Dodgers Dynasty: Going for the Three-Peat in 2012

[dodgers_kids_rock]

Dodgers Dynasty: Three-Peat in 2012

Now headed into their third World Series in a row, attempting to win for the third season in a row as well, GM Christopher Huerta felt that it was a great time to review the past few years.

2008: A season that began with a whirlwind of transactions, including over 20 moves by the Dodgers GM within his first week on the job. The entire coaching staff for the entire organization was changed as “only the best” would have a job with the Dodgers. Out were names like Kent, Lowe and Ethier and in were names like “King” Felix, Carlos Zambrano, Jay Bruce, Nick Markakis and Alex Gordon. “I want a roster full of young ballplayers that can grow with this organization. No longer will be sign older, expensive free agents, rather we will look to build our team through the draft, scouting and trading for top prospects”.

The lineup and rotation turned out to be: C Russell Martin, 1B James Loney, 2B Kelly Johnson, SS Yunel Escobar, 3B Alex Gordon, LF Matt Kemp/ Nate Schierholtz, CF Jay Bruce, RF Nick Markakis. SP Brad Penny, SP Felix Hernandez, SP Micah Owings, SP Carlos Zambrano, SP Ubaldo Jimenez. MR Patrick Misch, MR Trevor Hoffman and CL Jonathon Broxton rounded out the top players.

As the season progressed, injuries and ineffectiveness killed the Dodgers, especially in the rotation, causing prospects Homer Bailey, Zach Phillips and Clayton Kershaw to each start 14 games on the season. After a tough August, any thoughts of the playoffs faded away. The team MVP was James Loney, 24(.352, 26, 103) while the Team Cy Young was Brad Penny, 30(14-5, 2.91, 182.2). With a record of 79-83, the Dodgers finished tied for 2nd in the NL West, 11 games behind the D-Backs for 1st. Brad Penny also won a Gold Glove Award and was named an All-Star along with teammate Jonathon Broxton, Nick Markakis and Yunel Escobar. The season-highlight had to be the 36-game hitting streak by Yunel Escobar that spanned the entire month of June.

World Series Champion: Cleveland Indians 4-2 over Philadelphia Philles
Best Record: New York Mets amd Texas Rangers 96-66
NL MVP: Chase Utley, 29(.367, 47, 140)
AL MVP: David Ortiz, 32(.303, 45, 110)
NL Cy Young: Tim Lincecum, 23(18-12, 2.79, 235.1, 227)
AL Cy Young: JJ Putz, 31(4-2, 45, 1.59, 68.0, 93)
NL Rookie of the Year: Geovany Soto, 25(.283, 19, 76)
AL Rookie of the Year: Evan Longoria, 22(.330, 28, 111)

(Writer Note: I will be posting updates from the 2008 to 2012 season when I began this thread. They will be in this same format just so that everyone can catch up. However, once the 2012 season update goes up then I will follow the lead of CRTSports and the Royals and be giving more in-depth reviews for every two months of action including the 2012-2013 offseason. I hope that you will enjoy this thread and following my Dodgers. Thank you.)

[dodgers_kids_rock]

2009
After a season of disappointments, the Dodgers GM began looking for answer to solve the problem of his team not making the playoffs. Payroll was getting a little tight with the signing of an extension for star 1B James Loney(3yrs, 24 mil total). So after aggressively trading away Brad Penny to the World Champion Indians for star-in-the-making Carlton Smith, Felix Hernandez for James Shields of Tampa and Carlos Zambrano for prospects, Chris Huerta was looking for one big splash. After looking at his rotation and finding an abundance of ready-starters, he began shopping newly-acquired James Shield. To his surprise the Florida Marlins were interested and he immediately began to target their star SS Hanley Ramirez. After offering 5 mil, James Shields and top 3B prospect Rhyne Hughes[/font] the deal was done and Dodger fans celebrated

The lineup and rotation turned out to be: C Russell Martin, 1B James Loney, 2B , 2B Yunel Escobar, SS Hanley Ramirez, 3B Alex Gordon, LF Matt Kemp/ Nate Schierholtz, CF Jay Bruce, RF Nick Markakis. A 6-man rotation of SP Micah Owings, SP Homer Bailey, SP Ben Snyder, SP Clayton Kershaw, SP Carlton Smith and SP Zach Phillips. MR Jensen Lewis from the Indians in the Brad Penny deal, MR Patrick Misch, MR Carlos Amaro and CL Jonathon Broxton rounded out the top players.

