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Current Roster with Estimated 2008 Salaries
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Starting Pitchers (5)
$12,300,000 Hiroki Kuroda
$10,000,000 Derek Lowe
$9,500,000 Brad Penny
$7,000,000 Esteban Loaiza
*$500,000 Chad Billingsley
Total: $39,300,000

Bullpen (6)
$2,000,000 Takashi Saito
$1,925,000 Joe Beimel
$1,125,000 Scott Proctor
*$500,000 Jonathan Broxton
$500,000 Chan Ho Park
*$400,000 Hong-Chih Kuo
Total: $6,450,000

Starting Lineup (8)
$14,100,000 Andruw Jones
$13,000,000 Rafael Furcal
$9,000,000 Jeff Kent
$8,500,000 Nomar Garciaparra
$8,000,000 Juan Pierre
$500,000 Russell Martin
*$400,000 James Loney
*$400,000 Matt Kemp
Total: $53,900,000

Bench (6)
$875,000 Gary Bennett
$600,000 Mark Sweeney
$424,500 Andre Ethier
$391,000 Delwyn Young
$390,000 Chin-Lung Hu
$390,000 Blake DeWitt
Total: $3,071,000

Disabled List
$12,000,000 Jason Schmidt
*$400,000 Tony Abreu
*$390,000 Andy LaRoche
Total: $12,790,000

Also Paying ...
$1,000,000 Brett Tomko
$750,000 Odalis Perez
$540,000 Yhency Brazoban
$500,000 Randy Wolf
$487,500 Jason Repko
$135,225 Rudy Seanez
$100,000 Mike Lieberthal
$50,000 Ramon Martinez
Total: $3,562,725

Working total: *$113,268,725

*Rough salary estimate

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Positions, Please
2007-11-27 21:26
by Jon Weisman

If you're on the roster, please let me know your position - via the comments. If you're not on the roster yet but want to be, let me know your number and position. (For entertainment purposes only.)

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Comments (180)
Show/Hide Comments 1-50
2007-11-27 21:29:39
1.   Terry A
Centerfield.
2007-11-27 21:30:27
2.   Greg Brock
Catcher!
2007-11-27 21:33:49
3.   trainwreck
Starting pitcher.
2007-11-27 21:37:01
4.   Xeifrank
Grounds crew chief.
vr, Xei
2007-11-27 21:40:13
5.   Icaros
I would like number 415.

My position will be National Anthem Vocalist.

2007-11-27 21:42:55
6.   berkowit28
Organist. As long as there no pedals.
2007-11-27 21:43:52
7.   capdodger
Owner. You're all fired.
2007-11-27 21:43:59
8.   68elcamino427
Driving the pitchers in from the bullpen in the little baseball golfcart.
Number 1965, please.
2007-11-27 21:45:50
9.   KG16
since catcher is taken, I'll go with right field.

and since I was LATed:

323 - it's part of Colletti's baseball ideology. The theory goes that younger guys are happy just to be there (remember the cliches from Bull Durham?), the older guys have been there long enough to understand that winning is the most important thing, so they have a greater desire to win. This ideology breaks down when you run into guys like Gonzo who are more interested in getting stats that might make them marginal hall of famers. It also does not account for teams like the young Marlins a few years back.
I don't blame him for buying into the cliches, it's something that has run rampant in sports for a very long time - as an example, see Phil Jackson's preference for vets over younger players. It's usually wrong, when applied broadly as an ideology.

2007-11-27 21:48:30
10.   Jason in Canada
I am #39 (Roy Campenella) and I would like to be the LOOGY.
2007-11-27 21:52:37
11.   CajunDodger
I got closer.
2007-11-27 21:52:52
12.   Paul Scott
When I played, I was a Catcher, so if Greg will agree to be my backup, I'll pick that. If not, since the number was selected in honor of Choi, I'll pick 1B.
2007-11-27 21:53:38
13.   Lexinthedena
Number- 1988 (for Mojo)

