Jeff Kent Signs with the Dodgers [Archive] - Front Office Football Central

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jbmagic

12-09-2004, 10:22 PM

Jeff Kent Signs with the Dodgers

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=1942918

Kent doesn't case where Tracy puts him.

"I play this game with the cliche that if you can hit, they'll find a place for you," Kent said. "I love to hit, I love to swing the bat, and I believe that I'm a great second baseman as well. But I also have the tools that allow me to play first base and third base. So I'm comfortable enough to wait this out and I have no problems with that at all."

Draft Dodger

12-09-2004, 10:41 PM

reason #291 on why I don't like the Dodgers anymore.

SackAttack

12-09-2004, 10:43 PM

Not sure what Draft Dodger means by that.

I'm glad to hear that Kent is, on the surface, being a team player about the positional thing.

My first thought after reading this, though, was "$9.5m/year? If they can throw that kind of money at a 36 year old 2B, we damn well better be re-signing Beltre."

MrBug708

12-09-2004, 10:43 PM

First base, here he goes

Crapshoot

12-09-2004, 10:47 PM

Sun Tzu

12-09-2004, 10:48 PM

What was reason #290?

SackAttack

12-09-2004, 10:51 PM

But Barry had nothing to do with it, right?

Sharpieman

12-09-2004, 10:51 PM

Not sure what Draft Dodger means by that.

I'm glad to hear that Kent is, on the surface, being a team player about the positional thing.

Jeff Kent=Cancer

Draft Dodger

12-09-2004, 11:05 PM

What was reason #290?

I'm a little cloudy, but probably something involving Todd Hundley.

Swaggs

12-09-2004, 11:31 PM

Jeff Kent=Cancer

Yeah, his teams never win.

jbmagic

12-10-2004, 12:12 AM

this signing scare me,

are they saying they gave up on beltre? and have kent to play 3b in case beltre dont sign with the dodgers

i wonder now how much can they offer beltre

MrBug708

12-10-2004, 12:38 AM

Can? Or want to?

Danny

12-10-2004, 12:51 AM

This is a good signing. Kent will help the offense and gives the team more leverage regarding Beltre. I am hoping somehow we can sign Clement and trade for Hudson.

Swaggs

12-10-2004, 01:04 AM

Sounds like Hudson to St. Louis might be close to done. Wonder if the A's will get hosed like they did in the McGwire deal?

Kent is a great offensive player. LA needs to sign Beltre for Kent to make sense on the team, otherwise they need a whole new crew of offensive players. Although maybe they sign Koskie and Beltran?

rexallllsc

12-10-2004, 01:52 AM

Jeff Kent=Cancer

I think Bones is the cancer...

SackAttack

12-10-2004, 02:05 AM

LA needs to sign Beltre for Kent to make sense on the team, otherwise they need a whole new crew of offensive players.

That's the key for me. If Bradley continues to improve, Green sticks around and recovers his old form, and we re-sign Beltre (who in turn needs to build off of last year), then the Dodgers suddenly have a very dangerous offense.

The question in such a scenario is, does Kent go to 1st and send Green to RF, or does Kent displace Cora, leading either to Choi at 1st, an FA signing (Delgado?) or Green still at 1st and Ledee/Chen in RF?

jbmagic

12-10-2004, 02:37 AM

the question is do you put Bradley and Kent lockers next to each other :)

jbmagic

12-10-2004, 02:39 AM

That's the key for me. If Bradley continues to improve, Green sticks around and recovers his old form, and we re-sign Beltre (who in turn needs to build off of last year), then the Dodgers suddenly have a very dangerous offense.

The question in such a scenario is, does Kent go to 1st and send Green to RF, or does Kent displace Cora, leading either to Choi at 1st, an FA signing (Delgado?) or Green still at 1st and Ledee/Chen in RF?

i think Kent will play 1B or 3b if they dont sign Beltre and he will occassionaly start at 2b when cora needs a rest,

there not taking Cora out at 2b

JeeberD

12-10-2004, 02:39 AM

So does Craig Biggio move back to second or do the Astros give the spot to rookie Chris Burke?

Suicane75

12-10-2004, 03:02 AM

So does Craig Biggio move back to second or do the Astros give the spot to rookie Chris Burke?

