The Dodgers rounded out their starting rotation today, signing Jon Garland to a one-year $5MM deal with an option for 2012. The $8MM option vests after 190 innings, a threshold Garland has reached every year since 2002 and the deal also includes bonuses. The 31-year-old will be the fifth starter in a Dodgers rotation that already includes Clayton Kershaw, Chad Billingsley, Ted Lilly and Hiroki Kuroda.
Garland and his agents at LSW baseball turned down contracts from the Rockies and Padres. Colorado offered him a one-year deal with an option, according to Troy Renck of the Denver Post (on Twitter) and the Padres offered him arbitration earlier in the week. The former Dodger was a Type B free agent, so he won't cost Los Angeles a pick, but the Padres will obtain a supplementary first rounder in next year's draft for their loss.
Last year, Garland pitched to a 3.47 ERA with 6.1 K/9 and 3.9 BB/9 in exactly 200 innings for the Padres. The righty has always generated more ground balls than fly balls, but the 52% ground ball rate he posted in 2010 was a career-high. However, defense independent pitching stats including FIP and xFIP suggest Garland's 3.47 ERA was lower than we would expect for someone with his peripherals.
Dylan Hernandez of the LA Times broke the news and added financial detail on Twitter, Jon Heyman of SI.com also reported financial details (on Twitter) and Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports provided information on the vesting option.
Again?!
Again?? This is the STEAL of the off-season so far. Why would Garland settle for one year?? He should have gotten at least 2 years considering he’s only 31, and AT LEAST $8M per year. Why wouldn’t he just accept the arbitration offer if he was going to take a deal like this??
Good deal for the Dodgers, for Garland, no so much…
Again?? This is the STEAL of the off-season so far. Why would Garland settle for one year?? He should have gotten at least 2 years considering he’s only 31, and AT LEAST $8M per year. Why wouldn’t he just accept the arbitration offer if he was going to take a deal like this??
Good deal for the Dodgers, for Garland, no so much…
My goodness the Dodgers rotation is starting to take shape. Jon Garland is everywhere! No one spends more money on air fare than Garland!!
I really like this move, things didn’t work out the first time on the Dodgers for him, but he is really a very good pitcher. Jon Garland is awesome.
a very solid rotation if you ask me. might make them the very early wildcard favorite in the NL.
But their offense is pretty lousy. If Ned wants to win, i’d trade James Loney for Josh Willingham and put Jerry Sands at 1B.
Jerry Sands is not MLB ready.Besides, with the number of 1B on the market that’d be upgrades for Loney, it’d make more sense just to sign one of Pena/LaRoche/Lee/Berkman/Branyan/Cantu to replace Loney.
I hope Sands can play LF.
I wouldnt do that trade as much as I would love to get Willingham out of the NL East. Loney is a good player and still young. Willingham has power but isnt a particular good hitter and in the NL, Loney is much more desirable.
I wouldnt do that trade as much as I would love to get Willingham out of the NL East. Loney is a good player and still young. Willingham has power but isnt a particular good hitter and in the NL, Loney is much more desirable.
The Nats wouldn’t do that. Loney has minimal value, and there was something around here from a few days ago saying that the Nats want young pitching in any trade they make. Makes sense, seeing as Willingham is probably one of the more attractive offensive outfielders not names Carl Crawford or Jayson Werth.
As for the Dodgers competing… I still can’t see it. The offense is sorely lacking, and if the Padres can play like they did last year, the Dodgers may be favorite to finish third out West. Then you have to consider competitors in other divisions, like the Phillies and Braves, Reds and Cardinals, etc.
Reds will be hard to repeat, same with ATL and SD. If the Dodger bullpen doesnt suck like it did last year, i would give them at least 86 wins.
The Reds and Braves are legit teams, and I’m not just saying that because I’m a Braves fan. The Reds and Braves have just as impressive rotations as LA, better offenses, and way better bullpens. The Reds have awesome defense, LA’s is ok, Braves is meh. On paper, the Reds and Braves shine over LA.
The Braves offense sucks and so does Brooks Conrad.
