Dodger Roster Musings
by Eric Stephen on Mar 29, 2011 9:05 AM PDT
in Los Angeles Dodgers Roster
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PrintThe Dodgers' opening day 25-man roster is pretty much set, but there are a few questions rolling around in my mind this morning, a little less than 48 hours away from the 8 a.m. Thursday deadline to set rosters.
What two players will be removed from the 40-man roster?
With our Venezuelan correspondent Ronald Belisario on the restricted list, the Dodgers have 39 players on the 40-man roster. However, they need to add non-roster invitees Aaron Miles, Mike MacDougal, and Lance Cormier to the roster, which means two players need to be removed. John Lindsey is one obvious candidate to be designated for assignment. But who will join him? Javy Guerra? Luis Vasquez? Someone else? For reference, the 40-man roster is here (now minus Belisario, of course).
My guess: Lindsey and Guerra get the boot
Who makes the team in Jay Gibbons' spot?
Gibbons is going to start the season on the disabled list with vision problems, joining the crowded rehab raft of five Dodgers. Will the Dodgers carry a sixth outfielder, as likely would have been the case if Gibbons were healthy, or will they add an eighth reliever? Keep in mind that this could be a temporary spot, as someone will have to be removed from the active roster on April 10, when Tim Redding (or perhaps John Ely) gets called up to start. Gibbons last played on March 25, so the earliest possible date he can return would also be April 10.
My guess: The Dodgers keep A.J. Ellis, using Hector Gimenez is a pinch-hitter, untethered by the role of backup catcher.
If another NRI takes Gibbons' place, who gets removed from the 40-man roster?
Since this is a temporary position, this seems like a long shot, but if someone like Gabe Kapler made the team in place of Gibbons, the Dodgers would have to make another 40-man roster move to make room. Keep in mind that if Redding is in fact the fifth starter -- and most signs point to this inevitability -- another player will need to be removed from the 40-man roster then as well.
My guess: When Redding gets called up on April 10, the Dodgers will designate Gimenez for assignment.
If you think this is fun, just wait until Jon Garland and Vicente Padilla come back later in April and those roster decisions will need to be made.
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Agree with Ellis so I think the 3rd option we won’t need to worry about. If it is Kaplar then
three of Lindsey, Mitchell, Vasquez, Guerra
Whenever fortune smiles on you, someone else got the frown
1 – Lindsey and Guerrera are the only real choices. If they weren’t willing to expose Vasquez to the Rule V draft, no way they’d put him on waivers.
2 – Agree with Ellis.
3 – Jamie Hoffmann is at the talent level where someone probably would claim him, but no one would care so he gone.
@andrewngrant
Right
I really see them kicking Lindsey and Hoffmann to the curb first. It’s not like they haven’t let Hoffmann go before. Also, if Gimenez or Ellis are playing even just okay, I wouldn’t put it passed them releasing Dioner. Could also see Troncoso being taken off or dealt, but we’ll see.
No Rafael Furcals were hurt in the making of this video.
Not in April, but come August if he’s hitting like he did in 2009/2010, plenty of reason to cut him then.
Whenever fortune smiles on you, someone else got the frown
I want to talk myself into Gimenez or Ellis getting enough time with navarro hurt to prove or disprove their worth and if they do well enough (better than what the FO projected for Navarro) they’d let them stay and find a taker for Navarro from any number of teams whose catcher is destined to be hurt by May.
No Rafael Furcals were hurt in the making of this video.
5 DL players from this spring. I may not be put stock in winning% in the spring, but losing five members of your expected 25 man active roster does not bode well. Except none of these guys are game changers.
Catchers always get hurt so discount Navarro as freakish
Gibbons
Garland never been on the DL before, was never 31 before either
Blake – we all saw that one coming
Padilla – had arm trouble last year
Probably the biggest surprise is that Furcal is hopefully healthy opening day.
Impact:
Navarro – Don’t think Gimenez or Ellis are much, if any of a downgrade.
Gibbons – Paul is the better all around player, so team might be better
Garland – if he only misses two starts, that will mitigate the damage
Blake – cuts in to our depth, but having Carroll at 2nd and Uribe at 3rd looks good to me, little impact in the short run as we sacrifice power for OB, with little impact on defense.
Padilla – sooner he gets back the better, but should have little short term impact.
For five guys on the DL, all of them due back in April, the impact should be minimal. If you are going to have players on the DL these are guys you want on the DL.
No Latos, Brian Wilson or Utley’s here, some interchangeable parts, and a fifth starter.
Whenever fortune smiles on you, someone else got the frown
If I’m not mistaken, Eric briefly cast doubt on whether Furcal is 100% based on what Eric saw last night.
I’m not a doctor, but I play one while watching TV
by Eric Stephen on Mar 29, 2011 9:18 AM PDT up reply actions
Keep in mind my Furcal injury radar might be too sensitive
When were at Camelback Ranch, Furcal was walking toward the dugout just as the players started to go out onto the field in something like the 3rd inning. I assumed the worst, and that he was coming out.
Turns out, he was just getting a drink of water (I believe Delias Man was perturbed that I used the term “glass” of water).
by Eric Stephen on Mar 29, 2011 9:21 AM PDT up reply actions
Then we should all use the term “glass of water” from now on.
Whenever fortune smiles on you, someone else got the frown
I tried to drink out of one of those playground water dispensers, but when I leaned in to get my drink I was out of practice and chipped my tooth. To top it off the water I did get was full of mercury so now I’ve got a chipped tooth and mercury poisoning. But I did save the planet.
Whenever fortune smiles on you, someone else got the frown
by meercatjohn on Mar 29, 2011 10:04 AM PDT up reply actions
None of meercat’s stories ever happened.
Whenever fortune smiles on you, someone else got the frown
by meercatjohn on Mar 29, 2011 10:30 AM PDT up reply actions
Yes, but I’ve seen Furcal run gingerly before, sometimes he just runs like that. Not putting much stock into it. He may always have some back pain for the rest of his life.
Whenever fortune smiles on you, someone else got the frown
So what are the odds Furcal stays in the starting lineup through June 1?
50/50?
Guy is moving around like his lower back is sore.
And he looks fat like Uribe.
by 68elcamino427 on Mar 29, 2011 9:55 AM PDT up reply actions
Guy is moving around like his lower back is sore.
This is hyperbole and speculation. There has been nothing to suggest he’s hurt.
No Rafael Furcals were hurt in the making of this video.
Other then once you have a bad back you always have a bad back and playing 162 games for some reasons tend to make bad backs balky. Not that Don Mattingly would know anything about this.
Whenever fortune smiles on you, someone else got the frown
by meercatjohn on Mar 29, 2011 10:00 AM PDT up reply actions
Oh, he’s GOING to be hurt. But if he’s moving around like his lower back is sore, it won’t take until June 1 to hit the DL. And if his lower back isn’t sore, he still might be on the DL before June 1. It’s a nonsensical question.
No Rafael Furcals were hurt in the making of this video.
Furcal will be a key to the 36-21 start through May 31
by Eric Stephen on Mar 29, 2011 10:02 AM PDT up reply actions
Thank you
Thank you very much
I’ll be here all week
by 68elcamino427 on Mar 29, 2011 10:15 AM PDT up reply actions
I’m at work. Intelligent thought is not required of me until after lunch. Speculation is no better than hyperbole.
No Rafael Furcals were hurt in the making of this video.
I’m at work. Rage doesn’t happen until after I get home at 5.
No Rafael Furcals were hurt in the making of this video.
Just wait until you have children.
The reason I cannot be nice to people is because I am an asshole
by Humma Kavula on Mar 29, 2011 10:23 AM PDT up reply actions
Catching up… I think this is right. Even I can’t get spun up into doomsday scenarios based on what’s happened so far.
The reason I cannot be nice to people is because I am an asshole
by Humma Kavula on Mar 29, 2011 10:07 AM PDT up reply actions
I was all set for doomsday when Maddz had her typo yesterday about Barajas going on the DL (she meant Navarro, not that she knows who that is). DEFCON was set to Hyperbole Level 5. It was a pity that I had to stand down due to 100% false information (not that that’s ever stopped me before).
The reason I cannot be nice to people is because I am an asshole
by Humma Kavula on Mar 29, 2011 10:19 AM PDT up reply actions
Vandy’s #1 in the nation in college baseball. She’d be best advised to stick to rooting for that team. Ours might have A.J. Ellis as its best RH pinch-hitter.
YAHN
You’re All Hummas Now
The reason I cannot be nice to people is because I am an asshole
by Humma Kavula on Mar 29, 2011 10:24 AM PDT up reply actions
I think the only significant net we could expect is, if Redding takes three of Garland’s starts, we might expect a 1-2 record instead of 2-1. If all of these injuries result in just one loss (maybe one more attributed to Padilla’s absence), we are very lucky compared to some of the other injuries around the league.
"It's supposed to be hard. If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. The hard... is what makes it great."
BH
Not able to go to the game Wednesday. Forgot I made a softball committment.
No Rafael Furcals were hurt in the making of this video.
better chance he reads a text to his phone then a comment here.
Whenever fortune smiles on you, someone else got the frown
Gone
Lindsey for Miles
Mitchell for Cormier
I don’t see them giving up Guerra’s velocity or Hoffmann’s defense. Mitchell doesn’t offer much of anything, IMO.
Colletti learned a tough lesson when he gave up Jason Repko and vowed to never make that mistake again.
@andrewngrant
by regfairfield on Mar 29, 2011 9:26 AM PDT up reply actions
that’s why he’s keeping Miles around to Repko Matt kemp on a blooper to center.
No Rafael Furcals were hurt in the making of this video.
That would involve Matt Kemp charging a shallow fly ball, so not to worried about that happening.
Whenever fortune smiles on you, someone else got the frown
While trades are obviously never as easy IRL, I expect that Ned is considering trading Hoffmann or Guerra or Vasquez for someone who might not take a 40-man spot. If they could make a trade of someone like Javy Guerra for a comparable but lower-ceiling prospect that doesn’t take up the spot, I’d expect Ned would pull the trigger. I don’t know if any team would give anything of value up for Hoffmann.
"It's supposed to be hard. If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. The hard... is what makes it great."
Hmm. That’s a good point. Would the Dodgers make a trade for someone valued less than the waiver claim fee? I’d have to guess not, that they’d rather have him than the 25K, but if he were claimed, they’d rather have that amount than some non-prospect.
"It's supposed to be hard. If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. The hard... is what makes it great."
If I’m not mistaken, the waiver claim fee after a player is designated for assignment is $1
by Eric Stephen on Mar 29, 2011 9:50 AM PDT up reply actions
The 25K is only for Rule V returnees then?
"It's supposed to be hard. If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. The hard... is what makes it great."
I meant that $25,000 was what we got for the Yankees paying him to play in spring training last year.
