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2008 Season

Dodger home record: 39-30 (.565)
When Jon attended: 5-3 (.625)
When Jon didn't: 34-27 (.557)

1991-2007

Dodgers at home: 745-600 (.554)
Jon attended: 293-233 (.557)*
Jon didn't: 457-374 (.550)
* includes road games attended

2008 Payroll Worksheet

Current Roster with Estimated 2008 Salaries
(updated March 28)

Most figures are estimates (some are wild estimates) but will be updated as information comes in. Corrections welcome.

More contract details here.

Starting Pitchers (5)
$12,300,000 Hiroki Kuroda
$10,000,000 Derek Lowe
$9,500,000 Brad Penny
$7,000,000 Esteban Loaiza
*$500,000 Chad Billingsley
Total: $39,300,000

Bullpen (6)
$2,000,000 Takashi Saito
$1,925,000 Joe Beimel
$1,125,000 Scott Proctor
*$500,000 Jonathan Broxton
$500,000 Chan Ho Park
*$400,000 Hong-Chih Kuo
Total: $6,450,000

Starting Lineup (8)
$14,100,000 Andruw Jones
$13,000,000 Rafael Furcal
$9,000,000 Jeff Kent
$8,500,000 Nomar Garciaparra
$8,000,000 Juan Pierre
$500,000 Russell Martin
*$400,000 James Loney
*$400,000 Matt Kemp
Total: $53,900,000

Bench (6)
$875,000 Gary Bennett
$600,000 Mark Sweeney
$424,500 Andre Ethier
$391,000 Delwyn Young
$390,000 Chin-Lung Hu
$390,000 Blake DeWitt
Total: $3,071,000

Disabled List
$12,000,000 Jason Schmidt
*$400,000 Tony Abreu
*$390,000 Andy LaRoche
Total: $12,790,000

Also Paying ...
$1,000,000 Brett Tomko
$750,000 Odalis Perez
$540,000 Yhency Brazoban
$500,000 Randy Wolf
$487,500 Jason Repko
$135,225 Rudy Seanez
$100,000 Mike Lieberthal
$50,000 Ramon Martinez
Total: $3,562,725

Working total: *$113,268,725

*Rough salary estimate

The 2008 Dodgers

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Navarro and Aybar Climb Back
2008-06-08 15:25
by Jon Weisman

I've been meaning for a while to write about Dioner Navarro. The former Dodger catcher, who went with Jae Seo to Tampa Bay in the June 2006 Mark Hendrickson/Toby Hall trade, has suffered through some rough times - the least of which was the 70 OPS+ he posted for the then-Deviled Rays last season.

In September 2003, his wife suffered a brain aneurysm and nearly died. In July 2006, his SUV flipped with him, his wife and infant son inside. (Everyone, amazingly, was okay.)

On the field, in May 2006 he went on the disabled list and lost his starting Dodger catcher job to Russell Martin. And this past April, Navarro suffered lacerations on this throwing hand.

Now, Navarro and his family all seem healthy - and so is Navarro's bat. In 152 plate appearances this season, his OPS+ is 117 (.364 on-base percentage, .427 slugging percentage). He has thrown out 9 of 29 attempted basestealers.

"The people around me have helped me tremendously," he told Brittany Ghiroli of MLB.com. "They [coaches and teammates] always knew that I was capable of doing this, but having them [work with me] has helped my game so much."

Things are going so well, Navarro wasn't even suspended despite being involved in last week's Rays-Red Sox brawl.

Then there's Aybar, who was traded by the Dodgers to Atlanta for Wilson Betemit in 2006. A substance abuse problem was revealed in the spring of 2007, and then in February, Aybar was arrested in the Dominican Republic on domestic violence charges that were later dropped.

Of course, this is very often not the end of a domestic violence story, and I haven't found anything to indicate what kind of counseling or treatment Aybar is receiving. All I can report is that Aybar is now a Ray, and after recovering from a left hamstring injury that hastened his replacement at third base by Evan Longoria, Aybar is 12 for 41 with six doubles and a homer (132 OPS+) while playing some third, first and designated hitter.

* * *

Lakers-Celtics Game 2 chat is at The Griddle.

