The NL West was pretty much settled entering tonight's action, with the first-place Giants enjoying an eight-game lead, but the Dodgers were very much in the Wild Card hunt, only a game behind the Cardinals. Here's the latest …
- Dodgers GM Ned Colletti maintains that regardless of where the team finishes in the standings, he'd make the slew of midseason trades over again if given the chance, writes Mark Saxon of ESPNLosAngeles.com. "Just like the players that are traded, you can't measure this on what they do in 2012," Colletti said. "As time goes on, you can evaluate the trade for a lot of different reasons. But with ownership allowing us to be aggressive, we decided we would take chances and we would go for it.
- The Rockies are hoping to hire Marlins special assistant Mark Wiley as their new director of pitching, writes Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com. In this role, Wiley, who previously worked for the Rockies before joining the Marlins, "would have responsibility and authority over all parts of the organization, from scouting and drafting, through development, and all the way to bringing pitchers to the major leagues."
- If you're looking for an NL MVP sleeper, Padres third baseman Chase Headley deserves strong consideration, writes Jeff Sanders of the North County Times. Headley has been on a second-half tear, leading the Majors in both homers and RBIs since the Midsummer Classic entering Tuesday night's action, to go along with 6.6 fWAR on the year. It seems hard to believe now that Headley was a trade candidate leading up the July deadline, but his stock will probably never be higher than it is heading into the offseason.
It will be Braun, McCutchen or maybe even Posey…But if Headley should be a sleeper then I dont see why Soriano or even LaRoche cant be.
Because Headley has had a far better season than either of those guys. Not to take anything away from Soriano and LaRoche who have given their teams a lot more solid production than they could’ve expected, but Headley has been a beast all year.
Yeah but look at the stats, they are all pretty similar with the exception that Headley has a higher on base percentage. Besides that the stats are pretty close.
…he plays half his games at Petco. Enough said.
we all think what we want and base it on stats and what not
but we should all accept that the winner is going to come from a playoff team
so unless the brew crew or pirates run the table, posey will be the mvp.
what is more interesting is if the tigers and angels both dont make it .
This is where they need to clarify what the award is for, is it for the most valuable player in the league or the player that was most valuable to his team? If the award is for the player who is most valuable to his team then they need to determine one guy from each team who fits that criteria and then choose a guy from that list that had the greatest effect on his team. I think Braun should win it but it should be interesting how last years drug test will affect him in the voting.
I think its moot if the brewers dont make the playoff, but it probably would have effected the voting.
either way, they need to clarify that the mvp doesnt have to come from a playoff team, too made good players have been robbed because of it
Just like Miguel Cabrera will be robbed once again if the Tigers dont make it. He has been one of the best hitters in baseball since his second year in the league and hes having his best year power wise.
I’m a huge Cabrera fan. I mean huge. but if Trout doesn’t win the mvp, there is something seriously wrong with the voters
As of right now Cabrera leads in 2 of the 3 Triple Crown categories. Only 2 homeruns shy of catching up to Hamilton. If he wins the Triple Crown, he better win the MVP. The only edge Trout has is his stolen bases.
Its most valuable player not most valuable batter.
Trout is 3 full Wins ahead of cabrera so far. not to mention
wOBA trout .421
wOBA miggy .415
Do you expect any of the voters to look at that? I actually had no clue Miggy was that close to the Triple Crown. I may just have to re-think my AL MVP vote after all.
Some might? I mean trout has been the better overall player this year, there’s no denying that, he’s an unbelievable outfielder as well as a productive batter.
that being said it wont be an issue unless both the tigers and angels make the playoffs. if only one of them do, that player will win, sad but true
the triple crown has 2 useless stats in it and really shouldn’t carry any weight, its not 1970 anymore
The last time there was an offensive Triple Crown winner was 1967, if he wins the Crown he should win the MVP. I can’t stand WAR but you also have to remember that this was Cabrera’s first year back at third base and WAR takes into account UZR.
I dont think a larger sample size for his UZR is going to help his cause.
even if you discount WAR, Trout creates runs and saves runs, Miggy just creates.
“The last time there was an offensive Triple Crown winner was 1967, if he wins the Crown he should win the MVP”
THAT Triple Crown (and MVP) winner was also a GG defender (8x) named Carl Yastrzemski, who unlike Cabrera.. Was not a liability on the field, no matter how much some say to the contrary..
Defense has no say in the Triple Crown. In the MVP race it possibly might but I personally dont think it does. I mean if Mo Vaughn, Josh Hamilton can win an MVP then I dont think defense matters.
I know defense doesn’t play a part in TC. You mentioned “The last time there was an offensive Triple Crown” As if just leading the league in those 3 categories was enough to earn an MVP. Yaz led the league in virtually EVERY offensive category that season (except walks) and won just 1 of his 8GG that season. Winning a TC is a great thing, but just putting up 1 dimensional statistics? Ortiz did that a couple of years. Being a liability in the field in Cabrera’s case isn’t much better.
