The last homegrown Dodger player to enter the Hall of Fame was Don Sutton — he was inducted thirteen years ago. The next homegrown Dodger players to enter the Hall of Fame will be Mike Piazza and Pedro Martinez (and possibly Adrian Beltre, if he keeps mashing). None will be wearing a Dodgers hat.
(The consolation prizes for losing those players? Gary Sheffield & Kevin Brown, Delino DeShields and...Wilson Betemit? Semi-stars Eric Karros, Raul Mondesi and Shawn Green helped tide us over into the new millennium.)
All of a sudden, the current Dodger roster boasts two players with Hall of Fame potential: Matt Kemp and Clayton Kershaw. And it looks like we're going to get to enjoy Kemp in his prime.
What an odd feeling for Dodger fans: to watch the farm system develop an elite five-tool* prospect, to watch him blossom into a superstar, and to watch the team lock him up. In fact, it's not just odd; it's unprecedented.
If this is Frank McCourt trying to make things right, I say thanks...and it's a good start. Kershaw awaits.
*(1) hits for average, (2) hits for power, (3) great defense, (4) dazzling smile, (5) dates starlets
AP photo
ESPN's Keith Law says that Scott Proctor's addition to the Dodgers may be a wash, but losing Betemit will put more urgency on considering Dodger prospect Andy LaRoche: (insider only)
Those issues haven't resolved themselves this year, and Proctor's peripherals have all gotten worse, including a near-doubling of his walk rate and a big spike in his home run rate. The switch in leagues should help him, but Dodger Stadium is a good home run park, which might cancel the former out. This does open up a small hole in the Yankees' bullpen, although Joba Chamberlain could come up to fill those missing innings if the Yankees don't fill the hole via trade.
Betemit was once one of the top prospects in the minors, but inconsistent playing time and a long swing have held him back. He may not hit for much average due to his trouble making contact, but he has good power for a third baseman, good hands, and a well above-average arm. His work ethic has also been a question mark, and his on-field effort level is inconsistent.
For the Yanks, he slots in as a solid backup infielder in case there's an injury, but his playing time will be very limited given who he's behind. He's not exactly a good insurance policy if Alex Rodriguez opts out of his contract, but he's a capable reserve. For the Dodgers, this needs to be followed by the recall of Andy LaRoche, the best third base option in their organization. LaRoche is unathletic and just an average glove, but he can rake and gives them an on-base threat in a lineup that already has a number of them. If LaRoche gets the full-time job and plays to his potential, the Dodgers will have by far the best offense in their division. Scott Proctor was Joe Torre's go-to guy in 2006, a dubious distinction because it carries with it a very high workload -- 83 games and over 100 innings of work. He already showed signs of fatigue down the stretch last year; his fastball was still solid at 93-97 mph, but it went from having little movement to having no movement, and he couldn't keep his front shoulder closed through his delivery.
Jon Weisman, for the record, is equally guarded on this trade. It is curious to me to see Dodger Stadium mentioned as a home run park, though I suppose the changes in the foul territory due to all of McCourt's added seats has made it less pitcher-friendly. But if Proctor is just another reliever who gives up jacks (as he has been with the Yankees), then don't we already have that in Rudy Seanez?
Trader Ned has already sent Wilson Betemit away for Scott Proctor. But now, ESPN.com reports that the Dodgers are chasing Joe Blanton of the A's (insider only, so no link). The cost, though, would be much worse than a seldom-used third baseman with a ~.200 BA:
However, according to one baseball man who spoke with both sides, the Dodgers thought Oakland's asking price was too steep and moved on. Nevertheless, the teams are still talking, and there were indications Monday the deal wasn't totally dead.
The Dodgers are believed to have initiated the discussions, and the two teams talked about a package of three frontline prospects for Blanton. Blanton makes just $380,000 this year, and will be eligible for arbitration for the first time this winter.Jul 30 - The Athletics engaged in serious negotiations with the Dodgers on Monday about pitcher Joe Blanton, a 26-year-old right-hander who would help fill in the injury-ravaged L.A. rotation if the deal is completed, ESPN.com's Jayson Stark and ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney report.
