Baseball Toaster was unplugged on February 4, 2009.
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TV and more ...
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
Rich Lederer, Baseball Analysts:
I couldn't play baseball. I couldn't ride my bike. I couldn't even run. Well, now that I think about it, I really never could run all that well anyway. To wit, my high school coach used to time me running from home to first with a calendar. I can hear him now, "January, February, March, April..." I wasn't all that bad. I mean, I don't think I ever made it into May. Mickey Mantle could run to first base in 3.1 seconds. I could run to first base in 3.1 months. But the Mick could only do that hitting from the left side. I had the disadvantage of being a right-handed hitter.
In any event, I was sidelined that summer. I was instructed by my doctor to rest and apply ice to my knees frequently. I don't think the ice bags helped my pneumonia much, but my lungs seem to clear up at about the same pace as the improvement in my knees. I was a prime candidate for Osgood-Schlatter as it generally afflicts children in a "growth spurt" between 10 and 15 years old who are involved in sports. I was always tall for my age, but I shot up several inches that year. The good news is that I lost all my baby fat and was as slim as I had ever been.
What's a 13-year-old boy, who has no clue about girls, to do in his summer between seventh and eighth grades when he can't play his favorite sport and is mostly confined to home? ...
* * *
Odalis Perez pitching in the Central time zone on a weekday morning. Brings back memories ...
Dodger manager Grady Little told Bill Shaikin of the Times that he doesn't anticipate leaving Perez in the rotation after today.
"We've been down that road enough," Manager Grady Little said. "I think he's valuable for us in the bullpen."
But, you know, things change. Except with Russell Martin. Martin is the designated hitter today - but batting last, of course. It's not a big deal, but keeping Martin at the bottom of the order seems to represent the often flexible Little at his most rigid.
Sandy Alomar Jr. is starting at catcher, probably for the last time in a long while. Hmm, and J.D. Drew and Nomar Garciaparra are on the bench against Twins duplicate ace Johan Santana.
I ask because of Grittle's (over)use of Martin. Not only does he catch almost everyday, but now that he gets a day off, he's DHing. Maybe he'll get more time off now that Mr. Sub-.700 OPS is backing him up.
Everyone is missing the important story of the day. Shame on you! Matt Kemp is in the 3-hole!
I'm not so sure. It's fairly common practice in American League lineups to have your second- or third-best hitter working the nine hole, because then you end up with 9-1-2 having two leadoff men. At least, that's how Scioscia has done things in Anaheim for a while now.
Dave Smith of Retrosheet is giving a presentation on lineup construction in Seattle this weekend at the SABR convention.
I will report back with the results. Dave usually posts his slides online when he gets back.
On the other hand, I can't say Drew has done much in a while.
Can anyone tell me who the last few D's pitching coaches have been--say back to '95?
Honeycutt
Jim Colbrunn (sp)
Charlie Hough
Dave Wallace
I think that covers most if not all of the decade.
Nomar I can't explain.
(Toby) Hall failed in his attempt to break John Flaherty's record for worst career RCAA for the Devil Rays--
1 John Flaherty -94
2 Toby Hall -88
3 Miguel Cairo -57
4 Bobby Smith -48
5 Mike DiFelice -45
6 Damian Rolls -42
7 Vinny Castilla -39
T8 Felix Martinez -37
T8 Gerald Williams -37
10 Jason Tyner -36
The Preview at the Off. Dodger cite has a Space for player to watch in this game--and its Nomar. Go figure.
Maybe the Dodgers are just conceding this game to the best pitcher in baseball, and dont want their star guys to go into a slump or look bad against him.
Goosen was very skinny and had very good posture.
I thought about making a Retief-related comment, but wasn't sure anyone would know what I was talking about. Not that that has ever stopped me before...
Don't want to go deeper yet, it could get ugly.
I picked Cleveland to win the division.
And the pennant.
And the World Series!
I bet on this in Las Vegas. I think my payoff will be in Confederate dollars.
If they only win 24 games the rest of the way, they'll meet my prediction for their record.
How many people live within a 10 mile radius of the intersection of Hollywood and Highland?
You need to be within 1% to get full credit.
I'm using 2005 population estimates.
The winner gets my full admiration.
For entertainment purposes only, of course.
How much is that worth (in Confederate dollars)?
Surprisingly, 2.3 million is too low.
We should congratulate Matt Kemp on getting to a 3-ball count.
Sam DC has my full admiration.
ESRI estimates the total for 2005 at 3,063,715 within a 10-mile radius of that intersection. And there is a good chunk of that is just the Santa Monica Mountains.
And another good chunk which is part of the San Fernando Valley, the Westside and Downtown.
vr, Xei
I will stay above the recount fray, leaving the sharp-elbow-throwing to my surrogates.
Dave Matthews Band?
Digital Multimedia Broadcasting?
Diamond Mind Baseball?? :)
Nope, I wrote my own program using VB. I'm still making improvements to it. It nailed a couple of games in a row then tanked the first two vs the Twins.
vr, Xei
Remember when the AL Central wasn't any good?
This one's over.
Maybe today is the last we'll see out of OP. He's pitching like he wants to get out of here.
vr, Xei
vr, Xei
So who goes in as the mop-up man in the 3rd inning?
