A lot has been made about the huge acquisitions the Dodgers just received from the Red Sox in the last few days. Right now I want to take a look at the flip side, as in the players the Dodgers gave away.
James Loney - It's safe to say the Dodgers tried and tried again when it came to Loney. Yet, he was never able to find his offensive groove. And when it came apparent that his days driving in 90 runs were already behind him, they made the right call in letting him go.
Let's not take anything away from him on defense - he can definitely "glove it" over at first. In fact, I believe that's a big reason why he was held onto for so long in the first place. You hoped you would get more run production from him, but you knew he could play D. But eventually that gets old, and that's precisely what happened here.
He saved his job at the end of last year by hitting .320 after the All-Star break, including .367 in August and .348 in September. After failing to land the big dog in Prince Fielder in the offseason, the hope was that he'd continue to build on those numbers. Well, that obviously never happened. Instead, it seemed like he would either groundout to second or into a double play. It was time for him to move.
Jerry Sands - He's appeared off and on in the majors since last season with mostly mediocre results. Right now he's labeled as a guy who's too good to be in the minors, yet constantly finds himself back there because he can't do enough to stay in the majors. In 70 career games, he's hitting only .244 with 4 homers and 27 RBIs.
It's best for Sands to move on, especially since Carl Crawford was brought over and still has many years left on his contract. It's hard to imagine Sands getting much of any playing team over Crawford, Matt Kemp, and Andre Ethier. That's a lot of production and bucks for those guys. Sands has dabbled a bit at first base, so perhaps he can find some time there. He's got the tools, so there is a good chance he can be a good big league player.
Ivan De Jesus - There's not a whole lot to say about him since he's only played in 40 games the past two seasons. He hit .231 with only one extra-base hit and one steal. He'll fill some sort of a utility role, as he can play both middle infield positions. But he's easily replaceable, so it's no big loss at all for the Dodgers.
Rubby De La Rosa - When it's all said and done, this could be the one player the Red Sox will cherish the most from this trade. He definitely has the makeup of an elite starter, as he can touch triple digits on the gun, and has already had some great starts in his young career.
In July of last season, he made five starts and went 1-2 with a 2.89 ERA and 1.29 WHIP. He also struck out 29 batters in 28 innings, a great indication of his power stuff. Unfortunately for him, he then went down for Tommy John surgery, and has only recently come back. As is the case with any pitcher, there's always a risk that he won't be the same type of pitcher after major surgery. I think in today's baseball world, this surgery is practically a common thing, and the results have shown that it definitely works.
I'm sure the Dodgers didn't want to give him up, as he would've competed for a starting spot next season. If you're a Red Sox fan, you have to like the move in that it's the first step towards improving their horrific pitching. I'll miss him, but as the old adage goes, you have to give up something in order to get something.
Allen Webster - I'll admit that I don't know as much about him since he has yet to appear in LA. From all I've read about him, though, he looks to be the real deal. In five minor league seasons, he's 34-24 with a 3.34 ERA and 1.36 WHIP, along with 456 K's in 485 innings.
Much like De La Rosa, I know the Red Sox definitely wanted pitching in this deal, and with two young arms who have good numbers coming to them, they have to like it. For the Dodgers, it's always tricky to project just how good "prospects" are ultimately going to be, so I can see them being willing to let one of them go. I do know that Zach Lee is probably their top prospect, so I'm happy he isn't going anywhere.
Showing posts with label Loney. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Loney. Show all posts
Monday, August 27, 2012
Saturday, August 25, 2012
Signed and sealed: Another new day in LA
Just when you thought the new Dodgers' ownership couldn't top themselves... think again.
The same team that has gone out and acquired Hanley Ramirez, Shane Victorino, Joe Blanton, Brandon League, and Randy Choate has taken their new philosophy of "spend, spend, spend" even further. Coming over to LA from Boston are superstars Adrian Gonzalez, Josh Beckett, Carl Crawford, and Nick Punto. OK, so technically Punto isn't a superstar, and Crawford and Beckett haven't been this year either, but you get the point.
Shuttling across the country to Boston are James Loney, Jerry Sands, Rubby De La Rosa, Ivan De Jesus, and top prospect Allen Webster.
The two major players in this deal for the Dodgers are obviously Gonzalez and Beckett. In Gonzalez, the Dodgers are finally getting the cleanup hitter they've been looking for. Now they can have Matt Kemp hit #3, Gonzalez #4, and flip-flop Hanley Ramirez and Andre Ethier in the #5-6 spots depending on the matchup. That's pretty nasty, and a heck of a lot better than what they've had.
Gonzalez wasn't the same player in the first half of the season, as he hit .283 with only 6 homers and 45 RBIs. But, in 37 games since the break, he's really found his stroke, hitting .338 with 9 homers and 41 RBIs. That's the guy the Dodgers need in their order cleaning up the bases.
