Belisario is stuck in a time warp (but says he hasn’t missed any appointments-not the first time the government has lied).  George Sherrill has nagging injuries.  James McDonald has been getting shelled, and Eric Gagne isn’t Eric Gagne anymore.  

Now, we hear that Hong chih Kuo was scratched from a start in the far East because of a sore elbow, which almost “made him cry”.  Details from  Ken Gurnick

Kuo’s elbow is holding on by a thread.  How long can we count on him?  Or not?

Eric Stults continued to impress with 3 shutout innings (0 Walks, 4 K’s).  Ditto with Carlos Monasterios!  Throw in the Ortiz’s and things are interesting.

Oh, and it’s way early – anything can happen.  And, probably will!

Q.  Why did Ned Colletti sign Jamey Carroll for $1.7 mil a year when he could have signed Felipe Lopez for $1 mil?

A.  Come one, can’t you figure this out on your own?  OK, I’m going to explain it to you r-e-a-l   s-l-o-w:  Ned just had some money in his pocket and wanted to spend it, before it burnt the proverbial hole.   Yeah, that’s the ticket!  COME ON!   Here’s the deal – when free agency started, the Dodgers knew that they were not going to re-sign Orlando Hudson and they did not want to be stuck without a second-baseman.  They knew that Lopez, Belliard and Company were wanting multi-year contracts North of $4 mil a year, so they made sure they had a 2B and signed Jamey, knowing that he could start if necessary, or be a utility player.  Lopez, Hudson and Belliard over-estimated the market.  Second Basemen who hit .280 and have single-digit home-run totals are a dime-a-dozen.  Yes, Ned may overpaid, but he had to secure a 2B early, if Blake DeWitt didn’t step-up.  To his credit, when the market dried up, he got another (Belliard).  Hindsight is 20/20 and it’s easy to look back and criticize a decision, but Ned did the prudent thing and locked up a 2B early.  It turns out there wasn’t much of a market for a 2B who’s not a hitter like Dan Uggla or Chase Utley.

Q.  The Dodgers were a .500 team in 2008 without Manny, why should we believe they can be any better in 2010?

A.  Hello?  Does the fact that the Dodger youngsters are 2 more years on the mature side have any bearing?  Hello?  Is anybody home?  Hello?  Hello?

Q.  Did getting sent up and down in 2009 really affect Blake DeWitt’s production last year?

A.  No, going back and forth between AAA was a piece of cake especially since DeWitt knew he wouldn’t win the 2B job anyway.  NOT!  Blake DeWitt thought he had the 2B job and then the Dodgers signed Hudson and bounced him back and forth like a yo-yo.  No, it had no effect!  ARE YOU CRAZY?  Of course it had a MAJOR EFFECT… unless he’s not human!

Dodger Notes:

• Russ Ortiz and Ramon Ortiz are both pitching “lights out.”  Russ is in the running for the #5 spot.  Who wooda thunk?  Could we really have 2 Ortiz’s come Opening Day?
• If Haeger doesn’t make the team, could he make the DL?  Stay tuned…
• The Number 5 Spot is Eric Stults to lose…
• Don Mattingley has once again proved he is not a rocket scientist!
• Don Mattingley should not be “automatic.”  I can think of two other managers I would rather have – Gibson & Wallach!
• As I suspected, Brian Giles could not handle playing anymore, so he retired.  1  down, 1 to go.
• Dylan Hernandez suggests that Andre Ethier and Matt Kemp are now the “face of the organization.” – I have to agree.
• It turns out that Belisario IS a Knucklehead!  Read Tony Jackson’s piece about the moron.
• For the record, I think Matt Kemp would be awesome in the #2 spot and give teams fits there.  He would elevate the games of everyone in the lineup.   He’s a 40/40 threat – as soon as this year!
• I expect good things from these guys – THIS YEAR!

