Kuzul

Unless something dramatic occurs at the McCourt divorce trial, it’s very safe to say that Frank McCourt will maintain control of the Los Angeles Dodgers heading into 2011. Even if Jamie finds herself on the winning end of Judge Scott Gordon’s decision, it’s quite possible that the appeals process could take up to several years, which would leave Frank in control indefinitely.

With Frank as chairman, the budget structure is likely to be similar to what the Dodgers utilized this year. It could be slightly less if Frank intends to make some type of an effort to reverse the overwhelming debt that he and his wife have brought onto the club over the past five years.

In the offseason, General Manager Ned Colletti will be faced with a number of very difficult decisions. Outside of the number of players who are eligible for arbitration, it’s conceivable that Colletti may be willing to deal several players to address numerous needs if the team does indeed have any shot at improving.

The trade market this winter may be difficult for Los Angeles, as a handful of Dodgers players may have seen their trade values drop as a result of poor performances in 2010. Colletti will be the chief orchestrator of putting together the squad for next year, and it will be no easy task considering the free-agent market is about the slimmest it’s been in recent past. If there’s no value in potential trades, the free-agent market could be the best option to improve, but payroll dollars will need to be freed up first to make any big market acquisitions possible.

In order to create the dollars to spend, the Dodgers will need to say farewell to at least a few players, whether it be by non-tendering a player, trading a player, or losing in arbitration.

The following slides show seven players Los Angeles may decide to move before the beginning of next year, and explain why these particular moves would be beneficial for the Dodgers moving forward.  

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Amidst a failing 2010 campaign, a messy divorce between owners, and uncertainty regarding funds for next season, the Los Angeles Dodgers have several key players that will be eligible for free agency next season.

Dodgers General Manager Ned Colletti has said that, given a likely lack of funds stemming from the McCourt divorce, he is uncertain regarding the approaching free agency period.

Given the circumstances, here are possible outcomes for all of the possible 2011 Dodgers free agents.

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Preface: This article is not just the best players at each position, no matter the circumstances (payroll, player preferences, owners, etc). The criteria used for the article includes all of the before mentioned attributes and they are factored in to each position.

The 2010 season is over for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Faithful fans are still watching, but the Boys in Blue are really only mathematically in it, not realistically.

As such, many are already looking forward to next season, and what could be for the Dodgers under certain circumstances.

Here are the optimal choices at each position, given payroll expenses and availability. For the sake of structure, only 2011 free agents are considered, although free agents with potential options in their contract are included.

According to mlbtraderumors.com, the Dodgers will still owe $15 million in deferred payments to former outfielders Juan Pierre and Andruw Jones.

The Dodgers will have $40 million to play with right out of the gate, but they’ll have Hiroki Kuroda and Vicente Padilla to resign, and both are expected to ask for higher salaries.

“Andre Ethier, Rafael Furcal, Jonathan Broxton, and Matt Kemp account for the raises.  More increases will be due to arbitration-eligibles: Chad Billingsley, James Loney, and Hong-Chih Kuoenter their second year, Russell Martin his third, and George Sherrill his fourth.”

Sherill will most likely be non-tendered as well due to his poor performance and high $5 million salary. 

When all is said and done, the Dodgers will have a payroll around $100 million-$120 million, with about a $35 million-$50 million allowance.

Of course, all this depends on the status of the divorce between Frank and Jamie McCourt.

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Logan Morrison has a lot of potential, but how good can he be? 

