March 2015 – Page 3 – Dodger Thoughts

Alex Guerrero makes a play at third base on March 10. (Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers)

By Jon Weisman

Today brought the Dodgers’ ugliest game of 2015, with four errors — including a pair in a three-run third inning by Texas — and a pickoff play that saw the fleet Scott Van Slyke run all the way from first base to second to tag out Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus.

J.P. Howell, Pedro Baez, David Aardsma and Daniel Coulombe combined to allow eight runs in relief, and Ramon Troncoso — back from obscurity (and minor-league camp) for his first appearance as a Dodger since 2011 – gave up a two-run single before preserving the 11-11 tie, the Dodgers’ record-tying fifth of Spring Training.

This was a half-full, half-empty cup — a humongous half-full, half-empty cup.

With 15 hits (including Howie Kendrick’s monster three-run homer in the fifth inning) and five walks, the upside of the Dodger offense spoke for itself. But quietly, there was another interesting sidelight.

When I was out at Spring Training before Cactus League in February, it appeared to me that Alex Guerrero was comfortable taking grounders at third, and nothing I’ve seen this month has sharply dissuaded me of that point.

Today, Guerrero got his first game action for the Dodgers at shortstop, the position that he played throughout his Cuban career but that he has been steered away from since coming to Los Angeles. And whether it was backhanding a line drive, charging a slow grounder or starting the game-on-the-line forceout with the winning run in scoring position, Guerrero looked very easy and relaxed.

And by the way, he’s 9 for 20 with a walk and only two strikeouts in Spring Training, after OPSing .978 in Triple-A last year — despite his ear calamity — so he’s not exactly hopeless at the plate.

I don’t pretend to assume that Guerrero is Ozzie Smith on defense — I’m not even sure if he’s Ozzie Smith on offense. Far savvier people than me have critiqued his fielding. But if Guerrero is merely adequate at multiple positions (second, short, third and left), that changes the tone of the conversation about him considerably. There’s been a lot of concern that Guerrero will be stealing a roster spot from someone more deserving. I look at him, and I don’t at all see a black hole.

Don Mattingly on Alex Guerrero at SS: "He seems a lot more comfortable … he's pushing us to give him a little more of a utility look."

— Eric Stephen (@truebluela) March 17, 2015

Players such as Darwin Barney and Kike Hernandez are absolutely deserving of being on the Opening Day roster. But if they start 2015 in the minors to allow the Dodgers a longer look at Guerrero, there are far worse things for a contending club.

In case you missed it: Who’s been busy?

By Jon Weisman

On March 17, 2015

In Dodger Stadium, In case you missed it

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Dodgers at Rangers, 1:05 p.m.
Jimmy Rollins, SS
Carl Crawford, LF
Yasiel Puig, RF
Yasmani Grandal, C
Howie Kendrick, 2B
Justin Turner, 3B
Scott Van Slyke, 1B
Joc Pederson, CF
A.J. Ellis, DH
(Hyun-Jin Ryu, P)

By Jon Weisman

Here are the Dodgers who have seen the most Cactus League action so far this spring:

Most innings in the field: Darwin Barney (52), Juan Uribe (48), Kike Hernandez (46), Andre Ethier (45), Scott Van Slyke (43).

Most plate appearances: Adrian Gonzalez (26), Kike Hernandez (26), Andre Ethier (24), Yasmani Grandal (24), Joc Pederson (24).

Most batters faced: Clayton Kershaw (34), Joe Wieland (24), Carlos Frias (23), Zack Greinke (21), David Huff (21), Brandon McCarthy (21).

