Pedro for Delino

Game 4 - Disgust

2008-10-13T23:10:00.000-07:00

The Dodgers had this one. Up 5-3 with 2 innings to go & Hong Chi Kuo pitching his tail off. It was there's to lose & lose it they did. Joe Torre's surprising decision to lift Kuo for Corey Wade only to have Wade give up a line drive homer to Dodger arch-foe Shane Victorino, then have him lifted in the 8th for Jonathan "Can't pitch under pressure" Broxton was baffling. To say Broxton folds under pressure is like asking Jack Clark if he can hit a Tom Niedenfeur fast ball. Broxton threw a pitch to Matt Stairs that may still be going. The Dodgers had the best era in the NL this season. The best bullpen & with Manny pne of the best lineups, but it is in an odd configuration to say the least.

Russell Martin should bat 2nd. Andre Ethier or James Loney should bat 4th. Torre should not keep goofing around with the lineup. He started doing that in his last years with the Yankees, batting A-Rod eighth, but leaving the underachieving over-hyped Derek Jeter in the 2 slot. This is a manager who won 4 championships in New York with what were essentially Gene Michaels' and Buck Showalter teams. He has proven he can not manage young players & needs a presence like Manny Ramirez to change rules that he had established in the club house since day one (No music, no long hair, etc.). Joe Torre doesn't have the wherewithal to adapt to the everchanging landscape of baseball.

If the Dodgers are to succeed they will have to get a presence much like the Angels in that of Mike Scioscia. Well the Angels lost in the first round to the Sox and Torre helped the Dodgers win their first series in 20 years, you say. B.S.!!! Manny Ramirez won that series & is the only reason the Dodgers are where they are today. He elevated that team to a playoff contender, without Manny this team would be languishing somewhere near the bottom of the division. If this offseason is to be any kind of success, McCourt better open up that moth ridden wallet of his and pay Manny accordingly. He'll make up the money in revenue in the first year alone. Also, if there's a chance to land Mike Scioscia at any point within the next few years it'd be worth the hurt feelings of Joe Torre to get a manager that isn't sleeping on the rail during the game.

Lineup Game 2 NLCS

2008-10-10T13:06:00.000-07:00

A few changes in the lineup today:

Same folks, slightly different arrangement:

Furcal- SS
Martin- C
Ramirez- LF
Ethier- RF
Loney- 1B
Kemp- CF
DeWitt- 2B
Blake- 3B
Billingsley- 1

The Phillies swap in Greg Dobbs for Pedro Feliz at third, but beyond that it's the same.

Rollins- SS
Victorino- CF
Utley- 2B
Howard- 1B
Burrell- LF
Werth- RF
Dobbs- 3B
Ruiz- 2
Myers- 1

LIVE BLOG

2008-10-09T17:19:00.000-07:00

Playoff Blogging

2008-10-09T15:45:00.000-07:00

Here are the starting line-ups for Game 1 of the NLCS

Dodgers

James Loney 1b

Matt Kemp cf

Casey Blake 3b

Phillies

Chase Utley 2b

Ryan Howard 1b

Pat Burrell lf

Jayson Werth rf

Pedro Feliz 3b

Carlos Ruiz c

Cole Hamels p

Bring on the Phils

2008-10-07T02:57:00.000-07:00

So the Dodgers finally know that their counterpart will be Philly in the NLCS. Not an easy task to go up against one of the best hitting teams in baseball. The Pitching seems to favor the Dodgers. Hamels is a stud and Moyer has pitched well, but Lowe is a seasoned veteran having been here many times, Billingsley has been the Dodgers best starter all season and Kuroda is good for 5 or 6 decent innings. Myers has pitched well since August, but earlier in the season was sent back dowbn to the minors to regain his form. The Bullpens are pretty equal except for the closer which heavily favors Philly.

Hitting is something of a toss-up as well. While the Phillies did have the 3rd most runs scored, but had the 10th best batting average which is indicative of a team that scores all their runs by the long ball. The Dodgers pitchers gave up the fewest homers in baseball so that could bode well against a team with the likes of Ryan Howard and Chase Utley. The Dodgers hitting has seen a resurgence since the acquissition of Manny Ramirez and Casey Blake and the reemergence of Rafael Furcal after spending nearly the entire season on the DL.

What really favors the Dodgers is if they can take at least one in Philly then they play the middle three in LA where they had one of the best records in the NL. I'm picking the Dodgers in 6 to win and face the Red Sox in the World Series.

Game 2

2008-10-03T14:14:00.000-07:00

Chad Billingsley is the new ace of this staff. It's undeniable now. This blog has taken an exceedingly homer turn possibly for the worst lately and for that I apologize but really the Dodgers look great. Timely hitting along with Cub miscues have given the Dodgers quite a large series lead, but do NOT think that this series is over. Let's not get ahead of ourselves, the Cubs were the best team in the National League and will not give up easily. Fukudome will not be in the lineup & the Cubs are throwing haren who has pitched well of late. The sweep in possible but don't rule out a return to Chicago.

Game 1 - NLDS

2008-10-01T23:20:00.000-07:00

Watching the Dodgers systematically dismantle the Cubs tonight was something that can not be taken lightly. After the Dodgers sputtered along for 4 listless innings, Ryan Dempster gave them the pick me up they needed by loading the bases and serving a fastball to which James Loney promptly banged over the Left/Center field Ivy covered wall for a grand slam. Derek Lowe looked like the same Derek Lowe that helped carry the 2004 Red Sox to a championship, throwing 6 strong ininngs of 2 run ball.

Even Broxton looked good tonight which is surprising since recently he's been hit harder than Sarah Palin on "Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?" Manny also added a golf shot, as did Russel Martin in the ninth. Let's not get carried away though, while this is the first series lead the Dodgers have had since 1988, it's still only one game. The good thing is now they have the home field advantage. They looked flat the first 41/2 but really started to knock around the beleagured Chicago pitching staff after that.

Carlos Zambrano goes up against Chad Billingsley tomorrow in the late game and it should be great. I will say this, though, Rafael Furcal looked off, like he wasn't ready to play. Perhaps, he shoud be relegated to bench duty with Jeff Kent and let Angel Berroa play SS. Just a thought. Other than that the lineup was great, the pitching was phenomenal, Lowe, Wade, Broxton & Maddux (Mad Dog closed...weird). Let's hope the Dodgers keep this barrage of hitting up & sweep the Cubs out of the playoffs.

Playoffs!!!

2008-09-25T15:36:00.000-07:00

Not since the days of Kirk Gibson, Orel Hershiser & Mickey Hatcher has there been so much optimism in L.A.. Today as the D-Backs finished their late season swoon, Dodgertown was abound with excitement, turning tonight's game against the Padres into a mere formality. The possibility of a postseason freeway series is more possible than perhaps ever in history. The likelihood of another Boston vs. L.A. showdown is not out of the realm of hope for the Blue. So ironic is it that the Dodgers get into the playoffs under the tutelage of Joe Torre, who continues his streak of playoff wins is continued, but the Yankees do not get in.

If the Mets do not get in and Milwaukee does, the Dodgers will face the Cubs starting at Wrigley. If it's the Met's who get the Wild card then the Blue open up in Philly & if the Phils end up int he Wild Card then it's the Dodgers at Shea. So many possibilities, but with the Pitching the way it's been and the hitting so on fire I would hate the be any team against the Dodgers this postseason.

Loaiza getting a bum wrap

2008-04-12T12:37:00.000-07:00

The treatment of Esteban Loaiza, by Joe Torre, is absolutely disgusting. The Dodgers are mired in a four game losing streak & Loaiza has had very little to do with it. Sure his era is 6.75. However, that is in one start & one relief appearance. This is after Torre says after his last start that Loaiza is his fifth starter and he is going to stick with him. What about Andruw Jones, signed for $18.1 Million a year to be hitting .114 w/ 1 RBI in 10 games? What about Brad Penny who gave up four runs in one inning last night? Do we replace them right away?

The Dodgers are off to their worst start in 10 seasons, but take into account that they have a guy at third base who has never played above Double A. An outfield consisting of a hapless Jones, a right fielder in Matt Kemp who makes a sport out of even the simplest of fly balls & Juan Pierre who couldn't hit water if he fell out of a boat. I lobbied for the Dodgers all off-season to get Joe Crede. It would not have been that expensive and his track record shows he is worth the investment. This is indicative of Dodger management gong back to the Pierre signing & the Jason Schmidt signing. I was one of the people that heralded the Andruw Jones signing as a step in the right direction and it still might be, but the truth is that Ned Colletti & Frank McCheap have turned one of the storied franchises in baseball into a club in constant flux, in rebuilding mode.

Juan Pierre should never have been signed, but since hindsight is 20/20 what should have been done is moving him while picking up some of the tab. Matt Kemp will get his hitting on track, but his defense is abysmal & would be better suited for an American League team where he can hit 35-40 HRS while DHing. Andre Ethier is turning out to be a hell of a player and outperforming many people's expectations. The Dodgers will be there at the end of the season, probably in contention for a wild card, but unless some changes are made in the hierarchy (this means you Colletti) then this will be a vicious cycle of being on the cusp and inevitable failure.

