A tip of the hat to Jamey Carroll

In this season of on-field mediocrity and off-field drama and uncertainy, there are still a few tip-of-the hats to go around. Despite coming slightly down to earth, Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier have been fantastic this year, and aside from Ted Lilly, the Dodger rotation has been strong. The bullpen has been a mess, but the way the young guys held on to the lead last night against the Astros was encouraging. You may not remember or recognize anyone's name in the bullpen, but if they win, who cares?

To me, Jamey Carroll has been the lynchpin. For a 37 year old guy signed to play about 100 games, he has been all over the place. Not only has he filled in well, he has played even better than advertised. Juan Uribe may be back in a few weeks, but who really wants to roll his .220/.293/.333/.626 numbers out there? The low average and OPB are one thing, but the 3 homers and .626 SLG are not forgivable. He's not exactly "fleet of foot" as an infielder, either. I was happy when Ned Colletti signed him, but maybe I was wrong.

Carroll has played all but 2 games this year. He more than admirably filled in for Rafael Furcal, and his .371 OBP is the best for all NL shortstops. Carroll right now is tied with Ethier for the team's best batting average (.311), and is right behind Kemp and Ethier in OBP. His .744 OPS is behind only the slugging Ethier, Kemp and Jerry Sands. His 4 RBI are a bit of a disappointment, but he has only hit into one DP so far this year.

Biggest thing, he has played solid all year. With most of the Dodger non-pitchers not named Ethier, Kemp or Sands ineffective, injured or both, Carroll has helped keep the ship running.

A few notes:

Glad they caught one of the (alledged) cretins who injured Bryan Stow. Hope they catch the other ones.

Stow's family is suing the Dodgers. Too bad there may not be any money there, or the rest of the MLB teams may have to pony up. I'm sure McCourt is snickering about that.

Jamie McCourt is trying to force a sale of the Dodgers, while Frank is suing to hold on to them. Why don't they just go away?

The fact that the Dodgers are 6 1/2 games out isn't so bad, but the fact they're looking up at three teams, including the resurgent Diamondbacks is a little disturbing.

Throwing strikes, what's up with Kuo amd Lenny Dykstra

With the weird offseason of divorces and Torre's departure I was happy when the Dodgers re-signed Hiroki Kuroda. He has been the rock in their rotation for many years. While the often brilliant Clayton Kershaw and Chad Billingsley had their growing pains, you could depend on Kuroda to give a solid outing every time. He has pitched big for them in big games His retirement would've robbed the Dodgers of that veteran middle-rotation prescence. He won't get you nineteen strikeouts, but he will give you a solid outing each and every time out. last night against the Pirates was no different.

They haven't won a series in awhile, they haven't won consecutive games in awhile and it is probably only their mediocre rivals that has kept them in the race so far. It will take their starting rotation being strong for the Dodgers to have a chance this year, and Kuroda, with his strong performance, is tied for the team lead in wins (4), is second behind Kershaw in ERA (3.21) and K's (41), leads the team in IP (51) and is second in WHIP (1.20). He is doing his job.

Scary thing about Hong Shih-Kuo going on the DL for an "anxiety disorder". More questions than answers here, but it is obvious he has not been himself this year on the mound. The fact that a healthy Kuo is a neccessity for a shaky Dodgers bullpen is secondary to the concern for his well-being. We hope he gets better soon.

Sad to read about Lenny Dykstra. the late 1980's were a fun time to be a baseball fan. The Dodgers had their last hurrah, but the other teams, including the Mets and Phillies, whom Dykstre was a part of, helped make it fun. Those guys played hard and literally lived like rock stars. Too bad to see Lenny in big trouble. I really think many of these guys, even though they are stars on the field, have no idea how to carry themselves when their playing days are over. I certainly don't have the answers or the knowledge about what Lenny did or didn't do, but it looks like he's in alot of trouble.

Thank God the old Pirates showed up

There has been a team masquerading as the Pirates this year. They've been playing .500 ball, not clobbering teams, but doing what they need to do to win. Even the Pittsburgh fans don't really beleive it. They haven't started showing up yet. They are probably afraid, not having seen a winner since Barry Bonds was a skinny finesse guy who could hit homers too.

