Pirates Covet Xavier Paul's Package, Pick Him Up Off Waivers

The Dodgers had placed fifth outfielder Xavier Paul on waivers, and Pittsburgh, drooling over Paul's "overall package," claimed him on Tuesday:

The Pirates have made their second waiver claim in a week, taking outfielder Xavier Paul from the Dodgers on Tuesday. The Pirates added Paul to the 40-man roster by moving Scott Olsen from the 15-day to the 60-day disabled list. Olsen has been in extended spring training trying to build up arm strength. [...]

"We like the overall package and that package is what has allowed him to have success at the Minor League level," Pirates general manager Neal Huntington said. "Our challenge is to help him get over that next big hurdle. A lack of consistent playing time is a challenge for nearly any young player, and 160 Major League plate appearances is a small sample size. We have some thoughts as to how we can help Xavier, but we want to allow him to settle into his new environment and gain a comfort level before we begin to look to make adjustments."

It's a sentimental bummer to be losing XP, whose speed I liked (as well as the fact that his initials brought back memories of time spent on myriad RPGs); but in three years with the Dodgers, and a sad .233 batting average and a 67 OPS+, there didn't appear to be a lot of future upside here--especially not with Tony Gwynn Jr. and Marcus Thames and maybe Jerry Sands and perhaps Jay Gibbons all clogging up that position as well. Not sure how Paul will do as a Buc, but I assume he'll light us up for three HR and seven RBI over May 8-10.

And while we're at it, what of that other Dodger refugee turned Pirate James McDonald (who was traded along with Andrew Lambo for the thoroughly unmemorable rental of Octavio Dotel last year)? McDonald went 4-5 in 11 starts with a 116 ERA+ last year: promising. But this year, McDonald is off to an 0-2 start in 4 appearances and a 10.13 ERA, calibrating to a 40 ERA+. Small sample size? Maybe.

But I recall watching a couple of McDonald's starts at the Stadium during his Dodger career, and always seeing him look a little lost out there when things started going astray. Is this apparent psychological weakness addressable with experience? Maybe (see: Chad Billingsley (I hope)). Maybe not (see: Jonathan Broxton (I fear)).

Game 17 Thread: April 18 vs. Braves, 7p

Spit take!

Ted Lilly (0-2, 6.00) vs. Tim Hudson (2-1, 3.48).

The Braves and Dodgers, both owners of 7-9 records, meet with a little bit of momentum on each side. The Braves just took two of three from one of the few teams that makes the Dodgers look good, the Mets. The Dodgers, although losing three of four to the Cardinals, are riding high on yesterday's combined heroics of Chad Billingsley and Matt Kemp.

The Braves have a heroic duo of their own, their ace Hudson and the young phenom Jason Hayward, who leads the team with four homers. Meanwhile, Lilly has yet to make it past the sixth inning this season, so it's good Bills gave the middle relievers a rest yesterday. (Jonathan Broxton is another, hair-tearing concern.)

Oh, and it's time for some irrational hope. From @Dodgers:

Today the #Dodgers called up Jerry Sands and designated Xavier Paul for assignment

photo by Harry How/Getty Images

Saturday! Notes!

• Ron Burgundy. Ricky Bobby. Rojo Johnson. Actor Ferrell pitches for Express (MiLB.com), Rojo Johnson’s baseball cards can’t come soon enough … (The Beckett Blog)
• If "Cloverfield" featured a walk-off grand slam, this is what it would look like — right down to the satellite splashdown at the end. Andre Ethier Walk-Off Grand Slam Beats Brewers (VSIMH)
• Twelve rules for newly rich athletes. But really, they kind of apply to everyday people too. Strasburg’s commandments: the dirty dozen (Jeff Passan, Yahoo! Sports)
• Great job, guys. Now here's a demotion. Dodgers activate Weaver, option Ely, Paul optioned by LA to make way for Manny (Dodgers.com)

Xavier Paul's X-Factor

Dodger minor leaguer Xavier Paul got some nice publicity in the Albuquerque Journal this Wednesday (no link; subscription only). In Will Webber's feature story, "The X-Factor; Outfielder Xavier Paul Has Attention of the Dodgers," the Albuquerque Isotopes' starting outfielder was profiled as a pretty level-headed guy:

“Being here is not exactly where I wanted to be to start the year, but I’m going to make the most of it,” Paul said during Tuesday’s media day workout at Isotopes Park. “I really enjoy it here. The fans are similar to L.A., and if you’re going to play minor league ball anywhere, it might as well be here.”

Paul was reportedly one of the last players sent down as the Dodgers broke camp last week. Manager Joe Torre has said he expects Paul to be a factor in the Los Angeles outfield before too long.

