Manny Ramirez Trade
How can I talk about the Casey Blake trade and not comment on the biggest mid-season trade the Dodgers have ever made?
First, there was shock. The Dodgers were never mentioned in the Manny trade rumors. Even when they were first mentioned around noon today, it was only from The Boston Globe and SI.com. It wasn't until after the trade was finalized that it was finally mentioned on mlb.com, Yahoo, and other sites. The Dodgers had been mentioned a few days ago as talking to the Red Sox about Manny but it didn't sound like anything serious.
Well, what do I think about the trade, other than it being perhaps the biggest blockbuster trade the Dodgers have ever pulled off? It was great. Simple as that. The Dodgers pick up Manny Ramirez without giving up Matt Kemp or Andre Ethier. The Dodgers get Manny Ramirez without giving up any of the other young Dodger talent such as Russell Martin, Chad Billingsley, Jonathan Broxton, James Loney, or Clayton Kershaw. The Dodgers address the needs of 2008 without mortgaging the future. They give up Andy LaRoche and a minor leaguer.
I'm a big fan of the youth movement the Dodgers have going on. It has been a long time since the Dodgers have brought up so much talent through their minor league system. This is the Dodger way. However, there are those Dodger fans out there who not only love the youth movement but practically worship it. These fans are lamenting the loss of Andy LaRoche. It's a reaction I don't understand. Do the Dodgers need to hold on to every single young prospect? Isn't the whole point to win a championship? If we can put ourselves in a position to not only win the division, but to win playoff games and maybe a championship this year as well as others, isn't it worth it? Especially one that doesn't involve losing the young talent that is currently producing? C'mon, people, give me a break. If you can't support a deal like this, then what exactly do you want?
Anyway, the acquisition of Manny Ramirez will give the Dodgers what Andruw Jones was unable to give them. The Dodgers now have the power bat they have been lacking all season. Yes, they have a crowded outfield with five legitimate starters but that's a dilemma that a number of teams would kill to have.
Good move. It would have been nice to pick up Greg Maddux too, but I can't be too greedy.
First, there was shock. The Dodgers were never mentioned in the Manny trade rumors. Even when they were first mentioned around noon today, it was only from The Boston Globe and SI.com. It wasn't until after the trade was finalized that it was finally mentioned on mlb.com, Yahoo, and other sites. The Dodgers had been mentioned a few days ago as talking to the Red Sox about Manny but it didn't sound like anything serious.
Well, what do I think about the trade, other than it being perhaps the biggest blockbuster trade the Dodgers have ever pulled off? It was great. Simple as that. The Dodgers pick up Manny Ramirez without giving up Matt Kemp or Andre Ethier. The Dodgers get Manny Ramirez without giving up any of the other young Dodger talent such as Russell Martin, Chad Billingsley, Jonathan Broxton, James Loney, or Clayton Kershaw. The Dodgers address the needs of 2008 without mortgaging the future. They give up Andy LaRoche and a minor leaguer.
I'm a big fan of the youth movement the Dodgers have going on. It has been a long time since the Dodgers have brought up so much talent through their minor league system. This is the Dodger way. However, there are those Dodger fans out there who not only love the youth movement but practically worship it. These fans are lamenting the loss of Andy LaRoche. It's a reaction I don't understand. Do the Dodgers need to hold on to every single young prospect? Isn't the whole point to win a championship? If we can put ourselves in a position to not only win the division, but to win playoff games and maybe a championship this year as well as others, isn't it worth it? Especially one that doesn't involve losing the young talent that is currently producing? C'mon, people, give me a break. If you can't support a deal like this, then what exactly do you want?
Anyway, the acquisition of Manny Ramirez will give the Dodgers what Andruw Jones was unable to give them. The Dodgers now have the power bat they have been lacking all season. Yes, they have a crowded outfield with five legitimate starters but that's a dilemma that a number of teams would kill to have.
Good move. It would have been nice to pick up Greg Maddux too, but I can't be too greedy.
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