It’s very difficult and probably literary suicide to try and project what Las Vegas lineup will look like before the Dodgers have finalized their opening day roster, but strictly relying on conjectur has never stopped me before, so here goes:

The majority of the Jacksonville Suns AA team should move to Vegas this year, so the lineup could look something like this:

1B - Loney

2B -  Aybar

SS - Abreu

3B - LaRoche

LF - Young

CF - Ross

RF- Guzman

C-  Martin

Starters:

Billingsley

Orenduff

Ainsworth

Sele

Hull

Of course, I am also on record as saying that Young and Martin will make the 2006 Dodgers opening squad, so this is somewhat of a contradiction.  There are a number of players left off this list as well, including Kemp, Ethier, Gonzalez, Truby, Weber, Meadows and others.  Still with a lineup that looks like this, this could be one of the best minor league teams ever.

1.  Abreu

2.  Martin

3.  LaRoche

4.  Guzman

5.  Loney

6.  Young

7.  Aybar

8.  Ross

Now, a lot could happen between now and then:  Martin could be the Dodger’ regular catcher. Ethier could be in the mix, Robles, Martinez, even Repko could be in the mix.  Aybar could make the big club.  At any rate, Dodger fans have a lot to smile about!

MY TAKE:

Injuries were not the cause of DePo’s demise. We had an unexpected number of them. I seriously doubt it will happen again, other than with Drew (DePo’s guy), who will probably break again at some point (I hope he has a full season, because if he does, he will be a big plus).  Poor trades and/or free agent acquisitions were not the cause of Depo’s demise - Hindsight is 20/20, but I supported the LoDuca - Penny deal and still do.  Trades didn’t get DePo fired!

DePo’s demise was caused by his failure to communicate and not having GM skills.

What are “GM Skills”?

That’s hard to define, but like Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart said in Jacobellis vs. Ohio when defining pornography: “ shall not today attempt further to define the kinds of material I understand to be embraced within that shorthand description; and perhaps I could never succeed in intelligibly doing so. But I know it when I see it.”

That’s how I feel about DePodesta. I know a GM when I see one and he ain’t one! Maybe he’ll grow into one, but I doubt it!

DePo’ biggest failure to communicate occurred in the Adrian Beltre (lack of) negotiations.  If you want to know how to retain your key offensive player, take lessons from the ChiSox Kenny Williams and what he did with Paul Konerko:

1.  He met with Konerko quickly
2.  He informed Paul how important he was in their plans
3.  He made him feel wanted
4.  He made a fair offer immediately
5.  He got his man.

Now, there is one difference - Craig Landis was his agent, not Scott Borassss!  Even Jack the Ripper had higher character than Borassss!  However, DePo knew that and needed to be proactive in re-signing Adrian.  Theo Epstien went to Curt Schilling’s house on Thanksgiving to get his man.  Curt felt wanted (that and he got paid)!Adrian said that DePo never talked to him, never told him what his plans were for the Dodgers and that he didn’t feel wanted.   DePo never had a chance.

Adrian was becoming the leader of the Dodgers - he was growing up and DePo let the heart and soul of the team walk without an attempt to sign him.  Oh, he said in the media that he wanted to re-sign Beltre, but if you are married, try telling your spouse you love him/her and never show it.  I guarantee that’s a recipe for disaster!

Adrian had a bad year last year.  I believe becoming a father and playing in Seattle was overwhelming at times, but I think he’ll bounce back and have a MVP-type year again.  He wouldn’t be the first player to tank the year he changes leagues.  Adrian never wanted to leave LA.  He deserved a big payday, but as he said last year, I believe he would have taken less money to stay home - All Paul DePodesta had to do was talk to him.  If you are courting a girl, you never say “here’s my number - get back to me when all the offers are in.”

Adrian Belte was an example of what DePo’s failure to communicate did to the Dodgers.  There are many more examples.  “I shall not today attempt further to define the kinds of material I understand to be embraced within that shorthand description; and perhaps I could never succeed in intelligibly doing so. But I know it when I see it.”

AND HE AIN’T ONE!

The signings of Martinez and Ainsworth are significant in that Colletti is not content to stand pat.  Martinez is a proven useful utility player who could put Robles back at AAA or end Choi’s Dodger career.  Spring will tell.

Ainsworth has been injured quite a lot but when healthy has great stuff and is only 27.  Signing him to a minor league contract is a no brainer.  Odds are he’ll go to Vegas and if healthy and successful could step in for an injured starter.

I like how this team is shaping up at the major and minor league levels.