Position- Bench Coach

2007-11-27 21:57:48
14.   Jeromy
First Base!
2007-11-27 21:58:30
15.   arbfuldodger
Number #68 - I definatly have a catcher's body, but my dream was always to play 1st base for the Blue.
2007-11-27 21:59:03
16.   68elcamino427
Please click on ROSTER and get you number figured out.
2007-11-27 22:00:38
17.   the OZ
I'll be # 222, Left-handed relief pitcher and pinch-runner.
2007-11-27 22:02:09
18.   Jon Weisman
You can repeat positions that others have taken. We're building for depth here, people.
2007-11-27 22:03:09
19.   natepurcell
LOOGY- #86
2007-11-27 22:04:50
20.   scareduck
Catcher. If I can't get that, I wanna be like Troy Percival and take to the mound. I mean, why not?
2007-11-27 22:06:07
21.   Brendan
Smoke Jumper (I'm already # 71)
2007-11-27 22:08:58
22.   Gold Star for Robot Boy
Catcher, please.
2007-11-27 22:09:12
23.   Vishal
second base.
2007-11-27 22:10:06
24.   Eric Stephen
I'll take 3B
2007-11-27 22:10:28
25.   fordprefect
Towel boy.
{No snide comments please}
Perhaps towel being is more PC in this end of the galaxy?
-FP
2007-11-27 22:12:58
26.   Robert Daeley
In Jon's linked post, my comment (#248) stated:

"Hey, if we get to choose our positions next, I want to be a power-hitting third baseman. ;)"

I will stick with that.

2007-11-27 22:20:50
27.   heato
I'll be 161 and play rover.
2007-11-27 22:24:07
28.   capdodger
Jersey Number: 1729
Position: Fifth Blernsman
2007-11-27 22:27:10
29.   JRSarno
I'll take #69 - Third Base Coach
2007-11-27 22:28:42
30.   overkill94
If it's not too late, I'd like to be #69. My high school number was taken (10), so I'll go with my jersey number from my drunken softball team from college - The Borrachos.

If we're going for actual positions, I'd like to be a starting pitcher.

If for some reason management types also get numbers, I'd like to be Assistant to the General Manager.

2007-11-27 22:29:31
31.   overkill94
29 Foiled again!

I'll take #310 then

2007-11-27 22:33:16
32.   Uncle Miltie
3.14
Statistician
2007-11-27 22:37:14
33.   McDodger
1212 - Knuckleball-throwing reliever
2007-11-27 22:38:00
34.   Sam DC
25 Guess you claim #42 at least in spirit as well.

I missed this train and don't have a number. I'd be obliged if the clubhouse manager would assign me one once she's got Eric squared away.

And I'll stand behind KG16 in right, which is pretty close to my actual baseball playing career.

2007-11-27 22:40:48
35.   trainwreck
11
What is your entrance song?

All closers should pick entrance songs.

2007-11-27 22:41:11
36.   jasonungar07
Shortstop!!
2007-11-27 22:42:34
37.   Linkmeister
I'll play second. My arm ain't good enough for shortstop any longer.
2007-11-27 22:46:14
38.   bhsportsguy
September call-up, designated SQUEEZE bunter.
2007-11-27 22:55:52
39.   Daniel Zappala
#100, but it never got picked up in the previous thread. Shortstop. Starting in front of Jason, of course, or I complain loudly in the clubhouse.
2007-11-27 22:56:40
40.   Daniel Zappala
I can also be moved to CF if the need arises. I'll sacrifice for the greater good of the team, as long as I'm in the starting lineup.
2007-11-27 22:59:12
41.   CajunDodger
Off topic, but in case no one has posted this yet, the LAT has that the Dodgers sent a 3-person contingent to Japan (including Sammy) to make a pitch to Hiroki Kuroda.

Penny
Bills
Lowe
Kuroda
Schmidt/Loaiza/Kershaw

Good rotation that, with health, could be top 2-3 in baseball.

2007-11-27 22:59:49
42.   68elcamino427
40 But would you move to left?
2007-11-27 22:59:57
43.   LAT
Pursuant to the unwritten code, I am supposed to buy Sushirabbit a watch for Number 15. Because he is uwilling to part with 15 in exchange for a diamond encrusted Rolex, I will take 5388.

