I think we have our future thread subtitle!

I see Pierre in left, Jones in center, and a platoon in right.

Torre can't help himself.

Also... the "LaRoche Showcase" is likely for all parties involved. It's a showcase for the Dodgers brass, Torre and Andy's likely suitors. I hope he impresses the right people. Ned strikes me as someone who doesn't understand the value of youth but he hasn't traded anyone we REALLY miss yet... yet.

62 If Tony Jackson listens to Husker Du, I'll bring an acoustic to the picnic and play "Silent Lucidity".

The same press that has bashed The Kids non-stop for the last two years...?

Torre is the Teflon Manager. He's still on his extended honeymoon with the press. The only place he catches any heat is Dodger Thoughts.

Pierre's imminent return could spell the end of the Jones' 2008 debacle. The press may not love the kids, but one thing they dislike much more fervently is overpaid, underprepared veterans having exceptionally poor seasons. Unless Jones shows significant signs of progess in the next week, which I doubt anyone expects, they will come up with some phantom ailment, ricketts or leishmaniasis or botched knee surgery, and dump Jones back on the DL and try it all over again in 2009. I'm not sure if that's what I believe will happen or just what I hope will happen.

The press will hop on whatever they think will sell, they have no loyalty.

You'd be surprised.

(Er, but that's kind of a depressing movie. Maybe shouldn't go there.)

Who would you trade for Street? Beane only wants prospects these days...

112. Ken Noe
Old news from Gurnick, but perhaps worth repeating: Torre said Kershaw's promotion was decided before the All-Star break, which will fuel speculation that it could pave the way for the trade of a pitcher. In a big deal, that could mean Lowe. He, like Penny, could be a free agent after this season. In a smaller deal, it could mean Eric Stults, who started Monday night and figures to get bumped by Penny if no starting pitcher is dealt.

This might be a reach, but if Stults is possible trade bait, that could explain why Torre pulled him somewhat early. If he just didn't have it yesterday, then whether or not it would affect the outcome of the game, Torre might have wanted to prevent him from giving up 6 runs in 5 innings.

Yeah, probably didn't matter. But since we're speculatin'...

When Pierre plays- 3.68 RPG
When Pierre doesn't- 5.88 RPG

Just as long as it's Pierre, Kemp, and Dre I'm fine with is, espically if Pierre is hitting 8th or 9th.

Young is the only guy I'd be worried about losing, since he's out of options, and hasn't played enough to develop a fan following. I could see a deal along the lines of Young/MacDonald for Street happening (if that would make sense for Oakland).

Just my guess.

Oh, I agree. But the "not much for not much" deal is Colletti's trademark.

But Kemp is a robot made outta nails. No wonder it's so tough for him to get playing time, 'cause it's hard to warm up to a robot.

They certainly overvalue DeWitt. LaRoche is the definition of undervalued.

1. Dodgers have a 7 point OBP advantage, which puts them 9 spots ahead of the Padres in the MLB. That's relevant because OBP is generally considered more important for scoring runs than SLG.

2. A counter-example.

Pittsburgh: 478 runs, 25 SBs
Tampa Bay: 449 runs, 106 SBs

54 - Have at it.

52 - I agree, I could see a trade like that. And btw, I would give up McDonald in a trade that made sense. But if they give up Young, their already weak bench is severely weakened further. I don't know if they'd want to do that. DY's proven he can hit off the bench.

I think LaRoche is being showcased for Torre, and nothing more. We don't NEED to make a deal, for anything.

56 - Pierre went out of the lineup on June 29th.

Matt Kemp in June: .250/.287/.438
Matt Kemp in July: .292/.354/.500

I don't think that has to do with Pierre being hurt or Kemp in the leadoff spot. Kemp is simply playing better now. If Pierre had been playing the last 2 weeks instead of Jones, they'd be scoring even more runs.

To clarify, Tampa Bay leads the league in SBs but has scored fewer runs than Pittsburgh, which is tied for last in SBs.

That's why Ned acquired guys like Schmidt and Jones: they were once good, so they must still be good. That's also why DeWitt has been allowed to play regularly for two months despite hitting below .200: Torre remembers him being good for the first two months of the season. It's also why LaRoche's sudden burst of playing time must be a "showcase." I think they've already made up their minds about Andy, he's just getting a pre-trade workout at the MLB combine.

