Ned Colletti = Two-Face

God I wish I knew how to use photoshop.
Might have come in handy.

First the good Colletti.

• Thome only cost Justin Fuller.
• Cash comes with Thome to pay the rest of his salary
• He gives us a power bat off of the bench, and though he has only played 28 innings of defense in the last 4 years, I imagine he could nab a start or two down the stretch, and if he somehow looks passable, could play there in the postseason if Loney continues to be below average offensively.
• Thome hits for power and walks. Excellent.
• Maybe he can help James regain some power.
• GRADE: A+, even if Thome falls flat on his face.
  

Now, the bad Colletti.

• Garland is not needed. We have plenty of options to fill the spot he'll be given.
• Garland has been slightly above average for his career. We have guys with higher ceilings and similar floors.
  
• Considering all of Garland's contract will be paid off by the D-Backs, including his buy-out after this season, the player to be named later will almost certainly be more than Garland is actually worth. Especially considering Neddy is in charge.
• GRADE: F, an unnecessary move that only serves to limit the growth of young Dodger arms. I'll change the grade to a D if we give up someone of no consequence.
  

Notes From Monday's Game

The day wasn't all bad.

1. Randy Wolf was solid again (6 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 7 K, 2 BB, 102 pitches - 67 for strikes).
2. Bullpen: 4 IP, 3 Runs (2 ER), 4 Hits, 5 K, 4 BB (2 IBB).
3. Matt Kemp (22), Manny Ramirez (15), and Ronnie Belliard (6 - 1st with LA) homered to account for the Dodgers' 3 runs.
4. Manny (HR, Single) and Mark Loretta (Mark Loretta?!?! - 2 BB) were the only Dodgers to reach base more than once.
5. 3 regulars had the night off. Loney came in to play first and went 0-2, and Furcal pinch-hit and grounded out.
   

The Argyled One Strikes Again

Oy vey.

Where to start....

"'I owe this team something every night, and it ain't right that I can't do that, and I've got to figure out a way to fix it,' he [Juan Pierre] said, and from that moment, I have openly cheered for Juan Pierre."

You cheered and rooted for him openly before that William.

"He failed to persuade anyone to trade for him. He failed to persuade the Dodgers to play him. He was stuck behind one Hall of Famer and two hellacious kids."

Why would anyone want to trade for a bench player making $10 million plus a year? He shouldn't play over Kemp, Ethier, and Manny. Smart move by the Dodgers. Oh, and weren't those the same kids you advocated the team trade at one time many times?

"'Don't get me wrong, I don't feel bad, I feel guilty,' he explained. 'I've been thinking about it. I'm making $10 million and doing nothing. It's like I'm just taking the Dodgers' money.'"

I wouldn't feel bad either, and I don't blame players for the contracts they sign or the money they make. But he could always give most of the money back. Who knows, maybe he'll feel less guilty. But I wouldn't give the money back. Or feel guilty.

".... I root for everything Juan Pierre does that is small."

All he does are small things. If he could do some bigger things, like hit for power, walk, throw, or play defense, he probably would be starting somewhere (just not on the Dodgers).

"Because, so far, it has made him huge."

To Bill Plaschke. But is that really saying much?

"The frustration is now being slapped out of the glove."

WHAT THE FUCK?!?!?!

"Remember how Pierre hit .318 while starting all 50 games in left field during Manny Ramirez's suspension?"

Educated Dodgers fans and I remember him hitting .425/.495/.598/1.093 in Games 1-20, then going .244/.299/.283/.583 in Games 21-50 of the Manny suspension. See how fun numbers are Billy!

"Many players don't do that. As the Dodgers discovered a couple of years ago, some players forget to even hang around to shake the home-run hitter's hand."

I don't recall the specific incident he's talking about, but it can't be too hard to guess what he's implying. It's another way of saying "I hate rookies and young players". And really, are we still taking Jeff Kent's word and going to bash guys like Kemp, Ethier, Loney, and Martin for not adhering to the way of that asshole? Kent as a player is one thing, but let's be honest, he really was a complete and utter asshole.

"Maybe because Juan Pierre also finally recognized them, all those little things, not as statistics but as glue, less gifts than obligations, a $10-million man just trying to earn his keep."

Uh-huh, whatever you say Bill. Let's not try to disturb him, I'm guessing he doesn't get out much.

Ronnie Belliard?

WTF?



Rosters expand on Tuesday, and depth at that point will not be a problem. And consider that depth come Tuesday will not cost 2 players. And knowing Colletti, the player to be named later will turn out to be one of the team's top minor league prospects, because that's just how Ned rolls.

How the fuck does Ronnie Belliard cost 2 players? Oh, that's right, because Ned Colletti's the one dealing for him. Shit.

Notes From Sunday's Game

1. Clayton Kershaw was electric today (7 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 11 K, 2 BB, 1 HR Allowed, 105 pitches - 73 for strikes). He also singled in the Dodgers' second run.
2. Bullpen: 5 IP, 0 Runs, 4 Hits, 9 K, 2 BB.
3. Dodgers pitchers struck out 20, the most for the team since they K'd 22 in1972.
4. Matt Kemp launched another ball into the stratosphere, his 21st of the season. Video here.
5. Kemp's game-winning sac fly with the bases loaded came oh so close to leaving the park as well.
6. Manny had the day off, but pinch-hit and stayed in to play LF. He finished 1-2 with a BB and a run scored.
   
