There is no doubt the Dodgers have some holes to fill. Lately I've been getting the feeling that some people think our team is in shambles or something. Really it's not like the Dodgers are going to fold and become a small market team because the owner is getting a divorce. When the dust settles the Dodgers will be the favorite to win the NL West again, mark my words. Now let's take a look at the current roster, with the holes unfilled.
Projected 2010 Starting Lineup
SS-Rafael Furcal
CF-Matt Kemp
RF-Andre Ethier
LF-Manny Ramirez
1B-James Loney
3B-Casey Blake
C-Russell Martin
2B-Blake DeWitt
Projected 2010 Bench Players
IF-Jamey Carroll
OF-Jason Repko
C-A.J. Ellis
1B-Fill Hole Here
XX-Fill Hole Here
Projected 2010 Starting Rotation
RHP-Chad Billingsley
LHP-Clayton Kershaw
RHP-Hiroki Kuroda
XHP-Fill Hole Here
RHP-Charlie Haeger
Projected 2010 Bullpen
RHP-Ramon Troncoso
RHP-Ronald Belisario
LHP-Hong-Chih Kuo
LHP-Scott Elbert
RHP-Jon Link
LHP-George Sherrill
RHP-Jonathon Broxton
Look at that roster and tell me that team looks like a team in shambles. No. Quite the opposite actually. The Dodgers are missing Orlando Hudson, Randy Wolf, and a couple bench players that's it. So to think this team is not capable of winning the NL West, and competing in the playoffs again is simply ridiculous.
Some new names to the Dodgers which figure to make the opening day lineup. First is Jon Link, he figures to get a gig in the bullpen after his solid performance in winter ball. He went 2-0 with a 2.95 ERA in 15 outings, he also added seven saves in eight chances. Jamey Carroll is another name new to the Dodgers. He will see plenty of playing time as the Dodgers super utility player. Carroll will also share some time as a starter as he is likely to platoon with Blake DeWitt at second. Repko and Ellis are long lost minor leaguers that should get a shot at the majors or be traded before opening day. Haeger and his knuckleball saw some success in a few starts for the Dodgers last season. He will be competing with James McDonald and a few others for the fifth spot in the rotation.
Alright, now it is time to fill some holes. Of course this is purely speculative with a bit of rumors and inside knowledge.
Current Holes In Order As Stated Above
1B- Doug Mientkiewicz will likely be awarded the job. He has Joe Torre as his biggest fan, and the Dodgers need a left handed bat. Barring an injury or a terrible spring, he is almost guaranteed to be on the bench on opening day.
XX- The final bench spot will go to Ronnie Belliard or Felipe Lopez. That's right I am predicting one of these two guys to sign with the Dodgers similar to how Orlando Hudson did last season. The Dodgers still have a hole at second base, and DeWitt has proven he can handle it yet. If the above two should sign elsewhere, the spot would then go to Chin-lung Hu. Hu would serve as a backup middle infielder, and the Dodgers would go to plan b, a platoon of DeWitt and Carroll.
4th Rotation Spot- I am predicting Jon Garland signs with the Dodgers on a one year deal with an option. The Dodgers need a veteran innings eater, and Garland fits the mold perfectly. Garland likes the west coast, and fit well on the Dodgers last season. The Dodgers have shown interest in Joel Pineiro, but his asking price will have to come down before the Dodgers will be able to afford him.
Not much to do in the bullpen, as this is the strong point for the Dodgers in 2010. Unless there are any major injuries, count on the Dodgers bullpen to lead the majors in almost every single stat. It gets better because every single player out of the bullpen except for Sherrill is under the age of 30. This means some of these guys are just entering the prime of their careers, and some haven't even reached it yet. We could also see Colletti deal some of this depth to fill other needs sometime in 2010.
Alright now that we got all of that squared away, let's take a look at the end result.
Projected 2010 Starting Lineup
SS-Rafael Furcal
CF-Matt Kemp
RF-Andre Ethier
LF-Manny Ramirez
1B-James Loney
3B-Casey Blake
2B-Ronnie Belliard
C-Russell Martin
Projected 2010 Bench Players
IF-Jamey Carroll
OF-Jason Repko
C-A.J. Ellis
1B-Doug Mientkiewicz
IF-Blake DeWitt
Projected 2010 Starting Rotation
RHP-Chad Billingsley
LHP-Clayton Kershaw
RHP-Hiroki Kuroda
RHP-Jon Garland
RHP-Charlie Haeger
Projected 2010 Bullpen
RHP-Ramon Troncoso
RHP-Ronald Belisario
LHP-Hong-Chih Kuo
LHP-Scott Elbert
RHP-Jon Link
LHP-George Sherrill (Setup)
RHP-Jonathon Broxton (Closer)
The Dodgers are getting younger and better. I am really digging the direction this team is headed. This team will be a contender for many years as long as they are able to keep the core group from 2009 and 2010 from departing. The Dodgers will give you plenty to be excited about in 2010, so prepare to enjoy.
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4 comments:
James McDonald, not Jason.
Paul and Barton over Repko for the bench OFs.
McDonald should and will be on the team in some capacity.
Thanks! I was pretty tired yesterday, but not getting the names of the players right!
I like Repko, call me crazy. The Dodgers need a guy that can hit left handers, and that's one of the few things Repko does well. Juan Pierre's speed will be missed in 2010, but with Repko they get some good speed off the bench. I'm not saying Repko will be on the roster all season, but I think the job is his to lose.
McDonald should be starting, but he has failed to impress lately. With the bullpen stacked, I think he will start the season in AAA until an opportunity arises in the rotation. Otherwise I think an injury has to occur before we will see him in the bullpen next season. The one variable here is, McDonald has a better spring than Haeger, but I don't really see this happening.
Repko is also good at 110% effort, often to his detriment...I would like to see Haeger get a shot, he could be another Wakefield for us.
I agree it's Repko's spot to lose, but I don't know if that's such a good thing. The Dodgers, I'm sure, don't expect much from his roster spot, so Barton and/or Paul could have really good springs and still miss out.
As long as he doesn't injure/kill anyone when he does inevitably play, I'll live.
I too think McDonald profiles nicely as a starter.
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