High expectations and optimisum were the key words going into the season as the team was solid top to bottom, especially in the rotation. But in week 3, Hanley Ramirez was knocked out for a month and a week after returning, was gone for the season with a fractured knee. “Though we have key injuries, our pitching staff as well as our other players will step-up and get us to the promise land” stated the GM during the announcement of the Ramirez injury. And the rotation did carry the team with all 6 posting over 10 wins, 160 IP, 100 Ks and only one having an ERA over 3.50. After finishing the season a staggering 23 games ahead of Colorado in the division and having a record of 11 games better than anyone else in baseball(109-53), the Dodgers looked to end a 21 year drought from the World Series.

The playoffs began against the Wildcard winning Reds but they were out 3-1. In the NLCS against the Chicago Cubs, the Dodgers lead in every game except Game 6. After going up 3-2 in extra innings in Chicago the players relaxed for a trip home. After a waxing of 10-5 in Game 6, it came down to Cubs ace Johan Santana against Dodgers ace Carlton Smith. The game was a no-hitter for both until the 7th inning and scoreless through 12. Finally, in the 12th, Cubs 3B Aramis Ramirez hit a 3-run HR off Carlos Amaro to take the lead. The Dodgers scored 2 runs in the 12th but Yunel Escobar stranded the tying run on third. The Cubs would go on to win the World Series 4-2 against the Seattle Mariners.

For the season, the team MVP was James Loney, 25(.315, 27,131) for the second year in a row while the Cy Young went to NL Rookie of the Year Ben Snyder(17-2, 3.00, 26 GS, 171.0, 163). The team All-Stars were: Russell Martin, Nick Markakis, Jensen Lewis, Jonathon Broxton, Alex Gordon, James Loney and Yunel Escobar.

World Series Champion: Chicago Cubs 4-2 over Seattle Mariners
Best Record: Los Angeles Dodgers 109-53
NL MVP: Chase Utley-PHI, 30(.352, 28, 110) 2nd yr in a row
AL MVP: Josh Hamilton-TEX, 28(.342, 36, 116)
NL Cy Young: Hong-Chih Kuo-ATL, 27(20-9, 2.83, 222.2, 195)
AL Cy Young: Erik Bedard-SEA, 30(19-4, 3.36, 214.1, 207)
NL Rookie of the Year: Ben Synder-LAD, 23(17-2, 3.00, 26 GS, 171.0, 163)
AL Rookie of the Year: Reid Brignac-TBA, 23(.276, 18,96) 2nd yr in a row for TBA[/font]

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2010
“Last year was both a huge success and a major disappointment. Everyone, from the front office to the fans in the upper deck expected us to get back to the World Series and we fell just a run short. This year, I promised my wife and especially my kids that we’d be going to World Series games here at Dodger Stadium in 2010 and beyond. I am going to be making some moves that man may not like, but please stand-by me and trust me.” That was the press release sent out to all the shareholders and newspapers the days following the end of the World Series. Dodgers GM Chris Huerta sure did keep his word. Following a playoff series against the Cubs in which the only hit 5 HRs, the Dodgers made a huge offer to FA 1B Fernando De La Garza from Puerto Rico of 2 years, 11 mil. After signing the 1B, many fans wondered what was to become of team MVP and fellow 1B James Loney.

The decision was made to place Loney in LF and to shop their corner OFs looking to improve in RF. However, the next move was unexpected. With Nick Markakis being traded for prospects to make room for Loney in left, everyone believed the off-season was over. After seeing a new superstar develop in Evan Longoria after years of chasing him, he finally became a reality once the Rays realized they could not afford him much longer. Longoria did not come cheap, costing the Dodgers new RF Schierholtz, top prospect James Hill and Beau Mills as well as SP Micah Owings and SP Zach Phillips. Fans were both amazed and shocked by the transaction. Now, they said, we have 2 3Bs and no RF. “I’m not done with my dream team” stated GM Huerta. He next traded away 3B Alex Gordon for more prospects and used some of those players to get stud RF Justin Upton from Arizona. With the promotion of top prospect Wade Davis to the natural 5-man rotation, the offseason was done.