No Rafael Furcals were hurt in the making of this video.
Yeah
$50,000 for a Rule 5 pick, $25,000 for the team to get him back.
by Eric Stephen on Mar 29, 2011 10:00 AM PDT up reply actions
Given the sparse crowd last night, you think the guy who suggested that they don’t make the season ticket holders pay for the exhibition games will still be employed by Thursday?
Whenever fortune smiles on you, someone else got the frown
What is amazing is how empty the Ravine looks even with 19,000 fans.
Whenever fortune smiles on you, someone else got the frown
Was that 19K paid fans? Or 19K actually there? I guess they only hire the “seat fillers” for the regular season games.
only thing counted, or at least reported, is paid attendance.
by Eric Stephen on Mar 29, 2011 10:00 AM PDT up reply actions
Not sure
But it made me, as a season ticket holder, happy. But it’s not like that was the make-or-break factor in my decision to buy the tickets.
"It's supposed to be hard. If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. The hard... is what makes it great."
People with souls have no place in the Dodger organization.
@andrewngrant
by regfairfield on Mar 29, 2011 9:38 AM PDT up reply actions
Honest to blog, anyone who would balk at season tickets over 2 games on a 81 game card probably shouldn’t be buying season tickets. In the NFL you have to buy 2 exhibitions on an 8 game card. It’s part of the deal, or would they rather have opening day, one of the busiest days of the year, be a glitchy clusterfuck?
by Josie Becker on Mar 29, 2011 9:44 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions
It’s much more rational to hate paying 25% more than 2.5% more. That’s less than the tax on it. Maybe someone should suggest making season tickets tax free?
by Josie Becker on Mar 29, 2011 9:57 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions
sure it is, but then what is the rant of the day
by Hollywood Joe on Mar 29, 2011 9:52 AM PDT up reply actions
Hard for me to rail on Colletti when he just signed Bills to this contrcat
hard for me to ignore the fact that LFrs have play defense too. I guess I don’t have a rant right now.
These hands will always be rough
Well sure if you can hit like Manny
you don’t have to play good defense
These hands will always be rough
An active 25 man roster that is going to have Miles, Gimenez, DeJesus, MacDougal, and Cormier on it?
Whenever fortune smiles on you, someone else got the frown
I won’t be able to make fun of the Yankee roster construction anymore.
Whenever fortune smiles on you, someone else got the frown
Sure you can. Yankees have twice the payroll and Fredtolo Coloncia. Stupid Yankees.
"It's supposed to be hard. If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. The hard... is what makes it great."
I’m sure they’ll kick themselves for being this stupid as they cruise to the playoffs.
@andrewngrant
by regfairfield on Mar 29, 2011 10:00 AM PDT up reply actions
If they can cruise with that rotation all the power to them.
Whenever fortune smiles on you, someone else got the frown
by meercatjohn on Mar 29, 2011 10:02 AM PDT up reply actions
My Yankees pre-season prediction was...
The Yankees will finish near .500 due to bad injuries to both Alex Rodriguez and Derek Jeter. Russell Martin will get Madonna pregnant.
Actually Russ won’t get Madonna pregnant, but over the winter he’ll promise that his sperm are working out and will be in the best shape ever.
"Baseball is the heart of America, I would never do anything to besmirch our National Pastime."
by Little Blue Bicycle on Mar 29, 2011 10:10 AM PDT up reply actions
I'm just saying
Mark Gardner
Derek Jeter
Alex Rodriguez
Mark Teixeira
Robinson Cano
Curtis Granderson
Jorge Posada
Nick Swisher
Russell Martin
No Rafael Furcals were hurt in the making of this video.
A guy who couldn’t even pitch a no-hitter at Dodger Stadium!
by Eric Stephen on Mar 29, 2011 10:12 AM PDT up reply actions
Brett Gardner is overrated
Derek Jeter is old
Alex Rodriguez is old
Robinson Cano won’t be as good as last year
Curtis Granderson is hurt
Jorge Posada is old
Nick Swisher is on my fantasy team so I hope he does well
J Martin will bouceback but won’t be great.
that being said. this is still a much better lineup than the dodgers have on the field. If Lackey and Beckett don’t bounce back, the Red Sox aren’t any better than the Yankees.
by stevesaxaphone on Mar 29, 2011 10:14 AM PDT up reply actions
I hope you are wrong..
And it the rest of the Yankees that end up having bad years. I have Robi on my fantasy team.
by darrelld on Mar 29, 2011 11:05 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions
So a left fielder not much different the Podboy in his prime
an aging SS past his prime
aging 3rd baseman who can still crush, can he stay healthy
studly 1st baseman who does not get started until late May
best 2nd baseman in the AL last year
CF who can’t hit LHP any better then Loney or Andre
39 year old DH
Still solid
Great shape
Yup, just not that impressed
Whenever fortune smiles on you, someone else got the frown
by meercatjohn on Mar 29, 2011 10:14 AM PDT up reply actions
I can say I’m not all that impressed by the Yankees, but when I do, what I mean is, “Compared to the complete fucking juggernauts that have steamrolled their way across Major League Baseball for the last, oh, 15 years or so, give or take, this year’s Yankees don’t really impress me.” They are still a very good club.
The reason I cannot be nice to people is because I am an asshole
by Humma Kavula on Mar 29, 2011 10:16 AM PDT up reply actions
Being pedantic only because Brett Gardner owns. Gardner can walk, Podsednik can’t. He’s much more comparable to Brett Butler.
@andrewngrant
by regfairfield on Mar 29, 2011 10:16 AM PDT up reply actions
Seriously
Brett Gardner would be like the 3rd best position player on the Dodgers.
In over 4000 plate appearances Podboy has on OBP of .340
Other then last year the great Gardner never had an OBP > .345
So basically based on one year, Brett Gardner at age 26 is Brett Butler?
Whenever fortune smiles on you, someone else got the frown
by meercatjohn on Mar 29, 2011 10:18 AM PDT up reply actions
You’re saying when you take away the best 60% of Brett Gardner’s career he’s comparable to Podsednik. Butler might be an optimistic projection but Podsednik is way too pessimistic.
@andrewngrant
by regfairfield on Mar 29, 2011 10:21 AM PDT up reply actions
Scott Podsednick at one point was a good player
then he got injured and old.
These hands will always be rough
Even then Podsednik had only one year that you can even compare to Gardner last year.
@andrewngrant
by regfairfield on Mar 29, 2011 10:25 AM PDT up reply actions
Yeah but in that one year he was better :-p
He fell off immediatly following his rookie year. oops.
These hands will always be rough
Last year was the first year he was a starter and he did pretty damn well. We’ll see if he can keep it up, but he’s also a plus defender and great baserunner. Seriously who is better than him on the Dodgers? Kemp, Ethier, Furcal (if healthy)? Am I forgetting anyone?
If he does for more then one year I’ll be impressed. I was unimpressed with him heading into 2010, he had a solid year, now let us see him do it again. James Loney had a great year once to.
Whenever fortune smiles on you, someone else got the frown
by meercatjohn on Mar 29, 2011 10:32 AM PDT up reply actions
I’d take their chances over the Dodgers’ to be sure, but I could definitely see them missing the playoffs. They’re not better than the Red Sox, and I could easily see the Rays or a second team from the Central taking the Wild Card.
"It's supposed to be hard. If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. The hard... is what makes it great."
I’m not a huge fan of the Rays. They’ve got a rotation that’s deep but has no real ace unless Price has much better peripherals than last year, the offense has no real threat but Longoria once Manny goes down and the bullpen is a mess.
In the NL West, sure they’d have a chance but I don’t think they can compete with the Sox and the Yanks.
@andrewngrant
by regfairfield on Mar 29, 2011 10:09 AM PDT up reply actions
I feel the same about the Jays.
by darrelld on Mar 29, 2011 11:06 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions
Was talking about this with Josie last night. If re-signing Bills is a sign that they are looking into re-signing Dre, Kemp and Kershaw(I doubt it, he’s a ways away from FA), if our prospects pan out (they all won’t, but some will) a 2012 lineup of:
Gordon 6
Trayvon 8
Kemp 9
Ethier 7
Sands 3
Uribe 5
Scrub 2
DeJesus 4
And that’s before we fill the C and 2B spot in the order. We could be looking okay and still have money to spend.
No Rafael Furcals were hurt in the making of this video.
Thats what I've been dreaming since before 2010 started
I don’t think we keep both Dre and Kemp though.
Apparently, Ethier thinks he’s gone after this season.
"It's supposed to be hard. If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. The hard... is what makes it great."
Ethier SHOULD be gone after this season. Otherwise the Dodgers will pay for his decline phase. Ethier is a few years’ older than the other guys. Let him make his money — but let him make it elsewhere.
The reason I cannot be nice to people is because I am an asshole
by Humma Kavula on Mar 29, 2011 10:21 AM PDT up reply actions
if all four of those guys are on the same starting lineup, it’d probably be Kemp 8, Dre 9, Tray 7, Sands 3. After a year, assuming Dre and Kemp are still here, it’d likely be Kemp 9, Tray 8, Dre 7, Sands 3.
No Rafael Furcals were hurt in the making of this video.
I dunno. That was my feeling, too, until Chad’s post about Trayvon. We discussed what he would bring to the table in CF and in LF, and Chad had basically determined — correct me if I’m getting this wrong — that Robinson would either be an extremely good LF or an average/below CF, and either way, he provides about the same value to the team.
So unless Kemp’s defense in CF becomes untenable — which I suppose could happen — they might never move him for Robinson.
On the other hand, maybe it’s more likely that Ethier’s defense in RF becomes untenable. And if you feel you must move Ethier to LF, then Kemp has to move to right and then Robinson takes center.
So I’ll keep blathering on with no real point. Does that work for you?
The reason I cannot be nice to people is because I am an asshole
by Humma Kavula on Mar 29, 2011 10:29 AM PDT up reply actions
I see his and your point about positional value
but as a cumulative outfield defense, it becomes Good Tray, Avg Kemp, Bad Dre vs. Avg Dre, Avg. Tray, Good Kemp.
Hmm.
No Rafael Furcals were hurt in the making of this video.
Right, I think we basically agree.
If Ethier is traded, that would certainly solve the outfield shuffle.
The reason I cannot be nice to people is because I am an asshole
by Humma Kavula on Mar 29, 2011 10:36 AM PDT up reply actions
I love moving a consistent OPS+ guy of 125Plus for two question marks. That is how you build a winner. How is Jeremy Hermida doing these days anyway? Fernando Martinez? Carlos Gomes, Lasting Milledge?
Whenever fortune smiles on you, someone else got the frown
by meercatjohn on Mar 29, 2011 10:41 AM PDT up reply actions
At the age of 23, in 480 at bats Hermida had an OPS of .870.
