Basically Lucille, Alomar, Izturis, Jae Seo, and Joe Bemiel are on the 25 man roster.

Willy Aybar and Dionner Navarro are in AAA.

Thats all that needs to be said.

Same can be said for Aybar. If the Oakland series is any indication, he wasn't the starting third baseman anymore. Why waste him on the bench? Of course, he shouldn't be on the bench, but that's Little's fault, not Coletti's.

WWSH

Maybe as a utility infielder, Izzy will be more tolerable.

I'm all for signing mediocre veterans to minor league contracts for depth purposes, but not major league contracts when you have prospects available.

The reson why i'm not all up in arms about tomko or seo is because they are not blocking prospects, but that doesn't mean i like tomko/seo.

Plus Ramon is playing well. Might as well give him a shot for a while. We're doing the same thing with Sele, right?

Gosh, I hope Ned has a plan for this.

I think we've seen the last of Aybar for the year unless one of those 3 guys gets hurt. Its unfortunate, bc he's probably a better option than all 3.

I can't say I'm a big fan of this move, though. I'd still rather trade Izzy, whose defense slumped last season, and who I still see as a decidedly subpar hitter. But a trade isn't going to happen until Izzy gets some playing time, so I guess I can live with this.

And I did think Aybar was playing over his head to some extent. I think his bat will always be fine for us as a stand-in until LaRoche is ready or as a replacement for Kent, but I still am not persuaded he has the ceiling of a Kemp, Guzman, or LaRoche.

And the defense IS a really big issue. Runs prevented count as much as runs scored, and the Rate2 metric isn't just scouting voodoo.

WWSH

And of course, Izturis' contract is DePo's doing.

Slumped to only being about twice as good as Furcal's.

But at least Furcal has shown the ability to hit.

Izzy's career Rate2 is 101. Furcal's is 102. Both have high defensive reps. Furcal's struggled as of late, but players can have defensive slumps too.

Besides, that contract is untradeable. Izzy is young and reasonably priced--we'd get a lot more for him than for Furcal.

WWSH

Those are the two questions that you have to ask.

Since Lucille has a whole career worth of experience, its alot easier to assess his value. What value does he has? Probably not much. So it seems incredibly shortsighted to give him the 3rd base job, when for his entire career he's really not been good.

Choosing Lucille over Willy Aybar is a bad decision, both now and for the future. Thats on the GM. Sometimes GM's have to Tracy-proof their rosters.

I think they need to wait a bit before they'll make a decision on rehab vs. surgery.

I guess we just need to keep our fingers crossed.

WWSH

At least we have a hot streak (improbable as it may be) to ride. There's plenty of time for complaining later.

Well, Lofton had a Rate2 last season of 108. He's been above average every year since 2002. He's struggled this year, obviously--fielding stats confirm anecdotal observation, giving a dismal 93--but he might get better. Or he might not. I guess part of the problem is that defensive stats are also iffy in their own way.

WWSH

I really think it was a case of the Dodgers figuratively being out of options, while Aybar was literally not.

Also, as down as I was on the Martinez signing in spring, I think he's played well and earned his spot on the team. Aybar will be back.

Very few people here have much love for Lofton or Furcal. I think it can be argued but I do understand where those folks are coming from.

My question is: If Loton and Furcal are out of the lineup, who would you bat 1 and 2?

Who's likely to be better from now until the end of the season? Willy Aybar or Ramon Martinez? Who would benefit you more for the future by playing right now, Aybar or Ramon Martinez?

Is Aybar really going to turn out to have a career significantly better than Martinez? That's a question I have. I don't see Aybar being all that great, he doesn't hit for power, but sometimes hits for average.

Also, Aybar is NOT the future 3B for this team. I think it's pretty clear that health pending, LaRoche is.

Aybar and Martin.

I don't think this decision has huge consequences right now.

That's probably the truest statement in this thread. The difference in player value on this transaction won't make up for an inability to fix our starting pitching.

WWSH

After today, I'm not sure.

Check Ramon Martinez career, and check his stats this year. This year is a fluke year for him. He'll no doubt regress. He's just getting lucky. His ISO's are bad.