Let’s look at his underlying statistics compared to the Los Angeles Dodgers’ James Loney to see if there are any conclusions we can draw:

Double-A (Age 21): Statistics

James Loney (2005)—284 (143-of-504), 11 HR, 65 RBI, 74 R, 87 K, 59 BB
Logan Morrison (2009)—.277 (77-of-278), eight HR, 47 RBI, 48 R, 46 K, 63 BB

Metrics

Loney – 40 percent fly ball, 17 percent linedrive, .330 BABIP, .361 OBP, .425 SLG
Morrison – 28.6 percent flyball, 19.8 percent line drive, .305 BABIP, .414 OBP, .436 SLG

Triple-A (Age 22): Statistics

James Loney (2006)—.380 (139-366), eight HR, 67 RBI, 64 R, 34 K, 32 BB
Logan Morrison (2010)—.307 (73-238), six HR, 45 RBI, 36 R, 35 K, 48 BB

Metrics
Loney—35.2 percent flyball, 25.1 percent line drive, .404 BABIP, .426 OBP, .546 SLG
Morrison—35.9 percent fly ball, 13.6 percent line drive, .340 BABIP, .427 OBP, .487 SLG

Other Notes:

• Both hit left-handed
• Morrison is listed at 6′4,″ 245 lbs; Loney is listed at 6′3,″ 200 lbs.
• Loney got a chance to play in the Major Leagues in 2006, but was returned to Triple-A in 2007 (but would return to the Majors for good later in ‘07).

Thoughts:

This is not the most exact comparison for a few reasons:

• Loney actually spent two years at Double-A, the one listed above being the second of them.
• Loney showed more extra base ability in the minor leagues, having 64 doubles over the two seasons listed above. Morrison had just 35.  That can partially be explained in their line drive rates, especially in their Triple-A seasons.
• Morrison appears to have a better eye at the plate, walking more than he struck out at both levels.

I think the doubles discrepancy is the most important one to note. 

With his ability to hit doubles, many people speculated that as he grew older, Loney would gain power and elevation, leading to more home runs. 

He further deceived everyone when he reached the Major Leagues in 2007, hitting 15 home runs in 344 at-bats. 

It was a mirage, however, as the power has never come close to that in the following years.

I fear that Morrison could go down a similar path. 

The problem is that he also hasn’t shown the same type of line drive rate or extra base ability in the upper levels of the minor leagues. 

It’s easy to point to his 24 home runs at Single-A, but he hasn’t come close to that since being promoted.

You love to see his eye, which could make him the perfect No. 2 hitter in the Marlins order (which is where he currently is hitting). It should allow him to hit for a good average and, if he remains towards the top of the order, score some runs.

However, from a first baseman, fantasy owners want to see home runs. His power metrics show less hope than Loney’s at the same point in his career. 

Hopefully Morrison is able to develop a little more power, but at this point you can’t like what we’ve seen. I could argue that Loney’s metrics appeared more likely for power, and we’ve seen where that has led him (13 HR apiece in 2008 & 2009 and eight HR thus far in 2010).

What are your thoughts on Morrison? Is the comparison to Loney a good one? Who do you think will be the better player long-term?

Make sure to check out our recent Scouting Reports:

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This article is also featured on WWW.ROTOPROFESSOR.COM.

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The Los Angeles Dodgers are fading fast, and are already eying the San Francisco Giants with a fleeting hope of making a remarkable comeback and a wild-card berth.

Realistically, the Dodgers are most likely turning their focus to 2011, and the uncertainty that lies on the horizon.

It is becoming more possible that the McCourts, Frank and Jamie, will be ordered to sell the team while they can’t settle marital differences. A new owner would likely provide some financial stability.

Several Dodgers will be free agents at the end of the 2010 season, including James Loney, Hiroki Kuroda, Manny Ramirez, and Vicente Padilla.

In addition to the potential loss of key players, the Dodgers will still be paying estranged outfielders Juan Pierre and Andruw Jones.

With all the turmoil of under-performing players along with injuries and soap-opera drama in the front office, there is a brighter outlook for devoted fans…

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The MLB trade deadline is just two weeks away and talks are beginning to heat up around the league.

This year’s deadline is sure to be filled with sellers as a lot of teams are looking to free up cap room in an ever-struggling economy. Despite a meager bank account and not many prospects for improvement, the Dodgers view themselves as buyers.

The lack of a solid starting rotation has prompted the Dodgers to reach out to several teams regarding pitching, but the Dodgers seem unwilling to part with core talent. However, with pressure mounting and GM Ned Colletti sweating, those “No’s” might just be “Not yet’s.”

