Anything that gets more ABs for Loney is a great thing. Awesome news.

I agree that Nomar getting injured at third shouldn't be an issue. If it happens, then both Betemit and Loney play. And that would be a bad thing??

I wonder how long it will take before Nomar is ready to man the hot corner.

Well, "taking grounders" is not the same thing as "will be playing third base full time" so we'll see how this plays out. I've wanted Nomar at third all year, and this opens the door for Loney, so I'm pleased with that.

The Dodgers are well aware of the Nomar problem. And that's a good thing.

Next step: Kemp and Ethier in the same OF in a game not involving the DH.

I guess the nonsensical fears of Garciaparra injuring himself by playing third (as opposed to first) are out the window now.

wow, Loney is even making Grady Little a believer, i'm really glad upper management has this attitude it says a lot about them.

5 I'm pulling for Kemp, Ethier, and Gonzo in the same game.

"Pulling for" and "holding my breath until" are not synonymous.

I really did enjoy the lineup with Kemp & Betemit in there together vs a RHP two weeks ago.

4- i agree, it does bring light to the situation at first. so next suestion does this mean we arent looking to upgrade third/anywhere? whats with him saying we didnt need a bat and he was looking for a starter or reliever? im still scratching my head.

How long until they announce Pierre "is going to start taking some ground balls at third"?

I am still perplexed on why we want relievers.

7 I should have mentioned Gonzo too. Having Kemp and Ethier flanking Pierre wouldn't accomplish much I guess.

Regarding Betemit, couldn't he be the supersub, playing an occasional 3B, and backing up SS & 2B? He has played only one partial game at SS, and one in RF; the rest of the time he's been at 3B. It will be interesting to see what happens when Lucille II is ready to come back.

9 I'm pretty sure Colletti said "not only do we need a power bat, but we also need a reliever," or something to that effect.

11 -

I think he was referring to finding someone to fill in for Billingsly as a long man. Maybe that indicates he doesn't plan to have Hendrickson and/or Tomko around much longer.

Now if we can just get him to start taking pitches while hitting 7th we would be set.

11 Because with Bills now starting, and Tomko and Hendy unreliable, we have Saito and Broxton and...that's the only reliable part, really. Beimel's usually solid though he imploded yesterday. Seanez has been better than I expected but still not what I'd be super confident in for the long haul this year.

But if you're point is they've got Meloan and Houlton in the minors to replace a couple of the above, instead of trading for someone, you're right.

I think trying Nomar at 3B is a great idea! Too bad we did not think of it earlier in the season. Better late than never I say.

As far as JP, well, how about we offer him, Hendrickson, a "B" prospect and $$$ to the Mariners for Ichiro Suzuki. I know he is a star, but he is in his walk year and I do not think the Mariners can afford to resign him. Pierre could be the Mariner's CF for the next 4 1/2 years.

I know the Mariners GM is still annoyed with the LADs because they got rid of him a few years ago (he loved "stealing" Beltre???), but he may be the only GM, other than Ned, to believe JP is a good player. Hendrickson gives them a serviceable SP/RP and $$$ helps with the bloated contract.

Ichiro would give the Dodgers a legitimate leadoff hitter. Furcal could rest more and bat 8th until his ankle heals. Ned could offer Ichiro arb or loads of money to resign.

Either way CF would no longer be a problem offensively or defensively in 07.

I realize it is probably a pipe dream, but it would be good for both teams.

"your point," not "you're point." Sigh, I need a nap.

Hey, are any of these games on ESPN? Or are they only broadcasting Sox and Yankee games these days?

Awesome news.
Good for Nomar for having that attitude, hope it works.

11 You guys aren't at least a little worried about the 7th inning situation? I'm hoping that Tsao and/or Meloan could be the answer, but the former isn't exactly the picture of health and the latter could go through some growing pains a la Broxton in 2005.

The Mariners ain't trading Ichiro. What little revenue they have these days would completely dry up if that happened. If we want Ichiro, we'll have to sign him as a free agent. And at that point, you would have to question the wisdom of a power-starved team signing three slappy leadoff hitters to lucrative free agent contracts within a three-year period.