In the eyes of Ned and Joe, Hu now has the stench of his horrible May stuck to him. It's never gonna wash off.

Suzuki .301/ 123 hits / 34 SB
Kemp
Beltre .264 / 16 HR
Kent
Martin
Eithier
Garciaparra
Loney
SP

Pierre - Pinch Runner
Dru - DFA
LaRoche - Seattle
Stult or McDonald or Meloan or Miller or a combo of two - Seattle

Oops, that would produce the opposite effect. Nevermind.

I drew the 2006 and 2007 NL graphs (using Excel) and was surprised at how well OPS and runs scored correlate. I am by no means a mathematician but if you can graph in Excel it's pretty easy. Try it.

-Rotoworld

Well, there are worse places for Andy LaRoche to go than the A's. I could still cheer him on without hesitation, anyway. Not that he's traded yet.

If he stands pat and the Dodgers miss the playoffs, he'll be fired for Jones/Schmidt/Pierre. If he makes a noteworthy trade and the Dodgers make the playoffs he might save his job. If he dismantles the young kids and fails miserably...well he had it comin anyways.

It might be a case of the last desperate kicks of a dying horse...I certainly hope not.

...then he returns to the Giants, mission accomplished.

The last thing we need is a closer. Broxton is doing just fine in the role so far. The bullpen is deep enough as it is. Ned ought to stop thinking like a computer and just recognize that the team can overcome a weakness (SS) and string runs together anyway.

Yes, the last legs theory is very accurate. Man oh man, I wish it were DeWitt that were on the trading block.

Crosby looks like he's a free agent after 2009. He'll make $5M next year.

I can dream cant I

(sorry)

Can we fire this guy yet?

Ethier in the same time frame: .257/.299/.405
Post Pierre: .300/.374/.563

Thus demonstrating Management's Commitment to Winning™.

That has Ned written all over it.

FWIW Matt LaPorta was BP's #31 rated prospect in January and fetched CC. LaRoche was #14 and he was 8th if you isolate major-league ready guys. I would think 3-4 saber-type GM's would be speed-dialing Ned this week.

Perhaps Chase Carey is waiting in the wings to make a move.

You sure got that right. Two unnecessary PVLs to block the younger, better, cheaper players we already have in the system. That's the Ned Special, right there.

I would appear as "Bob Timmermann ('87)", but the new star of Minnesota would just be "Kevin Love."

Bobby Crosby just overall sucks.

He's actually a pretty good pitcher, and not really worthy of the ironic tag of PVL.

Street's K/9
2005: 8.27
2006: 8.53
2007: 12.78
2008: 8.79

Looks like last year was the outlier, and Street's K-rate is normal.

It makes me feel old to know that you're just starting college. On the other hand, if more people your age knew what you know about baseball, the world would be in good hands.

The revolution will be televised. Unfortunately, Joe Buck and Tim McCarver will be calling the action.

Sigh.

http://www.minorleagueball.com/2008/7/22/576581/los-angeles-dodgers-top-20

What about a D-Young/Pierre platoon in Left with Kemp and Dre playing everyday. If we really want to put the best outfield out there, Young's bat plays better than Pierre's and his defense can't be so bad that he can't catch a ball.

Jones would develop "complications" to his knee and be stashed on the DL again after "rushing back". He would then "find his swing" in the offseason just in time for Spring Training next year.

If I ever adopt a stray animal I don't like, I'm going to name it "Trevor Wilson."

"How can a laughingstock organization like the Braves get to be so good so fast? Glavine and Smoltz were terrible last year! And Terry Pendleton! Gimme a break!

Look at the Dodgers offense! Except for shortstop, it's great! If only Lasorda would use Steve Wilson in high leverage situations."

Buster Olney: (1:30 PM ET ) Dan: Street scared a lot of evaluators last Saturday with his outing in Yankee Stadium -- diminished velocity, lowered arm angle, and that will make it tough for him against lefties. It'll be interesting to see if somebody gets aggressive and overlooks his recent outings, or if Oakland decides to hang onto him and put him out on the market this winter, which they are very comfortable doing...