* * *

Cubs at Dodgers, 5:05 p.m.

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Comments (463)
Show/Hide Comments 1-50
2008-06-08 15:35:13
1.   Bluebleeder87
Very happy for Navarro & hoping Aybar gets things straitened out.
2008-06-08 15:36:36
2.   Bluebleeder87
I also wanna take this time to congratulate Jon's alma matter for making it to the CWS.
2008-06-08 15:38:42
3.   Bob Timmermann
NBA Finals chat here:
http://griddle.baseballtoaster.com/archives/1012173.html
2008-06-08 15:50:30
4.   Bluebleeder87
I know NOT basketball.

but I'll give it a shot.

2008-06-08 15:55:19
5.   Bluebleeder87
watching the Irvine versus LSU college game, man, the Irvine pitcher can't find the zone all of a sudden.

walks in one runner 7-5 now WITH NO OUTS.

2008-06-08 15:57:00
6.   Bob Timmermann
7-6 with one out! LSU is facing elimination.
2008-06-08 15:58:10
7.   Bob Timmermann
Tied up in Baton Rouge.
2008-06-08 15:59:47
8.   Bob Timmermann
Time for a new pitcher Irvine.
2008-06-08 16:00:21
9.   bigcpa
Today is the anniversary of Kemp getting called up to stay after his overlong stay in Vegas. Tuesday is the same anniversary for Loney. Fingers crossed for LaRoche to get the promo and stay here.
2008-06-08 16:00:42
10.   Bluebleeder87
The electricity in that stadium is rejuvenating.
2008-06-08 16:03:22
11.   Bob Timmermann
And I have finished the NYT crossword and with that I will get ready to make the long trek to Dodger Stadium.
2008-06-08 16:05:12
12.   Bob Hendley
4 - Bleeder, I see that you actually gave it a three-point shot.
2008-06-08 16:05:55
13.   Bob Hendley
9 - Here, here!
2008-06-08 16:08:16
14.   Bob Timmermann
Irvine's CF channeling the spirit of Juan Pierre on his throw home.
2008-06-08 16:12:11
15.   Bluebleeder87
yeah, that throw wasn't anything to write home about.
2008-06-08 16:15:02
16.   Bob Timmermann
The LSU LF is now extremely dirty.
2008-06-08 16:15:42
17.   JoeyP
Billy Wagner implodes.
Padres looking for their 5th straight.
2008-06-08 16:18:12
18.   Bluebleeder87
you know what though IMO he just timed it perfectly it really wasn't that good of a catch.

Runner at 2nd with only 1 out 9-7 LSU.

2008-06-08 16:19:29
19.   Bluebleeder87
WOW, LSU showing some resolve.
2008-06-08 16:20:30
20.   Bluebleeder87
So is the Standford Cardinal the stud team this year or what?
2008-06-08 16:23:43
21.   Gold Star for Robot Boy
Jon, I hate to bring this to your attention, as it puts a damper on a heartwarming story, but Dioner fought with a teammate today.
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3432656
Apparently, Navarro and pitcher Matt Garza had a heated conversation on the mound and later in the dugout it got physical.
2008-06-08 16:24:14
22.   Bluebleeder87
Personally I don't indorce the dog pile, you just can't breath when your way down in the bottom of it.
2008-06-08 16:43:40
23.   68elcamino427
Billy Jack and the Trash Can

Starring Jeff Kent as Billy Jack

Also Starring:

Larry Bowa

Mark Sweeney

and Special Guest Appearance by - Ken Rosenthal

Outnumbered and the only voice of reason, Billy Jack schools the ignorant kids in the Dodgers Clubhouse and saves a franchise on the brink.

