We're scouting the Dodgers.

by Vlad on Jul 26, 2007 9:11 AM EDT Comment 14 comments

"No fewer than a dozen scouts, including Arizona vice president/special assistant to the GM Bob Gebhard and Pittsburgh special assistant to the GM Pete Vuckovich, were on hand for Tuesday night's game started by Dodgers left-hander Mark Hendrickson and Astros right-hander Jason Jennings at Minute Maid Park.</>" - Jim Molony at MLB.com

Here's the box score. Since the Astros are just as far out of it as we are, they're probably sellers at the deadline. Thus, it seems likely that we were scouting the Dodgers.

We were linked with LA, among other teams, in the rumors about Snell. If we really were looking seriously at their guys, perhaps there's some fire behind all the smoke? Loney and Ethier both started in the game in question. Betemit appeared as a pinch hitter, and Kemp did not play.

Food for thought, anyway...

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Dejan mentions...

...they're looking for bullpen help, and are offering a number of younger players, including Andy LaRoche, brother of you-know-who. Pirates 2008: we have A. LaRoche on 1st and 3rd! Who's on 2nd? What?

by SeanCollier on Jul 26, 2007 9:43 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

If we're trading with LA...

...maybe Hu's on second.

Sorry, couldn't resist.

If they're really willing to deal LaRoche for a pen arm, I think we have to take that if it's anyone but Capps.

by Vlad on Jul 26, 2007 10:12 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re

I would be very, very unhappy if the Dodgers traded LaRoche for the entire Pirate bullpen, let alone just Capps.

Players who walk more than they strikeout and hit for power generally end up as very productive major leaguers.

by regfairfield on Jul 26, 2007 10:36 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Capps

I would deal Capps for LaRoche in a heartbeat. He's a very good defender at 3B and should be an OPS machine in the bigs. Precisely the type of player we lack at all levels.

I like Capps a lot, but relievers are always the easiest thing to find.

by OmarMoreno18 on Jul 26, 2007 10:56 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Speaking of Hu...

He is putting up awesome numbers this year and hasn't stopped since getting promoted to AAA:

http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/stats/player.php?id=464341

With Furcal/Abreu he's blocked and is a prime bargaining chip for LA.

Can we all agree we'd rather see someone like Hu at SS than Wilson or Izturis? <g>

by OmarMoreno18 on Jul 26, 2007 10:59 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I will speak for the group

when I say yes, we can agree on that.

by The New Guy on Jul 26, 2007 1:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

DL is still on the job

Aren't the players you guys are mentioning a bit high-ceilinged to interest him? I can't see him shooting higher than Ethier, who I like and suggested several times last offseason that we try to get him. And he's probably aiming for Betemit, who actually wouldn't be a bad addition if the price was right (Chacon or the like).

We have Walker at 3B, and he's a sure thing, right? (I'm thinking like DL here). So why would a passive player like Andy LaRoche interest us? Hu's not ML ready.

by azibuck on Jul 26, 2007 12:17 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I wrote this with Snell in mind.

The Perrotto/Carroll piece about Snell had us asking for Kemp, with the Dodgers countering with Ethier.

by Vlad on Jul 26, 2007 1:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Please stop, I beg you...

Friends don't let friends think like DL...

by OmarMoreno18 on Jul 26, 2007 1:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Eithier

Do you think the Dogers would take Marte/Torres/Chacon/another reliever other than Capps for him?

Do you think he can play CF for a until McCutchen is ready?

by The New Guy on Jul 26, 2007 1:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ethier in CF?

I think he could be a CF in the same sense that Nady is a CF: he's capable of wearing a glove and standing in center field, but he's not really a CF-caliber defender. Kind of like Bill James's line in the NHBA about Bobby Bonilla, how you could call him an astronaut if you shot him into space.

Maybe he'd add enough bat runs to make up for any glove runs? Who knows? I do worry a bit about Ethier's ceiling; I don't know that he's ever going to be too much better than he already is right now.

by Vlad on Jul 26, 2007 1:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Just asking

I haven't watched the Dodgers at all this year. It would be nice if he were acquired and could play a capable CF the rest of the year and part of 08, then move to a corner--but if he can't, he can't

by The New Guy on Jul 26, 2007 1:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Everything I've Read

Seems to feel that Ethier's long term future is in left field. Where he'd be a solid, good defender, but not a great one.

If we acquired Ethier I could see us trying him out in CF, then moving him over to LF to replace Bay (who will probably be gone by the time McCutcheon is ready).

by OmarMoreno18 on Jul 26, 2007 2:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs