Not ... there ... yet
Remember the Carly Simon ditty "Anticipation" (also known as "that song from the Heinz Ketchup commercials" to the younger and TV-addicted set)? Well, don't be surprised if it's suddenly cranked 24/7 on the Dodger Stadium PA system, because that's the vibe permeating throughout the Ravine these days. Joe Torre has NOT been hired as the new manager, as the powers that be are quick to remind. But since Ned Colletti acknowledges that talks have taken place and he has received permission to bypass the required minority candidates and cut right to the interview chase, the operative word involved with the hiring is "yet." In part, the permission sought was due to the rampant speculation that Torre was already good as on board, which makes the meet-and-greet process more difficult. But again, for the record, the man ain't on the payroll at the moment. And if the front office is smart, that moment will come sooner rather than later (despite it not being a slam-dunk recipe for success or even the right partnership). After all, it would allow the honchos to refocus their search toward bringing in a little pop to the lineup.
Hopefully, the speed with which Torre is hired will be greater than the progress made on building the new spring training site in Glendale, Ariz.
The Dodgers are No. 2 with a bullet on the A-Rod list.
Baseball's most cut/defined/negative-body-fat-laden player tested positive for ... stimulants? Apparently, getting amped for those kinda workouts requires more than just a cup of coffee.
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I, like most who have posted, are happy about the prospects of Joe Torre's being at the helm next year. But, in the spirit of the season, what I'm really hoping the Great Pumpkin delivers to the Dodgers this off-season is a star player. Think about it...when have we last had a player that fits the bill as one of the top four or five players in the Majors? Sure, Gagne's run from 03-05 was great but I don't know if the relative value of a closer is such that he'd have been a top four or five type guy. Piazza was close in the mid-90s and the Bulldog was probably the best player in the majors in 1988, but it has been a long time since we've had a dominant force in the lineup or a true ace (i.e.a Beckett or Santana) in the rotation. I was against the thought of A-Rod being in Dodger Blue at first, but he might be just what the doctor ordered in this case. The Dodgers have enough young (and relatively inexpensive) talent to add to allow for a big chunk of the team's payroll to go A-Rod's way and he'd certainly bring star power to Chavez Ravine. Maybe my wish is as crazy and ill-fated as Linus' sojourn into the pumpkin patch, but you have to admit that it is intriguing.
Posted by: Va Dodger | November 01, 2007 at 09:40 AM
Lets just get this deal done already! Colletti's gonna have a lot of explaining to do if all of this falls apart -- I guess that would at least open the door for McCourt to fire Ned and install Logan White as GM.
Once Torre comes on board you still gotta lock up a coaching staff - A good hitting coach for a whole season could do wonders for this team. And maybe new pitching coach could help us keep our guys strong through the second half?
& I've been wondering this too as we all eyeball A-Rod - Wouldn't the Dodgers be at risk of putting themselves in the same position the Angels are with Vlad? Not having a big enough bat to protect him?
Sure we all hope Kemp or Loney could be that guy- but we don't know yet--anyway just playing devils advocate.
Posted by: Jukuren | November 01, 2007 at 01:33 PM
Why is it taking so long????????? Like BK said just sign Torre already.
Posted by: dcerros | November 01, 2007 at 02:07 PM
now its official!! press conference tomorrow at 10 am pac. time
Posted by: the WOLF | November 01, 2007 at 02:27 PM
oops i shoulda said monday.
Posted by: the WOLF | November 01, 2007 at 02:46 PM
Renewing season tickets.....................!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Welcome to LA Mr Torre and Company....................maybe Arod too???
'Bout time the McCourts do something right...........
"LA sould be elated"........Lasorda
Posted by: JC Blue | November 01, 2007 at 03:17 PM
Ok so we finally got Torre - I think this does all the things for the Dodgers all the guys at ESPN are talking about, credibility, relevance and celebrity.
What I think needs to follow are some well thought out moves to solidify the team.
First order of business - 3rd base : Miguel Cabrera is available and a better choice than A-Rod even with how much it'll cost them to trade for him. He's 7 years younger than A-Rod, makes way less and is a proven postseason performer which is where this team should be aiming.
You take LaRoche, Ethier, Elbert and another second tier prospect and go get that guy.
Second - center field : Torii Hunter is out there and upgrades our defense in center and our offense immediately while allowing you to move Pierre to left field to hide his weak arm better.
Third - You sign Curt Schilling or David Wells or both to bring more of a championship attitude to a starting rotation that just can't seem to stay healthy.
Your line-up should look like this if you make these moves.
