Tony Jackson

  (6:01 PM)

Good afternoon, everyone, from Chase Field in Phoenix, where the Dodgers will be going for their first series sweep of the season in a few hours. It looks like another beautiful night in the desert and a good chance of the roof being open for the third game in a row. To your questions ...

Warren (Dalton, GA)

Tony, lots of people are speculating about Torre's future in LA. Have you heard anything that would lead you to believe he is leaning towards or against coming back next year? Thanks.

Tony Jackson

  (6:04 PM)

Warren, I'm hearing a lot of things, but none of them are concrete and none of them are from reliable sources. My feeling is he won't be back next year because I think he is absolutely exasperated with the McCourts, the divorce, the lack of available finances and the ever-shrinking Dodgers player payroll. There also was a report today that the deal is falling apart because McCourt doesn't want to pay Torre more than $4 million when he can get Mattingly for $2 million, but I think it's simpler than that. Joe has been to the playoffs with one team or another for 14 consecutive seasons, and if he doesn't think he can win here, he'll retire.

Chris Fiegler (Latham,NY)

Where was the Longest Major League Baseball All-Star Game in History at?

Tony Jackson

  (6:04 PM)

Chris, hold on, I'm going to look that up.

Tony Jackson

  (6:05 PM)

Acutally, on second thought, no way to look that up quickly. But I BELIEVE it was the 1967 All-Star Game at Anaheim, which was won by the National League 2-1 in 15 innings.

Guy (Oakland, CA) [via mobile]

Are the Dodgers a World Series caliber team?

Tony Jackson

  (6:06 PM)

Not as they are currently constituted, no. They simply don't have the starting pitching to get through the first two rounds of the playoffs, and I'm still not convinced they have the starting pitching to even GET to the playoffs. However, their rotation has certainly gotten better over the past couple of weeks with the addition of Ely, the subtraction of Haeger and maybe even with the addition of Ortiz. We'll have to see on that one.

Chris Fiegler (Latham,NY)

Where was the Only Major League Baseball All-Star Game where that Stadium will get torn down probably the following Year?

Tony Jackson

  (6:10 PM)

Chris, again, tough to look up quickly, but the only one I can think of off-hand is the 2008 All-Star Game at old Yankee Stadium. Wait a minute, didn't that one go 15 innings also? Can't believe I forgot that. I was there.

Kyle (Los Angeles)

When does Frank McCourt sell the team? As soon as the ownership/diverce thing is sorted out or when?Dodgers run their franchise like they are in a small/middle market and we fans can't stand it.With the core group intact and their prime years ahead in 1-3 years, right now is the time to really push it for the ring, I believe.With the way Frank is running the team, instead of adding 2 pitchers right now, we are going to lose the core; Kemp, Ethier, Kershaw, Billingsley in ~3 years from now.

Tony Jackson

  (6:15 PM)

Kyle, I wouldn't count on him selling it within the next year or two. What will probably happen is that there will be a period of time after the divorce when, with all that finally behind him, Frank wants to just settle in and enjoy running the team (and, as a fringe benefit, shoving it in Jamie's face that she isn't a part of this anymore). He won't spend a lot of money on player payroll during that time, and eventually (after a year or two) the public outcry against him will become so great that he will grow tired of it and finally relent and sell the team. But my guess at this point is you are stuck with Frank through at least 2012.

Earl (LA,CA)

Hi Tony, great work as usual.Can you explain why the Dodgers need to start Ortiz on Friday? Couldn't the Dodgers have just skipped the 5th starter with the day off on Thursday?Seems dumb to start Ortiz on Friday against the division-leading Padres. Thanks.

Tony Jackson

  (6:17 PM)

Hey Ryan, thanks for the compliment. Actually, there were going to need Ortiz at some point because, after tomorrow, there isn't another off-day until May 24. What I'm not sure about is why Ortiz is starting on Friday night instead of next Tuesday against Houston, a team that is inferior to the Padres, and that would have been the next time the Dodgers absolutely had to have a fifth starter. But for whatever reason, Joe felt this was a good time to give the rest of the rotation an extra day between starts.

Ryan Paulson (Arcadia, CA)

Do you think Clayton Kershaw will all of a sudden find command? How exactly does that work? Is that something you either have or you don't? I mean I think its pretty clear that this kid is near unhittable when he's on. He's capable of squashing opposing line ups.

