We Interrupt My Watching the First Season of "The OC" on DVD for This Important Dispatch from Dodger Stadium
And you know this is big, because Ryan is about to confront Luke and tell him he needs to stop sleeping with Marissa's mom.
I got a call from AK, at the game today, and he told me there's a good chance the Dodgers have something in the works. In the pregame wrangle with Grady Little, the GM said Brett Tomko will be activated before the game... but they can't do it quite yet.
"We have a decision on Tomko. There's a couple more things going on right now where we're kind of on hold on the announcement on the move," Little said. "The other day it was health issues. Today it could be other things."
Says AK: "At minimum, it sounded like someone is going to get released, but it sounds like there could be a trade in the works. The throng seemed to get that impression. Little said he was just waiting for the phone to ring, and was as anxious as we were."
If it's Soriano, it would make for one of those cool deals in sports where guys clean out their lockers and walk to the other dugout. At least we know it won't require a police escort. But AK pointed out he could be off, and had no idea what players might be headed in, or out. It could just be someone getting designated.
"They gave no indication more than there's a phone, and it needs to ring," my brother said in an exclusive Blue Notes interview. It's actually a giant red phone in Little's office with one huge flashing light in the center. No buttons to call out, just a big red light in the center.
That last part may not be true, but it adds flavor and atmosphere to the scene.
—BK
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Mmmmmmm...Mischa Barton!!!
Posted by: LoLo | July 28, 2006 at 06:02 PM
Mmmmmmm.....Kelly Rowan!!
Posted by: LoLo | July 28, 2006 at 06:03 PM
I think the Dodgers just traded Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier for the rights to Luke Hochevar. That's the big story.
Posted by: Dodgerdog | July 28, 2006 at 06:05 PM
Focus, Lolo! Focus!
BK
Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | July 28, 2006 at 06:06 PM
LMFAO...BK and DodgerDog!! HAHAHAHA!!!
Posted by: LoLo | July 28, 2006 at 06:09 PM
BK,
Don't let Derek Lowe know what you're watching.
Posted by: Dodgerdog | July 28, 2006 at 06:17 PM
Hmm... something is definitely afoot.
Since we're all aglow with trade talk, here's a scenario no one has talked about:
Trade Nomar. From a PR standpoint, it's a terrible idea, but from a pure baseball perspective, it's something to consider. James Loney is absolutely lights out in AAA this season, batting close to .380 with high OBP and SLG to boot. Statistically, he's put up similar numbers to a pre allstar Nomar. Since he's pretty much got no where else to go in the minors, it's do or die time for Mr. Loney and the Dodger's organization. No one knows if Loney can translate his huge AAA numbers to the majors, but if Colletti thinks this guy is the real deal (and he must, if Loney is still around), then Nomar probably will not be signed next year. So, instead of letting Nomar walk, why not try to get some real talent in return? With his recent slump and injury, his price may have fallen, but he seems to be in good health, has a great attitude, and is an excellent 1B.
Personally, if I were Ned Colletti, I don't think I would be able to pull the trigger on such a deal, but it's worth a thought.
Posted by: Makoto Ueno | July 28, 2006 at 06:33 PM
Makoto-
Now that's an intriguing scenario. The problem with Loney is the same as guys like Sean Casey, etc. Not a lot of power in a power position. If you can make up for it in other places, no worries (you know, like a theoretical power hitting second baseman...). If not, it's tough.
BK
Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | July 28, 2006 at 06:39 PM
Well, Nomar isn't much of a power guy either, so if Loney is as good as advertised, there might not be much of a difference, talent-wise.
Posted by: Makoto Ueno | July 28, 2006 at 06:40 PM
Makoto,
Wouldn't that make us "sellers" though? Trading Nomar would be interpreted as throwing up the white flag since he is the only “star” on our team worth a damn.
I'm biased though. Nomar has always been one of my favorite players so it would be hard for me to let go.
Posted by: LoLo | July 28, 2006 at 06:40 PM
I can't imagine the Dodgers waiting very much longer to make a decison on this season. If Soriano is the choice, and three players (1 major leaguer and two almost ready for primetime) is the ante ... Colletti better get the check book out and get Soriano signed.
