Russ Mitchell Named To AFL All-Prospect Team

This is Mitchell's second honor of the year, after having won the Dernell Stenson Sportsmanship Award back in November.

I wouldn't call Mitchell a prospect though, as he's 24 (younger than I thought, I had guessed 26) and has never had a major league at-bat; he was drafted way back in 2003. The last player that I can remember still being a prospect, and in a similar situation to Mitchell's, who ended up making a major impact was Ryan Howard, and he came up so late simply because he was blocked at 1st base in Philly by future Hall Of Famer and recent Dodger Jim Thome.

Mitchell is only "blocked", and I use that term lightly, by James "Road" Loney. And I don't see a similar career path. Now Kyle Russell, that's a different story.

Either way, congrats to Mitchell for a season of recognition.

AFL All-Prospect Team.

Dodgers 2, Phillies 1: NLCS Game 2 Recap: Notes From Friday's Game

1. Vicente Padilla was very good over 7.1 IP (1 ER, 4 Hits, 6 K, 1 BB, 1 HR Allowed, 95 pitches - 69 for strikes).
2. Bullpen: 1.2 IP, 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 K, 0 BB.
3. Jonathan Broxton has pitched in all 5 postseason games thus far in 2009 (5.2 IP, 5 K, 0 BB, 0 HR Allowed), going 1 inning to close out today's win. He induced 2 ground outs and 1 line out, and has allowed only one ER thus far, which came on a poor defensive play and fielder's indifference.
   
4. Once again, patience is key, as is drawing walks. The offense struck out only 4 times, but only drew 2 walks. That needs to change.
5. Of course, one of those 2 walks was the game-winning, bases-loaded walk from Andre Ethier.
6. Jim Thome had a huge pinch-hit single in the 8th inning.
7. Russell Martin (Single, HBP) reached base twice, the only Dodger to reach base more than once.
8. The win is the 44th comeback win of the season, postseason included.
   

Game Log.

A much different Tommy than last night.

Notes From Saturday's Game

1. The Dodgers clinched a playoff spot and reduced their magic number to win the NL West to 2 1 with their win and the Rockies loss.
2. Randy Wolf was solid again (6.1 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 5 K, 1 BB, 1 HR Allowed, 83 pitches - 54 for strikes).
3. Bullpen: 2.2 IP, 2 Runs, 3 Hits, 3 K, 2 BB, 2 WP. 5 relievers. See bullet point number 8.
   
4. Ronnie Belliard hit his 10th HR of the season (5th with LA).
5. Jim Thome had a big 2-run pinch-hit single in the 8th inning. Good to see Jim with some success off of the bench.
   
6. Manny (Double, Single, 3 BB) reached base 5 times, Belliard (HR, 2 Singles) reached base 3 times, and James Loney (Single, BB), Orlando Hudson (2 BB [1 IBB]), and Mark Loretta (Double, Single) each reached base twice.
7. The offense was more patient tonight, drawing 8 walks [1 IBB] while striking out just 3 times.
8. I've decided that Joe Torre just doesn't know any better when it comes to bullpen management.
   

Notes From Wednesday's Game

1. Chad Billingsley was excellent aside from one pitch (6 IP, 3 ER, 1 Hit, 9 K, 4 BB, 1 HR Allowed, 87 pitches - 52 for strikes).
2. Yes, the one pitch was a hanger that Ryan Zimmerman crushed, but overall it was an excellent outing for Chad. No-hitter through 5.2 IP, velocity was good, command was there even with the 4 walks (3 of which were to hitters you don't mind walking, Zimmerman and Adam Dunn), and his stuff was nasty. I actually thought he had Dunn struck out right before he walked him and Zimmerman homered, and if it was in fact a strike, then he goes at least 6 scoreless.
3. Bullpen: 2.1 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 1 K, 2 BB.
4. Orlando Hudson left in the 9th inning after tripping over Adam Dunn's foot and jamming his twice surgically-repaired left wrist.
5. Rafael Furcal (2 Singles, BB), James Loney (2 Singles, BB), and Ronnie Belliard (Double, Single, BB) each reached base 3 times, the only Dodgers to reach base more than once.
6. Furcal stole his 10th base.
7. Jim Thome pinch-hit and singled to center in the 9th inning.
   
8. The offense drew 7 walks (1 IBB) while only striking out twice.
9. How does Eric Collins see "Saul" as being pronounced "Sa-oul"? Has he never seen Pineapple Express?

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For comparisons sake, some other pitching lines from tonight:

• Cole Hamels: 7 IP, 4 ER, 8 Hits, 4 K, 0 BB, 2 HR Allowed
• Josh Beckett: 6 IP, 2 ER, 12 Hits, 7 K, 1 BB
• A.J. Burnett: 5.2 IP, 2 ER, 7 Hits, 11 K, 3 BB
• Jason Marquis: 4.2 IP, 6 Runs [5 ER], 5 Hits, 6 K, 5 BB, 1 HR Allowed
• Scott Kazmir: 6 IP, 3 ER, 3 Hits, 4 K, 3 BB, 1 WP
• Tim Hudson: 6 IP, 2 ER, 9 Hits, 3 K, 2 BB
• Mark Buehrle: 3.1 IP, 5 Runs [4 ER], 8 Hits, 0 K, 1 BB
  

What do these starters have in common? They will be or would be starting in the playoffs (Hudson would perhaps only start in the second round depending upon whether the Braves went with a 3-man or 4-man rotation in the NLDS).

I'm not one to make grand predictions and assessments over 1 game, or even half of a season. Too small of a sample size.

Do you?