Tony Jackson

  (6:18 PM)

I think it's a little of both, actually. Sometimes, the command just isn't there. But sometimes, the command isn't there because the pitcher is trying to be too perfect and not trusting his stuff. If you read what I wrote after the game last night, I think both Kershaw AND Billingsley could stand to learn a lesson from the way John Ely has been going about things. That guy really attacks the strike zone and gets ahead in counts. The biggest thing with Chad and Clayton is that they need to pitch more aggressively, and I think if they do that, their command problem will take care of itself.

Earl (LA, CA)

Tony, what is the status of Padilla? Last I heard he wasn't supposed to be ready until June. Is that still the case? If so, what do you think they wll do for a 5th starter since Haeger appears to not be the answer and I have major doubts about Ortiz.

Tony Jackson

  (6:20 PM)

I think they'll just go with Ortiz until Padilla does come back. It's already May 12, so even if Ortiz isn't good, they wouldn't have to start him more than three times the rest of May if they skip him right after the off-day on May 24.

Jeff (Hollywood)

Any news/rumors/speculations/information on "Next 50" project? or the possibility of building a football stadium adjacent to the Dodger Stadium?Thanks!

Tony Jackson

  (6:21 PM)

Jeff, I think all the planned construction at Dodger Stadium has been placed on hold for now, ostensibly because of the poor economy but the divorce might be part of it, too. As for the football stadium, I'm told Frank McCourt is still clinging to that idea, not to own a franchise but just to build/own the stadium, but it doesn't sound like something the NFL is all that jazzed about at this point.

Earl (LA, CA)

In regards to your answer to Kyle re: McCourt selling the team, I doubt Frank will be able to pay off Jamie without selling the team. I doubt that agreement they had where she owns the real estate and he owns the team will stand up in court and I think she will force Frank to liquidate his ownership in the team. Just my opinion.

Tony Jackson

  (6:22 PM)

Well, that could be the case. But I also think Frank has that rare ability to delude himself into thinking, at least for a time, that he can make something work, even in the face of overwhelming evidence to the contrary. That's why I think it will still take him a while to come around to the idea of selling.

Chris Fiegler (Latham,NY)

Besides Major League Baseball(Los Angeles Dodgers) what other events were held at Dodger Stadium?

Tony Jackson

  (6:24 PM)

You mean since the place opened in 1962? All kinds of things. Papal masses, rock concerts, Fleetwood Mac once shot a video there with the USC marching band. I think the last non-baseball thing that happened there was that Joel Osteen gave a sermon there two or three weeks ago while the team was on the road.

Earl (LA, CA)

Tony, I agree on your assessment of what Kershaw and Billz need to do in order to pitch better, which is basically attack the strike zone more.How much of their inability to do this do you think is Honeycutt's fault?Gotta be honest, it seems like this staff in general is taught to nibble on the outside corner and pitch from the middle of the plate and outward.I rarely see Kershaw and Billz attack the inner half of the strike zone. Do you think this is a result of Honeycutt's philosophy? He was a nibbler himself as a pitcher.

Tony Jackson

  (6:26 PM)

No Earl, I hear Honey talk about it all the time, how these guys need to trust their stuff and attack the strike zone. I know from talking to various sources that Kershaw and Billingsley are both stubborn. There is only so much a pitching coach can do. At some point, the player has to actually HEAR the message in order to put it into practice. Honey is sending the right messages, I can tell you that.

Kyle (Los Angeles)

Thanks Tony.With the current payroll, the Dodgers won't be able to sign Kemp, Ethier, Billingley, and Kershaw when they become FAs in 3-5 years even with Manny's ~25 mil gone.What do you think? do you think Frank will do what it takes to keep those guys together or will he trade ALL of them away right before he sells the team like most/all other owners have? (or simply don't pay them and let them leave regardless if he is selling the team or not)It's seriously depressing how the Dodgers finally have the core good enough to contend for the first time since 80s and the team won't be spending what they should be spending to bring in some other pieces (pitchers especially) sigh.....

Tony Jackson

  (6:28 PM)

Well, don't get depressed about it yet. Let's just see how it all plays out over the next couple of years, after the divorce, etc. Frank probably will end up selling the team at some point. But the sky isn't falling yet, and Kemp, Ethier, Billingsley and Kershaw are here for at least through next year. A lot can happen between now and then.

Earl (LA, CA)

Tony, are you impressed with Loney this year? I really like what I see out of him this year. He seems to have more power this year and is hitting the ball with more authority.Do you think he can get to 20 HRs this year? I certainly do.

