It's Official: Joe Torre is the new LA Dodgers Manager

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Originally Posted by BleedingPurple

What would qualify the 2008 season as a success for Torre in your eyes? I know this is difficult to answer because we don't know what free agents will be signed but as an overall barometer, what makes it or breaks it for Torre?

Does he have to make the playoffs?

Does he have to win the NL West?

Or, does he just have to improve on last years record?

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I'm going to say if we get A-Rod, sky is the limit and people will be hyping the Dodgers to go to the World Series. I'd just be happy if we would finally win a playoff series, it's been too long...

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Originally Posted by twenty-four

I'm going to say if we get A-Rod, sky is the limit and people will be hyping the Dodgers to go to the World Series. I'd just be happy if we would finally win a playoff series, it's been too long...

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S***, I'll take a win in the playoffs at this point!

awesome! great news.

so are the Dodgers turning into the Yankees? Paying insane amounts of money for free agents to win now?

Only a win in the playoffs would be a succes imo. Doesnt have to be the WS but close is good enough his first year.

Joe Torre had to have also liked the lineup he was walking into, especially taking a lower salary at $13 mil. If the pitching staff stays healthy (Schmidt, Penny, Lowe, Billingsley) and we get some decent production from either Loaiza or Wells, and the bullpen stays sharp (from the 7th inning on the Dodgers were fierce - Proctor, Broxton, Saito), and we somehow add a good bat, maybe Lowell at third (or not, with LaRoche coming up), or who knows, pay out a chunk for A-rod, then suddenly we bridge the gap that was the difference between the playoffs and the downward spiral that they fell into last season.

But my question is: do they ride the 'young wave' with Kemp, Ethier, Loney, Abreu, LaRoche.....or do they maybe give up one or two of those guys to add a veteran power bat that's not too old. Because Nomar, Gonzo, and Kent are old, and not likely to give the kind of production they'll need. Maybe you keep Kent happy and let Gonzo and Nomar sign elsewhere this offseason to free up more money.

But there needs to be some veteran leadership on the field. I dunno. My mind is reeling, but I'm happy that Torre is on board.

What is the next step? Thoughts?

VERY happy about this. :)

Good stuff. I'm assuming I no longer have to watch Ethier hit 8th or not start in the midst of a hot streak. That will be nice.

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Originally Posted by So Sumi

Joe Torre had to have also liked the lineup he was walking into, especially taking a lower salary at $13 mil. If the pitching staff stays healthy (Schmidt, Penny, Lowe, Billingsley) and we get some decent production from either Loaiza or Wells, and the bullpen stays sharp (from the 7th inning on the Dodgers were fierce - Proctor, Broxton, Saito), and we somehow add a good bat, maybe Lowell at third (or not, with LaRoche coming up), or who knows, pay out a chunk for A-rod, then suddenly we bridge the gap that was the difference between the playoffs and the downward spiral that they fell into last season.

But my question is: do they ride the 'young wave' with Kemp, Ethier, Loney, Abreu, LaRoche.....or do they maybe give up one or two of those guys to add a veteran power bat that's not too old. Because Nomar, Gonzo, and Kent are old, and not likely to give the kind of production they'll need. Maybe you keep Kent happy and let Gonzo and Nomar sign elsewhere this offseason to free up more money.

But there needs to be some veteran leadership on the field. I dunno. My mind is reeling, but I'm happy that Torre is on board.

What is the next step? Thoughts?

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I doubt Gonzo will be back, unless it's as a lefty off the bench.

I think the next step is the GM meetings next week. During which, Ned works a trade: Whapee for a bat-weight (okay fine, two weights and a fungo bat).

Like Lisa I am very happy with this as well.