Kuroda Likely To Join Rotation, Decision To Come Wednesday
by Eric Stephen on Oct 13, 2009 8:19 PM PDT
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PrintThe Dodgers' pitching rotation for the NLCS is beginning to take form and, while not yet announced, the starting four while likely include Hiroki Kuroda, who missed his final start of the regular season and the NLDS because of a small disk herniation in his cervical spine.
Kuroda threw a simulated game Tuesday at the club's spring training facility in Glendale, Arizona, under the watchful eye of manager Joe Torre, among others. He threw about 50 pitches over five innings, according to Torre. Kuroda also threw 25 pitches in a bullpen session, for a total of 75 pitches on the day. Torre wouldn't commit to naming his rotation, but he was gushing in his praise of Kuroda, calling his command today "surprisingly good." Torre noted that Kuroda's experience in big games worked to his favor:
The ability he had last year to pitch the way he did in the postseason, and even late in the season in important games, is certainly a factor.
If Kuroda joins the rotation, he would likely have to take the spot of Chad Billingsley or Vicente Padilla, as Randy Wolf and Clayton Kershaw seem pretty entrenched at the top of the rotation. Padilla, who pitched seven shutout innings in his postseason debut on Saturday, isn't going anywhere, according to GM Ned Colletti:
Padilla's going to be a starter in the LCS. When exactly, we're still sorting through, but his performance the other night was one of the best performances we've seen all year. He deserves the opportunity to keep starting, and he'll keep starting for us.
Torre said a decision won't be announced until Wednesday, after how Kuroda feels physically, and after Torre gets a chance to talk to the pitchers in question. NLCS rosters are due Thursday.
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wolf
kershaw
kuroda
padilla
wolf
kershaw
kuroda or padilla depending on whether kuroda neck is feeling fine…
Padilla
I think the Dodgers are going to exercise the option on Padilla’s contract and bring him back for 2010 at a salary of $12 million. And you know what? That would be a good idea.
Dodgers have no option on Padilla.
When the Texas released Padilla, they automatically declined Padilla’s option.
Even if the Dodgers had a $12 million option, he's not worth $12 million.
Do you seriously think Padilla actually can throw 95-96 on a regular basis? I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s suspended next year for a PED. Where the hell was this speed in Texas for instance?
Regardless Of What He is Worth
The Dodgers have always been willing to over-pay in dollars in order to get the shortest possible length on a deal, and I agree with that philosophy. Better a Padilla at $12 million for one year than a slightly better pitcher at $10 million for five years.
by CanuckDodger on Oct 13, 2009 8:46 PM PDT up reply actions
But they don't have to pay Padilla $12 million.
Whatever his worth on the open market, $1 million, $2 million, maybe as high as $5 million, its nowhere near what his option is.
No point of throwing wasted money at Padilla like this. Especially when every young Dodgers seems to be getting an arbitration raise.
I think your logic just might apply, but with Garland, whom they might bring back for $10m next year. Although at this point I’d put those chances at about 30-35% or so.
by Eric Stephen on Oct 13, 2009 8:49 PM PDT up reply actions
Really?
That was not stated in the reports I read when we picked him up. The option was mentioned in all the reports but I don’t recall any writer saying it automatically died with the release.
Yep
Garland has a mutual option for $10 million. If the Dodgers decline, they owe him $2.5m. If Garland declines, they owe him $1 million. Either buyout would be paid by AZ, as part of their trade.
by Eric Stephen on Oct 13, 2009 8:45 PM PDT up reply actions
I would decline
and sign him to a one-year worth around $1.5-2.5 million. He’s getting a hefty raise from the option, so I think it would be all the same to him.
"Who would win: Coach Ditka versus a hurricane? The name of the hurricane is Hurricane Ditka"
by Mr. LA Sports Fan on Oct 13, 2009 8:52 PM PDT up reply actions
But that's if all plan-A's fail
"Who would win: Coach Ditka versus a hurricane? The name of the hurricane is Hurricane Ditka"
by Mr. LA Sports Fan on Oct 13, 2009 8:53 PM PDT up reply actions
Garland? There's some sap on the market that will give him $5 million.
