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Larry King Expects Kent To Return
TV's Larry King spoke to Jeff Kent recently, and came away convinced he'll return to play in 2008. Odd source of information. The same sentiment about Kent has recently been expressed by Joe Torre and Ned Colletti. It sounds like the Dodgers will be set at second base for '08.
Torre also provided thoughts on Andy Pettitte and Alex Rodriguez recently. Torre said Pettitte was "leaning towards staying home" and it was "possible" the Dodgers could sign A-Rod. Such a signing would not cost the Dodgers their valuable 15th overall pick next year. The Yankees have to be rooting against this.
I recently watched an ESPN video (top right corner) where Keith Law said he didn't see Colletti patching things up to cut a deal with Scott Boras. If the Dodgers are to sign A-Rod it might have to be Dodgers owner Frank McCourt taking care of things. It's assumed that Pettitte will either retire or pitch for the Yankees, though Nick Cafardo speculated he could go to L.A. to pitch for Torre.
A couple of vets would like to re-join the Dodgers in David Wells and Luis Gonzalez. They've already made a minor addition in Chan Ho Park. Others who have been connected to the Dodgers: Miguel Cabrera, Luis Castillo (probably only if Kent retires), Hiroki Kuroda, Andruw Jones, and Torii Hunter. A note on Kuroda - Phil Rogers' straw poll indicated that roughly 20 teams have some level of interest in him.
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Kent can still rake, but his defense at second really hurts. I can't imagine the Dodgers would have any desire to bring Gonzo back with Pierre under contract throuh 2046 and both Eithier and Kemp ready to play. Also, it will be interesting to see whether the team hands 3rd over to LaRoche, or lets Nomar slap at the ball for 400 injury-plagued AB's. Batting order should be intersting too... My vote:
1. Furcal
2. Martin
3. Kemp
4. Kent
5. Loney
6. Eithier
7. Pierre
8. LaRoche
Pierre is far too impatient of a hitter to bat 2nd for my taste... we'll see what Joe thinks.
Posted by: PrahaSMC | November 11, 2007 at 08:37 PM
They have the 15th pick, its protected.
Posted by: J.L. | November 11, 2007 at 08:39 PM
Well, I guess that idiot Plaschke is happy today. He has a "vet" back.
Seriously, the Dodgers are becoming SF South.
I never liked the Dodgers because of how their management was. I FINALLY started to like them under Depodesta seeing him keep the kids, etc., and then seeing them develop. Well now Colletti is making me hate them again.
It's atrocious what he's doing to that franchise.
Posted by: djskilbr | November 11, 2007 at 08:45 PM
Wow PrahaSMC...looks like last years shitty fourth place team!
Posted by: jskohl | November 11, 2007 at 09:36 PM
It's time sign a bat. ARod may be too expensive. But, Colletti has to be realistic, in todays baseball, all the GOOD players are represented by Scott Boras. Unless he he wants more Juan Pierre and Luis Gonzalez types stinking up Chavez Ravine, he's gonna have to deal with Boras. Andruw Jones or Torri Hunter in CF seems like a good way to go. Kemp should play RF everyday with Pierre in LF. Andre Ethier could platoon with Kemp or he could be used in a trade. As far as Kent is concerned, I think it's funny that we are getting info from Larry King(isn't he still angry the Dodgers left Brooklyn?) Kent could still hit 20+ Hrs especially if he could finally get some protection.
Posted by: jskohl | November 11, 2007 at 09:43 PM
Having Kent is so much better than other options at 2nd base. Even though his glove isn't what it used to be he can still hit over .300 with 20hr's. That's better production than most out there.
Posted by: bjsguess | November 12, 2007 at 12:13 AM
As long as Kent keeps his surly-ass mouth shut he's the best option at 2nd. I'd love to see Delwyn Young replace him in 2009. Young could definitely grow into a Kent-type 2B. I think Young could step in and keep the pop coming from that position...obviously Tony Abreu cannot.
