Hungry Like the Wolf?
Nothing is set in stone, but it's looking like the Dodgers may have a new lefty starter in the fold. Socal native Randy Wolf is so geeked at the idea of hurling in front of friends and family that he might reduce his quote to make it happen. The big question (outside of how many high school acquaintances and "long lost cousins" will suddenly emerge from the woodwork asking for tickets) is how completely Wolf has recovered from elbow surgery. But should the zip be on display again, Wolf would add a veteran southpaw presence to a rotation lacking such assets.
Speaking of new faces, will "That's just Manny being Manny" become the hot new phrase in L.A.? Similar to predicting anything with Ramirez, one never knows. But SI's John Donovon knows how he feels about Juan Pierre entering the fold. Hint? It's similar to BK's opinion.
And finally, I imagine Dodger fans everywhere consider this to be nothing short of money well spent.
—AK
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The Randy Wolf news is great. Not necessarily because he'll be a good pitcher, but because he's leaving behind a team that drafted him, developed him, treated his injuries, and paid him good money for the past 7-8 years to take less money and pitch for the Dodgers. Ever since Ned Colletti took over the front office, it seems like lots of players are suddenly 'remembering' that they were SoCal natives looking for a chance to play in front of friends and family. Nomar last year, and again this winter, Maddux, Wolf, and others are actually getting excited about playing for the Dodgers, and it's not costing the team insane money. We haven't seen much of that in the last 10-15 years.
Posted by: Makoto Ueno | November 27, 2006 at 04:45 PM
the more pitching the better. if we can get schmidt and maybe maddux as well, we hav some serious trade bait, especially with penny, kuo, and billingsley (would rather keep billz, but hey). help me out if im wrong, but rite now we hav penny, lowe, hendricksen, tomko, billz, kuo, and broxton as our -for lack of better terms- prominent pitchers?
i wouldnt mind manny ramirez either, he can flat out hit. him or wells would be super, but i just dont see it happening
Posted by: joeshmofromcocomo | November 27, 2006 at 04:56 PM
Looks like it's official according to this report...
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/baseball/mlb/11/27/wolf.dodgers/index.html
Another head scratcher, but overall I can't think it hurts the Dodgers considering how terrible Hendrickson was last year as a starter.
But we've now got Lowe, Penny, Billingsly, Hendrickson, Wolf, Kuo, Tomko, Stults, Houlton all in the starter discussion before Spring Training... If they add Schmidt or Maddux or both, who do you think they package with some prospects for a bat?
Posted by: Nathan, Torrance | November 27, 2006 at 05:17 PM
Hey, when's baseball season start.... (LOL!)
I'm getting excited already! Go Ned!
Posted by: Andy B | November 27, 2006 at 05:57 PM
I don't get this love infatuation with Manny Ramirez. Have you guys heard of the antics this turd has put up the last few years? I guess some people are itching to be part of the annual "Trade Me" parade that takes at the trading deadline. Heck, he might even bless us with a 2-for-1 special and demand a trade in the offseason too, just like he has the last 3 years. Or maybe we can carve out a hole in the outfield wall under the GEICO sign so Manny can take a leak while Lowe is busy trying to induce a grounder. And I'm glad some people want to accommodate Manny with a paid vacation in September (retail value $5 million) so he can go “clear his head”. Nothing beats pennant fever better than a few drinks down in Cancun while the rest of his teammates are sweating to the oldies in the hot September heat. It's not like we'll need him for a playoff race. But hey, that's just Manny being Manny.
And yeah, dude can seriously rake. Imagine the type of numbers he would accumulate if he actually decided to put forth some effort, or even play an entire season without asking for paid leave? After all, it's not like he makes $18 million a year, or anything silly like that. That's just my opinion. But that's just LoLo being LoLo.
Posted by: LoLo | November 27, 2006 at 06:39 PM
Lolo,
For what it's worth, I've always gotten the impression (which could be wrong, mind you) that Manny's antics are typically perceived as him being more of a flake/occasional annoyance than a true cancer. While I can see how it would grate on the front office (as it likely has in Boston after so many years), I would still be tempted, were I Ned Colletti. The guy provides one hell of a stick.
Plus, from a completely selfish "writer" standpoint, I soooooo want Manny in that clubhouse. The amount of material that weirdo will provide BK and I is worth its weight in blog gold. I mean, the dude used have a good luck midget, for God's sake. You just can't make up that kind of stuff. haha
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | November 27, 2006 at 06:46 PM
AK
Hope your not just pulling our leg about the Dodgers signing the former Phillies pitcher....
Or you'll be forever known as the "boy who cried Wolf."