Most of what follows come from Ken Gurnick of Dodgers .com:

• A day after losing catcher Russell Martin for four to six weeks with a pulled groin muscle, the Dodgers saw third baseman Casey Blake come out of Monday’s exhibition game against the Giants with a strained rib-cage muscle.
• Joe Torre said this about Josh Lindblom:  ”Am I allowed to say it with my general manager around”  He’s pretty simple to watch. His ball explodes at the end with something on it.“ In my opinion, Lindblom has a great shot at making the team.
• In the regular game against the Giants, the Dodgers received two solid innings from Josh Towers; an impressive inning from Jon Link, who came over from the White Sox in the Juan Pierre trade; and two scoreless innings from Rule 5 Draft pick Carlos Monasterios.
• General manager Ned Colletti said there was no news regarding the status of reliever Ronald Belisario, who is still stuck in Venezuela with visa problems complicated by a driving under the influence arrest last summer. Colletti said if Belisario isn’t ready to start the season, he would be placed on the restricted list.
• Another quote from Torre:  ”Right now, Blake [DeWitt] is swinging as well as anybody.  I believe he’ll hit in the big leagues consistently, not .320, but probably .280 plus do some damage.”  Joe stole that line from me!

The rest is from me:

• Blake DeWitt is now hitting .800 (he’ll keep that up) in his bid to make the team as the everyday 2B.Ned Wants it, Joe Wants it and it looks like Blake Wants it.
• Jamey Carroll haters will enjoy a heaping helping of crow!  This guy will mean a lot to us.
• Nick Green is ahead of schedule.  He doesn’t have the stats, but this guy is also a ballplayer.  Probably no room, but….

Russell Martin is down for the count for 4-6 weeks.  The Dodgers should err on the side of caution, so we may not see Russell until May or June.  That’s OK – at least he won’t “wear-down” this year.   The workout regimen he went through this winter is extremely grueling.  My 23-year-old son tried it for half a day and said it nearly killed him.  I think that this is “just one of those things.”  You eventually get hurt, sooner or later – we’ll see how Russell responds.

NEXT MAN UP!

That should be the Dodgers Mantra.  The next men are Brad Ausmus and AJ Ellis.  We know that Ausmus is not a regular, but he can catch 3 or 4 days a week, so don’t anoint AJ Ellis the heir-apparent to Martin.  He is a very good (not excellent) receiver, but I have serious doubts about his hitting.  He’ll have to show me that part of his game.  He will certainly hit Number 8, so if Blake DeWitt wins the 2B job, we will have good balance with him at Number 7. 

I hope he can hit, but even though Martin had a bad year, his OB% was almost .360.  That’s not easy to replace.  AJ Ellis has worked hard.  He is 29-years-old and has been a career minor-leaguer.  It will be great if he can “seize the day.”  AJ Ellis is that guy who is every body’s friend, a guy you can count on, a guy who doesn’t have great talent, but maximizes it to the hilt.  He’s not the serious leader Martin is, but he’s just “one of the guys.”

Never underestimate Russell Martin’s “intangables.”

You just never know about injuries – they can linger, or recovery can be amazing.  I have no clue how fast Russ Martin will respond.  Neither does anyone else.

Tony Jackson has a good article about AJ and a video with Ned about Martin.

NOTE:  I am headed to Florida for a week (Convention) so I don’t know how much I’ll blog.

Dylan Hernandez says it’s his groin.

Tot Holmes says it’s his hip.

Tony Jackson says it’s his stomach.

He had an MRI last night and they know the results, but aren’t telling…

It may be nothing, or something.

AJ Ellis – Next Man Up!

Stay tuned!

Are you afflicted with Dodger Myopia?  Do you only see up close, but fail to see the big picture?

I say:  ”Blake DeWitt will be a solid 2B and has the power to hit 20-25 HR.”

You say:  ”No way he does that – your’re crazy!”

I say: “James Loney will start showing some power and hit .300.”

You say:  “You are always predicting career years for Dodger players.” (While we are on that one – tell me where I really missed it.  Not when I said a guy would hit .300 and he only hit .287, but when I said a guy would hit .300 and he hit .235.  Come on – I’m waiting).

I say”  ”Clayton Kershaw will be our Ace and Chad Billingsley will return to form.”

You say:  “There you go again, making unrealistic predictions.”

I say: “Necessity is the mother of invention.”

You say: “We have to bailout the banks and car companies.”

Here’s the deal:  You have to let people fail… or succeed.  Bailouts help no one.  Let the American Spirit Soar.  Don’t fence it in.

Sometimes you get amazing results.

An innocent man in prison can sit there an lament his plight.

An innocent man in prison can get to work and end his plight.

It’s a choice!

This is the greatest country in the world because people who live in abject poverty are forced to sink or swim.

Many chose to sink, but some swim (against all odds) and soar to success.

Only in America.

The Indianapolis Colts have the best winning percentage record of any team in any sport in a decade.  In their locker room, they have a sign that says “Next man up.”

