Baseball Toaster was unplugged on February 4, 2009.
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1) using profanity or any euphemisms for profanity
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4) arguing for the sake of arguing
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7) using sarcasm in a way that can be misinterpreted negatively
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I can't say enough about the stupendous Dodger offense this week, so I'm not even going to try. They've taken maximum advantage of poor pitching - Florida and Colorado are 14th and 15th in runs allowed per game in the NL this season - but that's what you're supposed to do.
So I'll just spend a few moments talking about third base.
Andy LaRoche has been officially activated - and optioned to Las Vegas. With Nomar Garciaparra on the disabled list, Blake DeWitt will remain the starter at third base. Russell Martin will spot start against the occasional lefty, with Gary Bennett catching on those days.
Now, I've gotten as much of a kick as anyone out of Martin showing off his stuff at third - and at the same time, I don't expect it's going to happen every day, like it has the past two days. And I realize that Bennett has to play some, a little. And the Dodgers arguably need 12 pitchers right now, though an off day looms next week.
And I'll even give the Dodgers the benefit of the doubt that they're making this move for LaRoche's benefit, to give him some useful low-pressure at-bats before putting him on the major-league roster - as opposed to the way Garciaparra rushed back into the lineup. "At this point, Andy is healthy, and we want him to stay down there and get at-bats," Dodgers assistant general manager Kim Ng told Tony Jackson of the Daily News.
But essentially, on nights like Saturday, the Dodgers are choosing to start Bennett over LaRoche. And if LaRoche is healthy, that becomes pretty senseless.
There used to be a code that a player shouldn't be demoted because of an injury. Based on what happened with Matt Kemp last year and LaRoche this year, the Dodgers don't honor that code. I don't like to be a slave to codes, and I appreciate what DeWitt has done. Really. This isn't about putting down DeWitt, it's about comparing two enticing players. It's still worth remembering that if LaRoche had produced DeWitt's numbers in 2008 - .373 on-base percentage, .389 slugging percentage, zero home runs - many would have considered them disappointing. Expectations are higher for LaRoche, and he shouldn't be punished for not getting the same opportunity to meet them that DeWitt had in April - the same opportunity, as opposed to starting irregularly. DeWitt's season is reminding me at this point of Jack Fimple's 1983 season, in which he came out of nowhere when Steve Yeager and Mike Scioscia were nursing injuries and wowed Los Angeles with his simple competency and occasional clutch hits.
The situation is also sort of similar to what's happened with Juan Pierre over the past few days. With a .389 on-base percentage, Pierre has adapted well to being the fourth outfielder this season. Though I opposed his contract and his position in the starting lineup, you've never heard me demand his trade. Once the contract was a fait accompli, I've always thought he could be useful in this position, however overpaid. That doesn't mean Andre Ethier (.393 OBP, .442 slugging) hasn't deserved more playing time in the past couple of days, however, nor does it change the fact that the Dodgers will ultimately benefit most if they can get Andruw Jones unblocked.
Yes, LaRoche has to stay healthy. He left Saturday's AAA game after a rough play in the first inning, according to Dodger Thoughts commenter Nofatmike, though there was no indication he would be out for any length of time. (Update: Diamond Leung of the Press-Enterprise believes there might have been an online scorekeeping error and that LaRoche never played in the game.) But although there was talk last year that LaRoche wasn't dedicated in taking care of himself, that hasn't been the case this year. He came back from his hand injury ahead of schedule - a hand injury that was a freak occurrence, not a character flaw.
I'm really not trying to rock the boat. This has been a great week. The team is producing, even with Jones still struggling. That's more important. And I firmly believe in giving reserves time-to-time starts to keep them fresh and involved. (Peewee Young, your life is calling.) I just hate to see LaRoche get buried. The idea that DeWitt and Bennett have dibs on the starting lineup ahead of him - that's not a big deal for a couple of days, but longer-term, it will need to change. I trust he'll get his chance again, just like Kemp has.
* * *
The Dodgers' current thought process on Clayton Kershaw is detailed by Diamond Leung of the Press-Enterprise:
Before fifth starter Esteban Loaiza did his part to help blow a 6-0 lead and last only 2 1/3 innings, Manager Joe Torre said a day after Kershaw extended his scoreless inning streak to 18 1/3 innings with General Manager Ned Colletti in attendance that the Dodgers have settled on limiting the 20-year-old to about 160 innings this season. The question becomes how many of those innings should be spent in the major leagues.
