Baseball Toaster was unplugged on February 4, 2009.
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In the years that I've been doing Dodger Thoughts Spring Training Primers, this might be the most set roster I've encountered. I count only four open roster spots, except in the event of injury or trade. That doesn't leave room for too many surprises - though probably one will come.
With boarding calls for Vero Beach approaching, here's how things look.
Locks (21)
Only the disabled list or a trade can stop these guys from making the Opening Day roster:
Starting Pitchers: Derek Lowe, Brad Penny, Chad Billingsley, Hiroki Kuroda, Jason Schmidt*
Swingman: Esteban Loaiza
Bullpen: Takashi Saito, Jonathan Broxton, Joe Beimel, Scott Proctor, Rudy Seanez
Catchers: Russell Martin, Gary Bennett
Infielders: James Loney, Jeff Kent, Rafael Furcal, Nomar Garciaparra
Outfielders: Andruw Jones, Matt Kemp, Juan Pierre, Andre Ethier
*Jason Schmidt, RHP: Just checking to make sure you read the definition of "Lock" above. It's not that he's a lock to be healthy, it's that he's a lock to be on the Opening Day roster if he's healthy.
Most Likely to Succeed (4)
Andy LaRoche, 3B: It became fairly clear in January that even the Dodgers want LaRoche to win the starting job at third base. This flies against the team's recent tendency to deny promising rookies starting positions before May, but the upside of LaRoche starting is too much for the team to ignore. Not only would it give the Dodgers an extra on-base and power bat, but it would allow them to pace Garciaparra and take advantage of his theoretical clutch bat in the late innings. Even if LaRoche doesn't win the starting job outright, another scenario has Garciaparra and LaRoche splitting time at the position in April. Certainly, the Dodgers could decide they'd rather have LaRoche play full-time in Las Vegas for a month, but short of him kidnapping Vero Beach puppies or being detained at Beijing customs, he seems ready for his promotion.
Delwyn Young, OF-2B: Nothing does a young Dodger more good than to do well in small opportunities. Late last season, Young hit above his head with a .417 on-base percentage/.647 slugging percentage in 36 plate appearances last season. Out of minor-league options, Young should easily qualify for a spot off the bench as a pinch-hitter, fifth outfielder and emergency second baseman.
Tony Abreu, IF: There seem to be few hard feelings remaning over last season's Sports Hernia Kerfuffle, and given that the Dodgers were prepared to go without Ramon Martinez in 2008 by buying out his option, I still like Abreu's chances of getting the job as middle-infield backup. A poor spring by LaRoche would also keep Abreu in line to get some time at third base. Sure, now that Martinez is back in the organization on a minor-league contract, the Dodgers could start Abreu in Las Vegas - and there are some who would rather see him play full-time anyway. But it just seems clear that the Dodgers know Abreu is superior to Martinez at this point, and the determination to win the division in 2008 should encourage the Dodgers to get what they can out of Abreu from the beginning of the season.
Hong-Chih Kuo, LHP: I think the Dodgers are past the point of worrying whether Kuo would be better as a starting pitcher or a reliever. They're just wondering if he can stay healthy for consecutive months. Being out of options, Kuo should make the Opening Day roster if he's upright, especially if the team goes with 12 pitchers. As a left-hander, he even has a shot joining the otherwise all-righty Dodger starting rotation if Schmidt can't answer the bell. He'll stick as long as he's healthy and effective.
Next in Line
Jason Repko, OF: Even though he has a guaranteed contract, Repko is no lock to avoid the minors in April. And if the team goes with 12 pitchers, he's almost sure to continue his comeback from last season's muscle mishap in AAA. However, thanks to an April 3 off day. the Dodgers won't necessarily need a fifth starter until April 9. The season starts with a series against San Francisco, and carrying 12 pitchers against the anemic Giants offense and five bench players against its solid starting pitching really doesn't make sense. So I'm going to give him the inside track to sneak on as the 25th man if one of the pitchers above goes on the disabled list.
Yhency Brazoban, RHP: Brazoban is in the same boat as Repko: guaranteed contract with minor-league options. With the signing of Seanez, 10 righthanders are ahead of him; that's a lot, but the odds that one of them is on the disabled list on Opening Day aren't bad. The Dodgers could also choose Brazoban as a 12th pitcher over a healthy Kuo if they don't have faith in the latter as a reliever. But Brazoban is going to have to show something in Spring Training.
