Crowded house
No, not these guys, but these guys. It's officially a four horse race again in the NL West. L.A., red hot Arizona, the Padres, and those pesky Colorado Rockies, who with their 9-6 win Sunday over the Blue put themselves right back in the mix. The loss meant a trip sketchier than the Brady's to Hawaii would have ended poorly anyway. Toss in a hammy strain for Jeff Kent and you get a nice dollop of curdled whipped cream with a sour cherry on top. Despite a box score that shows seven hits between Kent and Russell Martin,once again the Blue were unable to keep runs off the board. Chad Billingsley gave up four earned in 4.1 IP on his way to his first loss of the season (happy 23rd birthday, kid!), while Eric Hull was tagged for three runs in barely over an inning of relief. Par for the course for a staff currently held together with gum and twistie ties. Not that there's much relief available in the trade market. The Dodgers needed a big ninth inning to make a game of it, but not everything plays out like a Disney film. Strike three, game over.
The news wasn't entirely bad for the Dodgers. Brad Penny has healed well enough to start Tuesday's series opener against the Giants, and Derek Lowe has- fingers crossed, rub the rabbit's foot, find some four-leaf clovers- been penciled in for Saturday. It turns sour again talking about Randy Wolf, who still can't get right after his first minor league rehab start and has been shut down for the time being. Oh well. At least we've got Vin.
Most rumors put the Dodgers on pitching, but could Arizona's interest in Mark Teixiera get the Blue back in those talks? Probably not, but with everyone packed so tight, it could be moves (even little ones) that dictate who wins the division.
The Barry Bonds circus comes to town starting Tuesday, and for Giants fans the next best thing to seeing Bonds break the homer record at home would be seeing him do it in L.A. Dave Roberts, former Dodger, understands the nature of the rivalry but hopes if the homers come that fans respect the history.
Dodgers minor league hitting coach Bill Robinson has passed away at the age of 64.
L.A. has the day off.
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Well, what now?? Who plays for Kent? Betemit? He's really been solid. (Sarcasam) With all the rest Grady's given the team it shouldn't be a problem. (Sarcasam)
In the last thread someone mentioned that Grady thought Pierre was a better player than Eithier or Kemp or Gonzo. Maybe he needs to rethink that position. You know everyone, maybe its better to let Grady have his day and possibly get FIRED!!! If I ask myself would the Dodgers be a better team without Grady, the answer is a no brainer. YES! YES! YES! I am thinking Aryan and all you faithful bloggers would do at least as good, if not better than Grady. Nobody's going to make all the right moves but Grady has made to many mistakes and wrong moves. Maybe, I am wrong, we'll see.
Posted by: Package | July 30, 2007 at 09:00 AM
Laughing at L.A.
Laughing at L.A.
Everybody laughs at L.A.
Man, now Kent the old Benedict Arnold is hurt too. You fell for the tricks and got all the stuff the Giants wanted to be rid of -- Kent, Colletti, Tomko, R. Martinez, Conte, Schmidt.
I wonder if you will be even able to play .300 the rest of the way. Doubtful.
Go Giants! Get ready to be swept in L.A. Dodger fans...
Posted by: Tim McCuddahy | July 30, 2007 at 10:31 AM
Well Colleti was saved from a stupid, stupid deal, now that Texeira has gone to the Braves.
Just think how many Boras clients when they get the big FA deal tank or are injured right away?
Unbelievable that people still deal with him.
Posted by: DODGER 1955 | July 30, 2007 at 11:04 AM
Okay everyone, time to buy your bleacher seats. Tomko and Hendrickson are pitching against the Giants!
What the h***??? He's about the break the record and these are our pitchers? Are we trying to have him break the record in LA??? I blame Conte and Johnston for the mess we're in!!!
Posted by: April522 | July 30, 2007 at 11:43 AM
I really like the idea of silence if Bonds ties or breaks the record in LA. Insignificant response to an insignificant man on an insignificant team.
Posted by: Butch | July 30, 2007 at 12:25 PM
I'd be wary of giving up the farm for Dotel.
