And 2008's "Cushiest Gig in Baseball" goes to...
Gary Bennett!!! Congrats to Mr. Bennett, who arrives from St. Louis to pick up where Mike Lieberthal left off, spending much time on the pine while backing up Russell Martin. With job parameters of such low physical impact awaiting him, there shouldn't be any pressure whatsoever for Bennett to enhance his performance via the use of HGH, an act that landed him in the pages of the increasingly controversial Mitchell Report. To his credit, Bennett made no effort to dodge substance questions, admitting he took Human Growth Horomone in an effort to recover from injury. He has no idea whether they actually helped (looking at Bennett's numbers, it's hard to say HGH skied him to serious heights), but the newest Blue knows for sure it was knuckle-headed and grateful the Dodgers looked past this incident in signing him. Depending on how you look at it, this "understanding" requires a mouth with oratory capabilities on both sides.
Some more Hiroki Kuroda lowdown. For starters, the "lowdown" often equals "balls hit low and on the ground."
Thinking of hitting some spring training games? On the minus side, a GPS thingamabob is a must purchase. But on the plus side, it's a real opportunity to earn some miles.
MLB.com's Ken Gurnick answers reader emails regarding Delwyn Young's Ravine future, the hypothetical opening day lineup and "Rolen for Pierre."
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AK/BK,
A heads up: The mlb.com link goes to the la times article. I found it anyway:
http://losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071217&content_id=2328723&vkey=news_la&fext=.jsp&c_id=la
Posted by: bt1 | December 18, 2007 at 10:26 AM
BT,
Thanks for the heads up. It's been fixed.
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | December 18, 2007 at 10:35 AM
Beyond Proctor and Beimel, we lack another proven, reliable 6th/7th inning guy. The Dodgers should go after former Rangers closer Akinori Otsuka. He's now a free agent. Though he's coming off an injury shortened 2007 season,(forearm) I think he's worth the risk. He was able keep a sub 2.00 ERA in hitter-friendly Ameriquest Field. An incentive-laden 1 year contract would be a good investment for our relief corps. With the presence of Kuroda and Saito, he might consider signing with us at a discount.
Posted by: bt1 | December 18, 2007 at 11:27 AM
Just for informational purposes: Ken Gurnick, no "e"
Posted by: wausroamer | December 18, 2007 at 04:43 PM
Since Saito went out of his way to recruit Kuroda ($35 million), I wonder if Sammy is miffed at the amount of money he's made since signing with the Dodgers considering how well he has pitched.
I don't think he has a contract for next year, or does he?
Posted by: wausroamer | December 18, 2007 at 04:47 PM
Rolen for Pierre? Where do we sign?
Rolen is not another Nomar, because Nomar never had gold glove defense at third. And he never had Rolen's pop. He was strictly an on-base precentage hitter who jacked a few that one year when suspicion started swirling around him.
Posted by: SaMo | December 18, 2007 at 05:53 PM
Wausromer,
Stupid typo. Thanks for the pickup.
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | December 18, 2007 at 06:20 PM
Dodgers let hendrickson go, so I am guessing that they will try to turn Kuo into a lefty long reliever. Probably would be a good idea since his arm is so fragile.
Posted by: richard | December 18, 2007 at 10:32 PM
Dear Santa,
I know that you're busy hooking up the reindeer and downloading the In-'N-Out locations into the GPS.
But, I just wanted to remind you about my Christmas wish of the heads up Juan Pierre trade for one autographed hardbound copy of the Mitchell report.
The Dodgers could auction it off and rake in some serious coin, especially if they gouge the buyer with a heavy shipping fee. I would guess it would fetch at least five figures...if you count the cents portion.
Years from now that trade would probably be considered one of the most lopsided ever (surpassing the Herchel Walker trade), with the Dodgers being seen as the major winner.
Please make it happen.
Thank You
Posted by: wausroamer | December 19, 2007 at 01:54 AM
So the Dodgers last minute Christmas shopping included a HGH user. I really don't see the big deal...it's a reality we have to live with now. It's not like we jumped on a superstar to take advantage of the situation. Bennett admitted his mistake...something our GM doesn't always do (see Pierre).
For everyone else still doing last minute shopping there is an option to shipping USPS or FedEx, UPS, etc. You still want assurances your valuables will be delivered? Depend on LoDucaExpress... Even "Brown" has trusted it...
Posted by: Michael | December 19, 2007 at 07:44 AM
Can someone please tell me why there is so much vitriol aimed at Pierre? Here's a guy who is going to play everyday, rack up 200 hits, 50 SBs, 100+runs, commit very few errors in the OF, bunt guys over (when asked), work hard, wear a hat two sizes too big off to the side a little bit, can bat in three or four different places in the line-up, can pinchrun (if he doesn't start) and has won a World Series championsip. So he throws like a girl and Ned overpaid; why must we get all over him for taking the money. Is the OF better with Kemp, Eithier and Jones? Sure, but Pierre offers a lot for any club, and I wish everyone would back off the guy. Get all over Ned if you want, but Pierre is solid and I hope we hang on to him.
