I can sniff .500...

This 66-game season isn't fair. The DBacks get 34 home games and the Dodgers only get 32...

Broxton got the job done this time, but if you looked closely as he blew away the side, you could just see the fear in his eyes.

Maybe we should have DeWitt close. Now there's a ballplayer.

What is up with Nomah. He's gonna party like it's 2002.

Seriously, it'll be great to see yet another young player prove he can handle the job when given the chance. No reason Brox won't be a great closer for years.

we needed a happy ending I we definitely got it... Lets just hope the Dodgers can build on this & win a few more.

Nomar is 11-for-31 with three homers and 10 RBIs since coming off the DL.

Rafael who?

I might just don the Nomar jersey all day today.

Great play by Juan DeWitt last night.

But let's be real here. We can't expect to be successful with two sub 700 ops guys manning traditional power positions. It's just not going to happen. DeWitt backers, feel free to wake up any minute.

Anyone know what happened to Chris Withrow?

I can't find any stats in the minors on him? Is he hurt?

8 Funny you should post something like that. I'm extremely happy that Nomar has really filled the hole at shortstop so far. However, I was just thinking, what if Furcal hadn't gotten hurt? Where would Nomar be? Would he have displaced DeWitt at third even though DeWitt is a better defender and is a favorite of Torre? I think DeWitt would be in Vegas or on the bench if Nomar were not needed at short. He'd be hitting better than DeWitt but the Dodgers would have lost some defense at third. It's doubtful that Nomar makes the play that Blake made in the 9th last night - in which case the Dodgers lose - even with Nomar's 2 hommers. Of course with Furcal not getting hurt, I'd like to think that the Dodgers would be all alone in firstplace right now anyhow.

I forgot who brought this up in an earlier thread this week, but since the middle of May, DeWitt's been pretty weak at the plate. In his last 50 games: .226 .284 .294 .576. Geez. All while LaRoche sits on the bench.

http://tinyurl.com/59brwu

Should I also be scared that they now sell DeWitt jersey shirts at Walmart?

10. I think he's hurt and hasn't pitched yet. Maybe others will know for sure, but that's what I remember reading here.
vr, Xei

The DeWitt-LaRoche thing has been one of the most aggravating subplots of the season. Every time I say DeWitt should benched in favor of LaRoche, it seems Blake comes through with a key hit or big defensive play, while Andy continues to stink it up in his limited role off the bench.

To be clear: I don't hate DeWitt. Far from it. He's been a terrific story, and I'm glad we got him (unlike Juan Pierre). But LaRoche could be the big power hitter we so desparately need, and he's not doing what he needs to do to get playing time.

It's been one of many frustrations this season.

12
14

Not sure I understand the preference for LaRoche over DeWitt.

This year LaRoche has been hitting .178, last year (in majors) he hit .226.

Blake's hitting .262 (baseball reference), so why do you prefer LaRoche?

Let me in on the secret.

Amazing--I just found courage to look at the scores after falling asleep last night after the second. Every now and then we actually win one of these!

14 How true. I think LaRoche needs to be plugged in and played until it works, and he may never get a chance like that on a team like the Dodger. It is frustrating.

LaRoche has much better minor league numbers than DeWitt, which leads people to predict that he will be a better major league hitter.

LaRoche has not performed well yet in the majors (other than showing exceptional patience), in part because of injuries.

15-
Batting Average isn't everything.

Blake DeWitt is the new Paul LoDuca.

Heart.

Soul.

And.

Not only does LaRoche have better numbers than DeWitt, but more generally speaking, he's one of the few Dodger youngsters who has shown the necessary skills (i.e. both power and patience) for reaching "elite hitter" status. None of the others (Kemp, Loney, Ethier, Martin, DeWitt, etc.) can match his potential.

14.
I don't think anyone here dislikes or doesn't want DeWitt on the team, we just want Andy to be given consistent at-bats instead of playing the role of bench player. His minor league numbers suggest a power/patient approach, which is what this team needs!!

20

It's true. He's always been the best hitter of that entire free-swinging, marginally-powerful bunch (Martin doesn't free-swing, of course).

And he's the only one of them to not ever get an everyday chance.

Anyway, it'll be fun to post his numbers here when he's hitting 30 HR for another team while our 3B keeps everyone impressed with an empty .260 batting average.

Over the past month or six weeks, work got crazy and family got crazier. So I haven't been paying as much attention to the Dodgers as I would have had things been different.

Back when Eric Stephen (I think) did his poll in mid-May (I think), asking who DTers thought should be the starting 3B now that LaRoche was healthy and in Vegas, I was a DeWitt backer. Yes, I acknowledged, LaRoche has the greater potential. But at the time, DeWitt was (a) in the majors and (b) performing well. So long as he is keeping it up, I felt, there is no reason to shake things up. Why not let's see what DeWitt can do, and if (when!) he slumps, be ready to replace him with LaRoche?

So I wake up six weeks later to find that the first part of my plan was implemented and the second part ignored.

Unfortunately for familial harmony, Mrs. Kavula is a DeWitt fan. "He'll figure it out," she reasons, even though there's no reason to believe that he will.

DeWitt saves the game yesterday with his glove! That play was sick especially with two outs in the bottom of the ninth winning run crossing the plate as he throws the runner out That was clutch!

not every minor leaguer with great power numbers automatically produces in the majors you cant just sit on 2-0 fastballs in the bigs. I'll take a future gold glove at third DeWitt's numbers will improve he seems to make adjustments. My vote is for DeWitt over LaRoche until he proves otherwise when given a chance

Who's to say that young, excellent minor leaguers won't be good major leaguers?

And who's to say that young, mediocre minor leaguers won't be great major leaguers?

That's what's so great about this game: you just never know! It's a complete crapshoot!

The weather at Royal Birkdale is horrible. The leading score at the end of the day will probably be +5.

The leading score at the end of the day will probably be +5

And there's a very good chance that will constitute a 2-shot lead.

22 -- You think Loney and Ethier are "free swingers?" I certainly don't agree.

OK, so what's the betting that, at last, Jones will be diagnosed with "continued flu-like bupkis" day-to-day and won't start either today or tomorrow? What's the betting on his not starting right through Wednesday?

There are 4 players since June 1st with lower OPS (min. 100 PA) than DeWitt's .509 OPS, Jose Vidro, Jason Varitek, Freddy Sanchez and Omar Vizquel.

27 I think the players would be very happy to just +5 at the end of the day.

One guy is in the clubhouse at +5.

