Lessons from a Trainwreck

Yeah, tonight sucked. Visions of a victory, a series win and a potential sweep — not to mention staying in first place — were obliterated by Kenley Jansen's ninth-inning mental lapse.

But I'm going to tap into my inner Jon Weisman to find some perspective here. We actually learned some positive things tonight:

1. Don Mattingly is a steady skipper. In the bottom of the ninth, Prime Ticket cameras caught Mattingly calmly reassuring a shellshocked Jansen in the Dodgers dugout (above). Remember, this was moments after the incident, as Twitter was exploding with the force of a thousand suns. Whether he learned such poise from Joe Torre or if it's just part of his Midwestern DNA, that gesture alone gives me so much faith in our manager.

2. Kenley Jansen has character.

Kenley Jansen was among the first guys at his locker stall after the game, answered every question.

— J.P. Hoornstra (@jphoornstra) July 15, 2012

It didn't win the game today, but over the course of what could be a grueling second half, it'll serve him well.

3. Better now than later. As SoSG reader Paul put it, "I'd rather have him learn from that mistake in July than October." Who can forget Paulie "Fuck the Dodgers" Lo Duca tagging out Jeff Kent and J.D. Drew at the plate in the 2006 playoffs? At least Jansen's ninth-inning focus doesn't figure to be a gaffe that'll haunt us later.

4. A spoonful of Vinny helps the medicine go down, the medicine go down-wown, the medicine go down. As SoSG Dusty put it, "This one seemed tougher to bear if one was in the Yard." Vin's reaction was along the lines of "Hello, what's this?" Again, Twitter: not so nice.

5. It was a team loss. And as SoSG Nomo put it, "Yeah, Kenley fucked up, but they just kept letting the Padres back in. 3-1 became 3-2, 4-2 became 4-4, 6-4 became 6-5, etc." Aaron Harang allowed two home runs. Ronald "Visa Issues" Belisario allowed a run in the eighth. The Dodgers stranded the bases loaded in the third. Jansen came into the game with no room for error.

So we have thirteen hours to get the bile out, because Mattingly & Co. will have forgotten about this by tomorrow's game.

Yankees' Woes Don't Stop with A-Rod

Found this pretty interesting. From Tom Verducci at SI.com:

I wrote back in January about how [Mark] Teixeira, coming off a .256 season, is so mechanically unsound that he is going to continue to decline. Teixeira collapses on his back side and swings up on the ball. I wrote then, "The style means Teixeira must catch the ball out in front of him and leaves him prone to lifting the ball rather than driving through it. As he ages, Teixeira becomes an even more extreme fly ball hitter and pull hitter, trends that mean he will continue to lose points off his batting average." [...]

His batting average on balls in play has dropped every year with the Yankees: .302, .268, .239. That's not unlucky. It's symptomatic of his hitting style. His fly ball rate has increased every year as a Yankee (37 in 2008, followed by 44, 46, 47). His infield pop-ups, which are no different than strikeouts, and were as low as 14 in 2008, have grown to 21, 30 and 27 as a Yankee.

Teixeira's swing simply is not built to make him a consistent clutch hitter. After coming to the Yankees with a .308 average with runners in scoring position in 2008, he hasn't come close to that kind of reliability with New York (.264, .273, .268) -- especially in the postseason environment.

Teixeira turns 32 years old next season. The Yankees already have age-related issues with Alex Rodriguez and Derek Jeter. You can put Teixeira in that category, not because of health, but because his pull-happy, fly ball swing is the kind that doesn't age well, sort of like those of J.D. Drew and Adam Dunn.

According to Cot's Baseball Contracts, Teixeira is under contract until 2016 and is making $22.5 million annually. A-Rod is signed through 2017 and will make $29 million next year alone. Jeter is signed through 2013, averaging $16.5 a year, and has a 2014 player option. Something to think about as we lust after Prince Fielder or Albert Pujols.

