some "interesting" moments so far at the plate and in the field, but he's also flashed some excellent athleticism and potential.

The other important call-up happening this week will be that of Eric Gagne. He has looke fairly strong in his rehab stints in Vegas. I wouldn't expect him to start closing right away, but should everything go as planned, he could be the closer again within a few weeks. Adding that caliber of arm to the pen is a huge boost to the Dodgers. Baez, Saito and Broxton should split the 7th and 8th inning duties if and when Gagne becomes the closer again.

Kyle
ID: 261371521
Fri, Jun 02, 2006, 02:10

Can a knowledgable Dodger fan explain this move to me? Gagne is fresh off the DL and you are up 7-0 going into the ninth. Would this not be a good tune up for him since it's been awhile since he pitched? Call me crazy but I'd like to see what a guy has once he gets off the DL before I throw him right into the heat of battle. Let the man get his feet wet before you throw him in the pool. Clearly whoever this Hamulack was pitching didn't have his stuff going. That's just my opinion.

J
ID: 13443921
Fri, Jun 02, 2006, 08:02

I think he's dealing with a 2gm suspension

biliruben
Leader
ID: 589301110
Fri, Jun 02, 2006, 08:12

He was warming up. If Hamu-lacked a bit more (one or two more baserunners would have made it a save sitch), we would have seen him.

Tues, Wed were his suspension days.

Razor
ID: 323142521
Sat, Jun 03, 2006, 11:21

Awesome to see the Big Quebecois back in action.

I like the prospects, but this is a bit more prospect love than I'd have liked to have seen this early in the season. We've got 8 rookies on the 25 man roster, and our entire OF seems to be rookies (Ethier, Kemp and Guzman). Exciting to get a look at these kids, but I'm not sure they're all Major Leaguers yet.

smallwhirled
ID: 43338280
Sat, Jun 03, 2006, 12:49

Did anyone watch Gagne's inning last night? How was his velocity?

Razor
ID: 323142521
Sun, Jun 04, 2006, 13:00

94 mph.

smallwhirled
ID: 43338280
Sun, Jun 04, 2006, 13:18

thanks Razor, good enough for me.

Razor
ID: 323142521
Tue, Jun 06, 2006, 22:28

Nomar is the friggin' truth, I tell ya. In about 5 more games (when he finally qualifies for the batting title), he will be leading the league in batting average, 6th in OBP and 2nd in SLG. Man, he's looking as good as at any point in his career.

Razor
ID: 323142521
Wed, Jun 07, 2006, 01:26

Gagne K's Wright and Delgado in a 1-2-3 9th for his first save of the year. Kemp blasts his 4th HR, off of Pedro no less, in 10 games in the Majors. Every Dodger in the lineup got a hit and four drew walks. That's balance we haven't had in a long time.

Doug
Leader
ID: 02730280
Wed, Jun 07, 2006, 01:58

I saw Kemp in action on Saturday afternoon... he's exciting to watch. For a guy his size, he can seriously MOVE. And between pitches, just before he hit his 2-run blast to center, I leaned over to my buddy and said "I just got this weird feeling he's going to hit a home run on the next pitch." I don't believe in ESP or any of that crap, but it was kind of funny to think I 'sensed' it. =-) But, you could have a buddy shuffle a deck of cards and draw one and guess what it is about 2% of the time, so I don't read too much into my premonition. It did add to my burgeoning Kemp fever though.

We were joking about him a Chuck-Norris-ish manner all game long... "Kempzilla could straddle the plate and 'take a pitch' without even flinching"... "Kempzilla could roar at a strike on it's way to the plate and make it a ball"... and we'd let out loud mutated roars whenever he came up to the plate. Good afternoon. Lots of fun. It was a friggin' hot day though... although I of course blamed the heat on Kempzilla's fiery breath.

Razor
ID: 54551616
Wed, Jun 07, 2006, 09:20

You know Kemp goes about 7'2", 480 lbs. Good speed for a man of his size.

Doug
Leader
ID: 02730280
Wed, Jun 07, 2006, 12:47

Actually he's 7'1"... 7'6" with the afro...

Which reminds me that I haven't seen Fletch in years... I think I hear Netflix calling...

Razor
ID: 323142521
Sun, Jun 11, 2006, 16:12

Matt Kemp is this year's Jeff Francoeur. 2 homers on the day raising his yearly total to 6 in just 40 AB's. Grady Little is convinced Kemp is going to be a star within the next couple of years. The Rockies announcers love him too. I'm sure the league will soon figure out not to throw him any fastballs, but he'll make the proper adjustments eventually. This kid's makeup is excellent.

Razor
ID: 47525714
Mon, Jun 12, 2006, 10:54

First place, baby!

Billinglsey could get the call as soon as this Thursday. Seo, Tomko and Perez have been pretty much awful lately, so I see no harm in giving the kid a shot. He's ready. Billingsley, Miller and LaRoche are the only guys left on the farm anywhere close to ready that haven't seen the Majors yet. LaRoche, after a really slow start to the season where it looked like Kemp had blown by him as a prospect, is cooking now. Southern League rankings: 1st in RBI, 1st in runs, 1st in BB, 2nd in OBP, 4th in AVG, 10th in SLG. He should get bumped up to Vegas in the next month or so, giving us ample depth at the corner IF spots. Thank God for Logan White.

Ref
Donor
ID: 539581218
Mon, Jun 12, 2006, 17:03

Reading the scouting reports on Kemp is hilarious. Saying he can only hit fast balls, yet the pitchers must keep throwing fast balls as he keeps turning the balls around with power. That was the reason Kemp was apparently in AA as he can't hit curves, etc. Wonder how long this will last?

Razor
ID: 47525714
Mon, Jun 12, 2006, 17:27

Well, he's only leading the Majors in homers in the month of June. I remember watching Miguel Cabrera as a 20 year old in his second month in the league come to bat against Kevin Brown. Brown was pitching at a Cy Young level that season, but Cabrera took Brown out to the opposite field. It was at the moment that I knew Cabrera was going to be a star. I think Kemp had that moment the other day when he muscled out an inside fastball from Pedro. Not sure how long it'll last, but I think Kemp is here to stay. Martin too. Both have looked like Major Leaguers since they set in Dodger Stadium. Guzman looks raw, but he's about the only one.

Razor
ID: 323142521
Mon, Jun 12, 2006, 23:58

LaRoche got called up to Vegas today and hit a HR in his first AB. With Guzman, Martin, Broxton, Kuo, Ethier, Repko and Kemp in the Majors, it's scary to think that the Dodgers still have three or four near MLB-ready in AAA right now in Billingsley, Loney, LaRoche and Greg Miller.

Species
Leader
ID: 07724916
Tue, Jun 13, 2006, 00:30

And to think Kemp was 96th in Baseball America's Top 100 Prospects in March.

Ref
Donor
ID: 539581218
Tue, Jun 13, 2006, 17:02

Read where Kemp is finally laying off the curve balls away--his nemesis in the minors. Stillw ant to see how he does with curves in the zone.

Razor
ID: 47525714
Wed, Jun 14, 2006, 10:41

Well, I think it's official. Billingsley is going to make his MLB debut either tomorrow night or Friday night per Little's comments after last night's game. Guzman is getting sent down to make room.

Izturis is also slated to be called up next week. Little announced that he will be a backup to Furcal and Kent at SS and 2B and will not be asked to play 3B as of yet. Personally, I think Furcal has been one of the worst signings of the offseason so far. I know it's a lot to expect Izturis to come back healthy and able to play at the level he was playing at before, but Furcal is not hitting at a level that comes anywhere near justifying throwing $13 mil at him to block a returning Gold Glover. His defense has also been reprehensible.

Razor
ID: 47525714
Wed, Jun 14, 2006, 14:38

It's official. Billingsley to the bigs Thursday against San Diego. I'm excited. Pairing him back up with Russell Martin, whose caught dozens of his games over the past three years, will help ease the transition. Look for Billingsley to sit between 92 and 94 mph topping out around 97 mph. He also has a big time slider and a developing changeup.

Ref
Donor
ID: 539581218
Wed, Jun 14, 2006, 18:42

They won't do this, but just htink about it...Kent to 1B, Nomar to 3B, Izzy to 2B. They all have played there before and Izzy and Furcla coule evel flip-flop later if need be--esp since Izzy is a much better defensive specialist. I know Kent doesn't like 1B much but oh well.

ShortTandemRepeat
ID: 324133111
Thu, Jun 15, 2006, 08:35

Great idea, Ref. Too bad we probably could not retain Nomar next year, since he is going to be expensive and there are so many young kids (LaRoche, Guzman, Loney..) waiting in the line. What if we could get rid of Furcal and play Nomar at SS.....

On a side note, we should've learned this: Never sign a pitcher named "Perez" to a lucrative contract. First Carlos, now Odalis....Of course, the guy signed Odalis was probably in high school when Carlos was signed back in 90s.

Razor
ID: 47525714
Thu, Jun 15, 2006, 10:36

I'm excited to see Billingsley start, and it's becoming apparent that Kemp should never see the bench. Still, we've got some big time problems. For one, unless Billinsgley steps up, our 4th and 5th starters are pure garbage. Second, Lofton cannot play CF anymore. Lastly, and possibly most importantly, we all knew Furcal was overpaid, but no by this much. He hasn't even been worth $3 million of the $13 million he's getting this year. What's worse is that he's untradeable because the contract is backloaded. Same goes for Odalis.

Species
Leader
ID: 07724916
Thu, Jun 15, 2006, 11:20

What you guys ought to be enjoying though is the fact that you will be contending with a nice mix of vets (Kent, Lofton, Nomar, Lowe etc) while incorporating effective young players (Martin, Kemp, Broxton, Kuo and now Billingsley) in a very harmonious way. You're more than good enough to contend, and as the youngsters get better it only becomes that much easier.

Furcal had a phenomenal 2nd half last year. He'll be okay. Okay maybe not worth $13M.....but c'est la vie.

biliruben
Leader
ID: 589301110
Thu, Jun 15, 2006, 16:52

Chad helping himself out with a couple rbis.

Got plunked by Young earlier. Welcome to the majors!

Species
Leader
ID: 07724916
Thu, Jun 15, 2006, 17:00

I wish I could be watching him pitch. Only 2 hits and 1 walk through 4 scoreless. Nice.

Razor
ID: 47525714
Thu, Jun 15, 2006, 17:42

All in all, almost exactly what I predicted on another board for his 1st big league start. He wasn't going to go deep into the game because he isn't efficient with his pitches yet, but he wasn't hit hard. Not the longest start, but we'll take 5 1/3 IP of 2 ER ball everyday of the week over the garbage we've been getting from Seo, Tomko and Perez.

