Just a hunch, but the lack of experience should be chalked up to Frank putting a justifiable scare into everyone in the industry. I very much doubt it was on purpose, i.e. if he could have gotten Piniella, he would have.

Agree, I think Lovullo has a chance to be a very good manager, from everything I've read on him. And I love this quote:
"If you don't like Torey Lovullo, then you don't like baseball."
-Sparky Anderson

I'm a big Bobby Valentine fan, but there was no way the Dodgers were going to pay him what he got in Japan. None of Colletti's candidates seem very appealing, especially Jim Fregosi.

Is Skinner some kind of bunting maniac? Do I need to get yet another URL?

I wouldn't put too much stock into what Sparky Anderson has to say about Torey Lovullo. He predicted Lovullo would be a Hall of Famer as a player and wanted to move Lou Whitaker to 3B to make room for him.

I just read that Fregosi worked with Colleti for two years as a special assitant to the Giants. That explains the connection. I hope that these other candidates aren't window dressing--Fregosi would be the worst possible choice. He's old and he's never won. Other than Joe Torre, has any other retread ever won on his third or fourth or fifth go around? Does Colleti go old-boy with someone he knows, or does he actually hire someone based on "merit?"

It is always more exciting to hire someone brand new, it is is like the anticipation of minor league prospects--could they become something great! Acta would be intriguing; however, I live in New York, watch the Mets constantly, and he is never mentioned at all as an up and comer, for what that is worth.

Still, in order of preference:

1. Acta
2. Skinner
3. McLaren

100. Grady Little
1,000,000,000. Fregosi

Wow. That's a pretty underwhelming list of current candidates.

5. >>>>Other than Joe Torre, has any other retread ever won on his third or fourth or fifth go around?

Well there would be Casey Stengel.

Phil Garner is managing his third team.

The Marlins were Jack McKeon's fifth team.

The Yankees were Joe Torre's fourth team.

What is so wrong with Grady Little? (I know I just opened pandora's box here but what the heck!) He won circa 184 games in two seasons. Back to back 90 win seasons in LA would be great.

Did anyone see that ESPN is reporting that Konerko is signing with the White Sox. All us Choi fans can sleep easier tonight.

Bobby Cox, Billy Martin, Bill McKechnie, Bucky Harris, and Bob Lemon all won World Series with their 3rd, 4th or 5th teams.

And thats just guys whose first names start with a "B".

As I recall, before Gil Hodges took the Mets to their first World Championship, he was a lousy manager for the lousy Washington Senators.

Bucky Harris did win a World Series with his first team in his first year.

9. i dont like how people point to a manager's record as an indication of his quality. It seems to me that a team's record has a lot more to do with the talent of the players on the team than with the manager. Would the Red Sox have done any worse in those years with Jim Tracy instead of Grady Little?

13 Heresy!

13 - I want to make the point that he managed a team constructed by Theo Epstein into consecutive winning seasons. If the Dodgers, at this point, are contructed by a similar philosophy, then wouldn't Grady Little succeed here too?

I am not merely pointing to record, although I will point out that wins and loses actually mean something in baseball. For instance, division titles, league titles, and world series titles. All of which equals cash in McCourt's pocket to pay bills and maybe even increase payroll.

Grady won with his players. Granted, he didn't win it all. But after the Dodgers last season, I will take consecutive 90+ winning seasons.

OK, let me get this straight...

Depo was fired (supposedly) for moving slow on hiring a manager, and also for having a managerial pool that wasn't considered "substantial" enough.

I have this correct, right?

Geesh...

13 (again) - I didn't answer your question. I don't think the Red Sox would have won with Jim Tracy. As evidence I present last year's Dodgers. Good players assembled to play a certain style of baseball. They were managed to play a different style that did not work. The same thing could have happened in Boston. (I know I am out on a limb here but the question calls me to be there)

Tracy's style did not match DePo's approach. Thus, they lost. I think Little's approach would be conducive to what the Dodger's currently are.

Grady Little's choke in that game 7 against the Yankees was the biggest coaching choke I've ever seen happen live. Doesn't anybody remember how horrific that was? Pedro was SO done - as he had been after 100 pitches ALL YEAR. He was getting pounded! And the Sox bullpen was awesome at that point. Pedro went about 6 batters too far. He shouldn't have even started that inning. Little just sat there and rammed his fist down his throat on national televion. The announcers were shocked live on television as it was happening. If the game had been in Fenway, fans would have stormed the field and brought in Embree themselves.

18 - So, he choked. Who hasn't at some point in their lives about some matter. What else is wrong with Little?

For those of you who get ESPN Deportes and would like to see Joel Guzman playing, Licey and Estrellas are in the 6th inning right now. I tuned in just in time to see Guzman ground out. He's 0-2 with a walk. He should get another at bat before it's over.

Not sure which position he is playing tonight since the 2B made a throw over to 1B and it wasn't Guzman taking the throw.

Does Managerial Search Breakdown sound anything like "Foggy Mountain Breakdown" by Flatt & Scruggs?

Careful. Earl Scruggs is 81, but he's still alive and in good shape. He might wind up on the list to be interviewed.

He definitely would be the best banjo player ever to manage in the big leagues.

Guzman is playing shortstop tonight.

19 Well, choking under pressure is not a quality I cherish in a manager. Neither is "going with them that brung ya" or letting your star pitcher lose the last game of the year because "he earned the right."

Winning 90 games with that roster in Boston is not something I credit Little with. A team's record will roughly reflect its talent. A manager is responsible for a few really important things. Making pitching changes is probably the most important one, in terms of impact on W's and L's. Playing the right player in the right spot is probably second. Managing the clubhouse and peronalities and all that is probably 3rd. I don't know a whole lot about Little's managerial philosophy, but I saw him so mismanage his pitching staff in that game that I'll have a hard time believing that he has the requisite skill for the job.

Given these options, can anyone say they wouldn't rather have Jim Tracy? This off-season is like watching a train wreck in slow motion, and it's even more disheartening when you remember this team was in the playoffs just over a year ago. In 20 years as a Dodger fan, I have never been so upset with the direction, or lack thereof, of the team, and I am starting to feel hopeless about the situation improving any time soon.

If you go to www.earlscruggs.com there is a picture of Earl and you start hearing the opening of "Foggy Moutain Breakdown", aka "Getaway Music."

22. >>>>He definitely would be the best banjo player ever to manage in the big leagues.

I wouldn't be so sure. What about "Jolly Cholly" Grimm?
http://memory.loc.gov/ndlpcoop/ichicdn/s0672/s067205.jpg

25 - I'll pass on Tracy.

Carlos Perez pitching for Licey tonight. He's still doing that obnoxious 180 jump when he strikes someone out. He and Jose Lima should have a pitch off and see which can annoy the most opposing hitters with their antics.

#27, Maury Wills deserves to be on the list of banjo playing managers. I sure hope he was a better banjo player than major league manager.

Stan from Tacoma

As long as Maury Wills knew which end was up on the banjo, then he was a better banjo player than manager.

Rumors circulating that Giles has chosen to resign with the Padres.

RBI double for Guzman.

25 -- yep

25 Things will look a little better when the Dodgers have a manager. First, they'll have a manager. Second, Colletti will be able to start dealing. I think it is far too early to tell whether he is good or bad for the team--those who were willing to give DePo three seasons owe Colletti the same. But it is fair to pick up early indications from this off-season, and I'm cautiously optimistic that he'll be able to engineer a few decent moves.

