Quote:
Originally Posted by CJFusco
...Look at the track records. When DePodesta was at LA, the Dodgers made a run for it, which they haven't repeated since DePodesta left for San Diego after 05 (and they had a pretty darn good team this year). IMHO, the Dodgers would have been well-advised to hold onto DePodesta.
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Uh....no. I've got to disagree with you. I know you weren't here to see/read what was happening but holding onto Depodesta would have been somewhat of an ongoing disaster. This is the guy that thought Hee Sop Choi should be playing first base for us if you remember? This is the guy that is remembered for trading away Paul Lo Duca - who, (if you were here you would know) was the heart and soul of that team. When he left he CRIED on camera. Sure Depo got us Brad Penny...who immediately had arm problems and was out; season flushed. Sure Penny has turned out great and we have moved on now with Russell Martin - All Star, Gold Glove and Silver Slugger. BUT, Depodesta left us relying on Koyie Hill. anyone remember him? Can't miss prospect....uh huh. I can't remember right now who the setup man was that was Mr. Automatic do get us through the 8th to hand the ball to Gagne in the 9th, but Depodesta traded him away in the Lo Duca trade and it put a strain on the whole 'pen and ultimately led to Gagne's arm problems when Jim Tracy, arguably was forced to overuse him by pitching him in the 8th and even a couple of times in the 7th.
Look, they only won one more game in the playoffs in the Depodesta era than since and frankly, it was a bit of luck. Jose Mesa threw that game and pulled it out of his rear. I was AT the game when Stever Findlay pulled a slam out of nowhere to win us the West. Depodesta was NOT GM material...at least not then. I agree statistical analysis was long overdue but I think there is no substitute for a sage scout and a wise GM who relies on BOTH.
The GM all Dodgers fans should be giving a bow to is Dan Evans. HE (along with very significantly) Logan White are the architects of the current farm resurgence. Martin, Kemp, Loney,