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Although there is off season controversy, I can’t say that I am unsatisfied. I still see us as the best in the NLW and although we aren’t starting Cliff and Roy, we still have a very solid rotation, bullpen, and closer. There are no teams in the NLW that pose a legitimate threat. Have some faith fans, the past two years we have had the same or similar problems and our management has come through with some solid moves during the season…. Manny, Belliard, Wolf, Padilla..etc. We are in a solid position to take our third divisional title. There are plenty of games to work out the kinks we have in our bullpen. How can you not trust Joe Torre? The ownership is making solid efforts to take care of our team. Have some faith. Anyone else see the cup half full?
Yea sure. Wolf had a career high 34 starts and put up 11-7 and 3.23 ERA... Not bad pick up. All I am saying, is that it is very easy to point out what we are not as opposed to what we are. While I think another right hander is not exactly what I would have liked to see, I can't say I would rather have had Brian Giles than Reed Johnson. I have to trust that they are the professonals and know what is best for out team. The past 3 years they have earned that I think.
ben4duke:Yea sure. Wolf had a career high 34 starts and put up 11-7 and 3.23 ERA... Not bad pick up. All I am saying, is that it is very easy to point out what we are not as opposed to what we are. While I think another right hander is not exactly what I would have liked to see, I can't say I would rather have had Brian Giles than Reed Johnson. I have to trust that they are the professonals and know what is best for out team. The past 3 years they have earned that I think.
I think the point MSTI was making about Wolf is that he was acquired in the offseason, not in the middle of the season as you suggested in your previous post.
My point is we should have a little faith in our uppers, and take note of the progress we've made the past two season inspite of the trials we've faced.
ben4duke:My point is we should have a little faith in our uppers, and take note of the progress we've made the past two season inspite of the trials we've faced.
Frankly no progress was made last year, sure it was nice having the best record in the NL, but they lost that advantage by losing game 1 of the NLCS. And they pretty much lost the NLCS the same way both years, should have won game 4 only to lose, and losing game 5 a lot closer than it really was.
This year they look like they'll have to struggle to win the division, they are no clear cut favorites, and even if they win the divison, they are at best behind the Phillies and Braves at this point (yes they can improve on this by October), so I'm not that thrilled. Now add a Lee (or another top of the rotation pitcher for the playoffs) at the trading deadline, and my hopes greatly improve.
Can't wait for the 2010 season, either. Concerns and optimism just about even out when comparing this year's version to last. We will most probably be significantly weaker at three positions than last year. In no particular order:
1. 2B--O-Dog had his ups and downs, but playing Belly-Yard ahead of him was a case of either Torre going with the hot hand or Torre misjudging and underrating O's contributions.
2. SP--Another potential huge dropoff is at starting pitcher headed by the absence of the 2009 Randy Wolf. He should have been an 18-game winner, the way he pitched last year. This is not to say the 2010 Wolf will be as good, but this compares our team in '09 to '10. The other unknowns in SP is whether Kuroda has healed (psychologically) from the line drive to the head and whether his physcial maladies of late '09 are going to continue to plague him. Add Billingsley's undetermined status...is he the April-June version or the July-September one. I actually feel that these uncertainties will be partially offset by a full year of Vicente Padilla. Still, we better hope for some solid outings from the likes of Stults, Haeger, McDonald, and Elbert.
3. That last sentence about Billingsley can be repeated for ManRam. April or September? Is he the .250 hitter who had trouble with inside fastballs in July-September or similar to the 'roid enhanced version earlier?
On the plus side:
a.) We could see continued maturity and improvement from Loney, Kemp, and Ethier. (I'd be happy with a repeat of last season from the latter two.)
b.) Hope that Martin emerges from his downward spiral and re-establishes himself as a Silver Slugger/Gold Glove candidate. (I really feel we needed more backup behind the plate than Ausmus for 2010.)
c.) Will Furcal be improved after more than a full year and a half of recovery from back surgery and be the player and leadoff hitter we all know he can be?
d.) The bullpen appears to be more solid than ever. The weakest link in '09, Guillermo Mota, has defected to the north. A back end of Broxton, Sherrill, Kuo, Bowler, and Tron should put fear in opponents' hearts.
Throwdeuce:Frankly no progress was made last year, sure it was nice having the best record in the NL, but they lost that advantage by losing game 1 of the NLCS. And they pretty much lost the NLCS the same way both years, should have won game 4 only to lose, and losing game 5 a lot closer than it really was.
