Javier Solano Video

This clip is from the Inland Empire 66ers game on July 24th, against the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes, the Angels High-A affiliate. The 66ers prevailed.

The man on first is Mike Trout, the Angels top prospect and Baseball America's Number 2 prospect in their midseason rankings. He had just singled. Video of that plate appearance to come.

Oh, and Trout could have easily been a Dodger when he was drafted in the first round, 25th overall, in 2009. The Dodgers had the 17th pick that year, but decided to forfeit it for less than a years worth of Orlando Hudson. The Diamondbacks ended up with that pick. Granted, the Dodgers probably would have selected a high school pitcher from Texas with the pick, but still, Trout is just the type of impact bat the Dodgers desperately need in the system, and he could have been ours.

Blake DeWitt On Second Base Job

Blake DeWitt's thoughts on the second base job and the acquisition of veteran players at that position the last couple of years.

"My approach is not going to change," said DeWitt. "I'm going to work hard, improve as much as possible and get to Spring Training ready to win a job and help this team win. A couple of years ago I might have felt different. But I've learned a lot, I've grown up a lot since 2008. I realize some things you can control and some things you can't."

Winter Meetings News

Jon Weisman passes along multiple Dodger moves:

• Jamie Hoffmann was taken with the first selection in the Rule 5 Draft by the Yankees.
• The Dodgers are going to offer arbitration to Jason Repko. Color me fucking stunned. He must have pictures of someone in the organization.
• The Dodgers acquired Carlos Monasterios from the Mets, who selected him in the Rule 5 Draft. The price: CASH. Wasn't a lack of cash the problem? The reason why we couldn't offer arbitration to Wolf and Hudson? Oh wait, it was a "baseball decision". Fuck.
• The Dodgers acquired Armando Zerpa from the Rays, who selected him in the aforementioned Rule 5 Draft.
  

Dodgers Decide Not To Offer Arbitration....To Anyone

What an idiotic decision, punting picks galore for what comes down to paying the money for the picks, or paying the money if any of the players offered arbitration accepted and returned to the Dodgers.

Picks for Randy Wolf? Gone.

Picks for Orlando Hudson? Gone.

Pick for Ronnie Belliard? Gone.


I fear more stupid decisions are ahead.

Links On A Saturday Night

Marco Scutaro has apparently heard from the Dodgers, who are apparently interested in him for the currently vacant second base job. No, no, no, nein, no. Career year in your 30s for a utility player means stay away. Please Ned, stay away. Go with DeWitt, after, of course, offering arbitration to Orlando Hudson, who most likely turns it down and nets us some picks. [Scutaro Prefers The Dodgers and Red Sox]

Mike Scioscia's Tragic Illness details the reasons why the Dodgers should avoid the aforementioned Scutaro. He hits the nail on the head, there's nothing that could be added that he didn't eloquently state. [Just Go To Boston Already, Marco]

One of the the funniest things I've ever read. [The Internet Is Over, Folks. Presenting: The Worst Site Ever]

Report: Matt Kemp Wins Gold Glove

Via kensai at Memories Of Kevin Malone.

Orlando Hudson also reportedly has won a Gold Glove. Which should have gone to Chase Utley.

Hopefully kensai's source is correct, and Kemp has won. Sign the man long-term already.

And if Hudson has won, that could either entice the Dodgers to push toward re-signing him (I hope not) or push another team to go after him, and if we offer arbitration and he declines, and then signs elsewhere, we get picks as he is a Type-A free agent.

I want the picks.

Phillies 10, Dodgers 4: NLCS Game 5 Recap: Notes From Wednesday's Game

1. Vicente "Hot Hand" Padilla was the Vicente Padilla of old, and by old I mean his entire career before the last couple of months with the Dodgers. His line on Wednesday was quite unimpressive (3 IP, 6 ER, 4 Hits, 3 K, 2 BB, 2 HR Allowed, 55 pitches - 34 for strikes). He had a good run, and hopefully runs somewhere else for next season.
2. Bullpen: 5 IP, 4 Runs, 4 Hits, 7 K, 2 BB, 3 HBP, 1 WP, 2 HR Allowed.
3. Andre Ethier, James Loney, and Orlando Hudson each hit solo home runs. Ethier's HR was his 3rd this postseason, Loney's was his 2nd, and Hudson's was his first career postseason HR, and the first pinch-hit HR for the Dodgers in postseason play since Gibson in '88.
4. Ethier (HR, Single), Manny (Single, BB), Loney (HR, BB), and Ronnie Belliard (Single, BB) each reached base twice.
   