Here are a few possibilities for Dodger trades, although any talks of the Dodgers making moves may be like panning for gold in a tar pit.

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With Andre Ethier and Jonathan Broxton already named to the 2010 All-Star game, and Rafael Furcal recently added to replace Jose Reyes, there is one Dodger who would fit the role just as well, if not better.

Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman James Loney is having an above-average season while quietly floating under the All-Star radar.

Loney is certainly one of the premier fielders in the National League, with only two errors and a .997 fielding percentage. His fielding abilities have saved several runs from being scored already this season, but his hitting has been equally impressive.

The first baseman is hitting holds a .305 batting average with 59 RBIs and 102 hits in 334 at-bats.

It is widely believed that the All-Star Game has turned in to a popularity contest, with most season achievements being recognized by coaches adding players to the roster.

However, two of the three Dodgers that have punched tickets to Anaheim have spent significant time on the disabled list.

Ethier spent over two and a half weeks on the DL after a freak accident in pre-game batting practice resulted in a broken pinky. His numbers steadily declined following his return, yet he will be starting for the National League on Tuesday.

Rafael Furcal has been one of the hottest hitters in baseball since his return from the bereavement list. However, he has missed 31 games, which significantly limits production. Who knows what could have happened in those games? Had he stayed healthy, he could be leading the league in batting average, or finding himself struggling to stay above water.

Loney has been a workhorse all season, playing in all but one of the Dodgers’ games. His main problem? He plays in a league that features popular first basemen and perennial All-Stars Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder.

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The Dodgers have begun to shop options for pitching help.

Earlier this month it was reported the Dodgers had inquired about veteran aces Roy Oswalt and Cliff Lee. Reports said both teams answered “not right now” but the underlying theme was a denial back from the Dodgers to include first baseman James Loney.

Loney is currently hitting just under .300 for the Boys in Blue. He is a solid fielder with Gold Glove potential, but the Dodgers are looking for him to power-up, providing a more potent bat in the middle of the line-up.

The left-handed first baseman has a career .285 batting average but has just 50 home runs in 535 games.

His performance at the plate is the main focus for improvement in the Dodgers’ eyes. However, for that same reason, he is attractive to other teams for his run production while providing sharp fielding abilities.

Loney will be a free agent at the end of 2010, and his contract will likely require a higher salary if he continues to perform at a higher level. 

Teams looking to re-tool their offense will soon be enquiring further about Loney, but what will it cost L.A. to move him? 

The Dodgers don’t have another option at first base. In Spring Training, the team attempted to groom Ronnie Belliard for the position, but it has been clear ever since that he is much more comfortable at second or third. 

Is it worth it for a solid ace to anchor a weakened starting rotation? Ned Colletti is known for pulling the strings just before the deadline, and July is sure to be an exciting month in Tinsel Town.

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Usually, when people hear about a walk-off in Dodger Stadium, it involves an Andre Ethier walk-off home run. Although he was a part of a turning point in this game, and although he was back in the lineup for the first time in 15 games after suffering a broken pinkie finger, he wasn’t the reason why they won last night: Casey Blake was.

The latest walk-off victory for the Dodgers happened against the Diamondbacks on Monday, when the jesting third baseman played possum with relief pitcher Esmerling Vasquez.

The sneaky veteran took a few steps away from third base for his normal baserunner lead, faked making a run for home, and moved back to his regular lead. As Vasquez came to a set position, he reacted by taking the baseball out of his glove and then stepping off the rubber. As first-base umpire Tim Timmons saw this, he called the balk, giving Blake the extra base from third and the 5-4 win.

“Most of the time it doesn’t work,” Blake explained. “But sometimes it does.”

The victory finished the Dodgers’ May with a 20-8 record—their best May since they went 21-7 in 1962.

Joe Torre had no reason behind how the Dodgers won the game except for the simple fact that “[they] lucked out.”

