Dodgers Slug Their Way To Win
by Eric Stephen on Apr 21, 2010 8:13 PM PDT
in Dodgers Game Recaps
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PrintThe pitching has been awful, and the defense has been downright painful to watch at times this season, but thanks to the amazing offense this Dodger team has been damn exciting to watch through the first 14 games of the season. Tonight was no exception, as the Dodgers battered the Reds, 14-6 at Great American Ballpark.
Hiroki Kuroda was bad tonight, allowing six runs (three earned) in his 5 2/3 innings. But thanks to the offense, it didn't matter. The Dodger offense is covering up a lot of warts on this team right now, and just about everybody got into the act tonight:
- The Dodgers tied a club record by scoring in eight different innings tonight, and now lead the major leagues with 93 runs scored.
- Rafael Furcal had a single, double, and triple, scoring three while driving in four runs, and even stole a base, his seventh on the season. Coming into the series in Cincinnati, Furcal didn't drive in a run in the first 12 games of the season. Now, he has five RBI.
- Matt Kemp hit his seventh home run over the last 10 games, and tied a career high with four runs scored. Kemp, through 14 games, has seven home runs and 20 RBI. By contrast Ron Cey had five homers and 22 RBI after 14 games in April 1977.
- Andre Ethier tallied three hits, including his fourth home run of the season
- Manny Ramirez delivered his 1,800th career RBI tonight with a single in the fifth inning. He is the 19th man to reach that mark in MLB history. Frank Robinson is next on the list, with 1,812 RBI. Manny also extended a streak of consecutive plate appearances reaching base to eight, although the streak ended in the eighth inning.
- James Loney had three hits and two runs batted in, and is hitting .410/.425/.487 over his last nine games.
- Russell Martin added two hits and two runs
- Ronald Belisario made his season debut, and pitched a scoreless seventh inning
Hong-Chih Kuo will likely be activated Thursday or Friday. The corresponding move could depend on tonight's game. Carlos Monasterios, the Rule 5 pick who is the likely favorite to go when Kuo comes back, pitched 1 2/3 scoreless innings in an effort to stay on the squad. Perhaps more importantly, Jeff Weaver left the game after making two pitches in the eighth with what appeared (from watching on TV) to be a hamstring injury. If Weaver, who has pitched in nine of 14 games this season, needs to be placed on the disabled list -- and this is way too early to know -- that will extend Monasterios' time with the Dodgers.
Right now, the Dodger outfield consists of one guy leading the majors in runs, home runs, and RBI, and two other guys hitting .400. Wow:
| The Starting Dodger Outfield | ||||||
| Player | G | HR | R | RBI | BA/OBP/SLG | OPS |
| Manny Ramirez | 12 | 2 | 7 | 12 | .421/.510/.684 | 1.194 |
| Matt Kemp | 14 | 7 | 19 | 20 | .333/.391/.750 | 1.141 |
| Andre Ethier | 12 | 4 | 8 | 14 | .400/.471/.689 | 1.159 |
| Totals | 14 | 13 | 34 | 46 | .378/.450/.713 | 1.163 |
Mike Leake of the Reds puts his head on the chopping block tomorrow night in the series finale, against Vicente Padilla.
WP - Hiroki Kuroda (2-0): 5 2/3 IP, 7 hits, 6 runs (3 earned), 2 walks, 4 strikeouts
LP - Aaron Harang (0-3): 5 2/3 IP, 10 hits, 7 runs (6 earned), 2 walks, 2 strikeouts
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Kemp leading the majors in all 3? If I could stomach ESPN I wonder if they’d make any kind of a big deal about this.
tied with Vernon Wells and Nelson Cruz with 7 HR
by Eric Stephen on Apr 21, 2010 8:20 PM PDT up reply actions
on ESPN Radio
what little baseball talk there is, besides Colin Cowherd reminded us every 5 minutes how much more popular the NFL is now, is dedicated to Jayson Heyward and what’s going wrong with the Red Sox.
payback is nice
on Tuesday, it looked at the beginning like the Dodgers might have a laugher going, but the tables got turned very quickly. The opposite happened today, except that the Reds don’t have the will/ability to make it look close at the end!
Phil Hughes living upto his potential tonight
No No after 5 2/3 with eight K’s
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Also, Ben Sheets pitching his second straight very good game
by Eric Stephen on Apr 21, 2010 8:49 PM PDT up reply actions
Considering he gave up 5 fewer runs than Kuroda, while getting one more out so far, yes.
by Eric Stephen on Apr 21, 2010 8:51 PM PDT up reply actions
1st time he's faced
a good offense this year. Still needs to work on his command but he’s coming around. Just needs to stay healthy as he continues to improve.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Dodger offense
their worst four game stretch was 18 runs scored (final game against AZ + SF series)…other than that, they have scored 21 runs or more in every other 4-game stretch this season
oh, MAN!
I didn’t realize that the Giants lost a ONE HITTER yesterday! ha! Nice to see the universe is almost aligned again.
