The Dodgers have designated Justin Miller for assignment to clear a spot on their roster for Kenley Jansen, reports Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times.
Miller, who signed a minor league contract with the Dodgers over the winter, had been pitching out of the bullpen since taking Ramon Ortiz's place on the roster in May. Although Miller's numbers for Los Angeles were respectable, including a 4.44 ERA and 11.1 K/9, the club has to be excited to see what Jansen can do at the major league level. The 22-year-old has posted a 2.22 ERA and 15.4 K/9 in 45 minor league appearances since being converted from catcher last season.
Woot, NL beware, whenever the Dodgers can get all their relievers healthy and on the major league staff, it’s going to be fierce.
Broxton
Kuo
Jansen
Belisario
Lindblom
Elbert
Troncoso
Mcdonald
Best in the majors easily.
and before you talk back, please do look at said players stats. That is all.
eh, Troncoso sucks man. He’s had an ERA of over 5.50 dating back over 1 year! (Look at his 2nd half 2009 numbers)
Elbert is also garbage, come on. And Lindblom is NOT major league ready.
But you’re right otherwise. Broxton – Kuo – Belisario – Jansen is filthy. Add McDonald and Weaver to that, and you’ve got something. Monasterios isn’t bad as the long man/mop-up guy. Schlichting isn’t bad, and who knows, maybe Wade comes back to form someday.
Well Troncoso would be Mop up, and he was good before Torre abused him so I am hoping he can rebound. Elbert would be a left long man, he has failed as a starter but still has stuff good enough to be excellent in that role. Lindblom is not major league ready, you are right, I am looking at next year and beyond. This will be the best bullpen at the point that all these guys are healthy and established, could happen as soon as next year. And of course we get Broxton/Kuo/Jansen right now, which could be the filthiest triumpherate in a long long time.
You think Torre burned out Troncoso in the 3 decent months he had in the major leagues (April – June 2009)? I’d agree he burned out Wade, Proctor, and others… but Troncoso just isn’t that good. And its not like Troncoso’s throwing all that hard to be abused so easily, he’s a sinkerballer…
Elbert’s control is non-existent. He’s never looked good out of the bullpen. His “stuff” might be fantastic, but when he can only throw it for a strike 25% of the time… that doesn’t work.
Otherwise I agree.
Elbert should be better than Sherill at least. I am not sure about him either but I guess the idea would be that if he continues with around 10 K/9 with between 4-4.5 BB/9 he could be pretty good. A fine secondary left hander I think, and again, much better than Sherill.
have YOU looked at the stats?
ya…HAVE you LOOKED at THE STATs??
Lindblom has been terrible in AAA, isnt ready. Troncoso has gone the way of proctor and cory wade…overuse leads to uselessness. Belisario is a drunk, and who knows when he’ll be out of rehab. Elbert is a crybaby and hasnt pitched with the topes in over a month because he was butthurt about being sent down when he walked 4 in 0.1 innings. And James Mcdonald is simply overrated
Lindblom has been terrible as a starter, only recently went back to relief. Pacific Coast league is also an extreme hitter’s league, just check out the ridiculous numbers being out up by former scrubs. I am talking about the potential that this group could have when and if they all get together. Broxton as closer, Kuo/Jansen as late inning set up men. Belisario for the 6th/7th inning. So I am only hoping Lindblom/Elbert will be good middle relievers. Troncoso is fine as mop up if he can rebound at all. I have not even gotten to McDonald who is not really overrated because I don’t know anyone who thinks highly of him. He showed great potential in 09 as a reliever, so when you add him to the mix, all I can see is money.
You can pretty much end the conversation at Broxton, Kuo, Jansen, Belisario because I am not sure if there is a better set of 4 relievers right now. I just threw in the rest of those guys because I figure between them there aught to be one or two good relievers, then you just need a mopup guy to round it out and wala, best bullpen.
Did you just throw a player that has never pitched above AA into the best “set of 4 relievers right now” conversation? The guy hasn’t even thrown one pitch in the majors. Get real. Belisario was picked off the scrap heap last year and caught lightning in a bottle. This year, he is nothing special. In fact, this foursome isn’t even the best in the NL West. The Padres quartet of Bell, Adams, Gregerson and Mujica have outpitched them by a mile as a whole. Your original statement was simply hyperbole and doesn’t stand up to reason whatsoever. I could name numerous teams that sport a better foursome, actually… Braves, White Sox, Tigers, Nationals, and the list goes on.
