Can somebody please explain to me what the Dodgers are trying to do? I can't figure out which direction they are heading. After last season thought they were heading in the right direction and now this. Why are they giving up on Brad Penny? Is his arm worse than expected ?
Dodgers
- Thread starter boilermaker
- Start date
I just read this morning the full details of the Johnson/Green/Vazquez deal and if all the details work out the Dodgers might end up the best overall. Reports are that after they aquire Vazquez they will move him to the White Sox for Konerko, Jon Garland and Damaso Marte. This deal will include one of the prospects from the Yankee deal along with another young arm but likely not Edwin Jackson. Also, by clearing $16M for Green they will then turn around and sign JD Drew for $11M which is an overall upgrade. Depending on how much talent they have to move for Konerko you could basically me talking about Green, Penny, Ishii and prospects for Konerko, Drew, Garland, Marte and cash. Plus, Eric Duncan is considered the Yankees best propect and can play 3B in '06, possibly the middle of this year. They will be competitive and if Weaver has the breakout year I think he can they will compete with the Padres for the NL West crown...
A lineup with JD Drew, Bradley, Konerko and Kent won't be half bad. Drew and Bradley have injury histories which concerns me and I think Jason Werth is best used as a 4th outfielder. Stretching it as a starter if that is the plan. Who will play third? Valentine? Or a combo of Valentine, Cora, Hernadez? Still think it was a big mistake to let Beltre go but what is done is done.
JT - I think time will tell regarding the Dodgers letting Beltre go. One of the things which is overlooked regarding DePodesta is that he was Billy Beane's protege. Beane, who I believe is the best GM in the game, for the last few years has shown the inability to sign his teams big Free Agents to long multi-year contracts. Given the history of the Dodgers to give BIG contracts previously (Brown, Dreifort, Nomo, Hundley, etc.) he is starting a new precedent.
The offense looks at least competitive with Izturis, Bradley, Drew, Konerko, Kent, Werth, Choi and Cora. Again, this is still two steps away with LA needing to first dump Green's contract, sign Drew and trade for Konerko. Werth reminds me of a young Richie Sexson and I think he will be a solid guy if he is given a starting role. 25-30 HR's might be low if he plays 130-140 games. I keep telling my buddy they should look to Kent at 3B... He stated he will do whatever it takes to win so why break up Cora/Izturis?
The offense looks at least competitive with Izturis, Bradley, Drew, Konerko, Kent, Werth, Choi and Cora. Again, this is still two steps away with LA needing to first dump Green's contract, sign Drew and trade for Konerko. Werth reminds me of a young Richie Sexson and I think he will be a solid guy if he is given a starting role. 25-30 HR's might be low if he plays 130-140 games. I keep telling my buddy they should look to Kent at 3B... He stated he will do whatever it takes to win so why break up Cora/Izturis?
The Dodgers are trying to save money - simple as that. McCourt is trying to put a small market team in LA so he can rake in the money. It doesn't matter if they get Drew or Konerko. The LA fans are ready to mutiny already. They are looking at a guy who hit .216 last year for third base and Choi starting at first. Kent won't have a big home run threat behind him and will probably hit at .275. And tell me who is going to be their catcher? DePodesta is already hated by Dodger fans in LA, so if he doesn't come up with something good the fans will be ready to mutiny. They already re-upped Jim Tracy for one of the lowest numbers of all MLB managers. It is all about the money. As for me, I am a die hard Angel fan and I am loving it. Have never seen the Dodger fans in such an uproar.
You are correct ferdville. Must be nice, a owner willing to spend, good farm system. Almost toying with the idea of becoming a 'gasp' Angel fan.
bigdad2, if they nab Konerko I would assume Choi will not play unless he is shagging alot of flyballs in his spare time. If Kent is willing to play 3rd that would be nice if he handles it. I would like to keep a Izturis/Cora combo, especially if they could coax another 40-50 walks out of those two. LA hasn't had a good leadoff guy since Butler was here.
bigdad2, if they nab Konerko I would assume Choi will not play unless he is shagging alot of flyballs in his spare time. If Kent is willing to play 3rd that would be nice if he handles it. I would like to keep a Izturis/Cora combo, especially if they could coax another 40-50 walks out of those two. LA hasn't had a good leadoff guy since Butler was here.
I agree with Ferdville...don't blame The Dodgers for trying to unload Greene but The Dodgers are a cheapskate organization..
And these Yankee prospects suck..Yankees were trying to palm off those stiffs Halsey and Gramman--and they are trying like hell to unload Vasquez and Kevin Brown...Noone should take Kevin Brown unless The Yankees pay all but $1 of his contract.
