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WBC Rosters and more…
Good lively chatter on the last thread. Glad everyone is getting geared up for the season to start. All I can say is that there should be absolutely no question that the driving force behind Camelback Ranch was, without any question, the fans. That's not intended to be a slight to Vero Beach, which was an amazing home to us for six decades, but I'm here every day and you simply don't hear people talking about how much revenue Camelback is going to generate. You hear them talk about the fans and the trips being planned to Glendale…honestly.
In any event, in case you missed the show announcing rosters on the MLB Network, provisional rosters for the WBC came out today and here are the Dodgers who could take part:
Russell Martin and Jonathan Broxton
Minor leaguers Brian Mazone, Val Pascucci, Kenley Jansen and Ivan DeJesus Jr.
Fernando Valenzuela (coaching for Mexico)
Charley Steiner (broadcasting for MLB)
…and I'm sure there are others I'm not remembering. The timing of the announcement was set to the first day of individual ticket sales, so if you are planning to come out to the stadium on March 21 or 23, you can purchase them now online.
In other Dodger news, Jason Repko signed today, leaving just Martin, Broxton and Andre Ethier as our arbitration eligible guys who haven't signed. I caught up with Russ today on the phone and he sounds like he's determined to have an even better season this year and coming off back-to-back All-Star campaigns, that would be enormous for the Dodgers.
Speaking of Andre, he posted his latest food review in Arizona over at Dining with 'Dre.
And finally, on the eve of a very historic day for our nation, if you missed this article in the NY Times, you should definitely take a read. George Vescey wrote a great piece about Barack Obama and Martin Luther King Jr. through the eyes of our very own Don Newcombe. I believe that somehow Newk gets overlooked in the role he played in integrating the game of baseball and our nation and everyone at the Dodgers feels extremely fortunate that we have this living legend in our offices every week.
305 Comments
Interesting stuff. Brox vs. Russell. I already have tickets for the finals at Dodger Stadium. Wouldn't it be amazing if Russell and Canada made it that far!!
Josh, I am really thrilled to be able to go to the first ST at Camelback. I never had a chance to Vero Beach so I can't compare the two venues. I have seen the pictures in progress and many of us are waiting with bated breath to see if everything is done. I plan on going to the two places that Andre has written about in his food blog. He has made the two restaurants seem so appetizing. I hope to meet you there. We on ITD are waiting to see who will be playing and we all agree that the one person we would love to see if the Manny guy himself!! See you soon. Love Cat
Let's hope Russell can stay healthy and rested so he can have a great 2nd half…
This is what may be in the cards for Andre, Matt, and Russell. Ethier's numbers are similar to Markakis' numbers, with a shorter record. Their 2008 numbers are strikingly similar, with Andre posting a higher slg and Markakis posting a higher obp and more AB. They are very comparable players offensively and defensively, with Markakis getting a slight nod. Markakis is one year younger.
Baltimore chose to pay $66 million for 6 years, to lock up their player until 3 years into FA eligibility. Meanwhile, Andre got less than $500K last year.
Yes, that is Baltimore paying up now.
If Andre hits in front of Manny, he may surpass Markakis.
Manny Watch
Very good Post Shep. Very true.
Last season, before I discovered this blog, I would just rant to my younger brother about what I think about our Dodgers. Talking with him, I felt that three players were going to have breakout seasons: Chad Billingsley, James Loney, and Andre Ethier (this might sound impressive, but I also told him that we should sign Andruw Jones–my argument was that he couldn't be worse than Juan Pierre…DAMN). Billingsley showed that he is top-tier starter and Loney continued his impressive play at first (next year, everything is going to come together)
And Andre Ethier, last season couldn't be more frustrating to watch. From the moment Ethier came to the Dodgers, that first year when Steve Lyons couldn't stop raving about him, till now, he has not done anything to deserve to lose playing time. His second season, he lost playing time to Luis Gonzalez, and this past season to PIERRE and JONES. It was a joke that he even had to compete with Pierre in spring training, and even then he left no doubt. Even then, Pierre and Jones' salaries kept him on the bench. Ethier can be our .300/30/100 guy if we just let him play; I say we pencil him in left field and on the third spot in the lineup.
The reason for all this is to ask my fellow Dodgers fans about Matt Kemp. I didn't have any kind of prediction of him for last season because I simply couldn't get a read on him. Kemp is a five-tool player who is a natural/perfect fit for right-field but What Is His Role On This Team? Is he our power bat or is he another bat? Last season, he came in lighter and proved he is capable enough in center but his power numbers just weren't there. If Kemp is who I think he is and what a lot of people in this blog feel he is then we don't need Manny Ramirez; I say we pencil him in right field and the cleanup spot.
I have faith in our young guns, they play hard for us and I love cheering for them. I feel that they are not done growing, maturing, getting better, and if they are, then we don't need Manny Ramirez. I say we sign Yasser Gomez, a center fielder that defected from Cuba, if you don't think much of the skill on that island just look at what Alexei Ramirez did for the White Sox, and/or we trade Juan Pierre and whatever for Brian Anderson, another guy from the White Sox that has hitting potential, is a top-notch defensive CF but is struggling for playing time because the White Sox want a lead-off hitter. With Ethier and Kemp on the corners and a real center fielder, we give our pitching staff the best defensive outfield possible, and for that, we sure as hell don't need Manny Ramirez.
I got no problem going into the new season leaning on our young guns and I say let them play, we'll throw them off the cliff and see if they can fly. If it doesn't work, then we will make moves in midseason, its why we pencil them in, and not use a pen.
I like Jason Repko too. I real center-fielder that can just cover the grass, chew it all up.
Good Late Evening ITD readers and writers!!!
Josh – Thanks for the new thread, and it will be interesting to see how this competition in the WBC plays out. Also, thanks for the updates on Russell and Andre. If you see or talk to Andre, tell him he is doing an awesome job on his blog…..not that I don't tell him that myself on his blog 🙂 I am glad that Repko got signed, and I am hoping for the best with our other three and the negotiations.
og109 – If we don't sign Manny, I think your idea would certainly work. It would be better than taking a chance on another PVL and whether he will help or be a detriment like so many we have gotten in the past.
I think it is interesting that there are so many free agents who are still out there cooling their heels. I would think that they would take an offer be it lower than they want (yes, you guys with Borass as your agent) rather than not getting any offer at all. Would they rather be jobless in 2009?? Ha ha.
Nellyjune, have fun at school today. I know it will be fun.
Hi ITD. I posted a new entry on my blog, with a drawing commerating the momentous occasion happening this morning, with a connection from Dr. King, through Jackie, Campy, Newk and Larry Doby, to our new President. Hope you enjoy 🙂
Good Morning ITD readers and writers!!!!
xoxrussell – Dodger baseball makes its way into my classroom everyday anyway either through me or a student, but since this week is Dodger Stadium week in geography, it actually becomes part of the curriculum, which makes it official and even more fun. Thanks 🙂
nsblues – what can I say……another fabulous drawing!!! Now, seriously, get some sleep. However, by the time you read this, you probably would have. So, have a great day!!!
I can understand waiting Manny out, because it doesn't make much sense bidding against ourselves; however, we need to draw a timeline someplace. It's not unknown that some veterans don't like spring training, and Manny may be perfectly willing to forego it. We should not allow that to happen. I haven't seen any recent pictures of Manny, but I dread him having gained 15-20 lbs. in the off-season. We shouldn't have to put up with another OF coming to ST (maybe late in Manny's case) out of shape. So, I would tell his "people" that there is a deadline, let's say two weeks before ST, and if he's not signed by then, let's move on without him and get an Abreu or whatever other choice we have in mind.
Once again, I think we need to get a starting pitcher more urgently than Manny. My own preference would be Sheets among the ones still available. I don't even mind playing the outfield that we still have on hand, as long as it doesn't include Pierre starting, but let the McCourts be honest with the fans and give them a break by reducing the costs of attendance. Such a gesture would really mean something in this economic climate, especially if he's not going to spend the payroll to put the best available team on the field.
While I appreciate Josh's perspective on the new Glendale facility, there is a reason why I call it McRanch. I'll leave it at that.
Every time I see someone complaining that we need more pitching I wonder why? We have excellent talent from last years bullpen who could move to starter and we have talent that looks ready to fill the open slots in the bullpen. Kuo could start on a regular basis, he did so last year, and starting is generally considered less stressful on the arm than relieving, Tronscoso, overall performance indicates that he would probably be as effective as any of the often mentioned FA except Sheets who has a history of injury. McDonald has been prepared as a starter and should be able to fill that roll. Stultz has demonstrated that he can pitch on the Major league level if Torrie would trust him. Finally we know that any pitcher is subject to breakdown at any time. So why not give our young players a chance. Many also seem conserned about how much the Dodger's are not spending. We have spent for years with little to show all that money. Rather than worry about how much is being spent we should be conserned about whether or not the talent we are buying is an upgrade over what we have in house and from what I see that talent that many are screaming for is at best comparable to what we have. Get Manny if possible but other than than lets grow the team from within and go with the kids.
demrmybums……..You make a lot of great points…….can you pass that message on to Frank and Ned since they are the ones buying the talent. I think most of us are fine with going young and growing from the farm system, but it doesn't seem to be what FranknNed's vision is. Maybe I'm wrong, but when you get players that we've been getting this off season, it makes you wonder what they are really thinking.
Good Gnus
Dodgers sign Russell Martin and Jonathan Broxton
10:18 AM, January 20, 2009
The Dodgers avoided arbitration with catcher Russell Martin and closer Jonathan Broxton, signing them to one-year contracts.
Martin, a two-time All-Star at 25, will be paid $3.9 million. He earned $500,000 last season.
Broxton's deal is worth $1.825 million and includes incentive clauses. Broxton, who is expected to become the Dodgers' full-time closer this season, made $454,000 last year.
Martin and Broxton were eligible for arbitration for the first time this year.
Andre Ethier is the only Dodger who remains eligible for arbitration. He and the Dodgers will exchange contract figures today.
For complete baseball coverage, go to latimes.com/sports.
— Dylan Hernandez
Thanks nsblues for the news 🙂
Because you don't just replace Derek Lowe with nothing. Not only are his stats good throwing 200 innings of around 3.75 ball he took the mound every time, and kept us in 32 starts. We need pitching and even if we get Manny with the staff we have I don't feel us to be favorites. My preference would be Sheets and Dunn vs just Manny. But being a realist, knowing sheets and dunn do not sell t-shirts and season seats, lets hope for Manny and a few innings eaters.
I am a big youth movement guy and I agree that Stultz and MacDonald and others can throw. Maybe. But maybe not over 200 IP. Our rotation would be way TOO young with just Kuroda being over 27. This could then kill our bullpen because young starters might not go deep enough when they hit some trouble in their start that day….Pitching is one area where as long as the older guy is healthy and the price is reasonable (lowe's contract for instance isn't, neither was CC's) i say go that route and let the young guys come out of pen and earn their spots. You can never have enough pitching. By my accounts we really are downgrading our SET UP MAN and Number 2 starter and it looks like that won't change. I agree though, getting guys worse than Stultz Tronsco etc just cause they are older is retarded and not what i mean.