Prado, Heyward, Jones, Uggla, McCann at the top of the line up. You are an idiot if you say that. The only one of the 5 that didn’t get an MVP vote last year is the former MVP 38 year old 3rd basemen who can still put up solid numbers. You’re also an idiot for bringing up Brooks Conrad. You are obviously as informed about Major League Baseball as my dog is.
I fail to see how the Reds starting rotation measures up to the Dodgers.It isn’t even close, really. Of the 5 Dodgers starters, the highest ERA last season was 3.62 (Ted Lilly), better than Cueto or Arroyo.Kershaw 2.91Billingsley 3.57Lilly 3.62Kuroda 3.39Garland 3.47No way the bullpens are “way better”, either. The Dodgers had the best bullpen ERA in baseball in 2009, and most of the same guys are still there. Kuo and Jansen had absolutely incredible seasons last year (Kuo quietly being the best reliever in baseball last season), and Broxton and Belisario both have great stuff. They need to add a piece or two for the back end of their bullpen, but it is solid.
I beg to differ. I liked Carlos Marmol more. Also, bullpens are very fickle. Just because the pen did good in 2009, bad in 2010, doesn’t mean that it will just fix itself up again in 2011. I’m pretty sure that Kuo won’t be as amazing and we’ll see if Jansen can follow up his impressive start from this year.
kuo has been amazing for like 4 years. where have you been? if he’s healthy, he is completely filthy and there are no ifs, ands, or buts about that.
Yes but Kuo and Broxton have been great throughout their careers, we are not looking just at 09 but 08 and 07. The Dodgers poor bullpen last year was a product of Sherill, a poor second half by Broxton, and numerous scrubs.
I am not saying the Dodgers will certainly have a great bullpen next year or one better than the Reds or Braves. I also dont think it is fair to say that the Reds or Braves bullpens will certainly be better, as you say, bullpens are fickle.
I beg to differ. I liked Carlos Marmol more. Also, bullpens are very fickle. Just because the pen did good in 2009, bad in 2010, doesn’t mean that it will just fix itself up again in 2011. I’m pretty sure that Kuo won’t be as amazing and we’ll see if Jansen can follow up his impressive start from this year.
Please explain how they came in 4th place and how the Braves and Reds went to the playoffs. LA was behind Colorado and San Diego, both of which the Braves and Reds are better than. Hell, the Braves limped across the finish line and only lost each game to the eventual world champs by 1 run each game. They are obviously better than LA, and that’s the facts. I don’t hate LA, but I fail to see how comprising a rotation out of number 3 starters(albeit, a very good rotation) besides Kershaw makes them better than the Reds or Braves, which was the initial argument.
I’m saying it is a lot closer than you make it out to be.
Kershaw is a #1, that is indisputable.
Any of Billingsley, Kuroda, or Lilly could be #2 on many teams. And Garland would make a decent #3 or #4 on most teams.
ALL of them had ERAs below 3.65 last season. Is there any other rotation in baseball that has 5 pitchers that threw over 180 IP last season with those numbers? I could be wrong, but I don’t think so.
I’m looking towards 2011. Garland was not with the Dodgers in 2010. Instead, they had a terrible collection of 5th starters that combined for over 20 losses and an ERA over 6.50. Lilly was not with the Dodgers for most of the 2010 season, either. Instead, the oft-injured Padilla was their #4, and he missed nearly half the season.
Their offensive tailspin the 2nd half of the season was the main reason for their 4th place finish, though… not the pitching. The Dodgers literally had the worst offense in baseball the 2nd half of the season. So, we’ll see how the offense is addressed…
I understand and agree with all your points, but imagine if the Reds rotation got to play 81 games in Chavez Ravine, instead of Great American Ballpark. I’m pretty sure they would be right there with LA, even with LA’s new rotation.
There is no way Kuo can maintain his .225 BABIP or his 85.8 LOB% from 2010, not to mention he had a 1.5 HR/FB%, his stats just scream regress to mean. He will still be a good reliever, as he’s shown he can strike guys out and put up solid ERA’s with normalized peripherals, but expecting anything like 2010 out of Kuo would not be very smart.
