There Is A Favored Method For Preventing Bad Hammies

after today's game just how do the Dodgers not find room for Loney AND Bigbie? Loney is just beating the snot outta the ball and all Bigbie keeps doing is everything.

All because the Dodgers over reacted and signed Gonzales. Something has to shake loose over then next few days.

What a fun game today!!

Grumpy-

Loney does have a killer swing, doesn't he? I can't believe he won't be a solid .300+ hitter in the bigs for a long time. Maybe not a lot of power, but there's got to be space for his glove and stick in the lineup. Unfortunately, it might not be this lineup. The big issue is whether he'll get enough ABs with the big club, or if he's better off playing every day in Vegas, even though he has nothing left there to prove. Hard to say.

While I'm not sold on Gonzo, though, they had to sign another outfielder. While Loney is hitting really well, he's still having some issues in the field. Overall, it's a nice problem for the Dodgers to have.

BK

i think loney will surprise you with his pop brian. we need to get him in right away and have nomar be our rover between first, third, and the outfield. my point is that we need to keep nomar healthy for the stretch run and then allow him to settle into either an outfield or first base slot with loney in the other spot by the end of the year.

other than that, bigbie's a real nice surprise and gives us tremendous depth. repko's speed+righthanded bat will be back at just right the time when we've had a chance to see what bigbie can do.

on another note, billingsley should be our fifth starter. i have no idea why they don't hand him the ball. the proof is in the pudding. yes, he gets erratic, but he gets out of it often enough and he's WAY better than bombko or hendrickson.

we succeeded last year by giving the rooks a chance to shine and we need to do let two young guys - loney and billingsley - get some to time on the field to help us out and get us to the big dance.

Luke-

I don't think you can move Nomar around at this point. He needs to stay in one spot. But I think some of this is a moot point. If last year was any indication, there will be plenty of chances for Loney to get into the lineup in one form or another. And you could be right about the power thing- he could develop it (power often comes later in a career, and Loney is still plenty young). All I meant was that even if he never develops stereotypical "corner infielder" power, he'll still be a really good player.

BK

so tomko got named the 5th starter today. That guy throws gas i dont know why he tries to get cute and throw all that soft stuff that get crushed!!! i big on loney i think that he is going to be a stud. I wish he could play 3rd base! Kuo is another story im starting to think he is going to be one of the "he has good stuff if only he could stay healthy" Hopefully a deal can be packaged while he still has value.

BK:

Loney does have that sweet silky lefty swing. Like Greg Brock did only Loney actually seems to be able to hit the ball. Though in Greg Brock's defense he was under tremendous pressure after the Mike Marshall deal following Garvey...

As far as Loney's power I see a good comparison to be Kieth Hernandez...that's someone you should know pretty well. Does he seem to be the same sorta guy? Well, on the field not with the teenage albino midget hookers or whatever it was Hernandez was into...plus I get the impression Loney will have a better BA over his career.

And yeah, Gonzales was sort of something the Dodgers needed to do...and it might have been a huge risk not to get him. He is going to be a solid guy on the field and also on the team...I think many of us out here are actually feeling the anxiety the kids must have over the talent surplus on the team. That being said I feel if Loney cannot be in the line-up 4+ days/week he should be in LV just so he can keep his stroke going. Hate to see a guy like him rusting away in the dugout day after day. Plus Loney can log more innings in the OF playing in LV without the pressure of the games really mattering.

BTD:

If Loney could play 3rd that would be AWESOME...but I suspect he might not be all that mobile for that position. 3rd is pretty a athletically demanding position compared to 1st...maybe as much so as SS but without the range needed. It sure would be sweet though.

It's a lazy Sunday afternoon...too much time on my hands...so I am gonna guess at the 25-man roster doe S&G's:

1. Joe Beimel
2. Chad Billingsley
3. Jonathan Broxton
4. Mark Hendrickson
5. Derek Lowe
6. Brad Penny
7. Takashi Saito
8. Jason Schmidt
9. Brett Tomko
10. Randy Wolf
11. Rudy Seanez
-------------------
12. Russell Martin
13. Mike Lieberthal
-------------------
14. Wilson Betemit
15. Rafael Furcal
16. Nomar Garciaparra
17. Jeff Kent
18. Olmedo Saenz
19. James Loney
20. Ramon Martinez
-------------------
21. Andre Ethier
22. Luis Gonzalez
23. Juan Pierre
24. Marlon Anderson
25. Larry Bigbie

I think this is to be the opening day roster. Unless Penny is unable to go then he might go on the DL or someone is SOL. I was suprised looking at the player numbers it was pretty easy to put this together. Not much choice for pitching nor for the extra player in Bigbie. But an an argument could be made for Abreu instead. Just that Abreu can spend more time in LV and start sharp.

BK/AK:

Have ya heard anything through the grapevine about what Bigbie will do if he is not on the opening day roster? Would imagine he would stay (were he to be sent to LV) if the Dodgers offer him some more cash? He is still a ST wonder and that while fun is not always a sign a guy will be good...but there is no denying he has been pretty consistent. But can't blame the guy if he decides to take his chances on getting a MLB contract elsewhere if the Dodgers do not come up with something.