Mattingly Quits

2008-01-22T15:03:00.000-08:00

This from the AP:

Don Mattingly stepped aside as the Dodgers' hitting coach on Tuesday and was replaced by Mike Easler. Mattingly followed Joe Torre from New York to Los Angeles and was supposed to eventually replace Torre as the Dodgers' manager. However, he said he needed to go home for family reasons. He will remain in the organization as a special advisor and coach. "I'm very grateful that the Dodgers have allowed me to take care of these family matters and I hope that everyone can respect our privacy during this time," Mattingly said in press release. "I truly appreciate the support of all Dodger fans since joining the organization and I look forward to helping the team win in 2008 and beyond."

I assume he left to mourn the death of Heath Ledger...but that's just speculation.

Arbitration

2008-01-20T12:24:00.001-08:00

Listed below are the players who have filed for arbitration and have yet to sign with their teams. Arbitration hearings will be held from Feb. 1-20, at which time a panel will rule in the player's favor or the club's favor, choosing one figure or the other. Players and teams are free to continue negotiating and reach a contract agreement until a ruling is made.

Player	Club	Club No.	Player No.
Atkins, Garrett	COL	4,125,000	4,650,000
Bard, Josh	SD	1,850,000	2,500,000
Bedard, Erik	BAL	6,000,000	8,000,000
Beimel, Joe	LA	1,700,000	2,150,000
Belisle, Matt	CIN	1,000,000	1,650,000
Betancourt, Rafael	CLE	1,750,000	2,500,000
Blake, Casey	CLE	5,400,000	6,900,000
Borkowski, Dave	HOU	750,000	1,100,000
Bruney, Brian	NYY	640,000	845,000
Bruntlett, Eric	PHI	550,000	800,000
Bush, David	MIL	2,250,000	3,000,000
Cabrera, Daniel	BAL	2,600,000	3,300,000
Cano, Robinson	NYY	3,200,000	4,550,000
Chavez, Endy	NY	1,725,000	2,075,000
Chulk, Vinnie	SF	725,000	975,000
Church, Ryan	NY	1,750,000	2,450,000
Correia, Kevin	SF	850,000	1,300,000
Cuddyer, Michael	MIN	4,700,000	6,200,000
Feliciano, Pedro	NY	880,000	1,200,000
Fuentes, Brian	COL	5,050,000	6,500,000
Gaudin, Chad	OAK	1,500,000	2,050,000
German, Esteban	KC	837,500	1,200,000
Greene, Khalil	SD	4,000,000	4,900,000
Greinke, Zack	KC	1,150,000	1,800,000
Guerrier, Matthew	MIN	750,000	1,150,000
Hardy, J.J.	MIL	2,400,000	3,050,000
Hawpe, Bradley	COL	3,575,000	4,350,000
Howard, Ryan	PHI	7,000,000	10,000,000
Lopez, Felipe	WSH	4,900,000	5,200,000
Loretta, Mark	HOU	2,750,000	4,900,000
Molina, Yadier	STL	1,850,000	2,750,000
Perez, Oliver	NY	4,725,000	6,500,000
Phillips, Brandon	CIN	2,700,000	4,200,000
Proctor, Scott	LA	930,000	1,300,000
Rauch, Jon	WSH	1,100,000	1,400,000
Rios, Alexis	TOR	4,535,000	5,650,000
Rodriguez, Francisco	LAA	10,000,000	12,500,000
Sanchez, Freddy	PIT	4,100,000	4,900,000
Snyder, Kyle	BOS	725,000	1,025,000
Soriano, Rafael	ATL	2,400,000	3,400,000
Sosa, Jorge	NY	1,700,000	2,750,000
Teahen, Mark	KC	1,900,000	2,900,000
Valverde, Jose	HOU	4,700,000	6,200,000
Wang, Chien-Ming	NYY	4,000,000	4,600,000
Wellemeyer, Todd	STL	875,000	1,325,000
Wuertz, Michael	CHI	750,000	975,000
Youkilis, Kevin	BOS	2,525,000	3,700,000

Weekly Roundup

2008-01-18T14:43:00.000-08:00

Jason Repko came to terms on a one year contract avoiding arbitration. The contract is worth $487,500.
Free agent Reggie Sanders, who is scheduled to audition for a "Baseball Tonight" gig next week, said he'll decide on his future in baseball by the end of the month. Sanders said his agent, Mike Powers, has talked to the Padres and Dodgers about a reserve job. The 40-year-old Sanders is expected to play on the West Coast if he chooses to continue his career.
Dodgers GM Ned Colletti said Andy LaRoche and Nomar Garciaparra would begin spring training on even terms in a competition for the starting job at third base.
"I think Andy and Nomar are two good options at third base," Colletti said. "We're going to let them figure it out. I think it's unfair to either player to have a preconceived notion as to how it's going to turn out. I think it's a situation that ought to be debated on the field."
Jason Schmidt has been throwing off flat ground several times per week and has a chance to be ready to begin the season in the rotation. Schmidt is returning from surgery to repair a torn labrum. "If he continues to progress, there's a great chance he'll be ready to go," GM Ned Colletti said. "We've had nothing to discourage us. He's been throwing for a while now. He'll continue to build his arm strength." Schmidt will be the Dodgers' fifth starter if healthy, relegating Esteban Loaiza to the bullpen or the scrap heap.
Dodgers signed RHP Yhency Brazoban to a one-year, $540,000 contract.

Johnny Podres Passes

2008-01-15T01:56:00.000-08:00

From L.A. Times writer Dylan Hernandez:

Buzzie Bavasi said that he had two great competitors in his time as the Dodgers' general manager.

One was Jackie Robinson. The other was Johnny Podres.

Podres, the left-hander who pitched the Brooklyn Dodgers to their first World Series championship in 1955, died Sunday at a hospital in Glens Falls, N.Y., of complications from a leg infection. The 75-year-old had also had heart and kidney problems in recent years.

"I had a lot of great pitchers with the Dodgers -- Don Drysdale, Don Sutton, and one of the best in the business, Sandy Koufax," Bavasi said. "But when we needed to win a ballgame, who do you think we went to? Johnny Podres."

That was the case in the seventh and deciding game of the 1955 World Series. Standing in the way of the Dodgers' first championship were the New York Yankees, who had beaten them in the Fall Classic in 1941, '47, '49, '52 and '53.

Pitcher Don Newcombe said that in a pre-game meeting in the Dodgers clubhouse before Game 7 of the 1955 Series, shortstop Pee Wee Reese asked the team, "Can we beat the Yankees?"

Newcombe recalled the then-23-year-old Podres standing up and saying, "Guys, get me one run and I guarantee we'll be champions."

Podres threw an eight-hitter in a 2-0 Dodgers victory and was named the first-ever World Series most valuable player. The championship was the only one the Dodgers would win in Brooklyn.

"I was never superstitious, but that game was so tense until the end that I didn't want to move on the bench, I didn't want to breathe," pitcher Carl Erskine recalled. But Podres, Erskine said, wasn't scared.

Podres moved with the Dodgers to Los Angeles in 1958 and was part of their World Series championship teams in 1959 and '63. He was traded to the Detroit Tigers in 1966 and retired at the end of the 1969 season, which he spent with the San Diego Padres.

He retired a three-time All-Star with a career record of 148-116 and an earned-run average of 3.68. His reputation as a big-game pitcher was well-deserved -- teammate and close friend Don Zimmer said that Reese used to call him "Mr. Clutch" -- as he was 4-1 with a 2.11 ERA in six World Series games.

Podres' biggest weapon was a straight change-up that was taught to him and Erskine by former Dodgers executive Branch Rickey. Newcombe and Maury Wills, another Dodgers teammate, said the change-up was the best they'd ever seen.

"No Dodger pitcher has ever used that particular kind of grip since," Erskine said. "You let the ball recess back so that you use your middle knuckles like the ends of your fingers. The wrist had to collapse behind the ball. It had the same rotation as a four-seam fastball, so it was difficult to pick up. But it was also difficult to get over the plate."

Not for Podres and Erskine. Podres used the pitch to get Elston Howard to ground out to Reese for the final out of the 1955 World Series.

Later, as a coach with the Boston Red Sox, Philadelphia Phillies and Minnesota Twins, Podres tried to teach the pitch to a new generation of hurlers.

Zimmer was the manager of the Red Sox in 1980 when Podres was the pitching coach.

Zimmer recalled seeing Podres teaching a young pitcher how to throw a change-up. When the pupil threw one correctly, Zimmer said, Podres jumped and exclaimed, "That's it! Now you've got it!"

"I got excited watching him be excited," Zimmer said.

Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling, whom Podres worked with in Philadelphia, posted a message on his blog Monday that read: "Outside of the Lord, my wife and my father there was no person who impacted my life more than Johnny Podres. . . . We spoke often about 'big games' and he instilled this belief in me, even before I had a chance to pitch in a truly big game, that when the time came I'd answer the bell. The postseason success I've been blessed to enjoy I've always known to be a direct result of who and what he was."

Said Zimmer: "I never heard of anybody in a baseball uniform who didn't like Johnny Podres."

