General Manager Paul DePodesta likes Choi batting second because of his high on-base percentage. But Tracy believes Repko is better served there because he will see more good pitches than he would batting eighth.
"It's awfully tough for a rookie to bat in the eight hole where he's getting everything but the kitchen sink from the opposing pitcher," Tracy said. ...
Whether the right-handed hitting Repko would start opening day against San Francisco Giant ace Jason Schmidt is to be determined. Tracy likes the idea of having Ledee as a pinch-hitter late in games, so Repko probably will start against some right-handed pitchers.

Two things:

1) Repko will bat second because that will make things easier for him? Seems strange to say that you want to bat an unproven rookie high up in the lineup so he gets better pitches. Shouldn't the top slots be reserved for the most productive players, not the ones who need the most help?

2) I'm no particular fan of Ledee, nor am I convinced that he would necessarily be more productive than Repko. But if he IS a better offensive option against a RHP then he should be starting. Doesn't it make a lot more sense to have him get three or four at-bats in a game instead of keeping him on the bench for one possible at-bat in the late innings? Sometimes I just don't understand Tracy's logic.

This is not a big deal. Certainly it's not as big as batting Cesar Izturis leadoff, and I think someone - perhaps on Baseball Prospectus, or perhaps it was Tom Meagher - argued that even Izturis leading off wasn't such a bad thing.

I also wouldn't take this stuff too seriously. It will adapt game-to-game. My guess is that Tracy wants to believe that Repko is for real, wants him to play as much as possible, wants him to have his shot, see if that hot streak can continue past Spring Training. Doesn't mean Ledee won't get in there if he's looking like the better player.

From Rob Neyer's chat today-

Ricky (Northridge): Will the Dodgers ever get back to being the Dodgers? Seems like last year was a step in the right direction, until somone threw a grenade in the locker room and blew it all to smithereens!

Rob Neyer: (1:37 PM ET ) Not sure what you mean, Ricky. Someone threw a grenade in the locker room at the trade deadline last summer, and all the Dodgers did was win a division title. At the moment they're the best team in the N.L. West, and I'm not sure it's even close.

I saw this kid Lo Duca in a spring training game. What do people think of him?

(I did actually go down to Spring Training in '99, and did see Lo Duca play in a couple of games.)

There's a new Sheriff in town by the name of Kevin Malone, and with a tough disciplinarian like Davey Johnson at his side,along with Rupert's money the future is now for the Dodgers. That Green kid from Toronto looks like he'll be a steal at $15 mil a year.

It sure will be great in 2005 when Junior Griffey beats the Babe's and Hank Aaron's homerun records!

Sorry, I got nothing to add.

Well, I'll give you this: Whoo-hoo, Devon White is such a great CF. He will not slow down at all at his age. (Actually, I don't remember being excited about DWhite at all.)

I do remember being excited about Davey Johnson.

I'm looking forward to finding out in 1999 if last season's Piazza trade really is going to work out for the best.

It also helps not to acquire really old guys too.