I’m always surprised that a guy can pull down major change just on rep alone.
Why does Garland always get disrespected like this. A quick look at his WAR the past five years shows…
2005: 3.7 WAR (worth $12.7M)
2006: 3.9 WAR (worth $14.5M)
2007: 3.6 WAR (worth $14.9M)
2008: 1.9 WAR (worth $8.8M)
2009: 2.4 WAR (worth $10.6M)
Just because he doesn’t have a sexy K/9 rate, the guy is a very useful pitcher.
vr, Xei
I think the WAR to dollars ratios are outdated.
I’ve been told that a FA gets 4:1 to what his production actually is. But we seen guys take ‘bargain’ deals in 2008, including Garland, and we’ll see the same in 2009.
My point is the guy is much more than a “sap”. He’s put up better than league average numbers in four of the last five seasons, including the current season.
vr, Xei
Once again, not sure where this fits in to the conversation. Who is this “imaginary” person that the Dodgers are paying major money to?
vr, Xei
Probably not Garland. :)
This year it was Wolf, the Dodgers didn’t bother to bring in a FA starting pitcher in 08. In 07, they went splurging on Schimdt, Wolf, and traded for Esteban Loaiza.
I’d argue that out of all the potential moves, only Loaiza did the Dodgers think was going to give them average or below average work. The Dodgers try to sign guys with higher upside than Garland, and I can’t see them changing that approach.
The WAR dollar conversions are a fun little sideshow,
But to take it seriously, you have to believe that FAs today are paid so low beyond what they truly produce for teams when there is studies show that FAs are actually paid more than they typically would since teams spend the savings they make on rookie and pre-arbitration players on Free Agents.
Yeah, a ton of players are “worth” money in the mid teens to mid twenties of millions of dollars according to WAR. That just isn’t right.
Huh? It wouldn’t be all the same to him. He gets the option buyout no matter what, and then he’d be a free agent, where he will almost certainly sign for much more than $1.5-$2.5m.
by Eric Stephen on Oct 13, 2009 8:56 PM PDT up reply actions
Okay
then in that case, release him.
"Who would win: Coach Ditka versus a hurricane? The name of the hurricane is Hurricane Ditka"
by Mr. LA Sports Fan on Oct 13, 2009 8:58 PM PDT up reply actions
Its a procedural move basically.
If a team who picks up a released player had to pick up any salary, guaranteed or otherwise from his former team, you’d never see a released player play again until the original contract was over.
Once Padilla was released (after he cleared waivers during the 10-day DFA period), the 2010 option died. The Rangers still owe him the buyout however, much like we did to Esteban Loaiza for his 2009 option buyout when he was released in 2008.
by Eric Stephen on Oct 13, 2009 8:48 PM PDT up reply actions
Haha…except that was just a straight option decline, rather than a release.
by Eric Stephen on Oct 13, 2009 8:50 PM PDT up reply actions
Dammit
I was gonna post that.
"Who would win: Coach Ditka versus a hurricane? The name of the hurricane is Hurricane Ditka"
by Mr. LA Sports Fan on Oct 13, 2009 8:51 PM PDT up reply actions
Which was faster, his release or his “release”?
by David Young on Oct 13, 2009 10:38 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Speaking of options, Mark Hudson is going to decline his part of a mutual $12 million option with the Braves.
And the Braves say they want to pick it up.
What the heck is Hudson thinking!?!?!?
I think you mean Tim
"Who would win: Coach Ditka versus a hurricane? The name of the hurricane is Hurricane Ditka"
by Mr. LA Sports Fan on Oct 13, 2009 8:53 PM PDT up reply actions
You're on the Mark, Mulder!
Ew, why do I even know that?