The arrival of Beckett is fantastic timing only because of the latest injury to Chad Billingsley. It's the second time this year he's shown elbow inflammation, so who knows what kind of time he'll miss. And when you're bringing in a guy who was a major player on two championship teams, that's a good thing.
There's no denying that Beckett has not enjoyed the 2012 season at all. Right now he's 5-11 with a 5.23 ERA and 1.33 WHIP. That's a heck of a lot different than last season (13-7, 2.89, 1.03). And let's not forget about the drama that has hovered around him (chicken and beer, playing golf).
There's also no denying that, much like Hanley Ramirez, he really needed a change of scenery, and he's got it. Take a look at his postseason numbers: 14 games (13 starts), 7-3, 3.07 ERA, 0.94 WHIP. You don't think the Dodgers are excited about that? Here's a guy who won't be rattled to take the ball in October, and it shows.
It's hard to say too much about Crawford now, as he won't even be a factor this year after undergoing Tommy John surgery a couple days ago. Here's what we do know: his time in Boston has been a disaster. The Red Sox have to be ecstatic to simply rid themselves of his bloated contract, which was 7 years and $142 million back in 2010. Last year he played in 130 games and hit .255, and this year played 31 and hit .288. Not exactly the types of numbers they were expecting.
The Dodgers can now be patient with him as he recovers from surgery, as it typically takes anywhere from 6-9 months. All things considered, he could be ready for Spring Training, or closer to the start of the season if all goes well. And if he can find his groove that made him a superstar in Tampa, then the outfield of Crawford, Kemp, and Ethier is just awesome. Time will tell, however.
Punto gives the Dodgers another guy off the bench, which was needed since Jerry Hairston, Jr. has been lost for the season with a hip injury, which completely sucks. I'm sure Punto will get some playing time, as it's not like Juan Uribe should play over him. Heck, a one-armed Crawford could switch positions to infield and still play better than Uribe.
Needless to say, it's a historic deal for the Dodgers, and no doubt once again jolts some life into a team that has fallen back a bit in the playoff push. Now they have no excuses. Management has added plenty of positive pieces, so it's time to get the job done.
The same team that has gone out and acquired Hanley Ramirez, Shane Victorino, Joe Blanton, Brandon League, and Randy Choate has taken their new philosophy of "spend, spend, spend" even further. Coming over to LA from Boston are superstars Adrian Gonzalez, Josh Beckett, Carl Crawford, and Nick Punto. OK, so technically Punto isn't a superstar, and Crawford and Beckett haven't been this year either, but you get the point.
Shuttling across the country to Boston are James Loney, Jerry Sands, Rubby De La Rosa, Ivan De Jesus, and top prospect Allen Webster.
The two major players in this deal for the Dodgers are obviously Gonzalez and Beckett. In Gonzalez, the Dodgers are finally getting the cleanup hitter they've been looking for. Now they can have Matt Kemp hit #3, Gonzalez #4, and flip-flop Hanley Ramirez and Andre Ethier in the #5-6 spots depending on the matchup. That's pretty nasty, and a heck of a lot better than what they've had.
Gonzalez wasn't the same player in the first half of the season, as he hit .283 with only 6 homers and 45 RBIs. But, in 37 games since the break, he's really found his stroke, hitting .338 with 9 homers and 41 RBIs. That's the guy the Dodgers need in their order cleaning up the bases.
The arrival of Beckett is fantastic timing only because of the latest injury to Chad Billingsley. It's the second time this year he's shown elbow inflammation, so who knows what kind of time he'll miss. And when you're bringing in a guy who was a major player on two championship teams, that's a good thing.
There's no denying that Beckett has not enjoyed the 2012 season at all. Right now he's 5-11 with a 5.23 ERA and 1.33 WHIP. That's a heck of a lot different than last season (13-7, 2.89, 1.03). And let's not forget about the drama that has hovered around him (chicken and beer, playing golf).
There's also no denying that, much like Hanley Ramirez, he really needed a change of scenery, and he's got it. Take a look at his postseason numbers: 14 games (13 starts), 7-3, 3.07 ERA, 0.94 WHIP. You don't think the Dodgers are excited about that? Here's a guy who won't be rattled to take the ball in October, and it shows.
It's hard to say too much about Crawford now, as he won't even be a factor this year after undergoing Tommy John surgery a couple days ago. Here's what we do know: his time in Boston has been a disaster. The Red Sox have to be ecstatic to simply rid themselves of his bloated contract, which was 7 years and $142 million back in 2010. Last year he played in 130 games and hit .255, and this year played 31 and hit .288. Not exactly the types of numbers they were expecting.
The Dodgers can now be patient with him as he recovers from surgery, as it typically takes anywhere from 6-9 months. All things considered, he could be ready for Spring Training, or closer to the start of the season if all goes well. And if he can find his groove that made him a superstar in Tampa, then the outfield of Crawford, Kemp, and Ethier is just awesome. Time will tell, however.