7. Kemp (HR, BB), Andre Ethier (Double, IBB), Manny (Single, BB), Casey Blake (Single, BB), and James Loney (Single, BB) each reached base twice.
8. You'll steal with Blake, but not with Kemp? You got some 'splainin' to do Joe.
   

Caption This Photo

Matt Kemp and Orlando Hudson stare longingly into each other's eyes after a Dodger victory.

"Orlando, that's not how you play thumb war!"

"Orlando, your eye black is running, let me get that for you. Only if you let me get yours first Matty!"

"Matt, we're wearing the same bracelet. BFFs forever!"

"OK O-Dawg, here's how this super-duper secret handshake goes: first we tap fingers, then we take our hats off and pat our heads, then we do a spin and play patty cakes, and finally we yell Yahtzee! at the top of our lungs at the same time. And it has to be at the same time, or it won't work!"

Note To Eric Karros

Juan Pierre IS NOT the Dodgers' MVP this year (or any year for that matter). Players who have been "more valuable" than Pierre this year, in no particular order:

• Matt Kemp
• Clayton Kershaw
• Andre Ethier
• Chad Billingsley
• Jonathan Broxton
• Randy Wolf
  
• Casey Blake
• Matt Kemp's jock
• Clayton Kershaw's curve
• Randy Wolf's bat
• Casey Blake's beard
• Manny Ramirez (when playing)
• Andre Ethier's yoga mat (ladies included)
• Jonathan Broxton's sideburns
• Chad Billingsley's sweaty hat
  

Notes From Saturday's Game

1. Matt Kemp sent another ball into orbit, about halfway up the right-center bleachers, for his 20th HR of the season. Manny (14), Rafael Furcal (7), and Orlando Hudson (9) also homered.
2. Charlie Haeger had his first poor outing (2.1 IP, 4 ER, 4 Hits, 3 K, 2 BB, 2 HR Allowed, 66 pitches - 40 for strikes), but one poor inning - all 4 runs came in the 3rd - should not lead to his removal from the rotation, especially considering that knuckleballers will always have really poor starts in a season.
3. Bullpen- 6.2 IP, o Runs, 7 Hits, 5 K, 1 IBB, 1 HBP, 1 WP.
4. Andre Ethier, Russell Martin, and Casey Blake all had the day off. Ethier pinch-hit and stayed in to play RF, going 1-2 with a double and a run scored.
5. James Loney (3 BB), Orlando Hudson (HR, Single, BB), and Juan Pierre (3 Singles) all reached base 3 times. Kemp (HR, Single), Manny (HR, BB), and Furcal(HR, Single) all reached base twice.
6. Hopefully Furcal continues his mini hot-streak. He's 6-13 with a HR, 3 RBI, and 1 BB over his last 3 games.

Throw your hands up in the air, and wave 'em like

you just don't care! Come on guys, it's fun!

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Steve Lyons Caught With His Pants Down

And his head up his ass. And this isn't even the first time it's happened.

On tonight's broadcast, Lyons once again made the claim that HRs are "rally killers", and that he would prefer a hitter hit a double instead of a HR, unless the HR ties the game or puts your team ahead. Now yes, it would be great if every HR pulled your team even or put them ahead, but hitters don't have a ton of say in what the score of the game is. They could play stellar defense and be potent offensively, yet still find their team down by a wide margin. And guess what helps your team pull closer to the other team: HRs!

Using tonight's game as an example, the score was 4-0 and the Dodgers had 2 men on. Lyons made the point of saying how a double would be more beneficial, and listed off a bunch of reasons why. Clearly math was never his strong suit, as a double, assuming both runs score, only makes it a 4-2 game. There is no guarantee the man now on 2nd comes in to score, and we easily could be looking at a 4-2 game when the inning ends, especially with the Dodger's recent offensive struggles. What would be even better than a 4-2 score, you ask? How about a 4-3 game, which occurs if the batter hits a HR instead of a double. That HR guarantees you of being closer to the other team when the inning ends. Plus, why would you be against guaranteed runs, when the outcome of the game is determined by who scores the most runs?

Why? I'll tell you why, because that's baseball to the old-school, gritty, against statistics, pants-dropping, racially-insensitive* Steve Lyons: playing the game illogically because you can't comprehend the correct way to play.

But, if we're being honest, guys like Babe Ruth (good thing he pitched regularly/semi-regularly for 6 years, saved him from absolutely demolishing about 100 rallies) and Hank Aaron and Barry Bonds were really assholes, pure, selfish assholes, with all those rallies they killed. Jerks.

Steve Lyons, the epitome of not killing rallies! 19 career HRs, but 100 doubles. That's how you keep rallies alive and get that oh so beautiful career OPS+ of 77. 77! What an offensive dynamo. And I'll go out on a limb and surmise he also believes walks clog the bases.




* I actually thought his Sal Fasano comment was very funny.*

Notes From Friday's Game

Swing at another first pitch, why don't ya?