Posted by: Paul Simonds | December 19, 2007 at 10:00 AM
Paul, I agree somewhat... but usually players of Juan Pierre's skills have at least a credible arm in the outfield and it was truly maddening last season to watch opposing hitters round first on routine singles.
I'm sure if Pierre had at least a middle-of-the-road arm, then some of the naysayers like myself would find someone else to pick on.
For me, what really peeved me was seeing these stories in every outlet (print and broadcast) about his great work ethic. Doesn't seem to be that great if he can't concentrate on throwing better or strengthening his arm or changing his motion.
His arm is the single worst attribute of any everyday Dodger. As long as he produces those hitting/stealing numbers... his move to left field should make me a believer this year, where at least his arm can be hidden most of the time.
Posted by: Stinger | December 19, 2007 at 12:59 PM
Paul,
No, Pierre doesn't make many errors. But runners can frequently advance extra bases on him because of his weak arm. And yes, he can get lots of small hits, but compare his 200 hits and 20 walks (imaginary numbers for illustration purposes only) to a comparable player's 180 hits and 60 walks and who gets on base more? A top of the order batter needs ot have a higher on-base percentage so that the heart of the order can knock him in. Pierre doesn't show the plate discipline needed to draw enough walks to make him an effective leadoff hitter. I think the words that come to my mind when discussing Pierre and 'adequate' and 'seviceable', but for $9mil a year you expect a bit more than that.
Posted by: elf | December 19, 2007 at 03:24 PM
Why did the Dodgers not right a terrible wrong this offseason. There is a backup catcher/pinch hitter/1st baseman that is a free agent. Mike Piazza is still available and why wasn't he considered for the backup catcher job? Talk about an instant Dodger fan Christmas present.
Posted by: Bob | December 20, 2007 at 11:27 PM
Sure, but Pierre offers a lot for any club, and I wish everyone would back off the guy. Get all over Ned if you want, but Pierre is solid and I hope we hang on to him.
Posted by: Paul Simonds | December 19, 2007 at 10:00 AM
Yea Paul, he offers so much that no other team wants him unless we pick up a big part of his salary. If he is such an asset, how come we can't unload him. By the way, we have maligned Ned mercilessly for signing Pierre. He is the weakest link on the team right now and that is why all the vitriol.
Posted by: jim | December 21, 2007 at 09:27 AM
I'm a Dodger fan since Ralph Branca days and have been to Vero every spring since I retired in 1999. I knew the Dodgers would leave eventually but am still sad. If I ever get to Az I'll try to see the new digs. If you've never been to Dodgertown you wouldn't understand our sadness. Will the new facility let you walk with the players from field to field, chat with them over the fence during drills, come everyday for free and see major leagers work on the basics, watch Maury work on base stealing with new and old hopefulls and best of all will I be able to go to one spot and watch every dodger player from every level of the minors and bigs year after year as they make the progress from rookie league to the big leagues? Going to the games for $15.00 ( not the $50 scalpers price I had to pay to see one game in Chandler, Az in 1994) and sitting literally within touch of the players is great but if that is the only thing you did at Dodgertown you will never understand why we Vero Beach devoted fans are so sad. Oh well, time marches on. Will I like Arizona if I ever get there? Not unless they bring the charm, accessibility and total package of Vero to the desert. Here's hoping.
Posted by: Bill Benzing | December 26, 2007 at 12:24 PM
JUAN PIERRE WAS TERRIBLE OUTFIELDER LAST YEAR-(ESPECIALLY IN THE FIRST HALF)-DO NOT LET THE LACK OF ERRORS FOOL YOU.HE MISJUDGED A LOT OF BALLS THAT WILL NOT BE AN ISSUE NOW WITH ANDRUW IN CENTER.I DO NOT KNOW IF WE CAN MAKE A DEAL INVOLVING PIERRE,BUT IF WE CAN,WE MUST PURSUE IT.IT IS NOW TIME TO SEE WHAT ALL THIS YOUNG TALENT IS CAPABLE OF-(LOOK AT WHAT ARIZONA AND THE ROCKIES DID LAST YEAR WITH THIS MENTALITY IN A WEAK NL)------------WE WILL SAVE MONEY AND FIND OUT HOW GOOD THEY REALLY ARE!-WE HAVE NOTHING TO LOSE----WE HAVE NOT BEEN A SUCCESS OF LATE ANYWAY-IT IS TIME!!!!!! GO DODGERS!
Posted by: JOSE SIMON | December 30, 2007 at 11:01 AM