Species
Leader
ID: 07724916
Mon, Jun 19, 2006, 15:47

Ouch.

The Dodgers lost third baseman Andy LaRoche on Friday night after he sustained a slight labrum tear in his right shoulder. LaRoche, 22, heard a pop and felt a sharp burst of pain in his shoulder after he made a diving stop on a ground ball and threw to first base from his knees, according to the Los Angeles Daily News.

LaRoche, who signed for a $1 million bonus after being a 39th-round pick in 2003, had an MRI and was examined on Saturday. The club plans on giving LaRoche 10 days rest before re-examining him to determine if surgery is necessary.

LaRoche started the year at Double-A Jacksonville, where he batted .309/.419/.483 in 230 at-bats before being promoted to Triple-A Las Vegas last week.

Razor
ID: 47525714
Mon, Jun 19, 2006, 17:45

I hope the Dodgers will hold him out for the rest of the season if it is a serious tear. I expect the Dodgers will run him out there prematurely only to have it become a full blown tear. Labrum tears are serious business, and it's unfortunate that it had to happen to such a fine prospect. After a slow start, LaRoche was rounding into form as one of the top prospects in the game and was likely going to be the Opening Day starter in 2007. Still could be if the injury is not too severe.

Species
Leader
ID: 07724916
Mon, Jun 19, 2006, 18:02

Obviously more info to come. The above was from Baseball America's "Weekend Dish"

Species
Leader
ID: 07724916
Wed, Jun 21, 2006, 17:03

Interesting Kemp comment in today's Baseball America chat:

brian (san leandro,ca): which of the dodger call ups to the majors would you project as future stars?

John Manuel: So many of them have a chance to be, that's what's amazing about them, and why Jacksonville made a cover for us last year with Billingsley, R. Martin and the third tenor (I honestly forget who the third player was, though I think it was Andy LaRoche). Billingsley is the No. 1 guy for me. Martin is a stud, so hard to find athletic catchers who are average or better both offensively and defensively.

Logan White warned us two years ago Kemp had as high a ceiling as anyone in the organization, and honestly we under-sold him some. Personally, I looked too much at his stats; he hit most of his homers at home last year (22 of 27), and he didn't control the strike zone in the minors. I should have known better, that he just has well-above-tools and extreme athleticism. I should just listen to Logan.

Ref
Donor
ID: 539581218
Thu, Jun 22, 2006, 13:08

Izturis will start tonight at 3B. Makes little sense but oh well. At least he's in the lineup.

Razor
ID: 47525714
Fri, Jun 23, 2006, 09:51

Ya, I was disappointed that Aybar got shipped down. He deserved to stay up, but I guess we needed the help in the pen more than we needed an extra bat. It is embarrasing that one of the best defenders in the league is having to play out of position while Furcal stinks it up at SS, but I guess that's what happens when you throw around $39 million.

Izturis' numbers in Vegas were pretty terrible, but he's 4 for 5 so far. Not bad. Lowe had a strong performance last night in a game we really needed. We need to get back to pitching respectably again.

ShortTandemRepeat
ID: 28351810
Mon, Jun 26, 2006, 11:42

From today's LA Times:

"With Nomar Garciaparra at first base, Martinez at second, Furcal at shortstop and Izturis at third, the Dodgers essentially had shortstops playing the four infield positions."

Interesting...

biliruben
Leader
ID: 589301110
Mon, Jun 26, 2006, 11:45

I was thinking about that as well. The most athletic players generally are SS, so I guess this isn't so surprising.

Now we just need to get Jeter for catcher.

Ref
Donor
ID: 539581218
Mon, Jun 26, 2006, 11:47

I don't know what LA is going to do in the OF when the two hurt OFs come back. They already have a glut there now and gave Ross away already.

biliruben
Leader
ID: 589301110
Mon, Jun 26, 2006, 11:51

Trade or cut cruz, I hope.

Species
Leader
ID: 07724916
Mon, Jun 26, 2006, 14:33

Good news....

The Dodgers received good news over the weekend as third baseman Andy LaRoche will not require surgery on his throwing shoulder. LaRoche injured his shoulder when he made a diving stop on a play and threw from his knees in a game last weekend. The initial diagnosis was a slightly torn labrum, but the club put him on a throwing program after sitting him for 10 days. "He threw Saturday and he threw today and feels OK," Dodgers scouting director Logan White said on Sunday. "It's just now where he's throwing with no pain, though he hasn't really aired it out yet. So we'll see, but we're pleased with the way he's responded." LaRoche has been hitting off a tee and took some live batting practice over the weekend while the team was in Tucson. Since being called up from Double-A Jacksonville, LaRoche batted .333 with a pair of homers in just four games with Triple-A Las Vegas

Razor
ID: 47525714
Mon, Jun 26, 2006, 14:55

I'm not holding my breath of LaRoche. Labrum injuries are serious, and the Dodgers' training and medical staff has shown itself to be thoroughly incompetent.

The outfield glut is pretty bad, but a good problem to have at the moment. Cruz kills lefties, Lofton provides speed and Kemp, Drew and Ethier have hit well all around this year. I doubt Werth will ever be back. Repko and Ledee are not scheduled to be back anytime soon. I bet they won't be back in the Majors until September. It looks like Mueller is done for the year, so Izturis coming back up is just what the doctor ordered. Ideally, we'd like to move Furcal to another team, Izturis to SS and bring back Aybar, but I don't think that's going to happen.

Dodgers throw Billingsley tonight and face Liriano and Santana in games 2 & 3. Ouch.

Ref
Donor
ID: 539581218
Mon, Jun 26, 2006, 15:09

According to the LA Times, Repko is expected to be activated around the All-Star break. Ledee is still a few weeks away. Weeks, not months. My guess is that they both will be back within the month. That's sooner and not later and July not Spetember. Mueller is done.

J
ID: 13443921
Tue, Jun 27, 2006, 19:02

The Tampa Bay Devil Rays traded pitcher Mark Hendrickson and catcher Toby Hall to the first-place Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday for pitcher Jae Seo, catcher Dioner Navarro and a player to be named.

advantage...Devil Rays (imo)

Razor
ID: 323142521
Tue, Jun 27, 2006, 20:54

We've gotten hosed in two Jae Seo deals now.

It's not even 1/3 of the way through the 2nd game in this series, and we've already been swept. No way Liriano blows a 6 run lead and tomorrow we face the only pitcher in the AL that might be better than Liriano in Johan Santana. I hope the Twins make the playoffs so I can watch these two cut through offenses like butter.

Ref
Donor
ID: 539581218
Tue, Jun 27, 2006, 21:02

Thats been in the works for a few days and it's a big advantage for TB.

biliruben
Leader
ID: 589301110
Tue, Jun 27, 2006, 21:10

I don't get it. Toby Hall has removed all doubt that he sucks. Ditto Hendrickson Though he's improved his control a bit this year, there is no reason to think it's a turn-around at age 32.

Both Navarro and Seo, on the other hand, are young and still have upside. In their limited time in the bigs they haven't performed yet, but that doesn't mean they won't.

I just can't fathom the thinking. Young with upside and a PTBL for old sucky. Stoooooopud.

Perm Dude
ID: 58532278
Tue, Jun 27, 2006, 21:14

Hendrickson is better than you might think, coming from Tampa. But he's got maybe 4 more years in him. Hall is an excellent catcher but (at best) a .250 hitter. I can't see him doing better playing half his games in LA.

I saw Seo a few times last year when he pitched for the Mets, and can say that I was very impressed with him. I certainly can't explain the downturn in LA, but he has more upside than Hendrickson.

Razor
ID: 323142521
Tue, Jun 27, 2006, 21:18

Mauer has screwed me in two sports now. First, he shunned my Seminoles by signing with the Twins despite being the #1 QB in the nation coming out of high school. Now, he's killing the Dodgers in a baseball uniform.

biliruben
Leader
ID: 589301110
Wed, Jun 28, 2006, 13:36

Way to make sure we have no hope of avoiding the sweep Odalis, you piece of refuse.

Razor
ID: 47525714
Wed, Jun 28, 2006, 14:06

We lost our chance of not getting swept by losing the first game. Santana and Liriano is the filthiest pair of lefties I can ever remember seeing.

Ref
Donor
ID: 539581218
Thu, Jun 29, 2006, 15:34

According to the LA Times, Gagne could be out several more weeks.

Razor
ID: 47525714
Thu, Jun 29, 2006, 16:20

I'm not anticipating ever seeing Gagne on the mound again for LA, unless it's at a heavily discounted rate. His arm problem looks pretty severe.

Ref
Donor
ID: 539581218
Sat, Jul 08, 2006, 19:05

LOS ANGELES -- Dodgers closer Eric Gagne underwent surgery Saturday to repair a herniated disc in his lower back and is expected to be sidelined for the rest of the season.

The operation was performed by Dr. Robert Watkins at St. Vincent Medical Center. Watkins said following the surgery that Gagne would be up and walking around for a limited time Saturday afternoon. He is expected to remain hospitalized through the weekend.

Gagne, the 2003 NL Cy Young Award winner, woke up with back pain Tuesday and received an epidural injection along with a nerve block. But they didn't produce the desired results.

The Dodgers said the injury wasn't baseball related. Gagne has been on the disabled list for over a month with elbow problems that have limited him to 16 appearances since the beginning of last season. He underwent surgery on April 7 to remove a nerve from his pitching elbow -- the same elbow that required Tommy John surgery in 1997.

Gagne, a three-time NL All-Star, missed the first 51 games of the season and made only two appearances after that. The most recent was on June 6 against the New York Mets, when he struck out two in a perfect ninth to earn his 161st career save.

Gagne holds the major league record of 84 consecutive saves. He had a club-record 55 saves and a 1.20 ERA in 2003.

The 30-year-old right-hander is expected to be ready for the start of spring training.

Kyle
ID: 261371521
Wed, Jul 19, 2006, 01:25

Sorry to beat a dead horse. Billingsley gets his first career win.

Razor
ID: 47525714
Wed, Jul 19, 2006, 10:42

Billingsley looked good doing it throwing 7 shutout innings while constantly attacking hitters. Afterwards, he said in his previous starts, he was giving hitters too much credit and was not trusting his stuff. Hopefully this start is a sign of things to come. If Billingsley can become a somewhat reliable starter, it really changes things for us.

Dodgers had been beaten 5 games in a row until last night's breakthrough. The pitching has been respectable lately, but the hitting has disappeared. Kent is on the DL and Aybar is back up. I think we should be playing Izturis at 2B in Kent's absence.

Ref
Donor
ID: 539581218
Wed, Jul 19, 2006, 12:28

Izzy will move to 2nd and Aybar to 3rd. I've been tellin gyou that Kemp's hitting would disappear as soon as people started reading the scouting reports on hin. He should prob go down to AAA seing as he's never even been there before.

