Headlines

  • Orioles Promote DL Hall
  • Fernando Tatis Jr. Suspended 80 Games For Performance-Enhancing Drug Violation
  • Tarik Skubal Visiting Specialist With Elbow Issue; Expected To Miss Remainder Of Season
  • Mariners Designate Ken Giles For Assignment
  • Michael Brantley Undergoes Season-Ending Shoulder Surgery
  • Tigers Fire General Manager Al Avila
  • Previous
  • Next
Register
Login
  • Hoops Rumors
  • Pro Football Rumors
  • Pro Hockey Rumors

MLB Trade Rumors

  • Home
  • Teams
    • AL East
      • Baltimore Orioles
      • Boston Red Sox
      • New York Yankees
      • Tampa Bay Rays
      • Toronto Blue Jays
    • AL Central
      • Chicago White Sox
      • Cleveland Guardians
      • Detroit Tigers
      • Kansas City Royals
      • Minnesota Twins
    • AL West
      • Houston Astros
      • Los Angeles Angels
      • Oakland Athletics
      • Seattle Mariners
      • Texas Rangers
    • NL East
      • Atlanta Braves
      • Miami Marlins
      • New York Mets
      • Philadelphia Phillies
      • Washington Nationals
    • NL Central
      • Chicago Cubs
      • Cincinnati Reds
      • Milwaukee Brewers
      • Pittsburgh Pirates
      • St. Louis Cardinals
    • NL West
      • Arizona Diamondbacks
      • Colorado Rockies
      • Los Angeles Dodgers
      • San Diego Padres
      • San Francisco Giants
  • About
    • MLB Trade Rumors
    • Tim Dierkes
    • Writing team
    • Advertise
    • Archives
  • Contact
  • Tools
    • 2021-22 MLB Free Agent Tracker
    • 2021-22 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2022-23 MLB Free Agent List
    • Top 50 Free Agents
    • Projected Arbitration Salaries For 2022
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Arbitration Tracker
    • Agency Database
  • NBA/NFL/NHL
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors
  • App
  • Chats
Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

McCourt: “A Mercenary Team Doesn’t Work”

By Mark Polishuk | March 24, 2010 at 7:29pm CDT

Dodgers fans aren't pleased that their team's major offseason story has been the ongoing divorce and ownership battle between Frank and Jamie McCourt.  With the stewardship of the team in doubt, the Dodgers made relatively few moves over the winter, none of which seemed to be the type of key addition that would push the two-time NLCS runners-up into the World Series.

Frank McCourt discussed his team's offseason moves and his overall philosophy for the team at a meeting of California businessmen on Tuesday, reports Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times.  He reiterated his claim of sole ownership in the franchise and said that "things will get back to normal" once the divorce suit is settled, noting that the team is not for sale.

Shaikin cites the midseason deals of C.C. Sabathia, Mark Teixeira and Cliff Lee over the last two seasons, plus the Roy Halladay rumors that dominated last summer's trade deadline, as cases where the Dodgers simply weren't willing to deal their young core players for what might have been a short-term rental.  In McCourt's defense, L.A. has certainly made some big in-season moves (the Manny Ramirez, Jon Garland and Jim Thome deals, for example), and the owner himself pointed to the team's four playoff appearances since he took over the team.

McCourt rhetorically asked, "How would we feel right now without Clayton Kershaw or Matt Kemp?" since those two and Chad Billingsley were at the top of any potential trade partner's wish list.  Shaikin notes that these young players are key to McCourt's belief that fans would rather see a team of homegrown stars win a title than a group of free agent imports.  "A mercenary team doesn't work," McCourt said in reference to the big dollars spend by L.A.'s previous owners (News Corp) that never resulted in any playoff appearances.

Every contender struggles with the temptation to go for broke and shoot for a World Series by selling off a young prospect or two at the deadline.  Red Sox fans would've no doubt loved to see Hanley Ramirez play shortstop at Fenway Park for 15-plus years, but since his trade to Florida brought Mike Lowell, Josh Beckett and the 2007 World Series to Boston, Sox fans are probably satisfied that losing Ramirez was worth it.  In McCourt's case, however, the fact that the Dodgers have come so close the last two seasons leaves the team's decisions open to second-guessing.  And, as Shaikin points out, big-market L.A.'s payroll could be less than $90MM this season, leaving fans wondering why the team couldn't shell out a few extra dollars for the final piece of the championship puzzle.

