Extra! Extra! (7.31)
A week ago, every team in baseball was hoping for a crack at the Dodgers. So what does that say about the Nationals?
Los Angeles completed a three-game sweep of their visitors from D.C. on Sunday afternoon, regaining some much needed momentum and moving themselves within five games of first place San Diego in the West. As for the wild card, they've got five games to make up on Cincinnati...where the Blue will begin a three-game set starting tomorrow.
You want intrigue? We deliver. On Sunday, it looked like the Dodgers were ready to do anything they could to lose. They wasted leadoff doubles, including two by newly acquired 3B Wilson Betemit, and balked runners home (in reality, the latter was fairly entertaining for anyone not named Mark Hendrickson).
The old Dodgers of say, five days ago would have folded like an accordion. But these are the new Blue: indestructible, determined and clutch. Jose Cruz Jr.'s game tying, pinch-hit homer in the seventh was one of three Dodger solo shots; then James Loney and Cesar Izturis won it in the ninth. They've got a long way to go, but for the first time in a while, the Dodgers have reason to feel optimistic. The box score, meanwhile, shows an inelegant-but-effective-enough start from Hendrickson, and solid bullpen work.
With the trade deadline approaching (1 p.m. on the West Coast, for those of you looking to take a long lunch), Ned Colletti is still working the phones in search of pitching and offense...so basically everything. Not that he hasn't been trying.
The Dodgers added another infielder Sunday in Betemit, but Colletti says he's not actively trying to trade Cesar Izturis. For all the talk of roster additions, the Blue made a subtraction Sunday afternoon. Nomar Garciaparra was placed on the 15-day DL to give more time for his right knee sprain to heal. Seems running is an issue for him, and the Dodgers don't want to mess with his health.
We'll do what we can to keep you updated on any deals that come through. Check MLB.com and ESPN.com as well. Meanwhile, Yahoo Sports has links to different rumors, including one that says the Marlins have entered the Soriano sweepstakes.
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I guess that means Dontrell is unavailable, huh?? HAHA!!
Posted by: LoLo | July 31, 2006 at 09:11 AM
The Dodgers were playing with mostly youngsters. They have blown some things (typical rookies) but I LOVE what I saw.
Posted by: LoLo | July 31, 2006 at 09:13 AM
Look out, AK/BK...
The Reds got Casey from the Pirates. You guys are in for a slug-fest!
Posted by: LoLo | July 31, 2006 at 09:22 AM
Whoops!!! By bad. The Tigers got Casey. The Reds got Cormier.
Posted by: LoLo | July 31, 2006 at 09:23 AM
Now the A's are involved in the Soriano talks. Between them and Marlins, we're not getting Soriano.
Posted by: LoLo | July 31, 2006 at 09:25 AM
The Reds actually think they can catch the Cards. I don't know if that says more about the resurgence of the Reds, or the demise of the Cards. The Cards have been untouchable the last few years. That's certainly not the case anymore.
Posted by: LoLo | July 31, 2006 at 09:28 AM
Just read that the agent for our favorite team player, Toby Hall, daily requests that Hall be traded. In addtion, Toby has not rented an apartment in LA, figuring he'd be sent packing soon (not soon enough!). So Toby has solved his housing problem by living at a Ritz-Carlton. Poor baby.
Put up mediocre numbers, at best, yet still get paid well enough to afford a Ritz-Carlton. Maybe he'll be accomodated and sent to KC where he can share a room at Motel 6 with Odalis. What a loser.
Guys like that poison the atmosphere in a clubhouse full of young, impressionable players. And, he's displayed this attitude from day 1. Isn't Brent Mayne still around? Chad Kreuter could take a leave from SC to fill the backup role.
Posted by: Dodgerdog | July 31, 2006 at 09:36 AM
Soriano? It's not over till it's over. I read the Dodgers are doing some talking. Whatever, I like our direction. If we don't do something before the deadline I think we'll do something big over the summer.
mike
Posted by: Michael Teniente | July 31, 2006 at 09:36 AM
Dodgerdog,
You have a link for that? That's very frustrating news concerning Hall, ecpecialliy since our fortunes have turned around of late. I see a bright future and I don't want it smeared with s*** by the complaints of a mediocre (at best) catcher.
Posted by: LoLo | July 31, 2006 at 10:23 AM
LoLo,
Check out the rumors section on Foxsports.com. There's lots of stuff there, but you'll find the item about 2/3 of the way down the MLB rumor section.
Posted by: Dodgerdog | July 31, 2006 at 11:00 AM
If Soriano comes, where does he play? 2nd?
Posted by: Fish Guy | July 31, 2006 at 11:10 AM
Wait for it...wait for it...wait for it...
Posted by: LoLo | July 31, 2006 at 12:55 PM
....aaaaaaaand it's here.
No news, so I guess we didn't deal. I'll give it 30 minutes to simmer down just in case any late deals hit the news wire.
Posted by: LoLo | July 31, 2006 at 01:03 PM
DODGERS GET MADDUX AND CASH FOR IZTURIS
http://www.sportsline.com/index?mlb7.30.06
Posted by: Dodger Fan | July 31, 2006 at 01:08 PM
Dodger Fan,
That is indeed the headline on cbssportsline.com as "breaking news." We shall see more details shortly, I'm sure.
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | July 31, 2006 at 01:15 PM
What the...
I can't say this is totally unexpected, but I'm not sure how this is going to help anything.
Posted by: Makoto Ueno | July 31, 2006 at 01:17 PM
Anyone hear about the Maddux for Izturis trade?
Who's spot in the rotation does he take? Billingsley?
Posted by: stargazin | July 31, 2006 at 01:20 PM
Not sure this is a good move...giving up Izturis for Maddux and $1 mil....that means we only have Martinez at 2nd until Kent comes back....very dicey in my opinion..but I guess since we don't have a pitching staff....lol....anybody else love Hendrickson?...yikes is he awful...and Sele...not alot of confidence there either....I guess I'm happy so far they didn't give up alot for Soriano since we have a great left fielder already....
Posted by: Kate | July 31, 2006 at 01:22 PM
Greg Maddux for Cesar?????
Posted by: michael Furukawa | July 31, 2006 at 01:25 PM
The Dodgers get Juan Lugo. Why?
Posted by: Rick | July 31, 2006 at 01:26 PM
izzy for maddux? arg! we got a rent-a-player! this sucks!
AK/BK, did the dodgers pick up lugo for guzman and pedrosa?
Posted by: THE WOLF | July 31, 2006 at 01:28 PM
Looks like Ned made the deal for Julio Lugo for Joel Guzman and another minor leaguer I haven't heard of...He will play 2nd until Kent gets back and then they'll figure it out....not bad, not bad at all....Ned is really trying, eh?
Posted by: Kate | July 31, 2006 at 01:29 PM
we did get lugo from the rays. what the hell is up with that? this day sucks. i definitely would give up lugo for guzman, NO F'IN WAY!!!!! way to go ned.
Posted by: THE WOLF | July 31, 2006 at 01:32 PM
Maddux to LA? wow, didnt see that one coming.
Posted by: derek | July 31, 2006 at 01:34 PM
The Cubs will have the pleasure of watching one of the finest defensive shotstops ever.
Maybe we can get him back someday through free agency...
Man, I LOVED watching him play!
Posted by: Andy B | July 31, 2006 at 01:42 PM