its like 10,000 spoons when all you need is a knife....Dodgers finally find their knife

Hi all, were back! and no im not describing an alanis morissette concert, im describing the Dodgers outfield situation! couldnt be a more perfect metaphor could it? my kingdom I say! my kingdom for a right handed hitting outfielder! the Dodgers with a plethora of left handed hitting outfielders, have been searching for a rare commodity these days a right handed hitting outielder who kills lefties with power. well today the Dodgers finally found there right handed bat to platoon with Jay Gibbons.

The Dodgers have signed OF and former yankee marcus Thames. according to various sources confirming, however details of the contract have not been released yet. as you well know if you have been reading our blog, I am a big supporter of signing Marcus Thames. I just thought that he was the best available option offensivly since the Dodgers have been looking for a righty to balance out the outfield. it was slim pickens out there in the free agent market, besides Thames only, Lastings Milledge, and Scott Hairston remaining.

Thames has played 9 seasons primarily in the american league as an outfielder. he came up with the yankees in 2002, played a year in texas and then 6 seasons in detroit. he then returned to the yankees for 2010. in 2010 he had one of his best years at the plate, hitting a very productive line of .288/.350/.491 and an .841 OPS, he hit 12 home runs in limited playing time, he has a career .248 avg, and .802 OPS, however he kills lefties hitting .265 with an .838 OPS.  Thames also hit 113 home runs during his career.
The Dodgers also have signed 35 year old outfielder gabe Kapler to a minor league deal. according to reports. Kapler who was a star like a million years ago for texas and detroit, never lived up to full potential, as nagging injuries roadblocked his career and he has only played limited time, or has held bench positions for the last decade. He is clearly cooked but he can still hit lefties pretty decent, .275 avg, and he could be good insurance just in case.
the main argument against Thames is that he is a terrbile outfielder. according to many, one of the worst in baseball. honestly after the nightmare of last season, and the scarcity of ya know runs, I dont give a damm how bad he is defensvily. yeah thats right I said it. im so starved for offense, I litterally dont give a flying how defensivly challenged he is. He could be the second coming younger brother of billy ashley in the outfield and I wouldnt care. well ok maybe thats a bit too far, but you get the idea.
it is still unsure of exactly how the Dodgers will use Thames. most people believe he will be platooning with Gibbons in left, which would be good offensivly, they both should hit 20-25 home runs and drive in around 80-90 runs. he could be a lefty killing masher off the bench as well, as some sources reporting several possible dodger outfield alignments, including one that has Gwynn playing center, ethier being put in left, and Kemp being pushed to right field. regardless of all possibilities, it is clear that the nightmares of last season can never ever again be repeated.

in other wonderful news, congratz to Stacie, as she is expecting her second child. sometimes life finds a way to get in the way during the coarse of a season, so there will understandably be times when she will be unavailable later this season. the baby is due in august. which means Ill be lone soldering it during the pennant race. but hey I get to be an uncle for the second time, and I am very happy about that.

so maybe in about 22 years from now, a strapping young man, and his elderly uncle, and very very very old mother will be at the ravine, watching the Dodgers win the world series...........

theres only 1 month until spring training,  keep watching, as we bring you all the latest Dodgers news! more spring reports, more blue bios, (assuming stacie isnt busy having more babies) as we wait to hear those beautiful words we so long to hear..........ITS TIME FOR DODGER BASBEBALL!

Edit-we still dont know what the sex of the baby is yet, so stay tuned!-also congratz to brother in law Cory, I think he may have had a part in this too

Dodgers part ways with Chin-Lung Hu

two days ago it was announced that the Dodgers Traded infielder and failed prospect Chin-Lung Hu to the Mets, for marginal crap prospect lefty pitcher Micheal Antonini.

Hu signed with the Dodgers in 2003, and was once considered a top prospect. but since then he has fallen out of favor with the Dodgers despite being called up in september over the last few seasons.

