DePodesta took a pounding at the trade deadline last season, when he traded away the heart and soul of the team, Paul LeDuca. He got Brad Penny out of the deal, which is a good thing, as long as Penny can stay healthy for a full season.
Again, over the winter, he got ripped a new one by the local and national media for dealing away Shawn Green and not resigning Adrian Beltre. He seemed to weather that storm as the Dodgers began the season red hot. To his credit, he did add Jeff Kent and Derek Lowe. He also took a chance on Milton Bradley last season after his temper wore out it's welcome in Cleveland. He IS trying.
Now, it's July, and the Dodgers are a sub .500 team in a very weak division, and the natives are once again restless. But, the realtity is, this division is still very winnable. Giants are out of contention without Bonds. Arizona has been up and down allseason. The Pads are a nice team, but they are clearly overacheiving, and seem to "want it more" when it comes down to it. Let's not even mention Colorado's "rebuilding" project every year or two.
The Dodgers need to add an outfield bat to the lineup RIGHT NOW. Werth, Grabowski, and Ledee ARE NOT the answer in LF and RF. That's worse than what the Braves had in April with Mondesi and Jordan (atleast Jordan is still decent). The starting staff should be okay, Odalis Perez is coming back this week, and the rsest (Lowe,Penny, Weaver) give your team a chance to win. The bullpen has obviously struggled at times with Gagne. When you lose your closer, especially one as dominant as Gagne, it makes it hard on the whole bullpen. Everyone has to move up a spot, and many times pitch in situations where they're unproven. The need a veteran arm down there to shore up things, and help out the younger guys.
If not, the Padres will pull away slowly but surely, as no one else in that division has what it takes to challenge them.
Again, over the winter, he got ripped a new one by the local and national media for dealing away Shawn Green and not resigning Adrian Beltre. He seemed to weather that storm as the Dodgers began the season red hot. To his credit, he did add Jeff Kent and Derek Lowe. He also took a chance on Milton Bradley last season after his temper wore out it's welcome in Cleveland. He IS trying.
Now, it's July, and the Dodgers are a sub .500 team in a very weak division, and the natives are once again restless. But, the realtity is, this division is still very winnable. Giants are out of contention without Bonds. Arizona has been up and down allseason. The Pads are a nice team, but they are clearly overacheiving, and seem to "want it more" when it comes down to it. Let's not even mention Colorado's "rebuilding" project every year or two.
The Dodgers need to add an outfield bat to the lineup RIGHT NOW. Werth, Grabowski, and Ledee ARE NOT the answer in LF and RF. That's worse than what the Braves had in April with Mondesi and Jordan (atleast Jordan is still decent). The starting staff should be okay, Odalis Perez is coming back this week, and the rsest (Lowe,Penny, Weaver) give your team a chance to win. The bullpen has obviously struggled at times with Gagne. When you lose your closer, especially one as dominant as Gagne, it makes it hard on the whole bullpen. Everyone has to move up a spot, and many times pitch in situations where they're unproven. The need a veteran arm down there to shore up things, and help out the younger guys.
If not, the Padres will pull away slowly but surely, as no one else in that division has what it takes to challenge them.