Dodgers Interested In Lowry, Despite Noah's Arc
by Eric Stephen on Jan 7, 2010 9:10 AM PST
in News
Email
PrintThe Dodgers are one of 14 teams interested in ex-Giants pitcher Noah Lowry, per Dylan Hernandez of the LA Times. Lowry missed each of the last two seasons, and has had multiple surgeries, including having a rib removed. However, rest assured, because his agent, Damon Lapa said Lowry is A-OK:
Lapa said the latest procedure "relieved every one of his symptoms."
"He's 100% healthy now," Lapa said
On the surface, this isn't such a bad idea, assuming the 29-year old Lowry is given a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training. But anything more than that would be foolish. Allowing a pitcher a chance to earn his way back to the majors would be nothing new for the Dodgers; in 2009, the Dodgers had three pitchers -- Eric Milton, Jason Schmidt, Jeff Weaver -- who didn't throw a major league pitch the year before. Schmidt was already under contract, but the other two had minor league deals.
The problem with Lowry is that, even before his two missed seasons, he simply wasn't very good:
| Year | Age | W-L | IP | HR/9 | BB/9 | K/9 | ERA | ERA+ | FIP |
| 2004 | 23 | 6-0 | 92.0 | 0.98 | 2.74 | 7.04 | 3.82 | 114 | 3.81 |
| 2005 | 24 | 13-13 | 204.2 | 0.92 | 3.34 | 7.56 | 3.78 | 113 | 3.89 |
| 2006 | 25 | 7-10 | 159.1 | 1.19 | 3.16 | 4.74 | 4.74 | 95 | 4.97 |
| 2007 | 26 | 14-8 | 156.0 | 0.69 | 5.02 | 5.02 | 3.92 | 114 | 4.89 |
Don't let that 114 ERA+ in 2007 fool you. Anyone who walks the same amount as they strike out is not pitching well. Someone who hasn't been good since 2005 does not deserve a guaranteed contract. If Lowry wants to pitch for Dodgers, he needs to earn that roster spot.
137 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
The timing is suspicious
Lowry has rib removed in 2009.
Later in same year, McDonald’s brings back the McRib sandwich. Coincidence?
And the same date as the BCS game at the Rose Bowl game.
And what do teams usually eat before the Rose Bowl game? Lawry’s prime rib.
LaRussa said the Cards might put McGwire on the ACTIVE roster on Aug. 31 for postseason eligiblity (!!!)
Full quote
from ESPN:
“If we’re in contention, we’ll put him on the roster Aug. 31. It’s a nice little dream,” La Russa told the newspaper.
However unlikely the scenario might be, La Russa said it’s not impossible.
“Is it likely? Probably not. I don’t think it’s a zero possibility. The point is, you’ll see him in spring training. He won’t be leaning on the batting cage chatting it up. He’ll work his [butt] off, and hitters will be thrilled he’s there helping them,” La Russa told the newspaper.
This is riculous but
let’s treat it seriously for a moment.
Until his last (half-)season, Big Mac had OBP skills. His power never left.
Assuming he’ll be in the Jim Thome role — pinch hitter, possible DH should the Cards get that far — why not? I’ll bet that he’ll be in shape. If he can take a walk again and still hit the ball a long way…
….oh, who am I kidding.
The Ultimate Ned's Kind of Guy
LaRussa is a publicity junkie.
I sat next to a guy on a plane yesterday who’s business partner is a member at Shady Canyon in Irvine. McGwire is a member there and has been playing golf non-stop since he retired. I’ve heard he’s really good, and this guy confirmed that he’s a scratch golfer now. He also said that he’s very small now compared to his playing weight.
Short comment: agreed.
Longer comment: Ned, in my opinion, gets a bad rap for his reclamation projects. When the fifth, and sometimes even the fourth, man in the rotation is fungible, why not get a bevy of arms and invite them all to earn their starts? As long as one is honest about it — that each of these pitchers, regardless of history, age, major league experience, and salary, has a shot and the best man will win — this is a great way to build the back of a rotation and middle relief.
Lowry is not without talent and so sure, he can be one of those guys. If Aaron Sele can give the Dodgers useful innings, so can Lowry. That said, if Noah Lowry, on January 7th, is the intended fourth starter, that is not good news.