28

Compared to LaRoche and Martin, yes. They've never had a ton of BA/OBP separation throughout their careers. Not saying they're like Jeff Francouer or anything.

Sometimes. Sometimes, numbers don't tell the whole story. That play at third base last night MAYBE, just maybe saved our season. That play was a two game swing. He stumbles, bobbles, anything and we're down 2 games heading into tonight. That means far more than his OPS and/or any number that could be shown. Sometimes numbers don't tell the real story. Sometimes this game is very subjective. Blake DeWitt's story and success is not based on numbers. It's not based on him 'playing the game the right way'. It's based on him making the plays at the big moments. That's what people remember. That's why he's our third baseman.

33. Yeah maybe. And maybe LaRoche would have made the play too. It was a good play, but a play any decent 3rd baseman would have made. I was certainly glad he made it, but there was absolutely no sense of "miracle" about it.

Best game of the year last night.

Looked like a different team.

That was a great play, but a play I would expect to be made by any major leaguer.

14 By that logic I hope you continue to say "DeWitt should benched in favor of LaRoche" every time he has an at bat and every time the ball gets hit on the left side.

Gotta love the key hits. =)

This is like a soccer game. DeWitt makes a good stab (while going one for five) and he drives the ball within a hundred yards of the goal. If LaRoche gets a clutch pinch hit today, he'll drive the ball back the other way just about as far. Every time somebody says LaRoche is below the Mendoza line this year over his forty-five at bats, somebody calls a penalty.

No wonder the hooligans break beer bottles over each other's heads.

33 Maybe. And maybe if LaRoche had been playing he would have been two for three with a couple of RBI and the Dodgers would have been winning by two.

People will remember the play in the big situation-- but does that mean that that play was more important than the fact that he had gone 0 for the game? LaRoche is a better hitter, so it is more likely that he would have gotten a hit to put the Dodgers ahead earlier in the game. And all signs point to his being at least as good a defensive 3B as DeWitt, so it is also likely that he would have made that play in the 9th.

I don't think DeWitt is the problem. The problem is that we (or at least I) don't think management has good judgment when it comes to player personnel. Calling up Johnson over Kershaw is a perfect example...

I don't have the confidence in LaRoche I used to have, but DeWitt's numbers don"t lie. Likely Torre's liking him so much will work against him in the long run, he won't get sent down for the development and possible position change he needs. His wizardry at 3rd base indicates he is likely capable of playing 2nd or short. I would much rather see him at 2nd than at 3rd, where he will never likely hit enough to deserve the job. I'd like to see them play LaRoche for a month; if he hits well, that's great; if he doesn't, cross him off the list and look elsewhere for a 3rd baseman. Is Troy Glaus available at all?

Is Troy Glaus ever un - available...?

32 -- I have a problem with the way you use the term "free swinger." A free swinger strikes out a lot, or at very least swings at a lot of bad pitches and manages to make contact with them. That has never described Ethier or Loney. If you want to distinguish Martin and LaRoche from the others, I think the best way is to say they draw more walks and leave it at that.

33 Definitely flawed logic there. What if LaRoche had started and gotten key hits to knock in runs earlier in the game so that the play in the 9th wouldn't mean anything? You can't just cherry-pick one certain play and claim it as the reasoning for choosing one guy over another.

44 = Oh, it's definitely not one reason why DeWitt is playing over LaRoche.

33

I think that all the pro-LaRoche people around here would agree with you about numbers not telling the whole story, 'cause these are the numbers:

24yr, 165 PA: .210/.341/.319/.660

22yr, 296 PA: .262/.328/.369/.697

46 check those stats when the 24yr has 300 PA

46 Misleading stats. DeWitt's stats are all in one season. LaRoche's are spread over 2 seasons and can best be described as sporadic opportunities at best.

Cora Daniels is the um-ingest speaker I've heard since I was in high school. It was remarkable.

47

Thank you for illustrating my point.

and 48

Can we all agree that neither of them have, at the major league level, hit worth a warm bucket of spit? And that the difference between slightly less cold spit is not particularly impressive?

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?statsId=7928

Andy LaRoche current stats. Forget his batting avg., just look at his slugging and On base percentage, this is the guy you're all promoting?

Also, one of the reasons why I think Torre plays DeWitt over LeRoche is because of LeRoche's complaining about not being called up after rehabbing ahead of schedule, and Torre thinking he was trying to whine his way back up. Thus Torre sitting up down and only using him as an occasional Pitch Hitter.

I don't care who wins the DeWitt or LeRoche battle, but LeRoche's situation is that he has to basically force his way into the lineup with great performances or hope DeWitt breaks an ankle. And er, LeRoche isn't forcing himself into the lineup with a .288 OBP.

51 Not sure what you mean. DeWitt has had 5 PA in 3 of his last 4 games. LaRoche has not had 5 PA all year and only 1 PA in 1 of his last 6 games.

The point being, LaRoche never gets a chance to go out and play, and DeWitt does.

Most Pro=-LaRoche fans feel if Andy were given the same oportunity this year as DeWitt has, his stats would be better then DeWitt's, and ver the course of their careers the same would play out.

The stats you display show no evidence to the contrary.

54 only 1 PA in 1 of his last 6 games

Make that more then 1 PA in 1 of his last 6 games.

33 The things Bill Plaschke inspires Dodger fans to say. That's some hilarious logic.

And I thought 38 was one of the funniest comments in a while.

I think there is a lot of underestimating DeWitt and overestimating LaRoche. It falls somewhere in between and where I'm not sure. I like them both and want them both to succeed.

56 - Ha. Don't compare me to Plaschke. Hilarious, true and hard for some to accept.

53 LeRoche isn't forcing himself into the lineup with a .288 OBP.

Using that logic, why isn't DeWitt forcing himself OUT of the lineup? He's been killing us with the bat for 2 months now. And we've got one of the most highly regarded prospects in baseball serving as his bat boy.

43

I'm sorry you have a problem. Ethier and Loney chase more pitches. That's all.

Off for the day, be good.

52 - if it means that we can move on to some other topic, any topic, I'll be more than happy to oblige.

Does anybody have a link to DeWitt's defensive play in the 9th? Thanks in advance.

I think there is a lot of underestimating DeWitt

Majors:

.262/.328/.369/.697

Minors:

.279/.333/.444/.777

And if it's DeWitt's knack for clutch hitting that you like, wouldn't that make him the perfect pinch hitter?

