I think we have our future thread subtitle!

I see Pierre in left, Jones in center, and a platoon in right.

Torre can't help himself.

Also... the "LaRoche Showcase" is likely for all parties involved. It's a showcase for the Dodgers brass, Torre and Andy's likely suitors. I hope he impresses the right people. Ned strikes me as someone who doesn't understand the value of youth but he hasn't traded anyone we REALLY miss yet... yet.

62 If Tony Jackson listens to Husker Du, I'll bring an acoustic to the picnic and play "Silent Lucidity".

The same press that has bashed The Kids non-stop for the last two years...?

Torre is the Teflon Manager. He's still on his extended honeymoon with the press. The only place he catches any heat is Dodger Thoughts.

Pierre's imminent return could spell the end of the Jones' 2008 debacle. The press may not love the kids, but one thing they dislike much more fervently is overpaid, underprepared veterans having exceptionally poor seasons. Unless Jones shows significant signs of progess in the next week, which I doubt anyone expects, they will come up with some phantom ailment, ricketts or leishmaniasis or botched knee surgery, and dump Jones back on the DL and try it all over again in 2009. I'm not sure if that's what I believe will happen or just what I hope will happen.

The press will hop on whatever they think will sell, they have no loyalty.

You'd be surprised.

(Er, but that's kind of a depressing movie. Maybe shouldn't go there.)

Who would you trade for Street? Beane only wants prospects these days...

112. Ken Noe
Old news from Gurnick, but perhaps worth repeating: Torre said Kershaw's promotion was decided before the All-Star break, which will fuel speculation that it could pave the way for the trade of a pitcher. In a big deal, that could mean Lowe. He, like Penny, could be a free agent after this season. In a smaller deal, it could mean Eric Stults, who started Monday night and figures to get bumped by Penny if no starting pitcher is dealt.

This might be a reach, but if Stults is possible trade bait, that could explain why Torre pulled him somewhat early. If he just didn't have it yesterday, then whether or not it would affect the outcome of the game, Torre might have wanted to prevent him from giving up 6 runs in 5 innings.

Yeah, probably didn't matter. But since we're speculatin'...

When Pierre plays- 3.68 RPG
When Pierre doesn't- 5.88 RPG

Just as long as it's Pierre, Kemp, and Dre I'm fine with is, espically if Pierre is hitting 8th or 9th.

Young is the only guy I'd be worried about losing, since he's out of options, and hasn't played enough to develop a fan following. I could see a deal along the lines of Young/MacDonald for Street happening (if that would make sense for Oakland).

Just my guess.

Oh, I agree. But the "not much for not much" deal is Colletti's trademark.

But Kemp is a robot made outta nails. No wonder it's so tough for him to get playing time, 'cause it's hard to warm up to a robot.

They certainly overvalue DeWitt. LaRoche is the definition of undervalued.

1. Dodgers have a 7 point OBP advantage, which puts them 9 spots ahead of the Padres in the MLB. That's relevant because OBP is generally considered more important for scoring runs than SLG.

2. A counter-example.

Pittsburgh: 478 runs, 25 SBs
Tampa Bay: 449 runs, 106 SBs

54 - Have at it.

52 - I agree, I could see a trade like that. And btw, I would give up McDonald in a trade that made sense. But if they give up Young, their already weak bench is severely weakened further. I don't know if they'd want to do that. DY's proven he can hit off the bench.

I think LaRoche is being showcased for Torre, and nothing more. We don't NEED to make a deal, for anything.

56 - Pierre went out of the lineup on June 29th.

Matt Kemp in June: .250/.287/.438
Matt Kemp in July: .292/.354/.500

I don't think that has to do with Pierre being hurt or Kemp in the leadoff spot. Kemp is simply playing better now. If Pierre had been playing the last 2 weeks instead of Jones, they'd be scoring even more runs.

To clarify, Tampa Bay leads the league in SBs but has scored fewer runs than Pittsburgh, which is tied for last in SBs.

That's why Ned acquired guys like Schmidt and Jones: they were once good, so they must still be good. That's also why DeWitt has been allowed to play regularly for two months despite hitting below .200: Torre remembers him being good for the first two months of the season. It's also why LaRoche's sudden burst of playing time must be a "showcase." I think they've already made up their minds about Andy, he's just getting a pre-trade workout at the MLB combine.

In the eyes of Ned and Joe, Hu now has the stench of his horrible May stuck to him. It's never gonna wash off.

Suzuki .301/ 123 hits / 34 SB
Kemp
Beltre .264 / 16 HR
Kent
Martin
Eithier
Garciaparra
Loney
SP

Pierre - Pinch Runner
Dru - DFA
LaRoche - Seattle
Stult or McDonald or Meloan or Miller or a combo of two - Seattle

Oops, that would produce the opposite effect. Nevermind.

I drew the 2006 and 2007 NL graphs (using Excel) and was surprised at how well OPS and runs scored correlate. I am by no means a mathematician but if you can graph in Excel it's pretty easy. Try it.

-Rotoworld

Well, there are worse places for Andy LaRoche to go than the A's. I could still cheer him on without hesitation, anyway. Not that he's traded yet.

If he stands pat and the Dodgers miss the playoffs, he'll be fired for Jones/Schmidt/Pierre. If he makes a noteworthy trade and the Dodgers make the playoffs he might save his job. If he dismantles the young kids and fails miserably...well he had it comin anyways.

It might be a case of the last desperate kicks of a dying horse...I certainly hope not.

...then he returns to the Giants, mission accomplished.

The last thing we need is a closer. Broxton is doing just fine in the role so far. The bullpen is deep enough as it is. Ned ought to stop thinking like a computer and just recognize that the team can overcome a weakness (SS) and string runs together anyway.

Yes, the last legs theory is very accurate. Man oh man, I wish it were DeWitt that were on the trading block.

Crosby looks like he's a free agent after 2009. He'll make $5M next year.

I can dream cant I

(sorry)

Can we fire this guy yet?

Ethier in the same time frame: .257/.299/.405
Post Pierre: .300/.374/.563

Thus demonstrating Management's Commitment to Winning™.

That has Ned written all over it.