Remember When Pitchers Used to Pitch the Entire Game?

Add this to the myriad list of things we just don't get. What is the reason for pulling a pitcher who is thoroughly dominating an opponent? We know that your closer is among the best in baseball. And we are also aware that you don't want to burn out your young ace. But what the fuck? Isn't it worth it to leave your stud on the bump (stud on the bump?) for the confidence boost alone?

Clayton Kershaw is clearly coming into his own (coming into his own?) And a complete game shutout victory to end the first three game losing streak of the season may have given Kershaw the swagger of an ace. We know you can't quantify confidence, and we really are nitpicking because let's face it Joe Torre does way dumber stuff in practically every game. We're just saying. Maybe we could consider letting a starter finish a game once in awhile?

How About Pierre for Pujols?

Bill Shaikin's proposed trade for Roy Halladay is doubtlessly a pipe dream, although we'd pull the trigger in a heart beat (heartbeat?). What's interesting here is that someone in the Los Angeles media will actually broach the topic of trading Russell Martin. We all know how those dudes at the LA Times get all misty eyed when it comes to heart-and-soul, dick-in-the-dirt types of guys like Martin. Bill Plaschke still gets all weepy when the ghost of Paul LoDuca haunts his column. After all, how dumb was it to trade a decent catcher due a big payday and a statistical decline for a front of the rotation starting pitcher? How soon we forget, LoDuca hustled!

So here the Dodgers sit wondering what it would take to make a serious run at Roy Halladay. The name Clayton Kershaw gets bandied about often, probably by J.P. Ricciardi. But trading your second best starter for your first best starter seems like a weak net result when the bottom line is a World Series. And let's be clear, the Dodgers don't have a GM with the sack to do a big deal like this. This package might not get you a Halladay, but would it get you Jake Peavy? It definitely won't get you Cliff Lee. The Indians are pretty stocked at catcher (thanks in part to our boy Ned.) All this trade discussion is pointless anyway. We'll sum it up with this: if a starting pitcher could be had for the scant price of a league average catcher, you do it. Even if he hustles.

Breaking News: Livan Hernandez Miraculously Still Employed

Raise your hand if you were honestly aware that Livan Hernandez was still employed as a major league pitcher?

Liar.

You're Dumb if You Don't Hate Manny

We told you so.

Jayson (with a Y) Stark wants you to know how dumb you are for not having his opinion. He even invited some professorial type dudes to try to figure out why we're all so dumb.

We're just a bunch of dumb dummies.

Anything Going on Tonight?

Hooray for sanctimonious sportswriters!

As we celebrate the return of Manny Ramirez (and a certain genius Dodgers blog - you know we mean this one, right?) sportswriters - not just Plaschke - are getting all high-and-mighty with it again. So look for a lot of "this is bad for baseball," and "Manny shouldn't be in the All Star Game" and our personal favorite the dreaded "he's not getting my Hall of Fame vote!" Not to get too existential here, but can a Hall of Fame without Barry Bonds, Alex Rodriguez and Manny Ramirez still be called the Hall of Fame?

On another note, go buy the new Wilco record.