Andre Dreaming of Beantown?

From "Bothered by Dodgers' mess, Ethier may be thinking of Red Sox" by Jon Heyman at SI.com:

"He's got his best buddy Dustin Pedroia telling him how great Boston is," one of those people said. "In Andre's mind, [the Dodgers situation] is embarrassing. And Boston has a different [vibe] right now." [snip]

"Andre's a really great guy, but he can be a little moody," one other person close to Ethier said. "Of all the guys this is going to affect, it's Andre. All the b.s. around the club will affect him more than other players. He's a prideful guy. He's lost respect for the organization.

"He loves L.A.," the person continued. "But he wants to play for a winner. And he wants to be associated with a team with positive things surrounding it. Matt Kemp's a guy who won't let it bother him, who'll just say I'll play my game. Andre isn't like that." [snip]

Ethier's performance doesn't appear to have been affected by his mood, but he is said to have an uneasy relationship with some Dodgers decisionmakers the past couple years. While Colletti wants to keep both players, it would appear their chances with Kemp might be better, even if his superb season raised the financial bar -- though the immediate concern has been to merely make payroll.

While the Dodgers talked to Ethier's people in the spring to try to persuade them about a long-term future with the Dodgers, Pedroia's flattering portrayal of the Red Sox and the city of Boston's reaction to the team has had a real impact on Ethier, according to people who know him. Red Sox right fielder J.D. Drew is almost surely in his last season in Boston, which could create a spot for Pedroia's friend. Ethier and Pedroia were teammates at Arizona State and are now regular winter workout partners in the Phoenix area.

One competing GM said about Ethier, "I could see him ending up in Boston. He'd be perfect in that park."

Given the choice of signing Kemp or Ethier to a long-term deal, I'd prefer Kemp. But who says it has to be a choice?

I'd Call That a Bargain

Thanks to SoSG reader Bryan for noting a FanGraphs article at ESPN.com (Insider only) detailing bargain contracts of 2010. Of the five players listed, three are current or former Dodgers:

1. J.D. Drew, Red Sox (2007 -- five years, $70 million)

2. Ryan Dempster, Cubs (2009 -- four years, $52 million)

3. Casey Blake, Dodgers (2009 -- three years, $18 million)

In the first year of his new contract, he was incredibly valuable to Los Angeles, registering an .832 OPS while playing excellent defense at third. That performance was worth $20.7 million, so he's already paid for himself. That's some good news for Dodgers fans, considering the team gave up catcher Carlos Santana, one of the best prospects in baseball, in the trade to get him.

4. Juan Rivera, Angels (2009 -- three years, $12.75 million)

5. Brad Penny, Cardinals (2010 -- one year, $7.5 million)

Happy 3rd Anniversary!

Thanks to KempKershaw for the reminder....

Nomar caps incredible win for LA: Four straight homers tie it in ninth; walk-off puts club in first

Kent photo by John SooHoo/Dodgers; all other photos by Jill Weisleder/Dodgers

Nine of You Miss J.D. Drew

JD Drew's Passive Nature Duly Noted By The Onion

Hat Tip to a nice find by 6-4-2, for a great article by the Onion on the former Dodger:

"I thought about getting in there for a second, but then I thought, nah. It didn't really directly concern me. I mean, yeah, they shoved a bunch of my teammates, but it's not like they were gonna die or anything. If someone was in mortal danger, I'd step in there. Yeah, I'd probably do that." Drew then turned his attention to perusing his contract for opt-out clauses.

All Aboard the Schadenfreude Express

Former-Dodgers-turned-Red-Sox are in a world of pain:

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Boston Red Sox pitcher Brad Penny was scratched from his first scheduled spring training start because of shoulder weakness, and right fielder J.D. Drew went to Boston for an injection in his lower back.

Penny was to have started Thursday against Puerto Rico. He stopped a bullpen session Sunday after 25 pitches.

