I don't mean to drive you to drink, but...
Should you be the type who tends to hit the bottle when faced with dire news, it's best not to click on these two links. First, the free agent class of 2008, then 2009*. Neither is pretty, which means those names that don't induce in-mouth mini-vomits will come at a high price tag... assuming they hit the open market at all.
For that matter, even those that do bring up the bile will cost a pretty penny.
Sorry to kill your weekend. We'll be reviewing these in more depth as the offseason progresses.
BK
*FYI, the site linked with the FA info? A GREAT way to kill some time while working. Top shelf stuff.
Subscribe to this Blog | What is RSS?
NO FREE AGENTS WITH HUGE PRICE TAGS. Our kids are ready.
Posted by: cjms | October 20, 2007 at 03:07 PM
I would not be opposed to the Dodgers standing pat, and throwing it to the kids. However, if it became possible to sign A-Rod, and the Dodgers risk/reward calculations lean in that direction, then I say, go ahead and sign him. I like Andy LaRoche, and think he could handle the job at 3B; but A-Rod he is not. And besides, that protruding disk in LaRoche's back, while it may be manageable, is worrisome too.
I would also not be opposed to signing either Andruw Jones or Torii Hunter, although I admit to some skepticism about both of them. However, either one would clearly represent a huge defensive upgrade, and assuming Pierre was replaced (see below), a power upgrade as well.
I also like Delwyn Young, and would not mind seeing him take over in left, with Kemp moving to center, and Ethier remaining in right. That of course raises the question of what happens to Pierre. I am still of the opinion that Pierre can be traded, since there is likely a team out there willing to pay $9 million per year for a player that hit close to .300 and stole over 60 bases. And if the Dodgers don't ask for much (I'll take a bag of balls) and are willing to pick up a piece of his contract, such a deal could become even more palatable to the interested party. If a deal for Pierre could be pulled off, it would also have the added benefit of freeing up valuable dollars for free agency.
Young, I admit, would be a risk. I suspect that defensively, he's average at best. He looks to have a very quick bat, and has hit for power in the minors. But a hot September is simply not enough to go on, so there are questions. But then again, anytime there is a decision to go with younger players, there are questions, and a degree of risk. But as we've seen, going with veterans can be just as risky.
Finally, if the Dodgers were to go the free agent route as described above, they would either have considerable depth at 3B and in the outfield, or they would have additional trade bait with which to acquire additional pitching, prospects, or whatever they deem necessary.
Of course, all of this is speculation. At this point we don't really know what free agents will be available. Remember last year, when there was speculation that the Dodgers would make a run at Aramis Ramirez, only to have him decide to forego free agency and sign a new five year deal with the Cubs.
Posted by: Brooklyn Dodger | October 20, 2007 at 05:05 PM
I don't know, but if the free agents that are available are Boras clients, I think He's just setting up the market to get max bids for the players that are available. I think that's what he did with Drew anyway. call me crazy but I think that's what he's doing....
Posted by: Hugo | October 20, 2007 at 06:07 PM
I am rather flumoxed by the negative perception of Juan Pierre and his debut as a Dodger in '07. His numbers were status quo, which is above average for other players in the league. Had he not been relegated to the number two slot in the hitting order, I suspect his overall numbers would have been even better. Beyond that, I feel that had he and Furcal swapped hitting order the Dodgers would have fared considerably better as a team. Pierre is among the very best leadoff hitters in the game and the "Castillo/Pierre" model that Little was hoping for from Furcal/Pierre did not pan out. If anyone should be the subject of discontent as far as the Pierre signing is concerned, that onus should be on Colletti, not on Pierre.
Rafael Furcal, on the other hand, is an unmitigated disaster. His injury notwithstanding, he is statistically the worst shortstop defensively in baseball and his offense is putrid. I have doubts about his rebound in '08 and would like to see him traded post haste.
The perception that gives Furcal a free pass is that he appears to be playing harder than Pierre, who somehow is perceived as a malingerer. This could not be farther from the truth and I am disturbed at the considerable degradation he receives from fans of the team. It is not supportable to me and wreaks of something far more foul.
Posted by: Dodger Tony | October 21, 2007 at 02:22 PM
Dodger Tony,
Who ever said Pierre was a "malingerer"? I don't recall ever reading that on this blog, or anywhere else. He's not a horrible player, but the Dodgers could do better, and besides, he's not worth $9 million per year. My objections to Pierre are as follows:
1. One of the worst (maybe, THE worst) throwing arms in the game. Runners take extra bases on him with regularity, and that costs games. And you can be certain that the Dodger pitching staff doesn't appreciate it.