Mike Myers, LHP: He's 38, but Myers pitched 40 1/3 innings for Joe Torre in New York last season with a 2.66 ERA. Yet the Yankees cut him in August, and when he landed with the White Sox, he gave up 17 earned runs in 13 2/3 innings. By season's end, the southpaw had allowed one home run in 123 plate appearances against lefties. So in an organization that is lefty-light, Myers could land a spot.
Eric Hull, RHP: No, he's not going to make the Hall of Fame, but the 28-year-old Hull has quietly positioned himself to be a 2008 contributor. I mean, if a 2.74 ERA and 81 strikeouts in 65 2/3 innings in Las Vegas, culminating years of steady progress, doesn't get you a long look, something's wrong.
Jonathan Meloan, RHP: Dodger fans in the know pleaded for his callup last summer. By the time he came up near season's end, after the long-winded Roberto Hernandez experiment, Meloan was entering a desperation situation. He struck out seven in 7 1/3 innings but walked eight and allowed nine runs. Now, the Dodgers have said they're going to try to make Meloan a starter, as he was in college. There's debate over whether he has the mechanics to hold a spot in a major-league rotation, but as far as April 2008 is concerned, the conversion seems to buy him a ticket to AAA. Still, the guy's a strikeout pitcher knocking on the door, and that surely makes him a strong candidate to make the team.
Greg Miller, LHP: There could hardly be a better story this spring than Miller making the team. A Clayton Kershaw before there was a Clayton Kershaw, Miller reached AA at age 18 in 2003, striking out 40 and walking seven in 27 innings. But first his health and then his control betrayed him, and four years later, he was struggling. He walked 89 in 76 2/3 innings in 2007. But he also struck out 97, and the Dodgers still like him. If he can show any control in March, he immediately puts himself back on the fast track.
See You Midseason?
Chin-Lung Hu, SS: His spectacular defense, combined with improvement offensively in 2007, put him in position to compete for a major-league job in April, but it would be a surprise if he didn't play full-time in the minors to start.
James McDonald, RHP: Is McDonald the fifth-best starting pitcher on the team right now? Quite possibly, after an eyecatching 2007 in which he struck out 168 in 134 2/3 innings in the minor leagues while walking a mere 37. The Dodgers aren't likely to rush him into the rotation during the first week, but it would take quite a reversal to keep him from making his first major-league start this season.
Clayton Kershaw, LHP: Never heard of him. Must be a scrub. But what the heck, if the Dodgers feel like he deserves a chance, who am I to stop them?
John-Ford Griffin, OF: Do you realize that players born in 1980 are about to hit the downside of their careers? Wow. Anyway, Griffin, who was born in November 1979, has gone 7 for 23 with two homers and three walks in two brief trials with Toronto, and OPSed .818 in AAA last season with 26 round-trippers. A left-handed swinger, it's not out of the question that the former Yankee first-round pick could ride the stagecoach to Los Angeles if Juan Pierre or Andre Ethier pulled a hammy.
Ramon Troncoso, RHP: Troncoso, 24, went from Inland Empire to Jacksonvile in 2007 and pitched well in both places. In fact, the reliever blew the Cal League away, allowing only three earned runs in 30 innings, before settling in nicely with a 3.12 ERA for the Suns. The 2007s of Meloan and Hull show how hard it can be to get a callup, but keep an eye on Troncoso nevertheless.
Cory Wade, RHP: Like Troncoso, Wade (25 in May) also rode the Inland Empire-to-Jacksonville express - and finished at full-speed with a 1.36 ERA and 33 strikeouts (against 11 walks) in 33 innings for the Suns.
Scott Elbert, LHP: Still only 22, Elbert is coming back from surgery. Wth a career minor-league ERA of 3.21 and 370 strikeouts in 321 innings, can I just dream of him returning to full strength?