Not only did they win the game in a bizarre way, but they also tied the game with a little help from the Diamondbacks’ defense. Down by two runs with two outs in the bottom of the eighth inning, Andre Ethier (baseball’s top clutch performer who just got re-activated into the lineup) came up in the clutch again by hitting a routine ground ball to Kelly Johnson with runners on second and third.

Johnson bobbled the ball, giving a chance for Ethier to make it to first. The second baseman then threw the ball away, allowing both Rafael Furcal and Matt Kemp to score and tie the game. Johnson was charged with two errors on that play.

“He made an error at a really bad time,” manager A.J. Hinch said. “He’s been very sure-handed; he’s played every day and done a nice job for us. It’s unfortunate that it came at that time. It’s a killer. The ball was hit pretty hard and things like that happen, but it’s a play he normally makes.”

There was one more piece to this crazy puzzle. Before Blake’s little stunt, James Loney was on base. After drawing a walk, Blake singled to center field, putting runners on first and second. With nobody out, Russell Martin comes up to the plate.

The ball squirted away from catcher Chris Snyder, and third baseman Augie Ojeda had run toward the infield; it’s funny because the ball was about to be thrown to the pitcher by the time Ojeda moved inward. Loney attempted to steal third, but was too wary about being caught in a pickle and tried running back to second base.

In that situation, it was too late to think, as he was caught in a rundown anyway and was tagged out a few steps away from third; luckily, Casey Blake was smart enough to move to second during the rundown.

“I just saw him real close to the mound and I just reacted to him being so close to the mound,” Loney said. “If I kept going, I probably would’ve got there. But even in that situation, still, I mean why risk it? I just reacted in a bad way.”

All of that happened in one game. If that’s not a crazy game, then I don’t know what is.

On a few more notes:

This marks the first balk-off win for the Dodgers since Roger McDowell of the New York Mets balked in a run on May 28, 1989.

It is the first time a Major League game has ended on a balk since September 8, 2008.

The Diamondbacks hit three home runs in the first two innings of the ballgame. Justin Upton hit a two-run shot to the opposite field in the first inning, Chris Young led off the second inning with his eighth homer, and Chris Snyder hit his eighth of the season, as well. That’s right: all the Diamondbacks runs came off of home runs.

Manny Ramirez went deep in the second inning, hitting his 550th career home run. The solo shot put the Dodgers on the board, but still trailing, 4-1.

Chad Billingsley settled down after giving up those three home runs in the first two innings. He struck out 11 batters, which is a season high for him. The last time he struck out that many batters was on June 30, when he struck out 11 against the Rockies.

Diamondbacks third baseman Mark Reynolds was pulled out of the game in the ninth inning due to the recurrence of a right quad injury. He is currently listed as day-to-day.

This marks the Diamondbacks’ eighth straight loss. After winning four in a row, they’re back in the saddle.

After a month of battling out of last place, the Dodgers finally look like they have things back on track. They’re currently in second place (two games out of first), battling with the Padres, who look like they’re coming down to earth. The Dodgers’ pitching is only getting better, and Andre Ethier is back. Plus, they’re coming off a very good month, winning 20 games. What more could a Dodgers’ fan ask for?

Extras:

Blake’s balk-off.

Kelly Johnson’s mishap.

Recap of the game , courtesy of MLB.com.

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Interleague baseball has been the source of many good and bad feelings within the baseball community. Fans love it, fans hate it.

What interleague brings to a stadium near you is the ability to see teams you normally would not get to see (unless your team sees them in the World Series, or you travel to other ballparks a lot).

There is also the inter-city rivalries, (New York, Chicago, L.A.), and inter-state rivalries (California, Missouri, Florida) that fans will pay to see.

I, personally, do not pay much attention to interleague play because to me it is just another day and another game. Despite that, there are always some added bonuses, like good pitching match-ups and hot teams looking to stay on fire against another team in the same situation.

This weekend poses of few of the aforementioned.

(All stats courtesy of Yahoo! Sports)

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