Thank God for the slumping Dodgers the old Pirates showed up last night, at least in the last half of a game. Thank God also that Ted Lilly showed up and pitched a decent game. Kevin Correia, the Padres castoff who has looking like the ace the Pirates have been missing for years, looked like he was singing the Dodgers to sleep again, until Aaron Miles, who a few months ago was pondering his career choices outside of baseball, had a little bunt single that kept them alive in the sixth inning. This led to an Andre Ethier run-scoring single and a three run bomb from Matt Kemp, all the way to a 10-3 victory.

Nice job for Miles. Always the scrappy middle-infielder, it was surprising to me that he couldn't find a job in the offseason and barely made the Dodgers out of spring training. It was funny, because when I searched him on Yahoo, he was still listed as a member of the Cardinals and was wearing a Cubs uniform in the picture. Oh the life of a journeyman! (Even with his "paltry" salary he'll make more playing ball for six months than I will in ten years, but that's another story) He doesn't have alot of speed or power, but is a decent fielder and can be counted on to hit about .280 (.370 in his last ten games). With the Dodgers injury woes and guys like Dee Gordon and Ivan De Jesus not quite ready for prime time, he's a great guy to have around.

Now lets see which Pirates show up tonight, and which Dodgers show up tonight. But at least for tonight, there were many things to be thankful for when I said my prayers.

Reason to believe

Maybe the best thing to happen to Andre Ethier was getting rid of the hitting streak. After going 0 for 4 on Saturday, ending the streak, he came back with a big homer on Sunday and helped the Dodgers pull off a win. Ethier is an emotional player, and the streak, with all the resultant fan and media attention could've had an effect on him Doesn't look like it did, and thank God, they avoided a sweep on Sunday.

Now the fans and the media need to go somewhere else. They will soon be done feeding on the carcass of the Lakers, so the Dodgers will be the only sports game in town (unless you count the Angels) until the Lakers, Kings and college football come back (tell me again why there is no NFL team in Los Angeles?). It doesn't look like they're killing themselves to bring the fans over.

Frank McCourt can blame his divorce all he wants, but even if things were good with Jamey, he would be fielding pretty much the same team. They are in a huge market and treat their team like they're the Kansas City Royals. The fans know this, so why risk your life to go to Dodger stadium when the Dodgers number one, don't feel the need to field a seriously competitive team, and number two, didn't feel the need to protect you when you are there. Too bad a guy had to nearly get beaten to death to wake them up on security, and thank God the MLB is getting involved, but it may take years to get the litigation-happy McCourt to get his paws off the team, and maybe as long for fans, at least the non-criminal types, to return.

Not to blame the players. Clayton Kershaw looks like an ace most of the time, Ethier and Matt Kemp are looking like they're on the path to career years. Most of the other guys are playing around their ability level, and it looks like even James Loney is starting to wake up. However, beyond the three guys mentioned above, plus a potentially solid starting rotation (Isaid potentially), there isn't a helluva lot to get excited about, talent-wise. Their divison is weak- despite a 16-19 record, they are only 3 1/2 games back, so there is still a chance they can make a playoff run, but c'mon- look at the Phillies and Braves. Look at the Cardinals. Even the low-market Brewers are making a run. The Dodgers are nowhere near in that class.

Don't blame Don Mattingly, considering all the question marks the team had when it was healthy are multiplied when they're banged up, he seems to still be optimistic and upbeat, and the team plays hard most nights, so he is doing a good job, so far.

It's the ownership. Ned Colettii does all he can with a not a whole lot. McCourt possibly being forced out is a good thing, but for now, it is limbo-land, and with Ethier's streak disapeearing, it is one less reason for fans to pay attention or pay to go to the ballpark. It is up mto the under-equipped team and the young manager to start winning some games or Dodger Stadium will be a ghost town.

The black hole in the bullpen and the prospective "committee"

I should be thrilled being able to actually reflect on baseball, but outside of the whole ownership fiasco, it hasn't been pretty on the field, either. Yesterday's game saw Andre Ethier sit out, saw Juan Uribe get hurt (probably not seriously), and Jonathan Broxton get shut down.

