Los Angeles Dodgers

First impression: While everyone assumed they'd get younger, the Dodgers held
off for another
season, signing Luis Gonzalez for left field and Jason Schmidt for the front of
their rotation.
Juan Pierre is an upgrade over Kenny Lofton in center field and, at 29, is in
his prime. But, the
additions of Gonzalez and Pierre, along with the re-signing of first baseman
Nomar Garciaparra and
the early 2006 extension for Jeff Kent, served to bunch three prospects – Andre
Ethier, James
Loney and Matt Kemp – into right field, which J.D. Drew abandoned. Ethier was a
very pleasant
surprise from May to August, but hit his 11th – and last – home run on Aug. 10
and had two RBI
after Aug. 28, in part because Marlon Anderson had taken over in left. Ethier is
the favorite
going into camp. Assuming the old guys stay healthy, Kemp and Loney probably
return to Triple-A.

Competition: Chad Billingsley, Hong-Chih Kuo, Brett Tomko and Mark Hendrickson
have a shot at the
fifth starter, behind Schmidt, Derek Lowe, Brad Penny and Randy Wolf. Those who
don't make the
rotation could find jobs in the bullpen, though Kuo, who pitched well in the
rotation and
reasonably well in his division series start against the New York Mets, has been
most effective as
a starter. Andy LaRoche, Adam's little brother, conceivably could push Wilson
Betemit at third
base.

Healing: Garciaparra is healthy for the moment, but always worth keeping an eye
on. He missed long
periods in early April and in mid-summer, then limped down the stretch. Despite
a significant
fall-off after the All-Star break, Garciaparra had some huge hits. Once
considered Eric Gagne's
understudy to the closer role, Yhency Brazoban is recovering from Tommy John
surgery. He could
return in May or June.

Next: The Dodgers haven't forgotten about Kemp, the 22-year-old outfielder whose
first three weeks
in the majors saw seven home runs, 18 RBI and a .339 batting average. A month
later he was back in
Triple-A, working on plate patience and breaking-ball recognition, and made
progress in the
Dominican winter league.


Something I wanted to mention I thought was interesting too was the fact that
someone had
mentioned that Armando Benitez of the Giants had lost weight during the
offseason but in fact I
guess he had gained weight as new Giants manager Bruce Bochy had said. To me,
that's not good if
he has knee problems but it's great for LA, not that I have ever thought Benitez
was all that good
to begin with.


Kristin




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