1. Chad Billingsley had an off-day (5 IP, 4 ER, 7 Hits, 1 K, 4 BB, 2 WP, 1 HR Allowed, 101 pitches - 54 for strikes), struggling to locate his pitches and struggling with wildness in general.
2. Billingsley's poor outing really doesn't matter though when the offense scores no runs against Homer Bailey. Let me repeat that: no runs against H-O-M-E-R fucking B-A-I-L-E-Y.
3. Bullpen: 3 IP, O Runs, 4 Hits (all Singles), 5 K, 1 BB.
   
4. James Loney hit his 9th HR. Again, all 9 have come on the road.
5. Matt Kemp (2 Singles, BB) and Rafael Furcal (3 Singles) each reached base 3 times, while Russell Martin (2 Singles) reached base twice.
6. Matt Kemp stole his 28th base of the season.
   
7. Manny seems less patient at the plate, especially in more crucial moments, like the 9th inning tonight. Take a pitch or two Manny, it's ok.
   

About Schmidt

(Yeah, I'm late with this. So what, wanna fight about it?)


He's nothing more than a former Dodger at this point, will be a free agent, and will probably retire.

No worries though Jason, if you really want to pitch next year, someone will surely give you a call.



Just don't let them see this summary of your last 3 years:

Ronald Belisario Pleads His Case

Not guilty your honor.

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Notes From Thursday's Game

1. Matt Kemp absolutely destroyed Jorge De La Rosa's pitch in the 1st inning, blasting his 19th HR of the year. Video here.
2. Vicente Padilla was solid and lucky (here's looking at you Todd Helton) in his first start in Dodger Blue (5 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 4 K, 1 BB, 19 0 HBP, 80 pitches - 55 for strikes). Hopefully Padilla remains solid in whatever role he has down the stretch.
3. That role should not be starting in place of Charlie Haeger when Hiroki Kuroda returns.
4. Bullpen: 4 IP, O Runs, 5 Hits*, 7 K, O BB
5. Kemp (HR, Double, Single) and Manny (Single, 2 IBB) reached base 3 times each, while Rafael Furcal (Single, BB), Orlando Hudson (2 Singles), and James Loney (Double, BB) each reached base twice.
6. Hong-Chih Kuo struck out the side in the 6th.
7. George Sherrill and Jonathan Broxton each K'd 2.
   
8. Jonathan Broxton had a plate appearance, and popped out. It was his 8th career plate appearance.
   

*1 of these hits was, technically, a ball misplayed in the 9th inning by Rafael Furcal. So let's pretend it had been scored properly and the pen was charged with giving up 4 hits.

Padilla Starts, Dodgers' Hitters Brace For Beanballs

Vicente Padilla fights makes his first appearance as a Dodger today at 12:10 P.M. PST. No word on whether he'll just breathe on the Rockies and give them that swine flu that's all the rage.

Notes From Wednesday's Game

Finally!

1. Randy Wolf was very good once again (7.1 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 5 K, 2 BB, 1 HR Allowed, 109 pitches - 75 for strikes). I would have let him finish the 8th though.
   
2. Was there really a need for either Sherrill or Broxton to pitch? I realize both had gone 3 days without pitching, but with Broxton having pitched so much recently and having dealt with the toe injury, and Sherrill feeling pain in his side yesterday, another day of rest would not only have been beneficial, but was clearly available with the situation that presented itself.
3. James Loney was pitiful again homered (!) for the first time since July 10th, his 8th of the season. All have come on the road.
4. Andre Ethier went deep twice, numbers 26 and 27.
5. Ethier (2 HR, Single) and Manny (Single, BB, HBP) reached base 3 times each, while Loney (HR, Single) and Orlando Hudson (Single, BB) each reached base twice.
6. Rafael Furcal was shitty shitastic more of the same, which can kindly be characterized as shitastically shitty. Move him to the 8th spot Joe.
7. The Dodgers grounded into 3 double plays.
8. Vicente Padilla takes the mound tomorrow.

Cliff Lee Is A Two-Way Player?

("I played basketball, so I'm qualified to talk about which baseball players are the best. They play with a ball in baseball, right?")


Because unless he plays 1st or SS and can hit and get on base, he really doesn't improve a club whose problem has been its offense, not pitching staff. After hearing Mychal Thompson (LA Sports Live on ESPN Radio 710) spout off again about how trading for Cliff Lee had to be done, and Clayton Kershaw should have been included, I had to write something, something to not keep screaming obscenities in my head.

And consider what the Dodgers would have had to give up to acquire his services. Colletti smartly deemed Clayton Kershaw off-limits, and taking into account what the Phillies gave up (4 of their top ten prospects), the Dodgers would have paid a similar price.

Therein lies the problem though - the Dodgers top ten prospects are, on the whole, better than the Phillies top 10 prospects. And yes, I'm biased, but not stupid - the prospects are close, but I would give the Dodgers the edge even if I wasn't a Dodgers fan.

The Phillies, based off of those Baseball America rankings listed above, parted with their #'s 2, 3, 4, and 10 prospects. Obviously the performances of those prospects would have altered their rankings at the time of the trade deadline, but it's still a useful barometer for what was needed to land Lee from the Indians.

