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Well, with the recent call-ups of Loney & Kemp, along with Brady Clark being DFA'd, we now have a good 9 youngsters on the club - Turtle (Martin), Ethier, Meat, Abreu, Loney, Kemp, Billz, Kuo & Eggplant. Tsao and/or Brazoban seem likely to return, and LaRoche is on stand-by in Vegas. Vets like Anderson, Martinez, Tomko & Lurch seem to be on the bubble.
In addition, we have begun a big roster shuffle in the minors - Mays got cut a while ago, Bigbie opted out, Jones was recently sold to the Ham Fighters, and lots of guys are being shifted up a level. This seems to coincide with the recent draft and the decision to go young on the big club. These minor league roster moves make me think that the majority of the kids called up to the bigs are up for good - although we may rotate some in and out due to varying performance and roster binds.
So, the big questions come down to how much action the kids like Loney & Kemp will see and whether any key vets get moved, to the bench or to another club.
I expect to see Kemp in our long-time discussed 3-way platoon in the OF and Loney splitting some time with Nomah at 1B. I also expect to see Abreu coming in for Kent at 2B late in games and getting more spot starts there. 6 kids plus Furcal & Pierre may become a common sight late in games when we are trying to hold a lead. I don't see lots of kids starting at the same time. A key objective is probably lighting a fire under some of the underperforming vets as they now have serious competition for playing time.
I get the feeling that Babu has determined a big trade is unlikely, in terms of the quality of players available and in too high a price being demaned for obtaining such a guy. So, he has decided to go with what we've got that could shake up the roster a bit and make for a better club down the road. And that illusive big trade may form up when opposing GMs get a good look at how our kids perform in the bigs.
Every silver lining has a cloud.I am thrilled with the idea that the kids will play. I also read that on the Dodgers website that not only will Loney get some time at 1b, but also at the corner outfield positions.
How great was it to see some "D" in CF? My wife walked by after Kemp made the diving play in CF. I rewound the DVR and showed her the play. I said - Now how different does that look from Juan Pierre? Her only response was "Juan Pierre scares me." I couldn't agree more. One other thought on JP. How bad an arm do you have to have - and we know it is bad - that he still bounces it to Furcal on a relay after Furcal runs almost all the way out to CF. Even Vinny has been talking a little smack about JP's weak arm.
Even if the Dodgers play .500ish ball the rest of the way and we see the kids play a lot, I will be happy. I can handle mistakes from young players with a lot of upside. Boneheaded plays by 15 year vets frustrate the hell out of me.
I'm with you, Brookster. It bothers me a lot less to see Abreu throw one away than it does to see bad jumps, lack of range, and just poor decisions by the vets.
"I know, everybody funny, now you funny too."Yeah Vinnie was all over Pierre for that throw that he short-hopped to Furcal. Basically said that the poor throw caused the run to come in. And I gotta agree with Vinnie.
The combo of Pierre and Gonzo in CF and LF just creates HUGE defensive problems for us in the OF. Neither have even decent arms, neither have great range for their positions and both seem indecisive about how to field their positions.
Until we get our OF situation rectified (ie. one of them are moved off their position), it is going to continue to cost us games.
I mean yesterday was a blowout but those types of things could easily happen in close games to cause us to lose.
For all the criticism that Gonzo gets for his "D". I have to say that I have noticed a definite improvement from what we saw at the beginning of the year. It seems like he is getting a better jump on the ball and has even made some decent throws. I just think that JP's poor play - including inability to get a good jump and take a straight route to a ball and his weak arm makes Gonzo's deficiencies stick out a little more.
As I said, hopefully we will see Kemp platooning with each of the other 3 OFs, and as a late innings defensive replacement. In terms of the platoon, Matt should always hit vs. lefties and the guy swapped out should be the one doing the worst vs. lefties. Of late, Gonzo seems to be going the best, so JP and Ethier should be the ones at risk of sitting vs. lefties. If Kemp starts to rake we should give him more ABs vs. righties as well. If he were to continue to rake then he steals somebody's spot, and that could be JP.
