People keep telling me that I should get into writing all of the many opinions, views, and analyses that I have on this game, this team, this passion of mine. So here we go.
Andruw Jones signing: Yes, $18.1 million/year is a lot to pay for a guy who hit just .222 last year. But, in the midst of that TERRIBLE batting average is yet another gold glove, 26 HR, 94 RBI, and an impact in the middle of the Dodger lineup. Note: I did not say impact bat, I said impact. Here's why: we have to consider the huge effect that he will have on all of the hitters around him at the same time. To do that, I should state that this is how I see the Dodgers lineup starting out this April: Furcal, Pierre, Loney, Jones, Kent, Martin, Kemp, 3B, P- This is not necessarily how I think it should be, but how I think it will be. Loney's got protection in the 3 hole, he'll be pitched to, which translates into higher power numbers this year. Andruw has a threat behind him in Kent. Sure, Jeff doesn't have the power that he put up in years past, but he is still a SERIOUS RBI threat. Jeff Kent is protected by Russell Martin, Martin by Kemp, etc. Additionally, Andruw provides guidance, leadership, and a GREAT arm in an outfield that was weak at best last year. His impact on the young outfielders in Atlanta and the way that they handled business was immeasurable. If he has that same defensive impact on Matt Kemp, Andre Ethier, and Delwyn Young, he's worth every penny. Strike
Hiroki Kuroda: I could sit here and quote stats all day long, but the fact of the matter is that his stats in Japan do not matter at all. He was good in Japan, but how that translates to the Major Leagues remains to be seen. Last year, 3 pitchers made the jump across the Pacific with varying success. Dice-K, Kei Igawa, and Hideki Okajima all experienced varying degrees of success, none of which were really relative to what they did in Japan. That being said, if his pitches/"toughness"/control can translate to the Majors, he'll be a solid #4 starter. Signing him means we don't have to rely on Esteban Loaiza or Jason Schmidt for the middle of our rotation. I certainly wouldn't mind if either of them had a major comeback this year, but I'm not counting on it. If need be, we have a couple minor leaguers that could definitely suffice in the #5 starter role. If Schmidt can regain form, a rotation of Penny, Lowe, Billingsley, Kuroda, and Schmidt is better than Arizona's Webb, Haren, Davis, Johnson, Gonzales. Certainly better than whatever San Diego can put on the field beyond Peavy, Young, and Maddux. Does San Francisco have a rotation? Colorado seems to always be the unknown. Strike
Final strike: Juan Pierre needs to be traded. Eat half the contract, it's still less costly than having him out there. Ethier is a prototype #2 hitter, and an immeasurably better outfielder. He takes pitches, he's careful, he's got 18 HR power, and he doesn't ground into too many double plays. With him in the 2 slot, Furcal would get the 110 runs scored that we need from him.
2 comments:
Great insights Dual. I am looking forward to sharing opinions and observations about the Dodgers.
Final strike: Juan Pierre needs to be traded. Eat half the contract, it's still less costly than having him out there. Ethier is a prototype #2 hitter, and an immeasurably better outfielder. He takes pitches, he's careful, he's got 18 HR power, and he doesn't ground into too many double plays. With him in the 2 slot, Furcal would get the 110 runs scored that we need from him.
You are right on it Dual.
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