If someone gets hurt – it’s The Next Man Up! Just keep on Keepin’ on!

The Dodgers could sign Braden Looper.   That’s safe (or stupid).

Or, they could let Stults, Elbert, Haeger and McDonald blaze the trail.

It’s Safe to Be Negative:  After all, you can’t be disappointed.  You already predicted failure!

It tough to be bold.  You get criticized.  You get made fun of.  That’s why many people chose to be negative.

You can be negative, or you can be positive, and according to some people, it makes no difference.

But, it makes a difference to me.  When I am positive I am happy.  When I am negative, I am sad.

If the result is the same, why not be positive… and happy?

It’s easy to be negative.  You may only see the forest, but I see the trees. Not because I’m better than you.  It’s just that I’m bolder than you!

Happier too!

Go Dodgers!

Just a laundry list of a few things I expect to see this year:

• A healthy Rafael Furcal who is 100% physically and (most importantly) mentally (it takes a while to recover mentally from a surgery) regains his form and is again one of the elite short stops in baseball.  This alone makes a huge difference for the team.
• Blake DeWitt wins the 2B job and hits 18 HR’s silencing his critics, while playing a good 2B.  (Make No Mistake – the Dodgers want DeWitt to be the 2B).
• Reed Johnson and Jamey Carroll (who have been much maligned) become two important components of the team (THESE GUYS ARE BALLPLAYERS) and contribute mightily.
• Chad Billingsley and Clayton Kershaw become Co-Aces.  Bills is in the best shape I’ve seen him.
• James Loney will hit for more power, as will Russ Martin – I can’t tell you what they will do, but I expect better results.
• George Sherrill will not do well this year – I would love to see the Dodgers trade him.  I can see an ERA of over 4.00.   Pull the trigger, Ned!  Just do it!
• There WILL BE a significant trade this Spring involving the Dodgers.
• Brian Giles will retire by next weekend.
• Ronnie Belliard will be insignificant and ultimately be released.
• Who will step up – Hu?
• Opening Day Lineup:

1. Furcal  SS
2. Kemp  CF
3. Ethier  RF
4. Ramirez  LF
5. Loney 1B
6. Blake  3B
7. DeWitt 2B
8. Martin  C
9. Kershaw  P

Televised Game Today at 12:05 PDT or 3:05 EDT

By actual count, the Dodgers have 32 pitchers in Spring Training Camp who are vying for 12 spots.  I cannot see any way that Joe Torre decides to go with 13 pitchers.  With the off days and all, I think he will break camp with 12 pitchers.  That means that 20 have to go.

There are 11 Non-Roster invitees:

Also on the 40 man roster are McDonald, Link. Zerpa, Wade, Schlichting, Leach and Elbert as players who have a shot at making the team.

The way I see it, unless Stults and/or Haeger really mess up or get traded or go on the DL, they will both make the team.  That would make 11 pitchers.

Monasterios has a shot unless the Dodgers want to lose him (I have never seen him pitch, so I have no clue).  Then there’s Wade (remember how good he was in 2008?), Weaver (great swingman), Miller (solid), Gagne (no way?  way!) and McDonald and Lindblom (the future, who could all go to AAA).

The Dodgers have plethora of arms.  Who will win the arms race?

It should prove to be interesting.

DODGERS TALK:

• According to Steve Dilbeck of THE LA TIMES, the Dodgers are steamed about Ronald Beliasrio.  Sometimes things like this end badly for a player:

“I think it’s a problem now.  The pitchers need all this time. Of course, he did play winter ball. But I can’t really tell you [his condition]  until I see him.”

• Dylan Hernandez and Bill Shaikin report that Garrett Anderson is a Dodger.  This should prove to be interesting as Mientkiewicz, Giles and Anderson compete for one spot.
• Jay Jaffe of Baseball Prospectus writes on ESPN/LA’s Pay Blog that Clayton Kershaw’s new Slider Makes Him a Cy Young Candidate (Thanks to Jon Weisman)
•  Tony Jacksonreports that Ned Colletti is not happy with Belisario either.  I am beginning to think the guy is a knucklehead!  Tony also reported this:

 The situation ultimately could cost Belisario a considerable amount of money, as well. He has only one year of big-league service time, meaning he will have a split contract with a major-league salary of no more than about $415,000 this season, and he won’t even get that much if he is in the minors.There also is a provision, known as Regulation 6, in the current Basic Agreement between owners and the players’ union that would allow the Dodgers to suspend Belisario without pay and require him to stay behind in extended spring training when the team breaks camp if he doesn’t report at least 33 days before the start of the season.The Dodgers’ season opener is April 5 at Pittsburgh, meaning Belisario already has missed that deadline and the Dodgers already have that option.”In the event of the failure of the Player to report for practice or to participate in the exhibition games, as required or provided for,” the regulation reads, “he shall be required to get into playing condition to the satisfaction of the Club’s team manager, and at the Player’s own expense, before his salary shall commence.”The phrase “to the satisfaction of the Club’s team manager” means the length of such a suspension would be entirely at the Dodgers’ discretion.

