As a preface I must say I'm happy that we've been beating the Phillies lately. I used to be a Phillie when I was 9 years old in Little League, we were sponsored by a local pottery shop called 'El Peon' and it was on the back of our shirts. I think we went 5-13 on the year, but it was fun. But I digress, here are my predictions on what our team looks like next year. Feel free to comment and give your own predictions.
Catcher: Russel Martin
First Base: James Loney
Second Base: Blake DeWitt
Third Base: Casey Blake
Short Stop: Rafael Furcal
Left Field: Manny Ramirez
Center Field: Andruw Jones
Right Field: Matt Kemp
Opening Day Starter: Chad Billingsley
2 SP: Hiroki Kuroda
3 SP: Clayton Kershaw
4 SP: Brad Penny
5 SP: James McDonald
7th inning guy: Joe Beimel!
8th inning guy: Jonathan Broxton
9th inning guy: Hong Chih Kuo
Manager: Joe Torre
General Manager: Kim Ng
A few questionable decisions, I know. Let's start with second base. I don't think any of us want to pay Kent again next year, and as most of us know DeWitt used to be a second baseman. If we don't resign Blake I expect DeWitt to be our third baseman, who is the better defender, but doesn't have the developed offensive game that Blake does, and we're not likely to get more from the second baseman free agent market.
Rafael Furcal. Again, the best name on the free agent market is Orlando Cabrera, getting Furcal back on an incentive laden one year deal would be ideal. If that doesn't work we can take another look at an improved Chin Lung Hu or possibly Ivan DeJesus Jr. I just can't imagine Cabrera being $6 or $7 mil better than either of those guys.
Casey Blake. I pick up the option, unless I like what I see on the second base market, which I don't. You pick, do you want Blake for $6 or the O-Dog (Orlando Hudson) for a multiyear deal? Me too.
Manny Ramirez. I see Manny getting shopped around by Boras, but aging attitude players aren't popular these days, so we will see Frank McCourt swoop in again and get him on a 3 or 4 year deal under Ned's pseudonym again, right before firing Ned, promoting Kim Ng and making her deal with the outfield mess.
Andruw Jones. Let's face it, the guy is still better than this. We may not see 50 homeruns in a year, but if he comes into next season with two knees we shouldn't see any Bob Ueker references.
Matt Kemp. With a funcional Man Ram and A-Jones Kemp will only get better as the sort of Batgirl of the outfield. Don't worry, I remember the time when Man Ram was Batgirl to Albert Belle and Kenny Lofton back in the day, his day will come. Or was Lofton Batgirl? I guess it doesn't matter now. Stupid Braves.
Chad Billingsley. With Lowe's Departure sweetened by a few draft picks and Penny's awful year it'll be Chad Billingley's time.
Hiroki Kuroda. His talent comes from his confidence and nastiness, that will only get better as he's more comfortable and most importantly more consistent.
Clayton Kershaw. Again, only getting better and here to stay.
Brad Penny. Although we may trade him by the deadline, he's still worth the lowball contract extension we have on him. Why let him go when his value is the lowest. We can never have too much pitching. You get the idea.
James McDonald. I have a question in with our pal Ken Gurnick about James' stuff this year. But it's obviously good, he struck out 10 in his AAA debut and I expect we'll see him in September.
Joe Beimel! Is this a guy we really want to let go?
Jonny Broxton. Let's face it, he doesn't have what it takes to be the 9th inning guy.
Hong Chih Kuo. I saw this guy in LA's China town back in 2003, Chinese new year parade, and I swear I was the only person who knew who he was, and only then because he was wearing his jersey. Welcome aboard Hong Chih. Or whatever it is that we call you for short. Note: I'd love to write Saito in for this, and I'd love to have him around for next year, but I just don't think he can close forever.
Kim Ng. It's only fair to Paul DePodesta that we fire Ned. Though I'd really rather fire Frank McCourt. No Jamie McCourt, THEN Frank McCourt.
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