Post by Deleted on Jan 15, 2018 18:04:23 GMT -5
After playing better than expected over the first month-plus of the season, reality has set in for the Dodgers over the past few weeks.
After starting the season 16-10, the Dodgers gave gone just 12-24 over the past 5 weeks or so - most recently 1-9 in their last 10 games. Even so, they still remain 5 games better than their expected record. During this skid, the rival Giants have rattled off 10 wins in a row. It appears management has taken notice and is in full on fire sale mode now.
After trading away ace Marcelino Lopez and middle of the lineup bat Bernie Carbo on the eve of Opening Day, the club largely stood pat through the first few months of the season aside from a rare prospect-for-prospect swap between a pair of rebuilding clubs.
But now it appears the band-aid has been ripped off. Third baseman Otto Velez and shortstop Dave Concepcion were packaged to the previously mentioned Giants in exchange for promising young Bill Doran with the hopes that he can hold down second base for the next decade. The deal also brought in lefty reliever Ray Searage. In Searage the club saw a unique young hurler who brings the added benefit of being able to help other pitchers with their mechanics. The club thinks he could one day be a pitching coach.
As a result of the trade, Roy White was told he would get back the shortstop job that he has held down the past few seasons. However, in a shocking turn of events - just hours after White was promised his old job back he was packaged with veteran first baseman/outfielder Tom Hutton in a trade with the Oakland A's for veteran reliever Dick Ruthven. The A's added some on base ability while they try to overtake the Angels in a winnable division, while the Giants hope Ruthven can bring a stabilizing presence to the bullpen. If the player likes the organization and does well in his role they could seek a mutually beneficial extension. White seems happy to be leaving the Dodgers, who yanked him around a bit, for a playoff race in Oakland.
To top it all off, veteran ace Rob Gardner - formerly the #2 to Lopez - will once again be teaming up with Lopez and Carbo by following them to Minnesota. He was dealt late in the day for pitching prospects Luis DeLeon, Larry Christenson, free agent bust shortstop Ken McMullen, and the Twins first 2 draft picks in the 1980 draft. This deal represented a chance to inject some younger talent into the pipeline while moving on from the past. McMullen looks primed to get a chance to prove he's not yet finished and hold down the shortstop job - especially since the Dodgers traded 4 infielders, including 2 shortstops - at least until prospect Scott Fletcher is deemed ready for The Show.
It was a whirlwind 24 hours for The Boys in Blue, but they may not be done just yet. They are waist deep in the rebuild - why stop now? Anyone in need of an extra piece should have the Dodgers on speed dial.
After starting the season 16-10, the Dodgers gave gone just 12-24 over the past 5 weeks or so - most recently 1-9 in their last 10 games. Even so, they still remain 5 games better than their expected record. During this skid, the rival Giants have rattled off 10 wins in a row. It appears management has taken notice and is in full on fire sale mode now.
After trading away ace Marcelino Lopez and middle of the lineup bat Bernie Carbo on the eve of Opening Day, the club largely stood pat through the first few months of the season aside from a rare prospect-for-prospect swap between a pair of rebuilding clubs.
But now it appears the band-aid has been ripped off. Third baseman Otto Velez and shortstop Dave Concepcion were packaged to the previously mentioned Giants in exchange for promising young Bill Doran with the hopes that he can hold down second base for the next decade. The deal also brought in lefty reliever Ray Searage. In Searage the club saw a unique young hurler who brings the added benefit of being able to help other pitchers with their mechanics. The club thinks he could one day be a pitching coach.
As a result of the trade, Roy White was told he would get back the shortstop job that he has held down the past few seasons. However, in a shocking turn of events - just hours after White was promised his old job back he was packaged with veteran first baseman/outfielder Tom Hutton in a trade with the Oakland A's for veteran reliever Dick Ruthven. The A's added some on base ability while they try to overtake the Angels in a winnable division, while the Giants hope Ruthven can bring a stabilizing presence to the bullpen. If the player likes the organization and does well in his role they could seek a mutually beneficial extension. White seems happy to be leaving the Dodgers, who yanked him around a bit, for a playoff race in Oakland.
To top it all off, veteran ace Rob Gardner - formerly the #2 to Lopez - will once again be teaming up with Lopez and Carbo by following them to Minnesota. He was dealt late in the day for pitching prospects Luis DeLeon, Larry Christenson, free agent bust shortstop Ken McMullen, and the Twins first 2 draft picks in the 1980 draft. This deal represented a chance to inject some younger talent into the pipeline while moving on from the past. McMullen looks primed to get a chance to prove he's not yet finished and hold down the shortstop job - especially since the Dodgers traded 4 infielders, including 2 shortstops - at least until prospect Scott Fletcher is deemed ready for The Show.
It was a whirlwind 24 hours for The Boys in Blue, but they may not be done just yet. They are waist deep in the rebuild - why stop now? Anyone in need of an extra piece should have the Dodgers on speed dial.