The lineup and rotation turned out to be: C Russell Martin, 1B Fernando De La Graza, 2B Yunel Escobar, SS Hanley Ramirez, 3B Evan Longoria, LF James Loney, CF Jay Bruce, RF Justin Upton. A rotation of SP Wade Davis, SP Homer Bailey, SP Ben Snyder, SP Clayton Kershaw and SP Carlton Smith. MR Jensen Lewis, MR James Adkins and CL Jonathon Broxton rounded out the top players.

“This team is just awesome”. Those were the words of almost every fan and beat writer through out the season. Everyone on the team meshed well together and the team was key injury free until with 2 months left 2B Yunel Escobar was lost for the season. This gave top SS prospect Mike Moustakas a chance to show if he had it. 4 players finished with over 100 RBIs with a fifth having 96. 4 players had over 30 HRs with a fifth having 29. 6 batters batted over .299 for the season including NL batting champ Evan Longoria. But after achieving the same 109-53 record, some wondered if the playoffs would pose a problem.

The playoffs began against the Central Campion St. Louis Cardinals and after taking game 1 and 3, the Dodgers had to go to a game 5 in Dodger Stadium in which the won 6-2 against a very scrappy team. Next was the NLCS against the Division rival Colorado Rockies. Everyone wondered if this was too tough of a matchup for the Dodgers. After dropping game 1 and 2, the team was written off until sweeping the next 3 games in Colorado. But after another Game 6 lose, the Dodgers buckled down for a 2-1 win in 10 innings on a game-winning walk to Evan Longoria. “This feels great!” shouted Longoria during the celebration. “But I didn’t come here for League titles, we still have a lot of work to do”. That they did, but now they had to face the AL Champion Cleveland Indians and former ace Brad Penny.

In what began as a series of blowouts in the first 6 games, with each team trading wins starting with the Indians, everyone was ready for Game 7 at Dodger Stadium. “This is what I asked for when I sent that letter out last year” stated the Dodgers GM, “I never knew I’d need so many Tums” he said with a laugh. Game 7 pitted rookie Wade Davis of the Dodgers against Indians ace CC Sabathia. The game was scoreless into the 4th until a two-run shot by Victor Martinez gave the Indians the lead. It remained 2-0 until the bottom of the 7th when Justin Upton’s 2-run double off Sabathia tied the game and booted the starter. With one out and a man on second and third, rookie replacement Mike Moustakas smashed a two-run double to take the lead 4-2. After James Adkins got the Dodgers out of a one out, bases-loaded jam in the top of the 8th, Evan Longoria crushed a 2-run HR to put the game out of reach and handed the Dodgers their first World Series title in 22 years.

For the season, the team MVP was NL MVP Evan Longoria, 24(.349, 39, 130) was also the NL batting champ and RBI leader while the team Cy Young went to NL Cy Young Carlton Smith, 24(16-6, 2.83, 194.1, 269). Russell Martin won a Gold Glove Award. The team All-Stars were: Russell Martin, Hanley Ramirez, Jay Bruce, Evan Longoria, James Loney, Justin Upton, Homer Bailey and Carlton Smith.

World Series Champion: Los Angeles Dodger 4-3 over the Cleveland Indians
Best Record: Los Angeles Dodgers 109-53 2nd year in a row
NL MVP: Evan Longoria-LAD, 24(.349, 39, 130)
AL MVP: David Ortiz-BOS, 34(.323, 51, 152)
NL Cy Young: Carlton Smith-LAD, 24(16-6, 2.83, 194.1, 269)
AL Cy Young: Dallas Braden-OAK, 26(20-6, 2.00, 234.1, 242) lead in every AL pitching category
NL Rookie of the Year: Fernando De La Garza-LAD, 23(.299, 29, 111) 2nd yr in a row for LAD
AL Rookie of the Year: Rene Tosoni-MIN, 24(.335, 23, 92)

