The front of the Dodgers' rotation is pretty well set, with Clayton Kershaw, Chad Billingsley, Hiroki Kuroda, and Vicente Padilla set to occupy the first four spots. There's no shortage of candidates for that fifth spot, but as Steve Dilbeck of The Los Angeles Times notes, most of the contenders have unfavorable contract situations.
Eric Stults and Charlie Haeger are both out of options, Carlos Monasterios is a Rule 5 pick, and both Ramon and Russ Ortiz are believed to have out clauses in their contracts. The one rotation candidate that doesn't have any strings attached is James McDonald, but it doesn't help that he has a 20.25 ERA and a 3.56 WHIP in just over five innings this spring. Regardless of who LA picks for that last spot, there's a chance they'll lose some depth as the other guys succumb to roster limitations.
Let's open this one up for discussion. Who do you think the Dodgers should put in their last rotation spot, and what should they do with the other players? Essentially your choices are a) put them in the bullpen, or b) risk losing them to waivers/out clause/Rule 5 rules. Here are the Spring Training stats, not that they mean anything.
Ramon Ortiz as the fifth starter and keep Monasterios in the pen, Bellesario wont be ready right away anyhow, if Ortiz falters give the kid a chance.
Stults is the first and most logical choice and keeping Haeger as the long reliever in the meantime as they both are out of options. I believe Weaver would go down to AAA at least for a short time. I’m not sure about either Ortiz, but Stults, if he can stay aggressive has good numbers in a fairly short stint in the majors. He has two complete game shutouts in the last two years one against the White Sox and I think the other against the Giants. If he hadn’t hurt his thumb last year he had the fifth spot won then. Lastly his stats if you take out the three “thumb” related starts is not that bad in the majors. There just aren’t enough spots for a rule five this year so Monasterios will probably be returned.
Bills, Kershaw, Kuroda, Padilla, and Stults has a nice R, L, R, R, L feel to it as well!
Go with monasterios…thats my take on the situation. Put haeger in the pen and take the risk of losing stults. Stults is the oldest one amongst those 3 and I really don’t see him doing much for the team in the future. I think Russ Ortiz is kinda over the hill even though his spring numbers are good , but I would rather keep Ramon Ortiz over Russ. Send McDonald down to AAA and hope that he does well as he awaits a possible callup to THE SHOW!!!
I suggest a trade. Chad Gaudin or Sergio Mitre for the rights of Jamie Hoffmann. Unless the Dodgers plan on having Hoffmann take Manny’s spot in LF next year. I don’t know much about the Dodgers prospects so please excuse the ignorance.
Yankees have Hoffmann. Took him from Washington who took him from LA in the Rule 5 Draft to complete the trade for Brian Bruney.
Which is why I said for his rights so that they can stash him in AAA incase he doesn’t make the team on opening day.
They are not going to Trade Established Big League pitchers for a Non-established Minor league outfielder. He didnt do much when he was called up, batted around .225 i think. they can get an established big league outfielder from another team. This also would not help the dodgers, only make the situation more difficult. they dont want to lose haegar, stults, monasterios, or weaver. By making the trade, they possibly lose half at least. If they want to keep hoffman, they’ll give us a Single A pitcher. but even then, we dont really need hoffman. We have Repko, and Xavier Paul. Paul is the next in line, as repko has never been able to get his way in. i also believe, that the Minor League Depth chart goes something like:
paul
Repko
Lambo, Andrew (rated one of our top prospects)
Robinson, Treyvon
Mattingly, Preston (Don mattinglys son)
Hoffman is a prospect that the dodgers would only keep as a 6th outfielder insurance policy at best, yankees know this, and wouldn’t even consider the trade. They yankees like to have pitching even more than we do.
Not a bad idea, except that the Yankees probably wouldn’t give up a six pack for the right to keep Hoffman. He may be playing at Albuquerque this season.
I say Stults. Best combination of experience and talent.
id say charlie haegar because he can throw a knuckleball. its always good to have variety in your starting 5. Plus maybe he will finally bust out this year.
in the end, it really doesn’t matter. #5 starters have the life of spoiled milk. there’s a new one every year. But im gonna stick with Haegar as he brings variety with a knuckleball.
i watched carlos monasterios pitch 3 scoreless and hitless innings against the white sox a few days ago and i just loved what i saw from the 24 year old. he has a great arm and i hope that we decide to keep him and not send him back to the phillies…
Now I’m not sure how the Rule 5 situation works when it comes down to trading those players, but if I’m LA I’m going with Stults. And I wonder if they would trade Monasterios, if it is even possible, because I know the Royals could use a pitcher after Meche and Greinke. He would be better than our other options that aren’t named Hochevar.