Eric Stults, LHP: Well, he doesn't have D.J. Houlton to fend off any more, but with Kershaw, McDonald and maybe Elbert or Meloan on the rise, Stults (5.82 ERA, 30 strikeouts in 38 2/3 MLB innings last season) has a very small window left to make an impact in a Dodger uniform. In fact, it's quite possible Los Angeles won't get another look at the 28-year-old, even though Dodger general manager Ned Colletti has him in the running for a relief spot, according to Dylan Hernandez of the Times.
Angel Chavez, IF: There has been speculation that Chavez could be this year's Wilson Valdez (for better and for worse), but already there's a difference – Chavez is still only 26. (Hey, that's the age Ramon Martinez II was when he got his first sustained big-league action!) A veteran of both the Giant and Yankee organizations, Chavez had a .336 on-base percentage and .433 slugging percentage in AAA last season. Don't know his defensive value.
John Lindsey, 1B: Look, a guy hits 30 homers (and 32 doubles), I'm gonna take notice. Lindsey had a banner 2007 in the Dodger system, after planning to retire in 2006. I'd be more excited if a guy with that much power walked more than 35 times – it's hard to imagine he wouldn't struggle against tougher major-league stuff. But I'd love to see him get a shot.
Brian Falkenborg, RHP: Falky! Renwoned for his 14 1/3-inning stint with the Dodgers in 2004,Falkenborg returns after bouncing around San Diego, St. Louis, Portland and Memphis. He pitched well in AAA last season (3.25 ERA, 58 strikeouts/17 walks/two HR/52 2/3 innings), but the 29-year-old has to hope that he hasn't already peaked.
Matt Riley, LHP: Lefty alert! Lefty alert! It's like starting Dodger Monopoly with Park Place and Broadway, but even with the advantage of being a southpaw, the 28-year-old Riley will still need some friendly rolls of the dice to make the team. He hasn't pitched in the majors since giving up 14 runs in 12 2/3 innings for Texas at the start of 2005. He missed all of 2006, then began his recovery in Jacksonville in 2007 with a head-turning 29 strikeouts in 18 1/3 innings and 1.47 ERA for the Suns. Battling control problems, Riley kept striking 'em out once promoted to Las Vegas but saw his ERA balloon. Still, his ability to strikeout lefties will allow him to audition to be Beimel's understudy.
Tom Martin, LHP: Familiarity might be in Martin's corner. He was part of the brilliant Dodger bullpen of '03, not to mention the National League champion Colorado Rockies in '07. But he hasn't been effective in quite some time - lefties OPSed .872 against him last year. Don't count him out, but don't count on him.
Check Back in a Year or Two
Justin Orenduff, RHP: While most folks rent, Orenduff could have bought in Jacksonville - he's been there since 2005. Arm surgery in 2006 explains part of the detour. Almost 25, Orenduff struck out 113 in 109 innings last season, so it's not too late for him to get back on track.
Mario Alvarez, RHP: Struck out 103 batters but allowed 171 baserunners in 107 2/3 innings in high-A ball last season, making 14 starts in 33 appearances. He turns 24 in March.
Xavier Paul, OF: For two years, Baseball America has said that Paul has the best outfield arm in the Dodger minor leagues. Does he have a bat to compliment it? A .795 OPS in AA at age 22 last season doesn't rule it out, though he has struck out 489 times in 518 career games.
Rick Asadoorian, RHP: Years ago, the now 27-year-old was considered something of a five-tool outfield prospect. But he never broke through, and took up pitching full-time last season in the Reds organization after a stellar emergency stint in 2006. So he's a project, albeit one that struck out 48 (but walked 28) in 52 2/3 innings in AA.
Lucas May, C: With five minor-league seasons under his belt, May isn't soaring through the system, but he is progressing to the point where you can see him earning a major-league paycheck someday. He had a .778 OPS for Inland Empire last year, including 25 homers and 25 doubles. Getting on base enough could be his downfall offensively.
Fernando Desgue, RHP: Struggling to find information on the 26-year-old, though it appears he had a 2.25 ERA for Oaxaca of the Mexican League in 2006 before slumping in 2007.
Fodder
Ramon Martinez, IF: His offensive emptiness got exposed in 2007, and his defense and veteranocity doesn't justify a spot on the roster. He got 10 years in the majors – really, that's enough to be proud of.
Mike Koplove, P: Koplove, 31, has thrown nine MLB innings since 2005. Any reliever can get on a hot streak, but it's hard to picture the righty being much of a factor.
