From: kbos@carina.unm.edu (Kurt Bose "of Biscayzee")
Subject: Re: Astacio Shuts Out Mets for Dodger Win
Date: Thu, 20 Aug 92 22:19:32 GMT
Organization: University of New Mexico, Albuquerque

In article <1992Aug20.164840.5406@parc.xerox.com> zappala@Xerox.com (Daniel Zappala) writes:
>In article <l93oneINNqqk@mizar.usc.edu>, pcaster@mizar.usc.edu (Dodger) writes:
>
>When do you think Goodwin will replace Butler?  Next year?  With
>Butler doing so well right now, I can't see them not playing him
>next year.
>
Goodwin is hitting well, even for the PCL.  I don't have walk #s handy, but his
average would be ~.275 in LA, and if he's doing much walking in ABQ, that comes
out to an acceptable OBP.  Nothing earth-shattering, but servicable.  He's got
great speed, but (IMHO) Eric Young's baserunning instincts are slightly better.
In fact, the way Young and Goodwin have been playing this year (again, don't
have current walk data), Young's performance should be a good benchmark for how
Goodwin might do.  Goodwin's a bit faster, but Young has the better mechanics.
Ask yourself if you'd rather have Young than Butler, and you'll have the answer
for Goodwin.

>This raises a good issue though: if Goodwin, Rodriguez, and perhaps
>Ashley are ready to play, what do the Dodgers do with their "great outfield?"
>I can see them using Butler less as he gets older the next few years,
>but it seems like Rodriguez and Ashley and Mondesi would have to wait
>a while for Davis and Strawberry....or will they not be re-signed?
>
Straw has three more years left, doesn't he?  Davis is a free agent; when he's
healthy, I still feel he's better than Rodriguez at this point.  If the price
to resign him isn't that steep, they will probably do it, and Rodriguez will
always be there if Eric can't play.  As for Ashley, I think he'll get a full 
year in Albuquerque.  He has talent, but might not show up in LA till '94.
Raul Mondesi is another interesting dilemma, but he'll get more time to iron
out his attitude and his injury in the minors.

>Also, I heard that Lasorda may ask Gross to go to the bullpen so that
Astacio can start, and that Gross isn't thrilled (he just pitched a no-hitter!).
>Is Gross not good enough to keep starting?  It seems like his numbers have
>been good this year, but maybe I'm just fondly remembering his 13-strikeout
>game.  Also, does this mean they'll release Crews??  Please???
>
Let's hope so...if I were Gross, I'd be upset, too, but the fact is, the team is
much better with Gross coming out of the pen.  Astacio, IMHO, just isn't suited
for relief.  I don't know the cause; it's just my opinion.

>Are there definite plans to bring up Pedro Martinez soon?  Or will this be
>when they expand rosters?
>
Pedro is on the 40-man roster, so he's eligible for the draft.  I really think
the thing that's kept him in Albuquerque is that they want him polished when
he reaches LA.  He hasn't had the kind of success here that he has in other
spots in the chain.  As Dodger knows, I've advocated keeping Pedro in the 
minors all year; I think the other factor is that the Dukes are still not out
of the PCL race.  Bill Russell, Lasorda's heir apparent, might be watched to
see f he can pull a rabbit out of his hat.  Taking away the perceived staff ace
wouldn't help matters any.

>And is there any hope in the minor leagues for a closer or other bullpen help??

The two top relievers in AAA are Zak Shinall and Kip Gross.  Gross has been 
alternating between starter and stopper.  He's performed fairly well in both
roles.  The Seanez and Davis trades last year wiped the farm system out of 
experienced closers and in AAA, a bullpen by committee has emerged.  Gross 
and Shinall are the most visible and most successful pitchers to show up so 
far.  Though it's nice to see the Baby Goose in Duke red and gold.


-- 
Kurt Bose (as in Daisy, not Rose) - kbos@carina.unm.edu - I'm not the AntiChrist
I AM the AntiWoofer. - Junior Stathead{tm} - I'm a shutmouthed, selfless idiot!!
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