I musta missed the clarification. Oh - and they have on-campus housing for grad students?

What field?

Mike (Albany, NY): Hi Buster, It sounds like Andy LaRoche is on his way out of L.A. Any idea if the Dodgers are in on Beltre? Or another SS/3B?

Buster Olney: (1:34 PM ET ) Mike: There are a bunch of teams who've talked about LaRoche, but they've gotten very frustrated in dealing with the Dodgers. He is the one guy among the many L.A. prospects that rival execs say is clearly, absolutely available. So yes, I think he'll be traded. To whom, I'm not yet sure.

The Dodgers are currently scouting the A's, though interest in closer Huston Street and shortstop Bobby Crosby appears lukewarm at this time. What's interesting is that the team also continues to scout the Blue Jays, and they've been doing so since May. The Blue Jays have infielders David Eckstein, John McDonald and Marco Scutaro to offer and maybe even pitcher A.J. Burnett. Reportedly, the Blue Jays have scouted Class A Great Lakes.

Mr. Lippman is not pleased with Dan in Boston's punctuation.

Public health.

If Colletti trades Matt Kemp, he'll live in baseball infamy. This kid is gifted-- just let him play. In centerfield.

>>The Phillies, frustrated by their offense over the past month, are actively looking for a hitter as well as a reliever. They discussed the Rockies' Matt Holliday, inquired about the Pirates' Xavier Nady and even made a call about the Dodgers' Matt Kemp — thus far, all to no avail.<<

>>Here's quite a statement on the decline of Dodgers center fielder Andruw Jones: A rival evaluator, noting that the Dodgers have recently played Jones, shortstop Nomar Garciaparra and second baseman Jeff Kent in their up-the-middle positions, said that Jones was the worst defender of the three.<<

Also, commenter C4L&C was quick to note that he predicted free agent signee Darryl Strawberry -- only 10 HR, 36 RBI, .238/.354/.426 on July 22-- would be a bust.

Rob Neyer: Not a great track record to this point, but of course he does love his veterans ... The Dodgers were my preseason pick, but I didn't anticipate the injuries or Andruw Jones' further decline. I think they probably need to make a move. Or give LaRoche the job at third base, which would be sort of like making a trade for a real third baseman.

That said, I can see Ned getting Jack Wilson for some package that includes Hu, DeJesus/Paul, and a Loons pitcher.

I feel like this is something I should know, but my brain's not working today.

Mostly outside speculation from unnamed sources.

But at least they like baseball a lot!

Random GM: "I'll trade you Jack Wilson for Matt Kemp."
NedCo and Ng/White: "Um, no."
Random GM, to reporter: "The Dodgers won't trade any of their prospects."

Glad to hear you surmounted it.

I would've gone with T4P, myself.

Ned was told it would take Kemp to get Sabathia.

Ned went to McCourt and said here's what we need to do in order to get the best pitcher in baseball to play for our team.

McCourt said no, Ned agreed.

Kemp is still a Dodger.

I don't think Penny will be traded since alot has to happen by Aug 1 for his rehab, and I don't think he would clear waivers after August 1. If the Dodgers are going to go for it, Lowe even though he has the expiring contract might be more valuable because he could also be in the bullpen as a closer if Broxton got shakey.

Jones, Pierre, Schmidt--who else has that much expensive dead weight? Just let it go.

Ned: Please don't screw this up at the trading deadline. It's a once in a generation kind of thing. This team could go to the top and stay there for years.

There simply is not an impact player to be had in the position of need (SS) for anything less than a stupid sum of prospects. Ozuna is a Marlon Anderson type that we can throw against the wall to see if he sticks. Maza, no; Hu, not yet; Berroa, no; Ozuna, who knows?

http://tinyurl.com/magicfingers

He's getting back at me for the grape Jolly Ranchers.

http://tinyurl.com/6z2cs8

A lot of the young guys, if they're not hitting well, will let it affect the other side," Torre said. "He (DeWitt) is pretty grounded.

"It's not affecting his defense. And he's going to give you an honest at-bat." ...

