Saito Out At Least Six Weeks

Torre will probably use a combo of Kuo in the 7th, Beimel in the 8th, and Broxton in the 9th. I still don't trust Jonathan Broxton yet. I think Kuo's shown a bit more dominance. Ned Colletti can say what he wants. The McCourt's have lost faith in him. He could make some minor move, but I can't see ownership signing off on any blockbuster deal that will bring LA a power hitter, shortstop, or closer. Especially if it means taking on mor payroll.

On that closer list...

You'd have to be insane to think that the Padres would trade Trevor Hoffman to the Dodgers under any circumstances.

I wouldn't put Broxton as the closer. He hasn't been himself since the 2nd half last season. I'd give the closer role to Beimel. Bring back Kershaw and stick him in the bullpen and give him the Joba treatment. So Kershaw (7th), Broxton (8th), Beimel (9th).

Joe Borowski is out there too. We've seen it many times before that a reliever will stink up the joint for one team and go somewhere else and dominate for a while.

As much as it pains me to say it, Trevor Hoffman is not a closer anymore. He throws batting practice and hopes the ball dies on the warning track.

If he gets strike one to start the AB, he can still make people look foolish with his changeup though. The teams inability to win on the road this year is a blessing for him as his appearances away from the chasm that is PetCo Park are limited.

am i the only one who thinks that kershaw profiles perfectly as a closer?

he only has two pitches. he hasn't learned to handle the bat, yet. he hasn't learned to hold runners, yet. the dodgers are trying to limit his innings. his still needs to bulk up before his body's ready for a SP role.

the kid is incredibly talented and should be a SP someday, but i think he makes more sense in the 'pen for now.

"Joe Borowski is out there too."

I don't think the Dodgers are that desperate.

What is wrong with Broxton? He seems like he would be a top 10 closer pretty much right away. It that too obvious?

Two words for you Ned: Brett Myers.

Send Brad Penny to Philly?

Have the Dodgers given up on Andy Laroche yet, and would they send him to the O's for George Sherrill?

"I still don't trust Jonathan Broxton yet. I think Kuo's shown a bit more dominance."

Kuo can't handle that kind of grind. He has all the talent in the world, but his left elbow is too brittle to handle pitching every day.

Meanwhile, Broxton is the guy they have been grooming and should be the guy they go with. The guy throws consistently in the high 90's, even hitting 100, and has a wicked slider. His K/BB ratio is almost 4/1 and he doesn't give up home runs. There is no reason to panic and waste a good prospect on a closer from outside.

"Two words for you Ned: Brett Myers.

Send Brad Penny to Philly?"

You are kidding, right?

What about a Wilson/Marte deal... what would you be willing to give up in that deal?

"Joe Borowski is out there too."

Why would the Dodgers go from a guy who throws a 97-100 mph fastball with great control to one who throws an 85 mph fastball right over the plate? Lets not forget that the Dodgers saw first hand how "valuable" Borowski is as a closer when they pounded him into blowing a save.

The Dodgers have absolutely no need for another guy. They have very capable setup men in Beimel (who is able to get RHB out), Falkenborg, Wade and Kuo and they have Broxton, who has closer stuff, a closer's mentality and the organizations anointment as the closer of the future. Lets also not forget that Broxton has been pitching to Russell Martin at every level since A ball. That kind of experience is invaluable and will not be duplicated by anyone from the outside.

Falkenborg? Brian Falkenborg, who was drafted by the Orioles 10 years ago and has been released or allowed to have his contract expire six times since then? Joe Beimel, who washed out of 3 organizations before LAD? Kuo, who sucked for two years before finding something this year? Your bullpen is a disaster waiting to happen, and you need all the *reliable* help you can get.

"Falkenborg? Brian Falkenborg, who was drafted by the Orioles 10 years ago and has been released or allowed to have his contract expire six times since then?"

Brian Falkenborg who has a 97 mph fastball and a WHIP of 0.857 this year and was only converted to the 'pen 3 years ago. He probably wouldn't have washed out if he had been allowed to develop that way.

"Joe Beimel, who washed out of 3 organizations before LAD?"

Joe Beimel who has a 1.61 ERA this year, has been a major contributor for the Dodgers the past 3 years and who absolutely dominated one of the best hitters in the history of baseball (Barry Bonds).

"Kuo, who sucked for two years before finding something this year"

Kuo who sucked because of major arm injuries and was likely miscast as a starting pitcher. Have you seen his stuff?

"Your bullpen is a disaster waiting to happen"

Which, of course, explains why the team has the best ERA in baseball?

Here's an alternative, he's a Japanese pitcher too. How about Akinori Otsuka? I'm not sure if he's done recovering from surgery but why not sign him? He has good numbers and all the Dodgers need is some money.

"Here's an alternative, he's a Japanese pitcher too. How about Akinori Otsuka? I'm not sure if he's done recovering from surgery but why not sign him? He has good numbers and all the Dodgers need is some money."

Again, what for? The Dodgers 'pen has proved excellent, from top to bottom. The only exception is Proctor, who is hurt.