Alfredo Simon, RHP: So many of the Dodger non-roster invitees are relievers, it's almost surprising when a starting pitcher pops up. Well, here's Simon – he turns 27 in May, and he made 22 starts in AAA for Oklahoma. Unfortunately, in 119 innings, he allowed 85 earned runs (6.43 ERA) and walked 46 while striking out 73. His career ERA in the minors is 5.03.
Greg Jones, RHP: A journeyman from the Angels system. He had a minor league season in 2005 that was notable, but he was 28 then and is 31 now.
Chan Ho Park, RHP: This year's Jose Lima/Scott Erickson/Aaron Sele/Joe Mays slot couldn't have gone to a more familiar face: the 34-year-old (man, I feel old – I can still remember his debut in '94) Park, who hit rock bottom last season. He pitched only four innings in the majors, while making 24 starts in the minors to the tune of a 5.97 ERA. Crazy thing is he still has a strikeout pitch, but he just gets hammered – 29 homers allowed in 139 2/3 pro innings last season. He hasn't had an ERA+ above 100 since his final Dodger season in 2001. How that could possibly change is beyond me, but karate kicks and Fernando Tatis won't change my fond memories of him. The beat writers will certainly get a day's worth of copy out of him.
Brian Shackelford, LHP: Another former position player, Shackelford switch to the mound and made his major-league debut with Cincinnati shortly before his 29th birthday and etched out a 2.43 ERA in 29 2/3 innings. But 2006 was a mini-horror show (13 runs in 16 1/3 innings), and at age 31, he finds himself far down the totem pole.
Tanyon Sturtze, RHP: Yeah, the Yankees got more out of Sturtze than the Dodgers got out of Brian Myrow after that May 2004 trade – kind of. Sturtze tallied 166 innings in three seasons with New York as a reliever and spot starter, but they weren't particularly effective innings in the end. Last season - a lost year - found him pitching 11 1/3 innings split over four levels of Atlanta's minors - quite a feat when you think about it. Somewhere amid the non-roster invitees is a guy waiting to duplicate Rudy Seanez's surprising 2007 comeback. Superficially, Sturtze might fit the bill, but I'm not counting on it.
George Lombard, OF: A second-round draftee by Atlanta back in 1994, the 32-year-old Lombard has only one noteworthy major-league season to his credit, a 2002 campaign with Detroit in which his OPS+ was 85 in 72 games. Last season saw even his AAA OPS dip to .717.
Terry Tiffee, 1B-3B: The switch-hitter went 12 for 44 with four doubles and two homers for the Twins in 2005, but hasn't improved upon that. Last season, in AAA in the Oriole organization, Tiffee OPSed .701. Little power, no speed, 29 in April … I'm not feeling it.
Danny Ardoin, C: Ardoin, 33, has a career OPS in the majors of .604, and that's with most of his career spent with the Rockies. Stuck in the minors last season, he OPSed .624 in 61 games. No, catching is not a strength in the Dodger minor leagues.
Rene Rivera, C: Rivera is 34 years old and has 34 career major-league hits. Which column will get to 40 first? Update: Misread the birthdate - Rivera is 24 years old. So, which column will get to 100 first?
Gary Burghoff, RHP: Nasty, nasty stuff, but also very dated. Tommy Lasorda loves him.
Do you mean average the results of them together?
vr, Xei
57 58 Thanks for the info, like I said earlier I am still in kindergarten in terms of obscure/untraditional baseball stats. I have played the game for the majority of my life (at a high level) and know that "traditional" stats do a poor job of painting the overall picture of a player's ability. This blog is awesome in the sense that I'm a die-hard Dodger fan, I love to learn as much about the game as possible and I enjoy a good debate. This site seems to satisfy all of my baseball needs (other than playing of course).
3 - Um, uh ...
Abreu vs Martinez vs Hu---1 of these will make the Dodgers.
Brazoban vs Seanez---1 of these will make the Dodgers
Repko vs Delwyn Young--1 of these will make the Dodgers.
vr, Xei
http://www.tvacres.com/images/radar's_teddy_bear.jpg
http://tinyurl.com/3xrcxy
Also: You are making some really bold statements lately, Jon. What gives?