Well if he regresses to 09 numbers, he won the best setup man award that year, so that would be cool. PHHH
Braves rotation can compare to LA, Reds can not. Both have better offenses currently. Bullpen is hard to say, they fluctuate so much year to year and with such small sample sizes. However at face value, Dodgers bullpen looks as good or better than either Reds or Braves. Braves lose Wagner and Saito. Broxton bounces back, full year of Jansen, no Sherill, no Orizi. Edge Dodgers.
They just need a few offensive changes, albeit large ones.
Reds will be hard to repeat, same with ATL and SD. If the Dodger bullpen doesnt suck like it did last year, i would give them at least 86 wins.
The Padres had every single thing go right for them to be that good. The Dodgers had the NLs worst offense to ensure all hell would break loose come October.
The Padres had every single thing go right for them to be that good. The Dodgers had the NLs worst offense to ensure all hell would break loose come October.
what a dodger hater!
Loney gets a hard time because he doesn’t hit HRs, yet he still hits very well with runners on (.864 OPS in scoring position). Loney is not the problem, just ease off the pressure to hit HRs, let him hit 6th, drive in his 90 RBI. If we had a 3B or LF hitting 30 bombs, no one would really care.
Signing Beltre and platooning Blake at 1B against LHP would solve most of our offensive woes (Kemp hitting again and Furcal staying healthy takes care of the rest).
The Nats wouldn’t do that. Loney has minimal value, and there was something around here from a few days ago saying that the Nats want young pitching in any trade they make. Makes sense, seeing as Willingham is probably one of the more attractive offensive outfielders not names Carl Crawford or Jayson Werth.
As for the Dodgers competing… I still can’t see it. The offense is sorely lacking, and if the Padres can play like they did last year, the Dodgers may be favorite to finish third out West. Then you have to consider competitors in other divisions, like the Phillies and Braves, Reds and Cardinals, etc.
1) Where on earth do you get the Nationals actually making a Willingham-for-Loney swap, none the less fighting the urge to laugh at that miserable proposal?
2) Sands has spend half of a year above Low-A ball. Not ready for the show – he’d get eaten alive.
Right, because a Left fielder under contract for one season on a team that has no chance to compete isn’t equal to a young hitter who was torn apart by LA management pressure and has a higher ceiling that everyone thinks.
I think your the first person on this site that I’ve seen say something good about Loney. People really seem to hate him, and I’m not sure why. He’s fairly consistent, and the first half of the year he was the only guy (other than Ethier before the injury) that you could count on to drive in runs.
Yeah definetly. He’s still young and has upside. No need to bash him.
He’s young, that’s about all he has going for him. He doesn’t hit for power, steal bases, or play good defense. His most WAR in a season was 2.1 and that was back in 2007. He has shown that he is a replacement level 1st baseman.
Look at statistics for qualified 1st basemen for 2009 and 2010.
Sort by OPS.
Notice James Loney at the bottom of the list.
That’s why.
OPS is just one stat. Besides just looking at stats is much different than actually watching the games and seeing the guys play.
OK. If you prefer the “games watched” statistic, I watched over 150 games last season. James Loney sucks.
Wow. Ok. Fine.
I know, nobody can argue with that sort of “logic.”
I’m aware that watching games is not “logic”. But to say that someone in the Major Leagues sucks is just plain ignorant. All of these guys clearly have talent if they can get this far. To say he shouldn’t be a starting 1st baseman in the major leagues is a whole different idea
FWIW, I totally agree. It seems like every one of these threads turn into a Loney bash. Sure we’d all like to see a power hitter at first. So find us one who can also hit for average and doesn’t play the position like a fireplug with a glove, then we’ll talk. Until then we can stick with somebody who can at least do a couple of things right.
I think the problem with Loney is that he plays 1B. If his production were coming out of 2B, SS, CF, or maybe even 3B, no one would have any problem with him. But, because 1B is generally the position that a player that can hit but not field (for the most part, see Dunn, Adam) are playing, he gets compared to those guys and people see all the potential production being lost with Loney at 1B. I have no personal issue with the guy, he seems to play hard, I just think he’d be a more liked player (production-wise) if he played a different position.