This year they look like they'll have to struggle to win the division, they are no clear cut favorites, and even if they win the divison, they are at best behind the Phillies and Braves at this point (yes they can improve on this by October), so I'm not that thrilled. Now add a Lee (or another top of the rotation pitcher for the playoffs) at the trading deadline, and my hopes greatly improve.
What have the Braves done for you to rate them above us?
Sam, just out of curosity - who would you have liked to have seen as a better backup C? I'm not saying I disagree, just that the crop of FA catchers is dreadful at best.
Mike Scioscia's tragic illness - the blog! For Dodger analysis, reviews, and hilarity.Mike Scioscias tragic illness:Sam, just out of curosity - who would you have liked to have seen as a better backup C? I'm not saying I disagree, just that the crop of FA catchers is dreadful at best.
This is the truth. None of the names out there who would be upgrades would take the job as a backup and among the backups, only Mike Redmond did more for me than Ausmus, but barely. I know there are some who would like to see AJ Ellis get a shot, but Ausmus is a more known quantity, albeit nothing to write home about either.
I'll play the radio on Southern stations because Southern Belles are Hell at night...Mike Scioscias tragic illness:Sam, just out of curosity - who would you have liked to have seen as a better backup C? I'm not saying I disagree, just that the crop of FA catchers is dreadful at best.
Granted that the FA field was pretty weak at catcher, but at age 40, Ausmus is on borrowed time. Good guy, but probably on the decline. Saw enough of his lack of offense in Houston and his defense is not what it once was. I wouldn't let that mirage .290 BA from last year affect my expectations for 2010.
I'd have kicked the tires on Brian Schneider, Jason Larue, Chris Coste, Paul Bako, Greg Zaun, and Yorvit Torrealbo. Best case scenario would have been a lefty hitter to give Martin a rest against tough righties.
Did Ausmus ever have an incline?
"I know, everybody funny, now you funny too."Babe Herman:Did Ausmus ever have an incline?
Good question, but he was revered in Houston for his defensive ability and handling of the pitching staff. I'm not totally down on him, and if Martin can reverse his most definite "decline", Ausmus might be all we need as his caddy.
SamAdams:Good question, but he was revered in Houston for his defensive ability and handling of the pitching staff. I'm not totally down on him, and if Martin can reverse his most definite "decline", Ausmus might be all we need as his caddy.
You're right, if Martin's performance hadn't nose-dived over the past 2 years, I doubt we care who the back up catcher is. Concern over whether Martin's play has made that a bigger issue than it should be.
"I know, everybody funny, now you funny too."Willie:What have the Braves done for you to rate them above us?
Their starting pitching is probably the best in the NL from 1-5, and they have solidified their pen enough with Wagner and Sammy. True their hitting isn't great, but I think Glaus and a full year of McLouth will help that out to be better than last year.
Now that Manny is finally signed, lets get Pierre off the teamThrowdeuce:Their starting pitching is probably the best in the NL from 1-5, and they have solidified their pen enough with Wagner and Sammy. True their hitting isn't great, but I think Glaus and a full year of McLouth will help that out to be better than last year.
They ditched their arguable ace, Javier Vazquez, and their rotation is now Lowe, Hanson, Jurjens, Kawakami, and Hudson.
Hudson's only pitched 180 innings in the last two years and hasn't had an ace-like season since 2003.
Hanson looked great over 120 innings.
Jurrjens is a star in the making, perhaps?
Lowe looked VERY pedestrian last year.
Kawakami threw a respectable 150IP.
I like their depth, for sure, but a 1-2 of Jurrjens-Hanson may or may not be enough. When you take the #1 SP out of the rotation and move everyone up a spot, it can be a recipe for disaster.
I'm also not fully sold on McLouth, who has a career OPS under 800 and Glaus spent all of 2009 injured. Almost all of it.
They have a solid team, but didn't even make the playoffs last year, I'm not sure they're the class of the NL.
There's only one team that scares me this year: the Philadelphia Phillies.
I like what Milwaukee's done, but I can't move them too high, yet. I still think the NL West is the best overall division and we'll likely have the WC come from within again this year.
The mad scientist formerly known as ngrossDoppelgangBang:They ditched their arguable ace, Javier Vazquez, and their rotation is now Lowe, Hanson, Jurjens, Kawakami, and Hudson.
Hudson's only pitched 180 innings in the last two years and hasn't had an ace-like season since 2003.
Hanson looked great over 120 innings.
Jurrjens is a star in the making, perhaps?
Lowe looked VERY pedestrian last year.
