Well said Jon. And what's wrong with all of our players getting a little rest during the break? Nomar especially deserves some time off.

The All-Star game is always more fun when you have someone to root for.

LaRoche is back. Protecting Loney at Vegas tonight.

I'm the kind of "fan" who would rather have my players rest for a few days than risk injury in a meaningless exhibition.

I just ate like 100 strawberries. I dont feel so hot.

Re: 5

Erhhhh... Why did you do that, Nate? Some kind of bet?

I have a colleague who remembers bets during his days at the Naval Academy that involved things like drinking pitchers of fat. Since those bets involved plebes, they're now more or less banned, although who knows if that kind of stuff still occurs.

WWSH

Re: 3

So I guess the org thinks that tear wasn't all that serious. I just hope he isn't coming back too early. We'll see how he hits, I guess.

WWSH

Re: 3

BTW, if LaRoche is back, is Aybar playing 2B?

WWSH

Re: 8

Just answered my own question.

I noticed that Osoria's been really struggling. I still remember when it looked like he might stick on the big-league club.

Hanrahan's numbers looked okay. Not great, but okay. It'd be nice if he could regain his prospect status.

WWSH

As somebody who hasn't felt much of a stake in who was on the AS team since I was ten or so, I'm indifferent to which players are selected. That being said, I can see an argument in favor of ballot stuffing from the perspective of the fan if said stuffing is intended to elect ONE position player who is likely to be elected, for strategic purposes. In general, it is probably preferable to have one's team represented by position players or relievers; having a starting pitcher elected is a minor headache. Since each team must be represented, if your favorite team has no obvious all-stars and would likely be represented by a quality starter who might not be selected were it not for compulsory team representation (e.g. Brad Penny), then getting a position player elected could help out the team by aiding in skipping a start by a back of the rotation starter. Had Nomar been elected, then Penny could be ready to go on Thursday the 13th (after seven days rest). Now, he might get pushed to the weekend.

The difference has almost no value to the team, but from a theoretical standpoint I can see why a rabid fan would want to do it.

Of course, voting for Nomar as the 32nd player accomplishes none of this.

5

stawberries rock! I can eat those things like sunflowerseeds.

5

stawberries rock! I can eat those things like sunflowerseeds.

Shocker!

Lofton, CF

Izturis, 3B

Nomar, 1B

Drew, RF

Kent, 2B

Ethier, LF

Furcal, SS

Martin, C

Lowe, P

6

I just had a huge craving for strawberries. They were really good, just too much at one time.

5 I can eat 50 eggs.

I'm sure I say this every time the all star game rolls around but, I have zero interest in it anymore. Let's give our guys three days rest.

13 The shocker of course being that Lowe is batting ninth.

One of my favorite sporting events is on tomorrow; the hot dog eating contest.

One of the greatest lines I've ever heard from an announcer (talking about the winner of the hot dog eating contest last year)
"Kobayashi is the most dominate athlete in any sport in the world today."

17 I love how announcers find ways to impress.

Re: 17

I'm sorry, but I can't watch something like that. Competitive eating is definitely a sport I don't really understand.

Re: 10

That analysis of all-star voting strategy was so rational that we can be certain that virtually no one votes that way.

Since players still value the honor, I think fans should take it seriously, although like Jon, I think ballot stuffing is unnecessary. And if a player doesn't wish to participate, there's ample precedent for that. But it's clear many see it as a big honor, and I think the deserving should be allowed their place in the sun. I think this is even more important for excellent players on awful teams, who probably deserve a change of scenery, if only for one game.

WWSH

I think the whole idea of the fan's voting for the All-Star team is a joke. When I was younger I think the players picked the All-Stars and though they may have let personal prejudices control at times, it wasn't the rediculous popularity contest it is today. I probably haven't watched an All-Star game in 25 years.

Question off topic, supposedly Miguel Tejada is available in a trade wonder if the Dodgers could trade Furcal and a low level prospect and even pay some of Tejada money. This would give the Dodgers the power they are lacking, it doesn't solve the pitching dilema, but we would be far better off and have a cheaper shortstop. Playing Izzy at 3rd would then be not as bad. Remember Frucal is not a 30 home run shortstop

I hate Ozzie Guillen. Is there a harder decision in life than Liriano vs. Hafner in the online vote?

I went for Liriano, considering he's the best pitcher in the AL right now. Of course, Hafner may very well be the best hitter, but he's a DH and all.

cruz's #'s aren't all that great, I'm hoping for a Dodger victory today.

21 - Why would Baltimore do this trade?

14-I thought maybe Brad Penny dared you to do it, Nate.

Man am I glad (if a little bit worried, given recent Dodger history) LaRoche is back in action.

19- you have to see Kobayashi. The guy is incredible. He's about 5'7 130 and he can eat 50+ hot dogs

I'm also a fan of the spelling bee

I haven't watched one minute of the world cup

21

if i were the orioles, I would ask for more then Furcal and a low level prospect.

Re: 24

There are rumors in Baltimore that Tejada was juicing, and the fans think he's been dogging it on the basepaths. This after all the turmoil about his trade requests.

The remaining years on his contract are:

06:$10M, 07:$12M, 08:$13M, 09:$13M

He's 30, so his numbers I think will hold up for at least a few more years. I've heard complaints about his defense this season, but his Rate2 is fine (102).

Sure, if we could get him for a low-level prospect, I'd do it, but I think it'll take more than that, especially with the year Furcal's having. Furcal actually is making more this season and will be making more next year than Tejada, and there's only one more season on Miggy's contract than on Furcal's. It's going to take more than a low-level prospect--probably a good arm I would think.

I think Furcal's numbers will recover, and considering how our rotation looks, trading arms doesn't look very smart to me. We've also got Hu in AA, who might be an option in two seasons or so.

WWSH

21 The Dodgers are scoring runs. They need pitching.

Re: 26

Even with the higher world cup ratings this year, the spelling bee still beat it out, so you're in good company. =)

Watching competitive eating reminds me too much of when I eat too fast and feel queasy from it. It still happens on occasion, but was more common as a teenager. I still remember being able to finish almost an entire medium pizza as a teenager--even the thought of doing that makes me nauseous now. Watching something like Kobayashi scarf down 50 hot dogs would just be too traumatic.