I like Haeger I saw him pitch a lot for the Isotopes and he was very impressive
Barring an unforseen acquistion or injury, Eric Stults looks to get that honor come Opening Day. This doesn’t mean that he is the best option, just that he’s got a lot in his favor coming out of the gate. Stults, as you know, is out of options. That’s probably not a risk the Dodgers want to take at this point, given his recent contributions in 2008 and 2009. Stults has performed well at times yet is looking to find some consistency – something characteristic of most 5th starters. However, Stults has 17 starts over the past two seasons (more than any other candidate in camp) and that figures to play favorably with Joe Torre.
Carlos Monasterios is the wild card. While it has been mentioned that he could be a candidate for the 5th starter position, he can easily start the season in the bullpen and step in to a starter role down the road.
Knuckleballer Charlie Haeger is out of options as well, but he’s more likely to clear waivers than Stults. James McDonald, Russ Ortiz, Ramon Ortiz, and Josh Towers could, essentially, all start the season in AAA and would need blow away the Dodgers’ brass in order to make Stults and/or Haeger completely expendable. However, the Dodgers could look to showcase Stults for a possible trade by giving him a few starts in April anyway.
I’m not a personal fan of Stults and his near 5.00 career ERA, and I wouldn’t expect him to remain the 5th starter for the duration. But he’s the guy mostly likey to fill out the starting rotation in April.
http://www.dodgerdugout.com
I gotta agree with you for the most part. It’d be nice to have another lefty in the mix and one who has shown glimpses of being a really good pitcher. However, I think I’d rather see Stults as another lefty coming out of the bullpen.
I haven’t seen Carlos Monasterios pitch this spring but I’ve heard nothing but great things about him so far and his spring training stats (not that they mean anything by regular season standards) are very nice. I would definitely have him in the bullpen if not as the 5th starter.
The guy I have been most impressed with this spring, though, is Ramon Ortiz. He’s got a great sinker and slider and has veteran experience. I like him to be the 5th starter or at least come out of the bullpen as a long reliever if they decide to make Stults or Monasterios the 5th starter.
McDonald has looked awful this spring and he’s still another year or two away from being consistent enough to be a starter in the bigs, in my opinion. Russ Ortiz has done pretty well this spring but I’m just not as impressed by his stuff. Josh Towers also has not really impressed me this spring but I’ve only seen him pitch once.
Also, I know that his name has not been thrown around much lately for the 5th starter spot and he has only pitched 2 innings this spring so far, but Josh Lindblom’s stuff really blew me away when I was watching him. That curveball of his was starting shoulder-high and ending up at the knees! NASTY! ha
Whatever they decide to do, I’m pulling for the boys in blue! (I really was not trying to rhyme there.) Go BLUE!
Russ ortiz will not be with the dodgers. He’s had great springs the last two years, last year with the astros, but he then blows up in the regular season. Belisario is having visa issues, so the dodgers have lost their setup man, and monasterios has pitched out the bullpen. Stults has been more aggressive, which is exactly what management has wanted from him. Jeff weaver has an out clause, and has stated repeatedly that he will not pitch in AAA. So if he doesnt make the team, hes gone.
I think what will end up happening, Stults gets the 5th starter job, monastarios takes a bullpen, will end up being the Right handed setup man, weaver getting first crack for long reliever, followed by haegar. they’ll try to sell ramon ortiz on AAA, saying stults is inconsistent, and if ortiz continues to pitch well, he’ll get first crack after stults. This is all on the assumption of a 11 man pitching staff. If we go 12, Haegar gets the spot until belisario comes back, then haegar gets traded or waivered and optioned to AAA. Should belisario come back, and we go 12 pitchers, should look something like this.
Kershaw
Billingsly
Kuroda
Padilla
Stults/Ortiz, Ramon
Bullpen
Broxton, Cl
Sherrill, LHP Setup
Belisario, RHP Setup
Kuo, LHP Middle Relief
Troncoso, RHP Middle Relief
Monasterios, RHP Middle relief
Weaver/Haegar, Swingman, long relief.