Didn’t really mean much for the rest of his career.
At the age of 23 James Loney in over 486 plate appearances spread out over two years had an OPS of .915
Didn’t really mean much for the rest of his career.
Whenever fortune smiles on you, someone else got the frown
by meercatjohn on Mar 29, 2011 10:44 AM PDT up reply actions
If we aren't going to be able to resign Etheir we are going
to have to find his replacement somewhere. I guess we could just never try to play our prospects and just trade them all. Would that make you happier?
These hands will always be rough
Will there even be draft pick compensation in the 2012-2013 offseason?
CBA expires this December, and that’s on the table to go away.
by Eric Stephen on Mar 29, 2011 10:46 AM PDT up reply actions
You trade him if you’re not gonna re-sign him but unless the Dodgers make some huge signings this offseason I think you have to keep him.
@andrewngrant
by regfairfield on Mar 29, 2011 10:47 AM PDT up reply actions
Personally
I wouldn’t be upset if the Dodgers made some “rebuilding” moves and I think Ethier would be our best chip to do so.
Me too.
The reason I cannot be nice to people is because I am an asshole
by Humma Kavula on Mar 29, 2011 10:50 AM PDT up reply actions
I would love for the Dodgers to get value for him. I’ve never been a big Ethier fan.
"It's supposed to be hard. If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. The hard... is what makes it great."
The smart move for this
would be to trade him at the deadline this year if we are not right there in contention (not like last year).
Seems unlikely unless we get someone we could plug in immediately and could sell as not a rebuilding trade.
No Rafael Furcals were hurt in the making of this video.
Trayvon, Kyle Russel, and Jerry Sands
will all force their way onto the roster, rendering Etheir expendable :(
These hands will always be rough
To the Phillies
For Domonic Brown and Jarred Cosart.
"It's supposed to be hard. If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. The hard... is what makes it great."
A) would you really want to make the Phillies better on offense?
B) I’d trade Ethier to the Phillies in a heartbeat if the return was right because it’d make them the 2009 Cubs by being too one-sided on offense.
No Rafael Furcals were hurt in the making of this video.
I’m not sure how much better he really would make the Phillies, but if Brown struggles (and I expect him to), they’re probably going to be in the market for an extra bat. Ethier probably wouldn’t be as good as Werth was last year, when the Phillies won 0 World Serieses.
"It's supposed to be hard. If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. The hard... is what makes it great."
Phillies offense isn’t all that good right now.
@andrewngrant
by regfairfield on Mar 29, 2011 10:40 AM PDT up reply actions
No doubt, but they wouldn’t be one sided on offense.
@andrewngrant
by regfairfield on Mar 29, 2011 10:47 AM PDT up reply actions
With Victorino, Howard, Utley and Ethier they look a whole lot like a LOOGY’s wet dream.
No Rafael Furcals were hurt in the making of this video.
I thought he meant one-sided, as in everyone hits from the left side.
by Eric Stephen on Mar 29, 2011 10:49 AM PDT up reply actions
Yes
fuckton of big bad lefties who can’t hit Ron Mahay.
No Rafael Furcals were hurt in the making of this video.
Gotcha, misunderstood.
Chase Utley is still pretty awesome against lefties at least.
@andrewngrant
by regfairfield on Mar 29, 2011 10:52 AM PDT up reply actions
Strange statement to read given he is easily our best offensive player.
Whenever fortune smiles on you, someone else got the frown
by meercatjohn on Mar 29, 2011 10:34 AM PDT up reply actions
I would argue that Kemp is at least in the conversation. But I always root for the guy. I enjoyed his production, I just never made that connection with him. Gary Sheffield was a better hitter than Shawn Green was. That didn’t make me like him better.
"It's supposed to be hard. If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. The hard... is what makes it great."
Problem with this thinking is you let him walk and go into 2013 with number three hitter Juan Uribe. Or Albert Pujols, either one really.
@andrewngrant
by regfairfield on Mar 29, 2011 10:26 AM PDT up reply actions
The problem with signing him is that you go into 2016 and 2017 with Ethier.
You know that, of course — I’m just being snarky.
The reason I cannot be nice to people is because I am an asshole
by Humma Kavula on Mar 29, 2011 10:31 AM PDT up reply actions
What’s with the Ethier comments? Did he say something stupid again?
by darrelld on Mar 29, 2011 11:10 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions
“This is my sixth one, and who knows? It might be my last one here with the Dodgers. You never know. A lot of signs are pointing that way, so we’ll have to see,” Ethier said. “Six years for a Dodger is a long time, in the era that we’re living in. So I’m going to cherish every moment I can, enjoy the season and try to make it my best one.”
These hands will always be rough
Yes
"This is my sixth one, and who knows? It might be my last one here with the Dodgers. You never know. A lot of signs are pointing that way, so we’ll have to see," Ethier said. "Six years for a Dodger is a long time, in the era that we’re living in. So I’m going to cherish every moment I can, enjoy the season and try to make it my best one."
I really want to know (a) the tone of that comment; and (b) what question was asked and how did it come up (had to be regarding Billingsley’s deal)
by Eric Stephen on Mar 29, 2011 11:12 AM PDT up reply actions
From what I understand they asked him to do the Snuggie ad and he declined, he was told that if he failed to participate in stupid marketing gimmicks they would have to find a Dodger who would. Even if said Dodger was not any good. Thus Loney.
Whenever fortune smiles on you, someone else got the frown
by meercatjohn on Mar 29, 2011 11:14 AM PDT up reply actions
It’s Loney, Etheir, Kemp in hits; Ethier, Kemp, Loney in walks. The three guys were our offense last year
by Josie Becker on Mar 29, 2011 11:19 AM PDT up reply actions
I will go bat shit crazy if Loney is signed to some kind of extension because he is a “team” player willing to promote a fucking snuggie.
I’m with you on this one. That comment can be taken alot of ways. It seems, from the outside at least, that the organization has been good to him, and vice versa. They drafted his brother for crying out loud.. He has always done the caravans, and had alot to do with the community. I couldn’t see why the dodgers wouldn’t want to resign him. Maybe Dre really wants to be a FA, so he can go play in Boston with his buddy Dustin. Like he said, who knows?
by darrelld on Mar 29, 2011 1:41 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
I just don’t think Dre will command more than 12-13 on the open market, and I don’t think they’ll turn him away if that in fact is his price.
No Rafael Furcals were hurt in the making of this video.
If Jason Bay can get $66 million over four years, Andre Ethier can ask for whatever he wants.
by Eric Stephen on Mar 29, 2011 10:26 AM PDT up reply actions
but isn’t Carl Crawford more of a measuring stick for Andre, and Andre is a WAR or two behind Crawford
by Josie Becker on Mar 29, 2011 10:28 AM PDT up reply actions
No, not at all.
If anything, Ethier would probably be comparable to Holliday or Werth
by Eric Stephen on Mar 29, 2011 10:29 AM PDT up reply actions
so if Crawford’s at 11-17 mill and JAyson Werth is at 11-17 mill, should Andre expect to be on the shorter end of 11-17 mill?
by Josie Becker on Mar 29, 2011 10:35 AM PDT up reply actions
Easy
if things stay the same.
Whenever fortune smiles on you, someone else got the frown
by meercatjohn on Mar 29, 2011 10:37 AM PDT up reply actions
It depends on if he hits the market
at a time the owners are pretending to be fiscally conservative
These hands will always be rough
I don't know what your comment says
Crawford got $20.3 million per year, and is a completely different player than Ethier
Werth got $18 million per year, and is a more comparable player to Ethier (similar hitters, Werth is better on D, worse on health)
by Eric Stephen on Mar 29, 2011 10:38 AM PDT up reply actions
I guess I just misunderstood how we talk about contracts. I didn’t think we just divided money by years, since it doesn’t get paid out that way
by Josie Becker on Mar 29, 2011 10:39 AM PDT up reply actions
actually, I mostly just misinterpreted what I read, ignore everything I’ve said before now.
by Josie Becker on Mar 29, 2011 10:40 AM PDT up reply actions
Etheir could probably pull 4-5 years at 15 million
and if a team is very desperate he might get even more years and more dollars per year
These hands will always be rough
How about Jayson Werth? Ethier is going to be slightly younger or the same age when he hits FA, with more full, healthy, productive seasons under his belt.
@davidyoungtbla - The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
by David Young on Mar 29, 2011 10:30 AM PDT up reply actions
Right
We want to sign Werth, but we don’t want to sign our guy who is just as good. The difference being that Andre rips RHP, while Werth RIPS LHP, I know which one I’d rather have over a full season of mostly RHP.
Whenever fortune smiles on you, someone else got the frown
by meercatjohn on Mar 29, 2011 10:36 AM PDT up reply actions
Frankly, I never wanted to sign Werth, because I didn’t think he would be worth his contract, and then he went for way more money than I thought he would.
I don’t want to sign Ethier because he will be 31 as a FA and plays poor defense. I know 850 OPS RF don’t grow on trees, but considering that the Dodgers already have $30 million + Billingsley committed for 2013, I don’t know that Ethier is the best use of the remaining money going forward.
The reason I cannot be nice to people is because I am an asshole
by Humma Kavula on Mar 29, 2011 10:46 AM PDT up reply actions
Oh no they only have 80 million more dollars to build the team in 2013
how will they ever do that
These hands will always be rough
I’m not worried that they’ll be able to construct the team. I am saying that with 80 million left, if you give Ethier your superstar (15 million) money, that might not leave room for a better superstar.
The reason I cannot be nice to people is because I am an asshole
by Humma Kavula on Mar 29, 2011 10:49 AM PDT up reply actions
I just want to add that we don’t know what the 2013 budget will be.
by Eric Stephen on Mar 29, 2011 10:50 AM PDT up reply actions
It depends on if our system completely fails
to produce any ML ready players by 2013.
These hands will always be rough
How many arb years does a player get? He is a FA after the 2014 season.
The reason I cannot be nice to people is because I am an asshole
by Humma Kavula on Mar 29, 2011 10:52 AM PDT up reply actions
I didn’t want to sign Werth for the contract he got. Now, a four-year deal, maybe.
@davidyoungtbla - The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
by David Young on Mar 29, 2011 12:15 PM PDT up reply actions
Bay’s free agent year: 134 OPS+ at age 30.
Andre’s free agent year: 132 OPS+ at age 30. (Yes, this is what he’ll do, the man is nothing if not consistent)
Then again, the Mets don’t have money to burn any more.
@andrewngrant
by regfairfield on Mar 29, 2011 10:30 AM PDT up reply actions
Sure now they get to burn MLB money.
Whenever fortune smiles on you, someone else got the frown
by meercatjohn on Mar 29, 2011 10:42 AM PDT up reply actions
It doesn’t, you only do it if you plan to write off 2012-2014 or so and I can’t see the Dodgers doing that.