If I could ever think of a stereotype for the word "scrappy", it'd be Lew Ford.
Now if he could just figure out how to do it on that fourth hit.
vr, Xei
Seo?
Oh. Wait.
Or maybe after the third all the other relievers will come in to pitch one inning apiece since the team is off tomorrow.
Which inning will be the Baez inning? Which one for Kuo? Which one for Broxton?
were's Erickson when you need him.
Here's hoping. Hey , look at Alomar.
I haven't watched too many games so just going off what I've heard as far as his D.
The home run is another story.
Hall will catch the first game that Hendrickson throws, will probably watch the whole rotation before eventually trying out each of them.
From her discussion of the 8-2 game (as opposed to the 9-2 game): "We are winning because Joe Morgan is a giant boob. Hear me out here . . ."
C'mon Cesar!
For the same reason that Hendrickson has a 3.81 ERA.
The first was to Joe Mauer.
The second, grounder up the middle.
The third, infield single.
I'm not sure what else OP could've done there....
...but, again, the HR is another story.
How about striking them out?
Thats progress.
Can we leave now?
Oh well, at least OP settled down a little in the 2nd.
A little.
I wonder if we can change the shorthand "OP" to OOP (as in "oops" or, for us video store geeks, for "out of print", the DVD biz equivalent of DFA, which is perhaps what Perez will be soon.)
chin music.
OP's bellie dons't look as big as other times, maybe he's traying to stay in shape now.
"In play, out(s) recorded"
====
Funny, when you think of what DFA stands for, "Designated for assignment" - what would Perez be assigned to? Sounds like he'd be studying for an exam or something. Maybe the assignment would be to get therapy, and or to re-learn how to pitch*?
(* "pitch instead of bitch" could be his new mantra in therapy)
I'm not going to deny Odalis has been terrible, but it's only been eight starts and he's been jerked around all year. If we DFA him who comes up? Osoria? Hamulack? Houlton? I admit the man has not had a good year up to this point, but its not like booting him helps the team by any appreciable amount?
Too bad that was the game.
I think Perez needs to be his own mop up man today. I see a big buffet table full of innings, and not many diners.
Dodgers Fire Odalis Perez.
It'd be funny if he was like "I only threw one bad pitch all game"
If we were in a real division, we'd trade Kent and Tomko/Sele for something worthwhile.
If we were in a real division, we'd trade Kent and Tomko/Sele for something worthwhile.
Let me put it this way. We all know Aaron Sele stinks, and a collapse is inevitable. Well he's been good for nine starts, yet no one well admit he's good. If we are allowing that much time for Sele to become bad, why won't we give Odalis at least that much of a chance to be good?
Maybe a team like the Yankees would take that on, but they already have Cano. Kent to the Red Sox might make some sense. They could take his contract.
He hardly ever walks people and usually strikes out more than he has so far.
On the bright side, if we stay the course a bit and don't do anything too stupid, I can see two years down the road we might have several players almost as good as Mauer.
"Trade" "Jeff" "Kent"
Oh yea, it was me. What a moroon!
I commend you for trying to use logic and reason.
But I think when Odalis Perez pitches, you are up against an angry mob that just wants blood and is reacting viscerally.
regairfield is DT's Atticus Finch today.
Sure.
I'm going to be Boo Radley. I think it's safer not to comment much today.
It's okay. 2006 is an even year. All logic says Odalis should have had a decent year.
Still, I agree with regfairfield. We should give him a bit of a chance, if only because we have nobody else right now.
Given LA's lack of options, and that CBillz hasn't been the savior many (mistakenly) thought, OP has to be put back in the rotation for at least 5 starts. I don't see where else you turn, unless you make a trade.
As has been pointed out numerous times, an "anyone but [Odalis]" isn't much of an argument.
Even when given the chance to call out Shawn Green in public for not diving for that ball on his no hit attempt, he didnt do it. I think that showed some class.
I just think OP's attitude is way overblown, unless your a Loduca disciple cuz apparently Loduca took it personally when he criticized the offense that year.
Of course things could be worse, at least there will be a race this year in the NL West this year.
Quit sticking things in that tree!
We had a race last year in the NL West, but it was a snail race.
Would you trade Kemp/Billingsley for A-Rod?
I'd do that in a heartbeat.
He's on pace for about 25 HRs, it's certainly replaceable. His biggest asset right now is his OB% derived from walks. Aybar can make that up if a MLB-ready player isn't brought in with this hypothetical Kent trade.
... Oooh, I see -- the logical and reasonable thing to do is to continue allowing an unmotivated and uninspired pitcher to keep lousing up the ballclub with his 7 ERA? Isn't it already bad enough that he's stealing the Dodgers' money? I would say that Dodger fans have every right to be angry whenever this overpriced deadweight waddles in to lose yet another game for their team.
Those of you who want to kid yourselves into thinking you're taking the "higher ground" by saying "let's not hold him responsible for his performance; let's coddle him until he somehow finds motivation to pitch to his potential again" -- don't come back here in late September when the Dodgers finish 2 or 3 games out of a playoff spot and say "If only we hadn't let Perez continue to lose games for us, we might have had a chance." We waited all last season for Odalis to get better. We've waited nearly half the season this year. If Perez needs to "find himself", he can do it in Las Vegas or Jacksonville.
