Dodgers News And Notes

Matt Kemp had an amazing night, going five for 5, and the Dodgers still lose.  Kemp also was part a costly baserunning mistake in the first inning. They are now nine games back of the first place Padres. This season is slowly going down the drain.

The Dodgers held a closed door meeting before today's game. Maybe it helped a bit, as the slumping offense scored five runs. Too bad the pitching staff gave up TEN runs.

The Dodgers took down the Mannywood sign in left field. It's been replaced by John Hancock insurance sign. A team spokesman said the ballclub “sold the wall space.”

Vin Scully will call thirty-six more Dodger games this season. Could they be his last? Jon Weisman gives us his thoughts on Vinny.

Remember those Andre Ethier pictures in LA Times Magazine? They've already been photoshopped a million different ways. My favorite one is the Ethier Brokeback Mountain. Check out Deadspins new Dre pics.

Do you miss Blake DeWitt? Well, then follow him to Chicago. Being a Cubs fan isn't easy.

Dodgers Trade Blake DeWitt For Ted Lilly And Ryan Theriot

The Dodgers aquired pitcher Ted Lilly and infielder Ryan Theriot from the Cubs today. In return, the Dodgers sent 2B Blake DeWitt and minor league pitchers Brett Wallach and Kyle Smit to Chicago. The Cubs will pay $2.5 million towards the remaining $4.24 million left on Lilly's contract and $918K left on Theriot's contract.

Lilly is 3-8 this season with a 3.69 era. Theriot is batting.284, but with just a .320 on-base percentage and .327 slugging percentage. Ugh. DeWitt is hitting .270, with a .352 on-base percentage and .371 slugging percentage.


Chad at Memories of Kevin Malone has the details on the two minor leaguers, Wallach and Smit:

Wallach is not an elite prospect by any means, but he was still a relevant one. A projectable pitcher that was actually coming through on that promise of progress in A-ball, Wallach was starting to throw starter and showing improvement on breaking stuff.

Brett Wallach=3.72 ERA/1.37 WHIP/92 K/43 BB/84.2 IP

Smit has thrived upon being converted to relief in AA after struggling as a starter. As a hard thrower, his stuff was always better suited for the bullpen, so I suppose it shouldn't come as a huge surprise that he has had an effective year. Could easily become a viable bullpen arm, but never anything more than middle relief.

Kyle Smit=2.49 ERA/1.20 WHIP/46 K/10 BB/50.2 IP

So, did the Dodgers make a good trade? I don't think picking up Lilly was that bad, but the Dodgers real need is relief pitching. Sending DeWitt for Lilly and Theriot is questionable. DeWitt is making the minimum salary and would have been under team control through 2014. Theriot is under team control  until 2012.  DeWitt wasn't having a spectacular year, but he's still a better player than Theriot.

The Dodgers may not be done dealing, according to Ken Rosenthal the Dodgers are still in the mix for Toronto reliever Brandon League.