I agree. I followed Loney from when he was in the minor leagues and was really optimistic about him… but 4 consecutive years of declining offense has really been enough. If he was right-handed and could play 2B or 3B I’d be fine with his production, but you just can’t justify it at 1B, especially in the NL…
A lot depends on how you define production. For most fans these days that seems to be about nothing but hitting HRs, which I think is short-sighted. If you look at production in terms of RBIs, Loney is just about as good as anyone. As for the decline, using his rookie first year as a benchmark is likely to create disappointment. I can discount this lousy year, since it was lousy pretty much across the board for LA’s offense. Unlike most fans I guess I’m not calling for the head of every player who slumped last year, and if one is going to be replaced, I want it to be with someone who is better in more than one category. Last I checked there weren’t any magic bullet players out there, just a bunch with blemishes as big or bigger than Loney’s.
RBI’s don’t matter. At all. They’re purely based on the situation. His wOBA is below league average… and considering that he’s a first baseman, he isn’t worthy of a starting spot in the majors. The Dodgers should non-tender him.
That’s the great thing about baseball today — every opinion has a stat to back it up, which you can quote even if you have no idea what it really means.
wOBA: Weighted on base average. But RBI is the ONLY thing Loney has going for him… and it is a situationally based stat like pitchers’ wins or runs, and they don’t matter.
Even if you can define it, you still don’t know what it means. Just another black-box baseball stat that nobody really understands.
Okay, now you’re just trollin’. Many, many people understand it. I am one of them.
I don’t think you truly know what RBIs mean, however…
Haha. I suppose you are now going to explain the concept of linear weights and how they affect the stability of statistical models! Don’t bother — not one person in 10,000 can.
You don’t need to know linear weights to understand what it means. Do you need to know every single thing that goes into WAR to know that it’s a better way to measure value? You’re avoiding the point, that Loney is below average. You want another way to tell you that he sucks? How about a below average OBP, below average slugging, and below average walk rate. He’s not a good hitter. If he didn’t have a positive UZR last year, he would’ve been at or below replacement level.
FWIW, I totally agree. It seems like every one of these threads turn into a Loney bash. Sure we’d all like to see a power hitter at first. So find us one who can also hit for average and doesn’t play the position like a fireplug with a glove, then we’ll talk. Until then we can stick with somebody who can at least do a couple of things right.
People don’t like him because he’s not the prototypical first baseman that hits 30+ HRs a year. He doesn’t have power, that’s why.
WRONG! We like him, we just recognize how sub par he is. It’s not just because he doesn’t hit enough homers, he also does not hit enough doubles, singles, or triples, he does not walk enough, and he does not play good enough defense. In other words, he is just not good.
Number five in doubles in 2010.
Number five in doubles in 2010.
Except Loney for Willingham is a HORRIBLE trade for the Nats.
But their offense is pretty lousy. If Ned wants to win, i’d trade James Loney for Josh Willingham and put Jerry Sands at 1B.
Hope we get the same performance this time around.
a draft pick for the pads.
Yes Sir-E Bob, something that the Padres are going to get many more of over the next couple of months. Rejoyce.
Considering Luebke can replace Garland… all is well in FriarLand
Clearly he has no desire to leave the west coast. Nothing but west coast teams ever since he left Chicago.
I was going to say about the same thing. It’s no suprise he is staying out west.
maybe it’s because grew up 15 minutes from Dodger stadium and he has a lot of family here in LA? His uncle was our pitching coach in college
maybe it’s because grew up 15 minutes from Dodger stadium and he has a lot of family here in LA? His uncle was our pitching coach in college
The Padres are now thankful for the supplemental pick they will be rewarded now that Garland signed.
(4 weeks later), the Padres are now thankful for the many supplemental picks they will be rewarded with now that their arb free agents signed elsewhere!
Many? A bit overstated. They are likely to get 2. Torrelaba may sign elsewhere, but Correia would be a fool to turn down arbitration. I dont see anyone offering Correia a good major league contract.