As for my poisiton, I want to be a power hitting 1B represented by Scott Boras.

2007-11-27 23:01:51
44.   CajunDodger
43
Does that T in your name stand for Texeria?
2007-11-27 23:05:37
45.   stopthebeachballs
Since I took 3.5 in honor of Ethier, I'll take late inning LF defensive replacement (who is a better hitter than the one he is replacing).
2007-11-27 23:08:57
46.   Daniel Zappala
42 No way. I want to be an above-average CFer, not a below-average LFer. It's important to me that I stand out well against my peers.
2007-11-27 23:16:05
47.   joekings
i want to be third base, the position i worked my way up to after starting little league in dreaded right field.
2007-11-27 23:26:44
48.   underdog
Since we already have plenty of thirdbasemen (the position I usually end up with in softball), with #98 I should probably be a set-up man in the pen and also a backup catcher.

I can be my own battery!

2007-11-27 23:28:07
49.   underdog
Btw, off topic, but I liked this bit from Phil Jackson in notes following tonight's Laker game:
>>Jackson handles timeouts differently than his peers. First, he huddles with his assistants instead of talking to the players right away at the bench and drawing up plays. "I like to collect information from my coaches -- go over our past possessions, look at how many successful possessions we've had and how many turnovers we've got," Jackson said. "We're competing with a sound system most of the time, a dance crew, or something else going on that's a noise factor. So I like to tell the players that this is the time they can support each other, talk to each other, towel off and get a drink. We only need about 20 seconds with them, anyway. I mean, I'm not going to give them a lecture on how to play basketball. But if we have something we have to correct, we go in there a little bit earlier."<< (from AP story)
2007-11-27 23:29:33
50.   Tommy Naccarato
Behind the plate for me. I'll catch whenever needed. All's I ask for is uniform #3!
Show/Hide Comments 51-100
2007-11-27 23:31:02
51.   Ladderkite
#45

RCF

2007-11-27 23:40:28
52.   Sagehen
#4747
Martin's backup catcher (What can I say? I'm lazy)
2007-11-27 23:51:12
53.   JJ42
Can I claim this as my number?

4+1

Oh, and I also play second base.

2007-11-27 23:52:52
54.   Strike4
#112927
I'll take play by play broadcaster.
2007-11-27 23:53:08
55.   hernari
Catcher - the only player who gets to throw the ball as many times as the pitcher.
2007-11-28 00:12:06
56.   jasonungar07
39 And I'll just stay quiet and put up #!!!!
2007-11-28 00:24:28
57.   sporky
Utility infielder/trashcan monitor
2007-11-28 01:15:12
58.   dzzrtRatt
Comin' outta left field, naturally.

Juan Pierre and I will lateral the ball while we run it into the infield.

2007-11-28 04:28:09
59.   dianagramr
6.02 * 10^23 please, and I'll be a bench coach
2007-11-28 05:28:50
60.   Steve in Rochester
Jon, could I have #918 (to commemorate the greatest game I've ever seen)?

Does "stat guy" for Vin & the Prime Ticket broadcast crew count as a position? If so, I want it.

2007-11-28 05:35:30
61.   Midwest Blue
07 here, reporting for duty. I'll be on the starting rotation (best pitcher in my slow-pitch, over-40 softball league!)

I'll take David Wells' spot.

2007-11-28 05:39:32
62.   Howard Fox
Closer
2007-11-28 05:39:45
63.   gpellamjr
I would like to be bullpen catcher, but my knees can't never handle it, so I'll be "roving baserunning and outfield coach."
2007-11-28 05:59:19
64.   Connector
I'd like to be co-announcer (with Strike4) in honor of my childhood idol Vin Scully.
2007-11-28 06:02:20
65.   D4P
but my knees can't never handle it

Granted, I never studied ancient languages, but where I come from, we don't not dislike double negatives, especially when they don't not unfit with the meaning of the sentence.

