A Smattering of Ned
Dodgers GM Ned Colletti spoke on a variety of subjects before Tuesday's game, from September call ups to tonight's "playoff eligible" trade deadline to the changing state of free agency to why AK should stop wearing those insanely tight cycling shorts to the park every night.* Here's a sample.
*One of these topics may not have come up. Because we're not bossy at Blue Notes, I'll let you decide which.
—BK
On what's caused the parity throughout the league (if you haven't noticed, everyone short of the 51's are still in contention for the NL Wild Card):
"It could be a lot of different things. It could be the effects of revenue sharing. Some of the teams that in the past may have struggled to keep their own players when they got to be arbitration eligible or free agents and had to trade them off (no longer necessarily have to). I think that's probably some of it, that teams have an opportunity to keep their better young players for a longer period of time. Other than that, I don't know. I know that every team in this division's capable of running off a winning streak and capable of getting beat a bunch. I think we all have. In this division, I think it's so close that teams beat up on each other all the time, so you end up with the kind of balance you're talking about, with a bunch of teams around .500"
On what teams have surprised him:
"Cincinnati has probably been as surprising as anybody this year. Colorado is better this year, but they were better the last couple months of last season so I think you're seeing the results of that. They've started developing some pitching, started keeping the ball in the ballpark at home. They've got some good young players and they've got good young pitching. Obviously the Mets have been terrific, but that much of a surprise. So I think it would be Cincinnati, and Colorado to a lesser extent. And Florida."
Are teams hovering around .500 in the West because it's a bunch of good teams beating each other up making their record seem worse, or is it a question of average teams getting an average result?
"Average to good. I think there are some good teams."
On the productivity of such a large crop of rookies this year across baseball:
"I think opportunity. None of this is scientific, but last year's free agent class was in my opinion was mediocre. Some good players and some star players, but not an overabundance of star players. So when you're looking at putting together a club, you're thinking, Do I give X amount of millions and X amount of years for someone I'm not really enthralled with vs. giving that kid an opportunity, teams more and more will say they'll give the kid the opportunity. That's had something to do with it. Some of the better young players have been pitchers, and pitchers can come a lot quicker than position players. You can see a pitcher come out of college and a year or two later be in the big leagues. It's tough to see a position player do that."
Did you expect this much of Ethier and Martin this quickly?
"No. I thought that with Ethier that maybe by the All Star break he'd be in the big leagues. Russell Martin, I thought the more he could catch in AAA, the better he'd be when he got here. He caught about five weeks at AAA, and he's done well. And Ethier was about the same. I think they came up within days of each other."
On how the trend towards locking up players younger changes the landscape of free agency:
"You're going to have fewer free agents, so you're obviously going to have to build from your own system more than you would otherwise. There's a lot of kids playing. There's a lot of young players who are playing and in a lot of cases making a positive impact on their club. When (teams) sign players long term like that, younger players, they're no longer available (to the rest of the league). You don't have the large scope of free agents available, so you've got less of a pool to choose from outside of your own."
On how he makes the decision to lock up a young guy before he becomes arbitration eligible, and perhaps into a free agent year or two:
"Case by case. Case by case."
On how he'd describe the upcoming free agent class:
"If those who are eligible are all eligible? Thin."
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So what you're saying is that Colletti avoided the topic of trades because he wanted to talk about how sexy AK looks in spandex biker shorts? Am I missing something here?
Posted by: LoLo | August 31, 2006 at 03:40 PM
AK's got a right to make a fashion statement if he wants to make said statement.
Posted by: stargazin | August 31, 2006 at 03:48 PM
has NED admitted how heavily he depends on this blog
for advice and direction. Ned is the best.
GRADY is second best. LASORDA is third best.
ALSTON is fourth best. LOLO is 101 and GRUMPY is 102.
Posted by: stargazin | August 31, 2006 at 03:53 PM
Seriously there is more info available on this
site than all other sources combined ( partly true
because you include links to every other possible
source).As a life long DODGER and LAKER junkie
this is the best discovery of my sport spectator
life. I know you guys probably think i'm just a big joke but it is a great blog. I'm glad the LA TIMES
thinks so also, so you guys will be around for a
long time.