2008-06-08 16:47:24
24.   D4P
Amusing Angel stats:

Hunter: .273/.340/.449/.789
Guerrero: .254/.319/.437/.756
Matthews: .234/.312/.355/.667

2008-06-08 16:56:52
25.   D4P
I think I just saw that Sweeney's gonna have knee surgery and miss 4-6 weeks.
2008-06-08 17:01:17
26.   D4P
Jon and Joe!
2008-06-08 17:02:35
27.   Megaballs
(25) You're pulling my leg.
2008-06-08 17:03:46
28.   Bob Hendley
23 - Perfecto!
2008-06-08 17:03:58
29.   MonkeyBlue
We have the starting lineup yet?
2008-06-08 17:04:25
30.   D4P
27
Oops: turns out it's Mike Sweeney. I knew I saw Sweeney go across the page, but I didn't see the first name.
2008-06-08 17:04:36
31.   Megaballs
(25) Oakland's Sweeney, not ours.
2008-06-08 17:07:56
32.   Bob Hendley
26 - I have me beloved Mexican announcers. I don't think that this is just some guys sitting in a studio either (so I can't change the idioma on the tube). They actually have a one of those roaming announcers. They tend to pretty much stick to the action on the field and don't do much musing,
2008-06-08 17:09:14
33.   Bob Timmermann
Angel Berroa's name during the lineups was greeted with an "excess of befuddlement."
2008-06-08 17:10:02
34.   Bluebleeder87
I have to admit, I get my Sweeney's wrong also.
2008-06-08 17:11:15
35.   Bob Hendley
{32] - Actually they sound like Dominicans.
2008-06-08 17:13:11
36.   Bob Hendley
Ouch.
2008-06-08 17:13:18
37.   Bob Timmermann
I've worked so hard to avoid Sweeney confusion this year.

Sigh

2008-06-08 17:15:09
38.   Bob Timmermann
Ouch again
2008-06-08 17:15:37
39.   Bluebleeder87
in the early going it doesn't look like he's fooling anybody so I wouldn't mind a Kuo sighting.
2008-06-08 17:16:12
40.   Bob Hendley
One of the announcers is Candy Maldonado. He says that he was asking around the club house about Penny this year and the guys were telling him that he has not been agressive enough and has been nibbling. And that he has a knee problem.
2008-06-08 17:19:03
41.   Bluebleeder87
attack this dude with Pure heat man...
2008-06-08 17:19:28
42.   Bob Timmermann
Did you get the "no no no no no" home run call?
2008-06-08 17:20:35
43.   Bluebleeder87
40

does he have a golf size ball in his knee?

2008-06-08 17:20:58
44.   MMSMikey
i think pennys biggest problem is he doesnt have good secondary pitches, his curveball is average, and his splitter is below average, most times it looks like hes just throwing a fastball straight into the ground when he throws his splitter. But, he never really has had good secondary pitches, the reason why he had so much success the last 2 years was he was able to locate his 95 mph fastballs on both sides of the plate on the corners, this year he doesnt have command of the fastball, like that 3-1 pitch to derosa.
2008-06-08 17:21:05
45.   Bob Hendley
They are saying that the Cubs despite leading the league in hitting, they are last in RISP with two outs, hitting around .200. And then the fellow proceeds to ground out.
2008-06-08 17:22:13
46.   Bob Hendley
yes, yes, yes, yes, yes. {sigh}
2008-06-08 17:23:23
47.   Bob Hendley
with "retira la pelota".
2008-06-08 17:23:28
48.   Bluebleeder87
ever since I found out Ethier had a restaurant review blog my eyes tend to look at his stomach.
2008-06-08 17:23:47
49.   D4P
Marquis is a scrub. Dodgers should score some runs tonight.
2008-06-08 17:26:05
50.   68elcamino427
48
Is Ethier getting his leads from Penny?
Show/Hide Comments 51-100
2008-06-08 17:26:33
51.   Bluebleeder87
I hate to admit this but Dodger Stadium looks marvelous with that ESPN HD thing. wow.
2008-06-08 17:26:33
52.   D4P
Havoc is being wreaked.
2008-06-08 17:27:01
53.   underdog
Did anyone else think Penny's stuff looked a lot better after he got hit in the foot? I swear he pitched better after that. Maybe he should get hit in the foot more often. We'll see how he does next inning and thereafter of course.
2008-06-08 17:28:21
54.   underdog
Oh god, shut up, Morgan.

Veteran players grumble mumble yadda yadda..