Using those same slots, the Dodgers would have parted with James McDonald (2), Ethan Martin (3), Josh Lindblom (4), and Nathan Eovaldi (10) to acquire Cliff Lee. Again, those rankings would have changed at the trade deadline, and I highly doubt the Indians would have accepted 4 pitchers. The Indians very well could have asked the Dodgers for what the Indians were giving up (2 Pitchers, C, SS), and that new deal would then have been McDonald, Ethan Martin, Dee Gordon, and Andrew Lambo/Josh Bell substituted for a C, since the Dodgers don't have a top catching prospect any more (thanks Ned & Frank).

I don't know about you, but that's a ridiculous price to pay for a player in Lee who only, at best, makes you marginally better, and doesn't actually address your team's pressing needs of more offense from the 1st base and shortstop positions. Of course the rotation is more formidable with Lee in it because we keep Kershaw and Billingsley and are replacing the # 5 spot of said rotation, but giving up that many high-end prospects just doesn't sit well with me.

The future is always important, and ripping this team apart for, at best, a slightly better shot at winning this year does not simply hurt our future chances, it comes dangerously close to wiping them out.

Clayton Kershaw Makes Some History

Very impressive.

• 6 HRs allowed this year, and 4 have been hit in Colorado.

• "The longest single-season streak [15 consecutive starts w/out allowing a HR] for any pitcher since 1992....".

Clayton Kershaw was 4 in 1992.

"I'm Still A Giant, Right?"

Jeff Kent talks about his almost-certain HOF induction, whenever that ends up being held.

Notes From Tuesday's Game (EDIT)

1. Can we acquire Troy Tulowitzki? I'm willing to do terrible things. Utterly terrible.
   
2. Clayton Kershaw was very good through 6.1 IP (4 Hits, 2 ER, 6 K, 1 BB, 1 WP, 1 HR Allowed, 104 pitches - 68 for strikes). I agree with Torre taking him out because of the pitch count.
3. I don't agree with Torre only letting Ramon Troncoso pitch one inning - I would have sent him out for the 10th, though when he made the move, I was hoping it would be McDonald.
4. McDonald did make the fielding mistake, but Loney probably should have held onto that throw.
5. I would have pinch-hit Abreu over Loretta.
6. Matt Kemp stole his 27th base.
7. Casey Blake hit his 16th HR.
8. Andre Ethier reached base 4 times (Double, 2 Singles, BB), Manny reached 3 times (2 Singles, IBB), and Blake reached 3 times (HR, Single, IBB).
9. Rafael Furcal really needs to be moved down in the order. I was supportive of Torre keeping him atop it, but at this point some time batting 8th really couldn't hurt. I'd let Martin lead-off, what with getting on-base actually being an important pre-cursor to scoring runs.
10. Bullpen: 3 IP, 6 Hits, 3 Runs (All Earned), 3 BB (1 IBB), 3 K.

EDIT: Didn't realize who was coming up in the 10th, was made aware from multiple other places they were all lefties. Still happy it was McDonald over the other right-handed options (I would have let the big man rest one more day) but yeah, Torre should have brought in this lefty.

What's Another Word For "Wow"? "Damn That's Stupid"?

Saw one of the most ridiculous ESPN chats (somehow without Joe Morgan) linked to over at Memories Of Kevin Malone.

Read on at your own peril. I'll wait....


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Quick Recap on the ramblings from the mind of Buster Olney:

• Torre changed closers.
• Between J.A. Happ and Tommy Hanson, choose Happ.
• A lack of steroids/fertility drugs is causing Manny to slump. Or is it? Just say both to cover your bases. Works every time.
  
• Dustin Pedroia = Mountain Dew?
  
• The Rockies are the greatest team ever!!!!!
  

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A song to pass the time.

Links On A Monday Morning

Tim Brown article. What a douche. [Manny's At Ease As Dodgers Slip]

The latest drivel, I mean article, from the Argyled One. It's about Broxton recently pitching the 8th. I'll let you guess the rest, shouldn't be that hard. Plaschke is actually correct in that it was the right move. Damn when we agree. No worries though, the rest of the article is his typical 300-word slop in 100 one-line paragraphs. [Bullpen Sees A Role Reversal]

Vicente Padilla's first rehab start at AAA Albuquerque. Not sure if I should be happy about this or not. My feelings in the link under this one. [Padilla's 1st Rehab Start]

Free Scott Elbert. [A Movement Begins]

Kissing Suzy Kolber's Fantasy Football/Sex Advice Mailbag Archives. Many great reads when you have time, and by "many great reads" I mean all of them. Go. Now. [KSK Mailbag Archives]

Notes From Sunday's Game

A Michael Jackson Tribute?