I'm just thinking of which "top of the rotation" pitcher Neddy might be targeting if it's not Dontrelle (and I don't see why the Marlins would trade him this season). Smoltz is one obvious target. Tim Hudson? Carlos Zambrano? There aren't that many likely candidates out there, who aren't also involved in pennant races of their own.
184 - Phil Hughes is the one name I've heard, but Yankee prospects kinda scare me. Anyone heard from Eric Duncan recently?
I don't think the Yankees trade ARod, at least not until he goes 0-for-the-playoffs. I think the Yankees realize what they have with him.
Who should take OP's starts that we know would do better? Assuming Perez can/should revert a little bit to a league average pitcher instead of this joke.
If the Dodgers have another pitcher that will likely pitch better than OP for the remainder of the season, then by all means please pitch that guy. Unfortunately, I'm not sure who that is is.
The AnyonebutOP argument doesnt fly when there isnt anyone else better that could take his place.
11.5 million in 2007.
7 million dollar option for 2008 with a 500,000 buyout. Automatically recieves nine million in 2008 if he reaches 550 PAs in 2007.
Navarro is a player "without much power" but one who does have good plate patience, as seen in his bb%, ct%, and Eye (bb/k).
Navarro AB Avg bb% ct% h% Eye PX
======= === ==== === === === ==== ===
2003-aa 208 .338 7% 90% 36% 0.83 109
2004-a/a 391 .259 10% 88% 29% 0.89 73
2005-LA* 417 .247 10% 91% 26% 1.31 61
2006-LA 75 .280 13% 76% 35% 0.61 68
2006-aaa** 40 .175 7% 82% 21% 0.43 n/a
* includes MLEs
unadjusted minor league stats
The lack of power has stayed with Navarro this season, but some of the plate patience -- specifically, his ct% -- has gone AWOL. Navarro's low AB total with LA is due to a strained hamstring in Spring Training followed by a bone bruise on his right wrist that sent him to the DL in early May; from there, Navarro was optioned to Triple-A. All in all, Navarro is not an inspiring player. His one apparent asset, Avg, looks like it was driven by a high h% in 2003 and a similarly high h% this year in his 75 AB in the Majors.
The Pirates could use a guy like that.
Hendrickson, 32, is the centerpiece of the deal for the Dodgers. He was profiled two weeks ago by HQ analyst Andy Andres, who noted that his base skills weren't quite on par with his glossier surface stats. The question becomes, does the change of scenery and team increase his value? Here are his BPIs to date:
Year IP Ctl Dom Cmd hr/9 ERA WHIP
=========================================
2004 183 2.3 4.3 1.9 1.0 4.81 1.40
2005 178 2.5 4.5 1.8 1.2 5.90 1.55
2006* 90 3.4 5.1 1.5 1.0 3.81 1.28
The move from Tampa to southern California won't help the soft-tossing lefty. Dodger stadium boosts HRs by righty batters by 7% while Tropicana Field reduces homers by 14%. And Hendrickson is by far more prone to righty HRs. So far this year, eight of the 10 dingers he's allowed were to right-handed batters. Last year, it was 21 of 24.
Maybe Houlton?
But are you positive that Odalis Perez will continue to throw 6.50 ERA type ball for the remainder of the season? That seems highly unlikely, considering his career. Unless OP is hurt, or washed up like Nomo (and Nomo lost velocity thats why he stunk, I havent seen the physical problems with OP) then its probalby not worth trying.
What does Dom stand for, and roughly how are Ctl, Dom, and Cmd determined?
By "give back" do you mean throw up?
It is Hooters and the chain is named after owls isn't it? I mean that's part of the logo?
And don't owls regurgitate food to feed their young?
But I think at worst he'll put up a 5.00 ERA for the remainder of the year. Now that is definitely brutal and needs replacing.
However, who replaces him? Houlton/Orenduff make sense.
Apart from that, I dont see anyone else available worth trading for or that is currently on the team to try and upgrade that spot.
225 - But of course, it is species-correct.
Command Ratio (Cmd)
Purpose & Meaning
This is a measure of a pitcher's raw ability to get the ball over the plate. There is no more fundamental a skill than this, and so it is accurately used as a leading indicator to project future rises and falls in other gauges, such as ERA. Command is one of the best gauges to use to evaluate minor league performance. It is a prime component of a pitcher's base performance value.
Benchmarks
Baseball's upper echelon of command pitchers will have ratios in excess of 3.0. Pitchers with ratios under 1.0 — indicating that they walk more batters than they strike out — have virtually no potential for long term success.
Formula
( Strikeouts / Walks )
---------------------------------------------
Dominance Rate (Dom)
Purpose & Meaning
Used in the BPV formula, it measures how many strikeouts a pitcher allows per game equivalent.
Benchmarks
The best pitchers will have k/9 levels of 6.0 or more.
Formula
(K Allowed x 9 / IP) - Opposition Strikeouts per Game
----------------------------------------------
Control Rate (Ctl)
Purpose & Meaning
Measures how many walks a pitcher allows per game equivalent.
Benchmarks
The best pitchers will have bb/9 levels of 3.0 or less.