(Ouch, that one was really bad... I apologize)
Posted by: dodgerskip | November 27, 2006 at 06:46 PM
Dodgerskip,
Oh, that's horrible. And as you probably would guess, I love it. haha
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | November 27, 2006 at 06:48 PM
(RePost from last thread--since it fits here)
A lefty pitcher who is going to be into his second year after surgury who showed signs of coming back at the end of last season--it could be a steal! And at only one year, if he busts, no real harm done--much like Nomar's contract last year--and that one turned out pretty well.
San Francisco sports radio was saying over the weekend that Giants fans should expect to see Jason Schmidt sign with the Dodgers this week. As I said a few days ago, aquiring the power bat we need, will not be too difficult if we have a surplus of pitching. If we do sign Schmidt & Wolf, I think Ned has positioned himself to aquire a slugger. Obviously, a move would have to be made because we would have: Lowe, Schmidt, Penny, Wolf, Billingsly, Kuo, "Bom"ko, Hendrickson, Stults, Dessens (maybe Maddox if he drops his desire for a guaranteed second year) who can all start. Package 2 or 3 of these guys and a top prospect, throw in $100+ million over 6 years and you have a Vernon Wells or a Miguel Tejada, or a Miguel Cabrerra, or an Andrew Jones. If that happens--WOW! Look out National League.
Posted by: dodgerskip | November 27, 2006 at 06:56 PM
AK,
Great! So he's an $18 million "flake". Glad you cleared that up. For a second there I thought he was some sort of distraction. HAHAHA!
Seriously though, as a fan, the last thing I want to deal with in the heat of a pennant race is that garbage. And the fact remains that he took "paid leave" on more than one occasion and left his teammates behind. What good is a guy who can rake if he's not in the lineup? I know he's not a cancer since for some stupid reason people think his antics are funny, which is why they coined "Manny being Manny" (then again, the phrase was coined by a group of guys called "idiots", so they might not know any better). Just like Rick James kept messing with Charlie Murphy over and over again even though he kept getting his butt beat, people keep coming back to Manny for more. Moth to the flame, baby!!
Posted by: LoLo | November 27, 2006 at 07:10 PM
AK,
Besides, doesn't Kent already provide you with all the material you can handle? HAHAHAHA!!
Posted by: LoLo | November 27, 2006 at 07:27 PM
Lolo,
Oh, from a fan's perspective, I can totally see your concerns. And while I do think that Colletti is no-nonsense enough to make it clear those antics won't fly (plus, he has a relationship with Little/Lowe/Nomar/Mueller, which may help), your worries are more than legit.
But again, dude, from MY perspective... Ned's GOTTA make this happen. On an "off-day," he'll provide more comedy than my wit is even remotely capable of creating by itself (although I just remembered that Pedro actually had the midget, not Manny). Sure, trading for Vernon Wells would make more sense (much younger, better fielder, better teammate, terrific guy, less expensive), but c'mon, bro. Take one for the blog. haha
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | November 27, 2006 at 07:45 PM
The real kicker with the Baez contract is that the Orioles gave this guy 19 million bones over three years to be a set-up man. Talk about a misallocation of resources.
AK: Let's stop these Ramirez-to-LA rumors right now. That would instantly undo all of the good Ned has done for the Dodgers since he got here in one fell swoop! I wouldn't take that guy if he offered to play here for the MLB minimum. :-)
Len
Posted by: Len Penzo | November 27, 2006 at 08:04 PM
Len,
I'm not creating rumors. I'm simply spreading the ones that have been created. There is a difference. haha
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | November 27, 2006 at 08:15 PM
Len -
Really? Not even for the league minimum?!?!?!? In a day and age where guys that hit .300 with 15 HR for one season out of a 7-year career make $10 million (Gary Matthews Jr.) you wouldn't take Manny (consistently .300+/35+HR/110+RBI) at the league minimum? I'd pay him every penny on his contract!!! He's worth it! Sure, the guy's a bit of a flake (understatement) but he's an INCREDIBLE ballplayer. He hits for average and for power and he's aggressive. He strikes fear into opposing pitchers. With Furcal/Pierre/Nomar in front of him, he could EASILY have 140 RBI next year. Think about it:
Furcal
Pierre
Nomar
Ramirez
Kent
Betemit
Ethier
Martin
Pitcher
Sure, they'll probably want Loney or Ethier, but I say it might just be worth it...
Posted by: Nils Andersen | November 27, 2006 at 08:30 PM
hmmmm...so AK:
What is it called when a bunch of the girls in the steno pool sit around spreading rumors? errr...I mean reporters sitting around the press room spreading ahem, tips....???
blahhhh....bunch of old gossips is what you all are...hehehehehe...
I so get what you are saying about Manny. And honestly there is a part of me who thinks it would be endlessly entetaining to have him on the Dodgers. But, think about what it might do to good ol' Vinny...can you imagine Manny being so Manny that Vinny was at a loss for words? Personally I do not think it would be fair to burden Vinny with such a task.
