Wall Called Up and Other Assorted Topics

In Don Mattingly’s post game comments yesterday he mentioned that only Shawn Tolleson would not be available to pitch in Colorado the following day.  Apparently the Dodgers gave that decision more consideration than thatt was originally thought.  The thinking that they may need all the pitching they have on the roster to get through this three game stretch in Denver.  With the roster expansion a mere 5 days away, it was easier to send Tolleson to Single A Rancho Cucamonga and recall him on Friday, while they could call up a fresh arm from Albuquerque in the name of Josh Wall.

Shawn Tolleson optioned back to Single A for the week.

The move makes sense.  Tolleson has options.  He can rest up for a few days and return to the club after some much needed rest.   Wall is capable of going a few innings if asked to do so.

The Dodger' s Press Release on the transaction follows:

The Los Angeles Dodgers today recalled right-handed pitcher Josh Wall from Triple-A Albuquerque and optioned right-hander Shawn Tolleson to Single-A Rancho Cucamonga. Tolleson had made 13 consecutive scoreless appearances (11.2 IP) from July 24-Aug. 24 before allowing two runs on back-to-back homers in 1.1 innings of work yesterday. Overall, the 24-year-old was 1-0 with a 3.42 ERA in 25 appearances with Los Angeles.

Wall, who was recently named to the All-Pacific Coast League team, joins the active roster for the second time this season after a call-up from July 14-22. The 25-year-old made his big league debut and his only Major League appearance on July 22 at New York, tossing a scoreless inning of relief and picking up the win in the Dodgers’ 8-3, 12-inning victory. Wall has posted a 1.98 ERA (3 ER/13.2 IP) and a .188 opponents’ batting average in 14 relief appearances with Albuquerque since the All-Star break, going a perfect 9-for-9 in save opportunities in that span. Overall, Wall, who was originally selected by Los Angeles in the second round of the 2005 First-Year Player Draft, leads the Pacific Coast League with 27 saves and is 2-1 with a 4.70 ERA in 53 games.

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San Francisco sports radio was insane today, with hosts from the Giants flagship station  talking incessantly about the blockbuster trade.  The overall sense I got from most hosts was that the Dodgers moves were panicky in nature.  

On the Fitz and Brooks show this afternoon, Bob Fitzgerald said that the Giants schedule is overwhelmingly in their favor, and he broke it down, stating that aside from the Dodgers, the Giants have no future opponents with a record over .500.   (Arizona stands at .500 right now).   He added that the Dodgers only upgraded at the first base position and that would result in them falling short in their quest for the NL West title.

The overall consensus was that they overpaid, picking up these three monster contracts in an effort to acquire Adrian Gonzalez.  What none failed to mention was that the Dodger ownership’s deep pockets allow for that and that the pending new TV contract will put them in a very comfortable position financially. 

All agreed that the Dodgers offensive lineup is “scary good,” but the loss of Billingsley and Giants advantage in starting pitching will be enough for the Giants to take the division.

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Whew!  Nice to know that the Dodgers gave up Allen Watson instead of Allen Webster in the Red Sox trade.  Well, that’s what Tom Verducci of Sports Illustrated wrote today.   You’d think a publication such as S.I. would catch such a sloppy error.

LINKED HERE

Regardless of the mistake, it's an interesting take on the trade.

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