Kawakami threw a respectable 150IP.I like their depth, for sure, but a 1-2 of Jurrjens-Hanson may or may not be enough. When you take the #1 SP out of the rotation and move everyone up a spot, it can be a recipe for disaster.
I'm also not fully sold on McLouth, who has a career OPS under 800 and Glaus spent all of 2009 injured. Almost all of it.
They have a solid team, but didn't even make the playoffs last year, I'm not sure they're the class of the NL.
There's only one team that scares me this year: the Philadelphia Phillies.
I like what Milwaukee's done, but I can't move them too high, yet. I still think the NL West is the best overall division and we'll likely have the WC come from within again this year.
I agree the Phillies are the class of the league, but one injury and they are in a world of hurt. I don't think they have upgraded at all this year. Halladay for Lee is nearly a even up deal and I think they lose something with Polanco taking over for Felix at third. If Rollins goes down, they have no ready replacement and the same can be said for Utley. Their pen is questionable and they need to hope that Ibanez can maintain his numbers for one more year.
The same can be said for the Cardinals. The can ill afford an injury to either Wainwright or Carpenter and their pen is equally questionable. Holliday and Pujols are strong, but after that, their offense is non too spectacular. They also can be had.
If Billz is healthy and Kershaw continues to trend upward, we should be fine on the hill. Our biggest worry is up the middle, catcher, second and short. We need Furcal to have a comeback season and Martin to get his head on straight. Second base will be an issue until the trade deadline when I see Ned making a move for either Iwamura or Mark Ellis. We should be strong two through six in our batting order and if Furcal and Martin have a resurgence we will be one of the two best offenses in the league.
My biggest worry is 2011. If McDivorceCourt is still trying to sell the Dodgers by then, we will be screwed.
I'll play the radio on Southern stations because Southern Belles are Hell at night...grabarkewitz:My biggest worry is 2011. If McDivorceCourt is still trying to sell the Dodgers by then, we will be screwed.
My biggest hope for 2011 is that we have new owners and we can replace Manny with Werth. From what I've read, the Phillies can't afford to keep him. Werth in RF and Ethier in LF.
DoppelgangBang:They ditched their arguable ace, Javier Vazquez, and their rotation is now Lowe, Hanson, Jurjens, Kawakami, and Hudson.
Hudson's only pitched 180 innings in the last two years and hasn't had an ace-like season since 2003.
Hanson looked great over 120 innings.
Jurrjens is a star in the making, perhaps?
Lowe looked VERY pedestrian last year.
Kawakami threw a respectable 150IP.I like their depth, for sure, but a 1-2 of Jurrjens-Hanson may or may not be enough. When you take the #1 SP out of the rotation and move everyone up a spot, it can be a recipe for disaster.
I'm also not fully sold on McLouth, who has a career OPS under 800 and Glaus spent all of 2009 injured. Almost all of it.
They have a solid team, but didn't even make the playoffs last year, I'm not sure they're the class of the NL.
There's only one team that scares me this year: the Philadelphia Phillies.
I like what Milwaukee's done, but I can't move them too high, yet. I still think the NL West is the best overall division and we'll likely have the WC come from within again this year.
I didn't quite say the Braves were the class of the NL, just better than the Dodgers right now. The Phils are still the class as of now. If Dodgers can add a top of rotation starter by deadline (who knows maybe that means Kershaw or Bills step it up to be that) for the playoffs, my hopes of them going to the WS this year improves. But as of right now, I say the Phils and Braves are better than the Dodgers
Now that Manny is finally signed, lets get Pierre off the teamThrowdeuce:I didn't quite say the Braves were the class of the NL, just better than the Dodgers right now. The Phils are still the class as of now. If Dodgers can add a top of rotation starter by deadline (who knows maybe that means Kershaw or Bills step it up to be that) for the playoffs, my hopes of them going to the WS this year improves. But as of right now, I say the Phils and Braves are better than the Dodgers
Well, putting them above us and only below the Phils is high praise, indeed. I think maybe too high, considering they lost their ace and only finished 3rd in their division last year with 86 wins. Maybe you see something that I don't.
I think the Fish could be a problem this year ... especially if Nolasco and some of their other arms round into form like Sanchez, Volstad or Miller. Lotta ifs, but a lotta talent, too.
Also, the Brewers could get lucky and get a full season out of Randy Wolf. Gallardo's a solid pitcher, Parra's got talent (may be lacking between the ears tho), and Doug Davis pitched well at Milwaukee and will be happy to get out of the BoB in AZ.