I think there is a lot of overestimating DeWitt and underestimating LaRoche. DeWitt held down the fort for a month, and was a pleasant surprise. It's time for LaRoche to step up and take what's his, while DeWitt needs to work on adding some pop in AA or AAA.

57 I like them both and want them both to succeed.

What Dodger fan wouldn't want that?

However, and this is the biggest problem many Dodger fans and baseball fans in general have. And that is: there is insufficient evidence to determine whether Dewitt or LaRoche (insert other young players here for other fans) is being overestimated or underestimated.

It amazes me how such concrete determinations can be made about a players career in 165 PA or 296 PA.

Call me crazy, but if a player is considered a good player with promise, I'd like to see between 1200-1600 PA's before making strong deteminations about that players future career possibilities. But that's just me.

54

Alex41592 said that numbers don't tell the whole story in his defense of DeWitt.

I argued that pro-LaRoche people would argue when looking at MLB numbers that those numbers do not tell the whole story with regards to LaRoche (using DeWitt's numbers as a comparison).

Since you would qualify LaRoche's numbers by pointing out the inconsistency of his PA's, I would suggest that you are supporting my argument.

Glendale, Arizona complex update -> [ http://tinyurl.com/6f464f ] >>The $80 million complex will include six full practice fields and two half fields per team besides the main stadium, which will feature 13,000 seats, including 3,000 grass berm outfield seats, 12 suites, five concession buildings, 4,000 parking spaces and titled walls.

There also will be a two-acre water feature/lake in the complex that contains reclaimed water and local architectural features, a Walk of Fame for the Dodgers and White Sox that leads to the main stadium and 130,000 square feet of clubhouse space.

The cream will rise to the top. It almost always does when patience is exercised. I just hope someone doesn't trade the cream before the spoon quits stirring.

59 Using that logic, why isn't DeWitt forcing himself OUT of the lineup? He's been killing us with the bat for 2 months now. And we've got one of the most highly regarded prospects in baseball serving as his bat boy.

Because DeWitt's defense keeps himself in the game. Torre doesn't expect much from DeWitt other than to make sure 3rd Base isn't a problem when fielding. On this team, the power should come from Kent, Nomar, Kemp, Ethier, and Martin. DeWitt's main job is to make sure that balls going his way is caught and flung to Loney for the quick out.

This team is flawed, but the DeWitt-LeRoche argument is way down the list from the problems the Dodgers have such as Andruw Jones or Jeff Kent.

Also, T.J. Simers said it would be a mistake if the Dodgers traded Matt Kemp, and then because its the Dodgers, they would do it.

57- Is DeWitt a better hitter than he's been? That's the argument that I haven't seen, yet, I don't think. Is there a reason to think that DeWitt, right now, is better than a bad hitter?

There are reasons to think LaRoche is: his total minor league stat; high marks from scouts for the last three or four years. There are a couple of reasons to think he isn't: his injuries; his not particularly great for LV numbers last year.

Maybe LaRoche isn't going to be as good as we hoped/expected. But I can't see what the expectations that DeWitt is good enough, right now, for that spot are based on. Maybe Nomar can hold together for the rest of the year and not be a disaster (offensively) at SS. But it's not looking good for at least one outfield spot, and there's no guarantee that it won't be two spots. Kent's been bad (about as bad as DeWitt). Loney and Kemp are sophomore slumping. 3.5 is rounded down, but he's not lighting the world on fire.

Russ Martin is the only solidly above the cut offensive player, by position, on the team right now. That's a problem for a team with playoff hopes. Especially for one depending on Stults and Park to not turn into pumpkins.

70 Stop that metaphor! :)

46:

Also for comparison:

LaRoche has 138 PA over 07-08 with BA of .210
Jones this year has 167 PA, BA .162

71 A hole is a hole. Because there are worse holes doesn't mean DeWitt gets a get out of hole free card.

Went to the game last night. Andruw Jones didn't take BP, didn't even see him on the field, so maybe the flu thing is true. He looked absolutely awful, swinging late at Davis' 82mph cheese.
Pierre wasn't on the field for BP either, I was going to try to take a video of him running.

Best part of the game was after Loney's HR, everyone was despondent, yet nobody left because it was fireworks night, so it was just a completely silent 11th inning.

I can't understand how anyone, especialy torre or den, would choose DeWitt over LaRoche as the every day 3B. If Andy hadn't gotten hurt in ST he would have clearly been the starter or at least earned the position. He was tearing up ST when he got hurt. DeWitt was brought in as a stop gap and everyone knew he had a great glove but mediocre bat, which can be seen from his minor league stats where LaRoche has consistently gotten higher numbers than DeWitt in OBP/SG%/OPS, as well as now that he's crashed back to earth after his one good month.

If there was any forward thinking in the 'brain trust' DeWitt would be working out at 2B, since Kent looks to have lost a 1/2 step and his eye. Essentially torre is jacking LaRoche around the same way lasorda did with Konerko, putting him in as the occasional PH or giving him a rare start then when he doesn't do well pointing to it to justify why he doesn't play more.

I think the people really pushing for DeWitt to succeed (and I am one of those) should be rooting for him to get sent down. He had a hot start, but pitchers have obviously figured him out.

I mean, he's only had 71 games at AA and none at AAA. And his hitting numbers there were pretty weak: .280/.306/.466 in his last stint, with 7 walks in 178 ABs. There's just no reason to think that the April version of DeWitt is the real one.

Almost no one thought DeWitt would be more than a stopgap when he came up. We shouldn't let an impressive month blind us to why we felt that way.

71

Do you really think that Jeff Kent is one of our biggest problems? What is your list of the teams problems? mine would be:

1. 3rd base is a black hole at the plate (forget who is playing there) we are getting no offense from 3rd

2. Andrew Jones, this would be number 1 but I think he maybe going back to the DL, so I guess this problem is that I think we need a better option in the OF

3. Loney is not pulling his weight, last nights HR does not change this, however he had a solid June so there is reason to be hopeful that he will pick it up in the 2nd half

4. Bullpen, yes I know the bullpen has been lights out but with Sammy out I think this become a worry

5. I don't know, maybe Kent's decline, but he has been playing better since June and as long as we bring in a defensives sub this does not stike me as a big problem to have. Personally I would put Torre here as he doesnt strike me as a good talent evaluator.

If we're just using one stat:

LaRoche career OBP .341
Dewitt career OBP .328
I'm sure everyone would agree that OBP is way better stat than BA.