We cant downgrade LF
Thanks NSB. It will be interesting to see what value they put on Andre.
ST is not very far away.
I am excited and fired up, GO DODGERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The words (PLAY-BALL) will be spoken shortly.
Our beloved Dodgers will trot on the field ready to reclaim the west.
Dodgerfaithful will cheer them on with pride.
Jungar ~ retarded is a very good word for Frank & Ned lately.
Always love your enthusiasm, Dodger4life! Wish I had half of it…….maybe by the time the season starts I'll feel like shouting "Yea" instead of "Oh, no"!
i just think and u all know i am mannymancrushover here that not replacing Lowe may hurt us more than not replacing (resigning) Manny. Im with Enchanted on that. I just feel we the fans deserve both. Considering the SH-iT McCourt talksI feel we are owed both.
I'm with you, Jungar. I know we can afford to do it. I just wish for once, McCourt would think of what the fans want.
Hey Dodger4life – It's great to see you!!!!!
Allright let me have it.
What do the fans want.
I am listening.
Hey Nelly, how are you???
I am ready for Dodgerbaseball!!!!!!!!!!!
I am happy to hear the good news regarding arbitration.
It is good news about arbitration……now it's Andre's turn. Let's go Andre!!!!!!
Okay, flea-market-frank, you asked for it. So here's what we want, in this order:
1. Sell the team to someone who gives a damn about fielding a Dodgers team that is capable of winning the World Series.
2. Sign Manny
3. We want a pitcher or two who can last more than 5 1/3 innings (in the major leagues, without giving up more than 2 runs – gotta be specific with you, FMF).
4. Sign Andre to a decent contract, don't go through arbitration.
5. See #1.
I, a fan, want Manny and one quality pitcher added to the roster. I think I'd take a chance on Sheets.
Well said Crash!! Frank selling the team would be the best move of all!
FMF – remember what you promised me.
this off-season has been all about perception and posturing but no action! all the dodgers have done is signed ancillary players who don't affect the bottom line, like they are just filling in the gaps to a set team. excuse me, but this team has major league holes. with manny gone, we have no offensive firepower. he singlehandedly brought us the playoffs last year. he has to be signed or replaced. we lost two huge rotation spots in lowe and penny. granted, penny was hurt, but lowe was our ace. we have to get a new ace, or a reliable no. 2. we have also lost our closer. broxton may be able to take sammy's place, but relying on wade to be our eighth inning guy just creates more holes in the bullpen. anyone who thinks mota is going to do it for us is dreaming. he's off the stuff so he no longer has the stuff to get batters out. he will be a huge disappointment, just like AJ. so this team has lost its best hitter, best starter and its closer. they've responded by signing cheap veterans. it will not be enough. come on, frank and ned, let's get this thing going already. give manny the third year and let's get ready to play baseball. if we can give blake and furcal three years, we sure can give manny three years.
I shall require a clue?????
We just bought new homes….what do you think?
Yes we can decorate the yard in old west relics.
Wagon wheels and cow horns are coming 🙂
Silly prediction:
If Manny and Boras take the next step and say four years at $25 million would be OK, then the Dodgers will come back with a counter. Within 48 hours, I would guess that the parties would settle at 3 years, $69 million, including performance incentives for the third year, plus bonuses for reaching milestones while a Dodger.
Just Sayin'
Alright!!! just what I wanted!!!!!!
Spring training in Glendale is almost ready to go. As we are all saddened to see Vero Beach, fade off into the Florida sunset. ( And I will always cherish the memories that shall be told by Dodgerfaithful, players and patrons alike.) I am anticipating what this new backdrop will bring. with a budding cactus and an Arizona sunrise in ride the Young Guns. They are sure to have the same drive and desire as all the dodgergreats before them. ready to set the west on fire. As they take the field they will be wearing the same blue cap and uniforms as the colors and jerseys retired before them. as the gates at Camelback open the same love for Dodger baseball will be in the desert air. Owners, players and fields may change but our love for the Dodgers will 4 ever remain.
Spring training is just a short drive away, and I encourage all that have the means, to attend and usher in this coming of age with all the great Dodger-Spirit that our forefathers did before us. I dont like to use the word fans as i believe that we are as much a part of this team as the men who lace -um up and play the game.
May we always be afforded the opportunity to continue the legacy we call Dodger- Pride.
Dodgermagic is in the Hearts and souls of us all. May this new era bear a familiar ring.
The quest for #7 begins here!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Go Dodgers and God Bless us all 🙂
Losing Lowe is a problem as we do not have any pitchers that have demonstrated the capability to pitch that many innings; however, Kirshaw pitched between the majors and minors last year about 170 innings, Kuroda had 183 innings, and Billingsly had over 200 innings, so baring injury each of them is capable of pitching 200+ innings this year. The D-Backs have two pitchers on their roster over two hundred innings their next pitcher Doug Davis had only 146 innings due to cancer surgery. The Giants are in a little better position with Lincecum and Cain over 200 innings and Zito with 180 Johnson with 183 and Sanchez with 158 innings. If the Dodgers use Troncoso, McDonald, and Stultz to pick up the extra 400 + innings they should not overburden the bullpen. You notice that I have not mentioned any of the FA pitching we have picked up as I don't see them making any significant contribution baring major injury to two or three starters.
Dodger4life – your enthusiasm is awesome! While I was very sad to see Vero Beach go, I held out some hope (silly on my part in hindsight) that Frank and Jaime really did care about the fans (as Josh states above) and would make this an affordable alternative to a Florida trip. Alas, they set ticket prices to make them one of the highest in ST on average in MLB (they might be the highest on average, but I'm not exactly sure). This caused to lose all enthusiasm for Glendale and dub it McRanch. As always with Frank and Jaime, they had a chance to really show how much they cared about the fans, and instead just showed us, once again, that they only care about squeezing every last dollar out of us.
I have no money to contribute in this economy.
I only have hope and faith, and my love of the game, and Dodgers.
I believe in all things good!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
God Bless The U.S.A!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Demmybums, I agree with you at this point in the discussion, I would have however liked to see us get someone with some real upside. That's why Sheets is still a guy although not as healthy as u would like when he does throw, he dominates…If we do get Manny, to win in the playoffs I think it will take more than the names on our roster. But that can be fixed later. Go with the younger arms till the break is not a bad plan. Maybe add a Wolf or someone and hope you catch lightining.
I am happy for Russ and Brox. They deserve their success .
I can't wait til some Dodger baseball.
One last time before I head home.
Take care Dodgerfaithful 🙂
Hey, Josh, this MLBlogger has a good idea:
I agree with you also in that we would be better off if we can add Manny and in baseball it is always understood that if your pitching does not hold up then you can look to fill your current needs via trade; however, we always seem to give up far more than we get in trades. Wolf is just a rerun. I believe that we have a number of pitchers in the minor leagues who can produce similar numbers given an opprotunity. I think if we have Manny again in the playoffs we will fare even better because I believe a starting threesome of Billingsly, Kuroda, and Kershaw in the playoffs should be sufficient with our other starters ready to fill in as necessary. Plus I expect continued growth in Either, Kemp, Dewitt, and Looney. Go Dodgers!!
I am thinking this is the hold up for Andre…..
Today was a great day not only for African-Americans but for all of us who rooted for Jackie Robinson and sided with Martin Luther King. The rest will find out how great it is.
I hope Ethier and the Dodgers come to an agreement without too much hassle.
Well I quess it's another day without Manny.
I think Andre is worth more than the $3.75 million he asked for…..there isn't that much of a difference from what he wanted and what was offered………so, here we go again with McCheap!
Andre is worth more than the $2,350M Mota is getting. What the heck goes on here!
They were thinking he would be coming in a few hundred thousand under Russell. I was thinking 3.25 or 3.50, but 2.75 is somewhat low, but didn't someone mention that's how it tends to play itself out. They will compromise in the middle somewhere and end up in the low to mid 3 million.
I guess that sounds more reasonable. I just want them to make Andre feel he is an asset to the team………..I want him with us for a long time.
I want a fired up team. I want the leaders to lead by example. I want the team in the stands to set the mood.
Thanks for the link, mlbmark. The idea of our new president throwing out the first ball on Jackie Robinson Day is a great one…..Andre should be getting a deal comparable to Russell's. If it comes down to the hearing, my bet is on Andre's offer….this is one more day of the Manny Ramirez Stalemate: Dodger Fans Held Hostage….I guess it's appropriate that fleamarket & junkyard would fill their yards with old west relics. They would match the PVL relics Estes, Mota, & Vargas signed to take up residence in the Ravine…I'm all for giving our young pitchers a chance at starting jobs but, at this point, we don't know how much we can count on them. Kershaw is very young and still a work in progress. McDonald only has about a month of MLB experience.Kuo and Stultz's track record as starters is, at best, inconsistent. I would rather have a solid veteran starter to take the pressure off the younger guys. If you wait to add pitching during the season via trade, you're going to pay heavily for anybody good and, assuming you can get anybody to do it, it will probably cost you your best prospects. Sheets is the best of what's left out there but his physical history has probably made teams gunshy.
A wonderful idea it is at that 🙂
It's kind of sad the JP will be making more money sitting on the bench the Andre will make actually playing the game.
red pens all over that one……sad "that" JP and bench "then" Andre
For JP, it's called a "Sulking Fee"!
JP on the bench and Andre playing isnt sad to me 🙂
At a little over $8M for the next 3 years, it's making me a little miffed!!
You got a point there Dodger4life – it won't be sad to see him sitting the bench, as he should have been last year. He turned out to be a good player off the bench. Let's keep it that way eventhough I just prefer he find a new home.
Brownpaperbag and the unknowndodgerfan are nowhere to be found. Maybe this is a sign.
LMAO, dodger4life!!!
As Sam Wise once said…………….."I'm back."
HEY D, Good to ya safe and sound 🙂
Good Evening Ward Dear…………I am glad you got home safely. How was your trip home?
Hey D4! How ya'll are?
Relatively uneventful Junie, unlike the day…… 🙂 Got back about 2 hrs ago. Thanks again for your wonderful hospitality! My head is still swimming.
I forgot something. I had a buffalo nickel with me and totally forgot to give it to you. Sorry!
Well, uneventful is good when you are driving, and you are most very welcome, and I should thank you the same.
I will get my wooden nickel next time. I ended up watching that clip on youtube that night to make sure I remembered the scene right. Then I watched out takes and scenes that had been cut out. That movie still cracks me up!!!!
Oh, no. Not a wooden nickel, a buffalo nickel. A real one! I'm a half-assed coin collector too, you know!
