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Recently traded Dodger prospect Chuck Tiffany gave Rich Lederer a terrific, in-depth interview for Baseball Analysts today. Not to re-ignite the debate that became tired in a hurry over the Danys Baez trade, but if you miss Tiffany already, you're only going to miss him more.
Chuck: ... I worked on my changeup a lot last year. My changeup was a weak pitch at one time. In fact, everytime I threw a changeup, it was, pretty much, a home run. The Dodgers brought me to the instructional league to work on my changeup, and I was throwing 80-90% changeups and only five or ten fastballs and two or three curveballs to try and get out of innings. It was probably the best thing that's ever happened because I noticed how much a changeup can work against a batter. I felt really confident when they let me throw all three pitches and now my fastball, curveball, and changeup are all great pitches that I can use. ...
* * *
Smokescreen update: Free-agent catcher Bengie Molina won't become a Dodger unless he swallows a lot of salary pride, which he doesn't seem inclined to do, reports Tony Jackson of the Daily News:
Molina told the Yuma (Ariz.) Sun over the weekend that he will sit out the upcoming season if he doesn't receive the salary he is seeking, which is believed to be in the $6-million range. ...
"I got a pretty good idea of what they were looking for, and it's not something we're inclined to do right now," Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti said Sunday. "We're fine, in my mind, if we open the season with (Dioner) Navarro and (Sandy) Alomar and if we have Russell Martin at Triple-A gaining more experience. That won't bother me one bit."
Alan Nero, Molina's Chicago-based agent, said Sunday he was unaware the Dodgers no longer were interested in his client. Jackson writes that the Dodgers never formally offered Molina a contract.
* * *
What do Derek Jeter and Hee Seop Choi have in common? They're two of the four flag-splashed promotional faces in the full-page ad in the Times for the World Baseball Classic. Choi is primed to follow Tommy Lasorda as goodwill ambassador for the game.
Given the Dodgers' current roster construction, we might not see Choi play in Southern California for a while if Korea doesn't outlast Japan, Chinese Taipei and China to make it out of Pool A.
That is honestly one of the stranger baseball comments I have read in a while. Isn't Begnie Molina supposed to be the kind of character filled, chemistry-inducing, clutch guy who would play for free if it would just help the ballclub? Say it ain't so, Bengie!
Also, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer says the Dodgers and Padres are both interested in Shigetoshi Hasegawa
Molina can't even go to Japan. All their gaijin are in place and the hesitancy about Kenji Jojima catching in MLB would be the same for Molina catching in Japan.
I haven't been able to bring myself to read Tiffany yet, but I probably will at some point.
The Dodger staff is nothing to write home about: Not an ace to be found with these Projected RAR. Only Col/Cin/Philly don't have at least one starting pitcher with an projected RAR above 10. How pathetic is a Dodger stadium rotation that is this average?
O Perez 7.0
Penny 5.3
Lowe 5.0
Tomko -1.9
Seo -3.1
Billingsly 4.5
Broxton 4.9
Osoria 5.2-better in house option then Baez???
Gagne 21.8
Baez 4.3
Yhancy 1.4
Carter -4.2
For those who think DJ Houlton should be our 5th starter he draws a -6.2. He would fit in just fine for Tampa Bay. Looks to me like this team needed starters not relievers.
Who isn't?
Osoria: 0 saves
What else did Flanders need to know?
How to use a straitjacket?
I'm just hoping the McCourts aren't the second coming of Angelos..
see: http://tinyurl.com/cknum
All in all I am glad Molina's salary demands have cooled the Dodger interest in him. I am concerned that they were interested in him in the first place.
Stan from Tacoma
He also might see how the Angels catchers do without him for a month, and come to the rescue May 1 if necessary. I just hope he keeps up with his jogging.
"Thus, the club's interest subsided when it became clear that Molina was looking for more money than the Dodgers - who already have about $86.53 million committed to 19 players - were willing to pay him."
Is he trying to make it seem like McCourt is still McCheap? Or is that all thats invested?
I think Molinas comment about being willing to sit out this year is plain juvenile, not only would he be forfeiting at least 4mil he would also be jeopardizing his future in the sport and a potential increase in FA worth next offseason(Considering he puts up comparable noumbers to last yr).
As for Tiffany,
He seems like a good kid I wish him the best of luck.
DBaez Rules!
According to the article he has not received one offer this winter. The Mets were about to offer him a 3/18 deal when they changed direction and traded for LaDuca. So in Bengie's defense he has not even had an opportunity to turn down an offer yet. At least according to Tony Jackson.
But Colletti said he was expendable;
And Collett is an honourable man.
He hath brought many FA home to Los Angeles. . .
Does this mean he felt held back by the Dodgers? Do other prospects feel the same way?
Tiffany also has an intresting quote about arm angles and how they mean diddly squat.
Tiff could never have played for Jim Tracy.
Chuck's best fastball in his own words is only 82mph...
The U.S. just has to be in the top 2 in Pool B to make it to Anaheim.
And Pool B has the U.S., Mexico, Canada, and South Africa.
South Africa will be lucky to score a run in its three games. Canada's best pitchers likely won't pitch (Harden, Gagne, and Dempster). Mexico's pitchers will be in shape because of the winter leagues.
Maybe now a Dunn trade could get done.
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