As the Los Angeles Dodgers prepare for the upcoming 2008 Regular Season, there is some news circulating around Major League Baseball:
-It has been confirmed that Hong-Chih Kuo and Delwyn Young will be on the Opening Day 2008 roster. Delwyn Young, batting .146 in Spring Training, surprisingly made the roster because he is a switch-hitter and will compliment Mark Sweeney as a pinch-hitter. Joe Torre said, "I'm sure he's going to hit. The only thing is, he's played regularly and that helps you hit. He's a roster guy, based on his talent and having no options left. My thought process is he'll be on the club. As far as his ability, I'm not sure we'll see the same guy unless he's playing and I'm not sure where playing time will come from." The Dodgers are looking to replenish their injury-riddled roster for the 2008 Regular Season.
-Takashi Saito will not pitch in tonight's game against the Kansas City Royals. The superb closer stayed behind, suffering from tightness in his right buttocks. Saito would have pitched through the pain if it was the Regular Season, so this is a merely a precaution. It's better to be safe than sorry. Hopefully, Saito will be ready for Opening Day 2008 - which is in less than a week from now.
-Tony Jackson noted that Jeff Kent looked marvelous in a work-out today. The second-baseman is running through various drills, and is now batting and fielding. Although the veteran is not expected to be fully-recovered for Opening Day, it is now possible that he will return to the starting-lineup in time.
-Chad Billingsley didn't make a reassuring performance yesterday. The hurler is expected to be the third-starter in the Dodgers' Starting Rotation in 2008. Joe Torre said, "He had [no command].And the longer he was out there, the more frustrated he got." He is scheduled to make one final start before the start of the Regular Season.
-Tony Abreu is now expected to be the Dodgers' starting third-baseman for Opening Day 2008. Joe Torre has decided to give Chin-lung Hu, who has played third-base over the past couple of days, a break. It's good to know, however, that the Dodgers have both of these talented on their roster.
-Jayson Nix of the Colorado Rockies has won the job at second-base. Now, the Rockies are looking to trade Marcus Giles to the Dodgers. I would not trade with divisional rivals, because if the trade goes bad it will boomerang back and hurt Los Angeles even more.
The Dodgers have a game against the Kansas City Royals tonight at 9.05 PM (EST).
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Comments (19) Add A Comment
Giles could be a great move. The guy was at one point one of the best hitting second basemen in baseball and he should still be in his prime. And he's pretty durable.
At the same time, like you said trading within the division is risky and last year was hurrendous for him.
Coletrain
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Opps....sorry for the double post.
Coletrain
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No problem - I deleted one of them.
Thanks for commenting and reading my article, Coletrain.
Marc.H
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Exactly, ColeTrain. I don't know whether Marcus Giles is the same Giles that we all saw in Atlanta. I think his swing has become slower, and he may be nothing more than one of those washed-up players that should be retired. He could probably bat around .200, but his power is diminished and we might as well go with Jeff Kent and Hu for now.
Marc.H
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Cool.
Add the fact that playing for the Padres isn't the best environment for hitters. But yeah, the bat speed is big. He's never been a high BA guy anyway.
Coletrain
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Nomar sitting for the first several games is a good thing as far as determining where LaRoche is. He would not have been given a proper chance had Nomar stayed healthy all year.
Cassidy's House:…
Whatsittoya, NO
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Indeed. PETCO Park is definitely a huge Pitchers' Park. However, Giles still played 81 games on the road to improve his batting average and offensive performance. If the Dodgers get him, I'll be happy - but if they don't, I truly couldn't care less. I'm confident in Hu, Martinez, and Kent for 2008.
Marc.H
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Unfortunately, Cassidy, Andy LaRoche is injured for two-months. Thus, the Dodgers are basically treading water until one of their third-basemen return from the Disabled List.
Marc.H
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If they do trade for Giles, he'll only get the playing time until Kent is back. I don't know if Giles can play any other postion.
Foxy's Back
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I read it.
Don't have anything to say, but I read it.
thehemogoblin
The University Of, OR
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As a Padre fan looking back at Marcus' year in 2007, I would love to see one of SD's divisional opponents bring him aboard, if he doesn't stay with Colorado. Spend a lot of money on him, trade good players for him, whatever...
EastCoastKeith
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As a Braves fan, I wish Giles would end up with the Mets...
dch822
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SmoothSandy, I'm sure that Marcus Giles would be capable of playing short-stop or third-base if that is necessary. However, Kent may be ready for Opening Day 2008 and there is no reason to rush into any trades to get him. Hu can do the job swell for now.
Marc.H
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thehemogoblin CB BS ST NMI, thanks for reading my blog. Upon reading my blog, users are not required to comment on my articles. Although I appreciate the comments, I equally appreciate everyone who spends the time to read my blog posts.
Thanks.
Marc.H
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Marc, I read something today that the Giles trade most likely won't happen. The Dodgers will try to work inside the org. to fill in the holes. Hopefully Kent will be ready, but doubt Nomar will.
Foxy's Back
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It seems as if, according to EastCoast Keith and dch822, Marcus Giles does not leave a positive lasting impression in his various career stops. The Mets, I believe, are pleased with Castillo. The Dodgers, I hope, are pleased with Kent and will not consider dishing out a trade for Giles.
Marc.H
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Giles is definitely a downgrade from Kent, at least offensively. I know he used to be one of the best 2nd basemen in Atlanta, but that was years ago. His last year with the Pads was terrible.
Foxy's Back
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I'm glad to hear the news, SmoothSandy. The Dodgers failed to realize that they have everything that they need in their organization, and must not always look to outside sources.
Marc.H
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I can't say one batter that truly succeeded with the Padres last season, other than Adrian Gonzalez and Khalil Green. Hopefully, for the Dodgers, none of their players will perform well against Los Angeles during the Regular Season.
Marc.H
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