Thursday, December 28, 2006

NOT ZITO...

The San Francisco Giants delivered a terrible blow to the National League West today. They where able to reel in Barry Zito to a 7 year deal worth $126 million. Zito who is the guy I wanted the Dodgers to go after, is going to our arch rival. I wrote many times on this blog about how much I wanted to see Zito play for the Dodgers. Zito also happens to be my favorite ball player. I have met him a couple of times before, and he's a solid guy. I would still take Zito over Jason Schmidt any day of the week. This was a tough one. When I first heard about the signing it outraged me. I am displeased with Ned Colletti, and his dealings with Scott Borras, who represents Zito, and not to mention Eric Gagne. Ned has a personal vendetta with Borras, which is fine for him, but the people who end up losing in the end are Dodger fans. I know the J.D. Drew event was shady, and Ned has the right to be pissed, but he can't stop dealing with Borras. The Drew incident might have caused us Eric Gagne, and pretty much took us out of the running for Barry Zito. Ned needs to check his ego at the door. Still, Borras is a major ass. I understand where Ned is coming from. Either way, I can't wait for Jason Schmidt, and Barry Zito to go at each other. It's going to be fun.


BELIEVE IN BLUE

Thursday, December 21, 2006

SO FAR, SO GOOD...

At this juncture in time, Ned Colletti has done a solid job in bringing in pieces needed on this team. These pieces however, where not the ones I was thinking off when the season ended. I wanted Ned to go after a power bat, and an ace to bolster the staff. Dodger faithful are still waiting for the powerbat, although he managed to solve the ace situation. Even though, I wanted to go after the eccentric Barry Zito. Zito is somewhat of my favorite ballplayer, and I wished to see him in Dodger blue. I can only hope that the Zito to the San Francisco Giant rumors are just that. Still, Jason Schmidt is by no means a slouch, and having him on board makes me blissful. Another crucial decision I wanted Ned to make was to keep the farm system as is. For the most part Ned did so. Andy LaRoche, James Loney, Matt Kemp, Scott Elbert, Andre Ethier, and Chad Billingsley survived what seemed to be countless rumors of them going elsewhere. It's great to see that the organization is going to the way it used to be, building from with in. Ned needs to stick to his gun, and keep the kids.

The day after the New York Mets finished off our boys in blue, I wrote on this blog my predictions to what the team would look like. I was way off. Needless to say, I was thinking with my heart, rather than my brain. At this point, the team looks something like this

CF. Juan Pierre: slight improvement over Kenny Lofton
C. Russell Martin: needs to avoid sophomore slump
SS. Rafael Furcal: moves down the order, be more clutch
2B. Jeff Kent: can he stay healthy?
1B. Nomar Garciaparra: again, can he stay healthy?
LF. Luis Gonzalez: does he have anything left?
RF. Andre Ethier: must prove his first have was no fluke
3B. Wilson Betemit: I would rather see LaRoche in there

Rotation
Jason Shmidt: nice coup from the Giants
Derek Lowe: needs to stay focused
Brad Penny: to many questions about him
Chad Billingsley: CONTROL!
Randy Wolf: walking injury

I have a feeling that our boys will do more than well. It's a nice hitting team, with surplus pitching. Lets believe Ned...

BELIEVE IN BLUE!

Tuesday, December 12, 2006

GAME OVER...

It is official, the greatest closer in Los Angeles Dodgers history is no longer on the team. Eric Gagne signed a one-year deal with the Texas Rangers. The deal is worth $6 million dollars, but it could rise to $11 million if he hits his incentives. According to some reports, the Dodgers had offered Eric a one year-deal worth $4 million, with incentives that could have brought the deal up to $10 million. The Dodgers offer was more than fair. Especially after Eric said he was willing to take less money in order to stay with the team. It seems that Scott Borras got to him. Just like he got to Adrian Beltre, and J.D. Drew. Loyalty does not go far these days. Eric will most certainty be missed. Eric saved 161 games for the Dodgers during his prodigious career. He took home the 2003 Cy Young award, was a three-time all-star, and was the face of the Dodger franchise. He was a true Dodger, but it only took $1 million dollars for him to forget that. The Dodgers must turn the page now, and focus on putting together the roster. Eric will now go to Texas, and pick up a paycheck every fifteen days. He will see his era rise, and his saves go down. He will see the Rangers atrocious play night after night, and be at the bottom of the rung in the American league West. I earnestly hope that Eric can regain his form, and continue his stellar career. But, by early May Eric will realize that he committed the biggest mistake of his baseball life. It's Sammy time!...


BELIEVE IN BLUE!

Thursday, December 07, 2006

GONE-ZO ARIZONA...

On Tuesday, the Los Angeles Dodgers lost four integral parts of the team. On Wednesday, the Dodgers reloaded. The Dodgers added stud pitcher Jason Schmidt by signing him to a three year deal worth $47 million dollars. They then signed Mike Lieberthal to a one year deal to back up Russell Martin, and just when you thought the dealing was over, they reeled in Luis Gonzalez to one year deal. The Dodgers had a very productive day. They strengthened the rotation, and shored up a whole in the lineup. The dilemma now is what happens to Andre Ethier, James Loney, Matt Kemp, and Brad Penny. It is well known that the Dodgers are looking to stock-pile pitchers in order to go out and trade Penny for the power bat they sorely need. There is speculation that the Dodgers will go seek a trade with the Toronto Blue Jays to acquire All-Star Vernon Wells. The Dodgers would have to part ways with Penny, and one if not two of their highly prized prospects. Say a deal does take place, Vernon Wells in right field, Juan Pierre in center field, and Gonzo in left, what happens to Andre Ethier?. Has Andre fallen out of favor with the organization?. Andre Ethier earned himself a starting position. Now he might be the odd man out. Also, there is the age old question of "do you trade prospects?" The Dodgers have stood strong, and kept most of their prospects. But, not just keeping them, they have to play them. James Loney is ready to be an everyday player, Andy LaRoche has been passed over many times, and we are still waiting for his first big league game. It would have made more sense if the Dodgers had simply not picked up Gonzo, and then gone after Vernon Wells, or Andruw Jones. That way Andre would not be road blocked. They also could keep Penny, and have one of the strongest rotations in all of baseball, but at this point that looks doubtful. The Dodgers are fed up with his poor attitude, and unreliable performance. But, Penny should be given one more shot. He did win sixteen games, and start the All-Star game. The Dodgers should just leave the team as is. In a weak National League, they are more than capable of winning in the playoffs. As of this moment, this Dodger ballclub is a throwback to that of the sixties. A team that runs well, moves guys over, and most important, is knee deep in good pitching. I can only hope that Ned Colletti stays with the building from with-in mentality.


BELIEVE IN BLUE!