maybe the padres will want him back...

Hi Tony,

Any truth to ESPN's rumblings about a Billingsley injury?

Actually, I'm not in the least bit surprised that Seanez was released. I pretty much expected that it was a strong possibility, especially given the strong spring that Park has had, and the equally weak one that the 39 year old Seanez has had. The only thing I thought could save him was if the Dodgers carried 12 pitchers.

If the Dodgers carry 11 pitchers, and Loaiza opens the season as the 5th starter, I see the bullpen as follows:

Saito
Broxton
Proctor
Beimel
Kuo
Park

Torre wants a second lefthander in the bullpen, so since he's out of options, Kuo is probably the choice. Meyers is a possibility, but he hasn't done anything to distinguish himself this spring, and the Yankees let him go last year with, I assume, Torre's approval.

Trades are an ever present possibility. But should the Dodgers need someone for the bullpen during the season there's always Meloan, McDonald, and maybe even Ramon Troncoso. Although Torre appears to like the latter, I doubt if he will open the season in LA.

Any word if Saito is going to start the season on the DL or not?

vr, Xeifrank

Obviously, Brazoban will open the season at Vegas...right?

That bullpen scares me, BD. Park and Kuo are far from being even average relievers. Kuo won't stay healthy anyway, so they really ought to get something for me while they can.

And I wonder if Park might be an option for Anaheim now. They've got to be desperate, don't you think?

It appears that Pierre and Torre have had several "meetings" recently. Is there anything you've heard about what was discussed? Is Pierre just complaining about his playing time or is there more to it?

Savvy,

The first four guys shouldn't scare you (unless you think Saito is scheduled for a breakdown).

I share your reservations about Kuo and Park, but I have no more reservations about them than I had for Seanez, whose second half last year was less than stellar.

As I've said before, I don't take spring training stats very seriously. However, Park not only had good results during the spring, but his stuff looked genuinely good. But yes, as I noted above, I have reservations about him. Kuo's medical track record also gives me pause. But unless the Dodgers get bullpen help in a trade (and good help would be costly), I don't see any other alternatives at this juncture (other than homegrown players such as Meloan, McDonald, Troncoso, etc.).

I also believe that the offense will be more productive this year, which will hopefully allow the starters to work a little deeper into games. Fewer one and two run games would help immensely.

In sum, while the bullpen doesn't scare me (I think it can actually be a strength), I can understand anyone that has doubts. While I think, should the need arise, the Dodgers may be able to reach down into their own organization for help during the season, that's certainly not a given. Consequently, I have doubts of my own. As is often the case, and I don't mean this to sound like a cop-out, only time will tell.

And if it's any consolation, think about 2006 when we began the year with Danys Baez as our closer, and Broxton at Las Vegas. There are no guarantees, but things can change.

In my previous post I should have said that we began 2006 with Baez as our closer, and Broxton and SAITO at Las Vegas.

Yeah, it's just the Kuo, Park part of the pen that scares me, but that's a third of it right there.

Neither guy has shown anything in that role. Useless, actually. And the only difference between Kuo and Darren Dreifort is that Kuo has a few more scars and 54.5 million or so less dollars than does old double D.

Hey Tony, what's up with Brazoban getting optioned to AA instead of Vegas? Is it because it's easier on pitchers to pitch in the Southern League instead of the PCL? Less food options in Jax over Vegas? He wanted to be in the south?