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A National League team in one of America's largest cities has an owner in financial trouble. His plan is to raise ticket prices and keep payroll down. He loses the support of his fans. He has major litigation troubles.
Here, of course, the paths diverge, as Major League Baseball has decided they've had quite enough of the troubled owner, and exert their will to force a sale. As the team obviously has lots of value, the troubled owner makes a handsome profit. The new, energized owners show a committment to winning and dump tens of millions of dollars into making the team competitive. Results pending.
2013 Dodgers
Your 2013 Dodgers indeed have the largest payroll in the National League, a good $60 million more than anyone else, and are just a few million behind the other team from New York.
The Dodgers have struggled early, and had lost six consecutive games before winning in Baltimore on Sunday. Injuries to the starting rotation have not helped things, nor has a weak offense (only Miami has scored fewer runs so far). At full strength, they'd be quite formidable, so hopefully the Mets can take advantage this week.
Pitching Matchups:
Tuesday: Clayton Kershaw ($11M) (L) v. Jon Niese
Kershaw is the best pitcher in the National League, and probably all of baseball. He won the Cy Young in 2011 and - in all fairness - probably should have won it in 2012 as well. He lead the NL in ERA and WHIP in both 2011 and 2012, lead the league in strikeouts in 2011 and was in second place in Ks last year by 1 to Dickey. He's 25 years old and just recorded his 1,000th strikeout.
He's never lost a decision against the Mets (6 career starts). I'm not saying we should be worried or anything, but in those 6 starts the Mets have a total of four extra-base hits against him (and inexplicably, two of them - including a homer - were by Luis Castillo). I was trying to find something to dislike about him and discovered that he spends his offseason doing charity work in Zambia and received last year's Roberto Clemente award. The only encouraging news is that he struggled in his last start against the Orioles.
Wednesday: Ted Lilly ($12M) (L) v. Matt Harvey
This is Lilly's first start after missing most of 2012 with shoulder problems (and eventually surgery). He hasn't faced the Mets since 2011, when he was outdueled by Pelfrey at Dodger Stadium in a game where Jason Bay (!) had four RBIs.
This is an ESPN game for the out-of-towners.
Thursday: Hyun-jin Ryu ($2.5M) (L) v. Jeremy Hefner
Ryu pitched seven years in Korea before joining the Dodgers this year ($25M posting fee). 2-1 with a 4.01 ERA in 4 major league starts. 26 Ks and 5 walks in 24.2 innings. This is a 1:10 start.
The Mets will miss Josh Beckett ($15.75M) this time.
Dodger Lineup:
C - AJ Ellis ($2M) (R)
Decent numbers in his first full season last year: 13-52-.270/.373/.414. Has started hot (.429 OBP) this year.
1B - Adrian Gonzalez ($21M) (L)
Also started hot this year (.985 OPS). Combined stats last year between Boston and LA were only .299/.344/.463, his worst in years; looking to bounce back this year. Plays every day (averaged 160 games/season over the past 7 years).
2B - Mark Ellis ($5.25M) (R)
Excellent glove, nothing special with the bat.
3B - Luis Cruz (R)
Had a decent second half (.753) of last year in his first full-time major league experience. 4-for-46 to start this season.
SS - Justin Sellers (R)
Has the job by way of Hanley Ramirez's injury. Cannot hit. Graduate of the Jeff Kent school of motorcycle safety.
LF - Carl Crawford ($20M) (L)
Was hurt last year when traded from Boston (Tommy John surgery) but was healthy in spring training and made the Dodgers' roster. Remains to be see whether his 2011 year of suck (.694 OPS) in Boston was an aberration. Hot start this year (.922 OPS, 7 XBHs). Third on the active players Stolen Bases leaderboard.
CF - Matt Kemp ($20M) (R)
MVP-quality in 2011 (.986 OPS, 39 homers). Hurt in 2012 (torn labrum) but still managed a not-too-shabby 23 Homers and .906 OPS. An elite player approaching his prime (age 28). Slow start this year.
RF - Andre Ethier ($13.5M) (L)
Decent player if overshadowed by Kemp. .284/.351/.460 last year, not much so far this year.
Dodger Bench
Juan Uribe ($7M) (R)
This is the last year of a disastrous 3 year contract, in which Uribe has a sub-.600 OPS and is not much more than a benchwarmer.
Jerry Hairston Jr. ($3.75M) (R)
Less bat than his brother, plays a bunch of different positions.
Nick Punto ($1.5M) (S)
8-for-18 to start this year but he's nothing special with the bat generally. Generic infield sub.
Skip Schumacher ($1.5M) (L)
I've always disliked him, whether it was the stupid name, my association of him with LaRussa, or him getting six hits in this frustrating game.
Ramon Hernandez ($3.2M) (R)
Former all-star is now just a replacement-level backup catcher.
Dodger Bullpen:
Brandon League ($4.5M) (R) is the closer, formerly of Seattle.
Kenley Jansen (R), last year's closer, is the set-up man. Strikes out ton of batters (99 in 65 innings last year).
Matt Guerrier ($3M) (R)
Ronald Belisario ($1.45M) (R) has struggled.
JP Howell ($2.85M) and Paco Rodriguez are the lefties.
Dodger Injuries:
Zack Greinke ($17M), broken collarbone via Carlos Quentin.
Chad Billingsley ($11M), elbow pain. Billingsley was a high-school teammate of Jon Niese.
Chris Capuano ($6M), strained calf.
Hanley Ramirez ($15.5M), torn thumb ligament, out until June.
Ex-Mets:
Capuano
Ex-Dodgers:
None. Terry Collins used to manage in their minor-league system.
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