[bigboydan]

why are the dodgers even bothering trying to get back in the race. this team hit one really bad downward spiral in recent weeks, and even ended up trading alot of talent in the past few days. now today they make a trade for greg maddux ?

what exactly are the dodgers trying to do here

[EBone]

Dan, I have no clue. I really thought they were going to make a 2nd half run. Maybe it has something to do with the Braves injury issues and they have rekindered spirit.


E

[Razz]

And, if you're going to make a move, make a move to improve the bullpen.

[Bulldog]

I still think the Dodgers have a legitimate chance to win the NL West but I do agree with Razz in that they need to improve their bullpen.
I think they are as good as anyone in that division eventhough they've been slumping of late...

[isetcap]

Thinking that Greg Maddux is going to put you over the top is just plain foolishness. He has been terrible for the last 2 months, and starting him is only going to expose the Dodgers bullpen problems even more.

[dvorak51]

I'm actually a fan of the recent moves the Dodgers have made.

Clearly Izturis was squeezed out, and that sucks, but I think the Dodgers realized that they needed more of a bat from a corner infield position than what Izturis could provide, which explains the trade for Betemit. Also, trading away Izturis saves a few bucks, since Maddux is in the final year of his contract, and the Cubs have paid most of what's left on it. Betemit only makes about $400k this year, which also helps.

In addition, Lugo could be a huge upgrade over Lofton batting behind Furcal. This Dodger team isn't built on power, so having a couple speedsters to set the table for Nomar, Drew, Kent, and Ethier (when they're all healthy, that is) isn't a bad idea. A lineup like this doesn't look half bad, IMO:

Furcal
Lugo
Nomar
Drew
Kent
Ethier
Lofton/Repko
Martin
Pitcher's Spot

with Saenz, Hall, Cruz, and Ledee off the bench.

Finally, I would have been really pissed off if the Dodgers had traded Ethier for Maddux instead of Izturis, as mentioned on ESPN.com when the Maddux to LA rumors got started. I don't agree that we gave up that much talent to get Lugo and Maddux, though I might agree that we traded a ton to get Betemit. Essentially, we traded Edwin Jackson, Chuck Tiffany, Danys Baez, and Willy Aybar to get Betemit; and Guzman and Izturis for Lugo and Maddux. I had been frustrated by Jackson for years, so I wasn't sorry to see him go. Maybe we let go of Baez and Aybar too soon...who knows? All I know is that I'm optimistic for the stretch run, and hopefully Nomar and Kent bounce back.

[isetcap]

A lineup like this doesn't look half bad, IMO:

Furcal
Lugo
Nomar
Drew
Kent
Ethier
Lofton/Repko
Martin
Pitcher's Spot

with Saenz, Hall, Cruz, and Ledee off the bench.

You're right, that lineup doesn't look half bad...

It looks WHOLE bad. The Dodgers have to get healthy just to field that group of slappers?! It must be tough to sit through a Dodgers game these days.

[dvorak51]

You're right, that lineup doesn't look half bad...

It looks WHOLE bad. The Dodgers have to get healthy just to field that group of slappers?! It must be tough to sit through a Dodgers game these days.

Mind you...we're just bridging the gap until 08 or 09...or so I've been told