Go Dodgers!

Well, you can't say that DePodesta played it safe. He has swung for the fences.

From a quick read of the ESPN.com comments they say the Dodgers were losers in the trade deadline shuffle.

Bringing in a starter was key. The question was how much would they give up to get one. He brought in hard throwing Penny but the price was pretty steep with LoDuca and Mota. However, in defense of DePodesta, LoDuca does tend to wear out in the 2nd half though he does provide the "intangibles" in terms of hustle and a good clubhouse presence and a calming influence on the pitchers. Mota as a set-up guy is tough to give up but to get someone you got to give up someone.

Losing Encarnacion is probably okay as the Dodgers have a solid outfield and Encarnacion has been hurt on and off so wasn't a key piece to the Dodger success so far.

Bringing in Finley was an interesting move which I suppose makes sense since the Dodgers also gave up OF Roberts so we needed at least one replacement outfielder. Getting Mayne was necessary since Ross would have been the only catcher. Losing Martin was okay as he is a situational lefty which sometimes I wonder just how important that role is. Alvarez now gets double duty as the situational lefty and the middle relief.

Anyway, the general feeling was that the Dodgers prior to the trade deadline was probably good enough to contend in the NL West but probably not good enough to go anywhere because the starting pitching is too shaky. Weaver and Perez were the only dominant pitchers. Ishii wins but his ERA is high. Lima has been amazing for an old guy but you just wonder when he will run out of gas. But the way he has been pitching with such economy, his old arm might just be enough in the 5th starter. Penny takes over for Alvarez as part of the core rotation (1 through 4).

The bullpen is going to be interesting. Gagne will close. I take it Driefort will take 8th inning set up. I'll be curious who is 7th inning set-up? Will it be Sanchez or the guy they are bringing up Brazoban?

Anyway, I suspect DePodesta felt the team they had going was barely enough to get the NL West so he figures toss the dice and retool big time to see if he can get the team further than that... something that hasn't happened since 1988.

I want to believe!