Hu put up good numbers in the minors, and at 26 is still young enough to improve. spending most of the 2010 season in the minors he batted a mostly empty .317 in AAA. he batted just .130 during his september callup for the dodgers while battling an injured thumb. he was also the dodgers minor league player of the year in 2007.

as said ealier in one of our previous posts, and originially pointed out by MIke from http://www.mikesciosciastragicillness.com/   that the Dodgers fascination with Juan Castro could cost them Hu, and here we go. now Hu is gone, and its looking likly that the Dodgers could give their last bench spot to Castro, who is in his fourth stint with the Dodgers and 17th season in the majors.
as you well know Castro is one of the worst hitters in baseball history with an absolutly attrocious career .228 avg. it is still unclear as to why the Dodgers have such a fascination with him, a possibility could be that he is just so terrible and so useless, that the dodgers just cant resist such a useless washed up veteran like Castro who is on an auto out level, kind of like a moth to a flame. Castro is so bad, that he will actually make us miss theriot. let me just write this again so you have an idea of just how bad he really is.   Castro is likly to make us miss ryan theriot........ just let that one sink in for a moment.

in other ridiculous news, the Blue Jays have signed ex-Dodger and professional Meatballer octavio Dotel (Bumtel) to a 1yr 3.5 mil dollar deal. this is laughable. Bumtel who was traded to the dodgers at the trading deadline, pitched a terrible 18.2 innings, and blowing several games, including an unfathomable horrible 3 wild pitch 3 walk performance one inning. he was then put on waivers. the Rockies claimed him as the Dodgers just said, here take him please. he was just as useless with the Rockies and is now joining his fourth team in just over a year. the Blue Jays desperate for relief pitching after losing a couple of their solid pitchers to free agency. Dotel is one of the worst relief pitchers in baseball, and like ive said before has no business pitching on any level in any way whatsoever.

Dotel provides zero value to the bullpen

thats all for now. spring training is just around the corner! keep checking in for more dodgers news as we wait to hear those beautiful words we love every year......ITS TIME FOR DODGERS BASEBALL!
until next time Dodgertown.......

The Shopping Binge for Pitching Continues...

The Dodgers officially signed right hand relief pitcher Matt Guerrier to a 3 year $12 million deal. Interestingly this is the longest contract given to a relief pitcher by the Dodgers since 1998 when they signed Jeff Shaw for 3 years and $15 million. Guerrier is a 32 year old who has been playing solely with the Minnesota Twins since 2004 when he debuted. Last season his record was 5-7 with a 3.17 ERA in 74 appearances. His career stats, in 393 games and 472 innings pitched with the Twins, record is 19-25, 5 saves, 3.38 ERA, and 310 Ks. He is mostly a 7th or 8th inning guy rather than a closer.

So our bullpen is beginning to be standing room only now with Broxton, Kuo, Jansen, Hawksworth, Padilla, Guerrier, Belisario, and don't forget Troncoso, Monasterios, Schlichting, Elbert, and Ely. No doubt the later half of those mentioned may be destined to wait in the wings in AAA. Belisario and Hawksworth are out of options, so trading one of them may be a possibility unless Broxton can be traded for something of value which may be doubtful. For now we have some much needed depth to the pen with the exception of a second lefty. Kuo's delicate arm may warrant a trade for another lefty. The spending binge by Colletti on pitching is obviously in response to the bullpen's meltdown of last season. After performing excellently in 2009, the bullpen plummeted to the bottom of the barrel in 2010. It was a year of memorable meltdowns including Broxton's denouement after saving the All-Star game to his remarkable implosion during the Yankees series. We won't know if Broxton's picked up the broken pieces until the start of the season. Then there was Belisario's mental breakdown. If he has battled his demons during the offseason perhaps we will get the Belisario of old who is often very effective.

The Dodgers might not have enough funds to sign Bill Hall or another left fielder. Colletti said he may just let Gibbons, Paul, Gwynn, Hoffmann, Oeltjen, and Robinson compete for platooning jobs. At least I don't see Pod's name in that bunch.

