The Dodgers should have the financial flexibility to pursue trades aggressively this summer, and there’s an expectation that the team’s payroll will rise next offseason, ESPN.com’s Buster Olney writes. The Dodgers’ new owners could pursue free agents such as Josh Hamilton, Miguel Montero and Mike Napoli next winter, assuming they’re willing to spend more than $90MM on payroll. Here’s more from Olney:
- The Dodgers’ front office will likely renew its interest in the market for Latin American players, Olney reports. The team was relatively inactive in Latin America under former owner Frank McCourt, but has a history of star-caliber Latin American players.
- The Phillies haven’t made recent progress with the representatives for Cole Hamels regarding a possible extension, Olney writes. The left-hander’s asking price won’t dip below five years and $112.5MM (Matt Cain’s contract) and seems to rise every day. Sources connected to the MLBPA believe Hamels will get six-year offers as a free agent.
“The team was relatively inactive in Latin America under former owner Frank McCourt”
Yet another way McCourt laid waste to proud Dodger traditions, I see.
Not to mention the Dodgers have zero Asian-born players on their roster for the first time since the 90’s, I believe.
I’d be interested to see if the Dodger ago out and land three marquee free agents such as the Yankees did the offseason before they won the world series. This team is far from perfect, but there is a lot of potential of you can add a Hamilton, Montero or Napoli
Please, Hamels would get a 7 year offer in free agency.
The Phillies haven’t made recent progress with the representatives for Cole Hamels regarding a possible extension, Olney writes.
How many times has he said that since Spring Training?
The left-hander’s asking price won’t dip below five years and $112.5MM (Matt Cain’s
contract) and seems to rise every day.
Uh… duh, Hamels is better than Cain.
Sources connected to the MLBPA
believe Hamels will get six-year offers as a free agent.
My sources connected to common sense believe Hamels will get a six-year offers as a free agent.
I could be a “Espn Insider.”
After A.J. Ellis finally getting his shot at a starting role, and seeing how he’s produced (3rd in OPS. behing Wright/Kemp & defensive stud), Ned better not waste his time with Montero or Napoli. Go HARD after a Hamels, Hamilton or Wright! Fill the holes we actually need filling.
Napoli can play 1B for them and catch a few days as well. He’s gonna demand a lot of money, but he’s a big time bat. His power is for real but I don’t see these earth-shattering numbers holding up outside of Texas.
Yeah that would work, I just think there are more glaring needs at LF & 3B.
Napoli 2011 splits:
Home: 13 HR, 1.011 OPS
Away: 17 HR, 1.044 OPS
His most productive season, by far. Looking at his career line, the description “earth-shattering” doesn’t come to mind.
.264/.358/.515/.874
I don’t know. The earth certainly seems to be shattering to me as he runs down the baselines. At the very least it’s groaning. Guy’s a tank.
with his injuries, he *probably* makes the most sense on a team that can DH him once in a while.
I have to wonder if the discussion between Hamels’ reps and the Phillies is the same: Cole Hamels is testing free agency and will not give a hometown discount.
I see a bidding war between LA and Arizona.
“I see a bidding war between LA and Arizona.”
That’s like a bidding war between Yankees and Toronto.