I heard they suggested he move to Beer Vendor. They just keep moving him further and further back. :D

daedalus

12-10-2004, 04:02 AM

"I play this game with the cliche that if you can hit, they'll find a place for you," Kent said. "I love to hit, I love to swing the bat, and I believe that I'm a great second baseman as well. But I also have the tools that allow me to play first base and third base. So I'm comfortable enough to wait this out and I have no problems with that at all."Sounds nice in December. I'll actually believe it when the real games come along and I actually see him playing at 3rd or 1st WITHOUT whining daily. When I saw him with the Mets (damn, that makes me feel old), I thought he had the tool to be a solid 3B defensively where I thought he was a fairly mediocre at 2B.That's the key for me. If Bradley continues to improve, Green sticks around and recovers his old form, and we re-sign Beltre (who in turn needs to build off of last year), then the Dodgers suddenly have a very dangerous offense.

The question in such a scenario is, does Kent go to 1st and send Green to RF, or does Kent displace Cora, leading either to Choi at 1st, an FA signing (Delgado?) or Green still at 1st and Ledee/Chen in RF?That's a lot o' coins to toss about (even accounting for the dead salaries coming off the payroll) and McCourt is neither Steinbrenner ("We have money. Let's spend!") nor Colangelo ("We don't have money. Let's spend!"). And that's not even taking arms into account yet. Beltre is likely to be in the 10-15 range and, with Glaus getting 11 per, Beltre is likely to be looking for more after this past season. It IS possible that he may be willing to do a "hometown discount" but I have seen or heard no indication of it. Delgado is likely to be looking for nothing less than 10 per, if not significantly higher. Ledee would be wasting at-bats better served going toward somebody who could actually help the Dodgers long term.

A scenario I'd like to see would be Werth staying in left, Green going back to right, Kent plopped into 2nd while retaining Beltre for 3rd, Cora used liberally to keep Izturiz fresh (if only because it's terribly to have a shortstop with those, ahem, not-so-fresh feelings) and Kent healthy, Choi taking over at 1st while being occasionally relieved by a right-handed warm body (Tony Clark comes to mind) and Chen taking over the role that Werth had last year (spot duty with increasing responsibility). Oh, and re-ink Penny while chasing Milton. Of course, more ideal would have also included not bothering with Kent, shopping Choi and snagging Graham Koonce from the A's.

CentralMassHokie

12-10-2004, 06:13 AM

I'd be very surprised if Kent isn't the full time 2B for the Dodgers next season. Every defensive metric that I've seen had Kent anywhere from good to great at 2B last season.

MrBug708

12-10-2004, 07:26 AM

the question is do you put Bradley and Kent lockers next to each other :)

Personally, I think we got Bradley some backup for a foray into the stands, but that's just my opinion

Stormcloud_Creations

12-10-2004, 11:24 AM

the question is do you put Bradley and Kent lockers next to each other :)

My thoughts too...Bradley and Kent on the same team? Ugh.

Well, the Dodgers clubhouse won't be boring anyway. :)

Tekneek

12-10-2004, 11:27 AM

Didn't Kent win one of NLCS games against St. Louis with a walk-off homer, after having the guy before him intentionally walked?

Yeah, yeah, I don't watch much baseball.

Danny

12-10-2004, 11:31 AM

daedalus

12-10-2004, 12:07 PM

I like the Ledee signing also. The guy was a very producitve hitter in 2002-2004 for the Phillies. He did suck bad, real bad, for the Giants. The Dodgers don't have any good young outifled prospects who are ready for the majors, so why not.I'd rather see Green join Werth and Bradley in the outfield to open up 1st for Choi or have Chen in right and find out if they can step up or not than waste those at-bats on a 31 year old 4th outfielder/pinch hitter*. It seems pointless to try to develop (or, in Choi's case, acquire) young players and not bother giving them a chance.

*Otis Nixon being one of those rare exceptional exceptions (tee hee) since he had an exceptional tool (extraordinary speed) and developed the appropriate skills (half-way decent eye and the ability to generally make contact) to match that tool. Not something I forsee occuring with Mssr Ledee.

Swaggs

12-10-2004, 12:20 PM

I think that not using Kent at 2B, in place of Cora, would be a waste.

Cora's breakout season last year gave him acceptable offensive numbers, but still far below the production of an average Jeff Kent-season. Looking at his age (29) plus his past numbers, relying on him to maintain or improve is a risk they do not need to take with Kent available.

They have made a good upgrade at 2B by signing Kent, putting him at 3B or 1B is not going to do much to improve their team.

Danny

12-10-2004, 01:14 PM

I'd rather see Green join Werth and Bradley in the outfield to open up 1st for Choi or have Chen in right and find out if they can step up or not than waste those at-bats on a 31 year old 4th outfielder/pinch hitter*. It seems pointless to try to develop (or, in Choi's case, acquire) young players and not bother giving them a chance.