@andrewngrant
by regfairfield on Mar 29, 2011 10:52 AM PDT up reply actions
Unless Ethier money gets turned into Prince or Pujols we’ve got some really bad hitting teams in our future.
@andrewngrant
by regfairfield on Mar 29, 2011 10:55 AM PDT up reply actions
Only guys who are better than Ethier, at least in 2012.
@andrewngrant
by regfairfield on Mar 29, 2011 11:00 AM PDT up reply actions
Right which is why I think it would just be punting 2012
There will be guys to sign in 2013/2014, plus we could get 2 – 3 more grade A- to B prospects for Ethier to add to the Sands/Trayvon/Gordon/Rubby mix and hope that half of them are ready to make an impact in 2013/2014.
If I could pick, I’d go with Ryan Braun. But Hanley Ramirez, Ian Kinsler or Shin Soo Choo, among others, might be places to spend money.
"It's supposed to be hard. If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. The hard... is what makes it great."
Like Ethier.
"It's supposed to be hard. If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. The hard... is what makes it great."
They could require even worse contracts
and we don’t have any guarentee of signing them. You are basically advocating trading a real asset for hopes and dreams.
These hands will always be rough
But we’re going around and around in circles now. All superstars will require a stupid contract to sign. But the stupid money is all in the same ballpark (except Pujols). So the question is, do you choose to give Ethier the stupid money, or is there somebody better that you can give the stupid money to? I’m voting somebody better.
The reason I cannot be nice to people is because I am an asshole
by Humma Kavula on Mar 29, 2011 11:04 AM PDT up reply actions
I’m voting unless there’s a face of MLB out there, you go with a face of the Dodgers.
by Josie Becker on Mar 29, 2011 11:05 AM PDT up reply actions
Except we have a chance now
to try to get Etheir to a half decent contract, before he hits FA.
These hands will always be rough
Right
That would be the play. Something like a 4-year deal now.
But I don’t see why Ethier would do it, unless he really wants to stay. Tough to be a free agent at 33 instead of 30.
by Eric Stephen on Mar 29, 2011 11:08 AM PDT up reply actions
Do we really? Would Ethier sign such a deal? I wouldn’t if I were him, but I’m not.
If Ethier is available at less than market price, then sure, I’m on board.
The reason I cannot be nice to people is because I am an asshole
by Humma Kavula on Mar 29, 2011 11:08 AM PDT up reply actions
If we can get him even on a 4 year extension at 15 per
I would think long and hard and then like the deal. There are no guarentees with prospects and/or FA. If we can get Etheir to stay thats the right play imho.
These hands will always be rough
Braun is signed through 2015, Hanley through 2014.
by Eric Stephen on Mar 29, 2011 11:03 AM PDT up reply actions
Kinsler is signed through 2012, with a club option for 2013.
Choo isn’t a free agent until after 2013.
by Eric Stephen on Mar 29, 2011 11:04 AM PDT up reply actions
So I missed on Braun, but the other guys are all between 12-14.
"It's supposed to be hard. If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. The hard... is what makes it great."
If be “between 2012 and 2014” you mean 2014 only, sure.
by Eric Stephen on Mar 29, 2011 11:06 AM PDT up reply actions
Yes, but they could all be traded for as well. If we’re talking about trading Ethier, why not talk about people that could be trade targets in a similar vein?
This whole thing is academic of course, but my only real point is that there are people who will be in his price range that I might prefer. It is a fair argument to say that you just keep the guy we’ve got, it’s just not my argument.
"It's supposed to be hard. If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. The hard... is what makes it great."
Also teams that get good players aren’t dumb and they realize all the guys you mentioned that are better than Ethier are better than Ethier and will pay them accordingly.
@andrewngrant
by regfairfield on Mar 29, 2011 11:14 AM PDT up reply actions
You could but Kinsler is hurt all the damn time and outside of one year isn’t near Ethier’s bat. Choo rules but he’s gonna be a Red Sock.
@andrewngrant
by regfairfield on Mar 29, 2011 11:05 AM PDT up reply actions
You trade him only if you don’t plan to keep him long term. You consider the value you’d get back in exchange for the year or year+2 months for him.
"It's supposed to be hard. If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. The hard... is what makes it great."
From my experience
Really good hitters are almost impossible to find. They have to be developed internally, signed to massive free agent contracts, or obtained in difficult trades. Keeping one’s best hitter is the best strategy long-term, imo.
by kinbote on Mar 29, 2011 11:04 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Calling Ethier “the Dodgers best hitter” is accurate, I suppose, but it certainly overlooks the complicated reasons why he can be a very frustrating player.
There is a reason my avatar is what it is.
The reason I cannot be nice to people is because I am an asshole
by Humma Kavula on Mar 29, 2011 11:06 AM PDT up reply actions
have you honestly been more frustrated by Andre than by Kemp or Loney?
by Josie Becker on Mar 29, 2011 11:07 AM PDT up reply actions
Yes, in a way.
Kemp had a bad season but I believe he can rebound.
Loney — sure, he frustrated me more in the past, but now I’m completely resigned to the fact that he will suck.
Etheir shows what he can do, then disappears for a month; he can’t hit lefties; he plays shitty defense; all of this and he is called a superstar. Makes me wanna say, not so fast.
The reason I cannot be nice to people is because I am an asshole
by Humma Kavula on Mar 29, 2011 11:11 AM PDT up reply actions
He is a superstar because he hits .850
consistently for 3 years and had a bunch of game winning hits.
These hands will always be rough
Not sure I understand how anyone can be frustrated with 3.5. He has so over shot his expected major league production it is not funny. I can’t even recall a Dodger who has done more given the expectations of him when we received him in the Milton deal.
Burt Hooten maybe.
Whenever fortune smiles on you, someone else got the frown
by meercatjohn on Mar 29, 2011 11:11 AM PDT up reply actions
Frustrating
because of his long cold stretches and occasional silly OF plays I can see. I love the guy don’t get me wrong and want to keep him a Dodger.
These hands will always be rough
I agree
For instance, on a separate matter, if Jerry Sands turns out to be Andre Ethier, we should consider ourselves incredibly lucky.
by Eric Stephen on Mar 29, 2011 11:13 AM PDT up reply actions
Pretty much. Just the Dodgers don’t have Evan Longoria.
@andrewngrant
by regfairfield on Mar 29, 2011 10:14 AM PDT up reply actions
Other then the fact that he plays 3b
he doesn’t hit that much better then etheir does he? well ok probably against lefties he does.
These hands will always be rough
Longoria is better but they’re close. Playing third base is a huge difference though.
@andrewngrant
by regfairfield on Mar 29, 2011 10:18 AM PDT up reply actions
Who is their RF though?
and is the difference between their RF and Blake that big?
These hands will always be rough
why do the Rays need an ace, they have five solid pitchers, I’ll take that over one ace, one good pitcher, one sucky pitcher, two holes
Whenever fortune smiles on you, someone else got the frown
by meercatjohn on Mar 29, 2011 10:16 AM PDT up reply actions
I’m not saying the Yankees rotation is better, just saying the Rays rotation is by far their biggest asset and it’s not that strong.
@andrewngrant
by regfairfield on Mar 29, 2011 10:17 AM PDT up reply actions
ground ball pitcher, yankee left side defense, no dominance, offensive park, will get some wins
Whenever fortune smiles on you, someone else got the frown
by meercatjohn on Mar 29, 2011 10:27 AM PDT up reply actions
Most of them will be gone by June.
"Baseball is the heart of America, I would never do anything to besmirch our National Pastime."
by Little Blue Bicycle on Mar 29, 2011 10:08 AM PDT up reply actions
Rosterbations are fun
But at the end of the season, if we look back at this post we will barely remember many of these names on the bubble. Well, Eric will remember – but tumbleweed blowing in the high desert wind he retains a lot of junk.
Question about opening day
Eric, or whomever, does anyone know what time the parking lot will open on opening day?? thanks for any info
Don't know
but the Dodgers will: 323-224-1507
@davidyoungtbla - The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
by David Young on Mar 29, 2011 10:31 AM PDT up reply actions
I thought you guys knew everything dodgers?? im jk :) I found it… parking lot opens at 1pm, stadium gates at 1:30pm.
http://lacityorgcd13.blogspot.com/
by uschris0304 on Mar 29, 2011 10:50 AM PDT up reply actions
Rob Neyer turns his 2011 question of the day attention to the Dodgers today.
So maybe it does come back to the bullpen. In 2009, the Dodgers’ 3.14 relief ERA was easily the best in the National League. In 2009, the bullpen dropped to 4.07, 11th in the league.
Here’s today’s Question, though … Has Don Mattingly learned enough over the years, sitting next to Joe Torre, to run a championship-caliber bullpen? The answer might determine whether the Dodgers win the National League West by a game or three, or lose it.
I really hope Mattingly didn’t pick up Torre’s “I can only remember the names of three relievers” bullpen management.
@andrewngrant
by regfairfield on Mar 29, 2011 10:10 AM PDT up reply actions
Really
If Don learned bullpen management from Joe, then he learned nothing that will help him.
Whenever fortune smiles on you, someone else got the frown
by meercatjohn on Mar 29, 2011 10:28 AM PDT up reply actions
Can someone define
bullpen management to me.
It seems like a lot depends on one the game situation, two, the number of innings the starters pitch and three the relative rest of your pen.
So unless you go into game saying so and so isn’t pitching today and alternatively so and so is pitching today regardless of what the score is, how to do it.
It is easy to look at outliers like the last year’s Yankee series but isn’t the real problem is when you have roles like set up guy and closer, you pretty much take them out of any game where you are behind or really far ahead. Plus in the NL where you do have to bat for the pitcher, that is going to dictate what you do.
I still think that a bullpen success is very much related to your starting pitching depth and your offense providing leads where you can get into a rhythm. In 2009, the team was very consistent in the sense they avoided long losing streaks and their offense for the most part avoided long slumps. So even though the starting situation was very fluid, the pen was able to get into a rhythm with some relative expectancy of when they were being used.
But when you have games that low scoring plus a couple of spots in the rotation that were only at best good for 5 innings, you cannot plan you pitching staff usage with any certainty.
by bhsportsguy on Mar 29, 2011 11:13 AM PDT up reply actions
Hopefully, he learned from the various debacles of the previous few years what not to do as well. The complete mishandling of Proctor, Sherrill, et. al. reflect poorly on Joe, but he had successes with enough bullpens that it can’t be purely coincidental.
"It's supposed to be hard. If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. The hard... is what makes it great."
The complete mishandling of Proctor, Sherrill, et. al.
I know he’s included in “et al.” but he may have ended the career of Jonathan Broxton at age 27.
