Take A Deep Breath And Relax

There's a reason I was negative earlier in the season when the Dodgers were running amok all over the league. It was because the Dodgers are not the best team in the majors, and they never were. However, now that the Dodgers are playing poorly, and people are going crazy over how to improve the team, I suppose it's my turn to be positive, because they're not this bad either. Some bad timing on hits, bad luck on bouncing balls, and some injuries have all contributed. Stuff happens. Just realize that the Dodgers still have a 5.5 game cushion, and other first place teams would kill for that lead.

Eric Stults obviously made the start today, and he wasn't bad given the circumstances, but I expect better from him going forward. To make room for Stults, Tony Abreu took a trip back to Albquerque before the game.

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Kevin Baxter wonders about the Dodgers acquiring Vicente Padilla or John Smoltz.

Among the possibilities is right-hander Vicente Padilla, a former All-Star who the Rangers designated for assignment Friday despite an 8-6 record in 18 starts.

Another possibility, given Torre's affinity for battle-tested veterans, is right-hander John Smoltz, who the Red Sox designated for assignment Saturday.

I think Padilla's issues in the clubhouse are distracting people from the fact that he's not a good pitcher. Smoltz hasn't had off the field issues, but he's not very good either. I don't see the point in picking up either of these clowns.

In rehab news, "Eye Chart" is a long way from being useful.

Doug Mientkiewicz left for Albuquerque on Sunday to start the second phase of a minor-league rehabilitation assignment with the Dodgers' triple-A affiliate.

Mientkiewicz, who underwent shoulder surgery in April, will play seven games with Albuquerque starting today. Still unable to throw, he is scheduled to be the Isotopes' designated hitter.

Mientkiewicz, 35, said he has abandoned hopes of returning this month and is targeting a comeback in September, when rosters expand.

So much for my hopes of getting Mark Loretta out of there.

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The Dodgers have assigned Logan White to check out a foursome of Cuban defectors.

Dodgers scouting director Logan White was in the Dominican Republic on Friday to get a look at Cuban defectors Yasser Gomez, an outfielder, and right-handers Yadel Marti and Juan Yasser Serrano, who were recently declared free agents.

Marti, 30, who twice led Cuba's Serie Nacional in winning percentage and made the all-tournament team in the first World Baseball Classic in 2006 after throwing 12 1/3 scoreless innings, is considered the top prospect of the three. White declined to discuss the showcase, but other scouts who were in attendance said Marti, who defected in December, was unimpressive, throwing 85-89 mph before pulling a groin.

White said the Dodgers also plan to check out left-hander Aroldis Chapman, who is in Spain after defecting from the Cuban national team in July. Chapman, 21, is a two-time Cuban league strikeout champion whose fastball was clocked at 102 mph during the second WBC last spring.

The only one i'm really interested in is Chapman, but I doubt he signs in time to contribute anything in 2009.