Comments on: This Is Big!

By: Rory

Rory — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 09:41:53 +0000

So Brooklyn, you in for 500 on over 95? If the Dodgers “are ready for a big jump ahead” that’s a safe bet.

And, the only place that a big jump could take the Dodgers is to the World Series. I would gladly do 500 push-ups if that happens. In fact, let me go on record here – I will do them in front of Mark at Spring Training next year if it happens.

By: Brooklyn Dodger

Brooklyn Dodger — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 05:49:43 +0000

I absolutely agree with Mark that the Dodgers “are ready for a big jump ahead.” Young teams don’t develop overnight. We’ve watched our young players (now young veterans) develop and mature over the last several years. It’s a process that’s generally measured in years, and one which I believe is about to bear fruit. Loney at 26 should step up his power numbers significantly. Kemp and Ethier have already demonstrated their power, and we should see even more (especially from Kemp). And a return to productivity for Russell Martin wouldn’t surprise me at all. Furcal finished strongly last year, and may finally have returned to full health. DeWitt has shown some pop and plate discipline in the past, and I believe that he will thrive in a platoon situation at 2B. Together with Belliard/Carroll, I really don’t see much of a drop-off at 2B, and maybe none at all. Hudson did most of his damage last year in the first two months. IMHO, he’s as much a risk as DeWitt/Belliard/Carroll. Torre and his whole coaching staff aren’t stupid, and I’m betting that Hudson was benched in the postseason because of things they know and we don’t.

Blake and Manny are getting up in years, and Manny has the drug issue to recover from. But good years from both of them would not be a surprise.

I also like our starting pitching. Billingsley, I believe, is a strong candidate for a rebound. If Kershaw continues along his current path of development, it’s more than reasonable to expect his command to improve, and with it his productivity. Kuroda’s health is a question, but he too is a strong bet to be a solid #3, and Padilla may well be motivated to have a strong year to earn a lucrative multi-year deal. From Haeger, McDonald, Elbert, Stults, Monaterios, etc., I expect the Dodgers to find a more than adequate 5th starter, perhaps better than anything that could be obtained on the open market or via trade.

The bullpen remains strong and deep, and perhaps will even show improvement, especially if Broxton finds an effective secondary pitch.

And if the Dodgers have questions to answer, so does every team is every division, in both leagues.

By: Mark Timmons

Mark Timmons — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 04:39:46 +0000

Well, you have to overpay at times, but not every time. In this case, I think the Dodgers did the right thing.

Everyone is rating the Dodgers on what they did, not what can happen with current young players. We are ready for a big jump ahead.

By: Rory

Rory — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 04:10:39 +0000

I suppose I agree with that. I would take this year what Hudson gave us last year for exactly what he made, but I see your point.

But, how many of these players are overpaid? And if you benched every starter that wasn’t earning their money, you would probably have 6 guys on the field. And if you went through the roster and cut them from the team, you wouldn’t have enough guys to substitute.

I just want the Dodgers to continue to improve and this year looks like a step backward to me.