Dodgers officials are saying they’ll work to add a starting pitcher and a hitter by the end of July, Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com reports. Money is not expected to be an obstacle for the Dodgers, one executive told Knobler. GM Ned Colletti should have the backing of the team's new ownership group, Guggenheim Baseball Management.
After the season ends the Dodgers are expected to pursue Cole Hamels, assuming the left-hander reaches free agency. "They love him, and they're saying they'll do whatever it takes to get him," one person told Knobler.
ESPN.com's Buster Olney wondered earlier today if Kevin Youkilis, Carlos Lee, Nick Swisher, Reed Johnson or Jeff Baker could be options for the Dodgers this year. The Dodgers are stepping up their coverage of Youkilis, CBSSports.com reported earlier today.
If Paul Konerko becomes available (doubtful since the second wildcard keeps teams in the race longer) he should be the Dodger’s number one target.
After him the Dodgers should look to firstbaseman Justin Morneau who can mash RH pitching and play solid defense, Bryan Lahair who is similar to Morneau (although he lacks the track record, he comes with none of the 14 mill salary), and Kevin Youkilis who has lost some effectiveness against RH but would help replace Kemp’s production against LHs.
Konerko won’t leave. He started off as a Dodger, but he also sees it as the team that let him go. He’s the captain of the White Sox, having an amazing year there, so why leave?
Konerko will retire from the White Sox.
Joc Pederson for Swisher?
the dodgers don’t need outfielders.
kemp, ethier, abreu, rivera, gwynn, harriston, sands, catellanos can cover it i think.
true but if there is an outfielder with power that can help them produce runs besides kemp and either we should take a look at them to make the team better then what it is rite now
Imagine an outfield consisting of Ethier, Swisher and Kemp? Wow that would be a formidable group
Also forget Youk and Morneau, they’re both injury prone, and injuries are what got the Dodgers swept by the Brewers. We need healthy players, I guess Lahair wouldn’t be too bad.
“Dodgers Expected to Pursue Pitching and Hitting”
I’m not sure what else you could pursue in baseball… lol.
lol i was thinking the same thing
They could pursue a position player that isn’t known to “hit”, but be good with the glove.
Well there is the “Highly” Underated section of baseball called fielding.
Like the Orioles could use some new fielders to be sure.
The Cubs could package up Dempster and Johnson for some prospects.
Jason Vargas & Brandon League.
Csrlos Lee is the most likely in the bunch, IMO
He has no trade protection.
…and he wouldn’t waive it to leave Houston?
That’s been the story with Carlos Lee for a long time.
It’s not a secret.
link to mlbtraderumors.com
He’s able to block trades to 14 teams – it’s no longer a full NTC.
I think the biggest reason he doesn’t want to leave is because he has a ranch out there and his family. I could be wrong though but i swore i read somewhere he really wanted to end his career in Houston
It became limited no trade protection this season. I think he was able to designate something like 14 or 15 teams where he couldn’t be traded, and the prevailing theory is that he eliminated all AL teams (with possible exception of the Rangers, due to proximity to his home/ranch in Texas).
He’s definitely movable, it’s not a secret.
it would be nice if the dodgers aquired one of the following players youk to play either 1st or 3d base, carlos lee to play 1st base,Nick Swisher to play in the outfield,
Morneau to play 1st, or konerko to play 1st as well but i doubt the whitesox will trade their 1st baseman/captian.
Yeah the White Sox are in first place and are tied for 2nd for the best record in the AL. Pretty sure they aren’t dealing Konerko.
I like the Idea of Carlos Lee at First base.. I don’t think they would have to give up to much for him..
Reed Johnson? Been there done that; not a starting option, so for bench? Nope. Castellanos, VanSlyke, etc. compliment the platoon in LF with Gwynn Abreu & Riviera just fine… Seth Smith or the like would be fine to send the younger guy(s) back to AAA, but not a Reed Johnson type.
Mainly, I’d like it if we added Seth Smith solely based on the fact that he’s a notorious Dodger killer. LOL
Also Ned called Carlos Lee Fat when he elected not to bid on his when Houston did, so count dodgers out of a deal for him too.
…and then he went out and signed Juan Uribe, Andruw Jones, trade for George Sherill…so I’m not sure I see your point here.
I completely agree with you, but given that it’s Ned Coletti in hot pursuit of pitching and hitting, the master-of-the-obvious lede might be appropriate