One scenario exists in which Kershaw could be called up by month's end to begin his big-league career with on-the-job training as a multiple-innings reliever. But both Torre and pitching coach Rick Honeycutt said they favored patience, preferring Kershaw's workload be monitored in the minors so he could eventually help the Dodgers as a starter.
"The safest thing, and I'm not sure it's the right thing, is he should be extended," Honeycutt said.
The Dodgers in the meantime are doing their due diligence in making sure Kershaw, who was still only a teenager while impressing the team as a late non-roster invitee during the spring, is successful upon his arrival to the majors.
Colletti noted that Kershaw struggled with the command of his breaking ball early on during Friday's 6 2/3-inning start, during which he did not allow an earned run and lowered his ERA to 1.11. Of the four earned runs he's allowed this year, three have come before he was through three innings. Scouts also say the team's first-round draft pick in 2006 could improve on holding runners.
Hong-Chih Kuo had a nice outing in relief of Esteban Loaiza on Saturday: 3 1/3 innings, five strikeouts. That gives Kuo 25 strikeouts in 20 2/3 innings this season.
* * *
I'm quick to point out the numbers, but he's more of a Joe Morgan type. You know how that goes.
I think the problem is actually with Martin. We have heard since last season how he doesn't like to sit out any games, and now, based on two games, he has been declared part of the 3B platoon. It seems that Torre, like Little, is afraid to sit Martin when he needs rest because Martin won't like it. My question is, who is the manager of the team, Torre or Martin.
This Martin at 3B thing will be cute until he either makes an error to cost us a game, or he gets hurt playing out of position. And, as many commentators have said, while Martin has outstanding numbers for a catcher, his value diminishes considerably as a third baseman.
As far as errors to cost us a game go, I'm sure it will happen at some point. Heck, DeWitt almost let the Rocks back in last night with 2 errors. No player is immune to error. Over a stretch they will happen.
I think it's premature to say that based on 2 games he is in a platoon. He's there because it's a viable option and partly through necessity. Flexibility isn't a bad thing.
Torre isn't afraid to sit Martin. That's just silly. Torre loves his bat in the lineup, no doubt.
Remember, Torre is best suited to understand Martin-- he moved form catcher to third base himself and knows how that a few days out of the tools of ignorance can be restful for his young star.
The first thing could happen to anyone. The second thing ... not that I'm advocating a position switch for him now, but of course he's much safer at third base than at catcher.
3 - It's been a year, and still no one has proven that Martin's play at the end of last season was so bad that it negated the impact of how good he was in the first part of the season. Yes, it's common sense that he should rest. No, it's not common sense that he needs to play consecutive games at third base to give him sufficient rest.
Dewitt was supposed to be here as a temporarily fill-in until Nomar/LaRoche was ready. While he has done a decent job, better than many expected, do the Dodgers really consider him a better alternative than LaRoche at this point?
"I think it's premature to say that based on 2 games he is in a platoon. He's there because it's a viable option and partly through necessity. Flexibility isn't a bad thing."
I have no problem with Martin playing third once in awhile, but if the Dodgers do not have plans to make it a more regular thing, why is LaRoche still in the minors?
"Torre isn't afraid to sit Martin. That's just silly. Torre loves his bat in the lineup, no doubt."
Then why has Martin played in every game this season? I love Martin's bat too, but having Bennett starting pretty much negates the advantages of having Martin in the line-up.
"Remember, Torre is best suited to understand Martin-- he moved form catcher to third base himself and knows how that a few days out of the tools of ignorance can be restful for his young star."
That is exactly what I fear--that Torre has now decided that Martin is "his man," the new Jeter as it were, and that this decision is based more on Torre's "feel" than on actual logic.
The best line-up for this team is LaRoche at third, and Martin behind the plate.
Also, why wasn't Martin to 3B talked about at all when Nomar and LaRoche got hurt during ST? Again, this just feels like some thrown together idea to placate Martin. And, as usual, one of our more promising young players gets to spend time in the minors so that Gary Bennett (and Blake Dewitt) can get major league at bats.
Can DeWitt catch?
Is he trade bait ?
Platoon at third...YIKES
Furcal, SS
Pierre, LF
Kemp, CF
Loney, 1B
Martin, C
Ethier, RF
DeWitt, 3B
Hu, 2B
Lowe, P
8 Last year Joe Torre wasn't the manager. Also Martin is one of our young players, and even if 3rd base isn't easy, it's a lot easier on the brain and knees than catching every day. I agree with everyone that this shouldn't be a long term trend, but I don't think it will be. I also don't want to rush LaRoche back, personally. But with Nomar looming, too, I kinda hope they bring him back before Nomar to give him a chance. (But if not, it's likely Nomar will break down again or not do much. So basically, ultimately, I have faith it'll all work out in LaRoche's favor. Will just have some patience for a few more weeks or so.)
