Dodgers Decline Penny's Option

President Obama!!

The relationship apparently really soured and they obvioiusly have some concerns on his health, because they essentially decided that he was not worth 6.5 million. He is a solid pitcher, and with Billingesly stepping up he would not need to be a #1 anymore, so you think that it would have been worth it to take a chance that he could fill a end of the rotation slot at worst.

Well with Billingesly and Kershaw, plus young arms in the pen they dont really need him to hang around with injury concerns. Also, they have a chance at landing CC or even Peavy in a trade. Not that they will, but they certainly have the players and money. They may also be willing to commit more money this offseason knowing that Jones (and maybe Pierre??) will be off the books next year. If they put that money towards Crede or Blake the team overall improves.

I wonder what type of deal Penny will want? All the team in the NL central besides the bucs seem like they may look into him if he takes a deal around 5 million with incentives and options.

Pierre.. no :(
i really like pierre though. i just think he got a raw deal(all the dodger OFs) and his contracts devalues him, if that makes sense. i think penny will either come back with a one year deal or he will go somewhere on the east coast for 2 years plus alot of incentives

The Dodgers should trade Pierre, Wade, and Hu to the Tigers for Nate Robertson and Placido Polanco.

They should then trade Jones, some low level prospect and a good portion of Jones' salary to the Mariners for M. Bautista.

Resign Furcal (2 year 22M with a bunch of insenives and mutual option for the third year that would make it identical to the first contract he signed), Saito (1 year 5M) Ramirez (offer 3 year, 75M. If he won't take it, fine, expand the Pierre trade to bring in Ordonez), Biemel (3 year 10M), Garciaparra (2 year, 7M)

Sign Sabathia to a 6 year 120M deal.

Who for Tigers? Basically, the Tigers need relief, a leadoff hitter and a shortstop. Now they do...

Why for Mariners? Jones provides a potential all star centerfielder and his defense with Ichiro's will make one of the best defensive outfields. Bautista provides nothing to them and if they can get a couple prosects on top of not eating much of Jones' contract, they should be willing.

Why for the Dodgers? Polanco provides a leader and a fine second baseman. Robertson, Bautista and Schmidt can fight out for a rotation spot which can only create good problems.

Calculating all the contracts, the Dodger salary is only around 125M. That is what they paid last year!

I just read that the Dodgers have some interest in Hudson, but I'd imagine the only way they get him is if they don't bring back Furcal or if they don't sign Manny/CC.

plz the Yankees will not sign this guy. I'd rather re-sign Pavano for Sabathia money than invest in Penny.

was penny really that bad of a guy?

His shoulder must be thrashed. Where can you find a #1 or #2 starter for 9 million? As much as it pissed people off, the Dodgers were right about Gagne.There's alot that doesn't hit the press!

And what type of selling point do you have to move a guy who hit .158, and was on pace to out strike out Mark Reynolds who this season founded the 200 strikeout club?

It's not much of a surprise that he was bought out, because 9M is too much for an injured and unhappy player. But I think he could really help out a team next year, he should have enough time to recover. I remember when he was throwing 97 MPH gas a year or two ago. Getting a potential ace for the price of a 4-5 is a huge bargain.

As someone who follows the Dodgers VERY closely, this was a no-brainer. Penny was FAT, not a very good teammate, and had some run-ins with the coaching staff. He also hasn't been a very good pitcher for a year and a half and even though the option was reasonable, the Dodgers have other needs for that money.