If any of our key prospects are sent away for anything less than a quality starting pitcher, I'm gonna go nuts (and even then, I might still go nuts, given how much future upside we've got in Loney, Kemp, Ethier, Broxton, LaRoche, Hu, etc.). Getting Proctor aleady demonstrates that Colletti is trying to patch our gaping holes in the rotation using scotch tape and a piece of cloth. But since Colletti is no MacGyver, it seems ridiculous to leverage the future just to get a small bandaid that can't even try to staunch the bleeding.
Three hours to go before the Dodgers as you know them could disappear...
UPDATE: From the ESPN chat (more insider goodness!), here's what the ESPN talking heads have to say about the Dodgers:
[Page 2 Pundit] Jonah Keri: (10:49 AM ET): Matt, the latest I've heard is that the Dodgers aren't willing to offer any MLB-ready or nearly ready SP in return for Blanton, so the A's have cooled on the idea a bit. You have to figure they're after apackage similar to the danny Haren-Kiko Calero-Daric Barton for Mark Mulder deal, which has proven to be one of the biggest steals of the decade. And don't forget, Blanton is younger and much cheaper than Mulder was at the time of that deal. So I don't blame the A's for aiming high (I also don't blame the Dodgers for not wanting to give up someone like Billingsley).
Patrick(Denver, CO): Mr. Morgan, Do you think the Dodgers need to make any significant moves? I am interested to hear your opinion.
Joe Morgan: (11:17 AM ET): They need some more offense, and like everyone else, they could use another starter, but that's the nature of the game right now. Starting pitching and one more bat would obviously help them a lot, but what would you have to give up to get that one impact player?
Jason (Ventura, CA): Why would the Dodgers trade a mildly promising, young 3B (which is the position at which they are most lacking) for a decent, yet unspectacular middle reliever? Couldn't they have just promoted internally (Meloan, Greg Miller) and held on to a potential impact bat in Betemit?
Rob Neyer: (12:49 PM ET): Perhaps, except you're forgetting the Dodgers still have Andy LaRoche, who's going to be a fine major league third baseman. I generally don't think trading young hitters for middle-aged middle relievers is a good idea, but Betemit's not exactly a good bet for stardom. Matt (Texas): Any chance of the A's trading Blanton to the dodgers, or the Dodgers making a run at Arroyo? Thanks Mr. Keri!
From "Yankees to get infielder Betemit from L.A. for reliever Proctor" (ESPN.com):
The Dodgers and Yankees have agreed in principle on a trade that would send reliever Scott Proctor to the Dodgers for infielder Wilson Betemit, sources told ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney.The Dodgers, who have a 5.61 bullpen ERA since the All-Star break, have been in on a number of trade discussions involving relievers but zeroed in on Proctor over the last 24 hours.
The Yankees view Betemit as another first-base/DH/bench option for this year, and a potential third-base replacement for Alex Rodriguez next year.
Betemit is batting .231 with 10 home runs and 26 RBIs this season off the Dodgers' bench. Proctor is 2-5 with a 3.81 ERA in 54 1/3 innings out of the Yankees' bullpen.
Bad trade. One of our few power threats for a headcase reliever? A band-aid solution at best that will make little difference in the post-season, if there is a post-season for the Dodgers.
Maybe I'm dreaming about that second part of the headline. But the New York Post is reporting that they continue to covet Dodger Wilson Betemit, who started in today's game and went 2-for-4 with a run scored, upping his average to a marginally less-miserable .233.
Betemit's team, the Dodgers, had to move Chad Billingsley from the bullpen to the rotation, so they are now looking to acquire a reliever to work as a bridge to their end-game duo of Jonathan Broxton and Takashi Saito. They have been scouting Proctor and the other Yankees relievers, but their initial feeling is no one is too appealing.
But what is most interesting is how much the Yanks like Betemit. Last year, they tried to pry the switch-hitter from the Braves, who ultimately dealt him to the Dodgers on July 28 for Danys Baez and Willy Aybar.July 18, 2007 -- The Yankees tried to acquire Wilson Betemit at last year's trade deadline for Scott Proctor, and they are making the same attempt again this year.