Which is partly why the service for Podres on Wednesday will be open to the public. It will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. at Singleton Healy Funeral Home in Queensbury, N.Y.

"It's the way he would've wanted it," said his son, John Jr. "He liked people."

In addition to his son, survivors include his wife of 41 years, Joan, and another son, Joseph.

Congress vs. Baseball

2008-01-12T01:38:00.000-08:00

For those of you who live in a bubble or in Salt Lake City, Congress has decided to postpone their Jan. 16 hearing on Steroids & Performance Enhancing Drugs to Feb. 13 (Thank God it wasn't on Valentine's Day, then all the papers would run with the headline --- St. Valentine's Day Massacre). The most common thing I hear coming from people's mouths is: doesn't Congress have better things to do? There's a war. The economy sucks. Gas prices are high.
This is all true. I don't dispute the fact that we are in a time of crisis in this country where the ups and downs of society is decidedly on the down side, but indulge me while I speak of why Congress MUST intercede in this cheating that has enveloped this great sport of ours.

Walt Whitman once wrote,

I see great things in baseball. It's our game - the American game. It will take our people out-of-doors, fill them with oxygen, give them a larger physical stoicism. Tend to relieve us from being a nervous, dyspeptic set. Repair these losses, and be a blessing to us.

The AMERICAN game. Baseball is more than the National Pastime, it is part of our enduring legacy as a country. It has created legends of men who can hit that little sphere with a success rate of merely 30%. Baseball, like life, is about failure. In life more often than not you are going to not succeed or get what you want. It is just the law of averages & baseball is as clear a metaphor of this than any other sport or game out there. As Paul Gallico said,"No game in the world is as tidy and dramatically neat as baseball, with cause and effect, crime and punishment, motive and result, so cleanly defined."

Baseball is not just a game it's not just a sport, it is us. Baseball is an everyman game. Who hasn't gone out during the summer and hit the ball with their friends? Hell, I used to go the park down the street and pretend I was Steve Garvey or Ted Williams or Babe Ruth. Who hasn't gone outside and just played catch with their father? My father and I had an acrimonious relationship, at best, but when we threw that ball 60 feet 6 inches we were nothing but best friends. Best friends who carried on the tradition that has endured between fathers and sons since before the Civil War.

Now, people have a problem with Congress trying to stop cheaters? Baseball is a game who's records are most cherished, most hallowed. When someone says 714, what pops into your head? Babe Ruth. 755? Hank Aaron. 56 game hit streak? DiMaggio (which is in my spell check, proving my point). 61 homers in a season? Roger Maris. These are records that in the pantheon of baseball lore have taken on mythic status. Now, players, who get paid ungodly sums of money to play something you or I would undoubtedly do for nothing, have treated those records as if they were worthless.

Congress works as a conduit for the American people. They were elected by the people for the people to serve our interests. When we, as Americans, pay our hard earned money to go to a baseball game (something that costs upwards of $100 now) we want to be assured that the players are doing their best to keep the legacy of the game pure. The casual fan may not care who uses what in their bodies, but nor will that fan care about any of the traditions and sanctity of the game. They will not recognize the sheer beauty in a 6-4-3 double play. They won't see the excitement in a 1-0 game where both pitchers go the distance. Real fans, the ones who have stuck by baseball through Collusion, strikes & now steroids know that it has to stop.

Congress is doing the right thing in preserving this great game, pastime, enduring legacy of ours. If we can't count on the hierarchy of baseball to police it's own employees then we must trust that the people we elect to carry out what we, as mere bystanders, can not carry out, do what's best for the country. Those who mock Congress for taking this step think of the image that a young boy has of players like Bonds, Clemens, McGwire, Sosa as cheaters & realizing that the only way he can make it to the big leagues is if he cheats as well. I leave you with my favorite quote from one of my favorite movies, Field of Dreams (which if baseball wasn't so beautiful why does this movie still make me cry?):

The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball. America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. It has been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt and erased again. But baseball has marked the time. This field, this game: it's a part of our past, Ray. It reminds us of all that once was good and could be again.

Weekly Roundup

2008-01-11T15:05:00.001-08:00

There hasn't been much baseball news this week. I'm working on getting those lineups to you by Sunday, but here are a few tidbits.

Jeff Kent wants blood testing in baseball, including the playoffs & his mustache.
Luis Gonzales is close to signing with the Marlins. A guy that rips young players all season is gonna go to a team with the largest triple A payroll in baseball? Way to end a career.
The Brewers want Eric Gagne to make a statement about using 'Roids.
Dodgers signed LHP Matt Riley, RHP Alfredo Simon and OF George Lombard to minor league contracts and invited them to spring training.
First mini camp was held yesterday & quite a few players showed up.
And it's one month and 3 days until pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training in Florida. Valentine's Day!!! Love will be in the air with pitchers and catchers (insert joke here).

Goose gets in!!!

2008-01-08T14:53:00.001-08:00

Congratulations to Goose Gossage for being the lone candidate to get into the Hall of Fame. One of the best relievers of all time Gossage is finally in. A few surprises as well:

Jim Rice just missed again & I get the feeling that he will never get in. Much like his career he just isn't good enough to get in.
Andre Dawson, who many thought would get in, didn't. I'm glad he didn't get in. I have never been a fan of the Hawk & never really thought he belonged in the Hall of Fame.
Tim Raines only got 23% and isn't looking good for the future.

Paul Depodesta

2008-01-05T03:56:00.000-08:00

There is a rather boring interview with former Dodger GM Paul Depodesta here. If you're interested you could give it a read. The most interesting thing, actually, is the comments section at the bottom. A reader asks about Depo's time with the Dodgers & the interviewer gives a cryptic response saying that the Question was scrapped because Depo can't speak of his time with the Dodgers. What? It's not like Frank McCourt gave P.D. the secret code to the missile silo underneath the Parking lot (future football stadium & grave site for the girls who turn Drew McCourt's advances down). The only thing I can think of is tampering.

Next Week

2008-01-02T15:20:00.000-08:00

Next Week I will have the lineups from every team in the NL & a preview of what the Dodgers are in store for. We're chasing an interview or two but I don't want to jinx anything so tune in next week for the new year of Pedro For Delino.

Stu Nahan R.I.P

2007-12-28T10:39:00.000-08:00

Stu Nahan passed away the other day and we failed to notice. Our apologies for not recognizing sooner one of the great voices in Los Angeles sports history. Stu did the nightly newscast on channel 5 who just recently also lost Hal Fishman. We wish his family well & remember Stu fondly including his stint as the announcer in the early Rocky movies.

Break Time

2007-12-22T14:07:00.000-08:00

So PFD is taking a break until the New Year, unless any big news comes up or I get an itch. We'd like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas & a Happy Blue Year.

Last Day of Business

2007-12-21T13:59:00.000-08:00

Today is the last day of business before the New Year for MLB clubs. Barry M. (moron?) Bloom writes this for MLB.com:

Heading into their 50th anniversary season in Los Angeles, the Dodgers made a big splash this month by signing free agents Andruw Jones and Hiroki Kuroda. This coming after Torre left the Yankees and replaced Grady Little as manager.

Though Jones will displace Juan Pierre in center field, perhaps moving Pierre to left, the Blue Crew still could use another power bat in the middle of the lineup behind Jones and Jeff Kent. If not, they're eyeing another season using the oft-injured Nomar Garciaparra at third base.
While Scott Rolen would fit nicely into this picture, GM Ned Colletti may be more likely to pit Garciaparra and Andy LaRoche against each other this spring. An outfield surplus of Pierre and Andre Ethier gives Colletti some trading chips. And it's hard to believe, because of the current falling out between Rolen and manager Tony La Russa in St. Louis, that Rolen will remain with the Cardinals.
Keep this one on the front burner.

What the fuck? Please Ned Colletti keep this off the front burner, in fact keep it in the fridge. We already have one hobbled 3b in Garciahamm. Andy LaRoche at least deserves a shot if we can't acquire a solid 3b. Solid meaning someone who doesn't need crutches while taking his position. Crede would be a nice addition.

As for Bloom's contention that the Dodgers don't have any other power hitters, I beg to differ. Matt Kemp hit 10 homers in 292 AB, had an OPS of .849 & is still only 23. What about James Loney? He hit 15 dingers & had an OPS of .919. He too is only 23. What about Russell Martin? Well Mr. Martin knocked out 19 last season while playing the most physically demanding position in baseball. His OPS? .843. He'll be 25 when the season starts. This is a young team with the makings of a nucleus that could be together for a number of years. Remember those years of Sax, Garvey, Cey, Russell & Lopes? They all came up right around the same time & the Dodgers were a force to reckoned with.

Barry Bloom is a nationally read journalist a little fact checking and common sense should come into the equation. Scott Rolen is a liability the Cards can't wait to get rid of, he's been a cancer in nearly every clubhouse he's been and burned so many bridges that Tony La Russa publicly ridicules him. I do concede that there is one way this could happen & that is if the Dodgers move Pierre for Rolen straight up then move either LaRoche or Ethier to left and trade the odd man out for relief pitching. The salaries match up pretty closely & even Rolen is better than Pierre. Colletti has had a good spring thus far. I can't help but wait for the other shoe to drop.

