The Dodgers can win with this team, especially if the bench includes Andruw Jones, at least until he shows that he has regained something approaching his old form (and even then, I would stick with the trio in the OF). As Kemp and Ethier showed last night, the younger guys can hit smart and well.

I agree about SS, if there is no offense upgrade available (without great expense), bring back Hu.

I posted this at end of previous thread;

Thanks Eric and BH, both very helpful (for your posts on the Dodgers FA situation/draft picks).

And to DRatt: Hee. No worries! I figured. (Er, sorry about the teen-car struggles, though.) And that emoticon for Jason Johnson was a crying face. And I guess that jinxed things in his favor. Sorry, JJJ! You pitched great, buddy.

(And I'm with Jon, it's hard not to feel good about Johnson's comeback, even if it's likely short-lived. But you never know - look at Chan Ho.)

Countless others in previous years, you have to think the Dodgers are one of the best teams in the leauge in finding fake pitchers.

http://proxy.espn.go.com/chat/chatESPN?event_id=21732

I wish they'd go to a CoverItLive type live blogging software instead of that old school way, but whatever. Odds of any of us getting a question answered by him are roughly 1-1000.

Here's a question for Canuck, Nate, ToyCannon, and the rest.

Assuming Kershaw gets 8 outs on Friday, who is the Dodgers's best prospect?

Out of the pre-season top ten, only Elbert, Withrow, McDonald and Baez remain eligible and certainly Withrow and Baez have not moved their stock this year.

Certainly, De Jesus, Lambo, Gallagher, Martin, Kyle Russell, Morris now enter the picture but the excitement that surrounded the last few years of Dodger prospects may finally be leveling off after a tremendous 5 year period.

If he's not a Type A or B free agent, there is no reason to offer him arbitration since there's no compensation. If the club wants him back, they can simply negotiate with him when he becomes a free agent.

McDonald, Elbert, Lambo, Gallagher, DeJesus then it gets way more confusing. Just consider the source of this opinion.

The only time I feel like an LA guy (and I'm really not) is when the Dodgers play the Giants. Staying up late is brutal. But I have to do it. Thank God my wife understands.

Since Vin clearly reads this, I just want to say how much I appreciate his "On this day..." reports.

That said, I'd like to see Hu up now just for the defense that he brings. It's not likely, though, because, if I'm not mistaken, Berroa and Ozuna are out of options -- not that we'd run any risk of losing Berroa if we sent him down, or that it would be any loss if we did. But I doubt management thinks that way.

If Nomar goes on the DL, Hu could be called up to replace him, but Berroa and Ozuna will still be on the team for those reasons.

I think we probably need a decent pinch hitter more than we need Hu up. He's not on the 40 man roster, but I'd be tempted to give Lindsey a chance, given the season he's had. There's Tiffee when he gets back from the Olympics (also necessitating a 40 man roster move). Even Repko would be worth trying over Jones and Sweeney at this point. Our bench pinchhitting option is LaRoche, but I don't have a problem with him getting some regular playing time to get his bat hot again.

Sorry for the long rambling post here. I want Hu. I want a decent pinchhitter. Sending down the seldom used Troncosco would allow both.

The Dodgers tried to come to terms with playoff winner Jose Lima after his 2004 campaign, but the sides could not strike a deal before the arbitration deadline. The Dodgers then declined arbitration and Lima ended up signing with KC.

Covered by Jon here: http://tinyurl.com/5z7jer

Now clubs can negotiate with a FA even if they don't offer arbitration.

Get both feet down or it doesn't count.

Angels 66-40 Scored 480; given up 437; +43 runs

A's 53-53; scored 446; given up 404; +42 runs

Stupid agendas.

>>>who has more upside potential? who is more likely to be a productive regular? LaRoche, DeWitt, or Brandon Wood?

Jim Callis: (2:31 PM ET ) LaRoche.<<<

So the NFL just wants to make the out of bounds definitions simpler. Forceouts weren't subject to review.

I remember when the NBA had a "forceout" rule. Those were the days.

