The Los Angeles Dodgers announced Friday Don Mattingly will in fact succeed Joe Torre as the Dodgers' manager, starting in 2011.
I'm suspect of this move for one main reason -- Mattingly has been an assistant under Joe Torre for quite some time. My fear is Mattingly picked up some of Torre's terrible habits, namely the mismanagement of the bullpen and pitching staff overall. That is Torre's biggest flaw as a manager and it'd be easy for Mattingly to follow suit.
I'm willing to give him a chance as Dodger manager, but Tim Wallach, the Dodgers' Triple-A affiliate manager, would have been my No. 1 choice.
It seems the Dodgers are lacking fire from the top. I mean, the last "fiery" manager the Dodgers had was Tommy LaSorda. Glen Hoffman? No. Bill Russell? No. Davey Johnson? No. Jim Tracy? No. Grady Little? Certainly not.
I'm not saying Wallach would be an Ozzie Guillen-like manager (in terms of fire), but at least it would show the Dodgers not being afraid to try something new. However, they are, in a way, trying something new, as Mattingly has no managerial experience at any level. He is going to manage in the Arizona Fall League, so that's a start.
The plan was for Mattingly to succeed Torre as manager when the two came to L.A. three years ago, but my enthusiasm for the move dwindled in that time.
We'll see what happens. The Dodgers have yet to recover from not hiring Mike Scocia when they had the chance.
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Dodgers ship Dotel to Rockies
Octavio Dotel was traded to the Colorado Rockies on Friday for a player to be named later.
What can be said about this? This is flat-out a moronic move. Ned Colletti has made some bad moves in his time, but this one could eventually take the cake.
So the Dodgers traded James McDonald -- a guy who could have done the same, if not better than Dotel in the 18 2/3 innings he pitched for L.A. -- and their 2009 No. 1 prospect in Andrew Lambo for a player to be named later? That's absolutely brilliant. No wonder the Dodger minor league system is so incredibly thin.
Dotel is ineligible for the postseason roster, so the return is going to be quite minimal.
To think, the Dodger roster decisions are going to be made by a guy who made this trade for the foreseeable future. That saddens and infuriates me as a Dodger fan.
The initial trade was baffling, so what does that make this? It's called incompetence.
The Dodgers' ownership issues are a big problem, but the biggest problem may lie right under that Ned Flanders-esque mustache in the Dodger front office.
Forgive me for this rant, but there's really no eloquent way for me to sum up this move.
It's a frustrating time to be a Dodger fan and there appears to be no bright spots in sight.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Friday, September 10, 2010
2010 Los Angeles Dodgers All-Prospect Team
Since just thinking about the major league club makes me sick to my stomach, I figured it's probably more worth my time to write about prospects -- at least for the rest of the season.
The Dodgers had some surprising performances from their minor leaguers this season, as well as some disappointment. Each position will be represented.
Here is my 2010 Dodger All-Prospect team.
Catcher: Jeremy (J.T.) Wise, 24, Low-A
.309/.363/.505, 12 HR, 62 RBI
- With the trade of Lucas May in July, Wise became the Dodgers' best catching prospect. The former Big 12 Player of the Year has put up some solid numbers in his career, but there is reason to be skeptical. He turned 24 in June and has yet to be tested at the upper levels of the minor leagues. However, he produced in college and could be a late bloomer. The 2011 season will determine whether or not Wise is a legitimate prospect.
Second team: Tony Delmonico (23, Rookie-Arizona/High-A)
First Base: Jerry Sands, 22, Low-A/Double-A
.301/.395/.586, 35 HR, 93 RBI
- Sands is the best Dodger power prospect since Paul Konerko. Sands played mostly at first base this season, while also seeing significant time in left and right field. His production fell off a bit with the promotion to Chattanooga, but he still hit 17 home runs and put up an .889 OPS, which is something to be encouraged about. With James Loney not progressing as many want or expected, there's a real chance he could reach the majors as Loney's replacement.