Share 0 Retweet 0 Send via email0

Los Angeles Dodgers

Indians Notes: Dye, Bixler, Mauer
Main
Rangers Interested In Trading For Utility Infielder
View Comments (64)

Comments

  1. Guest

    12 years ago

    Frank McCourt has pretty much ruined the Dodgers chances to win in 2010 and 2011. The guy is bad news and doesn’t really seem to care about the state of the team despite whats being said.

    Reply
    • dodgers1111

      12 years ago

      I wouldnt go that far to say that they have no chance to win this year or next year. Although I cant stand McCourt, the Dodgers do have a pretty good team and if Kershaw and Billz can live up to there potential they will be rigth back in the NLCS.

      Reply
      • Guest

        12 years ago

        I’m willing to bet you that if the divorice didn’t prevent the Dodgers from spending you may see John Lackey starting Opening Day for the Dodgers.

        Reply
        • Guest

          12 years ago

          Bet and May do not work in the same sentence.

        • Guest

          12 years ago

          I meant that Either John Lackey or Clayton Kershaw would start Opening Day. But John Lackey would have been a Dodger.

        • lakersdodgersyankees4life

          12 years ago

          I never wanted Lackey. He isnt an ‘ace’ and isnt worth 80 million.

        • Guest

          12 years ago

          There are thousands of Baseball fans who think John Lackey is an ace.

          Plus, no one said he was an ace. He’s more expierenced than any other Dodgers pitcher and has potential to win 16+ games when healthy.

        • lakersdodgersyankees4life

          12 years ago

          I dont know how many times i need to tell you, WINS MEAN NOTHING! They show how good the team did. Here, I just read this article today, and it fits perfectly.

          http://www.truebluela.com/2010/3/24/1387709/the-question-isnt-will-kershaw

          It shows how dominate Kershaw has been in NDs, but because the offense was horrible, he didnt get a W. His record was 8-8 with a 2.79 ERA, does that make him worse than the guy who went 10-9 with a 4.4 ERA?

          And you are going to pay 80M for experience? Wow…Since when does a 3.81 ERA make you an ace? A top 10 pitcher in the league has a 3.8 ERA? I dont think so..

        • Guest

          12 years ago

          Kershaw was not dominant at all in his ND’s he walked more batters/9 than most other Major League starters. He didn’t let runs score but he wasn’t dominant. He was just Yanked and saved by the pen. In other words, Dice-K’d. This season he will dominate though.

        • lakersdodgersyankees4life

          12 years ago

          Did you read the article? “Here comes the bad part he’s posted an ERA of 2.28 in 27 no decisions, 25 were starts. Now I know he has trouble going deep into games, but his walk rate 3.9/9 in wins 3.8/9 in no decisions” He had a lower walk rate in his NDs than his wins… He was dominate and had zero run support

        • lakersdodgersyankees4life

          12 years ago

          Did you read the article? “Here comes the bad part he’s posted an ERA of 2.28 in 27 no decisions, 25 were starts. Now I know he has trouble going deep into games, but his walk rate 3.9/9 in wins 3.8/9 in no decisions” He had a lower walk rate in his NDs than his wins… He was dominate and had zero run support

        • Guest

          12 years ago

          Alright. But listen, no argument needed…The kid is amazing!

        • Guest

          12 years ago

          Alright. But listen, no argument needed…The kid is amazing!

        • BoSoxSam

          12 years ago

          “Dice-K’d.” Heh. Nice. 😀

        • BoSoxSam

          12 years ago

          “Dice-K’d.” Heh. Nice. 😀

        • Guest

          12 years ago

          Kershaw was not dominant at all in his ND’s he walked more batters/9 than most other Major League starters. He didn’t let runs score but he wasn’t dominant. He was just Yanked and saved by the pen. In other words, Dice-K’d. This season he will dominate though.

        • dodgers1111

          12 years ago

          I am glad we didnt get Lackey and the fact is that there was not very good free agent pitchers this year and that is what we needed, a true #1.

        • Guest

          12 years ago

          So you wouldn’t even take John Lackey for the rotation?

        • lakersdodgersyankees4life

          12 years ago

          not at 80M…

        • Guest

          12 years ago

          this is also for Dodgers1111,

          80MM is a different story fellas. I understand that, but if they do plan on spending soon, I guess we all know when the right time to do it is right?

        • dodgers1111

          12 years ago

          Not for 80 million, he is not that good. I would rather save the money and go after Cliff Lee next year, but McCourts Cheap ass wont.

