These last few days have been busy for the "Yankees of the West Coast."
The LA Dodgers were able to sign two pitchers to their rotation. First, Zack Greinke agreed to stay in LA but for the team actually in the city itself agreeing to a 6 year deal worth $147 million. The 29 year old Greinke went 15-5 with a 3.48 ERA in 2012 while playing for the Brewers and then the Angels. The next signing came from South Korea with the Dodgers signing Hyun-jin Ryu, a starting pitcher from the Hanwha Eagles. The Dodgers and the 25 year old lefty agreed to a 6 year $36 million contract on top of the $25.7 million posting fee they paid to the Eagles to get him.
Okay, this isn't fair. Zack Greinke is fine but when were we allowed to sign someone from Street Fighter? How the hell is Buster Posey supposed to hit a ball of fire? Damn that Hadouken pitch of his. Although I would like to see the Dodgers try and field one of those.
These signings certainly make the West a lot more interesting as the Dodgers continue to spend money to try and make themselves a powerhouse in the NL. The new ownership have made quite a few splashes with the signings and trades over their first year. They haven't been able to win with any of the moves yet but they are willing to spend a lot.
Their payroll for the opening day in 2013 could top $225 million. They might be the biggest spenders in baseball but in the age of money ball, being the big spender doesn't necessarily mean titles or pennants.
P.S. And yes, being the "Yankees of the West Coast" means they are the new Evil Empire. Just without the titles or the prestige.
P.P.S. Someone tell Brian Sabean to sign Liu Kang. We need someone to Finish Them.
Showing posts with label Zack Greinke. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Zack Greinke. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Friday, July 27, 2012
Zach Greinke Traded to Angels
How important is getting a divisional spot over settling for a Wild Card spot nowadays in baseball? Important enough to get Zack Greinke.
The Brewers pitcher has had a good season so far going 9-3 with a 3.44 ERA. The problem is that his talents are being wasted with the Brewers who are currently 14 games behind the Reds in the NL Central and are 10 games under .500. To make things worse, the team was on a 7 game losing streak entering today. So the idea for them was to the sell and Zack Greinke was their product. There were some perspective buyers but the team who got Greinke were the Angels. Looking at the Angels rotation to start the season, you would think they wouldn't need another starting pitcher. But it seems that CJ Wilson and Jared Weaver are the the only one's consistently showing up. So they traded for Zack Greinke giving the Brewers SS Jean Segura and 2 pitchers from Double-A.
The 2 Wild Card team format is no doubt at work here. The Angels are currently one of the Wild Card leaders but that would mean nothing if they lose that One-Game playoff which could easily happen to any team. Better for them to make a charge for the Division and get Zack Greinke to help you do it. The still have a very tough Rangers' team to get by and they are currently 5 games behind them entering today. Even with Greinke, I still favor Texas to take the AL West. The Angels might have to settle for a Wild Card spot anyway which means they might not make the actual playoffs and getting Zack Greinke would've meant nothing then, especially if he joins a new team during the off season.
The Brewers pitcher has had a good season so far going 9-3 with a 3.44 ERA. The problem is that his talents are being wasted with the Brewers who are currently 14 games behind the Reds in the NL Central and are 10 games under .500. To make things worse, the team was on a 7 game losing streak entering today. So the idea for them was to the sell and Zack Greinke was their product. There were some perspective buyers but the team who got Greinke were the Angels. Looking at the Angels rotation to start the season, you would think they wouldn't need another starting pitcher. But it seems that CJ Wilson and Jared Weaver are the the only one's consistently showing up. So they traded for Zack Greinke giving the Brewers SS Jean Segura and 2 pitchers from Double-A.
The 2 Wild Card team format is no doubt at work here. The Angels are currently one of the Wild Card leaders but that would mean nothing if they lose that One-Game playoff which could easily happen to any team. Better for them to make a charge for the Division and get Zack Greinke to help you do it. The still have a very tough Rangers' team to get by and they are currently 5 games behind them entering today. Even with Greinke, I still favor Texas to take the AL West. The Angels might have to settle for a Wild Card spot anyway which means they might not make the actual playoffs and getting Zack Greinke would've meant nothing then, especially if he joins a new team during the off season.
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Hanley to Dodgers and Wandy to Pirates
The deadline approaches and a couple of teams have made some moves. One of them is the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Pirates are actually in the mix in the NL Central as they are currently just 2.5 games back of the Reds. They have a good team but they wanted a bit more so they went out and got Wandy Rodriguez of the Astros in a trade in exchange for three minor league players. This already adds on to their pitching of James McDonald and AJ Burnett.
Meanwhile the Dodgers are in the same boat as the Pirates: contenders but currently 2.5 games back but in the NL West. Their offense has taken a hit this year and while getting Matt Kemp back from the DL helps, the team wanted a bit more in their lineup. Hanley Ramirez is the help they are getting. They get Hanley from the Marlins along with reliever Randy Choate in exchange for pitcher Nathan Eovaldi and a minor league player. Though not the best avg., Hanley does bring some power and speed to the team.
These two moves are nice and show their respective fan bases that each side is trying to win now but they might not be the best moves available. The better move for the Pirates might've been going after Ryan Dempster of the Cubs or even Zack Greinke of the Brewers. I don't exactly have anyone off the top of my head for the Dodgers but I would've thought there would be someone they could get that would be better than... actually, now that I think about it, Hanley Ramirez is alright for them. No need to get any better.
Though fine moves, they may get a bit overshadowed by the fact that the Phillies and Cole Hamels have a new deal together. 6 year, $140 million extension gives that team some security. Pity it won't mean anything for this season.
Meanwhile the Dodgers are in the same boat as the Pirates: contenders but currently 2.5 games back but in the NL West. Their offense has taken a hit this year and while getting Matt Kemp back from the DL helps, the team wanted a bit more in their lineup. Hanley Ramirez is the help they are getting. They get Hanley from the Marlins along with reliever Randy Choate in exchange for pitcher Nathan Eovaldi and a minor league player. Though not the best avg., Hanley does bring some power and speed to the team.
These two moves are nice and show their respective fan bases that each side is trying to win now but they might not be the best moves available. The better move for the Pirates might've been going after Ryan Dempster of the Cubs or even Zack Greinke of the Brewers. I don't exactly have anyone off the top of my head for the Dodgers but I would've thought there would be someone they could get that would be better than... actually, now that I think about it, Hanley Ramirez is alright for them. No need to get any better.
Though fine moves, they may get a bit overshadowed by the fact that the Phillies and Cole Hamels have a new deal together. 6 year, $140 million extension gives that team some security. Pity it won't mean anything for this season.
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