Steve Marquez sugested in a post yesterday that Andruw Jones may benefit under Mattingley’s coaching.   It’s not like he can’t hit - has has been a HR machine for a long time.  Borass (”The Devil” and the typo is on purpose) has said that AJ won’t accept a one year deal, so how about a 2-year/$36 million deal?  He’s young enough to play for a final big contract - he’s not going to get a $90 million like Hunter due to his horrible year in 2007.  This would give him a chance to show he can still play and would give us a CF.  A two-year $36 million deal is high, but wouldn’t lock us in for a bad deal over numerous years (like Hunter).   We could then proceed to trade Juan Pierre and field an OF Read the rest of this entry »

Scout.com is having a free weekend.  I am a subscriber, and what you see right now is not their best.  However, starting in December, they have daily articles profiling all the top prospects.  Check it out - Here’s the Dodgers’ Link.

Also, check this Free Page Out at Baseball America.  The NL Managers voted on “the best tools.”  OK, shadduppp!

I am glad that Ned didn’t make Hunter an offer.  He is a great defensive CF, but he’s not really a “Midle-of-the-Order-Hitter.”  To pay that for a #6 or #7 hitter is not a prudent use of funds in my opinion.  I think the Angels will be sorry in years 3-5 that they did this deal.   However, that signing will drive up the price for Rowand, who is also not a Middle-of-the-Order Hitter.  It will probably take a 5 year/$75 million deal to land Rowand - that’s the market.  He’s younger and probably a better risk. 

I e-mailed this to Ken Gurnick at Dodgers.com I am not certain that Matt Kemp can play CF, especially as he matures. He’s fast, but he’s big. What do you think?  His reply was “I Agree.”  So, in my mind (and his), we either leave Pierre in CF or sign a free agent CF like Rowand and try to trade Pierre.  I still think the ChiSox would like him for LF after dump Scott Posednik.    If we stood pat except for Rowand in CF and traded Pierre for a prospect, I would be happy with a lineup that looked like this: Read the rest of this entry »

With ground being broken in Glendale, Arizona (finally) there is a strong possibility that the new 13,000 seat ballpark will be ready by Spring Training of 2009 (with a little luck).   The city has 15 months to complete the project, so dirt started moving last month. Dodgers owner Frank McCourt on Monday characterized the timeline as “manageably aggressive.”McCourt said the timeline should be firmed up next month and he would give Vero Beach the final word on whether the Dodgers leave for Arizona on schedule or hold off for the 2010 season.
Here’ s a drawing of the concept stadium and surronding areas.

According to Josh Rawitch at Dodgers.com seven players were added to the 40-man roster. They were:

Xavier Paul

Lucas May

James McDonald

Ramon Troncoso

Justin Orenduff

Mario Alvarez

Cory Wade

Also, Mike Megrew was outrighted and they still have two spots left on the 40-man roster.

P.S. Greg Miller survived. Read the rest of this entry »