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2011
And beyond.
That’s all anyone would say when u asked about 2011 for the Dodgers. GM Chris Huerta immediately went to work signing several players to extension trying to lock up his dream team for many years. This winters major changes in the off-season was an influx of young talent with longtime catcher Russell Martin and 2B Yunel Escobar shipped away to make room for C Carlos Santana and 2B Mike Moustakas. The rotation also saw some pieces move around with #1 MLB pitching prospect Armando Gomez and fellow star Trevor Reckling joining the rotation and SP Wade Davis and former Rookie of the Year Ben Synder going toward prospects and bullpen help.

The lineup and rotation turned out to be: C Carlos Santana, 1B Fernando De La Graza, 2B Mike Moustakas, SS Hanley Ramirez, 3B Evan Longoria, LF James Loney, CF Jay Bruce, RF Justin Upton. A rotation of SP Armando Gomez, SP Homer Bailey, SP Trevor Reckling, SP Clayton Kershaw and SP Carlton Smith. MR Jensen Lewis, MR Alain Dessureault, MR James Adkins and CL Jonathon Broxton rounded out the top players.

We’re better for now and beyond. That’s strikes fear into the entire MLB but it has become true once again. Almost every player got better with 3 batters driving in over 130 runs during the season. Every pitcher won at least 17 games, and threw over 183 innings. The only significant problem was a decrease in production from LF James Loney and a late injury to SP Trevor Reckling. The team finished a whooping 123-39 scoring 1032 runs and only allowing 591 which comes out to almost a run less per game than anyone else. The playoffs seemed a forgone conclusion but in baseball, nothing is.

The Dodgers had to start the postseason against the Wildcard champion Cincinnati Reds. After losing Game 1 4-3, how could this team lose Game 2? Easy, don’t score. Against Reds starter Aaron Harang, the Dodgers got 8 hits, 10 total in the game but scored 0 runs, leaving the bases loaded 3 times during the game. In what had to be the most quiet locker room ever, manager Jorge Marino stood up and pointed to the sign over the entrance door, “And beyond”. The Dodgers went on to win the next 3 games to escape the NLDS, the swept the Mets and then the Oakland A’s with not a single games final score being within 2 runs. The Dodgers used a ton of HRs to win games, especially from Evan Longoria(11), Fernando De La Garza(8), Justin Upton(7) and Hanley Ramirez(7). For the second year in a row, the Dodgers had won the World Series

For the season, the team MVP was NL MVP Evan Longoria, 25(.378, 46, 145), who was one HR away from winning the NL Triple Crown, while the team Cy Young was Homer Bailey, 25(20-2, 2.45, 198.0, 195). The team All-Stars were: Jonathon Broxton, Hanley Ramirez, Evan Longoria, James Adkins, Trevor Reckling, Homer Bailey, Fernando De La Garza, Mike Moustakas and Armando Gomez.

World Series Champion: Los Angeles Dodger 4-0 over the Oakland A’s
Best Record: Los Angeles Dodgers 123-39 3rd year in a row
NL MVP: Evan Longoria-LAD, 25(.378, 46, 145)
AL MVP: Hiroyuki Aoki-BAL, 21(.323, 39, 123)
NL Cy Young: Carlos Sencion-ATL, 25(21-3, 2.66, 219.2, 222)
AL Cy Young: Dallas Braden-OAK, 27(20-4, 2.13, 241.0, 282) lead in every AL pitching category, 2nd yr in a row
NL Rookie of the Year: Armando Gomez-LAD, 22(19-6, 3.69, 217.1, 170) 3rd yr in a row for LAD
AL Rookie of the Year: Matt Wieters-BAL, 25(.300, 24, 76)

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2012
With two straight World Series titles down, the Dodgers now looked to do something only two teams had ever done: win 3 titles in a row (the Yankees have done it 3 times, Oakland A’s once). Dodgers GM Chris Huerta looked to keep the team together for the most part, however after a few months he decided to make a few big moves. Former team MVP James Loney was shipped out to make former No. 1 overall pick Jason Atkinson in left field. The bigger and more shocking move was shipping out star and former NL Rookie of the Year Fernando De La Garza to the Yankees for several top prospects. “I love Fernando but I felt that we could get the same production elsewhere. The prospects we got in the deal are going to make an big impact in the future of this team.” My experts blasted Huerta for trading away a .315, 31, 130 guy who was only 24 years old at the time of the trade. But his confidence in both replacements paid off.