Signing Pettitte on a one-year deal would be great. If we could get him for one year at around $15MM. He has shown that he still has something in the tank. A low-risk one-year deal would be great for LA.
I can't see Laroche starting next season. I think he'll be either packaged to get Cabrera, or playing behind Arod or Nomar.
However, if we sign Arod I'd like to keep Laroche. Maybe Arod could shift to SS in 2009 and Laroche could take over 3rd???
I like Praha's lineup...Martin in the 2-hole has always made sense. Maybe Torre will consider benching Pierre???
However, Loney will definitely be hitting 3rd next year...unless Cabrera is required.
Kemp will hit 5th unless Arod is signed...then he'll hit 6th.
Posted by: kbrooks2LA | November 12, 2007 at 01:35 AM
I like Praha's lineup as well, but stastically speaking I think Kemp has shown more power than Kent. However, I still want Kent batting behind Kemp to protect him.... And I think I'd prefer Loney in that #3 slot. How about this:
1. Furcal
2. Martin
3. Loney
4. Kemp
5. Kent
6. Eithier
7. Pierre
8. LaRoche
Posted by: DodgersLBC | November 12, 2007 at 02:20 AM
Sure, Kent isn't the problem with the bat, althought at 40 (!!!) years old he probably will regress, and at this point he's a first baseman. He's also a terrible, awful clubhouse presence and feels the right to run his mouth about how useless young players are to this team. He won't keep his mouth shut. He wanted to win badly last year and thats why he went on his little rant. The sad thing is that management is more concerned with pleasing him then keeping their young core intact.
Posted by: J.L. | November 12, 2007 at 02:56 AM
that lineup won't sell season tickets after 2007 16% increase, and what they add on for 2008, they've better grab a star or two...I see:
1) Buy Arod. Trade laroche/nomar/meloan for pitching help.
2) Trade for Miggy and buy hunter and relief.
If something like that doesn't happen we're going from season tickets to mini plan.
Posted by: ca!i sty!e | November 12, 2007 at 09:44 AM
Turns out that Dodger fans are actually pretty sensible. Out of all the clubs that have blue chip prospects they seem to understand the value they bring.
Kent went off on some of the younger players last year. However, I have read from many different sources that some of the young guys are big shots. They have been treated with kid gloves and think the world owes them everything. Kent's a guy who has worked hard to get to where he is. People forget that this guy was amazing for 10 years +. While he could tone it down a bit, I think it is appropriate for a veteran to call out the young guys if they need to be put into place.
Posted by: bjsguess | November 12, 2007 at 06:38 PM
bjsguess needs to get it together.
Why did the young guys (Kemp/Loney) need to be "put into place"? Did one of them accidently spill water on one of moustache's motorcycle magazines?
Along w/ Martin they were the only ones keeping LAD in the race.
Loney (342 AB)
.331/15/67
Kemp (292 AB)
.342/10/42
Oh yeah...Kent said they didn't care about "winning." Did they arrange for evryone else on the team to suck while they played like sick ballers?
Kent has had problems almost everywhere. Bonds in SF. Bradley in LA. Now Kemp/Loney in LA. I think his theory is to only get into squabbles w/ players that have bad reps. This seems to insulate him. However, at some point you gotta wonder...maybe Jeff Kent is a surly-ass jerk. He seems like he is. Maybe he is. Maybe he really can't get along with black people.
He grew up in Orange County, but lives on a ranch in Tx like he's some cowboy.
Posted by: kbrooks2LA | November 12, 2007 at 07:47 PM
This just in...Dodger fans don't give a crap about Jeff Kent.
Nobody comes to see him play. Nobody cares. Nobody.
Milton Bradley is crazy, and could jump into the stands to kill us at any moment, but we still liked him over Jeff Kent.
Just b/c he has a moustache like Ron Cey doesn't mean whe care.
Posted by: kbrooks2LA | November 12, 2007 at 07:54 PM