All tickets for Friday Night DT game have been emailed. If you've requested tickets and have not heard from me that means I didn't get the request. We currently have 11 tickets. I will leave these open to DT readers and posters until Wednesday night at which point I will be selling or giving them away to the public.

We have a winner

Or perhaps you meant lets ride Ramon down Sunset, approx. 2 blocks from the ballpark out Exit A.

But, it'll be interesting watching Lucille crash down to earth, then watching Izturis play 3rd with a lineup of Izturis, Pitcher, Furcal, and Lofton. Good times.

The optioning of Aybar gives him more at bats, allows Lucille to ride out his hot streak while giving Izzy 3-4 playing days a week at various positions in the hopes that he'll hit well enough to bring something back in a trade.

That is what I'm going to do in about an hour and a half.

If Perez keeps it up, and Billingsley stays on course, that's a pretty nice rotation.

Is there a list someplace that keeps track of the draft signings? BA used to keep track, but their free page hasn't been updated at all this year. I know we got our top three signed, and there have been some other names announced here and there, but is there a master list someplace? It's hard to keep track, never mind even the bonus info.

Thanks!

i totally forgot about kershaw and mattingly. heck yes!

I am going because LAT is gracious enough to offer free tickets.

okay im leaving now, go dodgers!

As critical as I am of Odalis, I think it'd be better to have Perez in because at least he doesn't give up many home runs.

Lucille
Martin
Pitcher
Furcal
Lofton

I suppose when Izzy is in there, he'll bat 7th. Grits seems attached to the concept of Russ Martin batting 8th.

63 - Three of those five guys have OBPs above .365. We'll hold Martinez's out as phony, but in the 7-8-9-1-2 spots, would you expect much more?

Obviously, the main problem is that Furcal is underperforming. But if we're expecting a decline from Martinez, it's only fair to expect slight improvement from Furcal.

We have no idea what the rebuilt Izzy will give us. But a lot of mythology has grown up around his lack of value to the Dodgers, and I don't think the record is being properly represented.

It's an easier position to field because the first baseman doesn't have to stand as close and there are fewer lefthanded hitters. The first baseman still has to CATCH a lot of throws.

I vote no on this metaphor.

Sorry, xeifrank

The problem is that Izturis's offense is so dependent on massive amounts of singles. He offers next to nothing in speed, power and walks. So if his hits don't fall in, he really does get into trouble.

The disappointment with Furcal is that he is performing offensively like an average month from Izturis. That says something about Izturis. Also, Izturis showed last year he is prone to a fielding slump, too.

I think the discussion of Izturis can be overly harsh, and I like to consider myself a defender ... but I guess I'm not the best Izturis defender for the job.

I still worry that Furcal's Dodger career will resemble Delino DeShields'.

How about the coroner corner 'cause that's where they bury guys who have no speed.

We're not calling it the Absolute Zero corner. We're just saying it's cold. Relatively speaking. I think it works. Vote Yes on Proposition 61!

Does that mean we should trade Furcal for Pedro?

Nothing wrong with that, as long as we didn't trade a once-in-a-lifetime hall of famer for him. $39 million dollars will come and $39 million dollars will go.

It's too early to decide whether this is the right move or not. If it was done so Izturis can accumulate a bunch of at bats at 3B, SS, and 2B in order to boost his trade value then it's the right move. If it was done to make Lucille the everyday 3B, then it's a terrible move. Lucille has proven throughout his career to be a below average defensive 3rd baseman. He hits like an average SS and field like old 1st baseman at 3B. There's nothing to ride out with him. His numbers are only going to continue to fall. Sending down a good rookie to open up a spot for a crafty veteran, would be a typical Sabean/Ned move.

The D-rays traded Joey Gathright for the Royals best pitching prospect (according to ESPN), J.P. Howell. Nate, how good is J.P. Howell. Where would he rank in our farm system? I've heard of him and I think I've actually seen him pitch (the name sounds familiar, could be another young pitcher on the Royals). What is his upside like?

If you're not hot, you're cold.

On the Griddle, there will only be first base or, if I'm feeling whimsical, "initial hassock."

Ok, now this Dodgers blog is getting California-centric. Unfair, I call it.

Is there a Prop 61?