2008-06-08 17:28:38
55.   68elcamino427
51
Dodger Stadium is the most beautiful baseball stadium in the world.
2008-06-08 17:29:48
56.   D4P
Situational hitting!
2008-06-08 17:30:27
57.   Bluebleeder87
what the hell??? who is that...
2008-06-08 17:30:42
58.   bhsportsguy
54 But he is right.
2008-06-08 17:30:53
59.   68elcamino427
Actually, Kent knows that ball is supposed to be hit on the ground to the second baseman, not the shortstop.
2008-06-08 17:31:13
60.   Icaros
Muscle kinda looks like Piazza with that mustache.
2008-06-08 17:32:03
61.   bhsportsguy
59 With the infield back, any ground ball to the middle of infield is going to score that run.
2008-06-08 17:32:42
62.   Bluebleeder87
Martin kind of looks like Roy Campanella with the stash.
2008-06-08 17:32:43
63.   imperabo
When did Russ join the cast of Reno 911?
2008-06-08 17:33:34
64.   underdog
58 = He was right, Ethier should've held up, that wasn't even a good pitch to hit. BUT why does it have to be a veteran player vs. a younger player thing, again? Ethier should know better, not because he's a rookie, which he isn't. Mostly I just wanted to tell Morgan to shut up.

Yeah, I was thinking Russell was half Kent, half Piazza with the stache, but I prefer to think Piazza.

2008-06-08 17:34:14
65.   El Lay Dave
61 Hmmm, I thought savvy vets try for the sac fly there.
2008-06-08 17:34:17
66.   underdog
Maybe Russell, giving a nod to jazz history, is calling back to Cab Calloway with the moustache.
2008-06-08 17:35:39
67.   Bluebleeder87
Matt Kemp has made some really encouraging strides in CF you gotta be encouraged by that if your upper management.
2008-06-08 17:37:59
68.   D4P
I thought savvy vets try for the sac fly there

I can see how you might be confused. But keep in mind that young players care about their stats, and veterans only care about winning. Ergo, young players want the sac fly (cause it won't count against them), while veterans prefer the Olney (as a means of demonstrating their selfless dedication to the team).

2008-06-08 17:39:00
69.   bhsportsguy
64 Well partly because it is that, I mean Ethier hasn't played 2 full years and he isn't batted 2nd much is in career. So he is not used to having a base stealer having to take a pitch now and then.
2008-06-08 17:39:10
70.   blutomania
Looks like Bad Penny.
2008-06-08 17:39:56
71.   El Lay Dave
Gammons just said that Penny had been battling some shoulder tendonitis up until two starts ago.
2008-06-08 17:41:11
72.   blutomania
I think it's stunning how local reporters can't get a story like that (shoulder tendoritis).

And they wonder why the LA Times sports section is so maligned.

2008-06-08 17:41:44
73.   Bob Timmermann
Just who was it on the Angels who disliked Edmonds and got him traded? Was it just about everybody?
2008-06-08 17:42:29
74.   Bob Hendley
Not too many like Junior in that spot.
2008-06-08 17:42:46
75.   underdog
71 - And the rest of Gammons anecdote there was kind of interesting too -- that Torre was getting frustrated with Penny, even watched a bullpen session and kind of yelled at him, wondered if his head was in the game, etc. I actually liked hearing that. Between his shoulder feeling better and Torre getting at Penny a bit maybe he'll turn the corner.
2008-06-08 17:42:55
76.   MonkeyBlue
Man, Penny won't even pass the 5th inning. The pitch count is already too high.
2008-06-08 17:43:15
77.   Bob Timmermann
How do we know Gammons is right?
2008-06-08 17:43:20
78.   Bob Hendley
74 - In reference to 69 .
2008-06-08 17:44:25
79.   underdog
77 - Because he's not Ken Rosenthal, at least. Or at least Gammons seems to actually talk to the real people involved whereas Rosenthal talks to imaginary characters.
2008-06-08 17:44:37
80.   Bluebleeder87
70

it's 1-1, what are you talking about? unless you want him to cough up strikes left & right.

2008-06-08 17:45:19
81.   Bob Hendley
77 - Candy says its the knee and its affecting his pushoff.
2008-06-08 17:46:24
82.   Bob Hendley
Looks more like gutty Penny.
2008-06-08 17:46:55
83.   Bob Timmermann
Again I ask.

How do we know Gammons is right?

Not being Ken Rosenthal doesn't guarantee truthfulness.

