While we’re waiting for some actual news to come out of the Winter Meetings, rather than just rumors, here’s something of interest: Joe Hamrahi at Baseball Digest Daily has posted an interview with Los Angeles Dodgers GM Ned Colletti. Cause for hope if you’re a Dodgers fan (or concern if you’re not):
One thing I know I wouldn’t have done differently. I’m glad I didn’t trade 3 or 4 kids at the deadline. I think that decision will prove to be valuable for a very long time. People ask about the young players all the time. Teams need young players.
Yeah, trust …read more

There are two games seriously worth watching on Monday. Unfortunately, they’re being played at the same time:
American League

Twins at Mariners, 7:05 p.m. PT — Johan Santana? Felix Hernandez? One potential sticking point for Seattle is that lefties are hitting Hernandez pretty hard (.303/.368/.530) this year; that could be a problem against a team that features two potent left-handed bats in Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau. Seems to me maybe Hernandez could use an off-speed pitch. Who better to watch than Santana?

National League

Astros at Dodgers, 7:10 p.m. PT — Yeah, only minor playoff implications here, but your other option is to …read more

A while back we mentioned that the Dodgers had moved young right-hander Chad Billingsley to the bullpen. The move hasn’t exactly paid off in the early going, as his ERA currently sits at 6.52, but there may be long-term benefits. Rob at 6-4-2 points us to an excellent interview with Billingsley about his experience working as a reliever:
When you come out of the bullpen, you’re going out and maybe only have one or two innings. You have to go out there and be aggressive. And last year, I might not have been as aggressive, or really attacked hitters. But …read more

The headline reads “Dodgers release Tatis, make Billingsley reliever” but if you read the fine print, you’ll notice that right-hander Chad Billingsley isn’t being converted to a reliever; rather, he’ll be used as one to start the 2007 season. Quoth Dodgers skipper Grady Little:
We still feel like he’s going to be a great starter in the big leagues, but we feel he’s still got some learning to do. He’ll learn a lot in this role for us, and before you know it, he’ll be going seven or eight innings in the big leagues.
In other words, Little is employing the Earl …read more