Ok, I'm back. I've been taking a slight break after the Dodger elimination. Once the World Series ends, I plan on handing out some Dodger Awards, and then we'll glide smoothly into the offseason. Until then though, as has been the newly formed tradition, we'll take a look back at some of what I consider my best-est Tweets from the last month or so.
I'm not going to lie to you, much of the month was filled with emotional reaction Tweets to what was happening in the playoffs, or just general complaining about umpires. But I did dig in and find a couple things other than that. Here's you go:
Whoever the guy doing color commentary on ESPN Radio is a genius. Paraphrase: Phillies are 0-6 in playoff series if they lose the 1st game.
Is that all-time? Does that include Mike Schmidt's teams? Does that go back to the Phillies of the 1880s? That stat means NOTHING!
Then Berman: "Lee has retired the side in order in the last 4 inn." Color Commentary Genius: "Yeah, retired, but is he getting tired?" Nice.
We have a chance to lose Plaschke and Simers? Choices... RT @villaraigosa ...we're willing to give up the LA Times if we lose the series.
Dodgers let Will Ohman go. I'm upset. He was on the DL so long this year, I couldn't get in any "Oh man!" jokes. Maybe it's for the better.
Man, Ben Francisco is three types of ugly. What a frightening face...
[TBS Color Commentary Guy:] "That's a ball that's got to be played, a double play that's got to be made... and the Dodgers should be back in the dugout." Nice finish.
How about: "That a ball that's got to be played, a double play that's got to be made, then the Dodgers gonna get paid." Needs a little work.
According to Vin, the Philadelphia authorities have greased every pole in the city. Fill in your own jokes here.
I'm rooting for the Yankees in the WS. They spent more, they should win. That's capitalism. A lower payroll team winning is socialism.
Hahaha. Fill in your own jokes, ladies and gentlemen. RT @MLBONFOX Karros: Angels are baseballs version of a "cockroach."
This does make me feel a little better. Phillies Fan Fail:
Yankee Stadium: looking a little empty. I thought Dodger fans were the only ones who left early? Media? Oh, they're an East Coast team? Nvm.
I hate the Yankees, but gotta admit, love the Phillies beat down, especially Lidge. Reminds me of how much I love this:
Alright, we're through four games in the World Series. It's probably over before long now. I'll see you all then.
Alright folks, there's your first half. No week recap this week. Instead, we'll take a look back at the first half.
And what better way to do that than with a little HOT, COLD, or ROOM TEMPERATURE?
We'll start with pitchers:
COLD:
Will Ohman - 1-0, 5 HLDs (21 games), 5.84 ERA (8 ER in 12.1 IP), 4 HRs - I was totally for the Ohman signing when it happened near the end of Spring Training. I thought he could be a helpful lefty out of the pen, I thought he could eat a few innings. I thought wrong. Ohman stunk. He gave almost a hit per inning, and more walks than strikeouts. And way too many homeruns per innings pitched. In any case, Ohman now sits on the DL and it's unknown when he'll be back. Though frankly, it's become a moot point anyway.
Hiroki Kuroda - 3-5 (10 games, 9 starts), 4.67 ERA (28 ER in 54.0 IP) - Yeah, this was the guy that started Opening Day for us. Well, unfortunatly, that's all he started for us until June. And since that return in June, he's been sub-par. He did have two quality starts, peaking with a 8.2 IP, 2 ER, 9 K performance against the White Sox on June 23rd. But, since that point, his starts have gotten progressively shorter, and his ERA continues to rise. His stats aren't too bad (less hits than innings pitched, and a better than 3:1 K to BB ratio) but he's just giving up runs. Here's to hoping for a better second half for a guy who's supposed to be our 2nd or 3rd starter.
Cory Wade - 2-3, 7 HLDs(27 games), 5.53 ERA (17 ER in 27.2 IP) - Talk about a fall from grace. Cory Wade was going to be our setup guy for our setup guy this year. Simply put, he hasn't been. He's in a bad position for a guy who throws the way he does. He relies on movement of pitches and placement of pitches. The pitches aren't finding the zone enough (less than 2:1 K to BB) and when they do, he's getting hit too often (28 hits in 27.2 IP). Luckily for the Dodgers, other pitchers have stepped up and filled Troncoso's role (more on that later).
ROOM TEMPERATURE:
Guillermo Mota - 3-2 (38 games), 3.51 ERA (16 ER in 41.0 IP) - Mota has had two seasons in one. Before May 18th Season: 15 games, 9.00 ERA. After May 18th Season: 23 games, 0.35 ERA. Yeah. What In The World?! I've always been indifferent to Mota, and I still am. I won't deny how excellent he's been these last two months, but do I trust him? No. Do I want him in, in big pressure sitations? No. But if I can have it so the 12th guy out of the bullpen for the Dodgers has a mid-3.00 ERA then I'll be a happy man.
