From: stown@pyramid.COM (Scott Townsend)
Newsgroups: rec.sport.baseball
Subject: WHAT SHOULD THE DODGERS DO???
Date: 23 Jul 92 17:50:46 GMT
Distribution: usa
Organization: Pyramid Technology Corporation, Mountain View, California


Keywords: 

Well, it has become very apparent that the Dodgers of 1992 are having
a very, bad year, and it will probably not get much better this year. 
Myself, as a lifetime Dodger fan, am having a tough time reading the
sports section of the paper these days. But, rather than wallow in self
pity and despair let's begin to plan for the future and try to figure
out what types of moves the Dodgers can make that will help to prevent
the disaster of 1992 from reoccurring.

Below I will post some of my thoughts on what would help. I really
would like to hear all of your ideas!! Perhaps this way we Dodger fans
can at least dream a little and get ready for better times in the future.

INFIELD
=======

1B - This position looks like the most solid on the squad. Karros seems to
      be fitting in well and is doing very well for a rookie. I would hope
      that he is left alone and protected in the upcoming draft. He has been
      truly one of the bright spots of this season.

2B  - DISASTER CITY!!! The Dodgers have no one on the roster who can play
      this position at the major league level. Sharperson and Harris are
       both above average hitters, but both of them do not have a clue as
      to how to play this position. The errors that they make in the game
       (both those that are recorded and those that are not) more than
      negate their offensive output. Samuel is alittle bit better at fielding
      but I feel that he is very overpayed for what little he does. 
      OPTIONS: Bring up somebody from the farm or try to trade or buy a decent
               fielding player.

       I would opt for the minor league route. This has been historically the
       way that the Dodgers and most other teams have improved themselves.
       Buying the big names is very risky business- as we have learned with
       Straw and Davis. So lets bring up the best that we have at AAA or AA
       and develope some good young ballplayer like we have done in the past.

SS -   This is another one of the bright spots on this year's team. Offerman
	appears to have gotten over his nervousness and apprehensions of
	playing in the big leagues, and is now playing much better. His hitting
	is getting better all the time, and the errors he commits in the field
	are becoming less and less. He is our shortshop , and should be
	protected in the draft.

3B -   ANOTHER BIG PROBLEM !! We don't seem to have anybody who can play this
	position well everyday. Sharperson is OK somedays, and other days he is
        terrible. Perhaps if he was to play 3B everyday he might just learn
	 how to play the position. Sharperson's bat is one of thge best on the

	team, and for that reason I think that he needs to be in the lineup.
	Perhaps extensive work with him in the off season can teach him the
	necessary skills. Hansen does not have the arnm to play 3B and he
	is hitting very poor. I feel that he belongs back in AAA. I think that
	the DOdgers should give both the AA and AAA third baseman's a chance
	to make the 1993 team.

C  -    Hernandez all the way. Soscia should be relegated to the back up spot.
	Mike has given a lot to the team. But he no longer has it. He can't
	throw anybody out at second, and is not starting to make many mental
	errors. Hernandez is not perfect, but he is a major leaguer, and he
	will get much better as he gets more playing time.


OUTFIELD
========

LF      Eric Davis has been a major disappointment. Cincinatti fans on this
	net predicted that Eric would miss many games for the Dodgers. THEY
	WERE RIGHT!! The guy is agreat ballplayer, but he has done little to
	help the Dodgers. I would suggest trading him for several young
	promising stars. The teams greatest needs are at 2B and pitching. 
	Maybe he will suddenly get well and start playing to his potential.
	It's a gamble to keep him and I would opt for  a trade.

CF      Brett is now hitting above 300!! He seems to have really picked up
	his game since Offerman started leading off. He his a pretty reliable
	player. He probably has 1 or 2 more good years left. My recommendation
	would be to keep him and protect him.

RF      Well Daryl is on the DL again. It appears that he need surgery. Back
	surgery is a very risky thing, and Straw seems to want to avoid it.
	But, he is not getting better. I think the only chance for him is to
	get the surgery done, and then he may be able to play like he did when

	he was with the METS. Straw is a big question mark. I would opt for not
	protecting him in the draft and give that gamble to somebody else, or
	try to trade him for a young, healthy outfielder and/or pitcher.


PITCHING
========

	Pitching has historically been one of the graet strengths of a Dodger
	team. The 1992 pitching staff is the oldest in the league and appears
	to be fgading fast.

Starters
---------
	Orel - Presently pitching poorly. Is he still recovering from surgery
	       or have the hitters finally figured him out. Worth protecting
		to see if he an pitch well after more time to recover from
surgery.

        
      
	Ramon - He has lost it. It appears that something is wrong with his 
	        arm or his shoulder. He probably needs surgery , and then
	        lots of rehab. Send down to minors until he is ready to 
		pitch well again

	Candiotti - Most batters are figuring him out by the 5th inning. He
		    is not worth keeping. Do not protect in draft.

        Ojeda    - Looks much better this year. Protect in draft.

        Gross,Howell,Crews,McDowell - All over the hill. Don't protect
                                       any of them

Pitching Summary. Not much on the 1992 team. Time to bring up the best from
                   AAA and a quality YOUNG pitcher from another team if
                   available.



Well, I've rambled on quite a bit. Let me hear your ideas. This season is
very, forgettable, but with a little luck and a lot of smarts the Dodgers
could be in the 1993 pennant race!!!!!!!!


Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Scott	 = 
Newsgroups: rec.sport.baseball