2. His outfield play improved during the year, but as centerfielders go he is average AT BEST. And that's not good enough for an outfielder with absolutely no power and a mediocre OBP. In fact, for a hitter who strikes out as infrequently as Pierre does, you would think he had the confidence to go deeper into counts, and draw more walks. Instead, the powerless Pierre can often be seen swinging at high pitches, resulting in weak fly balls or popups.
3. Pierre is often described as an excellent bunter. Having watched him for a full year, I am still wondering how he came by that reputation. Yes, he occasionally lays down a bunt for a base hit, but by and large I was never impressed by his bunting. Fact is, for a player reputed to be an extremely hard worker (not a "malingerer"), and a skill set that demands strong bunting skills, I was "flummoxed" by what a poor bunter he was.
4. Pierre simply generates no power. If I'm going to have an outfielder with his dearth of power, then he had better be a defensive marvel (throwing and fielding). Pierre is anything but. The Dodgers need power, and one of the best places to get it is in the outfield. I expect there will be an increase in power from Loney, Kemp and Ethier, and possibly Russell Martin as well. There will probably also be an increase in power from 3B (hopefully). Adding additional power to the outfield will result in a ripple effect throughout the lineup, as opposing pitchers find it more difficult to pitch around the Dodgers power. Bottom line, hitters will see better pitches to hit, resulting in even more power (hence, the "ripple effect"). I believe that the Dodgers can add power to the outfield either through free agency (e.g., Andruw Jones, Torii Hunter), from within (Delwyn Young in left, Kemp in center, Ethier in right), or possibly via a trade.
5. Furcal is anything but the best defensive shortstop in the league; but the "worst", that's being a bit melodramatic. As for his offense being "putrid", that's plain ridiculous. He's certainly not the best hitting shortstop in the league, but putrid he is not. And yes, he was hurt in 2007, and it clearly effected his play, both offensively and defensively.
6. Regarding an attempt to trade Furcal. Considering that 2008 will be the final year of his contract, I would not be averse to trading him, provided that something substantial could be gotten in return. The savings alone in dollars would give the Dodgers more flexibility in the free agent market. However, doing so would depend on the confidence that Dodger management has that Chin Lung Hu could replace Furcal at short.
Posted by: Brooklyn Dodger | October 21, 2007 at 10:23 PM
Ahahahahahaha
You actually think the reason Dodger fans can't stand Juan Pierre is because he is black? .293/.331/.353 combined awful defense is above average? Have you ever actually seen Rafael Furcal play defense?
Nobody thinks Juan Pierre is a "malingerer", he's just not a good baseball player. You are right about one thing though, Ned Colletti definitely deserves
the blame for that historically awful 5-year deal he gave Pierre.
Posted by: Dodger Paulie | October 21, 2007 at 11:05 PM
Comparing the Dodgers to the Rockies in their youth movement. I'm sure the Colorado fans feel it was worth it to wait on their youth movement since they are going to the world series. Would they feel the same if they had not made the playoffs?
My question is, how patient would the Dodger fans be under the same circumstances, with no guarantee of success?
I think it is worth trying. Nothing else has worked the last 20 years. It will be fun to watch anyway.
I'm going to miss baseball until spring.
Figure it out Ned!!
Posted by: Andy B | October 22, 2007 at 11:52 AM
I really hope they start Jason Repko if hes healthy..........I mean come on...........Am I and Kevin Kennedy the only two people who think Jason Repko can be a starter one day?
Posted by: Aryan | October 23, 2007 at 01:23 AM
Aryan,
Before you pencil Repko into the lineup, read the following:
http://losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071024&content_id=2280741&vkey=news_la&fext=.jsp&c_id=la
I too like Jason Repko. But, in all honesty, his injury history (dating back to the minor leagues) makes him suspect. Given all the leg injuries (especially the hamstring injuries), one has to wonder how much his speed will be effected. Could even be that he'll be non-tendered and end up elsewhere.
Also, as things stand now, Ethier, Kemp, and Pierre are all ahead of Repko on the depth chart. I also would make the case that so is Delwyn Young. A healthy Repko is clearly a much better defensive player than Young, and his arm is one of the best (if not THE best) in the league, but Young's bat appears to be far superior, and he's a switch hitter to boot. If the Dodgers acquire an outfielder during the offseason w/o moving any of their current outfielders, Repko's status will be all that more tenuous.
Posted by: Brooklyn Dodger | October 24, 2007 at 07:27 PM