Clippings from around the Dodger and baseball world
by meercatjohn on Jul 13, 2009 1:58 PM PDT
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PrintGreat Lakes Loons take advantage of Los Angeles Dodgers' decision to go high tech -
For the first time in franchise history, the Los Angeles Dodgers have employed fulltime video coordinators -- one for each of their minor league teams -- for the sole purpose of documenting every pitch, every swing and every catch.
Sons of Steve Garvey: Home Fun Derby
Nice pic's of the celebrity softball game. Our girl shows Ozzie how a back flip is done.
VIN SCULLY IS MY HOMEBOY: Manny's Baby Shower - kind of funny, worth a look for the Dodger comic graphics alone
Players available as July 31 non-waiver trade deadline approaches - Jon Heyman - SI.com
Jon breaks down whose available and who the players are. Dodgers don't even get a top 10 mention as someone interested in Halladay.
GALLAGHER TO PADRES
to complete Hairston deal. Gallagher was the centerpiece of the Harden deal last summer. While I like the Hairston return, it says something that was all they got for Rich Harden.
Dan Haren might be the real king of the mound. Tim Lincecum has been on a serious roll in recent weeks and is the defending Cy Young Award winner, but it is almost inarguable that at the All-Star break, the Diamondbacks' Dan Haren is the King of the Pitching Mountain. Haren leads the majors in ERA (2.01), strikeout-to-walk ratio (8.1), WHIP (0.81) and opponents' on-base percentage (.219). He is the first pitcher in baseball history, according to the Elias Sports Bureau, to go into the All-Star break leading the majors in these four categories at his current levels.
Memories Of Kevin Malone: Martin And Prospects For Halladay?
Kensai not a fan of moving non slugging catcher for premium pitcher
Martin for Halladay? | LADodgerTalk.com - Get Your Daily Dodger Juice, Dodger News and Dodger Rumors
Mark Timmon on the other hand would trade the non slugging catcher for a premium pitcher
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if dan haren contiues this pace, wouldnt it be the best season for a starting pitcher EVER… stats wise like WHIP and strikeouts to walk ratio and OBP.
That is an incredible WHIP isn't it?
What a waste of an incredible season by him by the Diamondbacks. I expect some big time regression in the 2nd half. As I recall he faded last year as well but the first half wasn’t as dominant.
http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/split.cgi?n1=harenda01&year=2008&t=p
2nd half whip went up to 1.373 after a first half of .955.
ERA title qualifiers (min 162 IP) in the integration era
With WHIPs of 0.9 or better and K/BB of 5.0 or better. Done seven times, by five different pitchers. All are, or likely will be, Hall of Famers. That doesn’t include Gibson’s 1.12 ERA season in 1968; his WHIP qualifies, but his K/BB didn’t quite.
Something I didn't realize
from Gurnick:
Billingsley was the club’s first-round pick in 2003. He becomes the first Dodgers first-round pick to make the All-Star team as a Dodger since 1979 pick Steve Howe was named to the NL team in 1982. Since taking Howe, the Dodgers have drafted 17 pitchers with first-round picks.
Paul Konerko, the Dodgers’ 1994 first-round pick, became an All-Star for the White Sox in 2002, ’05 and ’06.
“I didn’t know it had been that long,” Billingsley said. “I don’t know if that makes it any more special, because just being an All-Star, period, is special. Being 24 years old, second year in the big leagues, all of it’s pretty special.”
Wow, hate to see a list of those 17 first round picks that never made an all-star game from Howe to Chad
Ugh
From 1983 to 2000 the lack of major-league games played is astounding. What is there is dominated by Konerko (ugh again), the oft-injured Dreifort, Tom Goodwin (how did he rack up 1288 major-league games?), and Chris Gwynn.
I bet Eric wishes that other guy drafted the same year as Howe, and from the same school, had worked out. Guess he was one of those wild guys that could never harness it and was forced to stop believing.
I was going to mention that, but I thought with the ASB everyone deserved a little break from the, umm, journey. :)
by Eric Stephen on Jul 13, 2009 3:32 PM PDT up reply actions
Imagine if he had made it
Long before Carlos Santana was in LA’s farm system, the Dodgers already had Steve Howe (Yes), Bob Welch (Fleetwood Mac), Dave Stewart (Eurhythmics), and Steve Garvey (Buzzcocks) on the same team. Add him to the mix and that’s a even more rockin’ roster.
Looks like the basis for an all rock group baseball team story
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
from 1998 to 2001, The only players the dodgers drafted in the first 10 rounds where out of High School. Almost all of them are now out of baseball
“every” is of course wrong…Karros, Goodwin, and Dreifort were just a few out of college during that time period.
by Eric Stephen on Jul 13, 2009 3:34 PM PDT up reply actions
D'oh!!! (again)
bad Monday for my eyes :)
by Eric Stephen on Jul 13, 2009 3:44 PM PDT up reply actions
but yeah
i mean most not every single one
Would this package get Cliff Lee?
