April 3, 200422 yr For those that think Benitez means we don't need Mota, how about this: forget the rest of the pen, IMO with Mota, Fox, and Benitez we would have the best back end in the NL East. Plus, if for some reason Benitez were to falter, Mota or Fox would be ready in the wings just in case since you only need one for the 8th.
April 4, 200422 yr Dodgers acquired RHP Aaron Looper and LHP Ryan Ketchner from the Mariners for 2B-OF Jolbert Cabrera. Maybe Antonio Perez won't head to the minors after all. More likely is that Joe Thurston replaces Cabrera on the roster and Jose Hernandez becomes the second baseman against left-handers. This is the first move Dodgers GM Paul DePodesta has made that can be second guessed. Considering that Cabrera was overpaid for a utilityman, we have no problem with it. Looper is a quality reliever who will be ready to contribute as soon as the Dodgers need him. Ketchner's further away, but he's an intriguing prospect. He had a 3.45 ERA and a 159/33 K/BB ratio at Single-A Inland Empire last season. Batters hit .228 against him ------------------------------------------- Is this a prelude to L.A. dealing Mota for Nunez and a player?
April 4, 200422 yr I would certainly trade Nunez for Mota! Mota has been great these last few years for these Dodgers that cant score more than 3 runs in a game! Do it beinfest!
April 4, 200422 yr Well, now that Milton Bradley is a Dodger the Mota for Nu?ez deal likely won't happen.
April 4, 200422 yr Bradley to the Dodgers almost has to kill the interest in Nunez, theres nowhere to put him unless they're going to take him over Enc in Left which seems unlikely. If we could get Botilco I think that would be the ideal situation. Then we could keep Nunez atleast for now and have all kinds of lineup options if somebody gets hurt and/or struggles. If nothing else we'd have him around at mid-season as trade bait when it comes time to go get the missing piece.
April 4, 200422 yr Ricky B. is our immediate answer. That means we would have Wayne or Bump along with Tejera, Gracesqui and Howard in AAA. Lots of depth to choose from.
April 5, 200422 yr Mota isn't going anywhere. Last year, when the "Lowell derby" was going on, the Marlins asked the Dodgers for Beltre and Mota, and the Dodgers said no way if Mota is involved. After that, we announced Lowell was staying put. Obviously the Marlins have had interest in Mota, and the Dodgers realize how valuable he is. Besides, Mota is a guy who would pitch one or two innings, if he were a dominant starter or a position player, I'd be salivating at the thought of adding him, but I think a lot of you guys are over-rating the value of a 7th inning guy. Let's give the pen a few weeks before we start making trades. Botallico is available for only money, so why not offer him a deal?
April 5, 200422 yr Author Mota isn't going anywhere. Last year, when the "Lowell derby" was going on, the Marlins asked the Dodgers for Beltre and Mota, and the Dodgers said no way if Mota is involved. After that, we announced Lowell was staying put. Obviously the Marlins have had interest in Mota, and the Dodgers realize how valuable he is. Besides, Mota is a guy who would pitch one or two innings, if he were a dominant starter or a position player, I'd be salivating at the thought of adding him, but I think a lot of you guys are over-rating the value of a 7th inning guy. Let's give the pen a few weeks before we start making trades. Botallico is available for only money, so why not offer him a deal? TSwift25, You have your facts incorrect. Lowell was never offered by the Marlins to anybody. The Dodgers called numerous times (along with others) with offers that included the one you mention and others with just prospects for Lowell. The Marlins listened but when it became obvious that they were in the race. They stop taken calls on Lowell. "If" the Marlins would have been out of the race at the time the Dodgers called they still wouldn't have taken the deal you mention.Why? they had no need for Beltran. Especially with Cabrera ready to step in at 3B. The kid the Marlins were interested in was LHP Greg Miller and the kid the Dodgers trade today OF Franklin Gutierrez...and of course Mota. As for this year on Mota...Well some of there own people have less than happy with the spring Mota has had, BUT know Gagne might not be a Dodger next season.
April 5, 200422 yr Mota isn't going anywhere.? Last year, when the "Lowell derby" was going on, the Marlins asked the Dodgers for Beltre and Mota, and the Dodgers said no way if Mota is involved.? After that, we announced Lowell was staying put.? Obviously the Marlins have had interest in Mota, and the Dodgers realize how valuable he is. Besides, Mota is a guy who would pitch one or two innings, if he were a dominant starter or a position player, I'd be salivating at the thought of adding him, but I think a lot of you guys are over-rating the value of a 7th inning guy.? Let's give the pen a few weeks before we start making trades.? Botallico is available for only money, so why not offer him a deal? TSwift25, You have your facts incorrect. Lowell was never offered by the Marlins to anybody. The Dodgers called numerous times (along with others) with offers that included the one you mention and others with just prospects for Lowell. The Marlins listened but when it became obvious that they were in the race. They stop taken calls on Lowell. "If" the Marlins would have been out of the race at the time the Dodgers called they still wouldn't have taken the deal you mention.Why? they had no need for Beltran. Especially with Cabrera ready to step in at 3B. The kid the Marlins were interested in was LHP Greg Miller and the kid the Dodgers trade today OF Franklin Gutierrez...and of course Mota. As for this year on Mota...Well some of there own people have less than happy with the spring Mota has had, BUT know Gagne might not be a Dodger next season. That's what I read in Gammons' column on ESPN.com when the Lowell no-trade was announced, and I could have sworn that Lowell was at least presented to the Dodgers and Yankees in late May, but I'm just going off what I remember reading...
April 5, 200422 yr Problem #1 -what you read in GAMMONS' column. Consider the source. I think people are panicking way too much about the bullpen. Things will have a way of forming up once the season starts. I dont think Nunez is irreplaceable, and if you can get some good quality MLB talent for him, then do it. We have Hermida and Aguila down in the minors and both look to be very good.
April 5, 200422 yr I've done this several times.... Keep in mind what our pen looked like at the beginning of last season & how they worked out: Vladimir Nunez - sent to AAA Armando Almanza - sent to AAA Blaine Neal - sent to AAA Tim Spooneybarger - missed season with injury Michael Tejera - limited use at best Justin Wayne - sent to AAA Tommy Phelps - useful Braden Looper - decent closer so obviously the look of the bullpen in April could be totally different in a couple of months. doesn't mean I'm not hoping for another solid arm in there (because I am), but let's see how it plays out.
April 5, 200422 yr Problem #1 -what you read in GAMMONS' column. Consider the source. I think people are panicking way too much about the bullpen. Things will have a way of forming up once the season starts. I dont think Nunez is irreplaceable, and if you can get some good quality MLB talent for him, then do it. We have Hermida and Aguila down in the minors and both look to be very good. You really can't utter Hermida and Aguila in the same sentence. There's a huge talent gap there. Hermida is a blue chip type prospect.
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