Jim Callis: (2:49 PM ET ) Kershaw.

Nomar will make a great pinch hitter. If Nomar goes on the DL, Hu would have time to show if he can replace Berroa or Ozuna.

Just in case...

Career starter
Career reliever

I believe Hu's bat is for real and he is a bonafide starter at shortstop. Sickels, Goldstein, Law, Neyer, and Callis said the same thing regarding to Hu. The thing is will management believe that the one month trial earlier in the season was indicative or an aberration of future performance. ( It's most likely the latter).

>>>Jason (Birmingham MI): Edgar Renteria or a parking meter with a bat taped to it?

Jim Callis: (2:50 PM ET ) The parking meter might have more range, too.<<<

Great post, but are you sure you want Ned thinking? See Jones, Pierre, Schmidt etc. for Coletti "thinking."

(I'm leaving Torre out of this because I have no idea how he would come in on this -- I still like to believe he can be a good manager for these kids)

Great Post Jon - You are all over it.

Hope the Dodgers win again tonight.

Picking look slim but we do have Hu, LaRoche, and DeWitt who lost eligibility cooling their heels in AAA so it is not as bad as it looks.

We have yet to see Withrow or Martin so they might be better then any of them but at some point Withrow has to throw some innings.

After Carlos Santana, Victor Garate was my favorite story this summer and I'm curious how he does in the Cal League. Could be a late blooming lefty. I still like Pedroza.

Jim Callis: Regular.*

I can dream can't I.

I'm running for cover as I ask, but it is an honest question. I am still a Logan fan.

That seems to be asking for some injuries.

The Twins talked to the Orioles about Roberts last winter, but this month, the O's have told teams he's not available.<<

http://tinyurl.com/669gps

Outfield of Bay, Pierre and Kemp? Definitely an upgrade.

Since I took the time to call out your last post, I want to commend you on this one. Measured and spot on, I thought, in every regard.

And as someone who's dealt with the whole diabetes/insulin thing, I'm even more impressed by what Johnson accomplished - in this game and throughout his career. In a way, I would think it's even tougher to handle the pressures of relieving than starting, though, which is what he was doing before last night. For instance, if I know I'm going to go on a run, I can adjust by upping the carb intake and/or decreasing insulin intake before hand. I've never had a pump - thank god - but the issues are the same whether the insulin is delivered through a pump or self-injected. Heavy exercise simulates/stimulates insulin in the body (which it does depends on your reserves) so that if you don't adjust your insulin (downward) and carbs (upward), you can have a dangerous "down" (low blood sugar), and actually pass out or worse.

Which means you can plan for a start. But being in the bull pen would be much tougher. I would have to think that he prepares for each game as if he's going to play, and then - if he doesn't - either works out for an hour or so after the game, or increases his insulin intake at that point. Or both. (Otherwise, assuming that he upped his carbs and/or decreased his insulin, he might end up with a high blood sugar count.)

I'm hopeful about the team as well - and even more hopeful for cool heads. It's a funny thing about the uncertainty of the Dodger front office - one has to wonder after a while if, despite how much one may disagree with his actions and/or philosophy, Coletti is to blame, or if the true origins of that uncertainty lie higher up.

Is there a place to post comments/feedback there?

81 Thanks for adding personal insight on the diabetes thing. I have friends in the same situation and I'm always impressed with how they handle it - and impressed with the new technology they have now which makes it easier to deal with. And that was yet another reason I've been pulling for Johnson. (And another reason I'm rooting even harder for Jay Cutler this season.)

It's everything you expect, except he talks in one paragraph.

2002: James Loney, Johnathan Broxton, Delwyn Young, Russell Martin, Eric Stults (Possibles Greg Miller, Zach Hammes).