"No, I'm not satisfied when we make first-pitch outs. They came in abundance in this series, and we got bad results. [Hitting coach Eddie Murray] and the coaches will be addressing that where it needs to be addressed, and I think the time is now. When [Blanton] takes 91 pitches into the ninth inning, that's certainly a good indicator."

Murray, after his hiring, said he encouraged swinging at the first pitch. (That was painted as a departure from the recent past.) Murray said the pitcher usually tries to get ahead in the count, and his first pitch probably will be as good to hit as any.

Think there've been any interesting chats between Little and Murray?

This message paid for by the "No on 61" group...A subsidiary of Teledyne Systems.

(I think I feel the hook setting and the line being slowly reeled in.)

...Prop 61!

Do we have any Titan alums here BTW?

Apparently this caused all manner of discontent among the older alumni. I recently got a fund-raising letter and a couple of follow-ups (addressed via "Reply All") saying "Take me off this blasted list! I want nothing to do with you!"

And speaking of the Boston AAA first baseman, he's still only hitting .222/.370/.394. He also plays more DH than first base, because when he's at the cold corner, he tends to move about as fast as molasses in the winter.

A rookie's slump can be harder to gauge than a veterans because he has no real track record of pulling out of slumps at this level. It's more of a roll of the dice. You don't want to obliterate his confidence. At lest now, he goes down with a pretty positive track record behind him.

Impossible to know for sure, but I believe Aybar was in the midst of cratering. If that's the premise, he's much better off in Triple-A.

Aybar had a pretty nice go of it. I hope he works all that much harder to get back and figures out a few things. He's only 23. The experience he got with the Dodgers could be invaluable.

Good one. You've got my vote.

My apologies if this has already been noted, but the A's have put Milton on the 15 day DL. If he comes back at that point without spending even more time on the DL, he will have spent 50 days already this year, coupled with 85 last year. Almost a full season. Mr. Drew is beginning to look like the picture of health by comparison.

Career Rate2- 102

Not if Aybar was in the minors bc of it.

Consider this, if you will, the NOTION that a man can hit a ball and reach first base. We have film of this. Roll tape.

I guess that was enough to get him sent down. 5 games.

From the Royals MLB.com site.

The last outdoor stadium with turf was Hiram Bithorn in San Juan.

Try 16 games. This month his OBP is .651 in the 16 games. Just three walks, and without the walks, he's under a lot of pressure to find holes. He batted .213. He played above his head at 2B but could not be trusted at 3B.

I'm an Aybar backer, but in June he was consistently below average at the plate and in the field.

It's a defensible, reasonable evaluation to send the kid down, and a realistic POV that he was in the midst of cratering.

136 - You guys want Fasano for Aybar?

Why would viewers want to watch a game that's nearly a year old, wasn't a classic, and one in which most of the participants have all been drafted into the NFL?

Hey, that was a very exciting game!

I'm not worried.

I walked in the door during the middle of his home run trot.

Also, I haven't read the whole thread yet...but does ANYONE see the point in having BOTH Izturis and Ramon Martinez on this team? anyone?

LOL

Mr. J.J. Putz will be asking you to step in against his 95 mph fastball sometime.

Well, it can be noticed that you came right now because the consensus minus 2 here were Izturis + Martinez + Aybar + Furcal...

Mariano Rivera is on deck in PHila.

Bob, take it away...

as a sidenote for those interested, Miami is up 49-48 at the half. Wade has 19. Dirk w/ 17 and Terry w/ 13.

He can say "keep it down."

Indeed it is.

PS. Robin expression in the original Batman series spanish translation...

LOL

Howard is such a bum!

It also didn't help that he wasn't hitting all the straight balls very very far.

seriously. It seems like this kinda stuff only happens to us. That's what scares me about trading Izzy...he'll hit his usual .230 or whatever...then against us he'll hit .570.

I'd throw one up & in on 'um just to have Beltre thinking.

i'm in hell.

Come on Fookie, prove that you're worth $13 million!

I find that troubling.

Furcal keeps on thinking he's a power hitter, the way he swings.

Colletti: "Not really. We got enough .238 hitters, thanks."

Bavasi: "Just listen a minute. Beltre to you guys. For Nomar."