And now, some info-to-go …

The Dodgers haven’t committed to Joc Pederson as their starting center fielder, but he’s done nothing to dissuade them, reports Eric Stephen of True Blue L.A.
Kenley Jensen has shed his crutches after four weeks but remains in a walking boot, writes Stephen.
Don Mattingly on Corey Seager (via Mark Saxon of ESPN Los Angeles): “I’m watching him play short and I’m thinking, ‘It looks like he can play short to me,’ but what do I know.”
Paco Rodriguez is motivated by missing out on the Dodgers’ playoff roster the past two seasons, writes Kevin Baxter of the Times.
Mike Adams is a man of “meticulous routine,” according to this story by Pedro Moura of the Register.
Earlier this month, the Dodgers added a nice touch to the left-field entrance to the Club Level hallway at Dodger Stadium. Here are a couple of cellphone pics:

The greatest Los Angeles Dodger pitching performances in losses

By Jon Weisman

On March 16, 2015

In History

By Jon Weisman

A few days ago at Fangraphs, Miles Wray wrote about the five greatest pitching performances of 2014 that came in a loss. I thought I’d put a Dodger twist on this, and throw in some historical perspective as well.

Here are the five greatest pitching performances during a loss in Los Angeles Dodger history, dating back to 1958 and using, as Wray did, Win Probability Added as the measurement. Continue past the five for a couple of bonus epics, including one that will make your jaw drop …

Tommy Lasorda: Turn down for what?!

By Jon Weisman

On March 16, 2015

In Uncategorized

https://instagram.com/p/0T_zjBu8d6/

No other words needed.

— Jon Weisman

In case you missed it nightcap: Up, down and away

By Jon Weisman

On March 16, 2015

In In case you missed it, Transactions

Those home runs had me like: pic.twitter.com/sYf8Sc47pk

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) March 16, 2015

By Jon Weisman

Today’s resounding comeback victory — 10-5 after trailing 4-0 — didn’t forestall Austin Barnes, O’Koyea Dickson or Erisbel Arruebarrena being optioned to minor league camp after the game.

Here are some notes and news to take in before bedtime …

It’s a fantabulous night for a moondance, and for reading this Eric Nusbaum profile at Vice Sports about “The Likable, Unlikely Career of Juan Uribe.”
Zack Greinke went back to his old slider grip during an outing today that he considered an improvement, reports True Blue L.A.’s Eric Stephen, who adds an interesting quote from Greinke about the Alamo and Ozzy Osbourne.
Chad Gaudin hasn’t pitched in the Majors since 2013, but count him among the relievers making a strong bid to be a factor in the bullpen this year, writes Ken Gurnick of MLB.com. Gaudin pitched a perfect sixth inning today, striking out Stephen Vogt and Mark Canha.
Yimi Garcia, who threw a scoreless inning today, has retired 13 of 15 batters he has faced this spring.
New commissioner Rob Manfred visited the Dodgers today, as Gurnick notes, and part of the conversation was the long-overdue return of the All-Star Game to Los Angeles. No MLB team has gone longer without one than the Dodgers, who last hosted in 1980.
The official dedication of the Charley Steiner School of Sports Communication at Bradley will be held March 31.
Two oldie but goodie former Dodgers each signed minor-league deals today: 37-year-old Rafael Furcal with the Royals and 38-year-old Randy Wolf with the Blue Jays.
At ESPN.com, Anna McDonald writes about how Major League Baseball is dealing with anxiety and depression among its players.

If you care about such things or just like how they look, the Dodgers' 8-2-4 record so far in March translates to a .714 winning percentage.

— Dodger Insider (@DodgerInsider) March 16, 2015

Livin’ in the future …

By Jon Weisman

On March 16, 2015

In Spring Training

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By Jon Weisman

Throughout my childhood, I would hear tales of Lew Alcindor leading the 1965-66 UCLA freshman men’s basketball team to victory over the UCLA varsity, which had merely won the NCAA title the season before.

The situation isn’t really the same, but if nothing else, the 2015 Dodger junior varsity gives a hint of what it must have been like to experience such excitement from the future.

Dodger prospects and reserves have been shining all spring long, but the eighth inning of today’s 10-5 victory over Oakland turned the brightness up to 10.

First, they tended the top of the eighth in dazzling fashion, with Erisbel Arruebarrena — playing out of position at second base — ranging far to his left to flag a ground ball, before doing a 180-degree turn to whip the ball to super-prospect Corey Seager, who stepped on second and fired to Kyle Jensen at first for an inning-ending double play.

