The Spring Training Thread

sure hope wallach is right ray:

The long and short on Hanley Ramirez​

By Mark Saxon | ESPNLosAngeles.com​

January, 29, 2013 | 10:55 AM PT​

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Dodgers third-base coach Tim Wallach refuses to call it a project.​

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Wallach, who works with Dodgers infielders, will have just a few weeks this spring to help get Hanley Ramirez up to speed playing shortstop, a task made more difficult by Ramirez's decision to play in the World Baseball Classic. Wallach, who played 16 seasons as a major-league third baseman, sees it as a relatively easy fix. It's all about timing.​

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"He'll be fine," Wallach said. "At times, he just took his time a little too much. That's what happens when you get used to playing third."​

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The Dodgers hoped Ramirez would play shortstop in winter ball, but a minor shoulder injury scrapped those plans. They hoped he would remain with them in camp this spring, but Ramirez decided to play for the Dominican Republic in the WBC. The Dominicans have two of the game's best fielding shortstops, Jose Reyes and Erick Aybar, and the best-fielding third baseman, Adrian Beltre. Ramirez might get only scattered game repetitions playing the field at either position.​

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He could be away from the Dodgers from late February through March 19, the conclusion of the WBC.​

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Dodgers manager Don Mattingly has said all winter he would prefer Ramirez skip the WBC, but he's resigned to Ramirez's decision now.​

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"It's really hard to say, 'Don't play for your country,' " Mattingly said. "I'm kind of torn. Selfishly, I'd like Hanley to be in camp playing short every day."​

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• The Mariners need to add a dependable starting pitcher, opines Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times. Baker suggests that the M's should try and swing a trade for the Dodgers' Chris Capuano by sending Franklin Gutierrez back to the club where he started his pro baseball career.

uh yeah, sorry seattle hack
probably gonna take a little bit more than a backup outfielder to get a legit #4/5 :crazy:
but thanks for playing

 

• Jim Bowden of ESPN.com (video link) has a gut feeling that aces Clayton Kershaw, Felix Hernandez, and Justin Verlander will work out new contracts with their respective clubs before they get the chance to hit the open market.

way to go way out on a limb with your "gut feeling" there bubba

fucken bspn tool​

 

in theory
the longer we hold onto cap and harang (maybe even lilly)
the more valuable they'll become
someone will have a sp go down in spring
they always do
and that's when we'll have the leverage
i like gutierrez
i just feel cap could (and should) get us more

 

not an la type of guy?
well tell you what scott...
we're not a faggot type of team
so go sign for less and watch as we win in october
fuck you you fucken bitch

Latest On Scott Rolen, Reds​

By Ben Nicholson-Smith [January 31 at 4:17pm CST]​

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After waiting for weeks to hear whether Scott Rolen will play in 2013, the Reds may have their answer. John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer now hears that Rolen wants to play and suggests that money is an issue. The Reds don’t have much payroll flexibility and can’t pay Rolen the $6.5MM salary he earned in 2013.​

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There’s also the question of roster space. The Reds have indicated that Todd Frazier will get the chance to play third on an everyday basis and they’ve also signed infielder Jack Hannahan. That said, the Reds appear to be Rolen’s top choice. The Dodgers reached out to express interest, but "Rolen is not an L.A. kind of guy," according to Fay.​

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Rolen played in 92 games for the Reds in 2012, posting a .245/.318/.398 batting line in 330 plate appearances. ACES represents the seven-time All-Star.​

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meh...

Dodgers' Interest in Scott Rolen Goes Beyond Third Base​

By Dustin Nosler | Yahoo! Contributor Network – 12 hours ago​

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COMMENTARY | On the surface, the Los Angeles Dodgers' interest in veteran third baseman Scott Rolen makes sense. The Dodgers don't have a legitimate third baseman, and Rolen has quite the lengthy and impressive resume.​

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In the same breath, the interest is somewhat curious. Rolen, 38 in April, is coming off two injury-riddled seasons in which he hit a combined .244/.301/.397 for the Cincinnati Reds. For a player well past his prime, that isn't too shocking. But in 2010, Rolen put up respectable numbers -- .285/.358/.497 with 20 home runs, 34 doubles and a 4.9 fWAR. It wasn't that long ago he was a productive big leaguer, but it'd be foolish to expect that kind of production ever again from Rolen.​

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The Dodgers' interest in Rolen doesn't bode particularly well for incumbent third baseman Luis Cruz and his playing time.​

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Cruz's solid season seemingly came out of nowhere, as he hit .297/.322/.431 in 296 plate appearances. Modest numbers for sure, but considering he had a .221/.275/.260 triple-slash line in 56 career games from 2008-10, he looked like a world beater.​

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Cruz's best attribute is his defense, something Rolen used to claim as one of the best defensive third basemen in baseball history. And at this point in their respective careers, Cruz might actually be a better option at third base than Rolen -- both offensively and defensively. But there are concerns with letting Cruz be the team's everyday third baseman.​