Never saw that word until today, and it has happened twice
http://detroittigertales.blogspot.com/search/label/Fielding
I do agree about keeping them around, but not so they can take major league innings away from better players once the season starts. Why not get a look at a Miller or Troncoso or other youngsters in Spring Training, even if they won't make the roster?
27 You'd release Kuo just to have Mike Myers make 30 appearances and throw nine innings?
vr, Xei
Maybe his job is to be such a tool that Jeff Kent expends all his energy badmouthing Bennett and forgets about the kids.
Nice write-up Jon, summarizes it all really well.
Not sure I get the stagecoach reference - was there a Wells Fargo messenger named John-Ford Griffin once? Or are you just in a Western mood today?
vr, Xei
vr, Xei
54 He hit .214/.275/.310 as a 23 year old in AA. Given that the value of a catcher's defense outside of his arm is near meaningless as far as we know, he'd have to have one hell of an arm to make up for how terrible he'd be at the plate.
There are still 4 unsigned free agent catchers but they are all at least 37 years old.
Yes, reggarfield was using VORP not LW, thus the misunderstanding.
Am I really the only one for whom this entire site is appearing entirely in boldface lately? I'm on Safari on a Mac. Anyone else?
I think she was expecting someone to go to Hallmark and send us "thank you" notes or something...
The United States of American and the State of California hereby thank you for your patriotic act of voting.
Voting is a right not to be taken lightly, and is a responsibility afforded all citizens of our country.
You exemplify all that is good with our citizens, and help set an example of the goodness that is our democracy.
Again, accept our thanks, and continue your good work upholding our Constitution.
Sincerely,
George W Bush
Arnold Schwarzenegger
and all the gang manning the voting booths
John-Ford Griffin
Howard-Hawks Hydra
John-Huston Centaur
Sam-Fuller Sphinx
Buster-Keaton Kraken
Frank-Capra Chimera
Woody-Allen Werewolf
http://tinyurl.com/2kzy5t
Sabathia K/BB: 209/37
Penny: 135/73
Penny has a better home run rate, but I don't know how sustainabile that is since he's not a ground ball pitcher really.
The deal would have been added to the $11.25 million that Sabathia is set to make in 2008, keeping him in Cleveland through 2012, but it's highly unlikely that he'll agree to that level of commitment following Johan Santana's recent six-year, $137.5 million extension with the Mets.
Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer
The Cleveland Plain Dealer speculates that Johan Santana signing a massive long-term contract with the Mets could make it less likely that C.C. Sabathia will remain with the Indians beyond this season.
The newspaper notes that "the Indians are not going to give Sabathia a contract for that much money or that many years." Like Santana, Sabathia is eligible for free agency following the season, yet his name hasn't been mentioned in any trade rumors thus far.
Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer
General manager Mark Shapiro indicated Monday that the Indians will not trade impending free agent C.C. Sabathia before or during the season.
"I can't present you with a scenario where it's acceptable to us or to our relationship with our fans that involves trading C.C. or examining trading him," Shapiro said. There's been speculation following the recent Johan Santana contract that Sabathia is unlikely to remain in Cleveland beyond this season, but the Indians are apparently prepared to take draft picks if he leaves via free agency rather than attempt a Santana-like trade.
Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer
francis ford chupacabra
83 Hal Ashby Phoenix
sam peckinpaw jackelope
cecil cooper demille...
oh wait -- i've got the construct wrong there, haven't i?
"BH (Los Angeles): It appears from reports that Rafael Furcal is playing well however he has been playing second, any reason for that?
Derek Jacques: Furcal's at second because the Dominican League teams are stocked with shortstops, so he's been willing to move to the other side of the keystone. Question is, is that the strongest arm that's ever played at second? It's like bringing an MX missile to a paintgun fight.
vr, Xei
Wow, it's a good time to be a Dodgers' fan! Not only do we get to watch the big club compete, but we get to see who among Elbert, Morris and Withrow get to be the next potential ace.
vr, Xei
vr, Xei
vr, Xei
I have little hope for him and was surprised we even kept him on the 40 man. This is what a scout had to say when I asked him about his AFL performance-"Miller- Even though his new arm slot will supposedly reduce arm stress, his stuff is clearly not the same. He didn't throw any change-ups the day I saw him, so I doubt he was working on anything other than repeating his delivery. He was generating some swings and misses with his fastball, but both breaking pitches were below average. I can't see him being anything more than a bullpen arm."
vr, Xei
He was on the float. I think that makes him a lock.
