Maddux is back, and the rotation is set

The Dodgers have traded for Greg Maddux in exchange for 2 players to be named or cash considerations. The move adds to list of players acquired for this year that includes Angel Berroa, Casey Blake, and Manny Ramirez.

With Brad Penny's season looking to be as good as lost, having a proven winner in Maddux come aboard is a big plus. We all can remember the last time he was with the Dodgers, and he was fantastic (well, until his bad start in the playoffs against the Mets... but he's forgiven). The offense is looking better all the time, now the back end of the rotation can contribute as well.

I'm not going to get crazy here and suggest that this version of Maddux is the same as years ago, because that's just not the case. But, he doesn't need to be. When he came 2 years ago, the Dodgers needed him as one of their top pitchers. Derek Lowe was their #1, but if you can remember, it was Hong-Chih Kuo who came out of nowhere to be their #2. Penny was such a lost cause that he was relegated to the bullpen. It was obvious their pitching staff was a mess.

Now, he can slide in nicely as the #5 starter. Chad Billingsley and Derek Lowe are pitching lights-out, Hiroki Kuroda has the capability to do the same, and Clayton Kershaw continues to improve each start. Maddux gives the Dodgers 5 starters that all stand a legitimate chance of winning any game. I like it.

The first 2 months of the season started off well for Maddux, with ERA's around the 3.70 mark. But, the next 2 months were awful, as his June ERA was 4.71 and July 5.27. Yikes. The good news is that in his 3 August starts, he's been great, going 2-1 with a 1.89 ERA. That's more like it. His last start was on August 15 against Philadelphia in which he gave up 1 run in 7 innings... and the Padres lost 1-0.

I highly doubt he'll miss the Padres putrid offense. With the exception of Adrian Gonzalez (who actually has been pretty lousy himself lately), there's very little offensive talent. The Dodgers have won 6 of 7 that includes 3 walk-off wins. Oh ya, and the Dodgers are tied for 1st while the Padres are 16 games back. The sun is definitely brighter in LA.

With the off day yesterday, the #5 spot in the rotation was skipped. That would mean Maddux would most likely start Saturday in Philadelphia.