Late to the "good trade" discussion, but I wanted to add these:

pre-1973 season: Andy Messersmith and Ken McMullen acquired for Frank Robinson, Bill Singer, Mike Strahler, Billy Grabarkewitz, and Bobby Valentine. Messersmith was the ace in 1974 and in his three Dodger season - as long as anyone in this trade lasted with his new team - his ERA+s were 128, 132, 149. Robby had one good comeback year for California and Valentine became the tragic "what if" story; I can still see the newspaper photo of his broken leg in my mind to this day.

pre 1976 season: Dusty Baker and Ed Goodson for Jimmy Wynn, Tom Paciorek, Lee Lacy, and Jerry Royster. Wynn was a season away from done and Lacy was reacquired in mid-June with Elias Sosa for Mike Marshall whose best days were behind him.

When you have guys like Broxton and Saito, is finding a 3rd stud relief option really a huge concern?

I doubt the Dodgers could get a relief pitcher with May Day Meloan's* stuff without giving up a real player or two. I think ned was just filling air time with that. At least, I hope he was.

*Mayday Meloan was a great name. Kudos to the poster who coined it. Can't remember, but take a bow.

Update to this post above. The P-E says the move is likely permanent and full-time.

20 The Dodgers might need a reliever, but at this point in the season that means Ned has to trade for one. Here's a list of relievers Ned has traded for:

Mark Hendrickson (although acquired as a starter)
Danys Baez
Lance Carter
Tim Hamulack
Elmer Dessens

Not an impact pitcher among them. Why give anything up for a "proven" reliever when you can call up Meloan and/or just sit tight until Tsao comes back?

By the way, I think it was fair for Josh to call this news "interesting."

26 I'll add that I have been generally pleased with Colletti's bullpens thus far, but the best moves have been on the cheap (Saito, Beimel, Tsao as FAs; Broxton growing into his role).

I again renew my objection to any baseball player having a "natural" position.

Unless Nomar was able to attract Mia Hamm by showing his ability to make a throw from deep in the hole.

I think some species of finches do that in the Galapagos.

This is the best possible outcome of the mysterious "interesting news". Anything that gets Big Game James more ABs is good.

27 Perhaps the use of the term "interesting" was a nod to the use of it here to describe a no-hitter.

Nomar thus far in 2007 = "No hitter"

26 Exactly. Or what underdog said in 16 ;-) But no, I agree, trading for a reliever probably rarely works out. We have options in the organization.

20 I'd say I'm a little worried about the 7th inning, but I don't think it's anywhere near the biggest thing to worry about. Tsao looks like he's coming back soon, and Meloan looks as ready as he'll ever be. He may experience the Broxton-2005 growing pains, but I do think Broxton in 2005 would have been OK if he'd been allowed to pitch more. He got the hang of it soon enough. Broxton pitched 14 games that year. In the first seven games he had a 8.53 ERA and .320 opponents' BA; in the last seven he had a 3.69 ERA and .179 OBA.

I know it's been talked about for a long time, but it seems, well, "interesting" that this happens only a day after Nomar had the flu. I'm sure it's completely coincidental, and if anything, just reassured management that Loney is the real deal, but it just seemed funny...a first baseman with the flu comes back as a third baseman.

How many days til he takes over 3B?

27 Not being involved in journalism, was it a courtesy to the beat writers to let them get the news first, or more of a case of letting the manager of the team deliver the news? I'm just curious as to why Josh couldn't just tell us this.

Certainly if it were a trade I can see making sure all parties were notified.

30 It's probably not a good idea to call him that. Brad Penny might shoot him.

I wouldn't have a problem with getting another reliever, but unfortunately the precedent has been set that to acquire a useful one you have to give up more than they're worth. That's why if I'm the Rockies, I put Fuentes out there and sell him off the highest bidder, playoff hopes be damned.

34, 35 - See updates above.

36 - I'd guess Josh found out, but that Grady was the appropriate person to deliver the news.

30,37 I'm normally against nicknames that have already been used, but in this case...

1) James Worthy = original "Big Game James"
2) Worthy arrested for solicitation of prostitution in the late 1980s in Houston
3) Assuming this wasn't Worthy's first "visit" to Houston, James Loney was born in 1984 in...Houston!

You do the math.

So, what are you saying about Loney's mom?

39 Thanks

41 I realized that as soon as I hit "submit". D'oh! Maybe Loney will read this and use it as motivation!

43 Could be worse. ItD has gotten themselves into a sexism fight.

42 I can't tell, is your name a typo or a purposeful turn of phrase? My curiosity is piqued.

Well, the Dodgers keep going down our wish list here, so who knows - maybe Pierre moving to the bench is next. Probably not, but, you never know.