Okay, off to play soccer, will miss beginning of game. Let's go Bison, bust the Phillips Jinx!
What about that future Dodger catcher 20 years down the road who is being conceived today?
Furcal, SS
Pierre, LF
Kemp, CF
Loney, 1B
Martin, C
Ethier, RF
DeWitt, 3B
Hu, 2B
Lowe, P
Ethier's back in, Jones is out. At last (for a day, anyway...). We'll see how Hu does. With this offensive line-up, it's the best day to give Kent a break.
Well said. You've summarized my own gnawing fear that our leadership is just stupid enough to bury LaRoche. And the initial fumbling of the Pierre/Kemp situation hasn't given me optimism. But there's a weird bit of baseball Darwinism at play here too. If LaRoche is gonna be a solid big league player, he'll have to overcome major league pitching, major league pressure and Ned Colletti's peanut-sized mind. In the end, maybe he'll be better for it.
Whatever the case, the team is on an eight-game winning streak, so these are minor issues...for now.
Maybe everyday play is good, but Normar's contract is up this season or next?, LaRoche, DeWitt still there next year, something has to give or DeWitt's stuck down in AAA.
Who's looking for a promising/up and coming third baseman who's interested in a trade? Keeping DeWitt up, getting him playing time to show case him for the trade market might also be a good play.
This just burns one of LaRoche's options for no real reason.
I'm quite impressed with Torre's willingness to be innovative, even though it sometimes goes against the grain for winning every game now. He's thinking long term (for the season), trying things out. During a winning streak, when so many players are batting well and we can spare the odd substitution of one of these experiments (Bennett, Sweeney, Martin-at-3rd, etc.) certainly feels better than during a losing streak. And the imposed experiment - DeWitt - sure worked out.
Later in the season when there are injuries, some of these substitutions will be necessary, and Torre will have a better idea of the risks involved. In the end, success for the team - getting into the playoffs - may boil down to the 3 weeks of "extended spring training" since the new manager lost much of regular spring training to the China trip and Arizona. If we can keep within spitting distance of Arizona, we still have a good chance of making the wild card.
I guess it's ultimately not surprising that Pierre isn't allowed to play CF. Ned pretty much got Jones so that Pierre's defense could be moved out of CF.
What sort of revisionist "stuff" is that "Ned pretty much got Jones so that Pierre's defense could be moved out of CF"? Ned got Jones for his bat, for some power in the lineup...full stop.
So far Jones has been a slight upgrade over JP based on not dropping balls and a better arm, but JP is far faster and covers the ground faster than Jabba the Hut Jones. When it comes to Jones hot bat....well Jones is yet another example of Ned not doing his homework.
I think Ned was thoroughly unhappy with Pierre's defense, but perfectly content with his offense. (After all, as has been noted many times, Pierre performed as expected on offense).
I think Ned got Jones primarily as a defensive upgrade, while also thinking that he would be a "100 RBI Big Bat In The Middle Of The Lineup" guy.
I didn't make clear in 24 that I meant that it may turn out that we lose the "margin of success" at the end of season partly due to all the losses sustained in the first three weeks which I believe were largely, or partly, due to lost spring training time. Torre could have got to know the team and tried some of these experiments during ST if he'd had a full ST. But I still think it's good he's trying them now. If we end up with the best team (hopefully that includes LaRoche) going forward, with effective substitutions when needed, we might still overtake Arizona in the playoffs if not in the regular season. There's a long way to go.
We await the days when LaRoche can remain healthy enough to play his way into the everyday line-up. Will he ever be able to show us? The kid has a ton of potential, a ton of LA hype, and a passionate following on this site. I would like to see him succeed. LaRoche is 24 and he will be 25 this September. He needs to get it together. The train is leaving the station.
Games played since 2003:
2003 - 6
2004 - 127
2005 - 127
2006 - 117
2007 - 73
2008 - 11
I'm just say'n
Jabba the Hut makes catches Pierre cannot because Pierre has to count five alligators before knowing where the ball will land.
I like this lineup.
A couple of days ago when Loney did not start, making him pinch hit with the bases full was wrong because that pinch hit belonged to Young and Loney was slumping and deeded a mental rest.