Straight up for A-Rod (sans salary, of course), I'm interested...
I tend not to write about fantasy baseball too much, having lost an entire summer of my youth to a season of rotisserie. But I did like this analysis of Dodger Andy LaRoche, (espn insider, requires subscription) already making an impact on the Dodgers, and on fantasy baseball teams:
Andy LaRoche, 3B, LAD. This is cheating because LaRoche just got called up by the big club, and on Sunday was installed as the Dodgers' third baseman over struggling Wilson Betemit. This move indicates two things: (1) L.A. made a mistake counting on .140-hitting Betemit out of spring training; (2) L.A. isn't afraid to admit it. LaRoche wasn't exactly tearing it up at Triple-A Las Vegas (.235, 3 HR, 11 RBI), and his defense will be an adventure. But he needs to be owned in all NL-only fantasy leagues and in deeper mixed leagues.
Betemit made a pinch-hit appearance in tonight's game against the Reds, and went 0-for-1 to drop his average to .156. We need to give this guy a rest from the lineup, for the Dodgers' and his sake. I'm sure he's got potential, but he's a step away from hearing voices in the middle of the night. He needs a breather.
The ESPN article also says to keep an eye out on James Loney, 1B, LAD: "He hasn't been great at Triple-A Las Vegas; it likely would take an injury to Nomar Garciaparra." We still hope the Dodgers will Free James Loney.
Watching Wilson Betemit strike out looking with one out and the bases loaded tonight hurt. Like a nail gun to the hand, you stood there and said, "I can't believe that just happened," and then as the blood starts dripping down one's hand to the fingertips, you start turning pale and feeling sick to the stomach. Betemit, who went 0-for-3 tonight in Atlanta, leaving in his wake a line from the box score that screams 7 LOB and .125 average, has hit rock bottom.
It's gotten so bad, I'm almost expecting them to play The Fray's "Over My Head (Cable Car)" as Betemit's walk-up song. As everyone knows he's in over his head, over his head.
This is not to say that the Betemit project is over. But Betemit definitely needs some time to sort this out and get his head straight, and there ain't anywhere else to hide him in a lineup that suffers from a severe lack of power and timely hitting in the first place. The Dodgers' other infield options of Wilson Valdez and Ramon Martinez are also anchors, albeit smaller than Betemit, threatening to drag the ship down into the abyss. Andy LaRoche isn't ready just yet to take the mantle at third.
And you know where SoSG stands on this. Free. James. Loney.
Of course, Jon Weisman does a pretty good job articulating this point over on Dodger Thoughts, suggesting that is time for Nomar Garciaparra to move from first base back to third base. Grady Little's comments in today's post-game wrap indicate that his patience has worn thin as well:
Asked if that meant he was sticking with Betemit, Little said: "Not necessarily. We'll see.""He's pretty much hit rock bottom right now," said Little. "There's nowhere to go but up."
Let's hope we give Loney that shot he so deserves, while giving Betemit a chance to work the kinks out elsewhere (hopefully in the Dodgers' organization, but not with the Dodgers). Nomar has already entered the season saying he will play anywhere the team needs him to play. What are we waiting for?
Looks like a nice performance all around for the Dodgers today, as they beat the defending American League champs. The Dodgers' 4-3 win over the Tigers featured doubles by Olmedo Saenz, Rafael Furcal, Russell Martin, Luis Gonzalez, and Wilson Betemit (although the Saenz one was apparently a cheapie off the glove of Brandon Inge). Gonzalez, Martin, and Betemit all went 2 for 3 today. In addition, potential power bat Bobby, er, Tony Abreu hit a walk-off homer in the the ninth off of Bobby Seay to win it for the blue.
Derek Lowe went five innings and gave up one run with 2Ks. Takashi Saito ended up blowing the save in the seventh with two runs, neither of which were earned due to errors from Wilson Valdez and Andy La Roche (his sixth this spring). Betemit and his .192 spring average won't hear footsteps from La Roche at that rate (La Roche is also batting .241 this spring), giving us a pretty deep abyss at third. Let's hope at least one of those guys turns it around, since we're going to need production from all spots.
Must be the off-day tomorrow which got the whole lineup excited.