Torre said he was going by "feel" in choosing DeWitt to play the majority of the time.

"It probably worked against LaRoche that I've seen so much of DeWitt," Torre said. "It's not anything against LaRoche. Blake is filling the bill, so to speak."

So all of a sudden DeWitt's not 'filling the bill', so much that he's benched the next 3 games in favor of Andy? It doesn't make any sense, especially when you factor in that DeWitt started against the last LH they faced, the only logical conclusion is that torre's been told to show case him for a possible deal.

Another way to evaluate it would be to look at the WPA of each stolen base and caught stealing, as all stolen bases and times caught stealing are not equal (See: Dave Roberts W.S.).
vr, Xei

USC has scored at least 20 points in 76 of its last 78 games, and have averaged 37.9 points per game during that 6-year span.

I spent the whole game saying, "Who are these guys out there? And what have they done with the USC defense?"

And Lane Kiffin parlayed that performance into an NFL head coaching job!

How do you do!

(Andy waves excitedly)

http://minors.baseball-reference.com/players.cgi?pid=36315

By a Karl Dorrell-led staff!

That would like me losing a game of Trivial Pursuit where all the categories were based on TV shows to xeifrank.

He's actually Tim Goodman.

This Eckstein and Crosby stuff is scaring me.

That post is hilarious. If we keep LaRoche at third, it is like we traded for a third baseman...I love it.

Now I need to work on breathing exercises because this thread is freaking me out.

White - 1/17/22
Arthur - 5/13/22
Getty - 7/25/23
McClanahan - 5/21/34 (the baby of the group)

And of course Cheech.

"The Dodgers' eight first-inning runs last night made them the first team since the 2000 White Sox to score eight or more runs in the first inning twice in a season."

"Tonight, the Dodgers will play their 100th game of the season. Last year, the club was 56-44 after 100 contests, but went 26-36 the rest of the way to miss the playoffs. In 2006, Los Angeles was 47-53 at this point and then went 41-21 down the stretch, claiming the NL Wild Card."

"[Comment From logan white]
if coletti trades andy la roche for eric chavez, i'm going to have to kill someone"

(Tim's response was "I see zero chance of that, I think Chavvy is on the DL.")

I think it was at BP today or yesterday, Joe Sheehan mentioned that if the Dodgers started Bills, Kershaw, Kou, Lowe and Kuroda, they would be harder to hit than a "78 year old nun".

It would be awful to trade for a third baseman with good power potential and a great knowledge of the strike zone that wasn't LaRoche. And maybe there is something I don't know, but Dewitt's size and reactions indicate to me he could be a wonderful 2nd baseman.

He just signs them as Free Agents.

It's interesting, all of a sudden, the Kemp-bashing has been replaced by "strange new respect" for him. I gather this means Kent, Lowe and Lasorda have decided he can help the Dodgers win. So now they're circling LaRoche.

The reason I don't think LaRoche gets traded is the "for whom?" question. There is nobody out there who's good enough to equate to LaRoche's real value. "Trade LaRoche" is a somewhat empty call to action, just as "trade Kemp" was.

Do you think Ned is aware of/appreciates said value?

Well, I offer actual hard evedience that he's improved. When he was demoted he sported an ERA+ of 99 and today stands at 100+. So, it is offical since demoted he's progressed from a below avergae pitcher to and average pitcher.

And the Reds have a better record too.

275 - Looks like the Pads got a decent pitching prospect in return, too. (Nothing stellar, but solid.)

He makes grown men cry. Like Randy WOlf.

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/unfiltered/?p=953

Something that I love to see is Kershaw painting that inside corner at 97 mph to the right handed hitter. SSSSSSTT, right by your knee caps if you're the batter.

Sometimes the umps don't give Kershaw and Broxton those calls - because the umps can't see those balls, they can only hear them.

Glad Kershaw isn't employing the slider yet.
At 20 he's still growing. Latter, when he's 23-24 and he combines that slider ala The Big Unit on the righty hitters ... Oh my

For today - Locating Fastball - (down in and away) (and four seamers up high on the letters) changing speeds from 92 to 97+.
Mix in the change-up. Public Enemy #1 will probably fall suspect to the mile-high altitude. That was contributing too some of Stults troubles last night.