When Cabrera can lead the league in a pile of categories, win a GG at the same time as he wins a TC, THEN he is a shoe-in for the MVP.
“When Cabrera can lead the league in a pile of categories, win a GG at
the same time as he wins a TC, THEN he is a shoe-in for the MVP.”
not asking for much!
To get 1st place on every ballot is a difficult feat. Home town writers will vote for their own local “hero” sometimes over who should be the unanimous winner and was trying to say that pre vote, for Cabby to be the “anointed one” he is going to have to lead the league in a BUNCH of categories, especially with the season Hamilton has had.
Ted Williams didn’t win it (example) the year he hit .406! Some writers (one) didn’t like him and left him entirely off his ballot. Dimaggio won it (Joe) the year of his 56 game streak, but his stats were each and all inferior to Williams.
Point? Cabby upset some writers, or hometown writers no likey him? he could lose it, or not be unanimous even with a TC.
Should we consider park factors when evaluating for the MVP? I don’t think Headley deserves it but he’s earned the 2012 Silver Slugger Award imo.
I can’t believe I’m actually saying this… but I agree with Colletti. Now give me a second to get that taste out of my mouth.
The simple fact is even though the Dodgers hit a rough patch after the major trades, many of them were acquired for what they’re going to do in the years to come. Being out of Miami should be motivation enough for Ramirez, returning to the National League will probably be good for Beckett, Gonzalez will be fine once next season rolls around, and it’s a fresh start for Crawford.
The other surreal point to be made is — the deal was probably a bargain, certainly in players, but also in terms of salaries. A comparable package of free agents obtained this winter, if you could even secure them in such quantity, would cost much more, and tie the team’s hands for a longer span.
That’s a tough claim to make.
Gonzalez’s deal is a bargain based on other 1B comparable, but the crawford deal is horrendous
Thats a bit hard to say, whos a comparable player to Crawford? Gonzalez? Are you using the Tampa Bay Crawford to compare or the Red Sox one? Because he was severely overpaid as far as what he did in Boston.
He was overpaid in the first place.
yes an erratic clubhouse cancer, an outfielder coming off 2 bad years and elbow surgery, and a once-elite first baseman who’s power will probably never return is exactly how i would have spent $260 million. as long as I got nick punto.
Why does everyone think Gonzalez will never get his power back?
because it’s never been the same since his shoulder surgery. his batted ball profile supports that
based on his 44 doubles so far this year?
isolated power is at .165 this year. that puts him ahead of zack cozart and danny espinosa, but he’s going to have to go on a real tear to catch sluggers like jimmy rollins and dexter fowler
… and last year it was .210
which would have him equal to or better than Posey, Headley & Fielder in 2012.
show me guys who have had their power come back after turning 30 in the post-steroid era
I mean most of the explanations out there are basically theories…he went on a tear for a while before the Sox traded him. Either way I dont think a hitter needs to hit homeruns to be effective. Homeruns are just “sexy” but he can get 100rbi with doubles and limited homeruns.
RBI aren’t really a good evaluator of performance either. advanced metrics like wRC+ aren’t really kind to Adrian. wRC+ has him at 108, which is about 8% better than league average. his hitting productivity (neutral of lineup, league, and park factors) this season ranks right between Yonder Alonso and Chris Davis. doesn’t look like there is a lot of room for regression either.
lol also if that spending spree causes them to lose out on bourn, hamilton, peavy, greinke, marcum, dempster, edwin jackson, etc.
The rough patch started long before the trades and only accelerated afterwards. No matter what the standings say, the Dodgers are through for this season so it is time to consider what this team will look like next April.
I think the Dodgers will be alright. A-Gonz is a notorious slow starter and it’s pretty obvious you see him being just late on pitches. Essentially swamping Crawford for Victorino is a huge upgrade. Kemp and Kershaw should be healthy next season and they’ll probably sign someone like Rolen or Youk to fill out 3B. I also except their rotation to be completely revamped outside of Bills, Beckett, and Kershaw.
Agree with all of that except the 3B talk. I think I’d rather keep the Cruz/Ramirez positioning the way it is now, especially given the way Cruz has produced this season.
I’d rather us stick with that instead of handing out more money to another veteran.
Lilly should be able to return and both Capuano and Harang are both under contract, so I don’t agree with the above scenario as far as the rotation is concerned.
Adrian’s primary issue has been pitch selection. He’s always had a fantastic batting eye, but for some reason he’s been unusually aggressive at the plate this year. He’s chasing pitches he would normally spit on, he’s been trying to pull everything, and he’s not walking as much. When he was driving the ball it was because he was extremely selective and he never missed “his pitch” when he got it. Not he doesn’t seem to know what “his pitch” is anymore.
If you believe Adrian, another big part of the problem in Boston was that the Monster robbed him of several HR. While he can pull the ball for power, most of his HR go to LF and LCF when he’s going well, and they are usually more of the line drive variety. He says the Monster turned a great many of his HR into doubles. That doesn’t explain his lack of power since the trade, but it does make some sense.
