Last Day of Business

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.

Non Tenders

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.

Dodger Checklist For The Winter Meetings.

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!!