The Ultimate Ned's Kind of Guy
Agreed
I have no problem with signing just about anyone to a minor league deal, letting the candidates fight it out to earn a roster spot.
It just seems that if an agent is saying 14 teams are interested in his client, even if the number is half that, he’s angling for a major league deal.
We have three better than average starters in Kuroda, BillZ, and Kersh, why not just go with Haeger , Elbert , and McD. Let the other teams have the reclamation (garbage) projects. If we cant afford a decent starter, go with the youth and see what happens.
train
Because
if the Kids don’t cut it ala McDonald last April you don’t have anything to fall back on. We need some depth and good depth would be nice. Guys like Lowry are not the answer but a reliable fourth starter would be more desirable then hoping Elbert/McDonald can cut it.
I wonder
If his role would be different on some of those teams. I’m not sure if this argument holds water, but here we go:
The Dodgers have myriad candidates for FIFTH starter: young guys, guys that need major league innings but also need to be protected should/when they fail. They need a FOURTH starter: a slightly-below-average pitcher who can throw, let’s say, 170 innings?
Lowry might be a pretty good gamble for teams that need that fifth starter. He might get that major league deal — it’s just that he’s not a good fit for the Dodgers.
That’s about as far as I can take this. The net result is the same: guaranteed major league innings for Lowry. I’m not sure it matters what you call him (fourth or fifth starter).
The Ultimate Ned's Kind of Guy
Nobody really complains about NRI guys
It’s the guaranteed contracts that bother people from every team
Like Vargas, yes.
by Chad Moriyama on Jan 7, 2010 9:42 AM PST up reply actions
i don't think
too many people seriously complain about the nri, it’s guaranteed guys like vargas that people whine about
by Chad Moriyama on Jan 7, 2010 9:43 AM PST up reply actions
Because
larger sample size past performance is more valuable than a handful of innings in Spring Training and thus bringing in a guy that has no value but who might fool you into thinking otherwise for 15 lucky innings is more likely than not to lead to a bad pitcher giving you actual innings during the season.
Hey did anyone notice who beat the Lakers at home last night?
If Derek on his last legs? That may have been the worse game I’ve seen him play. He was abused by Baron and simply had no offensive answer on his end. Give Kupchak more Kudo’s for stealing Shannon Brown. Has anyone done a better job of turning their reputation 180 degrees then he has in the last 24 months?
Yup
and he started right from the opening tip. Jumper, steal, and he was an assist machine in the early going. Great game last night.
by Michael White on Jan 7, 2010 9:48 AM PST up reply actions
If you have seen every Laker game this season like I have
It’s very frustrating to watch Fisher on the floor. PJ doesn’t have the jewels to bench him and let farmar start, but farmar isn’t very good either. Still, he has the fresher legs. fisher has lost his shot and his legs.
Great game by the Clips. Baron was REALLY good.
by Julio Nievas on Jan 7, 2010 11:50 AM PST up reply actions
I didn't want to include this in the story
because it was a bit too punny, but since I tweeted it last month anyway, let’s get the bad joke out of the way:
If the Dodgers want to sign a pitcher with a spice-related name who hasn’t pitched since 2007, I’d rather they sign Schilling over Lowry.
Thank you. Tip your waitress. I’ll be here all week.
I read a comment somewhere that Tony Delmonico needed some more “seasoning.” Funny if you google it.
I know I’m a USC homer and all, but usually I like to watch big college football games. That said, I find myself oddly disinterested in tonight’s BCS title game (note: this is not a commentary on the lack of a playoff; I’m just not that into the matchup). Oh well.
Would you have been into...
- Boise St. vs #4 TCU
- Georgia Tech vs #1 Alabama
- Oregon vs #3 Cincinnati
- Ohio State vs #2 Texas
Boooooo
TMZ is taking a break from Dodger reporting to report that Conan is out, Jay is back at 11:30 after the Olympics in February.
NBC denies it
MSNBC is reporting a denial from somebody at NBC.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34751635/ns/entertainment-television/
Not that a denial means all that much.
Can we make a
list of available Pitchers for the 4th starter position?
I think Padilla is probably the most likely but Ned is likely waiting the market out to see what happens.
Not just any concession stand…portable concession stands my friend. The flexibility is key!
by Eric Stephen on Jan 7, 2010 10:22 AM PST up reply actions
At least
St Louis won’ t be bidding on him.