Every time you see Kevin Brown on the mound , he looks like he hadn't slept in all 4 days he was off or he is overdosed on methadone....LOL i swear it!!
And these Yankee prospects suck..Yankees were trying to palm off those stiffs Halsey and Gramman--and they are trying like hell to unload Vasquez and Kevin Brown...Noone should take Kevin Brown unless The Yankees pay all but $1 of his contract.
Every time you see Kevin Brown on the mound , he looks like he hadn't slept in all 4 days he was off or he is overdosed on methadone....LOL i swear it!!
Yup,
Paperwork was all that stood between Randy Johnson replacing Javier Vazquez on the New York Yankees and Shawn Green going to the Arizona Diamondbacks ? until the Los Angeles Dodgers reneged at the last minute.
A proposed blockbuster swap between the Yankees, Diamondbacks and Dodgers was submitted Tuesday to commissioner Bud Selig for approval, but was held up because he demanded more documentation.
Los Angeles later pulled out entirely.
"The deal is no more," Dodgers general manager Paul DePodesta confirmed. "I've been saying all along that we weren't going to do the deal unless it made sense for this club in 2005, and that was not the case."
The transaction had the Yankees acquiring Johnson and requesting for 72 hours to ink the five-time Cy Young Award winner to a revised contract.
Johnson, 41, is owed $16 million US in the final year of his current contract.
The Diamondbacks were supposed to receive Green as well as pitchers Brad Penny, Yhency Brazoban and Brandon Weeden.
The Dodgers were slated to get Vazquez from New York, pitcher Mike Koplove from Arizona and two minor-league prospects ? catcher Dioner Navarro and third baseman Eric Duncan.
Reports suggested Los Angeles also agreed to pay the Yankees $1 million US to help cover left-hander Kazuhisa Ishii's salary.
"There were specific things in this deal that didn't work out," DePodesta said.
Paperwork was all that stood between Randy Johnson replacing Javier Vazquez on the New York Yankees and Shawn Green going to the Arizona Diamondbacks ? until the Los Angeles Dodgers reneged at the last minute.
A proposed blockbuster swap between the Yankees, Diamondbacks and Dodgers was submitted Tuesday to commissioner Bud Selig for approval, but was held up because he demanded more documentation.
Los Angeles later pulled out entirely.
"The deal is no more," Dodgers general manager Paul DePodesta confirmed. "I've been saying all along that we weren't going to do the deal unless it made sense for this club in 2005, and that was not the case."
The transaction had the Yankees acquiring Johnson and requesting for 72 hours to ink the five-time Cy Young Award winner to a revised contract.
Johnson, 41, is owed $16 million US in the final year of his current contract.
The Diamondbacks were supposed to receive Green as well as pitchers Brad Penny, Yhency Brazoban and Brandon Weeden.
The Dodgers were slated to get Vazquez from New York, pitcher Mike Koplove from Arizona and two minor-league prospects ? catcher Dioner Navarro and third baseman Eric Duncan.
Reports suggested Los Angeles also agreed to pay the Yankees $1 million US to help cover left-hander Kazuhisa Ishii's salary.
"There were specific things in this deal that didn't work out," DePodesta said.
Well, so much for that trade. Perhaps they are holding out for more. Another Dodger note, aside from player moves, is the renovation going on adding more field level seats and enlarged dugouts. Will seriously cut down on foul territory. Something to keep in mind, totals wise, for next year.
Looks like the Dodgers are going foward to signing JD Drew to a 5 year 55 million contract. What I don't understand is why Drew is worth over 10 million a year and LA was only offering Beltre 9 million a year? Either way, if Drew and Bradley remain healthy they will help put runs on the board. Thankfully, no other teams are stepping it up in the NL West.
Glad the Dodgers backed out of the trade. Drew will make a nice addition if he can stay healthy. I think we will mis Beltre's glove more than his bat. I know he had a great year last season but before that he had his problems at the plate. Any news on us obtaining a catcher that can actually hit his weight?
Guy off local radio (Mike Murphy, the Score) made perfect sense.
The Cubs could replace LA in this deal and move you know who!
The Cubs could replace LA in this deal and move you know who!
Sosa? Not even interested. Green at least gives you flexibility of playing first if Choi struggles mightily again. Plus Sosa won't hit in LA like he did on the north side.
boilermaker, I wouldn't count on it. Nothing out there now that Varitek resigned. Pierzynski is available but he seems to have a negative reputation so it looks like Ross and company.
The Dodgers are looking for another starter and think they have found their man. The Los Angeles Times is reporting that the team is targeting former Red Sox Derek Lowe for their pitching staff. Lowe went 14-12 with a 5.42 ERA for Boston last season.