He’ll be fine. He’s too god a hitter not to figure it out. It may just take an off-season of work to get that sweet swing back. Being away from the drama in Boston should help, too.
I can’t see the Dodgers signing Rolen or Youk to play third next season. Both guys are breaking down physically, both will want to be paid like stars, and neither is capable of holding up for more than 120-130 games at this stage of their careers (Rolen is more like 100). They’ll probably either keep the Cruz/Ramirez left side of the infield, or move Ramirez to 3B and give Gordon another season to prove himself.
“, but for some reason he’s been unusually aggressive at the plate this year. He’s chasing pitches he would normally spit on”
Gonzalez turned this season around actually when he got more aggressive in June. he even said he was 1st-2nd pitch swinging more and more now as he had been struggling using his old methods and his new tactic must be working. he brought his Avg up from the .250 area to .290 when the deal was made.
RF at fenway was not helping him at all. Many think fenway just plays nice to all hitters, but if you are a lefty, must get the ball high into the air if hitting it to LF to get it out, or hit it a LONG way to RF. Yaz was good at hitting them out both ways, but Gonzalez never quite got it down to LF high enough and ended up with just massive amounts of doubles.
Ned Colletti is not a good GM, that simple. They traded for dead weight and are surprised, oh and look their pitching staff is breaking down because they dont have that much depth, nor do they have a good bullpen.
Really, so that explains why Kershaw, Billingsley and Lilly have all gone down? You’d better hold tight onto that crystal ball, you might drop it!
Well when you are relying on chris capuano to be an ace you are in for a tough season. They traded evoladi or whatever his name was, kershaw is the only legitimate thing I dont place on colletti. Billingsley has been injury prone so this is no surprise, same with lily. Their rotation is not good, and their bullpen is worse.
Well, that was never even remotely the case. The Dodgers started the season with a 1-2-3 rotation of Kershaw, Billingsley and Lilly. Very competitive, by any standard. I don’t believe that Billingsley had ever been on the DL before this season. Since he became a full-time starter in 2008 he hasn’t pitched less than 188 innings in a season. So it certainly isn’t correct to say that he is injury prone and it is certainly strange to not be surprised by his injury this year. Likewise with Lilly. He has missed some time over the course of his (long) career, but most seasons he’s been good for close to 200 innings. Likewise the bullpen started out in good shape, if not very good, but has also been racked with injuries. Shall we talk about the position players now? You could count on the fingers of one hand the infielders and outfielders who haven’t been on the DL at least once, and you’d need two hands to count the players who’ve been on it more than once. Right now by my count, 11 Dodger players are out for the season. No team can expect to play in the postseason with that kind of decimation of their ranks.
I think Headley should get some MVP consideration; the Padres have suddenly been on fire and that success has had everything to do with him. I am praying we’ll get to .500, but even a few under .500 would be ok considering the disasterous April and May we had.
And I think it’s Posey’s award to lose, though I think if the Pirates make it to the playoffs, then it’s McCutchen.
He doesn’t deserve it
If they give it to a non-playoff contender then it’s Braun’s
You know, the Brewers actually have a shot at the final wild card spot.
shouldve said non-playoff team. They are in the thick of it, but I think they will have a hard time topping the cards, dogers, and the Phillies are right behind them.
Headley really is going to be overrated. His GB/FB percents show that he will probably not be able to keep it up next year. This is his first year that he displayed any power.
Was going to stay away from this because headley is so popular with a LOT of fans here, especially Padres, but am gonna give a comparison to me of a guy he reminds me of.. Jorge Cantu and wouldn’t shock me if Chase had only 2-4 really good seasons and disappeared also.
The similarities are all over the place. come out of nowhere to have a great offensive season. Poor plate discipline, good glove (Cantu was good at 1b and 3b) Good power,
Where have you gone Jorge Cantu..Who BTW is still only 30YO and been out of MLB for a couple of years after having 3 good seasons..
I don’t think he is as bad as cantu, but I’m still not sold on him this year. 4 years previous his max was 12 hr, and then he goes and hits 30 hr, without being that much different of a player.
His FB% is a career low, and his LD% is lower than last year. And his groundball% is a career high at 49.3%. I felt the same way about Ellsbury, unless either can repeat I am not sold on that is what their value is. Gradual growth in # hr shows development, but all of a sudden going from a 10 hr hitter to a 30 hr hitter? Its possible, but big chance it’s a one year deal.
I think teams would be nuts to trade for him right now. The Padres should be asking for the world, 28 hr .371 obp 3B with a weak 3B market, but I really don’t think teams should be sold on him. This scenario often happens with free agents, they have one good career year, get the big contract and then revert back to the player they were before that big contract.
In AA he was 1 homer away from the triple crown. He displayed power than when he beat Evan Longoria out for the League MVP award.