Extra! Extra! (6.30)
It's obviously no secret that the Dodgers could use a little more oomph in the rotation. But here's the $1,000,000 question. What cost are they willing to pay? In a rather amusing bit of irony, were Jeff Weaver to rejoin the squad, the price tag would likely please Bob Barker. At any case, dude could become available.
Like everyone else, the Press-Enterprise has noted of the success currently enjoyed by "the kids." Thus, they did some individual profiles of the usual suspects: Jonathon Broxton. Andre Ethier. Matt Kemp. Chad Billingsley. Russell Martin. One could make a serious argument that the Dodger farm system features some rather fertile soil. But don't forget about a few vets who "get 'er done" as well.
Interleague Follies! Freeway Series II, Electric Bugaloo. The weekend/rivalry gets kicked off tonight with a battle of two...heavyweights. (Oh, c'mon! You guys were thinking it! We just said it!) These, however, would be some serious heavyweights.
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Are we sure we really want Jeff Weaver back? He was decent last year - a season generally lacking decency - but he has been in a funk this year.
Ignoring quality, though, I can see Weaver's value in terms of quantity. He is an inning eater, and would definitely be an asset for our rotation which generally has a hard time getting through seven innings without relief.
Posted by: Andrew | June 30, 2006 at 11:06 AM
I firmly believe that Martin, Ethier, Kemp, Guzman, and Aybar are untouchable. None of them should be involved in any trades this year or next year. After that, we can re-evaluate their progress.
If the Dodgers want to make a deal to boost the rotation and/or bullpen, I think they'll have to do it with other minor leaguers who haven't made an impact at the major league level as of yet.
The obvious choice would be James Loney. He's a strong prospect, but the Dodgers have Nomar. Given the way Nomar has performed this year, it's a no-brainer that he'll be resigned to a long-term deal after the season. Which means there's no place for Loney to play.
I'd also say that Ledee, Repko, and Werth are trade bait -- assuming they recover from their assorted injuries in the next few weeks.
I'd be OK with the Dodgers not making any major deals this year -- and trying to win a weak division with the current roster. If they don't make it, OK. Next year the rookies can take over and the team will be better for it. Ned has to think long-term here.
Posted by: RC | June 30, 2006 at 11:14 AM
I definitely wouldn't trade away any part of the Dodgers' future for Jeff Weaver, but if he can be had for cheap, and for cash consideration only, I say go for it. Dump Perez, and pay the prorated league minimum to Weaver. If Colletti can pull that move off, he'll look like an absolute genius.
Posted by: Makoto Ueno | June 30, 2006 at 11:59 AM
RC you are right on it. 87 games will probably win the division and that is a big improvement from last year and a nice springboard into 2007.
Posted by: Jim | June 30, 2006 at 12:15 PM
Long term won't shore up the pitching because there is not much coming up in the next 2 years. It seems like the Dodgers need to trade position prospects for some pitching prospects who might be closer to coming up.
I'd take Weaver back... with Jim Colborn as pitching coach. I think Colborn really helped him last year.
Posted by: Andy B | June 30, 2006 at 12:56 PM
I think you can make an argument that since the NL west is a pretty weak conference, and since they'd probably win it without big blockbuster trades, they'd be better off not spending too much (mess with their farm). Lost in all this, is that I don't seem to hear much about the pitching prospects of the org (outside of Billingsley)...so do they have enough to actually grow into a serious rotation of the future?
So I guess the answer is, something like what happened before, not huge in any means, yet accomplished relativelly what they wanted---pitching.
I haven't been around here in awhile...but would like to comment on the devastation of the Twins Sweep...let's not forget the record of the NL against the AL...and plus the twins aside from being 14-1 (including the sweep), they have always been simply good and pains-in-the-butts. So the dodgers got their butt kicked, it's better than getting it kicked by the pirates lol. Here's something to think about...completely impossible, but man can you imagine Santana in a Dodger uni? That'd be awesome!
Okay back to the Angels...man I really don't know who to root for...lol...I love Vlad (who is actually struggling right now) and I live in the OC but this blog experience has made a fan out of me lol (well that and Garciaparra and my man Kemp!).
Posted by: Faith | June 30, 2006 at 01:00 PM
Here's a twist. The Angels release Weaver and we claim him. Then we designate OP. I like it!
Posted by: Jim | June 30, 2006 at 02:19 PM
With pitching as weak as it is, even around the rest of the league, why the hell didn't the dodgers just give Luke Hochevar what he wanted? If he ends up being an ace, the dodgers will wish they had kept him . . . just my opinion. You really can't go cheap with piching by trying to bandaid everything, it will always end up biting you in the butt . . . who are the teams that make it to the world series every year? I don't remember the last time a team that won the world series with a team ERA not in the top 5 of NL or AL ERA.
Posted by: Dodger Fan | June 30, 2006 at 03:41 PM
We have to try to win now.We dont know when we will be this close again.A few players get hurt next thing you know your in last place.We have to many infielders and not enough infield spots.Guzman and Aybar are not untouchable if you can get a number1 or 2 pitcher in return.The kids are playing great now but Guzman hasnt proven he's the real deal and we dont have a spot for Aybar.We have to give up talent to get talent.This could be our year or it could be just another lost season.
Posted by: JB | June 30, 2006 at 05:33 PM
I like Jeff Weaver. I'd make a deal for him.
mike
Posted by: Michael Teniente | June 30, 2006 at 09:46 PM
I wouldnt trade any of our top prospects for a pitcher like Weaver.It would have to be an ace type picther.
Posted by: JB | June 30, 2006 at 10:46 PM
Dodger Fan
Because Boras is the anti-christ (lol)!
I know how you feel, but they had a deal with the kid, he agreed, and then pulled out and BorASS wanted over 25% more.
We should all do that. Next time you sell something somebody really wants, jack up the price on 'em.
Then tell 'em they do that in baseball.
Posted by: Andy B | July 01, 2006 at 12:57 AM
Dodger Fan:
I agree; if you recall, Boras did the same thing with Jered Weaver and the Angels finally blinked and paid him his asking price just before he would have gone back into the draft the way Hochevar did this year. For some reason, I don't think the Angels are now regretting their decision to pay the outrageous money Boras got for Jered.
Only time will tell if Hochevar ends up being worth his asking price, but it usually is less risky paying big bucks to a seasoned college pitcher, who is both closer to helping the team at the big-league level and easier to read as a major league "sure thing" having been put to the test in college games.
Posted by: MattC | July 01, 2006 at 09:55 PM