LF - Pierre
SS - Furcal
CF - Hunter
3B - Cabrera
2B - Kent
RF - Kemp
1B - Loney
C - Martin
Your rotation looks like a combination of the following : Schmidt, Schilling, Lowe, Penny, Wells, Billingsley, Loaiza and a look at Kershaw to see if he's ready to get his feet wet.
Your bullpen is still strong with Saito, Broxton, Proctor, Beimel headlining and guys like Brazoban, Meloan, Kuo, Tsao filling the gaps.
Your bench could be an issue but you've got Abreu, Delwyn Young, Jason Repko, Nomar as a foundation - not terrible but definitely lacking some veteran presence outside Garciaparra.
All in all I think any and all of these moves are out there and there's no reason we can't come up with something like this - we are the Dodgers and with Torre and a couple pick ups we become the team to beat in the Naional League.
Make it happen Colletti, it's only been 20 years since we mattered outside of LA.
Posted by: SocalSpider | November 01, 2007 at 03:33 PM
So now that Torre IS the manager, does that mean that ARod has a greater chance of being a Dodger? If he does come to LA what does that mean for Nomar? Loney appears to be the man at first, Kent and Furcal aren't going anywhere, and I don't see putting Mr. Hamm in the outfield as a positive solution. Would Loney and Nomar platoon or is a Nomar trade imminent if ARod comes to town?
Posted by: Mr. Kinsley | November 01, 2007 at 04:04 PM
JC Blue - I agree that the Dodgers should go after Cabrera. I see that as a great addition to 3rd base, but I disagree on letting go of LaRoche, Ethier, Elbert to get him. The Dodgers need to start learning to keep their young talent around. Perhaps trade Furcal for Cabrera (+ scrubs) and then go after A-Rod. Talk about a line up!
SoCalSpider - The Dodgers need to get rid of Kent PRONTO!!! That guy is a team cancer. He is just not a team player.
Posted by: Manny P | November 01, 2007 at 04:23 PM
Spider,
Would you please share the report that says Cabrera is available? That's news to me....
Posted by: DodgerBlueBalls | November 01, 2007 at 04:31 PM
Are you kidding me SocalSpider? Nice triple A team you have assemble.
If you think those are the players that's going to take to land Cabrera here, you are wrong. Why would the Marlins make that trade? It's going to take top notch players so if you want Cabrera it's going to take Martin, Loney, Kemp of Billingsley. Are you willing to make that trade? I'm not and I know Cabrera is younger but he is not Arod. You spend money to get a great coach, now spend money the money and get a great player. Lord knows the Dodgers can afford it.
Posted by: dcerros | November 01, 2007 at 07:04 PM
Regarding Cabrera. There are issues:
1. He has put on serious weight in the last few years. Young as he is, there is a real danger than his weight and conditioning could become a serious issue in years to come.
2. Cabrera has about 4.5 years of major league time. That makes him arbitration eligible, and only two years away from free agency. Any trade involving him would have to include a long term contract extension beyond his free agency eligibility. It wouldn't be inexpensive. Given the weight issue, I wouldn't offer the suggested package, and I seriously doubt the Marlins would even entertain it. They would want a lot more.
As for Jeff Kent (and I've mentioned this before), I agree with Manny P., "get rid of [him] PRONTO!!!" He is not only a cancer, but a player clearly on the downside of his career. He has no range, is definitely injury prone (despite his 550+ plate appearances in 2007, he ended the season with a hamstring injury), and as he turns 40 in 2008, expect his power to decline even further. Tony Abreu's superior range, arm, speed, extra base power (lots of doubles), will more than make up for the 20 HR's Kent hit, and without the baggage. I recall reading somewhere that Mike Scioscia remarked, if given the choice between experience and talent, he would take talent EVERYTIME. That's a sentiment I wholeheartedly agree with. And if the experience comes in the form of a malcontent, all the more reason to go with the talent.
Posted by: Brooklyn Dodger | November 01, 2007 at 08:05 PM
It's up to Kent, not the Dodgers, if he wants to come back.
Posted by: Andy B | November 01, 2007 at 11:19 PM
SoCal Spider ......do you have Miguel Cabrera in your fantasy league? And why do you want to give away Andre Eitheir, easily the most consistent of the young players when Florida would give this guy up for all minor leaguers.
and you want to bat Loney 7th and Martin 8th?
But the worst move was your non-move...did you actually list Loaiza in the lineup? That bum is still giving up homeruns as we speak..........
Let Joe make the calls...finally Dodgers have baseball men in the dugout..........
Posted by: Ruben | November 02, 2007 at 05:40 PM