Monday, April 18, 2011

Juan Uribe, Explained

If you're wondering how we ended up with three years of Juan Uribe's bat (to be fair, he seems pretty decent with the glove), Bill Shaikin of the LA Times has written a nice article that details Ned Colletti's off-season exploits and rationales. The most intriguing part?

But, if the Dodgers can stay in the pennant race, Trader Ned can get busy, or try to. Colletti saved a chunk of his budget last season for use in July. He did the same this season, although no one knows whether that money actually will materialize come July, with payroll up, attendance down, security costs up and McCourt's old law firm suing him.

So, declining attendance as a referendum on Frank McCourt's shenanigans: good. But lower ticket sales prohibiting Colletti from improving the team? Bad. Truly Dodger fans cannot have their Doyer Dog and eat it too.

30 comments:

Paul said...

Ned's theory is suck early and they will never see you coming, but they won't see you at all Ned!

But that kind of worked for the Giants last year.

Nostradamus said...

Yeah, I'm not buying this. One can't cut corners forever and expect to compete and the fans to still show up at a 4m per year clip. I don't know why that seems to be so hard to understand, to be honest.

Kyle Baker said...

PDitty needs to put together a sports economics 101 class for the front office.

Neeebs (The Original) said...

Somewhere they talked about the perfect storm of attendance problems. 1) McCourt's irritation of the fan base; 2) Mediocre (Poor) product on the field; 3) securty issues (media based, mostly) 4) Change in Consumer spending habits (more scrutiny on discretionary/entertainment dollars.)

I haven't been to the park at all this year, and usually I've been to at least a couple games by now. I don't even have tix in hand yet for the future.

However, my lackadaisical attitude toward tix purchase is largely consumed by items 1 and 2.

Go figure.

Nostradamus said...

@neeebs

I could argue that three of those four problems stem from trying to do more with less.

Consumer habits aside, I think we could easily say that attendance would be pretty fine if prices, concessions, security and on-field performance were up to the standards we expect from the club.

Josh S. said...

Now, can someone explain why he's so fat?

Neeebs (The Original) said...

@MC:

Oh, and $15 parking.

Are you kidding me?

Nostradamus said...

Shit, I haven't paid parking at the ravine since McCourt bought the team.

Neeebs (The Original) said...

*leans in toward MC and seeks out the secret*

Nostradamus said...

No secret. I got legs, brother. I've parked down it the park on stadium way for years. Most are to lazy to hoof it from there.

Nostradamus said...

^too lazy

DAMMIT!

Paul said...

Remember the good old days when we were owned by the Fox Coporation?

*cries*

Nostradamus said...

@Josh

Pork rinds.

Paul said...

I thought you were gonna say you trade bags of peanuts for a quick hitch into the stadium

Nostradamus said...

@Paul

No. No, I do not...

...or rather, I'm trying not to.

Nostradamus said...

Peanuts won't get you far these days, but I hear Juan Uribe will provide door-to-door service for pork rinds.

Kyle Baker said...

@Mr C

If by "most are too lazy" you meant to include me, then you are correct, sir.

Neeebs (The Original) said...

DB reads my mind like a well oiled, clairvoyant.

Orel said...

Sands up!

Paul said...

Surfs up!

Kyle Baker said...

Up the academy!

Josh S. said...

BUT JOE BLOCK TOLD US IT WOULD NEVER HAPPEN! HE NEEDS MORE SEASONING!

Paul said...

Bring up that kid Castro!! That kid is hitting .545.

Paul said...

Sands batting 7th.

This is gonna be interesting!

Nostradamus said...

I am intrigued...

Steve Sax said...

We are eating it all right.

Kyle Baker said...

X Man DFA'd. Sands to play LF and bat 7th. Aaron Miles to bat leadoff. Gonna be a crazy night.

Kyle Baker said...

Per Tim Brown:

"Sands arrives with total of 78 games in Double- and Triple-A. This season, in 45 Triple-A PAs, batted .400 and struck out three times"

Kyle Baker said...

Ps - FUCK. YOU. BLOGGER.

QuadSevens said...

Any bets on whether or not "Enter Sandman" will be used as Sands at-bat music?