Kuzul

Leadership is a very difficult thing to write about because it cannot be measured or quantified.That doesn't mean that it isn't significant, or that it doesn't exist.According to Alex Pavlovic of the San Jose Mercury News, Giants manager Bruce Bochy met with the team before the game on Friday to demand more toughness and competitiveness of his troops, particularly from his slumping offense. The Giants went out and responded with a season-high 16 runs.Perhaps the Giants busted out because of Bochy's leadership skills, or, perhaps it had more to do with playing at hitter-friendly Coors Field against one of the worst pitching staffs in the league. It's impossible to say what caused the outburst, but we shouldn't sell Bochy's qualities as a leader of men short.Bochy does several things very well as a manager. His biggest strength is without question his handling of the pitching staff, particularly the bullpen. Since ...

The St. Louis Cardinals made their first move toward upgrading their offense on Tuesday, trading right-hander Blake Hawksworth to the Los Angeles Dodgers for shortstop Ryan Theriot. Theriot became expendable earlier this week when Los Angeles signed Juan Uribe, who can play multiple infield positions like Theriot, but has a little more pop. Theriot, who holds a career batting average of .284, represents a significant offensive upgrade for a team that got a combined .244 out of their middle infielders in 2010, and a .221 mark out of their shortstops. Theriot also has 165 of his 589 starts at second base, where he could spell Skip Schumaker against lefties. Schu holds a .220 career average against left-handers, and a .303 average against righties. Conversely, Theriot holds a .302 average against lefties, and a .277 average against righties. A former Cub, Ryan also has experience in the National League Central. He holds a .303 average against ...

One of the main concerns for GM Ned Colletti and the Los Angeles Dodgers this offseason is finding a permanent solution for second base. For Dodgers fans, the last few seasons have been confusing in the middle infield, as several journeyman veterans and utility players have stepped in, taking turns manning the right side of the infield.The upcoming season appears to be heading in the same direction. However, it is also possible with major names on the free agent market, the Dodgers will be able to sign a solid fielder with a productive bat to a multi-year deal.With the future beyond the 2011 season in mind, let's examine the possibilities of a second baseman with stability-type qualities for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Also check out: One Spot Left: Should the LA Dodgers Sign Vicente Padilla or Brandon Webb?Begin Slideshow

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.Begin Slideshow

Well the clock has ticked past the magic witching hour when teams have a last chance to cure what ails 'em via non-waiver trade. The Los Angeles Dodgers were very active at the deadline just as GM Ned Coletti promised. Boy oh boy, is the NL West ever in for it now! If you detect a hint of sarcasm, then you're far more astute than Ned. Then again, I have old socks that are more astute than Ned. With the team floundering offensively and their playoff chances dwindling with each passing inning, the Dodgers go forth into the marketplace and snag... hold your breath... Ted Lilly, Ryan Theriot, and Octavio Dotel. Let me run that by you again as I doubt the significance of these acquisitions could be fully appreciated in just one passing. Here we go: Ted Lilly, Ryan Theriot, and Octavio Dotel. Now that your pulse has slowed down and your ...

The Chicago Cubs made an unsurprising move at today's trade deadline shipping starting pitcher Ted Lilly and infielder Ryan Theriot to the Los Angeles Dodgers for infielder Blake DeWitt and minor league pitchers Brett Wallach and Kyle Smit. In Lilly, the Dodgers add a veteran arm that will fit nicely into the middle of their rotation behind Clayton Kershaw and Chad Billingsley. This has been Lilly's worst year record-wise in his four seasons with the Cubs, posting a 3-8 record but boasts an ERA of 3.69 and 1.14 WHIP. Lilly's numbers have not been as great as they have been in previous years, but his 3-8 record is quite misleading as he has gotten little run support from the terrible Cubs offense. The Dodgers also receive Theriot in the deal with the Cubs who has had a solid season at the dish with a .284 batting average, but has been below average fielder ...

Former New York Yankees manager, Joe Torre, will be reuniting with one of his former pitchers. Ted Lilly is reportedly on his way to the Los Angeles Dodgers from the Chicago Cubs. The Los Angeles Dodgers are buyers at the trade deadline as they have just completed a deal with the Chicago Cubs to try for a playoff push. Here is the outline of the deal.  The Los Angeles Dodgers Get:   Pitcher Ted Lilly - 18 Games Started 3W-8L Infielder Ryan Theriot - 96 Games 1HR 21RBI The Chicago Cubs Acquire:   Blake DeWitt - 82 Games 1 HR 30 RBI Pitcher Brett Wallach - (In The Minors) 6W-0L Pitcher Kyle Smit - (In The Minors) 5W-3L -- 6 Sv Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

According to MLB Network, the Dodgers have acquired Ted Lilly & Ryan Theriot from the Cubs for Blake DeWitt and minor league pitchers Brett Wallach & Kyle Smit. The Dodgers Get They needed depth in the rotation, behind Clayton Kershaw, Chad Billingsley & Hiroki Kuroda (and Vicenta Padilla).  Lilly has always been a solid pitcher and 2010 is no different, with a 3.69 ERA and 1.14 WHIP.  He has benefited from some luck with a .261 BABIP, but that mark isn’t far off from his past couple of seasons: 2007 - .272 2008 - .283 2009 - .270 His fantasy vale remains relatively flat due to the move. Theriot should step into the starting spot at 2B.  His hit near the top of the order for the Cubs, but with Rafael Furcal and the newly acquired Scott Podsednik, he is going to be hitting near the bottom of the order.  That will hurt his ability ...

Friday is Aramis Ramirez's 32nd birthday. It's also the day that he will be activated off of the disabled list. In order to make room for the embattled third baseman, somebody needs to move off the 25-man roster. Since the team has only just started a stretch of 20 days without an off day, they can't afford to go with fewer than 12 pitchers. That means, while Ramirez might have a very happy birthday tomorrow, one of the club's position players will be less than thrilled. I think it's safe to say that Colvin has earned himself some job security in the outfield. No need to worry about him catching a plane to Iowa. Catchers Geovany Soto and Koyie Hill are obviously safe, too. There's no way this club is going to carry fewer than two catchers at any point in time. If for no other reason, Alfonso Soriano, Derrek Lee, ...

I recently wrote an article comparing the Cubs' two leadoff hitters, Ryan Theriot and Kosuke Fukudome, in which I ultimately came to the conclusion that Theriot was the better option to hit atop the batting order in large part because Fukudome might find himself on the bench before too long. Shortly thereafter, Lou Piniella decided to replace Theriot at second base with Mike Fontenot and said the move might "be more than a one day thing." Suffice it to say that I wasn't feeling too smart when that news came across the wires. I'm not against the move. Fontenot is a good ballplayer and has played well enough to deserve a starting spot that isn't dependent on Aramis Ramirez's injury status. And since Fukudome hasn't found himself mired in a complete slump yet, he should be able to hold down the leadoff spot. I just think that Theriot is a much better ballplayer than ...