Well I meant this as looking at the future. Most of the best bullpens out there are topped with Veterans that won’t be around much longer. As for the Padres, I know they would be a popular choice, but what you say about Belisario can also be said of a number of the Padres guys who have limited sample sizes to draw from while pitching in the pitcher’s park of pitchers park that is Petco. Many relievers have stopped by there to have dominant seasons only to struggle after departing.
“because I am not sure if there is a better set of 4 relievers right now”
“Well I meant this as looking at the future.”
Hmmmmmmmmm…
Dang you got me!
Well, I don’t think there are a better set of four relievers set to pitch together over the next 4 years. 🙂 How is that for ya?
Can you just let me be optimistic and whatnot? Our defense sucks and the offense is not great so just let me hang on to dis.
Also, I know it was blatant hyperbole, and I don’t know if the Dodgers bullpen will have the most productive season in the majors anytime soon, too much luck would be involved. However I think a top 5 of Broxton, Kuo, Jansen, Belisario, Lindblom has an excellent chance at being the most TALENTED bullpen in the majors.
Because that’s what everyone would prefer to have, a talented bullpen rather than a productive one.
Well relief pitchers pitch in such small sample sizes that their production is not at all times indicative of their talent. Within 30-40 innings there is little room for luck to balance out.
If Strasburg were called up to a rotation that already had 4 other great starters, I don’t think anyone would have trouble using him to justify the rotation being best in the majors.
Jansen <<<<<<<<<< Strasburg
Obviously, did I ever say otherwise? My point is that it is not unfair to project a minor league talent when considering a major league roster.
Besides, Jansen is basically the 7th inning reliever equivalent of Strasburg, without the national (no pun intended) hype.
Broxton is leaking oil all over the place.
Kuo is great, but they never pitch him on consecutive days, rendering him less useful than he could be.
Jansen is unproven and has never pitched above AA, so I would temper your expectations if I were you. And while the strikeouts are plentiful, so are the walks.
Belisario was great last year, but it looks like the league has caught up to him this year, exposing him for what he is: a serviceable reliever and nothing more.
Lindblom is giving up 13.4 H/9 this season in AAA…not too promising.
Elbert walks a ton of batters and has pitched worse as he’s gotten closer to the big leagues.
Troncoso has been terrible this season and prone to the long ball.
McDonald isn’t proving to anyone that he is going to be able to put it all together at the major league level.
I really don’t see exactly what you have to look forward to, much less the “Best in the majors easily.” Especially since you are counting on 4 minor leaguers to become successful major league relievers.
“Broxton is leaking oil all over the place”- He has had like 3 bat outings all year, two in the last week, but that doesn’t stop anyone from projecting him as a top 5 closer in baseball for the next 5 years.
“Kuo is great, but they never pitch him on consecutive days, rendering him less useful than he could be.” Well actually Kuo either pitched or warmed up four days in a row this week but that is because Torre is mental. The team just has to be careful with Kuo he is not an inferior player or anything.
“Jansen is unproven and has never pitched above AA, so I would temper your expectations if I were you. And while the strikeouts are plentiful, so are the walks.” Overall Jansen allowed very few base runners, which is much more important than looking purely at walks. As for his ability to translate to the majors, we are about to find out.
“Belisario was great last year, but it looks like the league has caught up to him this year, exposing him for what he is: a serviceable reliever and nothing more.” After his out of nowhere dominant year last year, he missed most of spring training due to visa issues, then straggled out the gate but he had an excellent June and looked to be back to himself before taking leave. It doesn’t matter if he is as good as 09 again, he is a good middle reliever.
“Lindblom is giving up 13.4 H/9 this season in AAA…not too promising.” Again, he struggled as a starter but has moved back to relief and has shown improvement, BB rate and K rates look good. Keep in mind he is playing in the PCL an extreme hitter’s league, the whole league hits like 320.
“Elbert walks a ton of batters and has pitched worse as he’s gotten closer to the big leagues.” He is done as a starter, but it doesn’t take much optimism to think he couldn’t become a solid reliever with his 10 K/9. Also it’s not as if he has not had success at high levels, guy was great at AA and in one season of AAA before this year.
“Troncoso has been terrible this season and prone to the long ball.” It’s possible he could rebound to be a multiple inning long reliever. If not, he is hardly the qualifier that refutes my claim. Can easily replace his role.
“McDonald isn’t proving to anyone that he is going to be able to put it all together at the major league level.” Failing as a starter and becoming a middle reliever would not be putting it together at the major league level. McDonald has shown that he can gain a few miles per hour to his fastball in one or two inning stints, and he has already succeeded at the MLB level in 09.
“I really don’t see exactly what you have to look forward to, much less the “Best in the majors easily.” Especially since you are counting on 4 minor leaguers to become successful major league relievers.” Well you can start with the top, Broxton, Kuo, and Jansen should be the most dominant trio around, I dare you to reveal better. The rest all have promise as middle relievers at least. You have to keep in mind that bullpens are typically compromised of a core of 4 or 5 guys, and a 6th starter type.
was that serious im asking seriously was that saying the dodgers suck or their good
I don’t know which words or series of words confused you.
Comment #1-
Woot (I am happy)
Nl beware (that is every other team other than the Dodgers)
Whenever the Dodgers get everyone healthy and in the bullpen, they are going to have a fierce bullpen.
Lists Dodger bullpen of future
remarks on it being best bullpen
Comment #2-
In response to apposing fans horrified by my statement that said list of bullpen pitchers would be best in MLB, please look at the stats of those you do not know before calling me wrong. (sorry for the weird explanation, felt like doing it that way).
This is painful,
Plenty of bullpens better
for example padres and Braves.
Braves bullpen will be half retired by the time what I am talking about comes about (at least Wagner and Saito).
Padres…Petco, nuff said.
Besides I clearly said that whenever the Dodgers get all these guys together and healthy on one staff, they will be the best. That obviously won’t happen this season. I am looking to 2012, 13 etc.
Petco doesn’t make you play that well and if we are talking about potential and future then:
2012 will be the end of the world you can count on it
Yankees will win for the next 20 years if everything works out right i saw a 14 year old kid at the fair throw 90 mph so….. he will be the next Strasburg.
all kidding aside I dont understand how you can be so convicted towards the potential of a bullpen in a few years based on rejections of potential starters. Congrats on being excited about your team but they have potential now why not focus on the present?
I know you and most others are right, my first comment was full of hyperbole and every other comment since was spawned by my argumentative side. Though I do consider Broxton and Kuo the best bullpen duo in baseball and am optimistic that Jansen might be nearly as good, so yeah.
I’m sorry strongly disagree. The list goes on with stronge duos in the penfrom the PadresBravesSoxNationalsGiantsRockiesAll of those teams have higher holds and Saves combos than the dodgers in fact the list goes on and in general the Dodgers are middle of the majors in both of those stats. Also your comparison of Stras and Jansen. Is he young? yes does he have potential? yes. But he also has 50+ innings in the minors pitching, that’s his entire time in the minors. I am sorry but that is setting him up for a colossal failure in pitching potentially.
I’m sorry strongly disagree. The list goes on with stronge duos in the penfrom the PadresBravesSoxNationalsGiantsRockiesAll of those teams have higher holds and Saves combos than the dodgers in fact the list goes on and in general the Dodgers are middle of the majors in both of those stats. Also your comparison of Stras and Jansen. Is he young? yes does he have potential? yes. But he also has 50+ innings in the minors pitching, that’s his entire time in the minors. I am sorry but that is setting him up for a colossal failure in pitching potentially.
FINALLY
Ahh Dodger fans! Always good for a laugh!!!
Really? Giant fans always seem to be first in line to ride the lollercoaster…
You don’t see me posting about how great a crappy pen is!
I see you trolling on what is obviously a strictly Dodger related topic.
…until a gem like this comes out: mlbtraderumors.com/2010/07/giants-eyeing-will-ohma…
Wow, you just set yourself up for fail!! Is there one comment from Giants fans saying how good our pen is??
My comment BEFORE your weak reply was our pen has been shaky!
Once again, Dodger fan good for a laugh!
It’s cool dude, you guys still have the better rotation, and the best (only) player/mascot in Karate Kid or whatever.
Sherrill should’ve been the one to go, but whatever… Miller was garbage too.
Anyway, Jansen has been unhittable in the minors this season, can’t wait to see what he’ll do!
Unless Lindblom reaches his normal velocity, he’s not going places. Recently, his velocity has been shot down to 90 and not his normal 96… Dodgers effed up his arm. Hopefully he regains that velocity back.