LaRoche should spend a couple of weeks in Vegas for the same reason Spring Training exists for as long as it exists. Nomar was different, the option to send him to Vegas after he was cleared to come off the injured list wasn't available.
Abreu will soon be called up and no doubt Hu will be sent down and if not, something has to give when Abreu, Nomar, and LaRoche are all ready to play. Abreu can play third, short, and second which makes him a good utility player and Nomar a pinch hitter?
Dewitt is among the least of the Dodgers problems right now. I like the idea of a Dewitt/Martin platoon @ 3rd... if only Piazza was the backup catcher. Bennett sucks against lefties too.
One guy is an uber prospect and can't do anything right, and the other is Edward Scissorhands with the glove and has no pop, and he's done a wonderful job for the Dodgers (despite, you know, not actually doing a wonderful job).
Garbage.
It also might be they want LaRoche firing on all cylinders so that when he is called up he can take over 3b and stay there, but thats me being hopeful.
I sorta agree with those who say that it's basically Martin taking time from 3b from LaRoche, not Bennett. I also think that LaRoche has been treated stupidly. I would have gave him 3b last year (and Loney and no Nomar) to start the season and just rolled with it.
Now, maybe we don't know the whole story, could be Andy needs more rehab for the wrist. In that case AAA is the right place for it. But if his wrist is healthy, there's no reason in my mind why he shouldn't be starting today.
Both have a stated preference for veterans and yet both are not averse to using the young guns.
Both sacrifice short-term in their lineup decisions for long-term success.
Both utilize every player wearing a uniform--they don't seem to have a doghouse and yet both are not averse to letting players know they ain't cutting it (Jackson will fire a few barbs in the press and Torre sent Pierre a message on opening day).
Both move quickly if something isn't working (witness the pulling of Loaiza and Proctor yesterday) but both are known as patient.
Both seem very calm on the bench but both are known to be intense competitors.
Both took over the reins for icons--Torre now has more presence than Lasorda and Jackson essentially took the reins that Jerry West used to have.
Both won championships before coming to LA. Jackson has since won a few. Torre...
Hasn't LaRoche previously been recognized as the Dodgers top prospect? Until that fateful day during spring training,
wasn't it being promoted that Nomar would fill a super-utility role and LaRoche would be the third baseman on openeing day?
The more I read about Ethan Martin, the more I want him...as a position player though. This kid hits BOMBS and has an amazing eye at the plate. I wouldn't mind a Troy Glaus on the Dodgers although that doesn't seem to be the type of hitter White likes in the first.
As for LaRoche, I don't think this all that complicated. LaRoche could use more time in the minors. Hand fractures tend to rob a hitter of some power. I'd like to see LaRoche get more ABs, get into a groove, show that he can drive the ball, then come up.
140 games, yes. I'm not against LaRoche. I want him to succeed. He has had to battle through some hurts; lower back, throwing shoulder, now the thumb on the dominant hand. As I pointed out, time is not working in his favor. September 2008 he will be 25.
September 2009 he will be 26. What has he been able to do in the previous 24 months? If he can get healthy and stay healthy, then he can be in a position to express his talent.
Furthermore, as Jon has pointed out, 07 LaRoche put up comparable numbers to 08 DeWitt. Yet, DeWitt is a success while LaRoche still has something to prove?
I surmise that LaRoche would be able to do plenty if the Dodgers would actually commit to playing him -- but with their track record (Loney, Kemp) I wouldn't hold my breath.
Are you sure of that?
DeWitt's situation was born out of necessity and his performance thus far has been better than probably anyone expected.
Has this enabled the Dodgers to proceed without making a trade (Esteban German or others similar)?
How long have the Dodgers been searching for a really good MLB third baseman? They had a guy that now plays for the team in Seattle.
LaRoche needs to get well, because DeWitt is only 22 and has never played in more than 132 games in a season. He is one of the youngest players in the MLB, he might get worn out before September comes.
For instance, the Ethier/JP flap of the spring never got to the level it could. It was resolved the correct way. Yet JP has been productive. He's supposed to be a pro's pro, but lots of those "pros" don't do not starting well. JP got enough of a chance that while he still may think he should start, he can't really argue with what Ethier's done. Hence he really can't argue very much with Torre's decision--though he probably is thinking he can do better than this version of A. Jones, at least offensively.