Randy Wolf - 4-3 (19 starts), 3.45 ERA (44 ER in 114.2 IP) - Well, Wolf's been consistent to say the least. Over his 19 starts, he's averaging 6.0 IP a start, about 2.5 ER, and about 4.5 Ks. And really, if you take a look at his game log, most of his starts are around that area. Some are better, a few are worse, but really, most are about the same. It's ok, not great, though I suppose it's what you want out of your number four starter. And consistancy is nice in many ways.
HOT:
Ronald Belisario - 1-3, 10 HLDs, (43 games), 2.42 ERA (13 ER in 48.1 IP) - Belisario has been solid as the 7th inning guy a good portion of this year. Unfortunately, he might have been used too much, too fast. He's on the DL now, indefinitely, and that could spell some trouble for us in the near future.
Ramon Troncoso - 3-0, 5 SVs, 8 HLDs (41 games), 1.75 ERA (11 ER in 56.2 IP) - For a guy who was pretty much an afterthought last year, he's really established himself as an excellent setup man this year. And honestly, it's surprising how he does it. He gives up a lot of hits and a lot of walks. But he's been getting the well timed strikeout or double play, and as long as he keeps it up, he'll keep his ERA low.
Clayton Kershaw - 7-5 (18 starts), 3.16 ERA (35 ER in 99.2 IP), 99 Ks - Kershaw actually leads the starting staff in ERA, and that's due to a recent streak where he has really been locked in. Since June 16th, Kershaw is 4-0 in 6 starts with a 0.76 ERA. Not bad for a 21 year old.
Jonathan Broxton - 6-0, 20-22 SVs (38 games), 3.10 ERA (14 ER in 40.2 IP), 65 Ks - Broxton has been crazy good this year as the Dodger closer. 65 Ks in 40.2 IP? Crazy. Good. Unfortunately, he's hurting a little bit right now. His toe could be causing him problems, and now there is some talk it could be a year long problem. With Belisario out, and Broxton maybe not at 100%, the bullpen could be in a little trouble.
Chad Billingsley - 9-4 (19 starts), 3.38 ERA (47 ER in 125.1 IP), 119 Ks - Billingsley has really taken over as ace of the staff. He's been a little up and down recently, but his body of work over the whole year has been fantastic. He's near the top in many of the major statistics in the National League, and for it, he was rewarded with a trip to the All-Star game.
Ok, there's the pitchers. Home Run Derby is tonight.
First Half Recap for Hitters is tomorrow. See you then.
So, remember everything good I talked about in yesterday's game?
That didn't happen in today's game (well, most of it didn't).
Our hitting wasn't really there. Other than a 4th inning, two run scoring rally, there wasn't much else to speak of, offense wise.
And the starting pitching wasn't really there. Randy Wolf gave up four earned runs in 5.1 innings.
On the bright side, the bullpen continued a second day of excellence. Ronald Belisario and Will Ohman had a scoreless inning each. Guillermo Mota allowed an inherited runner to score but didn't allow much further damage.
Overall, it was a really... meh... game. A loss. A lame loss.
A "We're two games into the season and the offense was asleep today" kinda game.
Man it's been a quiet week. Yeah, Ohman was signed, and we're slowly narrowing down who's going to make the roster, but otherwise, the Dodgers haven't been up to much this week.
And I'm excited. I'm starting to get the feeling that we might see some stuff go down soon.
Well, for one, we are obviously gonna get some cuts. Who's going to make it into the back of the bullpen? Weaver? Troncoso? Sturtze? NO! And, who'll be our utility guy? It's kinda cool. Those cuts should be coming in any day now.
Secondly, I'm getting the feeling a trade is going to go down. Call it a hunch, but I think someone is going to go. We've got an abundance of outfielders, and I'm thinking Jason Repko could be on the move, which is too bad cause I like the guy, but the outfield is full. Unless of course someone else goes. Pierre? PIERRE? Who knows? Exciting.
Third: the season! It's coming! The season is almost here! Monday! MONDAY!!! The season! Am I clear? (The season.)
Look, I know this article was basically me frantically babbling on about nothing, but there's not much to talk about.
The Dodgers signed Will Ohman to a one year deal, with an option for 2010, reports Dodgers.com.
This is odd to me because we just watched him try out for us yesterday, and Joe Torre made some odd, somewhat disparaging comments about him:
"But there's a certain element of sharpness you'd like to have. Where we are, how many times can he pitch [in a game]? We saw today the quality of his stuff. You can see he hasn't been pitching in a game as far as command. Not that he's been pinpoint [in his career]."
Wow, bit of a shot at Ohman's career there, Joe.
Anyway, point is, we went from that yesterday, to signing him today. Quick turnaround.
It's a good signing, cheap enough, and gives us another arm in the bullpen.
And it allows me to begin preparing "Oh man!" jokes for the upcoming season.
Whilst reading the articles on Dodgers.com, something struck me as rather odd, and perhaps disturbing.
You see, the Dodgers are looking at possibly carrying up to five non-roster players on the Opening Day 25-man.
That's good, I do like the occasional reclamation project. Five might be too many, but still, I can live with it.