It looks like the offense, especially Kemp and Ethier, will have to step up and take the bull back by its horns so to speak. Although this pitching cast is quite capable of throwing shut-outs, we as fans can't take another season of 1-0 losses.

Stay tuned for more Dodgers news and Blue Bios!

hes baaaaaaaaack! Juan Castro just wont go away.....

just when we thought we had seen the last of Juan Castro.....guess what? hes baaaaaack!



NOOOOOO! NOT AGAIN! Castro provides zero value.

yes its true, in what appears to be what we only hope is some sort of cruel sick joke. ealier this week, the Dodgers signed IF Juan Castro to a minor league deal, and an invite to spring training. if Castro makes the club he will recieve 500K. This is Castro's fourth stint with the organization. normally this would be nothing major, as alot of teams give spring training invites to players, most of the NRIs dont even make the roster usually, however this is Castro, and we all know the Dodgers have some kind of sick fascination with the 39 year old 16 year vet.
Castro is a walking Dodgers history guide. Castro signed with the Dodgers in 1991, and came up to the Dodgers in 95. he played alongside Mike Piazza, Erik Karros, Raul Mondesi. He has also played alongside, such legendary 90's bums like Tom Prince, and Billy Ashley. In Castro's first season, tommy lasorda was still manager, and the O'malleys still owned the team. Garret Anderson (auto out) was in his second season with the Angels.
Castro quickly established himself as one of the worst hitters in baseball history, really its true! check out MSTI,

MSTI- http://www.mikesciosciastragicillness.com/

as he explains how the Dodger's sickening fascination with Castro, might cost us Chin-lung Hu. as Hu is out of options, and Castro could concievably take his roster spot.
Castro a career .228 hitter, played five years with the Dodgers, including attrocious .197 .147 and .195 performences from 1996-1998 respectivly. Castro, then signed with the Reds, playing from 2000-2004. he Played parts of two years with Minnesota, then came back to the reds in 2006. played in Cincy until 2008. played a part of a season in Baltimore, before returning to the Dodgers in 2009. Castro hit .277 in 2009 for the Dodgers, and played all infield positions and 2 games in the outfield. he signed with Philadelphia in 2010, and was predictably horrid, hitting .198 in limited playing time. he was DFA'd, and after Furcal got hurt again in august, the Dodgers desperate for an infielder, claimed him once again. Castro only played in 1 game last year, and it was 1 game too many, before finally being released again. Imagine at how we laughed at Auto Out's existence in 2010. that was only one season, Castro has been an automatic out his entire career. just think about that for a minute......

we had thought we had seen the last of Castro, but then this week the Dodgers once again resigned him.
now alot of things would have to happen. Castro would have to make the team, and Hu would then be put on waivers, a team would most likly claim him, and then of coarse he would have to be productive. I know I at one time called him useless last year, but he is no where near the Jaun Castro type of incompetence. plus he is still young, and has time to improve.
I think I have written enough about Juan Castro, so I will stop at this point.

The Dodgers also extended minor league contracts and spring training invites to two other players. IF/OF Eugenio Velez, the 28 year old ex-giant, and journeyman Catcher J.D. Closser.

news sources are also reporting that the Dodgers are close to a deal with Red Sox OF Bill Hall. Hall 30 could be the Dodgers primary left fielder according to reports. Hall hit .248, with 18 HR last year for Boston. he could also bring the Dodgers more valuable versatility as he can also play 2B/3B/SS.

Keep Posted for more Dodger news at your number 1 source for all things Dodger Blue!

Dodgers bring back Dioner Navarro for some reason

as the Dodgers continue their agressive offseason renovations this winter, Ive been generally optimistic. the Dodgers have solidified pitching depth, added a power bat in Uribe, and even got rid of useless players like Theriot, and Sherrill. Ive been generally defending Ned's moves this winter, as hes focused on improved pitching and defense, and marginally improved power. that is until the Dodgers dropped this little nugget on us today.

the dodgers close to agreement with Catcher Dioner Navarro.........

now terms of the contract have not been disclosed yet, but didnt we try this already before?

yes yes yes now I remember. Navarro played for the Dodgers in parts of two seasons from 2005-2006

The right handed hitting catcher (26) was acquired by the Dodgers whil estill in the minor leagues, and recieved limited playing time. he wasnt terrible with the Dodgers the first time, actually he was decent. putting up avgs of .273 and .280 respectivly, with OBPs of .353 and .374.




