Why Manny being suspended could be good for the Dodgers

[tommyfro21]

I thought about this as I was picking up Juan Pierre for my fantasy team tonight (didn't really want to but the FA pool is thin and I can use the steals).

Manny being out of the lineup could be a good thing for LA in the long term for a few reasons:

1. If Juan Pierre plays well while Manny is out, his trade value goes up big. Once Manny returns, LA could consider trading Pierre for pitching down the stretch if they wanted. Pierre would have some worth again and could be moved unless LA wants to bring him in during the 8th and 9th innings during their playoff run. Had Manny not been suspended, Pierre would be rotting on the bench with no value and would never get consistent playing time enough to keep him sharp.
2. Provided Manny's bat stays as productive as it has been (I think it will), he won't dare test the market and opt out of his contract. LA will have him next year as well. He wants over 600 HRs and wants to make sure he can play. Plus LA may be his only option in the future if he wants to keep playing.
3. Manny should come back really rested. Coming back at mid-point of the season rested could give the Dodgers another nice little surge.

Whether Manny lied or not is not my point. My point is that while LA may suffer some in the short-term, this may help them in the long-term.

Thoughts?

 

[gt2590]

As Steve Philips pointed out tonite on SNB, the Dodgers may take that $7 (or so) million they save in payroll and use it for a stud pitcher.

IF SF is going to beat them, they should have a good lead by then. They have the pitching and the owner would spend $$$ to get a big bat after the AS break.

 

[championMan]

If anyone that can handle distraction is your manager Joe torre. As long as they have good pitching, Return Manny in July is like trading for a big bat for stretch run.

 

[Johan Santana 57]

As Steve Philips pointed out tonite on SNB, the Dodgers may take that $7 (or so) million they save in payroll and use it for a stud pitcher.

IF SF is going to beat them, they should have a good lead by then. They have the pitching and the owner would spend $$$ to get a big bat after the AS break.

They only get 2.4 MM this year and then 1.35 MM the next 3 years, not all 7 or 8 MM now.

 

[HoustonTeams4Me]

I think Juan Pierre is a GREAT player considering he hits for high average, is one of the BEST at stealing base's, is perfect for the #1 or #2 hole (or heck the 8 or 9 hole even, as he'll get on base & give the pitcher/catcher "fits" as he tear's along the base path's, he also can allow the "table setter's" to move him along the base path's), & is a run scoring machine! I just don't get why they benched him (I get that they have talent in the OF but look at what he's already providing with Manny out)! I guess I've just always liked him (as I always would grab him in my fantasy league's).

 

[darocker80]

And they are 1-3 now with Manny gone

yup

 

[darocker80]

As Steve Philips pointed out tonite on SNB, the Dodgers may take that $7 (or so) million they save in payroll and use it for a stud pitcher.

IF SF is going to beat them, they should have a good lead by then. They have the pitching and the owner would spend $$$ to get a big bat after the AS break.

Who could that big bat be?

 

[cardboardGIANTS]

If you call the Giants taking over 1st a good thing for LA, then sure.

 

[vetsgt02]

the giants will not take over 1st. Man giants fans are funny :lol:

 

[fengzhang]

Giants don't have the hitting to take over first, w/ or w/o the Dodgers having Manny.

 

[darocker80]

We'll see in a month

 

[ronfromfresno]

It's a great thing for the Dodgers, they can keep hitting their pitchers 8th, so Pierre can finally find a spot in the line up.

Andre Eithier can continue to fail with no big bat for opposing pitching to fear hitting behind him.

The lack of depth on their pitching staff can be shown while the offense scores fewer runs.

Plus, once Manny figures out that he'll have to talk about this he'll decide he'd rather stay at home and forget about the baseball thing or just "Manny being Manny" he'll give up in the stretch run as the 'roid start to wear off.

Sorry Dodgers fans, just another failed season, gotta love Larry Baer, wonder why the Giants let him go.

 

[kdailey4315]

the giants will not take over 1st. Man giants fans are funny :lol:

You guys keep saying wait till our number 2 pitcher(who wouldn't even make the giants rotation) returns then we'll be unstoppable and we're the funny ones?

 

[FromKoufaxtoEdwin]

the giants will not take over 1st. Man giants fans are funny :lol:

You guys keep saying wait till our number 2 pitcher(who wouldn't even make the giants rotation) returns then we'll be unstoppable and we're the funny ones?

