Talkin’ Trade Deadline Dodger Blues
In this, the first edition of Kasey and Stephanie Talk Baseball, Kasey and Stephanie talk baseball, specifically the trade deadline, but also firetrucks, and the apparent imminent doom of their respective favorite teams.
Kasey: This trade deadline was bogus. I guess most of them are, right? When was the last time the Dodges had a decent deadline deal? Manny? I absolutely refused to believe that deal had happened because every year at the trade deadline, Gammons and Olney and the rest of the BBTN crew had Manny going everywhere and, up until that point, nothing ever materialized. What do you think of Kuroda refusing to waive his no-trade? Noble or detrimental to the organization?
Stephanie: We can call it noble, and I very much appreciate it since I have always been a fan of Kuroda’s, but I think it’s mostly about laziness and lovely weather. It is really likely that Kuroda will end his baseball career in Japan, since he is a super rockstar there. He’s 36 years old, so there’s a good chance this will be his last year playing in the US, and if you were about to move back to Japan forever would you want to spend your last few months living in Boston or Texas (I left out NY because I didn’t want to hurt your feelings)? I think I’d stick to the beautiful sandy beaches of Los Angeles, even if that means giving up any and all chance of a playoff bid. Plus how annoying would it be to move twice in one year!
I still cannot believe we lost Furcal. The thing is, I totally get it. If I were him, I would totally want to escape from the Dodgers in their current state. I am so sad about it, but I don’t blame him. I hope the St. Louis fans appreciate him. He is a tiny Dominican wonder! Also it was a terrible deal. There is a silver lining, however: the return of Dee Gordon and his flat top!
Trade rumors are always way more exciting than trade actuality. The Yankees didn’t get a pitcher! Think Phil Hughes can come back from his crap year? He was fantasy gold last year!
How do you feel about the Colby Rasmus situation? I hate players who get a baditude and act dumb because they want to get traded, instead of being an actual person and play your best for your team. Except for Vicente Padilla, I LOVE Padilla.
Kasey: Yeah, I think it’s a really great cop-out for Kuroda to say, “It would be nice to win, but I want to finish the year with my teammates,” but it rings hollow for me. I bet he at least tests the market this winter.
I don’t understand your attachment to Furcal. He has underperformed as a Dodger, right? At least in contrast to his years with the Braves. On top of that, my understanding is that he’s not a big clubhouse guy. Am I way off base (pun, kind of!)?
I have never been high on Hughes, or Joba for that matter, though his disappointingness is neither here nor there at the moment. The Yankees have become famous for overvaluing their prospects and, while I’m glad they didn’t deal Hughes for Santana back when they had the chance, I don’t think he’ll ever live up to his billing. His fantasy numbers were good last year (I’m taking your word on that as I have absolutely no idea whether or not it’s true), but that’s largely due to a strong first half; he fizzled out big time after the All-Star Break. I’ll be (pleasantly) shocked if he bounces back this year, or next, for that matter.
I’m with you on Rasmus. I’m so tired of players manufacturing reasons to be traded. Do they really think their new team won’t take that act into consideration should things start to go sour? Then again, plenty of players have milked that and milked it successfully so I guess it’s a non-issue. Padilla looks like a fat, sweaty lizard to me. I don’t care for him.
Then again, I’d take Padilla a thousand times over Eric Bedard. What do you make of that move? I watched Bedard “pitch” in Seattle and it was infuriating. He’ll give you five innings and 110 pitches of four-run ball most every time, though, if you’re into that.
Stephanie: Have you ever seen Padilla throw his 50mph curve ball?!? Sometimes it is even slower than that! So slow, in fact that it doesn’t even register on the radar gun! It humiliates batters in the best way. And his excessive sweat is due to a glandular problem, it’s kind of rude of you to bring that up.
It’s true that Furcal has certainly slowed down since becoming a Dodger, as he has a hard time staying healthy. But when he is healthy he is a FANTASTIC defensive short stop and has a dreamy lead-off drag bunt. Everything I’ve heard about him personally points to him being a stand up citizen. He was the first ever winner of the Roy Campanella nice guy award! He bought his home town in the Dominican Republic their FIRST FIRE TRUCK EVER! I know he has had a rough season so far, but he will be sorely missed by me, and I think most other Dodger fans. I’m sure we’ll be holding this grudge against Colletti longer than even Mannywood.
Phil Hughes had 18 wins last year, you spoiled Yankees fan. If the Dodgers win 18 more games this season I will be thrilled. I have always been incredibly anti Joba, though I’m pretty sure it’s for mostly shallow reasons.
Oh and how have we not discussed the Indians’ great fortune with acquiring Ubaldo? I know he’s having a crap season, but a change of scenery could be just what he needs to turn it all around. Especially since he has a better chance reaching the playoffs with the Indians than he did with the Rockies. I never thought I would ever type that sentence.