LA is also one of the 4 or 5 teams in the running for Soriano--though I haven't read who LA is willing to part with. I know Seattle, Angels and Detroit are also in the running. Apparently the NY teams are no longer in the mix, but oh how things could change quickly.

Kyle
ID: 261371521
Wed, Jul 19, 2006, 13:48

Not to change this into Yanks chat but with the OF hurt and Cano hurt the Yanks could use Soriano, but they need pitching and young pitching.

biliruben
Leader
ID: 589301110
Tue, Jul 25, 2006, 19:08

Look out Giants!

We've got the Giant killer! Presenting, er.. um..., Elmer. He can swat 7 with 1 blow.

Razor
ID: 323142521
Sat, Jul 29, 2006, 12:19

Dumping Perez on KC for Dessen was an excellent move. We save $3+ million as well as replace a dead roster spot with someone who can at least be serviceable. Dessens has been solid for us before.

I like the move to acquire Betemit as well. Baez needed to be moved as he has no place on our club, and we got a far more advanced version of Willy Aybar in return. Betemit will fill the hole at 3B nicely this year and possibly next year. He could take over for Jeff Kent should the need arise via injury or retirement. With Andy LaRoche in AAA and hitting well, we've got a 3B waiting in the wings if Betemit needs to slide over to middle infield.

I like what Colletti has done so far. Trimming a lot of dead weight while not worsening the team for this year or next. In fact, I think he's bettered the team for this year and next. His job will be complete if he can move Izturis and one of the superfulous veteran outfielders like Ledee or Lofton. We need to clear room for Ethier to play everyday and prepare for Kemp to eventually get called back up.

Speaking of call ups, J-Lo is back on the big club. After years of injuries and disappointing seasons, Loney has erupted this season in Vegas to pace the minors with a .375 average. Vegas and the PCL favor hitters big time, but .375 is no slouch anywhere. With Nomar still hurt, I like the move a lot. He showed good discipline in his first call up early this year, but couldn't get the bat on the ball. I expect that to change this time around. Loney's presence may allow us to pass on re-signing Nomar. As a result, this call up, will probably tell us which direction we're going to go with the re-signing. If Loney performs well, Nomar will probably be gone.

Doug
ID: 36613115
Mon, Jul 31, 2006, 16:24

Wow... Izzy for a 40-year old... I guess we're really trying to make the playoffs this year!

biliruben
Leader
ID: 589301110
Mon, Jul 31, 2006, 18:38

That's f'n horrible.

What the hell is wrong with Colletti.

Lugo? You gave what for who? Oh, just our best position prospect. Idiot.

Greg "my arm fell off two years ago but noone bothered to tell me" Maddux?

It is getting really hard to root for the Dodgers.

Species
Leader
ID: 07724916
Mon, Jul 31, 2006, 19:41

Don't like the Maddux move much.....although perhaps he can find magic in Chavez Ravine.

But Guzman has fallen a bit out of favor, and most certainly was falling well behind LaRoche and Kemp (amongst others) in the position player prospect list for them. It was expensive no doubt, but he wasn't your best anymore.

biliruben
Leader
ID: 589301110
Mon, Jul 31, 2006, 19:53

Kemp can't hit the curveball. That seems pretty well established, at least so far. LaRoche is pretty good, I'll grant.

Species
Leader
ID: 07724916
Mon, Jul 31, 2006, 19:59

Kemp will be fine. The kid was 21 years old.

I assume you haven't seen his stats in AAA since he was sent down. You'd like them:

14 games, .368 avg, .463 OBP (!!), .614 SLG, 5 SB's, 1 HR and 14 RBI.

In a chat, Baseball America's Jim Callis said that as of July Kemp would rate around #8 in his mid-season Top 25 prospects, behind Lastings Milledge and ahead of Billy Butler.

Oh, and he just missed Baseball America's "Hot Sheet" for the week:

Matt Kemp, of, Dodgers (Triple-A Las Vegas): After a blistering debut, Kemp fizzled when big league pitchers caught up with him. Back in Triple-A, Kemp hasn't missed a beat. The 21-year-old center fielder flashed both power (1.058 slugging percentage) and speed (a Pacific Coast League-leading five stolen bases, two triples) last week.

biliruben
Leader
ID: 589301110
Mon, Jul 31, 2006, 20:02

I have seen them. I also know that anyone with a major-league curve is, well, usually in the major leagues. If that's his weakness it gets exposed when he comes up.

Who knows. Maybe he'll learn to hit a curve. I don't know how teachable that is. I hope it's teachable.

biliruben
Leader
ID: 589301110
Mon, Jul 31, 2006, 20:15

To me, it really seems like he is intentionally trying to sabotage the team.

First get rid of any young talent and replace them with aging "talent". Next gut the farm system. Wait three years, and return to the SF a hero.

Razor
ID: 47525714
Tue, Aug 01, 2006, 10:31

Colletti is an idiot. First, he signed Furcal to a ridiculous deal that is still haunting us. That deal made Izturis, who we all knew was coming back in June, expendable. So he uses that as an excuse to deal him to get Maddux, who hasn't pitched better than any of our starting pitchers over the last three months. But wait! Izturis was needed to fill in at 2B while Kent is on the deal. Oh, we've got prospects, so let's deal one of our great ones for a few weeks of Lugo until Kent gets back, then we'll figure out where to play Lugo. It'll either be in front of the newly acquired Betemit or the white hot Andre Ethier. Colletti seemingly has no plan at all, and there's a priceless quote from him yesterday saying he doesn't look to see what's happening 2 or 3 weeks down the road.

Kemp is the real deal, bili. 21 year olds don't just come up off the farm and drill 7 homers in his first 20 games. He is still very raw, but despite the rawness, he's blasted Double A and Triple A pitching and has Vegas manager Jerry Royster saying he's not learning anything in Vegas he couldn't be learning in the Majors. His average is up to .410 in Vegas. Worst case scenario, he turns into Juan Encarnacion. The best case scenario may not be Pujols, but it's still pretty high.

blue hen
Leader
ID: 710321114
Tue, Aug 01, 2006, 10:35

Anyone seen Ned Coletti's cell phone? It seems to have stopped working.

I believe he doesn't think more than about a week ahead. Like a fantasy player. A bad one.

Do you guys want Pat Gillick?

ShortTandemRepeat
ID: 23552247
Wed, Aug 02, 2006, 06:47

Looking back, we traded Navarro for zero win.
And we gave up Izturis, Guzman, and a low A prospect for two 2-month rentals. That's ridiculous.

Not that we necessarily need these three guys. But I think we could have obtained better players in return, esp. if we trade them later in the upcoming offseason.

I don't like the Furcal's signing, either, considering his hefty contract and poor play. Specifically, I hate to lose Izturis, a classy act and one of the few bright star during the last few miserable Dodger years.

Razor
ID: 47525714
Thu, Aug 03, 2006, 10:30

What an odd team. After losing 13 of 14, and looking especially terrible doing it, the Dodgers have won 5 in a row without the services of two of their best hitters. We've whittled the wild card and division deficits to just 3 games. With the St. Louis looking beatable this year, who knows? Maybe we can make some noise if we make the playoffs. We have three guys in the rotation who have won World Series games. We are scoring runs, but I hope Little does not keep this three-fast-guys-at-the-top lineup when Nomar and Kent return.

Sele is headed to the pen and the rotation will be Penny, Lowe, Maddux, Billingsley, Hendrickson until further notice. Not sure how Sele will pitch out of the pen since he's never done it. Sucks to go from decent starter to mop-up duty, but that's what Colletti wanted. Maddux better be worth it. I have high hopes, despite how terrible he has been lately.

Loney has looked liked the real McCoy in his second call-up. He drew two walks last night and constantly stings the ball when he puts the ball in play. He is making it possible for us to not re-sign Nomar.

KM
ID: 546503019
Thu, Aug 03, 2006, 21:54

As a Giants fan, that 40 year old rental is THROWING A NO HITTER THROUGH 6. That is all.

Ref
Donor
ID: 539581218
Thu, Aug 03, 2006, 23:03

Yeah in a HUGE hitters park that is Cincy too. Rain delay cost him anymore pitches and Beimel gave up a hit.

Razor
ID: 323142521
Thu, Aug 03, 2006, 23:40

Too bad about the rain delay. Condering Maddux has never had a no-hitter despite all the years of utter dominance, it'd have been pretty awesome to see him spin one in his first game as a Dodger.

Arnold likes it. 6 in a row. Who'd have thunk it? 2 games out in the wild card and 3 out in the division. We've gone from being the coldest team in baseball to the hottest. Strange, strange game.

Ref
Donor
ID: 539581218
Sat, Aug 05, 2006, 22:16

How do you lose 8 straight and then immediately win 8 straight?

Razor
ID: 323142521
Sun, Aug 06, 2006, 13:40

Not sure, exactly, but we're back to .500. I thought this season was lost a couple of weeks ago. Now I'm thinking we've got a pretty good shot at the playoffs.

In most years, Ethier, Martin and Saito could each win ROY. Ethier is up to .355 at the moment in 255 AB's. Martin is a strong defensive catcher hitting .302. Saito has been perfect in save opps and sports a 2.38 ERA. We're not going to have a run of 4 or 5 ROY's in a row again because these guys have all come up in the same year. Great crop of youngsters - Ethier, Martin, Broxton, Billingsley, Betemit, Loney, Kemp. They could all be here for a very long time.

Ref
Donor
ID: 539581218
Sun, Aug 06, 2006, 17:39

Actually lost 13 of 14 then win 9 straight. Incredible.

Razor
ID: 47525714
Mon, Aug 07, 2006, 11:24

Incredible indeed. According to Elias, a losing streak of 8 followed immediately by a winning streak of 8+ has only happened five other times in MLB history.

Billingsley has looked a lot better lately. He is still having trouble throwing strikes, but he has shown signs of dominance, allowing only 7 hits over his last 12 innings and finally registered some K's, whiffing 12 over that same time span. Once he finds his control, I think things will start to advance quickly for him. He flashed a devastating slider against the Marlins last time out, getting Miguel Cabrera to strikeout on a wild pitch.

Kent returns to the lineup today and has been told he'll start, sending Lugo either to the bench or to the OF. Lofton is hitting well, but if Lugo could play a competent CF, that would be our best lineup.

Furcal SS
Lugo CF
Nomar 1B
Drew RF
Kent 2B
Ethier LF
Betemit 3B
Martin C

I'd love to see that lineup take the field everyday. It's a deep lineup. If Nomar and Kent come off the DL strong, I see no reason why we can't win the West.