Formula
(BB Allowed x 9 / IP) - Opposition Walks per Game
Whlie we all look at the starting pitching as the reason for the downfall during this series, this team will have to win this year with its offense. They average over 5 runs a game and that is how they will have to do it this year.
Quite bony they were.
Me (I'm only 170 lbs)
You (I think)
Broxton
Houlton
Sigh, is it the Angels series yet?
And Bingo was his name-o
Carew was at .394 in 1977.
More Broxton, less OP/Tomko = fewer relievers entering in the 4th. Besides, with HENDRICKSON starting, in time Tomko/Billingsley/Perez might become a guy that can be brought in to pitch 3 innings and save the pen.
The teams that the Dodgers face the rest of the year.
Angels
Arizona
SF
StL
SD
Was
Cin
Fla
Col
Milw
NYM
Chi
Pitt
Now will they face a Schmidt, Peavy, Willis, Pedro, Carlos Zambrano, Prior and Webb, probably but not a combination like the last two games.
So is this a reality check sure, but then again the Cards have lost 8 straight to Detroit, White Sox and the Indians so what kind of check is that for them?
A bounced one.
"Well you don't want to go raga..."
Where did those folks go, anyway?
Todd Helton was at .397 on 8/28/00 but hit .270 thereafter to finish .372.
John Olerud was at .392 on 8/25/93 and hit .245 thereafter to finish .363.
Film at eleven.
Meanwhile, Ned will trade a prospect for another lousy veteran.
Forgetting that he already extended Kent's contract, Ned will add an additional year to it. Kent will continue to ride motorcycles during the offseason without a helmet.
If that's a strike, then Izturis will never walk again.
vr, Xei
(Steve says the moment they signed him)
Unless he just can't hit at all but he'd have to be pretty bad to offset his glove.
I had us as a team good enough to win the NL West and I still think that is true. No one in the NL is any good this year except for the Mets and they could easily lose Pedro and then your not exactly scared about that rotation heading into a short series. Were not good enough to win the West easily but hopefully when the dust settles we will be on top but I wouldn't expect more then 88 wins.
Yep. And Hendrickson will get off to a good start, prompting "Ned is a genius" responses from certain populations. Then reality will set in (see: Seo, Baez, Tomko, etc.).
I'd be happy with 2 of 3. I was thinking sweep earlier bc the Angels arent very good, but the pitching matchups arent favorable I dont think.
Why is the NL so bad right now? I think you're right, the Mets are the only team that seriously scares AL teams. Right now more of the talent, pitching and otherwise, seems to weight towards the AL.
The Angels are playing the Padres? :-)
Other than the Pirates, who do we match up favorably with? And I'm talking Major Leauge teams here.
Remember, after Nomar hit the grand slam vs Houston, he went 4-17, including 0-6 the next day. Don't worry about the slumps.
That's too bad because I remember a while back we had a game with the Bad News Bears here and I thought our pitching matched up okay with theirs.
Thats true. I was just thinking that when Penny/Lowe pitch in the same series, its favorable. Lowe could pitch Sunday, but he isnt scheduled to yet. I bet he will if the Dodgers lose the first two games.
All Joe Nathan fantasy owners give a shout out to the Killer Tomato!
Sure its not much but I think scoring those runs will make the plane ride a little less quiet.
Now if they can come back against Nathan.......
Why didn't Grady PH Drew or Nomar for Alomar and move the DH to catcher or bring in Hall (assuming he's with the team by now)? Can you move the DH to a position during the game? I would think so.
Hall is not with the team.
If Martin were to come in to catch, then the pitcher would have to bat in Alomar's spot.
Maybe Grits really believes he's a .350 hitter.
Interesting.
Unsurprising:
http://tinyurl.com/jk2hn
Don't look now but the Tigers could be 30 games over .500, now I don't know what Elias will say but the odds have to pretty good that if you are 30 games over at the All-Star break, your chances of going to the post-season are pretty good.
Something about the Marlins makes me think they are going to make a run at the Mets. I remember in 2003 they were like 10-15 games under .500, then McKeon became manager, and they went like 73-48 the rest of the year. Granted, their pitching staff probably isnt as good now as it was then (Burnett, Penny, Pavano, Willis), but I think they have the youngsters to make a run this year.
I love the Marlin team but I don't think they can make a run at the Met's this year. Their future is oh so bright. No one else has the young pitching like Johnson, Olsen, Sanchez, Vargas, and Willis is no slouch though he isn't an ace he is still solid.
Any talk of them trading Miggy is crazy, this team will be breathing down the Met's neck next year at 1/8 of the salary.
Pretty sure next year they don't get off to an 11-31 start though. Things are looking up in South Florida.
I don't believe that ended well, but people don't talk much about that season.
The kid from Cincinnati, who is very solid (James White), or someone else? It's a hard one to predict from top to bottom. I also like Cal's Leon Powe, who will probably be an early 2nd round pick. But the Lakers need a shooting guard...
Over at Bronx Banter, commenter yankaholic says: "if this clip doesnt show up on Sports Center.. i will mow them down"
Because the Yankees have a lot of trouble cracking that media superfortress. Have the Yankees ever even been on Sportscenter, do you think?
Also Dodger's are close to going over the 4.76 runs per game that you asked in your "5 Questions". We must be close HBT has 'em at 4.69 yesterday.