Either way, solid bullpen, which was a strength of the dodgers last year. And the only requirements of the 5th starter is to keep the game close and eat games.
sorry. Meant to say the only requirements of the 5th starter is to keep the game close and eat INNINGS. No idea why i typed games
I would go Stults and Elbert.
JMac in the minors to get innings as a SP. Russ Ortiz retires, Ramon Ortiz to the pen.
The pen can get really crowded.. Weaver, Ramon Ortiz, and Monasterios are all pretty much fighting for the same spot.
Elbert was sent down a couple of days ago… Was a long shot because of everyone’s contract situation anyways… He’ll be up sometime this yr though
I know ST stats do not mean anything but.. Withrow 2ip 5Ks! 🙂
He’s looked unhittable. Filthy stuff.
i agree. but hes going to be in the minors again, just to keep his arb eligible clock from starting.
All signs point to Stults. As mentioned before, he has the best combination of experience and talent. The guy has shown he can pitch, he’s just never managed to stick in the Dodger rotation. He’s had a great spring, and his case is helped with Haeger, Elbert and JMac pitching poorly. Stults could be a “#5 Starter” on at least a dozen MLB teams.
The Dodger coaching staff loves what they see in Monasterios, and he’s had a phenomenal spring. He won’t be going anywhere. He’ll probably start out with JMac’s or Weaver’s spot – a guy that will be used in various relief roles, and can start if needed.
A trade or claim, both are out of the question.
Rotation: Kershaw, Bills, Kuroda, Padilla, Stults
Bullpen: Broxton, Kuo, GS, Troncoso, Monasterios, 1 or 2 of Weaver/Haeger/Ramon Ortiz
AAA: JMac, Lindblom, Link, Elbert, etc.
They might start with 11 pitchers at MLB, but have the option to go with 12. Bellisario’s visa situation actually helps the Dodgers get more time to see what some of these guys can do in April (he can be stashed on the inactive list).
Russ Ortiz will be out of a job by April. Dodgers might take the risk of getting Haeger to pass waivers, especially if Weaver and Ramon Ortiz finish with a strong spring. Could be a big risk – LA can field a great 11/12 man staff, but beyond that the depth is a little sketchy.
There are a couple decisions that are easy here:
Monasterios goes to the pen. He can pitch from the pen, you don’t lose him in rule 5, and he fills in as almost the exact same kind of pitcher as Ronald Belisario, who is still trying to get to America with Visa issues. So essentially is Monasterios instead of Belisario, who they’ll start on the dl.
James McDonald goes to AAA. He has options, he needs to get right, and it’s a good way to let him get more of the feel of starting. I think that one is almost a lock.
I suspect that both Ortiz’s would stick out in AAA for a bit, or at least Ramon, who has said specifically that he likes SoCal. Why opt out if you’re them? Is any other team really going to offer one of them a starter spot at the end of Spring Training anyway?
I’m pretty sure that Weaver does, in fact, have an out clause and I doubt he’d stick around. Somebody out there would take him for a swingman role when he was so effective last year. So why don’t the Dodgers just keep him?
Which leaves Haeger and Stults. Stults has the most experience and is a lefty, but the upside is ultimately pretty low. Still, the Dodgers have plenty of upside pitching in the low minors, so I think for now, you drop Stults into that role and hope no one swipes him.
Thing about Haeger is that he has only 3 major league starts. He was good in 2 of ’em and struggled in the 3rd. With a healthy Stults you have a better idea what you’re getting.
One last issue in all this: in the first two and a half weeks, the 5th spot only comes up in the rotation once, so whoever it is will need to be able to pitch out of the pen. I think that favors Haeger- Stults has never been effective out of the pen and the knuckler would be a nice change of pace from all the hard-throwers in the rest of the pen (which is everyone but Weaver).
Still, I think they’ll go with Stults- finally give the guy the real shot he’s never had.
Chad Gaudin or Sergio Mitre (pick any of these Mr. Dodger GM, maybe both) for Matt Kemp.
Kidding acknowledged, I still hate your name and this statement.