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Then in the home half of the inning at Camelback Ranch, Darnell Sweeney followed singles by Austin Barnes and Jensen and a walk to Seager with a grand slam — to the opposite field, no less.

Next, after Alex Guerrero singled and O’Koyea Dickson calmly took first base after being hit by a pitch, Scott Schebler hit a towering homer of his own to center field.

Before Schebler had finished getting high fives in the dugout, Chris Heisey homered to left, capping the eight-run eighth inning for the Dodgers, who are now 8-2-4 (.714) in Spring Training, in no small part because when the reserves come in, they have been fairly dominant.

Lest it be forgotten, the Dodgers were led in the early going by Darwin Barney, who went 3 for 3, and Joc Pederson, who walked once and made this catch in center field.

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Yeah, yeah — it’s March. But it’s been fun.

Dodgers send five starting pitchers to minors

By Jon Weisman

On March 16, 2015

In Transactions

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A’s at Dodgers, 1:05 p.m.
Justin Turner, 1B
Darwin Barney, SS
Adrian Gonzalez, DH
Juan Uribe, 3B
Andre Ethier, LF
Scott Van Slyke, RF
Joc Pederson, CF
A.J. Ellis, C
Kike Hernandez, 2B
(Zack Greinke, P)

By Jon Weisman

Five pitchers who all figure to start games at some point for Triple-A Oklahoma City — Zach Lee, Chris Reed, Mike Bolsinger, Joe Wieland and Carlos Frias — were optioned to minor-league camp before today’s game.

Erik Bedard, Chad Gaudin and David Huff are among the potential minor-league starters or swingmen that remain with the big-league club for now.

Today, @redturn2 will bat first and play first. Only Dodgers to do that in regular season in past 40 years: @TheRealJHair, @paulloduca16.

— Dodger Insider (@DodgerInsider) March 16, 2015

Ned Colletti joins Charley Steiner in the booth for the next three games. #DodgersST pic.twitter.com/yLX4nEB8c2

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) March 16, 2015

Dodger Stadium to host MLB Civil Rights Game on Jackie Robinson Day

By Jon Weisman

On March 16, 2015

In Community

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By Jon Weisman

Not only is the April 15 Jackie Robinson Day celebration returning to Dodger Stadium this year after a one-season absence, but on that night, the Dodgers will host the Mariners in the ninth annual Civil Rights Game — the first time that the two events will be held together. The game will air on ESPN2.

MLB developed the Civil Rights Game “to pay tribute to the spirit of the civil rights movement and to honor those who embodied the struggle for equal rights for all Americans.” The Dodgers have played in the event once before, in 2012 at Atlanta.

“It is truly an ideal pairing to have the franchise of Jackie Robinson and the city of Los Angeles join our National Pastime in recognizing leaders of the past and present who have done so much for the benefit of our country,” MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement. “Together with the Dodgers, Major League Baseball will proudly celebrate the civil rights movement, the courageous people like Jackie who contributed to it, and its many lessons that continue to resonate today.”

Said Dodger owner Earvin “Magic” Johnson: “We’re proud of the role the Dodgers have played in professional sports history as pioneers of social change since Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in 1947 during the team’s days in Brooklyn. From Jackie to Sandy Koufax to Fernando Valenzuela to Hideo Nomo to Chan Ho Park to now Yasiel Puig and Hyun-Jin Ryu, the Dodgers have sought to lead the way and be a model of inclusion in sports and American society as a whole.”

This year marks the 70th anniversary of Robinson signing with the Dodgers.

“Thanks to Jackie Robinson and the Dodgers, baseball was at the forefront of the civil rights movement, integrating long before other parts of our nation caught up,” Los Angeles mayor Eric Garcetti said. “I’m proud that Los Angeles will play home to this game honoring the legacy of Jackie Robinson and all those who stand for freedom and equality.”