Navarro bitched his way out of a starting job in Tampa Bay

 

then he was traded to the rays in mid 06 to make room for Russell Martin.  he had to bad years, before becoming an all-star in 2008. in 08 he batted .295 with an OBP of .349, with 7 home runs and a .717 OPS. then he went on to have two horrendous years in 09 and 10. batting .218 and .194, and having many questions raised about his wieght and conditioning. his tenure with the rays ended badly last year, after he was demoted to the minors, and continued to play poorly after being called back up. Navarro was left off of the playoff roster, and instead of choosing to stay with his team, Navarro chose to act like a whiny little bitch, as he packed up his equipment and left the team. this doesnt give me alot of confindence.

this certainly marks the end of Russell Martin's tenure as a Dodger. he is already talking with other teams, (Yankees red Sox), and has said he would like to play for an east coast team, as he has family in Montreal.

The Dodgers are no longer in communication with him or his agent, according to sources.

I know why the Dodgers did this. they needed a third catcher, and if Big rod or ellis were to get hurt they would be screwed. and since Ellis is the only one that has options to be sent down to AAA, and they cant start the year with three catchers on their roster, someone has to start the year in ALBQ. unfortunatly that is AJ Ellis. Ellis will start the year in AAA, while Big Rod will start 60% of games, as Navarro backs him up. according to reports. this dismays me. I think this is a mistake, as I think Ellis should get a shot to prove himself at the big league level.

The Dodgers are also still looking for a right handed hitting left fielder to possibly platoon with Jay Gibbons.

after Matt Diaz signed with the Pirates, and Jeff Franceour signed with Kansas City, this leaves us with slim pickens in free agent pool. rumors are swirling about the Dodgers signing either Austin Kearns, or Bill Hall.

Hall would be interesting, the former Red Sox, can play 2B, 3b and SS along with LF, and has power, after hitting 18 home runs last year.



Hall

we will keep you updated on any and all Breaking Dodgers news. same dodger station, same Dodger time, same dodger channel........

Dodgers bring Gwynn Jr. into outfield fray, Padilla close to returning, as bitching continues accross the internet

 The Dodgers made more moves ealier today as they continue their agressive offseason push. adding an outfielder, and appearing close to resigning Vicente Padilla, while also continuing ongoing discussions with the Royals about acquiring Zack Greinke.

The Dodgers stole the third player from an opposing NL west Team. after already signing Jon Garland away from the Padres, and Juan Uribe from the Giants. The Dodgers signed Tony Gwynn Jr. son of hall of fame Padres OF Tony Gwynn Sr.. Gwynn Jr. is nothing at all like his father. while his father won many batting titles and has a statue of himself on display in front of Petco Park.

Speedster gwynn jr. can be a pest on the basepaths.

Gwynn Jr. is a speed and defense guy. that is hes not much of a hitter. hes 5'11 and 195, bats left and throws right. after playing three seasons in limited playing time with the Brewers, Gwynn came over to the Padres, and to live forever in the shadows of his father. Gwynn is not a good hitter, and many people wondered why the Dodgers signed him. I can kind of understand why, even though he bats left, he can be a very useful guy on the bench as a fourth or fith outfielder. 

My son signed with which team now!?!?!