Yawn

2007-12-18T00:48:00.000-08:00

Dodgers signed Gary Bennett to be the backup to Russell Martin. Bennett will start maybe 3 or 4 times a month. This is the same Gary Bennett that admitted to HGH usage last week so great signing Colletti. For a mere $400,000 more the Dodgers could have kept Mike Lieberthal. He already knows the staff & he was there to help Martin mature. It's not a huge deal, but it doesn't help the team nor McCheap's image of being a frugal miser.

Eric Bedard

2007-12-17T01:55:00.000-08:00

John Fay from the Cincinnati Enquirer is saying the Dodgers are still the front runners to get Bedard. Considering the Dodger rotation is 6 deep right now, it's seems a bit redundant to give up prospects & many of them most likely for an ancillary need like Starting Pitching. I would file this one under the, "John Fay gets his info late cause he's in Cincinnati."

If the season started today...

2007-12-16T15:31:00.000-08:00

I've received a lot of emails from Dodger fans & detractors alike (like my cousin the Padre fan) who think the Dan Haren trade will have a significant impact on the NL West and the NL in general. While I agree that it was quite a coup for the D-Backs you also have to take into account who they gave up and who the Dodgers and other teams for that matter still have. Therefore I have compiled the starting rotations for the entire NL if the season were to start today.

NL WEST

D-Backs

Brandon Webb
Danny Haren
Doug Davis
Micah Owings
Billy Buckner

Dodgers

Brad Penny
Derek Lowe
Chad Billingsley
Hiroki Kuroda
Jason Schmidt/Esteban Loaiza

Giants

Barry Zito
Matt Cain
Noah Lowry
Tim Lincecum
Kevin Correia

Padres

Jake Peavy
Chris Young
Greg Maddux
Randy Wolf
Justin Germano/Glendon Rusch/Shawn Estes

Rockies

Jeff Francis
Aaron Cook
Josh Fogg
Ubaldo Jimenez
Franklin Morales

When it comes to depth the Dodgers are just as deep as anyone in the division. With the signing of Kuroda & the hopeful re-emergence of Schmidt I would match that rotation up with anyone's in the division. The Rockies rotation has some young stars in waiting (Francis, Cook) & the Padres have perhaps the best pitcher in the NL in Peavy. After Webb and Haren the D-backs' rotation is not that strong.

NL CENTRAL

Astros

Roy Oswalt
Woody Williams
Wandy Rodriguez
Brandon Backe
Chris Sampson/Brian Moehler

Brewers

Ben Sheets
Dave Bush
Jeff Suppan
Yovani Gallardo
Claudio Vargas/Carols Villanueva

Cardinals

Adam Wainwright
Mark Mulder
Braden Looper
Ryan Franklin
Joel Pineiro

Cubs

Carlos Zambrano
Ted Lilly
Rich Hill
Jason Marquis
Sean Marshall

Pirates

Ian Snell
Tom Gorzelanny
Zach Duke
Paul Maholm
Tony Armas Jr./Matt Morris

Reds

Aaron Harang
Bronson Arroyo
Homer Bailey
Matt Belisle
???

The NL Central is the worst division in all of baseball & the pitching is extremely suspect for every team. The Pirates have the potential to have great pitching, but right now I'd have to give the nod to Chicago. Zambrano, Hill & Lilly are a solid trio, especially in this garbage division.

NL EAST

Braves

John Smoltz
Tim Hudson
Tom Glavine
Chuck James
Buddy Carlyle/Mike Hampton

Marlins

Who cares? The Marlins are the worst team in baseball history.

Mets

Pedro Martinez
El Duque
John Maine
Orlando Hernandez
Mike Pelfrey

Nationals

John Patterson
Shawn Hill
Jason Bergman
Matt Chico
Tim Redding/Joel Hanrahan/Tyler Clippard

Phillies

Cole Hamels
Jamie Moyer
Kyle Kendrick
Adam Eaton
J.D. Durbin

The Marlins & Nationals aren't going anywhere. The Mets have to hope Pedro can give them something, but right now the Braves have the best rotation. Too bad they're not going anywhere.

Dodgers sign Kuroda

2007-12-15T14:30:00.000-08:00

Tony Jackson is reporting that Hiroki Kuroda has officially agreed to a 3 year 36-40 million dollar deal. It's a lot to give up for a middle of the rotation guy, but as Jackson says, Colletti has filled 2 holes (CF & SP) and hasn't given up one of the young players. Kuroda slots in probably to the 3 or 4 spot in the rotation & most likely moves Loaiza into a long relief role.

Pitching at a premium in NL West

2007-12-14T16:21:00.000-08:00

The D-backs made 3 trades today which could impact the NL West.

RHP Dan Haren from the A's for OF Carlos Gonzalez, LHP Brett Anderson, OF Aaron Cunningham, 1B Chris Carter, LHP Greg Smith and LHP Dana Eveland.
RHP Chad Qualls, 2B-OF Chris Burke and RHP Juan Gutierrez from the Astros for RHP Jose Valverde.
RHP Billy Buckner from the Royals for infielder Alberto Callaspo.

That's 5 of the the top 10 prospects in their organization gone, but they get one of the best young pitchers in baseball. He was solid on a bad A's team last season & should be quite a tandem with Brandon Webb.

Frank Mc Cheap Speaks

2007-12-14T11:49:00.000-08:00

Frank Mc Cheap, who we love to hate here at PFD, had these comments regarding the Mitchell Report:

As the steward of the Los Angeles Dodgers, I am steadfast in the belief that performance-enhancing drugs have no place in baseball. The Dodgers have supported and fully cooperated with this investigation, initiated by the commissioner and conducted by Senator Mitchell. We wholeheartedly support Commissioner Selig’s efforts to rid the game of these substances and we commend Senator Mitchell on a thorough investigation. Our commitment to our fans during our stewardship has been and always will be to do everything in our power to maintain the game’s integrity.

With that said, I have not had the chance to read the report in its entirety and once I am able to do so, I’ll be willing to share any further thoughts.

A couple things: Mc Cheap seems to enjoy the word Steward & why is it that nobody has read this thing yet? Bud Selig got the report 3 days before anybody else and said he hadn't read it yet. Now, Mc Cheap says he hasn't read the report in it's entirety. Here's a suggestion, "Steward" of the Dodgers, take 15 minutes out from trying to woo the NFL to the Dodger stadium parking lot and read this thing. It's really much better than anything you're reading now.

Former Dodgers

2007-12-13T13:31:00.000-08:00

Radomski alleges that Paul Lo Duca purchased steroids on Gagne's behalf and recalls having direct contact with him just once, at which time they reportedly spoke about how to get the air out of a syringe. According to the Mitchell Report, the Red Sox had internal discussions about Gagne's past steroid usage before acquiring him in 2007, including an e-mail from general manager Theo Epstein that read: "Have you done any digging on Gagne? I know the Dodgers think he was a steroid guy."
Radomski produced three checks of $3,200 each, supposedly for human growth hormone, and a hand-written note from Lo Duca. The Mitchell Report also has an internal note from the Dodgers in Oct. 2003 claiming Lo Duca "got off the steroids" and should probably be considered trade bait. He ended up being sent to the Marlins just before the 2004 trade deadline.
Radomski alleges that Herges was referred to him by former teammate Paul Lo Duca. Former Albuquerque Dukes strength and conditioning coach Todd Seyler said that Herges and Lo Duca purchased and used steroids while teammates in the minor leagues. Seyler said that teammates also used steroids that were purchased by Lo Duca and Herges, specifically siting an incident in which five players injected themselves prior to a game in 1999.

The Mitchell Report

2007-12-13T11:59:00.001-08:00

The Mitchell Report came out today and WOW!!! This thing is a laundry list of some of baseball's greatest players. To say what happened, happened is naive. This is a plague that had to be eradicated from the game. The report is over 400 pages long. I have yet to read it all, but rest assured I will. When people say referring to someone like Barry Bonds or Roger Clemens, "He was great already, he belongs in the Hall of Fame." is just aiding and abetting these athletes.

Baseball is to blame, the players are to blame, the fans are to blame. Everyone is complicit in this story. The strike pushed fans away and only a juiced Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa could bring them back. Fans returned in droves to see the astronomical blasts by these two behemoths. Children wanted to be them & now that we learn that they have become a pox on the game, now that we learn that players earning 16 million a season do everything possible to help their teams win are we surprised?

Tragically, we are not. The evidence is staggering from people such as former trainer Brian McNamee who said he injected Roger Clemens with Winstrol about four times per week over a several-week period in 1998. The Yankees went on to hire McNamee, supposedly at Clemens' recommendation, and worked with much of the team. Clubhouse attendant Kirk Radomski who seems to have provided steroids to anybody that would give him the time of day. It's a rough day to be a baseball fan.

It's hard to watch the game you love implode from the inside out. One can make the correlation to the Black Sox scandal from 1919 & then realize the damage this has on the game. This is not a problem that is going away. Players will continue to use substances like HGH or Wistrol or Deca-Durabolin as long as there are masking agents or baseball turns a blind eye. Baseball watched players grow to gigantic proportions. They watched Barry Bonds' head grow three sizes and only when they realized he was approaching one the most hallowed records did they do anything about it.