Tony Jackson

  (6:29 PM)

Joe Torre has long contended that James has it in him to be more of a power hitter. Twenty homers? Sure, why not. Doesn't mean it will happen though. I do know this: James isn't the sort of guy who spends a lot of time thinking about hitting for more power or working on hitting for more power. He's an even-keel guy who just plays the game and lets it come to him. That approach has worked pretty well for him so far.

Earl (LA, CA)

Since Furcal is due to come back on Friday, is the logical roster move to send Nick Green back to the minors? Or do you think the Dodgers will make another move with another player?

Tony Jackson

  (6:31 PM)

Well, Colletti is going to have to confront his hesitation to lose a player from the organization, because this time, I don't think there is any way around it. Yes, I do think Nick Green will be the guy to go. Nothing else they can really do. But that probably means Green will be lost, either to another organization or to free agency. And this is a guy who started about 80 games at SS for the Red Sox last season, so it's not like you're losing a spare part.

Earl (LA, CA)

Based on what you said about Kershaw and Billz being stubborn about how they pitch, do you think its in the Dodgers' best interest to trade Billz if they can get back a frontline starter off another team?Say the Mariners dangle Cliff Lee to the Dodgers for Billz and the Dodgers can work out an extension with Lee, would you advocate trading Billz since he is stubborn?

Tony Jackson

  (6:32 PM)

No, I don't think you can get a frontline starting pitcher for Billingsley at this point. I think to do that, the Dodgers would have to part with one of their core players. Matt Kemp has the most value right now because he is locked up contractually through next season. It wouldn't completely shock me -- it would surprise me, but not shock me -- if Kemp is the piece the Dodgers use to get a frontline starter at or near the trading deadline.

Earl (LA, CA)

Tony, is the outfield of Manny, Kemp and Ethier the best in baseball in your opinion? I think so.I know Phillies fans like their outfield, but I will take the Dodgers' outfield over theirs any day.

Tony Jackson

  (6:34 PM)

Well, both teams have an old guy in LF who might be breaking down but who still is a pretty good hitter. The past two years, I think the Victorino/Werth combo was better than Kemp/Ethier, but I don't think that's the case this year. So yes, right now, I think this is the best outfield in baseball

Neil (Tempe, AZ)

any chance the dodgers acquire a starter by the deadline? If so, who?

Tony Jackson

  (6:34 PM)

Neil, it oculd happen, but only if they are willing to part with an established position player like Kemp, Ethier, Loney, etc. My guess is it's more likely they will eventually sign one of those still-unsigned free agents like Pedro Martinez, Jarrod Washburn or Braden Looper.

Kyle (Los Angeles)

Last question about possible sale of the team. Any clue who will be interested in owning the Dodgers? I'm guessing you hear whispers around L.A. who might bid for the Dodgers when the team is up for sale haha.I know Eli Broad was going to buy the team if Frank couldn't buy the Dodgers from FOX.AEG/Tim Leiweke said something like they don't know how to run a baseball team otherwise they would've bought/consider it when the team was for sale.

Tony Jackson

  (6:36 PM)

No one comes to mind right now except possibly Dennis Gilbert, who just tried and failed to buy the Texas Rangers. He lives in Beverly Hills and is a visible presence at almost every Dodgers home game, in his seat in the front row of the dugout club almost directly behind home plate. Dennis would need a group of investors, though, just as he did in his Rangers bid. And trying to buy a baseball team is a monumentally arduous process (and an expensive one from what I'm told), so after going through that and failing with the Rangers, I'm not sure Dennis would want to do it again.

Earl (LA, CA)

Tony, how come the Dodgers don't think about using Monasterios as the 5th starter. He seemed to pitch well in the Spring and has done okay in relief.

Tony Jackson

  (6:37 PM)

I think they like having him in the bullpen, and I also don't think they want to put the pressure of starting on him at this stage of his career. I'm not sure Ortiz will work out, but at least he is an experienced, veteran starter. Monasterios is a long way from being that.

Tony Jackson

  (6:37 PM)

I think they like having him in the bullpen, and I also don't think they want to put the pressure of starting on him at this stage of his career. I'm not sure Ortiz will work out, but at least he is an experienced, veteran starter. Monasterios is a long way from being that.

Tony Jackson

  (6:39 PM)

I think they like having him in the bullpen, and I also don't think they want to put the pressure of starting on him at this stage of his career.