Kuo's problems in relief are a sample-size issue as well.
1. Kent, played for Ned and the Giants, also Ned signed him to an extension so he is okay.
2. Repko, question mark, was signed before any of the current front office folks was in place, was a favorite of Grady's (and you know how much that matters now.)
3. Penny, traded and signed to an extension under DePodesta. Brad apparently has been a present this off-season, participating in all kinds of Dodger events (Rose Parade, mini-camp).
4. Brazoban was one of the last pieces acquired by Dan Evans, came up under DePodesta but has been hurt during Ned's time. One has to think though that Yhency was scouted by members of the current scouting staff, his biggest problem is that Ned and Joe really have not seen him pitch.
5. Broxton, well he was signed by Logan White so he is okay.
6. Kuo was signed many administrations ago but he did have a great September in 2006 so I think he has some credits in the Dodger front office.
I think it is also relevent that Logan White remains a huge champion of Miller. Sure, he has to show much better control this year, but White must be confident that he will.
Was "Hannah and Her Sisters" really released over 20 years ago?
147
That may have been true once but the ship has sailed and BA just didn't catch it.
Rox
LAD
DBacks
Madres
Gnats
Dodgers
Padres
DBacks
Rockies
Giants
vr, Xei
D-Backs
Padres
Rockies
Giants
vr, Xei
vr, Xei
Miami Herald's now saying that Shaq was informed that the deal is close and get prepared to be traded.
Does anybody remember the Monroes?
It basically says both things.
The Miami Heat have told Shaquille O'Neal and his representation that they should be prepared for him to be traded in the near future.
Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reports that Phoenix has discussed sending forward Shawn Marion and point guard Marcus Banks to the Heat in return for O'Neal. Shaq's representatives said they have been made aware that discussions with Phoenix are serious and ongoing, but that a deal was not definite. Marion can opt out of his contract worth $17.1 million at the end of the season. And if he opts out, the Heat would then have substantial salary cap space this offseason, when potential free agents include Gilbert Arenas, Baron Davis, Elton Brand, Marion, Antawn Jamison, Ron Artest and Corey Maggette. Stay tuned.
On to the Dodgers, I really hope Eric Hull get's a real shot...he get's guys out, and I could see him being the pleasant suprise this season...
He's 36, has more and more injury issues, and talked about retiring next year. On the other hand, I guess if he does pass a physical and can play effectively this season, he'll help the Suns for sure. But doesn't seem worth acquiring him at this point in his career.
Marion:
2008: 16.4m
2009: 17.2m
Banks:
2008: 3.8m
2009: 4.1m
2010: 4.4m
2011: 4.7m
Shaq:
2008: 20m
2009: 20m
2010: 20m
Why would you want 2-1/2 years of Shaq at 20m per year? Those last two years of Shaq's contract are going to burn the Suns. If this goes through, it's a panic move. A move to thwart the Lakers new formidable front-line. Unfortunately for the Suns, Shaq will be watching most of it from his street clothes.
vr, Xei
vr, Xei
vr, Xei
vr, Xei
What I don't like about the Rockies is that their number one is worse than any other team in the West's number two starter, and pretty big holes at second base and centerfield.
http://dodgersims.blogspot.com/2008/01/nl-west-winter-rankings.html
And SW I remember another really brilliant lefty who couldn't find his control until about 23/24 years old. Of course Sandy didn't have the injury history. But I've always had great hopes for MIller.
:)
vr, Xei
vr, Xei
vr, Xei
Maddux is like Shaq, WAY past his prime. LOL
LF?
I still don't trust Kouz over at 3rd. I know he finished last season strong... but for most of the year he was below .250.
They're 'pen isn't getting any younger either.
I see 3 teams better than them in the west
The Pads' '07 pen was based on numerous guys having unexpected career years. Which means that either Bud Black and Darren Balsley are the greatest geniuses in the history of baseball, or their pen is due for a big fallback in '08.
vr, Xei
vr, Xei
Click on the (Help) beside Post a comment and the mystery will be revealed.