Josh Lindblom
Geison Aguasviva
Lindblom could be a strong pen addition for CLE, while Aguasviva is a young, high ceiling lefty putting up dominant numbers.
Colletti/McCourt
Will throw in Lambo to get half of Lee’s contract covered.
Aguasviva (literally “waters of life”) is one of the great names in the farm system. I need to see that on the back of a Los Angeles Dodger’s uniform.
Will Josh Bell
get the other 1/2 covered.
Aguasviva is no Bastardo
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Seriously, though
I think this package is pretty attractive for a rental player without destroying our future at all.
We also get a Type A free agent.
I'm with you
I’m higher on Lee than others on this board. He had an incredible year last year that he obviously couldn’t replicate this year, but his production thus far has been solid.
by Michael White on Jul 13, 2009 4:08 PM PDT up reply actions
Oh, I'm With Him
But if I was an Indians fan, I would be livid.
by Chad Moriyama on Jul 13, 2009 5:14 PM PDT up reply actions
Lee isn't really a rental
There is a 2010 $9 million club option, which is essentially the reason he won’t be traded (Cleveland thinks they can win in 2010).
by Eric Stephen on Jul 13, 2009 4:17 PM PDT up reply actions
The package to me as you outlined it looks woefully short for a pitcher
the caliber of Lee who would be under contract through 2010. I like Lee and would expect to give up much more to acquire him. Bedard is probably the better pitcher but he’d be like Harden for the Cubs last year. If we only had to give up something like McDonald (Sean Gallagher) and flotsam, I’d take a chance but they can’t flip him for that little after what they gave up for him in the first place.
So...
…everybody in favor of trading Martin just assumes that he’s going to continue to regress in the future? And you’re comfortable with Ellis full-time? Just checking. :o
No, I don't expect him to regress but his current skill set leaves me less impressed then it leaves you.
I wouldn’t expect Ellis to become a starting catcher but if he does I think this offense could carry him. Jason Kendall wasn’t much fun to watch after he peaked, if you want to watch that then cool, but it ain’t my bag.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Things don't happen in a vaccum though...
Just because Mota is good now doesn’t mean he’s this good. Just because Martin is bad now doesn’t mean he’s this bad. That’s how mistakes happen in the first place, when people only consider what’s happening now. People are still so positive about players like Hudson, but are willing to dump Martin after a bad half season. It’s hilarious.
Kendall had a .400 OBP when he was like 30. If that’s Martin’s future, i’ll take it. By that time he’ll be a free agent. Like I said, the current downside is a top 10 catcher, and the upside is top 3. I don’t see how it’s possible to see it any other way.
Who would become the starting catcher if not Ellis? Ausmus? Regardless, I can’t see the Blue Jays or the Dodgers being so stupid as to make that deal.
by Chad Moriyama on Jul 13, 2009 6:40 PM PDT up reply actions
I'm not willing to trade Martin for just anybody
we were talking about one of the best pitchers in baseball. And you are right, which I said from the beginning, the BlueJays would have no interest in Martin no matter how Canadian he is.
Yes, Kendall could take a walk with the best after his other skills disappeared, and if you want to spend 10 Million on that specific skill then Martin might be your man.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Okay, but it doesn’t guarantee anything, and the Dodgers probably don’t need help making the playoffs.
It makes the best team in baseball marginally better, and gives a marginally better chance in the playoffs. Trading from a weakness to a strength is never a good idea, is it? I don’t have as much confidence in this lineup as some, I suppose.
And for as much criticism as the Dodgers have about postseason pitchers, how is Halladay “proven” there, either? Shaikin and others ramble on as if it’s a given that he will dominate every playoff game, but that’s never been true.
The way to win the World Series is to make the playoffs year after year after year, and hopefully you’re hot at the right time. Being the best guarantees nothing. Hell, I don’t think the best team has won more like a couple times in the last decade.
As far as Martin’s contract goes, he was worth about 24 million last year, and he’s on pace for about 13 million this year, so that’s fine with me, even though he’ll likely never make 10 million under arbitration if you assume his level of play remains this “low”. Unless somebody can find me another catcher with his skills, i’m not anxious to get to the Lucas May and A.J. Ellis era.
by Chad Moriyama on Jul 13, 2009 7:12 PM PDT up reply actions
This could be a generational difference. All I know is failure, so selling out for one-year seems odd to me. :o
by Chad Moriyama on Jul 13, 2009 7:19 PM PDT up reply actions
I don't really see it selling out for one year
Last I looked 2010 was another year so that is two chances in two years to win a championship. If it doesn’t work out then you get the two number one picks.
If Martin is really worth 13 Million with 12 XBH in 1/2 a season of full time at bats then what would that payroll look like for a team like the Dodgers?