LaRoche is no more than a glorified pinch hitter right now, not having started more than 2 games in a row this season while Dewitt's been in there day in and day our despite being horrible at the plate for more than half the season. He was on the bench the game after each time he's hit a HR this season. How do you expect a guy to get into a groove like that?

73 I think that metaphor should be extended ad nauseam. People should take sides and over-analyze it until someone makes some sort of wardrobe based wager based on an arbitrary percentage of its accuracy.

Where did DeWitt's walks go? Seems like the league has adjusted by throwing him more strikes because they know he's not much of a threat if he hits it.

The OF spot that doesn't have Kemp or Ethier in it is at the top of my list. Then 3B (which gets more teeth gnashed at it by virtue of there being something that could reasonably be considered a solution on the team already--situations like this will always grate more than problems with no easy fix). Then Nomar (I'm not sold). Then Kent. Then the back of the rotation. Get well soon, Penny.

I didn't wanna do this because I respect DeWitt to much but LONG TERM La Roche will be the better player PERIOD! (look at the #'s) upside has spoken & La Roche wins.

[ http://tinyurl.com/5qwhhh ]

[ http://tinyurl.com/6fsmqh ]

DeWitt is doing an incredible job though, we can't take that away from him.

a bigger problem is that upper-management thinks that losing Pierre was a big blow to our team & when he comes back Torre is gonna stick 'em back in the lineup, that's what we're dealing with guys!!

sigh.

This is all my fault. I'm 37 years old now. All I ever wanted as a child was to play third base for the Dodgers. I could have saved us from years of 3rd sacker mediocrity (and worse). Sure we would have missed Beltre's big year, but maybe we could have traded him for something great. I'd be a PVL now of course, but I'm younger than Jeff Kent still. I swear I would gracfully retire so LaRoche could step in should my production drop.

I'm very sorry for letting all of you down. I could prevented all of this.

(You know, if when I was younger I didn't actually suck)

Somebody else mentioned this also is that scouts all agree that La Roche's power projections are way higher then DeWitt.

He is a problem when you put him in the middle of the order and he has a OBP of .278 as a 3 hole hitter and .311 as a clean up hitter.

Couple that with his gawdy .319 slugging from 3 hole or .431 from clean up and for me, it's why were not blowing the rest of the division away. Put a real middle of the order bat in there and we wouldnt blame Kemp anymore..

The Solution™ has become a problem. I hope I'm not the first to say that. I also hope that LaDewche is part of the infield puzzle for years to come.

I wrote on this blog that Kemp was going to get traded. As I'm probably wrong about that and as I have been wrong about so many, many things in the past, I thought I'd put forth another prediction:

LaRoche will get traded for a reliever. He will then have a Paul Konerko-type career. And we will all, all get to say I told you so.

(sigh)

Man, I hope I'm wrong.

79

So the guy who is OPSing .709 as our clean-up hitter and is too old to play everyday is not as a big a problem as the 24 year old who is OPSing .803 and leads our team in total bases?

90 The last few days of July have been nerve wracking for me for years. Last year it was just Betemit. This year...well, I'll be glad come August if Ned has done no damage. At this point, I really wonder if he's even allowed to swing a serious deal.

69 [I though that news would get more reaction, guess not]

Silently a new chapter in Dodger history is taking shape, where actual L.A. Dodger fans can afford to go to a spring training game...

Let's play devil's advocate. You're Joe Torre and you've got a ballplayer named Blake--great attitude, works his tail off, got a gold glove and has the added benefit of saving this team's hindquarters in the month of May. Blake DeWitt for the better part of a month wasn't just good, he was an all-star. Now, if you're Torre, don't you think you'd be inclined to say that it's more valuable to let a kid work out of a slump? Especially a kid who has been:

a)successful at the major league level, however briefly and
b)is well liked by everyone and
c)can catch a BB fired at him from point-blank range.

Yes, there's a counter-argument to all of this and I should know because I've been making them. I guess my point is, if DeWitt starts hitting again, this argument ends forever--he'll be the Dodger third baseman for many, many moons.

91

In my opinon, Yes!

Here are some stats to back it up:

http://www.baseballthinkfactory.org/files/dialed_in/discussion/national_league_leaders_at_the_all_star_break_offense_plus_defense/

Loney's overall production has been really bad so far this year, but hey that is my list you don't have to agree with it. I will defend my list (but it doesn't mean my opinon can't be changed) it would be nice to see what other think are the teams problems.

While for some reason I just knew DeWitt would be a regular before LaRoche would be, I also thought DeWitt didn't have a natural position to play. He is too slow for second and not powerful enough for third. I like a guy with some power at third or someone like Figgins.

I made some conclusions about players I watched in the Arizona Fall League and the ones I felt would have good careers were Loney and Abreu. I never had an intuitive read on Kemp before I became a fan. I never felt LaRoche would have a good MLB career and I hope I am wrong.

Greg Norman will take a 2-shot lead into the final round.

93. What makes you think it's going to be affordable? The way fm has raised prices in every aspect of going to a regular season game I doubt he's not going to raise ST prices close to those of regular season games. Add those to the price of gas/air fare to get to the facility and a hotel for a several days, affordable isn't a word I'd use. Besides I LOVED going to Vero.

"If you're going to stand on the corner, you've got to swing the pole."

Reggie Jackson.

And probably some others.

96 While for some reason I just knew DeWitt would be a regular before LaRoche would be

Yeah, I'm sure you predicted LaRoche would tear up his thumb the morning it happened.

That's the ONLY reason why Blake is in the ML right now. Otherwise, he'd be in Double-A.

Leading score will be +5? HA!

All kidding aside, tremendously enjoyable last 4 or 5 holes.

That being said, I found myself rooting for Norman. I do remember not liking Norman awhile back particularly after a comment he made when a reporter asked him how it felt to shoot the round he did and taking the first round lead in that major. Norman replied (from what I can remember) saying something like "well, it's a feeling I'm sure you will never get a chance to experience".

It might have even been the Masters the year he choked, though I can't remember that far back. Anyway, I guess judging from how I felt today, enough time has passed that I don't dislike him as much as I did.

Anyone else remember that comment?

I was at the game last night and the Nomar-Jeff double play combination is terrible. And, Kuroda might have escaped the first inning without giving up a run if Kent could have turned a grounder up the middle into a double play instead diving and coming up short.

