Posted on 29 March 2009. Tags: Dodgers, Ethier, Josh Lindblom, LA Dodgers, Los Angeles, Los Angeles Dodgers, Scott Elbert
UPDATE: Dodger brass watched as Will Ohman pitched a simulated 2-inning game to Dodger minor leaguers today. Hummmm… I wonder if he would sign for a mil? Jason Schmidt is supposed to start today!
The Dodgers seem intent on converting Scott Elbert back to a starter, so with that in mind, he was sent down, probably to start the season at AAA. Ken Gurnick of Dodgers.com says that the Dodgers may keep as many as 5 non-roster invitees – Jeff Weaver, Tanyon Sturtze and either Erick Threets or Brian Mazone and infielders Doug Mientkiewicz and Juan Castro. Gurnick summarizes the roster sitation extremely well, so I won’t belabor the point. Remember, that what we start with won’t necessarily be what we have even by May 1st.
Joe Torre and Ned Colletti are closer to the situation than I am so I will have to defer to them. They probably want Elbert and Lindblom starting every 5th day in case we need one of them later. Both will be solid #2 – #4 type starters, so I am OK with that. I am actually OK with Hu going to AAA as well. The Isotopes should be “Loaded” with DeWitt at 3B, Hu at SS and Abreu at 2B.
QUESTIONS:
- McDonald has “won the 5th starter job by default” – let’s see what happens.
- Where will Schmidt go for rehab?
- Will Vargas an Young start the season on the DL?
- Will the anemic hitting by Furcal, Hudson, Kemp, Loney and Ethier carry over into the season? For the most part, they have been horrid!
- Will this be Russ Martin’s breakout year? He sure looks like he came to play. He has stepped up his game. Too bad I can’t say the same about Loney and Kemp.
- Andre Ethier is his own worst enemy according to Dylan Hernandez of the LA Times. He’s passionate about the game, but needs to just ease up a little bit. I guess I’d rather have a guy who was wound too tight than not tight enough, but this does give me insight into why he sometimes hits best when he’s not under pressure (“softy”). If he can ease up, he might become a monster with the bat.
- Manny is hitting .533, but like I have maintained all along, Manny can’t win it by himself – the youngsters have to step up or shut up! Manny will be Manny, but this teams’ fortunes ride on the backs of the Martins, Kemps, Ethiers and the Loneys.
- Will Raffy return to what he was?
- Is the O-Dog’s injury going to be a factor all year? Will he ever be the player he once was?
Lots of questions, to be sure!
About Mark Timmons
When you see the invisible, you can do the impossible!
O dog will get the benefit of the doubt from Torre and clog up the 2 hole for at least a few months. I hope he gets it going, I like that guy when he is healthy.
Mark you just can’t let go of your dislike for Ethier. You claimed to have dropped the “softie” label from him last year after he became a 20 HR guy and hit a few walk off shots (so much for the no pressure theory). I know he is no Andy LaRoche but give him his credit here. The guy hit down the stretch very well. He is one of the most solid guys we have and yet all you want to do is break him down. Please keep your word and drop the “soft” label, and quit pining over Precious Bunty LaRoche.
Our pitching is a mess. We may score runs this year but I see us giving a ton back. Pedro isn’t the only answer, but does any one know who is available?
Things will change once the Dodgers play with their 25 man roster — and get out of this, play non-roster hope-fills, and minor leaguers.
I am waiting for some unknown with the number of 105, or 122, or 146 to pick up a bat, or come in relief.
But, the other teams they play, will also put out there their best.
when are you going to come down to Albuquerque to check out the farm? I acn’t wait till the season starts.
Romo,
First of all, I do not dislike Andre Ethier – he’s my son’s favorite, but the facts are that he has played “soft” in the past (getting hits when we are way ahead or way behind). Now, he really stepped up in September of last year, but todays’ article gives me some insight as to what has been happening to him in the past – he’s puts too much pressure on himself and has had issues in the clutch (save last September, which was a contrast over previous Septembers). I believe Andre Ethier is a .300 BA 30 HR 100 RBI guy (as soon as this year) if he can just relax a little in the clutch and let the game come to him.