1. Manny's defense was atrocious today. He was only charged with 1 error, but he probably committed 5 minimum. How that Aramis Ramirez single was ruled a triple is beyond me, even taking into account the game was in LA. Manny really did a dis-service today to Chad Billingsley. Manny, you know you gotta help your pitcher out when you're in the field, right? At least he didn't cut any throws off today.
2. Billingsley, while a little wild today, was also squeezed numerous times in the first few innings. He pitched well enough to lead us to victory (6 IP, 9 Hits, 3 ER, 5 K, 1 BB, 1 HR Allowed, 94 pitches - 60 for strikes).
3. The offense was once again non-existent.
4. Tony Abreu drove in the lone Dodger run. He was the only Dodger to reach base more than once (Single, BB).
5. Orlando Hudson and James Loney had the day off. Hudson pinch-hit and grounded into a double play, while Loney apparently had the flu, though his play for much of the season certainly warranted a spot on the bench. Though I never want to see Mark Loretta playing instead of Loney, no matter how poorly Loney is hitting.
   
6. Please Joe Torre, remove Casey Blake from the cleanup spot, and while you're at it, from the first 5 spots in the lineup.
7. Did Hong-Chih Kuo really need to come in for one out, especially considering it was just Mike Fontenot? I think James McDonald could have handled that difficult task.
   

2010 Bobbleheads (If I Had Any Say)

Clayton Kershaw
Chad Billingsley
Jonathan Broxton
Andre Ethier

Notes From Saturday's Game

1. Charlie Haeger was excellent once again, though he had worse control of his knuckler this time around (7 IP, O Runs, 3 Hits, 7 K, 4 BB, 100 pitches - 66 for strikes).
2. Matt Kemp's 18th HR may have just landed (~449 feet, sidewalk behind the Dodger's bullpen).
3. Casey Blake hit his 15th HR.
4. Kemp was the only Dodger to reach base more than once (HR, Single).
5. Jonathan Broxton pitched the 8th in order to face Milton Bradley and righties Derek Lee and Aramis Ramirez. He K'd both Bradley and Kosuke Fukudome swinging.
6. Broxton could really use a rest. I hope he isn't used Sunday, as that combined with the off-day Monday would be ideal for the big man.
   
7. George Sherrill pitched through a shaky 9th (Single, BB) to finish the game. He K'd 2, both swinging.
8. Andre Ethier, Russell Martin, and James Loney all had the day off. Ethier came in as a defensive replacement in the 9th.
9. A swarm of bees made camp in the left-center bleachers.
   

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Just realized that I've been mis-reading Yahoo's game logs, seeing ground balls/fly balls to mean ground ball and fly ball outs. My bad. Won't happen again, just ignore the previous 10 + mentions of that in the Notes posts.

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Scrappy, Why That's Swell, But I Prefer Productive Players

Wow, this really is god-awful.


Even if you don't believe in more advanced statistical analysis, the proper stats should be as close to worshipped as you can get because they're objective. Hell, for those who hate sabermetrics, even things like Wins, Losses, ERA, and RBIs are stats too (albeit very superficial stats that should not be used when judging a player's contributions and skills).

Telling me a player is scrappy, has a great personality, is great in the clubhouse, or really talks to your "human spirit" is not telling me how productive a player they are. Those are all subjective, opinion-based statements about a player as a person. And really, the only players who get the "scrappy" label attached to them are your David Ecksteins, and Eckstein is not a good player using any statistical measurement. Nice guy, sure. Gives a lot of effort, hell yes. But effort and niceness don't translate to productive at-bats and strikeouts and scoreless innings and wins. It would be awesome if they did, because I would have a place on a professional baseball team. But they don't, so let's stop pretending that stats and sabermetrics are nerdy, only for fantasy baseball, and don't mean anything in comparison to the grizzled old scout who drives to every game in a beat-up old car and knows a guy who plays "the right way" when he sees one.




You get a bunch of "scrappy" players together, a bunch of "gamers", a team of David Ecksteins if you will, and give them the best coaches to ever coach a game, and guess what you'll have - a crappy team with numbers like these (Oh God, numbers, run away and hide, save the women and children first!).

Give me a bunch of non-gamers*, guys who aren't scrappy, every day of the week. Because we'll win. Because those guys will produce numbers that help us win.

A novel idea really.




*Non-gamers must be in the prime of their career, but I'll give you the gamers/scrappy guys in the prime of their careers too, just so things are on the up-and-up and everything is as fair as something that's really, completely fair.*

A Shot Of Haeger On A Saturday Afternoon

My knuckleball will not fail. I will destroy you.

Part 2 of the Charlie Haeger Experience kicks off at 1:10 P.M. PST against Ted Lilly and the Cubs. Be afraid Cubs hitters, be very afraid.

Notes From Friday's Game

1. Randy Wolf was very good on the mound (7 IP, 1 ER, 1 Hit, 2 BB, 5 K, 88 pitches - 58 for strikes, 9 ground ball outs - 5 fly ball outs) and at the plate (2-run double, BB).
2. I would have sent Wolf out for the 8th inning.
   
3. Jonathan Broxton was excellent again to secure the victory with a scoreless 9th inning, inducing a ground ball out and 2 Ks (Milton Bradley looking and Derek Lee swinging).
4. Sam Fuld's catch to rob Manny of a HR was a beauty. Wish he had missed it, but a great catch nevertheless.
5. Matt Kemp (Double, Single), Casey Blake (Single, HBP), and Wolf (Double, BB) were the only Dodgers to reach base more than once.
6. Kemp stole his 26th base of the season.
   

WTF?