Second team: Austin Gallagher (21, High-A)
Second Base: Ivan DeJesus, Jr., 23, Triple-A
.296/.335/.405, 7 HR, 70 RBI
- I've always thought DeJesus was ticketed for second base and this year proved to be the year he made the move, playing 114 games at the position this season. He missed all but four games in 2009 after breaking his leg in Spring Training. It was nice to see him on the field for an entire season. If the Dodgers don't bring back Ryan Theriot, DeJesus could get a look for the 2011 second base job.
Second team: Jaime Pedroza (23, Double-A)
Third Base: Russell Mitchell, 25, Triple-A/Majors
.315/.363/.535, 23 HR, 87 RBI
- Mitchell had a breakout season in 2010, even earning a trip to the big leagues. Mitchell could also be a late bloomer, or his numbers could be a product of the thin air of the Pacific Coast League. Casey Blake is in the twilight of his career and Mitchell could be a stopgap until the Dodgers find a long-term replacement. Of course, they've been looking for that replacement since Ron Cey.
Second team: Pedro Baez (22, Rookie-Arizona/High-A/Double-A)
Shortstop: Dee Gordon, 22, Double-A
.277/.332/.355, 10 3B, 53 SB
- Gordon is still the Dodgers' best prospect, but his production dipped a bit in 2010. The most alarming stat is his on-base percentage, which dropped 30 points from his 2009 campaign. Some think he'll be ticketed for Triple-A, but I wouldn't be surprised to see him start next season in Double-A before earning a promotion.
Second team: Justin Sellers (24, High-A/Triple-A)
Left Field: Mario (Angelo) Songco, 21, Low-A
.274/.344/.446, 15 HR, 71 RBI
- Songco is one of my favorite prospects and he was producing quite well until he hit a late-season skid. A fourth-round pick last season, Songco didn't have the best debut, but he had a solid sophomore season. There's reason to be excited about him, as he'll have a chance to vault into prospect stardom next season.
Second team: Alfredo Silverio (23, High-A/Double-A)
Center Field: Trayvon Robinson, 22, Double-A
.300/.404/.438, 9 HR, 57 RBI
- Robinson has established him as the Dodgers' best outfield prospect (if you count Sands as a 1B prospect). After a breakout 2009 season, Robinson needed to prove it wasn't a fluke. Facing higher competition, he definitely proved he's legitimate. He doesn't have the strongest arm, but he could stick in center field. The most impressive stat: He raised his on-base percentage 31 points from his 2009 mark. The kid is for real.
Second team: Brian Cavazos-Galvez (23, Low-A)
Right Field: Jonathan Garcia, 18, Rookie-Ogden
.305/.365/.527, 10 HR, 40 RBI
- Garcia could be the Dodgers' best position prospect under 20 years old. His debut last year was impressive and similar to this season's numbers (.304/.362/.500), and he repeated it against slightly more advanced competition. Garcia has the ability to play center field but he might be best suited to play right field. I'm really excited for this kid.
Second team: Blake Smith (22, Low-A)
Right-Handed SP: (Carl) Allen Webster, 20, Low-A
12-9 W-L, 2.88 ERA, 1.31 WHIP
- This was the toughest decision of all. A lot of people would put Rubby de la Rosa here, and while I really like him as a prospect, I think Webster might be the better prospect in the long run. Webster put up some impressive numbers in Low-A as a 20-year-old. The 2008 18th-round pick is quickly establishing himself as one of the Dodgers' best prospects. One thing to watch is the number of ground outs he induces, as the number dropped from 1.66 GB/FB last year to 1.18 this year. Still solid, but it could be a result of advancing through the minors.
Second team: Rubby de la Rosa (21, Low-A/Double-A)
Left-Handed SP: Aaron Miller, 22, High-A/Double-A
7-8 W-L, 3.68 ERA, 1.36 WHIP
- Miller was dominating at High-A before getting promoted to Double-A around midseason. However, his time in Double-A was short and forgettable. He had a couple of bad starts which led to an ugly 7.04 ERA, 2.00 WHIP and 7.0 BB/9 line. However, he just finished his second season and is not only the Dodgers' best left-handed prospect, but he's their best pitching prospect overall. He will need to bounce back at Double-A in 2011.