"I don't think the shoulder strength was quite where it needed to be yet for the workload I was doing," Penny said. "It's better to take it easy right now than to get out there in the first week of April and have it flare up on me."

Penny was limited to 19 games with the Los Angeles Dodgers last year, and just nine innings after June 14, because of the shoulder problems.

Julio Lugo, you are forewarned.

J.D. Drew Is Clutch; Red Sox Teach Us Something About Comebacks

RED SOX 8, RAYS 7

I had to trash my post congratulating the Rays. Let's see how they respond when the momentum is going against them.

Happy 2nd Anniversary!

Nomar caps incredible win for LA: Four straight homers tie it in ninth; walk-off puts club in first

Kent photo by John SooHoo/Dodgers
Drew, Martin, Anderson, Garciaparra, scoreboard photos by Jill Weisleder/Dodgers

Clipper Fans Feeling a Touch of J.D. Drew-itis?

From "In Clippers Country, Brand's departure is business as usual" by J.A. Adande at ESPN.com:

"I wish ill will upon him," a Clipper fan friend of mine said.

That's pretty much the sentiment among the non-purple-and-gold set in L.A.

Earlier: Whither J.D.?

Dodgers @ Coliseum March 29; JD Drew To Be Fed To Lions

The Dodgers will play an exhibition game versus the Boston Red Sox on March 29, 2008 at the Los Angeles Coliseum:

According to a Dodgers spokesman, the March 29 game will be played at the Dodgers' original Los Angeles home as part of the franchise's 50th anniversary in the Southland.

The Coliseum, which is now home to USC football, will reflect the irregular baseball configuration that drove pitchers and hitters crazy when it was the temporary home for the club from 1958-61 while Dodger Stadium was being built.

Bring out the lions! "ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED???"

UPDATE: Oh, that Coliseum. Oops.

photo: artchive.com

Congratulations, Eric Gagne and Alex Cora!

Sons of Steve Garvey would like to wish beloved former Dodgers Eric Gagne and Alex Cora a hearty congratulations on their World Series win—the first for either player. We wish you could have won your rings while wearing Dodger Blue, but it must be pretty sweet for you guys nonetheless. Well played, gentlemen!

Brain Teaser

What uncommon attribute do the following four people share?

J.D.'s Muenster Jack Melts Away His Regular-Season Blues

So he dumped us for the Red Sox and $70 million. So he was a "high-priced bust" during the regular season. Don't feel sorry for J.D. Drew—we never did—because with one monster jack, he's become the latest former-Dodger-turned-Boston-hero, following in the steps of Dave Roberts.

The former-Red-Sox-star-turned-Dodger-goat line starts with Bill Mueller. (I'm giving Nomar a pass because of this and this.)

Meanwhile, Julio Lugo awaits his turn in the spotlight....

UPDATE:

Don't think Mueller misses the glory days? He threw out the ceremonial first pitch at Fenway Park last night. Oh well, maybe the $4.5 million the Dodgers are paying him this year will ease the pain of not being on the Red Sox roster.

cheese photo by Thomas Guschl; cheesy Drew photo by Al Bello/Getty Images

Touché

From "Red Sox, fans turning into what they loathe" by Mark Kriegel at FOXSports.com:

Do the math. Add the salaries of C.C. Sabathia, Fausto Carmona, Grady Sizemore, Franklin Guttierrez, Jhonny Peralta, Chris Gomez, Rafael Betancourt, Rafael Perez and Ryan Garko.

Now what do you have?

About a half million less than J.D. Drew.

Happy Anniversary!

Nomar caps incredible win for LA: Four straight homers tie it in ninth; walk-off puts club in first

Kent photo by John SooHoo/Dodgers
Drew, Martin, Anderson, Garciaparra, scoreboard photos by Jill Weisleder/Dodgers

Yahoo Sports Must Long for Ned Colletti

How else to explain the Yahoo Sports lead article on the most overpaid and underpaid players in MLB? A cursory look give high marks to the Dodgers' organizational moves.