Whoa! You can say half-assed, but not *******?
I am sorry!!!! LMAO!!! I am so sorry…..it's been one of those days you know…… 🙂 LMAO!! Buffalo nickel, buffalo nickel ……..okay,got it now 🙂
Baseball talk …………so what's your feeling about what's going on with Andre……just part of the game or is it something more?
LMAO Nelly, I am well D, I heard about the party today. You are a hero 🙂
Dodger4life – I figure once you start signing autographs, you've made it big time!!!!!
Did anyone watching ch 11 just now in LA? They had Kobe and it had LF and some announce say what batting order do you want to bat? Kobe said 3rd.
Yep, living the good life 🙂
I'm getting so tired of this Manny wait
Does that mean Manny is now a shooting guard???
Oh!!! okay……I get it now…. 🙂
Ned please sign one of those shooting stars…
Prediction: Andre will avoid arbitration too.
Hero? Nah. Junie warned me. I didn't believe her. I thought she was exaggerating. Turns out she may have underestimated the little darlings! Overwhelmed is a good word, but I think surreal describes it better. And the autograph part was nuts. Never in my life.
Back to baseball:
Repko wants a trade:
You are my hero bro, you and Billy Buckner 🙂
If it's all about production, why in the hell were JP and Andruw given so much time to prove themselves, while the .300 batter sat the bench. Ned needs to keep his mouth shut because every time he opens it, he makes no sense what so ever. I know….what else is new.
It all makes sense now.
surreal is definitely a word I would use to describe it too. Most of them are already Dodger fans. My guess is come February 15th, I may have a few more NASCAR fans in the class, and by then I bet most of them will have watched at least one episode of "Leave It to Beaver" just to find out who June (Junie) is, and when Clayton Kershaw pitches, they will think he is Bill Buckner.
That is funny 🙂
Thanks, D4. I just wanted to say thanks to them, and what better way than ice cream?
Junie, if they think I'M old, wait until they start watching Leave It To Beaver! LOL!!! They'll walk away in 30 seconds! "Boring!" And that's funny about Kershaw's 22! That's exactly the question they'll ask!! I'm glad he's wearing it – and I liked Brett Butler a lot too.
With Repko, he hasn't exactly knocked the door down with his bat yet. The guy hasn't been able to stay healthy long enough to prove he belongs. I'd love for him to make it. I'd like to see an Ethier/Repko/Kemp outfield.
I'm starting to fade out. Good night and God Bless you, my Dodger friends! And June Darlin', thank you and your students for a day I'll never ever forget!
Andres was so exciting about wearing Jimmie's jacket, he brought his mom to talk to me about the picture I took to make sure he got one……it's adorable by the way.
Good-Night D ~ God -Bless to you and all yours 🙂
Well, you have had a very busy two days, and you deserve a much needed rest I'm sure. Good night and God Bless Ward Dear……….and I don't think I or they will forget either.
……and one more thing Ward Dear…..most important, thank Chris as well……she is absolutely wonderful..not that you don't already know that!!!! Good Night again 🙂
Good-Night and Good Morning Dodgerfaithful
Still no Manny, the saga continues….
Not much to say, other than I am excited that the Dodgers will take the field soon.
We have the Superbowl, Go Steelers, coming up
The Daytona 500 after that
Spring Training soon to follow
Opening Day at the ballpark
Warmer weather across the board
We still live in the greatest country in the world
Omg this is so freaking sad. Mich. police: Boy, 8, spent 10 days with dead mom
Good Morning ITD readers and writers! Here is another article on what happened yesterday with arbitration. Frank isn't spending money anywhere else so I hope Andre's salary doesn't become an issue.
Martin for one year….OMG….it is great that he got a deal, but that means that there is a BIG chance that next year he won't be a Dodger. OHHHH NOOOO! I'm happy for him…boohoo for me.
NellyJune I am with you, hopefully Andre gets what he deserves. But there is a big chance next year will be has last year as a Dodger. You know that if the Dbacks offer him something next year…he is there, close to his family. He is a dedicated player and respects our DodgerBlue and he has giving our team something to look forward too… I can't wait to see him during Spring training.
OH YEAH – Good morning ITD'rs
Good Morning, Nellyjune. I think Andre will get close to what he wants. And, it will happen before the arbitration hearing. Of course, I also thought we would have Manny and perhaps another pitcher signed by now, too. Another pitcher doesn't mean Mota and Estes!
This shall be one interesting year, if we ever get a team together, we should hope and pray that they are too valuable to be traded away at the deadline. Frank is bieng conservative with contracts so far, saying that they believe there will be a lot of deals during the season for the taking. With the economy in economic turmoil, next years negotiations should be more of the same. This is probably a smart move on managements part. Whether they aquire players with money or trades is yet to be determined, short contracts will make both possible. This is just speculation or food for thought, besides what do I know???
I am rooting for the Young Guns to remain Dodgers long enough to have there # retired, or maybe that is a thing of the past also???
Anyway's GO DODGERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Good Morning TRU & Dodger4life…I am rooting for the Young Guns to retire in Dodger blue. Each time "Young Guns" gets mentioned…I hear the "Blaze of Glory" song by Bon Jovi….love that song.
There's nothing wrong with one year deals. There are positives to both. As a player, you lose some security, but you maintain your freedom (once you get past your arbitration years) and tend to stay on top of the salary curve. Most go for the long-term security. As an owner, your payroll remains flexible from one year to the next. It does require the negotiating process to occur every year though.
Bon Jovi Rocks!!!!!!
Good morning all 🙂
A Good Morning to the unknown as well
I'm at work falling asleep…and Dodger4life is waking me up with all his Energy… The all-caps letters is working!
Oh, and Russ will be a Dodger for a couple more years. Players have to take the owners' offers for 3 years (or the Super 2 exception, as Russell and Andre qualify) and then become eligible for arbitration for 3 more. After they're on a big league roster for 6 years, they can become free agents.
Russell Martin will be a Dodger through the 2011 season, unless the Dodgers trade or release him.
I have to run take care ITD, enjoy your day.
Oh, Great unknowndodgerfan, in your esteemed wisdom, will Andre avoid arbitration? Will we sign Manny? And, do you, perhaps, see Sheets in our future?
I am wide awake now…thanks D4life!
TheunknownDfan….well that is good news for me. I really don't understand the whole arbitration thing, but if they are here for more than a year then it is all GOOD! We need them to mature more with the team. They deserve to win wearing the Dodgers uniform on.
The unknown knows baseball. Thanks unknownDodgerfan 🙂
Good Morning dodger4life and dodgersrule. Hope you have a great day.
Now I know the "Unknown" knows.
TRU – my day is getting better. It was a tough-lazy morning, but the caffeine and all of Dodger4life's caps letters are kicking in. Thanks
Me, too. It's amazing what several cup of coffee and dodger4life can do!
Well I'll be needing more around 3pm so hopefully Dodger4life is visiting ITD around that time…LOL!
Good Morning!! Did you know that there was a "Leave It to Beaver" movie released in 1997? My students came in and told me that little bit of information. See, told ya, they would be looking for it. I did tell them we were talking about the television version, but in the movie June is played by Janine Turner and Ward is played by Christopher McDonald…..it appears because of color, they are much younger. BTW…….there are about 10 kids who brought their autographs back and they are currently on their desks. The mania continues…….. 🙂
Gooooood morning, ITD!!!
Hiya TruMom! How ya'll are today? Shore was fun the other night!
I wish I had half of D4's enthusiasm!
The unknowndodgerfan seems to know a lot, doesn't he? Maybe he has access to the Internet……
Andre and the Dodgers are just over a million apart. Should be chickenfeed to these guys. Personally, I'd rather compromise than go through the arbitration process for a measly $500K no matter which side I'm on.
I was watching Sportscenter for a while last night and they kept coming on saying, (paraphrasing) "Manny wants a contract NOW according to the LA Times, but neither side is claiming much movement." Funny how there's no such story today in the Times.
Good morning, Junie! Sorry about the state of those autographs. I didn't have my glasses with me! LOL!!! Tell all the munchkins that I'm still singing "Take Me Out To The Ballgame" in my head and that we miss them!
ESPN radio is also saying that Manny wants a contract and that he will probably end up with the Dodgers. Right now, there are no other bidders for his services.
Dodgereric ~ I had a great time, too. Your wife, Chris, is a jewel……….she has to be to put up with all of us! I'm just glad my husband didn't come to dinner…….we would have still been sitting there! He does like to chat! He's not the shy, retiring type, like me lol
TRU- I hope you are right. So what is Manny waiting for…SIGN! So Mr. Unknown what do you know about this?
NellyJune – The children are the future…those kids are smart kids (Mini-ethieraholics & Lil' Kempers). They are lucky kids.
dodgersrule ~ apparently, Boras and Coletti talk everyday and although they are still at an impasse, people in the know think the deal will be worked out.
Well maybe they want the Manny signing to be a "BIG" MLB news – "Hollywood-style". They want the drama. Just like the big drama with Manny's hair…or when he walked in a little late to the field cause he had to use the restroom. So let's just wait for the big announcement.
I hope so. We shall see what happens.
Ward Dear….it was the first song of the morning, after the National Anthem of course 🙂 It's a great song!!!!
Home page – Kent is officially done on Thursday 🙂
…… and you don't, dodgereric? 🙂
I'm sure that Frankie and Neddie are trying their level best to walk that fine line between getting a happy Manny in the fold without making it appear that they are bidding against themselves (again). And, until someone else actually makes him an offer, anything that is more than what they've already offered will be doing exactly that.
Boras is also trying to save face here. He talked Manny into that bizarre power play that got him out of Boston by 'guaranteeing' him that he could get him one of those enormous contracts, and it's pretty obvious to everyone that it ain't happening without other bidders ala Teixeira and Sabathia. Manny threw away $40 million for 2 years because it was a 'sure thing' that he'd get $120 for 6, or something like it. Dodgereric might be right. He said a couple of weeks back that it might just be the smart thing at this point for him to do a one-year deal for $25 million and re-establish his worthiness for a multi-year deal (in the AL). By next year, the economy might be turning around and there might be some competition for him. Right now there is absolutely none.
Well I wish KENT happiness and I'm glad he retired as a Dodger. Eventhough he had his attitude, he was fun to watch. Never will forget the time he kept telling the ump that he got the guy out on 2nd. Good luck with life!
unknowndodgerfan – you are right!!! dodgereric can write a book with all the knowledge he knows about baseball. I am beginning to understand the standoff now….thanks for the insight…….this whole salary thing is the one thing I am not so sure about so I am relying on the experts to guide my thinking in some ways.
I would like to nominate the unknowndodgerfan for ITD pitching coach. That is if D will have him
Congrats to Jeff Kent. He was a true athlete and played the game well. I am happy that he was a Dodger at the end of his career. I liked him because he always stayed true to himself and his beliefs. I'm glad to have met him last year.