Loney would make more sense in the OF corners if both Gonzo and Ethier weren't LHBs.
As I have said previously, reworking JPs stance, swing, approach, etc., is something that is done during an off-season. I think he could play himself onto the bench this season if he continues to play poorly and the other 3 OFs play much better. Whether he continues to start or not, we will hear the rework talk during the off-season with the projection of him being our CF next season. Gonzo will then be gone and Kemp will be a full time starter in a corner OF spot unless he sux in this season's try-out.
I think Babu has now changed tack, where going with the kids is option A and a big trade is option B, when this order had previously been reversed. Committing to the kids shows other GMs that he isn't desperate to make a trade, while also showcasing our kids. This follows the tack that Stonehead has taken with the Halos, who are finally getting good production from Kotchman after sticking with him. If other GMs reduce their trade demands and get more enamored of our kids Babu may get an offer he could accept. Otherwise he continues our (new) present course.
In terms of possible deals I could see one good young player plus a lesser prospect or two for power hitting vet who plays the same position as that one good young player. Say something like Ethier for a corner OF like Dye, LaRoche for a 3B like Glaus, Loney for a 1B like Teix, etc. Kent's tenure here could depend on our ability to obtain a younger bopper who more adequately fields his position, with Abreu now seemingly being deemed our 2B of the future. I wouldn't be shocked to see Kent go to SF, as they like old draws, and to firm up Jeff wearing their hat into the HoF.
Deals to look out for in coming days would be for other vets we are trying to shed. Any big deal should come close to the July trade deadline.
Every silver lining has a cloud.I don't see Kent returning to SF. He seems committed to two things. Winning a World Series or being with his kids in the Texas Hill Country. San Francisco doesn't seem to fill either bill.
I think this is the best we could hope for at this point in the season. Hopefully the kids get enough playing time to shine and in doing so, earn more playing time and improve the team's offense. Ned just went up a little in my estimation; he still needs to atone for the bad offseason deal for Smalls. But at least he is smart enough to know he has to change strategy.
www.shmolnick.comYeah, Kent to SF? Not a chance. He isn't going anywhere - he'll retire a Dodger after we get our rings this year and next.
- Kyle... CrossRoads ChurchBluePastorKyle:doctyper.comYeah, Kent to SF? Not a chance. He isn't going anywhere - he'll retire a Dodger after we get our rings this year and next.
While I enjoy this team - absent the possible transcendant rookies - this is not a championship caliber team. There's no way we win it all with Nomar at 1B (way way below an average NL 1B for power), Kent at 2B (way way below average defense), ??? at 3B, Gonzo (no speed, little power, little D) in LF, Pierre (speed+, defense +/- at best), and Ethier (a decent #4 OF to be sure, but not enough speed or power to justify playing a corner OF spot 150+ games). Too much age and AAAA players in key roles.
Now, about those transcendant rookies . . .
I believe that Loney could turn into Mark Grace . . . or Dave Hansen . . . but he deserves a shot.
I believe that Kemp could turn into Frank Robinson.
I believe that Abreu is our best option at 2B - although I'm not sure about his D at 3B.
I'm not sold on LaRoche.
If I were running the team, my line-up would be something like this:
1-Furcal, SS
2-Martin, C
3-Loney/Nomar, 1B
4-Kent, 2B/Gonzo, LF
5-Abreu, 3B/2B
6-Kemp, CF/RF
7-Ethier, RF/Betemit, 3B
8-Pierre, LF/CF
Not a straight L/R platoon, but I'd play Betemit twice a week and spell Kent
Our guys over 35 aren't producing anyway - may as well let the kids develop.
Now . . . IF the kids catch fire THEN we may have a championship-caliber team
In my view that's our only shot
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