Like you need to trade for matt kemp now, you guys will buy him once he is in his prime and hits FA in a few years like you do with everyone else. Your team is a joke and a disgrace to the game, paying your players a full 50% more than any other team for what? 1 title every 10 years? Still brainstorming what I can sue the Stienbrenners for so the woulnt have the money to ruin baseball anymore, anyone got any bright ideas?
I would have gone with Elbert, but Torre hates him so that wasn’t happening. I’d say go with Ramon Ortiz in Weaver’s spot, send weaver to AAA (if he will go), send Mcdonald to AAA, and go with Stults or or Haeger as the 5th starter.
There’s no reason to go with Elbert when he’s shown problems with his control and has a boatload of options left. He needs a lot more polish. I’d rather go with the low-upside, safe lefty in Stults than the higher-upside, wild lefty in Elbert. Less stress on the bullpen, and the kid gets an opportunity to prove that he can improve his control without putting MLB games on the line.
Weaver loves pitching for the Dodgers. He’ll take an ABQ assignment.
http://sports.espn.go.com/losangeles/mlb/news/story?id=4952673
Research, then make assumptions.
sports.espn.go.com/losangeles/mlb/news/story?id=4952673
I’ve read that, but I’ll believe it when I see it.
An assignment would be short, and he’d be first in line to take a bullpen spot. He’s smart enough to know he won’t be in AAA for long.
Still, I think he and/or Ramon O. make the pen.
Elbert has nothing left to prove in the minors, and I don’t think it will help him to just back to AAA. I guess it would just have to be a move not concerning his skill here, same with Mcdonald, but the mess of out of option pitchers and guys who wont go to AAA. I would rather take the skilled pitchers over those guys, but I’m not running the show.
He’s only pitched in 8 games at AAA in his minor league career, and he’s only 24. He was stuck at the lower levels for a while with his bad BB rate. That began to improve, but he still needs to work on his control against advanced and experienced hitters. He was on the NLCS roster last season, which shows the FO and coaches have faith in him. An MLB job was his to lose in ST, and it would appear (so far) that he’s lost it.
He will be 25 this season and he was drafted out of high school. He missed 1 season with an injury, which he’s fully recovered from now, and he’s ready to start in the MLB. He was the Dodgers minor league pitcher of the year, and he was dominate in the minors. He hasn’t had one real shot in the majors, it’s all just mop up duty and crap outings like that, so when he’s gotten shelled torre loses more faith in him. One of Mcdonald or Elbert should take the 5th spot, guys like Haeger, Stults, or either of the Ortiz’s shouldn’t stop them.
File Elbert under “Late Bloomer.” No need to get a guy on the 25-man for good just because he’s a certain age.
How can you say they’ve lost faith in him when they put him on the NLCS roster, and had him slated to be a front-runner for a 5th starter or bullpen going into this spring?
The fact that he still hasn’t had one MLB start while the Dodgers didn’t have a set 5th starter last season, then when he was scheduled for a start he went into relief in a late inning game, and he gave up a couple runs and was sent down i think the next day. Torre doesn’t like Elbert as a starter.
Honestly, Elbert has one thing he needs to do in the minors, and it’s not control(that will come with age). He needs a changeup to be a starter. He has two plus pitches but to be a starter in the majors you need 3 pitches… That’s what’ll work on
If you don’t think he needs work on his control, you’re watching a different Elbert. Agree about the third pitch though. But he’d have been a slam dunk for a relief/spot starter role if he had shown even half-decent control so far in ST. We’re talking about a guy with poor control in all but one professional season, and that was last year. His lack of control in ST this year has probably raised some red flags, rightfully so.
Control should improve with age, but doesn’t necessarily come with it. He’s got to learn to pitch to advanced hitters. 19 innings in the majors and 8 GP in AAA in 2009 is too small a sample size to use to assume that he’s suddenly corrected his control issues at a professional level.
I like Elbert as much as the next guy, but I don’t want him taking up crucial innings in 2010 when we have an abundance of guys that can take the mound. The NL West will be arguably the second best/most competitive division in baseball in 2010. Dodgers need to get off to a very strong start.
I’m not saying that his control is not a problem. I’m saying that with bad control he can still be a #3 starter or the next Hong Chi Kuo. That is his Downside, Kuo w/o the elbow problems. He has #2 potential as a starter. He can become that with poor control(look at Billz and Kershaw). Without at least 3 pitches he HAS to be a reliever. No one can be successful as a starter with two pitches.