2007 Payrolls
Dodgers: 108,704,524, 6th highest
Padres: 58,235,567, 24th highest
And let us not forget:
2007 Wins
Dodgers: 82
Padres: 89
I don't think they'll stink it up, though. I'm guessing they'll be anywhere from three games below .500 to three games above.
Other uses:
Nate was attacked by a Cougar at a club last night, but luckily, he fodder off.
* splits shown because Petco is such an extreme pitcher's park.
You're welcome.
He had an sOPS+ of 106, so he wasn't a much better hitter than your average first baseman.
Anyone catch that no look over the shoulder pass from Gasol to Fisher? Beautiful.
241 The beachballs are an excellent point.
C Bard
1B Gonzalez
2B Giles
3B Kouzmanoff
SS Greene
LF Baseball Reference tells me Jose Cruz, totally forgot that.
CF Cameron
RF Giles
SPs Peavy, Young, Maddux, Hensley, Wells
I see left field and fifth starter as question marks there (in retrospect, second and starters three-five should have been). This year, left, center and second are all unknowns with the Padres being two likely injuries away from employing lord only knows in the rotation. The team tends to surprise, but I don't think they have the great defense anymore (which tends to be the common element in surprise teams) to carry them. Going from Cameron, Cruz and Giles to Edmonds, Iguchi and Hairston with Kouzmanoff still horrible is a huge step down.
I like our chances to improve a bit.
Some of the three above us will fall.
KCAL9: We are having technical difficulties, PLEASE STAND BY
Looks like the tape machine broke down
here's what some of the Padre carry over hit last year.... on the Road
Josh Bard:.330 /.386 /.456
Adrian Gonzalez: .295 /.358 /.570
Kevin Kouzmanoff: .273 /.327 /.496
Khali Greene: .280 /.335 /.515 !!
Brian Giles: .299/.374 /.496
When talking about the Padre offense, always give a thought to their park, which was by far the biggest pitcher's park last year (yes it beat out Dolphin Stadium.. by A LOT ) and check out their hitter's road numbers. which might give you a better indication of their true talent level.
Those who think the Friar's can't hit are deeply mistaken , they can, they just happen to play in hitter's hell half their games, when on the road the Friars were probably one of the BEST hitting team in the NL last year !
At the very least, i don't think it's nearly as much of a given that they are not a contender in the NL west next year, from what I see, EVERYONE except the Giants are a contender in this division... just like last year.
The Dodger have some very very serious potentials, perhaps the best in the division, but it's also the most complicated piece of puzzel because there's so many guys you need to jiggle around to get the best combination (like, hiring a hit man on Juan Pierre to start )
1B-Adrian Gonzalez
3B-Kevin Kouzmanoff
RF-Brian Giles
C-Josh Bard
3B/LF-Chase Headley
SS-Khalil Greene
CF-Jim Edmonds
That's 7 out of 8 positions, plus playing in a tough hitters park.
Source: ZIPS
http://tinyurl.com/28t5o7
vr, Xei
RF-Matt Kemp
1B-James Loney
LF-Andre Ethier (*)
CF-Andruw Jones
C-Russell Martin
2B-Jeff Kent
SS-Rafael Furcal
Dodgers have 7 out of 8 also, with Furcal being just barely above the average and LaRoche barely below (Nomar below). Asterisk to Ethier because Pierre is very much below league average in LF. So, I'd say offensively the Padres have nothing to worry about, atleast in comparison to the Dodgers. The Dodgers have a much brighter future than the Padres with all their good young players, but in 2008 the Padres are no slouches.
vr, Xei
Ryan (San Diego): Rob, can you discuss the NL West? Seems to me the Padres have had a significant downgrade offensively. Any chance they can win this thing?
SportsNation Rob Neyer: They've got so many smart people in the front office that I'm not ready to count them out. But they would seem to need nice bounce-backs from at least two of the following three players: Michael Barrett, Brian Giles, Jim Edmonds. And yes, it's hard to see them beating out the D'backs and Dodgers.
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Bill(Pasadena, Ca.): Hey Rob, got a Dodgers question for you. Even though the dodgers signed Andruw Jones, do you think that they still need a big time bat in that line-up?
