I don't think there is player out there that can turn this thing around. Maybe a Zito/Willis type pitcher can have a big impact, but certainly not a position player. I like this trade for 2 reasons: 1) We didn't give up the farm, and 2) the guy is an upgrade at 3B, so it can only help.
As I had stated hours before the trade went down, the only rookie that I felt Colletti was willing to trade was Aybar. The rest of the guys need to get going again, and I hope last night was a prelude to them going back to their old hitting days of the 1st half. Big impact? No. But then again, as you said, no player would have an impact of the team if the other guys don't step it up.
People need to stop thinking that we are a piece away from a championship. We have some rebuilding to do, and Colletti admitted this much. If we can stay very competitive and make sound baseball decisions that will benefit us in the future (such as last night) then more kudos to Ned.
I don't disagree, in terms of impact guys turning it around. That's really tough to do in baseball. I think they can still make a run in the division- six wins in eight can make up three games in the West- but to win a title? I didn't even believe that when they were playing well. I was saying that more for poeple who might be looking at this in those terms. This is clearly a deal that can help this year (solidifies a position on a daily basis, in theory) but was made with next season and the long term in mind.
I'm not in favor of trading quality youth for a rent a player. A Tejada, proven big bat type I'd have to think hard about, but not a guy they thought would be around for a couple months. Not worth it, because it probably won't be enough. And if you think that's the case, make a run at a guy like Zito in the offseason.
Overall, I like the deal. I like that Colletti is willing to undo trades that don't work (though I don't like that as of right now, his actual trades have a spotty record in terms of success). At the very least it won't hurt anything in the long run.
You're right. I hadn't even thought about the fact that Colletti is not letting his pride keep him from admitting his mistakes. How many times have we seen GMs keep players around for the sole purpose of not having to admit they were wrong for acquiring them in the first place?
In my opinion, we are the dumping of a few bad contracts, and the acquisition of 2-3 players away from being serious WS contenders. There’s no sense in trying to make that happen overnight because it can’t be done. I like that Ned has kept a cool head, even through this losing streak.
Whether or not last night's win means that the Dodgers have turned a page or not, it was a much needed moral victory for everyone associated with the team.
It's kind of scary to think that with everyone on the current roster playing at their full potential, the Dodgers can really be that good. Of course, Izturis will never hit anything out of the infield again, and it will be another 140 ABs before Drew goes yard. Nice to see that the rookies continued to play their game. I wouldn't give Dodger's pitching too much credit, though, since Billingsley threw about 80 pitches in the first four innings, when he was facing the Nats' starters. It's easy to put up zeros on the scoreboard when you're facing guys like Daryl Ward and Robert Fick.
Scary moment, last night, though, on Olmedo's 2nd HBP. Until Betemit comes to town, the Dodgers are playing 2 IF short, which means no reserves. What would the Dodgers have done if Saenz had to come out of the game? Play Hall at 1B?
The more I read about this guy Betemit, the more I look forward to watching him play. I liked Aybar, but he was way too much of a defensive liability. Talent wise, I agree with BK that Colletti might have gotten a little more value out of Baez. As it stands right now, the Dodgers traded away a reliever for some infield defense. Of course, the Dodgers were under the gun to clear some room for Tomko, so I guess we can't be too picky.
Although Izturis now becomes the Dodgers' most lucrative trade chip, I don't think the timing of everything will allow Colletti to trade him before the end of the season. Kent won't be back until after the 1st, so the Dodgers need an IF. It will definitely create a logjam when everybody does come back, but does anybody think that Izturis will clear waivers so he can be traded in August?
As far a contending, I always believed that we had enough pieces that could catch lightning in a bottle and take us to the promise land, mainly because they have done so in the past. Mainly Lowe and Penny because they both have pitched great in the playoffs and helped lead their teams to victory. And we all know pitching wins championships. If we were able to get to the playoffs and acquire a solid #3 I thought we could make some serious noise. An undeserved championship (based on the "best team" theory)? Definitely. But that hasn't stopped all of these Wild Card teams from winning it all the last few years.