The lineup and rotation turned out to be: C Carlos Santana, 1B Freddie Freeman, 2B Mike Moustakas, SS Hanley Ramirez, 3B Evan Longoria, LF Jason Atkinson, CF Jay Bruce, RF Justin Upton. A rotation of SP Armando Gomez, SP Homer Bailey, SP Trevor Reckling, SP Clayton Kershaw and SP Carlton Smith. MR Jensen Lewis, MR Alain Dessureault, MR James Adkins and CL Jonathon Broxton rounded out the top players.

The first question everyone in baseball wanted to know was how the new replacements would do. In left field Jason Atkinson lived up to the hype and ever outplayed his fellow star outfielders at times. But the bigger surprise was Freddie Freeman, the key in the Alex Gordon deal in 2010, stepped right into the shoes left by De La Garza and even out did him in a few categories. The Dodgers kicked the season into high, high gear and crushed every opponent during the season, finishing with and amazing 133-29 record!

After beating the Wildcard Champ Atlanta Braves and sweeping the New York Mets for a second straight season, a third title in a row seemed done. However, the Dodgers were in for a huge fight against the Oakland A’s. After fighting through 6 games, all which were decided by two runs or less, Game 7 seemed like another classic. With the A’ throwing their fourth starter and the Dodgers pitching ace Armando Gomez, the game hoped to be close. After keeping it close through four innings, Dodgers 2B Mike Moustakas hammered a 2-run HR to begin to break open the game. With Jonathon Broxton closing the game with a 5 run lead, the Dodgers secured a three-peat and a place in history.

For the season, the team MVP was Evan Longoria, 26(.366, 44, 128), while the team Cy Young was NL Cy Young winner Carlton Smith, 26(21-5, 2.14, 214.0, 260). Left fielder Jason Atkinson won a Gold Glove Award. The team All-Stars were: Jonathon Broxton, Hanley Ramirez, Evan Longoria, Trevor Reckling, Carlos Santana, Carlton Smith, Clayton Kershaw, Freddie Freeman, Homer Bailey, Jason Atkinson and Armando Gomez.

World Series Champion: Los Angeles Dodger 4-3 over the Oakland A’s
Best Record: Los Angeles Dodgers 133-29 4th year in a row
NL MVP: Gregg Martin-PIT, 26(.348, 56, 156)
AL MVP: Jesus Barajas-LAA, 25(.346, 33,120)
NL Cy Young: Carlton Smith-LAD, 26(21-5, 2.14, 214.0, 260)
AL Cy Young: Dallas Braden-OAK, 29(22-6, 1.98, 250.0, 261) 3rd yr in a row
NL Rookie of the Year: Joe Baxter-PIT, 26(.322, 32, 115)
AL Rookie of the Year: Alexander Trerise-CHW, 27(.303, 19, 94)

[dodgers_kids_rock]

GM Comments on the 2012 Season and Plans for the Offseason

2012 Dodgers: This team has really done everything I can ask of it and more. I went into the season hoping to see improvements by Carlos Santana, Jason Atkinson and Freddie Freeman. Each of them well exceeded what I had hoped for with Santana batting over .300 and driving in over 120 and Freeman bashing 40 HRs and getting 140 RBIs! Here are the season stats:



2012 AAA Las Vegas 51s: The best record in the PCL did not turn into a Champion, leaving me a bit perplexed. Several of the Dodgers top prospects are playing in LV, including SP Donald Smith, Norihide Sasaki, Ricardo Gonzalez, LF Troy Keller, SS Kevin Ahrens and RF Jason Heyward. The league MVP was 1B Brandon Allen who actually fractured his skull during the playoffs and is out 10 months.