Too little, too late. Bud Selig can look in the mirror & see who's to blame. He has made famous or infamous names that no one should have ever known. Club House attendants that do nothing more than arrange the towels and get food for players are key witnesses in the most damaging report in baseball history. Kirk Radomski will go down in history with such names as: Arnold Rothstein, Ron Peters and Paul Janszen. This is truly a dark day in baseball history. Where have you gone Joe Dimaggio? Our nation turns it's lonely eyes to you. The myth that our heroes are pure anymore coincides with the myth that our politicians are honest. Baseball has never been a perfect sport. Babe Ruth ate and drank too much, Mickey Mantle was an alcoholic, Blacks weren't allowed until 1947, but cheating is the most reprehensible thing a player can do.

To compromise your values for the almighty dollar shows that baseball is no longer a game for the fans but a business for the owners and players. It is no longer the game we grew up loving and cheering for, but a cash cow for millionaires to become billionaires. The fan no longer has a voice, but is merely an afterthought to players that sue baseball as a tool to line their pockets with our hard earned money. It is, however, a game that I adore. A game that I grew playing in the street, at the park & everywhere else I could throw a ball. The Mitchell Report is merely the tip of the iceberg & in the coming months more allegations will come out. More players will admit, deny & pass on the culpability to others.

The game can not be blamed. The game is beautiful. It's the people that use the game for their selfish desires that bring it to it's knees at least once a decade. To quote Terrance Mann (James Earl Jones) from "Field of Dreams":

Ray, people will come Ray. They'll come for reasons they can't even fathom...It's only $20 per person. They'll pass over the money without even thinking about it: for it is money they have and peace they lack. And they'll walk out to the bleachers; sit in shirtsleeves on a perfect afternoon. They'll find they have reserved seats somewhere along one of the baselines, where they sat when they were children and cheered their heroes. And they'll watch the game and it'll be as if they dipped themselves in magic waters. The memories will be so thick they'll have to brush them away from their faces. People will come, Ray. The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball. America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. It has been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt and erased again. But baseball has marked the time. This field, this game: it's a part of our past, Ray. It reminds of us of all that once was good and it could be again. Oh... people will come Ray. People will most definitely come.

And people will come, they always will.

Here are some of the names in the Mitchell report:

Larry Bigbie (confessed)
Brian Roberts (based on an admission to Bigbie)
Jack Cust (based on an admission to Bigbie)
Rondell White (Kirk Radomski)
Roger Clemens (Brian McNamee)
Andy Pettitte (Brian McNamee)
Gregg Zaun (Kirk Radomski)
Ron Villone (Kirk Radomski)
Ryan Franklin (Kirk Radomski)
Miguel Tejada (performance-enhancers provided to Tejada by teammate Adam Piatt)
Mike Stanton (Kirk Radomski)
Jerry Hairston Jr. (Kirk Radomski)
Paul Lo Duca (Kirk Radomski)
Eric Gagne (Kirk Radomski)
Matt Herges (Kirk Radomski)
Gary Bennett (Kirk Radomski)
Brendan Donnelly (Kirk Radomski)
Nook Logan (Kirk Radomski)
Kevin Brown (Kirk Radomski)
Fernando Vina (Kirk Radomski)
Mo Vaughn (Kirk Radomski)
David Justice (Kirk Radomski)

Non Tenders

2007-12-13T00:39:00.001-08:00

Here is a list of all the non tenders from the Major Leagues:

American League

Angels
Dallas McPherson, 3B

A's
Kiko Calero, RHP; Jose Garcia, RHP

Blue Jays
Josh Towers, RHP

Mariners
John Parrish, LHP

Orioles
Cory Doyne, RHP; Roberto Novoa, RHP

Rangers
Nick Gorneault, OF; Akinori Otsuka, RHP

Red Sox
Brendan Donnelly, RHP

Royals
Emil Brown, OF

Tigers
Chad Durbin, RHP

Twins
Jason Tyner, OF

White Sox
Andy Gonzalez, INF; Heath Phillips, LHP

Yankees
T.J. Beam, RHP; Matt DeSalvo, RHP; Darrell Rasner, RHP; Bronson Sardinha, OF

National League

Astros
Adam Everett, SS

Braves
Willie Harris, OF

Brewers
Kevin Mench, OF; Matt Wise, RHP

Cardinals
Aaron Miles, 2B

Cubs
Mark Prior, RHP

Dodgers
Mark Hendrickson, LHP

Giants
Scott Munter, RHP

Marlins
Miguel Olivo, C

Mets
Johnny Estrada, C; Ben Johnson, OF; Juan Padilla, RHP

Nationals
Nook Logan, OF; Mike O'Connor, LHP

Padres
Jack Cassel, RHP; Morgan Ensberg, INF; Ryan Ketchner, LHP; Jason Lane, OF

Pirates
Brad Eldred, 1B; Brian Rogers, RHP

Reds
Jerry Gil, SS; Brad Salmon, RHP

Rockies
Sean Barker, OF; Darren Clarke, RHP

Nice to see Mark Hendrickson is out of there. A few interesting names are available. Let's start with some possibilities.

Pitchers:

Kiko Calero - Had an off year last year on a bad Oakland team, but if you look at his stats from the previous seasons he could be a cheap pick-up in a bounce back year.

Akinori Otsuka - Terrific year last year even though he was injured. He was just about unhittable with the Pads a few years back and could provide solid seventh inning relief as a bridge from the starter to Broxton. His rehab has had some positive reports & he could easily give the Dodgers a boost.

Matt Wise - Wise had a great K/BB ratio last season but his ERA was a little high in the hitter friendly Miller Park.

Mark Prior - Ah, Prior, the former Ace. Since 2003 (his 18 win season) Prior has either been injured or extremely hittable. Though at probably 4 million prorated due to his sitting out the first 2 or 3 months it might be worth the gamble to see what he has left in the tank. I personally, think he goes to the Pads.

Infielders:

Morgan Ensberg - It's a real shame the way this guy's career has gone into the dumps after that one break out season. If the Dodgers are interested in signing him they would be better off with La Roche and Garciahamm.

Minor signings

2007-12-12T16:19:00.000-08:00

Dodgers signed RHP Tanyon Sturtze, RHP Mike Koplove, RHP Brian Falkenborg, RHP Rick Asadoorian, RHP Fernando Desgue, RHP Greg Jones, LHP Brian Shackelford, OF John-Ford Griffin, 1B John Lindsey, IF Angel Chavez and C Danny Ardoin to minor league contracts and invited them to spring training.

Chris Kline --- Baseball America

2007-12-12T11:55:00.000-08:00

Chris Kline filled in for Jim Callis in the ESPN Baseball America chat and had a few things to say about some quality Dodger prospects.

Brian (LA): Answer this one for Dodger fans out there. Is there any guy on the trade market today that you would trade Kershaw for?

Chris: (2:21 PM ET ) On the block right now? No.

John (Dallas): Chris, I was looking at BA's top 10 prospects for the Dodgers and I recognize the top 4 but the last 6, and especially the 3 rhp's are new for me, can you tell me about the 3 rhp's Withrow, McDonald and Meloan? Are they going to have anywhere near the impact that Kershaw, and to some extent Elbert, will have?

Chris: (2:24 PM ET ) Withrow's fastball was up to 98 mph in the Gulf Coast League, which was higher than he was before the draft. McDonald played himself into a prospect last year with ridiculous numbers in high Class A and Double-A. Meloan has enough pitches to start, but the mentality to pitch out of the pen in short spurts. His velocity plays up in that role and the bite on his secondary pitches are much sharper.

Kuroda news

2007-12-12T11:34:00.000-08:00

According to the Kyodo News in Japan Kuroda has reportedly informed his former team in Japan The Hiroshima Carp that he intends to sign with the Dodgers and took a flight today to L.A. to take a physical and sign the contract. A nice pickup for the Blue. He'll be a solid #4 man behind Penny, Lowe & Bills. Here's some info on the guy in case you want to know what the Dodger's are in for.

Jeff Kent is coming back

2007-12-11T23:18:00.000-08:00

Yes, Jeff Kent's agent Jeffrey Klein informed the Dodgers that Kent will grace us with his presence according to Ken Gurnick. I was hoping he'd come back and earn that $9 million the Dodgers are paying him.

HIroki Kuroda news

2007-12-11T19:53:00.000-08:00

Tony Jackson from the L.A. Daily News is reporting that Hiroki Kuroda is "leaning strongly" towards signing with the Dodgers & canceled his trip to the U.S. this week and would make a decision between Seattle and L.A. soon, VERY soon. Arizona is reportedly out of the running.

