Things on the Horizon

I really want to refrain from anything that has to do with Frank McCourt. I must say that everything is financially messed up with the Dodgers, but that's not news.

I was at Dodger Stadium on Friday and having a child requires frequent trips to the restroom. I have to say that the bathrooms were not cleaned from the night before...but I digress.

Let's see what happens on the horizon with the Dodgers. I am hopeful that the 5th starter, once named, actually does his job of eating innings and helps win ball games.

How soon before we see Rubby DeLaRosa? Hopefully soon! We need him. Even if he gets into the pen, it might be for the best.

How many more homeruns will Broxton give up? Yes, he is 3/3 in Save opps, but I wish he had much more overpowering stuff.

When can we actually see the Dodgers win? I don't know, but I do know that this weekend was a good glimpse of the hard work that has been put into the offseason by Kemp and everyone else.

Go Blue!!!

Merry Christmas!

Still more Christmas wishes out there, like another left reliever and maybe a bat in Left Field. Other people have suggested Marcus Thames because of his ability to hit Lefties. However, his fielding % is horrendous. I am not sure if the Dodgers are more content to stay put and do nothing and wait for a disgruntled Ryan Braun of the Brewers (after they start losing) or Prince Fielder to be traded for prospects and James Loney.

5 wishes for Next Season:

1. Hearing Dodgers win more than 90 times or as many as it takes to recapture the crown from the Jints.

2. Seeing all 5/6 of our starters begin and finish the year healthy.

3. See Clayton Kershaw get run support and make a run at 18 wins.

4. Get a LF bat. Please Dodgers pull the trigger if the combination of Blake, (insert name), and Gibbons doesn't work.

5. A healthy Ethier and a happy Kemper!

Merry Christmas Dodger Fans!!!

Dodgers Roster All Set

Ok so Dodgers fans, why wheep over the McCourt verdict? It's going to be in the courts for awhile and I don't forsee a resolution anytime soon. As for what the Dodgers are doing, they are making moves.

Now that Vicente Padilla-el asesino and Tony Gwynn Jr. have been signed, there are now 39 total players on the roster.

Who is going to be that 1 player? I am banking on some Rule 5 magic. There are a ton of players available and for cheap amounts of money.

As far as the moves made, do I like the big signing of Uribe?

Yes, as long as they can get at least 2 good years from him. Even 18HR will add power to the position.

Barajas signing? Good and bad, but he loves LA so he should do well.

Is AJ Ellis the future? His ability to throw out runners is very low, so we'll see.

Lilly? An awesome signing.

Garland? He has 131 career wins...why not and plus he eats innings.

We do have so more work to do, but the roster is set. Gwynn will add speed to left field. That should help considering Gibbons is not the best fielder.

Peace, I'm Out Go Blue!

Free Agency and Falling Back

While I am sitting here waiting for the Huskers-My favorite college football team to start their game, I have to talk about the Dodgers.

First of all, the Dodgers not being in the post season this year had a lasting effect on me, but I am now over the disappointment and in Spring Training/Offseason mode.

I believe the Dodgers will have a much better season and will get better in all areas.

I expect the Dodgers to make a healthy run at free agents that will be starting pitchers and relievers. The bat? Where's the bat? Why not go after Pat Burrell? Why not go after Derek Jeter? Who knows?

Carl Crawford is not going to be a Dodger. I suspect an Angel.

Cliff Lee? No. He'll be a Yankee in a matter of days.

That leaves possibilities of landing my favorite pitcher...Jorge De La Rosa and bringing him in would be huge. He features an ability to bring some considerable innings 185 IP in 2009 and 121 IP in 2010 (less due to injury). ERA below 3 against all NL West Opponents.


Where will the Bat come from?

David Ortiz off the bench. Yes, with runners on, Ortiz can come in a la Olmedo Saenz.

Seriously I miss Olmedo, but maybe we could see other guys take that role.

There is not much depth to the FA's available, but I like Adrian Beltre.

You need his bat in our lineup. I would expect the Dodgers to push hard for a hitting 3B as they begin to get younger at the position. There are no good 3B options in the farm system right now.

So, where will you be at midnight? I will be right here, on my Twitter, Email, and reading anything and everything about the Dodgers and Free Agency!

Dodgers Moves

Each week, on this blog, I plan on highlighting any
moves the Dodgers make. Hopefully, looking at the competition, one would think they would getting to an arms race and target another pitcher.

Does Raffy Furcal have a future in LA?

Do the Royals want Matt Kemp for Greinke?

Is there a chance Russell Martin gets non-tendered?

Will the Dodgers sign Kershaw longterm?

Little World Series Update

I am incensed at the inconsistent strike zone during this World Series. Yes I want the Giants to lose, but it seems like the zone has been tight to wide depending on the hitters.

I have only limited proof, but Madison Bumgarner was getting Tom Glavine type outside strikes. It was like the umpire gave him everything a foot outside and everything 6 inches inside. That's why he dominated.

The Giants have had their fair share of K's looking and check swinging. The Fox Trac should be banned. It's really a poor way of making the Umps look bad.

The Texas Rangers are playing like Strangers and they can't seem to get ahead in the count. Nothing seems to be going right. They seem timid and off balance. However, tomorrow night I expect this to be a slugfest with both teams hitting the ball and being very aggressive at the plate and on the base paths.

Should the Giants play game 5 as a game 7, they'll win. If they come in overconfident, they'll lose.

My prediction is it will go back to AT&T Park. Rangers win 6-2.

Can the Giants win and can the Rangers get fired up and make it a 3-2 series? Who knows.

Lilly's bloom in April

Hello Dodger Fans,

A start to the off season has just begun with a nice warning shot to the rest of the NL West. Ted Lilly has a greed to terms on a nice deal with the Dodgers. With a 7-4 starting record after the trade from the Cubs, the Dodgers look to fortify their starting rotation of Bills and Kershaw. I am optimistic that Lilly will be a nice option for the 3rd, 4th or 5th spot. No way, the Dodgers get Cliff Lee, but if Frank McCourt gets his wish and takes the team over and gets a new TV deal, then the Dodgers have a chance of getting a left fielder and maybe another starter.

Obviously, there is a lot of work to be done, but matching up and playing better baseball will be key in beating the Giants and Rockies next year. Notice I didn't mention the Padres who are being dismantled as we speak!