2003: Chad Billingsley, Matt Kemp, Andy LaRoche, Travis Denker [traded] (Xavier Paul, Lucas May)

2004: Scott Elbert, Blake Dewitt, Justin Ordenduff, Cory Wade (Justin Ruggiano)

2005: Ivan Dejesus, Josh Bell, John Meloan (Steven Johnson)

2006: Clayton Kershaw, Bryan Morris (Kyle Orr, Preston Mattingly, Jaime Ortiz)

2007: Chris Winthrow, Michael Watt, Austin Gallagher, Andew Lambo, Justin Miller, Jaime Pedroza, Bobby Blevins, Timothy Sexton.

Now obviously looking at that list of players who either are or could substantially develop into major leaguers, I would say it is fair to say that Logan is still doing a great job.

The issue is that several players are just over the prospect limit, but have not really been integrated into the team yet which hurts when just ranking players who qualify as prospects.

Such players include Kershaw, LaRoche, Hu and Dewitt. If those were the top 4 with rest making up the top 10 we would say that we have a great system which is closer to the truth.

(Reminds me, too, I forgot about Bryan Morris earlier.)

90 If you go Saturday, too, I believe you'd get to see Brad Penny pitching in his home state. :-)

"Dodgers, you must trade for a great shortstop! Or I will rain down fire on all your middle infielders! Stadium Way will be awash in their blood!"

1996: Damian Rolls, Alex Cora, Peter Bergeron, Ted Lilly, Wayne Franklin, Jeff Keubenka

1997: Steven Colyer,

1998: Bubba Crosby, Scott Proctor, David Ross

1999: Jason Repko, Drew Meyer, Joe Thurston, Shane Victorrino, Eric Junge, Reggie Abercrombie

2000: Ben Diggins, Joel Hanrahan, Shane Nance, Victor Diaz

2001: Edwin Jackson, Michael Holliman, Clint Sammons

After looking at the two lists, I want to sign Logan White to a 50 year contract today.

http://tinyurl.com/67w5mz

On the Cleveland-Expos trade involving Bartolo Colon (with Grady Sizemore, Cliff Lee(!) and Brandon Phillips going to Cleveland):
>>In the pre-blogging days, when Baseball America is the only outlet monitoring every breath that prospects take, Minaya is widely praised for his coup. Montreal columnist Jack Todd refers to him as "brilliant" and says he has "utterly changed the way the Expos do business" since coming over from the Mets.

Cleveland GM Mark Shapiro resides in a different place -- at the wrong end of talk-radio hell. While Indians fans go on a universal rant, Colon's teammates are crushed by his departure. Several Cleveland veterans speculate that they might be the next to go.<<

As he hints, if this trade happened today, with people/fans much more knowledgable about prospects and protective of them, the trade would not garner quite the same reaction, I would imagine, though no one probably would predict Sizemore and Lee would be as successful as they were. But the criticism of it would certainly be less.

Koyie Hill gets no love, not even a mention in failed drafts. I noticed he was still trying to make it back in AAA.

Of course the drifter race is always the best one to watch anyway.

Gallagher's much more impressive.
His numbers look very James Loney-ish though. High average, minimal HR power. Hopefully as his body fills out, he hits more homers.

Paul Pierce's response: I don't think Kobe is the best player. I'm the best player. There's a line that separates having confidence and being conceited. I don't cross that line but I have a lot of confidence in myself.

Not sure how it helps the Tigers.

The Indians are likely to trade starting pitcher Paul Byrd, with the Dodgers among the reported suitors.

The interest is surprising; the Dodgers were not thought to be after starting pitching. Byrd has about $2.7MM left on his contract and carries a 4.93 ERA in 20 starts.

I understand this to mean that you offer to bring the FA back at something close to the salary they just got. Is that right?

If that is the case, I'd have to think there is no way the Yankees would offer arbitration to Pudge after this season, as those at Bronx Banter are gleefully suggesting.

Given the catchers market right now, I doubt I-Rod would accept arbitration. He'll want a multi-year deal before he gets too old.

It would be like us upgrading from Kent to Brian Roberts by only trading Proctor.

So that's cool.

