Fifth Starter Battle Won't End In Spring
by Eric Stephen on Feb 13, 2010 6:33 PM PST
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PrintDodger pitchers and catchers are required to report to Camelback Ranch next Saturday, February 20, with the first full workout scheduled for the next day. The club is heading into spring training with four set starters: Clayton Kershaw, Chad Billingsley, Hiroki Kuroda, and Vicente Padilla. The fifth starter spot is up for grabs, and figures to be a battle between...
- James McDonald
- Scott Elbert
- Eric Stults
- Charlie Haeger
- Carlos Monasterios
- Josh Lindblom
- pick a non-roster invitee
Who are you rooting for in the fifth starter battle? Be sure to vote below. However, be assured that that won't be the end of things. The Dodgers have used at least 11 different starting pitchers in each of the past four years, and have used 10 different starting pitchers in nine of the last 11 years.
Here's a look at the starting pitcher usage over the last decade:
| Year | # of SP | SP w/5+ GS |
| 2009 | 12 | 9 |
| 2008 | 11 | 8 |
| 2007 | 11 | 11 |
| 2006 | 11 | 10 |
| 2005 | 10 | 8 |
| 2004 | 9 | 7 |
| 2003 | 10 | 7 |
| 2002 | 9 | 6 |
| 2001 | 12 | 7 |
| 2000 | 10 | 7 |
So keep in mind that, even if your horse doesn't come out the gate strong, there's still plenty of time for him to join the race.
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I’d love the Dodgers to send out the knuckleballer every 5th day (as long as the weather permits)
by Manning4Prez on Feb 14, 2010 12:34 PM PST up reply actions
Elbert Got My Vote...
…but I am pessimistic that he will get the nod. I think either Stults or McDonald will be chosen.
ditto me.
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
by David Young on Feb 13, 2010 11:00 PM PST up reply actions
Elbert
However, Haeger starting and going through the order once +, then followed by Elbert could provide batters with quite a contrast.
by 68elcamino427 on Feb 13, 2010 11:08 PM PST up reply actions
Giving my daughter a red envelope, of course.
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
by David Young on Feb 13, 2010 10:58 PM PST up reply actions
McDonald
Although I’m tempted to say Haeger just so the knuckleball won’t be one closer step to being a thing of the past.
I'm disappointed that you guys watched the dunk contest
When the University of Portland is playing St. Mary’s on ESPN2.
It’s as if you don’t care about WCC basketball at all.
by Michael White on Feb 13, 2010 8:10 PM PST up reply actions
Did you watch LBSU beat UCLA last year? :)
by Julio Nievas on Feb 13, 2010 8:35 PM PST up reply actions
The knuckle ball when working right is truly a thing of beauty
If practice makes perfect....
Yet nobodies perfect.....
Then why practice ???
and when not working right is a blast to the bleachers.
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
by David Young on Feb 13, 2010 10:59 PM PST up reply actions
Yea
But the same can be said if Jmac’s curve doesnt break, Elbert’s FB doesnt run, Stults change is flat, etc.
Of course there are days that Knucklers are off, but hed probably be more consistent than the other options.
Also, he will be in the perfect conditions. Every park in the NL West is huge and with the exception of Coors, all are difficult to hit HRs in… Also, the warm weather makes it easier to get the correct grip and the night games at DS will help him because the ball doesnt fly as easily…
by lakersdodgersyankees4life on Feb 14, 2010 1:42 AM PST up reply actions
Went with Elbert
but McDonald was choice 1A. Just want to see one of these young guys get a chance especially Elbert. McDonald got a chance last year but seemed like the jitters got to him. Hopefully he’s better off this year. I think either guy could do a good job for us this season. The talent/stuff is obviously there.
don’t sleep on Carlos.