No Rafael Furcals were hurt in the making of this video.
Troncoso too!
though someone tried to tell me thats not true once, and they may be right.
These hands will always be rough
I just think Troncoso isn’t that good. Like Cory Wade he pitched over his head as a rookie and then reverted closer to his true self. That doesn’t mean Torre didn’t make him worse. He very well may have.
"It's supposed to be hard. If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. The hard... is what makes it great."
Its hard to tell
cause Torre used him like 20 times in 21 games last year
These hands will always be rough
Well
he pitched in 16 of the first 24 games and 27 of the first 51.
by bhsportsguy on Mar 29, 2011 11:27 AM PDT up reply actions
So
66% of the first 24 games and only 45% of the next 27? I say “only” as if 45% wouldn’t still have him on pace for 72 games.
FWIW: Mike Marshall’s record 106 appearances was 65.4%. Remember how outraged we were over Troncoso throwing 16 of 24? Yeah, Marshall did that over a whole season.
No Rafael Furcals were hurt in the making of this video.
Unnamed sources claim to have over heard Torre answer tthe question,
How long do you ride on a spare tire?
“As long as you can”.
by 68elcamino427 on Mar 29, 2011 10:14 AM PDT up reply actions
Has Don Mattingly learned enough over the years, sitting next to Joe Torre, to run a championship-caliber bullpen?
I will note that Mattingly earned his nickname for his bullpen management.
The reason I cannot be nice to people is because I am an asshole
by Humma Kavula on Mar 29, 2011 10:14 AM PDT up reply actions
The better nickname
The better nickname
by keithc13 on Mar 29, 2011 10:23 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Outrighted
Does outright mean a player has been designated for assignment but he clears waivers and is put back into the system? (only happening once in his career unless approved by the player)
by Dodgerblue8188 on Mar 29, 2011 10:14 AM PDT reply actions
The player might be headed to the Norther League?
by 68elcamino427 on Mar 29, 2011 10:17 AM PDT up reply actions
Sort of
You can be placed on outright waivers without being removed from the 40-man. The Twins tried to do this with Pat Neshek last week, but he was claimed by the Padres.
Designating someone for assignment is just another procedure, which immediately removes the player from the 40-man, then the team has 10 days to figure out what to do with the player. Part of that 10 days involves placing the player on waivers, and yes, if he clears, he can be outrighted to the minors (if it’s the player’s first outright assignment, he can’t refuse; all subsequent attempts he has to approve).
by Eric Stephen on Mar 29, 2011 10:21 AM PDT up reply actions
Just to add to Eric’s post:
If the player has three years of MLB service, he can refuse the outright regardless if it’s his first.
by silverwidow on Mar 29, 2011 10:22 AM PDT up reply actions
Is that the same reason you can’t option guys like Ethier and Kemp even though they never used all 3 options?
by Dodgerblue8188 on Mar 29, 2011 10:23 AM PDT up reply actions
Slightly different
They would need to be placed on optional waivers, but they could refuse such an assignment anyway if they somehow cleared (which they wouldn’t)
by Eric Stephen on Mar 29, 2011 10:24 AM PDT up reply actions
okay thanks
Seems like so many different scenarios trying to learn all this but I have learned a lot in the last year.
by Dodgerblue8188 on Mar 29, 2011 10:29 AM PDT up reply actions
He didn’t have any major league relievers in Kansas City, so it’s impossible to say.
"It's supposed to be hard. If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. The hard... is what makes it great."
Soria laughs at you and your contempt for a team you know nothing about.
Whenever fortune smiles on you, someone else got the frown
by meercatjohn on Mar 29, 2011 10:45 AM PDT up reply actions
Was Hillman there with Soria? I thought he’s been in japan for awhile?
No Rafael Furcals were hurt in the making of this video.
Hah! I was thinking along the lines you were. Apparently he was the Royals manager most recently. I guess I was thinking of Tony Muser.
"It's supposed to be hard. If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. The hard... is what makes it great."
In 2009 he had Jamie Wright throw 26 more innings than Soria.
In 2008 someone named Ramon Ramirez had more innings than Soria.
So, bad.
@andrewngrant
by regfairfield on Mar 29, 2011 10:51 AM PDT up reply actions
Maybe he just didn't want to blow out Soria's arm
and couldn’t give a shit RR and JW
These hands will always be rough
How about him using Rowdy Kyle Farnsworth when the outcome of the game could be effected.
Farnsworth had a WPA of -2.2 in 37 innings that year which has to be some sort of record.
@andrewngrant
by regfairfield on Mar 29, 2011 10:58 AM PDT up reply actions
It’s not it’s the 16th worst for someone with less than 40 innings.
By far the worst is Mitch Williams with -2.9 in only 20 innings.
@andrewngrant
by regfairfield on Mar 29, 2011 11:03 AM PDT up reply actions
Would anyone enjoy the NBA playoffs in a sudden death, NCAA tourney format? It would be unfair but also incredibly exciting.
Mattingley Poll?
Has Don Mattingley as a coach grown on you favorably since 2010 season end?
Yes, I expect that goodwill to evaporate by the end of this four game set.
Whenever fortune smiles on you, someone else got the frown
by meercatjohn on Mar 29, 2011 11:01 AM PDT up reply actions
It won't by me, and I hope not by fans here, but I know you mean Joe Fan in general
and you may be right. Patience and goodwill wear thin quickly. But I hope people will give him a chance this year, and the whole year, not just a month.
But as for me, I am at least liking his sense of humor and his answers about a lot of things, and how he handles himself, knowing that managing real games will be a whole new kettle of fish.
There's no need to fear, Underdog is here! / Broncos/Dodgers/Lakers fan in Niners/Raiders/Giants/Warriors country, and damned proud of it.
a meaningless yes
he has managed not to irritate me and sometimes make me smile
ask me when the games are real
+1. It also impressed me that he went to the AFL to manage and get to know those players.
The reason I cannot be nice to people is because I am an asshole
by Humma Kavula on Mar 29, 2011 11:00 AM PDT up reply actions
The problem with that though is he did that
because he has ZERO managerial experience. You don’t really manage a bullpen in the AFL either.
These hands will always be rough
Why?
at one point Dejesus was going to be the answer at 2b then he broke himself. Elbert has good stuff, and if he can throw strikes has a future as a MLB player.
These hands will always be rough
I ask because he seemed lost last year, over his head, in the shadow of Torre, tap dancing on mounds.
For some reason he strikes me as more confident and determined. I believe that managing a team is not rocket science and only affects a few games max either way. He was a successful and smart player for a long time in a fishbowl. He didn’t have to AFL but did and likely got to know the players of tomorrow more. I like that he steps into the box against pitches and, maybe, he relates to these players better than a 60 or 70 year old.
A manager with younger players in modern day might get respect in a different way than the other recent Dodger managers and create a looser clubhouse. He seems to be stepping up.
Just perception from a distance.
Weird to me where threads go. Two days before opening day and the main topic somehow became trading our best offensive player and punting 2012 before 2011 even starts.
Whenever fortune smiles on you, someone else got the frown
I have to believe this is all because of Wiesman’s reporting of Ethier’s comments from last night.
by Josie Becker on Mar 29, 2011 11:06 AM PDT up reply actions
YAHN
The reason I cannot be nice to people is because I am an asshole
by Humma Kavula on Mar 29, 2011 11:07 AM PDT up reply actions
Heh
I don’t think I was advocating trading Ethier and certainly am not advocating punting anything, but it is a worthy consideration, especially if* he thinks he’s gone after this year (which was really strange). *I don’t know that he thinks that at all, just based on his quixotic quotes reported on by JonW.
"It's supposed to be hard. If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. The hard... is what makes it great."
I thought Humma punted
the next 3 years
by bhsportsguy on Mar 29, 2011 11:14 AM PDT up reply actions
I did. I advocated breaking up the team, keeping only Kershaw and Kemp (signing both to long-term deals) and maybe Billingsley (didn’t really think him through), trading any valuable part for hopes/dreams/prospects, and shooting for 2013/2014.
The reason I cannot be nice to people is because I am an asshole
by Humma Kavula on Mar 29, 2011 11:18 AM PDT up reply actions
Other then the Marlins who has employed this strategy and had it work?
Whenever fortune smiles on you, someone else got the frown
by meercatjohn on Mar 29, 2011 11:19 AM PDT up reply actions
Late 90’s Yankees built a dynasty. It was through prospects before their spending got really out of control in the last decade.
IIRC, the Yankees were so bad, Mr. Constanza had to chew out George Steinbrenner
by Josie Becker on Mar 29, 2011 11:23 AM PDT up reply actions
I disagree with the notion that this is a good team. I think it’s a fine core of supporting players that desperately needs a superstar hitter in the middle of the order.
If they are not going to get that superstar… then, frankly, I would just like to see a different long-term plan. They have gone with “field the best team you can, avoid a miserable season, and maybe everything will go right.” That’s OK I suppose. But I would support, and advocate, a true rebuilding that included a number of shitty years.
The reason I cannot be nice to people is because I am an asshole
by Humma Kavula on Mar 29, 2011 11:26 AM PDT up reply actions
Is that what we’re talking about — what WILL happen? I agree, it won’t happen.
It’s what I think SHOULD happen. Completely different.
The reason I cannot be nice to people is because I am an asshole
by Humma Kavula on Mar 29, 2011 11:29 AM PDT up reply actions
Punting two seasons when they actually have a chance to compete
nope, that should not happen
These hands will always be rough
You know what rebuilding gets you?
Cleveland, Royals, Pirates, etc say be careful what you wish for. This team isn’t so bad that it deserves to be blown up. Grow a pair and be optimistic you pansies!
These hands will always be rough
Those teams are rebuilding with tiny budgets. We have a chance to rebuild a team with $80+mm coming off the books.
You don't have to go into rebuild mode
if you have EIGHTY FUCKING MILLION coming off the books
These hands will always be rough
I’m starting to think I don’t believe in rebuilding. Unless you have a .400 year, it doesn’t really make sense to punt everything and start over
by Josie Becker on Mar 29, 2011 11:33 AM PDT up reply actions
Even then in my opinion it only makes sense if you don't have 80 MILLION
coming off the books.
These hands will always be rough
We don't have a choice
It is likely there will only be around 5 – 6 guys from this years team around in 2013:
Kershaw
Billz
Lilly (probably a 5th starter at best by then)
Uribe
DeJesus
Kemp (hopefully)
Except that does not mean you have to punt 2011 and 2012
because you have 2 offseasons and 80 MILLION dollars.
These hands will always be rough
The 2011 club is already built
We’ll see how it plays out, but if it doesn’t go well, then 2012 won’t look much different (unless we somehow sign Pujols). 2013 is when the team will really look a lot different.
