Heath Bell agrees...

Heath Bell expressed frustration with ESPN and their blatantly biased reporting, and stated that he preferred the MLB coverage at the MLB Network. From Nick Canepa's column at the San Diego Union Tribune:

"I saw ESPN's promo for tonight's game. They mentioned the Mets are opening at Citi Field, they mentioned the starting time, but nowhere did they mention the Padres. That gave me the (expletive).

I truly believe ESPN only cares about promoting the Red Sox and Yankees and Mets – and nobody else. That's why I like the MLB Network, because they promote everybody. I'm really turned off by ESPN and 'Baseball Tonight.' When Jake Peavy threw 8 1/3 innings on Saturday, they showed one pitch in the third inning and that was it. It's all about the Red Sox, Yankees and Mets."

Link to the article: http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/2009/apr/19/1s19canepa223929-bells-remarks-ring-true-about-alm/

Thank you Heath! For the record, this blog whole-heartedly endorses Heath's comments AND the MLB Network (Seriously, I haven't changed the channel from MLBTV HD since the station began airing programming on 1/1/09).

Xavier Paul Continues to Impress

The LA Times picked up on the impressive stats being posted by outfielder Xavier Paul this winter and spring. It appears he's caught Joe Torre's eye as well. From today's LA Times:

"He's emerged this spring," Manager Joe Torre said. "Last year, he caught our attention somewhat, but he was a little on the raw side. We're taking a more serious look at him this year."

Xavier credits his development this winter with working with former Giant, Kevin Mitchell on hitting while in Mexico.

Side note: I remember watching Kevin Mitchell make a bare-handed catch at the wall to save a home run...it was # 1 on Sportscenter's top plays for like 2 months!

Not that spring training stats mean anything, but Xavier leads the Dodgers in hitting thus far in spring training with 13 hits, a .406 batting average, .441 OBP (!), and 23 total bases in 13 games.

Keep up the good work, Xavier! You'll have big shoes to fill when Manny opts out of his contract at the end of the season.

The Tao of Manny

Via Yahoo! Sports:

“What happened in Boston, at this point, I don’t think it hurt me. It was a bad economy. I got a good contract. I have made my money already. I’m happy to be playing where I want to be playing. Actually, I won. I’m in a great place. My teammates love me, and the fans love me. It’s better to have a two-year deal in a place where you are happy than an eight-year deal in a place where you are suffering."

Rumor Mill: CC Sabathia and Cuban player Dayan Viciedo

Yahoo! Sports is relaying info that the Dodgers are in the midst of preparing their offer for CC Sabathia. Price tag: 6 years, $110 - 120 Million.

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/rumors/post/Dodgers-preparing-6-year-110-million-offer-to-?urn=mlb,123372

On another note, the Dodgers are also rumored to be showing interest in Dayan Viciedo - the 19 year old Cuban ball player who defected this past summer. Dayan made his debut in Cuban professional baseball at 15. 15!!!

http://blogs.pe.com/prosports/2008/11/dodgers-in-on-cuban-defector.html

BaseballAmerica offers the following scouting report blurb:

"Viciedo, born in March 1989, is listed at 6-foot-1, 210 pounds, but reports are that he was bigger than that last year at the World Junior Championship in Mexico. Viciedo has excellent power and hitting ability, however, with one scout comparing him to Giants prospect Angel Villalona. He slugged over .500 two of the last three seasons in Cuba’s Serie Nacional, its top-level league, hitting 14 homers in 2005-2006—as a 16-year-old—in his best season."

"His body could go the same route as Livan Hernandez, and when I saw him in Mexico, he wasn’t very good at third base anymore," one international scouting director said. "But he can really hit; in fact, I think he’s probably a better hitter than Villalona."

Dayan plays 3B, OF, and I have seen him listed at SS. For the life of me I cannot find any detailed stats on the kid.

Checking in on the farm hands. Who is Xavier Paul?

While the baseball world is consumed by the GM meetings in Dana Point, and Dodger fans hear about offers for Manny, a peek at the kids playing winter ball yields a big question:

Who is Xavier Paul?

And the answer is as follows:

• 4th round draft pick in 2003 out of Sidell High School in Louisiana
• Met the high-ceiling, 2-way player qualifications that the Dodgers look for in high schoolers (3B and Pitcher)
• Converted to outfield in the minors. Known for his left-handed bat and arm, not the glove
• Was the youngest player in major league camp when spring training began in 2008 (Kershaw didn't join the big boys until midway through camp)
• Broke camp heading for Las Vegas, and hit .315 for the AAA 51's in 2008.
• Stats in 115 games with the 51's: 443 AB's, 140 hits, 82 runs, 9 HR's, 68 RBI's, 17 SB's, .378 OBP, .463 SLG.

Here's the big part...

• Currently playing in the Winter Liga Mexicana del Pacifico for the Aguilas de Mexicali, and putting up some impressive numbers: 19 games, 72 AB's, 21 hits, 16 runs, 4 HR's, 10 RBI's, 4 SB's (been caught 3 times already though), .402 OBP, .486 SLG, .292 Avg. Those figures currently lead all Dodger prospects playing winter ball, including highly touted prospect Andrew Lambo and Ivan DeJesus.

As Ned re-engages in talks with the Padres regarding Jake Peavy - the Pads have said they are looking for 3 - 4 top-tier prospects consisting of a high level pitching prospect (or 2), outfielder, and middle infielder - could this be one of the chips on the negotiating table?

1st step to making a serious bid for CC

Declining Brad Penny's option...

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3684744

1st sign the Dodgers will re-sign Furcal

Declining Angel Berroa's $5.5 Million option.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/baseball/mlb/10/20/dodgers.berroa.ap/index.html