Things I learned from Joe about an hour ago
Stopped by the Ravine to get the early word on, well, anything that might be going on as we approach Opening Day, and did get a few nuggets of info from Joe Torre. Quotes/audio or something similar hopefully to follow, but in the meantime, here's what we know:
- Esteban Loaiza is the fifth starter. No real shock there, but it's no longer an open question.
- Chan Ho Park has a "very good chance" of making the team in the bullpen. Which I took to mean he'll be making the team in the bullpen. UPDATE: Perhaps I spoke too soon? Dylan Hernandez of the LAT reports that Park might be sent back to AAA to build up his arm strength, in case he's called upon to start with the big club, rather than start the year as a long reliever.
- Torre said he didn't know yet how he's going to handle the OF situation, and hasn't come to any conclusions. He expects he'll make somebody upset, and is okay with that. To paraphrase, he'd rather have guys who are upset about not playing than dudes who take it well. But he wouldn't say if they're headed for a platoon situation, a rotation of three guys in two spots, or anything specific. I'm starting to believe, though, that they're leaning towards giving Ethier more PT. Just a hunch, based on nothing more than my gut.
- Again, not a big shock, but Nomar Garciaparra will indeed start the season on the DL.
- Nobody wears Maui Jim's like Joe Torre wears Maui Jim's.
- I might be wrong, but I think Joe lost a little weight during Spring Training. And whatever he lost, Tommy gained.
- Andy LaRoche was fielding ground balls... with his right hand in a splint, and keeping it a very healthy distance away from the ball.
- There's more new paint in the expanded concourses (which look great, by the way) to give people a contact high. Any huffers among the season ticket pool are gonna be psyched.
BK
Subscribe to this Blog | What is RSS?
the dodgers have an off day after game #3 (next thursday). will they skip loaiza's turn on friday night and pitch penny on regular rest? if not we'll have a loaiza/peavy match-up on saturday afternoon. i'll be in sd for that game...the last four times i've been down there i've seen peavy dominate the blue...i'm tired of peavy!!!
Posted by: richard | March 28, 2008 at 07:36 PM
Do you think the Dodgers will trade Kuo,aybar or anybody else to make room for Parks. I think if you put pierra,Kuo and Miller in a deal you could get Inge and uses him at 3rd, catcher and bench and still have a great and fast team.Also gets Repko and place as the 5th starter off the bench.Then week could go in with 11 pitcher and have outfielder in Young,Jones,Ethier,Repko. Are Infield would have Huo,Inge,Loney,Kent,sweetie,?,?
and the two catchers
Posted by: Eric L Moore | March 29, 2008 at 10:15 AM
Things I learned last night at Dodger Stadium: The verandas have been widened. The food lines ran vertical off of the the consessions causing lines that went to the opposite wall. Fans circling had to literally climb through the seats in the last two rows cursing McCourt as they went as we couldn't cut through the lines which were about 20-25 deep. It might be a fire hazard as well. He has to snake the lines to make it work. Hope they fix that by Monday as there will be anarchy. Last night only 30k and it was gridlock at least at Field Level. A nightmare. The Dodger "parking channel" 1610 am had a guy saying "Testing 1-2-3" over and over again for an hour straight. We couldn't stop laffing after the game in the parking lot. As for the team. Eithier will start 75% of the games against righties. Kemp the remaining against lefties. Two weak links: Kemp and Jones. Sorry. Kemp still chasing unhittable curves off the plate and Jones? Well, he looks fat, slow and worst of all, disinterested. Jones deal may be a bust. Look for him to bat 5th or possible 6th in Joe's line ups. Don't think Joe is gonna put up with his "laid back" style of play. Pierre in a slump. He will come around and will lead off every night and play left. Blake DeWitt looked like a vet at third. Furcal in midseason form. Kent very manly. Loney smooth. Martin a little late. But interesting last night. Joe calling every pitch from dugout when Bills got in trouble. Oh and bathrooms are unreal. Clean, bright, no more troughs, waterless toilets at least at field level. Oh and Cantor's Deli is a food source. Corned Beef sandwich starting at 11 dollars. Dodgers looked impressive last night.
Posted by: Hollywood Mark | March 29, 2008 at 10:52 AM
Eric,
Who is Aybar? They traded Willy away a couple of years ago. Inge is going to cost too much and just block the development of younger players, not to mention that he will be the Tiger opening day centerfielder. You could package up Pierre and Kuo, but it probably wouldn't bring much. Until July/August, what you see is what you get; and that's fine with me.
Posted by: dalegribel | March 29, 2008 at 12:14 PM
Eric,
Who is Aybar? They traded Willy away a couple of years ago. Inge is going to cost too much and just block the development of younger players, not to mention that he will be the Tiger opening day centerfielder. You could package up Pierre and Kuo, but it probably wouldn't bring much. Until July/August, what you see is what you get; and that's fine with me.
Posted by: dalegribel | March 29, 2008 at 12:14 PM
What Hollywood Mark said about the field level concession gridlock last night. Really awful.
Posted by: KathyR | March 29, 2008 at 05:27 PM