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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

The 2006 NL West: What a Fun, Sexy Time for You
2006-01-24 09:17
by Jon Weisman

And I say that with all of George Michael Bluth's melancholy sincerity ...

More people than myself are beginning to take a look at the state of the National League West for 2006. Bruce Jenkins of the San Francisco Chronicle has his own rundown today.

Jenkins' hunch is similar to mine, which is that if Barry Bonds has one final season of greatness or goodness left in him, and if young Matt Cain can help amp up the starting rotation, the Giants look like favorites. If not, the Dodgers look poised to return to the top of the molehill - although I take issue with, among other things he wrote, Jenkins' broad use of the word "gamers" to describe only Ned Colletti's acquisitions. Somehow Nomar Garciaparra and Kenny Lofton are gamers, but Jeff Kent is one of the Dodgers' "issues."

As a third option, though they have made a mixed bag of offseason moves, you can't rule out the Padres because they won the 2005 NL West despite being hampered by injuries. They could have their own year of good news from the doctors, and the Giants and Dodgers might not stay healthy. Basically, the division is a battle of first-aid kits.

As for the other two teams in the division, you don't have to rule out the Diamondbacks because they do have some young (albeit maybe too young) talent to go with their old (albeit maybe too old) talent. And you don't have to rule out the Rockies because ... what fun is that?

But overall, I like the Dodgers chances to fend off Bonds and others to win the NL West, booby prize that it may be. But feel free to reshape my thinking. What do you think?

Comments (114)
Show/Hide Comments 1-50
2006-01-24 09:47:33
1.   scareduck
Outside of the Rockies, I can accept an argument for any team in the NL West placing in any order 1-4. That is, this is a division that will be won on pure luck.
2006-01-24 09:49:19
2.   Andrew Shimmin
I think the D-Rays will move to Vegas and Selig will dump them in to the NL West. And that they'll win it. Because of Edwin Jackson.
2006-01-24 09:54:35
3.   Colorado Blue
2 - More likely he'll dump them in the AL West since it is only a 4 team division... AND they'll win it. Because of Edwin Jackson.

As far as I'm concerned this a win for the Dodgers as well. Unlike most on this site, I can't stand the Angels. I will root against them everytime.

2006-01-24 09:56:11
4.   Curtis Lowe
A difference I see between the Dodgers and Giants is this

In order for the Dodgers to succeed they are banking on good years from players in their thirties with injury historys.

In order for the Giants to succeed they are banking on good years from player in their forties with inury histories.

Common sense would pick the Dodgers however what is common is does not always make sense.

2006-01-24 09:57:42
5.   Curtis Lowe
Why is it that some divisions have less teams then others? Does this seem unbalanced to anyone else?
2006-01-24 09:58:39
6.   Bob Timmermann
The last time I checked 16 and 14 are not evenly divisible by 3.
2006-01-24 09:59:05
7.   Slipstream
Last year, you picked the Dodgers to finish third, which was prescient (even slightly optimistic).

This year, their improvements are marginal--I don't see any upgrading of their starting rotation, one of the main problems of last year. But if the injury situation improves (a reasonable assumption), given the lack of movement by the Giants and Padres, I don't see why they can't win the division.

Like you said, it's a booby prize.

2006-01-24 09:59:49
8.   regfairfield
Barring an aided season by Barry, the Dodgers have to be the favorites this year.

The Rockies are the Rockies
The Diamondbacks number two starter is Brad Halsey
The Padres have no offensive threats outside of Giles and their pitching starts looking thin outside of Peavy.
The Giants get even older and had several fluke performances last year. Winn will go back to being average, Matheny will go back to being worthless offensively, and Moises Alou should decline, but he is a machine. Then again, their pitching should be much better.

Like last year, the Dodgers are the only team in the division that are serviceable in all areas. That should be enough.

2006-01-24 10:00:40
9.   regfairfield
6 Why did the Brewers switch leagues?
2006-01-24 10:00:45
10.   Curtis Lowe
Why not 5 divisions with 6 teams each? Or 6 divisions with 5 teams each?
2006-01-24 10:01:42
11.   Curtis Lowe
6- Oh I get it NL and AL ooops.
2006-01-24 10:04:15
12.   Colorado Blue
Bud Selig, white courtesy phone please, Bud Selig...
2006-01-24 10:05:48
13.   Vishal
and i guess each league needs an even number or else most days there will be a team without a game, except for when they are doing interleague.
2006-01-24 10:09:17
14.   Curtis Lowe
Is Matt Cain really that good?
2006-01-24 10:12:08
15.   Vishal
oh, and i'm telling you right now, the giants will not win the division.
2006-01-24 10:14:20
16.   Marty
Jenkins is a tool. I will be amazed if Bonds has a big year this year.
2006-01-24 10:14:50
17.   Jon Weisman
7 - Last year, I think I originally had them second, then moved them to first just before Opening Day.

