Thank God Joe Torre is gone

As you know from my posts from earlier in the season, I didn't like Torre as a manager. On the other hand, I love Joe Girardi. It feels good to have a manager who's intelligent.

Joe Torre is going to destroy the LA Dodgers this year. Let's prove it.

Who should be the starting left-fielder?

Choice #1
25 year old
.295/.357/.464
108 OPS+
.280 eqA

Choice #2
30 year old
.301/.348/.374
84 OPS+ (75 last year)
.256 eqA

Joe Torre: I like choice #2. No question. He's an old school type player, which I appreciate. He runs fast. He steals lots of bases. He's exciting, no question. He has experience. He does things the right way.
B.A.: So Juan Pierre's better than Andre Ethier?
Joe Torre: Yes.
B.A.: Man, are the Dodgers going to have some fun this year...and Scott Proctor's right arm will have to be amputated...
Joe Torre (brightly smiles): Scott Proctor's on my team???
B.A.: Oh God help us all...

Speaking of the bullpen, let's take a look at how well Torre has managed it from 2004 onward.

2004
Paul Quantrill - 86 appearances, 95.1 IP
EIGHTY SIX APPEARANCES. Jesus, I don't think even Jack took as bad a beating in China as Quantrill's arm did in Torre's bullpen.
Tom Gordon - 80 appearances, 89.2 IP
Two relievers with over 80 appearances. That's horrendous.

2005
Tom Gordon - 79 appearances, 80.2 IP
Hey, we're getting better!!!

2006
Scott Proctor - 83 appearances, 102.1 IP
Holy shitballs...

2007
Luis Vizcaino - 77 appearances, 75.1 IP
Scott Proctor (before Betemit trade) - 52 appearances, on pace for about 75-80 for full season

And this is just an indication of him overworking the bullpen...we could go all night talking about his timing and his bullpen choices.

Oh yeah...

Let's do another B.A. type analysis here. Who should be your starting third baseman?

Choice #1
24 year old
.295/.376/.525 in minors
.322/.400/.550 and .309/.399/.589 at AAA at ages 22-23

Choice #2
soon to be 35 year old
hasn't played over 120 games in 5 years
boasted an Ecksteinian .700 OPS last year
experienced

Joe Torre: Oh choice #2, no question. He's my third baseman. He's got experience. That's all that counts. He knows how to win. He plays the game the right way.
B.A.: So you like Nomar Garciappara as your starting third baseman as opposed to Andy LaRoche?
Joe Torre: No question. There's no question.

(Note: B.A. knows that LaRoche tore a ligament in his thumb and will be out until May. Torre was thinking this BEFORE the injury.)

Well, as far as Ned Colletti is concerned, I think there will be a question he'll be asking himself:

WHY AM I PAYING THIS MAN $13 MILLION OVER THE NEXT 3 YEARS?