I'll remain cautiously optimistic with any of the remaining managerial choices too, including Grady Little, except for Fregosi, who just seems too old and retrograde to be right for this team, or this town.

I certainly think Little deserves another chance somewhere, and why not here? His choice in that fateful game was epically wrong, but if I was going to be judged for the rest of my life based on my biggest mistake, I wouldn't have had the opportunity to make even bigger ones.

But news on Giles. I wonder what Ned offered him (if he even made an offer). Having Giles means that the Padres won't have a pathetic lineup.

*Bad

So does this mean Ned should go all out to get Furcal? No.

16 So let's say DePodesta hired Collins within a few days of firing Tracy, before McCourt can fire him. Does McCourt now fire DePodesta anyway, and fire Collins while he's at it, so the new GM can have a fresh start?

I wouldn't put it past him!

38
Does this (if true) mean Ned WOULD go all out to get Furcal? Probably.

I guess San Diego radio is reporting Giles' new deal with the Padres is 3 years, $34M plus an option of some sort.

I hope we don't spend just for the sake of a payroll figure. There's a funny (yet serious) article on BP today about how no teams should sign any free agents this offseason because they are all bad investments.

Let that be a lesson to all new GMs -- hurry up and hire a manager before you get fired too! Colletti, you better watch your back!

Gurnick has an update on Colletti's plans. This part made me feel a little better:

Trading prospects: "It's one thing to trade a prospect, it's another thing to trade a star or future star," he said. "A lot of prospects never make it. We have a handful that we'd have to be overwhelmed to talk about." Those are believed to include Billingsley, LaRoche, Matt Kemp, Scott Elbert and Blake DeWitt.

Here is an ESPN conference call with Colletti.
http://tinyurl.com/75pe2
Not anything real interesting except he said his biggest priority for the ballclub is the outfield. Said that Giles and Furcal are the two FA he's trying hard to sign and Weaver is not really in the picture.

If the Giles report is true, I'm bummed. They sure increased their offer from the 8 mill per year. Maybe they got scared the Dodgers were going to get him and we forced them to increase the package.

Wow, the Padres get Giles and panic us into buying the 60 million dollar Oscar Robles with a rap sheet. Well played.

43 - where is Guzman in that list??

41 BP is right. The FA market is so unimpressive this year, yet the GMs are reacting like trained seals. I mean, Johnny Damon/Scott Boras thinking they're entitled to a seven-year deal? I wish every GM would tell Boras his client can go play in Japan.

With the 10-deep prospects and the mighty mighty hype around them, the Dodgers are in a far better position to trade for a Giles-type with a more reasonable contract, than to pay insanely for him or anyone else on the market now. I'm glad the Padres want to go broke on the guy. Maybe they'll finish ahead of the Dodgers next season, maybe they won't. But after '06, that contract is going to be a dead weight on their chances.

43
You mean the 5 guys with little upside:)

Matt Kemp is currently my favorite prospect but I expect DeWitt to explode this year.

never been to this site before, but someone linked to it from the mlb forums for Giles signing details:

http://www.mlb4u.com/blog/?p=63
"After the Dodgers offered outfielder Brian Giles a 3-year, 34.5M contract, the Padres beefed up their offer to 3-years, 30M with an option for 2009 that would make the deal worth 36M. Immediately, Giles agreed to re-sign. He will take a physical Thursday morning with an official announcement expected Thursday afternoon. KGTV-10 in San Diego first reported the deal."

Well there goes the only free agent I really cared about acquiring.

Man, only 10 million a year? I still find it hard to believe this story is true unless Giles truly wanted to go back to the Pads.

Here's an ESPN link by the way
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2242891

More Gurnick on Colletti's plans. I liked this graf a lot, although it was obviously written when Giles was still in play:

Position prospects: Turning one of those over to a rookie like third baseman Andy LaRoche, infielder Joel Guzman or first baseman James Loney is also in play. "If you had a veteran club and a young player who can play defense now, if you had enough offense you'd take that shot," he said. "So you try to add a free agent or two or three and build up with veteran starters around the kids so you've got a good supporting cast." The Dodgers already figure to do that with young catchers Dioner Navarro and Russell Martin.

50 Agreed, I'm pretty bummed he decided to accept an inferior offer. It's not like he's a lifetime Padre or anything, maybe he was swayed by the fences being moved in. At least we gave it the old college try, 34.5 million is nothing to sneeze at.

Should it be assumed that the focus will be on pitching now? Do we dare enter the Johnny Damon sweepstakes? Is a trade the only way to bolster the offense? So many questions now that the ringer is out.

47
Can't agree since I've been pushing for Giles. Giles will earn his money for all 3 years. My optimistic compass just polarized thinking of an outfield of Cruz/Drew/Werth. Just thinking about the fragility of those 3 makes me gag. Like Nate, I hoped Giles was the centerpiece of our renewal for next year.

I think Bobby Valentine is the best of that bunch. Take a look at the 2000 Mets roster and it doesn't impress. Yet Bobby V. miled a World Series appearance out of them. Valentine gets teams to play hard and well in the short run. He reminds me a bit of Billy Martin or Larry Brown in another sport. I'm not all that familiar with the Dodgers talent but if you think there is any way possible that LA can compete for a pennant in the next 2-3 years Valentine is worth the money.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/NYM/2000.shtml

46, 48 - The warm fuzzy part for me was the quote, not the speculation by Gurnick on the untouchables.

if its true and we did offer 3 yrs 34.5 mil, cant fault flanders for trying.

oh well, i am really bummed. well back to studying for accounting test!

54 - is Delwyn Young in the mix to play LF? If you listen to Royster, he's the greatest thing since sliced bread.

Looks like he gave them a home town discount. I knew I liked that guy. At least Colletti made em spend more money. A small win but we take what we can get.

I also think that the failure to sign Giles is a serious problem. We desperately need OF depth, and he was the only FA worth the money.

I still have no enthusiasm to make a strong move for Furcal. I'd rather we give a one-year deal to Nomah and trust in the IF prospects on the farm.

Colletti will obviously have to be creative to acquire the corner OF we need.

WWSH

bobby abreu will make me sleep well this winter.

Aren't the Phillies willing to get rid of Abreu, lets go after him.

61- unfortunately I don't see us ripping off Pat Gillick

This sucks. I was really hoping Klesko would protect Cameron. The Padres are just about out of money to spend by now, so they're just about set.

My vision of 2006 depended greatly on Giles. I was hoping he'd at least leave the division, now we have a serious threat. I just know Colletti will now throw a lot of money at Jacque Jones and increase the offer to Furcal, improving us minimally. Or the money will go to Damon. Or Lawton. Or Sosa. My interest in Nomar has increased tenfold

There's supposedly a secret team with a 3 year, $15 mil deal offered to Paul Byrd. Anyone think it's the Dodgers?

Since giles is gone, its time to rebuild at look towards 2007.

I'm seriously begining to believe mccourt doesn't want to sign anyone above 9 million per year (yes i know drew is signed at 11 million per year)but i think he is done with anything higher than 9 million, and that payroll will be 70-80 million under his ownership.

There is not enough now on the free agent market to put together a competing team, and if you trade, you'll end up trading key players for other key players with no gain.

Rebuild and look towards 2007.

