The Los Angeles Dodgers of Los Angeles Bleedin' Blue Thread

Barry Bonds managed to play pretty well as an OF at 43 even with all that juice. Even at 40, he was still hitting 40+ HR's and 100+ RBI's while being a competent fielder. No reason to believe Manny won't follow suit.

 

All that juicing really gets to his joints so actually Manny would be even better off in terms of fielding. I really don't see any noticeable decline in power for the next 3-4 years. Plus, his plate discipline and mechanics are so sound, that it would still allow him to field power and hit for the long run. The guy knocked a big-time HR off his shoelaces for crying out loud.

Actually, Boras should be willing to thank us for giving his client Jones charity money.

 

I'd love it but I know Manny and especially Boras will balk unless no one offers more (unlikely).

 

Pretty much everyone knows we're hesitant to go over 3 so they have that in their corner. But we can match and outbid others if we wanted to.

 

No reason to think Manny isn't clean. I've never heard anything about Manny and using PEDs. Agree 100% with not trusting him in the OF. Right now it would be a mistake for any NL team to give him more than 2 years. He'd be a perfect DH right now.

 

The Angels have been linked to Manny since 2003 (along with the Mets). It would make a lot of sense but I think LAA would rather try to sign Tex or CC first. Too bad the Angels don't have the money to sign all 3, how good would that team be with those guys?

 

Once again, the hopes of landing a veteran FA rests on how much they like California rather than the money.

 

Dodgers offer 2nd highest salary ever

FOX Sports on MSN - MLB - L.A. offers Manny 2nd-highest salary ever in MLB

 

We don't lack the money that's for sure but the main stickler still remains the years involved in the contract.

 

I'd **** bricks if that happened. We make our rotation into one of MLB's best and keep our heavy weapon at bat to anchor a resurgent offense. I still wonder how the team will address 3B since Blake is unlikely to return and DeWitt is excelling at 2B. Garciaparra could be a pinch-hitter and stopgap as a rotation with Martin since there's little available at 3B in terms of FA.

 

Martin has been excellent as a catcher and the success of our pitching shows it. Veteran guys want him and he was also credited with Billingsley's recovery from a rough start. He could be an above average 3B or a potential HOF catcher. I choose the latter. Frankly, if Nomar is healthy and bats like he did during the playoffs, I think we can platoon him and Martin with a vet catcher as backup. I've heard the Varitek rumors but I don't think he can ever replace Martin but I would be interested if he splits time.

Penny's likely gone. Didn't rub off well with Torre and he'll want to find a starters job elsewhere. Schmidt's still under contract though...

 

Wednesday afternoon, a Padres source said the club was working diligently with the Braves, Cubs and Dodgers, and that he believed a straight-up trade ---- as opposed to a three-team deal ---- could be accomplished.

Colletti said the Dodgers don't have any untouchable players within the organization, but that he would need to be blown away to part with several of his young players. That group includes rookie pitcher Clayton Kershaw, whom the Padres covet.

"It would take a major offer to move those guys," Colletti said. "I'd include a lot of young players (in that category)."


PADRES: Peavy derby starts to narrow : North County Times - Californian

 

I would love Peavy as a consolation prize to the Sabathia derby but I have high hopes for Kershaw because this kid's already beginning to become something special. Take Andruw Jones and Schmidt.

 

6 years is ridiculous and a reason why Boras is always out of his mind. I'd take half that and maybe 4 if it's a lower salary for that fourth year or as an option.

 

Dodgers may have interest in Randy Johnson - Sports Rumors - MLB - Yahoo! Sports

Not sure if I want Brocail because Park's been solid in middle relief. I'd rather re-sign Park. Johnson may be an interesting choice if the Sabathia or Peavy talks are dropped.

 

Rumors are that he is asking for a 1-2 year deal. He was willing to give the Douchebacks 50% off so he may do the same for the Dodgers. 45 years old but his value will come from mentoring the young blood we have much like Maddux.

 

And the Boras-Colletti war continues. Boras should give us a discount considering how much he owes us for the outlandish contract we gave for Andruw Jones.

I figured Blake was likely gone. He wanted to move back East so we never were interested. But he played well for us and I'm sad to see a vet like him leave. Most likely, with little 3B out there, Nomar could return for a 1 year stopgap.

 

Dodgers might be back in the running for Peavy. Read my link in the Padres thread.

 

The guy reeks of Andruw Jones for some reason in my mind. Certainly worth a look but just not getting good vibes here.

Getting Peavy and CC seems like a pipe dream. But if we're losing a top OF and/or infielder in the trade, we better find equal replacement fast. Looking at the series vs the Phillies, we really lost because our offense couldn't produce as well as our pitching let us down. We'll fix the latter, but I'm very worried about the former. Ramirez was the offense (responsible for 1/3 of our points against the Phillies and only man standing in the final game). No one on our team came close. Either "led" the team in HR's with 20 and Manny nearly topped that playing a third of the games for us. If we're going to return deep into the playoffs next year, it's going to have to be done with more offense than what we had pre-Manny, not solely pitching. We can't afford to get worse that that department. No offense and all pitching isn't going to take us too far. Phillies and Rays showed why.

 

I dunno. I just think we're getting a guy who'll bat .250 and maybe 50 RBI's. Not very good plate discipline and certainly a bit injury prone. Not sure if I want to throw big money for that. In a weak 3B field, he could get something like that.

 

For a bargain maybe. But certainly not the $5 mil he got as a White Sox.

 

Sounds reasonable but he certainly has to produce like his 06 season and lot like his 04. He has a good track record at Dodger Stadium but I would hope his chronic back issues are a thing of the past. Those kinds of things can always come back.

 

Andruw Jones....

 

Sabathia could get offer from Dodgers | MLB.com: News

 

I'd hate to see OC on the Dodgers tbh.

 

I wouldn't mind. Though I prefer Furcal.

 

I still think Hu needs another year before he's ready. Might as well get a guy like Cabrera for a 1-2 year contract.

 

Dodgers never seriously courted CC | MLB.com: News

 

AP source: Furcal stays with Dodgers - MLB - Yahoo! Sports

Ok, that came out of the blue..... (pun intended). Well, looks like all we need now is a Manny type slugger and 1-2 starting pitchers.

 

Some news pertaining to LA.

The Los Angeles Times reports that the Dodgers are working on a deal that would allow them to cut ties with Andruw Jones.
The Times' T.J. Simers offers no details as to how this will happen, just that it will miraculously somehow save the Dodgers' $12 million. Dodgers GM Ned Colletti declined comment.
Source: Los Angeles Times

Manny Ramirez-OF- Dodgers Jan. 1 - 9:38 am et

According to the Denver Post, the Giants "are quietly making an aggressive play for Manny Ramirez."
How "quiet" is the "aggressive play" if a Colorado-based newspaper has the scoop on it? With the Dodgers looking like Ramirez's best option, perhaps agent Scott Boras is attempting to stir up a little bidding war.
Source: Denver Post
Related: Giants

 

Yay to the first and maybe they can somehow fork that $12 mil onto the Mets. Talk about killing 2 birds with one big fat stone.

I'm pretty sure the Giants move is just Boras desperate attempt to churn the waters. Tried it with the Yankees and it's 9th inning 2 out for him and Manny right now.

 

Kent Retires
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_y...slug=ti-kentretires012209&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

Props to Kent for being a true Dodger fan. Wanted to play for the Dodgers when he was a kid and did so.