Ned Half Franked It!

No more playing games, no more talking through reps or speaking eloquently so as to mire the truth in lies. Ned messed up this Trade Deadline worse than any other deadline. In what other deadline have we seen this team become worse while trading something, gaining nothing and trading for nothing worthwhile in return. We were neither buyers nor sellers. We were spectators, and horrible at that. Not only did we leave it up to the players to decide the teams fate, but when that power was shifted to Ned, he gutted the farm of the one player that could make an impact on this team, for players that will fizz out before they turn 30. Can you say CAREER MINOR LEAGUER?

In one fell swoop, we lost our Top Minor Leaguer and showed the rest of the baseball world that we have stupidity pouring out of our “managements” ears.

1. Hiroki should have been traded, but due to the fact that he was given ridiculous amounts of money for mediocrity, even if bare assistance from the lineup resulted in much of his problems, he even received a No Trade clause. What the hell did Ned do besides give a trade chip the leverage to take advantage of the team for no reason at all?  Not only did he do so with right, but he did it with his damn pride intact, as if the team owed him anything. A lot of teams were looking at him as the Trade Jewel other than Ubaldo, but he didn’t want to seem as though he was being thrown out the door. As if his performance and age was not important in today’s game. As if? This one will hurt further, because his denial of a trade factored into the other trade, made out of desperation, and the lack of further trades.

2. Trayvon Robinson, former standout at Crenshaw High was traded to the Red Sox for a Catcher, RP, and a SP. What’s the problem here.? They’re all 24 and older, in AA ball, not very good offensively or refined in pitching mechanics or 2nd out pitches. The two pitchers figure to become relief pitchers in the long run, and the 24 yr old Catcher, whom is being touted as the next coming of David Ross, not much offense, but plenty defense, career backup type player, for a budding big leaguer who led the team in HR’s, RBI’s etc., is just that, not much. We needed offense, blue chip players, but instead we got the busted items from the 99 cent only store.

3. Raffy was traded for beans. Not literally, but you get the point. A former All-Star, one of the best in the league, reduced to being sold off as a deduction in what amounted to a career full of injuries, and lack of production. He will always be remembered for his cannon arm during his first contract with the team, but by the time the 2nd contract was signed, he was a shell of his former self. Now, he goes to a Cardinal team loaded to compete and make a run at the title. In return, we get a good AA ball player, in return for paying almost all of his contract. I mean, did I miss something? Did Frank suddenly strike oil or something? Unless he’s going to pay Raffy’s contract with Monopoly money, THIS IS A JOKE. Good for the future or not, Raffy was traded for a minor leaguer who will become a 4th OF, and not something we need.

4. With the need to ship out Hiroki, Carroll, Ethier, Lilly, Guerrier, Broxton, and anyone else old, slow, under-performing, etc., or anyone that deserves a chance to help a playoff ball club, ie. Carroll, for prospects to restock our farm, we didn’t do a thing. We stood pat, and we will regret it next season. You think this season was horrible. Imagine almost $45 million coming off the record books, and no obligation to actually use that money on major league talent. Imagine a team that has a rookie starting in as many as 6 positions next year, a starter, and like 2 bullpen spots. Imagine our Opening Day payroll at $65- $89 mil range. Imagine having Matt Kemp be the only hitter, with Ethier traded away for scraps or fringe major leaguers. What about the year after, when contracts of Bills, Lilly and others come off or something of the like of books. This team is mediocre at best right now, but with next season already looming on the horizon, I do feel sickened.

All in all, with the many holes needed to be filled and restocked, Ned chose to sell his talent short, and for that, I hope he loses his job, or worse off, dies choking on his own words in trying to find a way to spin today’s debacle. What’s next? We needed a catcher, 2nd Basemen, 3rd Basemen, 1st Basemen, etc.; position players, but all we got was more outfielders and pitchers. No need to forget the fact that Lucas May, Carlos Santana, etc. were traded last season and seasons past, but now we have been weakened with no end to this nightmare in sight.

WHAT’S NEXT

Well, the WAIVER Trade Deadline comes up next, and as we all know, Ned sure does know how to pick ’em round this time as well. Maybe this time will be Sands, Rubby, DeJesus or Dee’s time to be traded for more career minor leaguers. Heck, they’re just the way Frank likes ’em – young, cheap, and obedient.

Sad to say, I won’t be taking my daughter to a ball game anytime soon.

This Day in Dodgers History

On August 1, 1957 – In a 12-3 win over the Cubs,
Gil Hodges hits his 13th and last career grand slam in
Brooklyn Dodger history. The first baseman’s bases-
loaded shot off Dick Littlefield establishes a new
National League record previously shared by Rogers
Hornsby and Ralph Kiner.