The Crazy Thing Is ...

A year ago, Nomar Garciaparra wasn't even considered physically capable of playing third base. Even as the Dodgers questioned the abilities of Wilson Betemit, they dismissed the idea of moving Garciaparra to third and having shining prospect James Loney play first base in April 2007.

The idea that Garciaparra couldn't play third base at all was absurd - but so is the idea that he can play it every day. So even if Garciaparra busts out a strong comeback season at the plate, the idea that he can do it while playing six or seven games a week is even more pie-in-the-sky. Tony Abreu therefore could be critical, though Abreu right now comes with his own set of physical concerns, not to mention the responsibility of backing up 40-and-a-day-year-old Jeff Kent.

Delwyn Young has come on strong defensively this spring, enough to posssibly consider him as a backup to Kent and maybe even a third-stringer at third. (Amid my ongoing dismissal of Spring Training stats, it's worth asking whether exhibition fielding is actually meaningful, in contrast to exhibition hitting - which Young doesn't happen to be doing at the moment.) And there's always the option of using Chin-Lung Hu around the infield. (You can keep your Ramon Martinezes.)

As far as a trade goes, well, the Dodgers should be able to stand pat into April. In a month's time, they should have hints of whether Garciaparra looks competent and the timing of LaRoche's recovery. Dodger Thoughts commenters like Eric Enders pointed out Friday that the estimate of eight to 10 weeks for LaRoche might be optimistic, depending on the severity of his injury. Regarding the ulnar collateral ligament that LaRoche tore, the Kerlan-Jobe (as in Dr. Frank) Orthopaedic Clinic writes:

Patients can expect a full recovery following treatment.

Recovery from a partial tear is 4-6 weeks. Consisting of initial complete immobilization, followed by a gradual increase in activity.

With a complete tear, the patient can anticipate six to eight weeks in a cast prior to beginning strengthening and rehabilitation exercises.

Third base was going to be a low-expectations position in April for the Dodgers even before yesterday. Whoever played figured to bat no higher than seventh in the Dodger lineup. We'll never know what LaRoche could have done if he won the position, but there was a strong chance that he wasn't going to win it - if for no other reason than the team's recent tradition of breaking in young players like Loney, Russell Martin, Andre Ethier and Chad Billingsley after May Day. So not much has changed in the short term.

For the long term ... well, Garciaparra & Co. need to show they can hold down the fort for as long as it takes for LaRoche to show signs of returning. It's a similar situation to that of the team's No. 5 starting pitcher. If the Dodgers have a losing April but LaRoche and Jason Schmidt look ready to help by June, how much patience will general manager Ned Colletti have?

Comments

[DXMachina]

1.  The most worrisome thing to me about the situation as it stands is the notion that Ramon Martinez is now back in the mix to stick with the team. And if having Lucille around it keeps Ned from making a panic trade, I can probably live with it.

[old dodger fan]

2.  How things can change in 24 hours. This from Dayn Perry at Fox just yesterday:

"The good news for the Dodgers is that Andy LaRoche, who's far and away their best internal option at third base, is raking thus far. He's come to bat only 17 times, but a batting line of .353 AVG/.421 OBP/.588 SLG is putting him in good position to win the job."

Sigh!

[Bumsrap]

3.  I am going to assume LaRoche will be on the Disabled list and earn MLB money instead of going down to AAA should he not have been injured and earning much less while Nomar gets the playing time.

With LaRoche on DL, if Abreu is healthy, Abreu should be able to make the team out of Spring training. Whenever Abreu plays he adds speed and creates a need to add power elsewhere in the lineup. This helps Ethier get playing time.

I think Kemp should be hitting second. He has speed and seems to be able to get on base better than he seems to be able to drive in runs at this time in his career. With Kemp's speed in the #2 spot, Pierre perhaps drops to the 8th spot or gives way to a more powerful bat lower in the order.

[Bumsrap]

4.  Dewitt, will we see more of you this Spring?

[Gen3Blue]

5.  It boggles the mind.

[MollyKnight]

6.  I want to break the no explitive rule so badly right now.

But I guess I'll have so settle for a gosh darn it.

[adamclyde]

7.  I was at the game yesterday. You could see the disappointment of both Nomar and laroche as soon as they got hurt. Sucks. Nomar was just mad. But he's got the better wrap. The pick off throw from the catcher (who looks exactly like laroche, btw) to laroche was way off and laroche had to really reach around the runner. I think it was a bad call by the catcher to start with. I'm going again tomorrow. I wonder if they'll play Chavez at third again or is Nomar cleared for tomorrow?

[adamclyde]

8.  I was at the game yesterday. You could see the disappointment of both Nomar and laroche as soon as they got hurt. Sucks. Nomar was just mad. But he's got the better wrap. The pick off throw from the catcher (who looks exactly like laroche, btw) to laroche was way off and laroche had to really reach around the runner. I think it was a bad call by the catcher to start with. I'm going again tomorrow. I wonder if they'll play Chavez at third again or is Nomar cleared for tomorrow?

[Ken Noe]

9.  The wild cards are Kent's hammies. If they continue to prove troublesome, and Nomar continues to show his age as well, Abreu, Young and Hu could be playing a lot more than expected.

[popup]

10.  Jon, I don't think it is Ned's patience that is important. Unfortunately with this franchise it is McCourt's patience that counts. If we were talking about the O'Malleys, I would not be concerned on that front. McCourt is a whole different matter, which is why at best I happen to be a lukewarm Dodger fan at best at this point.

Stan from Tacoma

[bhsportsguy]

11.  10 Even so, McCourt's dealings have generally involved his front office personnel or management (if you consider his terminations of Jim Tracy and Grady Little). But in terms of his direct involvement in player personnel decisions, there has been no evidence that he has ever directly interfered. (Again, unless you believe the Will Carroll/Ken Rosenthal rumorings of a fractured front office where there was a split of whether or not to deal for some veteran players. And if that is true, McCourt has stated a preference to keep the young players together.)

[Jon Weisman]

12.  James McDonald is scheduled to follow Esteban Loaiza Sunday.

[Ken Noe]

13.  10 McCourt's not going anywhere, and neither is Torre. Ned is the guy under the microscope this year, and he needs to win to keep at least his place in the Dodger food chain ahead of Torre. We can assume he's okay with Nomar at 3B, and I don't expect any Inge deal. The real focus shifts to JP's contact vs. results, and pitching (notably Schmidt).

On a happier note, my kid drove down for the game today.

[Bob Timmermann]

14.  No NPUT means BT is LAT'd.

[Bob Timmermann]

15.  6
Oh, my ears! Remember I live in South Pasadena, swearing is illegal in my city this week!

[Gen3Blue]

16.  Despite the lack of a third baseman, I really like the look of todays line-up.
I had forgotten the front two thirds that we are capable of, which I suppose is not a good sign.

[Daniel Zappala]

17.  14 If you want to stay on that old thread, I'm with you.

[Greg Brock]

18.  Jeff Kent to third, Young/Abreu to second. Moving positions to help the team is exactly what PVL is all about.

It's really all about team.

[popup]

19.  11 I don't think it is a coincidence that the roster has been littered with recycled Red Sox with McCourt as owner.

Stan from Tacoma

[PalmdaleSteve1]

20.  Guess Garciaparra's hot .283 bat from last season will be missed in the old line up..or not, but his foot tapping, glove adjusting, helmet adjusting show between ever pitch might be.

[Lexinthedena]

21.  I love today's lineup. If Abreu can show that he is healthy, then he and Nomar will be an OK third base. I really hope LaRoche comes back strong when he does come back. If anything this injury seems to have awaken the masses to how important he is to the Dodgers.

[LAT]

22.  You can't put Kent at 3B. With Kent there during the top half of the inning and Bowa there for the bottom half, the hot corner would become a contaminated pool of irascibility and grumpiness. That has to be a violation of an EPA rule or something.

[underdog]

23.  18 Kent to third - talk about moving the trash can.

I'm with 1 - I don't want Lucille II on the team at all this time 'round -- unless he keeps them from trading from some horribly overpriced 3rdbaseman, in which case I'll choose the lesser of two evils.

[underdog]

24.  From Tony Jax:
>>Tony Abreu, who yesterday played in his first game after being out of action with an abdominal injury, now has a gluteus injury (a pain in the, well, you know). It isn't thought to be serious, maybe just a day-after injury from his having finally played in a game. Torre said he felt it the first time he took a ground ball. LaRoche's surgery is Monday in L.A. Nomar is fine, but will be out of action for a couple of days. Joe and Ned met this morning, and pursuing a 3B from outside the organization was discussed, but don't look for it to happen until later in the spring, after all other options are explored -- and those options DO include trying Delwyn Young and Chin-lung Hu at 3B.<<

[underdog]

25.  I think the Dodgers should have a turnstile installed over at the hot corner. Larry Bowa can take tickets.

Man, if they think LaRoche is injury prone, I wonder what they think about Abreu at this point?

[Ken Noe]

26.  23 Unless it's Beltre or maybe Betemit (just for irony's sake) I'll take LII over a trade. Ned likes Nomar and LaRoche will be back soon enough.

[Lexinthedena]

27.  A Gluteus injury?...wow...I guess Abreu is never just sore...

i would love it if Delwyn showed he can handle the hot corner.

[Gen3Blue]

28.  A pox on whoever Beltre's agent was.

[Greg Brock]

29.  28 Take a wild guess...

[Bluebleeder87]

30.  What a bummer about La Roche man...

[Bluebleeder87]

31.  if anything I'm happy to watch the boys in blue on a lazy Sat. morning.

[Gen3Blue]

32.  29 I should have remembered that.

[silverwidow]

33.  BLAKE DEWITT IS PLAYING TODAY!

[Bob Timmermann]

34.  Adrian Beltre: Fluky seasons, followed by mediocrity, has its price.

[Gen3Blue]

35.  Uh-oh. Rough start for the new guy.

[underdog]

36.  Uh oh. Hiro's not off to the sharpest of starts. Hope he bears down!

[GMac In The 909]

37.  Delwyn!!!

[silverwidow]

38.  Vin said Matt Kemp is "struggling" batting .200. What???

[Andrew Shimmin]

39.  Delwyn Young is Tony Schrager. Except he can hit, too.

[silverwidow]

40.  DeWitt has a GREAT swing.

[Andrew Shimmin]

41.  38- Kent is hitting .200. Vin just read the wrong line on his sheet.

[GMac In The 909]

42.  41 Vin also called Kemp Delwyn Young for the first minute of the AB.

Spring training is a time for everyone to get sharp.

[Andrew Shimmin]

43.  Is it ironic that only Loney could have fielded that toss from Loney?

[underdog]

44.  Darn, I missed Young's dinger. Damn this human need to occasionally go to the bathroom.

Was it a nice deep smash?

Yah, Vinnie's still in spring training, too, cut him some slack.

[Andrew Shimmin]

45.  Was it a nice deep smash?

A no-doubt-about-it, thing of beauty.

[Gen3Blue]

46.  Nice inning for the "Young"sters including DeWitt. And getting my info from the "super"box it looks like Repko hits looper for a double.

[GMac In The 909]

47.  The RF battle is hotter than ever.

[underdog]

48.  Nicely placed hit down the line there, Bison! That must really be no man's land in the left field corner, too. Seemed to take about 10 minutes for the outfielder to find it.

And Loop is out of it.

[underdog]

49.  47 Sigh.

[underdog]

50.  7 runs on 5 hits. Now that's efficient. Would love to see that carry over to the regular season. Walks + extra base hits, homers, that works for me.

[ucladodger]

51.  Super Bison Speed! After today, how can it not be plainly obvious that Juan Pierre just doesnt measure up to any other outifled competitor. Ethier has 2 walks, something i dont remember Juan doing all of last year. Kemp has a triple and 2 RBI. Delwyn hit a monster home run. Repko with a double and RBI. The things Pierre cannot do- walk and hit for power seem to correlate with scoring runs. Unbelievable!

[Dodgers49]

52.  Finally, a better explanation of what really happened on that play.

Hot corner a sore subject for Dodgers

The ball ricocheted off the helmet of Cardinals base runner D'Angelo Jimenez and struck LaRoche on the base of his right thumb, causing a tear of the ulnar collateral ligament.

http://tinyurl.com/2yvg9s

[underdog]

53.  51 "After today" is being chronologically generous. ;-)

DeWitt's up with two on.

[Icaros]

54.  51

But only one of the players you listed above was on a team that won the World Series five years ago, and that's where winning comes from.

[underdog]

55.  DeWitt pops up. Ah well.

Then Repko hits a soft liner that Izturis boots for an error. Probably partially the duststorms in the infield to blame.

Man, poor Vinnie is goofing up left and right but he's clearly rusty.

And now Furcal lines a hit and scores yet another run. The rout is on!

[Gen3Blue]

56.  It seems like everybody is enjoying things, but how can that be with our three main PVLs not present.

[Andrew Shimmin]

57.  Pierre had two walks in each of two games last year. The Dodgers won both games.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/LAN/LAN200706110.shtml
http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/LAN/LAN200709140.shtml

[GMac In The 909]

58.  This is exactly the kind of game we needed on TV after yesterday's news.

[underdog]

59.  And Loney doubles home two more runs. And a sloppy throw brings in yet more run. And the rout is even more on. 12-3. Wow. I wish they could do this to the Cards in the regular season.

So it sounds like Hiro is done already, he's throwing some more pitches in the bullpen to keep going but is probably done. And with Tom Martin warming up in the pen it's probably not over yet!

And now Troy Glaus may be hurt on a play sort of like what happened to LaRoche, on a throw to third. But Glaus looks okay, probably just a stinger.

[underdog]

60.  And Andruw eats Ron Villone!

No, wait, he just hits it back to the box for the third out. Sorry.

[Icaros]

61.  59

I'm surprised, you usually seem to have a lot going on most weekends to be posting spring training inning recaps.

[eekrock]

62.  60 - Do you right for DodgerBlues? Nice snarky comment.

[underdog]

63.  61 Heh. Yah. I'm stuck at home doing some work, and had to give my cat his insulin shot. And now I'm recovering from all the wounds.

Someone will have to take over for me soon though, and for tomorrow's game. Er, not that anyone needs these recaps.

Back to the game: Tom Martin sucks.

[KG16]

64.  Mainly because I don't remember them wearing them before... the Dodgers aren't planning to wear these blue jerseys as "alternate" jerseys during the regular season, are they?

[ToyCannon]

65.  18
Makes sense to me. Kent lack of range wouldn't hurt as much and he still has the arm and reflexes to play 3rd base, while Abreu at 2nd would be a huge improvement.

I totally agree with Jon's post. We were within an eyelash of Nomar already being on the DL, I think you could get great odds that he will be on it by May 1st.

I'm no fan of Brandon Inge but I'm a huge fan of a healthy Eric Chavez. Even in a injury plagued year he still posted an OPS+ north of 100 and I think his glove is still golden.

I also think Andrew is right in that Andy is going to be damaged goods even when he comes back. These hand/wrist things never work out coming off the DL. Time to do some research but I don't think it bodes well for Andy in 2008.

[eekrock]

66.  62 - write. that was bad.

[underdog]

67.  And I also wanted to hear Vin Scully for awhile, for the first time in months.

Paul wisely avoids ramming into the Bison and dives low for that ball. Nice double play turned just before that though.

[eekrock]

68.  64 - i think these are just Spring Training kits. I'd hate to see those hats in an MLB game. /shiver

[underdog]

69.  Pierre and DeWitt for Chavez. Done.

[Icaros]

70.  Hee-Seop would've caught that.

[underdog]

71.  Tom Martin puts his foot down to stop that roller.

Loney must not be a fan of the swirling winds and sun in this ballpark. Don't think we'll see him goof like that many times.

[eekrock]

72.  Kuo in vs. the top of the Cards lineup.

[underdog]

73.  Hong Chi Kuo pitching!

[underdog]

74.  Strikes out Kennedy with a nice fastball on the outside corner. Sweet.

[Bob Timmermann]

75.  I believe that teams are required to wear the ugly caps and the funky jerseys during spring training.

[underdog]

76.  I actually kind of like the Dodgers' spring jerseys, but I'm obviously in the minority...

[natepurcell]

77.  Brian Barton is black!

[KG16]

78.  76 - I'm just not a big fan of alternate jerseys for some team (the Lakers' "Sunday Whites" are an abomination). I don't have a problem with the Angels having 6 different jerseys (or the Bulls having 47 alternate jerseys); but the Lakers, Dodgers, Yankees, Celtics, and probably a few other teams having alternate jerseys just seems strange.

[underdog]

79.  After a pop out, Barton lines a double off of Kuo. Then a deep fly out to George Lombard and His Orchestra. Good to see Hong Chi out there again.

[CanuckDodger]

80.  What inning is it and what is the score?

[underdog]

81.  Top of the fifth. Dodgers batting. 12-3 Dodgers.

[eekrock]

82.  top of 5th, 12-3 to los Doyers

[eekrock]

83.  13-3. homer by Lombard.

[Andrew Shimmin]

84.  13-3

[Dodgers49]

85.  Broxton will be ready if Saito is not

http://tinyurl.com/yuzs9y

[underdog]

86.  Mark Worrell is pitching for the Cardinals on his birthday today, and, as Vin has reminded us several times, is no relation to the other Worrell brothers.

And George Lombard and His Orchestra hits one out!

Maybe he can play third base.

[underdog]

87.  Y'all are either prescient or have a faster connection than I. Or maybe I just took long to type all that.

[underdog]

88.  Not over yet though. The Cardinals have come back in the 4th quarter many times before, and a touchdown and a FG isn't out of the question.

[underdog]

89.  Oh no... Vin... must resist saying "Hu's on first." Ah well.

[Gen3Blue]

90.  This band leader doesn't look to go away easy.

[underdog]

91.  Loney now with 11 hits in the spring.

Who says hitters need a lot longer to get the rust off?

And Lucille II comes in to run for Loney.

[underdog]

92.  Lombard could end up agreeing to a minor league contract and be in Vegas as insurance. That's the most likely scenario unless another team wants him.

[Bob Timmermann]

93.  USC leads Stanford by 8 at halftime.

[KG16]

94.  91 - is it too soon to start the Loney-hitting-.400 watch? Because seeing a guy hit .400 (particularly a Dodger) is pretty high on my spring training wish list for this year.

[underdog]

95.  Rene Rivera is now in there to catch. Which is cool.

Tanyon Sturtze is pitching, which isn't as cool.

In fact Sturtze already looks awful. Which is probably a good thing.

[Dodgers49]

96.  Bill Plaschke:

Garciaparra gets third chance with Dodgers

>> most enigmatic of Dodgers veterans has suddenly become perhaps the most important <<

http://tinyurl.com/3bhno9

[underdog]

97.  Blake DeWitt just made a superb snag of a hot liner. He might have had a better chance at a double play if he'd reacted a little quicker after he caught it, but still a great play.

[eekrock]

98.  Sturtze gives up a bases clearing double.
13-6

[underdog]

99.  I hate to root against anyone on the Dodgers, but I'm fine seeing Sturtze fare poorly here. I don't want the team to even consider putting him on the roster.

[eekrock]

100.  Kemp again with a Triple.

Bison Power!