2008-06-08 17:47:51
84.   Bluebleeder87
to me he looks like the Penny that will give us a chance to win & that's all I can ask for.
2008-06-08 17:48:29
85.   Bob Hendley
Interview in Spanish with Mariano Duncan. He is saying nice things about the "muchachos".
2008-06-08 17:49:03
86.   underdog
83 - Because I just consulted the i-ching and it revealed that he was right.
2008-06-08 17:49:26
87.   Bluebleeder87
Gammons is WAY MORE likable then Rosenthal, that's why. I swear Gammons can pretty much say anything & I'd be cool with it.
2008-06-08 17:49:36
88.   Tom Meagher
Hearing Morgan and Miller go on and on about Penny and Joe Torre's handling thereof, I'd like to ask the community of Dodger Thoughts to come up with a consensus of how much credit/blame Joe Torre should get for how well Penny does from here on out. If anything, Torre's track record suggests that the way he handles "struggling" pitchers does not make them better, so I'm pretty dubious that getting all Big Brother on Penny's bullpen sessions is a surefire cure for what ails him. So, let's just agree in advance on what percentage of the credit Torre should get. Since we'll have no way to verify anybody's claims once we've seen the results, let's decide how much credit blame to give Torre.

What I'd like from everybody is a) their projection for Penny's ERA over the rest of the season assuming he had an average manager and b) what percentage of the credit Torre should get for the over- or under-performance. So, if you'll join me in this exercise, I'll try to tabulate the results. Then, when the inevitable news stories about Penny's struggles or lack thereof and whatever Torre's spin will be eventually come out, we can just ignore them. If I remember, we can then give out scores at the end of the season. I'll start:

A. 3.95
B. 7%

2008-06-08 17:49:58
89.   El Lay Dave
69 Has anyone ever studied the run expectancies between 75% basestealer on 1st, no outs, trying to steal; and staying on 1st with a LH hitter up. Doesn't the first baseman on the bag add to LH hitting success? Is it a small effect?
2008-06-08 17:50:00
90.   68elcamino427
73
At that time, the coaches on the team felt that Edmonds lacked intensity and that he "gave away" at bats late in games and that he wasn't a "team guy". Ha!
Was Collins the manager then?
2008-06-08 17:51:43
91.   Bob Hendley
Question: Who was the first Latin rookie to come up with the Dodgers?
2008-06-08 17:52:26
92.   El Lay Dave
83 I believe that Gammons said that "Penny told him ...". If so, I doubt Gammons makes up a story like that. Doesn't Rosenthal tend not to attribute things?
2008-06-08 17:52:26
93.   Bob Timmermann
86 - OK. That'll work for me.

But who does Gammons talk to about the Dodgers besides Torre? Gammons is a popular place to leak news. Or "information."

2008-06-08 17:53:09
94.   underdog
Heh. Joe Morgan looked so incredibly bored during that Jim McKay anecdote from Jon Miller it was almost painful. Surprised he didn't stifle yawn.
2008-06-08 17:53:55
95.   Bob Timmermann
The first Latin rookie with the Dodgers was Al Lopez I think.
2008-06-08 17:54:34
96.   D4P
94
Joe Morgan doesn't listen to baseball talk from people who never played the game.
2008-06-08 17:54:53
97.   68elcamino427
88
I think that Torre puts that kind of stuff out with a specific purpose in mind.
2008-06-08 17:55:23
98.   El Lay Dave
94 Joe should have loved McKay, a consistent veteran who cocetrated.
2008-06-08 17:55:39
99.   MonkeyBlue
Nice inning.
2008-06-08 17:56:14
100.   Bluebleeder87
Nice inning, I really think this upcoming inning will be very telling if he's good Penny bad Penny.
Show/Hide Comments 101-150
2008-06-08 17:57:42
101.   Bob Timmermann
Al Lopez broke in with Brooklyn in 1928.
2008-06-08 17:58:19
102.   blutomania
What a trippy little Gammons' segment that was.
2008-06-08 17:59:37
103.   Bob Hendley
95 - Nope. I don't know the answer myself, but it was presented as mutliple choice and that name was not on the list. I am keeping the list secret because I figure that it is to help the general audience and would not be needed by a group as storied as you DTs.
2008-06-08 17:59:50
104.   D4P
Hey, there's Ned!
2008-06-08 18:01:42
105.   Bob Timmermann
I'm wondering what the definition of "Latin" is. Al Lopez's family was from Cuba, although he was born in Florida.
2008-06-08 18:01:52
106.   underdog
Did you guys know that Dodger shortstops replacing Furcal have hit very poorly? In case you didn't, ESPN would like to tell you about six times.