If Torre is thinking consistently he wouldn't play DeWitt at third for his defense while playing Nomar and Kent up the middle. Giving Torre the benefit of the doubt, he must like DeWitt for more than his DeFense.

I am also guessing that while Torre is teaching Loney and Kemp to hit the way he wants them to hit, he doesn't want to add another project like LaRoche for the time being especially after working so hard with DeWitt who now plays Bowa/Torre ball better than LaRoche.

95

Sorry dude, but any stat that says Jeff Kent is one of the best defensive 2B in Baseball ain't worth a food stamp.

What the heck happened to Aberu anyway?

This DeWitt/LaRoche debate is analogous to someone falling in love with their sedan because it fits their everyday needs. All the while, they have access to a Jaguar but are constantly afraid to drive it.

93

I heard the heat is unbearable in those parts.

Last night Jones seemed to add a U to his swing. While Kemp still upper cuts more than I would like, his swing plane is straight.

Somebody to Remember:

Sherman Maxwell, a sport writer and broadcaster dies at 100.

here is a link from a real newspaper.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/19/sports/19maxwell.html

I have a baseball signed by Jackie, Reese, Roy C, the Duke and Don in 1955. Also signed by Sherman "Jocko" Maxwell.

In his first trip to Coppertown at the age of 93 he said the folllowing:

"I have to say," he told The Star-Ledger then, "I never had a nicer day in my whole life — and I'm 93, so that's saying something."

To him it was the people and stories not the numbers that made baseball great.

Am I the only one who doesn't mind if Pierre plays, as long as the outfielder he replaces is Jones? I think it might be heading that way too... flu or no flu, I think Torre has rightfully lost faith in Jones.

105
With high gas prices, I don't think a Jaguar is a good investment now.

You need a better metaphor.

My Firefox redundancy filter addon doesn't seem to be working.

Greg Norman going with a NASCAR style interview and dropping in the names of his sponsor and his company.

Actually, I would like to see what Delwyn Young can do over a course of a couple of weeks.

90

We traded Konerko when he was 22. Andy turns 25 in 3 weeks.

Here are the top 8 AB leaders for the dodgers and their combined totals broken into groups of 4. Also I am not exact on avg/obp/ops..

1346 at bats
192 runs scored
87doubles
38hr
191rbi
.288avg
.355obp
.805ops
---
1000ab
109runs
40doubles
16hr
108rbi
.259avg
.320obp
.695ops

Group 1) Loney.Kemp.Martin.Ethier

Group 2) Kent.Pierre.DeWitt.Jones

There was a time when Jaguars spent more time in repair than on the road.

112 Is Rick Reilly going to be the essayist of ABC/ESPN sports?

I thought the best line was Greg Norman taking 11 years off for Tiger to take a week off.

109 - Given what we have (and although I am an unabashed Pee Wee lover), I don't think that many of us have a problem with JP playing over Druw. The trouble starts when Torre sticks him in at lead-off, instead of 8th.

105 I like that metaphor, but we don't know if Laroche is a Jaguar yet. He deserves a chance, but I have a feeling DeWitt will be the Dodgers 3rd baseman for years to come. I think they see him as a Bill Mueller type, who will only get better because of his work ethic. I have not seen enough of Andy to know how good he will be, but I would bet just about anything that he will finish his career with many more home runs than DeWitt.

I should jump in and say i'd much rather Pierre not play at all. Young in Lf or even LaRoache..but as I type this someone is about to type that it would never happen and they are perfectly happy with Pierre etc and that person is right, not me.

Pee Wee won't, but should. Story of our lives as Dodger fans these days.

Numbers game is a mutha.

100 It was a feeling I had that one way or another, DeWitt would wind up a regular before LaRoche and that doesn't mean I predicted how that unlikely scenario would play out. Why would that statement bother you? I have been a Dodger fan long enough to trust my intuition about them when I get strong enough vibes. Go ahead and play Twilight Zone music in your head if you want.

119 - While it seems that Torre is lovestruck with the Solution, what I really don't care for is how Joe has been using Andy otherwise. He doesn't seem to be looking for opportunities for him to show his stuff, be that at 3rd, 2nd, 1st, or even in the outfield. Someone here suggests that he is trying to teach a whinner a lesson.

118

It's a dark day when bringing JP into your lineup would increase your slugging.

Dewitt's play was great last night, but who is to say we would have needed it if LaRoche had been in the game the whole time and had been playing for a month straight? If we had the lead, Broxton is pitching and the situation may not have happened. I know that is all hypothetical, but if LaRoche was seen as the starter in ST, why not let Dewitt work on 2B in the minors and let's finally give LaRoche some extended playing time to actually see what he can do. It's not like we would be reducing our skill at the 3B position with a straight swap of LaRoche for Dewitt right now.

111 - yeah, the safari one isn't working either

125

Wasn't this argument used already?

120 - I like the Andy in LF option, but as it has not happened even while JP has been out, yet, it doesn't look like the brain trust is thinking along those lines. Now, as for my beloved Pee Wee, where he has raked (but not slugged) so far is as PH .343/.425/.371. As of last week, in his spot starts he was like 5 for 29 AB with 5 BB. On three occasions he has gotten consecutive starts. Once for 4 games when he was 5 for 16 AB and another two games where he went 1 for 4 with 3 BB. Then, he had a tough time in Houston, going 2 for 17 with 1 BB in early July and really hasn't been called upon or hit much in July. (this has been a Pee Wee update).

Ken Rosenthal on Fox just said that the Dodgers are looking to trade for a 3rd baseman soon if they can't get a shortstop and listed Adrian Beltre in a possible trade.

Breaking Rosenthal report! He says the Nats wanted too much for Cristian Guzman. And that the Dodgers might skip buying a SS, and go after Adrian Beltre, instead. That's the second time there's been a report of Colletti looking for a 3B (Sean Casey was reportedly a part of the CC Sabathia no-go deal).

D'oh.

Also, I meant Casey Blake, not Sean Casey.

129 He also has a comb-over.

maybe there should just be an Andy/Blake thread right under the ticket exchange thread...so every time it comes up there can be mass venting on it lol

Anyway, this really is a frustrating situation, as said earlier, every time I'm ready to give up on Blake he has a game like last night, and I do wish blake was getting more playing time but I'm just not sure that I like Andy over Ethier right now, or even PHing over Pee Wee

I wonder if this is a case of Rosenthal just picking a name out of a hat that sounded a bit more plausible to troll the Dodgers and its fans. Seriously, Adrian Beltre back as a Dodgers? That just opens up old wounds I thought were already gone.

