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About Jon
Thank You For Not ...

1) using profanity or any euphemisms for profanity
2) personally attacking other commenters
3) baiting other commenters
4) arguing for the sake of arguing
5) discussing politics
6) using hyperbole when something less will suffice
7) using sarcasm in a way that can be misinterpreted negatively
8) making the same point over and over again
9) typing "no-hitter" or "perfect game" to describe either in progress
10) being annoyed by the existence of this list
11) commenting under the obvious influence
12) claiming your opinion isn't allowed when it's just being disagreed with

Hu Down, Who's Up? Probably LaRoche - Definitely LaRoche
2008-06-09 12:55
by Jon Weisman

The Dodgers have optioned Chin-Lung Hu, according to Diamond Leung of the Press-Enterprise. His replacmement might not be named until Tuesday, but you can expect it's Andy LaRoche, write Dylan Hernandez of the Times and Ken Gurnick of MLB.com.

Update: Leung confirms it's LaRoche.

Comments (161)
Show/Hide Comments 1-50
2008-06-09 13:07:05
1.   Bob Timmermann
Since Andy LaRoche is the only other infielder on the 40-man roster, I'm not sure who else could be called up.
2008-06-09 13:07:55
2.   D4P
2
Can't we call up Bennett and move Martin to SS...?
2008-06-09 13:09:57
3.   Jon Weisman
The L.A. Times has been running a promo in print for some hotzone charts it's going to start running online beginning Tuesday.

In the sample chart, Matt Kemp is batting .000 against all curvevalls thrown by righties.

2008-06-09 13:10:22
4.   D4P
Just so no one's confused (you know who you are), the 2 in 2 should be a 1 , not a 2 .
2008-06-09 13:11:43
5.   KG16
4 - I thought you were just talking to yourself.
2008-06-09 13:12:00
6.   Xeifrank
Hu's futility at the plate reminded me of Nori [hard to spell last name] from a couple years ago. If Hu could hit worth a lick at the MLB level, he'd have pretty good value due to his tremendous defensive abilities. If he doesn't improve his hitting, he will eventually get passed up (even further) on the depth chart.
vr, Xei
2008-06-09 13:14:10
7.   D4P
5
This isn't the Grittle NBA Finals chat...
2008-06-09 13:14:32
8.   fanerman
Norihiro Nakamura, if I remember correctly.
2008-06-09 13:15:01
9.   fanerman
7 If you were around in Game 2, you would not have been talking to yourself.
2008-06-09 13:15:02
10.   trainwreck
Dancing with myself

Ooo ooo

2008-06-09 13:15:15
11.   bhsportsguy
6 Its not the "Smith" of Japanese surnames but Nakamura is pretty common.

http://tinyurl.com/62olm9

2008-06-09 13:16:15
12.   D4P
9
I had already taken my ball and gone home by then.
2008-06-09 13:19:20
13.   underdog
If the question is "Hu's next?" the answer should be Quadrophenia. (Hopefully it's not Hu's Last.)

I'm sorry, wait, what were we talking about?

--

So, has Andy "The Rock" LaRoche taken hold of your subconscious yet?

2008-06-09 13:21:27
14.   Jon Weisman
13 - Correct me if I'm wrong, but does the Who's Next cover not feature an obelisk?
2008-06-09 13:22:49
15.   Eric Stephen
14
I hope Bob's obelisk doesn't receive a similar disrespectful treatment!
2008-06-09 13:23:28
16.   bryanf
So I obviously missed quite a few games and quite a few DT posts and comments while I was gone As caught up as I have tried to get, I'm still confused about some things. Help me.

1) Why is Mark Sweeney still on this team?
2) Does acquiring Berroa mean Furcal is further away from returning than is being reported?
3) What the heck is going on with Matt Kemp? Seems like he's made quite a few "bad decisions ™" over the past few weeks.
4) Danny Ardouin?

2008-06-09 13:23:50
17.   JoeyP
Give me LaRoche or give me death.
2008-06-09 13:24:34
18.   Bob Timmermann
16
1) It's best not to ask
2) No
3) I haven't noticed
4) There's no U in his last name
2008-06-09 13:24:36
19.   blue22
13 - "La Rock"?
2008-06-09 13:26:16
20.   trainwreck
Calling LaRoche the Rock makes me think of the Boondock Saints.
2008-06-09 13:27:49
21.   bryanf
18 Thanks for the conciseness. For #4, I guess that's why I had the question mark at the end...
2008-06-09 13:28:42
22.   Eric Stephen
16
Welcome back from the honeymoon!!! I think clearly the problem for the club was your absence. Since your behind home plate game, the club is 5-12 and has scored 2.8 runs per game.

You need to sit behind home plate for every home game from here on out.

