Big six(th)

since i cant blame tomko for this one, i say its time to fire grady

please dont tell me that colletti is stupid enough to trade loney for texiera

It looks like Seanez is suffering a Carrara-esque late season meltdown. He's been solid for nearly four months now, but I think the clock is winding down on Rudy's season. I don't know if they'll fetch anything on the trade market, but Seanez and Hernandez are guys that Grady Little will trust in critical situations without any regard to recent performance.

Ned Colletti may have to bite the bullet and trade a couple of farmhands for a guy like Dotel. That Proctor-for-Betemit trade seemed pretty reasonable to me (assuming it had any truth), but for some reason the Dodgers thought otherwise.

I say the Dodgers trade Seanez while his stats still fool some to believe he has some value. His record and ERA are not indicative of his pitching ability. He's been overated all year and that fact is now becoming apparent to even casual observers. The four homers given up to NY over the weekend should have set off a red flag to sell ASAP.
Grady often brings him in with inherited runners, and he blows the 'starters' chance for a win. The runs go to the pitcher of record so his ERA is not affected. The dodgers score the next half inning and he gets the win. Unfortunately Grady loves him and will keep putting him out there in crucial hold situations.

Does anyone else think Martin looks a little tired out there?

Also why didn't Grady have Kemp pinch hit in the 9th..it would have been better than Betemit's weak swing at a ball in the dirt for strike 3

I thought we were going to take it until Saenez was brought in the 6th we need a better long reliever

I continue to wonder why Jonathan Meloan hasn't been called up. He pitched a couple of days ago at Las Vegas, and went an uncharacteristic 2.1 innings. Maybe the Dodgers want him to pitch multiple innings a few times at Las Vegas, since that would likely be his role on the Dodgers (6th & 7th innings). They may also be waiting to see what happens at the trade deadline next week.

After watching Rudy Seanez tonight, it's clear that he's been overworked, and I doubt he can be effective if the Dodgers continue use him as often as they have. He's had a pretty decent year, but I suspect he's a candidate to breakdown in the second half under his current work load.

As for Eric Hull, I saw nothing tonight to get me excited. Given that he has been a marginal prospect for several years, I'm skeptical that he will provide much help. But, since I've never seen him pitch before tonight, I'm not ready to pass judgment on his worth at this time.

I would like to see Meloan replace Roberto Hernandez between now and the end of the trading deadline. Obviously, Meloan notwithstanding, the Dodgers likely need still another relief pitcher, and a starting pitcher, or two (Hendricksen and Tomko both need to be gone; the sooner the better).

Regarding trades, I prefer that the Dodgers hold onto their young talent, and eschew the quick fix. Whatever is availabe needs to be obtained at a reasonable price. If that can't be done, Coletti needs to hold the line, and try to win with what we've got (which includes the entire 40 man roster, and even some not on the 40-man, e.g., Meloan). I am willing to gamble with the rest of this year, and build a winner for the long haul. We haven't won anything in nearly 20 years anyway. So what's one more?

When the Dodgers staged their comeback against the Mets on Saturday, it was the kids who led the way. So why aren't Kemp and Ethier in the lineup everyday? Betemit also, for that matter (and I wouldn't be opposed to LaRoche instead). Sure, they're young and inexperienced (especially Kemp), and yes, they will occasionally cost the Dodgers a game with youthful missteps. But then again, I saw some pretty awful baserunning from "veterans" Nomar and Kent in the Met series.

Show some courage Ned. Let's put faith in our youth, and be willing to part with older veterans, some who will not even be with the Dodgers next year.

Dotel and Proctor. Not me. They're both mediocre at best. Make up your own mind. Here are their career stats:

http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/stats/player_locator_results.jsp?c_id=nyy&playerLocator=Proctor

http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/stats/player_locator_results.jsp?c_id=nyy&playerLocator=dotel

Remove Betemit's early season troubles, and he's had a pretty decent season, especially given the limited number of at bats he's had. For a team that lacks power, he's not someone I'm willing to give up for a re-tread like Proctor. Betemit has an upside, Proctor has none.

As for Dotel, I'm not sure I would take him for nothing. Let's not get too excited about a nearly 34 year old pitcher who has saved a few games in Kansas City. Don't expect the same results in a pennant race.