5. The offense struck out 7 times while drawing just 3 walks.
   

Game Log.


Next year is just around the corner, and this team can without question make it back to this point, and beyond, with the talented core of players it has.

Links On A Friday Afternoon

Orlando Hudson will most likely not be starting anytime soon. Ronnie Belliard, swing away. Not that he needs anyone to tell him that. [Hudson Supports Belliard]

The Washington Post jumped the gun just a bit on who won last night. [Washington Post]

The real reason why Matt Holliday dropped James Loney's sinking liner in Game 2. [Ninth-Inning Nightmare]

Footage of Babe Ruth in the outfield. [A Ruthian Mystery]

Notes From Sunday's Game

1. Brad Ausmus managed the team in today's final regular season game.
2. Vicente Padilla went 5 excellent innings (1 ER, 4 Hits, 10 K, 0 BB, 1 HR Allowed, 87 pitches - 59 for strikes). He struck out the first 5 batters he faced (where have I heard that before?).
   
3. Bullpen: 4 IP, 2 Runs, 4 Hits, 7 K, 1 BB.
4. Doug Mientkiewicz (3 Singles) reached base 3 times, while Andre Ethier (2 BB), Orlando Hudson (Double, BB), Chin-lung Hu (Double, Single), and Juan Pierre (Triple, Single) each reached base twice.
5. A.J. Ellis collected his first career hit.
   
6. Pierre stole 2 bases to finish the season with 30 steals. And 12 caught stealings.
   
7. The offense struck out 7 times and drew 3 walks.
   

Notes From Tuesday's Game

1. Chad Billingsley was definitely struggling with some wildness (6 IP, 2 ER, 2 Hits, 5 K, 5 BB, 1 HR Allowed, 107 pitches - 63 for strikes), but 3 of those walks were to Adrian Gonzalez, the only offensive threat on the Padres. I think you can hardly hold that against Bills. It would be like an opposing pitcher facing the Dodgers, who would field a lineup of all reserves and one of the starting outfielders. You never want to walk guys, but if that opposing pitcher walked that Dodger outfielder 3 times, would it really be the worse thing in the world? I actually think it would be a pretty wise move. Look at Chad's line again with those 3 walks to A-Gon put in the proper context, and he pitched a second consecutive really good game.
2. Bullpen: 2 IP, 1 Run, 2 Hits, 2 K, 1 BB, 1 WP. 3 relievers.
3. Orlando Hudson (Triple, 2 BB) reached base 3 times and Rafael Furcal (2 Singles) reached base twice, the only Dodgers to reach base more than once.
4. Furcal stole his 11th base of the season. It's his 5th SB in September.
5. Matt Kemp recorded his 14th outfield assist of the season, gunning down A-Gon at the plate in the 6th inning.
   
6. The offense struck out 8 times while drawing 4 walks.
7. The last 5 outs made by Dodger hitters all came via the strikeout, 3 swinging and 2 looking.
8. Magic number still 1.
   

Notes From Sunday's Game (UPDATE)

1. Great defense. Now we'll see more calls for Sherrill to take over for Broxton. Unwarranted calls. (UPDATE: Call # 1 for Broxton's head)
   
2. Clayton Kershaw only lasted 4 innings in his first start in almost a month (2 ER, 4 Hits, 4 K, 1 BB, 2 WP, 79 pitches - 49 for strikes), but he must start in the playoffs. To do anything else would be foolish. Granted, foolish is Joke Joe Torre's middle name. And first name.
3. Bullpen: 4.1 IP, 4 Runs [3 ER], 7 Hits, 5 K, 3 BB [all IBB].
4. Orlando Hudson (Single, 2 BB [1 IBB]) reached base 3 times, while James Loney (2 Singles) and Ronnie Belliard (Double, Single) each reached base twice.
5. The offense drew 4 walks while striking out 5 times.
6. 2 Errors, plus a botched double play by Furcal in the 9th. So really 3 Errors, all in the 9th inning.
7. Magic number is still just 1.
8. The Cleveland Show was atrocious.
   

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?

-------------------------------------------------------

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?

Notes From Monday's Game

1. Jon Garland was decent over 6 IP (2 ER, 6 Hits, 3 K, 3 BB, 1 WP, 113 pitches - 73 for strikes).
2. Bullpen: 3 IP, O Runs, 0 Hits, 3 K, O BB.
   
3. Andre Ethier hit his 29th HR of the season.
4. Casey Blake (2 Singles, BB, HBP) reached base 4 times, Orlando Hudson (2 Doubles, Single) reached base 3 times, and Matt Kemp (Single, BB), Russell Martin (Double, Single), and James Loney (Single, BB) each reached base twice.
5. Kemp stole his 33rd base of the season.
6. Sign Of The Apocalypse: Rafael Furcal stole a base, his 7th of the season.
   