WWSH

30 "...I still remember being able to finish almost an entire medium pizza..."

Wow! Way to make me feel like a fat pig. I eat much more than that on a regular basis. Of course, I truly am a fat pig.

Tejada is one of my favorite players in baseball. That said, he stinks defensively. I can't see him moving over to 3B. I'd rather pay half of Furcal's contract and get a nice prospect in return.

Furcal, $15 million, Baez and a prospect for Brandon McCarthy and Ryan Sweeney

Just saw the Baseball America Hot Prospects e-mail, where Loney's hitting .380. Talk about making a doubter like me look bad. Even in Vegas, that's awfully impressive.

Nomah's career Rate2 at SS is a 98. If he can put together a healthy season, I wonder if we might give him a big contract and gamble on moving him back to SS, while trading Furcal. I think Furcal's numbers will improve enough this season that we can trade him, especially with only two seasons on his contract, and Nomah's bat is wasted at 1B. We could then bring Loney up and have him man 1B. If LaRoche is healthy, we could call him up sometime next season at 3B, with Aybar as the stopgap again. If we keep Izzy, he could also be insurance for Nomah going down.

If we promised Nomah he would be starting SS, I think he might give us a bit of a home-town discount. Maybe 3 ys/24 million, with options and incentives? I think 3 ys/30 mil would be more realistic if Nomah continues to have a strong season--he'll have plenty of takers then, but not everyone might be willing to let him play SS. I know there's been a lot of criticism of his range at SS, but according to Rate2, his only really awful season was 04, when he was suffering from the Achilles problem in Boston. If he's healthy again, I think he might be an average fielding SS.

WWSH

I'm a little surprised the Dbax have stuck with Craig Counsell for this long, when they have Stephen Drew ready in the minor leagues.

when they have Stephen Drew ready in the minor leagues.

Stephen Drew isn't ready. he wasn't even ready for AAA after his terrible AA season.

21 The Dodgers are able to score runs, but their power numbers are low and since there are so few good arms out there, if you could get Tejada and if he wanted to move to 3rd and move Izzy to Short that would be fine. In my mind I would give the Orioles Frucal, pay some of his salary and consider throwing in Aybar if they had a reasonable bullpen arm...I am sure this move won't happen, but Tejada is unhappy according to all reports and having him bat in Drew's place would be great

Lowe looks good, getting his sinker down in the zone

Nice AB for Lowe, battling back after being down 3-0 in the count.

WWSH

Re: 36

Tejada's a premiere slugging SS signed to a reasonable contract. If I was the Orioles, I'd ask for Billingsley in all due honesty.

WWSH

Stephen Drew's line isnt bad for a SS.
.283/.340/.443

It could be better, but to say he wasnt ready for AAA I'd disagree.

In Laroche's first AB back from injury, he swings at the first pitch and singles on a ground ball to left field.

Anyone know why elbert only went 4 today? Are they trying to keep his pitch count low or something worse? He seemed to be doing fine.

Those were two ugly at bats.

I think it's the former--saving his arm. That seems to be a general policy of the org.

WWSH

Nomar's healthy year means having spent only 20% of the current one (to date) on the DL. If Izturis is staying put, maybe it's okay to double down on Nomar. But I wouldn't do it, and I hope Colletti won't. He's not likely to get less injury prone as he gets older.

Is there a team with an outfield defense worse than Arizona's?

41- Are you watching the game? If so, how did he look?

haha.. eric... byrnes.

I tried to scan all the comments without seeing my puzzler. I don't see any change flipping Furc and Izzy in the order, why not Martin and Furc? That would be a different look.

40

Drew is playing in Tucson, which is as much of a hitters haven as LV and possibly even more.

For being touted as a top 5 prospect in all of baseball, hes having a very dissapointing season.

in AA last year, in the southern league, a much tougher environment then the PCL, drew hit .218/.301/.386 in 101ABs. I think AZ aggressively promoted him, thinking he could handle it because of his pedigree. But a sub 800 OPS for a top 5 prospect in baseball is not something to brag about at all.

Re: 45

All fair points, but I have a feeling Ned will want to keep Nomah no matter what, considering his preference for vets. McCourt was also supposed to be quite infatuated with Nomah's tenure on the BoSox. As a local kid, it'd be a great PR move. If we're going to sign him to some substantial contract for all those reasons, I'd rather we gamble and try him at SS, as opposed to keeping Loney in AAA.

Nice to see JD get a RBI.

WWSH

49 I don't get why we did it when Furcal has been pretty decent over the last week.

A decent throw there nails Nomar. Good thing Arizona doesn't have a good RF, but still.

We can hit mediocre pitching.

It figures Cruz might be rusty since he hasnt pitched in a month.

Re: 53

Remember when Green had a great arm?

Nice to see Ethier bounce back from yesterday.

WWSH

This just in - the Dodgers can hit.

34, 35

Regarding Stephen Drew: I second Nate's remarks. Drew is in just his second professional season. It's a very hard sport, and Drew's not immune to its difficulties.

In June, he batted .224 with one home run and 10 walks in 107 at-bats. Accounting for ballpark factors at Tucson and other PCL parks, and the impressive Sidewinders lineup, that's an awful month. Defensively, he struggled as well.

Setting aside the mainstream numbers, there are the peripherals. Drew runs fairly well but needs to improve his baserunning, and that's beyond his 2-for-5 on steals. He's also learning how to play SS with better technique. While at Florida State, he disagreed with some of the defensive methods taught him.

Arizona is doing the prudent thing here. Let Drew build a foundation to his game. Just getting through one full professional season, which he has never done, is an invaluable part of the process. And a very difficult one for any everyday player, let alone for a SS who is manning a high-profile spot in the lineup.

Arizona might have the worst 1st inning ERA in all of the major leagues. I remember when the lost their 16 of 18 and it seemed like they were behind in the 1st of most every game.

are you kidding furcal?

Re: 60

I really think he'll come around. I think he'll have a strong 2nd half.

WWSH

Well, I guess I can't knock a lineup thats working even though for all that action only three runs.

Furcal applauds the Dodgers' effort. Unfortunately, while he did that, Juan Cruz managed to throw 3 strikes.