Guzman finished up 1-4 with an RBI double and a walk. He just hammered a line drive to CF with 1st and 2nd in the 9th, but it was run down. He's looked very strong at the plate tonight. Played SS, but I didn't see him handle any balls since tuning in during the 6th inning.

Abreu would be nice, but would cost Navarro/Martin, Laroche, and/or good pitching prospects. Unless the Philles covered a large portion of his salary... Maybe Jason Michaels could be had for cheaper (although he hardly solves anything and I'm not sure he passes the character test)

What are the chances that if Furcal signs with the Cubs, Colletti will go hard after Gathright or Pierre? Giles signing with the Padres is a disaster in so many ways

So the Padres resign Giles, Acquire Cameron and Castilla. The Dodgers have resigned Jose Cruz Jr. and put Werth into surgery. Things are looking pretty bleak for our boys in blue.

Re: 65

I think that may very well be the wisest course, but McCourt will want immediate results, and Colletti knows that. He'll make some moves, which may or may not work out, but he'll at least have to dry. I just worry that this will lead to foolish contracts and even more foolish trades.

WWSH

68
The Dodgers still have Drew and Kent. If that was enough to get excited about 2005, shouldn't it be enough to get excited about 2006?

69
Yep. It won't look good for Colletti or McCourt if, after McCourt fired Depo, Colletti just comes in and keeps Depo's roster intact. I'm sure he will feel pressured to do SOMEthing, and that something will probably be foolish.

I think the best thing might very well be to hang on to Bradley. Colletti should find some way to engineer some elaborate public apology and tender him a contract. We could go into the season with Drew, Bradley, Werth, Cruz, and Ledee. We'd just have to hope that at any given time, three of these five would be healthy and reasonably productive options.

WWSH

Re: 70

We were all expecting then to have full seasons of a healthy Werth and Bradley. It's clear that may no longer be the case now.

WWSH

I agree that foolish trades and free agent signings are coming, and it will push us farther away from a dynasty than we were at under depodesta.

Under depodesta, 2007 was going to be the begining of a dynasty, but now with colletti and giles being gone foolish stuff is coming and pushing 2007's dynasty back a few years if not totally gone.

What is up with our interest in furcal, this would be sssssssssooooooooo foolish.

Actually, on second thought, I have such misgivings about Bradley's possible problems with spousal abuse that I'm not sure I really would like him to be tendered a contract.

If Colletti can engineer a fair trade where we get a legit near major-league ready OF, who we'd then try out at a corner, for some of our IF depth, I'd be fine with that. But I really hope he doesn't make a move just for the sake of making a move.

WWSH

65
I don't understand your math. We just offered Giles 3/34 which comes out to a little more then 11 mill per year. How do you come to the conclusion that McCourt won't go any higher then 9?

70
We also thought Werth was going to hit 30 home runs, that Choi was going to hit 25 home runs, that Scott Erickson would never vist a Dodger roster, that Izzy had turned the offensive corner and was on his way to being Vizquel lite, that JD Drew would play 140 games. Instead Werth becomes useless in 2005 and now probably in 2006 since his wrist will still be a problem. Choi will probably never get to play. Izzy is out and when he comes back was he the April/May Izzy or the worse offensive SS we've had since the 2003 version. That JD Drew while a great player who had bad luck with the broken wrist but also has serious shoulder issues that we were unaware of headed into 2005. On the optimistic side I think I can say with 100% accuracy that Scott Erickson will not visit a Dodger roster in 2006.

We've got work to do but I'm still optimistic.

I can live with either Acta or Skinner.

Hiring either of these men would be a clear signal that Colletti is in charge (as opposed to Lasorda or Plaschke). Moreover, both of these guys are going to come to the job undertsanding that it is their job to manage the team on the field and provide input on players privately to the GM (not through the media). If they are told that the "plan" is to go with the farm system and nurture the young talent these guys will be far more likely to remain loyal to that approach and the leaders who adopt it than will a 63 year-old who knows it all and wants to win now.

My guess (hope) is that Colleti understands this...the question is will Frank and Jamie support him.

I take it Nate's offseason excel sheet for success is in need of changes with Giles gone.

76
Are you sure we offered giles 3/34?

I think its just more bull coming from mccourt.

Based on the thing Gurnick put on dodgers.com, Colletti wanted Giles and Furcal, and was willing to leave the rotation alone. Anyone think that could change? I have a feeling an offer will now be presented to Nomar to be our SS/3B/LF. Signing Giles could be smart, if only to prevent a Pierre/Gathright trade. If the Bradley-Walker deal is true, would there be interest in putting Walker in left? I really wish Giles followed the money, we'd be in a much better position right now

Signing Furcal could be smart, if only to prevent a Pierre/Gathright trade

I think mccourt wanted to keep jim tracy, but tracy opted out because he didn't agree with depodesta, then mccourt fired depodesta.

And i think mccourt wants a low payroll and is just bullshitting people about offering free agents such and such money.

Mccourt is a bullshitter and a cancer, this franchise is a mess.

Furcal is a joke, add 10 home runs per season over what izturis will hit, and at a 7 million dollar raise over izturis.

Not that i'm a fan of izturis, i want izturis gone, but a 10 million dollar ss that hits 10-15 home runs with an average obp is not worth it.

Burning down the stadium would be smart, if only to prevent a Pierre trade.

84
I know just the guy for that job.

http://tinyurl.com/8qrjp

83
But, but, he's speedy!

86 - Which is what he got pulled over for.

Plus on top of all of this, the manager situation is taking forever, what player wants to play for a team when he doesn't even know who the manager is, let along the pitching coach for pitchers.

87
Guess he wasn't speedy enough.

if spending money on furcal would stop us from spending money on jaque jones or any remaining outfielder, i am all for it.

90
How is it even possible that Furcal can ask for $10 million/year and not have every single GM laugh in his face?

Nate, do you think Aubrey Huff could be had from TB for an arm or two from the system? He could be a decent stopgap 3B/RF and the biggest need over in Tampa Bay is pitching, pitching, pitching...

As Atlanta Braves shortstop Rafael Furcal sat in the dark in his Mercedes along I-85 just north of Brookwood early Friday, he pleaded with the Atlanta police officer about to arrest him on speeding and drunk driving charges.

"I play for the Braves. Can you give me a chance?" the 26-year-old infielder said around a plug of chewing tobacco he had just put in his mouth, according to an arrest report filed by Atlanta Officer A.P. Taddei.

...

Taddei said he first saw Furcal's $100,000 Mercedes S55 doing about 90 in the far left lane on northbound I-75/85 at the Brookwood split. He said he signaled Furcal to pull over and Furcal pulled onto the shoulder to the left of the HOV lane. Taddei said he told Furcal to pull off on the road's right shoulder just before the Buford Connector.

Taddei said Furcal had a woman and a "large amount of cash" in the car.

Classy. Thankfully, he's a desperately mediocre middle infielder anyway, so it doesn't really matter that he's a jerk.

from usatoday.coom

The Dodgers, who are pursuing free agents Rafael Furcal and Kevin Millwood, say they have about $18 million to spend

i guess there could be worse ways to spend the money.

"Jim Fregosi, who's expected to be hired this week as the Dodgers' new manager, plans to invite World Series hero Kirk Gibson to be his first-base coach."

