Slaving Over The Hot Stove

With the latest passing of J.D. Drew's career in right field at the Ravine, and the signing of fan favorite Nomar Garciaparra and lead off man Juan Pierre, the Dodgers are still shy the two things that haunted them last year, a power bat and a legitimate set up man. With the prospective loss of closer Sammy Saito, the Dodgers' game of pickle may come to and end real soon.

I was a fan of J.D Drew as far as the number 7 in blue was roaming the outfield, now I could care less about that greedy bastard that took the first out in his contract to get out of dodge. It never ceases to amaze me what he will do for a buck. In any case, the situation is what it is and the Dodgers will have to do something pretty dramatic to replace his aloof attitude in the club house and muscled up home run numbers, 20 last season. Carlos Lee is out of the picture, already told Ned that he doesn't want to play on the west coast, and the prospects of Barry Bonds wearing the blue is as revolting as a Rosanne Barr centerfold spread. We may be in for a long season.

There is hope on the horizon, Jayson Werth has indicated that he is 100% pain free and is planning a return to the club for the opening of spring training '07. That's good news for a guy who hasn't played an inning of baseball since 2004. He poses a great alternative to the short tempered Drew who really did not do much to win the "most inspirational award" at the stadium. That said, we will be lucky to get anywhere near Drew numbers in 2007. Manny Ramirez is doing his yearly song and dance about being traded, and if you look at the situation it makes a bit of sense. If Drew signs with the Red Sox, a team that he has been linked with for the past week, then the Sox would be in line to lose a draft pick and a sandwich pick in 2007. Being the stat geek Sabremetric scholar that he is, I am sure Theo Epstein would want to preserve those picks to build up a depleated farm system. Hanley Ramirez anyone?

If the Red Sox and J.D. can keep it in their pants for a while longer, then the Dodgers could ultimately offer Drew arbitration, which in turns gives them negotiating rights with Drew for another 45 days or so. That would probably be enough time to structure a deal that would please Boston and in turn deliver the ManRam to the Ravine. Wait it gets better. Eric Gagne has also been courted by Boston, and the same deal may be big enough to compensate for the disporportionate salaries. Throw in a player to be named, and you got yourself a blockbuster that makes everyone happy and puts one of the best hitters in the league in left field.

Of course all this is speculation, and who knows what wicked turn the free agent and trade market will take, all I know is that Alfonso Soriano was out there and took a lot of money to join a team that only won 66 games last season, and by all indications will probably win 72 this season. Has the Dodgers wanted to deal, they could have probably matched the money to put him in Dodger blue.