For now, the wait is on.

Paul said he’ll spend that time improving on some of the finer points of the game — like staying patient at the plate and giving Dodger scouts fewer opportunities to discredit his bloated offensive stats because he plays in the rarefied air of Albuquerque.

He began last season hitting .408 (31-for-76) in April. He finished at .328 with two homers and 16 RBI in 31 games for the Isotopes.

“This is a hitter’s park, but it’s not really like that for me,” Paul said. “I’m not a guy that hits the ball in the air a lot. My swing doesn’t create much lift, so you see a lot of the balls I hit stay on the ground. You don’t need a hitter’s park to hit ground balls.”

Paul, 25, spent most of the offseason working out on his own. He played a few weeks in an instructional league in Arizona last October, but he opted not to take part in winter ball. [...]

“The main goal was to come into (spring training) showing the organization I was healthy and had the ability to play in the big leagues,” he said. “I think the reason I’m here right now is they have a really crowded outfield and they wanted me to get at-bats every day. Up there I might only get a pinch hit every few games. I’d rather play every day, and if it means staying here for a while I’m OK with it.” [...]

“I got a chance to be up there last year, and it was great,” Paul said. “I’m a young guy with some options left. If I can get the job done here I know I’ll get another chance.”

With Jason Repko off to the Twin Cities, it appears Paul will be the next outfielder in waiting (not that we want Andre Ethier's ankle injury to be worse than it sounds). Props to the X-Man for his positive attitude. Let's hope the only "bitter sacrifice" awaiting X-Paul happens to be a long, run-scoring fly out that just misses going out of the park by inches.

Xavier Paul head from Exposay.com / Sport PR photos

Dodgers Sign Reed Johnson as Pinch Beard?

This piece of art is from the illustrated Cubs blog Cubby-Blue.

Casey Blake's face as smooth as a baby's bottom? No problem, says Ned Colletti.

Dodgers sign Johnson to one-year contract (Dodgers.com)

"Reed is a versatile outfielder that comes to the ballpark ready to play every day," said Colletti in what has to be one of the faintest praises ever. Colletti seems to be continuing his break-down-the-door policy for Dodger farmhands by signing the 33-year-old Johnson, while 29-year-old Jason Repko and 24-year-old Xavier Paul see their chances of winning an Opening Day roster spot get slimmer. And, as Jon Weisman notes, the Johnson signing makes the Dodger bench heavily weighted towards right-handed hitters.

Made You Smile!

Juan Pierre greets Xavier Paul after Paul's first career home run during yesterday's game.

Earlier at SoSG:
Juan Pierre Is All Smiles
Juan Pierre Is All Smiles, Part 2
Juan Pierre Is All Smiles, Part 3

photo by Rhona Wise/EPA

The Bubble Bursts

Don't let it be said the 2009 Dodgers don't do things dramatically. In the midst of a historic thirteen-game home winning streak, we learn that Manny Ramirez is to be suspended immediately for 50 games due to testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs. Regardless of what the substance is and how Manny got it, this revelation is every bit as deflating as the Dodgers' hot start is inspiring.

As we await the inevitable accusations, apologies and recriminations, let's take a look at how this news affects the Dodgers on a practical level. (After all, the winning streak is still intact...at least for a few more hours.) Firstly, how do you try to replace Manny's production? From Ken Gurnick at Dodgers.com:

Juan Pierre would be the immediate replacement for Ramirez in left field, while the Dodgers are expected to promote rookie Xavier Paul from Triple-A Albuqueruque to replace Ramirez on the active roster.

We know what Pierre can contribute, but the silver lining is Paul, who impressed in spring training and is tearing it up in Albuquerque to the tune of .344/.385/.542.

While Manny's bat will definitely be missed, much has been made of the Dodgers' well-rounded effort during their winning streak. Manny has six home runs, but so does Andre Ethier. Ethier leads the team with 27 RBIs, and James Loney is tied with Manny with 20. Now is the time to see if Rafael Furcal, Russell Martin and Casey Blake can fill the void.

Financially, this is somewhat of a windfall for the Dodgers. From the LA Times:

The suspension will cost Ramirez $7.7 million, or roughly 31% of his $25-million salary. Players in violation of baseball's drug policy are not paid during suspensions.

Is that the sound of Pedro Martinez upping his price tag?

But the most important ramification of the Ramirez suspension is how this team responds to adversity. Everything is all beer and Skittles when you're beating up on sub-.500 teams, but what happens when a bombshell falls on the party tent? The Dodgers are about to begin a stretch in which they play the Phillies, Marlins, Mets and Angels. (Great timing, Manny.) We're about to learn if this team is for real.