Brooklyn Dodger,
I am with you.
We have a chance to build a perenial winner from within. We do need some help with pitching but the cost for a couple of cast offs is way too high at this point.
However, we are starting to amass a lot of farm talent and at some point we can lose them in the rule 5 draft. I am not nearly knowledgable enough on that subject to know which players would be at risk. I know that we can protect our 40man roster but I am not sure what other players can be taken in the rule 5 draft.
To this point, Ned has not traded anyone that we have regretted trading based upon this years performance.
I also keep pounding the table to bring up Meloan.
If Wolf and Tsao can come back, we don't need to give up any of our kids this year.
I am already looking forward to the day when we can bat against Bombko and Timberr.

K T,

Martin is suffering from back trouble. He won't use it as an excuse, but it is obviously an issue.

Anyone else notice the irony of Honeycutt visiting Seanez on the mound last night and then having the next pitch hit for a grand slam?

I never meant to imply that Proctor or Dotel will save the season for the Dodgers, but they do offer a slight improvement over either Hernandez or a fading Seanez. I wouldn't try to get both, but if Proctor only costs Betemit, or if Dotel could be had for Abreu or D. Young and some faceless prospects, then one of those deals is definitely worth looking into at the trade deadline.

The Dodgers are organizationally very deep at 3B, Abreu isn't an irreplaceable talent, and Young will never get an opportunity with the Dodgers. If the opportunity to fine-tune the bullpen is out there, Colletti should take it.

I do agree with you about Meloan. But, knowing the Dodgers, he won't get the opportunity to pitch in the majors until September at the earliest. More likely, he won't get a chance until mid season next year.

Chunkdog, where did you hear about Martin's back problems?

If that's true, then someone on the coaching staff needs to sack up and make Martin sit. The Dodgers have the best backup catcher in baseball in Lieberthal, but he's been doing nothing but gathering dust and cobwebs for four months. Martin is the best thing to happen to the Dodgers in many years, and the last thing I want to see is his career to be cut short because of overwork in his first two major league seasons.

Batting against Bombko and Timberr, what a nice thought.

As for Tsao, I'm not too hopeful of him coming back effectively this year. He has a history of arm problems, and I don't think the Dodgers have handled him particularly well. I recall (and correct me if I'm wrong) Tsao being used on consecutive days soon after coming off the DL the first time. I suspect that he was not given enough time to recover, and probably should be handled with extreme care going forward.

The above brings to mind my issue with how Grady uses the pitching staff. Broxton has been used in 51 games this year, a few times in blowouts. Maybe Grady thought Brox needed a little extra work in those games. If there are times that he gets 4 or 5 days rest between appearances (even a week) due to circumstances that do not warrant him being in a game, well that's fine with me. He doesn't need extra work in meaningless games to stay sharp. A little extra rest now and again will preserve his strength for those times when he is needed on consecutive days. Grady, please don't blow out this young man's arm prematurely.

As regards Broxton, the Dodgers need to get him on a serious conditioning program in the off season. The same might also be said for Billingsley, who appears to be carrying a few extra pounds himself.

i agree to give martin today off and everyday off before an off day so he gets two days off. Whats the word on Chad Cordero???? He would be perfect and i think we could get him for Delwyn Young. Young would start right away on there team and we could use him as an 8th inning guy or as a closer if Sammy cant go for a few weeks.

Brooklyn Dodger
Apparently you have not looked at Betemits numbers. Especially S/Os, he definitely should be traded if the Dodgers can find someone who wants him. I agree with you on playing the Kids but Betemit is definitely not a part of the Dream Team. Please identify what you think a pretty decent year is?? Day in and day out Betemit sucks. Other than some pinch hitting power he doesn't have anything over Nomar.

Mak
Don't you think that the buck stops with Grady on last nights game?? Seanez should not have been allowed to allow 6 runs. Anyone could see it coming. I will say that he will continue to pitch until someone takes him out. Namely Grady!!!!!

BROOKLYN,

The reason MATT KEMP & ANDRE EITHIER dont play everyday is because GRADY FREAKIN LITTLE & NED FREAKIN COLLETI think that JUAN PIERRE deserves to start everyday..........for whatever insane reason(s) they have