The ring, or at least the rotation, is complete
I think the most refreshing thing I learned about Hiroki Kuroda from the clippings on his press conference is the part where he says he preferred the shorter, three year deal he signed with L.A. to longer versions offered by a host of teams. Why? He likes to feel the need to constantly prove himself and produce results.
Clearly, he hasn't spent that much time around American athletes (haha). But seriously, folks, Kuroda found the large Japanese community in L.A. appealing, as well as the weather. And while none of us can really predict how he'll pitch (it'll take a couple turns through the league before anyone has a good bead on things), it's a fair bet he'll be better than Esteban Loaiza.
On another note, as someone who felt that the Diamondbacks were the beneficiaries of much good fortune (another word for "luck") last season that would make their division title tough to replicate in '08, their move to pick up Dan Haren is a big one. With Brandon Webb, he'll make the top of their rotation as good, if not better, than any twosome in the league. Haren will likely see his ERA slide up pitching half his games in Phoenix instead of cavernous McAfee Coliseum (where foul territory is so vast, it has its own ZIP code), but he's far from a product of his environment. Dude can bring it.
In a winter where L.A.'s division rivals haven't done much to move the needle, this qualifies as a potential race-changing swap.
BK
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The Haren pickup was a good move for the D-Backs, but I'm not quaking in my boots just yet. They still haven't done anything to improve their (nonexistent) offense, and they just traded their lights-out closer. They still have a few issues to resolve.
As far as the rest of the division goes... the Rowand signing is a good one for SF, but they've got too many other holes to fill. And Pads fans shouldn't expect too much from Jim Edmonds. The guy is gassed, but maybe with a bigger outfield to run around in he won't concuss himself against the wall so much. The only team I'm scared about right now is the Rockies.
I'm feeling good about the Dodgers for '08, but I'm not willing to call them the NL favorites yet. Something deep inside me tells me '08 might finally be the Cubbies' year.
Posted by: Eric B. | December 17, 2007 at 11:22 AM
I still feel that the Dodgers' pitching depth is too shallow. There is no clear-cut number one guy; the rotation is filled with a bunch of 2s and 3s. I guess that's not a bad way to go about it, but at the end of the day, I think you need that horse. The Dodgers have no answer for Peavy, Webb or Haren. It just seems to me that Bedard would be the perfect fit here. The organization would then be able to identify Bedard, Penny, Lowe and Billingsly as locks for the rotation and allow a pool of (regardless of how much these guys make) Kuroda, Schmidt, Loaiza and whomever battle it out for the last spot. The other two find themselves in the bully to go along with Proctor, Beimel, Broxton (If he isn't traded) and Saito. All of a sudden the depth is there, the kids can continue to mature on the farm and there are built in replacements should someone falter out of the rotation. Yes, I realize this means Kemp would probably go, but he is a prospect! Bedard has proven to be one of the top pitchers in the AL. Let's bring him over.
Posted by: Paul Simonds | December 17, 2007 at 11:32 AM
BK,
Good point about the cavernous McAfee foul territory. It does produce lots of outs that in other parks are simply foul balls.
Let's not forget a real wild card for next year. Suppose (hopefully), Jason Schmidt regains his form and his health. Now the rotation looks really good.
Posted by: Chunkdog32 | December 17, 2007 at 11:35 AM
No doubt Arizona did good by landing Haren, but I wonder if their management believes that they are closer to a championship than they actually are. Their prospects haven't exactly panned out to be as great as advertised, and their negative run differential last year was overcome only because their bullpen pitched out of their minds last season.
No doubt Arizona has one of the top starting rotations in the majors, but they're banking on a bunch of unproven guys with spotty limited MLB track records (Drew, Upton, Young) to power their offense. Plus, their Valverde-less bullpen will be hard pressed to match the success they enjoyed last year. They're going to be a good team, but I can't help but think that maybe the Diamondbacks have gone 'all in' a little too soon.
Posted by: Makoto Ueno | December 17, 2007 at 11:35 AM
Kuroda sounds like a gamer. Old school. I like the risk vs reward of this signing. Unlike the Schmidt and Pierre signings.