Punto gives the Dodgers another guy off the bench, which was needed since Jerry Hairston, Jr. has been lost for the season with a hip injury, which completely sucks. I'm sure Punto will get some playing time, as it's not like Juan Uribe should play over him. Heck, a one-armed Crawford could switch positions to infield and still play better than Uribe.
Needless to say, it's a historic deal for the Dodgers, and no doubt once again jolts some life into a team that has fallen back a bit in the playoff push. Now they have no excuses. Management has added plenty of positive pieces, so it's time to get the job done.
Friday, August 24, 2012
Dodgers and Red Sox working on a MAJOR deal
Word has come Friday afternoon that the Dodgers and Red Sox are piecing together a blockbuster deal that involves some major players.
Accoring to ESPN Boston, the Dodgers are about to receive Adrian Gonzalez, Josh Beckett, Carl Crawford, and Nick Punto. The Dodgers have been rumored to do anything from sending over players like Rubby De La Rosa, James Loney, Ivan De Jesus, and Jerry Sands, to simply taking on all of those contracts. The Dodgers' part of the deal is still being worked out.
For the Dodgers, the deal means a HUGE upgrade at first (Gonzalez for Loney/Juan Rivera). Plus, Beckett has plenty of big game experience, and could use a change of scenery to regain his fire, ala Hanley Ramirez. And for the Sox, it's a great way to shed some mega contracts and somewhat start over. It makes sense on both sides.
As we learned near the trade deadline with Ryan Dempster, let's not assume any trade is finalized until we get official word. But if this does go down... whoa, baby! This is a big day!
For updates on this, keep checking out MLBTradeRumors.com.
Accoring to ESPN Boston, the Dodgers are about to receive Adrian Gonzalez, Josh Beckett, Carl Crawford, and Nick Punto. The Dodgers have been rumored to do anything from sending over players like Rubby De La Rosa, James Loney, Ivan De Jesus, and Jerry Sands, to simply taking on all of those contracts. The Dodgers' part of the deal is still being worked out.
For the Dodgers, the deal means a HUGE upgrade at first (Gonzalez for Loney/Juan Rivera). Plus, Beckett has plenty of big game experience, and could use a change of scenery to regain his fire, ala Hanley Ramirez. And for the Sox, it's a great way to shed some mega contracts and somewhat start over. It makes sense on both sides.
As we learned near the trade deadline with Ryan Dempster, let's not assume any trade is finalized until we get official word. But if this does go down... whoa, baby! This is a big day!
For updates on this, keep checking out MLBTradeRumors.com.
Thursday, June 28, 2012
June swoon has pelted the Dodgers
Matt Guerrier. Juan Rivera. Mark Ellis. Ted Lilly. Matt Kemp. Javy Guerra. And now, Andre Ethier.
What do they all have in common? The Dodgers were once able to replace them with someone new at one time or another without skipping a beat. It worked up until June 17, when they beat the White Sox to improve to 42-25, good for a five-game lead over the Giants in the NL West.
A week-and-a-half later? Try 43-33, and a deadlock with the Giants thanks to getting swept in San Francisco. Oh ya, they didn't score one run in three games. No runs. Three games. Yikes.
Folks, the June swoon has it, and boy has it hit hard.
So how exactly have the Dodgers managed to drop seven of eight? The biggest thing, quite simply, is the offense. Kemp is irreplaceable, but the Dodgers still found ways to win without him for much of the season. It looks like his absence has finally caught up to them.
Let's take a look at the culprits, and how they've performed since that win on June 17:
Juan Uribe: 1-for-20 (.050 AVG), 1 2B, 1 RBI, 8 K's. Ned Colletti brought this guy along last season for his championship experience. I guess that "championship experience" is showing everyone what not to do. He has been a colossal disappointment to say the least. I know he's had trouble staying healthy, but when he is in there, he's awful. Just plain awful.
James Loney: 0-for-15 (you know the average), 1 BB, 2 K's. Mr. Groundout to 2nd said earlier this year that he believes he's an everyday player. Well, if he is, then the Dodgers would be 0-76. Seriously, I'm insulted that somebody as bad at the plate as him would even have the nerve to say he should play more. That's just ridiculous.
Elian Herrera: 2-for-31 (.065), 1 R, 1 2B, 9 K's. Not to mention all of the double plays he's grounded into. Look, I like Herrera, as he's as versatile as they come. But it's obvious he's either worn out, or pitchers have caught up to him. He's as lost as can be at the plate, and it's not getting any better.
Tony Gwynn: 6-for-26 (.231), 1 R, 1 2B, 2 BB, 3 K's, 1 SB. For a guy who should get on base to use his speed, he has an OBP of .298. That's really bad. He's another guy who gives his all on defense, but gives you nothing at the plate. And that's why he's a career reserve, plain and simple.