On the All-Underpaid team, our fearless closer Takashi Saito makes an appearance as the only current Dodger on the list:

RP: Takashi Saito, Los Angeles Dodgers, $1 million – Welcome back! Unlike with [Jeff] Weaver, it's a privilege to join this team for the second consecutive season. After making $500,000 last season, striking out 107 in 78 1/3 innings and taking over the Dodgers' closer job, Saito has been even better this year: 22 innings, two walks, 26 strikeouts, a 1.64 ERA and 15 for 15 in save opportunities.

And on the All-Overpaid team are two Dodger castaways from this offseason:

SS: Julio Lugo, Boston, $8.25 million – To bat No. 1 in the powerful Red Sox lineup – the one that ranks third in the major leagues in scoring – and have only 26 runs through 48 games is embarrassing. Lugo can run (15 stolen bases) and field (though not as well as the man he replaced, Alex Gonzalez), but his inability to get on base has prevented the Red Sox from dominating even more than they already have.

OF: J.D. Drew, Boston, $14.4 million – And to think, the Red Sox are on the hook for four more years of this. Drew's batting average has vacillated between awful and abysmal, he left any semblance of power back in Los Angeles and, if not for the Red Sox's dominance, he'd be hearing boos all the way from Maine.

No other Dodger was mentioned on either list. Scott Rolen, for the record, was on the Overpaid list--a cautionary tale for those looking to upgrade our third baseman with a quick fix. And Giant Barry Zito was also on the Overpaid list (no surprise there).

Whatever Happened to That RF of Ours Last Year?

Well, he did get a key single on Sunday for the Red Sox. But overall, wrote Murray Chass in today's NY Times, JD Drew has been Coco Crisp-like in Boston:

Drew Is Struggling

Given their two-month record, best in the major leagues, the Boston Red Sox cannot be faulted for making too many mistakes. But unless J. D. Drew turns around his season soon, he will become this year’s Coco Crisp.

Needing to replace Johnny Damon in center field last year, the Red Sox thought they had found a suitable substitute in Crisp. But Crisp turned out not to be the same player he was for Cleveland the previous two years, when he batted .297 and .300 and had on-base percentages of .344 and .345. With Boston he hit .264 and had a .317 on-base percentage.

The Red Sox blamed Crisp’s poor performance on a finger injury he sustained in the first week of the season. But he has incurred no finger injury this season, and he began yesterday hitting .242 with a .308 on-base percentage.

Drew began yesterday with a .230 batting average and a .341 on-base percentage. But where Crisp’s production was creeping up, Drew’s was plunging. For the month of May, Drew had a .167 batting average and a .296 on-base percentage.

“He’s a good player,” Red Sox General Manager Theo Epstein said. “He’s not hitting right now. He’s in a slump. It’ll come.”

Did the Red Sox expect more from Drew early in the season?

“He was real hot for a few weeks of the season,” Epstein said. “He’s been fighting a slump since. It’s just a matter of time. You don’t give up on guys who have good track records and are going to hit.”

And to whom you gave a $75 million contract.

If it is any consolation, Drew has been healthy. In his eight-year career he has never played as many as 110 games in successive seasons. He played 146 games for the Dodgers last season and played in 41 of Boston’s first 47 games this season.

By the way, Andre Ethier (whose pinch-hit home run gave the Dodgers the chance to beat the Cubs in extras Sunday) is batting .280 with 4 HR and 23 RBI this season. Drew is batting .234 and has 2 HR and 15 RBI so far. We do miss Drew's power bat, but maybe not as much as we thought we did.

He Fought the Wall and the Wall Won

Via 6-4-2 comes this report of J.D. Drew colliding with the outfield wall of Fenway Park. We'll update as we hear more about the wall's condition.

UPDATE: Enter the JD Drew boo-birds...starting with the Boston Globe.