Hopefully it’s for no more than 5 million a year. Padilla could of been signed for a couple of million. Last year was a fluke for Garland.
I imagine it’s more than 5 a year. Bet it’s something like 1 yr/7mil with vesting option based on innings.
no chance its less than 6 mil. He signed for 4.7 mil last year and was guaranteed to get a substantial raise in arbitration. My guess is 1 year 8 mil
no chance its less than 6 mil. He signed for 4.7 mil last year and was guaranteed to get a substantial raise in arbitration. My guess is 1 year 8 mil
not really. his peripherals are exactly the same as its been his whole career except he was playing in SD, a great pitchers park instead of in the AL or Arizona (which is a huge hitters park). I expect very similar numbers in LA…
The low ERA may be a fluke for Garland, but the innings pitched is consistant. Dodgers will get 190 innings, 13 wins and an ERA around 4.10. Good enough for the contract they are giving him. Solid pickup.
Wow. Very pleasant surprise for us Dodger fans! Probably the best guy available to fill the #5 spot. Dependable innings-eater. More reliable than Padilla, and better than Millwood, Harang, etc.
I’m happy. Now if we could just take care of the holes at C, 1B, 2B, 3B and LF…
No hole at C. Just tender Martin, or save a little and sign him for 2 plus an option.
Eh. Declining production for 4 straight seasons. Not worth $6m. If he’s going to cost that much, I’d rather resign Barajas, honestly. I’d be fine with Martin if he agrees to a 2 year deal at ~$6m, though.
“‘d rather resign Barajas, honestly.”
1. Martin was amazing behind the dish this year, Ellis and Rod couldn’t throw out anyone..
2. Martin has something to prove I would think. Hes primed for a big year as anyone in the game.
He needs to be non tendered(and resigned) or signed to a 2/3 year deal with a lot of incentives.
i recall only 2 straight seasons of declining production, not 4.
Well, all major offensive stats (BA, SLG, OPS, HR) dropped from 2007 to 2008, 2008 to 2009, and 2009 to 2010… I guess 3 years would be more accurate.
Eh. Declining production for 4 straight seasons. Not worth $6m. If he’s going to cost that much, I’d rather resign Barajas, honestly. I’d be fine with Martin if he agrees to a 2 year deal at ~$6m, though.
good move by LA, there rotation is looking pretty legit.
Hey, 200 innings locked in at the very least. And thats pretty valuable! Im guessing at least 7 mil though
awesome, dodgers have made my day. I have stated since day 1 of the offseason, that we needed a 5th pitcher. Our rotation is solid now whoever gets hurt we can now go to Ely
wow. The dodgers have a nice lookin rotation. When Garland is your #5 pitcher, you must be doing something right.
interesting to see the terms here. I had Garland as the next best SP remaining after Lee.
That’s a bogus rating, but it’s still a great deal for L.A.
Good move by the Dodgers! It’d be great to see them back on the up-and-up, and they’ve got to stand a chance with a tough rotation like that.
I think their rotation has a shot of putting up the best SP ERA in baseball this season, if they maintain their health. They did it in 2009 with Wolf and a random collection of #5 starters. Lilly and Garland are arguably an improvement upon that.Every single guy in that rotation is capable of putting up an ERA below 3.50, and every one of them is capable of throwing 200 IP. Extremely solid rotation.
Agreed, and much-needed considering some of the tough rotations we’re seeing in the NL these days. A big step towards a contending LAD.
I think their rotation has a shot of putting up the best SP ERA in baseball this season, if they maintain their health. They did it in 2009 with Wolf and a random collection of #5 starters. Lilly and Garland are arguably an improvement upon that.Every single guy in that rotation is capable of putting up an ERA below 3.50, and every one of them is capable of throwing 200 IP. Extremely solid rotation.
Love it
I remember last season when the Padres signed Garland Dodgers fans were saying no big loss. Now they get him back and it’s awesome. Go figure.
Garland was the 6th starter on that team and Torre clearly favored Padilla over Garland.
I wanted us to resign Garland last season… but it was no big loss because there were plenty of other decent free agent options for the #5 spot last season.
