Dodgers Acquire Vinny Rottino For Claudio Vargas

Forget Halladay. This is the blockbuster trade of the day!

It's pretty ingenious that the Dodgers managed to get anything for Vargas. He pitched well for them but I never trusted that that would continue. They have plenty of other long relief options and this clears a 25 man spot for George Sherrill. Killing two birds with one stone.

Vargas for Halladay would've been even better of course... ;-)

Damn, what a killer deal!

I guess they had no room for Vargas, the Brewers are probably happy to at least get a warm body who can pitch multiple innings.

tick tock dodger fans. halladay is slipping away!!

Wait - can we discuss how Amy Nelson, who I rarely see ever on television, has dropped relatively unknown trade rumors?

Kinda interesting

I'd rather have just released Schmidt.

No need for Vargas. No need for more bullpen help. Smart move to clear up a much needed roster space on both the 25 and 40-man.

Broxton - Sherrill - Kuo - Mota - Troncoso - Weaver - Belisario/Wade (McDonald holding this spot for now) is one of the best bullpens in baseball. Almost all of those guys are capable of maintaining sub-3.00 ERAs (though obviously Wade and Kuo's have suffered pitching through injury).

We just need a starting pitcher to get the Schmidts, Miltons, etc. out of our rotation. If we don't manage to pull something off for Halladay or AT LEAST Zach Duke, I'll be convinced that McCourt is NOT in this to bring us a championship.

dusto - Release of Schmidt probably coming soon. Need to clear up a 40-man spot for Mientkiewicz coming off the 60-day DL. Xavier Paul, with any luck, will be coming off the 60-day DL soon, too.

Hopefully they'll give Elbert the start today instead of Schmidt...

lebowski - doubt it. The Dodgers just really needed to clear up a roster spot and have many options better than Vargas for that final bullpen spot (Elbert, Belisario, Wade). And Vargas couldn't be sent down to AAA. Dodgers were just happy to get anything for him, and someone else to take on his salary.

... though I'd be OK with Martin + prospects for Halladay. Ausmus has been surprisingly good, and we'd could have a decent platoon with Ellis. Martin's offense has been abysmal.

Good deal to clear the space...

BUT

Don't we need to get Halladay?

I would think differently if the Phillies had not made a move. They just gave themselves a great chance to win games 1 and 2 of any series. The Cardinals just smacked us around with their 1 and 2 (Carpenter and Wainwright). We are going to face one of those teams in the playoffs (likely the Cards).

The core is young, if there was ever a time that we could take it on the chin in the farm it's now!

We have a two year window with Manny and hopefully Halladay where we have a REAL chance at winning it all - IT'S BEEN 21 YEARS

Winning 100+ games and getting bounced in the first series will make this a disappointing season.

To get anyone for Vargas is a W in Mario's pocket. Simply clears the 25 man roster spot needed for Sherril. Now quit D'ing around and get Halladay. If it takes Bills do it. If it takes Kershaw, tell them to go F themsleves.

THINK BLUE!

did halladay stay????

"Winning 100+ games and getting bounced in the first series will make this a disappointing season"

This is becoming more and more likely by the day. Watch out for the Giants nipping at your heels!