        • lakersdodgersyankees4life

          12 years ago

          I agree. there was no FA that would have greatly affected us that was worth it. Next year there are some guys that interest me, but we were right to not spend big this year… isnt it amazing a divorce is what forced them to make a good baseball decision?

        • Frank

          12 years ago

          LOL…yes! btw @Span should’ve used “might’ve” instead of “may” as I doubt the Sox are going to trade Lackey 2 months after they signed him. Nonetheless solid point Dodgerblue.

  2. Guest

    12 years ago

    How does he counter not spending on the draft?

    How does he counter trading TOP prospects?

    Reply
    • Guest

      12 years ago

      Good point. They have some of the better prospects in Baseball.

      Reply
      • Guest

        12 years ago

        Carlos Santana, Jake Bell, Chris Withrow, Dee Gordon, Ethan Martin..

        Thats a top 3 farm system.

        All of the talent not signed/not even attempted, from the draft makes it worse.

        Reply
        • Guest

          12 years ago

          Josh Bell you mean right? They also have Lindblom, Trayvon Robinson, Aaron Miller, and Eovala.

      • lakersdodgersyankees4life

        12 years ago

        but that is not because of McCourt. That is because White has found 1st round talent in the 4th round, or later.

        I mean, McCourt’s advisor was quoted as saying that we shouldnt spend on draft picks because they are crap shoots… WHAT THE HELL!?

        Reply
  3. Philousa

    12 years ago

    I love how McCourt acts as though he shouldn’t spend without giving a good reason, other than saying things will ‘get back to normal’. Jamie already revealed a plan to raise the price of nearly everything at Dodger Stadium while keeping the payroll the same. Why should we believe he will increase the payroll once the divorce is over?

    Reply
  4. lakersdodgersyankees4life

    12 years ago

    Sorta like when the GMs were rated and Colletti was rated 27th a few weeks ago, the comment was ‘you only get so much credit for not trading Kershaw and Kemp for 4th outfielders’. Yea, I am happy that we didnt trade the kids… i am one of the fans who gets angry at other fans for not realizing the value of guys we have. However, when our payroll will be 100M, and 1/5 is going to guys NOT on the team, there is something wrong. We are basically competing with an $80M payroll.

    I really hope the team is owned 50/50 and they have to sell them before the kids reach FA so we can have a dynasty instead of going down as a ‘what could have been’ team…

    Reply
  5. bjsguess

    12 years ago

    “Shaikin notes that these young players are key to McCourt’s belief that fans would rather see a team of homegrown stars win a title than a group of free agent imports.”

    I’m pretty sure the Dodger fans would just like win a title, regardless of what farm system they came from. Does McCourt really believe that Yankee fans are sitting around moping because they import a majority of their top players?

    McCourt is laying out a false choice. Either or. His two options are:

    1. Develop a team from within that has a shot at winning the WS
    2. Trade away the farm and sign a bunch of over priced FAs and have a shot at winning the WS

    OR you can take the sensible route that most successful clubs follow …

    3. Develop a team from within and then augment that with top tier FA’s and dramatically improve their shot at winning a WS.

    McCourt is a chump. He very well might be my least favorite owner in all of baseball. When attendance is up, revenues are up, he takes the payroll down. Scream all you want at Florida, the Dodgers having a payroll of $90m is more egregious in my mind.

    Reply
    • lakersdodgersyankees4life

      12 years ago

      yea, welcome to a Dodger fan’s life

      Reply
    • BaseballFan0707

      12 years ago

      You basically described the Red Sox, Yanks (while I won’t argue it’s the money that does it, often lost is that, next to the Core 4, almost the entire Yankee bullpen is made up of homegrown talent, and there’s Cano to consider as well.), Angels (to an extent), Phillies, Cardinals (a small extent, but I think they count) to a T with option 3.

      Can anyone guess what all those teams have in common?

      When healthy, you often see those teams playing October baseball.

      Reply
  6. stalker101

    12 years ago

    The Big point Was trading Carlos Santana one of the top catching prospects to save 1 Million in a trade,The Casey Blake trade was made that if they wanted to not have to pay a million on his contract for rest of that year they had to give up Santana.What other big markeyt teams are doing that?
    And he is making it out like they had to go after the big names,hell lets throw those guys out of the mix,how about picking up even some mid level guys instead of just signing minor league free agents basically and retreads.Our one big pay out was to a middle infielder that has little offense and over paying him at that when many other equal ability guys signed for half of what he got later on.