From commenter "Dodger Tony" on Jon Weisman's blog (WTF parts in bold-face):

Here is a very interesting article from ESPN.com regarding Billy Wagner:

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=4412806

Apparently the Mets are looking to deal him in a trade as they don't believe anyone will pick up the 2.5 million left of his salary for only a month or so. Also, it seems that Gary Sheffield is at it again, looking to be dealt to a contender before the season ends. Livan Hernandez has been dumped also.

In my humble estimation, there are still some glaring questions about our post-season roster, particularly the youth of our relievers. If you have an opportunity to get another starter who can give you innings and save your staff from flaming, I would support the addition of both Hernandez AND Wagner. However, I cannot see the Dodgers trading for Sheffield at all, what with his past and his limited role on the team...BUT....the Dodgers have virtually no power off of their bench at this point. If you can get a player like a Sheffield or, better still, Jason Giambi, and it doesn't cost you much in the way of players, these last few pieces of the puzzle could pay huge dividends in October. Certainly Giambi would cost you very little as would Hernandez. I'm not sure what the Mets would be looking for in return for Wagner.

We will see for certain in the next ten days. I hope Ned makes the right call and adds these component parts. A Kuo/Wagner, Sherril, Broxton quartet is very frickin' scary and would be formidable as hell in Philly. At least one power hitter off the bench in Giambi and, finally, Livan to help Padilla eat up like Pacman the rest of the season's valuable innings, and the Dodgers have the makings of something, even if Livan gets crushed. The risk is worth the reward, I would say.

Seriously? Livan Hernandez? The Livan Hernandez who's done this since his last full season with an ERA+ over 100 (2005 - ERA+ of 102)? And Commenter Tony actually says "the rest of the season's valuable innings", so why would you want a crappy pitcher who's going to get bombed pitching in those innings. There's no ceiling with Hernandez, and the floor is dirty and covered in crap.

Wagner for cheap would be acceptable because when he's healthy, Billy Wagner dominates. But our bullpen arms are fine as long as they stay healthy, and while that's never guaranteed (especially with Old Joe at the helm), I'm confident the guys we have can get the job done come playoff time. "Will they get the job done?" is a different question, and since I'm not Miss Cleo, I can't answer that. But they definitely can get the job done.

Notes From Thursday's Game

1. So Russell Martin can't hit for power anymore? Just because he hasn't been doesn't mean he can't in the future. Yes, his power has been mostly non-existent this year (110 Games, 19 XBH [4 HR, 15 Doubles], .062 ISO, .323 SLG, 3.4% HR/FB), but I've often heard the saying that once you display a skill/trait, you own it and can duplicate it. Is Russ the 19 HR guy of 2007? Probably not, but it's just as likely that he's NOT the 4 HR guy through mid-August of 2009. Perhaps it's the ridiculous over-usage that Russ has endured in his Dodgers career, or simply just a really bad year power-wise, but I fully expect him to be a consistent 10-15 HR, 45+ XBH guy for the next half-dozen or so years barring injury.
2. It's clear Joe Torre won't let Jeff Weaver (5.1 IP, 5 Hits, 2 ER, 4 K, 2 BB [both IBB], 1 HBP, 1 HR Allowed, 84 pitches - 50 for strikes) pitch deep, or at least fairly deep, into his starts. With that being the case, why not let Scott Elbert or James McDonald get a start or two? Both have higher ceilings and, if given the chance, are more likely to pitch deeper into games while still performing at a high level. Of course with the way Torre utilizes young guys, they may not get that chance.
3. I haven't been a huge Weaver supporter, but he could have finished off the 6th inning tonight.
4. Matt Kemp (2 singles), Rafael Furcal (2 singles), and Casey Blake (2 singles), and Martin (HR, BB) each reached base twice.
5. Manny went 3-4 with his 20th double.
6. Bullpen : 3.2 IP, O Runs, 3 Hits, 1 BB, 3 K.
   

Notes From Wednesday's Game

1. Why was Jonathan Broxton brought in for the 3rd straight day and 4th day out of 5? Even if you believe his toe injury in 100% better (which I don't) that's a ridiculous overuse of a reliever. If this was the playoffs or World Series, sure, I could live with that decision, but as important as these game are, it's not worth overusing Broxton and putting him at a higher risk of injury.
2. I blame the loss on Torre for bringing in Broxton (who pitched well enough to get out of that inning without the run scoring) and Russell Martin for making the poor decision to throw to second; he should have just held onto the ball.
3. 3 errors, and the hit Hudson muffed could have been scored an error as well. Sheesh.
   
4. Perhaps the flu-like symptoms he had been suffering from affected Kershaw, and maybe they didn't. 3 2/3 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 5 K, 4 BB, 1 WP, 97 pitches - 60 for strikes.
5. Andre Ethier (25) and Casey Blake (14) both hit solo shots to account for the Dodgers' only runs.
6. Ethier (single, HBP) and Orlando Hudson (single, BB) were the only Dodgers to reach base more than once.
7. Tony Abreu was recalled and struck out pinch-hitting.
8. Hiroki Kuroda was officially placed on the 15-Day DL.
9. Vicente Padilla was signed. Why exactly? Start Scott Elbert.
   

