Baseball Primer has a thoughtful discussion of rumored Dodger target Derek Lowe that is well worth your time.

While everyone is wondering about giving four years to this pitcher (or any pitcher), there are some interesting revelations - beyond what you already knew - about DePodesta and an emphasis on groundball pitchers and flyball hitters.

Note also in the Times this morning that, in addition to renewed momentum for a Shawn Green trade, the Dodgers hope to recoup approximately $8 million in insurance this year on Darren Dreifort's contract.

Update: With this piece, Tom Meagher at The Fourth Outfielder has completed his rapid journey to must-read status. Meagher has always had the analysis, but you might have been wondering if he had the writing chops, too. He does.

Oh, and by the way - today's Times mentions that the LAAoA (would you like to buy a vowel?) didn't know Vladimir Guerrero was playing in the Dominican Leagues until he injured his thumb December 26. Perhaps they should have been reading Raul Tavares' Dominican Players, which had this December 20 photograph of Guerrero taking batting practice for Licey and has been tracking him all winter.

Finally, a tremendous honor for All-Baseball.com's Rich Lederer of Rich's Weekend Baseball Beat and the retired Brian Gunn of Redbird Nation: Their piece on Jim Edmonds was named one of the top 10 sports columns of 2004 by The Wall Street Journal. Major congratulations!