    Reply
    • Guest

      12 years ago

      Jon Meloan might of been too much.

      Reply
      • lakersdodgersyankees4life

        12 years ago

        It should have been something like Meloan and DeJesus/Hu(if they want a SS) or Ellis if they wanted a catcher, and we pay all of Casey’s salary…

        Reply
        • dodgers1111

          12 years ago

          You know there is no way they are going to pay all of someones salary that we get in a trade, but they will overspend on Carroll. Makes no sense to me, I dont even think he should make the team.

        • lakersdodgersyankees4life

          12 years ago

          Honestly, no one understands Jamey Carroll’s deal…

        • BaseballFan0707

          12 years ago

          Checklist time!

          Power? Nope.
          Batting Average? Average, at best.
          Defense? Plus.
          Age? 35. Getting to the decline phase.
          Speed? Hell no.
          OBP? Decent.

          He’s about as plain of an all-around player as you can be. Yet the Dodgers see him as the second coming of Jesus or something.

        • lakersdodgersyankees4life

          12 years ago

          The contract would seem like they see him as Jesus’s younger brother… but the fact that he isnt going to be a starter, I guess Joe Torre has a brain..

        • BaseballFan0707

          12 years ago

          But all that hype and he isn’t even starting? I mean…it’s just so stupid.

        • lakersdodgersyankees4life

          12 years ago

          Honestly, no one understands Jamey Carroll’s deal…

  7. ELPinchy

    12 years ago

    SOoOOOOOOoooooo glad McCourt didn’t buy the Redsox.

    Reply
  8. BlueSkyLA

    12 years ago

    Dodger fans aren’t pleased to be constantly looking at stories in MLB Rumors that lead with the McCourt’s divorce. It’s a real stretch to make that any kind of baseball story. The assumption that the divorce has led to a payroll that hasn’t increased this year is only just that, an assumption. It’s based on no evidence whatsoever. McCourt has never been a big spender, because he’s over-leveraged and does’t own the media rights to the Dodgers. That has always been the main limitation on payroll, and it probably will be for as long as McCourt owns the team.

    Reply
  9. BlueSkyLA

    12 years ago

    Dodger fans aren’t pleased to be constantly looking at stories in MLB Rumors that lead with the McCourt’s divorce. It’s a real stretch to make that any kind of baseball story. The assumption that the divorce has led to a payroll that hasn’t increased this year is only just that, an assumption. It’s based on no evidence whatsoever. McCourt has never been a big spender, because he’s over-leveraged and does’t own the media rights to the Dodgers. That has always been the main limitation on payroll, and it probably will be for as long as McCourt owns the team.

    Reply
  10. aap212

    12 years ago

    But they did a ton of mercenary player acquisition until his wife moved for half his money. Flash back to a teenage Frank McCourt:

    “I didn’t want to date the head cheerleader, anyway.”

    Reply
  11. aap212

    12 years ago

    But they did a ton of mercenary player acquisition until his wife moved for half his money. Flash back to a teenage Frank McCourt:

    “I didn’t want to date the head cheerleader, anyway.”

    Reply
  12. i_am_ernest

    12 years ago

    i wish mark cuban would buy the dodgers.

    Reply
  13. i_am_ernest

    12 years ago

    i wish mark cuban would buy the dodgers.

    Reply
  14. i_am_ernest

    12 years ago

    i wish mark cuban would buy the dodgers.

    Reply
  15. phillies1980

    12 years ago

    Looks like the Phillies will have to “Beat L.A.! Beat L.A.!” for the 3rd year in a row. That should annoy all the “gangbangers” in the outfield seats in Dodger Stadium. (That is, if The Dodgers even make the playoffs!)

    Reply
    • lakersdodgersyankees4life

      12 years ago

      yea, because Matt Kemp, Andre Ethier, Chad Billingsley, Clayton Kershaw, and Jon Broxton are magically gonna forget how to play baseball right? Sorta like Cole Hamels last season?

      Reply
      • phillies1980

        12 years ago

        Yeah, I they got beaten the last two years. And now they have that stiff Padilla starting Opening Day! Ha!

        Reply
        • lakersdodgersyankees4life

          12 years ago

          just because our manager is an idiot in choosing his pitchers, it doesnt mean our team is LEAD by Padilla… we arent the Pirates

          ________________________________

  16. phillies1980

    12 years ago

    Looks like the Phillies will have to “Beat L.A.! Beat L.A!” That should annoy the “gangbangers” in the Dodger Stadium outfield. If L.A. even makes the playoffs!

