On this date in 1988, Dodgers outfielder Kirk Gibson slugged his historic walk-off homer off Oakland's Dennis Eckersley in Game 1 of the World Series. Here are some notes on clubs that reside in MLB's West divisions, including one on another Los Angeles outfielder:
- The Angels have received permission from the Diamondbacks to interview Jerry Dipoto, Arizona's senior vice president of scouting and player development, a major league source tells Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times. The Angels will also interview Yankees executives Damon Oppenheimer and Billy Eppler, and Dipoto is expected to interview for the Orioles' GM job.
- Dipoto is considered the favorite to become Baltimore's next GM, tweets Buster Olney of ESPN.com.
- Rangers slugger Nelson Cruz recently rehashed his near move to Japan a few years ago with Enrique Rojas of ESPNDeportes.com. Nick Collias of MLBTR and Rumores de Beisbol was kind enough to translate: "My agent told me they were really interested and they'd pay me a relatively large amount of money for the last two months of the season," Cruz said. "I was in the minor leagues, I didn't have a future with the Rangers, and I wanted to begin to explore other options." The interested team was the Yomiuri Giants, and the salary would have been $800K, but Texas GM Jon Daniels declined. Good thing for the Rangers that he did.
- Dodgers outfielder Matt Kemp was named Major League Player of the Year by Baseball America. Kemp tied for the highest adjusted OPS (BA's version) among center fielders in the past 30 seasons, matching Ken Griffey Jr.'s 171 in 1997, writes Joe Haakenson.
What do we think Kemp gets on the market if he duplicates his 2010 season next year?
2010? Probably just 7/120.
2011? Closer to 9/200
Matt Kemp and 200 mil in the same sentence. Who would’ve thought that 2 years ago?
I think quite a few Dodger fans knew that Kemp had the potential to put up the numbers he did this season. I wouldn’t have been surprised 2 years ago that we’d be talking about Kemp potentially being worth a $200m deal.
I never understood Dodger fans that were so readily willing to trade Kemp after an average season while at the same time being OK with Loney’s perennial league-worst OPS among regular 1B…
Kemp will be traded next year or this offseason if the Dodgers can get a good deal for him *cough* Phillies *cough*.The Phils though would be probably te most likley suitor because they are soon to be rid of Ibanez, and will need depth in the outfield.It will also majorly increase he depth and sickness in that lineup.
Try one year ago, when an awful lot of Dodger fans where calling for him to be traded. And an awful lot they were too.
good news for the orioles.
Oh man Oh man Oh man
Tried tagging Rabbitov but God knows how that whole thing works.
Haha, sorry I’ve been out of town for a few days. This is awesome news if true.
Head’s up Dan, Griffey’s 171 was in 1993, not 1997 according to that Baseball America chart.
angels need kenp
Boujos, Trout, Hunter…not bad….
What they really need is a third baseman and a closer.
you forgot wells…
I like Dipoto for the Angels. He makes the most sense to me.
Dipoto would be a terrific choice for anyone.
Who trusts anything Olney says? Yesterday he said Riccardi was the favorite in Baltimore and most others say Riccardi isn’t even on the short list.
he may not be on the short list, but he’s definitely on the short bus!
hayyyyyy oooooo, try the veal
I hope the Angels can get Dipoto as their GM. He seems to fit the bill very nicely.