If you are going to make that list then I think you have to add Washburn.
Schmidt was already under contract. Different situation.
by Eric Stephen on Jan 7, 2010 10:07 AM PST up reply actions
So why would that be an option then for a 4th starter?
by Eric Stephen on Jan 7, 2010 10:08 AM PST up reply actions
He's not
just saying with tongue in cheek he is as much of an option for the 4th spot in 2010 as Shmidt was in 2009.
According to CoolGuy's writeup
we have Joel Lima who is supposedly Jose’s brother. I’d have to think we are talking 1/2 brother here right? The dude is 20, Jose is over 40 by now isn’t he.
I stil think we can get
Gaudin from the Yankee’s for little to nothing and he’d be a decent option for the rotation.
Complete list
courtesy of http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2008/12/2010-mlb-free-a.html
Starting pitchers
Brandon Backe (32)
Cha Seung Baek (30)
Miguel Batista (39)
Erik Bedard (31) – Type B, not offered arb
Kris Benson (34)
Paul Byrd (39)
Daniel Cabrera (29)
D.J. Carrasco (33)
Aroldis Chapman (22)
Bartolo Colon (37)
Jose Contreras (38)
Doug Davis (34) – Type B, not offered arb
Lenny DiNardo (30)
Adam Eaton (32)
Shawn Estes (37)
Josh Fogg (33)
Jon Garland (30) – Type B, not offered arb
Tom Glavine (44)
Mike Hampton (37)
Mark Hendrickson (36)
Livan Hernandez (35)
Rich Hill (30)
Shawn Hill (29)
Jason Jennings (31)
Jason Johnson (36)
Colby Lewis (30)
Braden Looper (35) – Type B, not offered arb
Noah Lowry (29)
Pedro Martinez (38)
Eric Milton (34)
Dustin Moseley (28)
Mark Mulder (32)
Brett Myers (29)
Vicente Padilla (32) – Type B, not offered arb
Odalis Perez (33)
Joel Pineiro (31) – Type B, offered arb
Sidney Ponson (33)
Mark Prior (28)
Horacio Ramirez (30)
Tim Redding (32)
Jason Schmidt (37)
Ben Sheets (31)
John Smoltz (43)
Brett Tomko (37)
Chien-Ming Wang (30)
Jarrod Washburn (35)
Todd Wellemeyer (31)
Kip Wells (33)
Out of LF?
From Lyle Spencer of MLB.com:
Dodgers interested in versatile Robb Quinlan as fourth outfielder
He can play
1st, 3rd, and the outfield.
When only facing LHP he’s capable.
http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/split.cgi?n1=quinlro01&year=Career&t=b
Not in the last 3 years though
vs LHP:
2007: .691 OPS
2008: .650 OPS
2009: .651 OPS
No thanks.
by Eric Stephen on Jan 7, 2010 10:24 AM PST up reply actions
True
I was just going to say most of that good work came in 2006. Back in 2006 he looked like he might be the next Casey Blake, very similar career arc, the difference was that Blake got full time at bats and did something with it.
From 2007-2009, Robb Quinlan hit a combined .252/.305/.333.
by Eric Stephen on Jan 7, 2010 10:20 AM PST up reply actions
I am opposed to the deal for baseball reasons, but also because the extra B in Robb violates one of my many “rules to live by.”
by Eric Stephen on Jan 7, 2010 10:29 AM PST up reply actions
Pitchers of Interest to me
Real Contracts: One Year Deal
Erik Bedard (31) – Type B, not offered arb
Ben Sheets (31)
Vicente Padilla (32) – Type B, not offered arb
Jon Garland (30) – Type B, not offered arb
Brett Myers (29)
John Smoltz (43)
Doug Davis (34) – Type B, not offered arb
NRI
Rich Hill (30)
Colby Lewis (30)
Odalis Perez (33)
I like
The first three on this list. In terms of cost, I would be okay with Padilla on a small guaranteed one year with incentives. I think he has some good upside, especially for a number 4/5 guy.
by robotmadeofnails on Jan 7, 2010 10:33 AM PST up reply actions
I like Harang and Maholm. I’m pretty sure we’ve already run the idea of a Harang trade up the flag pole in Cincinatti and that deal ain’t happening.
