Maybe if he were gonna go through the normal routine in spring training, but he didn't have the surgery until mid-april. Expecting anything from him before june 1st (at the earliest), would be a mistake. Their is a reason they are very interested in Dan Haren and will pursue Tanaka when that time comes.
Don't think Bills as a 4 is a lock considering innings limits and that he can't come until May/June. He might be better to start out in the bullpen, build arm strength and then by August/September transition him as a starter if need be. It'd be like a July trade deadline pickup. I have little faith in Beckett to be honest. Often injured and even if he's healthy, who knows what he is at this point But I do agree Haren as a #5 is solid. It'd even like Bronson Arroyo, I think people will mock it but I mean if its a short deal (which, who knows after Vargas getting 4 years) Arroyo could be valuable as a bottom end starter given that his track record shows the past two years having 200 IP and getting an ERA in the 3.70's (a bad FIP and bad peripherals) but also, his HR/FB rate was pretty bad and moving from Cincy to Dodger Stadium will help that out. Idk, but Haren would be dope too if they think he can he can throw 150-200 IP and be second half Haren and not first half
Bills isn't a lock until maybe toward the end of the season. You still need a lot of rehab time following tj surgery. Even fun, he'd be put on an innings limit. You need to solidify those spots (I have no clue what will happen with Beckett) to be safe than sorry.
To be honest I don't expect anything but a roller coaster ride from Bills until spring of '15. Not too many guys come back from TJ and pick up where they left off. With most it's a process involving regaining command, strength, stamina, and confidence that for the most part takes over a year to accomplish. There may be spurts of former glory but they will be followed by outings that make one wonder if the pitcher is finished for good. So if you don't mind, I'll wait another season before I decide what/where Bills is. If you do mind, fuck it, I don't care.
i'm with doyer on this have bills work the pen to build arm strength who knows, maybe he'll even excel in that role as for beckett, i'm probably more (albeit, cautiously) optimistic than most he pitched very well for us in 2012 after the trade (2.93 era in 7 games), and who knows how much of his poor showing this year can be attributed to him not being 100% __
fwiw... The Blue Jays discussed a trade for Matt Kemp with the Dodgers at the GM meetings, reports Shi Davidi of SportsNet.ca. Having struggled badly following last year’s buildup, the Toronto Blue Jays are in the market for a starting pitcher or two, a catcher and perhaps a second baseman. Yet during the winter meetings, the Los Angeles Dodgers discussed outfielder Matt Kemp with them, according to sources. The idea isn’t believed to have gained any traction at all—Kemp has six seasons remaining on his $160-million, eight-year deal, which is beyond the Blue Jays’ maximum of five-year commitments—but that it was raised at all indicates the kind of bold thinking GMs are engaging in right now. __
Chris Cotillo of MLB Daily Dish reports (via Twitter) that right-hander Josh Judy has signed a minor league deal with the Dodgers. Judy, 27, posted a 6.75 ERA between the Angels' Double-A and Triple-A affiliates in 2013 but has respectable minor league numbers in his career (3.83 ERA, 9.8 K/9, 3.5 BB/9). Judy's deal does not contain an invite to Spring Training. __
Freese was not the best option, but he would not have been a bad one. Not sure what we could have offered that beats what the Angels did, but I am glad we did not beat that offer. In other potential 3B news, fresh off his 50 game PED suspension Jhonny Peralta is seeking in the neighborhood of a 4 year 56 Mil or 5 year 75 mil. No thanks at anywhere near that price. Wouldn't mind the team exploring the idea of going after Kendrick again. Angels should be more desperate for pitching now and they don't have many pieces left to move. Feelin Kinda Blue had an interesting piece today that I agreed with, Lee and a young reliever for Howie or Stripling or Reed paired up with a mostly paid for Beckett in return for Kendrick.
Another update on Peralta, according to Gammons he has spoke with 3 GM's today that say he has a 4 year $52 mil offer in hand. Based on what we learned about the club not wanting to give out or land long term deals, guessing this is not us. Yankees and Mets are said to have Peralta high on their lists.
Chad Billingsley (elbow) is four weeks into his throwing program and is "really happy" with how he feels. Billingsley underwent Tommy John surgery in late April and also had a bone spur shaved down. "My arm probably hasn't felt this good since high school," said Billingsley. "When you're a teenager you pick up a ball and just start throwing, not worrying about having to loosen up. That's how it feels now for the first time since I was in my teens. I'm really happy with how it feels and the way it's going. They have to hold me back, it feels so good." Sep 16 - 10:07 PM Source: Dodgers.mlb.com
I saw that when it first came out. Doesn't change my thinking one bit. I hope he has an immediate and strong comeback. I won't be disappointed if he is mediocre to bad. I'll try to with hold judgement until spring of '15. I will not however, have a problem admitting it if I'm totally wrong.
When is Bills contract up? Isn't it after next year? If so he may be back to form and strength in time to pitch for someone else.
Chad Billingsley rhp 3 years/$35M (2012-14), plus 2015 option 3 years/$35M (2012-14), plus 2015 club option signed extension with LA Dodgers 3/29/11 12:$9M, 13:$11M, 14:$12M, 15:$14M club option ($3M buyout) The club option does make 2014 an interesting one for Bills. The Dodgers are not likely to pick that option up if he has setbacks or performance issues. If he doesn't pitch a consistent innings load after he comes back it may be the last of his tenure in blue. After reading that, Koufax just got a stiffy.
looks like you can relax aj... Brian McCann On Verge Of Deal With YankeesBy Zach Links [November 23 at 4:13pm CST]Brian McCann is on the verge of a long-term deal with the Yankees, two sources tell Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News. McCann’s agent, BB Abbott, told Grant that he could not confirm that his client had agreed to terms with any team.McCann, soon-to-be 30, was also said to be on the radar for the Red Sox and Rangers this offseason. The veteran hit .256/.336/.461 in 102 games for the Braves last season and has been widely regarded as this winter's top free agent catcher over Boston's Jarrod Saltalamacchia. __