Todd Perinni (Whittier, CA)

I feel like Clayton Kershaw has kind of lost that big looping curveball he showed a lot when he first came up with us. Is that true or false? I also wanted to ask you who you thought has more upside. Kershaw or billingsley?

Tony Jackson

  (6:40 PM)

Todd, I'm not sure about the first part of your question, I would have to ask Honeycutt. I know he has added a slider since then. I still think Kershaw has the higher up side. He is a potential No. 1 starter, where Billingsley is maybe a No. 3 or maybe even a 4.

Earl (LA, CA)

Wow, if Kemp gets traded for anyone, I would be bummed.Do you feel that would be a big mistake for the Dodgers to trade Kemp for a frontline starter, despite what Colleti thinks about him?I think Colleti exaggerated the issues of Kemp, personally.

Tony Jackson

  (6:41 PM)

Earl, I have it on good authority (NOT from Colletti, from others) that if anything, Ned UNDERSTATED the issues with Kemp. This kid is really full of himself, to the point that it is becoming an issue in the clubhouse. I'm not saying they WILL trade him. I still think there is less than a 50-percent chance that they will. I'm just saying that if they do trade one of their core young players, he probably will be the one, not only because of these issues but also because he would have the most value.

Earl (LA, CA)

Tony, how has attendance been so far for home games? Has there been a drop off? Based on observing crowds on tv, it appears that less people are coming out to Dodger Stadium this year.

Tony Jackson

  (6:42 PM)

It's hard to say. They are announcing crowds in the 40k range, but that's based on tickets sold. It's hard to get a good read off the TV, though, because all you can see in the centerfield camera shot are those dugout club seats, which are almost never full in any stadium.

Earl (LA, CA)

In your opinion, do you think Lindblom will get recalled up at some point and, if so, do you think it will be as a starter or a reliever?

Tony Jackson

  (6:43 PM)

I do think he'll be called up at some point this season, and when it happens, his role will be based on the team's needs at the time. The long-range goal for him is as a starter, but that doesn't mean he will come to the majors that way.

Earl (LA, CA)

Tony, in retrospect, was selling Stults to a Japanese team a bad move by Colleti? I think the Dodgers sure could have used him about right now. Your opinion?

Tony Jackson

  (6:45 PM)

No, he had run his course here. You can only shuttle a guy back and forth to the minors so many times before it starts to affect his pscyhe, and I know Torre and the coaching staff weren't big fans of Stults because they just didn't see him as having big-league makeup. Could they use him now? Sure, but that doesn't mean they would. My guess is if Stults were still in the organization, he would be at ABQ and John Ely would be in Los Angeles.

Earl (LA, CA)

Tony, in your opinion, wouldn't Xavier Paul be a better choice for left-handed pinch hitter who can be the 4th OF?Garrett Anderson just seems like he's lost a lot of his bat speed and Xavier Paul did well in the spring and in his time with the Dodgers. What does Paul have to gain by being in the minors?

Tony Jackson

  (6:48 PM)

Pinch hitting is such a tough job that you almost have to have a veteran to do it. It's not something you want to put on a guy at the stage of his career that X Paul is at. Not that he can't do it -- he did it a few times while he was up -- but you need that veteran guy on your bench whose role is just to do that every night. If it is ultimately decided that Anderson isn't the right guy, they also have Jay Gibbons at ABQ. He has really been raking down there.

Chris Fiegler (Latham,NY)

When was the last All-Star Game was at Dodger Stadium? By the way the longest All-Star Game was at Yankee Stadium which lasted 4 hours

Tony Jackson

  (6:49 PM)

Last Dodger Stadium All-Star Game was 1980, won 4-2 by the N.L. Ken Griffey Sr. was the MVP with a two-run homer. Steve Stone started and pitched three perfect innings for the A.L. ... And are you sure about that four-hour thing? That 2008 game at Yankee Stadium was more than five hours if I remember correctly.

Earl (LA, CA)

Wow, Tony, didn't know that about Kemp. I just don't think you can afford to let a talent like his go. Do you think its just a simple case of immaturity?I mean a lot of ball players start out cocky, but mature and settle down with age. Kemp could be no different.

Tony Jackson

  (6:50 PM)

well, if it's immaturity, he has had plenty of time to outgrow it. Based on what I'm told, he hasn't outgrown it yet. None of this is terribly surprising, just judging from the way he handles himself with the media. He is difficult to deal with, and I'm told that isn't limited to the media.