AT least we get the pitcher out of the way.

WWSH

I'm all for thinking outside the box, but putting Nomar at SS would be a colossal mistake. Besides being unfair to Nomar, beside being a position where he is subpar because of erratic throwing, it increases his risk of injury.

Decent AB for Lowe, whatever the outcome.

WWSH

Jeez, that was kind of viscious the way Vin said "you cant hide'em!"

60--

Furcal's offense should pick up.

But his defense will remain a problem (and I believe that gets underplayed even still).

His fundamentals are poor. Always have been, but his peak-years athleticism allowed him to mostly offset it.

Definition of an uneasy feeling: looking up Juan Cruz's retrosheet matchup list, and finding that Izzy was 4/10 and Lofton 4/7 coming in to this game, and wondering if that explains the lineup.

Last thought on Stephen Drew. I still don't think hes going to end up being a big league shortstop. The dbacks will probably give him all the chance in the world to be one but hes going to end up at 2b eventually.

Even with Furcal in th 7 spot, the impressive combo of Lofton/Furcal both manage to strike out in the same inning.

Two strike hits from Izzy, Drew, and Ethier, and 34 pitches from Juan Cruz in the first. Cesar's first extra base hit of the year too.

I like Juan Cruz. The A's gave up on him too early. He has a great arm, but he's an inconsistent pitcher. He has some nasty stuff, but his command isn't always good. I think he may be better suited to pitch in relief because of his small frame.

Luis Gonzalez has a .420 SLG. He needs to go back on the HGH.

If Lowe can hold this lead for two innings, he should be OK.

73 Yeah--like Pedro :.)

Vinny on an old friend's making the all-star team, "Paul LoDuca made it, and, let's face it, it is a popularity contest. . ."

why cant lofton try to catch the ball like a normal outfielder?

73-

Be thankful your livelihood doesn't depend on Juan Cruz. Behind him is a trail of broken-hearted GMs, scouts, managers and teammates. He'll tease you then make you crazy for liking him, whether as a reliever or starter.

LOL! Can we please get him out of the lineup.

They better give him an error for that one.

I was just thinking about how the dodgers are second to the Mets in runs scored as a team, in between the Rangers and Tigers in the AL. It's kind of a cool feat, that'd be the 7th best offense in AL, batting with essentially 8 guys. Were we that hot early on, or does it just not feel as good because our starting pitching has been so inconsistent?

70

Interesting call on Drew. I wouldn't go quite that far, but the demands of shortstop tend to get underestimate in these projections for greatness. As Furcal can attest, it's a relentlessly difficult position.

I'd like to think you guys jinxed Kenny when he came here! But...
In regard to my post 75... If wishes were horses, we would all carry umbrellas...no thats not it darn it...

Lofton should play CF with his back up against the wall and only come in on hits.

Weird score
Pirates 11, Mets 1

Also, the Twins had Santana start, and they're losing to the Royals. How does that happen?

Jesus Furcal..even Martins getting messed up here.

The great thing about Lofton is he showing Furcal how not to play CF. Should help Furcal's transition down the road.

K Loft chases ball 4. That selfish.....

We need to keep hitting the ball to Eric Brynes just for the pure comedic value of watching him try to catch the ball.

87 C'mon guys, I know we like to dream here but I can guarantee that at the end of the year, Lofton will be in CF and Furcal will be a SS.

I hate Eric Brynes.

[89] At least he succeeds every so often. We have Lofton who would have better luck pulling a Sanchez.

Hasselhoff Update: E! Online is reporting that perhaps it wasn't a chandelier that he hit his head on while shaving. It might have been a glass shelf. Doesn't explain the force one would assume would be necessary to do any tendon severing, but, at least it means he probably wasn't hopping up and down.

http://tinyurl.com/lphes

I am growing tired of Furcal and Lofton.

I am surprised that Furcal didn't throw that one away. LOL

Izzy and Furcal were slacking. Ground ball to left?

I feel forebodings. We have let Cruz get his legs, and Lowe doesn't seem inclined to help himself. Ahhh- he got out of the inning. I hope I'm wrong

Hundreds of antique German chandeliers have been saved from ritual destruction.

Non Productive Out by Kent

OUTDATE- Ethier can hit.

Well Weaver the younger is doing the job, 4 innings, 2 hits, 6 strikeouts and no walks.

King Felix is doing so bad, the score is 1-0 at the end of 4.

*Update

K Loft=Tom Goodwin

103- Good observation.

What was KLoft doing swinging 2-0 with the bases juiced, after Cruz had just walked the pitcher?

It's awesome that once again Little has shown his willingness to buck conventionality and moved Furcal to the 7 spot. But why Lofton and Izturis in the 1 and 2 holes? Ethier has a much higher OBP than both of them. Martin has a higher OPS than both of them (I still haven't figured out what Little's strategy is keeping him in the 8 hole). Wouldn't we want guys with higher OPSs to get more at bats? Or is it that important that guys who can steal are at the top at the order?

59, meet June 2006's Phillies...ugh...

Hmm, and I wonder why ESPN kept showing live cutaways to Jose Canseco's at bats but there is no mention of him anywhere near MLB.com...interesting...

And Steve, how did that Kazmir guy do tonight?

Cruz has been hanging around Byrnes too much, he's picked up a case of being out of his mind.

I guess the book on Nomar is if he doesn't hit the first pitch, nail him.

Oops, Cruz is gone. Must have missed his getting pulled, while I was out.

Eric Byrnes as a Navy Seal is a very scary thought.

Wouldn't we want guys with higher OPSs to get more at bats? Or is it that important that guys who can steal are at the top at the order?

The better managers put the guys with higher ops at the top, and we have yet to have a manager who has done that since i have had internet access to stats.
Meaning i don't know if lasorda did it, or anyone before him.

Little was quoted as saying that the stats he looks at first when assessing a batter are OBP and SLG. I guess that doesn't apply to the 1 and 2 batters (not to mention the #8).

Looks like the bullpen will need throw some good innings tonite.
Lowe's thrown 96 pitches through 5ip.

Luis Gonzales looks completely done as a ball player.

Branch Rickey used statistics so you would think that Leo Durocher did too. Bob and Jon should be able to answer this question.