Most runs in a three game road trip is ? Not including Coors field
Only LA Dodgers
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Bison
nickname of my favorite Dodger, Matt Kemp and the nickname of my favorite player on Chelsea FC, Michael Essien. That is odd stuff
Mitch Williams had a funny line, saying if they ever removed him with a no-hitter going, he’d “fill that dugout full of uppercuts.”
At least he only has his own defense to blame
impressive that he came right back with a K.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
She was a great Canadian comedian (2nd city)
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
So
Hughes then Joba , I wonder how many times we will see that combo over the next few years.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Another good NL CF
Colby Rasmus just hit a go-ahead HR in AZ, his 2nd of the night. What a bomb to CF
Good group of NL CF
Kemp, McCutcheon, Cargo, Rasmus, Maybin, `
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Plate discipline is going to be a problem
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Not even a sacrifice fly? I want to see an OBP < BA :)
by Eric Stephen on Apr 21, 2010 9:27 PM PDT up reply actions
I thought Fowler was lead off?
Gonzales is a middle of the order bat, but hey Jim Tracy is his manager.
Silverwidow predicted Cargo will hit .330 + thus year.
by keithc13 on Apr 21, 2010 10:54 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
• Outfielder Matt Kemp, who had 53 strikeouts and nine walks for the big club last year, has struggled enough in camp to reinforce the notion that he lacks the plate discipline to make the jump to the majors.
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/spring2007/columns/story?columnist=crasnick_jerry&id=2805379
It was definitely a concern at the time.
by Eric Stephen on Apr 21, 2010 9:17 PM PDT up reply actions
Are you blaming
them because he sucks or are you saying they are screwed because they counted on him?
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
They should of traded him 2 seasons ago, not let him rot away in AAA.
now they cant option him to Minors and hes struggling.
I never thought he was for real. Put up some huge numbers in a hitter friendly league, but never has the plate discipline to succeed. He’s a AAAA guy to me.
by UCLADodger32 on Apr 21, 2010 9:25 PM PDT up reply actions
We shall see
still think he can hit .250 with 25 bombs. At SS that would be solid, at 3rd that is Pedro Feliz. Not a start but I don’t think he’s a AAAA player.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
I don't know anyone who thinks Drew is a star yet
and I don’t recall drew coming close to 25 home runs.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
The people sitting behind the Arizona dugout last Thursday night think Stephen Drew is a star. And check out his famous video (courtesy of Chad/Kensai at Memories of Kevin Malone):
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
Guys are allowed to struggle
with Maicer as a the backup they have plenty of rope to give him.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Weaver update
From Dylan Hernandez:
Weaver said he felt tightness in his lower back. . Weaver isn’t worried, saying it took him a couple of days to recover when he had the same problem last year.
To bad
I was actually hoping he’d hit the DL
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
I like it when a staring pitcher
stays in the dugout with his team
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Me too
chalk it up to liking managers wearing cleats in dugout (same category)
by Eric Stephen on Apr 21, 2010 9:24 PM PDT up reply actions
Although I was annoyed at those who were annoyed at the Manny early shower incident last year too
by Eric Stephen on Apr 21, 2010 9:25 PM PDT up reply actions
Tonight was the 29th time the LA Dodgers have had four or more players with 3+ hits in the same game.
http://bbref.com/pi/shareit/4WQks
It was the second time this season.
Other seasons with multiple such games:
1974 – four times (3 with 5 players)
1973 – three times
1986 – twice
Club record is six guys with 3+ hits, July 21, 2001 at Coors
So is Roy Halladay
Boy, what a season he’s having.
by Julio Nievas on Apr 21, 2010 9:46 PM PDT up reply actions
The Reds tied it with the help of an overturned call in the fourth, when Harang batted with the bases loaded and two outs. He hit a sinking liner to right, where Ethier appeared to short-hop the ball while trying for a diving catch. First base umpire Tim McClelland signaled out, and Reds manager Dusty Baker argued.
The crew huddled and reversed the call, giving Harang a single and the Reds a run that tied it at 4. Chris Dickerson(notes) struck out to end the inning.
"I called him out," said McClelland, the crew chief. "We got together. Through consultation we determined that he didn’t catch the ball. We got a directive that says we can place runners where we thought they would have been had the call been called accurately the first time. We put the runners at the bases."
From the same article, Matt Kemp funny dude:
"We’ve got a great lineup 1-to-8," Kemp said, then caught himself. "1-to-9—we’ve got some pitchers that can hit, too. We’re getting good at-bats, fouling off good pitches and making the pitchers make mistakes."
by Eric Stephen on Apr 21, 2010 9:48 PM PDT up reply actions
Rafael Furcal got his 7th steal tonight, tying him with Rajai Davis, Scott Podsednik, and Brett Gardner for 2nd in MLB. Andrew McCutchen had two steals tonight, giving him 9.
