Oh, and in any case, they need to complete the signing of Trevor Hoffman.However, as Nat pointed out during our Hoffman discussions last night, what if Hoffman doesn't want to teach other people? What if Trevor Hoffman is a recluse who chooses not to pass on his trade secrets? Further more, what makes you think ANYONE could throw a change-up like Trevor Hoffman? Sandy Koufax has been mentoring young pitchers in spring training for decades and we've yet to see anything like him.
Yes, he's aging and erratic, but he still had 30 saves in 34 opportunities for a dreadful San Diego Padres team last year, he still pitched strong at the end of the season, and he still has the sort of work ethic that can help the Dodgers in more places than the mound.
Think Greg Maddux, but in the bullpen. Think of one of the best closers in history grooming Jonathan Broxton for that job.
The Dodgers got a player/mentor in Greg Maddux for sure, but who's to say similar players would be willing to mentor the kids. I'm pretty sure Blake DeWitt wasn't knocking on Jeff Kent's door last season seeking sage advice. I don't recall Barry Bonds breaking down a teammate's swing during his record setting seasons. Just because a player has a storied past doesn't mean he's going to pass it on to future generations.
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Coletti and Torre both need to show some confidence in Broxton. He doesn't need to be "groomed," as Plaschke mentions. He just needs to spend some extra time working with his pitching coach and getting his change-up in order.
Let Broxton do his job. He has been successful for much of his career and he is still young, 24. At worst, he has been league average. The most important thing is that he be surrounded by other good relievers so that he isn't required to throw more than 70 IP this season. The fresher the better. The overused get abused.
I think it is a fair point to mention that not every future HOF player has the ability to teach others. That requires another kind of talent. It is a huge assumption to make that Trevor Hoffman could have taught other relievers the tricks of the trade.
BTW, Plaschke is an idiot. His job is to ruffle a few feathers and he does this by giving inane, asinine opinions.
Fear the GM who values what the LA Times has to say.
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