Who's responsible for the advance scouting of AL teams' hitting for the Dodgers?
Who's responsible for the advance scouting of AL teams' pitching for the Dodgers?
Should whoever's responsible be sacked?
Does the Dodgers (and the entire NL, for that matter) woeful performance against the AL foretell another AL victory in the All-Star Game?
("You sure ask a lot of questions, for someone from New Jersey!" - Roseanne Rosannadanna)
"These talks are still preliminary... Edwin Jackson and Dioner Navarro could go to Tampa Bay in a deal for Baez and Toby Hall."
These guys were clearly after Navarro and he should have netted Hendrickson straight up.
http://www.ken-jennings.com/blog/
I wish Bynum wasn't like 5 years away from helping.
Wise cut the middle finger of his pitching hand with a pair of salad tongs and will be unavailable for a few games.
The Marlins are a come from behind team, and the Mets are a team to blow it. But who knows.
I like how I mention trading for A-Rod because his stock is low in NY, and he hits a walk-off homer.
In any event, what the Orioles want depends on the salary split.
They are out of it. They have some starters the Dodgers might be interested in.
Yes that is insane. Is that what happens when you eat to many raw rabbits?
I don't get it.
Thank you for your cooperation.
304/388/519 10hr
pretty darn good numbers. he has an option for next year too. I think he can play OF and 3b.
We're not going to trade Kemp for Carlos Lee.
Guzman? Maybe...
Does he still have his own TV show?
Guzman + Elbert and one of the following:
Russel Martin
Andy LaRoche
Matt Kemp
Andre Ethier
Jonathon Broxton
what do you guys think? YOU ARE ALL MY SCOUTS.
I agree. That deal is tempting right now. But I have to look at the big picture. What is my outfield going to be next year? I am going on the assumption that my budget is right around 95 million or so.
Lowe
Willis
Penny
Hendrickson
Billingsley
I like that if i can dump Odalis and Tomko.
I wouldn't trade Guzman and Elbert alone for Willis.
Dontrelle is an average pitcher.
Good.
I would
Well I think Ethier is more then a 4th outfielder and he has tremendous value right now because hes a 300 hitting player that is 24 yrs old and making pennies for the next 3-4 years.
Guzman has "potential" still and I dont want to be that idiot that traded away Guzman and it just clicks for him and he becomes juan gonzalez.
The other thing about Willis is that his comparables are mainly guys that started out hot, and flamed out quickly.
Jim Abbott, Steve Avery, Dick Ellsworth and Ismael Valdez all started out with great careers, then flamed out by the time they were 27. There are a couple of non flameouts in his top ten (Mark Buerhle and Jim Kaat) but for the most part, it consists of guys who had a couple of good years in their early to mid 20s, then were done. Willis is probably fools gold, and whoever gets him is going to regret it.
The deal that Brock suggested is okay but I'd rather you move some of our position kids for their young but major league ready pitchers. You can probably get Vargas cheap, but anyone of Vargas, Olsen, Sanchez would be nice. The Marlins will still need a 2nd baseman when the real Uggla shows up in the 2nd half. Otherwise they only need an outfielder to go with Hermida/Willingham. Whatever you do don't trade Carlos Santana:)
What are the GM's for the Brewers asking for C Lee and the Nationals for Soriano?
You wrote:
you wouldn't trade a fourth outfielder and a positionless prospect with no plate discipline (and an unproven bat)
But I wrote earlier:
I wouldn't trade Guzman and Elbert alone for Willis
If you're asking me if I'd trade Ethier and Guzman for Willis, my answer is of course. I said I didn't want to trade Elbert and Guzman for Willis.
Brewers GM says he isn't selling at the moment and Im scared to ask the Nats GM what he wants for Soriano especially when he just offered me Ramon Ortiz for Kuo.
Or I misread it. I'll take option #1.
Bucs lead 3-0 in the 6th!
I only wish I had that kind of power.
I just don't want to trade any top pitching prospects ever. They flame out so often, and are so hard to come by, I want to amass as many as I can get.
Developing pitchers from within is the only way to go these days. Free agent pitchers who are terrible get millions, and trades for good pitching seem to have just ceased.
Has a pitcher as good as Brad Penny been acquired through trade since DePo acquired Penny? I can't remember one.
Yeah, I'd count Beckett, and the White Sox got Vazquez. Braves got Hudson.
Still not easy, and usually pretty costly prospect-wise.
I've never been told what that stands for.
Okay, but they come from somewhere.
Meaning don't ever do it, or don't hesitate to do it?
I know they flame out often. That's why I want even more Scott Elbert's and less Pat Mahomes's in my minor-league rotations.
As far as not relying on them, like I said, the good ones come from somewhere. Why not play as many lottery tickets as you can?
Right, like lottery tickets, most pitching prospects will bust. That's why you should buy as many as you can if you're trying to actually win the lottery.
Whats the difference between Andre Ethier and Cody Ross?
Keep in mind that the Dodgers basically released Cody Ross. If they cant get anything for him, why would you expect Ethier to hold any value to them?
For one thing, Flanders traded for Ethier, while Ross was already here. That appears to make a big difference these days.
Mike A. (SD, CA): Hey Jim, not counting all the guys in the bigs who are still prospect eligible (i.e. Billingsley), who's the best pitching prospect left in the minors? Hughes? Bailey? Sanchez? Thanks.
