The Spring Training Thread

Beckett has been elevating slow fastballs his past few starts. Is that why he was getting raped in BOS?

 

Beckett swings at a ball on a 2-0 pitch in a sac bunt situation. Ends up whiffing on a bunt and strikes out
Crawford tries to pull an outside pitch on a 3-1 count and hits into a possible DP
Ellis rounds third too hard and gets thrown out

Textbook

 

Ahh there's the Dodgers we all know and love.

 

There's a reason we haven't traded our excess. I don't care if he has another year on his deal. If he gets whacked around like he did last year and doesn't have the stuff to get guys out, they'll plug in someone else.

 

Is this the Beckett we're going to get this year? Great.

 

I think so. He just doesn't have the stuff. He has to be pin point perfect. Not concerned about our pitching though. I'm more concerned about Gonzo's hilarious bat speed that gets slower with each AB he has became a Los Angeles Dodger, the recovery process of Matt Kemp, and getting Hanley back/a real 5th hitter.

 

These games are just so fucking boring. Gonzo has great oppo power but chases so many balls up and away.

 

way to get out of a potentially bad inning

 

What aren't you concerned about? I swear the O/U for wins could be 57 and I think you would take the under. Put the gun down.

You concern for Kemp early is justified, because we've seen others recover from the same injury. But your concern for Gonzalez is baseless, anytime a vet has a bad spring and that is the bases for concern, I can't help but laugh.

 

Not concerned about the entire pitching staff, coaching staff, C, 2B, RF, etc. etc. etc.

Don't tell me what to do either. I don't tell you what to do. Expect the same courtesy. Love you.

 

And yeah, I take the under. 47 wins seems right.

 

how can the concern for gonzalez be baseless? his power numbers are in free fall. i think he is the key to our success and he hasn't resembled the mega star that justified that contract for quite a while. everyone is in his corner and hoping for the best but the concern is very real.

 

Oh, and btw. It's pretty well documented (by Gonzalex himself lol) that it might take a year and a half before the power stroke comes back. Hanley had a similar injury. Both took a step back after shoulder surgery. And it's a legit concern.

Gonzo...when did I even mention ST? It's the regular season. He doesn't walk as much, doesn't hit as many HR, and we sold our soul to get him. I'm not overly concerned, but I sure as hell know he needs to step up from his overall season last year.

Never said a thing about ST. Couldn't care less, ESPECIALLY with Gonzalez.

 

freakin cruz. guy has to stick.

 

lmfao nice

 

Because he doesn't have to hit 40 HRs for this team to be successful, if he replicated his numbers from last year I would be more than happy. He needs to drive in runs, if it's via the long ball, great, if not, so what?

 

well that is somewhat what his game was predicated on. but i'm with you. if he can drive them in thats what counts. i was just hoping for a first baseman with power after loney. i don't think anyone is expecting 40HR from the guy.

 

He's only hit 40 HR once, so I don't think anyone would expect that anyways. But didn't he OPS under .800 last season? Although his walk rate was ridiculously high at one point, the steep drop off is worth noting. And even though we print money, we can't pretend like that big trade wasn't a big deal. Gotta have some thump in that infield. Doesn't have to drop 40 bombs but get on base more and jack 25+. You certainly are getting paid enough to.

And this has nothing to do with ST. It's just what's been going on the past couple years. He's a pro. He hit like .900 with RISP last season. He's smart, he's good and he will be good. But I'm allowed to point out his drop off. Do I expect some shades of SD? Hells yeah. And with some missing pieces we might need him to.

Kemp is coming off the shoulder surgery and that's just a fact. Hopefully it's not a big issue this season but you'd have to not be human not to be skeptical.

And sorry for being concerned that Hanley leaving the middle of the order and we'll be mixing and matching. That's a big loss.

You don't wanna hear it, great. I'm not so sure I'd wanna hear it either. That's why I don't read these articles from national writers.

We have a shot to be special--and I want them to be. But just because you perceive concerns a certain way doesn't mean you can start taking shots (no pun intended on the gun comment) and make assumptions about my thought process.