This was an interesting week in the minors. The Isotopes actually looked like they were playing in the Pacific Coast League, scoring 45 runs in seven games (6.4 runs per game) while giving up 57 runs (8.1). Despite that, they were still be better than .500 this week. Of course, they got a little help from Matt Kemp and Juan ... Read More »
People are always asking me on Twitter whether Dee Gordon will be demoted. Demoted? Please. Don Mattingly won’t even budge on dropping him from the top spot in the lineup. For whatever reason, Mattingly absolutely refuses to consider dropping Gordon from the top, and judging by what he said to AJ Cassavell yesterday, it doesn’t seem like he’ll be changing ... Read More »
The Dodgers have … signed Aaron Miles … why? The Dodgers have signed free-agent infielder Aaron Miles and asked for unconditional release waivers on right-handed reliever Mike MacDougal, who was designated for assignment last Thursday when Ronald Belisario was activated. How does a player like Miles price himself out of the free agent market? How delusional was he, exactly? “Oh ... Read More »
Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports that Juan Rivera has been placed on the disabled list and Scott Van Slyke will take his place on the Dodgers. The Dodgers on Wednesday placed outfielder Juan Rivera on the 15-day disabled list with a significant hamstring strain or tear behind the left knee and were recalling outfielder Scott Van Slyke from Triple-A Albuquerque. ... Read More »
I think Don Mattingly is probably the best manager the Dodgers have had since Tommy Lasorda, but his management of yesterday’s game against the Giants exposed what is probably his most glaring weakness. —– In the bottom of the seventh inning, with the Dodgers down one run, the team basically hit the lottery by somehow managing to get Juan Rivera ... Read More »
According to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports, the Dodgers have signed Bobby Abreu, formerly of the Angels. In a corresponding move, the team has demoted utility infielder Justin Sellers to the minors and will probably use Jerry Hairston Jr. at shortstop. The Angels will be paying Abreu’s 2012 salary, and speculation is that the Dodgers will be paying Abreu a ... Read More »
Javy Guerra seems to be miraculously recovered from taking a ball off the jaw, but has hurt his foot. Javy Guerra no longer has a swollen jaw, and outside of a slight headache on Thursday he has passed every test with flying colors, including a CAT scan. But Guerra does have a sore foot, which happened as Guerra twisted to ... Read More »
With Javy Guerra getting smashed in the face, I have a question: why was he allowed to stay in the game? I trust the trainers and coaches, and I’m sure Guerra felt he was fine, but I’m not so sure it was the correct move. We can all put ourselves in Guerra’s shoes, as we’ve all been terrified at some ... Read More »
Los Angeles Times: Bill Plaschke (barf) talks to the key figures in the new Los Angeles Dodgers ownership. For now, as the initial celebration fades and the close examination begins, Dodger fans need to see proof that this dream team won’t just turn into another nightmare. “You know I’m going to do this right,” promised Johnson. “I would not be ... Read More »
When you’re a team full of over-the-hill or never-were veterans, a team that is offensively-challenged to the umpteenth degree beyond your dominating center fielder, and a team that has a broke owner, playing your top offensive prospect who doesn’t make a lot of money and has the most upside of any of your left field candidates is the obvious and ... Read More »
“A Tale of Two James Loneys” would be a great title for a novella, and it’s also the most apt description of Loney’s 2011 season. Manning first in what was another season of “James Loney will finally hit for power and win a Gold Glove” vs. “James Loney will continue to under-perform, and by God we can do better”, Loney ... Read More »
Spring Training is here, which means all other sports matter less, and wow, there’s way too much news out of the Los Angeles Dodgers camp already. ===== Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports that Clayton Kershaw will start on Opening Day, which is basically the biggest Captain Obvious moment of the season. Then Matt Kemp told the media that he doesn’t ... Read More »
Tim Dierkes of MLB Trade Rumors reported late on December 14th that the Cubs and Dodgers were both interested in having Coco Crisp play left field for them in 2012. — The revelation is surprising for the Dodgers, as the team already has five outfielders it can start the season with in Matt Kemp, Andre Ethier, Juan Rivera, Tony Gwynn ... Read More »
The Los Angeles Dodgers have signed right-handed starting pitcher Aaron Harang to a 2 year deal worth $12 million, according to Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated. The deal is assumed to be back loaded, but there’s no confirmation on that yet. —– Once upon a time, Harang was a consistent workhorse type of pitcher for the Reds, posting three consecutive ... Read More »
Ned Colletti has signed Jerry Hairston Jr. to a 2 year deal worth 6 million dollars because…of course. Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times reports that he’ll make $2.25 million in 2012 and $3.75 million in 2013, which means the contract is back loaded because…of course. —– In all fairness, Hairston is certainly versatile and useful, as he can ... Read More »
Chad Moriyama Dodgers, Sabermetrics, Scouting