The Roster is Just About Finalized

So, I am writing this as I am digesting the news that I have to have back surgery for spinal stenosis and spondylolysis on April 24th. It’s pretty much what I had expected, but now it is real. Surgery is really easy… when it is performed on someone else! The surgery is called Lumbar Decompression and is the most common back surgery done by my surgeon. I saw three other surgeons, and Dr. Justin Miller made the most sense, and I had the most confidence in him. I come home the same day, and it is a three-week recovery, during which time I am instructed to walk as much as possible. I look forward to walking and standing without pain!

Now, back to the Dodgers. It seems that just about every year at just about this time in Spring Training, some people have takes that are simply based upon their fears. Here are a few from last season:

No names were mentioned in order to protect the guilty.

I thought Cody Bellinger would be able to at least improve his game to something like .230 BA with 30 HR, but Phil Jones was right. Speaking of Phil… where are you? I hated the Craig Kimbrel trade, but Pollack did not have a great year with the Sox, but that doesn’t mean he might have been nails for the Dodgers. The Dodgers had a lot go wrong last year and still won 150 games or something close to that.

I think the Dodgers are a lot better than many fans think. I will not be surprised if they win 100 games again. Miguel Vargas is settling in nicely – he made a great throw to 3B to nail Rodriguez last night, and James Outman was part of two plays where runners were thrown out at 3B. The Dodgers made a few more cuts last night (non-surprising): left-hander Justin Bruihl and infielder Yonny Hernandez were assigned to Minor League camp. They also reassigned Patrick Mazeika, David Freitas and Ryan Ward to Minor League camp.

This is my latest on the thirteen players the Dodgers will head out of Spring Training with:

1. Barnes
2. Smith
3. Freeman
4. Vargas
5. Rojas
6. Muncy
7. Betts
8. Taylor
9. Martinez
10. Peralta
11. Thompson
12. Heyward
13. Outman

That is less than ideal, and things could change quickly. I am very worried about CT3, but that could turn quickly. Heyward will have to deliver, as will Trayce. If not, changes will be made… up to and including trades. How that happens will depend on how the Dodgers rank in the standings. It will also depend on how players at AAA are doing. OKC could have a very powerful lineup this season. Consider this

• Catcher – Hunter Feduccia
• 1B – Devin Mann/Drew Avans/Ryan Ward
• 2B – Yonny Hernandez/Jorbit Vivas
• SS – Eddys Leonard
• 3B – Luke Williams
• LF – Mike Busch
• CF – Jonny DeLuca
• RF – Andy Pages

Of course, the Dodgers likely don’t see it as I do, but if Busch could learn LF, his value would automatically increase.

If Mookie and JDM can energize the Big Clubs’ lineup, it will be a lot more potent than some think. I am not counting on CT3, so if he does anything, it will be a plus. I also expect Heyward to not see Memorial Day in Dodger Blue and I hope I am wrong.

Here’s the lineup I would roll out on Opening Day:

1. Betts RF
2. Freeman 1B
3. Martinez DH
4. Muncy 3B
5. Smith C
6. Peralta LF
7. Vargas 2B
8. Outman CF
9. Rojas SS

The Bottom of the Lineup

I like that lineup, but some people only have “sight” when what they really need is “vision.” You see, there are just certain players that YOU KNOW are going to do well in the Show. To me, there was no doubt about Adrian Beltre, Corey Seager, Cody Bellinger, Andy LaRoche (OK, I missed that one), Clayton Kershaw, Walker Buehler, and many others. Now, I did not see others that were coming, like Will Smith (but who did?). The point is: Miguel Vargas is my next big thing. He plays like he belongs, and if he can play up to what I think (.280/.800 OPS/20 HR), that will solidify that lineup immensely. He also does the “little stuff,” and, as a rookie, he will make a mistake now and then, but he will learn, and his field presence is incredible considering his age, and he is new at 2B. He will be in the Top Three for Rookie of the Year.

David Peralta will get 400+ ABs in LF and provide above-average defense and will be a righty-killer. I look for him to put upon good power numbers. As a #6 hitter, he is solid and knows this is his best chance at a Championship – he’s all in as he becomes 36 this year! I have great hope for James Outman – he will be streaky, but I think he is ready. He is a 5-tool player, and if he can hit close to .250 with some power (20+), he will be a huge asset! Finally, Miguel Rojas brings intangibles that most who have never played the game can comprehend. He is already a team leader, and if he hits. 250, do not underestimate how much he will mean to this club. I say 100 wins, and I think most of you will take the “under.” Losers! 😉

P.S. I am of the belief that Pepiot needs to go to OKC and work on repeating his delivery. It’s better than last year, but he can get even better. Grove or Jackson can take his spot at the start of the season. He just needs to polish it up a little.

P.S. 1 Tomorrow at 6 AM, the whole famdamily and I hop, a Big Bird, and fly to San Francisco for a wedding in Mill Valley on Saturday. They fly back home Tuesday, but Sunday Morning, my youngest son (who is a Dodger fan) and I, fly to LA to see the Opening Game of the Freeway Series on Sunday night. We have several vendors for USWaterSystems.com, and my son is the COO of the company, so we will spend Monday and Tuesday visiting vendors in Chico, Sun Valley, Valejio, and Temecula. We are staying at the Doubletree Inn in Anaheim, so if someone wants to meet up for a beer or two, let me know. I have two extra tickets that I had to pay dearly for. I have them on Stub Hub at $239.00 each but would sell them for less if anyone is interested.