Frank McCourt, Focusing on Listening Skills, Sounds Delusional

Bill Plaschke's most recent column, dedicated to Frank McCourt's belief that some of his young players a) lack listening skills and b) might need to be traded, as taken some recent heat from some of the most respected Dodger bloggers around.

"There is a certain type of player that will thrive and excel here," McCourt said. "There is another type that won't last here."

[...]"Giving them a lot of playing time, now we've seen them a little closer, we've seen their approach," he said, pausing. "And we've all learned a lot."

Without naming names, he said he has learned that some kids are ready to be winners, and some are not.

"You have to be patient, but, on the other hand, young players have to be receptive and respectful, eager to learn and listen," he said. "How many years of experience do we have with our coaches in that clubhouse? Don't you think maybe these guys could learn something from them?"

And rightfully so. (Note that Ned "Hot Seat" Colletti has echoed similar statements, but he's got more to worry about than the media.)

As the Kam Bros. and Weisman both noted, the idea that Matt Kemp -- as opposed to Andruw Jones -- is dragging the team down because he doesn't "listen well" is absurdly stupid. This team is struggling because of Colletti's propensity to sign overpriced free agent outfielders that are not likely to contribute.

And let's not call it anything resembling hindsight either; every baseball fan with a glimmer of statistical understanding knew that Jones and Juan Pierre would not pan out well at their respective costs.

The Dodgers have gotten this far primarily based on pitching. To win the NL West, they need to improve on their .697 team OPS. Trading the youngsters and hoping the Druw Joneses of the world start listening and magically turn this thing around, well, that's not going to change the way things operate in LA.