I like to think the D'backs wanted Arrue'rrue, and we had to do whatever we could to block them after they devastatingly blocked us from getting Arroyo. Your move, Towers.
I still think for 25 million, they could have gotten a guy with at least some kinda bat. Having a slick fielder who is an out being OK because the other guys should hit, is IMO, a mistake made over and over again. It makes the 8/9 spot DEAD in the lineup, and will end innings before the leadoff hitter can get up there, whether it be CC or Puig or whatever top notch move DBB is contemplating.
Point taken, but I'm not down with it. I'm tired of giving the LAD "company" a break on everything. Which means , in reality, you just watch the season come and go, and tune in to watch some other team from the NL (even from the NLW) play in the WS. Like always. NedCo. hasn't done shit to change that, after all is said and done. No matter how it gets spun. Nedco's thoughts actually are what scares me, so to speak. Where TF are the results FOR ONCE? Maybe I'm the only one who is tired of this BS for 25 years, but we've run the failure thing to the ground...it's time to get there. If that's the kind of money we're going to spend (25M), I just think it's gotta be for something more than a slick fielder. No matter what is going on, they still gave this guy 25. No matter who else they sign. They've thrown big money at lots of players who ultimately did jack in the long run about changing our bridesmaid status. If I read something convincing, then I'd say it's a good move. So far, I haven't. And yes, the scouts are doing a good job, with Puig and Ryu for instance, but did the dynamic NEDCO tell them to find a guy who can flash the leather but can't hit?
I'm hoping for the nickname of "Starting Shortstop"...but I'll settle on "Bench Glove". For real though, his middle name is Barbaro, so I think "The Barbarian" should be in play as an option. Most likely, his true nickname will come after we see the guy play. If he sucks I have a feeling that nickname will be coined by Koufax0000.
I agree primarily with BZ on this but both counts are valid and sure its nice to have a long range vacuum cleaner at SS And we can tolerate his hitting .270 but not .225... like many 'gloves' However if the stated goal is 4 Cy Youngs and 8 HoF fielders then Hanley hitting .340 with weak range is a hell of a lot better at SS than some vacuum hitting even .270
I can just hear Vinnie saying it crisply and then wondering about his grandma's arroz con pollo y plantains
I don't think it's Ned's fault we haven't gone to the WS. The guys shouldn't have shit the bed in St. Louis. You can't be champions if you can't get it done of the road. They blew game one by only mustering two runs off Joe freakin Kelly, and then laid an egg both games against Wacha. I feel like the Dodger organization is finally starting to get that pride and respect back. The last 25 years has been a product of poor ownership IMO. O'Malley didn't want to spend what was necessary, FOX were idiots, and we all know the story with McCourt. We'll get there. Baseball is a game of patience. You older guys know that.
I'm frustrated with the past 25 years, too, but when you're talking about the "LAD company" now, you're referring to Kasten and the GG. I've seen nothing but improvement since they took over, and I expect that to progress this year. I don't think they've been given a break on anything yet in their short tenure. And lastly, if Kasten makes the decision to give this guy 125M, let along 25M, I'm going to give him (Kasten) the benefit of the doubt until I see otherwise. Championships aren't created overnight. These guy have had control of this organization for less than two years, and have made monumental strides at both the big league level and the farm system. We've got to give it some time to play out.