Brad Penny for CY Young thread

[Gagne#3 8]

After a few starts it has finally look like Penny has turned the corner and became the ace that he was expected to be.

He should be 3-0 after tonight

[mojorisin71]

Isn't it a bit too early to tout the Cy Young candidates? I mean, at this point last year Odalis Perez was 4-0 and look where he ended up.

[linkmaster]

Sportsbooks aren't given Penny any credit. But he's got the stuff to be filthy.

"Penny is still just 27 years old and he has still yet to hit his prime. No one questions his mid-90's fastball with a nice curve. But to take his pitching to the next level he has added a change-up this season. When these power-type of arms are able to add a 'soft' pitch, the [BETTING LINK DELETED]."

[KCGHOST]

Way to early for this kind of speculation. Given time guys usually revert to what they are.

[Jake83]

I think it may be to early for a CY Young converstation but we should use this thread for the development of Penny and Perez as #1 Starters over the season because we all know Derrick Blowe is not one

[TRIPxCORE]

After a few starts it has finally look like Penny has turned the corner and became the ace that he was expected to be.

He should be 3-0 after tonight

Are you kidding? Penny for Cy Young? No way! No one in the N.L. is doing as well as Greg Maddux.

[BloodRunsBlue22]

Of course it's far too early in the season to speculate about Cy Young candidates, but I think we all can concede that the addition of a third pitch has made Penny a more formidable pitcher and probably added to his longevity by 4-5 years. I don't think he'll win more than 12 games this season and I don't think he'll reach 200 strikeouts, but that said, I think he's the best starter the Dodgers have.
Odalis Perez? Are you serious? Perez is the worst pitcher on the staff: his velocity is down, the difference from fastball to change is only maybe an 8mph differential, and, perhaps worst of all, he doesn't have the heart to be a good picther. He's soft and he doesn't care. Remember his half-assed playoff performance last year? Makes me sad that a guy who had such potential is so apathetic towards the game. Granted, Derek Lowe is not a #1 guy, but if you think Perez IS, you must be living in 1998.
All in all the Dodgers need some help with this rotation. If we're not in contention come mid-season I'd really like to see Bilingsley called up.

Think Blue

[Jake83]

Of course it's far too early in the season to speculate about Cy Young candidates, but I think we all can concede that the addition of a third pitch has made Penny a more formidable pitcher and probably added to his longevity by 4-5 years. I don't think he'll win more than 12 games this season and I don't think he'll reach 200 strikeouts, but that said, I think he's the best starter the Dodgers have.
Odalis Perez? Are you serious? Perez is the worst pitcher on the staff: his velocity is down, the difference from fastball to change is only maybe an 8mph differential, and, perhaps worst of all, he doesn't have the heart to be a good picther. He's soft and he doesn't care. Remember his half-assed playoff performance last year? Makes me sad that a guy who had such potential is so apathetic towards the game. Granted, Derek Lowe is not a #1 guy, but if you think Perez IS, you must be living in 1998.
All in all the Dodgers need some help with this rotation. If we're not in contention come mid-season I'd really like to see Bilingsley called up.

Think Blue

There is no denying that Perez was awesome stuff and when he turns it on he is dominate

[BloodRunsBlue22]

Jake, you're a die-hard Dodger fan, same as me, so we have the same interest in seeing the Dodger's win and I can appreciate your defense of a Dodger pitcher. But you don't offer any stats to back up your claim that Perez can be a dominant starter. Let's look at the facts: here's a comparison between Perez and Lowe:

In 14 more innings of work Lowe has an ERA of 3.05 compared to Perez's mark of 6.90. Lowe, despite working more innings, has given up fewer hits and fewer runs. Lowe's WHIP is a respectable 1.15 while Perez's is a bloated 1.70. While Lowe gets pummeled by the opposition for a .290 batting average, Perez makes him look like Cy Young by allowing opposing hitters to go for a whopping .384 avg. And finally, Perez walks 3 guys per 9 whereas Lowe, who has not pitched well, gives up 2. These numbers are just UGLY.

Now if there's one time that a pitcher should "turn it on," it's playoff time. Let's look at Odalis's line from the 2004 Division Series playoff. Perez started 2 games with an ERA of 14.40! He only struck out 3 while walking 7. Meanwhile, Derek Lowe, pitching out of the bullpen for Boston went on to be the best pitcher the Sox had down the stretch leading them to their world championship.

