Open Thread #9

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CBS Sports is running a series of features on the best and worst events in each baseball franchise’s history, and it was the Dodgers’ turn on Monday. As Dayn Perry (the author) says in his opening paragraph, “it’s impossible to hit it all.” He did a reasonable job, I’d say. He picks two best teams, one for Brooklyn (’53) and one for LA (’63). He picks best and worst trades (guess what’s worst). Anyway, it’s food for discussion.

45 thoughts on “Open Thread #9”

  4. Philly has been called the poster child for getting too old while chasing a window of opportunity.

    While maybe not quite as old, the Dodgers aren’t exactly young. And Dodger execs have said the team needs to get younger. Which of course will take a little time.

    But for now the 40-man shows 13 players over 30 or in their 30th year–and the starting infield will be ancient by baseball standards. (I don’t know how 13/40 compares to other teams.)

    Give or take a few months, Dodger opening day starting IF will feature AGon, 33; Kendrick, 32; Rollins, 37; and Uribe, 36. If AJ is behind the plate to catch Clayton opening day, he’s 34. Older players are more subject to injury, certainly to the grind of a long season, so IF depth will be key to this team.

    Relative ancients in the OF are CC at 34 and Dre at 33. Heisey is 31.

    Five pitchers round out the Dodger over-30 club. Greinke, McCarthy, Howell, and League are all 32; and then there’s the Ancient of Dodgers, Peralta, at 39.

    Let’s hope the 2015 edition of the Dodgers ages VERY well.

  5. BTW, found this list of possible FA pitchers for next year as plan B to Greinke: Cueto, David Price, Jordan Zimmermann, Doug Fister, Jeff Samardzija and Rick Porcello.

    • I’d rather keep Greinke, but Cueto and Price would be suitable replacements. The others are mid-rotation placeholders.

      • Wouldn’t stick up my nose up at Zimmermann. He is essentially the ace of the Nat’s recently displaced. Age 28, and in the top 7 CYA candidates the past two years, ahead of Greinke both times..

  17. Speaking of Dodger history, I was curious about how Mattingly was doing climbing up the managerial lists. There have been 31 managers in franchise history and Mattingly this year (which will be season 5 for him) will be tied for 6th most seasons managed with Jim Tracy. (Hanlon managed 7 seasons, Durocher 9, Robinson 18, Lasorda 21, and Alston 23 are the guys a head of Mattingly and Tracy.)
    He is in 7th place for wins (354), with Tracy in 6th place (427), so with even a below average season Don should pass Jim there.
    He is also in 7th place in terms of wins above .500 (61) but won’t catch Burt Sutton in 6th (111 wins above .500) this year.
    Finally, Mattingly is in 8th place in terms of winning percentage at .547 – Alston is in 7th place at .558 (over 23 seasons of managing).