Tony Jackson

  (3:24 PM)

Hi everyone, sorry for the delay. Technical difficulties here at Camelback Ranch. Welcome to our first chat of the spring.

Alex (Anaheim)

I read an article in which Kemp says he strives for a 50 HR/50 SB season. Which half is more attainable for him?

Tony Jackson

  (3:26 PM)

The stolen base half is more attainable because that's the half he reached last year in his effort to go 40/40. His baserunning skills are improved dramatically from 2010-2011.

Mariopvn NORWALK, CA [via mobile]

Why do we always lose out on big name free agency? i hate the term we dont have any money. we are the dodgers a once proud orginization.

Tony Jackson

  (3:27 PM)

You may hate the term, but the Dodgers don't have any money. The hope is that will change with the change of ownership.

Kinbote (Onhava, Zembla)

What's your prediction for Jerry Sands' playing time this year?

Tony Jackson

  (3:28 PM)

He's going to have to play a lot if he's in the majors. It won't be every day, but between left field and first base, Mattingly should be able to get him enough at-bats that his development won't be hindered.

Kinbote (Onhava, Zembla)

Name a sleeper minor league prospect you think could make an impact later this year.

Tony Jackson

  (3:30 PM)

Alex Castellanos. He was the player they got for Furcal. No one got excited about him at the time, but if he can prove during spring training that he can play the infield as well as the outfield he could be a valuable utility player, if a need arises.

rob franz (westchester,ca)

How does Ruby D. look, and whats the earliest you think he can be effective with the Dodgers?

Tony Jackson

  (3:31 PM)

I wouldn't count on him until 2013, but there's an outside chance that if his rehab progresses without a hitch that he could have an impact toward the end of 2012.

Mariopvn NORWALK, CA [via mobile]

Man its about time we get a DODGER chat. i want to know what happen to our farm system? i know we got two studs out of kershaw and kemp . but when i was growing up we were known for having one of the best farm systems.

Tony Jackson

  (3:35 PM)

It's still deep in pitching prospects, including Nathan Eovaldi, Allan Webster and Chris Withrow. Not so much in position prospects, but there are a handful, such as Griff Erickson and Scott Van Slyke.

Carey Robertson (From Facebook)

From a sales standpoint, what's the benefit of all the 2-year deals Ned passed out this winter? Obviously backloaded to make the team cheaper this year, but why not 1 year deals?

Tony Jackson

  (3:36 PM)

In most cases, I'm guessing the player and his agent sensed the desperation on the part of the Dodgers to fill the holes they had to fill with what little money they had to fill them with, and felt they had enough leverage to insist on two-year deals.

Chris Fiegler (Latham,NY)

Who will be the Pitcher for the Dodgers that will take Over for Hiroki Kuroda who signed with the Yankees?

Tony Jackson

  (3:39 PM)

Well, they signed to veterans, Chris Capuano and Aaron Harang. So they replaced one veteran with two. But it's a bit of a reach to say that either Capuano or Harang is as good a pitcher as Kuroda, so it's rotational depth vs. quality. The fifth spot in the rotation has been in constant flux over the past couple of years. Barring an injury, that will no longer be the case because the Dodgers now have five established, experienced starters.

Lee Real (From Facebook)

How close are the Dodgers to getting a new owner? Are the Dodgers stuck with Juan Uribe at 3rd base? Or are there other options other than Uribe? Who's LF next season?

Tony Jackson

  (3:42 PM)

Well, the deadline for completion of the sale is April 30. The Dodgers will play Uribe at third for now, but if a new owner is in place and he isn't performing you can address that spot at the trading deadline. Left field has to be rotation between Juan Rivera, Jerry Sands and Tony Gwynn. Rivera and Sands can also play first base.

Tony Jackson

  (3:43 PM)

Thanks for joining this week's chat. See you next week.