Bobby Abreu: 2-for-26 (.077), 1 R, 1 HR, 4 RBIs, 2 BB, 8 K's. Abreu has been a big pickup for the most part, but he's someone else who looks worn down. There's no way anyone thought he'd be playing this much, but the injuries have made it happen. And it figures, the one game where he crushed a three-run homer, Chad Billingsley choked away the lead for a loss.
Dee Gordon: 6-for-36 (.167), 2 R, 1 3B, 1 RBI, 2 BB, 8 K's, 3 SB. Gordon did have three straight games with two hits apiece, but is still not getting on base nearly enough for a leadoff hitter, as evidenced by his .277 OBP. Plus, his defense is still a work in progress.
If you add up the numbers of these six regulars, they're hitting a combined 17-for-154 for a .110 average. Holy crap, that's really, really bad. I mean REALLY bad. Of course, there's also starting pitchers like Billingsley and Nathan Eovaldi getting pounded recently, but it's hard to blame the pitching when the offense barely backs them up.
As good as the Dodgers have been (until recently) without Kemp, the bottom line all along was that they needed him if they wanted to make some noise in the playoffs. Now they need him just to keep from getting shutout every night. We can only hope he won't rush back to save the day, but it looks like the earliest he'll come back is after the All-Star break. And no matter what happens, his health comes first, so it's a good decision.
Starting with Thursday night's home game against the Mets, the Dodgers have 11 games left before the break. And now that Ethier looks like he will miss some time, whether that be long or short, the guys who are in the lineup have to find a way to gain back some respectability. It won't be easy, as they play the Mets and Reds at home before taking on the Diamondbacks on the road.
There's a tired, old sports cliche of "take one game at a time" that players say way too much. Well guess what? I'm about to say it now, as that's exactly what the focus needs to be. Maybe the Dodgers will look back at this stretch as their low point, and they start to play ball again. Or, it could get even worse, and the losses will be too much to overcome.
Either way, the guys mentioned above have to get better if the Dodgers want to start winning again. If not, then the trade deadline could get a whole lot more interesting.
What do they all have in common? The Dodgers were once able to replace them with someone new at one time or another without skipping a beat. It worked up until June 17, when they beat the White Sox to improve to 42-25, good for a five-game lead over the Giants in the NL West.
A week-and-a-half later? Try 43-33, and a deadlock with the Giants thanks to getting swept in San Francisco. Oh ya, they didn't score one run in three games. No runs. Three games. Yikes.
Folks, the June swoon has it, and boy has it hit hard.
So how exactly have the Dodgers managed to drop seven of eight? The biggest thing, quite simply, is the offense. Kemp is irreplaceable, but the Dodgers still found ways to win without him for much of the season. It looks like his absence has finally caught up to them.
Let's take a look at the culprits, and how they've performed since that win on June 17:
Juan Uribe: 1-for-20 (.050 AVG), 1 2B, 1 RBI, 8 K's. Ned Colletti brought this guy along last season for his championship experience. I guess that "championship experience" is showing everyone what not to do. He has been a colossal disappointment to say the least. I know he's had trouble staying healthy, but when he is in there, he's awful. Just plain awful.
James Loney: 0-for-15 (you know the average), 1 BB, 2 K's. Mr. Groundout to 2nd said earlier this year that he believes he's an everyday player. Well, if he is, then the Dodgers would be 0-76. Seriously, I'm insulted that somebody as bad at the plate as him would even have the nerve to say he should play more. That's just ridiculous.
Elian Herrera: 2-for-31 (.065), 1 R, 1 2B, 9 K's. Not to mention all of the double plays he's grounded into. Look, I like Herrera, as he's as versatile as they come. But it's obvious he's either worn out, or pitchers have caught up to him. He's as lost as can be at the plate, and it's not getting any better.
Tony Gwynn: 6-for-26 (.231), 1 R, 1 2B, 2 BB, 3 K's, 1 SB. For a guy who should get on base to use his speed, he has an OBP of .298. That's really bad. He's another guy who gives his all on defense, but gives you nothing at the plate. And that's why he's a career reserve, plain and simple.
Bobby Abreu: 2-for-26 (.077), 1 R, 1 HR, 4 RBIs, 2 BB, 8 K's. Abreu has been a big pickup for the most part, but he's someone else who looks worn down. There's no way anyone thought he'd be playing this much, but the injuries have made it happen. And it figures, the one game where he crushed a three-run homer, Chad Billingsley choked away the lead for a loss.
Dee Gordon: 6-for-36 (.167), 2 R, 1 3B, 1 RBI, 2 BB, 8 K's, 3 SB. Gordon did have three straight games with two hits apiece, but is still not getting on base nearly enough for a leadoff hitter, as evidenced by his .277 OBP. Plus, his defense is still a work in progress.
If you add up the numbers of these six regulars, they're hitting a combined 17-for-154 for a .110 average. Holy crap, that's really, really bad. I mean REALLY bad. Of course, there's also starting pitchers like Billingsley and Nathan Eovaldi getting pounded recently, but it's hard to blame the pitching when the offense barely backs them up.