Earl (LA, CA)

Tony, what is your opinion on Chris Withrow and Ethan Martin? What do you think their ETA is? What do you think their ceilings are?

Tony Jackson

  (6:51 PM)

They are both going to be big-league starting pitchers, but their ETAs are so long that you can't see it from here. And they both have struggled at times so far this season. I don't think you will see either of them before 2012, but I do think it will be well worth the wait when it happens.

Earl (Estaris)

Tony, what the heck is going on with Sherrill? He looks really lost out there in terms of his location and is getting hit like crazy. How long can Torre and Honeycutt endure his terrible relief pitching?

Tony Jackson

  (6:52 PM)

He is struggling to find his mechanics, which we are being told is an annual issue with him in spring training (remember, this is the first season he has actually begun with the Dodgers). We're also being told that it usually works itself out before the season starts. Obviously, this year, that didn't happen. We're a month and a half into the season, and it still seems to be an issue.

Jeff (Hollywood)

Surprised to hear Kemp has a little bit of an issue in the clubhouse. JUST by watching the games on TV, I assumed the Dodgers have good to great clubhouse chemistry.So how would you rate Dodgers chemistry to teams you've seen so far?

Tony Jackson

  (6:53 PM)

Well, it's not as bad as it was in 2007. That was the year the clubhouse basically imploded because of the rift between the young players and veterans. It was outstanding toward the end of 2008, when Jeff Kent wasn't really a factor anymore, and all of 2009. But now, I think some of the younger players have become so cocky that it rubs certain people the wrong way. I hope it's an issue Joe Torre can get under control quickly, because these things tend to fester if you don't.

Earl (LA, CA)

Tony, what is the status of Brad Ausmus? Is he planning on coming back at some point this year or is he basically just going to stay on the DL for the year?

Tony Jackson

  (6:54 PM)

Depends on whom you talk to. I think Brad still thinks he will be back. But some of the other people I have talked to are less optimistic. He still has value to the team, though, as an extra coach.

Earl (LA, CA)

Tony, has the organization soured in any way on Lambo since he got that 50-game suspension? Is he still being viewed as a long term replacement for Manny or are the Dodgers maybe fed up with his issues with drugs?

Tony Jackson

  (6:55 PM)

Well, they have obviously soured on him to some degree because of what happened. But they are getting him help, so he still fits into their plans. There is no doubt about that. He is working out in extended spring training until his suspension is up. This might delay his path to the big leagues. I can't see him as the everyday LF in 2011, let's put it that way.

Jeff (Hollywood)

Just out of curiousity, where do most players live in in L.A.?I know a lot of front office people live in Manhattan Beach and Santa Monica area just by looking at their bios and stuff on Dodgers.com

Tony Jackson

  (6:57 PM)

Jeff, not very many of them do. A handful of them live in Phoenix (a popular place of residents for major league players). Most of them live in their hometowns. A lot of them live in the Dominican. Off the top of my head, I can't think of anyone who lives in L.A. other than the guys like Garret Anderson who are actually from there.

Earl (LA, CA)

Tony, I just want to tell you that I really appreciate all your answers to my questions. You do a great job covering the Dodgers and I am glad you are back covering them.Last question, do you feel Ethier has a legit shot at the triple crown this year? To me, he's got all the hitting ability, power and the cast around him to lead the league in AVG, HRs and RBIs.Thanks!

Tony Jackson

  (6:58 PM)

Earl, I honestly don't. There is a reason there hasn't been a Triple Crown winner in the majors since 1967. It's just too tough to do. My guess is the average is what will take a hit. He has a good shot at leading the league in homers and RBI, but he isn't going to hit .390 all year.

Travis Gilmour (Pasadena, CA)

Hello Tony. Good work as usual. I never thought of Matt Kemp as being a player that is in to himself based off last season. Can you offer a little more insight into what warrants those opinions. Was he always difficult with the media last year? Or is this something that is coming to light this season?

Tony Jackson

  (6:59 PM)

Travis, he has been somewhat difficult with the media almost from the time he came to the big leagues. What I'm hearing now is that he is difficult for some of the coaches to deal with, that he gets his dander up when they try to offer him advice on certain things. I do know that one coach (I can't say who) has gone so far as to recommend to the front office that they trade him.

Tony Jackson

  (7:01 PM)

Going to shut it down here, folks. Thanks again for your great questions, and I'll see you next week, probably on Thursday