"The Dodgers, who are pursuing free agents Rafael Furcal and Kevin Millwood, say they have about $18 million to spend."

http://tinyurl.com/8lk4x

93
Furcal and Kent could give the Dodgers the jerkiest middle infield in the league. At least that would be SOMEthing.

Nate, do you think Aubrey Huff could be had from TB for an arm or two from the system? He could be a decent stopgap 3B/RF and the biggest need over in Tampa Bay is pitching, pitching, pitching...

sure, if those arms are broxton and billingsley. the tampa papers reported that drays were interested in russ martin for gathright, i think their trade demands for huff will be pretty high.

im not really a fan of huff anyways.

Glaus is still on the block, he could be a big bat to get..

90 -- Is it worse to overpay for several mediocrities, or one big mediocrity? For instance, let's say the Cubs give Furcal $100 million and Neifi's first two children. Maybe we have to top it to keep Colletti from doing worse? Sort of a bizarro Superman world sunk cost argument? We're going to spend money like idiots we might as well get it over with and minimize the damage? The wages of stupidity?

Depressing.

91
Because the Red Sox gave Renteria the same contract and we know how smart the Red Sox are.
That is the going rate for an average FA SS.

If we sign Furcal, would Colletti move Kent to 1B to accomodate Izturis? If that's the plan, what happens if Choi breaks out? Choi better break out at that point

Anyone notice this idea (apparently Colletti's) from Gurnick's piece on dodgers.com?

"Furcal is intriguing mainly because he is a quality leadoff hitter. He would take over for the injured Cesar Izturis, who probably would move to second base when he returns."

The only thing Izturis has going for him is that he is a Gold Glove shortstop. Why would anyone think of keeping him to play at any other position?

i know we are all bummed about giles, but i still think we can salvage this offseason....

... ill get back to you know how we can do that.

A Furcal/Izturis middle infield? Oh yeah. Break out those rings, baby. That spells dinestee.

Let's not panic yet. The Padres really haven't improved themselves over last years very average team. They resigned Giles, they traded for Cameron and Castilla. Hardly an improvement over last years team. Sure, the Dodgers will have question marks next year along with every other team in the NL West. If Colletti doesn't do anything TOO stupid, we still have as good of a team as anybody else in the NL West. We still have Bradley on the team, and a lineup that includes Drew, Kent, Bradley, Choi, CruzJr, Aybar/APerez and Navarro isn't all that bad. Sure, we don't have much depth just like last year but I'm not sure other teams in our division have much depth either. Before you give up on 2006, keep in mind what division the Dodgers play in and that the goal is to win the division and hope for some hot dice at the craps table. vr, Xei

If Colletti doesn't do anything TOO stupid

And the odds of this are...low?

93-
Furcal= 2 DUI's, a scandal at a strip club, chews tobacco, and the woman in the car with him was likely an "upper class" call girl.
Bradley= got in a couple fights with his wife, appears that both parties were at fault, doesn't get along with the team jerk (Kent), does the most charity work of any player on the team

It's all starting to make sense now...

I'd rather not go after Millwood. Mostly because I have a feeling Boras' 500 page book on Millwood recommends a 7 year, $100 mil contract

What does the cover to the "Hitchhiker's Guide to the NL West" say?

Remember people:

Don't Panic

The entry for the Dodgers has been updated to: "Mostly mediocre"

Everyone should chill.
Furcal is going to sign with the Cubs or Braves not the Dodgers
Jaque Jones is going to sign with the Cardinals or Mariners not the Dodgers

You guys sound like he's already spent money on a crippled outfielder and are condeming him about what you think he might do before he's done anything at all. He gave it a great shot on Giles. Just because he has 18 million to spend doesn't mean he's going to use it on any ole free agent. He might be willing to pick up some huge contracts like Abreu.

Tommy Hawkins unloads on the McCourts to Simers

http://tinyurl.com/a5axs

I'm still trying to figure out how Flanders' superior communication skills weren't enough to convince Giles to sign. At least the McCourts enjoy his company. That's all that really matters.

101
That quote was from Gurnick not from Colletti. Colletti never said anything about what he planned to do with Izturis. The actual interview can be found on ESPN.

It is possible that Izzy after having TJ surgery may not be able to play SS. I don't know of any SS who have had the TJ surgery so I think this is new ground.

Here's the problem. I realize that Colletti hasn't yet done anything stupid. But where are the good ideas? The best idea was signing Giles and that didn't work out, and that wasn't even a particularly great idea or a slam dunk. So where do we go from here? The other ideas are not just to get by, they're horrible, god-awful rumors. Hiring Fregosi, signing Furcal, trading for Pierre, trading a future All-Star catcher (not that they grow on trees or anything) for Chad Fonville's little brother -- these are all the ideas of a madman -- or Ed Wade. How about just one rumor on par with "the Dodgers are trying to get Randy Johnson?" Or, at least, "the Dodgers are trying not to become the Detroit Tigers of the NL, desperately throwing absurd double-digit million a year contracts at anybody who will deign to take a meeting with them."

110 Wow. Wow. That's almost enough to make me root against the Dodgers winning because the McCourts don't deserve it. I can't imagine disliking an owner more.

110 - Jason Phillips was playing first base last year. Why is any of this a surprise?

Colletti's to do list:
Trade Bradley for Corey Patterson
Sign Royce Clayton
Hand James Loney the starting catching job
Find a veteran catcher (Navarro can backup)
Sign Bill Mueller (I wouldn't really have a problem with this one)
Sign Jason Johnson to a 2 year contract
Non tender Hee Seop Choi

C Toby Hall or Mike Lieberthal
1B James Loney
2B Jeff Kent
SS Royce Clayton (great bunter, would bat 2nd)
3B Bill Mueller
LF Werth/Cruz
CF Patterson (very fast, can be the leadoff hitter)
RF Drew

SP
Penny
Lowe
Perez
Johnson
Houlton/Billingsley/Jackson/Prokopec

We would have a great defensive team!

Hand James Loney the starting catching job
Ooops, 1B, it would be interesting to see a left handed catcher though

I find it funny that awhile ago i was arguing with alot of people that said giles will not sign for less than 5 years, and i was saying he will sign for 3 or 4 years, and guess what, he signed for 3 years.

I hope the dodgers just stand pat and don't sign anyone, and just give the youngsters playing time, now that giles is gone, but that's not going to happen, i bet colletti signs 2 mediocre players and calls it a winter.

And the 2 mediocre players will turn out to be guys we can't get rid of, and will be a drag to the team.

Steve. Part of the free agent signing period is about rumors. Some rumors are true but many are smoke screens for whatever reason. Rumors are started by both sides, and often used as negotiation ploys, for PR purposes or other reasons. I think we can all agree that this years crop of free agents isn't all that good and next years doesn't look much better. That being said, Colletti does not have an easy job and niether would Depodesta if he were still in charge (god bless his computer). I don't see how a Randy Johnson rumor or a Barry Bonds to the Dodgers rumor is going to fix anything. I enjoy your wit and sarcasm as much as anybody here, but I think we should all keep in perspective what the big picture is. We are an average team in a below average division. If our key players are somewhat healthy we could easily be the favorite to win the NL West. I along with you will keep my fingers crossed that Colletti doesn't sign any of the trash that you've mentioned. vr, Xei

114
That's almost enough to make me root against the Dodgers winning because the McCourts don't deserve it. I can't imagine disliking an owner more.