Links On A Friday Morning

Does Manny Ramirez know Jim Thome? Or know that he played with him? I'll guess yes and yes. [Jim Thome Who?]

When will people realize all you have to do is make the playoffs? Because, you know, they're a crapshoot. [Monumental Collapse Looming?]

Some Dodger praise from a San Francisco reporter? Yeah, believe it. [How To Ignite The Dodgers Series]

Another article claiming the Dodgers' biggest concern is their rotation. [Dodgers' Rotation Is Biggest Concern Among Contenders]

Caption This Photo

Where are Ned Colletti's hands?


Manny Ramirez gets giddy over the baby shower gift Joe Torre and Ned Colletti went halfsies on.


If Manny is tickled by Torre's touch, wait until Colletti's mustache gets a hold of him.


I think Torre just finished.


"Tickle Me Manny"


Joe Torre silently sings 'Turning Japanese" to himself as he gives Manny Ramirez a sensual massage.

Manny just Got Smooved.

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Previous installment. Come on people, I can't have the only dirty questionable mind. I want to hear your musings on these classically creepy photos. So take a look at both and put pen to paper. Or fingers to computer keys.

Caption This Photo

Thome (In Song): "I've got something in my front pocket for you. Why don't you reach down in my pocket, and see what it is? Then grab onto it, it's just for you. Give a little squeeze and say 'How do you do?'"

"Big Papi was never that happy."

Jim Thome's pre-game ritual: Eat, Stretch, Run, Hug.

Manny slowly makes his move, wishing only for more privacy. A trip to Make-Out Point is the planned post-game retreat.

Notes From Friday's Game

1. Clayton Kershaw was a bit wild over 6 IP (2 Runs [1 ER], 4 Hits, 3 K, 3 BB, 1 WP, 107 pitches - 62 for strikes). He retired the last 8 batters he faced, and many of those 45 balls were strikes from my vantage point.
   
2. It's becoming a broken record, but if the offense doesn't step up, it doesn't matter how good or bad the pitching is.
3. Bullpen: 3 IP, 0 Runs, 1 Hit, 2 K, 0 BB.
4. Jim Thome made his first appearance for the Dodgers, pinch-hitting in the 8th inning. He singled and was pulled for a pinch-runner.
5. Casey Blake (2 BB) and Ronnie Belliard (Single, BB) each reached base twice, the only Dodgers to reach base more than once.
   

Happenings In Blue

Jim Thome is available tonight.
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Victor Garate was the player to be named later in the Ronnie Belliard deal. Am I mad that we got rid of Garate? No, because relievers are easily replaceable, unless your name is Jonathan Broxton. But seriously Ned, do you have no concept of value when it comes to prospects? Two for Belliard? Jesus H Christ that's an overpayment.



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With Garate's departure, the 40-man roster is currently occupied by only 39 men.

Travis Schlichting Heads To The 60-Day DL & Return Of The Kuroda

According to Beto Duran. This, combined with the DFAing of Jamie Hoffmann, opens up the necessary spots on the 40-man roster for Jim Thome and Jon Garland.

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Hiroki Kuroda returned to the mound in his first rehab start after being hit in the head by a line drive. He could re-join the big boys Sunday at home against the Padres.

Notes From Tuesday's Game

1. Great Spectacular catch by Andre Ethier. One of the best I've seen him make.
2. Vicente Padilla was erratic in the 1st, throwing 37 pitches. He lasted 5.1 innings (1 ER, 4 Hits, 5 K, 2 BB, 1 WP, 98 pitches - 68 for strikes). He also singled in a run.
   
3. Bullpen: 3.2 IP, 2 Runs, 4 Hits, 5 K, 3 BB.
4. Matt Kemp hit his 23rd HR and stole his 29th base.
5. Kemp has homered in 4 straight games, and in 5 of the last 6 games.
   
6. Kemp (HR, Single, IBB) reached base 3 times, while Orlando Hudson (Double, Single) and James Loney (2 Singles) each reached base twice.
7. Jim Thome was not available today, but will be tomorrow, barring any unforeseen travel troubles.
8. Jon Garland starts Thursday.
   

Bye Bye Jamie

Jamie Hoffmann has been designated for assignment. This allows Jim Thome to be added to the 40-man roster and be available for tonight's game. One more move will need to be made to allow Jon Garland to be added to the 40-man.


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And yet it won't be Jason Repko.

Joining Repko as September call-ups are Scott Elbert and A.J. Ellis.

Repko should have received the DFA tag, as Hoffmann is younger and has more upside than the perennially-injured Repko. Great job Ned.

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The Dodgers will pay $1 million of Thome's remaining 2009 salary.

Who Gets The Letters DFA By Their Name? (EDIT)

To accommodate the acquisitions of Jim Thome and Jon Garland, two guys need to be designated for assignment from the 40-man roster. This really shouldn't even be an issue.

DFA: Mark Loretta

DFA: Jason Repko

Repko is the 5th OF (6th if Xavier Paul returns), and with the additions of Thome and Ronnie Belliard, Loretta should be let go. Adios gentlemen (please Ned, do the smart/right thing).

Loretta gone would open a spot on the active roster. With his performance tonight, I think it's safe to say James McDonald purchased himself a trip back to AAA to open a spot for Garland. Though I would prefer McD to stay up and Garland to go away.

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DFA: Will Ohman
DFA: Eric Milton

Neither is on the 40-man roster, but both should be long-gone by now.





EDIT: Once Thome and Garland are added to the 40-man roster, there will be no issue in adding them to the active roster. With all the chaos and roster moves in the past few days, I completely forgot that rosters expand today. Lucky lucky Loretta (perhaps?).

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.