Said Grady Little, I'm not concerned about the pitching. I'm concerned about not executing plays." Hey, Betemit's two errors on routine grounders would have me a little flabbergasted, too. But that's exactly why we don't start announcing lineup decisions before the first spring training game is played! Little has already pledged support for Betemit at third, so we'll see if this ominous trend continues. As of now, Betemit is on pace to make 60 errors this spring training alone (and potentially 70, if he plays in both split-squad games on each of five days).
But no matter how flummoxed Little is, it shouldn't spiral him into awkward English. His quote would have been better structured without the "not" in the second sentence, to follow the construction and meaning of his first sentence. Come on Grady, even in times of duress, you've got to maintain the Queen's English.
Maybe these newfangled spring training hats (which look ridiculous, by the way, with that stupid secondary color on the side) are constricting the blood to his brain.
photo by John SooHoo/Dodgers
VERO BEACH, Fla. -- Because Wilson Betemit hit only .189 right-handed compared to .281 left-handed last year and because top prospect Andy La Roche is a right-handed hitter, the assumption of a Dodgers platoon at third base picked up steam during the winter.But manager Grady Little gave Betemit a vote of confidence Saturday.
"He's in good shape, he's working hard and he's got the look on his face that it's his job and somebody has to take it away," said Little. "I can't tell the difference in the way he's swinging [right-handed or left-handed]. Last year, he got into a hole right-handed and started trying harder and dug himself deeper."
Despite several reported dates of birth, Betemit is listed officially at only 25 years old. Little said he should get better with experience and he does not consider him a platoon player.
Ugh. I still can't get the image of Betemit's NLDS overthrow out of my head.
John Donovan at SI lists the problem areas for each MLB team, and with the exception of a passing swipe at the Mets, he counts 29 other teams with issues. In the NL West:
• The Padres have been power-hungry forever. And they come up with Marcus Giles at second, Kevin Kouzmanoff at third and Terrmel Sledge in left. Huh?
• The Dodgers have an awesome rotation -- maybe the best in baseball -- but look iffy at third (Wilson Betemit) and defensively challenged in the outfield.
• The Giants are slow and absolutely ancient in the field, but they do have a nice, mostly youngish rotation. You wonder how Rich Aurilia will do at first, though.
• The Rockies' biggest unknown -- other than how long GM Dan O'Dowd can hang on -- is what they'll get out of rookie Troy Tulowitzki at shortstop.
• The Diamondbacks' rotation is better than you'd think, with the Big Unit back on board. But Chris Snyder's going to have to show more punch behind the plate.
Given this rundown, I think the Dodgers are sitting pretty well.
Oh yeah, a Backstreet Boys reference at SoSG!
Ken Gurnick's article at dodgers.com today puts James Loney firmly as the backup for Nomar Garciaparra at first base, as Nomar will almost certainly be the starter at first. Loney has incredible potential, who in 48 games last year batted .284, slugged .559, and had four homers and 18 RBI. Loney also went 3-for-4 in the playoffs. Though it is likely that he'll see some playing time with Nomar ahead of him, it is a bit depressing that, given the uncertainty over at the other corner infield position, there aren't other options available.
Nomar is deserving of a starting role, no doubt. But I was hoping that Grady Little would at least be open to Nomar playing third if Wilson Betemit struggled and prospect Andy LaRoche (another Dodger with lots of potential) wasn't ready yet. The downside of that, though, is that Nomar at third would leave him open to more injuries.
So it looks like, for now, Loney is the odd man out. We'll see how spring training goes.
From AP/ESPN.com: "Players rumored to throw games; league investigating":
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic -- Dominican baseball officials were investigating rumors that players on a winter league team took money to throw games, the league president said Monday.
The announcement came four days after pitcher Pascual Coco and outfielder Enmanuel Sena were dismissed by Santo Domingo's Escogido Lions amid allegations the last-place team was intentionally losing games....
The roster of the Santo Domingo club includes Chicago White Sox shortstop Juan Uribe and Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Wilson Betemit.
At least that could explain some of Betemit's defensive play at third base.
(Thanks to The Trolley Dodger for the tip.)
