Isn't the 2007 Dodger lineup amazing?

Question

Lineup:
1. Juan Pierre
2. Rafael Furcal
3. Nomar Garciaparra
4. Luis Gonzalez
5. Jeff Kent
6. Andre Ethier
7. Russel Martin
8. Wilson Betemit
9. Pitch

Starting Rotation:
1. Jason Schmidt
2. Derek Lowe
3. Brad Penny
4. Randy Wolf
5. Chad Billingsley

Answer 1

The lineup looks good, but you need to hope for an injury free season if the Dodgers want to take the division.

I like the speed of Pierre and Furcal, and the damage they can do if they get on base. It should be similar to the Cardinals from the 80's when you had Vince Coleman and Willie McGee.

I like the middle with Nomar, Luis, and Jeff, but they need to be healthy for the majority of the year if they want the team to win. This is what worries me. All three are excellent hitters, but once one of them goes down, they need to play harder, which might hurt them in the long run.

The bottom three have potential, but they could also bust. They need to be better than average if the Dodgers want a well rounded offensive machine.

And what a pitching staff. As long as they can keep their team in the game, the Dodgers have nothing to fear.

Honestly, I think if they could pick up one more veteran hitter with some pop in his bat, the 2007 Dodgers could be a team that goes all the way.

Answer 2

uh, no. Juan Pierre is completely overrated. He does have a lot of steals but only a 60% success rate. As a leadoff hitter he strikes out more than he walks. Garciaparra started off well and his chronic injuries hindered his success again late in the season. Gonzalez is a downgrade from J.D. Drew, Jeff Kent is a cancer in the clubhouse. I can think of at least 15 teams with a better roster. Pitching is their strength if they can hold on to Penny and Lowe has a good season. Schmidt was a great pick-up.

But amazing, not hardly. Sorry for the reality check. Yes, it is true I am not a Dodger fan, but I am a huge fan of baseball and a St. Louis Cardinal lifetime fan so I would say I have an impartial opinion. I wish them well because the Dodgers are a team that the Cardinals never have any trouble beating in the post season. :)

Answer 3

There is absolutely no power in that lineup. I say this as a Dodger fan. PIerre is Furcal light, and a mistake of a signing.

BY the way, the LA Times reported that Little is leaning towards having these as the top thre in the line-up:

1. Pierre
2. Martin
3. Furcal

followed by, I believe,

Garciaparra
Kent
Gonzalez

Also,
Billingsley not a sure thing for the rotation -- Kuo also one of many possibilities.

It should be fun -- and I still think Colletti will trade some of the surplus pitching for a bigger bat.

(PS -- the person asking about the bullpen? They are stocked in the bullpen, with Saito and Broxton both closer ready, and a number of good set-up guys and long men.)

Answer 4

As a Dodger fan and more inclined to be biased towards my team, even I do not think it is overwhelmingly amazing. Pierre and Furcal provide formidable threats at the top of the order and will definitely provide a plus in stealing bases and scoring runs. Garciaparra is a good hitter, but not much of a power threat. I would rather bat Pierre second and Furcal first, because of Furcal's ability to get on base more than Pierre. I would also bat Kent instead of Gonzalez in the cleanup spot. Kent is more clutch. The rotation is good, and so is the lineup, but without a strong power hitter, it will never be amazing.

Answer 5

yes it is and maybe we will get one more SP. Billingsley needs more time. the dodgers will rule the west this coming year and we will not have to wait till the last weekend to see if we are in the playoffs or not. what a change. we will wrap it up with a month to go. i wish we had gotten a BIG bat to cleanup. i think that is all the offense we are lacking. we need a 50 hr type hitter

Answer 6

It certainly is, but Kent will bat clean up not Gonzo.
Also Billingsley is 4 not 5.
Wow im so proud for what the Dodgers have done.

Answer 7

dude are you high, the pitching rotation is solid but that line-up is WHACK!!!

Your 3-4-5 hitters are an injury waiting to happen, Ethier will be the man next year but Nomar, Gonzo and Kent are on the downside of there career.

Amazing, i think not.

Answer 8

The pitching is looking good but how bout the bullpen? Lots of questions out there.... The lineup has health issues and is lacking a big bopper. Gonzo is past his prime but still a valuable player. A good team with lots of potential. Hopefully they all stay healthy this year and don't fold in the playoffs.

Answer 9

I am a Dodgers Fan, but its not as good as it looks.

Gonzo had an awful year last year and wolf is crap. We don't have much power, b/c Gonzo and Kent are over the hill.

I think Matt Kemp and Loney are the wildcards here!

Answer 10

The Dodgers are terrible! They probally make the playoffs again, but only because they have a S$#t division! Then once they get to the playoffs they'll lose in the first round again!!!