Colletti: "Jeez, Bavasi, you know we only got Nomar signed for this year."

Bavasi: "Heard that. Still interested."

Colletti (thought bubble): "I know one thing for damn sure. Plaschke'd love it! That means Jamie'd love it! Yeah, that's the ticket. Let Jamie know about this offer. She knows what it takes to open Frank's wallet. And maybe there's something to this home cooking thing..."

Bavasi: "You've lapsed into a strange silence, Neddy. You got your BALCO lawyer on the other line?"

Colletti: "What? Where'd you hear about that!!!??? Uh, Bill, so who'd we get to play first?"

Bavasi: "Kent at first. Aybar, Izzy, Delwyn Young, you're set at second. Furcal and Beltre and you've got yourself the sweetest left side of the infield $26 million can buy..."

Colletti (thought bubble): "D'oh! What do I do, what do it do? Help me, Dodger Thoughts!"

or is the lynch mob too occupied with martinez and seo to notice?

I like kent and have no problem with his contract.
Why?, because try finding a 2b with kent's production (20-25 hrs, good obp).

tonight is a topps trading card tuesday

nah that's friday

you'd think by now i'd learn to take things i read on internet blog comments with a grain of salt :)

Russ Martin says "hi" again.

they still do that? I thought they had "an insodent" a while back.

Ninja, did you used to post comments here a while back?

NEVER!!!

Also, whenever the Dodgers lose, I play at least one game of MVP Baseball 2005 to avenge them. More often than not, it's Kent punishing the virtual competition. Especially since virtual Nomar and Drew are done for the season (110 games in).

I'm guessing he'll do nothing. Fastballs inside.

His approach at the plate is worse than Ethier's.

I thought Murray was going to have a talk with the hitters about not swinging at the first pitch. I think he's swung at the first pitch every time he's been up with bases loaded.

None of us should have thought that he was going to explode on the scene like Pujols, but I think he'll still have a very productive rookie season. But he'll have his slumps like everyone else.

WWSH

Remember the Pedro AB? Kemp laid off breaking balls away and Pedro fell behind in the count, so he threw Kemp an inside fastball. It wasn't a bad pitch, but Kemp's bat was fast enough to hit it out.

One can still be a successful major leaguer, even if one hits best against fastballs. Even the best pitchers can't throw just breaking balls in an AB.

WWSH

Well, you also don't want to blow that elbow of his out in the minors.

WWSH

Do the refs get a Championship ring too? Courtesy of Dwyane Wade, possibly?

Ethier is OPS'ing .588 in June.
I dont want Kemp swinging at the 1st pitch with the bases loaded, but his approach other than that is fine.

Kemp has a walk every 10 trips to the plate. Same as Ethier.

IIRC, Shawn Green in his heyday did very well swinging at lots of first pitches, and he even still walked quite a bit.

I'm sure Kemp will find what works best for him.

WWSH

It's Austin "Pee", not "Pay"

http://tinyurl.com/lv4dc

Heat win NBA championship
Marlins win 9th straight to move into third place

and

Hurricanes trail Oregon State 7-1 in the 6th.

So let's go back to your original comment in 269. "He's not ready." That's a pretty blunt comment. I don't think he'll hit .350, but I don't see any evidence that he's not ready to contribute to the Dodgers - even if he has to go through a learning curve and there's a dropoff in his overall numbers.

Read the title. Kind of ironic

Kemp doesn't swing at the 1st pitch!

I don't see a dead team. The team has four runs and 10 hits. Everyone but Kemp has done something with the bat. They've fielded the ball solidly tonight. Penny had an off night (which always makes me wonder about his health). But in the end, maybe they're just losing.

If Kemp takes walk and hits extra base hits, why does it matter how he 'looks'?

And Jae Seo is still on the 25 man active. Why?

New found plate discipline. The Venezuelan God of Walks!

317 - The Dodgers right now are just about the only example of a team that has a reason to carry 12 pitchers. When the majority of your starters can't be counted on to go five innings, you have a reason for more arms.

But yeah, I'd be eager to get down to 11 ASAP.

I don't have a problem with him since he isn't blocking a prospect.
Can't say i like him tho.

I am probably the only one here that would say yes to that trade.