SportsNation Jim Callis: Sanchez just went up the other day and pitched well agains the Yankees. Unless I'm missing someone, I think it's Philip Hughes. Bailey is in the running, and don't forget about Scott Elbert.
Charlie (NYC): Jim, what do you think of the way Billingsley has pitched so far. Also, what are your comments on the Hendrickson trade.
SportsNation Jim Callis: Billingsley has looked like a lot of rookies . . . Even if they're highly touted, they tend to nibble a lot and don't trust their stuff entirely against the best hitter they've ever seen. He'll be fine in the long run. I don't think either side will gain anything significant in the trade, but Hendrickson has been pitching a lot better than Seo and will help this year in the NL West race.
mike (la): better career:martin or navarro?
SportsNation Jim Callis: Russell Martin, by far. Like him a lot and I see Navarro as a backup.
--Rated by some as the best defensive CF'er in the Dodger system (when he was there)
Andre Ethier-24yrs- .323/.375/.485 in 130Abs.
--Not a CF'er
I guess Ethier is slightly more proven, but I dont really see much of a difference in these players.
If one was released, why would the other one hold so much more value?
Furthermore, why is one thought of as a fringe player while the other is "more than a 4th Of'er"?
Mike A. (SD, CA): Hey Jim, not counting all the guys in the bigs who are still prospect eligible (i.e. Billingsley), who's the best pitching prospect left in the minors? Hughes? Bailey? Sanchez? Thanks.
SportsNation Jim Callis: Sanchez just went up the other day and pitched well agains the Yankees. Unless I'm missing someone, I think it's Philip Hughes. Bailey is in the running, and don't forget about Scott Elbert.
Charlie (NYC): Jim, what do you think of the way Billingsley has pitched so far. Also, what are your comments on the Hendrickson trade.
SportsNation Jim Callis: Billingsley has looked like a lot of rookies . . . Even if they're highly touted, they tend to nibble a lot and don't trust their stuff entirely against the best hitter they've ever seen. He'll be fine in the long run. I don't think either side will gain anything significant in the trade, but Hendrickson has been pitching a lot better than Seo and will help this year in the NL West race.
mike (la): better career:martin or navarro?
SportsNation Jim Callis: Russell Martin, by far. Like him a lot and I see Navarro as a backup.
Marlins evidently feel he is more then a 4th outfielder as he's now starting on a semi-regular basis and could be very regular soon.
You were right about Ross, we gave him away much to cheaply.
I understand your logic. The problem is, Flanders isn't using any. Choi and Ross were "Depo's guys." They thus had no value.
448 I agree.
Its not as if there are a bunch of former Dodgers blowing up for other teams, if this has something to do with the money there has been no evidence that any player movement has been premediated by any salary considerations.
445 He gets two walks and suddenly he was let go too cheaply.
Another thought, Buster Olney from espn.com wrote today that he thought the Dodgers got a steal of deal.
Anyway, here's one scouting report on him:
http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaab/players/37829
Btw, the ESPN analysts are all ripping on Portland for making a bunch of moves "they didn't have to" but I think they're being ridiculously unfair. They just got a bunch of great players in the first round without having to give up that much. Getting Brandon Roy alone, one of the few players in this draft I'd call a "can't miss" - one of my faves in this draft - that alone makes it a good draft. I honestly don't know what they're talking about.
I think, though, that under Phil Jackson's tutelage he could become a very useful point guard off the bench. He doesn't really have great scoring ability (it was okay in college but he'll struggle mightily against the bigger, faster players in the NBA), but his ball-handling skills are solid and he's good enough at driving-and-dishing that he'll create some easy basket opportunities for Mihm/Brown.
He does periodically try to do too much, but UCLA was lacking somewhat in offensive options this year with no real back-to-the-basket threat and their best shooter, Arron Afflalo, having problems with streakiness. He'd try to overcompensate with an attempt at some brilliant move. Additionally, he was given to a bit of overconfidence in his creative options because UCLA's defense was so dominant this past season - a turnover in attempting to create a basket was often a worthwhile attempt because any created points were much more likely to stand up (see UCLA's Elite 8 and Final 4 games, where they held very respected athletic and offensive teams to less than 50 points - the E8 game being against Memphis which just had 2 players go in the 17th and 18th spots).
Hell, he's already better than Smush Parker.
My thoughts: Farmar could not be going to a better system provided Phil remains. He took a lot of shots last seasons because he was the "clock is running out so somebody shoot" guy. That's my impression, at least.
As for the Dodger trade, I can only echo what so many have said previously. To paraphrase DeNiro as Al Capone: "We got nothing. Nothing!"
Jordan's a far better passer, though, and if he can get that jumper more consistent could emerge as a dangerous player. However, he is only 6'2" (and that with the usually-generous basketball measurements for guards - if Allen Iverson is 6', I'm 6'7") and will be playing against far more athletic defenders against whom his stepback and crossover won't be nearly as effective. Those double-teams will be key, as will his ability to hit well early.