If this is true then this would give the Dodgers quite the starting rotation. If it happens the team would look something like this:

Starting Rotation

Brad Penny
Derek Lowe
Chad Billingsley
Hiroki Kuroda
Jason Schmidt (injured)/Esteban Loaiza

Bullpen

Joe Beimel
Jonathan Broxton
Scott Proctor (candidate to have his arm fall off with Joe Torre as manager)
Eric Stults
DJ Houlton
Hong Chi Kuo
Takashi Saito
Yhency Brazoban (injured)
Mark Hendrickson (Likely Non-tender candidate)

PROJECTED LINEUP

Rafael Furcal -SS
Russell Martin - C
Jeff Kent - 2b
Andruw Jones - CF
Matt Kemp - RF
James Loney - 1b
Andy La Roche/Nomar Garciaparra - 3b
Juan Pierre/Andre Ethier- LF

Bench

Tony Abreu
Jason Repko
Nomar Garciaparra/Andy La Roche
Juan Pierre/Andre Ethier
Chin Ling Hu

The Bullpen looks a little light. I could see the Dodgers moving one of their excess outfielders (Juan Pierre, Andre Ethier, Delwyn Young) for a reliever & maybe even one of their starters (Schmidt, Loaiza) though that seems unlikely.

Andy La Roche or Pedro Feliz?

2007-12-10T16:21:00.000-08:00

I was reading Randy Youngman's column in the OC Register & I find it very hard to believe that Ned Colletti would prefer signing someone like Pedro Feliz or trading for Brandon Inge over playing Andy La Roche at 3b. Now, it's a well known fact that Ned Colletti is still a closet Giant lover (he wears that 2nd place ring all over the place), but even he should see the stupidity in signing Pedro Feliz. Jayson Stark has already pointed out that the Dodgers have no interest in Brandon Inge.

Juan Pierre to Chicago?

2007-12-07T19:10:00.000-08:00

C hris De Luca of the Chicago Sun-Times is saying that there may be some interest in Dodgers CF Juan Pierre from the White Sox who are coached by all around bad manager and big mouth Ozzie Guillen who used to coach while Pierre played in Florida. Guillen, known for being abrasive and moronic, seems to be in love with Pierre, who is known for being bad at baseball.

I'm all in favor of this move. The Sox could use Pierre in CF, we could keep Ethier and maybe even get a reliever out of the deal though, it wouldn't really matter. Pierre may be worse in LF than he was in CF. If he's gonna be moved this is as good a place as any.

All I want for Christmas is a Starting Pitcher...Oh & maybe a reliever

2007-12-07T17:52:00.000-08:00

So the Dodgers got one of their guys in Andruw Jones & it's a great pick-up (we've discussed this), but there are other needs still there. The need for a 3b is a need only if you don't think Andy La Roche can carry the load himself. True his stint in the majors last season was not impressive, but he did battle injuries all season & a full year with the big club may be just what he needs to raise his game to the next level.

What the Dodgers really need is a starting pitcher and some relief help. As I've written before, who knows how good or healthy Schmidt or Loaiza will be after they were hurt last season? If the Dodgers land Kuroda then the need for a starter is lessened and a middle reliever can be found for perhaps Ethier. The Tampa Bay Rays could be interested but will have to come up with some better offers than Al Reyes for Ethier straight up.

There have been some ruminations that the Dodgers are interested in Johan Santana. Of course, they are interested, the Pirates are interested, he's the best pitcher in baseball. The fact is, though, that Ned Colletti does not want to move Matt Kemp. In his own words, to Tony Jackson of the L.A. Times,

"I'd have to have a conversation where my jaw drops. It's got to be something you can't say no to. I haven't heard anything like that. In fact, teams have stopped asking."

He also said,

"We are not of the mind to give up three or four prospects for one player, I'll tell you that."

Any 4 for 1 or 5 for 1 rumors should be put to rest. It is inconceivable to me that the Dodgers would create holes at other positions to fill another. A great story was written about this on the blog Mike Scioscia's Tragic Illness, basically saying how the Dodgers Farm system is so much better than almost anyone else's that other prospects are more highly valued because of the depth. I agree with that sentiment and believe that Logan White deserves much of the credit.

If the Dodgers don't sign another player, don't get that pitcher & go into the season with what they have now...I think it's safe to say that it would still be a successful winter. Ethier can come off the bench or turn Juan Pierre into one of the most expensive bench players ever (I believe Jason Giambi is the most expensive).

Winter Meetings...Tying up Loose Ends

2007-12-06T08:56:00.000-08:00

Andruw Jones signed with the Dodgers last night and his salary breaks down like this:

$12.2 million signing bonus, of which $5.1 million is payable next year, $2.1 million in 2009 and $5 million in 2010. He well get salaries of $9 million next year and $15 million in 2009

Jones also receives a full no trade clause.
Astros selected LHP Wesley Wright from the Dodgers with the eighth pick in the Rule 5 draft. Wright, a short left-hander, had a 2.49 ERA and a 68/31 K/BB ratio in 61 1/3 innings for Double-A Jacksonville last season. Still wondering why the Dodgers left him available. There's a good chance they get him back.
The Heater, The Tampa Bay Rays Blog talks about the possibility of Andre Ethier could be moved to them.
Tom Haudricourt, from the Brewers Blog, is denying that the Dodgers and Brewers ever spoke about Ben Sheets, contradicting an earlier report from USA TODAY. He does believe there is mild interest in Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier, but does not get into specifics.
An Oakland A's source told the SF Chronicle that the Dodgers & A's are, "as far away as the moon" on a Joe Blanton deal.
Hiroki Kuroda plans on visiting Arizona, Seattle and L.A. while trying to finagle a fourth year out of teams according to Nick Piecoro, from the AZ Republic.

Bag of Balls and a Fungo Bat for Pierre

2007-12-06T08:45:00.000-08:00

Eric G weighs in on the Juan Pierre saga:

Ship him to SF for all I care

I dont give a flying F if we give Juan Pierre to the Giants for a bag of peanuts, AND, pay ALL of the $35 mil or so left on his contract...Please, it would be worth it so that we wont have him play D or hit in our line up for FOUR MORE YEARS!!! Four Years!! Christ! That's worse than having Bush for 8 years!!!

Trade him to the white sox, rangers or some other team in desperate need for a shitty Lef..errr I mean Centerfielder..I think some sort of middle reliever and paying half of what's left on his contract is more than worth it. At least, he is guaranteed to NOT be playing center in the Ravine next year...ANDREW!!!!

ANDRUW JONES SIGNS

2007-12-05T22:41:00.000-08:00

Ken Gurnick form MLB.com reports that the Dodgers have reached an agreement with Andruw Jones for 2 years/36 million dollars. I know I'm pretty hard on Ned Colletti but this is a great deal. Great job, Ned!!!

Steve Phillips, by the way, is a huge idiot saying, "The Dodgers are a long way away from signing Jones and thinks we're gonna have to wait a while until this goes down." That was @ 9:30 pst. Gurnick broke this story at 10:09 pst.

Baseball America's Top Ten Dodger Prospects

2007-12-05T00:05:00.000-08:00

Baseball America came out with it's Annual Best Prospects in the organization review. I have posted for your viewing pleasure compared to last seasons. I made a huge mistake unknowingly thinking that it was from Baseball America itself. However, it was created by Jon Weisman from the Dodger Thoughts. This is an egregious error and I was wrong to not do my normal dearth of research. I apologize to my readers and to Jon Weisman, it was not intentional.

Top 10	2008	2007
1)	Clayton Kershaw, LHP	LaRoche
2)	Andy LaRoche, 3B	Kershaw
3)	Chin-Lung-Hu, SS	Elbert
4)	Scott Elbert, LHP	James Loney, 1B/OF
5)	Blake DeWitt, 3B	Tony Abreu, 2B
6)	Chris Withrow, RHP	Ivan DeJesus, Jr., SS
7)	James McDonald, RHP	Meloan
8)	Jonathan Meloan, RHP	DeWitt
9)	Delwyn Young, OF	Josh Bell, 3B
10)	Pedro Baez, 3B	Preston Mattingly, SS
Tools
Best Hitter for Average	Young	Loney
Best Power Hitter	LaRoche	LaRoche
Best Strike-Zone Discipline	DeJesus Jr.	Cory Dunlap
Fastest Baserunner	Jovanny Rosario	Trayvon Robinson
Best Athlete	Elbert	Mattingly
Best Fastball	Kershaw	Kershaw
Best Curveball	McDonald	Elbert
Best Slider	Greg Miller	Meloan
Best Changeup	Cody White	Carlos Alvarez
Best Control	McDonald	Kershaw
Best Defensive Catcher	A.J. Ellis	Gabriel Gutierrez
Best Defensive Infielder	Hu	DeJesus
Best Infield Arm	Pedro Baez	LaRoche
Best Defensive Outfielder	Jamie Hoffmann	Hoffman
Best Outfield Arm	Xavier Paul	Paul

Donnie Baseball is now Donnie Dodger

2007-12-05T00:01:00.000-08:00

Looks like Donnie Baseball is getting acclimated to the National League well. This goes to show you kids studying pays off.

Rolen?

2007-12-04T20:43:00.000-08:00

Ken Rosenthal is reporting that the Dodgers are in "hot pursuit" of St. Louis Cardinal 3b Scott Rolen.

That's exactly what we need an injury prone 3b. Don't we already have one of those in Garciaparra? Colletti do your magic!!

Ned Colletti Speak

2007-12-04T20:16:00.000-08:00

For all of you out there who aren't sure of what Ned Colletti means when he speaks, I will now translate for you. This from a recent article on Dodgers.com.