    Reply
  17. phillies1980

    12 years ago

    And now they have that stiff Padilla as the Opening Day pitcher! Ha! Good luck with THAT!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Please login to leave a reply.
Log in Register

ad: 300x250_1_MLB

    Top Stories

    Orioles Promote DL Hall

    Fernando Tatis Jr. Suspended 80 Games For Performance-Enhancing Drug Violation

    Tarik Skubal Visiting Specialist With Elbow Issue; Expected To Miss Remainder Of Season

    Mariners Designate Ken Giles For Assignment

    Michael Brantley Undergoes Season-Ending Shoulder Surgery

    Tigers Fire General Manager Al Avila

    Matt Carpenter Expected To Miss 6-8 Weeks With Foot Fracture

    Braves Select Top Prospect Vaughn Grissom, Activate Kirby Yates

    2022-23 MLB Free Agent Power Rankings: August Edition

    Tim Anderson Out 4-6 Weeks Due To Torn Ligament In Hand

    Blue Jays Sign Jackie Bradley Jr., Designate Matt Peacock

    Chris Sale Fractures Wrist, Will Miss Remainder Of Season

    Cubs To Release Jason Heyward At End Of Season

    Cubs Claim Franmil Reyes From Guardians

    Fernando Tatis Jr. To Begin Rehab Assignment

    Rockies Claim Dinelson Lamet, Designate Ashton Goudeau

    Cubs Release Andrelton Simmons

    Alex Kirilloff To Undergo Season-Ending Surgery

    Guardians Designate Franmil Reyes For Assignment

    Justin Verlander Reaches 130 Innings Pitched, Vests 2023 Player Option

    Recent

    Injury Notes: Colomé, Nance, Mets

    Astros Reinstate Lance McCullers Jr. From 60-Day Injured List

    Red Sox Select Jeurys Familia

    AL Central Notes: Robert, Guardians, Contreras, Tigers, Hinch

    Forecasting The 2022-23 Qualifying Offers: Position Players

    Orioles Promote DL Hall

    Marlins Select A.J. Ladwig

    Angels Notes: Trout, Lorenzen, Duffy, Bradley, Moniak, Iglesias

    Fernando Tatis Jr. Suspended 80 Games For Performance-Enhancing Drug Violation

    Yankees Notes: Dominguez, Severino, Carpenter

    MLBTR Newsletter - Hot stove highlights in your inbox, five days a week

    Latest Rumors & News

    Latest Rumors & News

    • Cubs Decline To Trade Contreras, Happ
    • Giants Keep Rodon, Pederson
    Trade Rumors App for iOS and Android

    MLBTR Features

    MLBTR Features

    • Go Ad-Free
    • MLB Player Chats
    • 2021-22 MLB Free Agent Tracker
    • 2021-22 MLB Free Agent List
    • Top 50 Free Agents
    • 2022-23 MLB Free Agent List
    • Projected Arbitration Salaries For 2022
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Agency Database
    • MLBTR On Twitter
    • MLBTR On Facebook
    • Team Facebook Pages
    • How To Set Up Notifications For Breaking News
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors

    Rumors By Team

    • Angels Rumors
    • Astros Rumors
    • Athletics Rumors
    • Blue Jays Rumors
    • Braves Rumors
    • Brewers Rumors
    • Cardinals Rumors
    • Cubs Rumors
    • Diamondbacks Rumors
    • Dodgers Rumors
    • Giants Rumors
    • Guardians Rumors
    • Mariners Rumors
    • Marlins Rumors
    • Mets Rumors
    • Nationals Rumors
    • Orioles Rumors
    • Padres Rumors
    • Phillies Rumors
    • Pirates Rumors
    • Rangers Rumors
    • Rays Rumors
    • Red Sox Rumors
    • Reds Rumors
    • Rockies Rumors
    • Royals Rumors
    • Tigers Rumors
    • Twins Rumors
    • White Sox Rumors
    • Yankees Rumors

    ad: 160x600_MLB

    Navigation

    • Sitemap
    • Archives
    • Feeds by Team

    MLBTR INFO

    • Advertise
    • About
    • Commenting Policy
    • Privacy Policy

    Connect

    • Contact Us
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • RSS Feed

    MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

    hide arrowsFOX Sports Engage Network scroll to top
    Close

    Desktop Version | Switch To Mobile Version