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As first base becomes Nomar Garciaparra territory, just as the press predicted, I want to make sure the point I was making over the weekend about the coverage of this story is clear.
Reporters report, and they report what people say. They can be 100 percent accurate in their reporting - and still be wrong, if the people they are sourcing are wrong. Because those sources sometimes are wrong - particularly unnamed sources - I'm reluctant to assume that a report is on target - even if the reporting is accurate - until the deed is actually done. When I call something a "false rumor," I don't mean that the rumor was invented, but that the rumor didn't play out.
But reporting is tremendously challenging and competitive work, and just because I question whether a story will play out the way their sources predict doesn't mean I'm questioning the reporters' integrity.
I don't know if this needed to be said, but I wanted to make sure my position was clear.
"Garciaparra's arrival makes Choi expendable, but because of his power and youth, the Dodgers are trying to sign him to a salary considerably below what he could earn through arbitration. If he does not agree, Choi would probably non-tender him and make him a free agent."
Far's I can make out, if Choi doesn't accept what in essence would be a below-market salary, he's going to non-tender himself. Sounds painful.
Like we'd move around 3-4 players to get a no-hitt SS into the lineup.
Right.
looks like weaver declines arby, which is good news.
hopefully now weavers memory as a dodger will always be remembered through the draft picks of RHP colton willems and OF chris parmalee.
Garciaparra ... also has agreed to play left field if the Dodgers are unable to upgrade there.
That's Choi-tastic.
Choi, who made $351,500 last season and wasn't especially productive, will command a 2006 salary in the $500,000 range as a first-time arbitration-eligible player. He does have a minor-league option remaining, which probably means the Dodgers are trying to sign him to a split contract that won't require them to pay his full major-league salary if he is sent down
From Steve Henson in todays LAT:
Although his contract is for only one year, he wants to remain a Dodger beyond next season.
"Ultimately, we want it to turn into a long-term deal," said Arn Tellem, Garciaparra's agent. "That was expressed from both sides. He wants to end his career here."
Lofton
Furcal
Drew
Kent
Nomar
Cruz
Mueller
Navarro
Pitcher
That doesn't look bad to me. The bullpen looks to be a strength. What to do about spots 4 and 5 in the rotation is the biggest problem. Jackson and Houlton should be given a chance to fill one of them. Asking Billlingsley to move to LA is a stretch, unless he forces that by a great spring. There are a lot of candidates out there to fill a bottom of the rotation spot, and it appears Colletti has turned his attention in that direction.
So far, so good, IMHO.
It's quite around here. Must be the quite before the "Choi is non-tendered" storm.
I'm hopeful that Billingsley can crack the rotation this year, and add Broxton/Kuo/Osorio to the pen.
As they continue to look for offense, the Astros are involved in trade talks with four teams.
"There are two to four (trades) that we're talking about right now," owner Drayton McLane said. "One of them is really exciting, but I have no idea what will happen. We're ready to do it. It's a matter of getting it done." The Astros are dangling pitching, probably some of their lesser arms for the most part.
This is totally conjecture, but I could see them trading for Choi. They need help at 1b (assuming Berkman moves back to OF), and their GM is more understanding of the Saber point of view than many, I believe. And they have the pitching that we need.
I don't mean to be starting rumors, just thought I'd throw it out there.
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