Unfortunately, the Dodgers didn’t sign any of them and went with Charlie Haeger…
… and Carlos Monasterios, and John Ely, and a couple of other guys we’d sooner forget. I think Torre probably didn’t like Garland for some reason. He didn’t get used very much after he came over in ’09 and didn’t make the playoff roster. The very fact that Torre is gone and Garland is back (with an option, no less) tells me something.
I like it!
That is a very solid rotation for LA. Now hopefully for them, Broxton has a full season under his belt, not just a full stomach.
2.53 ERA at Dodger stadium the last 3 years…if he can go 190ip for the #5 spot it will really help the pen out. Very nice signing.
love the move. it wont matter though if the offense performs like it did last yr. doesnt matter if you hold people to 3 runs if your offense can only score 2.
this is great to see. Ned is solving our 3 year troubles with who the hell is our 5th starter. Now we have a lock 5 guys who are all solid hopefully kershaw can dominate and so will billz. Now for catcher i would love to see russ again but why are peopl talking about 1st base like we need someone we have james loney. The major holes are second 3rd and left and we NEEEEEEDDDD a power player at left and third we need homerun threats becuase we need someone to protect matt kemp and andre either kemps going to have a great year just watch
its easier to fix first base than to fix 3rd in todays market. thats why loney is singled out. and also because all he hits are singles too. seriously a worst option like laroche hit 25 hr. i do understand blake is crap but he is stuck here. unless you can platoon him,.
I wouldn’t mind seeing LaRoche at first. Sure, he is usually awful until it warms up, but he is good for 25 bombs and he isn’t a huge downgrade defensively, at first.
LaRoche is also good for about 150 strikeouts. Be careful what you wish for.
I wouldn’t mind seeing LaRoche at first. Sure, he is usually awful until it warms up, but he is good for 25 bombs and he isn’t a huge downgrade defensively, at first.
its easier to fix first base than to fix 3rd in todays market. thats why loney is singled out. and also because all he hits are singles too. seriously a worst option like laroche hit 25 hr. i do understand blake is crap but he is stuck here. unless you can platoon him,.
according to dodgers.com his contract is worth 5 million with an 8 million vesting option for 2012
That is awesome, welcome back home Jon, again.
That is awesome, welcome back home Jon, again.
according to dodgers.com his contract is worth 5 million with an 8 million vesting option for 2012
can someone answer my question please. how much money is left to work with for the dodgers this offseason
can someone answer my question please. how much money is left to work with for the dodgers this offseason
I think they are sitting at 110M with this signing, and still have decisions to make on Martin and Theriot as non-tender candidates. No one knows what “increased payroll” means, but I would expect 115 to be the cap. So my guess is 5M /w another 8M or so possible for non-tender.
I think they are sitting at 110M with this signing, and still have decisions to make on Martin and Theriot as non-tender candidates. No one knows what “increased payroll” means, but I would expect 115 to be the cap. So my guess is 5M /w another 8M or so possible for non-tender.
Not that starting pitching was the Dodgers’ biggest worry, but a very good move by Ned the Toupee. Let’s hope he still has some money left to address second, left field and catcher.
Not that starting pitching was the Dodgers’ biggest worry, but a very good move by Ned the Toupee. Let’s hope he still has some money left to address second, left field and catcher.
ZOMG! Break up the Dodgers!
Good deal if he eats innng for the Dodgers.
Good deal if he eats innng for the Dodgers.
With Lilly, Kuroda and Garland… would it be a stretch to say the Dodgers signed 3 of the top 10 free agent pitchers this off-season?
Pretty impressive considering all the ownership drama and financial issues.
Now how about some offense?
Why do you say that Garland pitched “TO” a 3.47 ERA? Curious verbage- doesn’t sound right.
I guess this means that Vicente Padilla won’t be returning.
Good. Padilla creeps me out. He looks like he could start attacking people at any given moment.
Agreed. But imagine then how opposing hitters must’ve felt.
Very true. I’m still okay with him being creepy somewhere else though.
Why do you say that Garland pitched “TO” a 3.47 ERA? Curious verbage- doesn’t sound right.