3 - Based on a testy discussion from a week or so ago, I'm establishing an informal ban on discussing whether most people on this site like or dislike the Angels. Plenty of people feel both ways about them; let's leave it at that.

2006-01-24 10:17:08
18.   Curtis Lowe
I really think that Baez is going to be the difference maker this year in this division.
2006-01-24 10:17:43
19.   vvv
is anyone putting grady little into their decision? the giants and dodgers last year were level with each other, probably would be the same with tracy in this year. but if tracy cost us 6-10 games last year, couldn't that push us to the top?

if the pirates do better than us, for whatever godforsaken reason, how bad will the la press beat down little?

2006-01-24 10:19:12
20.   Colorado Blue
17 - Sorry, wasn't attempting to create a "discussion". Merely just my observation.
2006-01-24 10:19:13
21.   Sam DC
Is this a great world or what: A question to a Washington Post reporter from East Timor on Jeff Weaver, that includes Brett Tomko in the answer. Now it's up to each of you and your conscience whether this view makes you appreciate or unappreciate mlb and it's handling of the Nationals.

Dili, East Timor: Barry -

Do we have any shot at Jeff Weaver?

And, if not, is it the money or the various extra-curricular problems that other free agents have cited?

Thanks!

Barry Svrluga: No shot for the Nationals and Jeff Weaver. Too expensive. Washington never showed much interest. I think the extra-curricular problems you mention (stadium, ownership, etc.) had more of an impact on some other free agents such as Brett Tomko.

(link: Washingtonpost.com and look for the "baseball" chat transcript)

2006-01-24 10:21:15
22.   regfairfield
19 Press beating down=0, because it was that nerd DePo's idea to fire Tracy.
2006-01-24 10:24:07
23.   Colorado Blue
To the heart of the post:
1) Dodgers
2) D'Backs
3) Gnats
4) Rockies
5) Pads

I just had to be different by having the Rockies move up. Honestly, I think the D-Backs lack of experience, but abundance of talent will have them on our heels. The Gnats will hang in for a while until their DL gets bloated. I think the Pads are just too weak offensively and I would like to see the Rockies over-achieve some.

2006-01-24 10:44:17
24.   Jon Weisman
20 - It wasn't personal at you, Blue. Just heading it off.
2006-01-24 10:53:47
25.   JJoeScott
Jon, you, sir, are a mouthful.
2006-01-24 11:10:18
26.   Curtis Lowe
In the article form the San Fran Chronicle the author says that the Giants clearly have a superior starting rotation with Schmidt, Lowry,Morris, Cain and ???. I beg to differ considering that last year was just a bad year for Lowes HR tendencies,Odalis's health and Penny underperformed due to getting back from a rare injury I would say that the Dodgers starting rotation of Lowe,Penny,Perez,Seo and Tomko/Billingsly/Houlton, if healthy and in adequate form are clearly a much more dominant rotation than that of the giants.

Bullpens are not even in the same tax bracket.

2006-01-24 11:11:24
27.   Marty
Jenkins is the same columnist who ridiculed "esoteric statistics" in a column last year:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2005/09/14/SPG2JEN50G1.DTL

I've no use for him.

2006-01-24 11:25:27
28.   Jon Weisman
26 - Putting aside the author, let's take a look:

You're credit for bounceback years to Lowe, Penny and Perez, but not to Morris or Schmidt. It could go that way, but it could also go the other way.

Lowry, Cain and Brad Hennessey seem to be at least as talented as Perez, Seo and Tomko. Billingsley doesn't figure to be in the picture, and Houlton probably won't beat out Tomko.

No, the SF rotation might not be clearly superior, but I don't see how it's inferior.

I agree with you about the bullpens.