I’m not sold in JMAC being ready to be a starter, he did well in the bullpen and another year will do him well in the pen.
by Los Angeles CROOKs on Feb 13, 2010 8:30 PM PST reply actions
Let me add that it’ll be a revolving door for the 5th starter all year long just like last season.
by Los Angeles CROOKs on Feb 13, 2010 8:33 PM PST reply actions
the picture up top
i really thought that was kershaw and was looking for the caption to be like kershaw is a lock for a rotation spot…. then it says stultz and im like woah…
I wouldn't mind seeing a
Knuckleballer start. Like he said, when it’s on, it’s on. And if it flops, put in jmac to finish it off. But I see a 5th starter by commitee. Ohno is going in the final now. Got to go.
by Skunkburner on Feb 13, 2010 10:32 PM PST via mobile reply actions
Watching the 4+1 game and one thing that I wish the Dodgers went back to was the no name on the back of the jersey. I just think that it is a nicer look.
+1
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
by David Young on Feb 14, 2010 10:21 PM PST up reply actions
I picked Haeger because I dont want to lose him
For some reason, I think an innings eater will be important in this rotation.
Now, Id love to see Elbert start, but I tend to think he will get a little time at AAA.
I think Lindblom has very little chance of making the team this season, he will start the year, starting, in AAA.
McDonald will be in the MLB pen because I dont think the Dodgers will lose Haeger and a knuckleballer in the pen is dangerous…
Stults will be sold or traded. No place for him, it seems
See no way Monasterios is able to start in the majors this year…
by lakersdodgersyankees4life on Feb 14, 2010 12:30 AM PST reply actions
for the other....
what about another free agent?
any free agent starter worth pursuing?
the only one would be Wang
Possibly… and we are out of it, per Heyman last week…
by lakersdodgersyankees4life on Feb 14, 2010 1:39 AM PST up reply actions
He still hasn’t signed with the Nats like everyone thought was going to happen this past week. So can still be in the running. Lets hope so, he should be back by about May so that would be great.
Part of signing a contract is that the team actually has to offer one, which to this point the Dodgers have not done.
by Eric Stephen on Feb 14, 2010 9:05 AM PST up reply actions
Hopefully nothing. Haven’t heard anything about a rescheduled workout.
by Eric Stephen on Feb 14, 2010 10:22 AM PST up reply actions
Condition Red - Wang
Wang will not be ready till mid season, then no guarantee on his fitness.
If the money were available, sign him now, projecting him for next season?
by 68elcamino427 on Feb 14, 2010 12:06 PM PST up reply actions
Do you really think the Dodgers will make him an offer? I think they might in late S training. I’m just glad they gave up on Harang. Or did they? I wish they would have resigned Garland. Man do you guys read mcovey chronicles? Those guy are something else. I gave them a complement for signing Lincecum for an extra two years and the jumped all over me.
by Skunkburner on Feb 14, 2010 9:50 AM PST via mobile reply actions
probably wang
or lowry…. wa=hat about washburn
by matthewmafa on Feb 14, 2010 12:37 PM PST up reply actions
the question is
“Who do you WANT to be the dodgers fifth starter..”
i WANT it to be tim lincecum or roy halladay…. thats why i chose OTHER
by matthewmafa on Feb 14, 2010 12:38 PM PST up reply actions
This is why democracy just doesn’t work
by Eric Stephen on Feb 14, 2010 12:52 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
I voted other
because I want to be the Dodgers #5 starter. I’m feeling pretty good about my chances too.
by Michael White on Feb 14, 2010 12:56 PM PST up reply actions
Acquiring one of those guys would make Padilla the fifth starter. Which is still an “other” vote, I suppose.
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
by David Young on Feb 14, 2010 10:23 PM PST up reply actions
How about an ACE instead
I voted for Haeger just because I think he could be another Wakefield. But, if the Dodgers focused on an ACE or ACE of sort, they wouldn’t be in this perdicament. They have the same starting pitching they had at the end of last year without Wolfie and he was the most consistent of the bunch.
Does not look good.