I’m not a big fan of SBs, but love the sign that gives that he is fully healthy.
by CarolinaDodger on Apr 22, 2010 5:23 AM PDT up reply actions
Rain
from the 66ers:
The sixty sixers had to start the game pitching fromthe bullpen because Ethan Martin’s start was washed away after sitting almost two hours after originally warming up prior to the rain delay
by Eric Stephen on Apr 21, 2010 10:02 PM PDT up reply actions
That's Pitching In New Orleans
Big time pitcher’s park. Let’s see what Elbert can do there.
Random thoughts
1. That one pitch to Kemp that was called a ball (right after Torre argued the check swing) was a strike. I guess Torre can still intimidate umps.
2. Blake DeWitt’s defense might be a problem.
3.Catherine O’Hara is a regular in the Christopher Guest ensemble mockumentaries (Best in Show, A Mighty Wind, Waiting For Guffman) and way too funny to be known as the mom from Home Alone!
You are right on #3 of course!
by Eric Stephen on Apr 21, 2010 10:28 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
SCTV
A crime that show is not more celebrated… levy, thomas, short, flaherty, moranis, martin and of course the late, great john candy (as johnny larue)…
catherine o’hara did a hilarious katharine hepburn, was also quite nice to look at in her day… possible GILF now if that’s your thing
if you like good comedy, google it, youtube it — hilarious
by lchristmas on Apr 21, 2010 10:46 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
All ILF references are reserved for Mrs Hughes.
by NotJoeTorre on Apr 21, 2010 10:48 PM PDT up reply actions
Just saw a stat watching Quick Pitch
Don’t know if its been mentioned yet. The Dodgers OF has 15 more RBI than any other OF in baseball. The Dodgers OF > any 3 humans you can think of! :)
by keithc13 on Apr 21, 2010 10:52 PM PDT via mobile reply actions
Markakis just is not hitting whatsoever
Once he gets going their offense should start doing pretty well.
They have a couple of good starters in Millwood and the kid Matusz (sp). Need Roberts back and Nick M to get going along with Tejada to get back to respectability.
by keithc13 on Apr 21, 2010 11:08 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
Why would the team risk losing Monasterios...
…back to Philly by keeping the other decrepit Ortiz when Kuo comes back? Doesn’t make any sense. No team would sign Ramon and he probably knows that, so he’d likely accept being sent down.
by The Dude Abides on Apr 21, 2010 11:31 PM PDT reply actions
one million reasons
But I agree. That such a stupid reason to keep Ortiz on the roster. At least the Monk can handle a gigantic lead when its handed to him. I hope Torretti makes the right decision and tosses Ramon into the Ortiz waste basket.
I just don’t understand that contract we gave Ramon. Was there that much competition for his services that we couldn’t pay him the minimum + incentives?
by CarolinaDodger on Apr 22, 2010 5:29 AM PDT up reply actions
Ramon did pitch for Fresno (in the Giants’ organization) last year :)
by Eric Stephen on Apr 22, 2010 8:46 AM PDT up reply actions
Dodger 2010 salaries are on the right sidebar of every TBLA page, with a link to a page where Eric compiles all the contract details. On that page, the entry for Ramon Ortiz reads:
Ramon Ortiz: According to Dylan Hernandez … , Ramon Ortiz will earn $1 million if he’s in the majors, with a potential for $1.05M based on games started or $100,000 based on relief appearances.That’s $1.05M more for starts. God help us if we end up with Ramon Ortiz in the rotation.
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
If Ramon Ortiz
gets to start a game for us, I feel bad for my wife and kid. They are gonna hate me!!!!!
I figured you did. Just seemed like a good moment to give the sidebar and page a mention.
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
by David Young on Apr 22, 2010 10:25 AM PDT up reply actions
We may be at 500
but at least we are now only 1/2 game behind SF and only San Diego ahead. Now we can just get some pitching going and lock this division up. We now own the most runs in MLB, and there are some really really really bad teams with more runs against!
Win brought to you by Kick Ass!
Fun offense, painful pitching. Can’t wait for Kershaw.
So, would you guys start Braden against the Yankees?
by robotmadeofnails on Apr 22, 2010 8:41 AM PDT reply actions
Probably not
60.5% chance they lose the game. His only hope would be if the Yankees sit their regulars since it is a day game following a night game. But a single baseball game is a crapshoot, so either way you are taking a gamble.
vr, Xei
That is what I figured. So, I will sit him, and he will go 8 innings of 1 run ball :)
by robotmadeofnails on Apr 22, 2010 9:29 AM PDT up reply actions
Don't say that!
I just added the guy to my TBLA Fantasy League team.
Don't care much about Ramon Ortiz
This Dodger hitting isn’t going to continue all year. This series and the next three are the easiest we’re going to face this year. Unless the starters can consistently give quality starts at least getting in to the 7th, we’re in trouble. BIG night for Padilla. His starts so far this year have been bad or middlin.
Painful loss to the Sedins and Canucks. Ouch.
According to the Dodgers, the club record for runs in April is 146, set in 2000. They played 24 in April games that year.
The 1977 team scored 132 runs in 20 games.