As good as the Dodgers have been (until recently) without Kemp, the bottom line all along was that they needed him if they wanted to make some noise in the playoffs. Now they need him just to keep from getting shutout every night. We can only hope he won't rush back to save the day, but it looks like the earliest he'll come back is after the All-Star break. And no matter what happens, his health comes first, so it's a good decision.
Starting with Thursday night's home game against the Mets, the Dodgers have 11 games left before the break. And now that Ethier looks like he will miss some time, whether that be long or short, the guys who are in the lineup have to find a way to gain back some respectability. It won't be easy, as they play the Mets and Reds at home before taking on the Diamondbacks on the road.
There's a tired, old sports cliche of "take one game at a time" that players say way too much. Well guess what? I'm about to say it now, as that's exactly what the focus needs to be. Maybe the Dodgers will look back at this stretch as their low point, and they start to play ball again. Or, it could get even worse, and the losses will be too much to overcome.
Either way, the guys mentioned above have to get better if the Dodgers want to start winning again. If not, then the trade deadline could get a whole lot more interesting.
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
No arbitration for Ethier and Loney
The Dodgers avoided the arbitration process on Tuesday by resigning Andre Ethier and James to one-year deals. Ethier's deal is for $10.95 million, while Loney's is for $6.375 million. Both are raises from last season, as Ethier earned $9.25 million and Loney $4.875 million.
With both men coming off of down seasons last year, it was probably a good thing that neither of them tried to get more through arbitration. It would be hard to picture them making much more than they earned here. It's good for both sides to get this thing over with early.
Ethier matched his batting average from a year ago by hitting .292, but his power numbers dipped for the third straight year. In 2009, he hit 31 homers and 106 RBIs. In 2010, it was down to 23 and 82 as he battled a pinkie injury that derailed his season. Last year, it was down even further to 11 and 62, as a right knee injury ended his season in early September.
Considering the lack of power from everyone not named Matt Kemp last season, Ethier's power slip was even more magnified. When the season was all said and done, it was apparent that he tried to play through the knee pain, but it clearly didn't work. To his credit, he did earn his first career Gold Glove. With a healthier knee this upcoming season, he could be due for a big bounce back.
Loney had probably the strangest season of any Dodger last year. All you really need to do is look at his pre- and post-All-Star stats to see why. Before the break, he hit .268 with a .311 OBP, 4 homers, and 31 RBIs. After the break, he was up to .320 with a .380 OBP, 8 homers, and 34 RBIs. Considering he played in 91 games before the break and 67 after, those numbers become even more amazing.
Combine that second-half surge with the Dodgers' slashing of payroll, and that's why Loney's been brought back. What's never in doubt is his defense, as he's become very reliable at first. What the Dodgers have to hope for is that over-.300 average throughout the year, and not the guy who was hitting .251 in early August.
Assuming Kemp plays like an MVP candidate again, the Dodgers need Ethier and Loney to step up and give much better support if they have any hope of getting into the playoffs. How can that happen? Start with improving against lefties, as Ethier hit .220 and Loney .213. If those numbers are that poor again, you can forget about the Dodgers being a good offensive club.
With both men coming off of down seasons last year, it was probably a good thing that neither of them tried to get more through arbitration. It would be hard to picture them making much more than they earned here. It's good for both sides to get this thing over with early.
Ethier matched his batting average from a year ago by hitting .292, but his power numbers dipped for the third straight year. In 2009, he hit 31 homers and 106 RBIs. In 2010, it was down to 23 and 82 as he battled a pinkie injury that derailed his season. Last year, it was down even further to 11 and 62, as a right knee injury ended his season in early September.
Considering the lack of power from everyone not named Matt Kemp last season, Ethier's power slip was even more magnified. When the season was all said and done, it was apparent that he tried to play through the knee pain, but it clearly didn't work. To his credit, he did earn his first career Gold Glove. With a healthier knee this upcoming season, he could be due for a big bounce back.
Loney had probably the strangest season of any Dodger last year. All you really need to do is look at his pre- and post-All-Star stats to see why. Before the break, he hit .268 with a .311 OBP, 4 homers, and 31 RBIs. After the break, he was up to .320 with a .380 OBP, 8 homers, and 34 RBIs. Considering he played in 91 games before the break and 67 after, those numbers become even more amazing.
Combine that second-half surge with the Dodgers' slashing of payroll, and that's why Loney's been brought back. What's never in doubt is his defense, as he's become very reliable at first. What the Dodgers have to hope for is that over-.300 average throughout the year, and not the guy who was hitting .251 in early August.
Assuming Kemp plays like an MVP candidate again, the Dodgers need Ethier and Loney to step up and give much better support if they have any hope of getting into the playoffs. How can that happen? Start with improving against lefties, as Ethier hit .220 and Loney .213. If those numbers are that poor again, you can forget about the Dodgers being a good offensive club.
