The familiar sounds of spring have started, and I am not talking about the birds chirping but rather the sounds of the ball hitting the glove and the sweet crack of the bat blasting the ball all around the diamond. Winter is finally over, and Dodger baseball is back. The defending world champions will attempt to do what has not been done since the evil empire Yankees accomplished the feat of going back-to-back in the late 90s. Other sports, such as football and basketball, have seen repeat champions on a much more regular scale than baseball, so accomplishing that feat will not be easy for the boys in blue.
Rick Monday said it best during the first spring training game when he said, “Goliath has gotten even stronger,” that statement could not be more accurate. The two biggest fish in the pitching market decided to call Dodger Stadium home as two-time Cy Young winner Blake Snell signed a five-year $182 million contract. Japanese phenom Roki Sasaki came on board to strengthen the rotation. Win now is the Dodger mentality, and Andrew Friedman did his best to put the team in the best position to bring another championship to Chavez Ravine. For a team so stacked on talent, there are still some questions to be asked, which will be answered during Spring Training.
My biggest question is what the Dodgers will do with Dustin May and Tony Gonsolin. There are multiple scenarios that could happen, and I like both players, but a rotation only has so many spots. Does one go to the bullpen, and the other gets dangled in a trade for a premier shortstop that can move Mookie back to right field? If neither player makes the rotation, are they okay being relegated to the bullpen? There are so many questions regarding those two. All the success under Andrew Friedman will lead to the fanbase having the trust that no matter what happens, it will be in the team’s best interest.
The two most stacked lineups in the National League involve the Dodgers and the Mets, and if everything goes as planned for both franchises, a playoff matchup with high stakes will be on the horizon. Juan Soto signing the biggest contract in MLB history certainly adds thump to their lineup, but the Dodgers, with the strength of their lineup to go along with an advantage in pitching, will lead to a fun series if that comes to fruition. As of this writing, the prospects in a small sample of only two games have shown the promise and hope one could expect. One prospect I am excited to see will be Zyhir Hope, who reminds me a little bit of Yasiel Puig, so I look forward to seeing him in Tulsa when that time comes.
This is my first article here at LADR, and I would like to introduce myself to everyone. My name is Clay Gregory, and I look forward to writing articles here that bring in some humor to support my view of the team. I am from Oklahoma and have had the luxury of seeing several good players play for the Drillers. I am happily married, and without my wife Melissa, I would not have had the courage to start writing about my passion, the Dodgers. I love to talk about anything Dodger-related with http://gty.im/2201149656 anyone who listens. I have an uncle and cousin who are Dodger encyclopedias, so talking baseball with them is fun. I am excited to be here and have the opportunity to share my passion with all of you who enjoy this fantastic site that Scott has put together. So, in closing, I will say to enjoy spring training while it lasts and to see all the prospects getting the chance to face Major League talent for the first time as I am writing this from a snowy and cold Oklahoma, the sights and sound of spring training are a warm and happy feeling. Once again, It’s time for Dodger baseball.
Clay Gregory
Growing up and living in Oklahoma I fell in love with the game of baseball from an early age from playing T ball through High School. I have always had an admiration for the Boys in Blue with how the Dodger Way is the right way to play the game. Tommy Lasorda is my favorite manager of all time and my all-time favorite players are Jackie Robinson, Pee Wee Reese, Sandy Koufax, Pedro Guerrero, Mike Piazza and Clayton Kershaw. I am enamored with Dodgers history from the Brooklyn days when they were Dem Bums to the days of Fernandomania to Mannywood and beyond. Vin Scully will always be the best announcer the game has ever seen and it will always be time for Dodger baseball. I am married to the love of my life Melissa who gave me the inspiration to actually take on this crazy idea of writing about the Dodgers and without her support I would not be able to do what I love. My cousin Zach Chase and uncle John Chase for being a Dodger encyclopedia and sharing their knowledge with me. I will bring my perspective and love for the team to readers and I will most likely have spelling errors from time to time but I promise ill do my best on it. I want to bring you a unique perspective on your favorite team and also throw some humor along the way. I love to talk about baseball with anybody who will listen and I look forward to the Dodgers going back-to-back in their quest for another World Series Championship. Dodger Blue through and through.
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Welcome Clay, and yes, Gonsolin and May are two big questions. Another one is will Kim do well at 2B. Many fans will be comparing his stats to Lux’ all year long for comparison.