The 1977 club also had 97 runs through 14 games (LAD record). This year’s club is 2nd, with 93 through 14 games.
by Eric Stephen on Apr 22, 2010 9:54 AM PDT up reply actions
Did the 77 team have a better record after 14 games?
The Dodgers beat the Phils that year in the NLCS and it was the first year for Lasorda. But, except for Sutton, I don’t remember a memorable pitching staff – ah yes, they had a knucleballer too wearing 49.
1977
pitching staff led league in ERA and fewest walks allowed; were 2nd in K
by Eric Stephen on Apr 22, 2010 10:10 AM PDT up reply actions
one of two Dodger teams ever (along with 1993) to have 5 pitchers start 30 games.
Tommy John won 20 as well.
by Eric Stephen on Apr 22, 2010 10:12 AM PDT up reply actions
Yes, he certainly is
Anything in particular remind you of that fact today?
by Michael White on Apr 22, 2010 10:11 AM PDT up reply actions
Way too early
Won’t likely happen until 1pm or so.
(Are you talking about LAD-CIN or NYY-OAK?)
by Eric Stephen on Apr 22, 2010 9:58 AM PDT up reply actions
I believe unless someone has a sore hammy or calf or whatever, and especially since Leake is a RHP, we are in “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” territory with the lineup. I expect the same starting 8 in the same order for the 4th game in a row, and 7th time this season.
by Eric Stephen on Apr 22, 2010 10:20 AM PDT up reply actions
For one day only, I’ll be watching NFL Network instead of the Dodger game. Sorry, it’s a tradition! :)
Did Strasburg go to high school with one of the potential early round NFL picks? :)
by Eric Stephen on Apr 22, 2010 10:07 AM PDT up reply actions
I’m kind of over the NFL Draft.
Once my team one a Super Bowl, the “life or death” aspect of football and the promise that comes with the NFL draft drastically bottomed out for me. I’m guessing the same would happen if the Dodgers won a World Series or the Clippers won a championship (ha!).
I figure, NYG can play garbage football for another 6 years or so before the memory of that Super Bowl has faded away.
by Michael White on Apr 22, 2010 10:14 AM PDT up reply actions
Didn’t toddler Mike celebrate Scott Norwood’s wide right?
I was 5 when the Dodgers won the 1981 World Series, and I knew nothing of it so I can understand if you didn’t.
by Eric Stephen on Apr 22, 2010 10:25 AM PDT up reply actions
I do actually remember the wide right (as opposed to the 86 Super Bowl with Phil Simms going to disneyland which I don’t remember at all.) To say I didn’t appreciate the magnitude of winning a championship would be an understatement.
Ditto for 88 Dodgers. Don’t remember a thing.
by Michael White on Apr 22, 2010 10:29 AM PDT up reply actions
I remember Phil Simms having a ridiculous day, the Mark Bavaro sliding TD catch, and an overall good game (sorry, Underdog).
However, that Super Bowl for me will always be remembered for being the Super Bowl in Big that Josh Baskin had his assistant get him a copy of without commercials. I remember thinking, that’s what happens in the job world??? Wow.
by Eric Stephen on Apr 22, 2010 10:32 AM PDT up reply actions
Giants fan? How does it feel having the most overrated QB on the planet (and most overpaid as well) on your team?
Damn I hate the Giants. It should have been the Packers in the Superbowl in 2008…I’m still bitter.
Jackass! Lol. There’s just something about the Giants that I do not like at all. I think it was the Packers loss and the non-undefeated season for the Pats (not a favorite team, but wanted them to do it). They have just been on my shit list ever since.
your second reason is why I like the Giants (as much as I like any NFL team besides the Raiders, who I am done with but used to love). Greatest win for any team in a long time, knocking out those smug Boston-area video-taping cheats.
Its funny
Thats one of the reasons I like the Giants is because they beat Belicheat and that whiner mcwhine whine of a QB they have.
Rudimentary creatures of flesh and blood, you touch my mind, fumbling in ignorance, incapable of understanding.
The arrogance of Brady a day or two before the Super Bowl when he laughed at Plaxico’s prediction for the final score (a prediction which was incredibly accurate BTW) is priceless.
by Michael White on Apr 22, 2010 11:30 AM PDT up reply actions
What I couldn't handle
was all the morons pundits who were saying it would be a blow out. Really guys? Didn’t they play the last game of the year? Didn’t the Pats barely win that game? Ugh.
Rudimentary creatures of flesh and blood, you touch my mind, fumbling in ignorance, incapable of understanding.
I'm with you.
The last vestige of my…New Yorkness?…as far as sports are concerned were all but extinguished with the Giants Super Bowl victory. And beating New England made it that much better.
But if you’re over the draft, I’m sure you’d love ESPN radio’s coverage of the releasing of the 2010 schedule! (Mike & Mike paraphrasing: ‘Oh, Sunday night’s matchup on October ## between (team A) & (team B) is going to be a classic!’)