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Matt Kemp Bobblehead Night was fun even with the loss, and I almost snagged a second one. So close.

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New Blog Banner

I'm very excited to have a new blog banner. More thanks than I could ever possibly give goes to Ferio from Juan Pierre's Oversized Hat for the incredible work he did to create the banner and explain to me how to implement it.

Thanks also goes to the guys at MSTI for creating the original picture of Plaschke that was used.

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Haven't been able to find out if Kershaw will pitch tonight or Kemp will play after both came down with flu-like symptoms. Matt is certainly more likely to play than Clayton.

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Enjoy tonight's game, and for those of you lucky to be going tonight, enjoy the Matt Kemp bobblehead that will soon be yours. I can't wait to get my hands on one (hopefully more than one, but only time will tell).

Dodgers + Vicente Padilla = FUCK NO (UPDATE)

ESPN's Jayson Stark is reporting the Dodgers are considering signing former Ranger Vicente Padilla. I'll make this short and simple: I don't care that the Dodgers would have to pay Padilla so little that even Frank McCourt wouldn't hesitate, and I don't care that Padilla threw 5 scoreless innings against us earlier this season. Padilla is an awful pitcher. Period.

Kershaw just has the flu, and it looks like Kuroda will return at some point. So that's Kershaw, Billingsley, Wolf, Kuroda, and Haeger. Even taking Kuroda out, that's just the 5th spot in the rotation the team needs to fill. We have better in-house options (Scott Elbert, James McDonald) and as it stands filling the 5th spot in any rotation isn't really that important, especially once the postseason roles around. Hell, I'd rather have Jeff Weaver.

Padilla would just be making 5-8 starts the rest of the year, then pitch out of the bullpen in the playoffs. You're telling me Elbert or McDonald, or both, can't do that?


UPDATE: Fuck.

Matt Kemp Bobblehead Night

Matt Kemp Bobblehead and Clayton Kershaw pitching -- nothing better.

Stoked I got my ticket.

Joe Torre Can Write?

Joe Torre wrote an article (couldn't find the actual article) back in the early 1970s entitled "How To Hit .300". Now, let me say I'm more than willing to give up offense from the catcher position, and it was the '70s, when logic and sabermetrics hadn't risen to the forefront of baseball analysis, but seriously, the fact that people still value a .300 batting average as a sign of a great offensive player really annoys the hell out of me. And really, it's not that surprising that Torre wrote an article about a meaningless and vastly overrated stat.


So to counter this thought process, I've written a book entitled "How To OBP .400". It's only 1 page long and has one sentence, which reads:

LEARN TO FUCKING DRAW WALKS.

Let's be honest, Joe Torre was and will always be a far superior player than manager, and drawing walks was something he did quite well for a catcher. Maybe he can teach Juan Pierre the value of that thing called a walk.

Notes From Tuesday's Games

1. In his return to the mound following hamstring troubles, Chad Billingsley was effective over 6 IP (2 ER, 3 Hits, 1 HBP, 1 K, o BB, 9 ground ball outs - 7 fly ball outs, 77 pitches - 53 for strikes). He also contributed an RBI single to score the game's first run.
2. Jonathan Broxton was excellent for the second straight game, throwing 1.1 scoreless innings, including inducing a ground ball out from Albert Pujols and 2 Ks (Matt Holliday and Rick Ankiel, both swinging).
3. Andre Ethier and Orlando Hudson were each 3-4; Ethier reached base 4 times, Hudson and James Loney 3 times each, and Manny Ramirez and Russell Martin both reached base twice.
4. Matt Kemp was held out of the lineup with flu-like symptoms. Hopefully he's felling better and is back for his big day tomorrow.
5. Hiroki Kuroda is most likely headed to the DL. Jeff Weaver replaces him Thursday. Who couldn't see this coming?

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By the way, Khalil Greene looks suspiciously familiar.

Separated at birth?

Return Of The Billingsley

Chad Billingsley returns tonight after dealing with hamstring issues for the better part of the last two weeks.

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People really need to learn that SV% (and Saves for that matter) are horrendous ways to judge how good a relief pitcher is/has been/will be. Especially one who has not been a closer his entire career. Try other stats, like xFIP, K/9 IP, K/BB, ERA+.

Notes From Monday's Game

1. The pitching's been criticized by many recently, but it's been a lack of offense that's done the Dodgers in. No reason to fret tonight though, considering Chris Carpenter was on the hill. He tends to pitch well against a lot of teams.
2. Charlie Haeger was pretty good in his debut in Dodger Blue (7 IP, 5 Hits, 3 ER, o BB, 2 K, 1 HBP, O WP, O Passed Balls, 2 HR Allowed, 80 pitches - 61 for strikes). He made 2 bad pitches, and both ended up in the bleachers, though there's no shame in being taken yard by Albert Pujols. I think Haeger clearly earned another start(s), especially considering Joe Torre let Schmidt get multiple starts after coming off the DL.
3. Torre should have let Haeger pitch the 8th.
4. Jonathan Broxton pitched a scoreless 9th, striking out 2 (both swinging) while allowing a single. Good to see him rebound.
5. James Loney has as many steals as HR- 7. Take from that what you will.
6. Matt Kemp hit his 20th double, Andre Ethier his 30th double.
7. Kemp was back in the 6th spot. Stupid Torre. Not too hard to see that coming.
8. Hiroki Kuroda's start Thursday will be skipped. Elbert or McDonald please. Probably Weaver though. Could be worse though - it could have been Schmidt.
9. What's the point of sacrificing a man to second when you could have him steal second and then bunt him to third? The point is that it's Joe Torre making the calls, so throw logic out the window.
   

