Two of three? and a Question of the Day
The Dodgers, beneficiaries of great performances at the plate from Russell Martin and Blake DeWitt and Chan Ho Park and Hong-Chi Kuo on the mound on their way to a 6-3 win Saturday afternoon in Anaheim against the Angels, will look to make it two of three this afternoon in, oh, a couple hours. Brad Penny's scheduled start will be delayed by a day as a result of arm stiffness after a between-starts bullpen session, and Derek Lowe, working on short rest, will swap spots with him. Jered Weaver pitches for LAAoA.
Jason Schmidt had a successful rehab outing for the Class A Inland Empire 66ers. Not quite as good a day as John Lindsey had for the 51's in Vegas, but still pretty good. Nine batters, 34 pitches, three Ks, one walk.
Very interesting column today from Bill Shaikin of the LAT, discussing the trend for smaller market teams to lock up their best young players early, assuming the risk of diminished performance for salary certainty through the years of arbitration and early free agency. With the likes of Russell Martin, James Loney, Chad Billingsley, Andre Ethier, and Matt Kemp, certainly the Blue will be in a position to follow suit. Shakin argues, though, that teams like the Dodgers, who can pay the prevailing market rate for good players, don't have to dive in with early money. Shaikin reports that the Blue have twice tried to open the early-contract door with Russell Martin, and were twice turned down. It's an interesting debate, and the risks are substantial (ask the Indians if they'd like that Travis Hafner money back...). Which leads to today's QOTD:
Should the Dodgers do what they can to lock up their best young players sooner rather than later? If so which ones do you want to see signed first?
BK
Subscribe to this Blog | What is RSS?
Seems like this year feels different to me.I have been a devoted fan since ...well forever. I have a feeling things are going to break for this team. I think Joe is getting his L.A. sea legs and will work the team into shape. He already move on the pitching changes faster then his last 3 predecessors combined. I know Andruw Jones has been terrible and well ,that could be another Colletti boner but I have a gut feeling you have not heard the last of this team. They need consistency for sure. I feel that we will have a great June and end up either pulling on the tail of the Diamond Backs or passing them. Keep the faith. I know it seems impossible some times. Go Dodgers
Bleedin' Blue in Chico, Ca.
Peace,
L.B.
Posted by: Lynn | May 18, 2008 at 11:42 AM
BK -
Yes.
Loney, Kent, Kershaw, and Kemp. The "Looney K's".
Probably too late to get Martin locked up. That sucks, but I smell another LoDuca deal a-coming.
Posted by: benzo jones | May 18, 2008 at 11:43 AM
I so did not mean to include kent, but it is kinda funny...
Posted by: benzo jones | May 18, 2008 at 11:45 AM
I would love to see the Dodgers lock up James Loney ASAP. With a plethora of gold gloves that will for sure be coming his way to his consistant bat Loney is the safest lock. He also is soft spoken and not a club house problem, has a good baseball IQ, hits well with RISP (a rairity with the blue crew), and hits well in pressure situations. I would love to see Loney get some kind of assurance that he be a Dodger for a long time coming. Plus I just bought a Loney jersey and I really hope that outlives my old Gagne one!(shoulda gotten a warrenty on that)
Posted by: DK TRUEBLUE | May 18, 2008 at 11:57 AM
What makes the most sense to me is to try to have the best of both sides: offer largely discounted annual salaries in exchange for early-career security, but then have a long-term financial plan that lets you be prepared to spend the big-money, market value salaries if these guys want to go to free agency. In other words, let the young guys and their agents decide what they want to do.
Reading Shaikin's article, it sounds like some (Loney) want the discounted, guaranteed option, while others (Martin) would rather play for the free-agent jackpot. Common sense sorta dictates that the only way the Blue can hold onto ALL this talent is to go a little in column A, a little in column B. It is also worth mentioning that employees generally like to have some say as to their contract status, so by keeping both options open, it seems to be that you can actually make everyone happy.
I also think the real test of Colletti's management abilities will be how he approaches this exact issue over the next two years.
Posted by: VA Blueblood | May 18, 2008 at 12:24 PM
If the Dodgers were able to lock up Martin, Looney and Kemp, I think it would be a smart move.
The D-backs have done it both ways -- spending lavishly on free agents in the early years and later locking up the kids. The Snakes won the World Series the first way, and now they're going the other way.
A lot of it just comes down to execution: You got sign the right guys. The Indians may be sorry about signing Travis Hafner. The Dodgers should be sorry they signed Andruw Jones.
The D-backs gambled and lost with young guy Chad Tracy. They also gambled and lost with old guy Russ Ortiz.
The other thing is there are young guys you can't do it with. Steven Drew is Boras client -- and I think you can gather from Shaikin's article that Boras does not like these kind of deals.
Of course you have to wait more than a week to sign the guy. Every Dodgers fan must remember a can't-miss guy named Greg Brock.
If you look at from an investor's point of view, signing the younger players usually means smaller dollar amounts than a big free agent. The upside is bigger becuase if they work out, their best years are ahead of them.
With many if not all free agents just the opposite is true.
It seems to me the downside is about the same: They don't play like you expect them to.
Go ask your financial advisor which is better of two investments with similar risks: a smaller investment with a bigger payoff or a bigger invesment with a smaller payoff.
Of coure if you tie up that money on young guys, you don't have money later on when an Andruw Jones comes along.