2008-06-09 13:30:01
23.   Eric Stephen
By the way, my comment in 22 makes me seem like a stalker.
2008-06-09 13:30:24
24.   Bob Timmermann
21
You're welcome.
2008-06-09 13:31:07
25.   Bob Timmermann
23
Seem?

I already have three restraining orders against you.

2008-06-09 13:32:12
26.   Eric Stephen
25
You can read all about it in my new book, "I Just Wanted to Shake His Hand: The Eric Stephen Story".
2008-06-09 13:32:14
27.   underdog
14 Indeed it does. Coincidence? I hope so.
2008-06-09 13:32:35
28.   Eric Enders
"Since Andy LaRoche is the only other infielder on the 40-man roster, I'm not sure who else could be called up."

Oh, the Dodgers will find someone. It sort of seems it's the point where they'd be reluctant to call up LaRoche if he were the last human being on earth. I wouldn't be surprised to see Rex Rundgren or A.J. Ellis or Fritz the Cat recalled instead.

2008-06-09 13:33:18
29.   bryanf
22 Sounds good to me! :)

Actually the Dodgers are 5-0 when I attend, so I'll do my best to get back there.

2008-06-09 13:33:20
30.   Ken Noe
Doug Melvin agrees with the DT East Coast morning crew that Ken Rosenthal is clueless:

http://tinyurl.com/4lbe9p

2008-06-09 13:33:33
31.   underdog
21 - Bryan, Danny Ardoin is looking like Johnny Bench compared to Gary Bennett, and has even contributed (a tiny bit) on offense.
2008-06-09 13:34:46
32.   LAT
Given Andy's luck Harriet Bird will probably be on his train.
2008-06-09 13:35:40
33.   berkowit28
18 4) (no U in Ardoin). True enough. But that didn't stop every single FOX commentator on Saturday referring to him, numerous times, as "Ardois" (or "Ardoix") rather than "Ardoin". It ends in a nasal short "a" sound, not an "ah" sound.
2008-06-09 13:36:38
34.   dzzrtRatt
After many years of ignoring the post Keith Moon Who recordings as inauthentic, I've decided I like the song "Eminence Front."
2008-06-09 13:40:36
35.   trainwreck
"Dont cover for him Brett. I know how rock and roll he thinks he is .... Mr Keith Moon"
2008-06-09 13:42:13
36.   MC Safety
Sincere apologies for spoiling the match earlier. I wasn't thinking straight. I'm still a little dizzy, as evidenced by my post on the Griddle. What a display by the Dutch.
2008-06-09 13:43:28
37.   Ember Nickel
I got to see Hu play when I went to Dodger Stadium this spring...won't be the same without him.
2008-06-09 13:46:16
38.   underdog
36 - No worries, I wasn't really that angsty about that game. But I still look forward to watching it when it's rerun. Sounds like fun.

35 Murray: You get a love triangle. You know? Fleetwood Mac situation. Well, there was four of them, so more of a love square, but you know, no one gets on.
Jemaine: Okay, I see.
Murray: Mind you, they did make some of their best music back then.
Bret: "Rumours"
Murray: No, that's all true.

2008-06-09 13:46:48
39.   MonkeyBlue
Sucks for Hu. I really love his defense he brings.
2008-06-09 13:47:59
40.   Sushirabbit
34, embrace the MacGowan-less Pogues, too, I never understood the Spider Stacey haters.
2008-06-09 13:48:30
41.   GMac In The 909
38 Michael Jackson's Off the Wall?
2008-06-09 13:53:51
42.   trainwreck
41
I'll say he is. Off the planet. Doesn't he want to freeze himself?
2008-06-09 13:55:22
43.   Eric Stephen
If you like fast food and are in baseball, the Angels may be interested in you. First there was the Torii Hunter contract negotiated at Del Taco. Now comes word that manager Mike Scioscia proposed to his wife way back when over an In N Out drive-thru dinner!

http://tinyurl.com/6cocvv

2008-06-09 13:56:48
44.   ToyCannon
NL West shortstops in 2008 are a sorry bunch. It is like Mark Belanger cloned himself.
Hu
BoCock/Vizquel
Green
Tulo

Only Stepen Drew is having anything close to a succesful year. No wonder Furcal looks like the 8th wonder of the world when he's playing.

2008-06-09 13:57:14
45.   LAT
LA Times confirm Laroche
2008-06-09 13:59:29
46.   Jon Weisman
45 - "Andy LaRoche is expected... "

Basically, he's confirming 1 .