The previous proprietor wasn't particularly likeable either.

113
Yeah your right. Where are the good idea's like
1. Giving a manager an extension who you know does not see eye to eye with you on how to use the roster you've provided for him and harbors a grudge over a trade you made.
2. Returning Scott Erickson's agents phone call

Colletti is going to make some mistakes just like Depo did, but it is possible that he will also make some good decisions, just like Depo did, but I don't think anyone here is ever going to give him a chance. It is not Colletti's fault that McCourt fired Depo. I think some of you want Colletti to fail so that you can justify the firing of Depo as being the wrong thing to do. We all know it was the wrong thing to do, so we can either root against the Dodgers and the ex-Giant they hired or give him a chance to put his stamp on the team. It may not be a sabermetric stamp but that does not mean it can't be a winning team.

Just curious how is Depo list of managers any more inspiring then Colletti's?

I think it is funny that DTS is now the best owner in Los Angeles.

When I have my baseball show, I'm going to be just like Cramer on Mad Money.

Giving a manager an extension who you know does not see eye to eye with you on how to use the roster you've provided for him and harbors a grudge over a trade you made.

Oooh...you cut me where it hurts.

Well played.

I thought the 2nd one was better.

121 DePo's list was slightly more encouraging because I was at least confident that his choice would be appropriate for the team.

Maybe Colletti has changed his philosophy since joining the Dodgers, but every prior interview has indicated he's of the "there's no such thing as an aggressive mistake" mind set. What if he brings in one of those guys without overhauling the roster? You have another guy who just assumes that Oscar Robles is fast.

Hopefully, I'm wrong about this, and Colletti will just keep the core he has and work from there, but when your list of managers is a list of good ol' boys, I'm not confident.

Wow, Brian Giles signs for almost as much as J.D. Drew (per year), despite being about five years older and this is seen by people here as a disappointment? I think we dodged a bullet not paying out for that guy. I don't hate him; all things being equal, it would've been nice to see him on board. But if you look at the Dodgers' assets strategically, we're in a far stronger position to make trades (including in-season trades) than we are to sign free agents. I hope we lose out on Furcal too.

Free agents cost too much and want too many years. They tie up limited assets, and represent an enormous opportunity cost. If you're a win-now organization, they make sense as the cherry on the frosting. You've probably already promoted or traded your best prospects, and you have to optimize the investment.

But if you're an organization like LA, short on major league talent, but long on hyped prospects, you can make this year's team competitive through trades. Everyone wants the hot prospect who they can control and pay peanuts; the Dodgers are frankly oversupplied with those. So, we get teams like Cincinnati, Tampa Bay, Philadelphia, etc. to send us a major leaguer who isn't making $10 million a year, to whom we'll only be committed for a couple years, in return for some of the prospects. Not the "future stars," as Colletti termed them, but from the other 9 of our 10-deep. We thus retain financial flexibility while improving the team in the short run, and without sacrificing the long run.

P.S. Seeing the market now, how great was DePodesta's deal with Jeff Kent? But those kinds of deals are so rare.

can nomar play left field?

if he can... bam! this is our contingency plan.

-trade odalis+minor league pitching fillers to dbacks for glaus (dbacks do this because of salary and the need for another pitcher after having to trade vazquez)

-sign nomar to a 2 yr 15mil incentive laden deal (bonus for reaching number of PAs)

-sign matt morris 2 yr 15 deal with 3rd yr 8mil option, automatically kicks in if he pitches 400 innings in those two years.

its all set!
ss robles-330k
lf nomar-7.5
rf drew-11
2b kent-9
3b glaus-9.25
1b choi-950k (arby)
rf cruz-2.91
c navrro-330k

rotation
penny- 6.5
lowe- 9
morris- 7.5
jackson- 330k
billingsley- 330k

total= 65mil

+gagne and izzy on IR, comes out to=

78 million.

which would leave like 12 mil or so on bench, bullpen(minus gagne) and mid season trade or to add another SP.

128 - I'd be shocked to see Jackson in the #4 spot, or any spot next year. His fastball is no better than average nowadays.

125. Well, its time to go to plan Z.
Obviously the quality FA's are gone or just not interested in L.A. Furcal is not an impact player. Colletti needs a big score, or like 118 said - a couple of mediocre signings just to get through the season.
I say -
Sign Nomar - what the hell, he's a local boy and may be a candidate for comeback player of the year. They can make a movie out of it later.
Sign Bill Mueller - he's not a bad stopgap, and he did win a batting title not too long ago.
Trade for Abreu or Dunn or some other slugging OF who might be on the market. Offer up a lot of good prospects - not the cream of the crop. Overwhelm them with quantity, not quality.
Take a shot at Millwood or Byrd, but if they don't come over to the Blue Side, then lets see what the youngsters can do. Colletti has experience with this type of gamble from his Frisco Giants days.
Hire a manager who can handle young players, take the heat from the local media as we lose more than we win for a while.
Hope our luck turns a bit from last year.
And, last but not least, remember it could be worse - we could be KC Royals fans.

Is Werth really so bad that we have to shove Nomar in left?

At this point, we should be trying to get Jason Michaels for as little as possible and bequath him the centerfield job. Philadelphia has pretty much no need for him, and I'd be perfectly willing to sacrifice a second tier prospect for a man with a career .400 on base.

I'd be shocked to see Jackson in the #4 spot, or any spot next year. His fastball is no better than average nowadays.

thats what i dont understand, in jax and in vegas, the announcers kept giving his fb velocity, and they were consistently saying 93-96.

i think the back spasms zapped his FB velocity towards the end of the year.

or at least, thats what i hope.

If Garciaparra signs with the Dodgers, it will tell you just how much he has fallen.

Is Werth really so bad that we have to shove Nomar in left?

if werth was fully healthy, i would stick him left but who knows how long his wrist takes to heal.

131 -- Exactly. Jerks with actual talents.

135 The perfect replacement for Bradley.

For me, what we decide to do this year is, in part, dictated by next years FA market. If it is going to be materially better, I just assume not sign anybody this year.

I'm not sure Giles ever planned to leave SD. A couple of years ago Giles and his wife built a huge brand new house in a high end development in Poway called the Heritage Estates which sits on Maderas Country Club. Last Year he comes home and announces that he has fallen in love with another woman. (Turns out the woman is some baseball groupie/stripper or something (can you say Anna Benson)). Giles and his wife had two small kids, both under 5. Instead of moving away, Giles gives his wife the house and a lot of $$,$$$,$$$ and rather than moving away buys a new house in the same development. I'm just not sure he ever planned on leaving SD.

137 -- Ye Gods.

Colletti should have gotten Carolyn Hughes or Alyssa Milano for some recruiting.

Y'all are falling down on the job, two examples-

82- Watch the potty-mouth, mister.

Example number two- nobody seems to realize that Juan Encarnacion is still available! He'll be 30 on opening day, so I'm thinking a seven year, fifty million dollar contract would wrap him up, nice and tight. Outfield set.

137 - But what happened to Giles playing grab-ass with Jeff Kent in the locker room?

Geez, we NEVER heard about this stuff when Giles was stuck on the Pirates. I can only imagine what Jason Bay might be up to!

140 -- I didn't see him utter the words Pierre or Furcal once.

I wonder how that rates on the Plashcke meter?

Plaschke is too wrapped up in writing about an old guy who has gone to a lot of USC football games in a row. He's sort of a poor man's Irving Zeiger.

The guy gets in free because he was on the track team at USC a long time ago.

According to Plaschke, UCLA has systematically gone out and killed every former UCLA athlete over the age of 60 and made them into Soylent Blue and Gold.

Other Giles notable: his wife was the brains behind the operation. Before an interview she would get the questions he was going to be asked, write out the responses and practice with him. She would make him get it right three times before he could proceed with the interview.

I'm sure this stuff goes on all the time and we don't hear about it.

I think a new show called "Playing Ball" about baseball players ex-wives and how they cope with their husbands being targets for the hottest groupies in each town would be a perfect fit for HBO. Got to be plenty of ex-wife's with stories to tell that would titillate the masses .

146. Perfect for Fox. Its the kind of stuff they run and they probably have a bunch of footage from their Dodger days.

whats everyones thoughts on milwood?

i dont think i trust him to stay healthy. Although if he is healthy, hes a solid #2.

i dont think i trust him to stay healthy

In that case, he should fit right in with the Dodgers.

what channel is espn deportes?

148
I would want millwood, but since giles is off the market, we have no chance at a world series, so to heck with signing anyone, just play the prospects in our holes (guzman ss, laroche 3b, billingsley sp, jackson/houlton/orenduff sp, martin joining navarro c).

Keep bradley, trade kent, play ayrar,perez,young,robles at 2b.

Forget about 2006, give the youngsters experience for 2007.

looking over the tv schedule for espn deportes, it seems that licey is the star team and they only show licey and whoever licey is playing.

150
Depends if your cable company carries it. Not all of them do.

You can use this very slow moving website to inquire if anyone in your area carries it.

http://und.collegesports.com/sports/c-fenc/mtt/zagunis_mariel00.html

Use the box on the side.

Helps to be able to read Spanish.

if you promote our positional prospects now, i think they will fail.

they need a year of AAA pitching.

I seem to remember Jason Michaels punching a bouncer in the face at a night club. I think that's what happened. I know that he loves to go to bars in the Philly. He and Furcal would probably become best friends.

if it makes it easier, does cox digital cable carry it or direct tv? if so, anyone know the channels they are on for each carrier?

Liga Dominicana de Béisbol
Estrellas de Oriente vs. Tigres del Licey
Estadio Quisqueya Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic 2:30 am to
4:30 am

nice, thats tonight

En mi ciudad, no puedo mirar ESPN Deportes. Time/Warner no ofrecen este canal. Normalmente tiene que pagar extra para obtener aceso a este canal. Probablamente va a pagar por otras canales españoles.

yesss. found it. 438 on cox digital cable.

woohooo, im going to be watching some dominican baseball tonight.

its probably a replay of earlier today im assuming.

Michaels isn't much of a good character, as nice as he would be

As for Millwood, like I said earlier, I don't want to pay for him. Boras will keep him until Burnett signs, then release his 500 page pamphlet proving why Millwood is better than ARod, and thus deserves more money. We should just stay away from Boras (except for Hochevar), which includes Travis Lee, although for different reasons

We need offense with power. It seems that we need to fill it in a corner outfield spot (rather than 3rd). If we are going to trade any of our kids, lets make a splash - a splash that will one-up Arte over in the OC. I do not want our key off season acquisition to be Kwame Brown-esque. I say we go after the best available outfield hitter. Albert and Vlad are going nowhere - that leaves only one ---- MANNY! MANNY! MANNY! Flanders, get it done!

159

ESPN Deportes es una parte esencial de tu sistema de television cable digital? Que bueno!

145 Please tell me you're joking. Please. That sounds so impossibly ridiculous, it can't be true... can it?

163
Sounds plausible to me. I doubt that Brian Giles was part of CSF in high school.

i would rather trade for abreu than manny.

In all seriousness, the hitting prowess of Manny in unmatched. Sure he is wacky and cant play much defense, but I still think he would make the whole lineup run. Furthermore, his quirkiness is perfect of LA, with teh other defenders in center and Right we can afford a drop off in Left. If you stick Manny as a #4 hitter behind JD and in front of Kent with all the other filler --- wheeewwwweeee

163. Not joking. My brother dated Giles ex-wife for a few months and they are still friends. Told me the story this Thanksgiving. Funniest part is my brother hates (with a captial "H") baseball and doesn't follow it. When i told him Giles turned down $30/3 he was shocked he made that kind of dough.

166 Problem is he shatters the payroll for years to come.

Why couldn't we pay more than SD for Giles(assuming he would've left SD)?

Why would Manny want to come to LA (D not A)?

169 Those of us with satellite systems don't seem to get the same consideration as digital cable subscribers.. boo!

163 -- These guys are, after all, the guys who get old and become managers.

Well, looks like an old rumor could be gaining some steam

"The Rays continue to field calls from about a dozen teams with interest in speedy outfielder Joey Gathright, with the Dodgers and Marlins (who are loaded with prospects and likely to dump Juan Pierre) thought to be among the most aggressive." -St Petersburg Times

Gathright had 1 home run in 4 years 1,221 at bats in the minors.

What is going on, why would we be interested in that.

173
We want Gathright because he's younger than Jason Tyner.

Because homers aren't the only important thing. Gathright did a decent job of walking in the minors and has speed. He's a slight step up from Pierre, but he's still hardly what the Dodgers need. But Colletti seems hellbent on getting a leadoff hitter. I wouldn't mind Wilkerson or Michaels personally, but they aren't the stereotypical leadoff guys that I'm sure Colletti wants. And if you couldn't tell, I do not endorse trading for Gathright whatsoever

Sounds like we got a bad GM.

Does sound like Colletti is obsessed with obtaining the "prototypical" leadoff man.

Unfortunately, Rickey is too old to be effective.

Haven't most GMs realized that the out-making, banjo hitting speedster as a leadoff man died out when Gary Pettis retired?

177 Considering that Jose Reyes is still hitting leadoff, I'm going to say no.

if the marlins are still selling and colletti still wants a lefty reliever, villone is probably on the market..

this was our offer to giles courtesy of henson:

Giles, a San Diego native, accepted a three-year, $30-million contract from the Padres, who two weeks ago said their best offer was $4.5 million less than that. The Dodgers offered $34.5 million over three years, with a $2.5-million buyout and a club option for a fourth year at an additional $11 million.

so including the buyout, we basically offered giles 3 yrs 37 mil or 12.3 mil a yr.

with the 4th yr, it would have been 4yrs 45.5 mil, or 11.375 per year.

not cheap by any means.

That makes me feel better. Absolutely nothing we could have done.

http://tinyurl.com/8u4oj

If Furcal goes to the Cubs or back to the Braves, the Dodgers are also expected to have serious interest in Lugo, who has a one-year, $4.95-million contract. From the Dodgers' deep farm system, the Rays likely would be interested in catcher Russ Martin, third baseman Andy LaRoche or pitcher Chad Billingsley

183 I wouldn't mind Lugo, as long as we don't have to give up too much. Maybe Colletti could get him for a nice collection of mediocre pitching prospects. Too bad Gomes isn't available. He would slip nicely right into the OF.

So with all this shortstop talk, what do you think Ned plans to do with Izturis?

so including the buyout, we basically offered giles 3 yrs 37 mil or 12.3 mil a yr. with the 4th yr, it would have been 4yrs 45.5 mil, or 11.375 per year.

No nate, that can't be right. Because werthgagne31 has already assured us that the McCourts will allow no offers larger than $9m per. So there.

I'm still optimistic about Colletti. To my mind, he has yet to make an actual mistake. Rumors about Gathright and Pierre and Furcal worry me a bit, but they're just rumors. And the one offer we think we know about, to Giles, was aggressive, but apparently pointless. The non-offers to Delgado, Thome, Beckett, et al. make me happy.

I am still hoping for some combination of Nomar or Lugo, a Millwood-type, and a trade for one of Cincy's extra OFers (Dunn, Pena, Kearns). A trade for Abreu would be better, but would cost more.

186
Its just a hunch i have about mccourt.
Just like i think the supposive deal we made to giles is a PR stunt by mccourt.

187. Based on what? Yeah, we know McCourt is rumored to be a cheapskate. But why automatically assume that anything that contradicts your predispositions must be an elaborate ruse designed to fool you? That's paranoid conspiracy-theory stuff. There is a report that the Dodgers made that offer. It's not false just because it'd be surprising if true. How can a useful conversation take place with wild-hair conspiracy theories introduced as though they're supposed to be taken seriously?

Back when Erickson was getting way too much work, and hanging around on the roster too long, some among us joked that he must have compromising pictures of DePo or some such. But it was intended and understood to be a joke. If anyone had actually started spouting such speculations as though they were even remotely possible, others would have been justified in (respectfully) laughing him out of the room.

The simpler explanation is that Giles didn't want to leave SD, as long as they made him a reasonable offer, relative to the others he was receiving. They came through, and he gave them the hometown discount. It's absurd to assume shenanigans on the part of the Dodger owner. Absurdities belong somewhere else.

I like Furcal but I'd take Julio Lugo also. I think Colletti wants a shortstop because he realizes its the weakest position in our entire organization. Izturis sucks. Even Colletti knows it. Outside of Guzman who many not even play SS, we've got no one in the system that will play SS at the MLB level in the next 3 years.

I'd trade Loney for Lugo straight up.
I'd trade Navarro for Lugo straight up.

Lugo is a good player. And if Lugo comes here, then they cant use the 'bad citizen' excuse to get rid of Milton Bradley. Because Lugo is as bad (wife beater) as they come.

At this point, Nomar seems the best pursuit for SS/3B in '06. And then he shifts to 2B in '07, maybe?

Regarding Millwood: It might not be a bad idea. I recall reading somewhere (it wasn't the Times, but it might've been Bob Nightengale) that Millwood enjoys working under short-term (1-2 years) contracts because it keeps him motivated and allows him to test free agency frequently. If he's willing to come for a short-term deal, he would be a suitable replacement for Weaver.

Hector Carrasco is close to signing with a West Coast team, likely the Dodges, Giants, or Padres. He could be an interesting option for the rotation (albeit an unreliable one)

Morris wants to stay in the NL

KC is trying to sign Brian Anderson to a minor league deal (I liked him as a minor league free agent, sorry if this is largely irrelevant). Baird also said he's looking to trade the #1 pick in the Rule 5. Cubs prospets Brownlie and Sing look interesting, but aren't worth trading up for

Also, with Tampa's OF depth, I think they could be persuaded to trade Gomes. It would probably take an upper tier pitching prospect though

Nomar is a good possibility. There doesn't seem to be a huge market for his services so he'll probably come fairly cheap. Plus he seems willing to change positions, and you also have the "local boy returns" angle for the Plaschkes of the world.

I'd still rather have had Giles, but what can you do. I'd much rather have Nomar than the Pierres and Gathrights (why?!) of the world.

I dunno, I've seen Nomar's name in more places that I had expected. I'd assume it would take a 2 year deal now to attract him, most likely in the $15M range.

With Giles gone, Ned may have to get creative with the rest of the offseason. Signing Giles and a 4th starter could've been a nice tidy little offseason. Now he still needs a bat and a pitcher, not to mention make a move with Milton. For some reason LA seems to be spending an inordinate amount of time courting shortstops though.

Just food for thought when discounting Furcal so easily.
http://tinyurl.com/9ve3s

I don't think even 2 years, $15M would be the end of the world. I mean, if they're intent on signing free agents and using that money I'd rather have 2 years of Nomar than 4 or 5 years of Furcal or any years of Jacque Jones et al. I wouldn't go overboard on Nomar but I think he'd be a pretty good fit if the price is right, given the alternatives.

191
Hector Carrasco is 36, has started a grand total of 6 games in his career, and has pitched 126.2 innings in the last four years, missing two complete seasons. I can't see him as anything but bullpen help from the right side, which we don't really need. If the Giants or Padres sign him to be in their rotation, I will be seeing pink bunnies all day long. If we do...ugh.

I don't believe for a minute that the McCourts will want to pay the money needed to get Furcal.

110-- Not that the McCourts aren't arrogant, clueless,and deserving of a warranted bashing in the paper; BUT

Simers' Tommy Hawkins piece really stretches credibility, while embracing the revisionist history and nostalgia that former Peter O'Malley employees seem so fond of;

1)How can Hawkins complain that the McCourts bring in people with no baseball background when he had none when hired in the uproar following the Al Campanis debacle?

2)O'Malley may have been swell to his employees, but under his guidance, the franchise became stagnant, and fell into a ten year decline leading to his decision to bail out to Fox.

Not to knock Tommy Hawkins, a very nice man (his son was a few years behind me in high school), who's been a fixture on the LA sports scene since his time with the Lakers forty years ago. But, as with Fred Claire's attempts to give unsolicited advice, 1988 was a long time ago.

197 - You make it sound like that is a bad thing.

Lugo would be a good fit, though it's cute the way they are asking for Canada Russ, Billingsley, or LaRoche for either Lugo or Gathwright. No thanks.

Give me Nomar, try to work a trade for Abreu, or at least Jason Michaels, and see what Beane is asking in return for Zito. I wonder if Milton/Aybar/(Orenduff or Tiffany) would get it done for Zito? Maybe Broxton has to go.

We already have a Gathright. His name is Jason Repko. Why waste time and prospects on getting another one, in a pointless attempt to have a "true" leadoff man, which Gathright isn't anyway (except in the fast-guy-who-doesn't-get-on-base sense)? Being linked to him (and Pierre) is more distressing to me than anything else. Hopefully it's just media overstatement.

199. If you're wondering about the availability of Zito - well so are the folks in No-Cal
http://tinyurl.com/bdk63

I know I am the one who said Giles really never wanted to leave SD and in his case I believe that was the determining factor, but I also have to wonder whether he or anyone else wants to play for the Dodgers. Don't get me wrong, I know its about the money; offer someone enough money and they will come to LA. But if all offers are roughly equal why would a big name want to come to LA, an organization in disaray. If this is true, it means the Dodgers have to overpay to get a player who is also being pursued by better organizations. If you believe Frank is Mr. McCheap, it is unlikely he will pay the premium necessary to get a big name to come to LA. If any of this is true, it does not bode well for being competitive in the FA market.

202 -- and now, even untalented players don't want to play for us, because their champion went to Pittsburgh.

What do you guys think of us maybe going after Reggie Sanders? He's played in more cities than a touring stand-up comic, but has done really well prety much everywhere. I always find it strange that whatever the last team he's played for doesn't re-sign him, it's always these one year contracts. He's no Giles, but nor is he going to come overpriced and over-termed like Johnny Damon.

For reasonably priced outfield depth, Dodgers could do much worse. Plus Colletti knows him, I'd imagine, since the Giants were one of the many teams he played for.

Reggie Sanders is the only player who was on my list who worked his way off of it.

Sanders wife is from Southern California. She went to high school in the San Fernando Valley and later moved to the San Diego area which is where he met her during his itinerant career.

I'd be all right with Sanders.

204 - Sanders made $4M last year. Kind of pricey for "depth". I wouldn't even automatically expect him to outproduce or bench Werth, Cruz, or Milton (if retained).

205 Reggie Sanders is the only player who was on my list who worked his way off of it.

How come? Did he spend too much time when he was supposed to be working surfing the 'net?

207 I must be in an alternative universe. We're supposed to be disappointed that we didn't win the right to pay Brian Giles $11.5 million/year, but we don't want to squander $4 million on Reggie Sanders. Aren't they pretty much the same player?

208 I guess not exactly. Sanders is 3 years older. But they're in the same general area:

Sanders: .271/.340/.546/.886
21 homers in only 93 games.

Giles: .301/.423/.483/.905
15 homers in 158 games.

Yes, Giles gets more walks and strikes out less. For that, he should get $7 million more/year?

*Reggie Sanders is the only player who was on my list who worked his way off of it.

How come? Did he spend too much time when he was supposed to be working surfing the 'net?*

That could be a good reason, but I disliked him because when he was younger he went and started a fight with Pedro Martinez after getting hit by a pitch when Pedro had a PERFECT GAME going.

Sanders said recently that when he looked back at that, he realized that he was young and stupid and was embarrassed.

You know, I am actually fine with not signing Giles--$11 million a year for 15HRS? I have never cared much about baseball salaries because I don't pay them, but these teams jump all over themselves trying to sign good but not great players to exhorbitant contracts. I mean, Brian Giles is ok, but for $11 million a year? As teams like Atlanta and Oakland have proven over and over again, guys like this can be found easily and cheaply. I would much rather the Dodgers patch a few holes with guys like Sanders and then try to plug in some of the youngsters over the next year or two. We are not winning the World Series this year whether or not we signed Giles--or Furcal--so why not go for the long-term?

I would also trade Kent, perhaps to the Mets--they need a 2B, and they have attractive pieces like Victor Diaz and Aaron Heilman. If the Mets don't get Manny R, I think Kent would be a good fit. Heck, I would even take back Matsui from them, provided they paid some of his contract--he has been a bust in NY, but his contact is up after this year so it wouldn't be a big gamble on our part.

208 - I had thought that a more realistic Sanders comparison should be Jayson Werth.

Sanders did OPS .886 last year, however he just turned 38 today.

Werth OPS'd .824 in 2004, and if the wrist injury is to blame for 2005, I'd expect a bounce back in 2006.

212 I don't know if Werth's injury is going to heal fully, though. He's a question mark until well into next season. Nice to think he could come back, though.

Should be easy to outproduce Werth since he won't be playing for a while. At this point our outfield is:

JD Drew - rehabbing multiple surgeries. Might be ready by ST but history shows he's a slow healer so we should not be surprised if he is not ready by the start of the season.

Milton Bradley - even if he stays, his rehab sounds like it is going to continue through spring training and possibly the start of the season. Plus we all know he is not staying no matter how long we threaten to hold our breath until we pass out.

Jason Werth - 5 month rehab, 2nd wrist surgery, forget about it. Werth again has screwed the pot through no fault of his own but we can't wait to see if the power ever returns. He should play in AAA until he shows that he's ready to hit this time instead of giving us useless at bats.

Jose Cruz - at the moment is healthy, missed some time last year with a bad back and according to him was not healthy until mid-July.

R Ledee - Reminded me of Dave Roberts in that every time he started he looked like he was ready to blow the hamstring apart.

J Repko - figures the worse player of the lot is the one ready to play right now.

D Young - is he even in the picture. Only Royster has said anything about him moving to the outfield. Other then that we don't hear a peap about him.

Colletti must be looking at that and cringing. Reggie Sanders sure looks good to me.

I'm hoping for a trade for someone big like Dunn/Abreu or something smaller like C Wilson/Mench/Kearns but wouldn't be surprised if we ended up with C Patterson or Wily Mo. If no trades are made we will probably get a one year stop gap of Lawton/Lofton/T Long. The stop gaps aren't pretty but none of those names would surprise me if we signed them.

Is screwing the pot different from screwing the pooch?

215 - More socially accepted.

From BA chat yesterday:
Brad (Albuquerque): Who has the strongest farm system right now?

SportsNation Jim Callis: The Dodgers. Not only are they the strongest, but they also have a good balance of hitting and pitching, plus guys ready to contribute in the next year or so and a second wave for a little further down the road.

It was a flashback to my high school days.

OK, I just picked up the other phrase involving the dogs back in my days as a test pilot at Edwards.

The cockpits were big enough for you?

I washed out after I crashed the little plane on the Microsoft Flight simulator into the Sears Tower over and over again.

Jim Callis for manager!

Anyway, yeah, that was kind of my point with Sanders - when I said "depth" I didn't mean backup OF, I would picture him starting. With Werth still recovering and hard to count on, with Bradley's status unknown and dubious, Sanders is a really consistently solid player. I don't think we'd overpay for him at that rate for one year (which seems to be his modus operandi). We lost Giles. He was a good player. San Diego overpaid for him. Best of luck to them but now we need to move on, short of a big trade for the aforementioned Abreu or whoever.

(Btw, I'm sure this has been asked before but is that Abreu related to the Tony Abreu in the Dodgers' system?)

No he's not.

Abreu can play SS not just 2nd and has a great arm.

Jim Callis reminds me of Joshua Malina who played the stat geek on "Sports Night" and then moved to the "West Wing" and replaced the Rob Lowe character.

202. LAT

...I also have to wonder whether he or anyone else wants to play for the Dodgers.

That is my take. Who would want to play for the McCourts? If a player has another choice, he's going somewhere else.

Let me see...

Do I want to play for a team that has fired 2 GMs in the past 2 yrs and is on the 3rd.

Has no manager or coaching staff.

Needs at least 3 additional position players.

Pitching needs include both starters and relivers.

Lost 91 games last year.

The owners are the McCourts.

Yeah, but Ned Colletti can tell who is going to be a good player by just watching him and seeing how he carries himself. You've got to appreciate working for someone like that.

The Red Sox are negotiating a Ramirez for Abreu swap. They've targeting Adam Dunn as well. Funny how the Red Sox never seem to be mentioned in the Gathright/Pierre sweepstakes.

225 - That's one real disconcerting takeaway from the Giles signing - that he was willing to take significantly less to stay with the Padres (even though he has no real loyalty to the team, just a preference for the "area"). The Dodgers aggressively offered more money and a ballpark that wouldn't completely suck the life out of his power production, all while staying in the same area. This doesn't exactly come off well for the McCourts or the Dodgers.

Does Colletti do a lot of scouting over at the Police Academy, or down at the Marines' training facilities? Those fellows carry themselves famously.

227 - Per Jayson Stark:

"The deal was proposed by the Red Sox but quickly shot down, the official said, for several reasons. The primary reason is that the Phillies have been telling teams they are only interested in