2007-11-28 06:15:10
66.   old dodger fan
#70 Left handed SP (decent curve and change up; good control; miserable fast ball)
2007-11-28 06:23:21
67.   27indigo
2B/SS
And I hit like one too ... that is, the Cesar Izturis variety rather than the Alex Rodriguez.
2007-11-28 06:35:47
68.   Penarol1916
#1916 I will run the concession stand, a thankless task that is only noticed when screwed up.
2007-11-28 06:39:12
69.   D Money
i like to pitch and catch....

and can i be # -2

2007-11-28 06:39:30
70.   Sam DC
59 I guess Diane/a (?) will have to wear Avogadro green.
2007-11-28 06:55:06
71.   Bluebleeder87
You guys don't think Ned should risk signing Bartolo Colon on an incentive latten contract this spring? I've been debating that thought for a couple of days now but I don't know. He does have a pretty cool nickname.
2007-11-28 06:59:35
72.   therickdaddy
#80, and I'll be the super utility guy. In the mold of DT favorite David Eckstein.
2007-11-28 07:09:43
73.   Sushirabbit
Miss a night and miss the chance at a diamond encrusted Rolex! Curses!

Downhill right-fielder, especially in DS where the bullpen can't check out the "fans" as much. I can also double as fullback for the Galaxy Thoughts team-- though I'm sure there are more qualified folks on here.

2007-11-28 07:14:28
74.   Bumsrap
At one time I would have said shortstop but now I would like to coach third base and have an agreement with Kemp that when he approaches third he will either be sliding or going to home plate.

I also want to make out the lineup.

2007-11-28 07:19:40
75.   adamclyde
I'd like to play to role of the first washed up veteran who actually accepts he is past his prime. But because he still wants to be in the dugout, he works hard in spring training and beats out Nomar G. and the 14 year old pimpled boy to be the Dodgers official bat boy.

So there you go. I'm #4. Bat Boy.

2007-11-28 07:27:44
76.   DXMachina
Shortstop has always been my favorite spot, although my arm is not the greatest. I'd probably be better at first, but I'm a line drive, high OBP hitter with only moderate power, so I probably wouldn't slug enough to be effective at a corner position.
2007-11-28 07:27:46
77.   robohobo
Uniform Number = c
http://tinyurl.com/3wdq4

I will play the stadium light in right field so I can be somewhat responsible for people being able to see all the highlight plays that Matt Kemp will make.

2007-11-28 07:32:42
78.   ToyCannon
Looks like this team needs a manager and a greenie dispenser so I'll claim both roles.

It also looks like we could use some pitchers. Where's my Koufax/Drysdale combo?

2007-11-28 07:40:59
79.   Ken Noe
Number 37 is nominally a second baseman, but my real position will be pinch runner. I once stole a base as a pinch runner. It was the highlight of my high school career.
2007-11-28 07:41:32
80.   GIDP
PH-1B
2007-11-28 07:46:17
81.   gpellamjr
65 The more negatives I use in a sentence, the more negative the sentence is. I refuse to acknowledge the possibility that negatives cancel each other.
2007-11-28 07:48:28
82.   LogikReader
No. 2 here. I'll take First Base. That's an easy position to play.
2007-11-28 07:49:24
83.   LOB
I'd like #108.

Center Field, because I throw like a girl.

2007-11-28 07:49:31
84.   Bob Timmermann
81
Pero, en idiomas come espanol tenemes que decir "no hay nadie."

(There is not nothing.)

2007-11-28 07:49:54
85.   Bob Timmermann
That should be "tenemos" in 84
2007-11-28 07:50:35
86.   ninjavshippo
#11, Ploach (player/coach), slap-hitting 2B
2007-11-28 07:50:42
87.   Ben P
I'll take 340, in honor of James Loney's expected career average. My position -- Kool-Aid Drinker. Thanks.
2007-11-28 07:52:37
88.   Improbable88
#41 - My cannon and I will be in RF. Weaker throwing centerfielders please defer.
2007-11-28 07:52:46
89.   Jacob L
relief pitcher
2007-11-28 07:54:49
90.   ToyCannon
88
Good to have Joe Ferguson in the house.
2007-11-28 08:04:12
91.   regfairfield
First base, because I'm a lefty who's terrible at going back on the ball.
2007-11-28 08:06:39
92.   Hythloday
5 is already taken so I'll take -5. And even though I'm taking it because of Hank Greenberg and not Joe D I think I'll play 7th string CF.
2007-11-28 08:11:47
93.   Matt Conroy
Is 91 still available? Pinch runner, Herb Washington style!
2007-11-28 08:12:34
94.   Bluebleeder87
I just read on the Times that the Dodgers are sending some people to talk to Kuroda & his agent Saito will be on the trip also. I don't really know much about him but he does have o.k. #'s
2007-11-28 08:21:05
95.   Improbable88
94 Plus, in all of Ned's recent back-peddaling from trading the youngsters for a star like Santana or Cabrera, he has planted seeds of wanting to sign another starter.