I guess this means that Vicente Padilla won’t be returning.
5MM is a steal, too bad Colletti didn’t just offer him a deal last year instead of Padilla and paying 2.5M buyout
well its really 2 years 13 mil (plus bonuses) considering the 190 IP mark is something he does every year.
well its really 2 years 13 mil (plus bonuses) considering the 190 IP mark is something he does every year.
5MM is a steal, too bad Colletti didn’t just offer him a deal last year instead of Padilla and paying 2.5M buyout
Tim is now 3 for 6
Tim is now 3 for 6
Good. Better start to the off-season than last year.
Perhaps this sets up a trade of two years of Chad Billingsley and two years of James Loney for one year of Prince Fielder and five or six years of Mat Gamel.
Why trade Billz? We just cemented the rotation. We need to add a bat without giving up starters.
If they sign Padilla…
This is a great move, it looks like the Dodgers are back in the game. Good luck to Donny baseball next year.
its basically a 2 yr 13 milliion dollar deal. he is all but a guarantee to hit 200 innings.
This signing really shocked me…. I would of thought there was no way Garland would return to the Dodgers especially after we left him off our roster during the entire playoffs in ’09 even though he was healthy and pitched pretty good for us down the stretch
I’m also shocked he turned down the offer from the Padres after how well he did there and knowing that there team is heading in the right direction
I guess just like Lilly he really wants to be here and I’m thrilled about it
I’d like to see the Dodgers sign Torrealba, Uribe, and Bill Hall.
I would pass on Uribe and try and trade for Wilson Betemit. Moving Blake into a platoon at 1B against LHP, would improve production at two spots IMO. I doubt we sign the big bat, so little moves like this is what we need to do. Also like Jeff Francoeur as a platoon against lefties.
Bill Hall and Torrealba? Is this Ned Coletti? Please shut up.
I’d be fine with Torrealba. I’ve always though he was a little overrated, but we could use a solid defender behind home plate.
You would think he was overrated. What he did for the Padres last season was nothing short of outstanding.
I’d like to see the Dodgers sign Torrealba, Uribe, and Bill Hall.
Good move by L.A., as much as it pains me to say it. Garland’s no ace, but if he’s somewhere between #3-#5 in your rotation, as he is for the Dodgers, you have a chance to compete. Shocked he’s take this little money, though. I guess when you only consider signing with NL West teams, your market is a bit limited… but it’s hard to believe that one of the D-backs/Rockies/Padres wouldn’t have offered him more than $5MM for 2011.
He’ll be the #5 for LA. 1. Kershaw, 2. Billingsley, 3. Lilly, 4. Kuroda, 5. Garland. So yes, good move.
The Padres offered arb, so all he had to do was accept it and he could have made more than 5MM, probably somewhere around 7 through the arb process.
Awesome, we finally have a solid 1 thru 5.
look at it this way, the 5-spot in the rotation lost 20-games last season, right? OK, now if they cut that to 10-losses that is a 20-game swing in the team record or 90-72 which changes the entire complexion of the season right there. And that does not take into account a more mature Kershaw & Billz, the addition of Lilly, and hopefully a steady as ever Kuroda.
Add to that someone who can better manage a bullpen, if he can that is…but overall just standing pat this rotation using innings eating alone is right there at the top of the standings. And they did not lose any offense from last season really. Meaning a solid bat and Kemp pulling his head or of Beyonce’s….well, you know…and who knows that alone could mean another 3-5 wins right there and a 94-97 win season.
A lot of “ifs” but this does change the look of the rotation. And as with every other team out there, injuries make all the difference. And if the baseball gawds are smiling Lin-see-cum won’t be able to lay off the chronic and fail a pee test mid-season. Even still, the Junts are not likely to have the same timely offense as last season, but then there are the Rockies who will always be a factor. Pads sort of maxi’d it out last season potential wise.
I would not have thought it but a guy like Werth could well be the difference maker. I still wish then never dumped him in the first place, it’s not like the wrist thing was his fault. But odds are that would have meant a Kemp trade instead…I mean given the way Flanders runs things.
