2014 MLB Season Thread

[Mexi]

Who has insider?
https://twitter.com/jimbowdenespnxm/status/461210696525418496

 

[Elite]

The time has come for the Dodgers to trade one of their outfielders.

Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti had hoped to have his big four outfielders -- Yasiel Puig, Matt Kemp, Carl Crawford and Andre Ethier -- all healthy at the same time, and that day finally arrived when Kemp came off the DL in early April.

The problem, however, is figuring out playing time for the group. The current rotation/platoon is not working, as none of them are producing anywhere close to their expected offensive production. Everyday players need to play every day to establish a rhythm. Sitting once, twice or three times a week certainly disrupts that rhythm and will affect each player’s production.

If the foursome can remain healthy, though, there is no doubt that one will be dealt between now and the July 31 trade deadline. The reason it hasn’t already been done is that considering how injury-prone his outfielders have been, Colletti knows it’s quite likely one of them would go down with an injury once he makes a trade, and he’d end up regretting the move.

Nevertheless, Colletti should trade one of them now because top prospect Joc Pederson -- who is hitting .389/.495/.644 (AVG/OBP/SLG) for Triple-A Albuquerque -- is ready for an everyday job in his own right.

Whom to trade?

The Dodgers’ long-term blueprint for their outfield should be Puig in right field, Pederson in center field and Kemp in left field. All three are All-Star-caliber and complete players in their 20s. Crawford and Ethier, meanwhile, are both 32.

If it were me, I’d deal either Crawford or Ethier now and the other in the offseason because Pederson will be ready to start in 2015, if not before.

Ethier is valuable because he can play all three outfield positions, while Crawford is limited to left field. Crawford is valuable, though, because he’s an important table-setter at the top of the lineup and the team’s second-best stolen base threat, while Ethier is better suited for the sixth or seventh spot in the lineup. Both have great makeup and love L.A.; neither wants to be traded.

The problem is that both of their contracts are so exorbitant that it will be difficult for the Dodgers to trade them unless they get a bad contract in return or are willing to eat a significant amount. Ethier is due $15.5 million this year, $18 million in both 2015 and 2016 and $17.5 million in 2017, and he has a vesting option for the same amount in 2018 with a $2.5 million buyout. Crawford is due $20.5 million in 2015, $20.75 million in 2016 and $21 million in 2017.
 
The most difficult part for Colletti and the Dodgers will be to find a trade partner who has interest in Ethier or Crawford, two over-30 players who are off to slow starts and have enormous contracts.

What should the Dodgers expect back? They would prefer a package of prospects with a possible long-term answer for third base or catcher, or perhaps a position player or pitcher who is not coming through in their minor league pipeline. But to get elite talent they'd have to eat a lot of salary, and it's likely they'd have to take on another big contract in any Crawford or Ethier deal.

Potential trade partners

Obvious teams that might be in line for Crawford or Ethier would be the Detroit Tigers, Seattle Mariners, Chicago Cubs or Minnesota Twins. All have a need for outfielders and should have the resources if they can negotiate down the contracts. Ethier or Crawford would be an upgrade over Rajai Davis in Detroit; the Mariners could use another bat to support Robinson Cano; the Cubs need to put a more respectable major league outfield together as they wait for their future to arrive; and the Twins need more help for Joe Mauer and Chris Colabello in the middle of their lineup as they try to contend for the first time in a few years.

The Dodgers need to commit to their best three outfielders and play them every day while trading the other, and they should do it in confidence knowing that Pederson will be as good as advertised.

It’s not an easy decision, but if I had to trade one, I’d look to move Ethier because I think the lineup is more lethal with the speed of Dee Gordon and Crawford at the top followed by Hanley Ramirez, Adrian Gonzalez, Kemp and Puig.

 
There ya go, not sure why you wanna read anything by Bowden, his articles are always really dumb

 

[Mexi]

Only because hes been pretty spot on with his ideas and contracts
And im dying for ethier or Carl to be traded. Both actually

Thank you BC

 

[Thomas-Panda-Saxby]

Look who's back. Manny Machado

 

[CameronCrazy06]

Well the game is rained out so not tonight ahah

 

[CameronCrazy06]

William Hamilton

But Dee Gordon Mexi

 

[elcheato]

William Hamilton. Sounds like a president

 

[CameronCrazy06]

He'd have my vote

 

[Mexi]

1. His name is Billy, not William

2.
https://twitter.com/procrastistats/status/461146906568445952

 

[CameronCrazy06]

Who is Dave Robert

 

[Mexi]

Dave roberts, former dodger
Current pads 1b coach

 

[CameronCrazy06]

Yeah I was just trolling

 

[Mexi]

I know
Best way to kill trolls and sarcasm is to be serious

Pro tip

 

[elcheato]

The best player on that list is the last one

 

[CameronCrazy06]

Eh I'm still just as likely to troll your Dee Gordon homer-isms as I was ten minutes ago

 

[snipezo]

Blow Jaysssss

 

[Mexi]

The best player on that list is the last one

look at the clipper game

Black and proud shirt courtside is him

 

[snipezo]

Give this man the cy young

 

[Elite]

Second best pitcher in baseball after Clayton Kershaw.

 

[Mexi]

Give this man the gold glove

Btw kershaw is back next week. Finally