The Pitching Staff

The Arms
Now that I have talked a little about the line up I am going to address the Dodgers pitching staff. I have actually liked what they Dodgers have done with the pitching staff since they didn't sign Sabathia. I would of liked to see Lowe and or Penny back but after hearing about the issues between them and the organization I am ok seeing them somewhere else. This move allows us to see what talent our farm system has really produced. Yes, there are going to be some interesting situations and bumps and bruises but with the veterans they have signed and had on the roster it shouldn't be as bad as the reports are saying it is gonna be. The Dodgers have done wonders with one year reclamation projects and I see this continuing. On the issue of the guys fighting for the #5 spot in the rotation we as fans have to realize that they don't have to put up numbers like Koufax or Drysdale they just need to have Quality outings and mentor the youngins. That may be a lot to ask for but 10-15 wins and just giving our defense and hitters a chance to win the game is all we can really ask for out of a #5 and all the guys up for this spot have been winners and or all-stars in the past in either league so it isn't too much to ask for. Of our young guys I am really intrigued to see how Kershaw, McDonald, and Broxton are gonna do. I think Troncoso and Wade are also studs and proved it last year but I would just like to see them not over used. I think the most important thing for the Dodgers is to really get more innings out of the starters even though they are young and should not be over worked. That has been the pitching staffs achilles heel for as long as I can remember. I would be awesome if all the vets vying for the 5th spot make the team and become the "Chan Ho Park" of this season, where they can start or just pitch multiple innings. It is not a reality situation though because from what I can calculate there are around 17 guys really to consider for 12 spots which is what is being said the number of pitchers the Dodgers are gonna carry this season. My list of 17 consists of:

SP: Billingsley (R)
SP: Kuroda (R)
SP: Wolf (L)
SP: Kershaw (L)
SP: Schmidt (R)
SP: Milton (L)
SP: Estes (L)
SP/RP: Stults (L)
SP/RP: Elbert (L)
SP/RP: Vargas (R)
SP/RP: Weaver (R)
SP/RP: McDonald (R)
RP: Troncoso (R)
RP: Broxton (R)
RP: Kuo (L)
RP: Wade (R)
RP: Brazoban (R)

I would only hope they would keep all of them if they have a good spring and that the players would truly except their Minor League assignment and be ready for an insurance policy. There are 8 definite spots already taken with Billingsley, Kuroda, Wolf, Kershaw, Broxton, Troncoso, Wade, and Kuo. Of the 9 guys remaining of my list of 17 with quality Major League experience I would like to see the following 4 (Schmidt, Weaver, Estes, Milton) start up with the Dodgers with Schmidt being the #5 starter and the remaining 5 down at Triple A Albuquerque. With those 4 added to the other 8 it would allow the Dodgers to kind of have a rotating #5 starter if need be but also give them either 3 lefties in the starting rotation or 3 lefties in the bullpen and the ability to have multiple guys pitch multiple innings if the starters happen to struggle without draining the 1 inning specialists. But this all based on everyone having a good spring.