Posted by: Tom in AZ | May 18, 2008 at 02:55 PM
I think the Dodgers should try and lock up Martin, Loney, Kemp, Billz, Ethier and if DeWitt keeps playing well this year and next year, lock him too. As I have said many times. The Dodgers need stabiliy. All of those players will be around a long time barring injury. Some of the FAs they have signed have been true busts. So money should not be an issue. The Dodgers really need to continue to try and land Martin. He is a joy to watch.
BK
The Dodgers would have won today if they had a live blog!
Package
Posted by: Package | May 18, 2008 at 03:40 PM
I certainly think it would be smart to lock these guys up, the key being that they won't hit free agency as soon....because let's face it, the Dodgers track record in signing homegrown talent once they reach free agency is not all that great (see beltre, adrian, not that im upset about that)....though, thinking about it, when was the last time we had young talent worth locking up? Anyway, i say lock up who we can, with Martin, Loney and Kemp prioriities 1a. 1b. and 1c. Being a big market we can afford to make a mistake if someone doesnt pan out.
Unfortunately, the way he's been treated this year, i can't see Ethier agreeing to give up an earlier look at free agency...an absolute shame in my mind because wherever he is 4 or 5 years from now he's going to be in the all-star conversation every year.
Totally unrelated, but what's wrong with D. Lowe this year? He's not the first guy you think of when you're talking importance to the team, but he is an essential piece to the puzzle when it concerns the Blue winning. He's been a rock since he signed, easily penciled in for 12-15 wins and an era around 3.50-4.00, which anyone would take from their #3 guy. He was one of the winningest pitchers in the majors from 04-07, one of only 7 starters to post at least 12 wins every year in that span. Sure, he won't help the offense, but getting Lowe on track would be a big boost for the blue.
Posted by: Mike G | May 18, 2008 at 06:21 PM
Yea BK...you broke the live blog streak....you could have used it for a win today
Posted by: K T USN (feeling retired) | May 18, 2008 at 07:03 PM
Lock up the kids. There's always a risk that things won't work out, but you've got a similar risk with older (aging) free agents. With young players, you're not just looking at a discount for their later years. You're also getting players you can develop team philosophies and history with--a core that you can build around for years. Otherwise, you're always looking short-term.
Posted by: jlsc | May 18, 2008 at 08:24 PM
Package,
I think you're right... it's all BK"s fault.... a live blog would of sure equated to a Dodger win! Thanks BK!!??.... I always knew you were an Angels fan... their uniforms share the same color to some baseball team in Missouri... and I think some Angels players went there to get that team a World Championship too. The blatant use of your blogging powers is equalivent to cheating sir! And don't try to blame it on the Dodgers sucking too! Your blogging mind controlling tricks will not work on me.
Posted by: Rob | May 18, 2008 at 09:03 PM
Equivalent?!! Early post spelled equalivent?? Equivalent meaning of same... "equivalent to cheating.. Sir"
It would of been funny had I delivered it right and spelled it right...
Mike G,
I was thinking the same thing about Lowe. He just doesn't seem right. He seems to be rushing. Looks like thinking about out #2 and #3 of inning 9 while he's pitching in inning 2??!! Also when things don't go his way, he starts to make more mistakes. I read where Martin said as his sinker goes, so goes Lowe and I guess he isn't able to spot his sinker as well this year. Very worrisome. Hopefully he'll snap out of it... it's still a long season and he is definitely one of the guys the Dodgers need to turn things around.
Posted by: Rob | May 19, 2008 at 01:04 AM
Trueblue,
After this weekend, I'm not so sure about Loney and the Gold Gloves. For the whole team, what a terrible performance on Sunday--a total breakdown, highlighted by another Bennett botched throw (Lieberthal, anyone?), lousy pitching by Lowe and, of course, three strikeouts by Fatso.
I know it is only May, but it is no longer "early". One quarter of the season has passed and fans likely have a decent idea of their favorite team and players. This looks to be a long one.
Posted by: Chunkdog | May 19, 2008 at 06:31 AM
Hey Everyone,
Let's give Beimel a start. What happening now is not working. Or maybe Wade. What do you think?
Package
Posted by: Package | May 19, 2008 at 07:57 AM
Anything is better than the way penny and lowe are going, or bring up minor leaguers because the big two are a flop so far.
Posted by: pk-in-the-mesa | May 19, 2008 at 09:24 AM
they should sign all of the above as soon as they can (martin, loney, billz, broxton, ethier, kemp). judging by the money they've wasted in recent years, taking a risk on all the budding stars is not a bad idea. sign all the ones who are willing, and then start trust funds for the ones who aren't. keep saving money in the Russell Martin Free Agency account. he is and should be the franchise player, and they should sign him as soon as he is willing...
Posted by: Sara | May 19, 2008 at 10:16 AM
Bielmel Starting?
Only Tom Cruise knows why......
Posted by: benzo jones | May 19, 2008 at 10:53 AM
I agree with all of you to sign the kids, lets just hope Ned will realize getting these kids long and cheaper means happier players. If we wait till free agency arrives, Ned has to pay twice as much to retain them. I think considering Braun got 45 million, give that to martin and loney and kemp. Factor in 6 years from the kids at that rate vs 45 million for 3 years for a FA player who is likely on the downswing of their careers... I know Ned likes veterans, but come on, the veterans are hardly carrying the team. Commit to the kids and let them grow together. Free agency is killing the whole team first mantra and makes it tough to have chemistry in year in and year out.
On a side note... Loney, has a slick glove, but not a slick throw to 2B...
Posted by: poppinfresh | May 19, 2008 at 12:11 PM