Yeah, you've convinced me, actually, it's a bit of a gamble to offer him arbitration. But then again, a team isn't actually bound by the arbitration. You can cut the guy instead of paying him. So the loss would only be the draft compensation.
They'll offer arbitration, I'm pretty sure.

Things that make ya' go hmmmmmm......

That said, as my Dad the Yanks fan just wrote me, "Nice move but I want them to get Washburn. Ponson is a total crapshoot. Hughes may be back soon and then Wang, but after the first three starters they're really still hurting." So, starter anyone? Maybe they should trade for Paul Byrd. We don't want him.

There are two types of arbitration:

1) those for pre-free agency years (a player is eligible after 3 years service time, or the top 17% of service time of players with more than two years service but less than three)

2) those for players filing for free agency, which is the one we usually speak about here.

Right after the World Series, players can file for free agency. By December 1 (or sometime around there), the clubs must decide whether or not to offer arbitration to a potentially leaving FA. The player has 7 days to accept or decline the offer.

If the player accepts, he is bound to the club for one year. The two sides (player and club) exchange offers, and if they can't come to agreement before February, an arbitration hearing will take place. Both sides present their case, and the arbiter must pick one of the two salary figures (submitted by the player and club). The arbitration hearing is the same process for pre-FA players as well. For instance, Broxton, Martin & Ethier are arbitration eligible this offseason.

If the player declines, he is a free agent. If he is a Type A (top 20% in his position group according to Elias rankings based to previous two years) free agent, the signing club must give it's first round draft pick to the player's previous club. If the signing team's draft pick is in the top 15, they don't have to give their 1st rounder but rather the 2nd rounder. In addition, the old club gets a supplemental pick "sandwiched" between the 1st & 2nd round. Type B players (top 20-30%) fetch only the sandwich pick.

You can cut a player at some point in spring training, and only owe him 25% of his salary. But it is rare this occurs, usually because the players' association will file a grievance. The Padres did this with Todd Walker in spring training 2007, after going to arbitration with him just a month before.

"No perfect teams. Teams have weaknesses. 1975. Tony Perez. There: I just gave you all the answers you will find in this JoeChat."

Is Hu fast? Can he steal bases?

Ridiculous

This is not an apology for Plashke - I rarely, if ever, agree with his thinking in regard to baseball, or sports in general - but I think it's a mistake to compare him to someone like the ESPN analysts, whose job is truly to try to weigh in on what's good and bad vis-a-vis baseball moves. Plashke is a columnist - his job is to "have a take" in Rome-ese, or "stir the sh--" to put it more bluntly, and to get people like us here to take notice, whether we like him & what he has to say or not. He's about quickening pulses and selling papers. And keeping his job. I think what he said about "Dodgers - it's your turn" is absurd - but I understand why he played that card.

That said - I think he's a lesser columnist because of it. Someone like Jim Murray or Red Smith could quicken pulses and also say something with real insight. But to look to Plashke for real analysis is probably like looking for potatoes in trees.

The panel, without opinion, awards the player a one-year, non-guaranteed contract at one salary or the other. If the player is cut within 16 days before the season begins, he is entitled only to 30 days' termination pay.

If the player is cut during spring training but after the 16th day before the season begins, he is entitled only to 45 days' termination pay.

22.5 hours left.

http://tinyurl.com/6989fb

>>Maddux reiterated his desire to be traded only to a team on the West Coast. Several teams from the Midwest and East Coast have expressed serious interest, but Towers will continue to focus on dealing the future Hall-of-Fame pitcher to the Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Angels or Arizona Diamondbacks.

Towers and Dodgers GM Ned Colletti are expected to talk Wednesday, and the Dodgers are open to a deal.

"You can never have too much starting pitching," said a Dodgers source. "Even going to a six-man rotation is a possibility this time of year."<<

http://tinyurl.com/5b3myg

He's got good speed. Not a threat to steal every time though. Last year he was 15 out 23 in SB attempts.

Home: 2.84
Away: 6.02

I can't see how he's any more effective on the mound than Eric Stults would be at this point.

That story about him instructing Penny was a great indicator of his knowledge of the game.