2010 looked a whole lot like 2009 going in
you don’t know what you don’t know and you can’t know until you go
by Hollywood Joe on Mar 29, 2011 11:46 AM PDT up reply actions
I don't understand why you don't
resign Andre, resign Loney
Sands comes up, that’s 9 folks and 2 offseasons to fill all the gaps (like nola said)
by Josie Becker on Mar 29, 2011 11:38 AM PDT up reply actions
someone drops a quarter in the jukebox
the music starts
and the dance floor fills
by Hollywood Joe on Mar 29, 2011 11:45 AM PDT up reply actions
Compared to MLB first basemen, he’s below average. That isn’t the same as sucks.
"It's supposed to be hard. If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. The hard... is what makes it great."
Can you name five teams that you wouldn’t swap first basemen with?
@andrewngrant
by regfairfield on Mar 29, 2011 12:03 PM PDT up reply actions
For sure: Colorado, Pittsburgh, Tampa Bay, Arizona, Houston.
There are a few others that would be a wash, or have guys more productive but way more expensive.
"It's supposed to be hard. If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. The hard... is what makes it great."
I hate to say it
but Lyle Overbay has been a better player than Loney over the last few years.
If Loney has another 2010 (or 2009, or 2008) in 2011, he will be non-tendered.
Loney at $4.875 million is a challenge to replace. Loney at ~$7.5 million is easy peasy lemon squeezy to replace.
by Eric Stephen on Mar 29, 2011 11:50 AM PDT up reply actions
No they did not, they had a great farm and MONEY
Whenever fortune smiles on you, someone else got the frown
by meercatjohn on Mar 29, 2011 11:26 AM PDT up reply actions
MLB announces a new seven-day disabled list for players with concussions. I can’t find the press release yet though.
Why would you institute a short disabled list for a major injury?
@andrewngrant
by regfairfield on Mar 29, 2011 11:23 AM PDT up reply actions
I was thinking that too
It seems like if you get concussed those injuries tend to last longer. Did Jason Bay recover yet from his appointment with the Dodger bullpen?
by Eric Stephen on Mar 29, 2011 11:24 AM PDT up reply actions
Nope, judging by his performance he still thinks he’s Scott Hairston
Whenever fortune smiles on you, someone else got the frown
by meercatjohn on Mar 29, 2011 11:25 AM PDT up reply actions
I’m sure it has to do with having MLB teams not be afraid of sidelining someone with concussions. If a concussion would put them on the 15-day DL, they wouldn’t be as cautious as the new 7-day DL might allow them to be. I like it for the potential improvement of mental health care. If someone like Morneau or Church has a serious concussion, it will have no effect on them, they’ll still be sidelined for longer.
"It's supposed to be hard. If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. The hard... is what makes it great."
by Nolij on Mar 29, 2011 12:10 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
I guess thats fine, makes you an asshole for arguing against it, but were concussions such a rampant problem in baseball?
seems reactionary
by Hollywood Joe on Mar 29, 2011 11:24 AM PDT up reply actions
I don’t think seven days was going to help Morneau
Whenever fortune smiles on you, someone else got the frown
by meercatjohn on Mar 29, 2011 11:25 AM PDT up reply actions
sure it happens, do they need a new DL for it because there are so many guys missing a week and then back
by Hollywood Joe on Mar 29, 2011 11:27 AM PDT up reply actions
I guess they’re thinking it’s better than nothing because otherwise everyone but JD Drew are just gonna be gritty gamers and grit their way through it.
@andrewngrant
by regfairfield on Mar 29, 2011 11:28 AM PDT up reply actions
Just look at how bad Chris Getz is.
@andrewngrant
by regfairfield on Mar 29, 2011 11:27 AM PDT up reply actions
I was just curious
so here are the players who have played the OF in the NL who have had an OPS > .850 the last two years.
Player OPS PA Year Age Tm Lg HR RBI BA OBP SLG Pos
Ryan Braun .937 708 2009 25 MIL NL 32 114 .320 .386 .551 *7
Matt Holliday .922 675 2010 30 STL NL 28 103 .312 .390 .532 *7/D
Jayson Werth .921 652 2010 31 PHI NL 27 85 .296 .388 .532 *98
Brad Hawpe .903 588 2009 30 COL NL 23 86 .285 .384 .519 *9/D
Raul Ibanez .899 565 2009 37 PHI NL 34 93 .272 .347 .552 *7/D
Justin Upton .899 588 2009 21 ARI NL 26 86 .300 .366 .532 *9/D
Jayson Werth .879 676 2009 30 PHI NL 36 99 .268 .373 .506 *98/7
Andre Ethier .869 685 2009 27 LAD NL 31 106 .272 .361 .508 *9
Ryan Braun .866 684 2010 26 MIL NL 25 103 .304 .365 .501 *7/D
Corey Hart .865 614 2010 28 MIL NL 31 102 .283 .340 .525 *9
Josh Willingham .863 502 2009 30 WSN NL 24 61 .260 .367 .496 *79/3
Colby Rasmus .859 534 2010 23 STL NL 23 66 .276 .361 .498 *8
Andre Ethier .857 585 2010 28 LAD NL 23 82 .292 .364 .493 *9/3
Chris Coghlan .850 565 2009 24 FLA NL 9 47 .321 .390 .460 *7/4
Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Play Index Tool Used
Generated 3/29/2011.
Whenever fortune smiles on you, someone else got the frown
by meercatjohn on Mar 29, 2011 11:24 AM PDT reply actions 2 recs
Context can be damning
Pretty slim company for Mr. Ethier
by Hollywood Joe on Mar 29, 2011 11:26 AM PDT up reply actions
You know what I noticed? The age column.
There is one player over 31 on that list, Ibanez. Ethier will be 31 when he hits FA.
The conclusion I draw from that list is that players drop off rapidly after age 30. We cannot expect Ethier to continue to be the Dodgers’ best hitter in the massive contract he will command.
The reason I cannot be nice to people is because I am an asshole
by Humma Kavula on Mar 29, 2011 11:34 AM PDT up reply actions
Sure but we are interested in outfielders in today’s offensive environment who can maintain an .850 OPS and there just are not very many. The game is changing.
Whenever fortune smiles on you, someone else got the frown
by meercatjohn on Mar 29, 2011 11:40 AM PDT up reply actions
That is because I used qualify for a batting title as the parameter, older players don’t tend have that many at bats. So if you run it with only 400 at bats, you can add Manny and Matt Diaz. You might have a point. Certainly worth a conversation.
Whenever fortune smiles on you, someone else got the frown
by meercatjohn on Mar 29, 2011 11:38 AM PDT up reply actions
I wonder what the list looks like for 1b
The problem is any of the other OFs that have been listed that we can go out and replace him with won’t be available till 2014 and will be at best, what, 28, 29? So we will get 3 good years out of them then they become eitheir and we will be paying them etheir money anyways.
These hands will always be rough
That is the solution. More 1st baseman over the age of 31. He can simply become our Lance Berkman:)
Whenever fortune smiles on you, someone else got the frown
by meercatjohn on Mar 29, 2011 11:44 AM PDT up reply actions
It is amazing how good D Lee was as recently as 2009. I really wish he was our 1st baseman in 2011.
Whenever fortune smiles on you, someone else got the frown
by meercatjohn on Mar 29, 2011 11:48 AM PDT up reply actions
Assuming you can’t just punt what do you do for 2013 then? You have a ton of money off the books and your only position players are Uribe, and maybe Sands and Trayvon coming off rookie years. You absolutely have to add a bat to that team and while I can’t say for sure Ethier is gonna be the best bat available, he’s going to be one of the best and any one else that actually makes it to the market will probably be over 30.
@andrewngrant
by regfairfield on Mar 29, 2011 11:40 AM PDT up reply actions
You play 2011 first?
Whenever fortune smiles on you, someone else got the frown
by meercatjohn on Mar 29, 2011 11:42 AM PDT up reply actions
Right
so why not Etheir then? These other guys aren’t going to be much younger! Obviously we need to upgrade at first, but that still leaves 60-70 million, and its not like there are good 3b out there to go out and spend money on.
These hands will always be rough
Reg, you may be right, in that I don’t immediately see a way out of it. But frankly, I’m surprised that there is so much support for signing Ethier for his decline phase.
What I want to avoid is becoming the Astros. When you give big money to players on the wrong side of 30, you get caught in 83-win purgatory. And if you should happen to draft poorly or trade the parts of your farm that have value in order to shroe up those mediocre teams, god help you.
The reason I cannot be nice to people is because I am an asshole
by Humma Kavula on Mar 29, 2011 11:51 AM PDT up reply actions
It’s not that I really support it, it’s just looking more and more like it’s a necessary evil.
@andrewngrant
by regfairfield on Mar 29, 2011 11:53 AM PDT up reply actions 2 recs
I just don't understand how you can be surprised
that people would want to hold on to the best hitter on their team.
These hands will always be rough
I don't think you can really avoid it
On the one hand, you cannot expect to consistently replenish your core with young players who will be able to duplicate the production that you are losing.
Andrew Friedman said words to this effect recently, that while its great to have a prospect like Hellickson ready to go, you cannot expect him to pitch 200 innings like Garza this year, so that will be an adjustment.
Even the Phillies are now possibly looking at the downside of their position players now
by bhsportsguy on Mar 29, 2011 12:01 PM PDT up reply actions
This probably will be inconsequential, but curious:
PeteAbe: MLB source: #RedSox and #Rockies are working on a trade, likely something minor in nature. Infield depth perhaps.
There's no need to fear, Underdog is here! / Broncos/Dodgers/Lakers fan in Niners/Raiders/Giants/Warriors country, and damned proud of it.
as long as the Rockies don’t get Jed Lowrie to play 2nd base.
Whenever fortune smiles on you, someone else got the frown
by meercatjohn on Mar 29, 2011 11:45 AM PDT up reply actions
that would not qualify as minor in nature ;-)
so I do hope you’re right that doesn’t happen.
There's no need to fear, Underdog is here! / Broncos/Dodgers/Lakers fan in Niners/Raiders/Giants/Warriors country, and damned proud of it.
If you are looking to 2013
saying we have $80 million coming off the books doesn’t mean a whole lot if we have 20 spots to fill (or if the amount is less. Here’s a reasonable look at 2013, using prospects as placeholders when applicable:
C Ellis $425k
1B Sands $425k
2B DeJesus $425k
3B Uribe $7m
SS Gordon $425k
LF
CF Robinson $425k
RF
Bench – lets say $5m or so
SP Kershaw $7.5m
SP Bills $12m
SP Lilly $13.5m
SP Rubby $425k
SP Withrow $425k
CL Jansen $500k
RP Guerrier $4.75m
RP Elbert $500k
RP Troncoso $500k
RP Schlichting $425k
RP two more guys, lets say $1.5m total (pair of vets)
That’s ~$63.5 million (including $7.4 million due Manny/Andruw), but with no corner outfielders (or 1B if you move Sands), no catcher, and frankly, a terrible offense. And it wouldn’t surprise me to see another starting pitcher brought in too.