Posted by: rdlee | July 30, 2007 at 01:22 PM
Hey guys, if you go to Dodgers.com & scroll down the articles, theres a "MAIL BAG" article where this person answers some of the questions from people.......Well......I want u to pay attention to this one question that was asked to him & then the answer given..........First here is the question.......
"Why does Grady Little give so much playing time to Juan Pierre when the statistics for Andre Ethier and Matt Kemp are better?
-- Steve F., Rancho Santa Fe, Calif. "
Now here is the answer given.............
"Let's look past the obvious answer -- that the team is in first place the way he's doing it -- and understand why. For one thing, the Dodgers didn't give Pierre $44 million so they could sit him on the bench. Whether you like Pierre's game or not, accept the fact that Dodgers management like it enough to give him a five-year deal. It also seems that Pierre's horrible April left a lasting impression on fans who haven't really noticed that for the last couple of months he's pretty much done what the Dodgers were hoping he'd do. When Rafael Furcal is also hitting, the double leadoff weapon has been very successful. A bigger problem is the aftermath of Furcal's ankle sprain from Spring Training, which has never healed and clearly has diminished his offensive strengths. It seems that every time he starts looking like his normal self, he gets another twinge in the ankle."
Now.......Can anybody tell me whats wrong with this answer?........
Number 1 - The guy points out how the team is in first place as if that means its ok to play PIERRE instead of KEMP & EITHIER.........Well did that person ever stop & think that maybe the Dodgers could have an even BETTER record if they played KEMP & EITHIER everyday instead of platooning them?
Number 2 - The guy points out how they didnt pay PIERRE to sit around........Well........Am I the only one who remembers Grady LIttle saying more then once that he'll play the people that deserve to play irregardless of how much money there making?.........So isnt Grady Little contradicting himself?.........I mean KEMP & EITHIER are doing better statistically & have the potential to contribute even more if they were playing CONSISTENTLY.
Number 3 - The guy points out how PIERRE has done better since April (which is true).......But.......Is he in denial about the fact that KEMP & EITHIER have done pretty darn good to?......I mean how come when KEMP & EITHIER have done good they get platooned.....But when PIERRE does good he gets to play everyday?.......O......Whats that you say?.......PIERRE has the potential to give more offense?.......Well no thats not true......KEMP & EITHIER have the potential (in my opinion) to give more offense.........O.......Whats that your saying?......PIERRE is doing better statistically?.........No I dont think thats true either.......KEMP & EITHIER have higher batting averages, more home runs, & more R.B.I.'s
Number 4 - And this one is really strange.....How come GONZO will get benched.....KEMP will get benched......And EITHIER will get benched.......But PIERRE rarley ever gets benched?
Im telling u guys there has got to be some kind of conspiracy going on......CUZ IT MAKES......NO......CENTS........
Posted by: Aryan | July 30, 2007 at 02:02 PM
UH OH.....Just read where Ned is trying to trade Wilson Betemit for Scott Procter ( the relief pitcher from the Yankees)....Why would he give up our only good bench player for so so middle relief...??....We have too many pitching problems this year to win anything...I think this is a FOOLISH move if it's true.....one more stupid move like the ones in signing Jason Schmidt( knew it was wrong before he got hurt) and Randy Wolf...( arm problems throughout his career)....now he wants to get a band aid for our bull pen
which is now a weakness......but our starting pitching is a joke....Are we really going to win anything with Tomko and Hendrikson at the back end of our rotation???...NO......
Posted by: Kate | July 30, 2007 at 02:29 PM
so.... trade rumor after trade rumor. Is coletti related to stoneman?? Looks like texiera was let go for a few minor leaguers and some guy with the longest name ever in beisbol. Meanwhile, the sox look like they're gonna pick up a couple guys, including gagne, the braves will improve themselves, and the padres have actually tried to improve (at least they've tried).
Are we supposed to swallow what the team is doing at the moment? This team cannot beat, straight up, the collective talent of NY, ATL, and SD when it counts, and they're 3/4 and out in the playoffs. Look up the dodgers record from last and this year. Last year they were 6-21 vs. the mets, SD, and STL. This year, they're 13-17 against Mil, NY, SD,and Atl. So what are they going to do to strengthen this team. Snap a couple of wishbones? Get a leprachaun at the pet store? Is McCourt truly dedicated to winning a world series, or is he all talk like Moreno? the proof's in the pudding.