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Loney gets a raise
James Loney's batting average, OBP, runs scored, homers, and RBIs in 2010 all dropped from the '09 season.
The result? A raise in salary.
After earning $3.1 million last season, Loney and the Dodgers avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $4.875 million deal. The Dodgers have now signed all three of their arbitration-eligible players (Chad Billingsley, Hong-Chi Kuo, and Loney) without a hearing.
Loney was seeking $5.35 million, despite the fact that his numbers crashed and burned after hitting a horrible .211 in the second half of the season. The Dodgers initially offered $4.7, but soon settled on $4.875.
No disrespect to Loney, who is a very talented defensive player, but he should be very thankful for getting a pretty good increase in salary. He really has something to prove, as first basemen who hit 10 home runs aren't exactly too sought after these days.
In addition to his slick glove, he's capable of collecting 90 RBIs, which isn't too shabby. But he really needs to show that he can be a productive bat in the middle of the lineup. A .267 average, .329 OBP, and 10 homers just isn't going to cut it. A .395 slugging %? Um, yuck.
Look, I actually do like Loney, even if it appears I don't. He has a career .994 fielding % and had only four errors in 161 games last year, obviously fantastic numbers. But the Dodgers can't afford to watch him not produce at the plate much longer. Great glove aside, if he doesn't pick up the slack at the plate, it may be time to move on.
Especially if that guy in St. Louis doesn't resign...
The result? A raise in salary.
After earning $3.1 million last season, Loney and the Dodgers avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $4.875 million deal. The Dodgers have now signed all three of their arbitration-eligible players (Chad Billingsley, Hong-Chi Kuo, and Loney) without a hearing.
Loney was seeking $5.35 million, despite the fact that his numbers crashed and burned after hitting a horrible .211 in the second half of the season. The Dodgers initially offered $4.7, but soon settled on $4.875.
No disrespect to Loney, who is a very talented defensive player, but he should be very thankful for getting a pretty good increase in salary. He really has something to prove, as first basemen who hit 10 home runs aren't exactly too sought after these days.
In addition to his slick glove, he's capable of collecting 90 RBIs, which isn't too shabby. But he really needs to show that he can be a productive bat in the middle of the lineup. A .267 average, .329 OBP, and 10 homers just isn't going to cut it. A .395 slugging %? Um, yuck.
Look, I actually do like Loney, even if it appears I don't. He has a career .994 fielding % and had only four errors in 161 games last year, obviously fantastic numbers. But the Dodgers can't afford to watch him not produce at the plate much longer. Great glove aside, if he doesn't pick up the slack at the plate, it may be time to move on.
Especially if that guy in St. Louis doesn't resign...
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
No arbitration needed as four more sign
The Dodgers were able to avoid arbitration altogether this season by agreeing on one-year deals with Russell Martin, James Loney, Hong-Chih Kuo, and George Sherrill. All four have received raises as well, so they must have done something right last season.
Martin will be the one who cashes in the most, going from $3.9 million last season to $5.05 this season. He's coming off a down year offensively, but has been a two-time All Star, so it's not like we haven't seen him thrive before. After leading the majors in innings caught last year, you have to hope he gets a little more rest this time around. A .250 average, seven home runs, and 53 RBIs pretty much confirmed that he was worn out at times.
Loney goes from $465,000 to $3.1 million. He only had 13 homers, but still was third on the team with 91 RBIs. Of his 162 hits, only 40 were for extra bases. But hey, 90 RBIs is 90 RBIs, so give credit where it's due.
Sherrill made $2.75 million with the Orioles last season and now will make $4.5 million. As has been stated before, he was simply fantastic after his late-season acquisition last year. The Dodgers can pretty much turn games into seven inning contests with Sherrill and Jonathan Broxton teaming up in the last two innings. A full year of those two will be fun to watch.
Kuo gets bumped up from $437,000 to $975,000. My guess for not breaking the million mark is because of his injuries, but it's nearly that anyway. He gave a great lift in the second half of last season, and is another dangerous weapon from the 'pen.
With everyone under contract after today's action, Ned Colletti can now turn his attention to signing a veteran starting pitcher.
Martin will be the one who cashes in the most, going from $3.9 million last season to $5.05 this season. He's coming off a down year offensively, but has been a two-time All Star, so it's not like we haven't seen him thrive before. After leading the majors in innings caught last year, you have to hope he gets a little more rest this time around. A .250 average, seven home runs, and 53 RBIs pretty much confirmed that he was worn out at times.
Loney goes from $465,000 to $3.1 million. He only had 13 homers, but still was third on the team with 91 RBIs. Of his 162 hits, only 40 were for extra bases. But hey, 90 RBIs is 90 RBIs, so give credit where it's due.