Razor
ID: 47525714
Tue, Aug 08, 2006, 09:29

That's 10, baby! Kent looked really good in his return, knocking in 3 runs with a double and a HR. Lugo at 2B provides us with a signifcant defensive upgrade. I am still interested to see where Lugo is going to play when Nomar bumps Kent back over to 2B. Nomar is slated to return Wednesday.

I think the keys down the stretch are going to be finding power once this hot streak wears off. Also, we need to find a way to get some guys that may be getting tired a little breather. That includes Penny, Saito and Broxton. We can ill afford to have any of those three become ineffective.

Dessens was sent to the DL to make room for Kent. Ledee was placed on waivers and was traded to the Mets. Not sure if we got anything out of it.

Ref
Donor
ID: 539581218
Tue, Aug 08, 2006, 12:20

I didn't know that he was actually traded to the Mets, just that either he was traded to them or stayed put. Since there is no room for him, I'd think they'd work something out that LA got something in return.

Razor
ID: 47525714
Tue, Aug 08, 2006, 12:32

We could just be pleased that they are willing to take on his salary.

Razor
ID: 47525714
Wed, Aug 09, 2006, 10:25

11 baby! Good, gritty win yesterday against the Rockies.

So, who is the Dodgers' Rookie of the Year? The closer with a 2.29 ERA and a K/9 IP over 12, the catcher hitting .300 with a OPS of .830, or the LF hitting .350 with an OPS of .960? Tough call. I'd go with Martin because of his importance on the field and to the team, but perhaps Saito has been the best relative to his peers.

Doug
ID: 40733910
Wed, Aug 09, 2006, 12:39

Maybe they should all 3 be co-rookies-of-the-year... since most years any one of them would win hands down.

Ref
Donor
ID: 539581218
Sun, Aug 13, 2006, 23:05

Martin's walk-off was pretty big. LA with another win. Winning against the NL West is even bigger.

Razor
ID: 47525714
Mon, Aug 14, 2006, 10:54

LA is on as good of a run as I can remember, winning 15 of 16 now. Earlier in the run, we were blowing everyone out, but lately, we've been winning the close ames, only losing the one game because some terrible decisions by Lugo.

I was dead wrong about the Maddux move. He's been brilliant since coming over, and with only 68 pitches through 8 IP yesterday, I think he could've gone 10 or 11 IP if we didn't need the runs. That's one solid start and two tremendous ones from Maddux in three outings. Not bad at all. With Hendrickson and Billingsley pitching dangerously yet effectively, our rotation has settled down nicely. Tomko and Sele in the pen has added much needed depth.

If this streak is going to continue, we're going to need more offense. Furcal has been red hot and Lofton has been doing his job as well. We just need better timely hitting from Nomar, Drew and Kent.

Ref
Donor
ID: 539581218
Mon, Aug 14, 2006, 11:03

Despite how well our record looks recently, I agree that our offense is still not where it should be or even NEEDS to be down the stretch. Maddux has gone from Wrigley to Chavez Ravine and suddenly he looks like he did a few years ago. Schmidt also looked dominant and had some nice D behind him, so can't blame the Dodger bats about that. I'd like to see Lugo in CF and relegate Lofton to the bench where his speed can help us in clutch situations, but we shall see how it works out.

I've had my eye on Saito all season but thought he'd be lost in the shuffle with Gagne and Baez. Saw him work a lot in the Spring and he has impressed all season. LA hasn't been on National TV much at all this year (and deservedly so until now), but perhaps the nation will be able to grasp the talent of the three big rookies and the farm system that LA has finally managed to get back to a top level.

LA has a run like this two years ago and then a few years ago had another one like this. But following a 1-13 streak, this one is even more impressive. I am still in awe of it.

Razor
ID: 47525714
Tue, Aug 15, 2006, 10:09

Actually, a streak of this magnitude hasn't been seen in these parts since 1953 when the team was still in Brooklyn. Winning 16 of 17 is rare indeed.

I agree, Lugo would be best in CF, especially considering how awful Lofton is defensively. That said, there is no indication that Lugo could play there. He is fast, yes, but he's never played there before.

Nomar's homer last night was a good sign. Hopefully he can get back to the same level he was at before. If he hits .330 the rest of the way, I like our chances at making the playoffs. Don't loko now, but we are tied for the second best record in the NL.

Ref
Donor
ID: 539581218
Tue, Aug 15, 2006, 10:22

I don't konw when the last time LA won 16 of 17, but Elias had a list the other day of comparabe streaks that LA had in recent years. I think those were 14 of 15 though.

Ref
Donor
ID: 539581218
Tue, Aug 15, 2006, 12:13

Just read that it was 1953 the last time they went on a 16-1 streak. Don' know where the next benchmark is?!?!

Lugo has started in 4 different positions the past four games, 2b, 3B, RF and now LF.

Razor
ID: 47525714
Tue, Aug 15, 2006, 12:31

Ya, you just read it in my last post. Get with the program, Ref.

Ref
Donor
ID: 539581218
Tue, Aug 15, 2006, 13:40

I was backing you up, Razor!!! I wan't around in 1953, so just reiterating.

Razor
ID: 47525714
Wed, Aug 16, 2006, 11:50

Now we have to turn back the clock 107 years to find a run as spectacular as this one. Best streak since 1899.

Billingsley was terrific last night. The Marlins don't have the most formidable lineup, but he dominated everyone, including Miguel Cabrera, whiffing him twice. His location was great and he was locating his 92 mph fastball and his 86 mph slider all night. He threw in the his 12-6, 75 mph curve every now and then just to mix things up. I think with an extra tick or two on the gun and a better feel for his curve, he could turn in these type of performances pretty often. The kid can pitch and has only allowed 3 ER in his last four starts, going 24 IP and K'ing 24. Way to keep the streak going, Chad.

Razor
ID: 323142521
Wed, Aug 16, 2006, 18:05

Streak's over. Cut Hendrickson.

Ref
Donor
ID: 539581218
Sun, Aug 27, 2006, 10:41

Apparently LA is going to acquire Conine for a mid-level prospect...interesting.

Rendle
Donor
ID: 014815714
Sun, Aug 27, 2006, 17:57

From Rotoworld:

Phillies acquired first baseman-outfielder Jeff
Conine and cash from the Orioles for a player to be named.
Conine will take over as David Dellucci's platoon partner in the outfield and serve as a pinch-hitter. What starts he gets against righties will come in place of the sore-footed Pat Burrell. It's likely that he'll have a little value in NL-only leagues, but that's it. The Orioles will give Kevin Millar and Brandon Fahey more playing time.

Razor
ID: 29732272
Sun, Aug 27, 2006, 19:30

THANK CHRIST.

Ref
Donor
ID: 539581218
Thu, Aug 31, 2006, 11:24

The Dodgers improved to 21-7 in August, matching their highest single-month victory total since the franchise moved west from Brooklyn in 1958.

Razor
ID: 47525714
Thu, Aug 31, 2006, 13:27

It was a great month with a just a little blip in the middle. Now with, presumably, Kemp, Loney, Kuo and others aboard, we should be even stronger. Kemp and Loney are hitting .368 and .380 respectively in Vegas, so they bring some good bats off the bench to The Show.

We do need to find a rest for some of our pitchers. Our bullpen has been badly overworked lately. Saito, Broxton, and Penny definitely need rest. Billingsley's innings need to be limited somehow, either by skipping starts or letting him only go 5-6 IP. With the playoffs looking like a possiblity, we can't have him at 190 IP before he gets there. Too much for his young arm. We should keep him in the 180 IP range including the playoffs.

R9
Leader
ID: 02624472
Tue, Sep 19, 2006, 02:09

Just wow. What a game.

Rendle
ID: 9826411
Tue, Sep 19, 2006, 02:21

That was insane.

biliruben
ID: 535193010
Tue, Sep 19, 2006, 11:34

Incredible.

I'm off to LA next weekend. I've tix for the Padres on Saturday and the Dodgers on Sunday.

Any recs for old-fogey bars and restaurants and parts of town?

100

blue hen
Leader
ID: 710321114
Tue, Sep 19, 2006, 11:50

Yeah, I don't really think there's ever been a game like that. Reminds me of the 1986 NLCS - Mets get 1 in the 14th, Astros get 1 in the 14th. Mets get 3 in the 16th, Astros get 2 in the 16th but can't tie it up.

101

Razor
ID: 428291912
Tue, Sep 19, 2006, 13:33

That was the greatest thing I've ever seen. The Pads squeaked ahead by plating 2 in the 8th to make it look like it was over. The Dodgers got 1 back to make it a ball game. The Padres put 3 over in the 9th to make it a 4 run lead which is nearly insurmountable with a Hall of Fame closer on board. The Dodgers go back-to-back-to-back-back for the 4th time in MLB history to tie it up. The Padres somehow recover and plate one in the 10th, only to be beaten in the bottom half with a 2 run shot. That was incredible.

102

Razor
ID: 428291912
Tue, Sep 19, 2006, 13:36

I'll also never say a bad thing about Marlon Anderson

103

Species
Leader
ID: 07724916
Tue, Sep 19, 2006, 14:29

I despise the Dodgers but that game just makes you glad to be a baseball fan. That kicked ass! Nice win guys.

104

Razor
ID: 47525714
Fri, Sep 22, 2006, 10:13

Maddux and Lowe reportedly will pitch on three days rest. 0.5 game back in the division, 0.5 game up in the wild card. It's a sprint to the finish line! Go Dodgers!

105

biliruben
ID: 535193010
Mon, Sep 25, 2006, 16:26

Well, Saturday at Petco blew chunks, though it was kinda cool to see Trevor tie the record.

Sunday was better at Chavez Ravine. The crowd was fantastic, the day was beautiful, the Margharitas drinkable, and nomar's blast was a shot!

If I were a friar fan, I'd be pissed at the snakes. Not exactly an original sin, but close, leaving Visciano in there.

106

Razor
ID: 47525714
Mon, Sep 25, 2006, 17:02

Dodgers set an attendance record with 3,780,000 fans coming to the 81 home games. I don't like the McCourts that much, but they are drawing fans to the games. When they took over, Jamie McCourt talked about setting the goal at getting 4,000,000 fans in the gates. It seemed like a joke at the time, but we're talking about just a few extra thousand people per game now.

Dodgers are off today while the Pads head to St. Louis and the Phillies take on Houston. A NL Central sweep today would be really nice, bringing the Dodgers even with the Phils for the wild card and putting them 1 game back of San Diego in the division. Only 6 games left for LA, so every one counts big time.

107

Razor
ID: 47525714
Tue, Sep 26, 2006, 11:01

Houston did us a favor last night by tieing up the wild card race. Padres beat the Cardinals, putting their lead at 2 games. It's unlikely that we can overtake them with just 6 games left to play, but catching them is a possiblity, but a small one. We really need to win 4 games to have a shot. I'd rather win it outright than to have to go to a playoff. We won the coin flip against San Diego but lost to Philly.