I think Luke Walton is a probable good example as to what could happen - Walton was a brilliant playmaker in college who could hit a jumper and pass effectively, but once he got to the pros those passing lanes were clogged and he had to rush his shot or risk being blocked. Farmar probably will do much better with the ball in his hands without being the main focus of the opposing team, but needs to find a way to let the offense come to him instead of forcing the issue (which was a tendency he had in college, shot-clock inefficiency or no).
I agree that he'll probably flourish under Jackson's system, and additional time in the weight room will most likely be a huge boon (he made a ton of progress from freshman year to sophmore, despite having to deal with the pressures of being a student).
And hello there, Suffering Bruin. Are you as jacked up for September as I am? As much as I loved Drew Olson (the senior version), it's Ben Olson time! =P
He gets two walks and suddenly he was let go too cheaply
If you are a 22yr old catcher, .740 OPS in the majors, and are traded for Mark Hendrickson, then its being let go too cheaply.
I think you guys are missing my point. I'm not saying Cody Ross is good. In fact, I dont think he's anything more than a 4th/5th OF'er. However, his skill level is about the same as Andre Ethier. So therefore, if Ross isnt any good, how could Ethier be? Thats my point.
Nate's been talking up Ethier about as much as Canuck talks up Loney, and taking others to task that want refer to Ethier as a 4th Of'er. Well my point is if Cody Ross is (and I think most here would agree he his), then Andre Ethier must be too.
And he's a Bruin, which automatically makes him a splendid human being.
And I was one of the people that thought letting Cody Ross go was a mistake but should we compound that mistake by not giving equal value to Ethier as well?
Andre Ethier has a better chance of becoming a solid 3rd outfielder then Justin Orenduff has becoming a #2 pitcher.
Well if he can defend, then he is already better then Smush Parker. That was basically the biggest problem for the Lakers last year; dribble penetration defense.
I like the way you think.
Ah well, time to go now, just thought I'd pop in and make a couple notes on JF. Hope everybody's night goes well.
2.49 ERA 6.2 H/9 10.5 K/9 4.3 w/9 .45 HR/9
That homerun rate is excellent considering his home park, hes allowed just 1 homerun on the road all year and 3 in more than 40 innings at home. He just needs to get the walks down, but his stuff indicators are top-shelf.
Farmar's second biggest weakness is his defense. He only possesses average length and lateral quickness and therefore struggles to stay in front of quicker opponents.
Regarding being a "good passer": can someone explain to me why there is so much variation in passing ability? To me, what can be easier than simply throwing the ball to someone? You see them, you throw it. What's the big deal?
7.2IP 1H 1ER 4bb 13k 7gbo-3fbo
ERA for the season is 2.49
pretty solid year for Elbert. He'll probably be a top 40 prospect by the end of the year.
Dewitt with 0-1 with 4bb
court vision and anticipation. You first have to find the open person and you have to put the ball in a place that the defender cant get it and that your teammate can actually do something with it.
http://tinyurl.com/jk2hn
Not wearing a seat belt and he had meth in his system.
Dammit.
You beat me to it with more info too. I read an article a couple weeks ago saying that the key for Elbert is that he has developed his changed up that he isn't afraid to throw at any count now.
That is the type of improvement that bodes well for future success.
When he was pitching in the FSL all star game for an inning, his fb velocity was 94-95.
as for Johnson, this is what Canuck posted on the scout.com prospect thread.
Johnson the Younger (as opposed to Blake, the Elder) has a 90-91 MPH fastball, a plus curve, a cutter, and a change-up. He is extremely polished for his age, with great control and command, but his ceiling might not be too high with his ordinary fastball. He could be a #3 starter if he stays on track. Johnson the Elder and Johnson the Younger are actually very similar to each other, scouting wise, but the Elder is taller and has more potential for getting stronger, while the Younger's polish really sets him apart from the Elder and most other pitchers in our system.
Of course not.
However, I dont think learning from past mistakes is one of Ned Colletti's attributes.
So holding out hope that Ethier is a bargaining chip, seems wishful thinking considering Colletti's dumped similar players for nothing.
I agree on that point.
Thats true but it could in part be caused due to Cody Ross' prior injuries. I think Ross' ability to play CF makes him a more valuable prospect. But at this stage, Ross/Ethier really arent prospects anymore considering their ages.
He's a pick for the 2013 playoff run. duh.
Here is the Elbert article if anyone wants to read it.
Grady is awesome.
No he's not. Defense is one of the worst parts of his game. He has amazing court vision and is an excellent ball handler. He has great passing skills and he's an above average scorer for a point guard. That said, he's turnover prone, mediocre defensively, and needs to work on his outside shot. His upside is Mike Bibby like.
If Phil Jackson wasn't the Lakers coach then I would love this pick. Since he is, it's not a good pick. If Farmar wasn't a local kid, they wouldn't have picked him.
The guy who would have been a perfect fit for the Lakers is Maurice Ager. He's 6'4, strong, very athletic, and an excellent outside shooter. He's a really underrated player and would have been a great fit for the Lakers.
Still, the Farmar pick is much better than James White (the guy who the Lakers were going to take) who I don't think is going to be a very good NBA player.
I love the Diaz pick by the Clippers. The guy is one of the best athletes in the draft. He is a very explosive player.
What was the bad news?
http://www.clippertalk.net/
also, I think his high walk rate isnt exactly bad news, but its not good news either.
http://tinyurl.com/g9e7r
didn't even realize that.