Luis Gonzalez Lofton'd that ball. He draws an error.

K Loft gets off based on his defensive reputation.

115 - Almost all managers use "statistics." It's a question of which ones they prefer the most. Some (most? all?) of today's managers would prefer a guy hitting .300/.330/.375 at leadoff instead of somebody hitting .260/.355/.400. Me? Not so much.

They should take Martin out right now and x-ray that hand. What's the point of carrying six catchers if you leave him in after that?

Its one thing to have a lineup with Hall of Famers at second, shortstop, catcher and centerfielder, solid production from 1B and RF and average to good guys at 3B and LF, you don't really need to look at stats to put together that team.

Casey Stengal is credited with being one of the first to use a platoon system, at least that is the legend maybe Bob can fill in the details.

I'd be surprised if anything but batting average was considered in regards to statistical analysis.

Also, as much as I like Shawn Green, as much as I hate people who boo him, I hope he takes one off the ear flap next inning.

Ethier should have gotten a hit, not an error on gonzo.

Hmm... A quick look at team stats reminds me... How the -bleep- does Jose Cruz Jr. have such a solid OBP and such a low BA?

Seriously, are pitchers really that afraid of a guy who is currently slugging 7 percentage points higher than his on-base average?

118 - What's the point of carrying six catchers if you leave him in after that?

Team leadership and a steadying veteran presence (permanently) on the bench? =P

Hey, an RBI for Cesar! Good for him. Over-under on how many ABs until the next one? (or am I talking to myself here...)

120 - Wha' happened? (What did Green do to deserve a plunking?) I'm neither watching nor Gamedaying.

106 - Why Martin in the #8 spot? Clearly, this is Little's way of getting Martin some rest... by keeping his season AB totals down. Catcher's gotta keep fresh legs, you know. Getting on base in the first inning? Can't have that.

117- obviously. I meant things like OBP. Branch Rickey was one of the first people to realize that batting average is overrated and that a player's OBP is more important.

Jered Weaver is entering Fernandomania territory, now Fernando did throw 5 complete games with only 1 run given up so he did not quite do that and Fernando won 3 more games in a row but in 33 innings he has an ERA of just over 1, a ridiculous K/BB ratio of 31/5 and has now has a chance to go 5-0 in his first 5 starts.

Nomar, giving himself up for a basehit for Kent.

125- Green's the next D'back to bat. Nomar's been HBP twice, and then Martin got hit on the hand. There's a message that needs sending.

127 - After which the ownership of the Angels will immediately send him back to AAA for more seasoning, bringing Scott Erickson out of retirement as their newest addition to the rotation.

126 - Ah. Point taken.

128- that ball was hit right to Counsell. It's unfortunate that Kent will get a hit for that.

If they are going hit someone, I am guessing it will be later on in the game.

This is the slowest game of the season.
Its 2.5 hours old and only in the 6th.

134
when it's slow in our favor, I'll take it :)

And the Ox comes in after only 5 by Lowe. Anybody else here feel that they should have tried to let him finish 6, with a 6-run lead?

Not like that bullpen particularly needs more work IMHO.

136- Its against the rules to stay in the game after you are pinch hit for.

136 He was hit for in the bottom of the 5th so they wouldn't have the 6 run lead if that did not happen.

Should be a chance for OP to throw some innings.

136 Lowe's been having to throw a lot of pitches lately. Don't want to burn him out. This would be a good time for Seo if they still had him. (but they don't do to an atrocious trade)

Oh, and how are Lowe's runs earned. Lofton made a terrible read, got to the ball anyway, and made a clean drop of it.

Grtis needs to bring in Kuo or Baez to hit Chad Tracy.

137/138 - The question assumes he's not pinch-hit for (though I kinda have been tuning in and out of the game, didn't notice the 9 was up in the bottom of the 5th... I guess makes more sense if you'd have to wait for his spot to come up again for another couple of innings).

If Andre Ethier was a Tampa native, then I guarantee you Carl Crawford would be a Dodger right now.

Two good things about Baez going headhunting:

1) He gets tossed immediately.

2) He might hit Shawn Green or Chad Tracy.

I agree that in an 8-2 game, if you are carrying 3 catchers and one of them has gotten hit, that it might be best to replace him.

144-
3. He gets suspended/fined

Unrelaed Question - Any word in the LA papers about how long we are going to carry three catchers ? I am assuming if/when the time Alomar would be the one to go.

Grittle should let Broxton pitch 1 inning and save him for tomorrow. If we can't use Baez in an 8-2 game what good is he?

147- I forgot that I don't play for the Dodgers. How long are THEY going with 3 catchers.

Broxton is throwing real hard tonight. He has hit 99 several times if the radar gun is right.

Broxton plunked Conor Jackson.

Broxton established himself as wild so he could set up that HBP :)

Beimel looks as though he got creative with the razor this morning. It's also possible that he's become one of Sal's Pals.

152- The whole season has been prelude to his beaning the thread out of one of Jackson's buttons. I love it.

Broxton had last pitched on Friday and threw only 14 pitches and he has not pitched much at all, its probable that you will see Baez and maybe Saito only because Saito has not pitched much in the last couple of weeks.

Broxton gets out of it.
I still feel its Broxton " Oh yeah, I'd rather hang up here with the guys than go down and learn to start"

152- that was one of the weakest hit batters I've ever seen. I didn't even see it graze the jersey

Time to bring in Baez.

146 A suspension is just a few fewer games the Dodgers have to pay his salary for. :]

Oh Jeez I hate to say it, but Cruz looked out.

Dodger fans:
Before Baez appears :)
While Baez is pitching :/
After Baez is done pitching :'(

When the brawl starts, it'll be interesting to see which Dodger goes after Byrnes. They should start drawing straws, right now.

Arizona is incompetent.

dang Miltie, I only saw the hit batter text on Gameday. I had visions of Jackson crying, blood trickling, and future fueds being established.

The Ump must be a fan of the World Cup officiating.

I think the Gameday stringer is drunk. This is the slowest its ever been.

God, Ari is having the kind of night we have been having. Maybe our luck is turning.
Did we get an honest hit yet this inning.
Oh--poor Nomar. Beam him up!