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Cruz's batting average on balls in play was .320 -- about 20 points better than the league average. His line-drive rate of 23.6 percent is the cause of his higher-than-league-average BABIP and likely isn't sustainable. If he had qualified, his line-drive rate would have been among the top 25 players in all of baseball. That doesn't inspire confidence that Cruz can maintain it going forward. Going from virtually a career minor leaguer to starting third baseman is hard to believe. It's even harder to believe when it's Luis Cruz.​

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However, an unsustainable line-drive rate is the least of Cruz's worries. That distinction goes to his 3-percent walk rate. Prior to 2012, Cruz had amassed a 4.4-percent walk rate in 4,891 minor-league plate appearances, so not walking is nothing new for him.​

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Rolen wouldn't be the everyday third baseman. The Dodgers don't have a true everyday third baseman at this juncture. Bringing him in would mean some sort of third base platoon with Cruz. That might be the best thing for all parties involved.​

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Cruz is a potentially plus defender at third base. His ultimate zone rating was 22.2 at the position, which would have been tops in the majors if he qualified. His eight defensive runs saved was good for fifth-best in all of baseball.​

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Rolen's best days are clearly behind him, but the Dodgers' interest in the veteran goes deeper than just the hot corner.​

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The Dodgers also lack a true backup first baseman. Some could say if Rolen is signed, the Dodgers still wouldn't have a true backup first baseman, as he has never logged an inning at the position in his major league career.​

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Adrian Gonzalez is one of the most durable players in the game, averaging 160 games per season since his first full year in 2006. Now 30 (31 in May), Gonzalez could benefit from a few more days off throughout the course of the season. Rolen could be the guy to spell Gonzalez at first base. But barring injury, Gonzalez isn't going to be sitting on the bench much.​

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Despite Cruz's plus glove, his potential (probability?) for below-average offensive production isn't a welcoming thought. If the rest of the Dodgers' lineup produces as expected (cc: Carl Crawford, Andre Ethier and Hanley Ramirez, to name a few), the Dodgers could get away with Cruz and/or Rolen at third base. The added bonus -- if Rolen can handle it -- is the ability to spell Gonzalez at first base a handful or so of times in 2013.​

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Rest assured, if the Dodgers' premiere hitters are under-performing, look for the team to make a play for an upgrade -- likely a third baseman -- before July 31.​

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fucken idiot espn h8ers
already looking at worst case scenarios
before the new team has gotten to spring training
dear espn... :fuckoff:

• The Dodgers' free-spending ways could come back to haunt them later in the decade, ESPN's Dan Szymborski writes (Insider subscription required). It also puts pressure on the team to win sooner rather than later: "A disappointing year or two, and it wouldn't be shocking if the biggest member of the [ownership] consortium started to find the guaranteed cash from the TV contract a lot more appealing than playing high-stakes fantasy baseball."

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meh
our interest must have been lukewarm
otherwise we could (and would) have easily outbid whoever else

Reds, Miguel Olivo Nearing Deal​

By Ben Nicholson-Smith [February 1 at 12:15pm CST]​

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The Reds are nearing a deal with free agent catcher Miguel Olivo, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports (Twitter links). The Phillies, Astros and Dodgers also inquired on Olivo, who's represented by agent Martin Arburua.​

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Olivo, 34, played for the Mariners in 2012, appearing in 87 games. The right-handed hitter posted a .222/.239/.381 batting line with 12 home rune in 323 plate appearances. He hit for more power against left-handers than right-handers last year, which isn't surprising considering his career line of .270/.303/.477 against southpaws.​

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Olivo, an 11-year MLB veteran, earned $3.5MM in 2012. If the deal goes through he'll join a Reds roster that includes Ryan Hanigan and Devin Mesoraco. The free agent market for catchers won't include much depth if Olivo signs. Rod Barajas, Chris Snyder and Matt Treanor are among the remaining options, as MLBTR's Free Agent Tracker shows.​

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meh fwiw

• The Blue Jays are still in the bullpen market along with the Mets, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports. The Marlins, Astros and Dodgers might also be involved in pursuit of relievers, Heyman adds.

 

hanley update...

Hanley enjoying time playing for Dominican Republic
Dodgers infielder putting in extra work this winter, though not at shortstop​

By Alden Gonzalez / MLB.com | 2/2/2013 11:01 P.M. ET

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HERMOSILLO, Mexico -- Hanley Ramirez was all smiles Saturday. His Dominican team, the reigning champion Leones del Escogido, had just moved to 2-0 in this Caribbean Series with a 6-2 win over Puerto Rico, and the heralded infielder was sharing laughs with coaches, engaging with fans and even yucking it up with the Spanish press here at Estadio Sonora.

About 750 miles northwest, though, a Dodgers front office grows uneasy as its prized asset continues to play games outside the U.S. and away from shortstop.

Ramirez, naturally oblivious, seemingly feels none of that.

Only national pride.

"It's all about representing the Dominican Republic," he said in Spanish. "I give everything for my country. You see a lot of players here in Mexico do the same. That's a beautiful thing, when you sport your flag and your country across your chest."

