Betemit Traded to Yanks

UPDATE (6:51 pm CDT): Now official. Winner here? Pick 'em. Dodgers needed to upgrade their pitching somehow and hopefully this will persuade Grady to stop using Roberto Hernandez, or use him less. Proctor's had a decent season (2-5, ERA around 3.80, ERA+ at 113) and it should only improve slightly in the N.L. Proctor should help the Dodgers at least for 2007. He's arbitration eligible for the first time after this season, so barring any health concerns due to work overload, he should be a nice addition for the long haul. Betemit was being seldomly used, and the Dodgers are obviously looking to Andy LaRoche to eventually take over at third for Nomar.

The talks between the Dodgers and A's for Joe Blanton broke down at some point last night but were rekindled this afternoon prior to the deadline. The Dodgers apparently made an offer of LaRoche, minor league shortstop Hu, and Jon Meloan for Blanton, but Oakland GM Billy Beane apparently felt Meloan wasn't close enough to Major League ready, or he felt he wasn't getting enough for Blanton. Or there just simply wasn't enough time to try to mix and match and get the right players for Oakland.

Personally I would have loved to had seen the Dodgers make a statement that they were serious about improving the rotation and serious about winning not only this year, but for years to come, as Blanton is in the same boat as Proctor contract-wise, but they apparently figured it was either Garland, Blanton or nothing. I just hope Penny and D-Lowe are healthy enough to continue their solid seasons without further aggravating their injuries, because after Billingsley, the rotation is very beatable. Who knows when Wolf will be back, too.

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ESPNEWS is reporting the rumored deal to send Wilson Betemit to the Yankees for Scott Proctor has been agreed to in principle. More to come...

Sunday Musings

I didn't get to see today's game as it wasn't part of the Extra Innings package today. I tried to follow as much as I could via MLB Gameday online but by the time the 9th inning rolled around, it started to fall behind and eventually it froze.

It's a shame they lost two games this weekend, one they SHOULD have won, and another they could have. I'd guess today's loss was tougher because they had a lead in the 9th inning, and it was a golden opportunity to close out the homestand on a high note, and they could have padded their lead in the division a little. Instead of a two-game lead, they head for Houston with a one-game lead on the Padres, who were shelled today by the Phillies.

Anyway, it really seems to me this team is in dire need of arms. The starting staff is starting to wear thin, and it's putting a huge burden on the bullpen. I'm still blown away by their need to have Roberto Hernandez on this team, and to even use him in close games, but I'll save my ranting on this issue for another time. (And why hasn't Jonathan Meloan been called up yet either? The kid's AA numbers are just sick: 5-2, 2.18 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, and a 70/18 K/BB rate, in 45 1/3 innings pitched.)

Jonathan Broxton is no where near ready or capable of being a Major League closer right now. I love the guy, I love his stuff, I think he's a great pitcher and will someday make a great closer, but right now, he seems to panic or come apart at the seams, as a closer, when he gives up a hit or two or the defense lets him down to put more pressure on him. Maybe he's becoming too comfortable in his role as the primary set-up guy. Maybe he isn't mentally ready for it. I don't know. But he isn't ready for the gig, even on a temporary basis.

I'd like to sit here and point a finger at and pick apart Matt Kemp for his defensive lapse in the 9th that gave the Mets the extra out to score the tying run, but I didn't see the play, and still haven't seen it on SportsCenter, Baseball Tonight or ESPNEWS. I ripped apart Juan Pierre, and to an extent, Luis Gonzales, to shreds the other day for the mental gaffe in the outfield, but they're veterans. They know what they're supposed to do. Either way, Kemp has to make those routine catches. No excuses.

THE WEEK AHEAD: I am heading off to Houston Monday morning to catch the Dodgers against the Astros for two of the three games. (I will be at the games tomorrow and Wednesday.) Chad Billingsley gets the nod tomorrow, Mark Hendrickson goes Tuesday, and Derek Lowe on Wednesday. All three games are 5:05 PM starts in L.A. I will have limited or no access to the internet until I get back Thursday afternoon, so I'll blog about my stay in Houston then. Photos might even accompany my next entry! Anyway, until then, have a safe week and remember, THINK BLUE.

Last Night... and Today

I don't think I can be anymore clear about this when I say I'm still irritated by last night's game. Brett Tomko did a wonderful job of keeping the Mets at bay through six innings, giving the Dodgers a chance to win the game. Joe Beimel did his job in the 7th inning. Then 40-something year old Roberto Hernandez, who had been ineffective in the majors for who-knows-how-long that no one wanted him anymore except for Ned Colletti and the Dodgers, came in and all hell broke loose. I'm really beginning to think the Dodgers are doing whatever they can to lose games rather than win them. Last night was a perfect example. There is no excuse for Hernandez to not only be on ANY major league roster, but to even be EMPLOYED by one. I'm still sick to my stomach over this...

Anyway, today's game is on FOX, and while it will be shown in most of the country, I won't be able to watch it here in Dallas (we've been blessed with the White Sox/Red Sox match-up). Today's line-up has been posted on Inside the Dodgers and it's good to not see Nomar in the line-up for a change. While he managed to hit his third home run last night, something is beyond wrong with him these days. He just isn't the same hitter he once was. Saw a stat last night while watching the game on Extra Innings (we had the Mets feed last night) that just blew my mind: Nomar's OPS this year is 200 points BELOW his career average. Just sad.

Couple of non-Dodger items, sort of, I wanted to mention. Caught part of the White Sox/Red Sox game last night. J.D. Drew hit what appeared to be a 3-run home run in the first inning over the Green Monster at Fenway off White Sox pitcher Jose Contreras. The ball appeared to just barely clear the wall and ricochet back onto the field. The third base umpire, Tim McClelland, one of the best in the game, ruled the ball in play. Manny Ramirez, the runner at first base, circled the bases thinking it was a home run, but was tagged out at home plate for the last out, thus ending the inning. After a dispute and an argument from Red Sox manager Terry Francona, the umpires convened, and the play stood as it was called. Francona then began to argue again and was tossed from the game. Replays clearly showed it was a home run. The Red Sox and Drew got hosed on the play, but they ended up winning anyway.

Finally, want a good laugh? This story out of Florida regarding Marlins pitcher Scott Olsen is one for the ages. Enjoy!