Thread: Los Angeles Dodgers - OFFICIAL SPRING TRAINING THREAD

So have you watched every one of Chad's starts this spring? If you have, please tell me why he's been getting shelled and has had problems with his control. I'd like to see at least one quality start this spring. Nobody likes to go into the start of the season with a poor spring. Especially a young player.

Originally Posted by Claw21

So have you watched every one of Chad's starts this spring? If you have, please tell me why he's been getting shelled and has had problems with his control. I'd like to see at least one quality start this spring. Nobody likes to go into the start of the season with a poor spring. Especially a young player.

I didn't watch but on my way to blockbuster today I listened to the post-game show with Mo and Charlie and Mo talked about how his mechanics were the problem in that he was standing straight on his change-up delivery and was out of sync. In the Dodgers talk after the Post-game, they talked about what Billingsley had said after the game and how he had told them that he tried to utilize his change-up in every possible scenario during the games he had. He'd try throwing it 3-0, 1-2, 2-2 etc. He said that he was trying too hard to get into rhythm and force it into his repertoire and it just hasn't been there for him.

So, I don't doubt that he has struggled or may have looked bad. But in ST, you're allowed, at least IMO, to be risky or at least try things you might not ordinarily try to get your game in order. We've all seen Bills 'fastball' his way out of jams (kind of the way a reliever like Broxton or Saito does) rather successfully the past 2 seasons... I think we can all assume he can do that. I have no problem with him struggling a bit trying to get another pitch into gear. With that said, I won't lose any sleep over Billingsley pitching poorly in ST. I mean, Chan Ho Park has been great in ST so far but I don't see many people putting the label '#2' or '#3' starter on him even though he's pitched that way. He's by no means anything better than a serviceable #5 guy on this staff, yet he's been unhittable in all but 1 game.

Anyway, it's still March so I don't really care where the team's at right now. IMO, we won't know what the Dodgers truly have until May or June so until then, I'll just wait and see and save myself the worrying.

I was listening to the game today and Vin said that Honeycutt has all of the pitchers standing with their foot on top of the rubber, instead of just touching it. And he said it was taking some of the guys a while to get used to it, so blame Honeycutt.

Stupid Honeycutt

What? That sounds retarded.

Originally Posted by TBrown33

What? That sounds retarded.

I agree.

More veteran IF speculation. This time Marcus Giles

he Rockies moved closer to finalizing their rotation Sunday by shifting Kip Wells to the bullpen, and all but declared Jayson Nix the starter at second base by cutting ties with Marcus Giles.

Technically, the Giles matter remains unresolved, but the Rockies are attempting to trade him to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Giles told teammates goodbye after the Rockies' 8-2 victory over the Dodgers at Hi Corbett Field. He is pulling for a trade, revealing that he would not accept a Triple-A assignment.

Nix looks set; Wells to bullpen - The Denver Post

Here's an article on Billingsley's struggles

Dodgers' Billingsley tries to right himself before opener - LA Daily News

Thought this was interesting on Abreu

Abreu at third

Tony Abreu is beginning to look like a sure bet to be the Opening Day third baseman. Torre said the 10 innings top shortstop prospect Chin-lung Hu has played at third base over the past two days are enough.

It isn't that the experiment is being scrapped. It's just that the experiment is over.

"It's fine," Torre said. "I think we got enough of an idea of what we need to do. Like I said, he certainly won't be a regular guy over there."

Barring a trade for a third baseman sometime this week - or a miraculous recovery by Nomar Garciaparra and his right wrist - Abreu would appear to be the only logical candidate to hold down third base until Garciaparra returns.

Hu would give Torre an option for a possible late-inning double switch, but that's about it.

So if Torre declares Pierre as his starting LF and Abreu as his starting 3B, he's giving the job to players who have been outplayed this spring training?

Pierre cries and pouts like a little bitch about playing time and gets the spot.

And Abreu being a pussy about his injury and failing to take advantage of his chances, gets the spot over DeWitt?

That's bull****.