8 Hours, 40 minutes until the "Man Ram" era is underway!
A happy thought, hopefully containing enough cheer to take minds away from a crucial series against Arizona kicking off with a 2-1 loss. It's never easy going up against Brandon Webb and last night was no exception. The perennial Cy candidate held the Dodgers to just one score, a sequence where Juan Pierre brought home by a sixth inning infield single by Russell Martin. Beyond the run allowed, the biggest threat Web faced came two innings later when Andre Ethier- just inserted into the game after spending most of the day yakking up breakfast- tried tagging from third on a not so deep fly by Matt Kemp. For his trouble, Ethier got a noggin's worth of Chris Snyder's catcher's mitt, but not much else. "Not much" would also describe the run support received by Derek Lowe, who pitched a gem of his own blemished by a few bad pitches in the seventh inning. Tough way for a box score to round out, but like we said, think happy thoughts, people!!!
Having spent most of the trade deadline countdown looking like they'd stand pat, the Dodgers shocked the world with the mother of all blockbusters, shuttling Andy LaRoche and Single-A righty Bryan Morris to Pittsburgh in a three-way dealing bringing Boston slugger Manny Ramirez into the fold, with the price tag paid by the Saux. If that sounds like not much expended for a guy of Manny's skills, that's mostly because it's not. In terms of how this impact the Dodgers, the answer is obvious. Dude can rake, a skill that should translate into more runs generated and a lineup not as easy to pitch through. Along those lines, even the local uber-skeptics can't find much downside (although an upside of a long playoff run seems imaginable).
Beyond that positive, however, there are questions. For starters, how does this effect the outfield dynamic, since the team's already pretty chock full with that position? But the bigger issue would be Manny's personality, which we'll kindly refer to as "strong." Ramirez went on a scorched Earth M.O. on his way outta Beantown, which prompts folks to wonder how he'll effect the clubhouse. Manny's erratic nature will require some massaging on Joe Torre's part, and he claims to be up to the task. It doesn't hurt that Manny's former mates also in Blue swear by the guy.
In the meantime, what of Manny's mane?
If "Manny Mania" doesn't serve as a good enough backstory for tonight's game, try "young vs. old." Specifically, Clayton Kershaw vs. Randy Johnson.
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I was getting excited about Manny and made the mistake of seeing what the 'tude was on some of the Sox blogs, 90-1 as in no sympathy for Manny, and lots a trash getting talked at our poor Nomar.... anyway, think I'll stay away from the Sox blogs, pull up a chair, and watch-what is truly now- THE BIG SHOW!
Posted by: seeniminthecoliseum | August 01, 2008 at 11:15 AM
Dudes, you're still not acknowledging the '09 hole at 3B. Seriously, what's the inside scoop on the organization's plans? What 3B free agents hit the market this fall? What are the higher-ups saying about this?
Posted by: VA Blueblood | August 01, 2008 at 11:26 AM
is mannymania.com available?
Posted by: Benzo Jones | August 01, 2008 at 11:46 AM
VA Blue,
There are options in '09:
1) Re-sign Casey Blake. Dude's beard is worth the contract price alone.
2) Go with DeWitt. He's finally going to have some of the AAA experience that he should have been getting all season this year.
3) Sign Hank Blalock. You could do alot worse than him...
or...(and please cue the screams of rapture from Benzo & our friends in Vegas)...
4) FREE TERRY TIFFEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: DodgerBlueBalls | August 01, 2008 at 12:06 PM
Ignore the bitter Sox fans... and enjoy the show (while it lasts).
I'm from Boston and still a Sox fans, and some (or most) Sox fans are bitter, and that's justified.
Manny got what Manny wanted... out of contract extensions that underpay him at $20 million per year! Rumor has it that Manny really wants 4-years at $25 million per year.
Now Manny's going to revert to happy Manny (for the next couple months) to boost his free agency value.
Just enjoy the show folks!
Posted by: LA-renter | August 01, 2008 at 12:15 PM
VAB´s LaRoche is the Aryan version of REPKO
BTW, Aryan made a post in last night blog, sure he got REPKO autorizathion
Posted by: tio | August 01, 2008 at 12:28 PM
Hank Blalock is possibly the best option for 2009 at 3B if Dewitt doesnt work out or Casey Blake. Lets see if the Manny ordeal works...
Posted by: poppinfresh | August 01, 2008 at 12:37 PM
Rumor is the only reason Colletti got Manny is for Maddux bait!
Posted by: benzojones | August 01, 2008 at 01:00 PM
Does anyone know why Adrian Beltre specified the Dodgers in his no-trade clause? I mean, the guy that dissed him was DePodesta, and he's gone. Maybe he holds ownership responsible. To me, HE'D be the best option for 2009 at 3B: Gold Glover, 25+ homers, and still relatively young. Also, I believe he'd be in the last year of his deal, so the risk factor would be low.
Posted by: twerp1 | August 01, 2008 at 01:34 PM
manny = best in-season acquisition of OF in 30+ yrs., since dodgers got reggie smith from cards (though smith too had ties to bosox)............one roster move still has to be made, so who is going to be sent out to make room for man-ram???
Posted by: WheelerDealer | August 01, 2008 at 01:58 PM
I think it's a little early to be worrying about 3B options for 2009. The Dodgers have the remainder of this season and an entire offseason to address that issue. There are simply too many variables that will influence the final outcome. And 3B isn't the only position that will have to be filled. The same could be said for SS, and 2B.
I am not suggesting that the Dodger brass shouldn't be thinking about these things, because I'm sure they are, everyday. The answers can come from the farm system, trades, and free agency. As a fan, with limited information I have, I'm content at this time to let 2008 play out, and wait and see what happens down the road. Do I or any of us have any other choice?
Posted by: Brooklyn Dodger | August 01, 2008 at 02:37 PM
Reported on ESPN radio approx 2 pm......
Manny sighted at airport with SHORN LOCKS!!!
Good move if true
Avoids conflict with Torre, who made Beimel cut his hair in spring.
Posted by: dencard | August 01, 2008 at 02:38 PM
To Wheeler;
My hope is A Jones-altough Sweeny a good candidate too
Posted by: dencard | August 01, 2008 at 02:40 PM
I'm willing to bet that the corresponding roster move is to put Nomar on the DL. Despite all the talk about his "working through it" and being available to hit, I think the team was just holding off on sending him to the DL until after the trade deadline to make the roster juggling less complicated.
Posted by: Eric B. | August 01, 2008 at 03:04 PM
Haven't noticed anybody suggesting that Manny's presence in the Dodger lineup may take some of the pressure off Andruw Jones. That's a real possibility, and with both sluggers bashing away some more pressure will come off the "potential" kids.
Also, has anybody talked to Lasorda about this acquisition? Manny sort of steals the stage the way Tommy does.
Posted by: Allan | August 01, 2008 at 03:54 PM
I'm from Boston and an avid Red Sox fan and I thought I'd visit a Dodger blog to see what you guys think of the trade. Personally I'm happy to be rid of the jerk and you guys can have him if you want. Just wait till he turns into angry moody Manny and doesn't give a crap about the team. He has never been and will never be a team player. In the long run the sox made the correct move and got the best player in the deal. Good luck survivng the "Man Ram" era.
Posted by: KP3686 | August 01, 2008 at 04:28 PM