How did Hu look at 3B today? That's two days in a row -- is he being considered the guy until further notice?

garciapierra.blogspot.com

This from Peter Gammons on ESPN's Insider Blog:

"Nomar Garciaparra insists he will be physically ready to open the regular season, but even if he is not, Dodgers GM Ned Colletti is not going to rush into a trade for a third baseman.

"We're not going to make a long-term move because we believe [Andy] LaRoche and [Blake] DeWitt are going to be here for a long time at that position," says Colletti.

L.A. is not going to take on Brandon Inge's three-year, $19.1 million contract, and as good a player and teammate as Joe Crede may be, scouts in Arizona seem concerned about his back.

Andre Ethier has had what appears to be a breakout spring, but with Juan Pierre's contract untradeable, the Dodgers will open the season with Ethier, Matt Kemp, Pierre and Andruw Jones in the outfield mix and let manager Joe Torre deal with one daily unhappy camper. As for Clayton Kershaw, it sure sounds as if the Dodgers believe he will be a factor this season; the issue will be limiting his innings early in the season so that he is fresh come August, which means 150-160 innings for the whole season."

Tony-any chance Torre puts Furcal at 2b and HU at SS, with Abreu at 3b? Furcal played 2b in the Dominican Winter league this year.

James Loney would have to add serious padding to his mitt if Furcal's howitzer arm is at 2B!!

I don't see the need to move Furcal. Abreu is a natural second baseman, and Hu has played the position. Taking it a bit further (maybe to the ridiculous), both Young and DeWitt have also played 2B. Besides, until the status of Kent and Garciaparra at the beginning of the season is known, it's all moot.

Maybe Joe Beimel can play 3rd base in between relief outings?

Dont listen to the haters Tony Jackson. Everyone knows that Juan Pierre is the best leadoff man in the game.

These uppity know-it-alls can take their stats and shove it up their cracks!

"Everyone knows that Juan Pierre is the best leadoff man in the game." Wow!

I mean, wow. Pierre's not even the best leadoff man on the Dodgers, nor is he close.

Wow.

Troy,

Congratulations on your YouTube Joe Beimel video. Saw you doing an interview at Vero, and think I also saw you at a Dodger/Met game in St. Lucie (not sure of that one, it may have been a game at Vero).

Those of us who prefer Ethier to Pierre are not "haters", and "uppity know-it-alls". We just have opinions that are different than yours. And telling people to "shove it...", is just plain gross.

I wouldn't mind having Pierre on the team in a secondary role, because I actually think he does have valuable skills. I simply think that Ethier's value both offensively and defensively is greater. However, Pierre is not likely to be happy in a secondary role, and for everyone concerned, it probably is best that he move on (especially if the Dodgers can save money and get something useful in return).