Dodgers' rotation dilemma is of their own making

Pedro Martinez, anyone? Jarrod Washburn? John Smotlz? Mark Loretta?

As Ned Colletti likes to say, you can never have enough starting pitching. Anyway, he used to like to say that.

These Dodgers clearly lack starting pitching, and now it has them in a fix of their own creation.

The rotation was already highly questionable heading into the season, the Dodgers counting on: Clayton Kershaw to continue to develop, Chad Billingsley to return to form, Hiroki Kuroda to shake of his neck/head injury, Vicente Padilla to continue to prove Texas wrong, and knuckleballer Charlie Haeger to at least be decent.

As iffy as that all was, the Dodgers knew they had precious little depth behind the starting five. As soon as someone went down, which was inevitable over the course of a season, they would be in trouble.

They’re in trouble.

Padilla went on the disabled list with Sunday with a sore elbow.

And replacing him in the rotation Tuesday is … who exactly? No one to remotely feel confident in.

Jeff Weaver was the emergency rotation fill-in last season, but he’s already on the DL with a sore back. Besides, he’s been used more as a situational reliever this season and couldn’t be expected to give the Dodgers starters’ innings.

The only others on the roster theoretically capable are Ramon Ortiz and Carlos Monasterios. Ortiz  largely has been unimpressive (6.94 ERA). Monasterios, who has barely pitched above Single-A until this season, is understandably being handed with kid gloves.

Which leaves the Dodgers no choice but to bring up someone from the system. And there ain’t nobody there whose performance is screaming -- or whispering -- bring me up.

None of the Albuquerque Isotopes’ starters have been impressive. Josh Lindblom has shown promise the past two springs, but is 1-1 with a 5.57 ERA. John Ely is numerically best at 2-1 with a 3.00 ERA but is pitching above Double-A for the first time. Journeyman Josh Towers is 1-2 and 4.24, James McDonald is 0-0 with 4.97 ERA and a broken nail, and Scott Elbert is 0-1 with an 8.36 ERA.

Ugh. Towers, 33, will probably get the call, mostly because they have to call on someone. In eight major-league seasons with four different clubs, he’s an indifferent 45-55 with a 4.95 ERA.

Just gets you all goosebumpy, doesn’t it?

This hardly figures to be the last time the Dodgers are in this predicament. There’s just pathetic depth. They could sign Martinez. That wouldn’t help them in the short term -- he would still have to have a camp -- but would at least give them someone down the line.

None of this can come as a shock to the organization. Whether it was because of the pending divorce of Frank and Jamie McCourt or not, the Dodgers had a pitching need in the offseason and failed miserably to address it.

It’s already cost them, but the payment in performance is only beginning.

-- Steve Dilbeck

Comments

[west coast ram]

I couldn't agree with Steve more, it has been very disappointing on McDonalds and Elbert progress. Both of these guys should be ready for the opportunity and have not capitalised.

[west coast ram]

Of course I meant capitalized.

[Paul Twait]

It was obvious coming into the season that starting pitching, usually the Dodgers forte, was going to be mediocre at best. Now with Padilla on the DL and shaky performances from the rest of the rotation its time for McCourt to "put up or shut up".. Last fall this team was 3 wins from the Fall Classic, and no front line starter was acquired. If a competent starter is not acquired now his commitment, financially and otherwise, should be seriously questioned, as should fan support!!!

[KoufaxFan]

Not only did McCheap not address the Dodgers pitching concerns to take them to the next level, he sells Eric Stults to Japan. Stults, the only Dodger to pitch complete game shut outs in each of the past 2 seasons; Dodgers could use him now.

[These Dodgers Suck]

Oh! where have you gone Randy Wolf?

[w/ apologizes to Simon and Garfunkel and a nod to Joe DiMaggio]

[artieboy]

You are right Steve in that over the course of a 162 game season lack of pitching options will sink you. However this year the Dodgers have been thoroughly beaten only three times (once in Pittsburgh, the Lincecum game, and Friday's game). If our bullpen and defense had been up to the task we would be over 500 right now.
.
I don't believe signing a guy who is currently sitting on his duff watching TV is the solution...but if that is the best route then maybe things are worse than I thought.

[bob cuomo]

I'm afraid it's going to be a long season. Sure, Billingsley pitched very well today, but there's no guarantee he'll continue to have solid outings...I am optimistic, though. That leaves the other four guys in the rotation. I don't think they can pitch to normal Dodger standards...well, Kershaw will certainly have his moments. Sorry, but I don't trust Kuroda, Padilla or Haeger.

[louisinsf]

The other problem with lack of starting pitching depth you start to rely too much on bullpen pitchers. Right now in addition to depth in the starting rotation the Dodger rotation is not known for length. More pressure on the bullpen.

Hopefully someone will step up, maybe down the road we can pry Ben Sheets from the A's.

[BlueOrf]

Carlos Monasterios may be a boy, but right now he's the man. His near 3 innings of pitching against the Nats (in pressure time) was impeccable, wicked curve, fine slider, spotting the fastball. He even had a decent change. I say let him sub for Padilla. No harm in trying and there's clearly no one else performing like he is. And please. Don't send him back to the Phillies where he can blossom like Jason Werth!

[Airedale]

Ben Sheets? Forget about signing anyone with a price tag.

[rolie]

steve, this so depressing. Why do I care so much about the Dodgers? I just can't stop bleeding dodger blue. I need to get a life.

[Terry Crow]

Depending on a guy (Padilla) that the Texas Rangers let go is problematic at best. Letting Randy Wolf go to another team was a big mistake as he would look pretty good in this rotation. Also, Jon Garland is what he was, a pitcher who can be counted on to eat innings and save the arms in the bullpen. Just the type that the Dodgers need. How is San Diego doing these days? Which team had these guys at the end of last year and let them go? Why did Juan Pierre have to be traded? The front office has a lot to answer for.

[DC Dodger]

I went to all three games this weekend and it was really difficult watching each pitch. Haeger was a disaster for the most part. Kershaw was decent for a couple of innings. Thankfully, the bullpen was good, but I looked into it at the end of the game and there wasn't a soul in it except for Ortiz who had pitched a bunch Friday night. and I found myself cringing on a lot of Billingsley's pitches even though he was very good. he jsut doesn't inspire a lot of confidence. And that bench? Are you kidding me? Garrett Anderson and Jamey Carroll? That's the best we can do? McCourt's divorce is costing the fans a lot more than it's costing him!

[jb]

As much of a gamble as it is, I say give Jon Link a chance to prove himself. Hey, did anyone catch Steve Lyons bagging on Charlie Haeger during yesterday's game? Lyons suggested Haeger get the start tomorrow on one-less day's rest. His logic was that Haeger doesn't throw hard, he's "basically playing catch out there." Bet Steve's car got keyed last night.....

[Steve Dilbeck]

rolie: Clearly it is in your blood. Maybe instead of a shrink you could use a nice transfusion. Chin up, early signs are not all that encouraging, but the road it long.

[Steve Dilbeck]

Blueorf: No doubt if he continues on his current path, he will get the opportunity to start. Right now, though, its important they infuse the youngster with confidence. For now, the right approach.

[Go Blue 2010]

I have the utmost confidence in Josh Towers to go 5 1/3 and give up 7 earned runs. Gonna be a long season. Go Blue!!

[blueeyedgal]

I guess I should thank the Dodgers for playing so badly that I'm putting the games on the radio and doing yard work, instead of sitting in front of the tube watching every wonderful pitch.

I kinda miss the pitching, though.

This chick has long maintained that the long ball is overrated. Much as I appreciate Casey and friends giving us an occasional adrenaline boost with a HR, I'd gladly trade every last HR for small ball, good defense, and good pitching.

[bditman]

Well, if Jamie McCourt - she is after all claiming that she is a half owner in court papers - cared at all, then she should give up a few bucks from her million dollar a month life style and contribute something to get more pitching. I agree, the front office has a lot to answer for. I thought their best infield in years had Orlando Hudson at second base. They were a much better team last year. This year, they lack speed, starting pitching, relief pitching and the ability to play solid defense. If they finish higher than 3rd, I'd be surprised.

[N.P.Krohn]

Well Steve if you read your blogs, and I'm sure you do, you would know my disgust at not having Stults taking the ball today in the second half of our double header. He owns the Mets. It would be fun if you would post Stults' current stats in Japan. Probably over 6 innings a start now that he doesn't have Torre's quick hook yankin at his jersey. Hitting .280 as well. Do they have DH's in Japan? Having said that; Artie makes a good point. The Blues have lost close games out of the bull pen. A few bad starts have cost us but the highest scoring team wins more than they lose in this game as long as they catch the ball and have any kind of bullpen. Healthy, our bullpen is the best in baseball. It has not been healthy. I have watched Sherrill on a regular basis since he came up with the M's and have never seen him throw so many non-strikes. Barring unknown health issues he should return to form. Bellasario and his rising fastball should start making Troncoso's sinker look better. Broxton is amazing outside of the NLCS. Every melt down the pen has had this year seems to start with an error followed by a walk. Less of the latter will lead to less of the former. Still, is there a precedent for buying a player back from Japan? If not, throw Montesarios.