2012 Jacksonville Suns: Another team with the best league record, the Suns won their Championship behind some strong pitching and patient offense. The league MVP 2B Tony Thomas and league best pitcher Tim Alderson lead a team that included top Dodgers prospect CF Matt Borden, RF Jorge Rivera, SP Gordon Frederick and SP Ryuichi Kimura.

2012 Inland Empire 66ers: The top A ball team for the Dodgers, this was another minor league with the best record. However, the 66ers followed the way of the 51s and failed to capture the league title. League MVP 1B Luke McVey and top pitcher Carlos Chapa teamed up with SS Glen Peterson, C Christophe Duval and SP Emilio Gonzales to create some potential major league star power.

2012 Great Lakes Loons: A fourth Dodgers minor league team with the best record but the second to capture the league title. The League MVP was 3B Domingos Marzo but many can argue that fellow teammates C David Munoz and/or1B Bill Smith could have just as easily won the award. Several top Dodger pitching prospects like Chris Lewis, Roberto Hernandez and Jong-kook Park look to move up the ladder and make their way to the majors.

2012 Ogden Raptors: The Dodgers top rookie ball team finished the season with a winning record but lost in the playoffs 3-2. The Loons were lead by the master crusher and league MVP 1B Mark Thompson and top prospect CF Miguel Torres while on the mound several recent picks made the team ERA stay near 3.15 all season.

2012 GCL Dodgers: For a team littered with top teen talent, finishing the season within reach of .500 can always be considered a success. LF Mathieu Dery and CF Ricardo Carrillo helped keep the team afloat at the plate while SP George Ross and CL Michael Featherston held down the pitching side.

[dodgers_kids_rock]

2012 Offseason Outlook:
With the projected player’s payroll jumping up nearly 30 million dollars, it may finally be time to start crunching dollars. I am only looking at 2 players being eligible for salary arbitration, MR James Adkins and SS Adrien Cardenas. Adkins deserves an extension and I will work to get that done while also looking to sign several other top players like Carlton Smith, Justin Upton, Homer Bailey and Clayton Kershaw to new deals since their extensions expire after this year. The problem is that my budget may just be too much to get that all done so some players may need to be moved.

Salary Arbitration Results:
I could not reach a deal on an extension with James Adkins because he was asking for almost double what I’d pay him through arbitration. However I was able to get a deal on an extension deal with 1B Freddie Freeman for 3 years, 29.31 million total. Even though it seems like a lot, I think that it will save me in the long run.

MR James Adkins: Awarded 3,072,000
SS Adrien Cardenas: Awarded 1,041,900


With the Rule 5 Draft coming up, I am going to deal away players that I feel I may lose in that Draft in the week before because I don’t want to lose them for nothing.

[dodgers_kids_rock]

Analysis of the Deals:
Trading away Harvey Garcia was simple because he had never had success at the major league level and what I got was well worth it. GM Huerta also gave up soild prospect Christopher Archer because he felt what he could get would outweighed what he gave up by far. The Dodgers gained James Macdonald who will immediately step into the major league bullpen along with a 5-star prospect in Valles, 4-star in Morrison and top draft picks.

As a result of gaining middle reliever James MacDonald, GM Huerta had to make a move for him in the bullpen. “The decision came down to who we felt would leave us the soonest. After 4 great years of success and 3 World Championships, we have traded Jensen Lewis to the Phillies for 3 prospects and 5 high draft picks.” Those 3 prospects, to go along with the Phillies first 5 draft picks, were the top 3 Phillies prospects. 1B Kevin Abernathy will be the starter in LV and is great insurance in case anything happens to Freddie Freeman, LF Wilson Kane has been a target of the Dodgers for many years and is a 5-star prospect, plus SP Pablo Aguirre who had a great year in A ball last year and is 4-stars.

Next to be traded was solid prospect James Tomlin who could never break into through the depth chart with the Dodgers. He was so well recognized that the Indians were willing to trade the former No. 11 overall pick CF Johnny Moore and a third round pick. Moore will immediately add some depth to the bench with the Dodgers.