Maddux still owns the Giants and would pitch well at Dodger Stadium against anybody. If nothing else Penny, Kershaw, Billingsley and others would benefit greatly from him being there everyday.

The above-mentioned Dodgers source then had to cut his conversation short because he had to unload a peanuts shipment that had just arrived at Dodger Stadium.

In all seriousness, the Dodgers only get Maddux for something like a PTBNL, and even then he is barely worth it. His value is far greater in the sense that Billz and Kershaw get to spend a couple of months talking to him and picking his brain. The only questions is, does AZ offer more than that especially since Owings was sent down? They need him more than we do.

Oh and it goes without saying that no way should they get Paul Byrd especially considering they can get Maddux for almost nothing.

If we do get Maddux, I think another shoe will drop.

Padres send Maddux, Greene, and Meredith to Dodgers.
Dodgers send Kemp and Hu (ss) to Padres.

I think they're forgetting that Spicoli has an OPS+ of 64.

Let's see: what other idle speculation can I bandie about...

>>They might want Bell instead of Meredith, and I'd still think hard about doing it.<<

I have special software that dings whenever someone doesn't accuse Paul LoDuca of same.

{Snort!!} is all I can say.

Towers: Ned, I have this bag of oranges, which used to be historically good, that I want to give to you.

Ned: No thanks man, but I'm neck deep in oranges. We have so many oranges that we couldn't possibly use another.

Towers: But this bag of oranges gives you intangibles that no one else possesses. And it's yours for $2. Think about how all your other oranges will benefit from this. Plaschke will think you are an idiot, and McCourt may even increase your pocket money.

Ned: You're right. I did like those oranges the last time. All right, I'm sold I'll take the oranges for $2.

Towers: Oops, Arizona just came in and are offering $4.

Ned: No, no, no. That'll make me look bad. Look, here's $5 and I want those oranges.

Towers: Sorry, only $10 gets those oranges now. These are in high demand.

Ned: OK, I'll pay $8.

Towers: $12.

Ned: No, no. Here's $10. I need those oranges.

Towers: Sold.

(in background) Tampa Bay GM: See Kevin, I told you it would work.

In 67 IP at Chase Field, 6.01 ERA, 1.68 WHIP, .331 BAA. In 145 IP at Dodger Stadium, 3.09 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, .248 BAA.

They may want Sweeney and Jones, but I still might do it...

It is really a sausage tree:
http://www.tradewindsfruit.com/sausage_tree.htm

I would love to hear Plaschke's suggestions for a big deal based on what we need and what we would need to give up. Oh, and there is all that money in the outfield to deal with.

I wonder how long that video shot took

Jones, Pierre, and Kuroda for Adrian Gonzalez and Maddux.

DONE

No but seriously he likes him and doesn't want him traded, is afraid they'll trade him this week... but isn't sure he's ready for the majors yet this years. I sort of disagree, or think he's worth a shot at this point.

Kemp, RF
Blake, 3B
Martin, C
Kent, 2B
Loney, 1B
Jones, CF
Ethier, LF
Berroa, SS
Billingsley, P

http://tinyurl.com/meloanslastcookout

Pierre: .372/.407/.419/.825
Jones: .188/.307/.313/.619

Hallelujah time!

I sense some backsliding here.

Return for Boston is either Willingham or Hermida, plus a prospect.

http://www.sportshubla.com/2008/07/29/mrs-robinson-youre-trying-to-seduce-me/

What makes the pic work for me is how wary Russell is of her posture, and how studiously he is avoiding looking down her shirt...

...except that Pierre has been much better than Jones vs. LH this season. (see 232 )

Berroa is so due for RBI's that he might collect four tonight due to the law of averages alone.

Sanchez had been solid but over the last 31 days he has been terrible.
8.47 ERA with a 1.88 WHIP

Tonight we roll

New album out with bootlegs from that late 90's period.....coming soon. FYI

And I better set my Tivo for this one because I shall be missing most of it live. Go Dodgers.