If we get 32 starts from Jon, and he gives us .500 ball it will increase wins by 3 or so over the Padilla/Ely/Monasterios group, which is good for any signing. Add a couple more for the pen staying rested, and looking at +5 WAR.
Still need another +4 WAR guy on offense IMO to compete for division, but it is still early in the off season.
And Padilla only really became our #5 starter after the Lilly acquisition. Most of the season it was Haeger, Ely, Monasterios, Ortiz. That group lost 20 with a combined ERA north of 6.00, most in the first half.
This is signing could make a huge difference over the course of a full season. Though I agree, another bat is needed.
Best #5 pitcher in baseball.
People should question why he was only offered a one-year deal.
A: Ruby De La Rosa
Because Garland’s theme song is “The Ramblin’ Man” by Waylon Jennings.
The 2nd year option is easily reachable for Garland and having Kuroda for only 1 year that’ll leave an open spot for a rookie from the farm system next year
His ERA is artificially low, he is a five inning pitcher, and is going to put a lot of pressure on the bullpen.
Garland? Is that why he reaches 200 innings year after year?
Lots of 5 1/3 inning showings, leaving the game with runners on base (usually in scoring position) and getting good relief.
Since 2007, Garland has averaged just under 6 and 1/3 innings per start, with 809 IP divided by 130 games started coming out to 6.22, try again.
There you go with stats that do not directly relate to what I posted. All I’m saying is that he just finished pitching in San Diego, the most hitter friendly park, and was pretty much a wus. He’ll probably get hurt next year.
Please explain how you stating the Garland “is a five inning pitcher” and “Lots of 5 1/3 innings showings” is not directly related to the statistic that he actually averages 6 and 1/3 innings per start?
And as for you pointing out that he’s not likely to put up a 3.47 ERA again next season, well that was addressed in Ben’s posting with “However, defense independent pitching stats including FIP and xFIP suggest Garland’s 3.47 ERA was lower than we would expect for someone with his peripherals.” Also, there is nothing in Garland’s history to show that he is likely to get injured next season.
There you go with stats that do not directly relate to what I posted. All I’m saying is that he just finished pitching in San Diego, the most hitter friendly park, and was pretty much a wus. He’ll probably get hurt next year.
Hasta La Vista, Padilla (who also would have been a good signing for the 5th spot).
i think ned is probably working hard to get martin to comeback after a non tender. of course martin could say no and just leave for more money or mad because he lost 6 million. i dont see any cheap options are third or left in the market. a reliever is likely. maybe getting sherill back on the cheap or bringing saito would be nice. i have serious doubts they can get a 2b esepcially when an option is the o-dawg. he hates the dogers. unless they convince cabrerra to play second its slim pickings. uribe wont leave the giants
O-Dog deserves to hate the Dodgers after Torre benched him for the playoffs. Just plain stupid.
Well Torre is gone and he did worse to Garland and he came back so it’s possible that O-Dog would come back
I have no problem keeping Theriot though
I guess. I would certainly be happy with O-Dog as our second baseman.
I would rather run Carroll and De Jesus out there than to trust second to Theriot. Of course, if Ned can smooth things over with Garland, maybe he can do the same with O-Dog. I wouldn’t give him more than a year and an option, but that might be all it would take after a couple years of one year deals.
Ugh, Theriot is TERRIBLE! Dude didn’t have an extra-base hit in his last THIRTY games as a Dodger.
I’d rather Ivan DeJesus, Jr. or even Chin Lung Hu start at 2B.
Uh oh Rockies.
John Garland is terrible. I don’t even know why they’re so many good comments about him. He has a career era of of 4.32. Walks too many guys and gives up way too many home runs.
That makes him terrible? He’s a consistent innings-eater who will be our #5 starter.
John Garland has had some very good years. At this point he’s a mid or back of the rotation kind of pitcher, and has done well in that role.
He isn’t an ace, but to call him terrible isn’t accurate at all.
So they’ve got a really solid rotation with little injury risk. Great signing.
Now to see how they fix 2B/LF/the offense.
no way dodgers you have already had garland