Seriously, guys- come on! You don’t have to talk Dodgers, or even baseball. But outside of the NFL draft, there are at LEAST three sports more worthy of talking about than football at the end of April. And please spare me the talk about how popular the NFL is…yes, we all know that’s true, but even the mighty NFL is not so popular that you need to focus on it in the middle of April.
by sarcastro9 on Apr 22, 2010 10:58 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
ESPN is completely dead to me. I love the independant networks now. I get highlights (without the complete editorial garbage ESPN is known for) from MLB Network, NFL Network and NBATV (the NBA studio highlight show is not very good at all but at least they show highlights.)
I do still root for the Giants and I purchase the NFL package and watch every game. But the draft is a complete non-event for me now, as is almost the entire off-season. As opposed to the Dodgers off-season where I get fired up for the Rule 5 draft.
by Michael White on Apr 22, 2010 11:10 AM PDT up reply actions
the "editorial garbage" was funny about 20 years ago
when Craig Kilborn, Dan Patrick & KO were at the helm. (I won’t talk about KO’s work now- I know this is a politics-free zone!) But just like anything else that starts out good, they just had copycats, then copycats of the copycats, and the one day I just realized, “Wait a minute- this isn’t funny at all!” And that was that.
Perhaps one of these days, I’ll get a complete TV package that gives me all those channels. Actually, perhaps one of these days I’l get a TV! But for now, I’m just left scrounging for table scraps.
oh, and Charlie Steiner!
How can I forget about HIM?! LOL I guess it’s so removed from my perception of him as a Dodger broadcaster, I can’t even process in my mind that it’s the same guy.
Totally agree
There is a very short window during the year where I can follow baseball without wading through mounds of other football news and that window seems to be getting smaller every year. By July we are heavily ensconced in preseason football hysteria that doesn’t end util February. Even now we get news about mini-camps and whatever else goes on in that sport during the offseason.
What time is the draft? And I’ve never understood why people watch it so religiously, I wouldn’t even watch past the 3rd round of the MLB draft.
4:30 Pacific. First time ever on a weekday in prime time.
And I’ve been watching the NFL and NBA drafts since I was a kid. It doesn’t even matter that I haven’t heard of a lot of these guys, it’s the strategy of it all that’s enticing.
by silverwidow on Apr 22, 2010 11:21 AM PDT up reply actions
I watch the ping pong ball lottery
and then watch when the Clippers pick gets hurt, then I turn off the draft.
Coincidentally one of my exchange students saw Blake Griffin at the Marina Del Rey Subway on Tuesday. “He’s really huge.”
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
by David Young on Apr 22, 2010 12:23 PM PDT up reply actions
Matt Kemp
hit his 7th home run in 2009 in his 59th game (PA #243 on June 9)
hit his 7th home run in 2010 in his 14th game (PA #60 on April 21)
Matt Kemp
hit his 7th home run in 2006 in his 15th game (PA #50 on June 14)
by silverwidow on Apr 22, 2010 10:21 AM PDT up reply actions
Nice.
(we musn’t speak of the remaining 116 PA that season)
by Eric Stephen on Apr 22, 2010 10:22 AM PDT up reply actions
i would say under
but I’m gonna go over for 2 reasons. First because his power is so good to the opposite field you just can’t pitch around him. He won’t go into a “pull slump” where he doesn’t hit homers because everyone’s pitching him away. And second, because he’ll get pitches to hit all year batting in front of Andre and Manny. You want to pitch around Matt to get to those 2? Good luck. I say 36-40 HR’s for him this year.
Has there ever been a player better than Detlef Schrempf?
by bucknellbruin on Apr 22, 2010 12:09 PM PDT up reply actions
I agree with the first part, but the 2nd part is exactly why I think he’ll see so many pitches this year. I can only think of maybe 4 or 5 other pairs in baseball that would be better (or as good) to hit in front of than Ethier and Manny. The Yankees, Brewers, Cardinals Twins, and I can’t really think of another team would be the others. Kemp is going to see a crap load of fastballs hitting 2nd in front of Ethier and Manny.
MIN-CLE
First two balls both hit on the chalk line. Fan touches the first, putting Cabrera on second. Sizemore hits the second and knocks in Cabrera.
The Ultimate Ned's Kind of Guy
Matt Kemp
hit 5 home runs to RCF last season, and none to RF.
This year, he has hit 2 to RCF, and 3 to RF.
I suspect Kemp won’t have to hold a press conference to announce he’s a heterosexual
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
by David Young on Apr 22, 2010 10:30 AM PDT up reply actions
He can just point to the stands (assuming Rihanna is there) :)
by Eric Stephen on Apr 22, 2010 10:32 AM PDT up reply actions
…robot made of penises?
The Ultimate Ned's Kind of Guy
by Humma Kavula on Apr 22, 2010 10:40 AM PDT up reply actions
Tiger Woods?
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
by David Young on Apr 22, 2010 10:41 AM PDT up reply actions
Unless she’s the greatest beard of all time.
