Lots of deals, nothing big for LA

The non-waiver trade deadline came and went at 1 p.m. Pacific time with a flurry of moves. However, there was no other significant move for the Dodgers. The Dodgers were in on Roy Halladay, whom is staying in Toronto due to the foolishness of Blue Jay GM J.P. Riccardi. There was a late rumor that said the Angels could be getting Halladay, but that fell apart.

There was also a report for the always accurate (lol) Ken Rosenthal, stating the Dodgers were trying to get 1B Adrian Gonzalez and RHP Heath Bell from the Padres. If Dodger GM Ned Colletti thought the price for Halladay was expensive, he must have been off his rocker to think LA could acquire both Gonzalez and Bell.

The biggest deal of the day was the White Sox getting Jake Peavy, again, from San Diego. The teams agreed to a deal a few months back, only to have Peavy block it. Now that Peavy has been injured for awhile and the rumors of San Diego trying to trade its other stars, Peavy probably thought it was time to say good bye to the Padres. It was a post-deadline deal that seemingly came out of nowhere.

Here is a rundown of all the deadline day trades and winners:

• Detroit acquired LHP Jarrod Washburn from Seattle for two prospects: LHPs Luke French and Mauricio Robles. Winner: Detroit
• Milwaukee acquired RHP Claudio Vargas from the Dodgers for C Vinny Rottino. Rottino is a 29-year-old Double-A catcher who has no value. Vargas was moved to clear a roster spot for the newly-acquired George Sherrill. Winner: Milwaukee
• Minnesota acquired SS Orlando Cabrera from Oakland for SS Tyler Ladendorf. Winner: Minnesota
• Boston acquired C/1B Victor Martinez from Cleveland for RHPs Justin Masterson, Bryan Price and LHP Nick Hagadone. The Indians got a better return here than they did for Cliff Lee. Winner: Push
• Atlanta acquired 1B Adam LaRoche from Boston for 1B Casey Kotchman. Winner: Atlanta
• N.Y. Yankees acquired INF/OF Jerry Hairston, Jr. from Cincinnati for C Chase Weems. Winner: New York
  
• Colorado acquired LHP Joe Beimel from Washington for RHPs Ryan Mattheus and Robinson Fabian. Winner: Colorado
• Cincinnati acquired 3B Scott Rolen from Toronto for 3B Edwin Encarnacion, RHPs Josh Roenicke and Zach Stewart. Winner: Cincinnati
• Florida acquired 1B Nick Johnson from Washington for LHP Aaron Thompson. Winner: Florida
• Chicago White Sox acquired RHP Jake Peavy from San Diego for LHPs Aaron Poreda and Clayton Richard and RHPs Adam Russell and Dexter Carter. Winner: Chicago

Like I said, a busy day. Trading isn't completely over, though. Players can still be traded if they pass through waivers. Don't expect guys like Halladay and Gonzalez to be traded, but some of the lower-tier players will easily clear waivers and could make a small impact on divisional/wild card races.

The Dodgers end up as losers in this deadline season. The Sherrill acquisition was solid, but without a big addition (a workhorse SP or the Bell-Gonzalez combo), it is going to be tough for the Dodgers to compete with Philadelphia and St. Louis. The Cardinals absolutely own the Dodgers. I'm disappointed, especially since this seemed to be such a buyers market. The Phillies, Cardinals and Red Sox all won this trade season. We'll see what happens in October.

Dodgers acquire George Sherrill

The Dodgers have acquired LHP George Sherrill from Baltimore for 3B prospect Josh Bell and RHP Steven Johnson.

On the surface, this looks like a good, even trade. However, the Blue Jays were said to be interested in Bell in a potential Halladay package. Unless the Dodgers also acquire Halladay by 1 p.m. tomorrow, this trade will look a lot worse. I don't believe Dodger GM Ned Colletti would blow a chance to get Halladay by trading Bell for a reliever, so there's still hope, I suppose.