A healthy and effective closer (and bullpen as a whole) are one of the big keys this year, and it's not looking good. Broxton's second-half slide was one of the things that changed the dodgers from contenders to cannon fodder after the all-star break, and one of the gambles this year was that Broxton would return to form.

Hasn't happened. He's only blown one save so far, but his ERA is 5.68 and his velocity on his fastball is way down. At his best, he looks and pitches like that bouncer in a bar who would have no problem human-helicoptering you our of a bar if you pissed him off. Now he looks tentative, and he doesn't scare anyone except Dodger fans. His last example was walking two guys on eight pitches in his last appearance.

Scary thing is, there is no obvious solution in the bullpen. While the Dodgers smartly revamped their bullpen this year, it has been inconsistent in getting the game to a closer and second, has no real candidates to close. Don Mattingly is talking about a "closer by committee" which is baseball talk for "I don't have an answer".

The good, the bad and the ugly on the rest of the bullpen:

Blake Hawksworth- As good as advertised so far. Looked a little rough against the Cubs last time out, but has not walked anyone yet this year, and his 1.09 WHIP says he's not giving up alot of hits either. Not a big K guy, but throws strikes and has been effective. Capable of joining the committee, but better as a RH setup man.

Matt Guerrier- One of the keys to the revamped bullpen, and the highest profile bullpen signee. Take out a truly ugly outing on April 23 against the Cubs and a poor showing against the Padres a week later, and he has been decent. A few too many hits and walks, but he has not been a problem. He is one of the guys, whether in his lefty setup role or as part of "the committee" who needs to kick up his game.

Kenley Jansen- Being built up as "the closer in waiting", he is not there yet. While is 7.43 ERA is decieveing (two bad outings, a couple of mediocre ones). The fireballer has his share of K's (22 in 13 IP), but also his share of hits and walks. Sent down to work on some pitches to go with his fastball, he will certainly be back up if Broxton's elbow injury is serious. Not ready for prime time, but worth a longer look as part of "the committee".

Hong-Chih Kuo- This guy has a closer mentality. he stares down batters and his not afraid to go at them. Problem is, he hasn't been right yet this year, and while he is off the DL, he looks to still be working himself back into form. He has always had durability issues, but if he is healthy and Broxton is either on the DL or no longer closer, he would be the first guy I'd look at, if I were Mattingly.

Mike MacDougal- A cagey ex-closer picked up off the scrap heap this year by the Dodgers. He has given up only 1 ER in 13 innings, and his 1.26 WHIP tells about a guy who hasn't given up alot of hits, but walks a few too many. Add him to "the committee"

Vicente Padilla- For all intents and purposes the "sixth starter" he is in the bullpen working his way back to form, and while the other five guys are all healthy and for the most part, effective. Has looked good since his return, but the Dodgers are treading carefully. When he gets right, and if he doesn't find himself in the rotation, he is worth a look in "the committee".

You take away Broxton, prodigal son Ramon Troncoso, and to-this-point generally awful-looking Lance Cormier, the bullpen hasn't been that bad. It needs to be better though. The starting pitching, while not awful, is not handing them air-tight leads every night, and is making them work harder. The offense, aside from basically Ethier and Matt Kemp isn't giving them alot of runs, and with injuries, looks more and more like an Isotopes lineup, not a Dodger ones. Guerrier and Hawksworth need to be the big horses and Kuo needs to get healthy, and the brass needs to figure out a closer solution that is not readily available.

McCourt not able to meet payroll in May, Seig cleaning up his mess and (oh yeah) Ethier's hit streak

Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times reported yesterday that Frank McCourt will not be able to meet the second of two payrolls in May, according to his sources. This opens up the possibility for the Dodgers to be taken over by the MLB.

McCourt has contended all along that an impending 3 billion dollar television deal with FOX would solve the Dodgers' financial issues on a long term basis, and has expressed frustration in recent days with Bud Selig's refusal to communicate with him, since he did take over day-to-day operations.

There are two big issues here: First, why does McCourt need a cash infusion to keep the Dodgers running? It is one thing to keep payroll down or find other cost-cutting measures (security?). But not being able to meet payroll? Of course you blame McCourt. especially after hearing about allegations of spending team profits on his lavish lifestyle. Selig is complicit in this also. How could he approve McCourt taking over a franchise, a core franchise nonetheless being on such shaky ground? It is common knowledge how leveraged out McCourt was when he bought the team, but Selig basically smiled and let him pass.