The guy who hits Nomar for the third time in one game is going to get thrown out. No matter what. I have no problem with that rule.

Today's notes says that both Ledee and Repko are due to start rehab assignments and they should be back sometime after the All-Star break.

The guess work would say that even though Grady likes Kemp, he might be better off in AAA otherwise it could be DFA time for Cruz (this is my guess), I expect long rehab assignments for both Ledee (he will be in Jacksonville) and Repko (He can't start in Vegas until after the All-Star Break)

Old Maid is terrible. I would have used Lucille.

Who's the last Dodger player to get hit 3 times in one game?

I'm glad the D-Backs save Medders for key middle relief appearances like this one.

[167] But Nomar wasn't hit and it took the ump way to long in my opinion to make the call. I'm not complaining about the rule or the call as it stands, just seemed a little shoddy.

Come on Kuo, please pitch without walking anyone tonight.

I was reading another board and someone suggested the Dodgers bring in Odalis Perez to hit Shawn Green, since OP doesnt like him to begin with.

That would make this game interesting.

172- He wasn't hit? I didn't see it, but I figured it was just a bad camera angle. It was ruled a HPB, right? You think the ump didn't think he got hit, just wanted to award him the base?

I like the Bennie Hill theme for these guys tonight. Has that been heard often at Dodger stadium.

AZ has made 5 errors (they took Gonzo's away), and hit 4 batters in 7 innings.

177
As a wise man once said, "Arizona is incompetent."

[175] On TV it certainly didn't seem as if Nomar thought he was hit and it took until the guy on third was a few steps from home for the ump to throw out the pitcher. If the ump saw something he should have signaled well before everyone moved up on the apparent "wild pitch." The situation reminded me of WC officiating where it often seems like the refs hesitate and end up being swayed by secondary factors before giving their judgment.

If Nomar is hit in the 1st inning of tomorrow nite's game, will they brawl?

We must be reaching toward some record for men left on Base.
I think Kuo may have to repeat Babe Ruth.

Holy cow. Poor people w/Gameday tonight. Kuo is just coming in now. They must be 20 pitches behind.
Man di Martin read that off-speed pitch!

Another voice joins the Unlucky Odalis chorus: http://tinyurl.com/n5rtl

Don't you kind of have to love any metric which puts Sidney Ponson's proper ERA at 5.54? Sele also gets pegged as very lucky.

Does Andre Ethier personally know the official scorer?

He's been given hits on now two retracted errors.

Don't give up on this game yet---unfortunately!

Sigh, dog bless Kuo but isn't it about time for him to visit Vegas again for awhile? I've tried to be patient but's just a walk-and-hit-(and occasionally blowing someone away)-parade with him. Oh well, I guess it still beats Carter...

That cameraman should be fired.

An interesting article on a fellow we discussed the other day:

http://tinyurl.com/s7nc3

TINSTAAPP

And are they leaving Kuo in!! Lord. Well at least if he gets better it will show hes's not suited for relief.

Vins trying to jinx us!

It seemed clear from the replay that Nomar was hit a third time, in the leg. Vin kept saying the ball was thrown behind Nomar, but I think it kicked off Nomar's leg, and I don't think Vin saw that (right away, anyway). I didn't think there was any doubt about what the umpire was calling. It's not like you get awarded first base on ball one.

I'm not sure what he is suited for right now. Again, sigh

Whew. Ghame-uover. Night everyone and have a happy 4th!

Hong-Kon Kou has managed to keep from being type-cast as a pitcher, but the D's had at least 12 men stranded. Anyone on either team should not be proud to have been in this game.

Apologies if this has been brought up already, but I thought Dayn Perry actually wrote something worth reading for once. Look for the paragraph below the picture of the Padres celebrating.

http://tinyurl.com/euz92

I get the impression that Alderson and Towers are not the best of friends. Which is great, because I consider Towers to be a genuine something-I-can't-say-on-this-fine-site.

Kudos to Ethier-- the definitive hero of the revised and amended official score.

195 I like it. "As well, the L.A. print media — led by the utterly hapless Bill Plaschke — delighted in blistering DePodesta for his every move. This reached its pathetic nadir when Plaschke criticized DePodesta for not re-signing Adrian Beltre well after Beltre had proved to be one of the worst free-agent signings in recent history."

174- isn't the point of hitting a player to send a message. An 80 MPH does not send a message.

*fastball

Make that a slowball

Bad gags sink blogs :)

The replay did indeed look more conclusive and Arizona's red card was well deserved.

Towers doesnt mince words:
"The rumors are out there, and one of the challenges has been keeping my underlings focused," he says. "They're wondering if my replacement has just been hired and what that means for them."

But Towers also gets a little defensive:

"If there's a major negative with the move," says Towers, "it's the timing. We're getting prepared for the (trade) deadline, and it's a hectic time right now."

Then further plants the seeds, for when he's pleading with Alderson to keep him on the job:

"He's not in a position that requires him to deal with people as much. That's one of the hardest parts of being a GM. Paul had never run a department before he became a GM, and I think that part of the job took him by surprise."

I'm still flustered why they keep trotting out the "deals with people" stuff. The GM's job is to acquire players and manage payroll. All the other fluff, well Towers can try it on Sandy Alderson, but I think Alderson will see right through it.

201 That last quote reminds me of Tom's meeting with the Bobs in Office Space. "I have people skills!"

That was actually in reference to 203

203 I think as more and more teams are run by business people, there is a certain sense that their executives, no matter what their expertise is in, needs to be able to communicate within the organization.
If this issue of Depo having problems communicating with people was a one time thing, maybe you could let it go but its one thing to report to one person, its another to be on top of an entire player personnel organization where no matter if the end result is to acquire players, he still has to work with his scouting department, player development people and also be the point person on all dealings with other teams.

In the end though, he did bring his people (Roy Smith) but because he was unable to replace Jim Tracy early enough to work with his own manager, the players he brought over were never put in positions to suceed.

But there were too many stories of missed phone calls, lack of communication and the inability to pull off the big deal (Randy Johnson) that if he had done that, he would still be here.

It will be hard to put in perspective the Depo era but I'm happy he found he place to restart his career.

203- Towers is an idiot. I hope the Padres give him a contract extension.