Um, Green is likely to be moving to the outfield to join Werth and Bradley. Ledee is planned to be the 4th outfielder. Ledee also provides insurance in case Werth's recovery doesn't continue to go as well as it has been. I sure as heck don't want to rely on Chen as our only outfield insurance. He appears like he could be yet another PCL wonder.

DanGarion

12-10-2004, 02:00 PM

Im hoping Kent pulls a Vizcaino- last former Giants IF to play for the Dodgers.
Um, Vizciano was first a Dodger, he came up in our organization.

Crapshoot

12-10-2004, 02:04 PM

Um, Vizciano was first a Dodger, he came up in our organization.

umm, Im referring to the fact that he was traded to SF as part of the Matt Williams deal by Cleveland, and played one season- and then left to join LA and proceded to be out hit by the pitchers.

DanGarion

12-10-2004, 02:06 PM

umm, Im referring to the fact that he was traded to SF as part of the Matt Williams deal by Cleveland, and played one season- and then left to join LA and proceded to be out hit by the pitchers.
Yeah but he can field! ;)

Crapshoot

12-10-2004, 02:17 PM

Yeah but he can field! ;)

Oh ya - Im hoping for the same from Kent ... :D

jbmagic

12-10-2004, 02:23 PM

there not going to break up the best double play combo in the MLB with Cora 2b and Cesar Izturis SS.

so kent will play 1b or 3b if Beltre dont get sign

and when cora needs to sit out, kent will play 2b

CentralMassHokie

12-10-2004, 02:51 PM

there not going to break up the best double play combo in the MLB with Cora 2b and Cesar Izturis SS.

Why not?

Kent's over the past 5 years has been anywhere from good to great regardless of what defensive metric you look at. So Cora's not that much of an upgrade.

Last year, Cora's offense was just below league average. So Kent gets a huge win here.

Topping it off, Depo is, I think, trying to build a pitching staff of flyball pitchers to take advantage of the vast OF in Chavez Ravine. Infield defense is not at a premium in LA as much as it might be in a different park behind a different pitching staff.

Trade Cora while his value is probably as high as it will ever be, especially if you think that his offense this past season was an aberration. Move Green back into the OF with Bradley and Werth/Ledee, and have Choi at first.

That offense could *almost* deal with the loss of Beltre. A combination of deals might lead you to pick up a 3B. Hell, Depo is probably looking to deal Cora if he can find his way into the Randy Johnson deal since that's going to *have* to be a multi-team deal. I could easily see Cora ending up in Arizona with prospects or someone like Brandon Webb ending up in LA (depending on the size/scope of the Johnson deal).

MrBug708

12-10-2004, 02:55 PM

jbmagic

12-10-2004, 04:02 PM

Why not?

Kent's over the past 5 years has been anywhere from good to great regardless of what defensive metric you look at. So Cora's not that much of an upgrade.

Last year, Cora's offense was just below league average. So Kent gets a huge win here.

Topping it off, Depo is, I think, trying to build a pitching staff of flyball pitchers to take advantage of the vast OF in Chavez Ravine. Infield defense is not at a premium in LA as much as it might be in a different park behind a different pitching staff.

Trade Cora while his value is probably as high as it will ever be, especially if you think that his offense this past season was an aberration. Move Green back into the OF with Bradley and Werth/Ledee, and have Choi at first.

That offense could *almost* deal with the loss of Beltre. A combination of deals might lead you to pick up a 3B. Hell, Depo is probably looking to deal Cora if he can find his way into the Randy Johnson deal since that's going to *have* to be a multi-team deal. I could easily see Cora ending up in Arizona with prospects or someone like Brandon Webb ending up in LA (depending on the size/scope of the Johnson deal).

i thimk it a bigger upgrade putting Kent to 1b over Choi....
Choi never has done anything yet..

JonInMiddleGA

12-10-2004, 04:20 PM

Was Kevin Elster a Giant?

Nope.

Met, Yankee, Phillie, Ranger, Pirate, Ranger (again), then Dodger.
http://www.baseball-reference.com/e/elsteke01.shtml

CentralMassHokie

12-10-2004, 05:23 PM

i thimk it a bigger upgrade putting Kent to 1b over Choi....
Choi never has done anything yet..

You did see what he was doing with the Marlins, right?

He came to the Dodgers, didn't hit out of the gate, and got plunked on the bench.

I'd be extremely surprised if he's not the starting 1B. He will probably be as good a hitter as Kent, so there's not a big upgrade there.

Cora's the odd man out, and rightfully so.