Lineup is solid tonight. Pick your poison Pierre or Jones. Ethier and Kemp should be in there every day no matter what.

"Matt Kemp's hot bat, which has produced a 16-game hitting streak, will likely have him in the lineup for tonight's game"

He can if other teams have figured out that he pulls almost every ball he hits.

1. Any given RH batter will hit a LH pitcher better than will any given LH batter;

or

2. Even if #1 isn't always true, we have no way of knowing when it isn't true so we should just assume that it is;

or

3. Jones hits LH pitchers better than Pierre hits LH pitchers

He doesn't get a Giambi-like or Ortiz-like shift.

The Dodgers and Padres continue to have conversations about veteran starter Greg Maddux, with the two sides beginning the process of exchanging names and perhaps working toward a deal.

4. Jones has a stupidly huge contract that demands that he gets played a couple times of a week regardless of production

Tongue is in cheek BH

:-?

Andruw Jones has been that bad. Plus, Pierre has "mashed" lefties this year, perhaps as the result of a different approach at the plate. I don't know for sure that he's taking a different approach, but his P/PA is at an all-time high.

2. The Babe Ruth museum near Camden Yards.

3. A cheesesteak in Philly.
4. A slice a pizza in New York (Molly Knight or Bronx Banter boys could recommend a few places)
5. A Smithsonian museum (Space and Air is cool, nothing like seeing planes indoors).
6. Lincoln Memorial.

I will only be spending 1 day in Philly, which should give me just enough time to see the game, eat a cheese steak (or 3), and lick the Liberty Bell.

I was in D.C. in 8th grade, so it will be nice to do the tourist thing there again. NYC should be fun, but everyone tells me I'll be upset I'm only staying 3 days. The only thing I really care about doing though is seeing Yankee Stadium, Statue of Liberty, Gound Zero, and maybe Letterman or Conan. If I do run out of time, it will give me an excuse to go back and check out the new stadiums in the future.

Billingsley will pitch tonight, then the 5th (the 4th is an off day), so he's the Sunday man (the 10th).

It probably won't be Kershaw for the 8th since he'll pitch Friday the 1st.

With the off day on the 4th, the rotation will probably be:

5th - Chad
6th - Lowe (5 days rest)
7th - Kershaw (5 days rest)
8th - Kuroda (5 days rest)

The trade was a disaster!

"- Brad Penny will make a rehabilitation start on Wednesday for Class A Inland Empire, and if all goes well will follow that up with one for Class AAA Las Vegas on Monday. He could return by the Giants series on the next road trip"

Saturday in SF would be normal rest for him.

Okay, thanks folks. Yeah, Penny's the wild card I guess. I'm not sure I want to see Kuroda pitch in San Francisco, the way he's been pitching lately, but it could be Penny instead. So it's just a crapshoot about those two days. I'll just get tix and pray. Kershaw would've been fun but sounds like we won't see him.

Per today's LA Times,

New plan for Penny

Brad Penny's rehabilitation assignment has been shortened from two games to one so that the Dodgers can use Monday's off day to give Penny and Hiroki Kuroda extra rest prior to their scheduled starts next week during a six-game trip.

Penny is slated to pitch for triple-A Las Vegas on Saturday in Oklahoma City before pitching for the Dodgers on five days' rest Friday in San Francisco, with Kuroda pitching on six days' rest the following day.

Manager Joe Torre said he hopes the extra rest will help Kuroda improve the command of his breaking ball, something the right-hander has struggled with over his last four starts.

(No offense to our Oklahomans on this site.)

Since he left the Angels, his magical powers of "doing the little things" has disappeared. He is no longer "a ballplayer."

Shucks!

PS - rumor mill has us looking at Maddux. If it's not going to take much of anything I'd like to see him come back.

http://tinyurl.com/5p3ssy

Noooo, Pittsburgh, bad!

A 3 way wouldn't be surprising though.

If you count tickets sold.

And the Mets are playing.

Sorry - I'm just catching up here - but huh? You want both? Or is this a "then-than" thing?