2006-01-24 11:27:13
29.   Colorado Blue
Look, I don't claim to be a big follower of stats other than the mainstream ones... I'm just now appreciating OBP and OPS. However, I have a few qualms with this guy's article:

This is the age of analysis overload in baseball, and some of it borders on the ridiculous. We started keeping track a few months ago -- keep in mind, these come from responsible, respected people around the game -- and here are some of the lowlights:

Well, if they come from "responsible, respected people around the game..." then they deserve respectful attention.

".... This is the new cool trend in baseball, quoting esoteric statistics as if they've been part of the game's fabric for 50 years."

Well, the data has always been there, it's just that some creative people (i.e. respected people around the game) have learned how to mine it for the sake of improving overall baseball skills and performance analysis! Gee, what a concept!

As if there is something wrong with this???

Do some so-called sports "journalist" feel an irresistable need to take the Plaschke course on "Effective Yet Innane Use of Hyperbole"?

2006-01-24 11:27:22
30.   ToyCannon
From ESPN column on Grady Little. I found the quote from Ned to be very interesting. Sounds like he was a bit unhappy with the way Dusty managed the Giants.

(The résumé speaks for itself. In 16 years as a minor-league manager, Little learned to deal with homesick kids in Rookie League and disgruntled veterans in Triple-A ball. He worked in a demanding media market in Boston, spent 10 years in a winning environment in the Atlanta system, and embraced the concept of flexibility at every step along the way. The Dodgers expect to promote pitcher Chad Billingsley, catcher Russell Martin, third baseman Andy LaRoche and several other elite prospects in the next year or two, and they wanted a manager who's not married to the veterans.

"Sometimes a manager is reluctant to play a kid," Colletti said. "I needed Grady to be open minded that if a young player is ready, we'll give him an opportunity. Grady assured us that he has no reservations about that. He's completely on board with it." )

2006-01-24 11:29:33
31.   regfairfield
30 Well, Tracy had no problem playing kids, he just based his evaluation entirely on the first 10 at bats.
2006-01-24 11:31:04
32.   Jon Weisman
28 - In case it wasn't clear, I was putting aside Bruce Jenkins, not Curtis Lowe :)
2006-01-24 11:32:12
33.   Jon Weisman
31 - Also, sometimes Tracy's idea of "kids" is best illustrated by the casting of 30-year-olds to play high schoolers on Beverly Hills 90210.
2006-01-24 11:39:46
34.   Marty
OT, but I was watching the news this morning and they showed Paulie Loduca, the heart and soul of the NYSE, ringing the opening bell today. I predicted the market to open strong, then lose steam as the afternoon wore on...
2006-01-24 11:43:44
35.   Bob Timmermann
Gabrielle Carteris had her 45th birthday on January 2.
2006-01-24 11:46:22
36.   Colorado Blue
29 - I should add another observation: for me it's easy to admit I do not understand the new stats and analyses applied to baseball data. I can enjoy sitting back and absorbing all the wonderful insights/points-counterpoints that all the intelligent people post here. I feel good if I learn something new every once-in-a-while or look at a situation from a view point I'm not qualified or motivated enough to find out about for myself.

On the otherhand, I imagine that these "Old School" reporters do not understand all the "new-fangled" stats and analyses themselves, and, out of fear of seeming uninformed, prefer to take defensive measures by slamming the alternate techniques instead of taking the time and attempting to understand them. They may not agree with them, but to dismiss them out-of-hand so prejudiciously shows an immaturity and professional shortcoming that borders on malfeasance.

2006-01-24 11:50:38
37.   Curtis Lowe
33-lol, so sad so very true.

28-I agree with you there. I do not however agree with the author about the Giants starting rotation as the start all end all rotation of the west. I think that Lowe having a good year is dependent on his being able to not blister and whether or not carolyn hughes had any career altering STD's.
Schmidt will be caught for HGH which he took on accident thinking it was hair growth hormone and not human growth hormone.

The deciding factor in which rotation is better is going to be Perez and Morris, if Perez is 03 or even 04 I would say the Dodgers are better even if Morris stays the same.

Penny will do good, I have no reasons other then I was at the game he got his suspension for swinging at an ump and I feel that is reason alone for him to have a killer year this season.

The others will cancel eachother out in brilliance and mediocrity.

