Wednesday, December 28, 2005
Dodgers - My Wish List for 2006
Ok, time to divorce myself from reality altogether. I fantasize that the Dodgers will complete the turnaround and win the World Series, but will do it in a way that captures the character of the 2004 team where different people stepped up each day, and that it happens realistically, not by scoring 1000 runs or nobody getting injured or Cesar Izturis hitting 50 home runs.
So here's what's on my Dodgers wish list:
1) Maintain essential players. Basically the lineup is good, except that JD Drew doesn't stay healthy, Navarro needs work as a catcher, and LA really needs a starting pitcher. I trust, though, that Colletti won't do something stupid like trade off the guy who's the most productive hitter before the all-star break. Supposedly Boston is interested in dealing David Wells to LA, who was good for 180 innings, and the article seems to indicate that they would take Duaner Sanchez for him. Wells for Milton Bradley would have been a better trade for both teams (especially the Damon-less Bosox), but time will tell depending on what LA's prospect from the trade does. If Wells can keep holding up this would be an excellent move for LA if they can get away with Sanchez, rather than a starting prospect.
2) Hold most of their prospects. Especially pitching and anyone who can hit for power. If Los Angeles can hold their own with a solid lineup and develop their minor leaguers, then they can have half the team injured and still make the playoffs (although maybe, like the Braves, struggling to pass the first round).
3) Re-sign Jeff Weaver. Sure it'll be expensive, but that's what McCourt's been promising anyway. If they pull of getting Wells too, then they can easily dump a weaker starter midseason for whatever else they need in the middle of the season, for that extra added kick.
4) Keep Eric Gagne very happy. His contract expires next year, and if he can stay on for a 3 year contract, that will hold LA until their young guys are ready to move up.
5) Hail Cesar. Izturis won a gold glove at shortstop in the National League. At age 24. He (along with Alex Cora) helped shape the defensive presence of the Dodgers, which plummeted this year thanks to Jose Valentin. Izturis has an arthritic elbow, but isn't about to quit. If anything, his painkillers probably aren't banned by the league yet, and he's more liable than ever to hit 20 home runs. Realistically, though, moving Kent to first and Nomar to left field is a perfect solution, because if nobody's injured, they can rotate Cruz and Choi in enough so everyone can take a break (especially Furcal, since one of the requirements for being a Dodger now is being able to play shortstop). And if someone's injured, it will just balance Izturis' return, and you can pick up power wherever you want it by trading a pitcher.
6) Don't play the Cardinals in the playoffs. This is the key to success. Basically, they have to make sure that they or St. Louis have the best record in the NL. If Atlanta or the Mets have the top seed, then they have to play the Cardinals. The wild card will be in the NL east, unquestionably.
7) Don't let the Diamondbacks make the playoffs. El Duque. Need I say more?
8) David Kingman appearing with the Philly Phanatic.
9) Kirk Gibson coming in for one pinch hit home run. Or Frank Thomas.
10) Mike Piazza anywhere but the Angels. Maybe as Piazza's Godfather, Tommy Lasorda will get him to think twice about being an Angel.
11) The Angels going back to being the California Angels. The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim?That's a five word team name. Well, the Dodgers should just go ahead and call themselves the Boston Red Sox of Los Angeles. That or become an extention of Duke University so they can be the Blue Devils, and adopt the team slogan "You see, evil will always triumph because good is dumb."
12) Nine ladies dancing. Player's wives (or concubines, if Derek Lowe is starting) take the field.
Happy 2006 to me, I hope. Whoever signs Frank Thomas will be the most noble franchise of the 21st century. Are you listening, Mr. Steinbrenner?
So here's what's on my Dodgers wish list:
1) Maintain essential players. Basically the lineup is good, except that JD Drew doesn't stay healthy, Navarro needs work as a catcher, and LA really needs a starting pitcher. I trust, though, that Colletti won't do something stupid like trade off the guy who's the most productive hitter before the all-star break. Supposedly Boston is interested in dealing David Wells to LA, who was good for 180 innings, and the article seems to indicate that they would take Duaner Sanchez for him. Wells for Milton Bradley would have been a better trade for both teams (especially the Damon-less Bosox), but time will tell depending on what LA's prospect from the trade does. If Wells can keep holding up this would be an excellent move for LA if they can get away with Sanchez, rather than a starting prospect.
2) Hold most of their prospects. Especially pitching and anyone who can hit for power. If Los Angeles can hold their own with a solid lineup and develop their minor leaguers, then they can have half the team injured and still make the playoffs (although maybe, like the Braves, struggling to pass the first round).
3) Re-sign Jeff Weaver. Sure it'll be expensive, but that's what McCourt's been promising anyway. If they pull of getting Wells too, then they can easily dump a weaker starter midseason for whatever else they need in the middle of the season, for that extra added kick.
4) Keep Eric Gagne very happy. His contract expires next year, and if he can stay on for a 3 year contract, that will hold LA until their young guys are ready to move up.
5) Hail Cesar. Izturis won a gold glove at shortstop in the National League. At age 24. He (along with Alex Cora) helped shape the defensive presence of the Dodgers, which plummeted this year thanks to Jose Valentin. Izturis has an arthritic elbow, but isn't about to quit. If anything, his painkillers probably aren't banned by the league yet, and he's more liable than ever to hit 20 home runs. Realistically, though, moving Kent to first and Nomar to left field is a perfect solution, because if nobody's injured, they can rotate Cruz and Choi in enough so everyone can take a break (especially Furcal, since one of the requirements for being a Dodger now is being able to play shortstop). And if someone's injured, it will just balance Izturis' return, and you can pick up power wherever you want it by trading a pitcher.
6) Don't play the Cardinals in the playoffs. This is the key to success. Basically, they have to make sure that they or St. Louis have the best record in the NL. If Atlanta or the Mets have the top seed, then they have to play the Cardinals. The wild card will be in the NL east, unquestionably.
7) Don't let the Diamondbacks make the playoffs. El Duque. Need I say more?
8) David Kingman appearing with the Philly Phanatic.
9) Kirk Gibson coming in for one pinch hit home run. Or Frank Thomas.
10) Mike Piazza anywhere but the Angels. Maybe as Piazza's Godfather, Tommy Lasorda will get him to think twice about being an Angel.
11) The Angels going back to being the California Angels. The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim?That's a five word team name. Well, the Dodgers should just go ahead and call themselves the Boston Red Sox of Los Angeles. That or become an extention of Duke University so they can be the Blue Devils, and adopt the team slogan "You see, evil will always triumph because good is dumb."
12) Nine ladies dancing. Player's wives (or concubines, if Derek Lowe is starting) take the field.
Happy 2006 to me, I hope. Whoever signs Frank Thomas will be the most noble franchise of the 21st century. Are you listening, Mr. Steinbrenner?
Labels: Dodgers
# posted by StolenMonkey86 @ 12:15 AM 