I think you're exactly right. It'll be hard to move Izzy before the non-waiver deadline to be sure, and he doesn't make enough money to get through the waiver process after that. Someone would make a claim. I think a bigger thing is finding a team that needs him. He's not a big bat, but a great glove. Most contending shortstops don't need a shortstop at this point in the year. On the other hand, he'll have a lot of interest in the offseason as teams reshape their rosters.
I think he finishes the year here, but can't imagine that he'll start '07 as a Dodger.
Hey BK, did you or your brother find out anything about last night's conversation between Grady Little and the Dodgers equipment manager? The camera caught Little looking incredibly shocked when the guy told him something in the dugout.
It's too bad that Colletti has been so intent on getting rid of Izturis since he took over. Izzy is an offensive liability, but he's been nothing but a good sport and a great guy for the Dodgers. Colletti does have a pretty good track record of taking care of his unwanted players through trade, so I hope he keeps it up this winter.
Andrew (right) and Brian Kamenetzky are hosts of the LA Times Lakers Blog, and contributing writers to ESPN The Magazine and ESPN.com. Additionally, they co-authored Fishing on the Edge, the autobiography of Mike Iaconelli, the bad boy of bass fishing and 2003 Bassmaster Classic champion. They grew up in St. Louis as Cardinals fans, but it doesn't impair their ability to Think Blue. After all, the Cards and Dodgers aren't even in the same division.
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Thank you, Dodgers. I was getting weak.
Lasorda
Posted by: Dodgerdog | July 29, 2006 at 07:39 AM
Good trade, any word on if it's true that Yuliesky Gourriel defected Cuba? AK who do you think has the best chance of signing this fenom?
ps that kid can flat out play! (Ned please!!)
Posted by: bluebleeder | July 29, 2006 at 08:11 AM
Princess Drew fit a grand slam!!!
Now THAT is something that can be confused as a typo.
Posted by: LoLo | July 29, 2006 at 09:11 AM
BK,
I don't think there is player out there that can turn this thing around. Maybe a Zito/Willis type pitcher can have a big impact, but certainly not a position player. I like this trade for 2 reasons: 1) We didn't give up the farm, and 2) the guy is an upgrade at 3B, so it can only help.
As I had stated hours before the trade went down, the only rookie that I felt Colletti was willing to trade was Aybar. The rest of the guys need to get going again, and I hope last night was a prelude to them going back to their old hitting days of the 1st half. Big impact? No. But then again, as you said, no player would have an impact of the team if the other guys don't step it up.
People need to stop thinking that we are a piece away from a championship. We have some rebuilding to do, and Colletti admitted this much. If we can stay very competitive and make sound baseball decisions that will benefit us in the future (such as last night) then more kudos to Ned.
Posted by: LoLo | July 29, 2006 at 10:19 AM
Lolo-
I don't disagree, in terms of impact guys turning it around. That's really tough to do in baseball. I think they can still make a run in the division- six wins in eight can make up three games in the West- but to win a title? I didn't even believe that when they were playing well. I was saying that more for poeple who might be looking at this in those terms. This is clearly a deal that can help this year (solidifies a position on a daily basis, in theory) but was made with next season and the long term in mind.
I'm not in favor of trading quality youth for a rent a player. A Tejada, proven big bat type I'd have to think hard about, but not a guy they thought would be around for a couple months. Not worth it, because it probably won't be enough. And if you think that's the case, make a run at a guy like Zito in the offseason.
Overall, I like the deal. I like that Colletti is willing to undo trades that don't work (though I don't like that as of right now, his actual trades have a spotty record in terms of success). At the very least it won't hurt anything in the long run.
BK
Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | July 29, 2006 at 10:40 AM
BK,
You're right. I hadn't even thought about the fact that Colletti is not letting his pride keep him from admitting his mistakes. How many times have we seen GMs keep players around for the sole purpose of not having to admit they were wrong for acquiring them in the first place?