But there’s still money to play with. It’s not dire straits without Kemp/Ethier, nor would it necessarily be bad to sign either one (depending on the contract, of course)
15 million for each corner spot
10 million for 2 spots in the rotation. Still leaves 24 million.
These hands will always be rough
24 million to fill out 2nd ss and 1b and the bullpen IF all our prospects fail
These hands will always be rough
In other words, there is room to extend Kemp and Ethier, if they are willing.
by Eric Stephen on Mar 29, 2011 11:52 AM PDT up reply actions
15 million for each corner spot (and) 10 million for 2 spots in the rotation. Still leaves 24 million.
That is 63.5 + 15 + 15 +10 + 24 = 127.5. You think that’s where the budget will be? Maybe.
The reason I cannot be nice to people is because I am an asshole
by Humma Kavula on Mar 29, 2011 11:57 AM PDT up reply actions
oops misread erics comment
either way we probably won’t be paying 15 million to both corner spots, and at least one, I have to hope, prospect will work out so lets say 20 million to fill 4 or 5 spots(a couple bullpen spots included). It can be done.
These hands will always be rough
my numbers are all over the place
but the point is 50-60 million is still a lot of money and in fact higher then the payroll of quite a few teams all by itself.
These hands will always be rough
Well, we don’t know what the budget will be — the number could be closer to 100, or it could be closer to 120, and that $20 million buys a superstar. We also don’t know whom among Sands/Rubby/Trayvon/Withrow/Gordon/De Jesus will pan out and be a realistic choice. We can all look at the numbers above and see different things. So it’s all academic at this point.
The reason I cannot be nice to people is because I am an asshole
by Humma Kavula on Mar 29, 2011 12:12 PM PDT up reply actions
I see it more being more likely to go up then to go down personally
once the divorce gets settled and/or the team gets sold and/or new tv deal whatnot. We’ll see though.
These hands will always be rough
Right, just remember that money by itself does nothing, you have to be able to turn it into players. I have no idea what the 2013 free agent market looks like now, but it’s going to look much worse in two years as players get extended. Once the market thins out, you have to bid against the Yankees, Red Sox and the other teams who happen to have money to get what little good talent is left.
The most you can honestly expect with that 60 million is one great talent, then you’re spending what’s left on the Ted Lillys of the market. That roster + one good player plus whatever else looks uninspiring right now.
@andrewngrant
by regfairfield on Mar 29, 2011 12:12 PM PDT up reply actions
How many teams actually look that inspiring 3 years out though?
I have no clue, but in 2 years a lot can happen with our farm system and/or extensions.
These hands will always be rough
Are you assuming a $130 million payroll or did I read your comment wrong?
63.5 + 15 + 15 + 10 + 24 = 127.5
by Eric Stephen on Mar 29, 2011 11:57 AM PDT up reply actions
And I forget is 2013 the last year of the current TV deals
in either case, I would expect either an extension of the current deals or plans for a new deal in place by then.
In a side note, one downside for the Lakers and to some extent the Clippers is that if the Kings do move down to Anaheim, it is expected that they will occupy after next year, the Fox Sports West timeslots now occupied by the Lakers. And by doing that, the Lakers deal with Time Warner will have less value since the Kings will draw some viewers plus Fox Sports will be able to put on counter-programming.
by bhsportsguy on Mar 29, 2011 11:54 AM PDT up reply actions
More concussion details
Protocols for evaluating players and umpires for a possible concussion, including during incidents typically associated with a high risk, such as being hit in the head a by a pitched, batted or thrown ball or by a bat; being in a collision with a player, umpire or fixed object; or any time when the head or neck of a player or an umpire is forcibly rotated;
any player on the seven-day DL for more than 14 days will automatically and retroactively be transferred to the 15-day DL, effective with the first day of the initial placement, and with the prior 14 days applying to the initial 15-day maximum term; implemented on a trial basis for the 2011 season;
prior to the time that a concussed player is permitted to play in any game (including Major League, Minor League or extended Spring Training games), the Club must submit a “Return to Play” form to MLB’s Medical Director; submission of the form is required irrespective of whether the player was placed on the Disabled List.
“or any time when the head or neck of a player or an umpire is forcibly rotated;”
There’s good chance Cormier isn’t actually shitty, he’s just concussed from whipping his neck around while balls are flying off bats.
by Tim Crews' Dastardly Mustache on Mar 29, 2011 12:09 PM PDT up reply actions
And if you are a Dodger
you have to sign a loyalty oath as well
Do the chair know we gonna look like some punk-ass bitches out there?
I like the idea of this
It should allow teams to be a bit more cautious with players coming off concussions.
What I don’t like is the general treatment of concussions as something that can be handled in a few days. Realistically, teams should not be hesitating to put a concussed player on the 15 day DL. Not only are there long term health concerns, but performance concerns as well.
Some imperfect research indicates that players in the weeks after a concussion show something like a 40 point drop in wOBA. That is, even if a player guts it out and plays through the injury, his probably close to replacement level anyway.
Overcoming the culture of glorifying playing through injuries of all types would be a huge step in the right direction. Particularly in baseball, where over a span of a few weeks, the difference between a good player playing with a minor debilitating injury and a replacement level player approaches 0.
Not all concussions are the same though. Not every concussion requires a 2 week dl stint to get better
These hands will always be rough
Pick one...probably the plan for the off-season
By now, the Dodgers Front Office knows what they have in Ethier and Kemp.
Unless they are both punks, we need to choose one to sign long-term given productive outfielders don’t grow on trees and there is something to be said for team continuity with home-grown players.
Thank god for the pitching prospects and a position player or three down on the farm.
A bright future is not that far off IMO and this year could surprise if Kemp and Ethier rock
Ethier will not sign long term
Besides, his peak is now so you’d be paying a super high premium for his down years.
Kemp is the easy choice.
by silverwidow on Mar 29, 2011 12:19 PM PDT up reply actions
Plus, Kemp is younger, meaning you will pay for fewer old(er) years. And I could be wrong, but if Kemp bounces back (not a given), isn’t he a more valuable player than Ethier due to position/defense?
The reason I cannot be nice to people is because I am an asshole
by Humma Kavula on Mar 29, 2011 12:22 PM PDT up reply actions
Thats assuming he bounces back and posts an 800+ ops this year I imagine
These hands will always be rough
If Kemp bounces back, and if the Dodgers must pick only one of Kemp/Ethier, it is an easy choice to pick Kemp.
If Kemp does not bounce back, and the indications are that the lower level is now what we can expect from him, they have a difficult road ahead and difficult choices to make.
The reason I cannot be nice to people is because I am an asshole
by Humma Kavula on Mar 29, 2011 12:27 PM PDT up reply actions
Did anyone see Ethier quote last night to the AP that this could be his last year here? Sorry if this was already discussed.
by silverwidow on Mar 29, 2011 12:28 PM PDT up reply actions
yeah that was weird
maybe he just saw all humma’s posts asking for him to be traded and got paranoid. Thanks alot humma!
These hands will always be rough
by nolander on Mar 29, 2011 12:29 PM PDT up reply actions 2 recs
You can tell Andre I said
Maybe if you weren’t so streaky, hit lefties,and played better defense, I’d be a believer, pretty boy.
The reason I cannot be nice to people is because I am an asshole
by Humma Kavula on Mar 29, 2011 12:30 PM PDT up reply actions
Green’d.
The reason I cannot be nice to people is because I am an asshole
by Humma Kavula on Mar 29, 2011 12:32 PM PDT up reply actions
Need a recomendation
Looking for a place between downtown and Glendale to hold an interview
should be decently nice – not a starbucks, but not a date spot either
quiet is a bonus
for Wednesday afternoon – suggestions?
Downside: You might run into Plaschke.
"It's supposed to be hard. If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. The hard... is what makes it great."
Downside: Zombie Plaschke terrorizes the Stadium, killing thousands.
The reason I cannot be nice to people is because I am an asshole
by Humma Kavula on Mar 29, 2011 12:28 PM PDT up reply actions
Upside:
No more Plashke at the Times
Downside: Simers gets his column space.
No Rafael Furcals were hurt in the making of this video.
Tarrantino is on the phone, he wants to option this
by Hollywood Joe on Mar 29, 2011 12:30 PM PDT up reply actions
My price is one million dollars.
The reason I cannot be nice to people is because I am an asshole
by Humma Kavula on Mar 29, 2011 12:31 PM PDT up reply actions
What, after you backed me up in agreeing that Ethier should be traded/allowed to walk, and then skedaddled, leaving me to hold up my end of this insupportable argument all by myself? Some manager you are.
The reason I cannot be nice to people is because I am an asshole
by Humma Kavula on Mar 29, 2011 12:36 PM PDT up reply actions
If you want to earn that 5%, you’ve got to work during lunch.
The reason I cannot be nice to people is because I am an asshole
by Humma Kavula on Mar 29, 2011 12:53 PM PDT up reply actions
yes – interviewing a sales person
and Dodger stadium while cool really wouldn’t be cool
by Hollywood Joe on Mar 29, 2011 12:27 PM PDT up reply actions
Most of the restaurants at LA Live?
@andrewngrant
by regfairfield on Mar 29, 2011 12:27 PM PDT up reply actions
not sure how that is “between” but sure – they work
I am in downtown, she is in Glendale, I am looking for a halfway spot. She does not live in LA
by Hollywood Joe on Mar 29, 2011 12:28 PM PDT up reply actions
Ah, didn’t realize you meant the half way point.
@andrewngrant
by regfairfield on Mar 29, 2011 12:31 PM PDT up reply actions
Depending on which route you take
The 5 there really isn’t any place I can think of in between. But if you take the 101 North past Universal, there is Studio City, Toluca Lake and Burbank which is much closer for her (and for you it would be a quick trip back home).
by bhsportsguy on Mar 29, 2011 12:33 PM PDT up reply actions
I have heard good things
about this place
by bhsportsguy on Mar 29, 2011 12:35 PM PDT up reply actions
What we used to call Atwater Village
is along the 5 between downtown and Glendale. I can’t vouch for this place, never been there, but second- or third-hand, I’ve heard positives. Too upscale?
Canele.
@davidyoungtbla - The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
by David Young on Mar 29, 2011 12:41 PM PDT up reply actions
Shouldn’t there be several LA Live/The Grove type restaurants at the Americana at Brand in Glendale?
@davidyoungtbla - The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
by David Young on Mar 29, 2011 12:45 PM PDT up reply actions
you won't be eating
since we are having lunch. But San Antonio Winery off of Main st. might fill the bill. It’s in an industrial area, but is a nice little oasis and would work for an interview meeting spot.
