Rosenthal On Pedro, A-Rod, Beimel, Ohman

So basically, Manny has a 1 years $25 million deferred deal, with insurance for next year in case he sucks.

Manny will not be in Dodger blue in 2010. The only way that can happen really, is if Manny ends up injured and accepts $20 million to sit at home. Seems to me like the Dodgers are going for win now offensively, while not even establishing a solid pitching rotation. I don't understand their acquisitions this offseason, nor do I understand not tying down Derek Lowe.

Good luck getting that 5.5M base with 5.5M in incentives Pedro.

Love to see the Indians ink Pedro, but there is no chance in hell. You can scratch them off the list. Pavano @ 1.5M plus incentives was the last of the piggy bank. They have the fifth spot open, but they'll let the youngsters fill it.

Smart move by the agents of Cabrera and Manny to get the clause put in about the team not being allowed to offer arbitration. Makes them more appealing to a team next year. I see that being the standard for deals from now on.

Xavier Paul is an option IF the Dodgers decide they are not going to go long term on Loney (the verdict on Loney is still out).

But Lambo can play corner OF. Paul is older but Lambo is the higher regarded prospect.

Baseball America had Lambo as the Dodgers No. 1 prospect. By the 2010 season, he will still only be 21 but if he builds on his hot start in AA last year, he should be in AAA by the end of the season.

I think Paul profiles more as a 4th OF ideally.

My hope is that Loney shows more of his '07 self than his '08 self and that he solidifies himself as the Dodgers' 1B.

If not, then Paul may get the call as the LF in 2010 and Lambo could be the 1B (his natural AND best defensive position). That would leave Loney as trade bait.

Pedro is gonna have a career year in 2009. 19-8, 4.14 ERA.

/Book it. Done.

Posted by: CubsLuck | March 10, 2009 at 12:19 PM

How exactly is that a career year for Pedro?

"How exactly is that a career year for Pedro?"

Really. We're talking about a guy who once put up a 1.74 era with a .737 whip and 284 strikeouts in the AL East during the Yankees' last big power run. Those are numbers a relief pitcher would kill to have over sixty innings, much less a starter. Career year my butt.

"Xavier Paul is an option IF the Dodgers decide they are not going to go long term on Loney"

I think we need to hold our horses on both of these guys. Lambo is only 18 and hasn't played above AA, which is already a high level for someone his age. How many position players arrive in the bigs at age 18 or 19? I'd be very surprised if we saw more than a glimpse of Lambo before 2011. If only because of his more advanced age, I'd expect to see something of Paul sooner. He might be on the verge of breaking out of AAA.

I think we need to hold our horses on both of these guys. Lambo is only 18 and hasn't played above AA, which is already a high level for someone his age. How many position players arrive in the bigs at age 18 or 19? I'd be very surprised if we saw more than a glimpse of Lambo before 2011. If only because of his more advanced age, I'd expect to see something of Paul sooner. He might be on the verge of breaking out of AAA.

Posted by: BlueSky | March 10, 2009 at 12:56 PM

Lambo is actually 20 (born 8/11/88) and this will be his 3rd year in the minors.

I think Lambo will make AAA by the end of this year.

He projects to be a Loney-type hitter with 30 HR power.

His issue right now (as with most young players) is cutting down his strikeouts.

He came on strong at the end of last year and, albeit a small sample size, torched AA in the 8 games up (.389 avg/.421 obp/.750 slg/3 HRs/12 RBIs/8 games).

I think he will do well in AA this year and get promoted to Vegas.

If he shows well in Vegas, I think he very well could be in contention for a spot on the major league club in 2010.

By 2011 for sure Lambo should be ready to go.

Lambo was first round material back in the '07 draft but had some off the field issues that dropped him to the 4th round.

I'm not saying Paul can't beat out Lambo for an OF spot in 2010 but I just think Lambo's much higher ceiling gives him the advantage over Paul.

Like I said, Paul may end up the LF and Lambo the 1B in 2010.

All I know is Logan White loves the kid's abilities and we've already seen him produce on lower levels. So that's enough for me to think Lambo has a got a pretty good chance to be special.

Oh yeah, you are right. Forgot about the move of the AAA affiliate back to Albuquerque.

At the very least, if Manny does leave after '09, then there's going to be a spring training battle between Paul and Lambo. That is, if they don't go out and sign another free agent corner outfielder in that offseason.

Local media here in Baltimore have talked with front office, and little to no interest in signing Pedro. My guess is that if he wants the Smoltz deal, the O's are not willing to spend that on him.

Loney, could be trade bait midseason if Paul is ready to play 1B. a deal with Loney, Dewitt, and elbert could get a good pitcher. Lefty that could start or relieve, Loney is the 1B of the future, and Dewitt is 2B or 3B of future.

I don't understand their acquisitions this offseason, nor do I understand not tying down Derek Lowe.

Posted by: Santana/Beckett FTW | March 10, 2009 at 09:22 AM

First of all Lowe wanted to head back to the east so it was between the Braves, Mets, and BoSox if they wanted him. You don't understand signing Furcal? Hudson? Manny? Blake? Wolf? Those are terrific signings. They are short a starter...who isn't and who were they going to get? SP is the hardest commodity to come by which is why the young pitchers are so important and they need them to step up.