Player Nicknames

Something to pass the time:

Confirmed Or Often-Used Nicknames

• Matt Kemp - The Bison
• Andre Ethier - Late Game Dre, Endre
• Manny Ramirez- Manram
  
• George Sherrill - The Brim Reaper
• Casey Blake - The Beard
• Orlando Hudson - O-Dawg
• Juan Pierre - Beast Mode (I politely disagree)

Any I missed? I'm thinking more along the lines of nicknames that don't derive solely from their name, like Raffy or McD/J-Mac.


*A list of Dodgers nicknames I found. Clearly incomplete, and clearly not completely factual.*

Notes From Tuesday's Game (EDIT)

1. Chad Billingsley went 6 innings tonight (4 ER, 8 Hits, 4 K, 3 BB, 97 pitches - 59 for strikes), and while he wasn't great, and didn't miss bats like he usually does, his line is misleading. Ronnie Belliard screwed up the roller hit to him (while somehow avoiding an error) which led to a run scoring, and most of the key D-Backs hits were not terribly hard-hit, certainly no more so than the Dodgers' outs in the first inning.
2. Bullpen: 3 IP, O Runs, 2 Hits, 4 K, 0 BB.
3. James McDonald pitched a scoreless 7th, striking out the side on 16 pitches.
4. Rafael Furcal (3 Singles, BB) reached base 4 times, while Andre Ethier (Double, Single), Manny (2 BB), Orlando Hudson (2 Singles), and James Loney (2 Singles) each reached base twice.
5. The Dodgers grounded into 5 double plays, the most for the team since May 27, 1974. 5 double plays is the team record for a single game, though it is interesting to note that while the club's official site lists two other games in which this occurred, after doing some quick research (would've been quicker if fucking Baseball-Reference wasn't being a bitch tonight) I found that the Dodgers did not ground into 5 double plays in either of those games. The official site even lists the 1973 game as LA vs. Montreal, while Baseball-Almanac lists it as being LA vs. the Mets, and in the both the 1973 and 2004 games, it was the other team (Mets and Giants respectively) who grounded into 5 double plays. (EDIT BELOW)
   

EDIT: Baseball-Reference says the Dodgers did in fact hit into 5 double plays on May 24th,1973. I trust B-R more than Baseball Almanac, so I stand corrected. The Mets grounded into 4 double plays that game, while in the September 24th game, the Giants grounded into 1 double play. Baseball-Almanac has certainly gone down a notch now.

Notes From Monday's Game

1. Vicente Padilla was solid over 6 innings (2 ER, 6 Hits, 3 K, 1 BB, 1 HR Allowed, 93 pitches - 60 for strikes).
2. Bullpen: 3 IP, O Runs, 2 Hits, 3 K, 2 BB.
   
3. Manny (17th), Ronnie Belliard (7th), and James Loney (10th) all homered.
4. All 10 of Loney's HRs have come away from Los Angeles.
5. Matt Kemp stole his 31st base of the season. Juan Pierre stole his 24th and 25th bases.
6. Belliard (HR, Double, Single) reached base 3 times, while Orlando Hudson (2 BB [1 IBB]), Russell Martin (Single, HBP), Loney (HR, BB), and Pierre (2 Singles) each reached base twice.
7. Manny was ejected.
8. The offense needs to draw more walks, because we all know that hitting funks occur, and for the past month or so, we've seen a lot of them. Rarely do players and teams go into walk funks (though the past month would beg to differ).
   

Notes From Saturday's Game

1. Randy Wolf was very good again (7 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 5 K, O BB, 104 pitches - 70 for strikes). He also saw a lot of pitches in his at-bats against Padres' starter Mat Latos. Good game all around for Wolf.
2. Bullpen: 2 IP, 2 Runs [1 ER], 6 Hits, 4 K, 0 BB.
3. Andre Ethier hit his team-leading 28th HR of the season.
4. James Loney (2 Singles, 2 BB) reached base 4 times, Rafael Furcal (Double, Single, BB) reached base 3 times, and Ethier (HR, Double), Russell Martin (Single, BB), and Orlando Hudson (Single, IBB) each reached base twice.
5. Matt Kemp stole his 30th base of the season.
6. Wolf is the first pitcher in baseball to reach 30 starts this season.
7. Casey Blake sat out with tightness in his left hamstring. He's day-to-day.
   

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.
   

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.