SportsNation Rob Neyer: Between Jones and Kemp and LaRoche and Loney, I don't think scoring runs will be an issue.
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Elliot (Arcadia, CA): Hi Rob, As a close follower of the Dodgers, I'm struggling with our 3rd base choices. Nomar is fragile and a mediocre fielder, and LaRoche is still not much more than a prospect since he hasn't proven anything. Are we in prayer mode here? Thanks.
SportsNation Rob Neyer: Yeah, you should pray that LaRoche plays better than Garciaparra next month, else you might find yourself with an old, gimpy third baseman who can't hit.
Ryan (San Diego): Rob, can you discuss the NL West? Seems to me the Padres have had a significant downgrade offensively. Any chance they can win this thing?
SportsNation Rob Neyer: They've got so many smart people in the front office that I'm not ready to count them out. But they would seem to need nice bounce-backs from at least two of the following three players: Michael Barrett, Brian Giles, Jim Edmonds. And yes, it's hard to see them beating out the D'backs and Dodgers.
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Bill(Pasadena, Ca.): Hey Rob, got a Dodgers question for you. Even though the dodgers signed Andruw Jones, do you think that they still need a big time bat in that line-up?
SportsNation Rob Neyer: Between Jones and Kemp and LaRoche and Loney, I don't think scoring runs will be an issue.
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Elliot (Arcadia, CA): Hi Rob, As a close follower of the Dodgers, I'm struggling with our 3rd base choices. Nomar is fragile and a mediocre fielder, and LaRoche is still not much more than a prospect since he hasn't proven anything. Are we in prayer mode here? Thanks.
SportsNation Rob Neyer: Yeah, you should pray that LaRoche plays better than Garciaparra next month, else you might find yourself with an old, gimpy third baseman who can't hit.
Who's to say?
http://tinyurl.com/2kc8lc
>> Kemp spent most of the winter working out in Arizona, sculpting a frame that he said now weighs around 220 pounds. He was up to 240 at the end of last season.
"I had to shed some pounds so I could move a little bit more," Kemp said. "I feel quicker, I feel way stronger. <<
## With the 90,505 tickets that were available for the Dodgers' exhibition game at the Coliseum against the Boston Red Sox on March 29 already sold out, Dodgers owner Frank McCourt said the club is studying the feasibility of adding seats and selling more tickets. Seats were not available in center field, the side of the east end zone on the days the venue is used for football. ##
http://tinyurl.com/26ghfj
There's also "stats just tell the past; they don't say anything about the future."
However, I agree that your statement deserves a much more severe neck kicking.
I don't know what Shaq has left, but this certainly an exciting move. This was a "go for broke" move for Phoenix, and there's a decent chance they didn't even improve in the short term (while definitely hurting longer term).
The West really is amazing this season. All these teams bunched together. I can't wait for Bynum to get back, if only so I can see this more often now:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=bd-FLEDTfao :)
Time for Colletti to offer Russell Martin something "legitimate":
"It's not up to me and Bob," Martin said. "It's up to the team. If the team wants to offer something legitimate, it'd be idiotic not to look at it."
With the amount of money Ned throws around, I find it hard to believe he did not offer Martin a decent and comparable deal to other players.
Maybe the word "meme" can also be ankled.
I think it's just that there haven't been any real talks yet. More than likely Ned called Martin's agent and the two spoke abstractly about an extension, but no real figures were discussed...yet!
By the way, the word "primer" as used in this post's title. The folks at NPR pronounce it "primmer," while everybody else on God's green earth says "primer," like the stuff you put on walls before the paint. Which is correct?
Shaq's never played with a PG as good as Nash, so it'll be interesting to see how he fits in.
Suns can go big:
C- Shaq
PF-Amare
SF-Diaw
SG-Bell
PG-Nash
Or Small
C- Amare
PF- Diaw
SF- Barbosa
SG-Bell
PG- Nash
The Dodgers have at least three people in their front office (Watson, Ng, White) who would probably be better GMs than Colletti.
Speaking of, I wonder if Colletti has been giving advice to the Phoenix Suns GM. Shaq for Shawn Marion?? That's a panic trade of Hendricksonian proportions.
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