Second team: Greg Wilborn (23, Rookie-Pioneer/Low-A)
Right-Handed RP: Kenley Jansen, 22, High-A/Double-A/Majors
Majors: 1.02 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, 14.8 K/9
Minors: 1.60 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, 15.6 K/9
- Jansen was the talk of the 2009 Arizona Fall League and was absolutely dominant in the minors before earning a trip to the big leagues in July. He had an unbelievable 15.6 K/9 ratio in the minors and is nearly matching that in 17 2/3 Major League innings. He is the Dodgers' future closer without a doubt.
Second team: Justin Miller (22, Low-A/Double-A)
Left-Handed RP: Cole St. Clair, 23, High-A/Double-A
4.21 ERA, 1.43 WHIP, 9.2 K/9
- This was slim pickins, as it came down to St. Clair and Andrew Suiter. St. Clair gets the nod for being in Double-A. Drafted in the seventh round of the 2008 draft, St. Clair had his roughest season in 2010, but still posted a good K/9 ratio and a solid 8.7 H/9 mark.
Second team: Andrew Suiter (23, Low-A)
There you have it. Chime in with your thoughts here or on Twitter.
The Dodgers had some surprising performances from their minor leaguers this season, as well as some disappointment. Each position will be represented.
Here is my 2010 Dodger All-Prospect team.
Catcher: Jeremy (J.T.) Wise, 24, Low-A
.309/.363/.505, 12 HR, 62 RBI
- With the trade of Lucas May in July, Wise became the Dodgers' best catching prospect. The former Big 12 Player of the Year has put up some solid numbers in his career, but there is reason to be skeptical. He turned 24 in June and has yet to be tested at the upper levels of the minor leagues. However, he produced in college and could be a late bloomer. The 2011 season will determine whether or not Wise is a legitimate prospect.
Second team: Tony Delmonico (23, Rookie-Arizona/High-A)
First Base: Jerry Sands, 22, Low-A/Double-A
.301/.395/.586, 35 HR, 93 RBI
- Sands is the best Dodger power prospect since Paul Konerko. Sands played mostly at first base this season, while also seeing significant time in left and right field. His production fell off a bit with the promotion to Chattanooga, but he still hit 17 home runs and put up an .889 OPS, which is something to be encouraged about. With James Loney not progressing as many want or expected, there's a real chance he could reach the majors as Loney's replacement.
Second team: Austin Gallagher (21, High-A)
Second Base: Ivan DeJesus, Jr., 23, Triple-A
.296/.335/.405, 7 HR, 70 RBI
- I've always thought DeJesus was ticketed for second base and this year proved to be the year he made the move, playing 114 games at the position this season. He missed all but four games in 2009 after breaking his leg in Spring Training. It was nice to see him on the field for an entire season. If the Dodgers don't bring back Ryan Theriot, DeJesus could get a look for the 2011 second base job.
Second team: Jaime Pedroza (23, Double-A)
Third Base: Russell Mitchell, 25, Triple-A/Majors
.315/.363/.535, 23 HR, 87 RBI
- Mitchell had a breakout season in 2010, even earning a trip to the big leagues. Mitchell could also be a late bloomer, or his numbers could be a product of the thin air of the Pacific Coast League. Casey Blake is in the twilight of his career and Mitchell could be a stopgap until the Dodgers find a long-term replacement. Of course, they've been looking for that replacement since Ron Cey.
Second team: Pedro Baez (22, Rookie-Arizona/High-A/Double-A)
Shortstop: Dee Gordon, 22, Double-A
.277/.332/.355, 10 3B, 53 SB
- Gordon is still the Dodgers' best prospect, but his production dipped a bit in 2010. The most alarming stat is his on-base percentage, which dropped 30 points from his 2009 campaign. Some think he'll be ticketed for Triple-A, but I wouldn't be surprised to see him start next season in Double-A before earning a promotion.