Man, ..now i know what i feels like to be a hostage.......
I know, a bit dramatic, but why aren't they doing anything to better this team??
idea's...
1. Find another aging player who can hit 250-270 or anywhere above the mendoza line, can run a little, and isn't overweight and out of shape like seanz.
2. trade for ANY pitcher that can HOLD a ball in their hand, because that is a step above the collective talents of bomko, sleimel, hernandez (who?), and seanez (the arsonist, as in he doesn't put out fires, he just starts them)
3. Start Kemp anywhere. Sit whoever you have to. If you apply basic calculus to his numbers, his .600 slugging avg drops to .000 while he's on the bench. On top of that, LA has actually pulled away from the worst HR-hitting team in the majors, the senators, BECAUSE of the presence of loney and kemp in the lineup. If you're kemp, you've gotta want to know who the guy is that u pissed off to be sitting on the bench!!
4. Last thing, send littleleague back to his farm where he belongs. I'm sure he sucks at that, too.
Anybody got kirk gibson's cell number??
Posted by: jim | July 30, 2007 at 03:36 PM
The reason the Dodgers have not made any sort of trade is because the Giants don't have anyone the Dodgers want. They are the only team Ned deals with and the free agents from S.F..
Kate
The Dodgers need to trade Betemit, not for Proctor, but for Dotel. But it is too late as the Braves will probably end of with Dotel. The Dodgers thought they had a great G.M. but it has turned sour. If some trade is not made the Dodgers will probably not make the Playoffs. I am speaking of pitching. Betemit is logical trade bait.
Aryan
I have said to you repeatedly that Pierre should be rested as much as the others but it will never happen. I have also said that I agree with you on playiing Eithier, Kemp, Loney and Gonzo at the same time, but as long as Grady is manager and Ned is G.M. I think this is the type of manageing we will see. It is definitely a dirty shame and a real sucker punch to the fans of the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Posted by: Package | July 30, 2007 at 06:54 PM
Well guys, it looks like you may not have to complain about GLL not playing Ethier & Kemp in the near future.
Taken from mlbtraderumors.com:
"According to Buster Olney, the Dodgers are going after 26 year-old Oakland starter Joe Blanton. The discussion is centered around three frontline prospects going to Oakland. Olney names Andy LaRoche, Andre Ethier, Matt Kemp, Clayton Kershaw, and Jonathan Meloan as possibilities. I'm thinking the A's wouldn't mind Chin-Lung Hu either."
Add to that the possibility of Betemit getting traded to the Yank-me's for Scott Proctor, and with the exception of Loney, all of our young talent is gone. Maybe Tim is right...we've being sabotaged from the inside out by former Giants!
We can only hope that we don't lose the farm in the next (as I'm writing this) 17 hours and 30 minutes...
Posted by: Brian | July 30, 2007 at 07:33 PM
First off the guy on mlbrumors was just naming any of the possible minor leaguers. second buster only said 3 front line prospects. Third,would you rather have Blanton or Bomko? I say Blanton.
Posted by: Paul | July 30, 2007 at 07:43 PM
I thought we traded Loney, Eithier and Meloan for Teixeira?
And Kemp for Buerhle?
What? The 'rumors' were wrong?
Posted by: DODGER 1955 | July 30, 2007 at 07:45 PM
Joe Blanton is a decent starting pitcher. I don't think I'd give up 3 solid players, which could include Kemp or Ethier for him. Minor league prospects, maybe.
Jim,
Call Kirk Gibson in care of the Arizona Diamondbacks dugout.
Posted by: Chunkdog32 | July 30, 2007 at 07:48 PM
Nobody really wants Betemit, do they? I'd let him go in a heartbeat for Dotel, but I don't think KC is biting.
Posted by: rdlee | July 30, 2007 at 07:57 PM
I doubt Kemp, Ethier, Loney, or LaRoche are going anywhere.