Spring Training has broken out at Camelback Ranch and the news is pouring in:

• According to Ken Gurnick, Dodgers’ Bullpen Coach Ken Howell discovered a flaw in Eric Gagne’s delivery which he is attempting to correct.

The former Cy Young Award-winning closer made a quick adjustment and, according to Howell, immediately gained velocity on his fastball and drop on his changeup, although not yet with enough consistency.

• Sandy Koufax toutors young Dodger pitchers
• Eric Stults gets first shot as the 5th Starter
• Joe Torre gets Koufax and Kershaw together for some quality time
• The best part of the interview with Koufax was when TJ Simers asked “What bugs you?” to which Sandy responded “Sportswriters like you.” Classic Koufax
• By introducing Clayton Kershaw at the interview, it is obvious the Dodgers are anointing him the opening day starter, and evidently Joe Torre and the Dodger Brass believe he is ready and able to take a huge step forward this year and be our ACE!
• Dylan Hernandez on whether Andre Ethier is moody (maybe he’s just focused)
• Hong-Chih Kuo from Dylan Hernandez
• Steve Dilbeck on Eric Stults and that the job is his to lose
• Stults starts the game today against the ChiSox

Manny said it best:  ”I’m baaaaaacccckkk!”  However, I really wasn’t gone long, and I’m back, but there will be some new enforcement of old rules. We’ll get to that in a minute.

I’m back, in part, to several e-mails I received, and I will publish just a couple:

I hear what you are saying.   As in life, with our Dodgers, if we don’t have hope, we have nothing. You provide so much hope for the Dodgers in your posts. I understand your frustration with constant attacks on Dodger ownership. I expect it is more than irritating to be accused of being a McCourt plant.

Mark we live in an age of instant gratification. It seems many of DodgerTalk posters, some extremely knowledgeble, are looking for that and see dollars as the route to the ultimate goal. Your constant reminders of the success we have had under Mr. McCourt, especially compared to many years before him, falls on deaf ears. It seems community involvement, Camelback, Dodger Stadium upgrades, a consistent approach to growing the team, an adequate budget, success on the field  means nothing. For the love of the game tends to get lost.

I hope you reconsider your decision but I fully understand if you don’t. Without hope, without fun, baseball, our Dodgers, actually become a burden in out lives. I very much enjoy your blog, not posting too often, as I feel over-matched by quite a few of your posters. I am amazed at how you can write as regularly as you do, with as much variety and creativity as you provide and still run your business and tend to your family. Perhaps, if you do return, you could start more slowly without daily posts. However, if you feel you would have to return with benign posts, no controversy, no prompting, then it truly would be no fun.

With whatever you choose, I thank you for the enjoyment, and hope, you have provided for me.

One e-mail that was especially important was from a soldier in the 82nd Airborne, who wrote:

I am a  huge Dodger fan ever since my father took me to a Dodgers and Reds game at the age 8.  I am 31 now and am in the US Army and currently deployed to Afghanistan.  I check your blog every chance I get.   It’s one of the few things that keeps me going on a day to day basis. I enjoy your writing and your optimistic look of our team. I do get tired of the childish negativity that is spewed as of lately. It truly makes me sick as it seems to do to you also. But that’s the world, and that’s how they choose to live their life. Just don’t let it get you down. I fight for their right to say their stupid [BS], and as mad as it makes me, I still come to read your blog. If you’re truly calling it quits…I understand and thank you for your information and thoughts that you shared with all the TRUE Dodger fans. Hope to see you back soon and dust your shoulders off of these piss poor fans.

