Dodgers Blog Kiosk: 2/15/2013

Heritage Auctions shared a pic on twitter of an incredible 1913 Brooklyn Superbas (as the Dodgers were known back then) game jersey that just got consigned to them for their upcoming April auction.  Wow!

• Dave Roberts is cancer free and a coach with the Padres, via Jay Paris at UT San Diego.

“It is that sense of optimism,'' said Roberts, as the Padres' first-base coach readies for Tuesday's reporting date. “Everyone is excited, and for the most part, everyone is healthy. The bodies are feeling good after the winter workouts.''

• Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, Hyun-Jin Ryu impresses in first Spring pitching session.

"It was really good," said Ellis. "His fastball had command on both sides and the ball came out really well, with life to it. He has an easy, calm motion. He wasn't trying to impress the first time out, like some guys, and overthrow. He knew what he wanted to do and executed."

• Via Yonhap News Agency, Hyun-Jin Ryu is happy about his first throwing session.  

"For a first session, I felt pretty good," Ryu said. "I had good command of my fastball. I plan to throw 10 more pitches in my next session on Sunday and throw more breaking pitches. My curve didn't break as much as I wanted."

The most interesting tidbit, though, has to do with a particular vice Ryu still maintains.  

Pressed about his smoking habits, Ryu shot back, "Smoking isn't a crime. I won't pay attention (to media reports)."

• Apparently, Ryu is getting some flack for his smoking habit.  So, former Dodger pitcher Seo Jae-Weong comes to his defense, and in the process makes an interesting comment, via Yonhap News Agency.

"More than half the MLB players smoke," claimed Seo, who pitched for three teams, including the Dodgers, from 2002 to 2007. "When I was with the Dodgers, a lot of pitchers and infielders smoked."

• Watch the Vin Scully interview that got Mike Piazza so bent out of shape, via Glen Walker at KTLA.  It's nothing like what Piazza describes.  Scully hardly had it out for him.
• In the least surprising news of the Spring, Mattingly names Brandon League as our closer, via ESPN.

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

Seo and Navarro Traded? For Who?

I just got wind of a trade between the Tampa Bay Devil Rays and the Dodgers. Frankly, I don't get it. We trade a decent catcher with some strong future potential (of course, not with the Dodgers since the advent of Russell Martin) for a older back-up catcher to fill in a position we already have covered with Sandy Alomar, Jr. Then, we include Jae Seo, who has been more inconsistent than my bowel movements, for a much older pitcher who appears to be pitching well beyond his abilities this year, Mark Hendrickson. I guess the hope is that he will continue his good luck this year, but I don;t have high hopes. Afterall, the second half of the season is all about "The Mean," and Hendrickson's past leads me to believe that a regression to the mean is at hand for Hendrickson. I hope i'm wrong, but this deal makes me feel like i'm sitting on the beach doing a whole bunch of nothing.

Trade Link

Strong Starting Pitching

Another great outing by a starting pitcher. Jae Seo goes 6 innings while giving up 3 hits and only one run. Odalis was shaky in his one inning after a nearly 2 week layoff. Beimel continues to impress.

Overall, the offense looks good with contributions from old and new guys. Starting pitching has been solid, but relief could use some relief. Its definitely something to work on. I'm confident its something that can improve as the season rolls on.

Are things starting to come together?

Well, it appears that the season is not all lost. We are in the midst of a 4 game winning streak after a succession of ugly losses. The team seems more confident out there as they start to get some consistent hitting throughout the lineup. Russell Martin is proving why he will be the catcher of the future. Nomar is playing well beyond his expectations. Was he a steal or what? Starting pitching has been surprisingly sharp from the top 3 starters- Penny, Lowe and Tomko. Relief needs some help that, I think, only experience can provide. Broxton, Hamulak, Osoria will be better as they get more opportunities to pitch. Saito is proving to be a reliever we can trust. Baez has turned out to be a fortuitous pick-up.

Seo has been OK, but needs some help. Duaner Sanchez, the top flight reliever we traded for Seo, has been lights out for the Mets. Perez is more inconsistent than ever. Will Sele take over his starting position? Really? I read that Billingsly is expected to grace Dodger Stadium mid-year. So maybe there is something else going on. Trade Perez now for some prospects or experienced relievers (or Sele) with the expectation that Billingsly will have a chance to take a job away from Seo or the other starting pitcher (Sele or Perez). I look forward to seeing this battle.

The rookies are coming to town. Russell Martin will be our future catcher. Broxton and Osoria will solidify our bullpen. Kuo is not far behind as he gains confidence in Las Vegas. Billingsley will come in to show us what a future #1 pitcher looks like. Aybar will arrive and prove he belongs. Repko is already proving he belongs in the lineup. Can Ethier be far behind? How about Guzman or Young? The future is exciting and the present show us the way.