Good luck with retirement Jeff!
Good morning/ afternoon to all. I hope you are still having a fun week in school Nelly. Rose, I'm very happy to see you around more, even if we really haven't had the chance to talk yet. Can't you all just feel Dodger baseball around the corner? It feels so nice.
Have a wonderful day.
Good morning ITD!
this is what I posted in the comment section of Jeff Kent retirement announcement.
Good Luck Jeff! I'll miss you! I will always cherish the WIN baseball clinic that you hosted for the last 4 years at Dodger Stadium!!. You are a gentleman, a classy guy and a great ballplayer!. As I told you at the last WIN event, you were a Dodger to me when I heard you cried at the Dodger Press conference when the announcement was officially made that you had become a Dodger. I know you said you saw your mother crying first. Also I'll cherish the Macy's signing. Is too bad more fans did not notice what a nice guy you are instead of listening to the media. Your ever faithful fan -Emma (crzblue). God willing I will go to Coopertown when you become a Hall of Famer. Hey! m my brother gave me a Jeff Kent grey jersey for Christmas!
DodgerBryce, my favorite player was Jeff Kent. When I saw him on the last game of the season at the stadium (I am Dodger season ticket holder that attends all games) and his kids were the ones that ran to him when you know prior to the game the kids run to each position player and get an autograph ball. I was very very happy that Vin kept going on and on about Jeff and his kids. I was on the stands listening to the radio (always carry one) I knew that Vin did not take serious what Jeff said as it was said as a joke. he said so at the WIN clinic which was prior to his talk with Simers. Vin is my idol and Jeff one of my favorite players. It made feel so good to hear Vin saying good things about Jeff. The only player that has ever asked me for my name when Jeff said to me at the Macy autograph signong "I am sorry, what is your name?". And Vin this year said to me 'what is your name". To hear Vin repeat my name was amazing! I am grateful to have met both.
Wonderful comments amy27 and crzblue,
Jeff thanks for your service, I wish you all the best in your new adventures. Dont be a stranger, as we would enjoy your presence at the park. Take care and God bless 🙂
i wanted to share this story with all of you. I know you all heard about the killings on Christmas in Covina which is very close to where I live. My friend Linda posted the following in her website. She attend the games in Azusa that were played Monday and she wrote this very touching story. I so wanted to go Monday but I do not get MLK off and my boss is out the whole week so I could not get time off.
Crzblue & Amy good to hear from the both of you. Jeff is an excellent player. I can't wait for opening games and my TV tunned in to Dodger games & hearing Vin's voice. My bobbleheads will come out. Talking about Bubble heads…when do we get an Ethier BobbleHead?
Good Afternoon ITD readers and writers!!!
Amy – Can't say we are having as much fun as we had yesterday, but there are definitely lingering affects, which is great…it means that it was meaningful to them.
Emma – fabulous post!!!! I know two Jeff Kents….the Jeff Kent as a Giant and Jeff Kent as a Dodger, and I am very glad he retired a Dodger.
The memory of Jeff Kent last year I remember most was the series in Houston where it was just him (the veteran) playing with all the young guns. Rafael was hurt, and JP and Andruw were on the DL as well. It seemed like the kid came back in him again, and we thought at the time, this team is looking pretty good just the way it is.
Dodgersrule – We definitely need an Ethier Bobblehead!!!! Why that hasn't happened already is just wrong 🙂
hopefully this gets his attention
Emma – Thanks for sharing what your friend post-it. It was very touching. Prayers to all the Ortega family & friends and just hope that not hate lingers in their heart. Their lives will never be the same, their Christmas will never be the same and baseball will never be their same. God bless them all.
Then after Ethier's bobble head we want Kemps and then Loney's. And we want Loney's bubblehead to have a push button and when you push it the "L-O-N-E-Y" song will play….LOVE IT!
That sounds great, dodgersrule!
Dodgerrule, Nelly, Tru,
Last week I was talking to my brother about next year's bobbleheads and that Etheir was a given and afterwrds well, Loney, Kemp and probably Billz. 2007 we had 3 and 2008 we had 4.
That's great news, crzblue!
You are so welcome on that link. the only thing is I don't remember reading is any Dodger or anyone from the Dodgers making a donation. If it was not publisized that is OK as long as they donated. I did read that the Angels donated two signed baseball bats.
Thanks Emma – that's great!!!!!!
CRZBLUE – That's why they are Angels….LOL! And yes Loney, Ethier, Kemp & Billz deserve their own bobblehead!
My prayers and thoughts are with the all the survivors of this tragic event.
May God – bless and comfort them in thier time of need.
I was enjoying the fact that we all were positive, not proclaiming to be the Great Dodger Spirit myself.
22 days until Spring Training begins. Speaking of the number 22……….it's a great number 🙂
I love your enthusiasm! you always have a positive attitude. i also respect other's opinions and posts.
22 days, 22 hours till Pitchers and Catchers report!! hurry Ned we need pitching and a backup catcher!
I'd love to be at the stadium tomorrow!
Josh: is Caravan day in the works!?
Respect is a wonderful thing crzblue 🙂
I am fired up for the start of the season as well 🙂
This world would be a better place if we all RESPECT each other and we were NOT GREEDY!
Andre's blog is back on the cover at MLBblogs.com 🙂
Russell Martin, meet Brad Ausmus. He's going to help you play better in August and September.
Hello all I've changed my name to MsRussyEthier…yeah new year, new name….but same love for the Dodgers.
Rose (a.k.a. Dodgersrule1655)
I don't know, but I like the addition of Brad Ausmus. 🙂
Start sizing up the rings, we just signed Ausmus. Along with the additions of Vargas, Estes and Mota, this should secure a World Championship! Well done, Ned!
I think adding Ausmus means that Martin will actually get some resting time. I love Russell but he does need resting time. Just poor Ardoin, will have to seat more! Oh man I just can't wait for the season to start.
Come on Ned. Cut out the B***S*** and get Manny signed. Then sign either Garland or Wolf and let's get ready to rumble.
I'm actually a bit puzzled by the Ausmus signing. Ardoin was also lauded as handling the staff well. He is a cheaper alternative and he isn't any worse of a hitter than Ausmus. It must be the whole veteran thing that he has going for him because he certainly isn't any better of an alternative than Ardoin at this point in his career.
Hello everyone, I wish I had the time to communicate everyday as some of you, but I get a kick out of the postings….
As for Ausmus, I like the signing. He is very experienced and hopefully can teach Russ how to pace himself..Russell is his own worst enemy sometimes.
As for the Manny/Dodgers, it reminds me of 2 teenagers waiting each other out as to who is going to call who first…Frank please do not play possum too long and lose Manny, .396 over 50 plus games 17 hrs and 56 RBI…nothing more needs to be said…If you are trying to prove a point, make the point to us fans that Manny is a Dodger….The division is ours lets capitalize on it!!!!!
Good Evening ITD readers and writers!! I had specific instructions by brownpaperbag that he only wanted "good" signings while he was gone. I don't think Ausmus qualifies as a "good" signing, but may be okay if the others get signed as well (Manny and a SP). dodgereric ~ we may want to tell him to stay where he is until the start of spring training. The less he knows, the better 🙂
I, too. classify the Ausmus signing as a decent one. He's probably a slight upgrade over Ardoin in that he will probably provide more offense…..nelly, I'll grant you that Ned employs a double standard in other instances where production is concerned but,in Repko's case, it's a valid point. He has an injury history and has hit .229 in 424 big-league abs. He should consider himself fortunate that he even has a contract for this year. There are players out there with much better resumes than his who are still looking for a contract. On ESPN news tonight, Tim Kurjian was saying that the economy is definitely the reason that some big name players are still out there. He speculated that, if the economy significantly affects attendance, you could see teams trading big-ticket players as early as May or June….Good luck, Jeff in your retirement. If he makes the HOF, I assume he goes in as a Gnat.
Good Evening Seesky!! I understand Repko's contract, and I totally agree with what he got. So, maybe I was just reading too much into Ned's comment. He made reference to it being about the production on the field, but it seems like we wasted alot of games on watching Andruw try to figure things out when better players (at the time) were sitting on the bench. But that was last year…..so, let's get some people signed (a SP would be nice),and get this season started.
BTW – if the front office is reading this….he deserves every penny 🙂
another stupid move. now Martin will play everyday (again) and OPS 600 in Sept again. Now we will pay someone a million more than we would have to pay anyone else (Ardoin ) for no reason, let alone going out and getting a legit complement to Martin. This is a terrible move a move that keeps repeating itself. Next they are gonna tell me that Mota is a legit set up man or Garland is a legit front of rotation starter. Ending with welp we tried but Juan Pierre is a proffesional and will make a fine left fielder adding speed to the top of the lineup. We wont out pitch them, or outhit them, or outdefense them but we may outspeed them. The dodgers are ridiclous. I am such a sucker.
Ausmus will not spell Martin. Shake yourself. Ausmus is Jones bad. I mean sure his defense at age "39" or whatever is "great" but he is the worst hitting catcher in MLB history. His ops+ is 75. Dude will be our bullpen coach by the all star break.
jungar – top of the line up, batting 2nd 🙂
brownpaperbag – just stay on vacation until spring training starts……….you are better off not knowing.
I think we can all agree that money was the reason that the D"s bent over backwards where Andruw & JP were and are concerned. I hope that the D's work out something with Andre before the arbitration hearing. The Andre arbitration is just another example, along with Manny, CC, and Trevor Hoffman, of this management's incompetence. Show Andre how much you value his contributions, past and future, and negotiate. Compromise with Manny and work out something on the length of the deal. Compromise and negotiate, Frank & Ned!!!! It will bear fruit with these players and others on our team and other teams. It's not that hard. I know, I know. It is Frank & Ned we're talking about.
Don't take my word for it. This is before an even worse 2008. God forbid martin gets hurt….
Insiders continue to call Ausmus a winner who improves a pitching staff, but it`s hard to believe he could retain many adherents after a season as bad as 2006. According to VORP, Ausmus had the 16th-worst offensive season of any player since 1960, but that`s trivia. Last year the average catcher had an OBP of .330 and slugged .417. Say the Astros had A.J. Pierzynski, who had an OBP of .330 and a slugging percentage of .436. By our calculation, Ausmus created 38 runs of offense last year while using up 351 outs, while Pierzinski would have created 68 runs while using up the same number of outs. Those additional 30 runs are worth roughly three wins in the standings. Knowing that, how much credit do you want to give Ausmus for the Astros staff? Did he improve them by one percent? Five? Ten? It stretches belief that Ausmus deserves credit for a twentieth or even a tenth of the success of Roger Clemens or Andy Pettitte, and there is no objective evidence that changing catchers would result in any penalty. For all of Ausmus`s wizardry, the Astros haven`t established a young pitcher since 2001. The Astros have been needlessly costing themselves wins in a competitive division; it`s time to get over it.
