tommydski wrote:I guess Torre finally got Manny after all these years.
He is an absolutely mercenary fuck but he's still a legend. Two World Series and so many amusing memories from over the years. Just Manny being Manny. Salut, big guy. Good luck on the west coast.
As a life long Dodgers fan, I am still taking this information in. Here are some preliminary thoughts on this deal.
PROS:
- Dodgers FINALLY acquire the big bat that is needed in the line-up. With Jones being a complete bust and Kemp still in development, perhaps the Dodgers can become that offensive threat many predicted the young guys would be prior to the season beginning.
- Dodgers did not give up any of the talented young guys on the starting staff. The core nucleus of Kemp/Ethier/Loney/Martin/Billingsly/Broxton/Kershaw remains in place. In fact, the three minor leaguers the Dodgers traded for Ramirez would have made little to (more realistically) no impact for the organization. LaRoche was given numerous chances to prove himself but to no avail. Morris is in question, having had surgery. And the other guy . . . meh.
- Dodgers may now stand a chance in the weak NL West. Hot on the heels of the Diamondbacks, this may be the offensive push to counter the low runs scored that has plagued this offense all year and easily cost 'em low scoring games where the Dodgers pitching staff only gave up two or three runs.
CONS:
- Dodgers face a crowded outfield. Torre has shown his reluctance to bench Jones. His unflattering numbers (both on batting and on the scale) have made him the laughingstock of baseball. He has cost the team many runs. Pierre has the speed, but he is quite prone to popping up. He'd be better suited for pinch running/hitting and maybe playing outfield when one of the other guys needs a rest. Kemp and Ethier have been consistent on the field and in the box, yet Ethier has been slighted in favor of Jones. With Torre's known habit of playing vets over younger guys, the crowded outfield may mean less playing time for Ethier.
- Dodgers STILL need a shortstop. Berroa isn't even a utility man, Maza is AA caliber, and Lu still needs two more years at the AAA level. 2nd base is also a sore point with Kent, but Blake Dewitt can comfortably fit that spot should Kent be injured. DeWitt played 2nd base prior to his call-up in the big leagues. If he put more work into his bat, he can be a starter next season.
- AND PERHAPS THE WORST CON FROM THIS TRADE! - This may keep Ned Colletti around for two more years. Despite Colletti's skill at signing talent that is either on the decline or injury prone (think Schmidt, Jones, Garciaparra, Saenz, Mueller, Tomko), and the overall view that he has been running this team to the ground, the Ramirez trade may stem favor his way and cause people to forget his previous acquisitions. Colletti should be driven out of town, even with this trade. Fortunately, he has not given up the core nucleus of the team . . . yet.