What’s the motivation for Pittsburgh to trade Maholm? He’s not that expensive.
by Michael White on Jan 7, 2010 10:40 AM PST up reply actions
Garland
From Metsblog:
“Today, I talked to an agent, a person with another team, and someone connected to the Mets, and all three believe free-agent pitchers Joel Pineiro, Jon Garland, Jarrod Washburn and Doug Davis all might end up accepting a one– or two-year deal. From what I can gather, Garland would prefer to re-sign with the Dodgers, or a team out West.”
great news...
i would love garland as our fourth starter.
I can see the argument for Garland. He provides a level of certainty that we don’t currently have, you know he is going to take the ball every 5th day. The problem is he is pretty average. If we get him, I would hope that we pick up a high risk/high reward guy like Wang or Bedard as well.
if we get garland...
i think we w/illl go with one of our own as our 5th sstarter… elbert mcdonald or haegar… thats pretty high risk high reaward if you ask me..
I'd list them as more low risk/high reward
There may well be a chance of them flaming, but its not like they’re costing much beyond a roster spot. High risk would be guys you bring in on 7-8 figure contracts who have a real chance of flaming.
I’m not a big Garland fan, but I could live with him as our #4 if the price is right ($4 mil?). I’ll be unhappy if he gets the Wolf contract with easily reachable incentives.
Sounds about right
Wolf made $5 mil in salary and $3 mil in incentives last year. What a sweetheart deal for us. Too bad we had to include that under-the-table agreement not to offer arbitration ;)
Not a bad plan
Three guys fighting for one spot with at least one well established bullpen guy among them. Isn’t that basically what we had in the 5 spot last year? Of course, its all predicated on Frank’s wallet and Ned signing the right guy for the 4 spot.
LLOLL did everyone see matt kemps picture with rihanna in the other thread??
well heres another…. from memoriesofkevinmalone.com
matt kemp and rihanna in the streets… LOL!!!
Caption for this pic:
“Things one man will do to bed Rhianna, example one.”
This is hilarious
The close up in the lower right should go up:
Every time The Bison has a backward K
or
K’s whenever there are runners on base.
by 68elcamino427 on Jan 7, 2010 1:28 PM PST up reply actions
to me
this does not even look like Kemp. I think he would be taller
by robotmadeofnails on Jan 7, 2010 2:25 PM PST up reply actions
Lowry
I went to high school with Noah and he is a really great guy. It has always pained me to see him pitch for the gints and not for his hometown Dodgers. I hope he can get a non-roster invitation to spring training, make the Dodgers, and have a healthy and successful 2010!
2009-10 Kings Hockey: Delivering Milk Steaks from the Meat Train at an arena near you!
by DodgerBlueBalls on Jan 7, 2010 11:25 AM PST reply actions
Luchador
pretty good stuff
I want to put that on a T-shirt with the word Bison on the back.
by Lex-In-The-Dena on Jan 7, 2010 11:31 AM PST reply actions
Seems a *little* high for a platoon DH
But not too bad. He just really needs to never face a LHP again. Ever.
Used to happen all the time when I wrote checks
but since I rarely do that anymore I’ve only done it once so far.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Site User State
Eric, some of the other SB Nation Blogs are posting site user stats on their blog. Any chance you could do the same? It would be interesting to see which users were the most active etc… Halo Heaven has a nice write up for example.
vr, Xei
+1
he wrote a small comment on another thread… but it would be cool if he could post a whole article on it..
That is what happens
when you skim through the comments. Eric posted the numbers yesterday.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
eric just posted who posted the most comments...
there is more info the other blogs are saying..
like most fanposts most fanshots and most stories.. how many members were added in 09 how many banned and all the totals compared to 08… to see how much the site has grown… that would be cool..
http://www.truebluela.com/2010/1/7/1239883/true-blue-la-stats-for-2009
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on True Blue LA
Related FanShots on True Blue LA
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
In Association With
Big League Stew - MLB - Yahoo! Sports
- The Cardinals Hall of Fame can now be found at Bill Clinton’s library in Arkansas (Huh?)
- Will Bryce Harper start the season with the Nationals?
- Mitch Mustain puts football behind him, signs reported rookie deal with White Sox
- Robinson Cano and Denzel Washington face off in Jay Leno’s Yankees trivia contest
- Shane Victorino lands role on ‘Hawaii Five-0′
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