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Unless...
If it doesn’t work out then you get the two number one picks.
Unless he isn’t the top Type-A signed by that team. Who got what compensation for Sabathia, Burnett, and Teixeira, he asks rhetorically.
Halladay was raised in the Denver area. Wonder where he live now. Maybe he hates L.A.
Okay, selling out for two years then.
Point is, the trade weakens one of the weakest positions the Dodgers have depth wise and strengthens one of the best staffs in the majors.
Dunno, i’m more worried about the offense. If the rest of the team doesn’t pick it up, they are going to get shutout by Joe Blanton in the playoffs anyway. :o
by Chad Moriyama on Jul 14, 2009 4:42 AM PDT up reply actions
As far as Martin goes, even if his power remains shitty, I don’t know many catchers that get on-base 38% of the time. His contact rate is worrying but he’s actually hitting more line drives.
I’ve been critical of Martin this year, but if Ellis/Ausmus are the alternative, then i’ll pass.
Catchers
Josh Bard BOS
Henry Blanco SD
Ramon Castro CWS
Ramon Hernandez * CIN
Jason Kendall MIL
Jason LaRue STL
Victor Martinez * CLE
Benji Molina SF
Jose Molina NYY
Miguel Olivo * KC
Mike Redmond MIN
Brian Schneider NYM
Yorvit Torrealba * COL
Jason Varitek * BOS
Gregg Zaun * BAL
Maybe we can pray the Indians are stupid enough to not exercise their Martinez option? Molina hits for some power, though i’d rather not deal with a .290 OBP.
Martin is pretty much superior to every catcher on that list except Martinez, and that’s arguable if Martin even regains half of his skill set.
Martin’s market value is 13 because catchers are terrible, but he’ll never get paid that. Only catcher above 10 million is Jorge Posada, and I think we know why he makes above 10. :o
by Chad Moriyama on Jul 14, 2009 4:52 AM PDT up reply actions
Is this based on the fact you think Martin is an upper level defensive catcher
negating the offensive value of Victor Martinez, otherwise I’m not sure what is arguable. Just about everyone on your list is a backup catcher except for Kendall, Martinez, Molina, and Varitek. How is that impressive to be better then that group. Why don’t you list the starting catchers in baseball and tell me he’s better then just about everyone on the list?
Or is that a list of available catchers? Probably, still how is that the point. The difference between Halladay and Schmidt/Stults/McDonald is wider then the gap between Martin and a platoon of Zaun/Castro.
Huh?
That’s the point. The market is bare, so what is plan going forward? There’s nobody on the market who’s better than Martin (or even really close), as the Indians couldn’t be dumb enough to not pick up a 5 million dollar option on Martinez.
The difference between Halladay and a 5th starter is large, but the Dodgers aren’t in danger of missing the playoffs for now, and nobody starts 5 guys in the playoffs. The difference between Martin and Ellis is pretty large though, and the difference between Halladay or Wolf/Kuroda/Kershaw isn’t as big.
Whether the Dodgers win or lose won’t rest with Halladay in the first place. I just wonder how many more 2nd/3rd/4th…8th best teams in the playoffs have to win the World Series before everybody gets that the playoff system is basically league mandated parody. :o
by Chad Moriyama on Jul 15, 2009 12:23 AM PDT up reply actions
You actually don't even need to factor in defense in past years...
…as Martin was the offensive equal of Martinez anyway.
http://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=393&position=C#value
http://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=4616&position=C#value
Martinez in last 3 healthy full seasons=18/18/21
Martin in last 2 full seasons=21/20
Or if you want to factor in defense, then it’s even more arguable…
…and that’s not even including the fangraphs catcher throwing/pass ball wild pitches research or my pop times or whatever.
I don’t have some illogical attachment to him. If I think he’s already shit, then i’ll say it. Trade Loney for something valuable, that’s fine with me.
I don’t really care what the Dodgers do if I think it’s good for the franchise. I just don’t think trading away somebody with his potential value is necessarily the most intelligent or necessary thing.
by Chad Moriyama on Jul 15, 2009 12:39 AM PDT up reply actions
This is where trading talent away bites us...
People last year kept saying it’s not a big deal to deal Santana because we have Martin for the next 10 years. Those same people now want to deal him, which I wouldn’t mind so much if we had the #1 catching prospect in baseball destroying AA. Or the Dodgers could just trade Santana as the center piece.
:o
by Chad Moriyama on Jul 14, 2009 4:25 AM PDT up reply actions
I don't know where you were reading
but even people who liked the Blake deal were not happy about trading Carlos. I can say for sure that True Blue did not say one good thing about trading Carlos Santana.
As Tripon put it in a DT comment
Roy Halladay’s playoff record:
Oh, wait, there isn’t one.
(May be paraphrased)
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