BK
Nomar should go to 3rd base. Loney should take 1st base. Bigbie should take Repko's place. It is more important to get Loney in the line-up every day than to make a place for Betimit. Loney is going to part of the future Dodgers. Betimet will not. Everyone just bets that Nomar will get hurt, but I do not think he will. Bigbie has shown enough to be a keeper. Tomko should be the 5th starter, with Hendrickson in the wings. I think Kuo may be an ongoing medical problem, but there is still hope. I think Kemp has a legitimet chance. Its time to lean on the youngsters more. By the way, Little and Lowe are awesome!

Package-

I don't think Nomar will hold up playing anywhere but first. His track record over the last few seasons isn't good. Even last year, he only played 122 games. So I think your hope that he won't get hurt is a long shot. But hey, you could be right, and the Dodgers will be better off for it.

Grumpy-

Loney throws lefthanded, so he couldn't play third no matter how mobile (and he's got good feet and reflexes) he is.

BK

I see two position spots on the roster and three legit candidates. But first a word about our good friend Loney:

Loney could/should spell Nomar every third or fourth game, and pinch hit as well. I don't think any more time seeing AAA pitchers will help him at all, but I do think seeing major league pitchers and being around guys like Gonzo and Nomar every day will help in the same way that being in the pen will help Billingsly learn. In other words, better that he has fewer at bats at the major league level than playing every day in AAA. And if Loney is not on the time, who will spell Nomar? Kent? He needs to be rested regularly, too. And I think they should abandon the outfield experiment. We have enough left handed outfielders. Some who can even catch the ball.

With that said (or rather, typed) these are our trifecta choices:

A) Keep Loney and Bigbie.
Advantage: These two are the most deserving players in spring with the highest ceiling.
Disadvantage: Neither can play short if Furcal is hurt longer, or if Kent or Martinez get injured. The Dodgers will most likely lose Valdez to another team if he is not on the roster.

B) Keep Loney and Valdez
Advantage: Valdez can be available for Furcal if he is not ready, and play outfield as well.
Disadvantage: The Dodgers will lose Bigbie to another team, and he has a higher ceiling that Valdez, and seems to be a clutch hitter.

C) Keep Bigbie and Loney
Advantage: The Dodgers don't lose anyone, because Loney still has options.
Disadvantage: Who spells Nomar for his much needed rests? Also, a risk of Loney getting demoralized, rightfully wondering what more he has to prove.

I think A is the best option. Yes, we may lose Valdez, but that's what Ramon Marinez is for. And yes, we will have a lot of left handed bats, and I say so? And if Bigbie gets hurt again, Kemp or my sleeper favorite, Delwyn Young could be promoted.

And yes, I have way too much free time on my hands. One more thing. Don't even think of moving Nomar to third. Let him play a healthy 120-125 games at first and have him ready and strong for the playoffs. Besides, Betemit is looking better (sounds like a campaign slogan--best not get political!)

Grumpy,

I think you've nailed the opening day roster, pending injuries. If Furcal's ankle, then things could get a little more complicated. If he goes on the 15 day DL, does his spot go to Valdez, or do the Dodgers give Abreu a shot to show off some skills in the regular season? Another creative idea could be to shift Betemit temporarily to SS, call up La Roche, and give him his first shot in 'the show'. Of course, if Furcal is only expected to miss a couple of games or so, Martinez should be more than adequate. After all, Olmedo Saenz was the opening day 1B last season.

A more pressing issue will arise when the Dodgers decide they need 12 pitchers. Loney is the obvious choice to go, considering his minor league options. However, what reliever is getting called up? Dessens will most likely be gone by then, so the leading candidates are probably Tsao, Hamulack, or someone else comparable. Extra pitching or no, the roster will definitely be weaker after that move is made.

There's really no need to keep Valdez, Betemit will be fine at 3B, and even though it means less PT for Loney, Nomar does not need to play anywhere other than 1B.

Grumpy-

I think if the Dodgers don't keep Bigbie, he's played well enough that he'll probably ask for a release and get picked up by another major league team. He's shown enough when healthy in his career to get that sort of shot. Besides, he'll be no worse off if it doesn't work, since he'll end up in the minors anyway. But if he's not on the opening day roster, they'll lose him.

I think he's on the team, though, and today's trade for Brady Clark basically seals it for Loney.

BK

Mak

Good post, but I would like Abreu to excel at AAA before jumping him to the majors. Also it still looks like La Roche could use the AAA time, too, both defenseively and offensively. Betemit will be fine, if not great, with still a big upside and could possibly lead the team in homers this year. The idea of Betemit at short and La Roche at third sends me screaming "E" into my scorebook. Add Kents lack of range, and well, it's not a pretty picture.

If Raffy is OK then Martinez can back him up. If he's not, then he should go on the DL until he is and let Valdez play until he comes back.

Is Brady Clark a better option than Larry Bigbie as the 4th outfielder?