Really? C'mon now, no need to resort to unsubstantiated hyperbole. The Giants rotation is good, but not as good as that statement would claim. Randy Johnson has been really bad this year (5.6 ERA and FIP), Sanchez also has a FIP of over 5 and walks far too many hitters right now, and Zito is on a nice little run right now and we all know that will not last. The first 2 guys are studs- the final 3 are question marks every time they go out there right now, which isnt much different from the Dodgers. Kuroda was very good last year with a ERA and FIP in the mid 3 range, and right now would be the Giants #3. The Giants are a decent team this year and could finish 2nd, but they arent a realistic threat to the dodgers right now, and especially not when Manny gets back.

 

[onehrk]

the giants will not take over 1st. Man giants fans are funny :lol:

You guys keep saying wait till our number 2 pitcher(who wouldn't even make the giants rotation) returns then we'll be unstoppable and we're the funny ones?

Really? C'mon now, no need to resort to unsubstantiated hyperbole. The Giants rotation is good, but not as good as that statement would claim. Randy Johnson has been really bad this year (5.6 ERA and FIP), Sanchez also has a FIP of over 5 and walks far too many hitters right now, and Zito is on a nice little run right now and we all know that will not last. The first 2 guys are studs- the final 3 are question marks every time they go out there right now, which isnt much different from the Dodgers. Kuroda was very good last year with a ERA and FIP in the mid 3 range, and right now would be the Giants #3. The Giants are a decent team this year and could finish 2nd, but they arent a realistic threat to the dodgers right now, and especially not when Manny gets back.

Agreed. Sure I'm an Athletics fan but residing in SoCal makes me a NorCal fan. So I do support the Giants as well and watch 99% of their games on MLB TV. I don't know where this confidence is coming from, the Giants aren't contenders this year...

 

[FromKoufaxtoEdwin]

the giants will not take over 1st. Man giants fans are funny :lol:

You guys keep saying wait till our number 2 pitcher(who wouldn't even make the giants rotation) returns then we'll be unstoppable and we're the funny ones?

Really? C'mon now, no need to resort to unsubstantiated hyperbole. The Giants rotation is good, but not as good as that statement would claim. Randy Johnson has been really bad this year (5.6 ERA and FIP), Sanchez also has a FIP of over 5 and walks far too many hitters right now, and Zito is on a nice little run right now and we all know that will not last. The first 2 guys are studs- the final 3 are question marks every time they go out there right now, which isnt much different from the Dodgers. Kuroda was very good last year with a ERA and FIP in the mid 3 range, and right now would be the Giants #3. The Giants are a decent team this year and could finish 2nd, but they arent a realistic threat to the dodgers right now, and especially not when Manny gets back.

Agreed. Sure I'm an Athletics fan but residing in SoCal makes me a NorCal fan. So I do support the Giants as well and watch 99% of their games on MLB TV. I don't know where this confidence is coming from, the Giants aren't contenders this year...

I didnt even touch on that "offense" that the Giants have that basically relies on guys not hitting the ball hard enough so they can string together 4 infield singles to score their 2 runs per game.

 

[ronfromfresno]

Remember this a very, very weak division, with the Dodgers barely better than the rest with Manny in the line-up. Whomever wins the West will likely have the Dodgers fate of the last couple of playoffs apperances, out in the first round, sitting at home like everyone else.

 

[kdailey4315]

Agreed. Sure I'm an Athletics fan but residing in SoCal makes me a NorCal fan. So I do support the Giants as well and watch 99% of their games on MLB TV. I don't know where this confidence is coming from, the Giants aren't contenders this year...

In a division where 500 or 5 games above 500 will it then yes the Giants are contenders.

 

[AndyLaroche#1Fan]

With the $7 million they save with ManRam, the Dodgers can go out and get Ben Sheets as he will be back around when Manny gets back. Also the Dodgers have Claudio Vargas who will be getting off the DL in a month or so. We could use him as trade bait with Pierre to get a stud. Or maybe they will save the 7 million dollars and look at the future. Roy Halladay is on the last year of his contract. Maybe they will invest on him. Halladay, Billingsley, Kuroda, Wolf, Kershaw maybe??

 

[kdailey4315]

With the $7 million they save with ManRam, the Dodgers can go out and get Ben Sheets as he will be back around when Manny gets back. Also the Dodgers have Claudio Vargas who will be getting off the DL in a month or so. We could use him as trade bait with Pierre to get a stud. Or maybe they will save the 7 million dollars and look at the future. Roy Halladay is on the last year of his contract. Maybe they will invest on him. Halladay, Billingsley, Kuroda, Wolf, Kershaw maybe??

The 7 mil is spread out over 3 years the dodgers are not getting it all at once. You guys should just face facts root for your team and be happy with your 2nd place finish. At least you're not San Diego fans