I am so tired of it Nelly..please just sign Sheets and Manny at least. But all these guys are over 30 and all on downside of career. We keep doing this each year with different names. All of them at the time seem to be "not so bad" but then you look at them as a whole like below and you begin to gasp. Then jungar breaks out the Ned worksheet and shows each years collective group, all listed as one, and u just loose it.
G Mota
Claudio Vargas
Shawn Estes
mark Loretta
Juan Castro
Raffy Furcal
Brad Ausmus
Casey Blake
Don't know if anyone posted this link yet, but it's a great insight into Jeff Kent:
Out of this list the only one I am really "Ok" with is Mark Loretta. I think over nomar as a bench utility guy he is a plus. Everyone else I have reservations on.
I am a fan of Raffy but with his injuries I would rather they give DeJesus a shot at it. Casey Blake was good for us, but not great. I am past the point of asking for Manny, I really just want anyone that can actually play left to be signed.
jungar – when you line it up like that, it certainly doesn't look too promising, does it? ……and then if Furcal gets hurt agaiin….even more issues arise.
dodger4life – that if just very sad…..let's hope the county can do something like the article says.
kahli – Great article and great insight just like you said…..very interesting to say the least.
Thanks for the article on Jeff: I love the quote below from the article: i
"He was harder on himself than he was on anyone else."
When the Astros visited terminally ill youngsters at Texas Children's Hospital, Kent took over.
"It was one of the most impressive performances I've ever seen from an athlete off the field," said Tim Purpura, former general manager of the Astros. "He had this one kid laughing. The kid is from Austin. Jeff told him he was building a water slide and wanted him to come to his home.
"He was absolutely charming to the young guy and his family. That's the Jeff Kent memory I'll keep."
Let's continue the Ned Worksheet that jungar started. I've deleted the ones I never heard of, assuming they were career minor leaguers. None of these were trades, free agent signings only:
Terry Tiffee
Chan Ho Park
Danny Ardoin
Angel Chavez
Brian Falkenborg
Andruw Jones
Mike Koplove
Brian Shackelford
Tanyon Sturtze
Hiroki Kuroda
Gary Bennett
Ramon Martinez
Jason Johnson
Luis Maza
Mark Sweeney
Ramon Martinez
Nomar Garciaparra
Juan Pierre
Randy Wolf
Mike Lieberthal
Jason Schmidt
Luis Gonzalez
Rudy Seanez
Chin-hui Tsao
Luis Maza
Fernando Tatis
Choo Freeman
Kelly Stinnett
Olmedo Saenz
Sandy Alomar
Bill Mueller
Rafael Furcal
Nomar Garciaparra
Kenny Lofton
Brett Tomko
Kelly Wunsch
Aaron Sele
Joe Beimel
Wilkin Ruan
Ramon Martinez
Pat Borders
Kurt Ainsworth
Takashi Saito
Mike Edwards
Jose Flores
Buddy Carlyle
Mike Rose
Aquilino Lopez
Ricky Ledee
Elmer Dessens
Kelly Wunsch
Jeff Kent
Wilson Alvarez
Jose Valentin
J.D. Drew
Odalis Perez
Derek Lowe
Paul Bako
Scott Erickson
Norihiro Nakamura
Mike Neu
kpookie I enjoyed that article very much, much better than the one I posted.
Thank-You 🙂
Dodgereric – you know that list will probably put enchanted forever into the brown paper bag. LOL!!!!!! …and who knows what it will do to jungar – LOL!!!!!
dnelly! when did you change your name?
wow, i haven't been on here in forever~
what's been going on? any interesting conversations? wait, all our conversations are interesting.. i guess i should use a different word.. any really NOTABLE conversations?
Here is the one gnat writer's persepective on retiree Jeff Kent.
Hi Sara – my name changed sometime over the weekend. This has been my sign in name for a while, it just never appeared that way and then one day I was trying to change my name since enchanted seems to be able to do it so easily. I had to make a new account for myself though.
red pen – I don't know why the word the is in my article statement…..geez!!!
i see.. well that's cool.. nellyjune suits you.. and at least it's something that everyone will still know it's you..
i'm not really sure what to think of the ausmus signing.. i guess his impact on russell's development will be much more important than his stats..
i'm really glad they were able to settle with russell and broxton before an arbitration hearing.. russell got a much deserved raise.. and hopefully they're keeping him happy so that he'll want to negotiate long term..
Hi sara! How you been?
Junie, I've heard that you can get viruses by going on gnat websites……..
oh, and it's kind of interesting.. russell and andre changed agents recently.. i wonder what their previous agents weren't providing them.. since russell's former agent didn't want to negotiate a long-term contract with the dodgers.. i'm hopeful that with the change in representation, we might have more luck 🙂
hey eric! i've been good.. just busy..
Did someone have a bday this month that I missed? Did anyone read my post about that 8 years old kid spent 10 days with dead mom so sad?
Ward Dear…….then I am in big, big trouble – LOL!!!! It probably doesn't help that I live with their fans either.
Hi Sara been missing you.
Ward Dear…actually, I didn't go on their website…the article was googled to me…it had an Andre Ethier tag attached to it.
hey spit
dnelly, by this point.. i would imagine you're immune from most, if not all, gnat related viruses 🙂
LOL!!!! I think you are right sara…..the black and orange germs just bounce right off me now just like bug repellent – LOL!!!!
Ausmus 2009 salary = $1,000,000
Ardoin 2008 salary = I can't find it. I've looked on several sites and the only thing I can find is his 2006 salary of $335,000. I have to figure it was the MLB minimum in '08.
Bottom line is, why pay Ausmus a million when you have basically the same guy, 6 years younger for half the money?
…..and that million is the difference in Andre's contract right now, not that that should matter, but to Frank's wallet maybe it does.
It's hard to be too much of a Giant-hater with those two charmers you live with!
nelly, i wouldn't worry too much about andre.. i really do believe they'll settle before any hearing.. it'll probably be right around 3 million.. like 3.1 or 3.2 mil..
Spit I had a chance to read that post and yes that is a truly sad story. I myself have a 10 year old child and the thought of any child haveing to endure that, is beyond my imagination. I shall include the boy and his mother in my prayers tonight.
Ward Dear….Well, those two charmers are not so charming when our teams are playing each other. Bill has learned to leave me alone, and I have learned to leave Michael alone so that's how we manage. BTW – non-baseball thought ….there are only 3 cookies left. So, your world famous chocolate chip cookies definitely got the Nelson Family seal of approval. My kids even took some to their friends at school.
sara – that's what I'm thinking too :)…at least that's what my thinking was when the story broke originally and I will continue to hang on to that thought – thanks!!
How many ex Astros players are we going to signed? First Kent than Loretta and now Ausmus so what's going to be next year Oswalt get traded to us? I'd rather have Ardoin back.
yeah, i really doubt they'll go to a hearing.. unless andre is dead set on his number.. i'm sure he's hoping for 3.25 mil or something.. but since he saw that russell got 3.9 mil, i doubt that he would think he'll get more than 3.2 or something..
it sounds like we're getting really close to signing randy wolf.. i approve of that move.. as long as it's only for 1 or 2 years max..
The cookies were a little stale by the time we got up there. You ought to taste 'em right out of the oven. Or when we dip 'em for Christmas……….
I can only imagine :)…….I told them about the dipping in chocolate for the holidays…………family very impressed!!!!
Sheets is a hard one Eric………..then again,who? Are you still thinking Perez?….and then there's Garland, which jungar doesn't seem to be too hip on.
….sara mentioned Wolf, but is he enough?
no nelly.. wolf isn't enough.. but it's better than nothing..
Good questions. The money Perez seems to want is ridiculous for someone who is basically potential. Garland and Wolf are strictly #4 or 5 guys, not too exciting considering we're trying to replace Lowe. Yes, Sheets is a risk. But unless a real doctor (not one that we normally use) examines him and says to stay away, I'd try him. When he's right, he's a bonafide #1.
My question for McCourt: Are we trying to win the World Series or are we just content with being a contender?
Sources told ESPN's Buster Olney that the Padres have agreed to terms with Henry Blanco on a one-year, $750,000 contract.
The Padres lucked out in that the inferior player they preferred, Brad Ausmus, chose Los Angeles, clearing the way for them to sign Blanco. Blanco remains a very good defender, and he's managed OPSs in excess of 700 in his last two healthy seasons. Ausmus hasn't had a 700 OPS since 2000.
I'm guessing you don't care for Ausmus, unknowndodgerfan.
Just more NedScrap, eric.
theunknowndodgerfan – just seeing dodgereric's list makes ausmus just seem like one of the many on that list that aren't around today or we wish weren't here now.
Ain't it the truth, Junie? Just scroll down that list and count the ones that worked out. You won't find a really high percentage.
I think it's time to hit the sack. Good night and God Bless, June Darlin' and unknown and sara and shad and D4 and anyone else out there in DodgerFanLand. We all have to hold the fort down here until McCourt decides to make the Dodgers his primary focus – and not real estate.
Good Night Ward Dear………take care and God Bless to you and your family.
The more I read the unknowndodgerfans comments and his ability to see things clearly. The more I would like to see him as ITD's pitching coach 🙂
Good Night and God Bless, Skip 🙂
The Ausmus debate is somewhat entertaining. For those of you who think he will help Russell, exactly what is he going to help him with? This was a catcher who once went to the mound to go off on a young pitcher for continuing to shake off a certain pitch he kept calling because he didn't even realize that he didn't even throw the pitch…yikes! So for those of you that think he is going to be some great mentor to the pitchers or Russell, I wouldn't get your hopes up too high.
Good Night ITD readers and writers!!!!
Dodger4life – Life is good today 🙂 God Bless
22 days and 9 hours until Spring Training Begins
Get him signed already!!!!!
Martin needs help now that Ausmus is here? All of a sudden our two time all star catcher needs help in handling a pitching staff. What a joke. It's this sort of nonsense that drives me nuts, and like yeah Martin will allow Ausmus to hop on his back and they can do backflips and run thru the jungle of dagobah together? Meet McCourt in a cave someplace, Young Martin strikes him down and McCourts fake mask that looks exactly like himself rips apart and there are just coins and dollars that come out…Maybe Martin will be an all star jedi, not just an all star.
Good Night and God Bless ~ You and Yours Nelly.
Have a great day tommorrow 🙂
Good Night and Good Morning Dodgerfaithful
Well another day has come and gone here on ITD.
The Manny saga continues….