2008-06-09 14:00:54
47.   Bob Timmermann
Captain, the tag! She's still open!
2008-06-09 14:01:47
48.   trainwreck
45
Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeees!!!!!!!!!!!
2008-06-09 14:02:07
49.   KG16
23 - but are any of the restraining orders this well drafted: http://xkcd.com/415/

16 - here's my shot at answering those:
1. because Ned wants to torment DT readers
2. since Furcal's return date seems to be TBD, I'd say no.
3. Kemp's game has looked more well rounded to me lately than it has through out his (short) career. He's stopped trying to do the last thing the coaching staff has told him he had to do and is letting the game come to him.
4. would you prefer Garry Bennett?

(sorry to answer the last one with a question, but sometimes it's appropriate)

2008-06-09 14:02:26
50.   Eric Stephen
47
Damnit, Jon. I'm a doctor, not a webmaster!
Show/Hide Comments 51-100
2008-06-09 14:02:33
51.   sporky
If you're in the Orange County area and heard a loud squee!, that was probably me.
2008-06-09 14:03:49
52.   Eric Stephen
Even if LaRoche doesn't start a game (baby steps!), he doubles the number of good and/or capable hitters on the bench.
2008-06-09 14:04:17
53.   KG16
51 - is that what that sound was?

I was about to invest in ammunition.

2008-06-09 14:05:02
54.   Eric Stephen
So does Maza get the Tiffee Treatment™ when/if Furcal comes back?
2008-06-09 14:13:37
55.   sporky
54 Or does Sweeney get tiffeed?
2008-06-09 14:14:58
56.   blue22
54 - Maza would just get demoted, not DFA'd. Tiffee had to be DFA'd because they needed the spot on the 40-man.
2008-06-09 14:15:01
57.   bhsportsguy
If Randy Wolf is skipped over for Jake Peavy's return from the DL, I would expect LaRoche's first start to come against Nate Robertson on Saturday and then he will start again on Sunday against Dontrelle Willis.

DeWitt and Loney will exchange days off.

2008-06-09 14:16:10
58.   underdog
54 I believe The Tiffee Treatment was one of Michael Crichton's early novels, wasn't it?
2008-06-09 14:19:20
59.   bhsportsguy
56 Looks like Maza has never been on a 40-man roster until this season so he can be optioned if so desired.
2008-06-09 14:19:49
60.   TopCat
50 I cannot rewrite the laws of physics, capt'n. If we push the warp engines any harder, they'll blow!
2008-06-09 14:19:59
61.   bhsportsguy
Predictions on when LaRoche gets his 38th at bat this season that will remove him from prospect status.
2008-06-09 14:20:19
62.   Eric Stephen
57
I hope the Sunday game isn't one of those "We lost to that guy!!??" games, much like the Lima game in KC in 2005.
2008-06-09 14:22:35
63.   Kevin Lewis
I may have asked this question before. Does anyone know what baseball team plays down by the Aquatic Center/Rose Bowl? Is it PCC or Occidental, or someone else?
2008-06-09 14:22:42
64.   Bob Timmermann
Tom Hansen is stepping down as Commissioner of the Pac-10.

Should I toss my hat in the ring? I would pull the Pac-10 out of the BCS.

2008-06-09 14:23:36
65.   Bob Timmermann
63
It's PCC.
2008-06-09 14:24:10
66.   Kevin P
LaRoche leaving Las Vegas, joining Dodgers
2:13 PM Mon, Jun 09, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0)
Posted by: Diamond Leung

Andy LaRoche packing his bags for San Diego as I blog...

2008-06-09 14:24:11
67.   Kevin P
LaRoche leaving Las Vegas, joining Dodgers
2:13 PM Mon, Jun 09, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0)
Posted by: Diamond Leung

Andy LaRoche packing his bags for San Diego as I blog...

2008-06-09 14:27:58
68.   Kevin P
28 - Eric, just thought I'd let you know that a friend of mine gave me your "Ballparks Then and Now" book as a gift last week. It proudly sits on my coffee table as the lone book next to Jon's Dodger Thoughts book. Both were gifts, both are lovely. Thank you, both.

VIVA LAROCHE!

2008-06-09 14:30:05
69.   SG6
34 - Your putting us on, right?
2008-06-09 14:31:34
70.   Disabled List
As happy as I am to see LaRoche back up here, I gotta say, Hu's failure is one of the bigger disappointments of the season for me. I was really hoping he could step in and establish himself as the heir apparent at SS.
2008-06-09 14:32:59
71.   jujibee
Gurnick is reporting that when Furcal is reactivated that Berroa is the primary candidate for back-up infield duty.

Which leaves Maza and/or Sweeney to be DFA'd. If we DFA sweeney, maybe another club will be willing to give him a shot. That would save us a little bit of money anyhow.

