Thread: Official Dodgers 2012 Season Thread...

Originally Posted by Frolov24

The 25 man roster is set!! And I'm am totally underwhelmed!

The bullpen looks strong, and that's where the enthusiasm ends. The rotation has Kershaw, and then four #4/#5 starters. I'm past the point of hoping for Billingsley to take the next step. He seems to be a .500 pitcher whose ERA will hover in the high 3s and low 4s. Nice in the backend, but not a front of the rotation guy. Lilly, Harang and Capuano won't make any opposing lineups nervous, though I have always liked Harang and he may step up.

The lineup is filled with holes. Gordon is electric, but young with a lot to learn. He doesn't walk much and may have the least power of any position player in the bigs. He'll need to hit over .300 and steal 50 bases to be effective. M. Ellis is solid, won't hurt you but not an asset on offense. Kemp is an all-around stud. Ethier is the key to the season, he needs a season around .300, 25-30 HR, 90-110 RBI. Rivera is a great platoon/bench guy, but counting on him to provide middle of the order numbers is a mistake. Loney is in the Ethier catagory, he has to have a great season like .280-.290, 20 HR, 80-90 RBI. Uribe looks like a potential DFA candidate, 3B is going to be a problem and there's zero depth there. AJ Ellis will hopefully hit better than the pitchers, though I like Kershaw and Bills better as hitters.

The bench? Opposing pitchers will tremble in fear of Gwynn (no bat), Hairston (mediocre bat), Kennedy (another DFA candidate), Sellers (another light hitter), and Treanor (no bat). I was actually pulling for Josh Fields to make the team, at least he can put one out on occasion.

The team looks weak on paper, and hope is tied to big seasons from Ethier, Loney, and Billinglsey. All three have the potential, but assuming all three will have great seasons is a long-shot. There are serious depth issues everywhere except the bullpen, where they actually are about 10 deep. Hopefully the new owners can take advantage of some mid-season trade opportunities, but there seems to be too many issues to address in one season. Hamels and Hamilton may be available as free agents next year, but based on recent trends it's likely one or both may lock up long-term extensions before then. Why couldn't this sale have happend 6 months ago!!

That said, the Giants have an even weaker offense, Colorado has a terrible rotation, and the Padres are worse in every area. So the D-Backs seem to be the team to beat.

I agree with everything you just posted. This team is going to lose a lot of games this season. I just don't see Loney or Billingsley taking that next step this season. I think Andre will be okay and I'm fully prepared to see him dealt by the deadline, which is fine with me, assuming we get something good in return.

When it's all said and done, this team should win 75-80 games this season.

Go Dodgers Go!

(but I honestly do not expect much this year)

Good thing Dodgers signed Capuano.

3 - 1 to start. Not too bad even thought it was against the Padres.

It's been a long time .....and it took a very bumpy road for me to say this, but........Let's Go Dodgers!!!

Get well Vinny, has to suck missing opening day with a bad cold.

Originally Posted by Cross Traffic

Get well Vinny, has to suck missing opening day with a bad cold.

I think it's the first one he's missed in a 100 years.

7-1

Dodgers so far doing something the Kings could hardly do this season: pwn!ng the bottomfeeders

Originally Posted by Doug Fresh

7-1

Dodgers so far doing something the Kings could hardly do this season: pwn!ng the bottomfeeders

Ya I know, that bullpen scares me sometimes. Harang (from what I heard) had a GREAT outing but the bullpen collapsed on him. Hopefully they play this well against the elite teams.