With the addition of Moore to the bench, the Dodgers didn’t need a slow-footed Bryan Tanton so I dealt him to the Red Soxs for their top prospect and another solid prospect. 3B Michael Almanzar was the reason the deal got done because he has the potential to help the Dodgers very soon while getting Ken Zimmerman is a player who can move up the minor league ladder quickly.

[dodgers_kids_rock]

Rule 5 Draft:
This has become a normal occurance for the Dodgers, losing many players to other teams in the Rule 5 draft. This draft the Dodgers lost 10 players, with all of them playing huge roles on their minor league teams.


3B Josh Horton, 26: AA(.289, 14, 65) Solid AA player, no better
1B Bill Smith, 25: Low A(.325, 7, 64, only 94 games) Had potential but I have lots of 1B
LF Miguel Hernandez, 26: AAA(.314, 9, 67) Will miss but couldn't break OF depth chart
RF Eugene Harris, 26: AA(.311, 6, 50, only 95 games) Couldn't break depth chart
LF Matt Berezay, 29: AA/AAA(.295, 13, 63) Solid minor league filler only for me
MR Brian Akin, 30: AAA(1-0, 1.62, 16.2, 15) Had chance to make team last year, failed
SP Michael Tarsi, 26: AAA(6-5, 3.08, 61.1, 47) History of arm injuries worries me
RF Trayvon Robinson, 25: Low A/High A(.327, 5, 46) Not enough talent to make the top
SP Jarrod Parker, 24: High A(11-3, 3.65, 128.1, 90) His peaked already, no spot for him
SP Andrew Miller, 27: AA(12-3, 3.47, 114.0, 116) May be the best of the bunch that left

But with the Dodgers they “will have to move forward with our plans” just like the GM stated. One thing to watch out for is another few big moves including trading Justin Upton or several starting pitchers because they are only under the Dodgers control for 3 or less years. “We may wait until the next season begins to make a move, if any” preached Huerta. Stay tuned.

[dodgers_kids_rock]

Atlanta and San Francisco Big Trade:
It isn’t very often you get a trade two All-Star players but it was announced today that 2011 NL Cy Young Winner Carlos Sencion was traded to the Giants for star Chris Davis. When asked for a comment by the press on the matter, Dodgers GM Christopher Huerta said ” As much as Sencion will help the Giants, we are very happy to see Chris Davis out of our division.” On his career, Davis was batting .333 w 4 HR, 8 RBI in 17 games against the Dodgers.


The reporter then turned to the Dodgers and their quiet offseason. “We have been contacted by several teams about many of our players. At this time we have no deals in the works and I don’t see any happening in the near future. I have made it my policy to lay quiet and only enquire about deals until my scouting director Roger Ryan and his scouts make their analysis and judgements about every player in baseball.”

Rumors have been swirling that SP Trevor Reckling is on the out to make room for Blair Sparks even though Trevor is 35-9 with a 2.80 ERA and 344 Ks over 366.2 innings of Major League work. Almost every team has expressed interest. To a few surprise Justin Upton has been telling friends he expects to be traded, possibly to Florida for LF Alfonso Archuleja or even to another team to make room for LV star LF Troy Keller or Jason Heyward. The most surprising rumor involving the Dodgers is the possibility that they may acquire or try and acquire Chicago White Soxs young ace Carlos Rodriquez. That would give the Dodgers 6 starters, assuming Trevor goes and Blair steps in, and they have done that before and now feel that 5 starter are better. On time will tell what is actually going on.

[dodgers_kids_rock]

Dodgers Trade for Stud Prospect Jesus Torres

Analysis:
Negrych was expendable because he was never going to break into the starting lineup, though he was a very solid bat off the bench. I was able to get the first overall pick in the 2010 Draft, Jesus Torres who had a great year in 2012. Went 17-6, 3.27 ERA over 181.2 innings with 177 Ks in AA making him the AA Texas League Pitcher of the Year for 2012. I was also able to get three high draft picks including 2 first rounders.