Interesting comparison of Elbert vs the Rockie Morales.
http://www.minorleagueball.com/2010/2/10/1304479/smackdown-scott-elbert-vs-franklin#storyjump
loneymiller:Interesting comparison of Elbert vs the Rockie Morales.
http://www.minorleagueball.com/2010/2/10/1304479/smackdown-scott-elbert-vs-franklin#storyjump
Also interesting is the poll that follows the article. Who will have the better career? At this point, and not to say this is scientific or even a polling of experts, Morales has a slight edge in the results.
I was very impressed watching Morales pitch last year. His fast ball can be electric. Late in the season though, he had a couple of terrible relief appearances where he seemed to implode before your eyes. Given that Elbert is projected as a possible starter and seems to have a better repertoire, I would place my vote with Scott.
Regardless, good food for thought. Not much else going on until pitchers and catchers report.
Some good insight, some garbage but overall this adds to the depression
loneymiller:Some good insight, some garbage but overall this adds to the depression
This guy's opinion is invalid simply because of this line:
They non-tendered Randy Wolf, who led them in both starts and innings pitched last summer and traded outfielder Juan Pierre, who arguably became their most valuable player last summer.
Mike Scioscia's tragic illness - the blog! For Dodger analysis, reviews, and hilarity.That was the garbage part I was referring too.
Mike Scioscias tragic illness:This guy's opinion is invalid simply because of this line:
They non-tendered Randy Wolf, who led them in both starts and innings pitched last summer and traded outfielder Juan Pierre, who arguably became their most valuable player last summer.
Anyone who considers Slap our MVP over either Kemp or Ethier is obviously of low intelligence and in need of a career change to something less challenging like testing hand grenades or tasting poison.
I'll play the radio on Southern stations because Southern Belles are Hell at night...loneymiller:Some good insight, some garbage but overall this adds to the depression
That was a total hack job in my opinion.
--The Gnats could have catapulted themselves into favored status nationally with one big signing? Total crap.
--NL West is baseballs worst division? Total crap.
-------2007 - Rockies in the WS
-------Three of last four seasons - Wild Card comes out of the West
--Mentions the Phillies acquisition of Roy Halladay but fails to mention their loss of Cliff Lee. Inacurate and biased reporting.
--Juan Pierre, arguably LA's MVP last season. Indefensibly stupid.
--Back end of Dodger rotation not good. Fair enough, but what of the other's? Inacurate and biased reporting.
-------Gnats - battle between Denny Bautista, Joe Martinez, and rookie Madison Bumgarner.
-------D-backs - have Ian Kennedy and Rodrigo Lopez penciled in.
-------Rockies - Tim Redding and Jason Hammel.
-------Shoot even the Phillies - Jamie Moyer and Jose Contreras. What, wasn't Livan Hernandez available?
--Addition of Holliday makes Gnats the 2010 favorites? With all their other holes? Crap.
Sorry, LM, gotta disagree with you here. This guy didn't show me any good insight.
"It is called being a professional. If you take the money, give the effort. If you are a pro in any sport, you are always supposed to give your best effort." ~Joe Morgan.hunteralan:--Addition of Holliday makes Gnats the 2010 favorites? With all their other holes? Crap.
Did I miss a trade or something?
I'll play the radio on Southern stations because Southern Belles are Hell at night...grabarkewitz:Did I miss a trade or something?
No, Chris. I should have worded it, 'Addition of Holliday would have made Gnats the 2010 favorites.'
The idiot author intoned that if the Gnats had signed him it would have catapulted them into national favorite status, or some such BS.
"It is called being a professional. If you take the money, give the effort. If you are a pro in any sport, you are always supposed to give your best effort." ~Joe Morgan.hunteralan:No, Chris. I should have worded it, 'Addition of Holliday would have made Gnats the 2010 favorites.'
The idiot author intoned that if the Gnats had signed him it would have catapulted them into national favorite status, or some such BS.
I know I should've read the whole story, but before I got halfway, I wanted to find the clown a kick a mudhole in him. Kind of like Ringolsby who actually believes that Gibberish Jim won't gum up the works in Denver with maddening substitutions and pitching changes. Last year, he got lucky, but we all know that his luck is not that good. Add to that, Ringolsby seems to think that Jeff Francis is some kind of Lincecum. The guy is a decent control pitcher and we all know that is the last thing that comes back after a major arm surgery.
I'll play the radio on Southern stations because Southern Belles are Hell at night...