I just call it the way I see it.
Evan,
I plan to do that!
Mark’s favorite player
http://www.firenedcollettinow.com/2009/02/prospect-profiles-2009-andrew-lambo.html
Maybe Hudson should bat 8th until he proves that he is healthy. Baseball players like to bat in the same spot in the lineup everyday. This would cause less turmoil if DeWitt replaces him permenantly or Lorreta or Castro replace him temporarily.
Also the Dodgers could go back to last year’s late season lineup with Either batting 2nd.
Oh man?
Who are the Martins, Kemps, Ethiers and the Loneys?
Aren’t they individual players themselves?
I never understood when people wrote that…..
Signing Ohman would be nice…
OK, let me break it down even more.
Manny can hit .400 with 80 HR and 200 RBI and unless Martin, Kemp, Loney and Ethier step up, we won’t win.
The point is: an INDIVIDUAL player can’t win it. It takes a TEAM to win it!
I agree Mark, Manny cannot do it by himself
I just asked why put an (s) after a certain players name
as if there are two Matt Kemps on our team, that is all…
No, I was just referring to them collectively as a group.
Kemp stepped up today, but no one else did.
Ned Colletti annoys me. It doesn’t matter what he is talking about, it bugs me. I hate that smug attitude of his.
Anyways, hopefully Ohman signs soon.
Ned looks like a guy who might know a guy named Guido, who would pay you a visit with a violin case…
Schmidt hit 90 on the gun 3 times today in the 1st inning, but his lack of control is troubling.
Just sign Ohman and put Young and Vargas on the 60-day
I heard that Ohman had location issues today – it’s unlikely he’d be ready to pitch for 2-3 weeks…
Ohman is a pro. He’ll get it together. We all know Hong Chih Kuo is gonna get hurt, Beimel is gone and there really aren’t any other options.
Mcdonald will be the 5th starter, duh, everyone knew that. I even drafted him last week for fantasy.
Schmidt, Vargas and Young WILL start the season on the DL and Schmidt will do the rehab starts thing. It will be an interesting battle for the 5th spot this season, especially if McDonald heats up and Schmidt does too!
Schmidt looked really good today, the stats don’t tell the story. I watched him warm up from about 20 feet away and he was loose and sharp. And he made great pitches with velocity and command. He just needs to let it loose and get some more practice in but a guy with his resume has a great makeup and will be valuable if healthy!
Almost caught Kemp’s dinger too! I had a beat on it and for some odd reason had the intuition that he would hit one our way in left field. But I had my son on my shoulders and alas could not get there in time as it bounced, hit a metal trash can and bounced back into the bullpen.
Meintkewitz, or however you spell it, is looking good. He’s making good contact and will probably make the team.
Ohman did not particularly impress anyone today, he was OK. But again he has not seen live action in a while, and apparently that is a problem.
Thanks for the update, Miguel. I would like Ohman too, but he’d probably have to have some extended spring training. If anyone thinks you can just roll into camp and pitch, well you’ve never pitched. From what I heard, Schmidt says he is not cutting loose in the game, that he’s only throwing 85 to 90%. IF that’t true, then he can still hit 93 or 94!
If Schmidt cut it loose and hit 93, his arm would arrive at home plate before the pitch would.
I’m picking up Schmidt in my fantasy league right away. I think that he looked good and that once he gets it together he will compete this year, probably in May. I think that he may top out at 93-94 once he’s dialed in but you can pitch at 90 and still be VERY effective in this league. And with his experience and veteran makeup I think he’ll make an impact.
Ohman was said to be in contract talks with the Dodgers today accorging to MLB.com and Colletti so we’ll see. He definitely won’t be ready for opening day I think. But once he’s ready he will fit well.