So why do I want to deal for him?

Because one or two years of Kemp in CF is vastly better than what the Yanks currently have and his upside as a corner just might be realized IF he develops.

Meanwhile, Kemp for IPK is absurd. It’s very easy to argue against strawmen. However, given the woeful state of the Dodgers’ pitching, IPK + McAllister is not. They would both immediate jump to the top of the Dodgers pitching prospects heap. And Kennedy would legitimately be fighting Wolf for a rotation spot.

To prove that point, let’s take a quick look at the two Dodger prospects this “expert” has cited:

Elbert – missed, almost all of 2007 with a shoulder injury. He came back in 2008 to pitch all of 41 innings with 20 BB and 46 K. in AA at age 22. Those K’s are great. Those walks are horrible. That, by itself, may not be a problem if he develops. Problem is, he’s running out of time and has pitched just 52 innings in the last two years. The best that one can hope is that Elbert becomes useful out of the pen in 2009 or 2010.

MacDonald – At 23 years old, he stretches even the conservative definition of “prospect” especially since he’s thrown just 22 innings in AAA. The problem is a sore arm has pushed him back and forth between the OF and the mound and so delayed his early development. Last year, he put up a good K rate in AA, but against too many walks to ever really be effective. Worse, he did it as a 23 year old in AA. Did I mention he’s 23 with only 22 innings in AAA? If he arrives at all this year it will be to prop up Randy Wolfs body. At best, right now he’s a long reliever who may be forced into starting duty.

Bottom line: There’s room for a deal. Most tellingly, none of these self-anointed experts, not even the one from France, has disputed a Hughes for Kemp deal with Melky thrown in for good measure. If Nifty Ned were put in a similar position, I don’t see how he could say no given the woeful state of his farm and the back of his rotation. Pierre for Kemp isn’t going to cost that team a playoff spot. 200 innings of Randy Wolf’s dead left arm and uberprospct James McDonald just might. Hughes, and yup, Kennedy too, have already proven they’re better than any arm the Dodgers have in their farm.

Meanwhile, given the state of the Yankee CF I don’t care if the Yanks had to cough up Hughes and Betances for Kemp. The chances of both becoming successful major league pitchers is exceedingly small.

It’s definitely true, currently the Dodgers pitching prospects aren’t as high or close as they have been, temporarily at least. Though it depends on how you’re defining prospects; I’d put James McDonald and Scott Elbert (once extremely highly rated, finally made a good comeback after arm surgery last year) up there with most team’s prospects. Both should be on the team this year though so I guess they don’t count as prospects. E Martin and Chris Withrow are talented but def too unproven to put in the conversation anytime soon. Randy Wolf may only be an average or slightly above avg pitcher (a pretty good #4 imho tho) but he’s also not going to cost them either a draft pick or young player in trade. Oh yes and Ramon Troncoso is being talked about as a starter, too, he did well in limited action this winter in attempt to convert. The cupboard’s not exactly bare, is the point.

I still like me some Joba, though.

Anyway, we miss you guys over on the Toaster; have to keep reminding myself to stop by here more often. Cheers.

BR – out!

And again, you’ve added absolutely nothing of substance.

Any more French words to add, at least?

SHT – out, along with everyone else it would appear. Have fun talking to yourself. Too bad there’s no ignore function on this board.

Hey Cliff!…

Do you ever add anything of substance, or do you just stop by to pretend how smart you are while trying to pick up baseball geeks?