Player Updates

Diamond Leung let's us know how the rest of the Dodgers are doing.

• Jeff Kent is still undecided about playing next season.
  
• Chin-lung Hu is no longer playing in the Arizona Fall League due to a strained hamstring.
• Tony Abreu is on the mend. He is starting a rehabilitation assignment in Florida.
• Yhency Brazoban will begin throwing next week.
• Jason Repko will begin working out soon.

Also, I'd like to add that Andy LaRoche and Delwyn Young are playing for Team USA in this winters 2007 IBAF World Cup Tournament in Chinese Taipei. Check out the "Countdown to the Olympics" Baseball Blog for updates about how Team USA is doing.

Team USA played their first game of the tournament today against Mexico and came out on top with a 3-0 victory. Both LaRoche and Young went 0 for 4. LaRoche was the DH and Young played leftfield, batting #3 & #4, respectively.

Story Link: Diamond Leung:

Is Miguel Cabrera worth it?

Lately, I've been reading about the availability of Florida's thirdbase phenom Miguel Cabrera.

Is he a better match for the Dodgers than ARod?

On the positive side of the ledger:

• Miguel Cabrera is younger (8 years younger than ARod by my count).
• He fills a position we need.
  
• In 4 1/2 years he has hit 138 homeruns, has 523 RBI's, is batting .313 and has a career OPS of .929.
  
• A potential long term contract for Cabrera would be less than ARod's desired contract.

Negatives to Cabrera:

• He has been getting a little round around the edges. You know what I mean? Weight issues can oftentimes be a precursor to future injury problems.
• Rumors are that Florida is looking for 3 prospects (Rob at 6-4-2 mentions that Matt Kemp, Andy LaRoche and Clayton Kershaw are in Florida's sights.)
• Although a future long term contract would be less than ARod's, it is still expected to be a large chunk of change. MLB Trade Rumors suggest that an 8 year $200 million price is being thrown around. That's $25 million a year.
• At $25 million a year he would still throw a wrench in the Dodgers future planning. How will we be able to keep all of our homegrown shinning stars when they will undoubtedly command larger salaries when their time comes for free agency.

I guess you can say I do not envy Ned Colletti's job. After all, if he screws up he will forever be known as the devil that came down from San Francisco to ruin the Dodgers. If everything works out then he will achieve knighthood status.

All I do know is that the three names mentioned above as potential trade fodder is far too much to give up. In fact, I wound put Kemp and Kershaw in the untouchable column.

Here is what I would be happy with. Andy LaRoche, Andre Ethier and one of the following prospects (Hu, Abreu, Elbert or Meloan) for Miguel Cabrera. The deal would also be contingent on the signing of a long term contract. This package would still be better than what any other team can offer.

Don't Make Your Spring Training Plans Yet

This coming Spring will be the Dodgers last in Vero Beach, Florida. As you can imagine, as a result, Dodger fans are expected to come out in droves in hopes of experiencing Dodgertown one last time. Unfortunately, fans may start turning Blue. The Dodger exhibition schedule in Florida may be shorter than desired.

The Los Angeles Dodgers' scheduled final spring training at Dodgertown may be cut in half...

Los Angeles is one of several teams being considered for Major League Baseball's first games in China. Those exhibitions are tentatively set for March 15-16. If the Dodgers were selected for the China series, team officials have stated that they are also considering a stopover in Taiwan to play additional exhibition games.

Further, the Dodgers could then spend the remaining part of spring training in Arizona at the Oakland Athletics training complex in Phoenix. The A's facility would only be available if Oakland were selected to play the Boston Red Sox in a two-game, season-opening series in Japan on March 22-23.

It is not clear whether Los Angeles would continue to play spring training games at Dodgertown at the same time it was participating in exhibition games in China and Taiwan.

What a shame. Dodgertown's last hurrah may end up being nothing more than a whimper. I was hoping to get out there one last time, but now it looks like my plans may be foiled.

There is one glimmer of hope.

The 2008 Spring Training season will be the Dodgers 61st in Vero Beach. The team is scheduled to move to a new spring training complex in Glendale, Ariz., in 2009, however, the completion date for construction on that new facility has not been finalized. If it is not done in time for 2009, one option the Dodgers would have is to remain in Vero Beach.

2008 may not be the last Spring at Vero Beach.

Story Link: TCPalm.com:

Congratulations Russell!

Russell Martin tops off the 2007 season with his first Gold Glove award.

He led all Major League catchers with 145 games caught, posted a 3.95 catcher's ERA -- good for fourth-best in the league. He threw out 30 percent of potential opposing base stealers and picked two runners off base. He was charged with 14 errors and five passed balls.

Story Link: LA Dodgers:
Pic Link: Wikimedia Commons:

Delwyn Young Turning Heads for Team USA

The Dodger rookie prospect is on a tear and folks are taking notice. This guy can just plain hit.

Young, who is batting a Team USA-best .529, helped the national squad improve to 3-2 entering Thursday's fall finale against the Peoria Saguaros at Scottsdale Stadium. Team USA will then fly to Taiwan on Thursday night to prepare for the IABF World Cup, which begins Nov. 6.

If the regular season and AFL results are any indication, Young will be a major part of Team USA's offense against international competition. The Los Angeles native finished third in the Pacific Coast League with a .338 average to go with 17 homers and 97 RBIs. He also led the PCL and finished second in the Minors with 54 doubles.

Those numbers didn't take a dip during his Major League callup as Young hit .382 with two homers and three RBIs in 19 games with the Dodgers. He batted .778 in his first three AFL contests, including a stretch of five straight hits.

Andy LaRoche is also playing for Team USA.

Imagine if Pierre was not in the mix. We could potentially have one of the youngest, best defensive and most explosive outfields in Baseball. The Dodgers could have Andre Ethier in left, Matt Kemp in center and Young in right.

Story Link: LA Dodgers:
Hat Tip: True Blue LA:
Pic Link: Baseball-Almanac:

It's Official!

Well... now we have a new manager. Joe Torre has joined the team of his youth. The Brooklyn born captain will now try to steer this wayward ship towards port. Take us home Joe! Take us home towards the promised land!

Welcome to the Blue, Joe!

Aren't you glad you don't have deal with a shifty owner? That Steinbrenner sure was a pain in the ass, eh. Oh wait, we have the McCourt's.

Story Link: LA Dodgers:
Pic Link: The Big Lead: