The clock continues to tick for Ted Lilly

Apr 162013
 

Yesterday Ken Gurnick reported that the Dodgers were at an impasse with southpaw Ted Lilly after the 14-year veteran refused a minor league assignment Saturday. The Dodgers now must activate him, designate him for assignment, release him, or trade him.

Gurnick passed on these comments from manager Don Mattingly;

“We laid out a plan and Teddy doesn’t want to be part of the plan. It’s out of my hands. We didn’t feel he was ready to pitch at the Major League level. For me, it’s a baseball decision. It’s nothing personal in any way, shape or form. We’re giving him our baseball thoughts, what we think is best for him and the team.”

It’s worth noting that Mattingly did say using Lilly in relief is a possibility, though it appears that Dodgers and Ted Lilly don’t seem to be thrilled with the scenario. I couldn’t agree more. Sort of a slap in the face to Lilly, no? I can’t really see how Lilly helps the Dodgers much in the bullpen. Seriously, what a mess.

Late yesterday afternoon Lilly agreed to make another minor league rehab start according to Gurnick. So as originally scheduled Lilly will start today for Triple-A Albuquerque. The question now is, will Ted Lilly make another rehab start after today? Or will the Dodgers activate him? This all but looks to be the Dodgers trying to buy some more time before making a decision. Perhaps a sell low trade is in the works. It’s going to be tough for the Dodgers to get a lot of value with Lilly right now, especially at age 37, and a $12MM salary. McCourt still haunts the Ned Colletti and the Dodgers, sigh. Tough break for Colletti, as he certainly has his work cut out for him with Lilly.

 04/16/2013  Posted by at 3:52 pm Dodgers News, Dodgers Rumors No Responses »

Dodgers opening week rotation announced, Billingsley to DL

Mar 272013
 

The Dodgers have announced their opening week starting rotation, but as we know things are always subject to change in Dodgertown. April 1st is just around the corner and the Dodgers opening series is against none-other than their arch rival San Francisco Giants. Still looking for Los Angeles Dodgers Tickets? Opening week tickets are still available, don’t wait. It is looking like the Dodgers will go with only four starters for now, and it appears that right hander Chad Billingsley is going to spend the beginning of the season on the DL. But not for his elbow injury, the good news. The elbow appears to be healed as of right now, which is nothing short of a miracle at this point. Billingsley is recovering from an elbow injury that usually requires Tommy John surgery, but he seems to be in the clear, unfortunately a fingernail bruise on his pitching hand is causing some trouble, so to the disabled list he goes.

Opening day, April 1st, the Dodgers will be going with 2011 Cy Young winner Clayton Kershaw. Free agent signee  Hyun-jin Ryu will get the start on April 2nd, and Josh Beckett will start the third game of the series on April 3rd. The Dodgers have an off-day on April 4th, and then begin a three game set with the Pirates on April 5. Here’s where things get tricky, Zack Greinke, assuming he’s cleared to start will make his Dodger debut on April 5th. Greinke has been dealing with elbow pain over the last few weeks, but the Dodgers got some good news after pitching pain free last Wednesday. If all goes according to plan, Clayton Kershaw would make his second start on April 6. From there is a complete mystery at this point. The Dodgers have off-days on April 4, and 8, which means they won’t need a fifth starter until the 13th at the earliest. That should give Billingsley’s nail plenty of time to heal and then the Dodgers would then slide him into the rotation.

Where does that leave Ted Lilly, Aaron Harang, and Chris Capuano? So far not even a whisper, but that doesn’t mean anything. It’s fair to assume that at least one of the trio will be dealt. The Dodgers also have to decide what to do with the bullpen if they do decide to hang on to the surplus of starting pitching. Of course, Scott Elbert and Ronald Belisario are both out of options, so that brings a whole other issue as it pertains to the Dodgers 25-man roster crunch. Who should stay, and who should go?

 03/27/2013  Posted by at 6:56 pm Dodgers News, Dodgers Rumors, Thinking Blue No Responses »

The Dodgers next 60 days without Hanley

Mar 252013
 

It was four days ago when the Dodgers dropped the bombshell that Hanley Ramirez’s right thumb will require surgery, putting him out for at least the next 60 days. The Dodgers starting shortstop tore a ligament in his thumb last Tuesday while playing for the Dominican Republic in its victory over Puerto Rico. I remember recently saying I wasn’t a big fan of nine Dodger players playing in the World Baseball Classic. I’m all for the games, I just feel they shouldn’t be played right before the start of the MLB season. That’s a topic for another day though.

Despite losing Hanley for the first third of the 2013 season, Ned Colletti says he won’t be looking for infield help while Hanley goes through the recovery process. Dylan Hernandez also confirmed that Colletti has recently reconfirmed that he has no plans to re-start his pursuit of free agent third baseman Scott Rolen.

Should the Dodgers kick the tires on the trade market, Elvis Andrus, Asdrubal Cabrera, Jemile Weeks, Jose Altuve, Chase Headley and Emilio Bonifacio have all had rumors connected to them over the last couple months. While it’s highly unlikely that any of the above players are moved in the coming weeks, it’s still worth noting that a few of the above players could help the Dodgers out for both their immediate short-term need and more.

With the surplus of Dodger infielders already under guaranteed contracts I fully expect Colletti to run with his internal options, at least for the time being. Luis Cruz will likely remain at third, but the possibility of a brief move to short exists. This would force the Dodgers to rely on Nick Punto and Juan Uribe to handle duties at third. Not a huge fan of either one of those guys playing every day for eight weeks. My preferred method, Dee Gordon, although according to Steve Dilbeck of the Los Angeles Times, “it’s hard to imagine that’s the direction they will go.” Which in my opinion is completely understandable after a subpar 2012 season in which Gordon posted a .228/.280/.281 line. Still, I feel like Gordon would be better than Uribe or Punto, at least Gordon would be playing with a “something to prove” attitude.

Opening Day is just days away and if you are looking for Dodgers tickets, it’s not too late. It sure would be nice to see anyone other than Juan Uribe starting at the hot corner come April, 1. Though I’m not sure  the other options of Justin Sellers, Skip Schumaker, and Jerry Hairston Jr. are all that much better. I definitely see them being in the mix and all three are better options than Uribe, but wait there’s more! My plan B, Elian Herrera, yeah I’m a big fan of Elian, he’s had a great spring, yet no mention of his name to fill in for Hanley. What’s up with that? I was lobbying for him to take a permanent roster spot for most of the 2012 season, seems I will be doing much of the same in 2013. At least the kid plays with heart, something Juan Uribe can’t say these days.

 03/25/2013  Posted by at 9:02 pm Dodgers News, Dodgers Rumors No Responses »

Ryu could be odd man out in Dodgers rotation

Mar 112013
 

Earlier today we heard that Zack Greinke may miss the start of the 2013 season. The inflammation in Greinke’s right elbow may cause him to miss the start of the 2013 season. The Dodgers will more than likely err on the side of caution with their $147MM investment, meaning that if Greinke starts the season on the disabled list that would help the Dodgers in two ways. First, that would provide some what is expected to be much needed flexibility on the 25-man roster when the final roster cuts need to be made. That would also eliminate one man from the Dodgers current eight-man rotation.

Speculation is growing that the Dodgers are leaning towards going with Ted Lilly over Hyun-Jin Ryu in the 2013 starting rotation, at least for now. However, if Greinke does in fact miss the start of the season that would likely mean Ryu would remain in the rotation. This also further points to the fact that Aaron Harang and Chris Capuano are all but destined to be with a different organization come opening day.

Bill Plunkett of the OC Register is reporting that the Dodgers are prepared to sit on their pitching surplus while they play wait and see on Greinke’s and Billingsley’s health. I’m calling shenanigans. I think this is purely a ploy by the Dodgers to keep the prices on their pitching surplus from plummeting. Reports are starting to surface that teams are trying to force the Dodgers into a jam by lowballing them on trade offers as they know the Dodgers are going to have serious issues when they try to set their 25-man roster.

The other scenario would involve moving the starting surplus to the bullpen, but that doesn’t make sense either because it would create a logjam that is ridiculously unnecessary, especially for guys like Matt Guerrier and a number of the Dodgers young relievers. Factoring in the concerns of Harang, Ryu, and Capuano surviving the dramatic shift of moving into a bullpen routine over proven guys like Javy Guerra and Kenley Jansen, the probability is remote at best that it works. Perhaps one of the three, likley Ryu, but there is no way the Dodgers put three starters in the bullpen, ain’t happening folks. I’m surprised we aren’t hearing talks of Chad Billingsley being shifted to the bullpen, he had some success there back in the day, plus with his health concerns it makes the most sense.

According to Nick Cafardo there is more interest on Ted Lilly right now than the other surplus starters Capuano and Harang. That comes as a bit of a surprise to me, but I can see all three being a fit for the Pirates, Blue Jays, Rockies, Brewers, Orioles, and Mariners who are all looking to upgrade their starting rotations before the start of the season. I like Lilly going to Toronto, Harang to Baltimore, and Capuano heading north to Seattle. I’m dying to see how Colletti pulls this off without coming out on the wrong end of the deal.

 03/11/2013  Posted by at 10:02 pm Dodgers Rumors, Thinking Blue No Responses »

Orioles and Brewers in pursuit of Aaron Harang

Mar 072013
 

Update: Roch Kubatko tweeted earlier today that the Orioles have also been scouting Ted Lilly and Chris Capuano. Something may be cooking here ladies and gentlemen.

Yesterday we heard that the Baltimore Orioles and Milwaukee Brewers had scouts in attendance for Aaron Harang‘s start at Camelback Ranch. Harang put forth three scoreless innings, throwing an additional 16 pitches on the side. Great timing to put up a good performance, for the Dodgers that is. I don’t know what Harang’s trade value is at the moment, but I would venture to guess it’s a mid-level prospect at best. Whatever the case, yesterday’s performance certainly didn’t hurt the Dodgers situation.

Dodgers GM Ned Colletti has gone on record on more than one occasion saying that he has no problem holding onto his pitching surplus. Makes sense to me considering the long term concerns regarding the health of Chad Billingsley. I stand affirmed saying I highly doubt Billingsley pitches the entire 2013 season. Come July, I will be saying I told you so. For that reason, I’m not sure why Billingsley’s name hasn’t turned up in trade rumor talks. Plus factor in the wishy-washy seasons Josh Beckett has had over the last couple seasons, and this being Ryu’s first season in the majors, the Dodgers have some question marks in the rotation that are still unanswered.

However, it remains likely that the Dodgers will do as they are expected to and unload at least one starter before the start the of the 2013 season. With eight guaranteed starting pitchers under contract, it makes sense to unload the unnecessary.  Chris Capuano has drawn the most interest on the trade market, however, it looks like interest in Harang is picking up. I still wouldn’t rule out Ted Lilly or Chad Billingsley at this point either, though on the surface they seem more probable to stay in Dodger blue for now. Josh Beckett is all but destined to remain in Los Angeles until the end of the 2014 season, simply due the $31.5M remaining on his contract.

Harang is probably the more affordable trade chip for potential suitors, even at his $7MM salary. Despite being 34 years old going into the 2013 season it appears Harang still has plenty left in the tank after going 10-10 with a 3.61 ERA and 179 2/3 innings in 2012. Harang is the perfect stop-gap player for a team needing rotation help much like the Dodgers were in when they signed Harang before the 2012 season. Not sure how much he will fetch on the open market, but I would love to see Colletti pry catcher Michael Ohlman away from the Orioles. Then again I would be happy with a Brian Roberts and Taylor Teagarden for Harang and Juan Uribe trade as well. All joking aside, the trade actually makes sense for both sides.

 03/07/2013  Posted by at 6:14 pm Dodgers Rumors No Responses »
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