The Minotaur Returns!

E-Jax & Tiffany were sent to acquire Baez & Carter.

#1. They can get draft picks for him if he signs elsewhere after offering arbitration.

#2. If he accepts arbitration, they'll get him for a rather reasonable 1yr deal. He's only making 4.5 mils this year. Given that Runny Hernandez had been starting for the Astros, they need all the help they can get.

Wolf's penchant for giving up homers, and the Astros ballpark, dont really seem like a good fit though.

Regardless, the 2 picks they get should be better than the non-prospect they gave up.

Only 226 hours remain (approx)

I'm convinced Laroche will play well these next two games and will gradually take over at 3rd. Broxton will be fine and Hu will eventually prove he deserves to come up and take over at short until Furcal comes back. The cream rises to the top, people.

Any word on Abreu?

And if Wolf stinks up the joint, you run the risk of him accepting arbitration, and suddenly paying for a $7 million pitcher that has a post 5.00 ERA.

$175k for starts 11-30 (he has made 21 so far)
$250k for 190 IP
$500k for 200 IP (he is currently at 119.2 IP)

So he's already made $1.925 in bonuses, and will likely make $1.575m more with Houston (9 more starts; I don't think he'll reach 190 IP).

I'm not sure if the Padres agreed to pay any to Houston to defer some of that cost.

I get FSN West, which has Angel games but I don't get those here (except via EI).

So he's replacing his '06 (56.2 IP, 5.56 ERA) with his '08 (119.2 IP, 4.74 ERA so far), and should move up the list but probably only to a Type B at best, meaning the Astros would only get a supplementary pick if they offer Wolf arbitration.

Nice having a free BP that you can link to so that everyone can read the link.

cough
Andruw Jones
cough

08:$1.2M, 09:$2M, 10:$2.9M club option

44/7 K/BB

2.98 ERA 1.01 WHIP

Tony Jackson?

If LaRoche is traded, I expect the haul to be significant but then I consider Beltre to be significant so I'm probably on a Georgia island waiting for global warming to swarm over me but to ignorant to do anything about it.

Bonafacio was rated #6 in the D-Backs system (before the Haren trade - 2 prospects ahead of Bonafacio were dealt). Listed as a 2B/SS, Bonafacio was rated fastest baserunner and best defensive IF in the D-Backs' system.

Johnson and TCY are 6'10" (along with Andrew Sisco and Eric Hillman), so if The Unit is the tallest among them then the D-Backs now have the two tallest players ever.

http://tinyurl.com/648po7

Good trade for the D-Backs, Rauch is one of the better relievers out there and is signed for a reasonable price through 2010. Bonifacio is a decent player, but his main value comes from speed and hitting singles. Like, you know, someone else talked about here a lot.

"5.34, 75/38 K/BB in 88 innings for Inland Empire, 106 hits allowed. Disappointing performance from a polished college pitcher."

Eric Stults has been optioned to Class AAA Las Vegas after a poor start last night. Meanwhile, Juan Pierre has left the team and will begin a rehabilitation assignment for Las Vegas tomorrow.

Yes!

and will begin a rehabilitation assignment for Las Vegas tomorrow

Rats.

356
Can't agree with that assessment. If he was crappy or average every game but he has just been crazy inconsistent. He has pitched some of the best games of the year by any Dodger prospect, but then followed those up with just terrible outings. Maybe he loses arm strength after the great games and doesn't have what it takes to be a rotational pitcher. I don't know but he's thrown enough gems that when he's on, he's very good.

Where does that leave the rotation? Kuroda, Lowe, Bills, Kershaw, Johnson?

Plus, it's not so much an indictment against Stults but rather a numbers game since we need the extra relievers for the Colorado series.

houston will not be pitching in a dodger uniform any time soon.

If the Dbax get Juan Cruz back, their bullpen may be much better with Cruz/Lyon - Pena - Rauch.

Ned: I can't speak about other players, that's tampereing

Rosenthal, after overhearing the vendor at the Grilled Dodger Dog stand talk about this interview, "The Dodgers continue to fresturate GM's as they continue to dangle prospects and won't deal any of them."