Maddux and Lowe are slated to start on three days rest to end the season. Billingsley will probably be coming out of the pen the rest of the way. Kuo will likely start Friday. I don't like this move. Lowe may be good on three days rest because he's a sinkerballer, but I'm not sure about Maddux. Adding Billingsley to the pen will provide so much needed help. Hopefully Little isn't stupid and doesn't try to use him as a short reliever. I'd rather see him come in in the 7th and finish the game out.

108

Ref
Donor
ID: 539581218
Wed, Sep 27, 2006, 00:38

2 back in West and 1 up in WC now.

I was wrong about Marlon Anderson. Thought he was a horrible pick-up but he has really outplayed Either and needs to be in the starting lineup every day.

109

Razor
ID: 47525714
Wed, Sep 27, 2006, 10:36

Marlon Anderson has been a revelation. He's homered 6 times in 51 AB's in a Dodger uniform and is hitting nearly .400. We wouldn't be in the wild card lead without him.

I hope Lowe can continue the second half sucesss he's had. He's our best pitcher now and has pitched very well over the past two months. Penny has been our worst pitcher over that stretch, and I wish Little would give Penny's last start to Billingsley, but replacing our "ace" with a rookie is unconscionable to Little.

Our magic number for the playoffs is 5. I won't breath easy until it's 0, especially because we cannot clinch before we go to San Francisco. Felipe will use every bullet in his revolver to keep us out of the playoffs.

110

Razor
ID: 47525714
Wed, Sep 27, 2006, 10:42

Would it be possible for Derek Lowe to throw his hat in the ring for the Cy Young race? He's 8th in ERA at the moment and tied for 2nd in wins, but he's got two huge starts left. Two great starts could vault him into 1st in wins and into the top 5 in ERA. Winning the clinching game for a playoff team could be huge, especially in a year with no real dominant candidates. If Oswalt and Webb meltdown in their last starts, the door might be open wide enough for Lowe to walk through it if he pitches brilliantly these last five games.

111

Ref
Donor
ID: 539581218
Thu, Sep 28, 2006, 01:11

LA now 1 back in the West and 1 up in the Wild Card.

112

Razor
ID: 47525714
Thu, Sep 28, 2006, 10:44

4 to play. A Penny win tonight would be huge. He has absolutely dominated the Rockies this year and throughout his career, but he has struggled so much recently that who knows what we are going to get out of him.

Magic number for the playoffs is at 4.

113

Ref
Donor
ID: 539581218
Thu, Sep 28, 2006, 15:51

Penny sucking and out after only managing to get 3 outs. Luckily Loney hit a grand slam to give LA a one run lead and Billingsly came in the game in the second and got 3 straight outs with two on base.

114

Ref
Donor
ID: 539581218
Thu, Sep 28, 2006, 15:57

Kim loaded the bases in the 3rd and now he's out. Still no outs.

115

Ref
Donor
ID: 539581218
Thu, Sep 28, 2006, 16:07

Loney strikes again with a 2-run double to make the score 8-3 LA.

116

Razor
ID: 47525714
Thu, Sep 28, 2006, 16:08

A new day is upon us. Billingsley has taken over for Penny and Loney has 6 RBI through 3 innings playing in place of Nomar.

117

Ref
Donor
ID: 539581218
Thu, Sep 28, 2006, 16:24

According to the Dodgers, Brad Penny left Thursday's game due to back stiffness.

118

Ref
Donor
ID: 539581218
Thu, Sep 28, 2006, 16:39

Jeff Baker can hit. He needs to be playing every day. 3-3 thus far--though getting pickd off 2nd cost the Rocks a run. 8-7 now as Billingsly's getting "Rocked" now.

119

Ref
Donor
ID: 539581218
Thu, Sep 28, 2006, 16:53

Looks like Holiday just missed a 3-run bomb that would have made it 13-8, but the Rocks will hae to settle for a 7-spot to make it 10-8 after four. Must be September when Coors returns to "normal." Either that or the Humidor is busted!

120

Ref
Donor
ID: 539581218
Thu, Sep 28, 2006, 17:04

Wish this game was on TV! 10-9 now and the bases are loaded for...Loney!

121

Ref
Donor
ID: 539581218
Thu, Sep 28, 2006, 17:06

Loney just singles in one run. Still no outs and Nomar PHing with hte bases still loaded.

122

Ref
Donor
ID: 539581218
Thu, Sep 28, 2006, 17:09

Nomar flied out and Furcal hit into a DP to stop the rally. This inning could come back to haunt us!

123

Species
ID: 5259811
Thu, Sep 28, 2006, 17:11

LOL - wild one in Denver. Where was this all season for us Rockie owners in Rotisserie?!? 10-10 and it's only the 5th.

124

Razor
ID: 47525714
Thu, Sep 28, 2006, 17:15

I'm 99% convinced that they are doing something funny with the humidor. This is the REAL Coors Field.

125

Razor
ID: 47525714
Thu, Sep 28, 2006, 17:27

Marlon Anderson is the truth!

126

Ref
Donor
ID: 539581218
Thu, Sep 28, 2006, 17:33

And Lofton with a Hr too. 12-10. Could LA get to 20 runs? Maybe a 20-17 game? Ugh. Hope we don't waste the bullpen like Philly did last night!

127

Ref
Donor
ID: 539581218
Thu, Sep 28, 2006, 17:35

Betemit doubles in two to make it 14-10. Almost there!

128

Ref
Donor
ID: 539581218
Thu, Sep 28, 2006, 17:38

OMG Loney! A two-run jack makes it 16-10 and he now has 9 RBIs!

129

Razor
ID: 47525714
Thu, Sep 28, 2006, 17:39

J-Lo!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm about to sign you up, we can get right
Before the night is up, we can get
get riiiiiiiight get riiiiiiight, we can get right
I'm about to fill your cup, we can get right
Before the night is up, we can get riiiiiiight toniiiiiiight, we can get right
Do you want more

130

StLCards
Leader
ID: 31010716
Thu, Sep 28, 2006, 17:58

I think someone must have left the lid off the humidor today.

131

R9
Leader
ID: 02624472
Thu, Sep 28, 2006, 18:28

Loney K's, what a bum.

132

Ref
Donor
ID: 539581218
Thu, Sep 28, 2006, 22:10

19-11. Almost hit 20!

133

Pancho Villa
ID: 366352418
Thu, Sep 28, 2006, 22:35

Padres 5-0 in the 3rd!!

Oooops, wrong thread.

134

Ref
Donor
ID: 539581218
Thu, Sep 28, 2006, 22:52

No it's the right thread. Personally I could care less if the Padres make the playoffs as long as LA is there too. The D-Backs will probably roll over and let the Pads lick them as the Gints and Dodgers bare-knuckle it in the back alley.

135

Pancho Villa
ID: 366352418
Fri, Sep 29, 2006, 00:03

The Dodgers and I go all the way back to 1959 and the World Series at the Coliseum. But, as I got older and moved away, I eventually ended up a Pads fan, though LA is still #2.

136

Ref
Donor
ID: 539581218
Fri, Sep 29, 2006, 10:09

At least a little breathing room now as the Phils lost.

137

biliruben
ID: 535193010
Fri, Sep 29, 2006, 10:11

With Pedro down, a NL playoff spot, ANY NL playoff spot, looks a lot more attractive.

138

Razor
ID: 47525714
Fri, Sep 29, 2006, 10:48

Our chances at the division are grim because even though we are 1 game back, we are effectively two games out thanks to the tie breaker (head to head). However, we are 2 games up with 3 to play in the wild card, which is a nice place to be. We really REALLY need to clinch early, though, to set up our playoff rotation. If we have to win Sunday, that means Lowe would be unavailable until Game 3. At this stage, I hope Penny is not allowed to start a playoff game. Give the ball to Kuo and Billingsley instead.

Magic number for playoffs is 2. It would be great if we could pick up a win tonight and have the Phillies lose. We could prevent Maddux and Lowe from pitching on short rest and save them for the NLDS, allowing our veterans to pitch on the road and our young guys to pitch in Dodger Stadium.

139

Ref
Donor
ID: 539581218
Fri, Sep 29, 2006, 16:00

If the Astros make the playoffs, I'd rather not play them right now anyhow! On the other hand, if the Cards make it, they aren't playing well at all.

140

Ref
Donor
ID: 539581218
Sat, Sep 30, 2006, 00:53

2 on in the 9th for Anderson. 1 out and down 1...

141

Ref
Donor
ID: 539581218
Sat, Sep 30, 2006, 00:55

Well make that Saenz PHing for Anderson...

142

Ref
Donor
ID: 539581218
Sat, Sep 30, 2006, 00:56

Saenz comes through with an RBI single to tie it up.

143

Species
Leader
ID: 07724916
Sat, Sep 30, 2006, 00:56

)(*#&_%$)(*#$+_)(#@_*&_#@(*+_)( Stanton!

144

Ref
Donor
ID: 539581218
Sat, Sep 30, 2006, 00:59

Lugo has done nothing since we got him. Anyhow 2 outs with the pitcher's spot up. Guessing Martinez will bat since Ethier would be facing a Lefty.

145

Ref
Donor
ID: 539581218
Sat, Sep 30, 2006, 01:00

WOOHOO...WILD PITCH scores the run! So Lugo's FC at least advanced the base runner. Martinez is up and still batting.

146

Ref
Donor
ID: 539581218
Sat, Sep 30, 2006, 01:03

Martinez grounded out to end the inning but LA now is up 4-3 and can only assume Saito is coming in to close it out. This would be a huge win as Philly won. The Pads lost.

147

Ref
Donor
ID: 539581218
Sat, Sep 30, 2006, 01:10

After a K, the Gints have b2b singles and ahve runners on the corners. Here's hoping for a DP right now.

148

Rendle
ID: 9826411
Sat, Sep 30, 2006, 01:10

Please don't blow this, Saito.

149

Rendle
ID: 9826411
Sat, Sep 30, 2006, 01:17

WOW, that made me really really nervous.

150

Ref
Donor
ID: 539581218
Sat, Sep 30, 2006, 01:17

Whew...left runners on 2nd and 3rd but got PH Sweeney to K to end it!

151

biliruben
ID: 535193010
Sat, Sep 30, 2006, 01:23

Whew.

A good day.

152

J
Leader
ID: 049346417
Sat, Sep 30, 2006, 01:24

damn Giants...Tim Worrell is your closer? Seriously????

I really wanted the Cardinals in round 1!!!!!