[dodgers_kids_rock]

Dodgers

and Oakland Trade Top Young Players

Analysis:
While looking for a trade partner for 3B Negrych, I came across Oakland A's top prospect LF Seishiro Ikarashi, 22. A four and a half star potential prospect, had a good year at AAA(.258, 10, 65) last year despite being only 21. The Dodgers also got 5 more draft picks including two more first rounders. To get the deal done, I had to give up: Adrien Cardenas, a player sitting on the bench who wasn't going to get ahead of Ramirez, Moustakas or Longoria, CF Chris Parmelee for AAA who has potential but just as a backup, and MR Matt Walker plus MR Benino Pruenda, both of whom were not going to make any major league impact at all.

[dodgers_kids_rock]

Reckling Traded for a Star Pitcher

Star pitchers aren't normally traded ever, let alone for each other.


Analysis:
Most GM would never want to trade away a player like Reckling and I can completely understand why they wouldn't. However I felt that if I could get Carlos Rodriguez, the first overall pick in the 2009 Draft, I'd do it in a flash. Here's why: Reckling has had a history of injuries that worry me, I get 2 more years of control with Rodriguez, Reckling is one year older and according to my scouts, Rodriguez is actually better. As a bonus, I was able to get a 3-star prospect and 5 draft picks from round 2-6.

[dodgers_kids_rock]

Homer Bailey Traded!

In a shocking development, 3-time All-Star Homer Bailey was traded away from the Dodgers to Tampa Bay for the third overall pick in the 2011 Draft.



Analysis:
It's pretty incredible to believe that you could get equal value for a great pitcher like Bailey. However I felt that I had too many pitchers and that since Bailey was only under control for two more years I choose to deal him. There weren't very many options for me but I went with the Maurice Micks and Tampa Bay because of the potential and the draft picks. I like Micks because he is still very young and I could use a few development pitchers. Besides a pick in each of the first 3 rounds, I also was able to get a 3-star prospect in SP Manuel Lopez.

[dodgers_kids_rock]

Dodgers

Make Another Big Trade, This Time with Florida

Analysis:
I already knew that I'd have to trade away my RF Justin Upton later on and that I'd move Jason Atkinson to his more natural of RF. With this in mind I decided to look for a LF and if I didn't find anyone I'd go with one of my young kids. Well I was able to fins RF Alfonso Archuleja, 23 of the Marlins who had a solid rookie year in 2012(.283, 17, 61 over 101 games). However in order to get such a great young player I had to give up not only my backup catcher Steven Clevenger but also a first round pick. I immediately moved Archuleja to LF and made him a starter anticipating that he'd thrive in his new position.

[dodgers_kids_rock]

Star RF Justin Upton was finally traded away from the World Champion Dodgers to the Toronto Blue Jays for 2 prospects and 5 draft picks, including the 2nd overall pick in 2013.

Analysis:
Everyone in baseball had a feeling that I'd trade Upton because he was eligible to be a FA after this season. I was hoping to get the highest pick possible, so after the Marlins who owned the first pick asked for too much, I went with the Blue Jays and the second overall pick. To go with the 5 draft picks(1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th & 6th), I was able to get a 3-star CF prospect William Wallace and a 4-star SP Javier Martinez.

[dodgers_kids_rock]

GM Favorite Kershaw is Traded for Draft Picks

Analysis:
I really hate trading away former Dodgers top prospect Clayton Kershaw but I had better pitchers waiting to go. I once again looked for the highest draft picks possible and was able to the Cardinals 5th overall pick and their 2nd round pick. The only player I got from St. Louis is a solid reliever that can help my AAA or AA team immediately.

[dodgers_kids_rock]

SP Carlton Smith and SP Carlos Rodriguez Get Locked Up by the Dodgers



I am very happy to know that Carlton Smith wouldn't be going in anywhere as well as knowing that Rodriguez will help anchor my staff for several more years.

[Lawley]

Lets go Giants!

How is the team looking, I know big Lincecum and Cain should be studs lol.

[dodgers_kids_rock]

Giants Record


Giants 2013 Roster


Matt Cain left SF in 2012 as a free agent to go to the Twins. He was 10-13, 4.37, 195.2, 162. Tim Lincecum won the Cy Young Award in 2008 going 18-12, 2.79, 235.1, 227. It was all down hill from there. He got traded to Texas and then retired in 2013.