2008-06-09 14:33:13
72.   scareduck
Mark Redman was optioned down to AAA, but Tiffee was DFA'd ... how/why would a team get an option written into somebody's contract? Why didn't the Dodgers do this with Tiffee?
2008-06-09 14:33:23
73.   Eric Stephen
68
That was Eric Enders. He's the Eric with talent.
2008-06-09 14:33:52
74.   scareduck
51 - I'm in Westwood and I heard it here.
2008-06-09 14:34:42
75.   Eric Stephen
72
It was a 40-man issue. The Dodgers needed another spot for Berroa and the 40-man was full so Tiffee had to be removed.
2008-06-09 14:37:06
76.   Eric Stephen
71
It will only save us money if someone claims Sweeney off waivers. Plus Sweeney is only making $600k, so we're not talking a ton of monetary difference here.
2008-06-09 14:37:43
77.   underdog
70 I think it best to look at Hu's "failure" as temporary, hopefully with some time down in Vegas he'll get things straightened out and be back to help later in the season. I really don't think the Dodgers have given up on him by any stretch of the imagination. It is disappointing, though, you're right, especially since he looked pretty good with the bat when they called him up late last year.
2008-06-09 14:38:24
78.   Eric Stephen
73
Enders is the one that doesn't mistake a reference to someone else's post. D'oh!
2008-06-09 14:39:59
79.   bhsportsguy
75 I also think that Tiffee (per The Baseball Cube) was out of options anyway while Redman appears to have one left (though he would have to sign off the Rockies using his option due to his service time, maybe that part got written in)

It would seem unlikely you could write in a contractual clause that would go against the CBA (granting another option, etc.).

2008-06-09 14:41:17
80.   bryanf
71 Backup infield duty? Isn't Berroa's defense a question mark? Would he come in as a late defensive replacement for Kent? Where's Lucille II?

Would Nomar be a good candidate for "backup infield duty" when he returns? Who else would be good for that? Um, what's his name? Um, er, hmmmm...La something. Something Roche. I can't remember anymore...I haven't seen him in a long time. (Dangerously close to a Rule 7 violation?)

2008-06-09 14:41:28
81.   Kevin P
78 - HAHAHAHA!!! No problem. I like you too. And if you write a book, chances are I'll recieve it as a gift! :)
2008-06-09 14:41:37
82.   El Lay Dave
17 JoeyP breathing easier.
2008-06-09 14:42:46
83.   El Lay Dave
80 "Would Nomar be a good candidate for "backup infield duty" if he returns?"

Fixed.

2008-06-09 14:42:51
84.   bhsportsguy
76 The Dodgers have already paid over $200K, the difference between someone paying him the pro-rated difference between the minimum and his 2008 salary is about $120K.
2008-06-09 14:44:15
85.   Eric Stephen
81
If I write a book, I'll send you a free copy!
2008-06-09 14:45:40
86.   bryanf
85 I thought you already wrote one. See 26 .
2008-06-09 14:46:55
87.   Kevin Lewis
76

That is really depressing.

2008-06-09 14:46:58
88.   trainwreck
64
Then you could move to Walnut Creek and I guess I would have to be the designated DT Timmermann stalker.
2008-06-09 14:48:31
89.   Howard Fox
So, just asking here, now that LaRoche, the Anointed One, is arriving, what if things don't get any better?
2008-06-09 14:48:33
90.   Kevin P
70 77 - I agree. And judging by Torre's comments, they still think very highly of Hu. I remember reading recently that Torre was impressed with his defense and even more impressed by the way he's handled himself and hasn't allowed his poor offense to mess with his head while on the field. I think AAA will be good for him. It was Hu, afterall, who said he's pressing at the plate and thinking far too much. Being able to relax more should help him.

85 - I'll take it!

2008-06-09 14:50:20
91.   D4P
So, just asking here, now that LaRoche, the Anointed One, is arriving, what if things don't get any better?

Then Management will actually have to put LaRoche in the game.

2008-06-09 14:50:24
92.   Bob Timmermann
89
It would still all be Gary Bennett's fault.
2008-06-09 14:51:01
93.   underdog
80 The Rock is already coming up, so that part is solved at least. LaRoche and Berroa could be seen as an offense upgrade over Hu-Maza, even if not a defense one. (Although it could be feasible that Berroa is no more of an upgrade over Maza in either respect. Guess we'll see.) Then Furcal/LaRoche/Berroa (which is Spanish for "last resort") will be even more of a huge upgrade on offense.
2008-06-09 14:51:35
94.   Howard Fox
91 that is what I meant...what if he is playing and it doesn't get any better?
2008-06-09 14:51:45
95.   El Lay Dave
Dylan Hernandez:
http://tinyurl.com/5lchr2

Ethier says the right things.
Torre said he thinks the trouble Ethier has had hitting left-handers in recent weeks will go away.