Gywnn Jr. who is 28, has a career avg of .244 with a .323 OBP and a .637 OPS. last season he hit .204 with 3 HR 20 RBI and 17 Stolen bases. in 2009 he batted .270 with 11 SB. while gwynn is not a good hitter he makes up for it with alot of speed, and very good defense. the terms of the contract were for 1 yr at 675K. this could signal the end of Xavier Paul's career as a dodger. as the dodgers probably wont need another lefty hitting outfielder on the bench. since Paul is also out of options, he could wind up playing somehwere else next year. but still, this doesnt automatically rule him out for a potential roster spot.

basically Gwynn is kind of like a POD both left handed bats with speed, both are crappy hitters with no power, but Gwynn plays much better defense, and is way cheaper.

according to reports, the Dodgers have finalized a deal to bring back Vicente Padilla. the deal would be for 1 yr and 2 Mil, with incentives, pending a physical on thursday. I am absolutly thrilled with this, very smart move. reports are saying Padilla would be a staff utility guy, providing the Dodgers with much needed depth. Padilla will mostly pitch out of the Bullpen in long releif, but could also spot start, or even close out games, if Broxton falters and starts with the meltdowns again. looks like the pitching is going to be very very good next year. Padilla is coming off of a injury plagued season in which he missed significant time due to forearm and neck injuries, limiting him to only 16 starts. Padilla was 6-5 with a 4.07 ERA. everyone will be most happy to know that we will be seeing more of the "soap bubble" once again.

there are also rumors floating around about the Dodgers expressing interest in former cy young winner Royals pitcher Zack Greinke. Greinke who won the cy young in 2009, is coming off a 2010 where he battled injuries and inconsistencies. the Royals have been toying with the idea of trading him, and the Dodgers are one of several teams involved in the discussions.  ummm yeah may I say yes please!!!

while bitching continues around the blog community, I reamin optimistic with a positive outlook for next season. Im not sure why so many fans online are unable to see a much improved team for next year. I mean if we cant have confidence in our team, how can we expect the players to have any? It looks as if Ned is still wheeling and dealing, making sure the nightmares of last year are never ever again repeated.

in the divorce trial, the judge ruled in favor of Jaimie MCcourt, ruling that the divorce settlement agreement was invalid, giving Jamie her claim that she was involved in the teams day to day operations. this could lead to the team being sold. I wouldnt expect this to be settled anytime soon, but if you would like more information you can check out the Dodgers web site for more details regarding the divorce case between mr. scumbag, and his bitch of a wife.

the winter meetings continue, and the Dodgers arent done making moves just yet. theres more rumors swirling about the Dodgers adding another OF, and possibly another relief pitcher.
what will happen next? stay tuned, we will be here to provide you with any and all Dodgers news as it happens. this is your number 1 source for all Dodgers news......stay tuned!

Big Rod Returns

After the Dodgers non-tendered Russell Martin last night, they announced that they re-signed Rod Barajas tonight. He agreed to a one year, $3.25 million deal. On the Dodgers website they state he will replace Russell Martin and team up with A.J. Ellis. Big Rod is 35, and has played 12 seasons in the majors for many teams including Arizona, Texas, Philadelphia, Toronto, New York Mets, and now his favorite childhood team, the Dodgers. We all enjoyed the heartfelt story last season of Barajas living out his dream of playing for the Dodgers. He even hit a HR during his first home game wearing blue. He only has a career .239 BA, but he does swing a power bat giving the Dodgers some much needed HRs. Last season he hit 17 HRs, which was 2nd among catchers in the NL. In 2009 he hit a career high 19 HRs.

Bitching has commenced regarding the amount of the salary given to Big Rod once the news broke. The thing is the Dodgers needed a catcher. We couldn't rely on the inexperienced A.J. Ellis as the solo backstop. With Martin's uncertainty and the slim pickins' for catching prospects amongst the free agent pool, we really didn't have much choice. Let's move on, accept that Big Rod and Ellis will be our catchers for 2011, and concentrate on filling the offensive needs we desperately must address.

Ya know thinking about it more, we really don't know how A.J. Ellis will turn out. He's only played in 53 games! Let's give the guy a chance! Maybe he will actually hit his first big league homer this season. He showed some potential in the last part of the season with a surprising hitting streak.

Will Vicente Padilla be back? Will the Dodgers snatch up more free agents like Diaz?

Stay tuned for more  offseason deals and news!