I guess that sums it up.  Baseball is about hope.  Baseball is about a fresh start in the spring.  Baseball is a little boy’s game and this blog is about hope.  Hope that the Dodgers can win the World Series.  Much focus is put on how bad our owner is, but go back and re-read the bold parts of first e-mail.  Why bother being a fan if you are just going to spew venom about how bad the Dodgers are?  The Dodgers are not the favorites to win, but they are one of the best teams in baseball.  With a little luck, continued development of the young players, and health, this team could go a long, long way.  The Series?  Yes, I think they can.  But there’s a lot of baseball between now and then.  Raffy looks healthy and rested.  The pitching staff is enthusiastic after conversations with Sandy Koufax.  The Jacksonville Five (Loney, Kemp, Martin, Billingsley and Broxton) are all looking to take their place in Dodger lore, as is Andre Ethier.  Manny is being Manny, Joe is being Joe and this team has a lot of “fight” in it!  More than last year.  They are hungry

Play Ball!

Oh, the rules – I have broken a few in the past.  It won’t happen again!  I will post what this Blog is About:

This blog was started in 2002 by Mark Timmons after he grew weary of all the issues inherent on other message boards.  LA DODGER TALK has a few rules.  We are civil to one another and do not talk politics and religion. Cursing and derogatory language are not permitted. Show respect to one another and let’s root for the Dodgers.  Here are a few of the rules we observe here:

1) Do not use profanity or any euphemisms for profanity;
2) Do not personally attack other commenters;
3) Do not bait other commenters;
4) Do not argue for the sake of arguing; and
5) Do not discuss politics or religion.

This website is for died-in-the-wool Dodger fans who realize that while statistics are important, they are just another tool and know that humans, not numbers, play the game of baseball. To that end, we do not live and die by sabermetrics or statistical analysis.  However, we do view stats as an important evaluation tool – it’s just not the ONLY tool.

If you want to be negative, because it makes you feel good – have at it, but make sure you have your facts right.  I have a button just like Jim Rome.  Someday, maybe I’ll even allow comments again.  ;)

There has never been a better time to be a Dodger fan.  There is more information on the web about the Dodgers right now than there has ever been.  

ESPN/LosAngeles and the new LA Times Blog have added a lot.  Tony Jackson and Jon Weisman are outstanding.  TrueBlueLa and Memories of KevinMalone all have it covered.

I for one, am sick of hearing how bad the Dodgers are and all the ownership issues.

Some of you need to get a check-up from the neck-up.

Baseball is supposed to be fun.

This isn’t!

I may be back…

or not!

Enjoy the Dodgers or enjoy your misery.

I am sick of this!  I am not having fun.  It seems that everyone wants to dwell on the negative.  That bothers me.

You can’t post here.  There’s nothing to say.

If I come back – it will be different, but don’t count on it.

Weisman, Jackson, Hernandez, Shaikin, Dilbeck, Chad and the Guys at True Blue LA have it covered.  Wow!  I will read them everyday.

You are in good hands.

Peace!  Out!

After looking at the #5 Starter competition, I have concluded that anything is possible.  I believe that the favorites to win that position are as follows (in the order I think it most likely along with questions):

1. Eric Stults (his time?)
2. Charlie Haegar (was last year a fluke or a peek?)
3. James McDonald (he’s determined to win the spot, but can he?)
4. Jeff Weaver (can he return to being a solid-pitchers every 5 days?)
5. Scott Elbert (is his arm ready for this?)
6. Carlos Monasterios (can he jump that far?)

These six pitchers all have a shot and deserve consideration.  One will step-up.  Maybe two or three?   I can see only three of those pitchers making the team, maybe just two.  There will be some tough battles this Spring.  What do you think?

What other teams in the NL do you think will be in the playoffs?  I have already stated that I think the Rockies will not make the playoffs and I am now picking the Cardinals to be the best team in the league (behind the Dodgers, of course).  I hate to say it, but Brad Penny could win 20 under Dave Duncan (he has always had million-dollar talent to go with a 10 cent brain), and Kyle Lohse could also win 15-16 games.  If Wainright and Carpenter stay healthy, this could be an excellent rotation.  Dave Duncan is the master!

Around the WEB:

• Steve Dilbeck writes about Chad Billingsley’s Mental Toughness (or lack thereof)
• Ken Gurnick says that Cory Wade is in great shape and eager to re-gain his spot in the pen.  I found this part especially interesting:

“Wade brushed off the suggestion that middle relievers get abused and are particularly vulnerable to injuries of overuse.