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
by David Young on Apr 22, 2010 10:40 AM PDT up reply actions
Hereby Renamed
The Matt Kemp All-You-Can-Eat pavillion and souveneir baseball emporium.
by K3vo on Apr 22, 2010 10:30 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
So the hitting coach has a secure job for now?
by 68elcamino427 on Apr 22, 2010 10:36 AM PDT up reply actions
So what was the reason given for not trying to re-sign Wolf?
Was any reason given, or hinted at, by anyone connected with the Dodgers? Remind me please. Just the implication that he was somehow too expensive for McCourt? Really? Did he get longer than a two-year contract with the Brewers?
He got a 3 year deal from the Brewers
And the logic was that he had a career year and he would be paid more than he was worth (which he probably was.)
Not offering arbitration is a harder one to rationalize, but LAD could hold the position that they were afraid Wolf would accept (not likely) and that he would be awarded more than he was worth (probably true but it only would have been 1 year.)
by Michael White on Apr 22, 2010 11:19 AM PDT up reply actions
Don’t you always have to offer more (longer, usually, too) than someone is worth to get a good free agent? Isn’t that the cost of doing business? Unless you’re stacked with more young players than you know what to do with, and they’re all as good as any FA you could get, don’t you have to do this? OK, we have Kuroda for a final year. And I guess,unless you’re the Yankees, the 5th starting pitcher is a moving target. So, basically, with Kershaw and Billingsley in place, they only wanted one more pitcher, and decided Padilla was a better idea than Wolf? Surely only if better = cheaper. With no “true aces” available (supposedly that’s what they were looking for) on the market, they could have gone for both Wolf and a disposable (if he didn’t work out) Padilla as 4th and 5th. And, yes, starting negotiations by offering Wolf arbitration would have made the most sense. Just money caution prevented that, yes?
Don’t you always have to offer more (longer, usually, too) than someone is worth to get a good free agent? Isn’t that the cost of doing business?
Not really. In that case, the Dodgers would have gone over the top in making an offer for Lowe after 2008 instead of making a more shrewd decision in offering a (comparatively) tiny contract to Randy Wolf who would end up outperforming Lowe in 2009.
But yes, the Dodgers are on a budget (even though they are {gasp} a large market team!) and simply can’t afford to pay above market for pitchers who are likely over the hill. They can’t paint over there mistakes by throwing more money at the problem like the Yankees can. The Dodgers financial situation renders them risk averse (like most businesses frankly.)
by Michael White on Apr 22, 2010 11:34 AM PDT up reply actions
He wasn’t a free agent to the Dodgers. If they offer him arbitration and he accepted (they say he would have, I don’t buy it) he would have won something like $10-12 million for one year. An argument can be made that Padilla is close enough in value as a pitcher to Wolf such that it’s foolish to spend the extra $6-8 million for 2010 for not much of an upgrade, if any.
Wolf battled injuries for years, signed one-year deals forever, and had finally put together two straight healthy seasons. He is 33, and this was his last best chance to get a multi-year deal. I have never been mad at the Wolf decision because he’s not still here, but rather that I thought it was a no brainer that he would not accept arbitration, and the Dodgers would get two extra draft picks.
by Eric Stephen on Apr 22, 2010 11:35 AM PDT up reply actions
do you think there is any weight to the theory that the Dodgers’ management didn’t want to pay signing bonuses for said draft picks?
Yes
but it’s probably a mix of that and being far too risk averse and/or misreading Wolf’s intentions.
by Eric Stephen on Apr 22, 2010 11:39 AM PDT up reply actions
Remember the theory that the Dodgers would be too cheap to pay the Yankees for returning Hoffmann in the Rule 5 draft?
Anything is possible, but they did give Ramon Ortiz a $1MM contract instead of just throwing out their minor leaguers into the major league bullpen.
by Michael White on Apr 22, 2010 11:39 AM PDT up reply actions
other than essentially selling Carlos Santana to Cleveland
this and O-Dog have been the most egrigious sins of the McCourt era so far. A few people probably strained their backs trying to stretch the rationalization that Wolf could have accepted, and the Dodgers would be stuck paying a pitcher more money than he was worth. That’s not to say that this isn’t a possibility, but the fact that this would be such a concern for a big-market team like the Dodgers to the point where it would outweigh all the potential benefits is an absolute disgrace. In fact, I’d be offended if a small market team behaved with such indifference towards their fans, knowing that 95% of them wouldn’t really be aware of the details of the situation. But the DODGERS?!…Ok, time to take a break now. I’m having flashbacks.
People get entirely too hung up on this small market/ large market distinction.
by Michael White on Apr 22, 2010 11:29 AM PDT up reply actions
What was wrong with O-Dog
I thought they handled that fine, paying him $8m this season would’ve been a big mistake IMO.
