Here's a multiple choice question - the man above is:a) waiting for a bus
b) clearly lost
c) struggling to get around
d) the starting right fielder for the Los Angeles Dodhgers
e) all of the above
In November 2005, Ned Colletti became the general manager of the Dodgers, replacing Billy Beane protege and young whippersnapper Paul DePodesta. Colletti had previously been assistant GM for the Giants, an organization that is known to ignore their minor league system and embrace "proven veterans" (witness the Giants creaky lineup, which will lead the league in runners caught stealing, games missed due to injury, steroids consumed by a left fielder, and Social Security collected). However, unlike with the Giants, Colletti inherited the consistently rich Dodgers minor league system. How would Colletti handle such riches? Well, basically by ignoring them.
Last year, the kids helped the Dodgers to the NL West title. After the Dodgers were hampered by numerous injuries, Andre Ethier, Matt Kemp, and Russell Martin helped revive the team and send it to the playoffs. But that was then, and this is, well, around 1998, if you're Ned Colletti. Ethier and Martin did so well that they may be able to keep their jobs in 2007, but as for the rest of the Dodgers young core? Forget it. Why play Kemp when you can sign 39 year-old Luis Gonzalez, who at this point in his career will probably be good for 10-15 homers and 60-70 RBIs, and can throw the ball with all the strength of a grandmother shot-putting a can of lima beans? Let's sign offensively-challenged-yet-speedy center fielder Juan Pierre to an outrageous 5-year, $44 million dollar contract even though Jason Repko (before getting injured last week) can play the position just as capably at 1/200th the price! Let's bench Ryan Howard-clone James Loney so we can get another year of Nomar at first base! Seriously, if you're under 30, the only way that you can get in the Dodgers lineup is if someone gets hurt. So in that respect, I guess there's hope for Loney.
I think the Dodgers are doing some truly asinine things and wasting money in the stupidest way possible that doesn't involve "making it rain." So why am I still picking them to win the NL West? Because they have the best top-to-bottom pitching in the National League. Their superior moundwork in pitcher-friendly Chavez Ravine will carry the Dodgers to another NL West crown. However, their failure to use their young talent will prevent them from moving much farther than that. They'll keep putting band-aids on problems when the long-term cure is right beneath their noses. And after all, Luis Gonzalez has used all of his playoff karma up. Here's what to expect from the Dodgers in 2007:
Biggest reason for hope: Like the hitters, the starting rotation is old, but it's very good. Assuming that Derek Lowe doesn't seduce another Dodgers on-air personality (if he does, my money's on Vin Scully), he's a quality #1 starter. Jason Schmidt was a great pickup in the offseason - he's still an elite starter and taking him from a division rival was a coup. Add in Brad Penny and Randy Wolf, and the rotation is good. The fifth starter should be 22 year-old Chad Billingsley, who was good in 16 starts last season, but - surprise! - the Dodgers have settled on the immortal Brett Tomko (lifetime 4.54 ERA). Plus, the bullpen is solid, with hard throwers Billingsley, Hong-Chih Kuo and Jonathan Broxton setting up closer Takashi Saito, who had a superb 2006. The Dodgers should lead the league in ERA.
Biggest potential nightmare: Injuries break down the team, which is possible given the older roster. Jeff Kent had a hard time staying healthy last year, even though he managed to avoid washing his truck. Nomar has a hard time staying healthy after he sneezes. Of course, if the regulars go down, the kids may be able to finally play, assuming that Colletti doesn't go out and sign Rickey Henderson or Bob Feller as stop-gap replacements.
Player to watch: Nomah! He slumped badly in the second half last year after making the All-Star team. There are still questions whether he can play a full season anymore at an elite level. Personally, I'm rooting for him - a good Nomah is always wicked pissah for his long-time fans. Of course, I'm guessing that the over/under for his first injury is May 1, when he sprains his neck under the weight of so much hair gel.
Why do we still have to watch this player?: Brady Clark. The 34 year-old journeyman outfielder finally got an everyday shot at a job in Milwaukee, and promptly played himself out of the starting lineup. Perhaps it's because he's doesn't possess power, arm strength, speed, or defensive skill. However, when Repko went down, the Dodgers chose to - surprise! - trade for Clark and use him as a fourth outfielder, instead of using one of their many young outfielders in the role.
Telling statistic: With the Giants, Schmidt was 78-37 with a 3.36 ERA. That's a big subtraction for the Giants and a big addition for the Dodgers.
Interesting fact signifying nothing: The Dodgers staff has an Asian flair. Saito is from Japan, Kuo and reliever Chin-hui Tsao are from Taiwan, and the 260-pound Penny really likes General Tso's Chicken.
Projected record & finish: 92-70, 1st place, NL West - lose in NLDS
Prediction that won't come true but should: The Dodgers are ahead in Game 7 of the NLCS, but lose the game when manager Grady Little fails to pull Lowe in favor of one of their great setup men. When asked why he made his decision, Little said that he wanted his best pitcher on the mound, which is why Lowe pitched all 63 innings in the series.
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