John Ely Looks Towards the Future

September 11, 2010 at 11:12 pm | Posted in John Ely | 9 Comments

What are the chances that John Ely‘s in the 2011 rotation? Chad Billingsley and Clayton Kershaw are the only two starters locked in for next season, and with Vicente Padilla suffering yet another injury, possibly hurting interest in him for next season, the path is wide open. Ely was effective with his 89 pitches tonight (6 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 4 K, 1 BB), and while everyone seems to remember the two lousy outings that got him sent down in July (back-to-back games in which he didn’t get out of the 3rd), few seem to remember that he was outstanding immediately before that (back-to-back 7 IP, 1 ER outings) or that after his debut and before those two bad starts he’d gone 8 of 9 starts without allowing more than 4 ER.

I’m guessing he’s the 5th starter to start 2011, partially because he’s also making the minimum. And I’m not sure that’s really such a terrible thing.

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I have no problem with Ely as the 5th starter. I would like to see Kuroda and Lilly back too as they’ve each been excellent .

Comment by tommys.belly— September 11, 2010 #

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For a large part of his time with LA, Ely was the most consistent starter. Ely as a starter next year is a bright spot to me.

Comment by Jeff— September 12, 2010 #

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I would not be happy if the Dodgers don’t go out and get a proven fifth starter. The Dodgers already went down that road this season and it blew up in thier face. Sense he is cheap it’s not a bad thing that he is the fifth starter? That game could be played and said for any position. Ely is a very comfortable at bat and I just don’t see him as a fifth starter on any playoff team.

Comment by Adonis— September 12, 2010 #

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- Fifth starter? How about #3 and #4? I’d like to have Kuroda, Lilly, and/or Padilla back, but they are not signed. Not yet, anyway.
  
  Comment by SamAdams— September 12, 2010 #
  
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  - SamAdams is right. The 5th starter is hardly our biggest problem going into next season. I mean, come on, what about our crappy offense, dreadful bullpen, declining production at third, question marks at catcher, second, and left field, not to mention not having a closer named for next season. You could do a lot worse than having a league average guy as your 5th starter.
    
    Comment by Jorge— September 12, 2010 #
    
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- 5th starters don’t even pitch in the Postseason…….
  
  Comment by DodgersKings323— September 12, 2010 #
  
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Without knowing Ted Lilly’s personality, I think this could be the strongest case for having him back next year. Ely could benefit greatly in having a pitcher like Lilly mentor him and teach him how to hit his spots and pitch without having overpowering stuff. If Lilly could be brought back it may be like a two for one deal with the effect it could have on solidifiying Ely into a 5th starter.

Comment by Aaron— September 12, 2010 #

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Now that the Dodgers have decided televise the Fall Training games maybe they will decide to televise more spring trining games next year. Hey Commissioner/Trustee Selig please let the Dodgers sign at least 3 free agents for next year and have a payroll of $105 mil.

Comment by Ken— September 12, 2010 #

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I would love to see Ely the Efficient get another chance at the rotation next year. I think he’s great.

Comment by Penguin's Pornstache— September 12, 2010 #

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