While we were taking final exams and enjoying winter break, Dodgers GM Ned Colletti was attempting to improve the 2009 Dodgers roster. Let’s see how he did:
The Good
Rafael Furcal: Signed a 3 year $30 million contract. If healthy, this is a steal for the Dodgers. Furcal gets on base, hits for power, and has excellent speed. In addition, most of the money is deferred, thus giving the Dodgers payroll flexibility now. Well played Mr. Colletti.
Casey Blake: Signed a 3 year $17.5 million contract. Blake, 35, is nothing more than an average third baseman with an outrageous beard. Therefore, as his beard begins to turn gray, it figures he will downgrade to a below average third baseman. This is a decent move because Colletti did not overpay and Blake should be a decent run producer in the middle of the lineup.
Mark Loretta: Signed a 1 year $1.25 million contract. Loretta is a solid veteran who can play all four infield positions. He will be this year’s Nomar Garciaparra in that he will start at all four positions and be the first man off the bench when he is not. Look for him to platoon with Blake Dewitt at second base until Dewitt proves he can hit left handed pitching. This will be a below the radar move which will pay dividends.
The Bad
No Manny: Not just no Manny, no outfielder period. The Dodgers need a left fielder as the idea of watching another year of Juan Pierre upsets most Dodger fans’ stomachs. Manny wants a four year deal while the Dodgers have offered two. The market is very cold on Manny with only the Dodgers and Giants showing interest. While it’s a savvy business move that Colletti is not negotiating against himself, the fact the market is cold should be the reason why the Dodgers get this contract done now while Manny’s demand is down. If the Dodgers fail to sign Manny, they must turn their attention to Bobby Abreu or Adam Dunn, who both get on base and hit for power.
The Ugly
No Pitching: This might be the downfall of the 2009 Dodgers. Derek Lowe and Brad Penny both left via free agency, Chad Billingsley broke his leg in the offseason, Hiroki Kuroda will be facing National League hitters for a second season, and Clayton Kershaw and James McDonald have yet to pitch a full season at the major league level. Colletti let Randy Johnson sign with the Giants for 1 year and $8 million. If Colletti did not match that offer, he should be forced to resign. The Dodgers were never in the hunt for CC Sabathia or A.J. Burnett, they made no effort to resign Lowe, and now are looking in the bargain bin for the likes of retread pitchers Randy Wolf, Jon Garland, and Braden Looper. As Dodger fans already know, Wolf can not stay health, Garland was awful for the Angels last year, and Looper does not excite anybody but the opposing team. If everything works out perfectly, the Dodgers could have a decent rotation. However it usually takes 7-9 starting pitchers to get through a complete 162 game schedule. Unless Colletti signs Andy Pettitte or Ben Sheets, he will fail to bring in a pitcher with any sex appeal and Dodgers fan should be utterly disappointed.
Written by Matthew McConnell