Posted by: jim | December 17, 2007 at 11:52 AM
BK,
Sorry this is a post from the last thread but could you answer it if you can.
"Have we secured Logan White? I knew he was be recruited as a General Manager by several teams. I haven't heard anything about him lately. I would sure hate to lose this recruiting genius. Would appreciate any new information concerning Mr. White. Thank you"
I know he helped secure Mr. Kuroda but if he's just sticking around until someone gives him a better offer, I think that is insane. Management should secure this guy for a long time.
KT
Posted by: K T USN | December 17, 2007 at 12:06 PM
BK,
When did Fozzie Bear start writing your bits? Zip code, American Atheletes?
Is your middle name Shecky?
Have you tried the Veal?
Posted by: benzojones | December 17, 2007 at 12:10 PM
Benzo,
That's so funny you'd reference Shecky Green. Whenever I make a joke at my girlfriend's expense, her response is a sarcastic, "Shecky Green, everybody!"
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | December 17, 2007 at 12:14 PM
So the Dodgers have two remaining needs to fill: bullpen and backup catcher. Not much left in terms of FA bullpen pitchers so that leaves the trade route or the in-house option, and by looking at Colletti's moves, he'll probably look for veteran help there.
Does that mean Colletti will try to trade Pierre or Ethier for a relief pitcher? I think it will come down to what the Dodgers, Colletti and Torre value more this coming season: experience or potential. I'm pulling for the latter but I won't be disappointed if they go with the former.
That Webb/Haren combo will be very, very tough. I bet Gonzo is aching to sign with them again.
Posted by: bigyoonit | December 17, 2007 at 12:28 PM
Signing Rowand spoiled my Gonzo, Finley, Shawn Green geriatric outfield for the Gnats. Damn.
Posted by: jim | December 17, 2007 at 01:05 PM
The D-Backs pick-up of Haren is big, but the back end of there rotation is still somewhat shaky. Valverde was one pitch away from shoulder and tommy john surgery. Yes, he was effective, but watch quite a few game he pitched and sinced that management was concerned about his motion and preceived injury risk. I just don't think that the D-Backs can keep up with the Rockies and Dodgers offensive wise. The Rockies are the team to watch out for, they already have good team chemstry and only built upon the foundation of core players that they already have. The real difference maker in the NL West is the coaching staffs, and Torre is the real difference maker.
Posted by: A Justis | December 17, 2007 at 01:51 PM
I like the Kuroda signing. (Gawd, I keep wanting to type KUBOTA..as in the tractors!). He hasn't yet learned all the American "athlete-speak" full of "staying within myself", "taking it one game at a time", etc. He actually mentioned he does feel some pressure to produce?, That he hasn't thrown a pitch in the big leagues yet? And that the shorter contract will actually motviate him some? Heresy by American athlete standards!
I agree with Paul that even given Penny's recent seasons, we don't have a lights-out, ace of the staff. I worry about Penny's arm and Lowe's effectiveness. For some reason, something about Lowe on the mound reminds me of Jeff Weaver...the nonchalant, "I-don't-give-a-damn" demeanor. It bugs me. Even though Juan Pierre produced what he's capable of producing for us and kept his piehole shut when he was criticized, I'd rather we trade him for a reliever than Ethier. Godspeed Juan. At this point it would be unfair and not in the Dodgers best intersts to platoon Kemp and Ethier. I want to see LaRoche emerge if he's capable (or unhurt!) and if not...well, play Nomar and see if he has any gas left in the tank.
Posted by: Dan in Pasadena | December 17, 2007 at 02:09 PM
DO NOT PLATOON EITHIER & KEMP......WHAT KINDA MORONS WOULD DO THAT SO PIERRE CAN START EVERYDAY?............THE OUTFIELD SHOULD BE KEMP, EITHIER, & JONES.......ACTUALLY.....WHY WOULD THEY PICK PIERRE AND PLATOON KEMP & EITHIER........MAN WHAT KINDA MORONS ARE THESE PEOPLE!.....I THOUGHT WE FIRED GRADY LITTLE!!