Together, MLB and the Dodgers will honor MLB Beacon Award recipients, conduct a youth baseball-focused event and host the “Baseball & Civil Rights Movement Roundtable Discussion, where “a group of prominent participants will discuss the pivotal role baseball played in the civil rights movement and the game’s continued presence as a social institution in American society.” Dodgers.com will stream the panel.

New AM 570 LA Sports debuts today

By Jon Weisman

On March 16, 2015

In Radio

By Jon Weisman

Today marks the official debut of the all-new AM 570 LA Sports, co-owned by the Dodgers and iHeartMedia Los Angeles and featuring the Dodgers’ “LA” logo.

Here is the weekday schedule:

6 a.m. – 9 a.m., Dan Patrick
9 a.m. – 12 noon: “LA Today” with Bill Reiter and Leann Tweeden
12 noon – 3 p.m.: Jay Mohr
3 p.m. – 7 p.m.: “Petros and Money Show”
7 p.m. and after Dodger games: “Dodger Talk” with David Vassegh and Kevin Kennedy

“We are thrilled to partner with AM 570 LA Sports,” Dodger president and CEO Stan Kasten said in a press release. “We’ve had a wonderful relationship over the years, and our new partnership will make it even stronger as we work together to bring Dodger fans the finest in L.A. Sports radio programming.”

In case you missed it: Hug a teammate today

By Jon Weisman

On March 16, 2015

In In case you missed it

For more photos from Sunday, visit LA Photog Blog.

By Jon Weisman

I like that picture.

Here’s a Monday morning short stack …

Clayton Kershaw allowed only one run in 3 1/3 innings Sunday, but it came amid four hits, three walks and a very critical self-assessment. Ken Gurnick has quotes from Kershaw, Yasmani Grandal and Don Mattingly at MLB.com.
Health reports on Brandon League have gone up and down over the past 48 hours, with the latest now being that he will be shut down for several days, with further medical tests likely, according to Gurnick.
As noted Saturday, there is a bevy of candidates for the Dodger bullpen even if League has a prolonged absence. Making a bid from the extreme outside is Chin-hui Tsao, who didn’t even have an invite to Major League camp but has now retired all 12 batters he has faced. Eric Stephen of True Blue L.A. and Gurnick have more on Tsao, who hasn’t pitched in the big leagues since throwing 24 2/3 innings for the Dodgers in 2007.
We’ve learned more of the names that will be split-squading on the Dodgers’ two-day Big League Weekend trip Friday and Saturday in San Antonio. Here’s what we now have to date:

Pitchers: Zack Greinke (starter), Erik Bedard (starter), Joe Wieland, Pedro Baez, Daniel Coulombe, Yimi Garcia, Juan Nicasio.

Position players: Yasmani Grandal, Adrian Gonzalez, Yasiel Puig, Justin Turner, Joc Pederson, Darwin Barney, Alex Guerrero, Kike Hernandez, Shawn Zarraga, Chris O’Brien, Kyle Jensen, Matt Carson, Buck Britton, Darnell Sweeney.

Measuring opponents’ quality in Spring Training

By Jon Weisman

On March 15, 2015

In Spring Training

For more photos from Saturday, visit LA Photog Blog.

Mariners at Dodgers, 1:05 p.m.
Jimmy Rollins, SS
Yasiel Puig, RF
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Howie Kendrick, 2B
Yasmani Grandal, C
Carl Crawford, LF
Juan Uribe, 3B
Andre Ethier, CF
Alex Guerrero, DH
(Clayton Kershaw, P)

By Jon Weisman

Spring Training statistics are a ride off Niagara Falls– momentarily exhilarating before the thundering, brain-soaking crash of reality. However, Baseball-Reference.com has taken a step to, I don’t know, pad your barrel. (It’s Sunday morning — sue me.)

It’s basically a novelty, but Baseball Reference provides a simple but welcome opposition quality measurement, based on the level of play last year for every batter or pitcher: 10 for Major Leaguers, 8 for Triple A, 7 for AA, 5 for High A, 4 for Low A and 3 or below for short season.

Here are the Dodgers’ 2015 Spring Training stats on Baseball Reference. A few things immediately noticeable:

Corey Seager’s outstanding spring has come against opponents’ quality rating of 8.6 — essentially, top minor-leaguers but a level below the Majors. It’s not surprising, given that Seager has come off the bench in all but one of his games, around the time that MLB starters have been exiting.
Joc Pederson’s opponents have been a bit more challenging, with a quality rating is 9.1.
Josh Ravin, sent to minor-league camp Saturday, retired all eight batters he faced despite facing the highest opponents’ quality rating of any Dodger reliever: 9.7 (matched by Julio Urias).

Matt Carson hits grand slam for Dodgers

By Jon Weisman

On March 14, 2015

In Uncategorized

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By Jon Weisman

The Dodgers had been playing one close game after another — seven straight decided by one run or not at all — until Matt Carson blew things open.

Carson helped lock up the Dodgers’ 7-2 victory over Cleveland today with an eighth-inning grand slam against his former team.

A 33-year-old outfielder from Yucaipa High School and Brigham Young, Carson has 187 career plate appearances in the big leagues with a .613 OPS. In his last stint, he had six singles, a home run and a hit-by-pitch in 13 plate appearances for the Indians, giving him a 1.601 OPS. Last year, he had a .759 OPS for Triple-A Columbus.

Carson hit his slam off 29-year-old Anthony Swarzak, who allowed 128 baserunners in 86 innings for Minnesota last year with 47 strikeouts.

Scott Van Slyke also homered today for the Dodgers, who had doubles from Jimmy Rollins and Justin Turner.

Brett Anderson pitched three shutout innings to open the game, preserving his 0.00 ERA. J.P. Howell, working his way back from a groin injury, added a shutout inning, while Mike Adams allowed two walks, a hit and a run while notching two outs in his first Cactus League appearance.

Reliever quartet sent to minor-league camp, but numerous options remain

By Jon Weisman

On March 14, 2015

In Bullpen, Transactions

Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers

By Jon Weisman

Pitchers Julio Urias, Chris Anderson, Ryan Buchter and Josh Ravin — all non-roster invitees to Spring Training — today became the first four sent from Major League camp to the minor-league side this year.

Urias (18) and Anderson (22) are top starting pitching prospects, while Buchter (28) and Ravin (27) provide relief depth. The quartet had combined to allow four runs in 10 2/3 innings.

The Dodgers still have six non-roster relievers in camp, to go with 11 on the active roster, not to mention a few swingmen. Here’s the breakdown:

Righty relievers, no options: Chris Hatcher, Brandon League, Dustin McGowan, Juan Nicasio, Joel Peralta
Lefty relievers, no options: J.P. Howell
Righty relievers, can go to minors: Pedro Baez, Yimi Garcia, David Aardsma, Mike Adams*, Chad Gaudin, Ben Rowen, Sergio Santos
Lefty relievers, can go to minors: Daniel Coulombe, Adam Liberatore, Paco Rodriguez, David Huff
Righty relievers on disabled list: Kenley Jansen, Chris Withrow

*Adams requires retention bonus if not added to Major League roster five days before Opening Day.

Most logically, the Dodgers would start the season with the six no-option relievers and one of the four remaining lefty relievers (with such other lefties as Erik Bedard and Joe Wieland working starter innings in the minors). But with three weeks and change remaining until the season opener, there’s still time for that logic to change.

In case you missed it: Tie goes to the Dodgers

By Jon Weisman

On March 14, 2015

In In case you missed it

#DodgersST pic.twitter.com/jxFR8PKIyE

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) March 14, 2015

Indians at Dodgers, 7:05 p.m.
Jimmy Rollins, SS
Carl Crawford, LF
Yasmani Grandal, DH
Howie Kendrick, 2B
Scott Van Slyke, 1B
Justin Turner, 3B
A.J. Ellis, C
Joc Pederson, CF
Chris Heisey, RF
(Brett Anderson, P)

By Jon Weisman

So, the down-to-the-wire Dodgers remained at it Friday, rallying in the ninth inning to improve/unimprove their record to 2-1-4 over their past seven games.

Now, onto the rest of the wardrobe …

On the night Joel Peralta made his first Cactus League appearance, Brandon League was scratched from a planned outing Friday because of a tender shoulder, writes Ken Gurnick of MLB.com.
The Dodgers seem to think there might well be a reason why an Aroldis Chapman pitch Friday went behind Justin Turner’s knees, writes Gurnick.
Daniel Coulombe, who has retired nine of 10 batters faced this spring, is profiled in this feature by Gurnick that begins with a suspenseful tale involving Coulombe’s grandfather in World War II.
Chad Gaudin, who was warming up in the bullpen during Will Ferrell’s stunt Thursday, was also the pitcher facing sportswriter Tom Verducci during a Spring Training game in 2005, writes J.P. Hoornstra of the Daily News.
Minor league camp opens today for the Dodgers. The minor-league schedule of games was posted by Eric Stephen at True Blue L.A. and begins March 20.
“A revised form of head protection was approved Friday by Major League Baseball for pitchers to begin using immediately if they choose,” reports William Weinbaum of ESPN’s Outside the Lines.
Yasiel Puig has a stomach issue that is keeping him out of today’s starting lineup, but that doesn’t mean Yasiel Puig isn’t playing ball (on PlayStation’s MLB 15 The Show):

For more photos from Friday, visit LA Photog Blog.

In case you missed it: Bat left, throw left, hold baby right

By Jon Weisman

On March 13, 2015

In In case you missed it

For more photos from Thursday, visit LA Photog Blog.

By Jon Weisman

It was hard not to be a little skeptical about Thursday’s Will Ferrell stunt across Major League Baseball, but it helped knowing that it was for a good cause, and pretty quickly it became clear how much fun it was going to be.

It helped that Ferrell, while engaging in all the hijinx, displayed such a sincere love for the game himself. And he looked pretty good out there — for a 47-year-old. (I’m particularly sympathetic to that demographic.)

I’m sure it had to be a distraction on some level, but the memories seem to have been worth it.

But now, it’s back to the real players …

A scout told J.P. Hoornstra of the Daily News that he was “particularly impressed by Sergio Santos, who touched 94 on the gun.”
Julio Urias is the No. 2 pitching prospect in baseball, according to John Sickels’ Minor League Ball, behind local boy Lucas Giolito of the Nationals. Grant Holmes is 41st. On the hitting side, Corey Seager is sixth, Joc Pederson 10th and Alex Verdugo 50th.
You know all the big names by now, but David Hood of True Blue L.A. offers his favorites to watch among the next generation of Dodger prospects.
A classic W.C. Heinz profile of the inimitable Pete Reiser is on display, courtesy of The Stacks.
Former Dodger Chuck Connors, aka “The Rifleman,” made David Schoenfield’s all-celebrity baseball team at ESPN.com’s Sweet Spot.
James Harris, one of my heroes growing up here in the 1970s, gets a nice tribute from Samuel G. Freedman at the New Yorker. It’s a worthwhile history lesson.

Dodger Thoughts

Jon Weisman's outlet for dealing psychologically with the Los Angeles Dodgers, baseball and life

Month: March 2015 (Page 3 of 6)

Under the radar, Alex Guerrero keeps looking better

In case you missed it: Who’s been busy?

The greatest Los Angeles Dodger pitching performances in losses

Tommy Lasorda: Turn down for what?!

In case you missed it nightcap: Up, down and away

Livin’ in the future …

Dodgers send five starting pitchers to minors

Dodger Stadium to host MLB Civil Rights Game on Jackie Robinson Day

New AM 570 LA Sports debuts today

In case you missed it: Hug a teammate today

Measuring opponents’ quality in Spring Training

Matt Carson hits grand slam for Dodgers

Reliever quartet sent to minor-league camp, but numerous options remain

In case you missed it: Tie goes to the Dodgers

In case you missed it: Bat left, throw left, hold baby right

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