If LA aquires Randy Johnson and Steve Finley

[Precious Roy 0]

Obviously this is totally hypothetical, but if LA is able to turn around and move Penny + prospects to Arizona and add Unit and Steve Finley, do they become an instant World Series contender?

 

I say no.

 

I don't like the Lo Duca-Johnson switch. Johnson has more power, but Lo Duca has handled that staff for years, is better defensively, and has been a more consistent hitter. I think a fair share of the credit for the Dodgers pitching success goes to Lo Duca, and who knows how the staff will mesh with Johnson......

 

I also dislike the trade of Mota, who was an underrated part of their success. Much like Quantrill-Gordon-Rivera with the Yankees Dreifort-Mota-Gagne was good for 4 innings any given night, and I think LA has significantly weakened their bullpen here. Wilson Alvarez would move into the bullpen in the postseason, where he's pitched well, but they still lack a lights out setup man. Longshot scenario is that Nomo comes back healthy and takes over that role, but this has been a lost year for him so I'm not counting on it.

 

Starting pitching would be good with Johnson, Perez, Ishii, Weaver and Lima, but I tend to think that Ishii and Lima get it done with smoke and mirrors. I'm not a fan of Ishii's high WHIP, he does battle back from it well, but I think he'll get the Dodgers in trouble in the playoffs against a team like St Louis or Chicago. Johnson-Perez is a great 1-2 combo, Perez is vastly underrated, and Weaver who's pitched very well at times could be the wildcard, plus he does have postseason experience even if he didn't pitch particularly well.

 

The lineup will still be capable of putting up runs w/ Roberts, Izturus, Bradley, Finley, Beltre, Green and Johnson. No real bigtime hitter outside of Beltre (who's past underachievement leaves me not completely sold) but like the Angels of 02 they should score enough to keep them in games and the speed at the top of the lineup is a big plus. Choi has some power and could play a role pinch hitting or at first w/ Green moving back to the OF.

 

Defensively they're solid around the diamond, but again I wouldn't trust Johnson.

 

This move would definitely give them the edge over NYM or ATL, but would they be better than St. Louis or Chicago? Or San Diego? or Philly? Can they even hope to contend with St. Louis?

[UZI Suicide 0]

You act like Johnson is some liability on defense. He's tradtionally been one of the best defenders in baseball. He's not what he once was but he's not terrible. Lo Duca has never been a great defender, so I don't think the defense there is going to skip a beat.

 

Lo Duca is the heart and soul of the team and I will miss him.. but he was falling into another 2nd half slump. He does it every year.

 

Mota was at the peak of his trade value. He's been struggling lately and Paul DePodesta buys into the moneyball philosophy which is relievers are a dime a dozen. Dreifort can fill the setup role, or they can call up Yhancy Brazoban who is basically a young Mota.

 

I like the rotation with Johnson. There are some wildcards and big IF's with Ishii and Lima, but the Cardinals aren't exactly sporting an all-star rotation either.

 

Honestly.. I'd rather they didn't do the Johnson/Finley trade. They would just be giving up far too much. I'm content with the team as it is now.

[Hektik 0]

I think the reason the Dodgers made this trade was to get RJ and Finley. If they don't at least get RJ or Finley then this six player trade made the Dodgers a weaker team. Lo Duca, while not a great defensive catcher was a good hitter and as people have said the "heart & soul" of the Dodgers. I think trading Mota was a bad move. The Dreifort-Mota-Gagne bullpen combo really made it a 6 inning game if the Dodgers had the lead going into the 7th. Now there 8th inning guy is gone which now puts Dreifort in the 8th and I believe Todd Martin(?) for the 7th.

 

Although, I don't understand why the dodgers just didn't deal with Arizona directly if they want Johnson and Finley. I know that the D backs wanted a catcher and relief pitching. They wanted the Padres to give up catcher Humberto Quintero and either Akinori Otsuka or Scott Linebrink for Steve Finley. Thankfully the Pads GM Kevin Towers just laughed at them for even sugesting Aki or Linebrink for 39 year old Finley. I would think that the Dodgers could have sent Lo Duca, Mota, Encarnacion, & Jayson Werth to Arizona for Johnson and Finley.

[Guest subliminal_animal]

I don't know why Jayson Werth's parents named him that since he is Werth-LESS. IMO, there is nothing that could be Werth LESS than Jayson Werth.

[UZI Suicide 0]

I don't know why Jayson Werth's parents named him that since he is Werth-LESS. IMO, there is nothing that could be Werth LESS than Jayson Werth.

That was a lame play on words. He's a good young hitter and I'd rather have him than Steve Finley.

 

To the guy above you.. yes Lo Duca is the heart and soul, but at some point you have to do what's best to win. Lo Duca is a 2nd half choker traditionally and is doing it again this year. LA used him in his good 1st half and is now sending him off... it sounds cold and cruel.. but ya gotta do what ya gotta do. One thing people are forgetting also is this trade frees up much needed cash for next year to re-sign Beltre and Gagne.

[Guest GreatOne]

I don't know why Jayson Werth's parents named him that since he is Werth-LESS. IMO, there is nothing that could be Werth LESS than Jayson Werth.

Well there is the aptly named J.J. PUTZ

 

I don't know that this isn't just a trade to make a trade now that Unit's definitely staying put, which is something that we knew, say three days ago. But if it helps for the offseason that's an often overlooked bonus too.

[Guest Salacious Crumb]

This would easily give them enough to stay ahead of the Giants and Padres. I don't know about a World Series run but they could at least take St.Louis far in the NLCS.

 

EDIT: Johnson's staying in Arizona.

[2GOLD 0]

Answer: No.