“It really is an honor when a Hall of Fame manager has confidence to give the ball to a rookie,” he said. “It’s my own fault I ended up breaking down. I wasn’t as strong as I should have been. I wasn’t really prepared for the role.

“I did what I could do. As a first-year guy, you think you can handle it. I’d be happy with the role again. I’d do anything to help the club win. Last year was a big-time learning experience for me.”‘

• About a week ago, I wrote that I had heard James Loney had been working out and bulking up.  It turns out I was partially right.  Dylan Hernandez confirms that he is slimmer and stronger.  That bodes well for the Dodgers.
• It seems to me that the Dodger Kids are becoming grown men and they are determined to make their mark.  They are more mentally tough and they are prepared and planning for big years.
• Again, I don’t think that Russ Martin will continue his decline.  His character won’t allow it, and he’s not old.  Look for a big rebound.
• As much as it worries me, Rafael Furcal is a big key to 2010.  If he stays healthy and can put up good on-base numbers, the offense should be very good.  It all starts at the top.  It will be interesting who bats #2.  I vote for Kemp, due to his speed.
• If it comes down to Jeff Weaver or Charlie Haeger for the “swingman” role.  I’d keep Haegar – he’s much younger with a bigger upside.  Of course, theres’a  lot of time between now and then.  Too many scenarios to play out.
• Tony Jackson talks about Belli’s Belly and other issues at 2B.
• Jon Weisman thinks Xavier Paul could make the team if Giles and Mientkiewicz health issues keep up (and both have major issues)
• Jon Weisman opines what could happen with Ronald Belisario.
• MSTI discusses that Having a Good Team With No Ace is Better Than The Inverse- Good read
• Memories of Kevin Malone (hereafter “MKM”) profiles Chris Withrow.

Our 2010 Starting Rotation

Well, if you ask me… and you didn’t (but I’m going to tell you anyway), it’s Young Clayton.  Maybe it’s a rush job, but maybe it’s not.  Maybe he’s ready.  Not “maybe” – he ISready!   I think it’s likely that Clayton Kershaw will be even better this year.  His ERA might not reflect that, but he will pitch deeper into games and flirt with 20 wins this year.  After Clayton, will come Chad Billingsley, followedby Hiroki Kuroda and Vicente Padilla, with the 5th Spot being Eric Stults to lose.

Unless Charlie Haeger is a disaster during the spring, he will battle Jeff Weaver for the “swingman” spot in the pen.  The rest of the bullpen is less clear.  We do know that Jon Broxton, George Sherrill, Ramon Troncoso, Hong chih Kuo and James McDonald will probably all make the team barring injury.  I just can’t see Weaver and Haeger both making the team, as they are competing for the same position, but if it comes down to it, they will keep Charlie and send Jeff to AAA (at least for a few weeks under the guise of building arm strength).

That leaves a lot of pitchers up for grabs, including Ronnie Belisario, whom Joe Torre may want to demote for a while after his Visa problems two years in a row.   We also have Cory Wade, who could flat-out make the team out of Spring training, and Carlos Monasterios (who could be bought or have another player sent to his former team, and demoted).  Lindblom, Zerpa, Miller, Towers and Elbert all seem slated for AAA.

While it would be a “feel good” story and great if it happened, the odds are against Eric Gagne making the team.  Would he accept an assignment to AAA?  Maybe for a few weeks, but hey, this is Spring – anything can happen.

Let’s not forget, however, that there is always a pitching surprise.  Belisario was the big one last year.  Who will it be this year?

Rants & Raves

• I keep thinking about it and I can’t see Brian Giles or Doug Mientkiewicz making the team, especially if Xavier Paul has a rousing Spring
• Ronnie Belliard has to weigh below 210 pounds tomorrow – if he doesn’t, is he off the team.  At any rate, I don’t see him as a starter.  He’s a role-player (like last year).
• Russ Martin will be the All-Star Catcher in the NL this year – Write that down!
• Oh, and in case you don’t understand – I still say Clayton Kershaw will be our Opening Day Starter.

… nor am I a hater.  I see the good he has done as the owner of the Dodgers.  I see the mistakes he has made as well.  However, he seems to have learned each time he makes a mistake.   Overall, the Dodgers are in much better shape than when he took over.  His lifestyle seems excessive – in my business, I work with the rich and famous and don’t really care about all their “stuff.”  My “stuff” is fine.  If I had their money, I wouldn’t live the way they live… but that’s just me.  If they want to live excessively (my opinion) that’s their gig. 