Posted by: stargazin | August 31, 2006 at 03:58 PM
I think the Yankees caused the recent trend of clubs developing from within. As I have said several times, the recent Yankees dynasty was based on players that they developed from within their system. Jeter, Bernie, Mariano, Posada, etc., all came from within their system to develop the core that helped them win 4 WSs. Once they built that core all they had to do was go out and get a Boggs here and a Clemens there, and presto, you had a championship team.
But then the Yankees got greedy and their core began to get old. They traded away their farm system and started buying their team. As a result, Georgie has to fork over $200 million a year to buy a team that is not necessarily capable of winning the WS (their pitching stinks). And Georgie better get used to it, because he’s going to have to fork over that type of cash until they rebuild their farm system, which could take at least 3-4 years.
That has caused owners to reevaluate their position. “I can spend $200 million on payroll and still not win the WS”? That’s not very smart business, in my opinion, but Georgie has no choice. Clubs are holding on to their young talent and pitching. As a result there has been less turnover in the offseason. Without a high level of turnover clubs have to rely within to improve their clubs.
We were able to improve our club this last offseason because Colletti did a fantastic job of luring free agents. We can’t expect that every year. And we also can’t expect every free agent to pan out. In fact, we have been greatly aided by our rookies (Ethier, Martin, Broxton, Saito, Loney). If it wasn’t for them we most certainly would not be as good as we are. And there’s the lesson Colletti was talking about. And he’ll have to make those “should I pay X amount of dollars for a free agent, or should I bring up someone from within” decisions this offseason. With more and more clubs doing the latter it’s going to create parity. We just have been very fortunate that we have the cream of the crop in our farm system.
Posted by: LoLo | August 31, 2006 at 04:03 PM
Thanks Stargazin'. Glad you like it. Tell all your friends to join the discussion!
BK
PS- No, I don't think you're a big joke. Actually, you're pretty funny.
Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | August 31, 2006 at 04:13 PM
stargazin, you're not a joke. You're just our Mickey Hatcher. All teams need one.
Posted by: LoLo | August 31, 2006 at 04:13 PM
ITS AMAZING HOW IMPORTANT THE FORIEGN PLAYERS HAVE BECOME, LIKE SAY A MONSTER PLAYER LIKE HEE SOP CHOI.
BUT SERIOUSLY ITS ALMOST LIKE THE NBA WITH THE
FORIEGN INFLUX. ESP. THE VET JAPANESE PITCHERS THAT COME OVER HERE READY TO GO LIKE "SAMMY".
HOW DID THE "SAMMY" SIGNING COME ABOUT AND HOW MUCH
IS HE GETTING PAID?????NED ??????NED'S NO.1.
NED'S THE ENERGIZER BUNNY OF GMS, NEVER SAW A TRADE
HE DIDN'T LIKE. BUT SERIOUSLY,AGAIN THE MADDUX TRADE
TURNED AROUND THE DODGER SEASON.
Posted by: stargazin | August 31, 2006 at 04:19 PM
The irony is that I'm firmly against bicycle shorts, except when covered by other shorts. And yes, that includes professional cyclists during a race. I don't care if they're pedaling in the Tour de France. They should have to add an extra layer. If it makes them less aerodynamic, whatever. Everyone becomes less aerodynamic, so it all evens out.
And don't even get me started on the jackass amateur riders who waltz into a Starbucks donning a pair. Oh so disturbing visuals.
"For God's sake, Wyatt! Would you cover yourself!"
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | August 31, 2006 at 04:20 PM
LOLO-YEAH THAT WAS WHAT I WAS GOING FOR. JUST
GET A LITTLE CARRIED AWAY SOMETIMES. BUT I GUESS
MICKEY DID AND PROBABLY STILL DOES TOO.
BK-WHAT FRIENDS?WHY DO U THINK I BLOG 24-7.
BESIDES IF U HAD 5 OR 6 MORE LIKE ME, WHAT WOULD HAPPEN TO THE BLOG.
Posted by: stargazin | August 31, 2006 at 04:23 PM
"Gary, by the way, why are we wearing bras on our heads?"
Posted by: LoLo | August 31, 2006 at 04:25 PM
BK- WHATS THE DEAL? AK IS TOTALLY DENYING THE
BIKE SHORTS THING.HOW CAN WE TRUST YOU'RE GIVING US
"THE FACTS AND ONLY THE FACTS". YOUR CREDIBILITY
IS NOW UNDER THE MICROSCOPE.
