Clowns to the Left of Me

No rhyme or reason to favourite players.

For me, when we signed one of my all time favourites last year, Chase Utley, that was great news. Just love the Old School way he plays the game. Probably more of a respect thing.

The other player I’ve really taken to is Rich Hil. Firstly I absolutely love watching him pitch, the fact that it’s not all about power, the finesse of his pitches.

Secondly, I find his total honesty when interviewed very refreshing. The fact that he has been on such a rollercoaster ride of a career means that he appears to be really enjoying himself in the spotlight.

It was a great shame he didn’t get to pitch the deciding game against the Cubs last season.

I’m growing to like Taylor and have a soft spot for SVS who was very friendly when I met him once.

Ready for the season to start now.

Hard to do much scouting in CF with a 4 year old crawling all over you. The biggest thing I took from the game is that Forsyth will be a huge upgrade on the pivot especially and overall defensively. CK looked in mid season form for 3 innings. Third base coach made a horrible decision. The LF had the ball well before Thompson touched 3rd.

My son snagged autographs from Karros and Ethier prior to the game. I almost didn’t recognize Grandal when we were watching their batting practice on the back fields. He’s lost A LOT of weight. Ethier looked pretty good hitting in those workout but of course he was hitting off Jose Vizcaino.

Wood with another nice game. Another leftie to consider for the rotation!

That’s why Gutierrez is on the team.

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He owns LH pitching.

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2-0 Dodgers!

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… but he should not try and steal.

In the other game, the Dodgers are ahead 2-0.

Joc hit another one.

Wood is nails.

Logan Forsythe is a freaking magician!

It hard to get the perspective here, but I am sitting at my desk with Gameday on one monitor (Seattle game) and Kershaw pitching on the 55 inch across the room (Padres game). This is heaven!

My team just won!!!!!

MJ, haven’t heard Jamaal Wilkes mentioned in awhile. He did have a similar unusual release but was silky smooth and he played for both UCLA and the Lakers like I hope Ball does. Both of Lonzo’s younger brothers have already committed to UCLA. After USC pulled an upset today over SMU I think the Pac 12 was underrated in the tournament. USC has had 13 double digit comebacks this year including 2 in the playoffs. Mark, UCLA is lucky to have Steve Alford as their coach with his Indiana roots and also his son Bryce who just set the all time record for 3 pointers in UCLA history and the #5 all time scorer. Now back to the Dodgers!

We are now getting to the final two weeks of ST and the starting pitching should start to lengthen out. Tonight Kershaw starts his 5th ST game and Wood his 2nd (4th overall ST appearance). I suspect that Kershaw tries to go at least 5, and Wood at least 4. McCarthy, Hill, and Maeda should also all be in position to go 6+ opening week. Ryu has 5 IP with 2 appearances. He may have three more opportunities, but I do not know if he has enough time to build up his strength, stamina, and better command/control to start the year in the rotation. I have not been able to find any reports as to how hard he was throwing yesterday. So I am assuming not much has changed. I think it makes more sense for Ryu to start the season on the DL with a rehab assignment (and two additional starts in AAA). Those starts should determine if he is ready to join the LAD rotation, or if he needs to go back on the DL and head to extended ST.

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I think it is obvious that Urias is headed for extended ST. I agree with Mark that it makes no sense for Julio to go to AAA. An IP in AAA costs the same to the arm as an IP at the ML level. I also agree that he has nothing to prove in AAA. There are enough SP that Urias will not need to start his season until mid- May. I still like his return date to be May 8 at home against Pittsburgh, or May 18 at home against the Fish with one August 10 day DL. I still believe that FAZ wants Urias to max out at 150 IP before October.

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SP (5) – Kershaw/Maeda/Hill/McCarthy/Wood

Relievers (7) – Jansen/Romo/Dayton/Avilan/Stripling/Liberatore/Morrow or Hatcher…Baez starts the year on the DL and has 2 options (as does Liberatore).

Bench (5) – Barnes/Utley/Taylor/Gutierrez/SVS

IMO Ethier starts the year as the starting LF with Toles to AAA. Thompson to start at AAA and his status will be dependent on the play of Gutierrez. Kike’ goes to AAA (1 option) to increase value and backup Taylor. I would stick a first baseman’s glove on Chris Taylor to see if he could also play there, making him a true super utility guy.

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Bums, I agree that we like players we like regardless how others feel. You like Joc and as far as I can tell, always have. I was never a Loney fan, but I understand perfectly why he would be a favorite. I agree with Mark on Kershaw and Seager being my #1 & #2, but from there…I just ordered my Forsythe jersey so he is now officially one of my favorites. Chris Taylor (because he was traded for a favorite Zach Lee), Alex Wood (I have no idea why), Brandon Morrow (I have no idea why), Andre Ethier (because he is a life-long Dodger – I do not count his A’s minor league days), and O’Koyea Dickson/Rob Segedin (they remind me of my son) are also favorites.

B17, I purchased 2 season tic this season (and going forward I’m sure).

When Mitchell White gets called up to the bigs I’m bringing you as my guest!

I saw Morrow yesterday. He had a fairly clean one inning line, but balls were hit hard. No swing and miss potential. To me, just another arm. Maybe pitch in a lost cause game.

Saw Angels at Texas today. Both teams can swing the lumber. Line drives all over the field. Angels had B team; Rangers, a lot of A players. James Loney is playing for Texas. He hit a monster HR. He looks to have put on some muscle. I would like to see him make that team, even as a platoon player. I always liked him. On Urias: he doesn’t have anything to prove in AAA, but he has to pitch, and he won’t sitting in the bullpen with the big team. Nor will he pitch much in extended ST. He has to pitch. I still think he has a lot to learn. Someone who is at the Pederson game tonight can give his thoughts on the Pederson 2 step.

For those of you that have seen Brandon Morrow pitch this spring, how has he looked? I know the stats say he’s been great aside from his first appearance , but how does he look?

Split squads with 2 night games tonight about 7 pm. Kershaw goes against the Mariners and all eyes will be on Wood against the Madres. I hope Alex has a good 4 innings tonight! Roberts is away following the passing of his father and Geren and Haselman will be tonight’s skippers. Haselman got a huge promotion to AAA and is a future ML manager IMO. This should be fun but UCLA is playing at the same time in March Madness so I have to put my eyeballs there. Lonzo Ball is a player that I can’t stop watching but please tell your dad to chill a bit. He would look great in a Lakers uniform next year if the balls bounce right in the lottery!

My favorite current Dodgers:

1. Kershaw

2. Seager

3. Turner

4. Forsythe

5. Gonzalez

6. Grandal

7. Taylor

8. Toles

Urias has already shown there’s nothing for him to learn at AAA. He is a man among boys there.

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If he is going to start the season at AAA, he might as well start in the majors. Innings are innings, no matter where you pitch. AAA is not easier on your arm and the pitches count the same. The Dude doesn’t need to learn to pitch better at AAA – he was unhittable there. What can that teach you? He has a 3.39 ERA in MLB last year – that’s a run BETTER than Clayton did his rookie year.

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Urias does not need to learn to pitch at AAA . The reason you hold him out is simple: You want him to be available in October. As Clayton said, the only goal is to win the World Series. It’s felony stupid to use him up so that he can’t pitch in the offseason – that may have cost the Nats a World Series a few years ago when they had to hold Strasburg out of the playoffs.

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Urias should pitch no more than 170 innings this year. .. and I am on the high side. The best way to do that is start him later. Pitching in AAA does nothing to help that – it makes it worse, which is why it won’t happen. You could shut him down a couple of times during the season, but that could be unproductive too.

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I think the way that FAZ is doing it (shutting him down to just working out in April) is the smartest way to protect his arm and yet have him there when you need him. Nothing else makes any sense to me. They still may have to DL him for two weeks in August.

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The other thing is: This allows them to show case other starters.

Wow! Great takes today across the board. I agree with most all of it too. I agree Urias should not be held back but understand the reasoning. I admit the brain trust has a lot more info and insight than us arm chair types. I like the way the bullpen is shaping up-7 or 8 plus the AAA shuttle. The bench-4 or 5 with the AAA shuttle. I don’t think Ethier is quite ready yet but there is still time for him to gain his timing. AGon will get the bulk of playing time but is not ready yet either and then there is Seager. So the runs may be choppy the few few weeks but will come around. Turner, Forsythe and Grandal are ready right now and Joc and Yasiel will chip in here and there. Could be a different hero every day if the pitching holds up. I agree with Rick on the rotation-McCarthy is not impressive but with his contract and apparent health he’s in. Wood gets a shot while Ryu stretches out and management probably feels someone will get injured and they have plenty of arms to step in. If they are all healthy a great problem to have-Roberts will have to manage the egos and Faz is free to make deals-someone will need our extra arms. Kazmir may be a lost cause or may be ready in a month or 2. With 2 weak links in our division the only dark horse team is the Rockies, so a good start is very possible but this team is built for the long season and the playoffs.

3 points on Gonzo:

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1. He came across as a big whiner.

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2. He’s right; the WBC is a joke. Always has been, always will be.

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3. If Gonzo wants to play in the WBC he should play for USA. All these Americans who play for other countries make me mad. I don’t care where your grandma is from; if you’re here you’re an AMERICAN.

After seeing him this week, I have concluded that Urias should be sent to AAA with about a 75 pitch count max. He has to pitch against real hitters with real umpires. No bullpen or EST. I say no to Kike. He can’t do the things that Taylor can do, and we don’t need another outfielder unless a miracle happens and Puig just disappears. Pederson’s back foot “timing” drill hasn’t worked, and I would think he would do that in the cage not in a real game, even a practice game. He has always fooled around with this type of stuff, with only limited success. If it weren’t for his power, he, too, would be somewhere else. I can’t believe that Toles has such a hard time making this team. He looks like a player that can be good for a long time.

I have been like all other Dodger fans trying to predict the opening day roster. Like Mark, I have changed my prediction several times. Here’s how I see it:

Rotation:

Kershaw, Hill, Maeda, McCarthy, Wood

Comments: I wouldn’t sit Urias. He is one of our 3 best pitchers. He gains nothing from sitting around for a month or 2. I am concerned about Hill – yeah, I know it’s Spring and he’s working on things but he won’t suddenly flip a switch and start throwing strikes.

I really thought that Kazmir would be able to be the pitcher that the Dodgers thought they were signing last year, but probably not. Ryu isn’t ready yet – we don’t know that he can throw 6 innings every 5 days. He should get the chance to show that he can do that in the minors.

McCarthy – no thanks. I’m not really impressed.

Bullpen:

Jansen

Romo

Dayton

Avilan

Hatcher

Morrow

Liberatore

Stripling

Comments: Baez starts the year on the DL. They won’t DFA Hatcher yet. They like Stripling as the long man. Morrow has impressed this spring and Fields and Ravin have options left. They carried an 8 man pen most of last season – maybe they go 7 man to start the season as they have more off days in the beginning of the year. If so, a guy with an option left like Liberatore or Stripling stays in AAA.

Starting lineup:

Grandal

Gonzalez

Forsyth

Seager

Turner

Ethier

Pederson

Puig

Comments: Ethier will be given a chance to win his job back as a platoon LF. Puig will get the chance to play almost every day in RF; same with Pederson in CF.

Bench:

Barnes

Utley

Gutierrez

Taylor

Comments:

If they go with a 7 man pen and a 5 man bench then Van Slyke makes it as backup 1B/OF. Given the health of Seager in early going a real backup SS is a necessity and Taylor beats out Hernandez. I think that the signing of Utley and Gutierrez are huge mistakes – they are really one-dimensional players – Utley is a reserve INF who can’t play SS and Gutierrez is a poor defender at this point in his career who can’t also be a right-handed 1B who can spell Gonzalez.

If you ask me next week, I may change my mind again.

There’s a concept called “confirmation bias.” It is defined as “the tendency to interpret new evidence as confirmation of one’s existing beliefs or theories.” You can see this in play in many different areas – but especially in baseball. You can see it cut both ways for our discussion on the Dodgers players. For those who think there are problems, any mishap is a confirmation of that belief. For those who think a player walks on water, any positive outing is a confirmation of that belief. In either case, the original opinion can be correct. However, in order to make correct decisions (as we expect the Dodgers FO to do) you need to be aware of and guard against confirmation bias. I think sometimes we go too far with advanced metrics, but one good use of advanced analytics is to counter this notion of confirmation bias.

Joc is doing the step back drill in the batters box. It’s a drill that I teach kids to get their lower body into their swing. I have a hard time believing that can be done live against top pitching.

All players. Not just Puig need to protect with 2 strikes. Puig got some horrible calls against him earlier in the count but time and time again I watch players look at borderline pitches, get rung up, and then complain about it.

I’m an advocate for a computerized zone for consistency and pace of play but protecting with two strikes is taught to 8 year olds. Protecting with two strikes when the umpire has a crappy zone is a no brainer. I get Puigs frustration especially when they want him to be more disciplined but you could see strike 3 coming in that situation.

It will be interesting to see if Ryu has enough time to wrestle away the #5 spot from Wood before opening day. I imagine Ryu starts on a rehab assignment while they showcase McCarthy and Wood. Kazmir is a sunk cost who is going to cause roster problems.

I’m going to tonight’s game against the Mariners.

Agone was also upset when he was called out, at the plate, in the fourth game against the Cubs, in the play offs, when the replay, showed, he was safe.

Was he right to be upset then, yes!

And what is going on right now, will be in the past, by the time the season starts.

And I don’t see Agone being traded, anytime soon.

Bellinger still needs to prove that he can hit AAA pitching, consistently.

He has showed flashes of good things in spring training, but he still needs more seasoning.

This long spring training, is starting to even out, some of the early results, from certain players and pitchers.

And a major league season, is a even bigger sample.

Your ‘years-end’ OF is intriguing……..

Never been impressed with Jocs high strike out rate. He also seems to strike out often with runners on. Thompson can play, but can he stay healthy, doesn’t he have a history of Dr. visits??

Looks like Toles probably starts with AAA, but if he continues to hit, and with his speed and improved defense he needs to be in LA. If so who moves, because sitting guys who think they should start only breeds discontent.

Puigg? When is this guy ever going to put it together, and how long is his leash? He needs to play to be content, but he seems to always trip over himself to everyone’s detriment.

McCarthy hasn’t looked very good, but sounds like he is the #5 guy. Meanwhile Ryu has looked very good but probably starts at AAA to increase his innings. When Ryu appears in LA where does McCarthy go?

Urias just needs to pitch, the Dodgers are creating unwarranted drama with him. And when he makes his later appearance in LA there is more sitting for another displaced starter.

And the disgruntled AG continues his downward slide with respect to his BB skills.

It all sounds like a blockbuster trade at the deadline.

We all need to write down our values when we are at peace and things are going well so we can look at them when the future is foggy and let them help us stay true to our values in a fog.

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There are players that I value and I am not about to throw them under a buss at first sign of fog.

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Yes, the Dodgers only got three hits yesterday. Some want to say as a result that the Dodgers are not all that.

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AGon proudly plays for Team Mexico and wanted them to do well and was clearly upset that the WBA interpreted a tie breaker in a way that seemed to be unfair to Team Mexico. Give him some time to get over that.

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Most players have timing mechanisms to help get ready to hit a ball. Joc may have found something with his back foot that will help him make another adjustment to his swing. Little Leaguers move their back foot backwards to get further away from home plate because they are nervous about getting hit by the pitch. Joc is not moving his back foot back. He is lifting it straight up and putting it straight down. He might not do this by the time spring training is over. He is working on his swing. This is the time to do this.