More recently, we've seen quite a bit of Loaiza and Bennett, the two weak spots right now. This may be Torre's "give 'em enough rope" strategy. The more they play and struggle and the more their flaws are obvious, it becomes apparent they don't need to play much--or at all. Several pitchers already on the 40-man can do better than Loaiza, so that's not a problem. Maybe Ned will take Torre's hint and come up with something better than Bennett.
Or, could Ardoin from Vegas or do as well as Bennett? (As long as he's careful with snap throws to third.)
James Loney: 25 RBI
Hong-Chi Kuo: 25 K
I sense among some fans a panic that if LaRoche isn't given the job soon, someone else (Nomar, DeWitt, Martin) will steal it and we'll never know what we could've had. I think that's unlikely. Also -- the Dodgers are now back in the pennant race, though hardly in command of it. Joe Torre's extended spring training is pretty much over. It's winning time. LaRoche is no longer competing to be this year's Loney or Martin -- the surprising ingenue. He's competing to join a team in the thick of it. I believe LaRoche will contribute and won't need anyone's charity, but I don't blame Torre & Ng for waiting, and letting the guy crash his way into the door. In the long run, he'll be better off for having earned the job. I'm loving the confidence that shines off Loney, Kemp, Martin and Ethier right now. This is the path for LaRoche to develop the same thing.
Does this also apply to double steals, which the Dodgers have pulled off a few times lately?
I don't mean to argue about stolen bases. Just want to know if double steals alter the line of thinking or increase win chances. Seems like they might, since double steals put two runners in scoring position--if successful.
Does this also apply to double steals, which the Dodgers have pulled off a few times lately?
I don't mean to argue about stolen bases. Just want to know if double steals alter the line of thinking or increase win chances. Seems like they might, since double steals put two runners in scoring position--if successful.
Have absolutlely no idea how that happened.
So he's either the everyday 3rd baseman next year, a pinch hitter, or traded.
As my old coach used to say, you can't throw us both out.
The stolen base is certainly seen as valuable here so long as the runners are making it 75-80% of the time, which so far this year (outside of Loney) seems to be the case.
I don't know if double steals have a better success rate than regular steals, but I know the general rule is about 75% is break-even.
A lot of people don't care what the level of expectations are, only whether a player lives up to those expectations. And really, the level of expectations are unimportant - a player has high expectations because he has shown potential to perform at a high level; his failure to live up to expectations is a failure, even if the outcome is the same as (or even better than) the work of a player with lower expectations.
Also:
Blake DeWitt 2008 (25 games, 72 ABs): .278 /.373 /.389 (99 OBP+)
Andy LaRoche 2007 (35 games, 93 ABs): .226 /.365 /.312 (75 OBP+)
Small sample sizes, yes, but fairly equal samples, nonetheless, showing that DeWitt has thus far out-performed LaRoche, not put up essentially the same numbers... he's out hit and out slugged LaRoche, and gotten on base a little bit more.
Can they call up The Minotaur just for today? Fire up the Bat Plane!
Well, in good news, my soccer team is now 4-1 to start the season, with the toughest part of our schedule still to come, though.
And I need a nap. Wake me if this one starts looking better.
Paging Dr. Park, Dr. Wade, Dr. Proctor.
Please report to Coors field STAT!
(818) 655-2299
But D4P is right, even with 3 runs now, if Lowe gets out of this with "only" 3, the way the Dodgers are hitting it's certainly not over.
That was a nice read by Kemp on a ball that was smoked. Not "lathered" as the Rockies' announcer said. It's not a bar of soap, fellas!
83 - a valid point, and I certainly am not saying dump LaRoche in favor of DeWitt, but I do think DeWitt has shown tremendous upside while in the Majors that many didn't realize was there. But there is no reason to say that the Mike Edwards outcome could apply to LaRoche as equally as it could to DeWitt.
Personally, I'd like to see the two of them in a platoon where each gets 3-4 starts in a row, and see how it goes.
Yeah. Why use figurative language like "lathered" when you can use literal language like "smoked"...?
Or be creative.
Like, "that ball was banished!"
Or make words up: "That ball was really fantoozled!"
Plus, you'd need about 2/3rds of a season to get a valid sample of at bats to determine a winner.
And I agree, I like the Lakers in gold or in purple, and that's it.
Blake DeWitt (459 games, 1859 ABs): .279/.333/.444
Andy LaRoche (461 games, 1690 ABs): .293/.374/.521
Essentially the same?
LaRoche has out performed DeWitt in the minors by about the same level that DeWitt has out performed LaRoche in the majors.