Now I'm not arguing that Lowe's stuff is electric or that he could ever manage to do again what he did in 2004; all I'm saying is that when the chips are down, Odalis doesn't bring his A-game. In fact, when the chips ARENT down he doesn't bring it. So when exactly is he dominant? I don't want a guy on my staff who's only dominant when he feels like it and not when the team needs him to be. We should have cut Odalis after his soft performance in those 2004 playoffs.


think blue

[Jake83]

The fact is Perez nor Lowe have performed to their abilities this year. The up side on Odalis is the highest of any pitcher of our staff. My point was that either Perez or Penny needs to develop into an ace this year for the Dodgers to have any chance at the playoffs.

With regard to Billingsley I would love to see him in the rotation as well as Broxton. But only pitcher in the minors at this point I see having the stuff and makeup to be an ace is Greg Miller

[bhss89]

Isn't it a bit too early to tout the Cy Young candidates? I mean, at this point last year Odalis Perez was 4-0 and look where he ended up.

Yes, it's early: That's why the opening post begins with "After a few starts".
A solid start certainly isn't indicative of a strong '06 season, but then again, if Penny weren't doing well at the onset, there wouldn't be a thread such as this one to begin with.
It may be a moot point anyway since he is now 2-1 and Maddux is going off.

[TRIPxCORE]

I am not a Dodgers fan but I am just as excited to see these two kids they have waiting, Billingsley and Broxton. From what I hear, Billingsley is just lights out and Broxton is the Eric Gagne of the future. The way the Dodgers have been pitching, it wont be long before they bring them up.

[Where is Chone Figgins]

Penny:laugh :laugh :laugh He wouldn't even make the Angels rotation

[mojorisin71]

And Weaver would be relegated to the Dodgers' bullpen.

[Jake83]

Penny:laugh :laugh :laugh He wouldn't even make the Angels rotation


How is 1-6 with a 7 ERA Jeff Weaver

[Where is Chone Figgins]

And Weaver would be relegated to the Dodgers' bullpen.
Because you need a closer:waving :waving

[DannyLA]

Penny:laugh :laugh :laugh He wouldn't even make the Angels rotation

I'm sure the Angels would kill right now to have Penny. Regardless though, watching Weaver get *shelled* is kinda sad. Wonder if he'll wait till the second half to heat up or continue to pitch 2 innings a start..

[mojorisin71]

Because you need a closer:waving :waving
Takashi Saito is doing just fine.

And he's gotten two more wins than Weaver so far.

[Where is Chone Figgins]

Takashi Saito is doing just fine.

And he's gotten two more wins than Weaver so far.


Dodgers should trade for Donnelly and give the Angels Russell Martin

[Gagne#3 8]

Dodgers should trade for Donnelly and give the Angels Russell Martin


How is Jeff Mathis and Mike Napoli treating you.

Keep Dreaming.

[Jake83]

Penny pitching another outstanding game this afternoon. To bad the Dodgers offense has been silenced by Jason Jennings.

[Jake83]

Penny pitching another outstanding game this afternoon. To bad the Dodgers offense has been silenced by Jason Jennings.


As soon as this post was made Garrett Atkins couldn't make a play on a ball hit by Martinez, Martin got on when the Rockies SS blundered the ball and Nomar came through again. :clapping :clapping :clapping This should now become the Dodger rally thread:D :D

[Where is Chone Figgins]

How is Jeff Mathis and Mike Napoli treating you.

Keep Dreaming.


Fine they both have alot of upiside as catchers and as hitters.

[Jake83]

Fine they both have alot of upiside as catchers and as hitters.


But neither of them have produced this year so far

[mojorisin71]

Dodgers should trade for Donnelly and give the Angels Russell Martin
What about Mathis and Napoli? Are you giving up on them that soon?

[Gagne#3 8]

Angels are too busy fighting with each other than to produce on the diamond.

[Jake83]

After Little screwed Penny out of a win last Monday Penny has came back today and threw 6 shutout innings.

[Gagne#3 8]

Penny 6-1 with a sub 3 ERA:clapping :clapping :clapping We should get a good lead put him on the DL and save him for October. Remember what he did in 2003

[Jake83]

Penny is dominating again at Coors Field

[DodgerBlue8188]

I'd really like to see Penny win 17+ games.

[Jake83]

Penny is starting to look maybe like a CY YOUNG front runner

[Outta Here]

Penny is starting to look maybe like a CY YOUNG front runner

Agree but I think Webb might clinch it:eek:

*dives for cover away from mad Dodger fans attacking* :grouchy