Posted by: rdlee | July 30, 2007 at 08:00 PM
Has anyone seen Grady gump's managing credentials. They make for quite an entertaining read. 20 years in the minors with consistent .500-.600 seasons. How could such a brilliant man be left to manage at such a level below his ability. It was a rookie mistake by Coletti in thinking this guy is a leader who will bring a championship to LA. Boston fired him for a reason. Grady's about as eloquent as the character in Slingblade and his "i don't pay attention much to statistics, but rely on my hunches" statements are reason enough to scour the little league fields of Los Angeles for a more competent, more intelligent manager. The Dodger's can acquire arod and johan santana in upcoming offseasons but it will be all for naught with Slingblade calling the shots.
Posted by: bt1 | July 30, 2007 at 08:31 PM
I love how you guys jump on something that someone says on here as if they stated a fact.
1955 - It was never said that the rumors were right. I made a reference to a website that puts out RUMORS, as I stated in my original piece. It was to make conversation; it was put out as something that is being talked about. Whether or not it has even a remote possibility of happening wasn't even mentioned. Of course there are rumors, of course 97% of them won't happen, and of course it's all speculation - that's half of what makes the trade deadline FUN.
Paul - Do you honestly think that if we were to get Blanton, we automatically drop Bomko from the rotation? Dream on man. This management team doesn't have the smarts to take Bomko, or Hendrickson out of the rotation, or to remove Hernandez or Seanez from the 40-man roster!
We have a wealth of talent in our minor league system, yet, ready or not, they're afraid to use them - in large part because Colletti hasn't been able to drop his old habits, aka, the Giants system of keeping around the old-timers and playing them instead.
It's obvious that the concensus on this blog is to play the young, home-grown (mostly), talent - get the kids some experience in the field, at the plate, in BIG LEAGUE high pressure situations, and to learn from the older players. Older players don't necessarily have to play everyday to teach the kids in the process.
Case in point: Look at what Martin did last year - not because he was necessarily ready to play in the big leagues, but because we were forced to play him due to the "exceptional" (sarcasm) play and ultimate injury to the highly touted Dioner Navarro. We were forced to move Martin into that starting role, ready or not, and he learned from his mentor, Sandy Alomar, Jr., who didn't play everyday. Russell was still able to learn what he needed to, and ultimately became a better player, I'm sure, because of it. Afterall, how many times do you hear these young players state, "Just being around him, I learn so much."
Posted by: Brian | July 30, 2007 at 09:06 PM
I was reading the names of some of the players rumored to be traded and it reminded me of a couple young players the Dodgers traded in the past:
Pedro Martinez and Paul Konerko
I hope Ned Colonoscopy (because it seems like he might have his head up his.....) doesn't make a similar mistake.
Posted by: wausroamer | July 30, 2007 at 09:37 PM
Crowded House? I thought this was a Neil Finn thread...
Tim,
I swear, you must be 9 years old. Happiness over a player injury is as low as you can get. Why not wish the whole team dies in a plane crash while you're at it...
BTW, if you sweep us, go ahead and laugh. Who cares what you think, lol.
Kate
IIRC, we got Wolf for a pretty reasonable price. He was pitching well and if he had stayed healthy everyone would have thought it was a smart move.
If you never signed someone who had past injuries, who'd get signed? I see your point that he has had problems in the past. Sometimes you just roll the dice.
If every starter wasn't injured, Wolf would not be a big deal.
I understand the complaints about Tomko and Hendrickson but who else is going to start? There isn't anyone else! Who would have thought this many guys would all go down at the same time? How could you possibly plan for that? Are we just unlucky or do we just have pitchers who can't cut a whole season?
This goes back to Lowe admitting he could stretch more. Why doesn't someone crack down on these guys if that's the case. Are they too busy or lazy to do the conditioning necessary?
Rumours are just that. Ned won't give up the good young stuff. Nobody is that dumb... are they?
Posted by: Andy B | July 31, 2007 at 12:03 AM
I was reffering to the 'rumors' on si, mlb, etc, not anyone posting on this boards.
Not to beat a dead horse, but our problem is not too many veterans, but the stuff in center field who plays every day.
As for pitching, it just happened with the injuries and who knows if Dbacks or Pods might not get their pitchers inhured before the season is over.
Posted by: DODGER 1955 | July 31, 2007 at 02:23 AM