Kuroda certainly appears to have a greater upside than the other Free Agent pitchers, and will only cost the team money.

I would have to think Saito would help make the pitch pretty effective.

2007-11-28 08:21:22
96.   Marty
I'm number 32 and I'm a lefty. So I'm a starting pitcher. I'll have to work on the Jewish part.
2007-11-28 08:25:36
97.   FirstMohican
I nominate myself Assistant (to the) General Manager.

Why do I qualify for this job? Three words: hard working, alpha male, jackhammer, merciless, insatiable.

2007-11-28 08:30:38
98.   RIYank
84 'nobody'. Or else, 'No hay nada.'
2007-11-28 08:33:05
99.   Hythloday
96 - I am as well, but you already took 32. And for some reason though a lifelong Dodgers fan I've long been attached to Hank over Sandy. Can't explain it. I think I fancy myself a hitter over a pitcher. Though I keep hoping my son (only 6 mos. old) will flash hints of being a lefty so I can teach him to pitch.
2007-11-28 08:33:12
100.   regfairfield
Kuroda: Will be 33, 6.16 K/9, 2.10 BB/9, 1 HR/9

Kyle Lohse: Will be 29, 5.70 K/9, 2.66 BB/9, 1.02 HR/9

Kuroda certainly is better, but it's not like he blow Lohse or Silva away, and the age difference is hugely in Lohse's favor. Especially if he's like Igawa and has a terrible out pitch.

Show/Hide Comments 101-150
2007-11-28 08:37:12
101.   regfairfield
And of course, Kuroda was in Japan. In the small sample size of pitchers that have come over here, I've noticed it doesn't really effect strikeout rate, but walk rate tends to jump.
2007-11-28 08:37:40
102.   kinbote
I'll be the left-handed, submarine-throwing, knuckleball reliever complimenting 33 . We'll be a deadly duo.
2007-11-28 08:38:24
103.   FirstMohican
100 - Anyone have any guesses on how their costs might compare?

I'd say Lohse should get something around what Meche got, maybe for 1 less year. And the uncertainty around Kuroda might keep his contract a few $M and/or a year below Lohse's.

2007-11-28 08:39:24
104.   tjshere
#51 here. Since I'm fat and have poor vision I'll be the home plate umpire.
2007-11-28 08:40:35
105.   Bob Timmermann
98
"I ain't got nobody,"

Louie Prima

2007-11-28 08:40:59
106.   ryu
Let me be the public address announcer.

Catcher ... number 55 ... Russsssellll Martinnn!

2007-11-28 08:41:52
107.   regfairfield
103 Since the free agent market is bad enough where Kuroda would be considered a prize, I'd say they'll both get somewhere in the neighboorhood of 4/40, give or take a year.

Igawa was a much younger and better pitcher than Kuroda in Japan.

2007-11-28 08:42:39
108.   Dane Bramage
#818 here.

Since I'm around 6'5" - 265lbs I've always thought I'd make a decent catcher. Not many runners would bowl me over at the plate. Not sure how good of a game I would call, though...

2007-11-28 08:42:48
109.   natepurcell
101

Have you taken the homerun rate into account with the stadium Kuroda has played in? Aren't Japanese stadiums notoriously smaller than MLB stadiums?

