A day after activating him from the disabled list, the Dodgers designated Ted Lilly for assignment, calling up Elian Herrera in his place.
Lilly finished his Dodger career with a 3.83 ERA in 341 innings. The Dodgers drafted him in 1996.
Next week is the 15th anniversary of the Dodgers trading Lilly, Peter Bergeron, Wilton Guerrero and Jonathan Tucker to the Expos for Mark Grudzielanek, Hiram Bocachica and Carlos Perez.
Among other things, Lilly leaves with the lowest career batting average, .069, in Los Angeles Dodger history (min. 100 AB). He also has the lowest on-base percentage, .087 — the only one that’s below .100.
Anonymous
Can I assume they had to activate him before designating for assignment? If not, this move forced Herrera onto the 25 man instead of Van Slyke.
Jon Weisman
They could have done Van Slyke for Kemp and DFAed Lilly if they did it yesterday, I’m pretty sure.
Anonymous
Thanks. I knew the Van Slyke for Kemp piece, but thought perhaps a player on the DL could not be DFA’d.
Anonymous
you are correct, dale, iirc, but the team could have activated Lilly yesterday and 1 minute later DFA’ed him.
Anonymous
Lilly was actually worse at the plate than Eugenio Vélez?
Anonymous
Velez had only 37 AB’s for the Dodgers; Lilly last among those with at least 100 AB’s per Jon
Anonymous
Ah, yes, but even that was 37 too many.
foul tip
Since they DFAd Guerrier despite his contract, I wondered if they might cut Lilly as well, even tho Lilly’s is much larger.
Making decisions based on baseball instead of on player contracts is the right way to go, even if it does mean munching on several million dollars. For the Guggenheimers, money doesn’t seem to be much of a consideration. They are the first ownership who would make this kind of move.
Maybe some outside chance the Dodgers could get something for Lilly. Way, way outside chance.
Chances are there won’t be many future awful contracts that could devolve into such situations. There’s always risk of injury and player decline, but management is unlikely to be boxed into having to give mediocre talent big contracts.
Anonymous
After Hudson’s injury, Atlanta might take a shot, but he won’t bring anything significant in return.
Anonymous
Money affords teams the opportunity to make mistakes and not suffer too badly. This move would not / could not have happened if McCourt was still the owner.
Anonymous
After spending so much time on the DL this year and last year, Lilly reminded me of some old cars I have had. These were vehicles that were once reliable, but after so many trips to the mechanic — to replace the water pump or fix the timing chain or put new struts on, etc., it was simply time to sell or junk them.
Anonymous
He had a pretty good career, though. It’s too bad he didn’t spend his prime with the Dodgers, who originally signed him.
Anonymous
Agreed on both counts.
Anonymous
If I remember correctly–and I may not–Lilly had made noise back when the Dodgers supposedly had eight starting pitchers that he had no intention of going to the bullpen. There might have been a discussion like that related to this decision.
Jon Weisman
I think he was willing to go to the bullpen now, but the Dodgers wanted him to stay in the minors for the time being.
Anonymous
Thanks. Either way, it suggests to me that Lilly was inclined not to be too accommodating.
Jack Dawkins
Im repeating a question from last night because I cant figure out how to research this easily myself. I think the dodgers have batted around now in 4 straight games. Made me wonder what the record streak for this is for both the Dodgers and MLB in general.
KT
try it over on TBLA…I’m sure someone there can give you an answer right away
KT
I put it out on MSTI and TBLA and didn’t get a response
KT
Go Blue!!!!
KT
DP Time
KT
there we go…didn’t get one yesterday
Jeffrey Thomas III
Shoot, old friend XP hit a home run?
KT
Time to get that one back…Don’t want to wait until the second inning
KT
MLB @MLB35s
Deal to send Alfonso Soriano from @Cubs to @Yankees is “99 percent completed,” but may not be official until Friday: http://atmlb.com/13Jtx3o
Glad Ned didn’t try to get him
KT
Gonzo!
Anonymous
lets hold them
KT
now we will need a crooked number to win…Let’s get it now
KT
Nice 1-2-3 inning
KT
Let’s go, Come on Scratch
KT
1-2-3 inning please
KT
1-2-3 again…way to settle down Zack
Let’s bat around now
KT
PUIG!!!
Anonymous
Another CF rattled by Puig.
Jeffrey Thomas III
Haha I think Puig thought they were letting him go home for a second there..
KT
There’s 1 back
Gonzo!!
KT
Hanley!
KT
Hanley taking the base!
KT
DP time again
KT
More Runs Please
KT
JH jr!
KT
Turn two guys
KT
Come on Zack settle down
KT
Nice turn Zack!
KT
Alright let’s get them back
Anonymous
not looking promising today, but at many stages in the last few games, it hasn’t looked promising as well
KT
Puig!
Anonymous
heart of the lineup, here is our chance
Anonymous
or not
Brian Prince
I think Vin is right on the money. The boys in blue must be tired. They must have gotten in very early in the morning. I hope they can pull this one out, but it is not looking good right now.
Anonymous
rally time!
KT
Nice eye JH jr
KT
J.P. Hoornstra @jphoornstra 56s
53,275 at Dodger Stadium
Now that is a sell out Gnats
Anonymous
easy to say from here, but surely you have to put bat on one of those pitches
KT
another missed call on the stolen base…out by a foot
KT
Come on CC
KT
CC!!
KT
Nice Hanley!
Anonymous
KT, is it time?
KT
about 2 innings ago…but Now that Marmol is in…I think Donnie threw in the towel
Anonymous
Yup.
Anonymous
Experimenting with Marmol in close games doesn’t seem to be working. We’re 0-for-2 in that area. I think Donnie virtually never throws in the towel, but I am not sure what’s up.
Anonymous
Time for Puig to win it with a homer.
KT
Good eye Juanito!
KT
Defensive indifference again! (i hate it when it’s against us)
Jon Weisman
NPUT