Andre is getting awesome support from Etheraholics as well he should 🙂
We have Ausmus now like it or not he's a Dodger and should at least be given the chance to perform 🙂
I like Dodgererics thoughts on Sheets 🙂
Overall it has been a funfilled day on the blog once again 🙂
I for one managed to smileand laugh there was alittle bit of sadness mixed in and they will be in my prayers momentarily 🙂
Tommorrow brings us new hope and expectations 🙂
I look foward to the challange. Take care, enjoy your day and may God Bless us all 🙂
I leave you with a song ~ Montgomery ~ Gentry ~ Roll with Me 🙂
Wow! I don't know how Ned manages to find these "born again talent" guys – like Mota, Vargas, and now Ausmus. When he's finally gone at the end of the season, unless he leaves his "old favorites" list behind, I can't imagine how Ned's replacement will ever find that kind of collection.
Now if he had signed Cruz and Sheets, and even left Ardoin in place, I'd be half way pleased with our chances, even if we didn't sign Manny. But our team additions at this point make me want to puke. Of course I've been wanting to puke every time I thought of Ned for the past several years. This year I've definitely added Frank and Jamie to that scenario. The only thing they're concerned about is filling Dodger Stadium at the lowest investment possible. Screw the fans!
SELL THE TEAM, you cheap Power A-H's!!!
Why, may I ask is it that every move the Dodgers make is met with cynicism. Ausmus is not signed to be the starter, so his hitting numbers should rarely come into play. If Martin gets hurt, God forbid, then his OPS is an issue, not playing one to two times a week. He has 15 plus years of experience and Ardoin has very limited. Could the Dodgers have saved 600,000 , yes but that is not going to get Manny signed…Ausmus can help Martin in ways, that we not in the dugout, will never know…Martin is great in a lot of ways, but I dare say he is the greatest at his craft….He is my favorite current Dodger, but he slipped, especially defensively last year….I am hoping Ausmus can bring an intangible that will help Martin become the best catcher in the NL and possibly all of baseball…From everything I had read or heard about him, has all been positive…
I actually like what Ned is doing with the complimentary players, veterans that are known around baseball as great clubhouse guys and can mentor the younger players…
As for Sheets, I agree he could be a great sign on a 2 year contract with vesting options, because if healthy he is a true ace that the Dodgers have not had in many years…Penny and Lowe were not aces, Lowe was a steady 2 or 3, Penny was a …..
Unfortunately, we can Thank Ned for not being able to sign Sheets. I think the Schmidt signing, 1 win = 52 million, has Frank gun shy on Sheets….
Troncoso/McDonald/Garland…Bills is a true ace in the making…but he needs to get the teams respect in protecting his teammates.
Wolf and Garland … I understand the Garland detractors…he gave up alot of hits vs innings pitched. As long as he is healthy he reminds me of Lowe, if anyone remembers Lowe had a 5.42 era in 04 the year before he signed with the Dodgers and gave up 224 hits in 182 innings and Garland has alot more experience as a starter and is 2-3 years younger than Lowe was at that point…He is not an ace but look at his consistency and he is a sinker ball pitcher in Dodger stadium…they normally do well…I would take a shot with him…
Ok Ned and Frank lets sign Manny and get some quality arms….
Why, may I ask is it that every move the Dodgers make is met with cynicism.
Why must every move be positive? Why must we not discuss the signing as we see fit. Cynicism basis little fact, just feeling. Fact is he is a 39 year old catcher, one of the worst hitting catchers in the history of the sport. He is being paid a million more than a guy who can do the job on our roster who is apparently cursed, just as all the rest, that he is to young. Ausmus signed as a back up catcher, I get it. But don't you want your team to have the best players possible? Again, if Martin goes down, u want a guy in there who has hit .212 with a .304 OBP over the last 4 years? And he is 39, u think HE can catch everyday if Martin were to get hurt? We pay Torre more than any other manager, to impart wisdom, intangiables, not Ausmus, not Maddux, not Luiz Gonzales, thats a bunch of BS press talk. It's this kind of thinking that makes u sign Pierre instead of playing Kemp, or Gonzo instead of Ethier or take your pick…
Good Morning ~ The signing of Ausmus was not exactly the news I was expecting. But, then again, nothing so far in the off-season is what I was led to believe, has happened. I am trying to be positive, some of you don't like negativity, but I want our "young core" to have some help. Please, Ned and Frank, give us just one or two additional QUALITY players, so our Dodgers can win the division.
My hat's off to you, Jungar!!!!!
Good Morning ITDr's
Well I do agree that we do need good back ups for all of our players. Last year we lost our 3rd base man and we had to pull our best catcher to cover 3rd and back up catcher to catch…we need to think about the worst case scenario and that worst case should still contribute to a win.
Ausmus can bring to Martin what Manny brought to Ethier. Who knows???? But we do have young guns and sometimes we need the "Vets" the "Wiser" to keep teaching the younger ones more.
Also I want to add.
Rose (a.k.a. Dodgersrule1655)
OOOOPs sorry I don't have anything else to add….LOL…so just add a BIG REDLINED through the last sentence…obviously I'm not a morning person…LOL
Good Morning ITD readers and writers!!!
I don't think this Ausmus signing would be such a big deal if we had all of our other missing parts in place. We need a SP now, and we need a middle of the order bat (preferably Manny). It just seems like FranknNed is spending a million here and a million there, and not getting much for it with very few exceptions at this point.
Have a great morning!!!!!
BTW – sign him already 🙂
Jungar, Ausmus is not signed to be an everyday player that is the difference in reference to the Gonzo signing. Pierre was just a bad signing when our GM admittedly panicked and made a poor decision…If Martin were to get hurt, no Ausmus would not be our number 1 catcher, we would be forced to go out and get one, I thought I had made that clear earlier….Do you think Ardoin is the answer…No, and Ausmus can help Martin…Torre is not going to sit there with Martin and go over every situation with him…Why can you not see that this can be a positive…
I do not like every move that the Dodgers make, but at least I try to see something positive….Why is it that Martin does not need a mentor, yes he is an All Star, but he has only been catching full time for 5-6 years…Maybe Ausmus can show him how to pace himself to last 140 plus games and Ausmus has seen every situation that a catcher can possibly come across ….Again, I see a positive as a 1-2 day a week ballplayer, we can agree to disagree. Sometimes the best player for the situation may not be the best one numbers wise or to our liking, but if Martin respects Ausmus and sits there and picks his mind, he could possibly benefit…maybe I am off base, but sometime experience is priceless..
As for Torre, yes he is highly paid, but he is also 60 plus years old and maybe the younger generation may not listen to all he has to say or being the leader of the team he cannot impart as much wisdom as he would like to every ballplayer….What can Ardoin teach Russell…Ausmus has been catching for 20 years with a lot of post season experience…Lets use your wisdom and have all 22-25 year olds and see what happens…They cannot handle sitting on the bench and get into slumps and do not know how to get out…they lose confidence and they are lost….
Now if these are the only signings we have this offseason, I will also be very upset..Mota, I was not real excited about, but maybe he will be Chan Ho revisited and be a productive member of the bullpen…Loretta is a good sign and he will help Dewitt grow….plus he hits everywhere he has been, nice bat off the bench….
Sign Manny, Wolf and Garland….
good morning ITD! Is raining here in Southern Cal. I like rain, but not the additional traffic it causes.
Diamond Leung has several articles about Jeff in his blog and this quote from Kent:
"I would rather deal with the fans (than the media). I would rather talk to all 100,000 of them right now or half a million."
The thing that strikes me as odd with some posters is that some of you automatically think that veterans actually want to mentor and impart their wisdom on the younger players. Some guys just don't want to do it and that isn't their job anyway. It is a nice to have, but they are signed to play the game. Ausmus has a reputation of not having patience with younger players. If he were such a great influence on younger catchers, wouldn't it make sense that other teams out there looking for a "veteran catcher" would've tried to sign him? For goodness sakes, the only teams willing to give him a shot were two of the cheapest teams in baseball. The Astros, who have young catchers that could use some of that so-called mentoring, didn't even want him back. I am just saying this to point out to those of you that include his good influence and mentoring skills as positives to really think about what he truly brings to the table as a player. The answer to that is: not much.
As far as mentoring goes, cl, isn't that what the coaches are supposed to do? If not, why have them at all. I'd rather have players that have fun together and enjoy each others company. Manny brought that last season………an enjoyable atmosphere to excel at the end of the season.
Look I don't want to fight and I know I can be abrasive but we have traded off one young all star catcher, traded off a young prospect who is one of the better ranked catchers in baseball and spent over 5 million in 4 years on back up catchers who cant back up adequately. Some can't even throw..I am calling it for what it is, another one who cannot back up adequately and it will force Martin to play to often again and it will hurt the DODGERS, not jungar! And if Martin is hurt it will force us to make a trade. But my posts always try to show how every move seemingly since Ned has been around keeps us just above average. The Dodgers are dealt pocket queens to use the metaphor every time and we loose to those who get 4/9 off suits .
Why were we not in the running for Blanco? He is younger, cheaper and he was former Dodger farm player.
What I love about this sight is that we all do not agree with each other all or some of the time…I do not know where it has been written or said Ausmus did not want to mentor young catchers and if you look at Diamonds blog, the Astros players seemed to genuinely liked playing with him and were sorry to see him leave…that is a good sign. And yes you are right not all veterans are made to mentor or want to…I would like to think that Ausmus knows the situation that he is going into and knows he does not have the ability to perform on a daily basis.
As far as the coaching staff, they do as much as they can, but lets be honest most coaches are a generation or more apart in age and the players do not always go to them with certain issues….You can be a mentor to someone and still have fun…Its funny that you bring up Manny and he was a mentor to the young players and they gravitated to him…He did not have to and it did not seem as if the coaches were not trying to help the kids, but they did not reach them the way Manny could….Yes it helped that Manny was a beast, but they listened and watched how he prepared and they followed….
Jungar, I understand your frustration with Ned, I think we all feel it, but Ausmus is not a bad decision, in my opinion…Trading Santana was a disaster….
gotta go to a meeting will finish later…I love you guys all Dodgers fans..
Last night i was testing my laptop to see if I could work from the Laptop instead of coming to work and I got an error "Fan error" so..I came in to work and gave the laptop to Tech Suport. today is my appointmented day if I want to upgrade/move my tickets to a different location. I thought I leave early and work from my laptop later on seeing as my boss is out the whole week. ironic that I get the error "Fan Error". Anyway, my laptop is toast, need a replacement. I'll stop by on Saturday and see if where I want to move is still available. Is only the next two seats beside me that someone had as mini plans.
Ramslover – You'll notice that the guys that comment on liking to play with him are the older and/or more established players. He can't say much to the guys that are obviously better than him, but he tends to be difficult with guys that he perceives to be below him in ability and/or knowledge.
Thinking about it, he seems to be like Jeff Kent without the skills.
What makes this blog so special is that while we are all Dodger fans, we have different opionions, which is a good thing. We all want to put the best team on the field. I believe it was seesky who said we are like a patchwork quilt…..different pieces make a beautiful finished product. Frustration is part of being a fan. When the season starts, we will be here cheering our team to the bitter end. I believe it it Frank McCourt's responsibility to put the best team possible on the field every year for us, the Dodger fans.