153

Ref
Donor
ID: 539581218
Sat, Sep 30, 2006, 01:25

So now LA and SD are tied for the lead in the West and both are 2 up on Philly. Magic number is one for either to make the playoffs.

If two teams from the same division are tied but both assured of playing in the postseason, then the first tiebreaker will be their 2006 head-to-head to determine which is the division champ and which is the wild-card winner.

If three teams finish the season with the same winning percentage and one team will be a division winner and another will be the wild-card winner, the games will be played as follows:
1. The two teams tied for the division lead will play a one-game tiebreaker, with the winner being declared the division champion.
2. The losing team will then play the team from the other division for the wild card.

154

Ref
Donor
ID: 539581218
Sat, Sep 30, 2006, 11:53

Nomar left with a side injury that forced him out of the game. Apparently hurt it when he swung and missed. As bad as we need him now, I think he should prob. sitll be benched as the post season is a great possibility and we're going to need him then too. Loney is obviously swinging well right now anyhow.

155

Ref
Donor
ID: 539581218
Sat, Sep 30, 2006, 16:20

Dodgers get one in the first.

156

Ref
Donor
ID: 539581218
Sat, Sep 30, 2006, 16:25

SF gets it back 1-1 heading to the 2nd.

157

Ref
Donor
ID: 539581218
Sat, Sep 30, 2006, 17:03

3-1 LA now.

158

Ref
Donor
ID: 539581218
Sat, Sep 30, 2006, 18:36

Dodgers clinch a spot. Pads ready to do the same up 2 in the 9th.

159

GoatLocker
Sustainer
ID: 060151121
Sat, Sep 30, 2006, 18:49

Pads and Dodgers are both in.
Just a question of who wins division and who is Wild Card.
Only way Dodgers can win the Division is to win tomorrow and the Padres have to lose.

Cliff

160

Ref
Donor
ID: 539581218
Thu, Nov 09, 2006, 23:14

LOS ANGELES -- Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder J.D. Drew opted out of the final three years of his contract Thursday, making him eligible to become a free agent.

"He led the club in RBIs. You just don't snap your fingers and find another player like that," Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti said on a conference call. "He wants out, he can have out. He's moving on, we're moving on. We'll find players who like playing here. If he doesn't want to be here, he has the right to leave, and he's exercising that right."

161

Razor
ID: 2107611
Fri, Nov 10, 2006, 10:18

Colletti does not seem pleased. This will please the anti-Depodesta crowd for whom Drew was the poster boy of soulless, Moneyball baseball. Still, we're going to end up losing our two best hitters from last year now. We already needed a big bat, and now we need two. It's slim pickings on the free agent market, too. We'll see what Colletti is made of. I hope he doesn't do anything stupid and trade away MLB-ready prospects like LaRoche, Kemp or Loney for short term upgrades. I'd rather not make the playoffs next year then mortgage the future by making a bad trade or throwing huge money at Aramis or Soriano.

162

Mattinglyinthehall
ID: 49848118
Fri, Nov 10, 2006, 10:23

What does the Drew signing have to do with the Moneyball approach? I'd think its exactly the opposite.

163

biliruben
ID: 535193010
Fri, Nov 10, 2006, 10:43

I don't understand Razor's comment either.

A big money free agent is a moneyball approach? I didn't read the book, so maybe that's right, but I doubt it.

It will be hard for Colletti to not do anything stupid as he is actually stupid, if his 2006 trades are any indication. Brief, lucky playoff appearance aside.

I have hated pretty much every move he's made.

164

Ref
Donor
ID: 539581218
Fri, Nov 10, 2006, 12:15

Loney and Kemp should be excited...for now.

165

Mattinglyinthehall
ID: 49848118
Fri, Nov 10, 2006, 13:25

Yeah signing talent (be they free agents or home grown or whatever) to big contracts is the opposite of the Moneyball approach. Of course Bean did sign some big earners like Chavez but the greater point is to use unconventional statistical analysis to find ways to field a competitive team on a very small payroll budget.

166

Razor
ID: 2107611
Fri, Nov 10, 2006, 13:39

Drew is a very much a Moneyball player - great defense, great OBP, so-so AVG and SLG. He also plays with little to no emotion. He is far more well-regarded among stat-heads than he is by regular fans, who just see his .280 average, 100 RBI dismiss and casual approach as completely pedestrian for what he is paid.

Moneyball is about finding undervalued talent, not about buying cheap players. Beane just does that because he has no budget. Look at what Depodesta did. He threw big money at several free agents when he thought they were worth the cost.

167

Mattinglyinthehall
ID: 49848118
Fri, Nov 10, 2006, 13:57

Moneyball is about finding undervalued talent, not about buying cheap players.

More specifically, it is to apply greater statistical analysis than the traditional, somewhat misleading stats tell us (which is where DePo fit in as his right hand man) to identify positive attributes in players that are undervalued (the rise to prominence of OBP in the late 90s is heavily discussed) and traditionally negative attributes that lower a player's value more than it perhaps should, such as a player lacking an ideally athletic build (see Jeremy Brown).

Analysis was also applied to game strategy, finding value in plate discipline and patience and finding waste in attempted steals except in rare cases, and pinning down how much good defense could help to overcome offensive deficiencies.

But an effect of Bean's success is that the attributes and strategies that work for him do not go unnoticed by the rest of the league (especially after a book was published about it), meaning traits like OBP are not so undervalued anymore. This should be evident in a player like Drew getting a 5yr/$55m contract. Theoretically, as teams less dedicated to an in-depth statistical analysis move toward more the popular approaches, there will be new undervalued attributes and strategies to exploit and new overvalued ones to avoid.

Moneyball (the book) addresses this as well.

JD Drew for $55m in 2005 was not a "Moneyball" signing.

168

Mattinglyinthehall
ID: 49848118
Fri, Nov 10, 2006, 14:02

Corretion:

Theoretically, as teams less dedicated to an in-depth statistical analysis move toward newly popular approaches, there will be new undervalued attributes and strategies to exploit and new overvalued ones to avoid.

169

Ref
Donor
ID: 539581218
Tue, Nov 21, 2006, 01:46

Whiffed on Soriano. "Settling" for Pierre. At least LA finally got a true leadoff man.

170

biliruben
ID: 535193010
Tue, Nov 21, 2006, 07:48

44 mil for a slap-hitter when you already have furcal, and what you really need is pitching and power.

Brilliant!

171

Razor
ID: 2107611
Tue, Nov 21, 2006, 16:40

Colletti is a damn fool. That's $9 mil less we'll have to spend when we start throwing big money at the young guys when they approach free agency, nevermind the here and now. Broxton, Billinglsey, Loney and Martin aren't going to be making $350,000 forever.

172

Ref
Donor
ID: 539581218
Tue, Nov 21, 2006, 18:16

I think Furcal is a better 2 hole hitter, but I agree that there are some bigger holes. I also think that's a LOT of money to throw at him, but guess they are going to spend money.

173

blue hen
Leader
ID: 710321114
Wed, Nov 22, 2006, 10:46

Drew was a Moneyball signing, for sure. Just like in the 2002 draft, where the A's threw more than slot money at players they wanted, the Dodgers threw more money than expected at Drew. It should take you about 5 seconds to find an article saying the Dodgers paid too much. In fact, it might even be in a Dodger talk thread. I guess they were wrong, no?

And anyway, we already knew Coletti was a damn fool. Let's not forget that he was using a Giants-provided cell phone long after he left the team for the Dodgers. And when did the Giants decide to shut it off? That's right - at the GM meetings.

174

Ref
Donor
ID: 539581218
Sun, Dec 03, 2006, 11:03

Los Angeles Dodgers
They have seven major league starting pitchers: Derek Lowe, Brad Penny, Hong-Chih Kuo, Randy Wolf, Brett Tomko, Chad Billingsley and Mark Hendrickson. One of them could be used as part of a deal. More important, the Dodgers have lots of young talent to move, making them perhaps the team best equipped to make a trade for Ramirez.
Dodgers GM Ned Colletti has been very bold in making moves the last year, but there will be a reluctance in dealing their best young prospects, including, among others, outfielder Matt Kemp, first baseman James Loney and third baseman Andy LaRoche. Kemp is a fabulous athlete who showed signs in 2006 of being a star someday. Loney, one Dodger says, is the best defensive first baseman in the National League. He can also play a corner outfield position, and he's going to hit as soon as he gets a chance to play on an everyday basis.

How often is Colletti asked about his young players?

"Every day,'' he said.

The Dodgers, having lost J.D. Drew to free agency, are short on power in the corner outfield spots. To get Ramirez, or another productive corner bat, they're going to have to trade at least one of their best kids. The player development department might have a lot of input on that very difficult decision. What the Dodgers decide to do will have a lot to do with the action at the meetings.

175

Doug
ID: 361412812
Thu, Dec 07, 2006, 14:12

Well, I guess we'll see what the 39-year-old Gonzalez still has left in the tank. Maddux performed well for an "old man" last year, let's hope Luis does the same.

The Schmidt signing REALLY beefs up the rotation. Schmidt/Lowe/Penny/Billingsly sounds really nice to me. It'll be nice to finally have a chance to root FOR Schmidt... I used to admire him, but obviously couldn't cheer for him.

The only player I really really really don't want them to deal away is Kempzilla. I got to see him play in one of his first big league games this year and had this "feeling" he'd hit a HR as we walked up to the plate... it was almost like you could sense it from his body language in the way he approached the plate. A couple pitches later, he did. He's awesome to watch and I want to enjoy seeing his continued development. It won't be the same if he's on another team. Sky's the limit for that guy if he can hit a curve. :)

176

Doug
ID: 361412812
Thu, Dec 07, 2006, 14:16

... which is the other thing I like about the Gonzalez signing... gives the young'uns another year to develop before being thrust into everyday roles, without tying up any big long-term $$$.

I'm not "thrilled" about Pierre, but will withhold judgement. I remember a lot of people trashing the moves for Maddux, Furcal, etc. and those worked out relatively nicely IMHO. So I think they've earned a bit of leeway to see how things pan out.

177

Doug
ID: 361412812
Thu, Dec 07, 2006, 14:57

Also, I wonder if the Schmidt signing might make them a bit more willing to part with young pitching... which is reportedly what Toronto is seeking in order to move Vernon Wells.

178

biliruben
ID: 33258140
Fri, Mar 21, 2008, 19:43

Okay. I'm thinking about 'dem Dodgers again.

What do we have too much of?

Outfielders. Shortstops.

Who is the dog of the bunch?

Pierre.

I'd lose Furcal and give Hu a shot, if we could get a fair trade for him.

What do we have too little of?

3rd-basemen. LaRoche is out until June, and Nomar has a broken hand.

Lets trade Pierre or Furcal for a 3rd baseman. San Diego has a couple nice young ones. Maybe they'd take Pierre and cash.