However, I am sick of this Dodger Divorce.  It’s a soap opera and I will no longer talk about it until the case is decided.  I’ll take it a step further – I’ll delete any posts or comments on this issue.  I don’t want to hear about it.  It’s something I don’t care about.  I don’t care about “what if.”  I care about “what is.”  The Dodgers IS.

That’s what I want to focus on:  The Dodgers.  The baseball part of the business.  The players.  The coaches.  The minor leagues.  That’s all.  If I can’t do that, I’ll shut this blog down.

This is a Dodger blog – not a McCourt blog.  I don’t want it.  I won’t have it and I’m done with it.  “Frank, I don’t live for you, and hopefully you get that.”

This blog is about Matt Kemp, Jon Broxton, Eric Gagne, Chad Billingsley, James Loney, Clayton Kershaw, Casey Blake, Rafael Furcal, Andre Ethier, Russell Martin and all the rest of the boys.

I am not against Frank McCourt… nor am I for him.

Whatever happens, happens – the Dodgers will thrive, or survive under Frank McCourt.

This is a Dodgers Zone!

Nothing else!

Lawrence Delevingne, a writer at  The Business Insider, sent me this link to his article The Nastiest Billionaire Divorce Ever: Jamie And Frank McCourt.  It deals with the facts and not the rampant speculation that some of you state as facts.  It’s a worthwhile read, if you want to know all the players in this process.

Dodger Stuff:

• Flash!  No Manny next year.  Who knew?  From Dylan Hernandez at THE LA TIMES  Manny is very adept at stating the obvious.
• Tony Jackson of ESPN/LosAngeles weighes in with more about Manny being Manny
• Andrew Lambo profiled

My 2 Cents:

• Jamie Carroll will be a utilityman this year – DeWitt or DeBelli will start.
• It’s possible that the Dodgers may carry only 4 outfielders as Carroll and Blake can both play OF.
• Most of the players on the 40-man roster are in camp.  That’s a good sign.

It’s easy to measure the “dog in the fight” but that’s only part of the deal.  For example, in terms of talent, Pete Rose was not in the same category as an athlete when compared to Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, Barry Bonds and most other hitters, but Pete Rose holds the record for hits.  There were a lot of  hitters with a lot more talent than Pete, but in his case, it wasn’t the size of the dog in the fight, it was the amount of fight in the dog.

I have been saying for some time now, that our 2B this year will be Blake DeWitt.  Some of that, I admit, is wishful thinking, but Blake DeWitt has something else.  Something that you can’t measure.  You can’t measure IT by seeing that he hit over .300 the first two months of his rookie season, or that he hit .204 last year and wasn’t that impressive in AAA.  You simply can’t measure IT, but when I see Blake DeWitt, I believe he has IT and will win our 2B job this year.

The fact that he is a lefty is a huge bonus.  Blake thought he was ready to play 2B last year, but the Dodgers didn’t and brought in the O-Dog.  It was the right move, but DeWitt continued to hone his skills at 2B, and by all accounts, he is ready defensively.  I believe Blake DeWitt is a guy who will hit .265 with 15-20 HR THIS year.  If you could measure the fight in this dog, the meter would read “Junkyard.”  Blake DeWitt is a Junkyard Dog and I mean that as a compliment!

Russ Martin in 2009 and 2010

I remember when I first saw Russell Martin.  He had only been catching for a few months, but his footwork behind the plate told me that he was the real deal.  In 2005, I watched him on Jacksonville Web TV (just about every home game) and in Spring Training of that same year, I watched him repeatedly be the first player onto the field before games.  His hard work was legendary, and I predicted great things for him as far back as 2005. 

Right about now, he has been a disappointment the past two years, but I think that anyone who exhibited his work ethic is ultimately going to succeed.  The past two seasons, he has worked on “flexibility” exercises.  This winter he just “bulked up”  from 207 to 231.  For those of you who say, you can’t put weight like that on without steroids – YOU ARE WRONG!  When I was 23, I put on 30 lbs of muscle with weight training (I worked out with two 300 pound linemen).   I went from 225 to 257 in about 110 days.  High protein and lots of work.  It was hard, but I did it, and I imagine that with todays’ technology it would be easier.

I believe that Russ Martin will return to his Silver Slugger and Gold Glove Status this year – He’s just too hard of a worker!

P.S.  Excuse the fact that I am devoid of photoshop skills – use your imagination!