And don’t use his MLB numbers to write him off. He has been extremly unlucky with the HR ball in the majors. Look at his AA numbers to see what he could be…
Elbert has the most potential of the 5th starter guys, but isn’t ready yet to be a starter.
I’m not writing him off at all (and didn’t use his MLB numbers – good in 2009, by the way – to write him off). I just don’t think he’s ready to pitch in the majors, especially in a significant role. I don’t think he should have been on the NLCS roster in October, and I don’t think he should have had an inside track to a big role on the MLB team this season.
I’ll look at his AA numbers… 5.2 BB/9 in 4 AA seasons. I see exactly what I saw before. A guy with control issues.
Sure he has the most potential. But give me the lower potential Stults, who has shown he can pitch to MLB hitters as a starter, over a high-upside that has had control issues throughout the majority of 6 professional seasons. Any day.
I like what Elbert could be, and I hope he makes it, but realistically, I don’t see him becoming a Kuo (3.2 MiLB career BB/9 vs. Elbert’s 4.8… I’ve never understood how people think they’re comparable), and I don’t really see him as an MOR guy either. I’m rooting for myself to be wrong, but I think Elbert will end up as a prospect that didn’t pan out.
We are generally agreeing, but for different reasons. He is not ready to be an MLB starter. He COULD be a very effective reliever right now, given his K numbers, but his future is as a starter. He has an “inside track” because he has dominated at every level, even with poor control. If we were going to wait for every top prospect to fix their control, Billz and Kershaw would still be in AAA.
And he does have control issues. There are no questions. However, his control has gotten better since he returned from injury every season… He is growing as he gets older with his control and it will continue to improve…
So you know, Kuo had ace potential in the minors. He became a reliever because his arm couldn’t handle it… Kuo was a better prospect. However, they are compared because they are lefties with plus fastballs and plus-plus slider… Control isn’t everything with pitchers…
Hundreds of pitching prospects have had bad control and became top tier pitchers. Elbert has better stuff than most of them. With a changeup, he can be a #2 for a long time…
Right now, like I said before, Elbert could be a very good MLB reliever if given a chance. However they are grooming him to be a starter. I don’t understand how so many think he will bust.. He is still just 24
For the record, Bills and Kershaw both had a career MiLB BB/9 of 3.7, over 1 BB/9 better than Elbert, and neither ever posted a 6+ like Elbert has. So no, their control was never an issue the way Elbert’s is.
It’s easy to love Elbert’s ability to overwhelm hitters, especially as a young guy who “hasn’t had a chance,” but it’s just as easy to assume, unwisely, that his (former) top prospect status guarantees him MLB success.
At the moment, Elbert is no more of a lock to be an effective reliever than Brent Leach (slightly worse H/9 , K/BB rate, much lower HR/9 rate).
There is absolutely no guarantee for Elbert (or any other pitcher) that the control will improve with age. It’s only wishful/hopeful thinking.
I know full well what Kuo was expected to be coming up. He’s a far superior pitcher to Elbert. His MiLB numbers (K,HR,B/9) were much, much better than Elbert’s. There is absolutely no comparison, other than they’re both lefties that can strike guys out. So no, control is not everything, but it’s a HUGE thing, especially with elite relievers like Kuo, let alone projected MOR pitchers, like you claim Elbert to be. Expecting him to both pick up and maintain good control, AND develop a third pitch is asking a lot.
Can you name more than one pitcher with control as bad, for a prolonged period, and lesser stuff, that became a #2 or better?
So many people think he’s a bust because he has all the makings of a bust. A 24 year old who has yet to develop and/or sustain good control, and whose coaches are not completely sold on him.
I am rooting for Elbert, and have been for many years. But I’m getting to the point where I’m not counting on him, and I’m instead looking forward to guys like Lindblom, Withrow, Martin, Miller, Gould, and Eovaldi.
I agree. Elbert most definitely has poor control. In 25.2 major league innings, he’s walked 11 (and hit a batter) and given up 4 HRs. Last season in the minors he had a 4.1 BB/9, which was a slight improvement over his 4.8 BB/9 career average, and he also hit 7 batters in 96 innings.