Posted by: stargazin | August 31, 2006 at 04:32 PM
Thats one of the things you have to like about NED
he doesn't pretend to have all the answers . just
a guy doing his job the best he can.
Posted by: stargazin | August 31, 2006 at 04:35 PM
Seriously, i'm sure you're both professionly dressed, suit and tie guys. right???
Posted by: stargazin | August 31, 2006 at 04:40 PM
stargazin,
YOU'RE ALRIGHT!
and if you need to get a quick Laker fix, I know of another blog you might be interested in. Unless you already lakersblog with another handle.
>_<
Posted by: dan the man >_< aka smushcalade | August 31, 2006 at 05:07 PM
DAN THE MAN- THX , once the lakers get into the
preseason i will contribute. i did a couple times
last season. i just checked the site. there's more
bloging activity there then on blue notes, its
amazing. when baseball's on, im all DODGERS. when
basketball starts, i'll be all LAKERS ALL THE TIME.
this is the first time i've really gotten into
blogging but the LAKERS and DODGERS are my first
loves. SMUSH RULESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS.
DID WE GET KG YET? how did we lose to the suns?
Posted by: stargazin | August 31, 2006 at 05:41 PM
AK BK- you guys must be jazzed bigtime about the lakerblog. seems like more activity in the off season than during the season/ WHO WOULD HAVE THUNK
IT. i bet these two blogs keep you guys goin 24/7.
Posted by: stargazin | August 31, 2006 at 05:48 PM
we're going to miller park on monday to see maddux and the boys play the brew crew. then out to wrigley for the games on 9/12 and 9/13!! it took a long time for the dodgers to come out this way but heck, i guess it's perfect timing because they're now playing great ball.
lolo - i agree with your comment about king george having to spend to get his farm in order; my guess is he'll pull out the wallet (again). but those four rings in the past ten years is four more than my dodgers have ... you know -- i would gladly trade all those ROY awards for one ring!! bet andre and russ would agree.
Posted by: Orel Fixation | August 31, 2006 at 05:49 PM
almost forgot -- you guys all rock. BK/AK thanks for the fantastic blog.
lolo, stargazin, tom -- ned should hire you guys and throw laptops at you!
Posted by: Orel Fixation | August 31, 2006 at 05:51 PM
OREL FIXATION-i've got relatives back in iowa that are cubbie fans ( poor things-closest thing they have to a home team). i was born in sioux city.
i have lived in anaheim since i was five but
always been a die hard DODGER fan .inherited from
my mom. I KNOW EVERYONE WANTED THAT BIO.
NED RULESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
Posted by: stargazin | August 31, 2006 at 06:07 PM
stargazin,
Yeah, it's funny because I never blogged until I found the lakersblog, which led me here. Now I even find my self going to the Sac Queens blog just to talk smack!
Ak and BK, you've created a monster!.. lol
>_<
Posted by: dan the man >_< aka smushcalade | August 31, 2006 at 06:08 PM
DAN-TOO BAD YOU CAN'T GET INTO BASEBALL. WHAT ABOUT
FOOTBALL- BRUINS OR TROJANS ?
AK BK -WHAT ABOUT A BRUIN OR TROJAN BLOG?
Posted by: stargazin | August 31, 2006 at 06:21 PM
HEY OK WE'RE GETTIN OFF THE TOPIC BUT THE DODGERS
HAVE THE DAY OFF. BLOGGERS GET DISTRACTED TOO.
Posted by: stargazin | August 31, 2006 at 06:23 PM
stargazin,
Baseball is really my third love (to watch, that is) behind basketball and football (Trojans)!
note- I have been known to root for ucla basketball when they're not playing USC.
>_<
Posted by: dan the man >_< aka smushcalade | August 31, 2006 at 06:29 PM
JUST CHECKED DAVID WELLS STATS= RIGHTHANDERS ARE
HITTING .344 AGAINST HIM. MADRES CAN HAVE HIM. HOPE HE PITCHES AGAINST US IN NEXT SERIES. WE/LL SPIN
HIM AROUND.
Posted by: stargazin | August 31, 2006 at 06:30 PM