The Dodgers' financial situation has been in question all season due to the McCourts' divorce, but it sounds like the team might have some room to take on payroll in a deal this deadline. Helene Elliott of The Los Angeles Times spoke to GM Ned Colletti, who indicated he's now willing to move prospects in a deal, at least more than he was earlier this year.
"We're not inclined really to break up the club here, especially the core of it, to acquire somebody," said Colletti. "But I'm more open-minded than I have been in the past on prospects."
Colletti rattled off a laundry list of needs, including stability at the back of the rotation, help for the bullpen, and outfield depth to help cope with nagging injuries to Manny Ramirez and Reed Johnson. The team has been linked to Roy Oswalt and were in on Cliff Lee, ditto Cody Ross and Paul Maholm.
Baseball America ranked the Dodgers' farm system as just the 24th best in the game before this season, though they have gotten solid production from in-house fill-ins like John Ely and Travis Schlichting. They also have several interesting arms at the Triple-A level, including Josh Lindblom and Scott Elbert, that could be used in a trade if needed.
They should avoid big name players. Ross and Maholm would be really good fits for them.
They will need a big impact to get back into the hunt this season. If they are planning for next season, you might be right.
The Dodgers farm system is really impressive. I think it’s a lot better now than it was at the beginning of the season.
Its hard to have a solid farm system when you have an owner and GM Punting the first round of a draft! Even Dee Gordon is old for the level and questionable to reach his potential.
Huh? Gordon is 22, that’s exactly the right age for a top prospect at AA, even a year younger than a lot of guys. He’s doing okay considering they skipped him right past A+.
Exactly. It’s amazing how some people are so clueless. It doesn’t take much to actually check the facts before you post.
Huh? Gordon is 22, that’s exactly the right age for a top prospect at AA, even a year younger than a lot of guys. He’s doing okay considering they skipped him right past A+.
Its hard to have a solid farm system when you have an owner and GM Punting the first round of a draft! Even Dee Gordon is old for the level and questionable to reach his potential.
Paul Maholm and Dotel for Dee Gordon, James McDonald, and Scott Elbert sound good?? lol
No, Dee is not going anywhere
Not sure that’s true, but if you had added “for such an unappealing package as Dotel/Maholm” onto your sentence, then yeah, I’d agree.
No, Dee is not going anywhere
LOL Brett Myers and Matt Lindstrom from the Astros for Dee Gordan Jerry Sands and Aaron Miller
Much better deal in the Long run
Speaking as an Astros fan, there is no way we would get that much for Myers and Lindstrom. Sands and Miller… maybe, but it still looks like a lot. Gordon, Sands, and Miller, no way.
Maholm and Dotel for McDonald and Ivan DeJesus, Jr. sounds reasonable to me. I don’t really oppose giving up Elbert, I just don’t see how that package warrants it.
Paul Maholm and Dotel for Dee Gordon, James McDonald, and Scott Elbert sound good?? lol
Gordon is not old for his level-AA. He was old for Low A last year, but was skipped to AA this season and is holding his own. LAD’s best arms are in AA or lower-Withrow, Miller, Martin, Webster and De la Rosa. Jansen was promoted yesterday to the big club-could be a future closer.
Gordon is not old for his level-AA. He was old for Low A last year, but was skipped to AA this season and is holding his own. LAD’s best arms are in AA or lower-Withrow, Miller, Martin, Webster and De la Rosa. Jansen was promoted yesterday to the big club-could be a future closer.
When a player is your systems TOP prospect I would expect more dominance at the age of 22 at Double A. He’s barely holding his own. It speaks loudly to the strength of the system (mid 20’s at best in MLB) when your top prospect is struggling at 22 in Double A.
So batting .289/.339/.382 with 38/51 SB and plus defense at shortstop is barely holding his own? Dee Gordon is doing fine, and systems aren’t just made up of one top prospect. Baseball America had three Dodgers prospects in their midseason top 50, which is pretty good, and I’m guessing the Dodgers have at least two or three more in the 51-100 range.
Low OBP for a leadoff guy, incredibly high Error total for a guy playing “plus” defense at SS. We will have to agree to disagree, i just see him more as a EY Jr. Platoon type MI as opposed to a potential star. In other words, if I could get anything of value at the deadline i would consider doing it
I wouldn’t bat him leadoff unless his walk rate improves, that’s true, but he still has a lot of value as a back of the order hitter and a very good defender at a premium position.
I wouldn’t put too much stock in errors in the minors, especially for a guy like Gordon. For one thing, his range means that he’s going to get to a lot of balls that other guys would have to just watch roll past. Trying to make plays on those balls can result in errors. For another thing, minor league first basemen are not nearly as polished as major league ones; a lot of time, the 1B will fail to make a pick on a ball that a MLB first baseman would make 99% of the time, and the error will go on the shortstop. Minor league scorekeepers are also not as highly paid or as good as MLB ones so their reports can be murkier on what is an error and what’s not. Finally, minor league fields are not well-kept, which can cause lots of crazy hops which wouldn’t happen on a well-tended major league field.