He’s got a ways to go before he’s ready for the major league team. He may never get there. Like you, I’m not counting on him. Lindblom and Withrow I’m expecting much more from.
It is far more reasonable that MacDonald doesn’t see MLB action this season, simply because he has options left. It is even more reasonable to think both Ortiz’s are washed up. I don’t see Haeger sticking with the big club strictly because at the first sign of trouble he’ll be moved to the pen, and Torre will not use him out of the pen.
I think at this point the most reasonable situation would be Monasterios taking Bellisario’s role of righty reliever/short man, and Stults being the 5th guy.
Kershaw, Billingsley, Padilla, Kuroda, Stults
Broxton(CL), Sherrill(SU), Kuo(LOOGY), Monasterios (ROOGY? lol), Trancoso (short man) and Weaver (long man).
Side question: If Spring Training stats don’t matter, how come we put so much weight into MacDonald doing poorly but disregard Ortiz(s)/Stults/Monasterios doing well? It should go both ways.
Kuo is FAR from a loogy. He is one of the best in the majors. He is Broxton-type talent and is a lefty. Sherrill would be the loogy before Kuo. However, neither really are, they both setup Ox
Kuo is quite a story how he keeps coming back from injury and he has great stuff. But you know at some point in the season he will be on the DL.What is going on with Belisario and his passport, has anybody seen John Ely pitch this spring? What does his stuff look like?
To say Kuo will undoubtedly go to the DL is a little premature, Imo. While he is most likely to go on the DL out of all the pen guys, he isn’t destined to go..
The Belisario thing seems to be a bad mistake. He apparantley did not miss any appointments, they are just being really slow because of his DUI.
I haven’t seen Ely pitch live, but Torre likes him. It sounds like he will be in the majors at some time this year. However, the guy who writes MOKM feels he isn’t ready yet. Good stuff, just not ready
Kuo is really a miracle after the nasty arm injurys he has had. The fact that he is pitching in the majors and has a live arm tells you something about his character. However he is on the DL every year so you accept that as part of the deal with him. If he did not have those injurys who knows?
Kuo had beyond ace potential. He was a starter but after the 4th arm surgery, they brought him to the pen… Im not saying he isnt probably going to go on the DL, im just saying we shouldnt expect him to go on the DL
________________________________
There are lots of guys who have ace potential who for one reason or another do not make it. They blow out there arms, play around with alcohol or drugs, or as the old saying goes had a million dollar arm and a two cent brain. Kuo is one tough dedicated guy who thru hard work, and Gods grace gets to have a major league career.
I know… I was saying that Kuo was a starter as a prospect and had serious ace potential. He kept of blowing out his elbow and became a reliever…
Kuo had beyond ace potential. He was a starter but after the 4th arm surgery, they brought him to the pen… Im not saying he isnt probably going to go on the DL, im just saying we shouldnt expect him to go on the DL
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Talent notwithstanding, that is how he will be used.
Kuo will be the 8th inning setup man. He was that last year and will be that this year. He is more talented than Sherrill and anyone in the pen not named Broxton. He has never been used as a LOOGY for a whole season that I can remember..
Kuo will be the 8th inning setup man. He was that last year and will be that this year. He is more talented than Sherrill and anyone in the pen not named Broxton. He has never been used as a LOOGY for a whole season that I can remember..
Talent notwithstanding, that is how he will be used.
I hear Driefort’s still available… Dodgers probably still paying him, too
so this is how i hope things workout,
Ramon and Russ Ortiz: retire (dont know why they are even being considered for roster spots.)
Rotation
1. Kershaw
2. Billingsley
3. Kuroda
4. Padilla
5. Stults
Bullpen
Cl. Broxton
SU. Sherrill
Kuo
Troncoso
Monestarios
LR. Mcdonald
LR. Weaver
thats how it should be since stupid belisario is still not even in the country yet.
Ramon has actually looked pretty good. I think he makes the team.
i hope he doesnt. no matter how he looks i think everyone else that hes competing with would do better for us in the regular season.
yeah shame on belisario for being venezulean and not getting his visa! the nerve of him screwing up the spring with something completely out of his control. what a fool.
It is his fault. He had plenty of time.
If I remember correctly, he’s being held up because of his issue with getting a DUI.
More like, he should spend more time in AA than in his car driving drunk.
