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Even if they were healthy, the Dodgers wouldn't be in great shape
Sporting News, The, April 15, 2005 by Ken Rosenthal
Looking for a team that could stumble? Try the Dodgers.
Three pitchers--All-Star closer Eric Gagne, top-of-the-rotation starter Brad Penny and swingman Wilson Alvarez--opened the season on the disabled list, along with left fielder Jayson Werth.
The rotation, full of ground-ball specialists, could be compromised by questionable infield defense. The lineup includes potential holes at catcher, first base and third base. And the injuries forced the club to keep four nonroster pitchers and Rule 5 pick D.J. Houlton on its opening day staff.
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Antonio Perez, projected to be part of a third base platoon with Jose Valentin, is not yet comfortable at the position. The switch-hitting Valentin, who batted .216 last season--albeit with 30 home runs--is a liability batting righthanded, and he is an erratic thrower on grounders hit right at him. Norihiro Nakamura, a rookie from Japan, would be a viable platoon partner, but the Dodgers had no room for him. They're carrying 12 pitchers because of injuries. Perez, who is out of options, also made the team.
If first baseman Hee Seop Choi flops, the Dodgers eventually could use Perez at second base and move Jeff Kent to first. But that's an issue for another day. The Dodgers are fortunate they have a weak April schedule. Even when healthy, their pieces might not fit.
COPYRIGHT 2005 Sporting News Publishing Co.
COPYRIGHT 2008 Gale, Cengage Learning
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