Plus, Dee Gordon is a young guy still getting comfortable at his position. He’s not as smooth yet as he will be in a few years’ time. He’s still testing his boundaries and figuring out what plays he can make, what plays he can’t, and refining his footwork and glovework.
What’s most important is that he has ridiculous range and a great arm.
coachofall-Derek Jeter made 56 errors in the minors, and he has had a very fine career. Gordon has been playing organized baseball for just 4 years, and has gold glove potential based on his range and glove per Keith Law. i think he knows a little more about scouting than you do.
Never said he was useless. Do enjoy Keiths writing and blogs, but make sure you read his mid season updates before you cite his stance on Gordon. My comment stands, if he is your systems TOP prospect is says more about your system then it does about him as a player. Facts are facts, I wish every young player luck and wish they all have success at every level. Reality is all prospects down pan out and he reminds me of a lot of players who historically have solid platoon careers (EY Jr, Eric Patterson as examples). FYI, loved watching his dad pich
Spiegel (Stevenson Ranch,CA)
Has Jerry Sands supplanted Dee Gordon as the Dodgers top hitting prospect? Sands has been a beast this year.
Klaw (1:21 PM)
Most of what he’s done has been against younger competition. I’ve talked to a few scouts about him – high end seems to be an average regular, low end has him as a 4A bat. Don’t give up on Gordon – he was overpromoted to AA, and it may take him as much as a year to catch up. And he has great defensive value.
To add on to that. Look at what Smoak did in the hitting friendly texas league compared to Sands in the pitching-friendly Southern league.
I’ll let you decide who’s better.
Keith Law is good to read and all buut he shouldn’t be taken as gospel. I’ve caught him goofing on many a prospect in the past. His comments about Jerry Sands for instance revealed him to not have seen him or knew much about him. He cited one scout who ludicrously compared him to Billy Ashley. He has almost nothing in common with Ashley (can field better – Ashley was horrible fielder, gets on base better, runs better, doesn’t physically resemble him, other than that yep they’re the same). I’ve seen Sands, I’ve seen video of several games, watched his progress as he’s broken out this year.
I agree with the coach on this one. If a prospect is 22 years old and is coming off of a college career he will be on a fast track if he is good enough. If a 22 year old is having problems hitting double A pitching it does not say much for his future chances.
McCourt sold the best prospects he had in Santana and Bell.He had Cleveland pay the final 6 weeks of Blakes salary for a top prospect, you can call it what you want but McCourt pocketed the money, the Indians got the prospect.McCourt has fired half of the dodgers scouting department, the Dodgers will not spend on minor league bonuses, and the dodgers have invested the least amount of money of any major league team since McCourt took over in there minor league program. Dodger Statdium is more of a destination spot in los angeles and McCourt will sell close to 4 million tickets with a first place team, or a last place team. While there are some good baseball fans they are far and few when it comes to the Dodgers.
When a player is your systems TOP prospect I would expect more dominance at the age of 22 at Double A. He’s barely holding his own. It speaks loudly to the strength of the system (mid 20’s at best in MLB) when your top prospect is struggling at 22 in Double A.
I can’t imagine how frustrating it is to be a Dodgers fan right now. A proud franchise in the playoff hunt being hamstrung by two morons going through a divorce, meanwhile Carlos Santana continues to blossom in Cleveland.
“Dear Ned, hope you’re enjoying Blake, I’m also willing to kick in salary for you.
Love,
Mark Shapiro”
Every day is like getting psychologically raped. But I digress… At least I’m not an Orioles fan.
Every day is like getting psychologically raped. But I digress… At least I’m not an Orioles fan.
Dear Mark Shapiro,
How is that Cliff Lee to Philadelphia trade working out for ya?
Love,
Ruben Amaro
Actually this trade is looking pretty okay. Donald looks like he could be the starter at 2b, Carrasco has been half way decent in AAA and will at the very worst will be a #4, Knapp is still what everyone though he would be (a pitcher recovering from an injury with huge potential) and Marson will end up being what people expected which is a back up catcher. What will really define this trade is how well Knapp recovers.
Dear Ruben,
How’s that Cliff Lee trade to Seattle working out for you?
-Jack
I wouldn’t knock Shapiro’s Indians too much. They pretty much did what they had to do with their star players, same with Vmart last July in getting Nick Hagedone and Justin Masterson. Hagedone will be a horse when he gets fully over that TJ he had just came back from when the deal was made.. LH starters that throw 97mph+ are rare.
