Ya they usually do. You always hear about them trying to get flights during the trade deadline to see if they will make the game that night. You would think with the money the owners are throwing around, an extra 25 grand to charter a jet wouldnt be that big of a deal.
Beckett has been pretty awful this season. He's probably a #4 at best now.
I agree with this, none the less it's still an upgrade in the rotation. I can't stress enough the the wonders Gonzalez is going to have on the offense. Ramirez, Ethier, Kemp, Gonzalez in the middle of the line-up? Yes please.
The dodgers now have 4 guys that can hit .300 and hit 25+ homers. This should also boost Kemp's numbers even more assuming Gonzalez hits behind him in the order...
If Beckett can somehow regain his form from a few years ago (unlikely but could happen), having Kershaw/Beckett in a 7 games series would be sick. Assuming though Beckett does not regain form, the only thing I see this team upgrading much would be a 1B starter and a solid lead-off hitter (I think Victorino is better suited in the 2 hole).
Still shocked how little Boston is getting for a guy like Gonzalez, considering how much they paid for him the winter before last.
Gonzalez is a great talent, and Beckett at this point is an improvement on the bottom of your rotation, I guess the deal makes some sense from Boston's perspective to rid themselves of Carl Crawford's awful contract and Beckett's pretty bad contract, but wow talk about an organization doing a total 180 from where they were a couple of years ago.
Just like Hanley, the change of scenery is going to be REALLY good for Beckett. I wouldn't be surprised to see him improve back up to a #2 or #3 with us behind Kershaw.
In case any of you guys care here is a Sox fan breakdown for you.
Adrian Gonzalez: Probably going to win the NL MVP next year. He had a horrible (for him) first half of the season this year, but has been his old self since the All-Star break. Was great last year. Like anybody playing Dodger Stadium is homerun totals won't be astronomical, but he's a Triple Threat Guy. You will love him. Some shoulder issues, but no one has ever been totally clear on how bad they may or may not be.
Carl Crawford: NO ONE KNOWS! Seriously, the dynamic, Red-Sox murdering Tampa Bay Carl never showed up at Fenway. Last season was a catastrophe, and then he missed most of this season with an elbow injury, which he just had Tommy John surgery on. He will never be worth his contract even at his best, but if he returns to his Tampa Bay form he is still an All-Star and I think Dodger Stadium will be a great ballpark for him. Great fielder. I would not be surprised if he comes back as an All Star, but this contract hung over the Sox like a guillotine.
Josh Beckett: **** him and his fat ****ing face. I literally don't care if he wins the next two NL Cy Young's. I am so sick of his face, of his being out-of-shape, of his not caring that he sucks, of his smugness.
Every year a Cy Young nom or a 5.00 ERA is in play. Because he only cares when he cares. Constantly hurt and unproductive because he is always out of shape. I will never boo him because he was the most important guy on the 07 championship team (don't win without him), but he needed to go.
He has been awful this year. ****ing awful. You don't even want to look at his ERA+.
Just heard a great report from KSPN here in Los Angeles...there was some discussion on why the Dodgers did this deal, and this analyst says (I am paraphrasing):
"It just goes to show how important it is for the Dodgers to get back their brand (name) this year...they want to get back to being on par with the Lakers, the Kings, and everyone else who is winning out there."
Man, did that make me laugh out loud. In a good way. Never have I heard the Kings mentioned in that way, EVEN after winning the title this past June.
If I get a sound byte of that report, I will link it up on this thread.