Trade round-up from Wednesday

There were many trades on Wednesday, just two days before the Major League Baseball non-waiver Trade Deadline. Here's a look at the deals and the winners:

1. Philadelphia acquired LHP Cliff Lee and OF Ben Francisco from Cleveland for RHP Carlos Carrasco, RHP Jason Knapp, C Lou Marson and SS Jason Donald. My previous entry has my thoughts about this deal, suffice it to say, the Phillies killed this 0ne. Winner: Philadelphia
   
   
2. Seattle acquired SS Jack Wilson, RHP Ian Snell and cash from Seattle for SS Ronny Cedeno, 1B/C Jeff Clement, RHP Aaron Pribanic, RHP Brett Lorin, and RHP Nathan Adcock. Despite none of the prospects being ranked higher than No. 24 by Baseball America to start the season, Pribanic and Lorin are having excellent seasons, while Adcock is struggling a little. This trade is somewhat baffling, as Seattle had been rumored to be moving Jarrod Washburn. The trade with Pittsburgh shows Seattle thinks it can still contend in a load American League. Wilson is a solid defender at short and Snell has great stuff, but he hasn't been the same since his breakout 2007 season. Winner: Pittsburgh
   
   
3. San Francisco acquired 2B Freddy Sanchez from Pittsburgh for RHP Tim Alderson. This was my favorite trade of the day. As a Dodger fan, it's always nice to see the Giants give away talent for decent players. Alderson was ranked No. 4 by Baseball America to start the season and was ranked as a Top 50 prospect in all of baseball in its mid-season rankings. It isn't everyday the Pirates get over on a team, let alone twice in one day! Winner Pittsburgh

Dodgers miss out on Cliff Lee, goes to Philly

Earlier today, the Philadelphia Phillies acquired LHP Cliff Lee and OF Ben Francisco for four prospects. The four prospects the Phillies dealt were RHP Carlos Carrasco, RHP Jason Knapp, SS Jason Donald and C Lou Marson. Lee is the reigning Cy Young Award winner in the American League.

The Dodgers were said to be very interested in Lee, but apparently a deal could not be struck. The Phillies made out like bandits in this trade. Carrasco is the best prospect in this deal, but he's had a really tough season at Triple-A Lehigh. Knapp is a high-ceiling guy, but there are concerns about his mechanics, injury concerns (he is on the DL in the minros right now) and profiles as a reliever. Donald is a utility infielder and Marson is a decent catching prospect. However, the Indians have Carlos Santana, whom the Dodgers traded to Cleveland last year for Casey Blake. He is one of the best catching prospects in all of baseball.

The question now, is, what are the Dodgers going to do before Friday? I think they had their sights set on Lee, but that option is gone. Roy Halladay is likely too pricey, though, I think the Dodgers could still explore that option. George Sherrill seems to be atop the list of potential acquisitions for L.A. However, time is running out. The Dodgers are almost forced to counter the Lee trade if they want to compete with the Phillies in the postseason.

Dodgers linked with George Sherrill

Before tonight's beatdown from the Cardinals, a report from Ed Price of AOL Fanhouse, via Twitter, said the Dodgers are "in" on Oriole closer George Sherrill. It says the Orioles are interested in Scott Elbert, but are concerned about his past injury concerns (missed the majority of the 2007 season with a shoulder injury).

Elbert was the 17th pick in the first round of the 2004 MLB Draft out of Seneca High School in Missouri. Elbert boasts a starter's arsenal and great athletic ability. He has a fastball that sits in the low 90s and can get up to the mid 90s, a slurvy-type breaking ball that is in the low 80s and a fringe change up. Presumably, the Orioles would want another decent prospect in return, which is more than do-able for the Dodgers. Sherrill would be an awfully nice addition to the bullpen, which just got Hong-Chih Kuo back from a nearly season-long absence. Sherrill isn't an overpowering guy, but he knows how to get lefties out and is especially tough with runners in scoring position.

I think if the Dodgers make any trades before Friday, this will be the one.

Ethier named NL Player of the Week

Congratulations to Dodger RF Andre Ethier, who was named NL Player of the Week for the second time this season. He put up an Albert Pujols-esque line: .545/.630/.1.045, while helping the Dodgers to a 4-2 record. Ethier boasts a .272/.358/.508 line with a team-leading 20 home runs and 62 runs batted in.

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About Feelin' Kinda Blue and myself

My name is Dustin Nosler. I'm a senior journalism major at Sacramento State University. I have been a Dodger fan and baseball lover for as long as I can remember. Baseball has -- and always will be -- my passion.