Not to mention all the underperforming players and Manny being on the DL three times, Belisario being MIA in drug rehab + on the restricted list in the beginning of the season, Furcal on the DL and the bereavement list, Bills on the DL, Padilla on the DL, Sherrill magically losing everything he had, Troncoso starting to show his true colors, several Broxton blow-ups, Torre misusing his pitching staff and playing bad bench players over more talented players, starting guys like Monasterios while McDonald is left in the pen and Ely’s in AAA, and it all makes you wonder how the heck we’re still in contention.
I can’t imagine how frustrating it is to be a Dodgers fan right now. A proud franchise in the playoff hunt being hamstrung by two morons going through a divorce, meanwhile Carlos Santana continues to blossom in Cleveland.
“Dear Ned, hope you’re enjoying Blake, I’m also willing to kick in salary for you.
Love,
Mark Shapiro”
Dont forget my man Jerry Sands who has already 27 HR + 1,057 OPS this year and got named player of the week 3 times (Age = 22) at AA level
Don’t forget Allen Webster, either.
Dont forget my man Jerry Sands who has already 27 HR + 1,057 OPS this year and got named player of the week 3 times (Age = 22) at AA level
the dodgers don’t have much in their system and they want to trade them to make a run this year. if this divorce drags on for another season, they’re going to be screwed going into 2011.
So the Giants’ top prospect is who?
The dodgers system was bad coming into this season, but Allen Webster, Kenley Jansen, Jerry Sands, Aaron Miller, and Rubby De la Rosa have all really broken out as prospects.
I would include Blake Smith in there too, he needs to move up already…
The Dodgers could match up extremely well with the Astros. They have some money coming off the books and could swing a deal for Myers or Oswalt if the astros throw in some cash. Paying the players entire 2010 salary would make it impossible for the Dodgers to resist. Gordon, Dejesus, Miller and Elbert for Oswalt+ 7 mill may be the best the Astros will get.
like someone already said, Gordon isnt going anywhere
unfortunately, i think he will be moved if the dodgers make a trade for a pitcher like oswalt. one guy i hope stays with us is sands because this guy can be manny’s replacement or maybe even loney’s replacement if he gets traded anywhere.
I could see Gordon being moved for Oswalt. I think the deal you proposed is pretty fair. Though I’m curious why the Astros would want two shortstops? I’d think someone else, like perhaps Xavier Paul (OF) or Lucas May (C) would be more interesting than DeJesus?
Everyone who thinks the Dodgers farm system is weak should look at their A ball club the Great Lake Loons.They’re 22-5 in the Midwest League, with the following starting pitchers:Josh Wall – 3.53 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, 106 SO in 107 IP.Allen Webster – 2.78 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, 81 SO in 87.1 IP.Elisaul Pimentel – 3.27 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 94 SO in 85.1 IP.Will Savage – 2.80 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 58 SO in 83.2 IP.Matt Magill – 3.46 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, 89 SO in 83.1 IP.Brett Wallach – 4.00 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, 87 SO in 78.2 IP.De La Rosa – 3.19 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 55 SO in 59.1 IP.Jerry Sands meanwhile is flattening the ball. He leads the Dodgers farm system with 27 HRs in AA ball (which isn’t in a hitter’s league like the AAA club).None of these guys were on Baseball America’s radar when they evaluated the Dodgers system at the start of the season. Nor was Jansen, who has tore up every stop he’s made in the minors and is already with the major league club (though yet to make his debut).BA was looking at guys like Withrow, E. Martin, Eovaldi, Lindblom, DeJesus, Jr., Paul, May, Robinson, Lambo, Gordon, McDonald, Elbert… and there are a few great prospects among them, but the Dodgers system looks really strong behind these guys, too. I think they’ll be in the middle of the pack next time farm system evaluations come around.
Rubby got promoted to AA yesterday
In addition to that gray, guys like Elbert (who has been MIA this season for the most part) are no longer such hot prospects, while a lot of those other guys have taken his place (Mike may want to update his info on Dodger prospects). They are more pitching prospect rich than people think but most of them are at the lower levels.
In addition to that gray, guys like Elbert (who has been MIA this season for the most part) are no longer such hot prospects, while a lot of those other guys have taken his place (Mike may want to update his info on Dodger prospects). They are more pitching prospect rich than people think but most of them are at the lower levels. [whoops sorry about the double post here!]
The goal is to acquire the best players regardless of position. Either one could be flipped for a different position player from another team a la Taylor for Wallace. They could also fill the the two middle infield spots considering the astros have nothing!!! there. I didn’t realize Elbert had left, but he was given a leave of absence. It’s not like he just went missing. Sounds like he just has some personal issues. Still has good stuff and would slot in for the Stros as soon as he was ready. Miller needs no explanation. Paul is a nice 4th outfielder, but really serves no purpose for the Stros.