In my opinion, we are the dumping of a few bad contracts, and the acquisition of 2-3 players away from being serious WS contenders. There’s no sense in trying to make that happen overnight because it can’t be done. I like that Ned has kept a cool head, even through this losing streak.
Posted by: LoLo | July 29, 2006 at 10:46 AM
Whether or not last night's win means that the Dodgers have turned a page or not, it was a much needed moral victory for everyone associated with the team.
It's kind of scary to think that with everyone on the current roster playing at their full potential, the Dodgers can really be that good. Of course, Izturis will never hit anything out of the infield again, and it will be another 140 ABs before Drew goes yard. Nice to see that the rookies continued to play their game. I wouldn't give Dodger's pitching too much credit, though, since Billingsley threw about 80 pitches in the first four innings, when he was facing the Nats' starters. It's easy to put up zeros on the scoreboard when you're facing guys like Daryl Ward and Robert Fick.
Scary moment, last night, though, on Olmedo's 2nd HBP. Until Betemit comes to town, the Dodgers are playing 2 IF short, which means no reserves. What would the Dodgers have done if Saenz had to come out of the game? Play Hall at 1B?
The more I read about this guy Betemit, the more I look forward to watching him play. I liked Aybar, but he was way too much of a defensive liability. Talent wise, I agree with BK that Colletti might have gotten a little more value out of Baez. As it stands right now, the Dodgers traded away a reliever for some infield defense. Of course, the Dodgers were under the gun to clear some room for Tomko, so I guess we can't be too picky.
Although Izturis now becomes the Dodgers' most lucrative trade chip, I don't think the timing of everything will allow Colletti to trade him before the end of the season. Kent won't be back until after the 1st, so the Dodgers need an IF. It will definitely create a logjam when everybody does come back, but does anybody think that Izturis will clear waivers so he can be traded in August?
Posted by: Makoto Ueno | July 29, 2006 at 10:51 AM
BK,
As far a contending, I always believed that we had enough pieces that could catch lightning in a bottle and take us to the promise land, mainly because they have done so in the past. Mainly Lowe and Penny because they both have pitched great in the playoffs and helped lead their teams to victory. And we all know pitching wins championships. If we were able to get to the playoffs and acquire a solid #3 I thought we could make some serious noise. An undeserved championship (based on the "best team" theory)? Definitely. But that hasn't stopped all of these Wild Card teams from winning it all the last few years.
Posted by: LoLo | July 29, 2006 at 10:55 AM
Makoto-
I think you're exactly right. It'll be hard to move Izzy before the non-waiver deadline to be sure, and he doesn't make enough money to get through the waiver process after that. Someone would make a claim. I think a bigger thing is finding a team that needs him. He's not a big bat, but a great glove. Most contending shortstops don't need a shortstop at this point in the year. On the other hand, he'll have a lot of interest in the offseason as teams reshape their rosters.
I think he finishes the year here, but can't imagine that he'll start '07 as a Dodger.
Bk
Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | July 29, 2006 at 12:21 PM
Hey BK, did you or your brother find out anything about last night's conversation between Grady Little and the Dodgers equipment manager? The camera caught Little looking incredibly shocked when the guy told him something in the dugout.
It's too bad that Colletti has been so intent on getting rid of Izturis since he took over. Izzy is an offensive liability, but he's been nothing but a good sport and a great guy for the Dodgers. Colletti does have a pretty good track record of taking care of his unwanted players through trade, so I hope he keeps it up this winter.
Posted by: Makoto Ueno | July 29, 2006 at 12:52 PM
On the dugout conversation, I gathered the equipment guy was telling Little that the new guy wouldn't be arriving from Atlanta in time to play today.
Either that or he had re-read the voodoo directions and realized the mojo was good for one night of hitting only.
Posted by: wmm | July 29, 2006 at 01:33 PM