In my latest piece for ESPNLosAngeles.com, I look past Spring Training toward a dozen questions facing the 2012 Dodgers.
So few questions, so much time.
That would seem to be the sentiment of a sedate Spring Training for the Dodgers, who have little in the way of starting-position battles or Manny Ramirez-like mischief to put their fans on the edge of their seats. Rather, you get the feeling that fans are already antsy to get the season launched.
But rest assured by Opening Day, there will be plenty of questions facing the Medium-Sized Blue Wrecking Crew. Here are a dozen of them, with the best available answers. …
Read the full piece here.
Anonymous
All good questions. A few of the questions might be better less asked and more predicted. I, for instance, predict Loney and Fields will have doubt removing successful years and make the corner infield positions a strength.
I predict the Dodgers will trade Ethier and a pitcher for Justin Upton before June and Billingsley and Sands for Josh Hamilton just before the trading deadline.
Vail Beach
Billingsley’s trade value seems to be at risk, however. He’s been very feeble today, in the classic Billingsley fashion: Handed a lead, he blows it.
underdog
Did you watch the game on TV Vail? I did and Bills was far from feeble, though his pitch count efficiency was admittedly not as good as you’d like. He had good stuff though, and the HR was a jet stream/windblown ball that would’ve been, as the Brewers announcers even said, “a can of corn fly out in Dodger Stadium.” He basically would’ve given up about a run if he pitched like he today on a normal day in LA.
Anonymous
Thanks Udog. Kind of quells some of my concerns as I didn’t get to watch or listen.
Anonymous
So it would have been 4 hits and 2 walks in 4.2 innings
Anonymous
The Dodgers don’t have anyone that they could trade for Justin Upton. And I am including Matt Kemp and maybe even Clayton Kershaw
Anonymous
If Kershaw’s included they better get Upton, Montero, Kennedy, Hudson and maybe a top minor league pitching prospect and that may not even be enough for Kid K!
Anonymous
Yea and I would hope that they would not trade Kershaw or Kemp for Upton.
Anonymous
Not getting why AZ trades Upton? The other trade is certainly possible. What makes you think Arizona is gonna want to dump Upton for Ethier who will be a free agent and who is not nearly as good of a player as Upton?
Terry Pruett
Billingsley and Sands for Hamilton? Ethier and a pitcher for Upton? I’m waiting for the punchline here…
Anonymous
Baseball is in the air…. gotta love it.
Also, did any of your read Simers’ piece yesterday?
I love stuff like that. (I know this puts me in the minority here on DT, but…it takes all kinds to make the world go ’round….as they say) … :-)
Omr PrzJrz
I read Simers….always kind of liked his relentless critiquing of everyone and everything. Always a good chuckle. That makes 2 of us, i guess.
Anthony Forkush
As I have said for years about the Dodgers, they are not a good team, they are not a bad team, they are a .500 team. Your prediction is spot on, Jon.
Anonymous
Seems like a safe bet to me.
Anonymous
On a related note…I also really like it when we get commentary from the likes of Stephen A. Smith on his evening radio show concerning the Lakers. The man tells it like it is. He calls the Lakers’ brass out for making money decisions paramount to basketball decisions. He’s “in the know” and he’s definitely not an “in the tank” kiss-up to the owners nor athletes. Refreshing! Have a great day guys.
Anonymous
I havent heard him of late, but people complaining about money and Lakers need to understand the new CBA has changed the game and the way rich clubs can go about business.
Anonymous
Those are some good questions. I think the Dee Gordon one is most likely to pan out as he’s gonna steal a bunch!
Anonymous
Sorry one more thing… Jon Weisman.
Love your posts… never miss them. Just haven’t had the time to post much lately.
But, keep up the great work…. and a belated Happy B-day to your son.
underdog
Mark Ellis really Simers that ball down the line!
and drives in two. ;)Dodgers up 7-4.Ethier continues to be scorching hot. Can only hope and presume he’ll continue on that way in the regular season.
Anonymous
Troncoso got a “hold” in the eighth, but probably pitched his way off the team.
underdog
He’s been so disappointingly bad the last year+. So sad. Oh well, we’ll always have 2009, Ramon. He made Ledezma look good.
Anonymous
Hello everyone, hope everything is going good for everyone…. Its about time to get this season started…. Where is my buddy Btimm? Miss you man haha.
Anonymous
Go Kings tonight! Huge game, go get it!
Anonymous
I would hazard to guess that none of Ned’s off season moves will work out, but this may not be fatal. Ellis will probably stay at second based on his defense, but we will be looking for a new LF and starting ptiching, as well as replacing Uribe. That said, we do have Sands, possibly Fields, and some young arms. Resurgence from Ethier and Loney would put us in the driver’s seat in the division and a mid-season move by the new owners could help us go deep.
Anonymous
Will Colletti be the one making trade deadline deals for the Dodgers?
Dustin Nosler
Sure hope not.
Jon Weisman
NPUT