Dodger News:

• Tony Jackson says 2B is Blake DeWitts’ to lose
• Ken Gurnik on Scott Elberts’ shoulder
• Bill Shaikin writes about Dodgers plans for next 8 years
• Jon Weisman weighs in on the above and other issues

It turns out that Ronnie Belisario and I have a lot in common – No I don’t have a DUI, but we both have Visa problems that prevented us from reporting yesterday.  He hasn’t been able to obtain his, and I have to work to pay mine off!  So there you go.  Joe Torre isn’t mad at me , but he is mad at Ronnie! 

Spring is that time of year when the “little boy” in us all dreams big dreams: 

• Manny will have an MVP season
• Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier will combine to hit 80 HR and drive in 240
• Chad Billingsley and Clayton Kershaw will be 1,2 or 2,1 in CY Young voting
• Russell Martin and Rafael Furcal will win Silver Sluggers and Gold Gloves
• Eric Gagne will regain his form to become “Game Over” Gagne
• From James McDonald, Eric Stults and Charlie Haeger will emerge a #5 starter who goes 200 innings
• BelliCarroWitt will combine to hit over .300 at 2B
• Casey Blake didn’t have his career year last year – he will have it in 2010 – with a beard, no less

Now, most of those dreams will not happen, but some will and it’s going to be fun to see which ones play out.

Spring Notes:

• The Dodgers and Torre are working on an extension of one more year.
• Russell Martin allegedly looks like a fullback and has muscled up this year.  The last two years, he worked on flexibility and that simply didn’t work.  He’s allegedly about 20+ pounds heavier.
• To those of you who expect Casey Blake to have a bad year at 37, just look back at Brooks Robinson, Mike Schmidt and Pete Rose at 37.  If a guy takes care of himself, there no reason he can’t be at his peak then and I think that Casey Blake, while not in the category of the three above-mentioned 3B, is a candidate to do as good, probably better than last year.
• Rumor has it that James Loney may have “bulked up” over the winter.  That would make some of those fly balls, “Big Flies.”

Must Reading:

• Tony Jackson on Eric Gagne
• Dylan Hernandez on Chad Billingsley
• TJ Simers with a “Feel Good” Article on “Game Over”

My sources tell me that Manny Ramirez checked into Camelback Ranch one day BEFORE the pitchers and catchers were to report. 

For whatever you think about Manny Ramirez, he is a hard worker and his early arrival (way early) bodes well for the Dodgers upcoming season. 

Without saying a word, he is making a statement: “I’m Serious About Winning This Year!”

He's Here!

Newspapers, magazines, websites and blogs are spewing forth their venom about the War of the McCourts.  Speculation is rampant, and all sorts of  predictions, “I told you so’s” and

Photo from TMZ

 prognostications are propounded ad nauseam.  The sheer shock valve of Jamie McCourts filings are the fodder of these soothsayers.  They are pretenders.  They act as if they have some special insight into the McCourt’s affairs.  They lie – they don’t!  When they read Jamies’ accusations (that’s really what they are), they immediately jump to a conclusion that these are facts, which is about as far from the truth as you can get.  THEY ARE SIMPLY ACCUSATIONS! 

 THAT’S ALL!

 NO ONE KNOWS WHAT WILL HAPPEN. 

Write that down and watch. 

Here’s what we do know:

• Pitchers and Catchers Report Today;
• There is a hearing for determination of Dodger ownership in late May – That hearing may, or may not actually happen at that time.  I’d say it’s 50-50 that the hearing will happen then;
• Baseball owners deserve to make a profit and be paid.  I am the highest paid person in my company and Frank McCourt should be the highest-paid person in his company (I don’t pay Manny, but he does);
• Whether he is misusing funds or being paid appropriately, is not a determination you can make – the IRS can, however make that determination…. and probably will.
• Most of you don’t know enough about the law to even guess what will happen (I said MOST, not all);
• Those of you who understand what is happening, aren’t predicting what will happen;
• This divorce is so unlike what happened in San Diego that it should not even be mentioned in the same book, let alone, the same paragraph or sentence; and
• You can get hung up with all the Court stuff or you can get on with being a fan of the Dodgers.

As for me, TMZ and Dodger Divorce can report on this crap.  It’s sad that people are getting divorced after spending most of their lives together.  It’s sadder that some of us actually enjoy it.  I enjoy baseball and I am done with the rest of the divorce stuff. 

Move along, there’s nothing to see here folks.