PilotMan

12-10-2004, 06:25 PM

For one, Choi, I think is a better bet at first base. I like a contact hitter with a good eye and some pop. I agree that it would be hard to break up the best DP combo in baseball, and the anchor for the defense in the middle. It seems to me that Green needs to go. He has been so hot or cold, that I have lost all faith in his ability to hang in there for an entire season. He is commanding way to much money at this point in his career and should be traded.

I am a bit bummed to see Lima go. He pitched one of the games that I saw in Cinci and was dominating. He was a big spark for the team, but I can see if LA was reluctant to give him multi-year deal. Elmer Dessens? Why?

Glad to see Nomo go. I cringed everytime he started last season. Maybe its time to head back to Japan.

Beltre needs to stay and LA has the money to keep him. I think the Johnson deal is a possibility, but from what I hear, Randy really doesn't want to go anywhere but NY. Still, he would look good in LA and would be perfect for LA.

MrBug708

12-10-2004, 07:29 PM

LA doesn't have the cash. We took equity out on the team AGAIN. *sigh* Never sell a team to a parking lot king.

Danny

12-11-2004, 04:15 AM

Randy Johnson is not coming to LA. He wouldnt waive his no trade clause to go LA before and he still isn't going to. The guy I want is Hudson and from what I hear, we have a real shot at him.

If we trade for Hudson and sign Clement, I would be fine with bringing in someone like Koskie to play 3B if Beltre does not back off of his demand for 7 years at a huge salary.

jbmagic

12-11-2004, 10:54 AM

the rumor is Edwin Jackson sp and Cora 2b for Hudson

look for Randy Johnsonm to go to the Angels , now that Finley is there....he going to talk his friend to come over..

CentralMassHokie

12-11-2004, 01:03 PM

the rumor is Edwin Jackson sp and Cora 2b for Hudson

There's got to be a whole lot more leaving the Dodgers and going to another team in a 3-team deal or to the A's straight up.

Because that's not nearly enough for Hudson, considering that the other deals that have been bandied about.

Swaggs

12-11-2004, 01:42 PM

the rumor is Edwin Jackson sp and Cora 2b for Hudson

look for Randy Johnsonm to go to the Angels , now that Finley is there....he going to talk his friend to come over..

Man, I would jump all over that Hudson deal, if true.

MrBug708

12-11-2004, 02:27 PM

Edwin Jackson is still untapped however...

Danny

12-11-2004, 05:20 PM

That earlier trade is not going to happen. It will take Edwin Jackson, Antonio Perez (who the A's prefer over Cora) and another good prospect. The Braves as of yet, are not offering Marcus Giles and the Cardinals offer is something like Dan Haren and Jason Marquis. Marquis in the American League would be a below average starter.

Danny

12-12-2004, 06:01 AM

Bomber

12-12-2004, 10:54 AM

I haven't seen that yet anywhere, do you have a link?

Danny

12-12-2004, 10:56 AM

http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/sports/10398742.htm?1c

I was fairly excited when I posted. It's not final yet, but this along with the Sporting News radio indicated it's a done deal. The media can be wrong often though, so Im trying to not get too excited now :).

Bomber

12-12-2004, 11:00 AM

Ok I haven't found a link, but I've seen it reported elsewhere. I think this trade works for both teams. Thank goodness the Sox can't get Hudson now.

ISiddiqui

12-12-2004, 11:18 AM

I hadn't heard anything that the Sox were planning on getting Hudson. I didn't think they had the young arm or stud young 2B that Oakland wanted.

daedalus

12-12-2004, 11:26 AM

It's been reported that the Dodgers and A's will announce that TIm Hudson has been dealt to the Dodgers for Edwin Jackson and Antonio Perez.

I am very happy with this deal, assuming of course we give Hudson an extension. That shouldn't be a problem as Green's and Dreifort's salaries come off the books after this season. That frees up close to 30 million. Hudson has been one of my favorite players and he should do very well at Dodger stadium and gives us a true ace.That (trading Jackson) hurts but, damn, pairing up Hudson and Penny would be SPIFFY. I might even be willing to forgive DePodesta for signing Kent.

Er, as DD said, IF we can get an extension, of course.

Bomber

12-12-2004, 11:35 AM

I hadn't heard anything that the Sox were planning on getting Hudson. I didn't think they had the young arm or stud young 2B that Oakland wanted.

Anything is possible with Theo. Now just one less thing to keep me up at night.

Bomber

12-12-2004, 11:55 AM

The Hudson deal isn't done yeat:

http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/news/mlb_news.jsp?ymd=20041212&content_id=921387&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp

jbmagic

12-12-2004, 01:17 PM

Danny

12-12-2004, 01:18 PM

Fox Sports is reporting it now http://msn.foxsports.com/story/3240016