He says the Nats wanted too much for Cristian Guzman

All-Stars™ aren't cheap.

In my opinion, the group is going in circles on DeWitt/LaRoche, and the parties should agree to disagree for the time being. A suggestion, if you will.

135 I'd welcome him back, his 2004 year is one of the better times I'm old enough to really remember.

How much would we have to give up...or what exactly?

If they could get him on the cheap, I guess I'm not opposed to bringing Beltre back.

If ever a season were suspicious, it would be Beltre's 2004.

So the Dodgers have TWO third basemen that they think have potential to be stars?

The logical solution to that problem is to acquire another, older, higher-paid third baseman.

I'm heading out now to get a Winnebago to supplement my Prius because I don't think the Prius' mileage is quite high enough because I want to run the AC too much.

To the extent they refuse to play LaRoche at 3B, I'd rather have Beltre there this year and next over DeWitt. LaRoche is by far the first option, at least in my opinion, but I'm assuming they're going to deal him.

Assuming it actually happened, I wonder what Colletti offered for Guzman.

I hate to talk about good baserunning, but that was some good baserunning by Figgins there.

143
And one also has to wonder what Ned was unwilling to give up.

where did the rosenthal beltre report even come from...the latest article i see on fox sports is about an "aging manny"

141 I concur. A Beltre trade seems like 'busy-work' and trying the same thing over again expecting different results. Please baby Jesus, let this idea go away.
And why does Rosenthal give me the heebie-jeebies? Anyone.

146.

Rosenthal is doing field reporting for this week's FOX's game between the Angels and the Red Sox. For what's its worth Rosenthal also said the Red Sox could let Manny Ramirez go and spend the $20 million elsewhere such as a Mark Taxiera. He then ends that report with "Its unlikely, but the Red Sox has options". In other words, the whole thing was just his opinion and he couldn't just say it as such.

Adrian Beltre - From BR

BA .262, OBP .335, SLG. 442, OPS .111, 16 HR in 355 AB or once every 22.18 AB - 2008

BA .271, OBP .327, SLG .458, OPS .107, 233 HR in 5,635 AB or once every 24.18 AB - Career

Beltre has been warming up at the plate over the past two weeks. It is normal for him to do well in the second half of the season.

Unloading Beltre's contract would seem a natural for the M's.

They have already dumped Sexson.

And who would the Mariners get to play at third base in exchange for Beltre? If they traded with the Dodgers, they would have to ask for either LaRoche or DeWitt. There's not a third base prospect of any consequence for the Ms.

Is it a stretch to say Laroche makes the same play at 3b in the 9th?

Tracy, I mean Torre has a strange habit of falling in love with players. Dewitt based upon April.
Look Joe, its in our best interests to get some pop out of the more talented 3b prospect. Can't he get a couple or three starts a week at 3b, one at 1b and 1 at 2b?
Maybe he heats up.

Late in game you got Berroaza up the middle.

And maybe Blake Dewitt starts hitting again as he gets a few days a week to sit ...Its alot to ask him to play everyday in a pennant race.

Pst, (whisper) hey Joe...Dewitt's great but he's overachieved in his first stint...he's too young...he may have a good future but he topped out TWO OR THREE MONTHS AGO!

Try to get Laroche going...

I think what ticks me off the most is this highly regarded draftee signed, worked his way through the system, is a highly regarded, classicly built third baseman with a family pedigree, is 23 or 24, won the starting job in ST, lost it due to injury, had a younger AA guy coming off a below average year.

Dewitt is huge enough in April to keep the job when Laroche gets healthy...and now Laroche gets this kind of treatment even after Dewitt cools off...like he hasn't had an XBH in 12 games.

"That's why he's the starter" say some re last nights sweet play by Dewitt. I say Laroche and any solid 3b makes that play too.

I know, poor grammar, but you get the picture...Laroche is the future, he can be our Troy Glaus, our Scott Rolen...

146
148
How does a dunderhead like Ken Rosenthal not get fired?

137 Oh well, Jon, you tried! I've pretty much skipped most of this conversation because I literally have nothing more to say or add about Blandy DeRoche.

I always wondered how Beltre would fare if he returned to LA, but it seems hard to believe he would repeat his season of a few years ago there if he hasn't been able to do it in Seattle.

I also often wonder if Ken Rosenthal is ever right about anything, especially anything Dodgers-related.

Oh, and I hope the Dodgers fare better than my soccer team today. we lost like 10-1 (!) to a team made up mostly of former division I college players who weren't that far out of college. We felt a bit like those schoolchildren who have to go up against the big adults in that violent rugby game in Monty Python's Meaning of Life. Wasn't pretty.

Time for a nap.

Wow, I had no idea that Garret Anderson has a career OPS+ of 105.

That's a lot lower than I would have guessed. .327 career on base.

Rosenthal does know that Stanford grads have a know-it-all attitude.

153-The same reason Eric Karros is gainfully employed despite saying things like, "The best thing Arte Moreno did was hire Mike Scioscia".

The bat handles are razor thin these days, which doesn't help.

158-No sooner do I type one Karrosism than he says another.

Referring to the Bill Russell-Steve Yeager bat incident, "..And that was 37, 40 years ago".

I hope Torre has the guts to just bench Andruw Jones for the rest of the season.

if the A's game continues on for a few more innings, maybe jack cust can earn himself a much-coveted platinum sombrero. he's already got gold.

161 Last night Torre took A. Jones out for health reasons.

Torre was sick of watching him try to hit.

152 - I could be mistaken, but I think DeWitt was a higher draft pick than LaRoche.

A few interesting tidbits from the AZSnakePit blog, which is always good for the DBacks perspective. (And he, the moderator, had to finally create his own "Rule 1" after plenty of violations of it last night.)

>>Early on, it seemed as if our offense was going to blow past the Dodgers. After Chris Young's triple led off the third inning, our hitters had, to that point, gone 9-for-15. However, it was as if someone turned off the offensive faucet when LA starter Kuroda left the game after the second: in nine subsequent innings against the Dodger bullpen, we managed only seven hits and one run. That was the biggest difference between the two teams last night: the Dodgers pen just kept hurling very good arms at us. With the exception of Falkenborg - who faced one hitter - everyone else had an ERA of no worse than 3.32, and that's with closer Saito and his 2.18 ERA on the disabled list. The LA relievers we faced last night had a combined ERA of 2.47 - only Lyon is below three for us.

