4's A Charm For Kemp

Well, back in 2nd place a game behind the Snakes. Twnty-two more days to determine whether or not Ned Colletti and Frank McCourt have the huevos rancheros to do anything significant in making the Dodgers a pennant contender. My guess is they don’t, but I’m hoping they surprise me. Word has it Colletti’s quest for light hitting Pittsburgh shortstop, Jack Wilson has foundered. I still say they need to try to get Christian Guzman from the Nationals, but what they need most is a power hitter as I’ve mentioned on numerous occasions. Is Matt Kemp’s trade value plummeting along with his batting average and power numbers? Of course it is. Now that these guys – Kemp, Loney, Ethier, DeWitt, Broxton, Kershaw – are getting more and more playing time with only mixed results, their trade value is taking a huge hit. So, act now or lose for another year or two or three or four. Depends on their level of commitment and their level of stupidity.

After their painful 9-3 loss to Atlanta yesterday, in which they barely made contact – a few hits including a lucky “excuse me” double by Loney, a couple of singles by the all-powerful Andruw Jones and 4 – count ‘em 4 - K’s by Matt Kemp – a light bulb finally appeared over someone’s head and they’ve decided to “reassign” optimistic but ineffective hitting coach, Mike Easler. Donny Baseball (Mattingly) has finally agreed to do the job he was hired to do and join the team. (He was having some personal issues which, believe me, I can relate with) Can Mattingly restore Kemp’s power and confidence? Can he fix Andruw Jones? Who knows? All I know is other contenders are starting to make huge moves. By acquiring Oakland A’s ace, Rich Harden yesterday, the Cubs may have made themselves all but unbeatable. Zambrano, Harden and Dempster followed by Lily and Marquis is a scary prospect for opposing clubs. It seems like the Cubs traded next to nothing for the two pitchers, Harden and Chad Gaudin. Young starter, Sean Gallagher, infielder/outfielder Eric Patterson, outfielder Matt Murton and a catching prospect. Then, of course, the day before the Brew Crew landed Sabathia. I read today that the Dodgers were trying hard to get Sabathia from Cleveland, but apparently the Tribe wanted too much in return. I wonder who they wanted? (Don’t you think the fans should be made aware of exactly what the other team wanted when a trade doesn’t go through? I do.) The only Dodgers I’d refuse to part with at this point are Kershaw, Billingsley, Martin (has anyone besides me noticed how awful he’s been defensively this year?) and maybe Loney unless they could get a power hitting first baseman who can also hit for average. I like Ethier, and he does lead the team in home runs, but I’m not sure what his talent ceiling is. It doesn’t seem as high as the others but I could be wrong. I love DeWitt, and I love his plate presence and intelligence and I think he’s going to be a truly good ballplayer, but is he not expendable? Let’s put it this way: I don’t think he’ll ever be a David Wright or a Mike Lowell. In short, in order to get something, you have to part with something. Unless, evidently, you’re the GM for the Cubbies.

I was on Dodger talk last night. I really like the two guys who host it – Josh Suchon and Ken Levine. They’re honest and they don’t toe the company line the way the old guard did. And it’s great that there’s no more A. Martinez. (The “A” stood for arrogant) He knew nothing and acted like he knew everything. I still miss Ross Porter, but these two guys are the best.

Random thought: Why are Corey Wade and Ramon Trancoso in the big leagues?

Another tough game tonight at the Ravine with Tim Hudson going against Lowe. Every game is tough when your team can't hit, but when you have to go up against an ace like Hudson, it becomes nearly impossible. Lowe better not give up a run if they're going to win. As always, hope I'm wrong.

I don’t care how close they are to first place, if the Dodgers continue to commit to THIS group of youngsters and don’t make at least one HUGE change, they will continue to run in place. Colletti gripes because there are too many armchair GM’s out there who think they can do a better job than him. Stop griping and prove you’re better, dummy. So far, you stink.