Kuroda a reason not to skip 5th starter?
Hiroki Kuroda said he remains uncertain how his arm will hold up over an entire season pitching every five days.... "It's stressful," Kuroda said of his new schedule. Kuroda said his fear of fading at the end of the season prevented him from delivering every pitch with everything he had until Friday, .... "I'm thinking it's better for me not to think ahead," Kuroda said.

2008-06-09 14:52:17
96.   Howard Fox
92 now that is an answer I can live with
2008-06-09 14:52:38
97.   Kevin P
91 - That's exactly what I was going to say.... well, in other words. Things probably won't get much better (immediately, anyway) because they're still going to play Berroa and still pinch hit with Sweeney. Oh, man. This might be worse! Seeing LaRoche on the pine is going to hurt.
2008-06-09 14:54:50
98.   D4P
that is what I meant...what if he is playing and it doesn't get any better?

Waaahhh....???

In all seriousness, LaRoche does not appear to have regained his power after his numerous injuries. (Not that "having power" is anywhere close to a litmus test for being a Ned Colletti Dodger). He has been getting on base an awful lot, though, which is more than you can say about the other infielders (other than DeWitt), so he should help quite a bit in that respect.

Which isn't to say the team will start winning all of a sudden, but that's really beside the point.

2008-06-09 14:55:35
99.   Howard Fox
97 but who would you sit? Loney? DeWitt? Kent?
2008-06-09 14:57:13
100.   Eric Enders
I am taking the "I'll believe it when I actually see him in a game" approach to LaRoche being called up. And I'm also hoping that the Dodgers invested in some sort of protective bubble to protect LaRoche on his journey from Las Vegas to San Diego.

In all seriousness, isn't that how Mike Sharperson died? Driving from Las Vegas to San Diego after getting called up to the majors? Hopefully they fly 'em in now.

68 Thanks!

Show/Hide Comments 101-150
2008-06-09 15:01:02
101.   Jon Weisman
89 - I don't look at LaRoche as a savior, especially with DeWitt starting. I think LaRoche can help, and I think he's earned the right to try to help.

The big issue right now is shortstop.

2008-06-09 15:01:41
102.   JoeyP
99--Sit Loney against lefties. LaRoche plays 1st.

Sit Kent day game after night game.
LaRoche plays 2nd.

He'll get plenty of ABs.

Sit Pierre the other times, and play LaRoche in LF.

I'd leave DeWitt at 3b everyday until his OBP drops below .350.

2008-06-09 15:01:51
103.   El Lay Dave
I can't see the sense of calling up LaRoche and not playing him at least some of the time. Won't he will start against a lot of the LH starters resting either DeWitt or Loney? (I hope he was practicing the underhand toss to the pitcher in drills every day.)
2008-06-09 15:02:17
104.   bhsportsguy
Question for everyone:

For the first time since 2005, I don't think theere is a Dodger prospect in the minor leagues that would rank in the top 25 or maybe even the top 50. James McDonald and Scott Elbert would be somewhere in the top 100 but after that, its pretty bare. Sure Meloan is still here and there are some young guys like DeJesus, May, Bell, and Lambo. And there are some pitchers but outside of McDonald and Elbert, I don't see anyone that has the potential of who is now on the big club.

Any dissenters out there?

So who is the best prospect in the Dodger system at this time?

2008-06-09 15:02:19
105.   underdog
Jeez louise, some of you guys look at the glass and not only see it half-empty but the other half is filled with pee-pee.

I think I'm going to enjoy the prospects of LaRoche's call-up quietly by myself with the Who playing in the background and a cat purring happily in my lap.

2008-06-09 15:03:12
106.   bhsportsguy
104 My questions got turned around so read the post bottom up.
2008-06-09 15:04:15
107.   Howard Fox
101 I agree, he does deserve to be here as much as Kemp or Loney or DeWitt...

But again, as in recent years, we aren't addressing the problems we have...

We go out and get Jones when we have already decided to go "young" in the outfield, Furcal is probably a lot further away than we are told, yet they get Berroa when Hu is superior defensively...

sometimes, I just don't get what they are thinking, if they are at all...

2008-06-09 15:04:46
108.   bhsportsguy
102 I admire the crusade but you realize that LaRoche isn't playing LF unless there Kemp is serving his suspension and then Delwyn Young is forced to catch. In either case, Juan Pierre will playing.
2008-06-09 15:04:58
109.   LAT
If LaRoche does nothing but takes a few ABs away from Sweeny he will help a lot.
2008-06-09 15:05:45
110.   blue22
99 - Yes, all of the above. Kent and Loney both have sub-100 OPS+'s. DeWitt could hit a wall at any point. Both Loney and DeWitt hit from the left side.

There should be ample opportunity for LaRoche to get some starts at all 3 positions.