Let's take a look at who's in the running: Doug Mientkiewicz and Juan Castro. Ok... I'd rather keep Delwyn Young around, but Mientkiewicz and Castro are having good Springs, they are pretty good defensively, and they are versatile. I can live with these two on the roster.
Who else do we have?
Either Erick Threets or Brian Mazone will probably make the roster as the second left handed reliever. I did read another story that Will Ohman was working out for the Dodgers, and I'd like to go with him, but if we don't sign him, Mazone has had an excellent Spring and Threets is young and has some good stuff. I'd be ok with either as the lefty outta da pen. Oh, here's a name: Jeff Weaver. He's not had a great Spring, a 7.00 ERA in eight appearances over 9.0 innings. Ummm... maybe not a great choice to make it off the non-roster invitee list. Especially because there's a couple of guys who've had better Springs as reliever, but hey, maybe Torre wants to go with a proven (kinda) name like Weaver over a Nick DeBarr (5.06 ERA in eight games, 5.1 innings), Jesus Castillo (3.86 ERA in four games, 4.2 innings), or Charlie Haeger (2.08 ERA in four games, 4.1 innings). Fine. I guess we can go with Weaver as the long relief/12th guy out of the bullpen kinda role. Why not? How much damage can he do?
Alright, that's four. Who's the fifth guy...
What? WHAT?
"The way manager Joe Torre is talking... Tanyon Sturtze... [is] alive in competition for [a job] as Spring Training winds down."
WHAT?!?
No!
"Oh hai dere! I'm just here to ruin your 25-man roster."
NO!!!
No Tanyon Sturtze! This was the guy last year, that when Designated for Assignment, opted instead to linger around with the club than pitch in the minors or look for another job.
He was the pitching coach last year in the final game of the season, which I thought meant he had practically retired.
Sturtze has a 5.14 ERA in nine games (7.0 innings) this Spring, which admittedly sounds not bad (though not really good for that matter, either). He's been better than Jeff Weaver, but still not better than any of the three names I previously mentioned (DeBarr, Castillo, Haeger).
Hell, if we're going down this road, I'd rather give Ramon Troncoso the job. He's got near similar numbers, but I think he's still got something left in the tank. He's got a 5.19 ERA in eight games (8.2 innings) this Spring. But if we're going with Sturtze, here's the thing you don't get from Sturtze in his ERA, he's given up two walks and 11 HITS in his 7.0 innings of work. He's only given up four earned runs, but SIX runs overall. Sturtze's 5.14 ERA is much better than his performance indicates.
So why in the world is Sturtze getting possible consideration for a spot on the 25-man roster and in the bullpen?
This is the thing about Joe Torre that absolutely kills me. He plays favorites to no end. The article inadvertently (maybe not?) admits it.
"Three of them -- Weaver, Sturtze and Mientkiewicz -- played for Torre with the Yankees."
It's this crazy inclination on going with the veteran who doesn't have a lot left in the tank over a kid who shows promise. And while this is great for guys like Mientkiewicz, Weaver, and (*shiver*) Sturtze, guys like Delwyn Young and Charlie Haeger are screwed out of jobs, their only crime being that they aren't old enough to have played under Torre before.
And sometimes that just makes you stop and say: "What?!?"
I'm big on picking up players for small money. Especially pitchers. You can never have enough arms, amiright?
That said, there's a couple of arms out there that couldn't hurt to pick up (provided they come cheap).
When the Nationals signed Joe Beimel, to make room for him on the 40-man roster, they released Shawn Hill.
Hill had a pretty good year in 2007, but he's got some health questions. His 2008 wasn't too good, but that's likely due to the aforementioned health questions.
Still though, he's supposedly healthy now, and if he is, I'd guess he'd probably be better than our other options at 5th starter right now. I think it's worth a shot if he comes cheap.
Speaking of Joe Beimel, he would've taken our spot as situational lefty out of the pen had he signed with us. Obviously, he didn't, so we find ourselves down a lefty specialist.
Well, Kansas City just released Jimmy Gobble. Keeping with the trend, he was pretty good in 2007 as Kansas City's left handed specialist.
And continuing with another trend, he didn't play in too many games last year and was pretty bad.
Anyway, he probably wouldn't cost too much, so maybe let's give him a shot. (Plus, his last name sounds like the sound a turkey makes. Hehehe.) Finally, Chuck James is still on the free agent market.
He had a good year in 2006, and an ok year in 2007. ...and in 2008, he was injured and not so good.
Still though, he's young, he's left handed, and he's a starter. That's a good combination of qualities.
He hasn't been picked up yet, so he can't be too expensive, right?
Oh, and Pedro Martinez is still on the market ...just keeping that in mind.
EDIT: Gobble was picked up by Texas. Will Ohman is still on the market, as far as lefty relievers go. Kinda tough to get a reliever with the name "Oh man!" though. Maybe that's just me.
EDIT 2: Gobble was the only Ranger to not surrender a run against the Dodgers Sunday. Hmmm... not bad...
