Dodgers announce 25-man roster for Opening Day '02
SP Ted Lilly left off, Mondesi demoted in RF
Spring Training is in the books, and now the Los Angeles Dodgers are back West preparing for a season's opening series against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
The Dodgers have high hopes of an NL West pennant run and getting over the playoff hump into the World Series this season. While time will tell whether off-season moves are going to pay off, here is the line-up LA will take to Phoenix for its first game of the 2002 campaign.
Pitching Rotation
1. Hipolito Pichardo: Cy Young award winner went 23-10 in 2001, pitching for the Reds. Acquired by the Dodgers in the Mike Piazza blockbuster.
2. Ramon Martinez: 15-12 in 2001, in last year of his contract with LA
3. Darren Driefort: 12-13 in 2001, probably the most inconsistent starter.
4. Dan Smith: Dodgers are high on this youngster, in his second season in the Bigs; went 9-9 last season
5. Andrew Zarzour: Had a rough spring but coaches are confident the big left-hander, who won 17 games last year, will come around as the weather warms.
Bullpen
If the Dodgers can get to the eighth inning, expect them to close out a lot of games. Set-up man Kazuhiro Sasaki (3-0, 1.85 ERA in 77.2 innings last season) and closer Trevor Hoffman (41 saves, 1.21 ERA in 2001) are among the best in the biz. Brendan Donnelly has moved up from the minors and has a promising arm. Other relievers include Alan Embree, Demaso Marte, Scott Sauerbeck, Ricardo Rincon and Jeff Tam.
The notable starter missing is left-hander Ted Lilly. He's back in Las Vegas (AAA) working on mechanical issues, but he could be back up if there's an injury or if Zarzour falters early.
Position Players
C - Paul Lo Duca takes over behind the dish with Piazza now wearing Cincinnati red. He'll be backed up by Benji Molina. There is a big drop off between starter and back-up.
1B - Albert Pujols moves from left field, taking over for Lo Duca. The Dodgers most hope to get the huge bat that Pujols provided last year in his debut.
2B - LA can't seem to get a handle on this position. They signed David Bell in the off-season, and he and Damion Easley will platoon the position until one emerges as the top man. Neither had a sharp spring.
3B - Jeff Cirillo returns to man the hot corner. Bell can play here as well.
SS - Alex Rodriguez had a stellar spring, knocking the ball all over the place. He looks to be the leader of this year's Dodger crew. Bell will back-up this spot as well. A-Rod can play third in a pinch.
LF - Josh Hamilton, nudged out of a starting job last season by Pujols, is back being the every day starter. He handled last year's demotion maturely and stands ready to prove himself worthy of being back in the regular lineup. He was the Dodgers' star in spring training, batting close to .400.
CF - Johnny Damon and Rod Lindsey will platoon this position. Damon will lead off against righties. Lindsey will play against lefties and is more of a power guy. Keep an eye on Coco Crisp, who zoomed to Triple A last season after getting drafted by the Dodgers.
RF - Craig Wilson has beaten out veteran Raul Mondesi here for now. Mondesi has been vocal in his displeasure at losing his starting job, and that friction could create some clubhouse headaches for Dodgers' management if Raul doesn't pipe down. If someone leaves LA in the early part of the season, look for it to be Mondesi.
Down on the farm
The Dodgers had a lot of success with call-ups last season, getting major contributions from guys like Albert Pujols, Craig Wilson and Rod Lindsey in the latter months.
Keep an eye this year on CF Coco Crisp, 2B Mike Young, SP Randy Keisler, SP Rick Ankiel, MR David Riske. Ted Lilly, a starter for LA last season, may not linger long in Las Vegas if he gets his mechanical problems figured out...