That Peter Gammons report on the Dodgers struggles should have been accompanied by Adagio for Strings in the background.

2008-06-08 18:02:40
107.   Bluebleeder87
I'll be doing the back & forth thing also...
2008-06-08 18:02:54
108.   El Lay Dave
102 It was bizarre. With all that bluster, the simple logic wasn't completely connected. If the loss of Furcal is the single, largest cause of Dodger downturn, aren't there exactly two obvious things that happened after he went down? 1. Offensive black hole at SS (but in the 8 hole) 2. JP leading off every day.
2008-06-08 18:02:59
109.   underdog
Okay, I'm gonna have a hard time flipping channels between Lakers game and Dodgers, and typing here, so I'll check back with y'all later. Go LA!
2008-06-08 18:03:30
110.   Bob Hendley
101 - Ok, just in case they didn't specify the question correctly and are only thinking of LA, what is the answer?
2008-06-08 18:04:16
111.   El Lay Dave
Penny had 40 pitches through two and 17 in the third. That rate needs to come down; he needs some 1-2-3 innings.
2008-06-08 18:06:15
112.   Bob Timmermann
In LA? That would make less sense.

They don't want Sandy Amoros as the answer?

2008-06-08 18:06:43
113.   Blaine
Why do they start games at 5pm? So ESPN can broadcast it. That is the dumbest question of the night so far.
2008-06-08 18:07:38
114.   Bob Hendley
105 - Yeah, that's the problem, perhaps, he was born in Tampa. They must mean born in Latin America.
2008-06-08 18:07:48
115.   El Lay Dave
Walking Jim "sub.300 OBP" Edmunds twice doesn't help the pitch count.
2008-06-08 18:08:45
116.   scareduck
I haven't had much of a chance to check in here over the last couple days. Has there been a consensus on the wisdom of the Berroa trade? My own assumption is that it was yet another case of Proven Vetruhn Leadership outweighing Obvious Case Of Suck, but what do I know?
2008-06-08 18:09:08
117.   Bob Hendley
105 - OK, they coughed up the answer, so at least I know now.
2008-06-08 18:09:42
118.   Bob Timmermann
Is Luis Olmo one of the choices?
2008-06-08 18:11:16
119.   Bluebleeder87
Penny is gonna have around 80 pitches thru 4 I really hope he gets us thru the 5th & the bullpen dose what they do best
2008-06-08 18:12:08
120.   Bob Hendley
118 - Nope.
2008-06-08 18:14:50
121.   Bob Hendley
118 - Actually, when I saw the name, I realized that I had heard this before and on DT.
2008-06-08 18:15:01
122.   Bob Timmermann
Unless it's a player who played before Al Lopez, I refuse to acknowledge the question's legitimacy.
2008-06-08 18:17:05
123.   El Lay Dave
What is with Soriano's little bunny hop when he catches fly balls? Silly.
2008-06-08 18:17:06
124.   MonkeyBlue
How many times do I have to see a mediocre pitcher giving a Dodgers a hard time?
2008-06-08 18:19:18
125.   Bob Hendley
122 - Well, I guess that questioning the question is one way of answering it. Since all of the names on the list played in LA, I think the question is Latin American born with the LA Dodgers.
2008-06-08 18:22:07
126.   Bluebleeder87
105

so he's Cuban than right. That whole "latin" thing confuses me also, & I feel very strongly that it's one of those, what came first the chicken or the egg.

2008-06-08 18:22:40
127.   Bob Hendley
122 - By the way, when I went to look up Lopez, I was directed to the Robins and not the Dodgers. What's up with that? (this is a bonus question).
2008-06-08 18:24:06
128.   Tom Meagher
All right, if no one wants to take the