2007-11-28 08:44:54
110.   Inside Baseball
101 And if you remove Kaz Ishii from the equation...
2007-11-28 08:45:28
111.   regfairfield
109 I have, but also remember that Lohse played in the second and third biggest launching pads in baseball last year.
2007-11-28 08:46:43
112.   kinbote
Nate--What does the scout in you see when you analyze Kuroda's mechanics/stuff?
2007-11-28 08:47:44
113.   apsio
*Mop-up pitcher
*Number 0 please
2007-11-28 08:49:05
114.   Bob Timmermann
109
Japanese stadiums aren't all that much smaller than American stadiums now, with the notable exception of Hiroshima.

However, the ball is slightly different there and in the domed stadiums, the ball travels very well.

The biggest difference I think is that NPB fielders aren't nearly as good as MLB.

2007-11-28 08:49:37
115.   natepurcell
112

I haven't really watched him yet. I'll get back to you on that later today.

2007-11-28 08:49:47
116.   wronghanded
I'll take #1010321 please and be a RHP/CF (I'm a lefty but blew out my labrum in '01 so I'll just have to make due). I can guarantee that I'll still finish with more assists than Pierre though :)
2007-11-28 08:50:33
117.   regfairfield
Kuroda scouting report:

http://prospectinsider.com/2007/10/20/the-japanese-scouting-report/

The "has trouble keeping his slider down" part is really troubling.

2007-11-28 08:51:13
118.   wronghanded
115 are you really a scout? If so, how did you get involved and how might one find a job working in your field?
2007-11-28 08:51:27
119.   RIYank
105 Or Cab Calloway!
2007-11-28 08:52:09
120.   natepurcell
118

...I did stay at a Holiday Inn..."

2007-11-28 08:54:41
121.   wronghanded
118 LOL! In all seriousness though, I want to get involved in baseball in some way, does anybody here know of a good resource to find a job in professional baseball?
2007-11-28 08:54:42
122.   LAT
Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water . . .Rosenthal is at it again.

The Mets made a strong run at Orioles left-hander Erik Bedard at the general managers' meetings, but at the time Orioles president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail was not ready to make a move. MacPhail reportedly gave a similar response to a recent inquiry on Bedard by the Dodgers, but he could jump once he concludes that he can't sign the pitcher long-term. A package of youngsters headed by the Mets' Carlos Gomez or Dodgers' Matt Kemp would be enticing . . .

2007-11-28 08:55:04
123.   wronghanded
oops, I meant 120
2007-11-28 08:55:15
124.   ImprobableImpossible
Since I got overlooked last time, I will gladly re-apply for #75.

I am an overachieving, soft-tossing, right-handed relief pitcher.

2007-11-28 08:56:10
125.   natepurcell
121

Network. Go to the GM meetings. I have buddies who are in Phoenix and all they do is go to AFL games, do the scouting thing and network.

2007-11-28 08:58:18
126.   natepurcell
121

Or do what Carlos Gomez (Chadbradfordwannabe) did from BTF. He just got hired by the dbacks as an area scout.

2007-11-28 08:58:53
127.   Bob Timmermann
119
Hi dee, hi dee, hi dee ho!
2007-11-28 09:02:34
128.   regfairfield
121 From what I've seen even working for free to drive a van is really hard to do, you need to make a connection to someone in the organization somehow to get a start.

The other way is to do something really cool, like Jeff Sackmann did with Minor League Splits, to get your name out there.

2007-11-28 09:05:20
129.   CanuckDodger
122 -- Carlos Gomez OR Matt Kemp. There is a recurring theme this off-season that involves likening young Dodger studs to other teams' clearly INFERIOR young players. And for the last bloody time, media morons, Matt Kemp IS NOT A PROSPECT!
2007-11-28 09:08:22
130.   fanerman
I don't have a position. Or a number. I will try to think of one.
2007-11-28 09:10:46
131.   GoBears
#11. I think I'd best serve as the clubhouse manager. Over time, I'd become the amusing old guy who could tell stories about the young Matt Kemp and trashcans, but more importantly, who could get a grass stain out of the home whites every time some scrappy player shows false hustle.

By the way, I'm assuming here that every one