Well said, trublu
Thanks, cl. We'd be kind of boring if we all thought alike.
Jeff Kent's conference will be televised at 11:30. I'll try to watch it here at work but I am also taping it at home.
Well said Tru. And all opinions are welcome (results may vary). Different opinions are what make blogging intersting. You may learn something from reading what others have to say.
No matter how perfect a team may look, there will always be an unhappy person (player, fan etc etc). And no matter what – we will never understand why Management do what they do. I'm with NellyJune, let's look at the positive side and make the best out of it (well atleast I am). Let's enjoy a DODGER GAME! And no matter what, win or loose we still love the Dodgers (BUT WE ARE EXTRA LOVABLE WHEN THEY WIN!)
Manny was disliked by Boston, but welcomed in L.A.
Again, well said Tru 🙂
Josh opens up the announcement
I cried thru all his speech. sniff.
Good Afternoon ITD readers and writers!! I tend to take what enchanted, dodgereric and jungar (among others) and really think about what they are saying. I think jungar makes a very valid point about Ausmus. If, and I am saying "if" Russell were to get hurt, then what? Do we really want Ausmus as our catcher? So, if not, we go out looking for a trade for a catcher..now the question is…who do we trade? If we get Manny, you will have a crowded outfield (JP isn't going anywhere), and who better to trade than one of them, and my odds would be, it wouldn't be JP, and DY is not valuable enough. Okay, so we don't go outfield, the only other way is through prospects, and like jungar said, we have already lost how many prospects through Ned's dealings already. Just thinking…………..
jungar…your comments are so ridiculous! stop whinging, thats all you do on here! ausmus is a good singing because hes a veteran backup catcher that can be relied upon (3 gold gloves)! we didnt sign ausmus to play 100 games and hit 300, so stop acting like we did! the singing of ausmus is to give martin the rest he needs! im sure martin willplay 3b a lot more this year. this will either give blake or loney occasional days off. your point about the dodgers singing 4 catchers for 5 millions dollars in the past 4 years…well you shouldnt even mention it, they are backup catchers and its only a 1 million $ contract! gosh everytime i read your comments, they are full of negativity and stupidity! pocket quenns and 4/9 off suit?!?! wow speechless!
As for neds singings of estes, vargas, castro, etc…who cares!!!! we all know its nothing big so why do you even bother getting all worked up about these signings…there just spots for spring training! sign manny and the dodgers will be a contender! manny, ethier, loney, and the others that i dont need to mention! our bullpen is fine the way it is! starting picthing can use some help which i know we will get but if we just sign manny thats allwe need! and for those of you that think we should give up on manny…well you obviously dont know how valuable he is. there is no argument about his defense!
3Gold Gloves>0 Gold Gloves
1 million compared to 500,000….no difference! both are cheap!
Forget about the past! forget about 2006 signings, forget about 2007 signings, forget about 2008 singings there is nothing you can do about it! shmidt and pierre are the only ones left that are bad singings! shcmidt has only 1 year left and pierre is serviceable!
Sammie – Uh, let's just take it easy here. I think we are all aware that Ausmus has won 3 gold gloves, but that was a career ago. You are actually clearly illustrating a big problem with the Ned (Gnats) way of thinking: if they did it when they were 28-32, they can still do it when they are 38-40. Uh, just because Barroids did it doesn't mean it is the norm. Baseball players skills diminish pretty quickly as they age, especially catchers. I think the point people are making about Ausmus is that he may have been a decent cathcer in the past, but he is way past that now, and Ned has been making a bad habit of signing guys that are way past their prime thinking they can take some magic pill to get those skills back once they get to LA (he must have not got the memo about steriods and HGH now being illegal). I think the arguments are pretty sound because Ned has a clearly established pattern.
BTW…If $1 million is so cheap, then the Dodgers would've been willing to pay that portion of Blake's salary last year so they wouldn't have had to include Santana in the trade with Meloan. Face it, the ownership of this team counts every last dollar and the difference between $500K annd $1mil is huge to them.
I am glad your happy Sammy. I will leave you in your ignorance bliss..Your opinion is fine by me even if I don't agree. I won't make ridiculous comments anymore. Things are going great, as they have been now since 1988
sammie, sammie, sammie. You're almost right. There's nothing we can do about it……except complain. Complain that Frank bought OUR team and isn't running it to our satisfaction. Complain that the guy he hired to be the GM consistently picks through the trash cans of other teams to sign players that no one else wants. Complain that the manager of the team is so stubborn that he needs to waste way too much of the season to figure out that Ethier needed to play every day and Pierre needed to NOT play every day and never did figure out that Sweeney had lost it.
Here is where we can do that complaining. You're not alone in supporting management. That's your right. I'm not here to tell you that your comments are ridiculous or to stop whining. We can all feel free to say what we like here. But personal attacks on anyone, let alone someone as intelligent and passionate as jungar are off base. He's entitled to his opinion too.
BTW Sammie, my point was that Ausmus is NOT an adequate back up and will not give Martin the rest he needs. Not that he will hit .300 My point is that Mota is not an adequate set up man in replacing Broxton. My point is that Garland/Wolf whatever will not be a adequate replacement to Lowe. And I hope to god we get Manny just for the record because Pierre is not even servicable. As for the other signings being "nothing big", I get it, in fact I say to you you are exactly right, so why even sign them, we have plenty of good young arms and back up infielders.
..JP is serviceable only if it's from the bench…..
I think we could all use a ballgame, right about now.
21 days left GO DODGERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Manny signing would be nice 🙂
Andre getting a deal done also would be good 🙂
I enjoy everybody's comments here, we are #1 for a reason 🙂
Good afternoon ITD boys and girls!
Okay, okay. Everyone just chill out. I didn't think that the signing of Ausmus would've created this much controversy. But that's the reason I love ITD; there are so many different views, many of which I really don't agree with. But again, that's why I love ITD and the job that Josh does to allow us to say what we mean; one way or the other or something in between. All of us clearly don't have the same view of the Ausmus signing.
All I'm saying is to reserve judgment until ST and until the regular season is underway. Then we would have seen Ausmus (and any other recently-acquired player) in action and to see how he can contribute. Plus, I think we all tend to forget the players already on the team and if their game will improve, stay the same as before, or (God forbid) get worse.
For what it's worth, I like the signing of Ausmus; I can't wait to see him in the game, giving Russ the much-needed rest early in the year to have him productive at the end of the year.
***Note to Jeff Kent***
Thanks for all of your hard work throughout your career. You accomplished much. Maybe not everything you wanted, but you accomplished much in your ML career! I know I don't have to tell you this, but enjoy the time with your family! I know your wife and kids are glad that you're home full-time now!
Nelly, the injury factor is real and I do not want Ausmus to be an everyday catcher, but you are not going to have a grade A everyday starter ready to step in at every position …We can sit here and say yes injuries are going to happen and when they do the Dodgers will react….Ardoin is not an everyday starter…and I do not believe anyone here would like him to be. There are not a lot of quality number 2 catchers and you do not want a young guy sitting behind Martin….
Clhuerth, just wondering where can I get this info that Ausmus is smug to the younger players, because if that is the case then I may have a different opinion.
Goodbye Jeff Kent, I never had the chance to meet you, but you had a very nice career…
Hi cp! This ain't much to worry about, pretty mild stuff. If you want to read some real name-calling, you ought to go back to last October and read some of the Cubs sites after we knocked 'em out of the playoffs!
And you're right D4, we need some baseball!
Hey Eric! I know; this is pretty mild stuff. And no, I don't feel like reliving the name-calling from last year, thank you very much! You mention to go to the Cubs' blogs; I remember the Philly fans (what did you call them, phidiots!) trashing on Andre's blog. That was just plain wrong. And I can't wait to watch Dodger baseball again!!! By the way, I love seeing the new kids in ST; it's nice to see someone do well that no one but himself thought he could do well!
ramslover – point taken, as always, the scenario can happen with any back up catcher I suppose. It's just FranknNed's spending habits too, I guess. I want them to spend the big money and get some pitching and a left fielder so we don't have to suffer another year of JP playing left and batting 2nd.
Ward Dear and Dodger4life – we definitely need baseball 🙂
Oh, I forgot to put something else down. Ned: Sign Andre to a long-term contract; he SO deserves it!!!
My Nellygirl! So how's school today? I'm curious; what baseball city are you in today?
Oh Eric, I forgot to mention this a long time ago, but Lucy is just TOO CUTE!!! Those eyes are to die for!!! So I'm sure your family is enjoying her!!! With eyes like that, I, well, would be a "terrible" mom to her; I'd give into anything she desired!!! I just could not resist eyes like hers!!! 🙂
Hey CP!!!! We are in Los Angeles, California, home of the Dodgers – the best baseball team in the world! We even had special guest visitors in class on Tuesday (Mr. and Mrs. Dodgereric), and they were fabulous!!! What better visitor than someone who knows everything about Dodger baseball 🙂 How are you doing?
Ramslover – family friends related to ex-Astros player. Got to sit down and talk to him about the club during a family/friend gathering. Had glowing things to say about Bagwell, Biggio and others, but his opinion of Ausmus was that he was all buddy-buddy with the big boys, but he treated those he felt were inferior in ability and/or knowledge to him in a shabby manner (notice I said felt, not were). This guy is a real easy to talk-to guy who had nice things to say about a bunch of different players throughout the game, so I don't think he had an ax to grind with Ausmus; he was just telling me how it is, basically. BTW, that is also where I heard the "stop shaking me off" story and then the young pitcher told him he didn't even throw that pitch to which Ausmus just put his mask on and walked back behind the plate. To be a fly on the wall for that conversation would've been priceless.
Hey Nelly!!! So you're in Los Angeles, California!!! I think you said earlier that you've already covered the topic of the "LA" Angels and it's name versus where they actually play, huh? So now you're ONLY talking about the Dodgers??? Great!!! And Mr. and Mrs. Dodgereric came in; that's great!!! I bet your kids loved that!!! Did you tell the kids earlier that they were going to come for a visit??? If not, that's a cool surprise!!! Eric, I commend both you and Chris!!!
I'm doing fine otherwise. I had my 2nd physical therapy session this morning on my shoulder. It's certainly better than it was last week or last month!!! It just will take some time for it to get 100% better! I forgot the time that Jeff Kent's news conference was so when Emma mentioned, "Josh opens up the announcement" I said, oh I Jeff's news conference! I turned on MLBN around 11:45 and I thought I missed a lot, but he had quite a bit to say after that – not to mention the questions he answered! He may have not been everyone's favorite, but I've always admired his career. It just would've been nice if he went out with a WS ring on his finger, but he's okay without it. I think that was a cool statement by him!
