Hey, It Worked With Nomar
Before last season, the Dodgers brought in Garciaparra, a player with a history of success and an injury history long enough to make an actuary cringe. That worked out. Hong-Chih Kuo has had what, 11 elbow surgeries? He's looking good. So why not take a flier on Chin-Hui Tsao, the former Colorado phenom who has blown up about every important part of a pitcher's body?
BK
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At the price, it's certainly a no-lose situation for the Dodgers. Plus, with so many teams bidding on his services, there must be something there that looks promising. And if not, it's no big deal -- it money is just a drop in the bucket compared to what they burned on Dreifort.
Posted by: Eric B. | January 18, 2007 at 10:31 AM
Hey, signing Tsao can't hurt, right?
I wouldn't expect too much though for this season. The Dodgers are deep in the pitching department already. I can't see his value being realized until next season at the earliest (if ever).
Len
Posted by: Len Penzo | January 18, 2007 at 12:01 PM
as the bums found out last year...they can never have too many arms...even if some of those arms are in several pieces. :)
Posted by: grumpy3b | January 18, 2007 at 01:12 PM
I think it's Ned building relief pitching depth because he's gonna trade away a couple of our extra starters. I have a feeling that Tomko and Hendrickson will soon be wearing a different blue...
Posted by: Nils Andersen | January 18, 2007 at 01:30 PM
just a "would you trade" kinda question:
Would you trade Broxton & Kemp for Dontrelle Willis?
Willis is tied up for like 3-yrs more...he should be ready to really reach his potential over that time. I know squat about him but what the press tells us. Is he the real deal or is he over-rated?
One thing in his favor is he is NOT a Devil Ray... :D
Posted by: grumpy3b | January 18, 2007 at 10:04 PM
grumpy -
I'd spend a LOT of time thinking about that trade. Then I'd probably make it. Willis is huge!!! He's gonna be the next Randy Johnson. If you ever get a chance to watch him pitch, they have all the same movements. Same 3/4 delivery on their pitches, outside step to the plate, good heat, great moving stuff(though RJ's slider has lost a bit). The only real difference is the 18 years or whatever it is that separates them and D-trains wicked high leg kick. When Willis is with a good pitchers' catcher, he has a good season. His Cy Young worthy 2005 was working with Paul Lo Duca. This year, he was relegated to working with Miguel Olivo - a good catcher, but not a great game-caller. This attributed greatly to his decline in production for '06. I imagine he could probably replicate that in LA with Martin, who had, if I remember correctly, the 2nd or 3rd lowest catchers' ERA in the NL.
Posted by: Nils Andersen | January 19, 2007 at 11:48 AM
Grumpy,
I agree with Nils. I would make that trade -- in a heartbeat, actually.
Aside from being a bona fide ace, the few times I have seen him interviewed, he impressed me with the way he carried himself. He seems like a natural leader and wise beyond his years.
Bonus: He's got some pop in his bat. He would be good for a couple of homers every season. And we all know the Dodgers can use all the help they can get in that department!
Len
Posted by: Len Penzo | January 19, 2007 at 03:40 PM
wow, dare to dream. miguel cabrera & d-train are teh veteran leadership on that young florida team. just to reiterate len's comment, he is one of the marlin pitch hitter. he a LEFTIE, that can pitch. Schmitz, Willis, Lowe, Wolf, Billingleys. Wow! i need to go smoke a cigarette, if i smoked.
Posted by: sok | January 20, 2007 at 11:36 AM
Hi Guys:
I thought it might be a decent idea. from reading here and there about the possibility that Fla might be considering the value of trading Willis in terms of the team's future.
To me it makes sense the Dodgers should be one of the primary possible interested teams with a realistic chance at a deal.
I am thinking it might even be worth it to almost overwhelm the Marlins with an offer. Maybe even as many as 4 players for Willis and a minor leaguer. Would adding a guy like Ethier or Loney into the package still make it a worth while deal? Or even another top minor league pitching prospect?
The thing about dealing a guy like Broxton which would concern me is the fall out on the pen similar to when Mota was traded. That deal killed off Gagne. Saito is older then Gagne was then and Broxton is a key component of the pen would weaking that part of the staff be worth the gain in the rotation?
Posted by: grumpy3b | January 20, 2007 at 02:46 PM
D-Willis for Penny, Kemp, Kuo.... Done.
Posted by: evan | January 21, 2007 at 02:08 AM
evan:
Not sure that Fla. would want Penny back. The only reason I could see why they would trade D.Willis is to get young more affordable talent and reduce payroll. Penny simply earns too much and it not a longer term guy given the makeup of the team. Plus they KNOW about his personality having already traded him once.
It might be possibkle they could trade for him in order to turn him over with a 3rd team, but seems we never see that anymore in MLB. For a while now the art of the trade seems lost. It might be returning though...hope so because for me trades are one of the most interesting and compelling parts of the game.
I am sorry about not posting reply to Len & sok right away. I had to re-install the OS on my new laptop and well now I can't see if I am log'd into Typekey. I know I am but by accident I just sent a comment and viola it showed up...is it me or is it typekey? who knows.. ;) all I know is 17" lappy's rock!! my "old" eyes can actually READ what's on the screen now...
Posted by: grumpy3b | January 22, 2007 at 01:37 PM