"I can handle things! I'm smart! Not like everybody says... like dumb... I'm smart and I want respect!"

---Kevin Towers, 2006

Is there a team with an outfield defense worse than Arizona's

Not to bag on Kenny too much, but is there a worse defensive CF?

209 I'd say Byrnes is worse. Lofton may not have any clue where the ball will land, but at least he doesn't try to dive for balls he has no hope of catching.

210- K Loft's rate2 is lower than Byrnes'. I don't like rate2 anymore, because it makes Jeff Kent look like a gold glover. I'd say that Byrnes and Lofton are equally bad defensively. Lofton leaps for balls hit right at him, while Byrnes dives for them. Both players routinely misjudge flyballs. The difference is that Byrnes can actually hit.

I am going to absolutely get crushed by my fellow statheads, but I don't think rate2 is any more valuable than fielding %, rate, or range factor. Fielding is probably the only thing in baseball that I measure by pure observation. Perhaps, if you factor in rate, rate2, range factor, and fielding %, you can get some measure of a player's defense, but, as others have stated, fielding is the final frontier of baseball analysis.

212 It is, at the very least, more valuable than fielding percentage, which only measures how well you can catch balls hit directly at you.

213 I agree with you completely. I just don't think adequate metrics have been developed to quantify the value of defense. So I tend to base my own opinion (just my own) on observation. Again, it's just my opinion. It's not great science, but I don't trust the current metrics.

I do not know what to think. I want DePo to succeed but the Padres to fail... how does that work?

Went to the game tonight. Good game but too loooong. Lowe pitched well enough to get past D'Backs but that was about it. A better team would have spanked him. Nomar looked frustrated after the third plunk (who could blame him?) Green (3-4) always seems to show up against the Dodgers. (daughter happy). Nice crowd for a Monday night. Everyone around us nicely behaved. Beautiful night, light traffic, Dodgers win. What more could you ask for?

209. It must be a pride thing with Lofton. I dont know why he cant play LF. He has no arm, so he'd be best used in LF.

Drew/Kemp should play CF every nite.
Ethier/Drew/Cruz/Kemp can play RF.
Ethier/Cruz/Lofton can play LF.

Beautiful night, light traffic, Dodgers win. What more could you ask for?

If you are Jon, you could ask for a Benson marathon on TV land, and get it!

If you thought the Furcal experiment was going to last long, it didn't, he will be back hitting leadoff on Tuesday night. If Kenny is out, maybe we will see Russell Martin batting second.

If I'd known that LAT and his daughter were in attendance, I absolutely would not have advocated Green's beaning. I officially retract that wish. But I still hope there'll be a bench clearing, or two, during this series. And, where ever he is, Repko should be on the bench tomorrow. He's got Byrnes.

Nomar should have Mia to come down as backup. She looks like she could take on a few Diamondbacks.

221 Sorry, Mia needs to get busy showing Landon Donovan and DeMarcus Beasley how to score goals.

GM Nate Purcell here. just letting you guys know that the Dodgers have entered into SERIOUS negotiations to acquire the smoothest player in the majors, Sal Fasano.

223 Trust me, Nate, we all knew it was a matter of time...

"Objectivity is imperative when assessing your talent."

---Billy Beane

224 Damn, Paramount. "Objectivity is paramount when assessing your talent." In any event, you've lost it...Objectivity, that is...LOL.

I offered Andre Ethier for Fasano. LOLzzz.

Oh come on, you'd be the last guy to trade Outfielder 3.5 for anybody, even Smooth Sal. I mean, that's your guy. If you give up on 3.5, what else do I have to believe in?

227

you're right i bluffed. you sniffed it out.

3.5 is my man hes not going anywhere. I traded JtD away because I believed in 3.5 that much.

what a grat nickname Greg. 3.5 is awesome.

Thanks. One of my few great accomplishments. That, and I named UCLA quarterback Ben Olsen "Southpaw Jesus." That's pretty much the peak of my life, nicknaming other people.

hot dog eating contest tomorrow at 9 am on espn/espn2.

Even I'm getting up early for it!

930 is too early. I woke up at 1pm today.

I'm sure Jon will post something today, but I just want to send out a very hearty 4th of July blessing to all of you. No matter our political persuasion, we are very blessed.

Sometimes people call me an idealist. Well, that is the way I know I am an American. America is the only idealistic nation in the world. ~Woodrow Wilson

I usually get up between 11-1, but this sporting event is right up there with the spelling bee. I might go back to bed after it's over.

Nomar get's hit 3 times & WE DO NOTHING ABOUT IT! I was at a sports bar when all this was happening & believe me I was yelling from the top of my lungs what's going on!!!?? I can't believe our pitching staff!

234.

Broxton hit a batter.

It's not great science, but I don't trust the current metrics.

Of course, it doesn't take much to see what awful defense Lofton plays.

234 - We were up by six. The game was safe from Danys Baez. No need to get them all excited or anything.

237. Have we established that a 6 run lead is Danys-proof? Cause we know 5 runs is not.

What are the odds Izzy's in the lineup again tonight?

What are the odds Izzy's in the lineup again tonight?<<

Unless it's a lefty, I'd say about 100% :(.

I'm to the point that the only reason I bother watching Dodger baseball is to see if Izzy can actually get a hit.

and kobayashi wins again. that guy is amazing.

242. Yes, but could he drink a gollon of milk without barfing.

I'm kinda surprised there hasn't been a milk-drinking contest.

i should try the milk thing sometime. it's just a gallon in an hour, right?

245
I think so. A friend of mine tried it once. The first 75-80% of the gallon went in about 10-15 minutes. He wasn't able to finish, and paid a heavy price afterward.

Kobiyashi = Bondsian performance today!

...and btw, what other country would hold a hot dog eating contest in the morning and launch seven people into space in the afternoon? Gotta love America today!

I might be wrong but I would have busted a Drysdale on 'um. JMO

I believe milk has too much acid and fat to consume that much in one sitting. You could drink a gallon of water, but unless you're really dehydrated, even that would be tough. The human bladder can only hold about a pint of liquid before you have to go.

Late comment, but I hope Kevin Towers stays the Padres' GM forever.

[246] heavy price? please elaborate.

251

I'm kind of wondering that my self?