The flip side is that, given how he was benched, there was no way he would have accepted arbitration.
by Eric Stephen on Apr 22, 2010 11:40 AM PDT up reply actions
These are still gambles though. If cash is so scarce, are you really willing to wager the difference in Hudson’s arb reward and Belliard’s salary and the difference between Wolf’s arb reward and Padilla’s salary?
by Michael White on Apr 22, 2010 11:42 AM PDT up reply actions
absolutely
If the Mariners could offer Adrian Beltre when he was a Type B the Dodgers could have done the same with Hudson. No question.
you're right about that, but
plain and simply, there is almost NO chance he would have accepted. How many people DID accept arbitration? 3 out of 30+? You want to talk statistics, even WITHOUT considering how angry he was about being benched, there’s less than a 10% chance he would have accepted. Heck, we even have evidence that he wouldn’t have accepted, as he didn’t with the Diamondbacks. He probably would’ve been less inclined to do so now.
The evidence would lie in the fact that he would make far more in arbitration than on the FA market, something he found out two years in a row.
by Eric Stephen on Apr 22, 2010 11:42 AM PDT up reply actions
well maybe I overreached on that last point
but I still believe that there is VERY little chance he would have accepted. Again- we have Chone Figgins and Beltre, two players that are roughly within O-Dog’s range of ability (and again, Beltre was a type B) that were offered arbitration, and ultimately rejected it. He was so mad about being benched, and I think in the years to come, we’re going to be hearing more about this from him. Yeah, there’s always a chance that he says, “Eh, I’ll take the money anyway,” but more evidence points the opposite direction.
And besides, even if he DOES accept, it’s not the worst thing in the world. A front office that once paid Juan Pierre, Andrew Jones and Jason Schmidt far more and managed to survive and even thrive (to a degree) can afford one year of an overpriced but still pretty good second baseman.
saying “hey, we screwed up before, so it’s OK to do it again” is no way to justify moves.
by Eric Stephen on Apr 22, 2010 11:56 AM PDT up reply actions
the circumstances are very different, though
I was just pointing out that even a WORST case scenario- which, in my humble opinion, is very remote- it STILL wouldn’t be as bad as some far more inexplicable moves that proved far more costly. If Hudson had been a type B, I could understand it. But given that the only two outcomes were two draft picks (let’s say, 95% chance) or an overpriced but solid second baseman that probably costs you the chance at signing Vicente Padilla (~5% chance) , I’ll take that bet.
I personally think that even THIS is a specious argument, given all the things we now know that McCourt DID spend money on outside of the Dodgers. He can’t afford overspending a few mill on a second baseman? Really, Frank? But I know that starting a discussion on that is REALLY getting into the weeds here.
Given that the market was flooded with 2B, and given the in-house options, it’s defensible to let him walk. If you offer Hudson arb, and he declines, he heads into the market with the Scarlet A on his chest, depressing his market even more, for the second straight year, because nobody wants to give up a draft pick to sign him.
Look, I would have offered him arb, thinking he wouldn’t accept, but it’s certainly plausible (much moreso than Wolf IMO) that Hudson would have accepted.
by Eric Stephen on Apr 22, 2010 12:09 PM PDT up reply actions
Wouldn’t Padilla be more valuable than Hudson? If the price of Hudson accepting arbitration means the Dodgers are short a starting pitcher, that’s a pretty big price, considering that by the benefit of hindsight we know that the Dodgers have not missed Hudson’s bat at all and the LAD starting pitching needs all the help they can get.
You act like complaining about the fact that the McCourts are on a budget is something that’s worth discussing. Accept this into your life, the McCourts have to run this team on a strict budget. Now, if you want to argue about the best way to use the limited funds then fine, but constantly pointing out the sheer horror that your favorite team can’t outspend all others is getting tiresome.
by Michael White on Apr 22, 2010 12:10 PM PDT up reply actions
I agree that it's getting tiresome
which is why I stopped myself before going into a diatribe. And I didn’t complain about him not outspending the other teams, at least in this thread. I was just making comparisons with what the Dodgers did in their arbitration cases versus a couple of select others. I think it’s still relevant to talk about McCourt’s finances/spending, though, even though it’s been done to death, because it’ll affect all aspects of Dodger-related items going forward (including ones WE have to deal with, like ticket prices).
I do understand what you’re saying with the arbitration cases, and I’ll let it go- until the Brewers & Twins 2nd round draft picks become superstars, that is! :)) For the rest of the day, I’ll be perfectly content if Padilla can continue to show that the “extra” money WAS spend wisely. And that’s that.
I think the argument re McCourts' spending outside the Dodgers
Is a red herring because he certainly spent this money in prior years when the Dodgers did go out and sign free agents, it is not as if he suddenly started living this lifestyle after October 2009.
Wolf and Hudson were in unique situations last year, both had incentive heavy contracts because no one was knocking down their door to sign them. But then they hit all of their incentives. Which probably made them worth more in an arbitration setting for one year than they would get on the open market.