2008-06-09 15:07:06
111.   Howard Fox
104 I agree with you, I think everyone's opinion of our great farms system was skewed by a few "greats"...but now that Martin, Kemp, Loney, LaRoche, Kershaw are up, now what...
2008-06-09 15:08:03
112.   Eric Enders
104 Hu is the number 55 prospect according to Baseball America, but he exhausted his prospect eligibility a week ago today.

The answer to the question may be Ivan DeJesus.

2008-06-09 15:08:19
113.   Howard Fox
108 agreed, Pierre is playing all the time, we should all get used to it...Torre loves him for some reason...maybe because he does something Torre could never do--run fast
2008-06-09 15:09:20
114.   silverwidow
104 Once he signs, Ethan Martin might be our #1 prospect.
2008-06-09 15:10:38
115.   Eric Enders
110 "DeWitt could hit a wall at any point."

It's already happened; people just haven't noticed. In his last 17 games DeWitt is batting .224/.318/.293.

2008-06-09 15:10:47
116.   silverwidow
114 This assumes Kershaw & LaRoche lose their prospect status soon.
2008-06-09 15:11:08
117.   El Lay Dave
104 Kershaw is still a prospect, no?

Anyone know what the deal is with Chris Withrow?

2008-06-09 15:12:03
118.   jasonungar07
69 lol

I got it.

2008-06-09 15:13:23
119.   Eric Enders
117 I think they want Withrow to play in Ogden, whose season hasn't started yet (although it's about to). That, and there's not really much point in racking up a bunch of unnecessary innings on a 19-year-old arm.
2008-06-09 15:16:15
120.   D4P
It's already happened; people just haven't noticed. In his last 17 games DeWitt is batting .224/.318/.293.

I wasn't gonna say anything until his OPS dropped below .800.

2008-06-09 15:20:00
121.   El Lay Dave
119 You're probably right on both counts. Ogden opens a week from tomorrow. ToyCannon's "Blue Sparks" posts on TBLA are going to be lengthening in the coming weeks.
2008-06-09 15:20:01
122.   Bluebleeder87
personally I dont like how they handled the short stop situation but at least La Roche is up here now.
2008-06-09 15:20:28
123.   jasonungar07
It's so sad to me that Pierre will continue to play but you guys are right, he will play.

That's out biggest hole. I don't care if my SS hits as long as he can catch, but we may get 20 extra base hits from our left fielder if were lucky. His worth is in scoring runs I get it, but he has scored 14 runs in his last 35 games. Now I know thats Matt Kemp's fault, but that anchor at the top of the order is pulling down the ship.

2008-06-09 15:20:55
124.   Kevin P
100 - Thank you!

Uhhhhmmmm, and also- I just googled Mike Sharperson and you are correct. By the way, I had NO IDEA that Sharperson had died. That is awful. Where was I??? I actually saw some old footage the other day with Sharperson being interviewed about Gibson's homer. I had no idea he was gone. Dang.

2008-06-09 15:21:03
125.   cargill06
my question is, when does the sweeney for lindsay move happen already?
2008-06-09 15:21:55
126.   blue22
115 - I actually think they handled DeWitt and LaRoche pretty well considering the circumstances, though it probably took them too long for them to get Andy started at 2nd base in Vegas. Now LaRoche can come up and contribute at a variety of positions while letting DeWitt play through his first rough patch (as opposed to simply demoting him in favor of LaRoche at the first sign of trouble). Andy gradually takes some playing time at 3rd, but stays sharp by playing at 1st and 2nd as well.

If DeWitt continues to struggle in a part-time role with LaRoche, they can send him down knowing that they got a nice long look at what he can do and allowed him to play through a slump or two.

2008-06-09 15:22:02
127.   Daniel Zappala
Lindsey. With an 'e'.
2008-06-09 15:22:36
128.   cargill06
115 ya, last 28 days, .259/.330/.388
2008-06-09 15:24:07
129.   Alex41592
We face Maddux, Banks and Wolf (L) in S.D. Followed by Galarraga, Willis (L) and Robertson (L) in Detroit. 3 righties and 3 lefties, not to mention the DH option in Detroit. LaRoche could start 4 of the next 6 games either at 1B, 2B, 3B or DH.
2008-06-09 15:24:12
130.   Bob Timmermann
124
Sharperson died in an auto accident and I believe it happened when he was driving to San Diego after the Padres had called him up from AAA.
2008-06-09 15:25:11
131.   KG16
104 - I am about to commit what is likely DT blasphemy:

The Dodgers are at a point where the farm system can once again become a second priority.

There really isn't a spot on the big club that a high ceiling prospect would not be blocked at, either because the Dodgers have a servicable/high ceiling player already there, or because economics requires a lesser player to take that spot (coughleftfieldcough).