COLLETTI SPEAK: Colletti said he is not of the mind to break up the core of the youth movement and that three-for-one or four-for-one was too much to deal for any single player.

"You fill a one-year need with a tremendous player and look around and have three more needs to fill," he said. "I'm not sure how you gain on the process."

TRANSLATION -- I do not want to be the guy who traded away Clayton Kershaw like my predecessors traded away Pedro Martinez...fair enough.

COLLETTI SPEAK: "We believe in our scouts and when you listen to them talk about someone like Clayton Kershaw, for example, a few years down the road he might be the same guy [as Willis]. If there's four players you might deal and two of them have a chance to be one of those guys [like Willis], why would you do that?"

TRANSLATION: I have no balls.

COLLETTI SPEAK: "You see what it costs to acquire a player and how much the core of your team is uprooted to do it," he said. "We're on the right course. Other guys are on the verge of joining [James] Loney, Kemp, Broxton, [Chad] Billingsley. Maybe it's LaRoche, maybe it's Chin-lung Hu, maybe [James] McDonald or Kershaw."

TRANSLATION: Frank Mc Cheap would rather have these guys that he doesn't have to pay as much for another 5 or 6 years compared to some like Cabrera who will cost a fortune in two.

COLLETTI SPEAK: The Dodgers met with Jones' agent, Scott Boras, on Tuesday with both sides aware that the Dodgers are willing to offer a short-term contract to the 30-year-old center fielder, who is coming off his worst season (.222 average, 26 homers, 94 RBIs).

TRANSLATION: Frank Mc Cheap can't afford to pay someone for too long cause there is a good chance he will default on the loan he already has paying off the team still. Which is why his wife is in charge, better than actually having to pay someone who knows what the hell they're doing. The average may suck but he still had more homers than any Dodger & the flexibility of adding another OF would allow them to move someone like Kemp for someone like Bedard.

COLLETTI SPEAK: The Dodgers, however, would prefer to land Japanese right-hander Hiroki Kuroda, whose signing would come without dealing away any young players. Patience is required, however, as Kuroda has not given pursuing clubs a timetable on a decision and is considering a trip to the United States next week to visit the cities vying for him. Colletti said it was not decided whether Kuroda would visit Los Angeles.

TRANSLATION: Hey, we're the Dodgers we don't spend money. In fact, if Kuroda wants to come to L.A. he better pay for the ticket himself cause Mc Cheap can not afford to pay for him to fly here. Last season Mc Cheap wanted the Dodgers to forfeit all their road games on the East Coast to save money on airfare.

COLLETTI SPEAK: Colletti, on his stated desire to acquire a big bat, suggesting it might turn out to be Kemp or Loney: "How do you know we don't have that right there?"

TRANSLATION: How do you know that I'll have a job next winter. If I have to deal with an owner who's wallet hasn't been opened since the Carter administration then who's to say he'll not give the GM job to his Dog or the maid or maybe even his son Drew (I will root for the God Damn Giants if Drew gets anywhere near running anything, but the program stand outside of Dodger stadium).

COLLETTI SPEAK: And Colletti, referring to the clubhouse tension that boiled over in September, said: "I've got a real good idea what went on, I know why it occurred and it's been addressed in a lot of different ways."

TRANSLATION: Jeff Kent's Mustache was to blame. I asked him to shave, but he gave a convincing argument for keeping it on. We're on the hook for 9 million, 4.5 to that 'stache if he let's it go then we're paying 4.5 mil to a 'stache that is no longer on the team. We already have Juan Pierre and his 14 year old mustache to pay for the next three years.

WINTER MEETINGS Day 2

2007-12-04T12:33:00.000-08:00

Update 12-4-07 8:10pm

Dodgers GM Ned Colletti spoke again to Scott Boras about Andruw Jones today and got the same answer as yesterday. Jones does NOT want a 2 year contract. GIVE HIM THE EXTRA YEAR COLLETTI! What a cheap organization we've become.
Broxton has been deemed untouchable, much like Russell Martin.
Colletti is enamored with Japanese P Hiroki Kuroda who is 5 years older than Bedard and is a number 4 at best. Considering what he would cost a year (at least 10 million) this seems to be headed into Juan Pierre territory.

Update 12-4-07 3:30pm

A lot of things to get through, both directly and indirectly relating to the Dodgers.

The Tigers acquired Miguel Cabrera & Dontrelle Willis for CF Cameron Maybin, P Andrew Miller, C Mike Rabelo & 3 other minor leaguers according to Peter Gammons.
The Dodgers have inquired about Danny Haren of the A's says Jayson Stark & Buster Olney.
The White Sox are jumping into the Andruw Jones sweepstakes and will probably be dumb enough to feed into Boras' demands.
There hasn't been any new developments in the Bedard for Kemp & Broxton trade yet.
The Dodgers made an inquiry into what it would cost to get former Yankee set up man Luis Vizcaino. This could perhaps be a prelude to moving Broxton.

12-4-07 12:30pm

Amy Nelson is reporting that the Dodgers are close on a trade that would have Broxton and Kemp going to the Orioles and Eric Bedard coming to the Dodgers. Seems a bit steep to me. Then we'd really have no power.

Colletti get's interviewed

2007-12-04T02:09:00.000-08:00

Joe Hamrahi from Baseball Digest interviewed Ned Colletti & considering Frank Mc Cheap's short leash when it comes to GM's I could very well see this being Colletti's last year. SPEND SOME MONEY YOU CHEAP BASTARD!!!

Notes from The WInter Meetings

2007-12-03T12:31:00.000-08:00

UPDATE 12:47AM --- Tuesday

Tony Jackson is reporting that the Dodgers DID NOT make an offer to Andruw Jones and are out of the bidding due to Scott Boras' ridiculous demands, for now. The Dodgers
Jackson also says that the rumors about Hank Blalock are unfounded.
The Dodgers are being excessively cheap this Winter and it's really starting to piss me off. I'm not saying spend money for the sake of spending money (see: Juan Pierre), but God Damnit open up the purse strings Mc Court who will be now known as Mc Cheap.
Dylan Hernandez agrees with Jackson & states that the Dodgers have made an offer to Hiroki Kuroda.
He also says that the Dodgers are also thinking about Mike Cameron. Sure, why not add another bum to go along with Pierre? Not to mention Cameron is suspended for the first 25 games due to his affinity to do speed.
The SF Chronicle is reporting that the Dodgers are pursuing Joe Blanton.
The Dodgers have inquired about the availability of Brewers pitcher Ben Sheets.

12:00 pm

The Dodgers have made a two year offer to Andruw Jones for $32 Million according to Jerry Crasnick from ESPN.COM. He may hold for a 3rd year or maybe more. If he wants more than 3 years then he won't get it from the Blue.
Steve Henson from Yahoo! Sports is saying the Dodgers and Texas Rangers have had discussions involving Hank Blalock. Andy LaRoche would almost certainly be involved in that trade were it to go down.
Jayson Stark reports that the Orioles think they may have a match with the Dodgers for Eric Bedard, even if the Dodgers won't move Kershaw or Kemp.
WALTER O'MALLEY the genius that brought the Dodgers to Los Angeles was elected into the Hall of Fame today by the Veterans commission. What a great time to do it as well, being that it's the 50th anniversary of the Dodgers coming to L.A. Coincidence? We think not. What a great day in Dodgerville!!

Andruw Jones News

2007-12-03T00:38:00.000-08:00

Ken Gurnick is reporting that the Dodgers are stepping up their efforts in regards to Andruw Jones, but are reluctant to go past two years on any deal. This would either make Juan Pierre available, which he may already be or perhaps pave the way for a Andre Ethier trade. Juan Pierre getting moved would be the best alternative, but his ridiculous contract may preclude any takers. Not to mention that he sucks.

Aaron Rowand News

2007-12-02T13:11:00.000-08:00

The Delaware News Journal is reporting that Aaron Rowand is seeking a 5 year deal worth about 10-12 million annually. It'd be a little more than Pierre, but a lot less than Torii Hunter. 5 years is a long time, but could be worth it. If I'm Colletti I get on the phone to Rowand's agent and see if we can work something out.

Arbitration

2007-12-02T00:50:00.000-08:00

Dodgers declined to offer arbitration to:

Only Gonzalez, a Type-B free agent, would have brought back compensation. The Dodgers are considering re-signing Lieberthal and Seanez, who just missed being a Type B.

Juan Pierre is not clutch

2007-12-01T21:58:00.001-08:00

Clutch hitting has always been something of an anomaly. Is it real? Is it just coincidence? Bill James recently wrote an article in the book The Hardball Times Baseball Annual 2008 discussing his ambivalence to clutch hitting at first being that it was difficult to prove, but now he has rethought his previous theory and has some interesting theories on Juan Pierre.

Who hasn't hit well in the clutch? Juan Pierre hasn't done great.

