Asked if Kemp was hitting lower in the order than some people might think his numbers warrant, Torre said, "That's why the people who look at the numbers don't make the lineup."I know, right? Numbers suck. They are all confusing and stuff.
You know what's easier? Bunting with your best hitter, ruining bullpen arms, batting players in illogical spots in the order, not knowing how to use the double switch, and not knowing when to hook pitchers.
Remember, this is the same manager that thought it was totally fine to throw Kemp into the leadoff spot last year when Furcal went down, but now thinks Kemp can't handle anything above 7th.
Good thing he's a great clubhouse guy.
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I have heard something as to suggest that Joe doesn't really like Kemp. Joe really is using Belisario and Troncoso a lot, I was really hoping he would have used Travis Schliting some more. And Cory Wade could definitely eat some more innings up too.
Torre uses weird reasoning to justify overusing certain relievers. He assumes since they have starter's pedigrees, Troncoso and Belisario can handle a greater load. What he doesn't realize is that relief pitching produces a different kind of stress on the pitcher's arm, necessitating fewer innings. He was absolutely spoiled by Rivera when he was setting up Wetteland, but what Torre forgets is that Rivera throws nothing but fastballs that cut based on his grip and put little stress on the arm. Terry Francona could probably pitch Tim Wakefield in the rotation and twice a week in the bullpen, but that doesn't mean he wouldn't kill Josh Beckett doing the same thing.
I really don't get the Kemp thing. Old school guys like Torre love 5-tool contact machines like Kemp, and I haven't seen Kemp do anything to suggest he is some sort of primadonna. The fact that Kemp satisfies a sabermetrician too shouldn't have anything to do with this.
It's upsetting to see how Joe Torre handles Matt Kemp, and many other players for that matter. It's tough to complain when a team is winning, but these mishandlings could cost the Dodgers later in the year.
Matt Kemp is the Dodgers most talented young offensive and defensive player. What does Torre see that we all can't see? Kemp doesn't deserve to be batting at the bottom of the line-up, he's proved that.
One more thing about Torre while we're on the subject. When he left Billingsley in the game Friday night, even though Bills obviously had nothing left in the tank, I was so angry. This managerial blunder cost the Dodgers a victory, and the series sweep. Frustrating. Very frustrating.
Steven M-Wade could eat up more innings if Joe didn't ruin his world last year. :o
I've read the same thing about Kemp as you did I think.
Alireza-By some accounts, Torre thinks Kemp is a cocky dickhead.
Which is fine, I can see that in him a bit, and he's a young kid. I don't get why that's reason to bat him lower though. Besides, as long as he backs it up, he can act how he wants. After all, I loved Ricky Henderson.
Penos-The Dodgers have the best record in the majors despite Torre's game blunders. It's pretty remarkable. Who knows how many wins he's worth by keeping the clubhouse together, but it better be a lot.
I'm going to touch on how modern managers use their starters in a later post. I fucking hate it too. :o
While I generally think Billy Beane is an overrated ass who too often blurs the line between GM and field manager, it is times like this where I wish someone would take some control from Torre.
I don't give a shit what Torre thinks of Kemp, or if Kemp actually is a cocky dickhead. The guy does all the right things publicly and is currently the best overall hitter on the team. He should either be leading off or hitting third.
Yeah, probably. :o
I dont like Kemp leadoff, because of his power. I like the Hudson Furcal at the top when Manny comes back. This would be my lineup, based on last yr and this yr:
Hudson
Furcal
Manny
Ethier(did real well with Manny in front)
Kemp
Loney
Blake
Martin
Pitcher
what do you think?
ldy4l - You ever see Rickey Henderson play? Brady Anderson? Hear of Joe Morgan? Tony Phillips? Lenny Dykstra? Tim Raines? Lou Brock?
All of them had power and all spent lots of time leading off. Power in a leadoff man is actually rather desirable because it keeps pitchers honest and leads to greater OBP.
With the players in that lineup, it would be a better idea to do as follows:
Martin
Kemp
Manny
Ethier
Blake
Loney
Hudson
Pitcher
Furcal
I saw a bit of Ricky Henderson, but im only 15, so not much of the rest.
I dont mind Kemp 1 or 2, but i think that even with Manny, we wouldnt have enough power in the middle with Kemp at 2. It also seems to limit his numbers, because with a HR in the first, its a solo jack, instead of a 2 or 3run jack. If Furcal keeps struggling, Id put him at 7 or 8, but i would want to try him at the top with Manny in there. If he struggles, like this:
Hudson
Martin
Manny
Ethier
Kemp
Blake
Loney
Furcal
pitcher
LDY4L - Rickey Henderson hit 28 HR in a season twice, hit 20 or more 4 times, had a career wOBA of .388 despite playing well into his 40s, had an OPS as high as 1.016, over .900 4 times, over .850 8 times...Basically, he had tons of power to go along with his speed and it was well utilized in the lead off role.
If Kemp were already the 30-40 HR hitter he should develop into, I would say you have a point to have him in the middle of the order. Since he isn't that yet, but is rather a 20 HR/40 2B hitter currently, his OBP and contact ability make more sense in one of the first two slots in the order.
LDY4L-I'm not convinced Furcal is all the way back yet.
Alireza-It's yet to be proven if Kemp can maintain this level of discipline though. I hope so, but .370-.380 is a lot to ask from him at this stage. :o
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