Just Sitting in the Outfield Sun… Wasting Time

●          To steal a thought from Bear, I dislike losing to the Giants anytime.  I don’t care if it’s spring training, the regular season, or the playoffs, I really dislike losing to them!   I forbid the Dodgers from ever doing that again!  I don’t much like losing to the Mariners either.   That’s not something that should ever happen!   Period!

●          Who is this Scott Kazmir guy?   Is it true that he once pitched for the Dodgers?  Why oh why would the Dodgers ever let him get away!  Nah, I’m just kidding, the Giants can have him. 

●          Last week I wrote about the difficult odds of the non-roster invitee.  That prompted me(I had some time to waste) to look back on some of the players that got into some spring training games for the Dodgers over the past decade.  Here are some of the names:  Travis Schlichting, Brian Barton, Scott Dohmann, Nick Green, John Koronka, Russ Ortiz, Michael Restovich, Reed Johnson, Ramon Nivar, John Lindsey, Juan Perez, Prentice Redman, Tim Corcoran, Justin Miller, Josh Towers, JD Closser, Jay Gibbons, Argenis Reyes, Brad Ausmus, Ronnie Belliard, Timo Perez, Justin Knoedler, Alfredo Amezaga, Seth Etherton, Brandon Mann, Trent Oeltjen, Stu Pomeranz, Matt Guerrier, Mike MacDougal, Merkin Valdez, Ivan Ochoa, Ron Mahay, Aaron Miles, Juan Rincon, Lance Cormier, Randy Keisler, Steven Jackson, Jose Ascanio, Jeff Baisley, Josh Bard(he’s been helpful to the Dodgers as a coach), Alberto Castillo, Matt Chico, Angel Guzman, Shane Lindsay, Fernando Nieve, Cory Sullivan, Ryan Tucker, Todd Coffey, Andy Sisco, Fabio Castro, Rusty Ryal, Jeremy Moore, Alfredo Amezaga, Brian Barden, Ramon Castro, Dallas McPherson, Mark Lowe, Kevin Gregg, Victor Garate, Peter Moylan, Juan Abreu, Josh Bell, Drew Carpenter, Josh Judy, Fu-Te Ni, Josh Ravin, Romulo Sanchez, Henry Sosa, Steve Edlefsen, Ryan Sadowski, Lars Anderson(Ian’s lesser known little brother who played in a band called “Hoeing by Hand” – you’ll have to look that reference up yourself), Matt Carson, Brett Anderson, Ali Solis, Chin-hui Tsao, Sergio Santos, David Huff, Erik Bedard, Ben Rowen, Jeremy Horst, B.J. Rosenberg, Dustin Richardson, David Aardsma, Brandon Beachy(I had real high hopes for him), Dustin McGowan, Chad Gaudin, Mike Adams, Freddy Garcia, Lisalverto Bonilla, Daniel Corcino, Alex Hassan, Elian Herrera, Rico Noel, Corey Brown, Jordan Schafer, Louis Coleman, Jamey Wright, Madison Younginer, Tyler Holt, Edward Paredes, Wilmer Font, Fabio Castillo, Steve Geltz, Bobby Wilson, Ike Davis, Brandon Morrow(he worked out), Colt Hynes, Sergio Romo, Franklin Gutierrez, Manny Banuelos, Travis Taijeron, Jesen Therrien, Pat Venditte, Tom Koehler, C.C. Lee, Jake Peter(acquired in the Trevor Oaks trade),  Zach Neal, Donovan Solano, Guillermo Moscoso, Brian Schlitter, Tyler Colvin, Justin De Fratus, Cesar Ramos, Kevin Quackenbush, Daniel Castro, Shane Peterson, Paulo Orlando, Cameron Perkins, Caleb Sampen, Josh Thole, Justin De Fratus, Ezequiel Carrera, Cody Asche, J.D. Martin, Andrew Faulkner, Brad Miller, Michael Bowden, Anthony Garcia, Reymin Guduan, Jose Lobaton, Kyle Lobstein, Zach McAllister, and Edubray Ramos.   

            Mind you I’m not trying to malign or diminish these players in any way.  While, they are definitely not a “Who’s Who” of professional baseball, and none will be candidates for the Hall of Fame.   However, these individuals were, nevertheless, very good baseball players.  They didn’t get to the level of participating in a spring training with a major league club, without having been the best on their high school team(possibly among the best in their state), one of the best on their college team, and they probably had some degree of success in the minors.  At one time, they had caught the eye of some scout who thought that perhaps they could make it in the bigs.  Then they get their moment in the Arizona sun, playing for the Dodgers, but ultimately they quit playing or moved on to other teams.   Many of these players are out of baseball, but some are still pursuing their dreams, whether in the minor leagues, independent ball, overseas or perhaps in some Iowa cornfield.   For the love of the game! 

●          Last year I also wrote this about Spring Training: “A reminder for all, statistics do not mean anything during spring training.   As Drew Carey would say on Whose Line Is It Anyway:  “It’s the show where everything is made up and the points don’t matter!  That’s right, the points are just like……the talent portion of a beauty contest or a surveillance camera at the 99 cent store.”   Nothing has happened since then to change my opinion on that.

●            Spring Training stats can be so deceiving:   Last week Garrett Cleavinger was the flavor of the week, an almost certain lock to make the team.  Sunday, maybe not so much.  Last week, it appeared that Dennis Santana had pitched his way off the opening roster.  Sunday, he sort of, kind of, maybe, redeemed himself.  But then again, “it’s spring and the statistics don’t matter!”   

●          Cody Bellinger and Max Muncy look as though they’re not quite 100%.  But then again, “it’s spring and the statistics don’t matter!”

●          Keibert Ruiz is making it look easy.  But then again, “it’s spring and the statistics don’t matter!

●          Corey Seager appeared to have the MVP trophy locked up.  Then along comes Chris Taylor, who says “hold on, that trophy is mine.”  But then again, “it’s spring and the statistics don’t matter!

●          By the looks of it, Clayton Kershaw and Walker Buehler are not quite ready.  But then again, “it’s spring and the statistics don’t matter!”   

●          Outside of Jimmy Nelson, none of the NRI’s have done anything that screams out they have to make the team.  Neuse, Peters, Davidson, appear to be headed to the minors for more seasoning.  I expect that we will see Neuse and Peters at some point during the season.  Davidson will depend on whether he chooses to stick with OKC or move on to another opportunity.  But then again, “it’s spring and the statistics don’t matter!

●          We may just have found our closer in Jose Martinez.  But then again, “it’s spring and the statistics don’t matter!”  No sooner had I typed the previous sentence, and he goes and gives up a grand slam to someone named Tromp.  Say it isn’t so.  (friendly reminder, no political jokes or comments are allowed).  

●          Maybe Elliot Soto will cease the day and become a utility player for the Dodgers.  He’s shown a nice blend of defense and offense.  But then again, “it’s spring and the statistics don’t matter!”  

●          It seems like Brett de Gues may not be returned to the Dodgers after having been selected in the Rule 5 draft by the Rangers.  While he hasn’t pitched much, he has pitched fairly well, and the Rangers have the luxury of carrying him on their roster.  Jordan Sheffield, on the other hand, may find himself back in the Dodger minor leagues, unless a trade can be worked out with the Rockies.  As has been the case with him, he’s pitched well, except for the fact that he walks a hitter per inning.  Hard to keep that type of production on the major league roster for a season, unless of course it’s the Rockies.  But then again, “it’s spring and the statistics don’t matter!”  

●          Joc Pederson, Kike, Alex Wood and Pedro Baez are no longer Dodgers.  Would there have been room for them on this team?  Would the Dodgers be better with any of these players?  Joc and Kike are hitting well this spring.  But then again, “it’s spring and the statistics don’t matter!”   Alex Wood and Pedro Baez have been injured.  Nothing unexpected there. 

●          I want to thank whoever it was that talked Victor Gonzalez out of giving up on baseball.  Barring injury, he has a nice future as a high leverage bullpen piece for the Dodgers.   I hope that he and Julio Urias have great careers playing together.        

●          I forgot to mention it last week, but I’m all in favor of Mark renting a suite for the LADT crowd.  In fact, I’m so much in favor, that I’m willing to contribute finances to the cause.  Why just last week, I wore a pair of pants that I hadn’t worn for some time and lo’ and behold, I found 2 shiny quarters in my pocket.  Consider them put into the pot Mark!  

I would seem that my song parody for the day should be “Sitting on the Dock of the Bay”, for the sake of time I went with “Me and Julio Down by the School Yard” 

Doc named him to start game four

fully rested and part of the rotation

When the fans found out they began to shout

hoping to begin a celebration

would he beat the odds

would he beat the odds

What the hitters saw

It was against the law

Young Julio looked down and he spit on the ground

when he hit his spot and shut them down 

Doc said “oh they’ll never get to that boy

he’s got too much spin and determination”

Well he’s on his way

The Rays don’t know what he’s throwing

He owns the Rays

it’s just a matter of time

as he strikes out nine

Goodbye Arosarena, as he goes down swinging

That’s our young Julio

Three down and keeping them from going deep

That’s our young Julio

he’s in command      

Whoa, in a couple days Dodgers will hoist the trophy 

and the fans will sing with joy 

And when the last out was made

Julio will be praised 

Julio was on the cover of Baseball America  

And he’s on his way

The Rays don’t where he’s throwing

He’s just a strike away

so he’s taking his time

as he strikes out nine

Goodbye Adames, strike three right across the plate

Seein’ my boy Julio

Jump into Barnsey’s arms

Seein’ my boy Julio

Jump into Barnsey’s arms

Jump into Barnsey’s arms

Jump into Barnsey’s arms