The Dodgers have recently had "informal" discussions about locking up Andre Ethier and Matt Kemp to long-term contracts. This is a touchy time. Both are entering their last arbritration-eligibility years, and will be free agents after next season. Besides Clayton Kershaw, both are the closest things the Dodgers have to franchise players. Second, they are producing, and look to continue producing, whether in Doders uniforms or otherwise. Ethier had a 30 game hitting streak, and while homers aren't exactly flying out of the park for him, his .325/.405/.455/.860 is a nice figure fro a guy who spends most of his games hitting in pitcher's parks. Kemp is a five-tool monster who looks to be firing on all cylinders. He has hit 13 homoers and has 40 RBI's, which can ver easily add to a 40 HR/ 120 RBI season at year's end. he also leads the team in stolen bases and is tied for the team lead in games played. He has franchise player written all over him if he keeps this up.
It's just those pesky ownership issues that keep cropping up. While Frank McCourt searches his couches for change to meet payroll, he looks like he his in no shape to pay these guys long term. If he thinks that attendance and fan morale are in decline now, he has noooo idea what would happen if we lose these guys without suitable immediate replacements. If Bud Selig and his merry men take over on an interim basis, it behooves the MLB to sign these guys long term. If nothing else these guys can keep on L.A on life support until a new owner is found. With all the turmoil, injuries and drama going on, this collective band of misfits has the dodgers only 4.5 games out in the mediocre NL West. I'm sure the Giants would grin broadly to see the Dodgers turn into the Pittsburgh Pirates, but the MLB should not let this happen. Despite McCourt's efforts to the contrary, the Dodgers are a big-market marquee franchise in a sport that is threatened with decline. They need to prop them up. Thirdly, if a new owner is found, the first thing he needs to do is establish a core. Before the new paint dries in his office, these guys should be locked up long-term.
How about James Loney? I have been a harsh critic, both here and in The Hardball Times. He was a disappointment last year, and looked to start off even worse this year. he has been coming alive lately, as have the Dodgers, who just got off two series wins against the Marlins and Rockies, neither of which are pushovers. He had a homer off Javier Vasquez in the opener against the Marlins, went 3 for 4 against the Rockies on May 30, including a bomb to right field off Jason Hammel. Overall he was 6 for 19 with 4 RBI's (.315), as part of a larger Dodger offensive Dodger expolsion. Perhaps as Loney goes, so do the Dodgers.
The bullpen is scary, but (thought I'd never say this), but Vicente Padilla is on his way back, and you gotta love the way the minor league kids (Rubby de la Rosa, Javy Guerra and Scott Elbert) are pitching. They may all yet round into form.
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