Bobby Abreu is a worthwhile person to chase after also.
I don't think Garciaparra is a goner. I see him going to third with Furcal or Izturis as trade bait for a 1B.
Anyway ... something needs to happen NOW!
Posted by: Bob Smith aka Garvey for Persident | July 28, 2006 at 06:44 PM
Lolo, yes it would technically make us 'sellers'. But according to Steve Henson of the LA Times, trading Ledee, Cruz, Baez or Izturis would make the Dodgers sellers as well.
I was thinking more along the lines of a Nomar for another semi-superstar trade that can help the Dodgers in other positions (3B or the OF, for example).
Posted by: Makoto Ueno | July 28, 2006 at 06:45 PM
Makoto-
Absolutely. But that's part of the problem with the lineup right now. That said, unless they really think they want to sign Nomar in the offseason, what you're proposing isn't a bad idea from a baseball standpoint. From a PR standpoint, they might as well change the team name to "The L.A. Giants." Even if Nomar goes after this year, if they say they made an effort to sign him, it's probably better than moving him now. That's a serious seller move (again, not necessarily wrong, but absolutely seller). The other thing is that Nomar's value may not be as high right now b/c of his knee. Anytime you put Nomar nad injury together, people freak out. I wonder what they'd be able to get for him.
When you don't have power at the corners, where it's more readily available, you ahve to find it at other positions, where it might not be.
BK
Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | July 28, 2006 at 06:45 PM
Makoto,
Trading Ledee, Cruz, and Baez to get help would make us, as Jules (our man in Inglewood) would say, "smart mutha F'ers"!! HAHA!!!
Steven Henson on the other hand....not so smart. HAHA!! J/K.
Posted by: LoLo | July 28, 2006 at 06:51 PM
BK,
I would say that is THE problem with the Dodgers right now. The Dodgers have no power at the corners, or in any one of the OF positions.
Personally, what I would like to see is for the team to sit tight, try to get it's act together in August, and see a lot of rookie action in September to see who really is the future.
Posted by: Makoto Ueno | July 28, 2006 at 06:52 PM
BK,
Knowing our great trading success rate, we'd trade Nomar to Oakland (they need a 1st baseman) for Esteban Loaiza and his 6.52 ERA and fine driving record.
Posted by: Dodgerdog | July 28, 2006 at 06:52 PM
BK,
BTW, we're 1-0 when the blog goes live (hint, hint).
Posted by: LoLo | July 28, 2006 at 06:54 PM
Actually, our problem is lack of timely hits (or a good RISP average), but some round-trippers wouldn't hurt.
We used to score 8+ runs a game without hitting a HR. Of course, that requires good hitting, which we certainly don't have right now. At this point, a round-tripper here and there would definately help.
Posted by: LoLo | July 28, 2006 at 06:59 PM
ESPN's Trade Deadline Show just started ... maybe we can find something out there?
Posted by: Bob Smith aka Garvey for Persident | July 28, 2006 at 07:01 PM
ESPN's Jayson Stark say the Dodgers have jumped into the Miguel Tejada talks with Izturis as bait.
Posted by: Bob Smith aka Garvey for Persident | July 28, 2006 at 07:10 PM
Bob Smith,
Your guess is as good as mine. Everyone here in the pressbox is just kind of waiting around to hear something.
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | July 28, 2006 at 07:27 PM
LIVE BLOG!! LIVE BLOG!! LIVE BLOG!! LIVE BLOG!!
CHONG LI!! CHONG LI!!! CHONG LI!! CHONG LI!!
Posted by: LoLo | July 28, 2006 at 07:29 PM
That's "Bob Smith aka Garvey for President" to you, AK!! HAHAHA!!
Posted by: LoLo | July 28, 2006 at 07:36 PM
According to ESPN, "the Dodgers could use Maddox's arm...and his bat at this point".
Ouch!! That was below the belt, HAHA!!
Posted by: LoLo | July 28, 2006 at 07:39 PM
WOOOHOOOO!!!
We got the Braves kid for Baez!!!!
Posted by: LoLo | July 28, 2006 at 07:44 PM