In other third base news, Josh Bell hit his 8th home run today and after an ice-cold start is now batting .283/.349/.471 for the season.

Grady said he had been thinking of actually doing this for a week.

Reacquiring Buddy Carlyle would have been interesting news too.

Loney currently stands at a 227 OPS+ in 29 plate appearances.

Who was the last Dodger to post a 225 OPS+ with at least 25 PA?

Since I'm confident Nomar is going to hit the only question now is can he make the throw and go to his right and left well enough to make this a defensible decision. I think he will be a terrible defensive 3b, but I hope he surprises me.

49
Matt Kemp

I've got to say, I'm fairly excited about Nomar at 3b: I've been increasingly bummed lately because I do like Nomar (despite his wretchedness at the plate this year) but I really never wanted him to block Loney, who I'm also a big fan of.

So, now I get to watch Nomar and not feel an ugly annoyance that he's blocking BGJ. And I feel at some point he's got to get a bit of power back (if not homers, at least doubles) -- plus this also shows Ned/Grady's commitment to the Kids.

(I'll wait till next year before I start worrying about Nomar blocking La Roche).

really like this move. It would still be nice to see a power bat brought in (maybe in RF?) but it seems the only legit player available would be Dye...and he's stinking up the joint this year.

Does Ned need to start working the phones for a reliever, or should we give a guy like Meloan a shot?

Why is it that Dodger fans cringe when there is a possibility of Ned making a trade?

46 -- The most interesting thing I noticed from that game is that the Loons' catcher, Carlos Santana, has stolen 3 bases in the game, including a steal of 3rd base. Too bad his hitting has been poor this year.

Also, the GCL Dodgers have now started their season with a 6-0 record. Minor league wins and losses themselves don't matter, but this might be a good sign for the prospect talent on the team.

49 Marlon Anderson?

Considering that Dodger management is conceding (well seeming conceding) that Loney is better than Nomar, why is it that Nomar continues to start?

55
I've been very disapointed in Santana this year and I hope the hitting woes are related to the work he's putting in trying to be a catcher. The Loons as a team have really been on fire and who can't be happy with the way Bell and Mattingly and Peterson have picked it up.

56
That is the interesting question isn't it?

49 Actually it turns out that Loney's OPS+ is currently the highest in Dodger history (Brooklyn or L.A.) for players with at least 25 plate appearances.

Marlon Anderson is second. Here is the complete list:
http://www.bb-ref.com/pi/shareit/EVMA

56 I think they're conceding that Loney is better than Betemit/Abreu. They're the ones that are going to lose AB's.

54 Because his best moves have all been FA signings (Furcal, Nomar I, Schmidt, Wolf, Saito) and his trades have been questionable if not brutal (Baez, Hendrickson, Lugo). And yes I think Schmidt was a great signing.

61 I agree with you, but I have to give Ned the nod for:

1) Maddux for Izturis
2) Betemit for Aybar/Baez

59
And Mike Piazza wasn't the MVP in 1997 because ...???

But Pipp getting a headache is so much a better story.

62 I like those too but I think they were lower risk/reward moves to begin with. Dealing Guzman for Lugo was a high risk, low reward play and was done at 12:59pm on 7/31 like a root canal without the novocaine.

63 That list also has Pedro Guerrero, who should have won in 1985.

More fun with small sample sizes. Here are the 10 best hitters in Dodger history:
(100 or more career PAs, ranked by OPS+)

1 Marlon Anderson 162
2 Gary Sheffield 161
3 Mike Piazza 160
4 Jack Bolling 159
5 Jack Fournier 157
6 Alex Kampouris 153
7 Reggie Smith 152
8 Dick Allen 151
9 Pedro Guerrero 149
10 James Loney 145

63 I can't even think about 1997 and Larry Walker without feeling like that was a huge mistake on the part of the voters. Fooled by park effects!

If you go look up Walker vs. Piazza on modern measures such as EQA, he wins, hands down.

62 as mentioned often recently:

3) Ethier for Bradley, Perez

52 I knew there was a reason I looked up Nomar's contract recently -- to see just how many more years Ned committed to blocking the youth movement...

But years from now when debating his HOF merit they will mention he never won a MVP.

40. 2) Worthy arrested for solicitation of prostitution in the late 1980s in Houston
3) Assuming this wasn't Worthy's first "visit" to Houston, James Loney was born in 1984 in...Houston!