Let me know why this is too obvious.

179

biliruben
ID: 33258140
Wed, Mar 26, 2008, 12:34

Ethier has embarrassed Pierre in this "compitition". If, in fact there was ever a competition, Torre really has not choice but to give Ethier the job.

Anyone need an overrated over-payed speedster with a rag arm? Cheap?

180

biliruben
ID: 33258140
Wed, Mar 26, 2008, 13:07

What's the deal with Hu? Are they going to give him a chance at 2nd with Kent hurt?

181

Ref
Donor
ID: 539581218
Wed, Mar 26, 2008, 13:14

re: 179 agree

In fact, he has outplayed Kemp too. Bottom line is financial. They owe a ton of cash to Pierre. Pierre has wheels though. Gotta be attractive to someone.

182

biliruben
ID: 33258140
Wed, Mar 26, 2008, 13:30

Maybe trade an over-paid outfielder for an over-paid 2nd baseman? I don't want to block Hu or LaRoche on the left side, but Kent is clearly diminished in the field and only retirement can't be far away.

Anyone out there have a decent, over-priced glove at second who is stupid enough to take Pierre off our hands?

183

Seattle Zen
ID: 49112418
Wed, Mar 26, 2008, 13:42

You are going to play Pierre and you're going to LIKE it! Joe Torre loves guys who put wood on the ball and have speed. Accept it.

184

ChicagoTRS
ID: 4110481415
Wed, Mar 26, 2008, 14:14

You want a Juan Uribe for 2B? or a Joe Crede for 3B?

The White Sox could use an outfielder...and they are dumb enough to want Pierre...

185

biliruben
ID: 33258140
Wed, Mar 26, 2008, 14:39

Sure! Their salaries gotta be less than Pierre's. That alone would make it worth it.

5 million? Crede it is. We'll release him when Laroche is back, and it will still be a bargain.

Where do I sign? Wait a sec...

186

Razor
ID: 45237258
Wed, Mar 26, 2008, 16:34

Hu is actually the best defender the Dodgers have in their organization, but he's not going to move Furcal, at least not yet. Furcal from last year stunk. Furcal from two years ago was quite valuable. We need more of that guy.

Our 3B situation is pretty terrible, but we should not do anything brash as both Nomar and LaRoche are going to come back relatively early in the season and, more importantly, neither of them should have been hitting any higher than 7th in the first place. Loney, Kemp, Jones, Kent, Furcal and Martin are all in front of them and possibly Ethier too. Of course, Torre would never bat Nomar 8th, though he deserves it at this point in this career.

187

aC in aZ
ID: 561401810
Sat, Mar 29, 2008, 10:40

I am hoping that today we hear if Etheir will start in left!?!

188

Mattinglyinthehall
ID: 37838313
Sat, Mar 29, 2008, 10:53

Please take Crede from the White Sox!

I drafted Josh Fields in three leagues.

189

Ref
Donor
ID: 539581218
Sat, Mar 29, 2008, 12:37

Pierre is batting 8th. Why wouldn't they bench him if he has to bat 8th. Oh I forgot...MONEY!!!

Fields may be the 3b of the future, but he's in th minors and not sure for how long. I think LA is hanging their hat on LaRoche, but that injury is causing chaos. Nomar would have been a stopgap but he got injured. LA couldn't even deal for Inge as a stopgap. Don't see them doing much trade-wise unless the play forces them.

The knock on Hu is that he can't hit--but he did in the Futures game last year. A fluke, but at least he can--just not consistently. I was wondering if Furcal might go to 2nd next year?

190

Toral
ID: 575542418
Sat, Mar 29, 2008, 13:05

Hu needs to be moved to First, so we can ask who's on first anyway...

Toral

191

Razor
ID: 12152319
Sun, Mar 30, 2008, 13:34

Hu hit .329 in Jacksonville last year. The Southern League is an extreme pitcher's league. It was his second time through, but that is pretty dang good for a 23 year old Gold Glove caliber SS. He'll probably end up like Izturis, who was actually solid with the bat for a year or two.

192

Ref
Donor
ID: 539581218
Sun, Mar 30, 2008, 16:48

Ethier has beaten out Pierre for the LF job.

193

Ref
Donor
ID: 539581218
Sun, Mar 30, 2008, 17:02

According to FOXSports.com's Ken Rosenthal, the Royals demanded Chin-Lung Hu for Esteban German, an exchange the Dodgers were unwilling to make.

There was mention in the Kansas City Star about German going to Los Angeles for right-handers Jonathan Meloan and Miguel Pinango, but it seems the Royals again held out for Hu. They also wanted the shortstop last year in trade talks involving Octavio Dotel.
Source: FOXSports.com

194

GoatLocker
Leader
ID: 060151121
Sun, Mar 30, 2008, 18:31

Re#192
Probably doesn't mean too much based on the quote in the local paper from Torres.

Too lazy to go find the sports page and quote it, but to paraphrase, he said the 4 OF would basically all get the same number of ABs over the duration of the season.

Cliff

195

Ref
Donor
ID: 539581218
Sun, Mar 30, 2008, 19:13

The Dodgers set their 25-man roster Sunday without placing either Jeff Kent (hamstring) or Tony Abreu (groin) on the disabled list.

Abreu is expected to go on the DL on Monday, at which time Blake DeWitt's contract figures to be purchased. Kent has a pretty good chance of avoiding the DL, but that still hasn't been decided. Working under the assumption that the Abreu-DeWitt move is a definite and Kent avoids the DL, the Dodgers would enter the season with DeWitt at third base and a six-man bench of Juan Pierre, Delwyn Young, Chin-Lung Hu, Jason Repko, Mark Sweeney and Gary Bennett. However, the Dodgers are working to acquire an infielder. Repko might lose his spot if they get one.
Source: Dodgers.mlb.com

196

Razor
ID: 12152319
Sun, Mar 30, 2008, 22:29

he said the 4 OF would basically all get the same number of ABs over the duration of the season.

I highly doubt that. Jones is going to play more than all the others. Kemp and Ethier will play as long as they hit. If they don't, Pierre will see lots of action.

197

biliruben
ID: 33258140
Mon, Mar 31, 2008, 14:03

Well, if Andrew's hitting .190 in June...

198

Razor
ID: 12152319
Tue, Apr 01, 2008, 22:04

Pierre's in there tonight, but batting 7th. Kemp's out. I am encouraged that Torre not only used his first game as manager to break Pierre's precious consecutive games streak, but that he used his second game to get Pierre used to batting down in the order. If we are going to play the guy, at least it's going to be down in the order. For now. He apparently really likes Ethier since he's batting 3rd with perennial All-Star Andruw Jones batting down 5th and stud youngsters Kemp and Loney batting below Andruw. I love Martin in the 2 spot. With so many good but not great power bats, we need to use the 3rd - 6th spots for guys who actually have power potential and leave Martin in the 2 hole to work on being a doubles hitter.

199

Ref
Donor
ID: 539581218
Wed, Apr 02, 2008, 00:07

I think Torre is going to use the righty-lefty matchup thing. With Pierre and Ethier both being lefty it stands to reason that when he plays vs. a righty that Kemp will be sitting. I just think they need to move him for an IF/3B. I don't know much about Blake DeWitt though so who knows?

200

Razor
ID: 4532926
Wed, Apr 02, 2008, 08:32

DeWitt was a very high draft pick and was thought to be a replacement for Kent when he was drafted. His minor league career has not been spectacular but perhaps he can fill in for Kent for a year or two until we find a long term solution there. Either way, he is invaluable at the moment.

I am worried that despite being 2-0, we are not dominating the Giants. They are starting Rich Aurillia at 1B for chrissake.

201

Ref
Donor
ID: 539581218
Wed, Apr 02, 2008, 12:49

Andre Ethier will practice fielding ground balls at first base.

It will give manager Joe Torre another lineup option when James Loney gets his occasional day off. If Ethier can fill in at first base, Juan Pierre could join the outfield without sending Ethier or Matt Kemp to the bench. Torre would have Ethier play ahead of Mark Sweeney, who he prefers to use as a pinch hitter.

202

Razor
ID: 4532926
Wed, Apr 02, 2008, 13:05

Smart move by Torre, though Loney shouldn't need too many days off. This might just be a ploy to get Pierre thinking that he might play more than he will.

203

blue hen
Leader
ID: 710321114
Wed, Apr 02, 2008, 14:25

At least you hope it's a ploy...

204

biliruben
ID: 33258140
Wed, Apr 02, 2008, 15:25

Also, it's hard to shop a 44 million dollar bench-warmer. His trade value can't be helped if he isn't playing.

205

blue hen
Leader
ID: 710321114
Wed, Apr 02, 2008, 15:33

Well, some team gave 44 million to a guy with an OPS about where Seattle Zen would be if he played in the Majors. So surely some other team has to be as stupid. How about Houston?

206

Ref
Donor
ID: 539581218
Wed, Apr 02, 2008, 15:39

I don't think it's a ploy. Right now if Loney goes down it's Sweeney backing him up. Ethier makes more sense. Ethier has made the Dodgers find a way to get him in the lineup with his bat. Pierre has forced the Dodgers to sit him down at times because of his. Speed is Pierre's key and I don't know of anyone I've seen faster right now than Bourn, so I seriously doubt Houston wants him.

207

biliruben
ID: 4911361723
Sat, May 03, 2008, 21:21

Arg. Now Ethier's getting the bench in deference to the frenchman. Ethier and Kemp seem to have earned an everyday job. Platoon Jones and Pierre, if you have to play him.

208

Razor
ID: 29439417
Sun, May 04, 2008, 18:54

I've got no complaints about Pierre's play thus far. He is a serious weapon with a .390 OBP, even if he doesn't hit for any power at all. With Jones not hitting for any power so far, getting guys on base, especially fast guys, is key to scoring runs. That's how we've been winning ball games so far.

I like where we're at right now. We didn't let a bad start cripple us and now we're playing better baseball. If we can get Jones hitting, we'll have the deep lineup that we all envisioned before the season. With Kuroda not disappointing, we also have a deep rotation. We need Billingsley to round into form and, eventually, some more arms in the pen. Kershaw is our Kazmir.

Kershaw is dominating AA as a 20 year old and was reported as being MLB-ready out of Spring Training, but we really need to monitor his workload.

209

biliruben
ID: 33258140
Mon, May 05, 2008, 01:09

I have a lot of complaints about Pierre playing at the expense of PT for Ethier and especially Kemp. Kemp is everything Pierre is, plus he's got power and immense upside.

Let the two over-paid Coletti brain-farts share time. What an ultra-moroon.

210

Seattle Zen
ID: 29241823
Mon, May 05, 2008, 01:55

I've got no complaints about Pierre's play thus far.