Sherrill made $2.75 million with the Orioles last season and now will make $4.5 million. As has been stated before, he was simply fantastic after his late-season acquisition last year. The Dodgers can pretty much turn games into seven inning contests with Sherrill and Jonathan Broxton teaming up in the last two innings. A full year of those two will be fun to watch.
Kuo gets bumped up from $437,000 to $975,000. My guess for not breaking the million mark is because of his injuries, but it's nearly that anyway. He gave a great lift in the second half of last season, and is another dangerous weapon from the 'pen.
With everyone under contract after today's action, Ned Colletti can now turn his attention to signing a veteran starting pitcher.
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Six Dodgers file for arbitration
Six premium members of the Dodgers' core filed for salary arbitration on Friday: Andre Ethier, James Loney, Jonathan Broxton, Russell Martin, George Sherrill, and Hong-Chih Kuo. Each player will exchange figures with the team on Tuesday.
It's not a slam dunk that each player will head into an arbitration case, as two-year deals have been discussed with Ethier and Broxton. Matt Kemp previously signed a two-year contract of his own.
While predicting a salary is never an exact science, certain players appear to be in line for a raise compared to others.
Ethier made $3.2 million last year, and he had a career-year with six walk-off hits and a Silver Slugger award. He would most assuredly be in for a raise. Broxton earned $1.925 million, and then went on to get 36 saves, a 2.61 ERA, and 114 strikeouts. He'll be richer.
Kuo made only $475,000 (and I say "only" in baseball terms... I'll happily take that any day of the week), but had a great year by being lights-out in the seventh inning with a 2.19 ERA. He'll get more money.
Sherrill made $2.75 million, but was fantastic going from Baltimore to LA and never missing a beat. In the second half between the two clubs, he had a fantastic 0.85 ERA. He, too, would appear to be richer.
Loney will probably be in for around the same $465,000 that he made last year, only because his numbers aren't much different the last two seasons. Martin earned $3.1 million, but is coming off a down year, so that number may go down as well.
I'll keep you updated as the deals become finalized.
It's not a slam dunk that each player will head into an arbitration case, as two-year deals have been discussed with Ethier and Broxton. Matt Kemp previously signed a two-year contract of his own.
While predicting a salary is never an exact science, certain players appear to be in line for a raise compared to others.
Ethier made $3.2 million last year, and he had a career-year with six walk-off hits and a Silver Slugger award. He would most assuredly be in for a raise. Broxton earned $1.925 million, and then went on to get 36 saves, a 2.61 ERA, and 114 strikeouts. He'll be richer.
Kuo made only $475,000 (and I say "only" in baseball terms... I'll happily take that any day of the week), but had a great year by being lights-out in the seventh inning with a 2.19 ERA. He'll get more money.
Sherrill made $2.75 million, but was fantastic going from Baltimore to LA and never missing a beat. In the second half between the two clubs, he had a fantastic 0.85 ERA. He, too, would appear to be richer.
Loney will probably be in for around the same $465,000 that he made last year, only because his numbers aren't much different the last two seasons. Martin earned $3.1 million, but is coming off a down year, so that number may go down as well.
I'll keep you updated as the deals become finalized.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Kemp closing in on two-year deal
The Dodgers have been in discussions with Matt Kemp, Andre Ethier, James Loney, and Jonathan Broxton on two-year deals. However, only Kemp appears to be close to inking a new deal.
Talks with Kemp have been described as "progressing smoothly" between the two sides. He's at a prime spot to cash in, as he's coming off a big season where he took a Gold Glove and Silver Slugger awards. Plus, he's 25 and is probably still getting better (at least I hope).
As for the other three, while talks have occurred, it's hard to get the impression that anything but one-year deals will happen.
Both Ethier and Loney look like locks for one year. Broxton is said to be discussing multiple scenarios, so maybe he's another possibility for an extended deal.
Talks with Kemp have been described as "progressing smoothly" between the two sides. He's at a prime spot to cash in, as he's coming off a big season where he took a Gold Glove and Silver Slugger awards. Plus, he's 25 and is probably still getting better (at least I hope).
As for the other three, while talks have occurred, it's hard to get the impression that anything but one-year deals will happen.
Both Ethier and Loney look like locks for one year. Broxton is said to be discussing multiple scenarios, so maybe he's another possibility for an extended deal.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Will Cliff Lee become a Dodger?
The hottest rumor of the day has been a proposed deal that would send Cliff Lee and Victor Martinez to the Dodgers for James Loney, prospects, and either Chad Billingsley or Clayton Kershaw. Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports wrote about this earlier today, calling it "serious discussions" between the two.
As time went on throughout the day, it's been pretty much all but shot down as false.
The major reason seems to be the part about giving up Billingsley or Kershaw. It seems to me that the Indians would be more than willing to get one of them to replace Lee, who will be a free agent after the 2010 season. That would be good for the Dodgers, but he's 30, and Billingsley and Kershaw are 25 and 21, respectively.