Toy- what did you think of what the Clippers did? I love the Diaz pick, but I don't like Davis.
I thought these discussions were about trying to see things from another point of view. Instead, all that happens are that people with opposing viewpoints and methods get putdown and insulted.
Couldn't it be possible that maybe Ned Colletti and his assisstants know a little bit more than you about his players than you do. Afterall, you're the one commenting on message boards, and hes the one sitting in an office making decisions.
Get off your high horse JoeyP. You dont know everything. Your just a backseat driver commenting on players you read about on the internet with statistics you invented to prove your point.
Try looking at the bigger picture.
*With the acquisitions/trade deadline nearing,
I would do everything in my power to protect LHP Scott Elbert because I am here to attest to the fact after seeing him in each of his last 8 appearances that he is the REAL DEAL and could be used RIGHT NOW in middle relief in Los Angeles. His 95-96 FBs with command on changeup and breaking pitches make it near to impossible to hit! He has shown this to several special assignment folks the past couple of weeks and I would venture to say all of those teams are thinking along the same lines I am so please please take this in a good intentioned nature because it's my job and responsibility to report to all 30 teams. Peace, Shep*
interesting, he really likes elbert i guess.
How can you make this complaint, and then go ahead and say the following:
Get off your high horse JoeyP. You dont know everything. Your just a backseat driver commenting on players you read about on the internet with statistics you invented to prove your point.
Hypocritical, no?
Sadly, I havent pulled statistics out of thin air. They are available for all to see, which is why some of us have a hard time following Ned Colletti's logic.
Whats wrong about asking questions to things that dont make sense to me?
Grady is awesome.
Pretty much. Grady is the best. You find yourself laughing after series where you get ourscored 23-7.
This reminds of a quote I read from a horror film director. The movies he has written and directed have been beyond horrible. Anyways, he basically said that unless a person has directed a movie, they aren't allowed to criticize a movie.
Of course, there is a huge problem with the statement. The director knows way more than I do about what it takes to make a movie. He knows the process better, how to finance the movie, write the script, and all that other jazz. That said, it doesn't make him a better judge of a good or bad movie than I am. He just has more insight into the film making process.
Likewise, Ned knows way more about the inner workings of baseball than any of us on this board. He knows what a pain in the behind dealing with agents can be. He knows how much it stinks to make decisions about the 40 man roster. He knows the office politics of the Dodgers better than you or I. There are alot of things that Ned knows way more about making a team than anyone on this site does. The man has worked in baseball a long time and he certainly has a better idea than we do.
That being said, his experience and insight doesn't shield him from criticism. Just because he makes the decision doesn't make a trade good or bad.
Criticize the ends, be my guest. I guess I'm just a little ticked that so many people jump all over the means when they have so little insight into what they really are.
514 Replace the "k" with a "c" and remove the "h."
I just dont share the same doomsday predictions as so many here. Swapping back-up catchers while adding a replacement level pitcher is not going to be the difference between making the playoffs and not making the playoffs. The team has greater needs. Is Navarro going to be more valuable than Hendrickson in the long run? Probably. But a decent starting pitcher is much more valuable to THIS team, especially with Martin playing well and not likely to leave for a while.
Good trade? Bad trade? Its definately debateable. Horrendous trade? Definately not.
Criticize the trade, by all means. I just think its innapropriate and adds so little to an argument when people continue to harp on Ned's managerial process when they dont really know what went on during negotiations.
I thought these discussions were about trying to see things from another point of view. Instead, all that happens are that people with opposing viewpoints and methods get putdown and insulted.
isn't fair. There were many viewpoints expressed (opposing is tricky, as there were more than two positions taken), and while it wasn't all tea and crumpets, and even if you think not all the commenters played fair, more did than didn't. Jon prominantly featured David Pinto's theory that Hendrickson actually is a decent pitcher (an assumption I notice you were happy to state, if not defend). Anyway. If you don't think any particular theory got enough consideration, run it back up the flag pole. But don't lambaste some one else for failing to take a position he doesn't hold.
That's surprising.
Your 2006 USA Today Prep of the year:
http://tinyurl.com/qgbvl
I'd rather he get on base 35% of the time.
Sports I watched a lot when a kid that I rarely watch now: Tennis, Boxing, Pro Basketball.
Signing off now.
"If Kent would have been in another position, he might have made the catch," Perez said.
He suggested the coaches should have moved Kent from where a second baseman traditionally plays. According to the Dodgers' scouting reports, Perez said, Morneau loves to hit the ball into center field. According to the chart of Morneau's ground balls on mlb.com, Kent could have been shaded slightly — but not markedly — up the middle.
I think it would be fair to point out that in the same article Perez admits that he himself didn't hustle for the grounder in question, and that it was ultimately his fault that no play was made.
He thought the coaches should have shaded Kent over, but Kent wasn't to blame.
I just hope we don't have to package Ethier with Perez to get some team to take him off our hands.
;-)
Speaking of Scott Elbert, so... do we expect he'll be moved to Jacksonville soon? Seems like it's about time to move him on up (but to Vegas, where many a pitcher's hope and dream has been crushed like their change-ups)
Er, okay, maybe the Yankees. He's better than Erickson, anyway.
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