Then again it might make him feel younger and share more classic Vinny stories!!
Like I said, part of me thinks it might be lots of fun to have him around a couple years. The do need some light hearted guys on the team too. Plus from what I have read Manny is pretty clutch...
V.wells or Manny? Tough decision!!!
I mean how could ya not love a guy who wears MP3 player shades on the field? that was PRICELESS....
Posted by: grumpy3b | November 27, 2006 at 08:34 PM
Given that this looks like a 1+ deal (a year and an option), I don't see much wrong with it. Wolf is injury prone, yeah, but has been effective before, and occasionally dudes in their second year back after surgery are pretty good. Ask Chris Carpenter. Hey, it worked for St. Louis, right?
Wishful thinking, maybe, but why not? If he's good, faboo. If he's not, it's only money, right? I like this move. As for Manny, the funny thing about him now is that suddenly, he's not so overpriced anymore. That contract isn't the monster it used to be, not with Carlos Lee going all 6/100 on everyone. If the price wasn't rediculous, I'd do it. Dude can freakin' rake.
BK
Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | November 27, 2006 at 08:46 PM
does anyone kno wat the players/coaches in boston think of manny, cause i havnt heard anything really about it.
Posted by: joeshmofromcocomo | November 27, 2006 at 08:51 PM
Manny to the Dodgers? Wow! I don't know much about his antics but that guy sure puts up some scary numbers. The line-up posted above with Manny batting 4th in that Dodger line-up is very impressive and would be really fun to watch.
Very viable option given that the market is so thin with power hitters. As AK stated also, The Dodgers do have the Red Sox/Manny connection. (Lowe, Little, Mueller, and Nomar) Plus Manny likes to look like a movie star, where better that L.A. and Vernon Wells might just to too costly for Ned.
Posted by: Rob | November 27, 2006 at 10:30 PM
I can't believe someone would pay that much for Baez, Are you guys sure it wasn't $19,000.00 instead of $19,000,000.00..????
What are these guys thinking, man he was horrible his last stint with the blue crew, I mean absolutely horrible. Anyway, I think Wolfe would be a great asset to the blue crew.
Posted by: Hugo | November 27, 2006 at 10:48 PM
I like the signing of Wolf. It gives us some room to move with pitchers, I am still crossing my fingers for Wells. I know Manny can rake, but he'll drive me insane.
K Bros,
We're pretty loyal, we're still going to come to a blog even if Manny doesn't come to town. Why don't you guys take one for the fans and hope against Manny.
Posted by: bmurph | November 27, 2006 at 10:50 PM
"What is it called when a bunch of the girls in the steno pool sit around spreading rumors"
It's a little song by Klymaxx, and it goes soemthing like this:
I got a meeting in the ladies room,
I'll be back real soon.
HAHA!!
Wasn't that song on Purple Rain. Maybe it was "The Men All Pause" (also by Klymaxx). I don't know, my memory fails me sometimes.
Posted by: LoLo | November 28, 2006 at 04:16 AM
Gotta agree with AK on the Manny thing. Personally, I'd love to see him in Dodger blue, his reputation notwithstanding. We all know the guy can hit, but I think a change of scenery might help his attitude a bit. Besides, it seems to me that a lot of the "Manny being Manny" talk picked up after Francona took over the team. I think being reunited with Grady Little will make him happier and provide him with a manager who knows how to handle him properly.
My only concern is the asking price, but as time goes by, I expect that will go down. Especially if the Sox get a deal done with Drew, which would take away some of their leverage in dealing Manny.
Posted by: Eric B. | November 28, 2006 at 07:24 AM
Nils,
No, no, no, no! I would never risk poisoning the clubhouse atmosphere to take Ramirez. Thus, my comment that I wouldn't even sign him for the MLB minimum. But that's just me -- I am a character counts kind of guy. :-)
And I would absolutely disown the Dodgers if they made a straight-up trade of Ramirez for Ethier. Well, okay, maybe not dis-own them -- come to think of it, I still love the Dodgers even after the Piazza trade. LOL!
But Manny is 35 and makes huge coin. Ethier is 24 and isn't even arbitration eligible. Granted, Ethier probably will never turn in Ramirez numbers, but he does look like he has the potential to give us 20 HRs and 80 RBIs every season batting seventh while hitting .300+ -- and he won't be a cancer in the clubhouse.
My $0.02 (after taxes)
Len
Posted by: Len Penzo | November 28, 2006 at 07:37 AM
Lolo,
"It's a little song by Klymaxx..."
And the winner for best random reference of 2006 goes to... LOLO! haha
Genius.
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | November 28, 2006 at 08:38 AM