Some Winter Dodgers News- Billingsley, 3 Declined Options & Either on the Trading Block

We are not even a week after the end of the World Series and the Dodgers already are starting to make some news.  Here is a brief rundown on some recent events.

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Via Dylan Hernandez at the LA Times, we hear that Chad Billingsley is doing alright.  Yesterday, Chad pitched to some batters as was pain free.

Billingsley touched 94 mph with his fastball and threw an assortment of pitches, including his four-seamer, two-seamer, curveball and changeup. Billingsley threw 35 to 40 pitches.
This was Billingsley's second time throwing off a mound since he was injured. The first time was Friday.

"Very, very promising," Stewart said.

"Chad is a pretty subdued guy, but he was as excited as he could get."

Hopefully, elbow surgery will not be in his near future.

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The Dodgers declined 2013 options on Juan Rivera, Matt Treanor and Todd Coffey, via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA.

All I got to say is I'm gonna miss Misty May-Treanor.  Her association and constant rooting for the Dodgers was a bright spot in a otherwise miserable season.  I understand the Dodgers desire to bring up Tim Federowicz (T-Fed) as the backup catcher.  Still, can't we find a way to keep her and Matt in the fold?

(Pic Link: Orlando Sentinel)

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This was probably the most surprising news of the week.  Well, maybe not too surprising. 

Via MLB Trade Rumors, Buster Olney of ESPN tweeted that the Dodgers would consider trading Andre Ethier.

(twitter link)

Andre has always had the potential to be a huge superstar.  Unfortunately, he has shown that he is rather streaky at the plate, and just can't seem to hit against left-handers.  Via MLB Trade Rumors:

The 30-year-old Ethier hit .284/.351/.460 with 20 home runs in 2012. Despite that production, there would be many deterrents for teams that show interest. Ethier struggled mightily against left-handed pitching, triple-slashing just .222/.276/.330 against southpaws.

Maybe the recent rise of Yasiel Puig has the Dodger thinking that he has a future in the Dodgers outfield sooner rather than later.  Do the Dodgers look to resign Victorino for the short term as a placeholder for Puig, while trading Andre for a starting pitcher of a higher caliber?  After all, Puig looks like he'll compete for a spot in a year or two, and trading Andre now might garner a larger return than trading him later.  As for the other outfield spots, I think we all know that Matt Kemp isn't  going anywhere and Carl Crawford is just not tradable at this point in time.

Here is my Ethier White Whale card as he shows off his glum face

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