Roster shocker: Kemp makes team, Bigbie doesn't
It ultimately came down to the fact Kemp was a right-handed hitter and Bigbie wasn't, and Ned and Grady wanted to balance their heavily left-handed bench. Bigbie has one more day to find a major-league offer and exercise his out clause -- something he can do even if he doesn't find a major-league offer. But if he decides to stay, he'll go to Las Vegas and be just like any other minor league player not on the 40-man roster. Kemp batted .246 for the spring, but also had four home runs, including a monster shot in Friday night's win over the Angels, and nine RBI. ... In other development, Rafael Furcal WILL start the season on the DL, and because of the backdating, he is eligible to return on Saturday at the Giants. Wilson Valdez thus made the team, at least temporarily. Furcal, Hong-Chih Kuo, Yhency Brazoban and Jason Repko all were placed on the 15-day DL. Repko isn't on the 60-day yet because the Dodgers didn't need that 40-man spot for Bigbie. The Dodgers did have one open 40-man spot, and they used it to purchase the contract of Rudy Seanez. And thus, the roster is set.
PITCHERS (11): Beimel, Billingsley, Broxton, Hendrickson, Lowe, Penny, Saito, Schmidt, Seanez, Tomko, Wolf CATCHERS (2): Lieberthal, Martin
INFIELDERS: (7): Anderson, Betemit, Garciaparra, Kent, Martinez, Saenz, Valdez
OUTFIELDERS (5): Clark, Ethier, Gonzalez, Kemp, Pierre
Thirty-seven hours and 37 minutes to first pitch
Tony Jackson is in his fourth season covering the Dodgers for the 
Comments
You sure that this is not a sign that Ethier's (starting spot) is in trouble?
I mean isn't Clark right handed, Saenz too. Then take into account that Matt's been hot over the last 10+ and Ethier .... not so much.
Posted by: mark | March 31, 2007 10:34 PM
wow that is shocking. I feel bad for loney but beyond happy that kemp is on the team. I wonder if this is more a ned move or a grady move. the dodgers are desperate for power and kemp could provide it and being a rh outfileder wiht Gonzo in the lineup he should get his at bats. OT Tony, do we know if Nomar's twin girls are identical or fraternal? someone else asked that question but I haven't seen the answer.thanks and have a safe flight to wisc.
Posted by: brendan | March 31, 2007 10:36 PM
Hendrickson? Good Lord why?
Posted by: Richard | March 31, 2007 10:54 PM
Stunning move and for me at least, completely unexpected. I can't imagine Kemp is being kept around to sit and occasionally PH. Sending Bigbie down is risky because of his options but my sympathies here go to poor James Loney. He lights it up in the post-season, has a terrific spring and is told to play in a league where he has absolutely nothing left to prove.
Great blog, by the way.
Posted by: Suffering Bruin | April 1, 2007 5:56 PM
Any word on whether Bigbie accepted the minor league assignment?
Posted by: Joel | April 1, 2007 7:01 PM
First of all, to answer Brendan's questions, the Garciaparra twins are more like the Bush twins than the Olsen twins (i.e., fraternal, not identical). ...
As for the other issues, Ned and Grady made it clear that Kemp is going to be on the bench, which is why I'm fairly sure he'll go back to the minors as soon as Furcal comes back. ... And Loney WILL be back as soon as Ned and Grady find a spot for him. But it has to be at least a semi-regular spot, and therein lies the dilemma. ... Happy Opening Day to all, and thanks for your comments. Keep 'em coming
Posted by: tony jackson | April 1, 2007 7:13 PM
The Olsen twins are fraternal. It may hard to believe, but it's true. It's almost as hard to believe as the Dodgers carrying Valdez and Martinez once Furcal is healthy. I know Ned likes his shortstops but this is getting out of hand.
Also how do you expect Grady to find playing time for Loney barring an injury? Is a trade looming?
Keep up the good work, Tony!
Posted by: Graham | April 1, 2007 10:08 PM
Thanks, Graham, for setting me straight on MK and Ash. As soon as I posted that, I thought I remembered reading somewhere that they were fraternal. As for a trade, it wouldn't shock me if there is one soon, but it WOULD shock me if it involves Loney.
Posted by: tony jackson | April 2, 2007 8:06 AM