2006-01-24 12:29:07
38.   molokai
Projected RAR NL West Starting Rotations:
name team pRAR
Webb,Brandon ARI 15.9
Hernandez,Orlando ARI -3.1
Batista,Miguel ARI -3.4
Vargas,Claudio ARI -10.9
Ortiz,Russ ARI -26.1
ARI Total -27.6

Kim,Sun Woo COL -4.3
Kim,Byung-Hyun COL -4.4
Day,Zach COL -8.5
Cook,Aaron COL -11.5
Jennings,Jason COL -13.6
Francis,Jeff COL -20.9
COL Total -63.2

Perez,Odalis LA 7
Penny,Brad LA 5.3
Lowe,Derek LA 5
Tomko,Brett LA -1.9
Seo,Jae LA -3.1
LA Total 12.3

Peavy,Jake SD 27.6
Young,Chris SD 12
Estes,Shawn SD -5.7
Williams,Woody SD -6.6
Park,Chan Ho SD -14.5
SD Total 12.8

Cain,Matt SF 24.9
Schmidt,Jason SF 19.8
Lowry,Noah SF 4
Morris,Matt SF 3.6
Hennessey,Brad SF -7.2
SF Total 45.1

In real life and in projected stats the Giants big 3 kick our rotation butt. Matt Cain will be what Billingsly will be next year and that is the 2nd best pitcher in the division.

2006-01-24 12:43:08
39.   Brent is a Dodger Fan
Jon: one question about the SI.com article:

"since the 1995 work stoppage"

Huh? Am I on crack or didn't the strike occur in 1994, not 1995?

2006-01-24 12:55:18
40.   Curtis Lowe
38- How do you go about finding a projected RAR? I tried google and I got a zip program then I searched for runs above replacement and could not find a useful formula or ready made stats.
2006-01-24 12:56:32
41.   molokai
40
I use the projected stats from Baseball HQ because they are the best at projecting future performance.
2006-01-24 12:57:58
42.   Blue Thrue and Thrue
36 A simple explanation for what you observed: Journalists usually suck at math. At least, that's an accepted truth in the industry. So instead of admitting they're scared by all those big bad numbers, the lazier columnists belittle them.

Sooner or later, the MSM will stop putting up with this and pounce on those, such as Jon, who are proven exceptions to the rule.

2006-01-24 12:59:38
43.   Blue Thrue and Thrue
41 Not saying you're wrong, but Baseball Prospectus touts PECOTA as the best, and compares their results with other projection systems to back up the claim.
2006-01-24 13:02:37
44.   Curtis Lowe
43- What does pecota say bout the NL wests Starting rotations?
2006-01-24 13:08:26
45.   Jon Weisman
39 - It carried into 1995, which had a 144-game season. I could have said 1994-95 work stoppage to be more clear.
2006-01-24 13:08:42
46.   Blue Thrue and Thrue
44 Looks like they haven't released them yet. If you're the best, I guess, you can take your sweet time. ;)

I'll keep my eyes open for them, and post them here when I see them.

2006-01-24 13:10:52
47.   Curtis Lowe
Bonds backing out of the WBC, Does this have anything to do with the WBC's stricter roid policies? I'm not saying it does but then again it probably does.
2006-01-24 13:14:04
48.   Jon Weisman
47 - knee.
2006-01-24 13:18:00
49.   Curtis Lowe
48- The reason I asked in 47 is because they are having olympic style testing that even checks for HGH among others that are undetectable in the MLB. It is really conspiratorial but also another reason to spite Bonds.

That brings up another question, Do you think any players will be DQ'd from the WBC for steroids?

2006-01-24 13:20:29
50.   Bob Timmermann
If you're DQ'd from the WBC, it doesn't count as a violation under the CBA for MLB (I'm all about the initials today). So if you miss the WBC, you can go back and play the regular season as if nothing happened.

It's like getting a parking ticket in Canada. You don't need to pay it unless you go back to Canada.

Show/Hide Comments 51-100
2006-01-24 13:23:03
51.   Blue Thrue and Thrue
48 Either that, or they wanted him to bat 2nd. ;)
2006-01-24 13:26:15
52.   Curtis Lowe
Back to the NL West lets assume everyone remains healthy on every team and modestly achieves, who wins? I say Dodgers.
2006-01-24 13:31:27
53.   molokai
43
I use them both but the actual analysis that BP did to make that claim was not very impressive. Pecota for 2006 has not been published yet. When it is I expect the combined VORP of the SF versus LA rotation to still be substantial.
2006-01-24 13:37:12
54.   Curtis Lowe
I'm very interested in what your projections are for the NL west next year Molokai. Espcecialy after seeing how poorly the Dodgers pitching projects to be.
2006-01-24 13:54:22
55.   LAT
34. Very funny, Marty.
2006-01-24 13:57:09
56.   Bob Timmermann
The Dow 30 closed up today! By 23.45 points!
2006-01-24 14:16:24
57.   regfairfield
38 How on Earth is Penny worth only 5 runs above replacement. How is Peavy worth only 27?
2006-01-24 14:45:42
58.   LAT
56. Yes, but the market had been up 52 points intraday. In fact, in the last two hours the market lost nearly 50% of its VORP.
2006-01-24 14:52:35
59.   Bob Timmermann
Livedoor is down to a $1.65 a share.
2006-01-24 14:59:02
60.   SMY
I just finished reading "3 Nights in August". I found this passage interesting:

"Some players, like Shawn Green of the Dodgers, can figure out a pitcher's pitches with uncanny accuracy."

Really? Did he stop doing it after 2002? If this were true we wouldn't have seen him swing at so many breaking balls in the dirt.

2006-01-24 15:04:29
61.   molokai
57
Remember this is Baseball HQ's version of RAR.
Runs Above Replacement (RAR)

Purpose & Meaning
An estimate of the number of runs a player contributes above a "replacement level" player. "Replacement" is defined as the level of performance at which a player can easily be found at little or no cost to a team. What constitutes replacement level is a topic that is hotly debated. There are a variety of formulas and rules of thumb used to determine this level for each position (replacement level for a shortstop will be very different from replacement level for an outfielder).

BATTERS

1. Start with a batter's runs created per game (RC/G).
2. Subtract his position's replacement level RC/G.

Replacement levels used on this site:
POS AL NL
C 4.33 3.81
1B 4.99 5.95
2B 4.08 4.61
3B 4.91 5.06
SS 4.46 4.13
LF 4.94 5.44
CF 4.71 4.65
RF 4.70 5.29
DH 5.30

3. Multiply by number of games played, calculated as (plate appearances / 35).

PITCHERS

1. Start with the replacement level league ERA.
2. Subtract the pitcher's ERA. (To calculate projected RAR, use the pitcher's XERA.)
3. Multiply by number of games played, calculated as plate appearances (IP x 4.34) divided by 35.
4. Multiply the resulting RAR level by 1.08 to account for the variance between earned runs and total runs.

2006-01-24 15:05:09
62.   LAT
60. e.g. look at the splits for Green and Mike Hampton. Green owns certain pitchers. . .just not as many as he used to.
2006-01-24 15:08:34
63.   Bob Timmermann
The Dodgers have caught up to the fact that I haven't renewed my season ticket order. I got an automated phone call from Ticketmaster (from a West Virginia phone number) telling me that I had a "balance due".

Now if the Dodgers are going to renew my tickets automatically, they are going to find one angry customer.

2006-01-24 15:13:53
64.   Daniel Zappala
Are you planning to renew if they call and ask you nicely, or are you sitting it out this year?
2006-01-24 15:17:41
65.   Bob Timmermann
I'm going to sit it out because the season ticket plan locked me into going to certain games and I found it's usually easier to go by oneself and buy a single the day of the game. My girlfriend isn't a big baseball fan, which is OK with me.
2006-01-24 15:23:32
66.   LAT
59. Didn't one of the principals commit hari carri (sp?) last week?
2006-01-24 15:23:38
67.   molokai
The new Boston GM is the old Boston GM.
2006-01-24 15:29:42
68.   Curtis Lowe
67-

Out with the in with the 3 months older...
Now for some reason I wish that Boston would've lost like they were supposed to in 04.

2006-01-24 15:33:47
69.   Bob Timmermann
66
Someone committed suicide, but I didn't hear how. I doubt the guy had a sword. My money is on a gun or a noose.
2006-01-24 16:02:24
70.   natepurcell
http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/5275954

kearns to be traded.

blah, who thinks jackson and tiff could have gotten us kearns?

2006-01-24 16:06:53
71.   Steve
Typical Reds: "Who wants to trade us their top pitching prospect for this 25 year old fat guy we sent to AAA last year?"
2006-01-24 16:18:42
72.   das411
68 - You haven't been wishing that since the end of 2003?

69 - I hear subway and/or bullet train is fairly popular too...