Worthy was arrested in Houston in 1990. They're not related. :-)

56 I'm going along with this one. Nomar, theoretically, should ride pine and take grounders until he's ready. Won't happen, but should.

69
Ned has made 4 solid trades. The 1st two mentioned, yours, and of course the trade for the greatest hitter in Dodger history.
Four good deals is nothing to sniff at.

72 But Worthy started with the Lakers in '82-'83 and they traveled to Houston every season.....

ESPN considers the Nomar news to be ticker-worthy.

Who cares about this Worthy thing. James Loney has already been dubbed "Crazy Eyes".

And Extra Innings with the rare Vin-in-a-road-game feed. Today is a happy day so far.

77 I thought that was the Runaway Bride's nickname.

I can't believe I have talked to Greg Brock more than a few times and we have not discussed his infatuation with the Astronaut.

I am so relieved if the interesting news is what it appears. Ie. Nomar to get work at third. I must admit I had been having visions of trades involving Loney and Kemp.
At this point, almost any such trade would be bad, although I have come a long way and could at least try to accept certain good trades.
I don't think its a secret that one of the missions at Vegas was to try to tweak Loney's swing to put a bit more "lift in it", hoping for more HRs. Between that and not "being a minor league player" in general Loney initially lost about 140 points off his BA. I think they may have given up on that plan when his average started rising and then he got recalled.
But he has the beautiful swing of a line drive hitter and you just have to go with it. Don't tamper with that great swing and maybe the "power" will come as he matures. If not he is going to dent a lot more wall so who really cares. Watching him, one sees mostly balls hitting walls or bouncing off railings with that flat trajectory. This is not bad!
By the way, despite his player comps at Prospectus and elsewhere, I think the best fit is Olerud or Grace and I'm sticking with it. A shill for Loney, Gen3Blu

78 I wish I could say the same about MLBTV. :-( Is there special piece of software I can download that will convert the road broadcast team to Vin Scully?

79 Give me a call back. I've always got time for some good Nowak talk.

I Loves me some Nowak.

Nomar's Home/Road splits make almost no sense.

Is "Lowrider" really that powerful?

The DBacks announcer has a mancrush on Micah Owings, apparently.

.362 BABIP at home, .258 BABIP on the road. It's probably just luck. Even the home numbers stink for a 1B.

79 Joe Biemel called him crazy eyes while giving the lineup on big FOX against the Angels.

andrew lambo hit his first professional homerun today.

The Fox fellows took it to be an allusion to an episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm, but I think it's just about the sinisterly colored contact lenses he used to wear.

What's up with the Gameday live pitch stats? I want my "brk" and more importantly "pfx!"

I consider this interesting news to be great news. My fear was we were going to see much more of Loney in right field which for me is scary.

Just dose the guy in the ribs and be done with it. We don't need these at bats this early in the game.

91
He should have listened to you.

C'mon, Drew, you're supposed to strike out and sit down. Not make it a 12 pitch at bat or whatever it was and then take a walk. Let's do that again, from the top.

Just as long as no one calls him Joe Don Loney.

Theres a sniper in right field!

Oh, he just fell down. Nevermind.

I think Ethier just hit a lump in the carpet out there.

way to go penny.

Whew! Thank you Chad Tracy.

Ah, after the last couple games, a DP in the Dodgers favor!

Lambo is controlling the strike zone very well.

in 14AB

357/526/643 5bb 1k

Based on all that was written and commented over the weekend, you would have thought that the Dodgers were the only team in baseball that doesn't convert every scoring opportunity.

88 The contacts and his eyes kinda bug out. I wanted it to be about crazy eyes killah though.

"Yo Delicious..."

Nice to see LuGo get a warm welcome.

It's nice how they cheer for Gonzo. I even liked him when he was a D'Back.

102- We cool de la?

104 I like that, too. I wonder if the situation was reversed (if he was a former Dodger now a D-Back, with same career), if they'd cheer him in LA? Maybe they would. A lot of former Dodgers get booed when they come back, but it depends on the player, circumstances, career...

The Dodgers just tried a hit and run with Gonzalez and Kent. Those triples have gone to their heads!

107 - They just tried it again. Gonzalez has fouled it off both times. Next might be a hit-and-crawl.

108 - I was right. Kent was out by 10 feet.

That was executed...poorly.