"Who would win: Coach Ditka versus a hurricane? The name of the hurricane is Hurricane Ditka"
by Mr. LA Sports Fan on Oct 13, 2009 8:55 PM PDT up reply actions
he's getting up in the years isn't he?
he probably wants to win a championship, and still could command a nice short term deal.
He turned 34 in July
Tough spot for him and the Braves. Did he show enough in seven starts to show he’s back? If both parties decline, can he get a multi-year offer? But next year he would be a 35-year old FA – a bit long in the tooth. That is an interesting decision to make on both parties part, but I imagine for only a one-year commitment, the Braves should exercise his option – he could be a stud again.
by David Young on Oct 13, 2009 10:44 PM PDT up reply actions
Mark Hudson
AKA Kate Hudson’s uncle. Kate’s daddy is the guy in the middle.
by David Young on Oct 13, 2009 10:38 PM PDT up reply actions
I actually thought those guys were funny once upon a time
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
LOS ANGELES — Joe Torre had Clayton Kershaw prepared to start a possible Game 5 of the National League Division Series against the Cardinals instead of Randy Wolf, but didn’t talk about it.
There are strong indications that Torre will have the 21-year-old Kershaw start Game 1 of the NL Championship Series, too, and as a bonus, Torre’s probably getting Hiroki Kuroda back after Kuroda missed the first round of the playoffs.
Kershaw starting games 1 and 5???
Wow, I guess he thinks either Kershaw could try and put them away if they have a 3-1 lead going into game 5, or that Wolf would be better served pitching in game 6 with a 3-2 lead or trying to save the series down 2-3.
To have Bills in the Pen
With already the best pen in baseball.
Wow.
I can not see this not turning out well.
I guess
But still, the guy was meant to be a starter, and a damn good one at that. While I have no clue exactly wtheck happened in the second half that witnessed Mr. Hyde take over Dr. Jekyll, it would be assumed that he has to get out of that pen and pitch a game this October…I don’t see a situation other than an actual start that Bills would pitch. Long relief I guess, but our bullpen was so deep to begin with that we didn’t need another long reliever there aside from Weaver (never hurts i guess). There’s not one guy in the pen that wouldn’t be trusted in a high pressure situation pretty much (unless Mota is in the pen? hahaha); that’s why our pen was so good. Hence at that point, I doubt it’d happen, but I’d perhaps try:
1. Bills
2. Kershaw
3. Wolf
4. Kuroda
5. Padilla
6. Kershaw
7. Wolf
This way you get Kershaw and Wolf to not only go twice, but end to end the series cause I wouldn’t want anyone else to end it than Kershaw/Wolf
Unlikely
But I REALLY like that idea. It also works because if Bills deals in game 1 he could go in game 4 or 5 as well. But like you said, it’s doubtful.
we want to win game 1
its a big game in the series… and bills is not the best option for that game…
If the odds the first two games were…
Option 1:
Hamels vs Wolf (LAN WE 55.0%)
Happ vs Kershaw (LAN WE 65.45%)
Option 2:
Hamels vs Kershaw (LAN WE 60.0%)
Happ vs Wolf (LAN WE 60.0%)
Which would you choose? Option 1 or Option 2. Also keep in mind that the Game #1 pitcher most likely pitches Game #5, and the Game #2 pitcher most likely pitches Game #6.
vr, Xei
hamels in my opinion is going to continue his domination vs us
so i want a guy facing him who will also dominate which is kershaw…
our bullpen can help randy out after we beat up HAPP
i don't think
it would matter than, as long as we have a chance to win (in this case, a better than 50%), either works. but again, i would prefer bills get the start game one. this series is probably going 6/7. no one really thinks so far that it’ll be one sided like last year, nor does anyone thing Philly will be the team, if there is one, to end it earlier (5 games). Hence, set up the rotation so we get the 6/7 games with wolf/kershaw, and make bills pitch. I think bills is rested and ready. All that is left is to BELIEVE. :)
the best option
for that game, probably not, but in the end, this is a 7 games series, so one game is one game. it might change some approaches and dynamics, but in the end, we need to play to win a series, not just a game. i would like to see us try to maximize our chances for a series.