2006-01-24 16:29:46
73.   King of the Hobos
The new minor league coaching assignments have been announced for those interested

http://tinyurl.com/99yua

2006-01-24 16:33:44
74.   trainwreck
I think our season comes down to Seo, ODP, and the health of JD Drew. I think Penny and Lowe will be solid for us again, while Tomko will not be an effective pitcher, so that leaves Seo and ODP as the wild cards. I still doubt Perez ever returns to the style he was a few years ago, but he will be better then last year, because he was garbage last year. Seo was statistically very good last season. I do not think he matches those numbers next year (pitching more innings, fatigue, durability issues), but I still think he will be a good starter for us. Drew is our best offensive player and we need him for around 130 games to win this division. I think injuries will be the biggest factor this season. Whoever stays healthiest will probably win the division. Giants and the Dodgers are both old and have injury concerns, which could allow the Padres to win the division.
2006-01-24 17:06:34
75.   LAT
69. Was it Professor Plum in the parlor? Oops, wrong discussion.

70. Article also says Piazza to the Pods maybe. Boo

2006-01-24 17:16:15
76.   Bob Timmermann
Piazza has been rumored today to be going to the Yankees, Phillies and now Padres. I ain't linking any Piazza story until he signs on the dotted line.
2006-01-24 17:29:18
77.   LAT
After Ron Artest, who can blame you.
2006-01-24 17:35:19
78.   Bob Timmermann
The Artest-Stojakovic "trade" is funny if you get your news through an RSS feed.
2006-01-24 18:02:22
79.   GoBears
Well, it's "hara kiri," (hara means stomach, and kiri is the noun form of "cut" - pretty literal) and like Bob, I doubt it. I also doubt a gun - there are more than there used to be (zero) in Japan, but they're still not that prevalent. Trains, jumps, hanging, gas, pills. That's the Japanese way, unless you're Yukio Mishima.
2006-01-24 18:10:44
80.   Berkeley Doug
As much as it pains me to say it, if the Giants have a healthy (i.e. 130+ games) Barry Bonds this year and Schmidt reverts back to a pre-2005 Schmidt, I would have to give a slight edge to the Giants over the Dodgers. I just think he is that special of a player and the rest of the team performs better when he is in the lineup. Of course, ultimately, it will probably depend of which team has less injuries.
2006-01-24 18:18:53
81.   natepurcell
anyone playing partypoker?
2006-01-24 18:21:01
82.   Curtis Lowe
Off Topic:

http://www.fhmus.com/articles-702.asp

Ran across this from a friend I guess that Kris benson was the Mets Ace. That is honestly news to me.

2006-01-24 18:37:18
83.   Bob Timmermann
I'm going to assume that anything linked from fhmus.com should only be viewed with discretion.
2006-01-24 18:52:23
84.   Bob Timmermann
According to the Reuters account of the unfortunate Hideaki Naguchi:

H.S. Securities head Hideaki Noguchi, 38, was found dead on Wednesday in a room at a hotel on the southern island of Okinawa from what police said appeared to be self-inflicted knife wounds.

2006-01-24 18:56:08
85.   LAT
I guess the big question is can Barry defy the laws of nature for one more season or does he become Cher. You know what I'm talking about. Cher, like Barry, has defied the laws of nature for years. She was a hot 40ish woman for way too long. Then one day she was just plain ol' scary. When it goes, it goes fast.

Does Barry have one more season? Who knows. We already know he is, at best, an average fielder. In addition, he will be limited on the base paths by both a lack of speed and an inability/unwillingness to slide. He can't play more than 120 games. The only question is will he be able to hit like he used to. I'm betting this is the year he wakes up a pasty-white 60 year old singer who slept with Sonny Bono and Greg Allman.

2006-01-24 18:57:41
86.   LAT
It was hara kiri after all.
2006-01-24 18:58:47
87.   Bob Timmermann
Except it likely took a lot longer.
2006-01-24 19:03:22
88.   das411
Steve, you had better be watching Boston Legal tonight!!
2006-01-24 19:03:59
89.   Bob Timmermann
Steve will be watching "Love Monkey" which is the story of his life.
2006-01-24 19:09:05
90.   D4P
Isn't tonight the night Steve was going over to Jon's house for that Becker marathon?
2006-01-24 19:29:28
91.   das411
Well, Steve already missed Betty White (his favorite actress, no?) robbing a convenience store. Who knows what she'll do next??
2006-01-24 19:43:46
92.   LAT
I loved Betty White in Lake Placid. She was swearing like a drunken sailor when they tried to kill her man-eating crocodile, maybe even dropping an "F" bomb.
2006-01-24 20:19:01
93.   das411
...meanwhile Guillermo Mota's elbow is for the moment keeping the Phillies from trading Jason Michaels for Arthur Rhodes. Nice try G-man, but it may take a lot more than that to stop Stand Pat.