Coming off a season that began with a move to third base with the Marlins and ended with a return to shortstop in Los Angeles, Ramirez's national pride has been unquestioned, suiting up for his native Dominican Republic in winter ball, the Caribbean Series and, next month, the World Baseball Classic.

So, heading into the 2013 campaign -- when he looks to improve on last year's uncharacteristic .257/.322/.437 slash line -- Ramirez will have a lot of game action under his belt. Problem is, very little of it will come at shortstop -- a position he's struggled at the last few years and one the Dodgers expect him to play in 2013.

A minor shoulder injury relegated Ramirez to designated-hitter duties in winter ball, and in this seven-day tournament, with Miguel Tejada the starting shortstop and Julio Lugo a suitable backup, he'll mostly stay there. He probably won't get any time at shorstop during the Classic, either. Not with Jose Reyes and Erick Aybar on the team.

And that event could keep Ramirez out of Dodgers camp from late February to mid-March.

"It's really hard to say, 'Don't play for your country,'" Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said at a charity event this offseason. "I'm kind of torn. Selfishly, I'd like Hanley to be in camp playing short every day."

But Escogido manager Audo Vicente, who has a long-standing relationship with Ramirez, stresses the three-time All-Star will be fine at shortstop because of his athleticism and his familiarity with the position. In fact, Vicente plans to give him a rare start there on Sunday, when his squad takes on Mexico -- now 1-1 after a 4-3 walk-off loss to Venezuela on Saturday -- in a game that will air on ESPN2 at 5 p.m. MT.

While watching Ramirez in this setting, Vicente sees a player who's motivated to return to prominence.

"He knows the expectations he's going to face," Vicente said in Spanish. "He's a player who has established himself in the big leagues, but he wants to keep putting up good numbers. He wants to keep having success in the big leagues, and that's why he's preparing so hard in the offseason and playing in the Classic and here in the Caribbean Series.

"I feel like he's going to have a really good season this year, based on how I've seen him work."

Will playing so much in the winter and spring cause Ramirez to tire out or perhaps break down, as Major League Baseball's long regular season ensues? Or will it provide the kind of repetition that can lead to a bounce-back year?

That remains to be seen, but Lugo believes these games are about more than just national pride for Ramirez.

"I think he understands that he needs to play," Lugo said. "He's been hurt. And the only way you can stay in baseball shape is by playing. I give him credit, because it's not easy to play in winter ball, play all these games, and then think about playing all those games in the regular season."

The Dodgers will be stacked this regular season. They have Adrian Gonzalez, Matt Kemp, Andre Ethier and Carl Crawford in their lineup, Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke in their rotation, and more than $210 million tied to their payroll.

"The front office has put together an incredible team," Ramirez said. "They've put together the best team in the game. Now we have to get the job done on the field."

And to do that, they'll need a healthy, productive and defensively adept Ramirez.​

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bills update...

Billingsley says his right elbow is feeling fine​

By Ken Gurnick / MLB.com | 2/1/2013 4:11 P.M. ET​

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LOS ANGELES -- Chad Billingsley, whose uncertain health spurred the Dodgers to their offseason spending spree for starting pitchers, said he's had no issues with his right elbow during the winter.​

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With less than two weeks before the first pitchers-and-catchers workout, Billingsley said he feels "absolutely great."​

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"Tomorrow I'll throw off a mound for the eighth time and I've had no issues," he told Jorge Jarrin on AM570's DodgerTalk Thursday night. "It's just like any other offseason."​

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Well, not exactly. This offseason, Billingsley is coming off a partially torn elbow ligament, the kind that usually requires Tommy John surgery and a year off to rehab. But Billingsley instead chose a conservative treatment with a pair of platelet-rich plasma injections and rest.​

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Billingsley spent the last five weeks of the 2012 season on the disabled list, resumed throwing in October and had two simulated games in Arizona, reaching 94 mph. He then shut down for a month before resuming his normal throwing program in January.​

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"Everything's been great," he said. "I've had no issues, no setbacks. Everything is looking good going into Spring Training."​

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That said, management was skeptical enough about Billingsley to spend more than $200 million to sign Zack Greinke and Hyun-jin Ryu, stacking the rotation in case Billingsley's elbow can't withstand the rigors of Spring Training.​

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If Billingsley proves healthy, the Dodgers will have a surplus of starting pitchers with Chris Capuano, Aaron Harang and Ted Lilly (who is coming off shoulder surgery). That is bound to lead to a trade.​

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At this point, Billingsley slots behind Clayton Kershaw, Greinke, Ryu and Josh Beckett, even though Billingsley's been the staff's No. 2 starter since Kershaw's emergence.​

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Just before his August injury, Billingsley showed how good he can be by winning six consecutive starts while posting a 1.30 ERA. He was the first Dodger to win six straight starts since Kevin Brown in 2003. That turned around his season after a career-worst five-start losing streak.​

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Billingsley is 80-61 lifetime and, after going 10-9 last year, joined the Phillies' Cole Hamels as the only active National League pitchers with double-digit wins for six consecutive seasons.​

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