Quit your Pierre hating, Bili, and listen to the man. Pierre is better than Either. Your ire needs to be directed at one source only, the Michelin Man from Curacao.

You know how certain Mexican gangs have adopted the Dodgers' "LA" logo into their brand. Shouldn't they be up in arms about the pathetic performance the fat man has mailed in so far? Surely a cap or two in his ass is called for, no?

211

biliruben
ID: 33258140
Mon, May 05, 2008, 14:05

There is simply no place in a major league outfield for a slap-hitter these days, unless you annually hit .350 with a .400 OBP and can hit the catcher on the fly with a gun.

And if you think Pierre will end the season with a .390 OBP ... or even .370 ... or even .350, I got a bridge to sell ya between Hunt's Point and the Arboretum.

212

barilko6
ID: 3732117
Wed, May 07, 2008, 18:44

Sometimes Jim Rome cracks me up...

He had Matt Kemp on today, and Kemp was talking about how good the team is, blah, blah blah. Then he mentioned how its tough for Joe T because the Dodgers have 4 good outfielders to plug in.

Then when Kemp was gone, Rome read a letter..."Four good outfielders? Kemp, um, Ethier, Pierre." Who's the fourth one?

Then Rome goes on to smack on Andruw Jones being in a spelling bee and not spelling Andrew right...

It was good stuff, maybe you had to be there...

213

J
Leader
ID: 049346417
Mon, May 12, 2008, 17:17

I have a new favorite writer!

Andruw Tubbo Jones

this stuff was crackin me up!!!!

214

biliruben
ID: 33258140
Mon, May 12, 2008, 17:23

That's Tubbo to you, bud. Not tubby. He isn't purple or pink with antennae.

He's fat, over-paid and sucky. Got it?

215

J
Leader
ID: 049346417
Mon, May 12, 2008, 17:26

fixed!

216

Razor
ID: 4532926
Mon, May 12, 2008, 17:40

Between Plaschke and Simers, I am pretty sure LA has the worst, most annoying pair of sportswriters in the country. The story is always about them - the idiotic nicknames they come up with, their expectations, their memories. It's never about the sports or the team or the fans.

217

Razor
ID: 4532926
Wed, May 28, 2008, 10:53

The Dodgers have an All-Star team sitting out these days - Furcal, Kent, Andruw, Nomar and Schmidt. The only reason we have not collapsed completely as we did in 2005 is because of the quality of the farm system. The young kids by themselves form the core of a .500 team, but they need Lowe, Penny, Schmidt, Kent, Andruw and Furcal to be a World Series contender. I think the Dodgers have a really strong club this year when they are all on the field and healthy. Who knows if that will ever happen. Schmidt and Andruw won't be back until late June.

218

biliruben
ID: 4911361723
Wed, May 28, 2008, 11:41

Andruw is addition by subtraction.

219

loki
SuperDude
ID: 4211201420
Fri, May 30, 2008, 21:11

I have been watching (in N.J.) the Dodgers play the Mets tonight primarily to see Kershaw. His curve ball thrown at 74 mph, 22 mph slower than his fast ball really has 12 to 6 movement. He bent Carlos Delgado back off the plate, and the ball curved over the plate. It was reminiscent of when Koufax would cause a lefty to hit the ground as the ball then curved over home plate. I am not really comparing him to Koufax, but the kid has some curve ball. However his 94-96 mph fast ball was very hitable. This may have been a function of Kershaw falling behind in the count. He is the real deal, but I have a feeling that this 20 year old needs a little more minor league playing time. By the way who is inhabiting Chan Ho Park's body? He looked very strong in relief.

220

Razor
ID: 504132820
Sat, May 31, 2008, 01:01

Pulling up Kid K this early was a mistake. It may hinder his development. I worry mostly about the workload though, which he is nowhere near ready for. He has something like 160 IP CAREER innings in the pros coming into this season. And now we're expecting him to throw 6 IP for the next 20 starts?

221

biliruben
ID: 33258140
Thu, Jun 05, 2008, 15:08

Kemp suspended for 4 games.

Anybody see the fight? Does he hit like a girl? Is he appealing?

222

biliruben
ID: 52561217
Mon, Jun 30, 2008, 18:13

And if you think Pierre will end the season with a .390 OBP ... or even .370 ... or even .350...

Pierre down with a sprained MCL. I hate to kick a guy when he's down, but...

Ouch -

And for those interested, his OBP sits at .327.

Now maybe the Dodgers can get back to doing some winning. Unless they play too much Tubbo and not enough Andre.

223

biliruben
ID: 52561217
Tue, Jul 08, 2008, 12:55

How about Kuroda last night!

224

Razor
ID: 545172413
Tue, Jul 08, 2008, 13:23

He was dealing. Didn't hurt that the Braves were coming off a 17 inning game followed by a rain delay that prevented them from flying out on time. It just makes wonder what that idiot Colletti was thinking trying to get involved in the Sabathia sweepstakes. We've got Penny, Lowe, Kuroda and Billingsley as reliable starters with Park, Kuo, Stults and Kershaw to rotate in and out of 5th starter/spot starter duties.

The Dodgers have done exactly what they needed to do which was tread water until they got healthy and reinforcements arrived. Andruw and Nomar are huge upgrades over what we were trotting out there. You just can't win starting guys out of position or minor leaguers at key defensive positions. Pierre being out for 4-6 weeks is a huge blessing. All we need is for Andruw to start swinging the back and the offense will take off.

225

biliruben
ID: 52561217
Tue, Jul 08, 2008, 13:38

I agree on the pitching and Nomar. If they stay healthy, they will be a boon. If Andrew has Andre or Matt riding the pine for any substantial amount of ABs, he's a negative.

226

Razor
ID: 545172413
Tue, Jul 08, 2008, 14:03

If Andruw can hit .250 and slug .500 the rest of the way he's as valuable as any OF we have simply because he can play an above average CF. After seeing Pierre out there last year and Kemp and Berroa up the middle this year, I will never again discount the importance of being strong up the middle defensively.

227

biliruben
Leader
ID: 589301110
Fri, Aug 01, 2008, 08:38

Anybody see the play at the plate on Ethier in the 8th?

We needed to get Manny on a corporate jet to fly out for a dramatic pinch-hit walk-off dinger in the 9th last night.

228

Razor
ID: 545172413
Fri, Aug 01, 2008, 08:57

If Torre can figure out that our three best outfielders are Manny, Kemp and Ethier, we'll win the division.

229

biliruben
Leader
ID: 589301110
Fri, Aug 01, 2008, 10:45

Agreed. I think he's figure out that Andruw ain't a hitter any more. Now he just has to make the frenchman a benchman.

230

biliruben
Leader
ID: 589301110
Sat, Aug 02, 2008, 00:45

Grrr...

Rotowire:

Andruw Jones got the start against lefthander Randy Johnson Friday night. However Torre said that Manny Ramirez will be the starting left fielder, Matt Kemp the starting right fielder and Juan Pierre will see most of the playing time in center field. Pierre's speed seems to be the determining factor. "To me, Juan certainly deserves the right to play..... At this point in time, his experience, his consistency, the way he goes about his business. When [Rafael] Furcal went down, he's meant so much to the club. He brings another dimension, his basestealing ability. He gives a professional at-bat on a regular basis. He's done it [leading off] longer than Matt. He's willing to take pitches." Andre Ethier will suffer the most. Jones will probably get the occasional start against a tough lefthander.

231

Razor
ID: 545172413
Tue, Aug 05, 2008, 08:29

Joe Torre is either senile, mentally handicapped or refuses to throw a veteran under the bus publicly. Matt Kemp was a vastly better leadoff hitter than Pierre, and yet all Torre can do is praise Pierre on things that are simply not true.

As for the trade, Manny is 8 for 13 so far with 5 RBI. That's just Manny being Manny. I wouldn't be surprised if he has a huge last two months of the season now that he is happy.

232

Razor
ID: 545172413
Thu, Aug 07, 2008, 15:02

13 for 21 with 4 HR's and 9 RBI so far. Ya, Manny's past his prime. LOL.

233

Ref
Donor
ID: 539581218
Thu, Aug 07, 2008, 15:04

Manny another homer on his first pitch in the 3rd inning.

234

biliruben
Leader
ID: 589301110
Fri, Aug 08, 2008, 00:20

Monster

235

Ref
Donor
ID: 539581218
Wed, Oct 01, 2008, 15:19

Where is all the Dodgers love?

Two LA (area) teams. Two Chicago teams. No NY teams. I love it!

236

Razor
ID: 545172413
Wed, Oct 01, 2008, 15:37

There is only one team from LA playing, though I understand Anaheim also made the playoffs.

Furcal is back and leading off. Could be a huge liability, but if he is anything close to the force he was in April, we'll have a very formidable offense.

237

Seattle Zen
ID: 358591721
Thu, Oct 02, 2008, 23:37

Where is all the Dodgers love?

Well, the Dodgers are kind of in the middle of a history I'm sure you would all like to forget. It's been twenty years since the franchise has done squat. Twenty years is a long time, but not long enough to get the "lovable losers" tag like the Cubs/Red Sox/White Sox were/are so proud of.

Just how long is twenty years? Well, look at this list:

LA Dodgers
Nationals/Expos
KC Royals
Texas Rangers
Pittsburg Pirates
Milwaukee Brewers

That's the list of teams who have not won a post season series in the last twenty years. Not a very prestigious group. Hell, every NL West team has won a NL pennant since then.

And when the Dodgers did sneak into the playoffs, it's been ugly: 1-12 since the Bulldog and Kirk Gibson were famous.

Maybe the Dodgers get no love is because they usually get destroyed when the air turns crisp and the leaves change colors. Now, if they hold on tonight, this will be an upset of monumental proportions and another sad chapter for the Cubs. Beat by the Dodgers? You must be kidding!

238

Razor
ID: 418502723
Fri, Oct 03, 2008, 00:25

Don't let his comments fool you. Seattle Zen loves the Dodgers.

Dodgers look tremendously focused. No pitcher or batter has ceded one inch. Even in garbage time, the Dodgers continue to battle. It's going to be difficult for the Cubbies to even get this back to Chicago. If the Dodgers can sweep this thing, it would allow Torre to reset the rotation and have Lowe back on full rest. Harden's a tough customer, but we'll be playing at home.

239

Seward Norse
ID: 297412913
Fri, Oct 03, 2008, 10:31

I miss the expos. :( Free Youppi!

240

Seattle Zen
ID: 358591721
Fri, Oct 10, 2008, 20:29

Stick a fork in 'em...

Forum: basePage 18708Subject: Dodger Talk XI

Forum: base
Page 18708
Subject: Dodger Talk XI