Juan Pierre

Season	Avg	OBP	Slg	OPS	AB	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	GIDP
2002	.111	.111	.111	.222	27	3	0	0	0	1	0	3	0
2003	.318	.434	.364	.798	44	14	0	1	0	8	9	2	2
2004	.233	.327	.349	.675	43	10	1	2	0	10	5	3	0
2005	.309	.367	.382	.748	55	17	2	1	0	14	5	6	2
2006	.229	.289	.314	.604	35	8	1	1	0	4	2	4	2
2007	.190	.246	.206	.453	63	12	1	0	0	10	3	4	1
Totals	.240	.311	.296	.607	267	64	5	5	0	47	24	22	7

Nobody would confuse Juan Pierre with David Ortiz anyway, but that's not a great clutch record for a guy who gets 200 hits a year.

Once again Juan Pierre is not good at baseball. He gets many infield hits, slap hits and his speed helps him get hits that would normally be outs, but those hits do little to help the Dodgers win. In fact, he does more to help them lose. If you'd like to read the entire article then here's the link.

Former Dodger news

2007-12-01T21:08:00.000-08:00

Boring weekend unless you're a Yankee fan. Here's some info on former Dodgers in case you care:

Eric Gagne was offered arbitration by the Red Sox. He's worth a 2nd round pick as a Type B Free agent. Boston fans do not want Gagne back & there's a good chance he doesn't come back. I'd place my bets on Milwaukee.
The A's offered Piazza arbitration. Another Type B free agent.
Matt Herges re-signed with the Rockies for one year.
Caesar Izturis signed a one year deal to play SS for the Cardinals for 2.85 million.
Paul Lo Duca is still unsigned and may be interested in signing a 1 year deal with the Blue Jays.

Randy Wolf signs with Padres

2007-12-01T13:37:00.000-08:00

Ken Rosenthal is reporting that the Padres have signed another one year Dodger castoff. Randy Wolf joins former one year castoff Greg Maddux. Terms were not disclosed.

Dodger Checklist For The Winter Meetings.

2007-11-30T22:08:00.000-08:00

This has been a very quiet Winter for the Dodgers thus far & I get the feeling that the Winter meetings are gonna be just as quiet. There are some things that need to be done & here some of them are:

THIRD BASE

Nomar Garciahamm can't be expected to contribute anything as his hitting is declining with age & he's extremely injury prone.
Miguel Cabrera will not be a Dodger as long as the asking price is as high as it is. The Marlins want at least 3 or 4 major league ready prospects & that's too much to give up for one player, even if that player is a potential Hall of Famer. It's also possible that the Marlins aren't really sure they want to Cabrera just yet, especially if you listen to recent comments from Arte Moreno.
Joe Crede was said to be available a couple of weeks ago according Barry Rozner of the Chicago Daily Herald. He mentions Kershaw, Kemp & Loney who at this point should be untouchables, but maybe Andy La Roche & Delwyn Young or James McDonald. Crede had a down year last year, but was injured, he could bounce back and would be a nice pick up.

CENTER FIELD

Juan Pierre is bad at baseball, very bad. His OPS is abysmal & his fielding is literally costing the Dodgers runs.
Aaron Rowand is looking for something in the range of 5/70-75 million which is a little pricey, but if you look at his WARP-1 numbers and his run production, he consistently performs. Combined with Loney, Martin, Kemp & maybe someone like Crede this could be a dangerous lineup.
Andruw Jones has Scott Boras as an agent. Need I say more? Well I will. His numbers tanked last year & he's been regarded for quite a while as a lazy ball player. he may be able to be acquired at a discount, but once again do we want him? The Braves won't be offering him arbitration so he can be acquired without giving up any picks. It won't be cheap & he may not be worth the clubhouse headache.

STARTING PITCHER

Jason Schmidt can't be counted on for next season & Esteban Loaiza if healthy could be a decent number 5 starter.
Johan Santana is going to the Yankees. Nuff said.
Hiroki Kuroda was offered four years by the Mariners, which is a bit aggressive and risky as far as I'm concerned & I can't see him wanting to play for a team that is going nowhere fast.

So that's it! Don't expect many surprises. I've never been a huge fan of Colletti's (2nd pic look at the ring) but that could change if he does the right thing and doesn't move any of the quality young talent & stops wearing that damn Giant ring. Fucking traitor you're a Dodger now!!

Juan Pierre news

2007-11-29T14:20:00.000-08:00

Jayson Stark is reporting that since Coco Crisp is considered to be a big part of the ongoing discussions between the Sox & Twins that the Rangers are considering interesting alternatives: Rocco Baldelli, Jim Edmonds, and Juan Pierre. If only Ned Colletti could get someone to take his Pierre contract. I've thought of them as a possibility perhaps taking back the equally bad contract of Vicente Padilla back. Padilla has slightly more upside than Pierre considering he wouldn't have to pitch in that bandbox of a stadium in Arlington but the cavernous Dodger Stadium, a pitcher's dream.

Santana News

2007-11-29T12:51:00.000-08:00

A source with knowledge of the Twins' position told the Los Angeles Daily News that the club is asking the Dodgers for a package of three or four players from a pool of six: Chad Billingsley, Clayton Kershaw, Matt Kemp, Andy LaRoche, Jonathan Broxton and Andre Ethier in Johan Santana discussions.

No wonder the Dodgers aren't looked at as a front-runner here. The New York Post is reporting that the Twins are asking the Yankees for well more than "just" a Phil Hughes-Melky Cabrera package. Considering that Santana is likely to demand something in the neighborhood of $150 million in an extension as part of a trade, the price in talent to acquire him is simply too high right now.

It looks like the Boston and the Twins are working towards something focusing on Coco Crisp, Jon Lester and a couple prospects. One of those prospects may be Jacob Elsbury.

Dodgers looking to Kuroda for the back of the Rotation

2007-11-29T12:42:00.000-08:00

According to Ken Gurnick from mlb.com the Dodgers are looking to sign Japanese pitcher Hiroki Kuroda.

Here's a little info on him: He's 32, pitched for Hiroshima where he compiled a record of 103-89 over 11 seasons & was a teammate of super closer Takashi Saito. Kuroda is a true free agent and is not subject to the posting system. Among teams pursing Kuroda are Seattle, Arizona and Kansas City. He'll probably get somewhere around 3 years/30 million which is better than anything we would give someone like Kyle Loshe.

Happy 80th Birthday Vin Scully

2007-11-29T12:39:00.001-08:00

To the best announcer in baseball history and part of the Dodger family for over 50 years we here at Pedro For Delino wish you a very happy 80th Birthday. You are the man.

INTERVIEW WITH COLLETTI

2007-11-27T18:41:00.000-08:00

Check out this interview with Ned Colletti from the NY Daily News. He actually might be starting to make some sense.

Rumors

2007-11-27T13:32:00.000-08:00

The Dodgers have an interest in Tony Clark. Dylan Hernandez also notes that the Dodgers' talks for Erik Bedard have stalled because the Orioles want to see what happens with Miguel Cabrera first. Instead of pursuing talented young players. Colletti seems determined to turn us into the Giants. A worthless bunch of aging veterans.
Ned Colletti expects Jeff Kent back & I expect his mustache to come back sometime after that.
The Dodgers have a great bit of interest in Hiroki Kuroda & could be right behind the Mariners, according to the L.A. Daily News. They scouted him quite a bit last season & while the Mariners sent GM Bill Bavasi and manager John McLaren out to meet with him his preference is said to be Los Angeles.
This from Jon Heyman @ SI, The Dodgers also have what it would take to land Cabrera, and like their neighbors 45 minutes down I-5, also have money left over from their truncated run at A-Rod. But the Dodgers have been reluctant to surrender their better prospects: outfielders Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier, first baseman James Loney, third baseman Andy LaRoche and pitchers Chad Billingsley and Clayton Kershaw.
I've said it before and I'll say it again DO NOT TRADE KERSHAW!!!

First Post

2007-11-27T03:19:00.001-08:00

First I'd like to welcome everyone to my newest venture. I hope you all get some joy out of knowing about the greatest team in baseball. I mean the Dodgers...yeah those Dodgers...yes the same Dodgers that have only won one playoff game since '88. At least we're top 3 in attendance every year.

For the real stuff here is my declaration: AHEM...Ned Colletti...Do not trade Clayton Kershaw and Matt Kemp in the same trade. Bill James -- uber sabermatrician has projected these numbers for the 24 year old Matt Kemp this year --- .322 avg., .365 OBP., .508 Slug & a .873 OPs. Over a career that equals Cooperstown. You keep him in right, pick up Aaron Rowand at a cheaper price than the Angels foolishly paid for Hunter & try to move Pierre maybe to the Twins. Of course, you'd have to suck up some of that $44 million you gave him last year but it's worth it if we could get a new bat boy out of it.

Remember when we traded Pedro Martinez straight for Delino Deshields because everyone thought the 22 year old Pedro was too skinny to be effective and Deshields had just come off a solid year? Boy were they right. Pedro only went on to win a few Cy Young Awards and Deshields got ran over by Raul Mondesi and was always hurt and bad at baseball. Trading a 19 year old Kershaw with the upside he has would be a mistake.

It is a well known fact that Joe Crede is available in Chicago and can be had for much less than Miguel Cabrera in Florida. He may not be the same caliber of player but he's a hell of a lot better than what we have now. I'm just saying be a little patient Colletti. You're a Giant anyway so any move you make is suspect.