One factor was the absence of Chad Qualls: we expected to see him in the seventh inning, with the Diamondbacks clinging to a one-run lead. However, while warming up, he felt a twinge in his lower back. Qualls said, "I started getting going in the seventh inning and I thought I was in there. It was a little sore, a little tight and during the pitching change they decided to go with Rosie. I guess they're just more on the safer side." Safer for Qualls, but not for that lead.<<

The Dodgers have had sole possession of the NL West 1 day this season- April 4 by half a game. A win tonight would put the Dodgers in the best position they've been all season!

Ok, my question or comment while I am washing my clothes is why does a position have to be a "traditional power hitting position?" Why can't you have a good third baseman who does the job, but maybe not with a lot of power, while having a power hitting center fielder or second baseman (Jeff Kent, Mickey Mantle)? I just don't see how playing a certain position means you have to hit a certain way. I guess I have always flinched at the idea that a team needs a certain type of hitter to play a position.

164 Because LaRoche was expected to stay in college. A million dollar bonus out of Cape Cod got him to sign, which shocked everybody*

*Not getting into this fracas...Just clarifying.

161 But will he make the playoff roster?

Among things I hate: fans reaching for fair balls. I almost wish Figgins had been trying for 3 only to have it blown by a clueless souvenir hunter.

162 - Andruw Jones is not impressed, he could probably do it in 9 innings.

Odds on the Dodgers DFA Andruw Jones, he signs with a team back east on the cheap, (The Braves, or the Yankees) and suddenly goes on a tear? Its getting to the point where I'm starting to believe Andruw Jones is intentionally playing badly just to get himself cut, so he can move back to the Eastern part of the U.S.

167 It's not that traditional power positions need power hitters. It's that more power hitters are needed regardless of position. I can't believe I'm joining this rapidly aging debate, but LaRoche's power > Dewitt's power and no more argument is required for me.

P.S. Mickey Mantle>Jeff Kent also ;)

172
If that's the case, then Oliver Stone will be filming a movie about this called "A.J."

Old Friend Juan Castro was picked up the Orioles in a trade with Colorado.

172 So do you think Edmonds intentionally sucked so he could go back to the midwest?

I'm sure it was mentioned last night but McDonald's 6 IP, 2 R but zero ER (3 hits, 3 K's, 2 BBs) was pretty darned solid.

BJ LaMura had 8Ks in 5 IP for Vegas last night, gave up 3ER. (LaMura wasn't too terrible pick up considering it was for the 57 year old catcher Alomar). Future Olympian Koplove got his 8th save. Not too many exciting pitching matchups for those teams tonight.

Ogden's Kyle Russell's near-1000 OPS continues to impress.

I would like to see the Dodgers move some payroll in a trade with the Mariners as well. So LaRoche and Pierre for Beltre plus somebody else.

Manny is doing funny things with Boston again. Knocking their 60+ year old administrative guy down because he couldn't get Manny enough tickets, something happening with Youkolis, watching three strikes go by without swinging against Mariano the other day... Boston does want to move Manny I think. How about Manny for Jones?

178 Uh. I just can't see that one happening.

172. Works for me as long as he's some where other than L.A.

168. True. LaRoche had signed a letter of intent to go to Rice so he was taken by the Dodgers in the 5th round, IIRC. He was highly touted coming out of HS but then he led the CC league in hitting and increased his standing even more. A bunch of teams wanted him but because of the letter of intent passed. Sorry Jon.

179 - I wonder why?

If Sweeney is activated today, I will need to be somewhere else when that happens.

Because no good will come from it.

166

Right on...

182 What, you think people will make the same points about it over and over again? You don't think people will be happy? What are you saying! Spell it out!

Actually, I'm with you.

Now it's officially time for a nap.

on the front page of yahoo it says "Golf Star Disqualified". I wasn't aware of Michelle Wie's "star" status. Maybe later today we'll see "star pinch hitter activated from DL."

173 My point was that I don't really care if my third baseman has power as long my other position players have power. It would be great if every position could have power but that isn't a realistic option in life I think. I am not arguing for or against with Laroche and Dewitt. I like both players and what they have to offer. I think Dewitt is developing and will pay dividends in the future. I would also like to see Laroche get some good playing time. It is a tough position to be in. I was more objecting the idea that power at one position is more important than at another. I used Mantle and Kent off the top of my head because they were both power hitters at "non-traditional" power positions.

Someone remind me again who to blame for Vlad being in Anaheim rather than LA? He just crushed a ball into the bleachers to lead off the bottom of the 7th, and it looks like it might just start a rally.

I'll get on board with Pierre and one of DeRoche for Beltre. I was always partial to Adrian and was sad to see him go.

186 Then we agree. Hey everyone there's an agreement today! I was just goofing around about Mantle and Kent.

188 Yes, now let's work on world peace tjdub.

Angels take the lead on 3 run double by Aybar, down the line.

190 - check that, triple, not double

I wouldn't mind seeing a DeWitt for Beltre trade. The Mariners already have a super-hustle, plays-the-game-the-right-way-but-can't-hit infield type in Willie Bloomquist, but if they want another one, who am I to stop them?

Beltre would block LaRoche next year; after that he'd be gone. There are worse things than having two good third baseman.

Like having one good one who sits and a bad one who plays.

185 "Wie posted a five-under 67 to finish one shot out of the lead... however, she was disqualified from the event for a violation that occurred on Friday.

After Friday's second round, Wie left the scoring area before signing her scorecard."

And golf folks wonder why people think their sport is ridiculously stupid.

And, as we know all too well, there are worse things than paying Beltre $12 million a year.

No Andru in the line-up today. Young replaces him and Dewitt bats 8th. (Insside the Dodgers)

193 She was chased down moments later and returned to sign the card.

http://sports.espn.go.com/golf/news/story?id=3496673

"Sue Witters, the LPGA's director of tournament competitions, disqualified Wie in a small office in an LPGA trailer at the golf course after asking her what had happened.

"She was like a little kid after you tell them there's no Santa Claus," Witters said.

That's pretty messed up, not to mention insulting.

193
It is very easy to cheat in golf. Among other things, players keep their own score and that of the others players in their group. The rules exist for their own safety and that of their competitors. They are not flexible.

That was a great catch Crisp made

I LOVE watching Scott Shields pitch, he's a little wilt today though.

192 I don't understand how in some posts you speak of the need for patience with player development, but in another you call Dewitt a bad player without his chance to development? And I am not saying that Dewitt is a better player than Laroche, I am just curious how minor league stats are your only way to determine who gets the opportunity to develop?

for those of you on the road, shopping or other...