to put it in perspective. it’s not as if Kuroda or Padilla don’t garner any questions still anyhow. if you recognize that neither of those 2 are locks anyhow, why not set up so Bills gets a shot; if he doesn’t come through (regardless of if we end up winning or not) then fine, we have 2 other options anyhow. but without question, of Bills, Kuroda, and Padilla, Bills has the most talent, try using it; and also get your ideal set up for the 7 game series.
We are about to play the 1st game of the NLCS
and we are bothering to debate the 2010 rotation now? Can’t that wait two more weeks?
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Massive fail on the game time for Game 2
1 pm? Really? Who cares if you even have it at 7 pst – it’s friday so having it start late on the E.C. doesn’t matter.
Yeah this schedule really bothers me too.
I don’t see how it maximizes ratings for baseball at all. Los Angeles and Philadelphia put together make a pretty formidable audience and to cut the Los Angeles market out, I just don’t get it.
by Ian Capilouto on Oct 14, 2009 10:16 AM PDT up reply actions
Rain in October
do any of you Weather nerds know if that bodes well for the winter or is it simply an anomaly that has had no effect on amount of rainfall during the winter? My www.weather-reference.com website does not appear to be responding.
After the rain today
we should have gorgeous weather for Thursday/Friday with the valley hitting the 90’s on Friday, which means Dodger Stadium should be perfect.
Game time
If everyone could just remember this for next year, that would be great. I’m guilty of it too, since I completely spaced thinking Friday was a night game. But, it would be nice to not see people so shocked at the game times next season.
I do agree the teams could have done a better job at least suggesting a possibility of a day game in advertising the tickets for sale (I have no idea if this was done, as I was not the one who actually bought the seats).
At any rate, there is a new post on the front page:
http://www.truebluela.com/2009/10/14/1084389/a-brief-look-at-the-phillies
The Cubs were all in prime time in LA
I’m pretty sure all the Phillie games in LA were night games.
I think you pretty much have to go back to 80s for a weekday playoff game before this.
Game 2 of the NLCS started at roughly the same time in 2008 (1:35 PT) as 2009 (1:07 PT), it was just in Philly.
by Eric Stephen on Oct 15, 2009 4:11 PM PDT up reply actions
and Game 3 of the ALCS in 2008 (the Monday game) started at 1:39pm PT. Game 3 of the 2009 ALCS is scheduled for 1:07pm.
by Eric Stephen on Oct 15, 2009 4:13 PM PDT up reply actions
Final roster prediction
Starters:
1. Kershaw
2. Wolf
3. Padilla
4. Kuroda (Game 7 starter)
Bullpen:
1. Broxton
2. Sherrill
3. Kuo
4. Belisario
5. Elbert
6. Weaver
7. Billingsley (long man)
Cut: Troncoso, Garland
Same hitters as NLDS.
Game 1, rain and ground ball pitchers ...
Could the conditions of the field on Thursday have an influence on who starts? I would think that the field is still going to be wet, meaning that someone who gets more ground balls (Kuroda, but he won’t be ready) might be a better option than someone who gets a lot of fly balls (Kershaw). Just curious.
And, yeah, for those of use who bought tickets last year (all night games, I guess since the Yankees weren’t in it, we were the marquee attraction), this year’s scheduling has been unsettling. I’m probably going to try and unload our Friday afternoon tickets, since my wife is out of vacation time, and the kids will still be in school. I’ll probably keep one and find some co-workers to go.
by TopDeckTrueBlue on Oct 14, 2009 9:57 AM PDT reply actions
True, hadn’t thought of that. Guess that’s why I’m not a manager. :)
by TopDeckTrueBlue on Oct 14, 2009 10:26 AM PDT reply actions
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