Do the chair know we gonna look like some punk-ass bitches out there?
Saw your
not making lunch yesterday story. Heh. The dangers of on-line friendships, you didn’t have the cell number for any of us.
@davidyoungtbla - The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
by David Young on Mar 29, 2011 12:46 PM PDT up reply actions
How is that possible?
Marty’s story was a common one back in the day, but didn’t realize it could still play out. The worst was setting up a meeting spot, waiting and wondering if they found they spot okay, left on time, were okay, that seems so 17th century now.
Whenever fortune smiles on you, someone else got the frown
If you think about how much the world has changed in our lifetime and play our today’s reality to your 10 year old mind….seems insane how short our world has been hooked up and how different life has become
by Hollywood Joe on Mar 29, 2011 1:05 PM PDT up reply actions
Because the entire thing was arranged in the blog comments w/out one-to-one exchanges. (Well, hardly any – I did e-mail Humma to see if he was still in because I didn’t see him in the comments yesterday morning.)
@davidyoungtbla - The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
At Camelback
Dave, Eric and I communicated via Text, email and sometimes Twitter. I did get one actual call once from Eric.
did you talk to anyone or just text back and forth?
Whenever fortune smiles on you, someone else got the frown
I spoke to Eric face-to-face a lot. ;-)
@davidyoungtbla - The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
We talked when we saw each other
it was more like what time do you want to meet, where are you kind of stuff.
I get that, not that I’m a smart phone man, just figured that these here new fangled devices could simply be pointed at a user profile and viola they uploaded their facebook, gmail, mothers maiden name, cell phones, video names, time of periods, and any other useful information that might be gleaned.
Whenever fortune smiles on you, someone else got the frown
Sandra Bullock was in the movie wasn’t she?
by Hollywood Joe on Mar 29, 2011 1:12 PM PDT up reply actions
Red Sox-Rockies Trade
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/03/red-sox-acquire-mike-mckenry.html
minors
No Rafael Furcals were hurt in the making of this video.
Buck Showalter gigantic baby.
Jake Fox swings at a 3-0 pitch up 10 in a game that doesn’t mean a damn thing. Showalter reacts like he ran over his son.
@andrewngrant
and after SI just did a whole spread on him mellowing out
by Josie Becker on Mar 29, 2011 12:46 PM PDT up reply actions
Is there any other profession where going completely berserk at something that literally does not matter at all wouldn’t result in anger management classes and possibly being diagnosed as mentally ill?
@andrewngrant
by regfairfield on Mar 29, 2011 12:50 PM PDT up reply actions
owning shit, but I dunno if that’s a profession
by Josie Becker on Mar 29, 2011 12:51 PM PDT up reply actions
I guess there are professional video game players.
@andrewngrant
by regfairfield on Mar 29, 2011 12:52 PM PDT up reply actions
After seeing “The King of Kong,” I can tell you that you do not want to mess around with those professional video game players. They will destroy you.
The reason I cannot be nice to people is because I am an asshole
by Humma Kavula on Mar 29, 2011 12:58 PM PDT up reply actions
None of you will watch this
but this is a great tale of the life of a kid who was a professional video game player(he is now more an anylast/broadcaster).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJztfsXKcPQ
These hands will always be rough
So every person who does something competetive for a living and gets angry when they lose?
So Etheir?
These hands will always be rough
Don’t know when he freaked out during a game that actually counted.
@andrewngrant
by regfairfield on Mar 29, 2011 1:01 PM PDT up reply actions
My life experiences tell me that
people go completely berserk over things that don’t matter all the time (using your usage of the word berserk for the manner in which Showalter reacted).
And sometimes, while perhaps there are better ways to communicate displeasure, it does not mean that they need neither anger management or being mentally ill. (and since I happen to be related to someone who is diagnosed as mentally ill, I would be careful of using such generalizations)
by bhsportsguy on Mar 29, 2011 12:54 PM PDT up reply actions
wow
I deleted about 6 one liners, none of which I wanted Mrs HJ to even have a 1% chance of accidently seeing
that is the fear of a married man
by Hollywood Joe on Mar 29, 2011 1:07 PM PDT up reply actions
The youngsters think they need to worry about Social Security when they get old, they have no fucking idea.
Whenever fortune smiles on you, someone else got the frown
I’m not worried about receiving social security. I’m concerned with paying into it for the next 30 years then not seeing a cent of it in return. But, I really would love this to not get into an old vs young argument, or any other argument for that matter.
No Rafael Furcals were hurt in the making of this video.
Yeah, god forbid we delve into the old/young thing when we talking menopause. That is such a political hot button.
Whenever fortune smiles on you, someone else got the frown
Logan’s Run baby!
There is no sanctuary!
by Hollywood Joe on Mar 29, 2011 1:15 PM PDT up reply actions
executive management, sales management
happens all the time
by Hollywood Joe on Mar 29, 2011 12:57 PM PDT up reply actions
And it’s at least seen as a problem there instead of playing the game the way Bob Feller would have played it.
And I’m having trouble thinking of a situation that matters less than a blowout exhibition game. My cable going out so I can’t record Maury is more important than that.
@andrewngrant
by regfairfield on Mar 29, 2011 1:00 PM PDT up reply actions
is the right cola in the breakroom fridge?
by Hollywood Joe on Mar 29, 2011 1:06 PM PDT up reply actions
Also more important than a blow out exhibition game. At least if you’re tired and all they have is Ralphs brand.
@andrewngrant
by regfairfield on Mar 29, 2011 1:08 PM PDT up reply actions
Is there any other profession where going completely berserk at something that literally does not matter at all wouldn’t result in anger management classes and possibly being diagnosed as mentally ill?
…You, motion picture industry, it’s you I love!
The reason I cannot be nice to people is because I am an asshole
by Humma Kavula on Mar 29, 2011 12:59 PM PDT up reply actions
I do hope for our younger folks
that they get to work in environments of respect and calmness.
But as Michael Corleone says, it’s not personal, it’s business, if you keep that in mind, it’s make most of this stuff roll off your back like water off a duck.
Actually, I think it's required
in the movie and TV business
Do the chair know we gonna look like some punk-ass bitches out there?
I get why you say this, but I am strangely ok with this behavior
it is how baseball is not the NBA or NFL
by Hollywood Joe on Mar 29, 2011 12:48 PM PDT up reply actions
Or like Keith Law said, why not freak out at the pitcher for not being able to throw a strike down 10.
@andrewngrant
by regfairfield on Mar 29, 2011 12:51 PM PDT up reply actions
sure
I am just glad that these dickish, childish, silly unwritten rules of baseball prevent us from the baseball equivalent of the glaring stare after a dunk, the ritual kissing of the biceps, or the wide receiver / sack dance nonsense of the NFL/NBA
you do that stuff in baseball and there are consequences
I think its stupid, but I like that it prevents certain behaviors
by Hollywood Joe on Mar 29, 2011 1:01 PM PDT up reply actions
I guess we’re gonna have to agree to disagree here because I think throwing at a batter intentionally should be a massive suspension. If the reaction to something minor like flexing is potentially ending someones career baseball culture needs to change.
@andrewngrant
by regfairfield on Mar 29, 2011 1:04 PM PDT up reply actions
a ball in your ribs teaches you a lesson, or you get another ball in the ribs. A ball to the head is dangerous. There’s a difference between throwing at a guy to prove a point, and shooting to kill.
No Rafael Furcals were hurt in the making of this video.
You’d better believe that’s a paddlin’!
"It's supposed to be hard. If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. The hard... is what makes it great."
The guy couldn’t throw a strike down 10, I wouldn’t trust him to be that pin point.
I guess my issue is this. If they changed the rule so that if someone broke an unwritten rule you could punch the guy in the arm really hard everyone would think that’s just stupid. Throwing at a guy is way more dangerous.
@andrewngrant
by regfairfield on Mar 29, 2011 1:12 PM PDT up reply actions
one guy takes a fastball in the ribs, or simply near his ribs, 10 assholes are reinforced on the lesson
one guy gets away with being a showboating prick and the next thing you know you get a parade of dancing divas around the bases
by Hollywood Joe on Mar 29, 2011 1:14 PM PDT up reply actions
I guess the other difference is that I really don’t care if that happens.
If you were allowed to give the guy a deadarm, same lesson though.
@andrewngrant
by regfairfield on Mar 29, 2011 1:15 PM PDT up reply actions
too many pitchers breaking wrists that way. Could we expand the rosters to 26 to include a designated puncher?
No Rafael Furcals were hurt in the making of this video.
Nah, make him play the field. It would introduce goons to baseball which I’m all for.
@andrewngrant
by regfairfield on Mar 29, 2011 1:18 PM PDT up reply actions
And I’d get a chance to see first baseman Kyle Farnsworth.
@andrewngrant
by regfairfield on Mar 29, 2011 1:20 PM PDT up reply actions
You also, under no circumstances, throw at someone if you are up or down by 10 runs. You won’t prove any points, and everyone just wants the game to end anyway.
No Rafael Furcals were hurt in the making of this video.
you get him later, make him wonder if and when its coming
by Hollywood Joe on Mar 29, 2011 1:15 PM PDT up reply actions
but not too long after, or no one will a) know why you hit him and b) know that there was supposed to be a lesson involved.
No Rafael Furcals were hurt in the making of this video.
Outside of the “hitting” part, this sounds just like child discipline.
@davidyoungtbla - The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
preferred, but you do have to make corrections when bad behavior occurs.
@davidyoungtbla - The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
I have only inflamatory things to say and no children of my own, so I will just shut my pie hole
by Hollywood Joe on Mar 29, 2011 1:24 PM PDT up reply actions
If you re commenting on the relative maturity level of baseball players
you might be right
by Hollywood Joe on Mar 29, 2011 1:22 PM PDT up reply actions
My free, unsolicited advice to Buck Showalter
When you think it is a situation where a batter must take a pitch, flash a fucking take sign. (Now, the article is a little unclear, maybe Buck did exactly that and is pissed that Fox swung through a take sign.)
@davidyoungtbla - The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
by David Young on Mar 29, 2011 12:54 PM PDT up reply actions
Just imagine if Fox had suggested trading Andre Ethier. Showalter might have DFA’d him on the spot!
The reason I cannot be nice to people is because I am an asshole
by Humma Kavula on Mar 29, 2011 12:55 PM PDT up reply actions
Thank you! Here’s your 5%.
The reason I cannot be nice to people is because I am an asshole
by Humma Kavula on Mar 29, 2011 12:57 PM PDT up reply actions
New article on front page
http://www.truebluela.com/2011/3/29/2073719/2011-dodgers-minor-league-preview-chattanooga-lookouts
@davidyoungtbla - The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
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