247. ...and btw, what other country would hold a hot dog eating contest in the morning and launch seven people into space in the afternoon? Gotta love America today!

That is absolutly hilarious. das, I am going to use that today at a couple of parties (and I am going to take full credit) :-)

251
heavy price? please elaborate.

Well, I wasn't around to witness any of it, but he evidently spent quite a bit of unpleasant time in the restroom. I'm not sure which end{s} were involved, but it may very well have been both...

just read a report that said the Dodgers were "kicking their tires" and may acquire bullpen help this week.

if we trade more prospects for relief Im going to stab myself. Getting rid of Izzy for a reliever on the other hand....

I could see Izzy with guys like xavier paul and mike megrew in a deal

Trade Izzy? They can't do that.

253 - Hilarious? I was 100% serious LAT but go ahead and use away!

FYI Nate's favorite catcher (Fasano )was DL'ed today, and everyone else here's favorite catcher (Piazza) almost became one with the CBP dugout fence trying to catch a foul ball just now, literally one pitch before the downpour started. This day just keeps getting better and better!

hey das, can you link me to that journey video again? thanks.

you guys will love me, I am about 98% done trading Baez and Lofton.

das, I know you were serious its just the contrast bewteen the two events that makes it so great and so funny at the same time.

Duaner Sanchez just notched a win for the Mets. He would be a nice reliver to have in the Dodger pen. Didn't we once have a guy with a similiar name?

Oh, we traded him away. What did we get in return?

Jae Seo?

That can't be right. He plays for Tampa Bay.

Oh, so we got nothing for Duaner. Nice work Ned.

we traded Shawn Green, Duaner Sanchez and Steve Schmoll for Mark Hendrickson and Toby Hall.

Yay!

Boston traded Arroyo for Willy No Play Pena, beloved Billy Beane traded Hudson for Juan Cruz, Charles Thomas and some other guy whose not there.

I wasn't a big fan of the Duaner deal but I understood the logic of it and again, a lot of that was based on having Brazoban and Gagne.

I like the give and take here but it just seems that at some point you have got to move on.

264 y'know, that's a good point - I keep forgetting that Brazoban went out for the year at the beginning of the season. Of course, having Yhency and Duaner would have been best, but I too understood the logic of that trade. The Dodgers needed another starter. Mets fans were actually very upset at that trade when it went down. Now they aren't. Looks like a mistake now but at the time I understood it. I still think the Dodgers could find more relief help in their own system, rather than trading away prospects for relief help. (If they trade someone like Jose Cruz for relief help that's another matter...) But there are people in the system who could, like Broxton, get a try in the bullpen.

264I thought Brazoban sucks.

He does now! ;-) No, he kind of was sucking before he got hurt, too, you're right, but he has a lot of talent and probably still would've helped us if he'd stayed healthy.

I think Arroyo for Pena will work out for the Red Sox in the end. Pena's alot younger than Arroyo is.

The Dodgers have a guy putting up ok numbers in Las Vegas who has been a serviceable reliever for them 4 of the last 5 years. Yet, for some reason, Kuo is on the major league club.

Can somebody explain why the Dodgers decide to put a guy on the major league roster who can't hit the side of a barn door? I know he gets some K's, but whenever there is contact, the ball is rocketed off of him. The fact that he's better than Carter doesn't mean he belongs anywhere near a major league roster.

Kuo has more upside than Hamulack, Carter, or Gio Carrara.

Greg Miller is a possibility, although he walks a ton.

Mark Alexander would seem like the most logical choice, but the Dodgers wont bring him up.

Of course, the best solution may be to just carry 11 pitchers, and bring Aybar back. Thats what I'd do.

269. If you are talking about Gio Carrara, he's garbage.

Been there, done that.

271 I'd try to make a deal for Weaver (maybe take on $1 mil of the $4 mil left and throw in a PTBNL) and send down Kuo.

259 - Sure, sorry bout the delay though, I was watching the pigeon walking around the field at CBP... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwGdXZ6o2xs

261 - Agreed, and that's what it's all about.

Ack, did I just screw up the page width???

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwGdXZ6o2xs

^ better?

271 We are already at 11 pitchers (Penny, Lowe, Sele, Hendrickson, Billingsley in the rotation, Odalis, Baez, Beimel, Kuo, Broxton, and Saito in the pen). Toby Hall is our 25th man currently (he replaced Tomko, reducing the number of pitchers).

271

i agree. how about uhh 2 catchers instead of 3?

The fact that Gio Carrera is a phone call away from Dodger Stadium troubles my sleep.

If Toby Hall can play 3B, and Martin started out as a 3B, who's to say Aybar wouldn't make a totally awesome backup catcher?

There is no one on the 40 man roster that should be put off for Gio's addition to the roster.

278. Be scared cuz according to Inside the Dodgers Gio is back, Kuo is down, and Ledee goes on the 60 day DL to make room on the roster. Though Ledee is starting a rehab assignment shortly.

281 HAHA

Looks like I picked the wrong day to give up barbiturates.

Lofton in center again tonight. Brilliant.

282. I only WISH it was a joke. I don't know why we couldnt try bringing up Mark Alexander from AA. He has been lights out down there and he is older.

Another decent choice might be TJ Nall. He was a closer in AA a few years ago and he has pitched very well in Jax after a disasterous last year in AAA.

This is not a drill! Gio is back on the roster. Furry is back to batting lead-off. Martin bats after Izzy.

287. Why would we bring Furcal BACK to the leadoff spot? He has done nothing to deserve batting leadoff again for this club. Let him get some confidence in the 7 hole for a while. I think Grady gave in to Raffy on this one.

Reed Johnson has been HBP 3x in two different games this year? He must have quite a mouth on him.

This is not a drill! Gio is back on the roster

This is an actual emergency.

I've alerted the proper authorities.

Wow. I suggest the Dodgers bring up Gio and they quickly do. Now if only I could say "aquire Weaver and DFA Carter" and have it done for me...

Or just DFA Carter. Why he is still on the 40 makes no sense. Basically any professional or Div. I pitcher can outpitch Carter. I know I shouldn't hate anybody, but Lance Carter makes it so hard.

If you had Aladdin's lamp, would you ask for a cheese sandwich?

