It was one year ago today that the Dodgers signed Jay Gibbons to a minor league deal. Gibbons made it to the big leagues for the first time since 2007, and hit well enough in limited action (an .819 OPS in 80 plate appearances) that he earned himself a Major League deal with the club for 2011 and potentially a regular platoon gig.
Here are some fresh items about the boys in blue…
- A potential sale of the Dodgers could be worth as much as $1BB, reports Mike Ozanian of Forbes. One "billionaire" team owner tells Ozanian that the Dodgers have "a vanity premium" for many potential buyers. Ozanian hears from some owners, executives and sports bankers that the belief exists that Frank McCourt will not be able to raise enough money to keep control of the club. McCourt, unsurprisingly, thinks otherwise, and said as much to Bill Shaikin of the LA Times.
- The newly-signed Tony Gwynn Jr. could win the center field job with a strong Spring Training, writes MLB.com's Ken Gurnick. Such a move would shift Matt Kemp to right field and Andre Ethier to left. More realistically, however, Kemp and Ethier will stay put in center and right, respectively, and the Dodgers will use a left field platoon of Gibbons and either a yet-to-be-acquired right-handed bat or possibly Casey Blake.
- If the team does sign another right-handed hitter, it won't be Manny Ramirez. To the surprise of nobody, Don Mattingly tells Steve Dilbeck of the LA Times "I don’t think Manny is a viable option right now."
- The Dodgers signed right-hander Roman Colon to a minor league deal, tweets Baseball America's Matthew Eddy. Colon has been pitching in the Korean League since he was released by Kansas City in May. The right-hander has a 5.12 ERA in 121 Major League appearances (all but eight of them in relief) with the Royals, Tigers and Braves since 2004.
Now is the time to move Eithier to left and Kemp to right. The Dodgers would be foolish not to do it. Defensively they would be much better and maybe Kemp can bounce back.
This. At present, they probably have the worst outfield defense in the league, which is not good for a team with good starting pitching.
Dodgers should sign Marcus Thames to platoon with Gibbons. They could also sign Jermaine Dye or sign Eric Chavez to play Third base and Casey Blake could platoon with Gibbons in LF
Jermaine Dye play 3rd base? LMFAO.
Eric Chavez play 3rd base? LMFAO.
Yes, he’s a third baseman.
jermaine dye would play LF not third base.
And get Oliver Perez to be the #3 starter!
Please someone explain to me the attraction of playing Blake in LF.
Please someone explain to me the attraction of playing Blake in LF.
Thames is one of the worst defensive players I’ve ever seen. I guess you could live with it if he mashes a bit.
Where in the world does Ozanian get the idea that Jamie McCourt owns 50% of the Dodgers? Is he telling the judge what the settlement should be?
ill take any thing that would make Kemp a better player and maybe that would be a better idea then to try and get a poor defense of outfielder. why do fans want so many guys who can hit what about defense. i guess that not so important to fans. we have enough bats to get the job done with Kemp, ethier, loney ,Blake who can get 15 HRs a year,and urbine. so one guy who might be only good for defense wont hurt. i think the bullpen and defense was the reason we lost some games last year.so smart move i think would to be start Tony Gwynn Jr. then save the money for later on in the season if we need to make a move. i think the team we have now is fine no need to make any stupid moves or any trades. only if it to trade AJ, paul and or maybe Blake for a younger 3rd base guy or bullpen help
If Gwynn could hit AT ALL putting him in CF would be great. Instant upgrade of all 3 OF positions. Sadly he’s about as good a hitter as Rod Barajas.
At least Rod Barajas can hit home runs occasionally.
well i know gwynn no ethier. but i hope he could turn out to be another young gem NED gets. just like he did with ethier
the dodgers are a joke , how did that GIANTS WORLD SERIES LOOK ?? the dojers are nothing!!
One WS title in 56 years, makes the Gigantes exactly what?
Like a fluke!!!!
It looked very much like the last 6 Dodger championships. Great pitching & timely hitting. They were very well managed, and certainly overacheived. Hopefully for your sake, you will still be alive when they win their next one.
i like the idea of signing eric chavez, i mean if he bounced back than great for our team, if not well we wont lose much.
ROMAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I think we’d all like that – but who do you suggest they get? It was a weak OF market. Who would you target in a trade and what would you give up?
What was wrong with Manny? Didn’t like how he acted up toward the end?
Didn’t like how he was on the DL three times and could barely run when he wasn’t.