If he hadn’t decided to drive while intoxicated- something that was in his control– the process of him receiving his visa wouldn’t be delayed this long.
you’re the fool. he is having trouble with his visa because he got a dui last year and he was supposed to meet with some people a couple times about his visa but never showed up. know your facts before you post next time alright buddy.
I think Monasterios will start out in the pen since he seems better suited for it than some of the other guys. They’ll keep him up one way or another because they don’t want to risk losing him. I think Stults and Ramon Ortiz go down to the wire for the #5. The loser is probably put on waivers or long relief if Weaver accepts AAA. Yea I know they could be claimed but they’re nothing more than a #5 so its worth losing someone of Ortiz’s upside than someone with Monasterios’.
I’d go:
#5: Stults
Pen: Monasterios
Waivers (hopefully to AAA but if not oh well): Ramon Ortiz and Haegar
Cut: Russ Ortiz
My guess.. Haeger, monasterios and one of stults or the Ortizes make the team. I’d guess they take the consistent Stults for 5th, haeger in the pen, monasterios in the pen and Ramon ortiz in the minors( tell him he will be one of 1st guys up). Jmac will be sent to AAA because he has options and has bee horrible. He should be in the pen, but they’ll send him to Alb. We don’t want to give Monasterios to Philly, so he makes it. Torre commented about Haegers ability to come out of the pen, which kinda gives us a hint. Everyone else is either released or sent to the minors
Let Charlie Hager go, and give the job, at least initially, to Stults–who has the Dodgers’ only two CGs the past two years. Use Montaserios out of the bullpen or, if a trade can be worked out to take him out of Rule 5 status, do that. But keep him one way or the other. McDonald can go down…and it looks like he should. Let both the Ortiz’s exercise their “out clauses”, if they have them; if they don’t keep ’em around to see how the others pan out. It’s a long season. And, by the way, there are still two more weeks in which someone could make the decision alot easier. But no matter how you cut it, the Dodgers’ starting pitching leaves a bit to be desired, and Billingsley and Kershaw need to take full steps in their progression.
Starters Kershaw, Billingsley, Kuroda, Padilla and Stults. Bullpen Broxton, Kuo, Sherrill, Troncoso, Weaver and Haeger. When Belisario is done with visa issues and has had a few starts to compensate for missing spring training, Weaver or more likely Haeger goes back to minors. I have as the starting position players Ausmus, Loney, DeWitt, Furcal, Blake, Kemp, Ethier and Ramirez. The backup position players are Ellis, Belliard, Carroll and Johnson. Garrett Anderson would be next but I am keeping an extra pitching spot instead. If Belliard gets cut for being overweight which is unlikely, Anderson gets the spot.
That’s only 23 players..
Now my problems… One, haeger cannot go back to the minors. He either goes to the minors or is released. He could be too valuable to lose for nothing.
Ausmus starting? Are you crazy? Ellis will start at C and Ausmus will be on the bench.
Ausmus is a proven major league cather and in his prime a good one. He is the better option over Ellis but because of age they will probably split time.
A better option 10 years ago. He is 42. He will be the backup to Ellis, if his back injury isn’t serious( he missed practice with a sore back.) this will give them a chance to see what they have in Ellis as he will get 15 or so starts at the start of the year… There is no way Ausmus gets anymore starts than he would have without an injury, unless Ellis somehow also gets hurt.
Prime =/= 42
Dude. You need to read up and understand baseball. Ausmus Cant handle starting. His body is cant do it. Its the most demanding Position in all of baseball, and thats why alot of catchers end up moving to 1B when they hit the 30s. Victor Martinez has started to play some first and DH for example. On top of that, Torre has already stated that Ellis is the starter. He’s a grinder, and even if he doesnt hit .300, He gives you a Tough at-bat.
I believe beside Jeff Weaver that Russ Ortiz, Ramon Ortiz will have opt out clause because of their MLB expierence and Eric Stults who was being courted by team out in Japan, so if he wanted than he can go out to Japan..
Josh Lindbloom should be their 5th SP …
Most of his career has been closing, he’s been stretched out to 3-4 innings but he’s not ready to be a regular starter, especially not in the majors. He has a ton of talent but there is no need to rush him or expect him to take on that many innings. He’ll make an impact in 2011 with Withrow but I wouldn’t expect more than a September callup this year.