Odds and Ends: Pokey, Lowe, Boss

As much as I like Lowe and as good as he has been for the Dodgers, until this year anyway, it is time for the Dodgers to cut ties. If Kershaw keeps pitching like he did yesterday, you have the top 4 starters set with Penny, Billingsley, Kuroda and Clayton. And that isn't even considering a healthy Jason Schmidt, who is making a ton of cash. Tying up more money in Lowe just doesn't make sense, especially if Penny comes around.

Do the Braves like Gorkys Hernandez enough to trade Schafer? I think it would be an absolute steal for the Braves to get both Maddux and Giles for Shafer.

I hope the dodgers dont sign Lowe. He has been a good pitcher in l.a, but with so much money coming off the payroll next season, im hoping they can get a top teir starter instead. Theyre isnt many holes here except for at starting pitcher, and in the infield. I like Penny, but im not confident in him right now. His last start was good, but has been hurt. Billingsley is great but can you bank on him just yet? Kuroda looks like a solid back of the rotation guy, and Kershaws on the fast track. Imagine how good they would be with one more TRUE proven #1 type starter. They also need an infielder, 2nd base or even short if furcal leaves. Id love to see a little more power in the infield as well. 53 million dollars in expiring salary is coming off the books at the end of this year, most of which is on the d.l. this year anyway. I hope they finally get a legitimate star here, not a pierre, schmidt garciaparra, lowe, sweeney, jones, loaiza, or any other high salary has been. Theyve got the cake, they better eat it too!

"Pokey!!! Man, just what the league has been missing the last few years... Wonder if the RedSox will come calling again ~ I hear

they arent too happy with their current SS... hehehe..."

Hey, Pokey was always known for his defense. Remember when the Reds considered Barry Larkin, of all people, expendable because of Reese?

"I hope they finally get a legitimate star here, not a pierre, schmidt garciaparra, lowe, sweeney, jones, loaiza, or any other high salary has been."

One, where do you get the idea that Sweeney is high salaried? He has never made more than $900K in a year and is a professional pinch hitter.

As for the other guys, Pierre has already been discussed ad nauseum. Yes, the contract was big and it was the product of J.D. Drew being an asshole once again, but he has produced just how people expected. All that, and he has learned how to take a walk this year and is on pace for over 70 SB.

The pitching market next year is pretty garbage and the Dodgers have plenty of talent without Lowe, particularly if Penny solves his mysterious command problems. The top 4 come out as follows:

Penny
Billingsley
Kuroda
Kershaw
Number 5

If Penny rights himself and Billingsley comes out of the gate firing like he has the last month, that is the kind of rotation that can take a team as far as any. The number 5 guy can come from any place really. Kuo has really come on this year and seems healthy for the first time, and that would mean 2 power lefties in the rotation. Park could also fill the bill and he has made so much money in his career that he wouldn't complain at $1 million or so. Further, the Dodgers have plenty of pitching in the minors that projects middle of the rotation that can easily fill the 5th starter gig.

"AA.. First off, sweeney.. he falls under has been. And just so you know, profesional pinch hitters usually hit over .115."

The guy has had a slow start. He hasn't been getting a whole lot of ABs to get into a rhythm. He hit .273 for the Dodgers last year after the trade and there is no indication that he wont perform similarly later on.

"Pierre has been beat to death here, but not by me. I do recognize his speed adds a dynamic to the team, but it is the only thing he brings, and he is an average if not slightly below, outfielder."

Pierre has speed, hits for average and doesn't strikeout. That, and he has started taking a lot more pitches this year and his clutch numbers are out of sight. As for his defense, you have really bought into the hype. Pierre's arm is garbage, everyone knows that, but he takes great routes to balls, reads well, has limitless range and is very athletic. He is also rather sure handed. The move to LF was perfect for him, as it means he wont have to make big throws nearly as often.

"With Kuo, yeah hes an electric young pitcher, but lets see him stay healthy for a whole year, or how about even throw 100 innings in a season before we bank on him. And Park!! Why are Dodger fans so content with mediocrity? Pitching in the minors? Where are they now? Thats right, in the minors!"

Those names were mentioned for the 5th starter. You make it out to sound like they will get 35 starts a year. A mix of the 2, or one of the youngsters, makes sense and is a hell of a lot better than most teams (except perhaps the Angels) can say about their 5th starter.

and when it comes to the angels being one one of the only teams to beat that 5th man.. my point exactly! Could even be a better 5 man rotation than that, and if kershaw is in fact in the 5th spot, they could limit his innings instead of counting on him to throw 200 or more innings at the age of 21.

"and when it comes to the angels being one one of the only teams to beat that 5th man.. my point exactly! Could even be a better 5 man rotation than that, and if kershaw is in fact in the 5th spot, they could limit his innings instead of counting on him to throw 200 or more innings at the age of 21."

If Kershaw pitches out the year at the 25 innings a month they had him limited to in the Minors, he is looking at 150 innings. That easily translates to 180 next year in the 4 spot. That, and he has the body to handle a bigger pitching load. If anything, they could limit Kershaw's bullpen work to save the wear on his arm, as well as maintaining tighter pitch count limits.

It's like a time machine.