I agree that we all have the right to express our opinions and complain, if we desire to do so. That's what makes this such a great forum……..to discuss or argue about our Dodgers. I also agree that name calling is not cool.
Hey Tru!!! It's great to see you!!! Josh is so cool to put up with us!!! All of the banter (not necessarily good versus bad) is just wonderful on this site!!! Again, I can't wait for our ITD tour!!! (BIG HINT, HINT JOSH!!!) Speaking of which, though, I hope it's soon because I'm afraid that once ST hits, it's not going to happen; at least not right away… So how are you???
I, myself, complain quite a bit…….for example, I can't see the logic in giving Mota $2.35M, while Andre, a proven ballplayer, is offered the same amount.
I'm doing great, cp. I also love the banter we experience here on ITD. It gets all of our juices flowing!
Hello ITD, Nellyjune, Trublue, Cpompe1, dodgereric, Jungar, and everyone else
First of all, Jeff Kent is one of my favorite Dodgers. I was lucky enough to meet him and actually talked to him a couple of times. My favorite conversation with him:
Me: You are one of the best alltime Dodger players
Jeff: Sometimes
That is characteristic of Jeff. Not full of himself and to the point. I never found him to be grumpy or surly myself. I saw him sign at least 25 autographs in the heat and still he was smiling and answering questions, posing for pictures. Blake DeWitt had some very nice things to say about him.
I have learned not to pass judgment on anyone until I actually see for myself. I was negative about Manny before he actually became a Dodger. As soon as I saw him play, I actually met him (he signed a ball for me to give to my Dad) and saw his intereaction with the other players and also with us fans, I changed my opinion of him totally and was ashamed that I was so negative about him without giving him a chance.
I don't know Ausmus and I don't know if he was signed to be mentor to Russell. Considering that so far Russell doesn't take many days off, signing a high power catcher would be a waste of money. I pray that he doesn't get hurt seriously. I know that he has been bonked around and certainly plays with a sore back. I've seen him get hit in the mask, in the adams apple, off his body, his foot, knee, etc. He is young and wants to play. Ausmus is probably a good choice.
I think that Manny wil be signed. I've said it before. It's some sort of power dance between the owners and the agent, not particularly Manny. I know that it would not be wise to sign Manny beyond 2 years with incentives because of his age. After the two years, will he be able to play defense? Probably not, since he is not the best left fielder. We can all agree on that. And who knows about his hitting beyond that time. I can just see the criticism if he gets signed longterm and loses his power. We do have to save some money for our young guys contracts.
I know Russell would love a longterm contract. He wants to stay a Dodger…he told me that. I think we would all like that.
I hope Andre gets what he wants, considering how essential he was getting the Dodgers into the playoffs. However, I suppose, considering he is in a crowded outfield, maybe that's why the figures are so different.
CPompe1. What happened to your shoulder? I missed that. I hope it gets better.
Tomorrow I go for the Pick a Seat event. I like my seat but hope to see my friends there. I sit in Row A Seat 1 on the third base side. Free Dodger Dogs!! Yaaay. My friend said he got Tommy's autograph last year. I would love to get one for my Dad.
Tru – Again, when I saw that we signed Mota, I said, whoopee frickin doo… To me, Andre last year just scratched the surface on what he can do on the field. Earlier, I said, "I think we all tend to forget the players already on the team and if their game will improve, stay the same as before, or (God forbid) get worse." Andre, to me, will only get better; he has so much upside!!! The biggest caveat is Torre and how many times he writes Andre's name into the lineup. If Andre (and Matty for that matter) gets the playing time they so richly deserve, both of them will be key contributors to our Dodgers. As far as what the Dodgers are offering Andre is a like a game of chess. All I'm hoping is that they can agree to a contract before the ugliness of an arbitration hearing is convened. I still don't like the arbitration process.
cp ~ I do believe Andre will sign before an arbitration hearing. It's just that the amount he asked for and the amount he was offered wasn't that far apart. So, they should have awarded him what he deserved.
Hey xox!!! I have a separated shoulder. I have no idea how it got separated; it just did. Everyone has asked me, and I still don't know. Last July I went to a friend's wedding and it was fine; by August, it was messed up. I originally thought that I banged it or something but that it would go away after a few days. No, not in the slightest. It has only gotten worse as time moves on. I went to my doctor once in August and he gave me an anti-inflammatory for it. It worked for a while, but once the Rx ran out, the pain came roaring back. Then I got a cortisone shot on my 2nd visit. It got a little better, but not much. Then my doctor referred me to an orthopedic specialist who then had me go in for physical therapy which, like I said earlier, I had my 2nd visit this morning. It feels better, but it's not 100% yet. I just have to set another appointment with my orthopedist to get another cortisone shot and just continue therapy. I'm sure it'll get better eventually! So, how are you!!!
Yeah tru, I think Andre will sign before any hearing. The two parties aren't that far apart to where a compromise can't be worked out…
At least Andre and Matt weren't in the trade rumors this year like they were last year. We probably aren't getting the big players because the owners and Ned don't want to trade any of them. Thank you thank you. If we could just get Manny! I have great faith in MacDonald (I think he will have a breakout season) He was really good this past season when he played (And yaaaay, he went to my high school. One of my friends at work knows his girlfriend and says that he still hangs out with his buds). Did everyone forget how great Kuo was? Wade and Ramon were pretty good too and Kershaw will mature. We still have Kuroda who also was pretty awesome. Did everyone forget that we made it to the playoffs last year with all the injuries we had??? I for one am excited about this upcoming 2009 season, so excited I'm going to a couple ST games and the World Baseball Classic. I LIVE FOR BASEBALL! Go Dodgers!
OMIGOD, Cpompe1. Sorry. Talk about having to suffer! Shoulder pain is a killer. I had a separated shoulder a while ago which went with a fractured wrist and rib. The separated shoulder was totally missed by the orthopedists but discovered in xray by an ortho tech. I was lucky. The shoulder just fixed itself with rest which only occurred because I couldn't move much with the rest of the injuries. Physical therapy is probably the best thing but be sure to get your muscles loosened up with a heating pad or whirl pool to relax them. Rest is the best cure. I hope it gets better.
Me? I feel blessed. I am just waiting for baseball season. I can't wait.
With deference to cpompe1, with all the problems in the world today it makes our issues with the Dodgers not too significant despite our passion. That being said I like a lively discussion, especially one that is not focused on Juan Pierre.
Thanks to Jeff Kent for a great career. He may have a reputation for being sort of a jerk but from what I have read on this blog from people who had contact with Jeff, he treated the fans o.k. and played as hard as he could. Even that old grump T.J. Simers has had good things to say about Kent other than calling him Mr. Chuckles. As I have said before, anyone who confronts Barry Bonds is o.k. with me and I wish Jeff had been a Dodger in his prime.
Thx xox. Yes, there have been many times that the pain is horrible. But it is getting better. I had an x-ray and fortunately, it didn't show any fractures. But even though the main area of pain is my left shoulder and down my arm about 3" my left elbow isn't painful – just an uncomfortable feeling. But I'm happy that I don't have any breakage or fracture anywhere. Physical therapy is helping, as are the exercises that I've been taught. And I sure am glad that we have a hot tub out in our back yard; boy, that feels great! And like you, I am just waiting for baseball season too!
Well, I've gotta go. It's been good talking with everyone! I'll catch up with y'all later…
lbirken…….you know that leaves me with very little to complain about when you say "no JP talk" – LOL!! (jk)……..you are so very right. I am surprised that Dodgereric didn't come on with his "That Dodger baseball is our toy shop" speech. I always think of that story during times like this when we just want at least spring training to start so we can start seeing what we have in action, just not on paper. It seems like it's all centered around impatience……wanting to know what the next move is……….pitching, Manny, or something else. I think that's the frustrating part……..the unknown factor.
I heard Ned on Radio…
has eye on 2 SP. Maybe a third guy and and outside line on a 4th..didnt say how many he would get, 1 I assume..None of which are top of rotation starters, innings eaters is how he called them..proven guys
wants to add another guy to bullpen, veteran 7th inning type
ongoing with manny. nothing new.
Cpompe, in my 1st game as a 30 and over baseball game I dislocated my shoulder diving head first into second…Ouch that pain was excruciating….I hope you feel better….
Jungar, the discussions we are having about Ausmus reminds me of the days in college and just after, hanging out with the boys having a few beers and arguing sports…I love your insight, we just might not agree all the time.
I try to see the positive…As hard as it may seem, all we have is hope…and my hope is that the Dodgers have signed quality backups and now will SIGN MANNY and Garland and Wolf…
Have you looked at Garlands stats alongside Lowes, their stats are very similar…He is a 200 inning guy, who will give up hits, but has been a consistent winner…a 2 time 18 game winner by the age of 27…not bad….
lowe had a 5.42 ERA the year before he signed with us….I think Garland if he is healthy, will be a suitable replacement for Lowe…Call me crazy, but if he is our number 3-4 he is not a bad one to have…..
Cleuth….I understand and if what you say is true then Ausmus is not the guy…but I am hoping that he has matured and seen the light…I would hope he knows the stiuation and respects Russ and they build a good relationship….
Supposedly he is going after Russ Springer…another oldie….
I agree that Russell does not really need a mentor, not now. Backup catcher is a tough position to fill and it is clear a veteran player is more suited for this job than a young guy who feels he is capable of playing everyday. I don't know if anyone better was available but the key is having an offensive attack that allows a manager to rest the main guy in the first place. I will say as a fan I would be disappointed going to a game to find Russell on the bench but I would rather see him get a real day off than playing third base.
By the way, that story about Ausmus calling for a pitch the guy doesn't throw is hilarious. Certainly mindful of the old Brooklyn Dodger bums but definitely not compatible with the great catching tradition of the Dodgers.
I'd much rather be wrong and the dodgers win than be right and see us be medicore..If it gets heated ever, just remember that! So no worries Ramslover (or sammie, or anyone) I don't mind being put in check. I am whiny at times about this team..
Hard not to "whine" when we're talking about our Blue baby, eh? I've kinda stepped away from talking about every thing that happens, doesn't mean I don't read everything I find (or spend an hour trying to find SOMETHING). It just gets to the point where I realize I can't control it, so I just hope the Baseball Tikis or whoever find it in their hearts to bestow us with a good team.
The young guns will do some growing up this year, but it would be nice to have that elusive bat in the middle of the order (or the top third, I'm not particular). Wonder if that'll happen within the next three weeks. There's an awful lotta footsie going on, but no payoff.
We want pattyfingers! And no proprieties!
Jungar ~ you can whine to your heart's dersire! What you say is how many of us, me included, feel.
Hey Ned, call me!
You know you want to… 😉
LMAO, Iabb!!!!!!!!
Deja vu all over again…looks like Randy Wolf is coming back.
brownpaperbag – be glad you are not here. Stay as far away as possible. It's not good for your health. We will let you know when it's safe to return.
New thread!!!!
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