This blog is a platform for me to voice my thoughts and opinions on the Dodgers, baseball and anything else I see fit.

Bloggers have a bad reputation for not being journalists. As journalists are delving more and more into the social media world, that is becoming less and less true. I am a member of the Sacramento State student-run newspaper, The State Hornet. I am entering my fourth semester and have been a staff writer, sports editor and online managing editor.

As an aspiring journalist, I know how to write, report and not libel people. Unfortunately, I don't see myself doing much reporting on this blog, but I will do my best to give my opinion on everything Dodgers.

I hope to gain a following and put out quality thoughts and opinions.

Thank you for reading. Go Blue!

Updated: 1/20/11

Trade rumors abound

I just don't understand the Dodgers sometimes. I understand the need for a workhorse starting pitcher (Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee), but why in the world are the likes of Clayton Kershaw and Chad Billingsley being mentioned in these rumors?

The Blue Jays and Indians have every right to ask for the players in any deal, but the Dodgers need to do a better job of coming out and saying, "These guys are not available." While Halladay and Lee are great starters, subtracting Billingsley or Kershaw and adding Halladay or Lee would be an upgrade, but not enough of an upgrade to mortgae the future. And I'm not sure where the interest in Victor Martinez came from, but James Loney isn't exactly chopped liver at first. He doesn't hit for a whole lot of power, but his glove is one of the best in the game. The same cannot be said about Martinez, who has spent a great majority of his career behind the plate.

The Dodger farm system isn't what it used to be, but there are some quality prospects with pretty high ceilings:

• Ethan Martin (RHP, Low-A): First-round pick in 2008, he is the Dodgers' best pitching prospect. He has a ton of upside with his low-90s fastball and power curveball. Sounds like another former Dodger draftee (Billingsley). He is still raw and learning to pitch, but Billingsley drew similar reviews on his way up.
  
• Dee Gordon (SS, Low-A): Formerly known as Devaris Strange-Gordon, he is enjoying a breakout campaign in Low-A, hitting .299/.361/.369 with 55 stolen bases. If he reaches his peak, he could be comprable to Jose Reyes.
• Chris Withrow (RHP, High-A): First-round pick in 2007, Withrow got off to an inauspicious start with the Dodgers, suffering a freak injury which helped to cost him most of his debut season. He has 102 strikeouts in 83.1 innings and has only progessed as the season has.
• Andrew Lambo (LF/1B, Double-A): Rated as the Dodgers' best prospect by Baseball America, Lambo got off to a hot start this year before cooling off. However, he has recently picked it up and is playing well in Double-A as a 20-year-old. He is still the best hitting prospect in the system and will likely get better with experience.
• Josh Lindblom (RHP, Triple-A): Lindblom had an impressive showing in Spring Training, almost winning a spot in the Dodger bullpen. He has put up decent numbers this season after being drafted just over a year ago between Double-A and Triple-A. He is a wildcard in the Dodger system, as he could be a sinker-balling innings eater as a starter or a hard-throwing, late-inning reliever.

The media continues to insist that guys like Kersahw, Billingsley and Kemp must/should be included in a deal for a top-flight starter. It also says the Dodger system isn't that strong and that all the top talent is in the lower-levels of the minors. As I recall, they said the same thing when guys like Edwin Jackson, Billingsley, Kemp, Loney, Jonathan Broxton and Russell Martin were making their respective ways up the ladder. Jackson, Billingsley and Broxton were all-stars this year, Martin was an all-star the past two seasons and Kemp was an all-star snub this year.

I'm not saying the prospects profiled above will reach the level of these established Major Leaguers, but I think Logan White, the mastermind behind the Dodgers' current glut of young talent, knows talent when he sees it. If I'm the general manager of a team, I would be extremely interested in any high school pitchers the Dodgers have taken in the past few years (Martin, Withrow, Scott Elbert, etc.).

After Friday, the trading frenzy will have come and gone. Let us, as Dodger fans, just hope they can acquire a front-line starter without giving up some of the core players. It is possible. I think the Dodgers will end up with either Halladay or Lee, with my money on Lee.

I wouldn't be at all surprised if the Dodgers don't grab a starter. I expect them to grab a reliever, regardless of what happens with the starting pitching situation. They have been linked to George Sherrill and he is likely the primary target for help in the pen.

Go Blue!