Assuming Hu plays short next year and DeRoche takes care of second/third, the only long term issues will be two of three spots in the starting rotation (Penny and Lowe are likely on their way out).

Plus, if everything works out the way it's suppose to, the Dodgers will be drafting later and later in the rounds.

2008-06-09 15:26:28
132.   Eric Stephen
129
Peavy is expected to start in place of Randy Wolf Thursday afternoon.
2008-06-09 15:27:39
133.   blue22
127 - He's not talking about Miss Lohan? She'd at least boost clubhouse morale.

123 - I wonder how pre-ordained Pierre's playing time really is (when the OF is fully reloaded when Andruw comes back). He got benched at the beginning of the year, got reinserted and got hot, then got the benefit of injuries (first Furcal, then Andruw). He hasn't hit, and the offense has sputtered with him at the top.

Once Furcal is back in the leadoff spot, and Andruw, Kemp, and Ethier are able to play in the OF, is it certain the Pierre remains a starter?

2008-06-09 15:28:01
134.   cargill06
132 wow, what's the point?
2008-06-09 15:28:10
135.   LoneStar7
122 Present that strategy after J-Lo's hit streak ends : )
2008-06-09 15:28:26
136.   Bluebleeder87
to answer BH's question I just felt IF Hu is our SS of the future let him play out his slump, it will show him that the Dodgers have faith in him & it would have worked wonders for his confidence. There doing the same thing they did to Betemit, I dont like it.

& I'll say it now, if NedCo gets canned I won't feel bad.

2008-06-09 15:28:33
137.   Alex41592
132 - Mhm, that's if Peavy is ready to go. But, regardless that's a day game after night so LaRoche will probably play second base Thursday afternoon.
2008-06-09 15:28:52
138.   scareduck
75 - in which case doesn't that represent a kind of organizational squandering of 40-man roster spots? If the Dodgers thought Tiffee was good enough to sign as insurance, why didn't they take more pains to find him a place on the 40-man? Am I missing something here?
2008-06-09 15:30:14
139.   Eric Stephen
131
All the current crop of youngsters were drafted in the lower half of the draft rounds, except for Kershaw at #7, so that won't change much.

The farm system shouldn't be deemphasized though, because in just a few short years the current young ones will get more expensive. So whether we need cheap talent to round out the roster, or trade bait to complete a championship puzzle, the farm system will be a necessary and vital tool for success.

2008-06-09 15:30:36
140.   El Lay Dave
131 I think you have to develop pitching continually, no matter what. Pitchers get hurt a lot, you know. :)
2008-06-09 15:31:53
141.   Eric Enders
131 I see what you're saying, but I don't think there's ever a situation in which a team can allow its farm system to become a second priority. That's a recipe for disaster.

Yeah, a lot of prospects would be blocked right now if we had them. Still, that's no reason not to have prospects. Maybe the prospect turns out to be better than the guy you've got. Maybe the prospect can be traded for what you really need. An 18-year-old prospect entering the system right now will take four or five years to develop, meaning he'll be ready about the time that Kemp/Martin/Ethier/Billingsley/Broxton are hitting free agency. We're going to lose at least some of those guys, I'd imagine.

What the Dodgers can afford to do right now is focus on risky, high ceiling prospects --younger, high risk, high reward type guys. Which is what makes last week's draft seem all the more odd.

2008-06-09 15:32:22
142.   Eric Stephen
138
Part of the outrage (from me, regfairfield, and perhaps some others) of the Tiffee callup was that it meant he needed to be added to the 40-man to do so.
2008-06-09 15:33:44
143.   bhsportsguy
Maybe only interesting to me.

At gametime tomorrow night, the Dodger 25-man roster will have 10 players that were drafted after the Padres seletcted Khalid Greene in the first round in 2002.

That includes Loney, Broxton, Young and Martin in 2002, Billingsley, Kemp and LaRoche in 2003, DeWitt and Wade in 2004 and Kershaw in 2006.

The Padres 25-man roster has only 2 players that were originally signed by the club, Paul McNulty is the other one. (Jake Peavy is on the DL) and there is no one on the club that was signed after Greene.

2008-06-09 15:34:58
144.   CanuckDodger
The Dodger prospects who have most improved their stocks this year -- not counting DeWitt, who has too many AB's to qualify as a prospect any more -- are Cory Wade and Carlos Santana. Wade may end up pitching 50 MLB innings before the end of the season, so we'll see what happens there. But Santana has really put himself on the map. He could be a top 5 guy in our system in the next BA Prospect Handbook. The Top 100? Who knows? That he came out of nowhere might count against him.
2008-06-09 15:35:34
145.   Eric Stephen
143
Khalid Greene

An image of a stocky UConn point guard immediately popped into my head.