Specifically which caps-locked hurler would you suggest?
by Eric Stephen on Feb 14, 2010 3:46 PM PST up reply actions
What “ACE” should the Dodgers focus on? Among the guys that were traded in the off season:
*Halladay wanted to train in Florida and stay on the east coast
*The Phillies were never going to trade Lee to the Dodgers
*Vazquez had a no-trade clause to all Western teams
If people would look at logistics instead of demanding some quick fix, then they’d be perfectly happy with the very good pitching we have already.
+1
There is really no reason to even watch this season. The Dodgers have only won the West the last two years because of luck. We only swept the Cubs and Cardinals because we got really lucky. No team can be good or win the World Series without an ACE.
You know
any educated fan would say Kershaw was an ace last season and Billingsley has the ability to be an ace this season.
We don’t have the veteran ace everyone thinks we should have, we just have young cost-controlled aces. I’d say that’s better.
"Predicament?"
What “predicament?” We are OVER-FLOWING with pitchers deserving of being in the starting rotation. That’s like the predicament of a hungry man having way too much food to eat, and that is no predicament at all.
Agreed. It's much like me trying to choose 5 items from
Arby’s value menu. It’s a glut of riches.
Who is Karim Garcia? Who is he to challenge me?
by Who Is Karim Garcia? on Feb 14, 2010 5:27 PM PST up reply actions
Just polled my fists. McDonald wins, 2-0
Who is Karim Garcia? Who is he to challenge me?
by Who Is Karim Garcia? on Feb 14, 2010 5:07 PM PST reply actions
I really want to make a poll of your fists a weekly feature this season. :)
by Eric Stephen on Feb 14, 2010 5:09 PM PST up reply actions
I'll get back to you with their thoughts.
They’re currently engaged in a filibuster with Charles Barkley.
Who is Karim Garcia? Who is he to challenge me?
by Who Is Karim Garcia? on Feb 14, 2010 5:13 PM PST reply actions
Karim Garcia
I watched him play in Little Rock once. Best player on the field. Guy loves jewelry….. :)
Old friend alert
Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports:
#dbacks reach agreement with Edwin Jackson on 2yr deal avoiding arb.
Wow
…worth $13.35 million, per Gilbert. I’m guessing something like 5.35/8 as the split.
by Eric Stephen on Feb 14, 2010 5:41 PM PST up reply actions
Big jump from first year arb ($2.2m) to second
by Eric Stephen on Feb 14, 2010 5:47 PM PST up reply actions
a 143% raise if the breakdown is as I guessed ($5.35m in 2010)
by Eric Stephen on Feb 14, 2010 5:48 PM PST up reply actions
Nick Piecoro (AZ Republic) has the breakdown:
$800k signing bonus
$4.2m in 2010
$8.35m in 2011
by Eric Stephen on Feb 14, 2010 6:12 PM PST up reply actions
Midpoint was ~$5.4m so getting $5m in 2010 is more reasonable (D-Backs offered $4.6 / E-Jax was at $6.25m).
by Eric Stephen on Feb 14, 2010 6:15 PM PST up reply actions
I don’t know what to think of spring training stats anymore. If you try to use them, people argue that they mean nothing. But then I see Dodger beat reporters quoting spring ERAs of those competing for ML spots. It happens every year.
What gives?
I don’t think the stats are ignored, but I tend to think the coaching staff takes a more scouting-type approach in spring training, getting to see the players up close in person against (at times) close to top-notch competition.
by Eric Stephen on Feb 14, 2010 6:22 PM PST up reply actions
I'd like to see Torre try to scout 4000 miles away in Taiwan. :)
Are we going to see the return of Tommy for a few games?
Great answer, thanks.
I just wish the general public felt the same way sometimes, instead of the knee jerk reactions to bad stats that is seen far too often.
Like if Billingsley puts up a 6.00 ERA this spring, I GUARANTEE there will be talk that he should be traded/optioned/etc. from a certain fan base.
And what if an Ortiz puts up a 0.33 or so? Yeech.
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
by David Young on Feb 14, 2010 10:25 PM PST up reply actions
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