When Ledee and Repko come back we can all rest assured that Lance Carter will be DFA'd. Regardless of any other acquisitions I will guarantee he won't make it through the season on the 40 man roster.

293, 295 - wouldn't that just be an ouright release, since he's already with a minor league club?

If you had Aladdin's lamp, would you ask for a cheese sandwich?

297 -

Sorry, never finished my thought. Wanted to say, Andrew, that if DT had an award for one-liners, this would be this season's winner.

Carrara takes over the #1 spot, previously held by Kenny Lofton of my most despised current Dodgers players.

#1. Gio Carrara
#2. Kenny Lofton
#3. Cesar Izturis

296 I don't care. I just want him gone, never to wear a Dodger uniform again, ever. Places I would like to see him: San Francisco, San Deigo, Colorado, Arizonia.

And the next time I see Kuo, he better know where the strikezone is.

299 -

Why would you despise those 3 more than Odallis, who has been completely worthless?

1) Gio hasn't cost us any games yet this year

2) Lofton has actually done some good stuff at the same time he's been dropping fly balls

3) Izzy is fielding like a gold glover even though he isn't hitting

Refer back to OP. That's the guy you want to send packing first.

I felt the inside the dodgers enthusiasm for Gio needed tempering so I added my 2 cents.

Navarro having a great game in Tampa Bay today. 3 for 4 with 2 RBI's with 2 runs scored. Plus the D-Rays are creaming the Sox 9-3, so perhaps he is calling a good game too? Sigh. Why on earth did we do this trade?

Izzy, Lofton, and Carrara are taking the roster spots/playing time of more deserving players. Thats why I dont like them.

Odalis, while certainly he hasnt performed up to expectations, is not taking the roster spot/playing time of someone more deserving.

Navarro has already increased his caught stealing percentage by infinity percent, throwing out three of four in Tampa.

304 - Ned Colletti should not be your stock broker. Navarro was going to be traded, but we could have gotten a more useful major leaguer. I think it was to get rid of Seo, which is as close to admitting his mistakes as Colletti will get.

I would guess that the Grittle version of Carrara will be far less absurd than the Tracy version. That's what is happening with izturis at any rate.

Ned Colletti should not be your stock broker.

I'd caution Ned to not make trades with former stock brokers, like the Rays' Andrew Friedman.

I felt the inside the dodgers enthusiasm for Gio needed tempering so I added my 2 cents.

mleadman...?

That's what is happening with izturis at any rate.

Izzy's hitting in front of Russ Martin.
Izzy is playing in place of Aybar/Saenz at 3rd base.
On the absurdity level, I think they are close. Sure Tracy batted Izzy leadoff all year, and thats hard to beat. But ever since Izzy has come back, I've noticed the once seemingly large difference between Tracy and Grits, has begun to dwindle.

Everybody knew trading Navarro for Hendrickson was a horrible trade. I haven't seen one article suggesting otherwise.

Anyway, join the 'Release Lance Carter' group. http://groups.myspace.com/releaselancecarter

312. You must not read Buster Olney.

312

dude I swear I LOL'ED HAHAHAHAHA!! OH MAN!!

Swarm, Swarm, Swarm!

What a bunch of bloggers. The guy reached out to the DT community, and now we're gnawing on his ankles. Poor flack. Even Donnie Brasco is giving him a hard time.

I wish somebody took a pic of me falling down, at Dodger Stadium on our DT get together.

I totally agree with joeyp.
Drew, kemp, ethier should start in the outfield everyday except of course the every once in a while day off, and aybar/saenz platoon everyday at 3b.
Lofton is my #1 hated.
Izturis is my #2 hated.
Both are slappies and both are blocking prospects from either being on the team (izturis blocking aybar from the team) or blocking prospects from starting (lofton blocking either kemp or ethier from starting)

Now carrara, altho i think he's totally worthless, he's only blocking kuo, who in my opinion could use some time in the minors, and should be used frequently while he's down there to make sure he gets his stuff fixed.
There's nothing worse then sending a promising guy down and barely using him, therefore stifling his progress.
Yes you gotta be carefull with kuo because of his injuries but still.......

311 -

Izzy is playing because they plan to trade him. Patience man, patience.

Let's see who our 3rd baseman is on Aug 1st.

Give me no quarter, tell me no lies. Flacking for the Hendrickson trade is unseemly even for a professional.

317 -

What's with all this hatred? Can't we just like some guys a lot less than others :)

What's with all this hatred? Can't we just like some guys a lot less than others :)

OK i'll try.

321 -

Boy you give in real easy. Must be the spirit of the 4th!

By the way, MartinB, am I correct that you chose your name when both those guys were still in the minors? Are you planning a name change anytime soon?

Boy you give in real easy. Must be the spirit of the 4th!

LOL
I think it is, because there has been bigtime hatred from me to those 2 guys.

By the way, MartinB, am I correct that you chose your name when both those guys were still in the minors? Are you planning a name change anytime soon?

Yep, you're correct.
No name change, i chose those 2 names because i like the pitcher/catcher connection, that's where the game revolves around, and it just panned out that the 2 guys that i think are going to be dodgers for quite a long time turned out to be a catcher and pitcher.

Lets hope i don't jinx it and ned trades either one.
If that happens then i'll change the name, otherwise i'm stickin with it.

325 -

Speaking of jinxing, wasn't Gagne part of your name at one time?

Adding to 325

The 31 at the end of the name is my favorite number.

319- Sure, he got cocky on that one. No doubt. But it was a nice little place, where everybody signed off each post Go Dodgers! Now ruffians are dropping by with their bad language (at least, that's what I assume those four consecutive asterisks were), and their snarky syntax jokes. It's a little sad.

325- Weren't you WerthGagne31 for a while? The jinx threat isn't that Flanders will trade them, it's that they'll be crippled!

Speaking of jinxing, wasn't Gagne part of your name at one time?

Yea, and i don't think gagne is going to be a dodger for very much longer (don't shoot me for that statement) and that's why i changed it.
I thing martin and billingsley are going to stick around for a lot longer.

Andrew's right. It's not the trade thing, it's the injury thing.

Please pick a couple of guys on the D'Backs and change your name for tonight. You can come up with a different name for each series.