Baseball Toaster was unplugged on February 4, 2009.
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At least one person asked on another thread why Jeff Weaver might start the season in the rotation ahead of Derek Lowe, or at least why I put Weaver ahead of Lowe. Here's my response:
1) I think it's more customary for a returning pitcher to get the Opening Day start over a new acquisition, unless that new acquisition is phenomenal - like a Randy Johnson.
2) It puts pressure on a new acquisition that maybe he doesn't need right away.
3) Jeff Weaver had a better season than Derek Lowe last year
4) It doesn't matter anyway. They'll all pitch by the second game.
If Lowe just looks like he's ready to roll, sure, give him the Opening Day start. But while Lowe has had some peak moments in his career, he would by no means be the obvious choice to start Opening Day.
* * *
In other topics - sometimes outside consultants hurt more than they help, but this isn't a bad idea for the Dodgers. From Tony Jackson in the Daily News:
Dodgers officials and a local consulting firm downplayed the club's recent hiring of the firm for what is being termed "communications consulting," saying the move has nothing to do with the handling of public relations for the McCourts.
The locally-based firm, Sitrick and Company, offers crisis management among its services, but Allan Mayer, the firm's managing director, said the firm will not be providing it to the Dodgers.
Lon Rosen, the Dodgers chief marketing officer, reiterated that claim, saying, "This is not for crisis management. We just thought it was in our best interests to hire a company like this one to help with strategic communications, both internal and external."
Jackson also has some less-than-sterling reviews of Norihiro Nakamura's swing.
Dodgers hitting coach Tim Wallach said Wednesday he hasn't seen enough of Norihiro Nakamura, who reported to spring training last week, to thoroughly evaluate him as a hitter. Wallach has seen enough, however, to make a rather obvious prediction about the veteran third baseman's swing.
"It'll probably have to be shortened at some point," Wallach said.
Even a blind squirrel finds the nut once in awhile.
Erickson/Jackson looked great today through 7 innings. I think Erickson went 4ip with 5k, 1bb allowing only a solo HR to Ramirez. Jackson had 1k, 4bb but didn't allow a run through 3. Valentin hit a 2-run HR for all the scoring.
at the Times...about the players and coaches grumbling about the three hour bus ride to play
Tampa Bay.
How soon they forget the minor leagues.
Sitrick & Co. generally ONLY does crisis communications, er, issues management. But the fact that they are looking outside the organization is an acknowledgement that, to be blunt, there are no PR professionals in the organization. Steve Brener and Derrick Hall are laughing in their easy chairs right now ...
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