I agree with Eric, Randy Wolf probably does not accept, but Hudson might have, to force a deal perhaps.
by bhsportsguy on Apr 22, 2010 12:35 PM PDT up reply actions
Nonsense
Him getting benched could have hurt his market value, and his guaranteed salary in arbitration would have looked pretty darn tempting.
by Michael White on Apr 22, 2010 11:43 AM PDT up reply actions
Kemp and his homeruns
I think he’s only pulled one homerun so far but this is amazing how many homeruns are center field to right field. I also think his flyball rate is higher this year than career norms; can anyone confirm that for me?
Per fangraphs
His fly ball % this year is 46.7%, with a career mark of 36.0%.
His HR/FB this year is 33.3% (!), 14.5% career.
His infield fly % this year is 0% (!).
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
by David Young on Apr 22, 2010 12:45 PM PDT up reply actions
I like the Broxton one
the Ethier one looks nothing like him.
by Michael White on Apr 22, 2010 11:35 AM PDT up reply actions
Plus, no way Ethier hits that ball anywhere, since he is looking to the side :)
by Eric Stephen on Apr 22, 2010 11:36 AM PDT up reply actions
He looks like he's checking out Rhiana
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
by Phil Gurnee on Apr 22, 2010 11:53 AM PDT up reply actions
I am moving right now, and am packing all my bobbleheads, and I noticed last night how bad the Russ bobblehead from a couple years ago is. Dumb look on his face that does not even look like him.
Is your address still good to send the TBLA tickets out?
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
by Phil Gurnee on Apr 22, 2010 11:54 AM PDT up reply actions
oh wow- that's ETHIER?!
Did the guy who make these pick up the wrong baseball card or something? Sheesh!
I have the entire shipment of J. Upton bobbleheads for an upcoming AZ giveaway sitting in my warehouse right now.
I think you know what to do (I’m thinking “bat wing” here, for anyone who has seen “Waiting”)
by Eric Stephen on Apr 22, 2010 11:41 AM PDT up reply actions
But I need my job
We get a lot of that stuff here. Had ORL Magic playoff noisemakers that looked like clear ping pong paddles the other day.
Isn't Broxton more of a stubble guy than a full 'stache and goat?
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
by David Young on Apr 22, 2010 12:41 PM PDT up reply actions
Obscure stat
courtesy of the Scott Van Pelt Show…
First 4 starts with Phillies:
Cliff Lee: 33 innings, 4-0, 0.82 ERA
Halladay: 33 innings, 4-0, 0.82 ERA
Favor
If anyone finds the pitching probables for Inland Empire @ Visalia (four games starting tonight), can you post them? Thanks!
The official site says Blevins (IE) vs. Sinclair (Visalia)
by Julio Nievas on Apr 22, 2010 12:09 PM PDT up reply actions
If you are a Pirates fan, do you stick around at this point?
by robotmadeofnails on Apr 22, 2010 12:06 PM PDT reply actions
Brewers now up 16-0 over Pirates
… on an Edmonds HR, top of 7th.
Pirates radio commentators very calm and even-toned. I like them, glad they take this attitude rather than tearing their hair out.
“Nothing to see here. Please disperse. Please go back to your homes. Nothing to see here.”
The Ultimate Ned's Kind of Guy
by Humma Kavula on Apr 22, 2010 12:09 PM PDT up reply actions
BTW - Speaking of careers on a downward trend
Andy LaRoche has still not proven to be a MLB hitter and today Delwyn Young is playing 3B.
LaRoche
was sidelined with back spasms, he has not been replaced by Young. Makes you wonder just how much the back problems are the reason why he is unable to meet the power potential he once flashed.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
by Phil Gurnee on Apr 22, 2010 12:21 PM PDT up reply actions
Or he might be just
Another guy you could not make the transition.
by bhsportsguy on Apr 22, 2010 12:25 PM PDT up reply actions
He did put up a 95 OPS+ last year, several 3B – like Pedro Feliz, admittedly a superior defender – have made a good career while hitting like that.
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
by David Young on Apr 22, 2010 12:39 PM PDT up reply actions
Roster move before tonight's game
…by the Reds:
Reds optioned RHP Logan Ondrusek to Louisville, recalled RHP Carlos Fisher from Louisville. Bats’ opponents went 1-for-24 vs Fisher.
Reds lineup
per Jamie Ramsey:
Dickerson LF
Cabrera SS
Votto 1B
Phillips 2B
Rolen 3B
Bruce RF
Stubbs CF
Hanigan C
Leake P
Hanigan is guy with a bazooka arm behind the plate, at least against LA last year.
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
by David Young on Apr 22, 2010 12:41 PM PDT up reply actions
Both?
He’s thrown out 40% (29 out of 73) of the baserunners that try to steal during his career.
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
by David Young on Apr 22, 2010 12:49 PM PDT up reply actions
Brewers leading 18-0 top of 9th
Still just 1 out, they just equaled Pirates’ record shutout loss (if shutout holds up) in 1910.
Dodgers lineup
Furcal SS
Kemp CF
Ethier RF
Ramirez LF
Loney 1B
Blake 3B
DeWitt 2B
Martin C
Padilla P
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