BTW....AM I THE ONLY ONE THAT THINKS REPKO HAS WHAT IT TAKES TO START?
Posted by: Aryan | December 17, 2007 at 03:12 PM
The Dodgers filled the backup catcher need by signing Gary Bennett. He quickly has latched on to the "I only used HGH once (or twice) and simply to get over an injury" line put forth by Andy Pettite.
Gary, you'll do fine as a backup, but, please, spare us the phony apologies and explanations. Even Coletti's, "I'm pleased he was straightforward and honest about it" quote is part of the new party line to try to make things sound good.
Posted by: Chunkdog32 | December 17, 2007 at 03:40 PM
Aryan, I think that Joe Torre will discover the potential of Ethier and Kemp and will put them in there. Yes, Grady Little was fired, we don't need to be reminded of that constantly. Although, I'm very sure that Ethier, Jones, and Kemp will make the outfield and will most certainly be a good one. Grady Little is gone. Yes. We get it.
Posted by: James | December 17, 2007 at 04:45 PM
Aryan...already back to the caps...give it a rest until you see what they do in the season. Torre has yet to say his lineup and who he is platooning.
Chuckdog32,
I got the same feeling when I read it
Posted by: K T USN | December 17, 2007 at 05:13 PM
Aryan,
I think you are the only one that thinks that Repko has what it takes to start. I think there is no way that Repko is better than and should start over Kemp, Jones, or Ethier...
Posted by: DodgerBlueBalls | December 17, 2007 at 05:24 PM
Aryan -
The outfield is already crowded enough, with six "candidates" (Kemp, Ethier, Jones, Pierre, Young, Repko). Repko has to prove that he can compete again after taking an entire year off due to yet another injury. So to answer your question, NO. Not this year, not for the Dodgers.
I agree with you, though that the starting outfield should be Ethier, Jones, Kemp. Another year of platooning Ethier and Kemp is not a good solution.
I'm very happy about the Kuroda signing as well, and I don't think the Dodgers should fear anybody in the NL West. If dem bums can't win 90 games this year and make it into the playoffs, then I don't know what else they need.
Bennett will be competent enough to start once every 10 games or so. Sentimentally, I still would have liked to see Mike Piazza come back to end his career in L.A, but I don't think he wants to be a back-up.
Posted by: Higgins | December 17, 2007 at 05:32 PM
i hope torre gives the outfield spots on merit......not contract amount
...if he has any b@ll$ that is
any report on schmidt? or was that just a waste of millions?
Posted by: dave m | December 17, 2007 at 07:12 PM
Aryan,
YES.
Posted by: benzo jones | December 17, 2007 at 07:33 PM
benzo-
He's had a lot of free time since they stopped making the movies.
BK
Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | December 17, 2007 at 09:11 PM
I rather see Pierre start than Jason Repko.
Posted by: dcerros | December 17, 2007 at 09:38 PM
Now that the Dodgers have signed Gary Bennett as their backup catcher, is it too late to go after FP Santangelo for their utility infielder role? I hear Brady Anderson could fill in at one of the outfield spots. And perhaps Troy Glaus is ready to come back to LA.
I know the guys in the report aren't the only steroid/HGH users, but honestly, if you're going to sign a cheater, couldn't we at least have Paul LoDuca back? I liked him a lot when he was a Dodger, and am terribly disappointed to see that he was cheating. He was too good a player to be a backup, but without the roids, maybe that's not true. His defense was always pretty good.
Posted by: SaMo | December 18, 2007 at 09:02 AM
i think nomar and furcal will turn it around.
a lineup of furcal, kent, loney, jones, kemp, martin, ethier, nomar - looks pretty good to me. pierre and la roche should provide some good competition.
a pitching staff of penny, lowe, billingsley, kuroda, and either kuo, meloan or schmidt is also good. in the pen, proctor, beimel, broxton, saito should be reliable.
adding mattingly as a hitting coach will be the x factor in my opinion.
Posted by: luke | December 19, 2007 at 04:35 AM