Kemp, CF

Ethier, RF

Martin, C

Kent, 2B

Nomar, SS

Loney, 1B

Young, LF

DeWitt, 3B

Bills, P

____________________

Let's go Bills, show us what your made of brotha!

150
career averages:

BA .260, OBP .339, SLG .491, OPS .111, 370 HR in 6,575 AB - Jones = $18 mil per

BA .271, OBP .327, SLG .458, OPS .107, 233 HR in 5,655 AB - Beltre = $11 mil per

third basemen in the Dodgers system 25 years or younger:

age/player/team/stats for this season
19 Austin Gallagher - 66ers - 3HR, OPS .852
20 Pedro Baez - Raptors - 5 HR, OPS .909
20 Brian Matthews - Loons - 4 HR, OPS .662
21 Joshua Bell - 66ers - 6 HR, OPS .827
21 Austin Yount - Raptors - 0 HR, OPS .758
22 Blake DeWitt - Dodgers - 5 HR, OPS .697
23 Russell Mitchell - Suns - 8 HR, OPS .709
25 Shane Justis - Suns - 1 HR, OPS .743
25 Brandon Taylor - Loons - 4 HR, OPS .662
25 Andy LaRoche - Dodgers - 2 HR, OPS .622

question: why don't more pitchers throw 2-seam fastballs? It doesn't strike me as a pitch that would put a lot of strain on the arm like a screwball or other breaking ball, it changes speed and generally has some movement. should that be a pitch that Kershaw could pick up quickly?

question the second: would anyone around here be in the market for K-Rod this off season?

No one took me up on it earlier. Who thinks Jones won't start today or tomorrow? (Well, we know about today now.) Who thinks he won't start through Wednesday?

OK, I'll start. I think we're free of his blunders tomorrow. But he'll beback in before Wednesday. I can't imagine what it might take to get him to do his batting practice somewhere other than the Dodger lineup. A trade, maybe. Where we continue to pay his salary.

203

Non of us are major leaguers so we wouldn't know WHY more pitchers DON'T throw the 2 seam fastball I do know that pitch (once you master it) can be the difference between a DP or a fly ball or what have you...

I'm guessing (actually I know) it's a good pitch to have in your arsenal.

204

I wouldn't spend serious cash on a closer especially when you have guys like Broxton that can do a good job for penny's on the dollar.

I was just out at Barnes & Noble and saw this book marked down to $3.98.

http://tinyurl.com/6cxu3v

I bought the Roberto Clemente biography for $6.98.

this LaRoche-DeWitt argument has gotten so old...

I don't care which one plays and which one sits, but I, for one, haven't seen any reason why one is better than the other...

neither one has distinguished himself as the clearcut choice...so to me, removing DeWitt for LaRoche is change just for change's sake

205

His traditional #'s are to good for him not to break out of it, check 'em out: (last five years)

51 home runs 128 rbi .263BA 575 slg.
41 home runs 129 rbi .262BA 531 slg.
26 home runs 94 rbi .222BA 413 slg.

plus his fielding always has been good.

193 196 197 In the 1968 Masters championship, in the final round, Argentinian Roberto DeVicenzo signed his scorecard with a 4 on hole 17, when he actually scored a 3. The hole had been incorrectly scored by playing partner Tommy Aaron, and not noticed by DeVincenzo. Because DeVincenzo signed the card, the score of 4 was counted, and the mistake cost him a tie for first and an 18-hole playoff. Bob Goalby was thus the winner.

204 if Ned is still our GM, McCourt won't go after FRod...he won't spend big money on Ned's recommendation again...

if Ned is no longer there, we will be serious bidders for him

>> It is very easy to cheat in golf. Among other things, players keep their own score and that of the others players in their group. The rules exist for their own safety and that of their competitors. They are not flexible.

Isn't this LPGA event on TV? Aren't the scores updated in real time? Don't these events draw crowds? These harsh rules made sense back before every move was watched before the age where only the major events were televised. Making a player sign a personal card when her official score is already entered by an official scorer updated in real time seems redundant.

K-Rod is too herky jerky for my taste, I wouldn't sign him.

plus his victory dance isn't as appealing has Gagnes was...

207 can do a good job for penny's on the dollar.

Or perhaps even "Penny" could move into that role providing a better return on the dollars he's being paid?

I agree though, I wouldn't spend big money on acquiring a closer.

213 If petty bureaucrats didn't have little seemingly unimportant rules to enforce, then we wouldn't need petty bureaucrats and they wouldn't have opportunities to get their names in the paper. The TV network was scoring, the players and the opponents they were playing with were scoring, the organization sponsoring the tournament was scoring, and nothing she did could in any way be interpreted as trying to cheat. It's like umpires showboating and taking the game from the players.

213 I couldn't agree more. Wy do players even have to keep scores at these events when the leaderboard is posted on a big sign at the course and as you say is kept in realtime on TV.

I mean, why don't basketball teams lose then if their players forget to sign in the scorebook after the game is over validating how many points each player scored?

It's an antiquated rule that has outlived it's purpose.

216 Time to start constructing the B Ark.

200 "192 I don't understand how in some posts you speak of the need for patience with player development, but in another you call Dewitt a bad player without his chance to development? And I am not saying that Dewitt is a better player than Laroche, I am just curious how minor league stats are your only way to determine who gets the opportunity to develop?"

First, I admit calling DeWitt a bad player is a cheap shot. I mean, he is a bad player, but there's a chance he'll improve, and I recognize that possibility. It's a risk I'm willing to take for two reasons.

1) Having a major league caliber third baseman in the lineup would immensely improve the Dodgers' chances to win in 2008. I'd rather that be LaRoche, obviously, but if they won't give LaRoche a shot then it might as well be Beltre.

2) There is relatively little in DeWitt's track record to indicate that it's reasonable to expect improvement. The possibility exists, but I'd say it's unlikely. If he was going to become a major league caliber hitter, he probably would have made steps toward that in his four years in the farm system. He hasn't. He might eventually hit enough to be a regular at 2B, but who needs a third baseman who hits like a second baseman?

Again, he could eventually become a legitimate major leaguer. There's probably even, what, a one half of one percent chance he becomes a star. It's a chance I'm willing to take if it means getting a real third baseman for the 2008 Dodgers.

Quiet, Vinnie's on!

False alarm I guess...