Diamond's latest LaRoche update.
Prediction: We'll see him in 11 days.
"Then again, LaRoche was scratched from the lineup last night and isn't scheduled to be in today's lineup either due to a decision by Las Vegas manager Lorenzo Bundy."
Why is a minor league manager deciding LaRoche's playing time?
If you say so, Vin.
Which would mean he would be called up on May 14th, a day EARLIER than the date he had to be called up if he stayed on the DL.
'Course, neither does throwing red shirts in with underwear, which is what I'm really guarding against this morning.
Actually it may be a blessing, because I get so upset whem Lowe does this. Often it seems to take him an inning or two to be ready to pitch.
Ethier realized that (with Pierre's good play of late and Jones's big contract) he wasn't going to face anyone for a while.
Torre remaining patient with Jones
>> Jones wasn't in the lineup on Sunday, but Torre said that the reason was to give a start to Andre Ethier, who is hitting .305 but having trouble finding playing time with a hot Juan Pierre hitting .313 and Matt Kemp hitting .327 with 22 RBIs. In addition, Jones is only 2-for-12 lifetime against Colorado starter Aaron Cook.
How long will Torre stick with Jones in center field, especially knowing that he has a .300-hitting alternative on the bench?
"As long as it takes," <<
I watch almost every game, but I must have missed something. When Torre named Ethier the starting LF, he said he didn't want him to be looking over his shoulder, meaning that it wouldn't be taken away from him easily. He also made a remark recently that he was one of the few players that had earned to start every day. He has done nothing to warrant having the job taken away from him. I'm not saying Pierre hasn't played well lately, but Ethier hit over .300 on the road trip too and the job was supposed to be his to lose. So much for Torre being a man if his word. Seems like Ethier is always the one to end up on the short end of the stick no matter what he does. Pierre does deserve to start over Jones, but not over Ethier.
Kershaw compared with Chamberlain
>> Torre said it's his understanding that Kershaw's next few outings will be in relief in order to further minimize his workload. <<
## The Dodgers won't need a fifth starter until May 17. That will be too soon for the return of Jason Schmidt ##
Wonderful. Just wonderful.
Iron Man's gotten great reviews for the most part and that one's quirky enough for me to support it doing well at the box office.
I do not think any young people know anything about Speed Racer and I am not sure how many people that know the show really care to see the film.
Should bring some interesting talk tonight on Jon's debut on KABC 790.
Its no longer a small sample size for Druw. He was bad in 2007, and has been horrific in 2008.
I have no problem starting Pierre over Druw...and this is coming from someone that loathes Pierre.
http://www.PetitionOnline.com/AJ252AAA/petition.html
Nice.
Can't say I care that much. It's not like we have him for 5 years.
Man, this stinks. My ABC (channel 7 in the Bay Area) is coming in poorly on digital cable today so I can barely watch the Lakers game. All the other channels are fine, of course.
Mine is fine. You got jipped.
I'm more apt to forgive a struggling hitter if he looks like he remotely cares about his physical condition.
Nor do I think its a weight issue.
Druw may just be too old to play at a high level. Some people age differently than others.
Finley fell off the clif at 40. Maybe Druw's cliff is at 31.
He couldn't have been much clearer last offseason that he didn't want to play anywhere but NY. He was quoted several times saying that. But his actions spoke even louder when, following billionaire and buddy Warren Buffett's advice, he used an official with investment bank Goldman Sachs to do his new deal, cutting Boras out of the loop entirely. By then the Yankees reportedly had said they wouldn't talk further with Boras anyway.
If things had fallen apart in NY, A-Rod might have been open to relocating. But for him to be a Dodger, he'd have to have decided he wanted to be. Then the Dodgers would have to agree to some monster contract--however unwise it might be to invest that much in any one player, no matter how good. And the Dodgers haven't had just a whole lot of good luck with monster contracts in general.
As hard as it is for Dodger fans to hear it, not every star player wants to wear the blue. In recent offseasons a couple FA sluggers said they didn't want to play on the West Coast. In this day and time, star players pretty much call the shots on that type thing.
Rag on Colletti for some other things with justification. But offering the opinion that A-Rod could have been a Dodger now if Ned had just played his cards better is just, well, nuts.
So, when's Bynum back again?
He'll be back when they're playing in Hawaii.
Well, at least it gives Radmanovic a lot more playing time. {more crying}
It will be nice if Laroche can keep healthy and we have Ethier and him for solid OBP guys in the lineup. We would have a good bench!
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