Stop! Haeger Time!

Charlie Haeger makes his first appearance as a Dodger tonight, 7:10 PST. The Cards counter with Chris Carpenter.


Haeger's season in AAA to date.

Notes From Sunday's Game

1. Randy Wolf was outstanding over 7.2 IP (5 Hits, 3 ER, O BB, 10 K, 1 HR allowed, 100 pitches - 71 for strikes). He was also dynamite at the plate, going 3-4 with a HR, double, 3 RBI, and 2 Runs Scored.
2. Wolf retired 20 straight at one point, including 5 via strikeout.
   
3. The bullpen got a much needed rest today.
   
4. Rafael Furcal had the day off.
5. With Furcal resting, Matt Kemp stepped into the leadoff spot. It'll be interesting to see what Joe Torre does with the order tomorrow when Furcal returns, especially after such an offensive outburst. Knowing Joe, not only will Furcal be back atop the order (which I don't really mind) but Kemp will probably be slotted 7th or 8th again (which of course I do have a major problem with).
6. Along with Wolf, Andre Ethier and Orlando Hudson homered.
7. Kemp and Hudson reached base twice.
8. Ethier went 4-5 with his 24th HR and a double. He drove in 4.
9. Guillermo Mota looked much better today than he has in a few weeks, though it was in mop-up duty.
10. Hiroki Kuroda was released from the hospital.

Dodger's Future?

After a tough loss (in more than one way), I decided to take a look at what I think the Dodgers could potentially look like come 2011/2012. Obviously certain contracts need to be given out and trades/re-signings/free agency departures/retirements could happen, and good health is needed, but if I could pick the team:

C: Russell Martin
1B: Kyle Russell*
2B: Ivan DeJesus
SS: Dee Gordon
3B: Blake Dewitt
LF: Andrew Lambo
CF: Matt Kemp
RF: Andre Ethier

*James Loney's ceiling is a consistent 15-20 HR, 80 BB, excellent defense guy. Kyle Russell has more power and should walk more.

My preference would be to slot Carlos Santana at 1st and Josh Bell at 3rd, but hey, we can't always get what we want, can we? Especially when Ned Colletti is your GM and Frank McCourt is your owner.

Batting Order:
1. Dee Gordon
2. Russell Martin
3. Matt Kemp
4. Andre Ethier
5. Andrew Lambo
6. Kyle Russell
7. Blake Dewitt
8. Ivan DeJesus
9. Pitcher

Rotation:
Clayton Kershaw
Chad Billingsley
James McDonald/Scott Elbert
Josh Lindblom
Chris Withrow

Bullpen:
Jonathan Broxton
Ramon Troncoso
Hong-Chih Kuo
Brent Leach
Charlie Haeger
Cory Wade
McDonald/Elbert

Top Prospects:
Nathan Eovaldi
Garrett Gould
Ethan Martin
Aaron Miller
Angelo Songco

Preston Mattingly (Ah, jokes are fun, aren't they?)

Notes From Saturday's Game

1. Before leaving the game after being hit in the head, Hiroki Kuroda pitched 5 innings, allowing 3 hits and 1 ER while walking none and striking out one. He threw 72 pitches, 50 for strikes. Kuroda seems to have avoided major damage from the blow to the head (video included in the link). Best wishes to Hiroki and his family.
2. Russell Martin and James Loney each had the night off. Loney came in as a defensive replacement in the 10th.
3. Matt Kemp walked twice and stole two bases.
4. It was announced before the game that Charlie Haeger and Chad Billingsley are scheduled to pitch Monday and Tuesday, respectively.
5. Though I'm sure many have lost faith in Jonathan Broxton, the only thing that worries me is his toe injury. He still K'd 2 in his one inning of work, and before the 2 HRs he gave up tonight, he had given up a grand total of 2 HRs in his previous 51.2 IP this season. I see this as a case of which sample size you believe in - his 18.2 IP (excluding tonight) from June 20th to August 10th, or his 33.0 IP from the beginning of the season to June 16th? Even with the toe injury and the uncertainty it brings, I still believe in the Broxton of the 33 IP, the Broxton whose career looks like this (excluding tonight):

IP: 292.2
ERA: 3.01
ERA+: 146
SO: 382
SO/9 IP: 11.7
HR: 17
HR/9 IP: 0.5
FIP: 2.59

Jonathan Broxton's xFIP each year, beginning with his rookie season of 2005:

4.06 (13.7 IP)
3.33 (76.3 IP)
2.75 (82.0 IP)
2.91 (69.0 IP)
2.32 (51.7 IP)

Unless his toe falls off, I have full confidence in the big man to get the job done. Small sample sizes are often misleading and detrimental in player evaluation.