Second, why does Selig get in the way of the TV deal with FOX? McCourt actually makes some sense when he speaks how much that deal would help the team, but Selig has no response. Bud is probably afraid that anything he says will be swooped on by McCourt's lawyers, so he is keeping silent- but the question is still out there. Selig either has it in seriously for McCourt and/or he smells a big, dead hairy rat somewhere. It sounds like on the surface Selig may be doing the right thing here, but Selig is no knight in shining armor, he's just cleaning up a mess he made himself.

Through all this brouhaha, you almost forget that Andre Ethier's hit streak is alive and well at 29 games...........The Dodgers are playing like the .500 team they were set up to be, losing to the Cubs. We really need an owwner who is a fan, who truly bleeds blue and wants to turn the Dodgers into the perennial winners they should be.

Dodgers not under-performing.

The Dodgers under-performed last year. Frank McCourt's strategy of making them "competitive enough for the mediocre NL West and then take your chances" fell flat as the team fell apart in the second half. Injuries derailed Andre Ethier, perhaps only Rhianna knows what befell Matt Kemp, Manny Ramirez took the money and virtually disappeared, and the bullpen totally collapsed. Only the starting pitching held up. Even if the Padres didn't have a fine season and the Giants didn't ride their pitching to a world championship, it would've been a down year.

McCourt took the same strateegy this year. Blame the divorce and lack of cash flow all you want, but even if the McCourts were making googly eyes at each other and Frank was actually putting his money back into the team instead of his mansions, it would still be the same approach: Hope the young, cheap, maturing talent rises up and there are enough spare parts to support them. If there is some magic, they can still compete in a mediocre division. In the real world, they are a .500 team, and that is exactly how they are playing.

This year you cannot blame the young talent, at least most of it. Ethier is having a career year, in which he is surely hoping and praying that this will lead to his ticket out. His hit streak is at 27, and no matter what the rest of the team is doing, he is hitting the ball. Matt Kemp must also be eyeing his sooner rather than later free agency, he is hitting the hell out of the ball and looks like the monster five tool guy we've been waiting for. These guys know that if McCourt stays around, he will find some excuse not to pay them or lowball them out the door. It's not looking good for Frank, so hopefully the next owner will take care of business with at least one of these guys.

Clayton Kershaw, despite a couple of so-so starts, is looking like an ace, and while the bullpen is shaky, it will still be at least a slight upgrade from last year (crossing my fingers). Pretty bleak after that. Neither Rafael Furcal or Casey Blake is healthy, and while Jamey Carroll is doing a capable job in Raffy's abscence, he is much better as a utilty man than a everyday shortstop. Juan Uribe, at .235/.290/.400/.690 and only three dings doesn't looked like he's arrived at LAX yet, much less showed up, James Loney's .235 OBP is dreadful. Okay, James maybe you're not a power guy, but at least get on base! Rod Barajas is a semi-bright spot- the .202 average is dreadful, but the five homers don't hurt. The left field committee is hitting in the low .200;s, despite some nice fielding by Tony Gwynn Jr.

Hiroki Kuroda has been a solid starter with a 3.18 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP, Jon Garland has been decent, but Chad Billingsley and Ted Lilly have not found consistency. The starters nees to be spot-on if this team makes a run, and they are not. Jonathan Broxton has been shaky, but Mik MacDougal has been on, and despite a bad day or two, Matt Gurrier, Blake Hawksworth and a recently off the DL Hong Shih-Kuo should be okay.

Is this anything different than what could've reasonably been expected? Can anyone tell me that this is a team built for a long playoff run? It is a .500 team, and if for some reason if they end up substantially better than this, it would be magical. It's time to start waving the wand. The Rockies are beginning to run away with it, the Giants haven't found their way yet, but the Diamondbacks are better, and who knows about the Padres?. This is a third place team, folks, and not a third place contending into September, either.

This is what we get with Frank McCourt. While the fight is long from over, hopefully the next owner wil;l let the under-appreciated Ned Colletti do his job and create a true contender.