2008-06-09 15:36:03
146.   KG16
140 - yeah, I'm a big fan of stocking up on young arms. Particularly because the best athletes at the lower levels are usually pitchers.

141 - I like the idea of focusing more on high risk/high reward guys right now. "Second priority" was probably a bad choice of words. Perhaps it would be better to say, as you suggest (and I agree entirely) to shift the farm strategy.

2008-06-09 15:36:23
147.   bhsportsguy
142 I don't think it was a big deal because I believe all we did was move Nomar or Schmidt to the 60-day DL. Tiffee was a non-roster player, if someone claims off the waiver wire that will be good news to Tiffee Marching and Chowder Society but more likely he will be back in Vegas in a few days.
2008-06-09 15:37:20
148.   Eric Enders
136 I tend to agree with you. Id rather not send Hu out there to suck wind all year, but if Furcal is really a week away then there was no need to blow a 40-man roster spot on the likes of Angel Berroa. Hu's development issues aside, there's very little question that he's a better major league player than Berroa right now. Berroa would have to hit, what, .300 or so, for his offense to make up the difference between his defense and Hu's. And the far more likely outcome is that Berroa's hitting will be about the same as Hu's was.
2008-06-09 15:38:30
149.   El Lay Dave
142 138 Although that spot was created by moving Nomar to the 60-day DL - wasn't it? - so it wasn't as if a valuable commodity was let go.

Consider Tiffee an insurance policy that had a claim made when LaRoche was maybe not yet healthy enough to call up. Apparently he now is.

2008-06-09 15:39:01
150.   underdog
If we look at BA's Top Prospects list for the Dodgers from this past winter, and subtract those who are officially no longer prospects, we'd have:

Clayton, Kershaw, lhp (who won't be a "prospect" much longer)
Chin-Lung Hu, ss
Scott Elbert, lhp
Chris Withrow, rhp
James McDonald, rhp
Jonathan Meloan, rhp
Pedro Baez, 3b

And to that I'd add Ivan DeJesus. I wouldn't yet know to add from this year's crop, though I'd assume Ethan Martin will be on a new list sometime soon.

Show/Hide Comments 151-200
2008-06-09 15:39:33
151.   Eric Stephen
147
Question regarding Tiffee: Since he was DFA'd, for him to go to Vegas would he have to re-sign a minor league deal? I'm wondering why he wasn't simply placed on waivers. Maybe I'm just getting bogged down in the procedural lingo.
2008-06-09 15:40:11
152.   scareduck
136 - I'll say it now, if NedCo gets canned I won't feel bad.

If Ned doesn't get fired, it will be an example of the McCourts having too much patience with the wrong guys, and not enough with the right ones.

2008-06-09 15:40:13
153.   bhsportsguy
131 I cannot disagree more. You have to consistently have prospects in the pipeline.

Who knows, the next step could be packaging some of them for a pitcher like Danny Haren or something similar.

And really unlike the Diamondbacks and the Rays, the Dodgers have done without really high picks, only Kershaw was picked in the top 10.

2008-06-09 15:40:55
154.   bhsportsguy
150 Hu is no longer a prospect since he has more than 130 at bats.
2008-06-09 15:41:11
155.   scareduck
151 - as a consequence of his being designated for assignment, Tiffee was placed on irrevocable waivers (IIRC).
2008-06-09 15:42:46
156.   silverwidow
Tiffee was outrighted by Minnesota in 2006, so I believe he can refuse the assignment and become a free agent.
2008-06-09 15:43:32
157.   Eric Enders
I'm no expert on this, but I believe if you place someone on waivers they remain on both your 25- and 40-man roster unless and until someone claims them. (This happens every year at the trading deadline, when everyone from Manny Ramirez to A-Rod to Ken Griffey Jr. gets placed on waivers and yet they remain on the team's roster.)

I think the reason for the DFA was that the Dodgers wanted to use the roster spot right away.

2008-06-09 15:44:48
158.   bhsportsguy
Last week I was fortuate to be a guest of friends who have really good field level seats so I had a good view of Hu at the plate.

And what I saw was a player just flailing away with no plan or idea of what he wanted to do. One at bat I think he was hoping to walk but then did not get a call and swung and missed for strike 3.

Its not like he didn't play at all.

2008-06-09 15:47:13
159.   Jon Weisman
NPUT
2008-06-09 15:47:19
160.   Eric Stephen
157
Thanks. That explains it.
2008-06-09 15:47:27
161.   Eric Enders
I don't think anyone questions that Hu has been a deeply flawed offensive player this year. The question is whether Berroa will be equally flawed. IMO, it's a pipe dream to think that he won't.

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