Would the Dodgers actually be willing to part with one of their young, stud pitchers? I would highly doubt it, even if it was Lee coming in return. Billingsley was an All-Star this year, and Kershaw isn't far behind. They can easily become a top 1-2 combination in the majors in no time. Trading away one of those parts would be pretty big.
About the only part of this deal I would like is Victor Martinez for James Loney. Don't get me wrong, I like Loney. His defense is excellent, he's young, and for the most part hits for a good average. But, he has little power, and hits into too many double plays. Good player, but can be expendable for the right price.
Martinez, on the other hand, can hit for 20-25 homers, and has a higher on-base percentage. He was an All-Star this season as a catcher, but has played almost as many games at first. He'd be a good power threat no matter where he'd be in the lineup.
Who knows how serious this deal ever was, or will be, so this could all be a giant waste of time. What does seem certain is the Dodgers have interest in Lee. Will they put together any sort of deal? With the trade deadline approaching, we will soon find out.
As time went on throughout the day, it's been pretty much all but shot down as false.
The major reason seems to be the part about giving up Billingsley or Kershaw. It seems to me that the Indians would be more than willing to get one of them to replace Lee, who will be a free agent after the 2010 season. That would be good for the Dodgers, but he's 30, and Billingsley and Kershaw are 25 and 21, respectively.
Would the Dodgers actually be willing to part with one of their young, stud pitchers? I would highly doubt it, even if it was Lee coming in return. Billingsley was an All-Star this year, and Kershaw isn't far behind. They can easily become a top 1-2 combination in the majors in no time. Trading away one of those parts would be pretty big.
About the only part of this deal I would like is Victor Martinez for James Loney. Don't get me wrong, I like Loney. His defense is excellent, he's young, and for the most part hits for a good average. But, he has little power, and hits into too many double plays. Good player, but can be expendable for the right price.
Martinez, on the other hand, can hit for 20-25 homers, and has a higher on-base percentage. He was an All-Star this season as a catcher, but has played almost as many games at first. He'd be a good power threat no matter where he'd be in the lineup.
Who knows how serious this deal ever was, or will be, so this could all be a giant waste of time. What does seem certain is the Dodgers have interest in Lee. Will they put together any sort of deal? With the trade deadline approaching, we will soon find out.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Nomar could be at 1st base in Game 1
I just posted about what the lineup should look like for Game 1 of the NLCS tomorrow night. I also speculated about James Loney and Matt Kemp swapping spots in the order due to the lefty Cole Hamels going for the Phillies. What I didn't consider was that Nomar Garciaparra could start at 1st base.
According to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports, that could indeed happen. With someone who has stuff as nasty as Hamels, it's probably a good idea to get another righty in there. Nomar hasn't started a game yet, but that had more to do with the Dodgers' offense being hot and facing righty starters all 3 games against the Cubs.
So if Nomar does start, look for him to be in the #5 spot right in front of Kemp.
By the way, Rosenthal picks the Dodgers in 7. I've always like that guy.
According to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports, that could indeed happen. With someone who has stuff as nasty as Hamels, it's probably a good idea to get another righty in there. Nomar hasn't started a game yet, but that had more to do with the Dodgers' offense being hot and facing righty starters all 3 games against the Cubs.
So if Nomar does start, look for him to be in the #5 spot right in front of Kemp.
By the way, Rosenthal picks the Dodgers in 7. I've always like that guy.
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
MLB.com preview: Corner Infielders
The 2nd of 7 installments of the Dodgers' roster is up, and this time looks at 1st and 3rd base. 1st base is obviously wrapped up, with James Loney proving he was worth the trouble of moving Nomar Garciaparra to 3rd base. He should be a building block for years to come.
Over at 3rd base, the situation is much different. I talked about Nomar yesterday and his quest to regain the starting nod. Andy LaRoche is the other X factor in all of this, and he has shown just as much, if not more, promise than Loney in the minors. Can he translate that into big league success? So far, it's been anywhere from a "we'll see" to "no." He hasn't proved he can handle being an everyday 3rd baseman yet, from a production and injury standpoint. Time will certainly tell.
Next week: Middle infield
Over at 3rd base, the situation is much different. I talked about Nomar yesterday and his quest to regain the starting nod. Andy LaRoche is the other X factor in all of this, and he has shown just as much, if not more, promise than Loney in the minors. Can he translate that into big league success? So far, it's been anywhere from a "we'll see" to "no." He hasn't proved he can handle being an everyday 3rd baseman yet, from a production and injury standpoint. Time will certainly tell.
Next week: Middle infield
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Q & A with James Loney
First off, I hope all of the Dodger fans out there are having a good Holiday season. Ok, even fans of the other teams can have one too. It is the season of giving after all.News is all but at a standstill these days, so tidbits here and there is the best we can do. Here's a short interview with James Loney on the Dodgers official website. Basically it's a conversation about Christmas tradition and offseason training. Not much, but worth a read.
And..... here it is.
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