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







Los Angeles, CA- Going into the 2010 season, who knew that Clayton Kershaw would have his breakout season in 2010? The unassuming, mild-mannered Texas kid is a solid condidate for the Cy Young Award with his 21-8 record and 3.09 ERA. Chad Billingsley figures to get a few votes along with Jon Broxton. Billingsley with his 18-12 record and 3.34 ERA rebounded nicely from an up and down 2009. His 234 Innings Pitched led the Dodgers. Jon Broxton was lights-out all season after mastering the change-up, and had 57 saves to go with his 1.97 ERA. Clayton Kershaw was the leader of a Dodgers staff which had 4 starters with 10 or more wins: Kershaw with 21, Billingsley with 18, Kuroda with 15 and Haeger with 12. Scott Elbert finished with 9 wins.
Over the past several weeks, I have seen the McCourt Saga gather momentum, like a rock rolling down a hill. While the divorce is nasty and ugly, a lot of mis-information exists. It starts with “McCourt might have to sell the team” (a possibility) to “McCourt has to sell the team” to “we want a new owner” to “McCourt won’t spend the money for young players” to “the young players will leave” to “McCourt will sell them off” to “Logan White and the coaches will leave” to “no player will want to play for the Dodgers.” These are the ramblings of an overactive imagination. There are several facts of which we can be sure:
I am not going to mention any names (Gammons, Rosethal, Stark, Heyman, Morosi, et al), but I am convinced that some (most or all) of these guys sniff around all their contacts every day and when they hear “Well, we have some interest in so-and-so,” they conclude it’s a done deal. Most of the rumors the above Alleged “insiders” propound are rubbish. They have a “feel” for what might, could, will happen and they just extrapolate that into more fact than fiction. RUBBISH! Journalists? More like “National Enquirer Shock Journalists.” I have seen and heard enough to smell doo-doo when I see (hear) it. That’s why I typically to refuse to publish such drivel.
The Baseball Winter Meetings are being held in Indianapolis beginning on Monday, December 7th thru Thursday, December 10th. While MLB would not issue me a credential, I will be there and hopefully get lucky. The only thing that credentials really do is get you inside the interview room when there are news conferences. I can still walk all over the hotel where everything is going on without a problem and report on all that’s going on. Usually, agents or GMs just stop in the hallways and talk to people and I will be right there. I have one purpose at these meetings – I would like to get a feel of what is really happening with the Dodgers… and I will!
SUSPECTS! However, the Dodgers Organization is not nearly as bereft of prospects as some think. We don’t have a bunch that are major-league ready, but DeJesus, Lindblom, Elbert, Haeger, Schlichting and Leach are all close to ready and while I don’t see any as “superstars” I believe that some of them will be very good players. However, we are in a position where we don’t need a bunch of young players RIGHT NOW.
If you have a home which is worth $400,000 or $400,000,000 and you are served divorce papers by your spouse, what do you do? It’s obvious that a great part of the parties’ net worth is that asset. Some people are idiots about this – some have even burned-down the house rather than split the proceeds. Are the McCourts that stupid? I doubt it. Both appear to be greedy, self-absorbed, high-achievement people whom I think want to maximize their investments. What should they do? The biggest asset I think is the Dodgers. They have to keep that asset shiny and new – to make money now and to make the asset continue to appreciate. That’s why I think they will “Paint the House, not Blow-Up the House! We might not have a $120 million payroll, but it won’t be $75 million either!
The Dodgers have improved over 2008. They won more games, but they still couldn’t get past the Phillies, and the Phillies will still be good next year. I suspect that Raul Ibanez had his career year and will slip back to reality next year and the Phillies will have some holes to fill, just like the Dodgers. Like the Dodgers, the Phillies have a former ace who needs to come back and I believe both will. It would not surprise me to see either one win a Cy Young Award in the future, even as easly as next year. I fully expect Hamels and Billingsley to both win 16-18 games next year. Both pitchers have too much talent.
In the celebration last night, I sensed that the boys still know this is only one step to get where they want to be. They have traveled this path before only to have their dreams shattered by a team they might have to play again. I sensed that, while happy, they will really celebrate when they get past the NLCS. If I would picking a MVP of the NLDS, I would split it between two guys I have ragged on quite frequently, because they deserve it – Big Jon Broxton and Big Game Andre Ethier! What a change and a difference they have made. I also think both players have much more to show us. They will both get even better!
Some people have said that you have to get Carpenter early or you don’t get him. Not true – for the past three years, the league is hitting .305 against Carpenter after 61 pitches. The Dodgers need to be patient… and then NAIL Carpenter. POUND him! HAMMER him! SAW him off! SCREW him! If that doesn’t work, then try something else.