It might be similar with Bedard in just needing to start anew, especially since it’s unlikely that the Red Sox will expect him to jump in and be their ace. They needed a solid lefty to fill a slot in their rotation. Plus he’ll have run support in Boston that would never exist in Seattle. I think it might work out for them. So 5 innings, 110 pitches and 4 runs every time? Hey, at least he’s consistent!
Who’s your pick for the winner of this trade deadline? For me, I’d say it’s a toss up between the Rangers and their newly spruced up bullpen and the butt head Phillies with Pence as protection for Ryan Howard.
Kasey: I’ve seen Padilla’s curves - of all speeds - and I’m not impressed. Glandular problem or not, I don’t like the cut of his jib. On top of that, he’s not really a pitcher you want out there every fifth day, is he? He’s good for one of those confounding gems every once in a while but, even as a fourth or fifth starter, he’s hardly dependable.
I had no idea Furcal is such a hero! He is indeed a great defensive shortstop and that drag bunt is fantastic but he’s never been a favorite of mine. His numbers this year are dreadful. Dreadful, Stephanie! Has he ever hit lower in the order? He seems like a guy who could eke out a career for the next four or five years as a 7 or 8 hitter in an NL lineup.
Hughes got 12 or 13 of those wins before the All-Star Break, then came apart. He’s a fine pitcher, but the Yankees have always touted him as the Second Coming of Catfish Hunter, and he’s not. I would be willing to bet that 18 wins will be the most he ever collects in a single season, and he won’t repeat it.
Joba is insufferable in every way. There is absolutely nothing enjoyable about watching him pitch. Unless you’re a fan of sliders missing their location by eight inches and wild gesticulating. Then he’s a true delight.
I don’t buy into the “change of scenery” stuff too often, and especially not in the case of Bedard. He’s notoriously prickly and selfish (no fire trucks purchased for anyone, ever), and he doesn’t stay healthy, largely because he doesn’t put in the conditioning and mechanical work it takes to stay healthy. There are baseball players I like, I swear! Bedard is not one.
I have a hard time believing Jimenez will pitch with much success in the AL but, then again, Colorado is a hitter’s park and he had great success there, at times. That may actually be a case of a player just needing a change of scenery and, even if he’s not lights out, he’ll be an upgrade for the Indians, who will likely win that division now, don’t you think?
The Trade Deadline Winner, in my opinion, is the Rangers. A strong bullpen is so crucial in October, and theirs is now much stronger than it was just a week ago. I’m not sure how much that will matter, though, as Boston appears to be unbeatable.
A Red Sox/Phillies World Series?
Stephanie: It sounds like you are way more intimately acquainted with Padilla and his curves than I am, so I’ll let you have that one.
I know Furcal is way below the Mendoza line this season, so you’re probably right that he could benefit from being moved down in the order. As far as I can remember, he always hit lead off or 2nd for the Dodgers. And it’s usually worked out pretty well, until this season. But Tony LaRussa is way more inventive than Torre/Donnie Baseball (same person), so we’ll see what happens in St Louis.
Phil Hughes is still a baby. Give him a chance! I think he’ll surprise you.
I don’t think the Sox are as infallible as you’re suggesting. I would not be surprised to see the Rangers take the AL pennant again this year. Or the Indians! That would be epic! Also, the Giants could very well take it again this year, as much as that pains me. I think it’s all pretty up for grabs at this point, which rules. Maybe this is just wishful thinking. I would be seriously bored by a Phillies/Red Sox series.
Kasey: Which team is your dark horse playoff pick? Who’s going to emerge from the Wild Card pack, go on a late run, and take the LDS by storm?
Stephanie: Whichever team doesn’t win the AL east between the Yankees and Red Sox is a shoo in for the wild card spot. The NL seems less clear, but it will probably come down to the Cardinals or the Braves. Hopefully the Cardinals. That’s a team I could root for.
Not quite a dark horse, but I decided a few minutes ago that I would be SHOCKED if theRangers don’t make it to the World Series. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it!
Same questions to you!
Kasey: What do you have against the Bravos?!
I say it’s Boston and the Phillies in the series, my dark horses being the Angels and the Diamondbacks, respectively. Although, I would not watch an Angels/Diamondbacks World Series. I doubt anyone would.
Stephanie: I don’t really have anything against the Braves. It’s just that I’m mad at Jason Heyward because I drafted him pretty high and he’s been underperforming AND he’s never answered any of my fan mail.
I’d watch an Angels/Dbacks series but only from the pool in the outfield at Chase Field!
Kasey: Well, maybe you and Heyward can watch together from the pool because there’s no chance his team will still be playing. Take that, Heyward!
