Lasorda's Lair | A Los Angeles Dodgers Blog » Offseason http://lasordaslair.com A Los Angeles Dodgers Blog Sat, 31 Jul 2010 00:54:27 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 en hourly 1 Ausmus and Belliard to Return to LA http://lasordaslair.com/2010/01/27/ausmus-and-belliard-to-return-to-la/ http://lasordaslair.com/2010/01/27/ausmus-and-belliard-to-return-to-la/#comments Wed, 27 Jan 2010 16:06:07 +0000 Blake Lovell http://lasordaslair.com/?p=89 The Dodgers made a few moves yesterday, but nothing that will wow any of the fans, or make a world championship look more possible. Both Brad Ausmus and Ronnie Belliard re-signed with the club, and both will probably occupy backup roles with the team.

One interesting thing of note in yesterday’s signings was the umm…..weight clause…..in Belliard’s contract. According to the LA Times, there is a clause in the contract that states that Belliard must weigh 209 pounds or less during spring training. That’s one of the more unique contract clauses I’ve seen in a while.

But as for these two’s actual role on the team, it always helps to have experience. Ausmus has been one of the best catchers in the game over the years, and though Russell Martin is the main man at this point, Ausmus will be a nice player to give Martin some rest every now and then.

In Belliard’s case, he’ll probably be able to compete for the starting second baseman job, as that’s the position with the most open competition heading into spring training. As of right now, I’m not sure anyone is a clear-cut favorite at that position, as Blake DeWitt and Jamey Carroll still have something to prove to the staff. So we’ll see if Belliard can make a strong case for the starting spot there.

All in all, a couple of solid signings to add to the bench, and Belliard may even get the chance to be a starter. We should have some heavy competition at second base when spring training rolls around.

]]> http://lasordaslair.com/2010/01/27/ausmus-and-belliard-to-return-to-la/feed/ 1 Dodgers Add Vicente Padilla to the Rotation http://lasordaslair.com/2010/01/22/dodgers-add-vicente-padilla-to-the-rotation/ http://lasordaslair.com/2010/01/22/dodgers-add-vicente-padilla-to-the-rotation/#comments Fri, 22 Jan 2010 15:08:53 +0000 Blake Lovell http://lasordaslair.com/?p=87 If there was one guy that it seemed like you could count on in the stretch run last season, it was Vicente Padilla. So it’s good news that the Dodgers have officially signed Padilla to a 1-year deal, which should make him a nice addition to this rotation heading into next season.

The question concerning Padilla has always been about whether he could behave himself, as he’s always been a solid pitcher. He didn’t have any behavioral problems with LA when they signed him last year, so I’m guessing that’s what they are basing this move off of. If they can keep him out of trouble, this is without question a good piece that’s been added to the puzzle.

I’ve been asking for some type of positive concerning the future of this rotation all off-season, and well, we’ve finally got some halfway decent news in terms of what to expect from this rotation in the 2010 season.

Hopefully Padilla can have a nice little run for the Dodgers, because if they can get he, Chad Billingsley, and Clayton Kershaw all on a roll, this team could make a noise in a playoff series.

The team still needs to make one more move I think pitching-wise, as it would be nice to bring in another veteran guy that has some experience. Even if he becomes the fifth starter, that’s fine. They just need a gritty guy like Randy Wolf, and then they should have a solid rotation for the upcoming season.

Congrats to Padilla on rejoining the team, and hopefully this is moving our starting rotation in the right direction.

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