Second team: Justin Sellers (24, High-A/Triple-A)
Left Field: Mario (Angelo) Songco, 21, Low-A
.274/.344/.446, 15 HR, 71 RBI
- Songco is one of my favorite prospects and he was producing quite well until he hit a late-season skid. A fourth-round pick last season, Songco didn't have the best debut, but he had a solid sophomore season. There's reason to be excited about him, as he'll have a chance to vault into prospect stardom next season.
Second team: Alfredo Silverio (23, High-A/Double-A)
Center Field: Trayvon Robinson, 22, Double-A
.300/.404/.438, 9 HR, 57 RBI
- Robinson has established him as the Dodgers' best outfield prospect (if you count Sands as a 1B prospect). After a breakout 2009 season, Robinson needed to prove it wasn't a fluke. Facing higher competition, he definitely proved he's legitimate. He doesn't have the strongest arm, but he could stick in center field. The most impressive stat: He raised his on-base percentage 31 points from his 2009 mark. The kid is for real.
Second team: Brian Cavazos-Galvez (23, Low-A)
Right Field: Jonathan Garcia, 18, Rookie-Ogden
.305/.365/.527, 10 HR, 40 RBI
- Garcia could be the Dodgers' best position prospect under 20 years old. His debut last year was impressive and similar to this season's numbers (.304/.362/.500), and he repeated it against slightly more advanced competition. Garcia has the ability to play center field but he might be best suited to play right field. I'm really excited for this kid.
Second team: Blake Smith (22, Low-A)
Right-Handed SP: (Carl) Allen Webster, 20, Low-A
12-9 W-L, 2.88 ERA, 1.31 WHIP
- This was the toughest decision of all. A lot of people would put Rubby de la Rosa here, and while I really like him as a prospect, I think Webster might be the better prospect in the long run. Webster put up some impressive numbers in Low-A as a 20-year-old. The 2008 18th-round pick is quickly establishing himself as one of the Dodgers' best prospects. One thing to watch is the number of ground outs he induces, as the number dropped from 1.66 GB/FB last year to 1.18 this year. Still solid, but it could be a result of advancing through the minors.
Second team: Rubby de la Rosa (21, Low-A/Double-A)
Left-Handed SP: Aaron Miller, 22, High-A/Double-A
7-8 W-L, 3.68 ERA, 1.36 WHIP
- Miller was dominating at High-A before getting promoted to Double-A around midseason. However, his time in Double-A was short and forgettable. He had a couple of bad starts which led to an ugly 7.04 ERA, 2.00 WHIP and 7.0 BB/9 line. However, he just finished his second season and is not only the Dodgers' best left-handed prospect, but he's their best pitching prospect overall. He will need to bounce back at Double-A in 2011.
Second team: Greg Wilborn (23, Rookie-Pioneer/Low-A)
Right-Handed RP: Kenley Jansen, 22, High-A/Double-A/Majors
Majors: 1.02 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, 14.8 K/9
Minors: 1.60 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, 15.6 K/9
- Jansen was the talk of the 2009 Arizona Fall League and was absolutely dominant in the minors before earning a trip to the big leagues in July. He had an unbelievable 15.6 K/9 ratio in the minors and is nearly matching that in 17 2/3 Major League innings. He is the Dodgers' future closer without a doubt.
Second team: Justin Miller (22, Low-A/Double-A)
Left-Handed RP: Cole St. Clair, 23, High-A/Double-A
4.21 ERA, 1.43 WHIP, 9.2 K/9
- This was slim pickins, as it came down to St. Clair and Andrew Suiter. St. Clair gets the nod for being in Double-A. Drafted in the seventh round of the 2008 draft, St. Clair had his roughest season in 2010, but still posted a good K/9 ratio and a solid 8.7 H/9 mark.
Second team: Andrew Suiter (23, Low-A)
There you have it. Chime in with your thoughts here or on Twitter.
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