And good news for all the other Betty White fans here (LAT, I think that's just you and Steve), looks like she is back on for good!

2006-01-24 20:35:28
94.   Steve
Jon would have to come over to my house for a Becker Marathon. With one million dollars.

Betty White rocks.

2006-01-24 21:08:20
95.   Jon Weisman
I know this is going to end badly, with people thinking that I liked Becker.
2006-01-24 21:09:36
96.   Bob Timmermann
http://tinyurl.com/doqtv

Pat Borders and Joe Beimel coming to spring training for the Dodgers!

2006-01-24 21:12:04
97.   Steve
As long as people don't think you like Baez, you'll be ok.
2006-01-24 21:17:03
98.   Bob Timmermann
Danys Baez learned English by watching "Becker".
2006-01-24 21:22:27
99.   D4P
Danys Baez learned English by watching "Becker".

So did Jon...

2006-01-24 21:24:31
100.   Steve
By the way, Bruce Jenkins? Yeeecchhh
Show/Hide Comments 101-150
2006-01-24 22:01:29
101.   Curtis Lowe
Sorry for the link I provided earlier, I hope none actualry watched the video. I was just trying to show the headline about the mets trading their Ace Kris Benson. In know way did I mean to subject anyone to the horror that is the Pamela Anderson of sports wives I guess. Anyhow I'm sre your all tired of my heresay questions and conspiratorial theories so I will leave you all with this- Why would the Scottish frame the italian mob for having been the 3rd gunman on the grassy knoll?
2006-01-24 22:18:56
102.   Sam DC
rosebud
2006-01-24 22:23:57
103.   LAT
I've changed my mind. In light of the Pat Borders signing, I think we should sign Benji. Not that we need him but we could be the Hunt brothers for really old catchers. Next we could get Benito Santiago. Then with any luck Johnny Bench. Jim Furgeson where are you?
2006-01-24 22:30:56
104.   regfairfield
Why on Earth would we give Pat Borders a Spring invite? What could he possibly accomplish in Spring Training that would effect the team?
2006-01-24 22:33:30
105.   Peanuts in My Shoes
Wow-- just heard that Chris Penn has died. Strange.
2006-01-24 22:37:14
106.   LAT
Looks like he'll be in AAA menotring Martin
2006-01-24 22:38:41
107.   LAT
That would be mentoring.

Weird about Chris Penn.

2006-01-24 22:40:08
108.   King of the Hobos
So depending on what happens, our 2 catchers could be a combined age of as high as 83, or as low as 45.

I guess we're yet again going with the vet over the youngster, poor Eric Langill, his dreams of being a AAA back up catcher for an entire season were squashed by Borders. If Langill also has a dream to back up Russell Martin and Pete Laforest in the WBC, that was also squashed. I guess that's the life of a roster filling catcher that makes Mike Piazza look like a gold glover, and could be out hit by the 43 yr old Pat Borders

2006-01-24 22:43:25
109.   King of the Hobos
104 To have another catcher when pitchers and catchers report? More targets for the pitchers. He also is an upgrade over Eric Langill for AAA back up catcher
2006-01-24 22:44:32
110.   overkill94
81 I attempted to play, but to no avail. How long has it been down?
2006-01-24 22:54:15
111.   Xeifrank
Dodgers are off to a great start in 2006
dodgersims.blogspot.com
vr, Xei
2006-01-24 23:40:02
112.   Bob Timmermann
Borders could just serve as an extra catcher to have around in camp if Martin has to spend extra time with Team Canada.
2006-01-25 08:11:46
113.   Blue Thrue and Thrue
111 This only raises a question: Does the sim factor in Drew being hit-on-the-wrist-by-a-fastball prone?
2006-01-25 17:43:33
114.   thinkingblue
I think that the dodgers should be easy favorites right now. If everyone is healthy, the dodgers have the best line up, bullpen, and probably the best bench in the division. I think that the dodger's line up has far less questions than the Giants. The dodgers also easily have the most speed in the division, and if Kent is the dodgers biggest "issue" the giants better be scared, cuz Bradley is in Oakland.

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