Because I Can

http://tinyurl.com/nrk5a

In 2004, Jose Lima was actually good. He pitched effectively for the Dodgers, especially at home. It was all capped by a complete game shutout of the Cardinals in the postseason.

He was also crazy. The above link is just typical of his antics that year.

That's about where' the Dodgers are now.

So what should they do, looking for a power boost?

Do not trade prospects for power. Wait for guys to get back from the DL first. Kent and Repko can belt out a few. With a bit of rest, Drew should be belting them out soon as well. Ethier has the potential, and is also a good player at hitting for average.

Grady Little should never put Lofton and Cruz in the same lineup. Cruz is decent defensively, a gold glover in 2003, but abysmal at the plate. Lofton is a nightmare in centerfield, has no arm, and hits upper .290s. The time has come though. Cruz needs to go, Lofton and Ledee can be lefty ph's, and Etheir,Repko, Drew should be the starting outfield, but Kemp comes up if Drew hits the DL.

For the infield, go with a 5 man rotation when Kent returns. Every 5th day, a player will get a day to rest on the bench. Every one of these players has had injury issues within the last year, except for Aybar. This would present a few lineup options

Kent resting:
Furcal
Izturis
Nomar
Drew
Repko
Aybar -2b
Ethier
Martin

Izturis resting
Furcal
Repko
Nomar
Kent
Drew
Aybar -3b
Ethier
Martin

Nomar resting
Furcal
Izturis
Drew
Kent - 1b
Repko
Aybar -2b
Ethier
Martin

Furcal resting
Repko
Izturis
Nomar
Kent
Drew
Aybar -3b
Ethier
Martin

Aybar resting
Furcal
Izturis
Nomar
Kent
Drew
Repko
Ethier
Martin

Lofton would be the fourth outfielder.

Bench
Lofton
Saenz
Hall
Ledee
5th inf
Martinez

The only issue here is dropping down to an 11 man pitching staff. This means drop someone when Tomko gets back. Or Ramon Martinez could go in a trade to someone who needs a utility INF.

Labels: Dodgers