Official 2009 LA Dodgers Roster Thread

[filihok]

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?...2008&fext=.jsp

the 35-year-old Mota passed his physical exam to complete a one-year contract agreement for $2.35 million plus another $300,000 in incentives. He earned $3.2 million last year.

Mota rejoins the club in a setup role, which he filled with distinction during his previous Dodgers stint as the eighth-inning preliminary to phenom closer Eric Gagne.

"Guillermo is a power arm that can stabilize the back of our bullpen," Colletti said. "He's had plenty of success in L.A. before and we look forward to seeing that again."

Think I woulda rather had Saito for the deal the Red Sox gave him. $2.5 and up to $7 with incentives...

[filihok]

Speaking of Pettitte...

I really wish he had signed Randy Johnson.

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index...izonas-mistake

Besides his being a good pitcher still...I don't think it would have hurt Kershaw any to spend time with the Unit. If K-shaw could learn that slider................

[filihok]

Andruw Officially Released

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/spor...s-officia.html

So, I get the feeling that Andruw just didn't want to be a Dodger. If (when) he signs with Atlanta and puts up decent numbers this year, I'm gonna be upset.

[filihok]

Russ Martin talking contract

http://www.latimes.com/sports/baseba...,3696285.story

[filihok]

http://losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com/ne...t=.jsp&c_id=la

Troncoso said he got the surprising word of a change in roles when he showed up for winter ball. Apparently club management so liked what it saw from James McDonald in relief that it might want to keep him there instead of starting, so the decision was made to try out Troncoso as a starter.

I dunno about this. Troncoso hasn't been a starter in 3 years and pitched well from the pen last year-plus he 'didn't like it'-that makes me question his dedication to rebuilding himself into a starter.

Somebody in the organization read this article, perhaps?

The Dodgers have sent Troncoso to the Dominican Winter League to work on his curveball and get some action in, and he’s actually working as a starting pitcher for Aguilas and dominating in the role. In 16 innings, he’s allowed 14 hits, walked 1, struck out 11, and is posting a 3.24 GB/FB rate. While winter ball stats don’t mean much, the fact that he’s able to shut down professional hitters while working in five inning stints is worth taking note of. Perhaps, instead of replacing Saito in the bullpen, the Dodgers should look into having him replace Derek Lowe in the rotation?

Plus, I haven't seen any reason that McDonald shouldn't remain a starter. Yeah, he pitched a good 11 innings of relief last year but he looked to be close to a rotation spot. A good starter is worth much more than a good or even excellent reliever.

[Clay Dreslough]

In a sign and trade, the player traded would have to be 'worse' than a potential first round pick, for the Dodgers to want to do it, but then, why would Boston?

Because it's POSSIBLE that no one will sign Tek and he'll sit out? He's a 37-year-old catcher that hit .220 last year and his agent's crazy enough to ask for a multiyear contract at $10 million per. The Sox aren't going to pass on Teixeira and then pay top dollar for a replacement-level catcher, and I think Tek is too proud to take replacement-level money. So if the Dodgers want him, they should find a way to get it done.

[filihok]

Varitek will resign with Boston for 1 year, 4 mil, with a team option for 6 mil.

http://www.boston.com/sports/basebal...stPop_Emailed7

Longtime Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek met with club owner John Henry for approximately 90 minutes near Varitek’s Atlanta-area home last night in an apparent attempt to resolve the winterlong stalemate between the player and team.

The Red Sox captain said he met with Henry “to speak [about] how I feel,” answering “yes” when asked if his desire was to return to the team for the 2009 season.

[filihok]

http://losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com/ne...t=.jsp&c_id=la

"There's a dialogue," said Colletti, which at least is an improvement from the first two months of the offseason.

The Dodgers still want Ramirez, but for a short term. Ramirez, who turns 37 this year, still wants a minimum of four years. Those positions were staked out during the General Managers meetings in November, when the Dodgers made the only known offer Ramirez has received -- two years at $45 million, plus a third-year option for $15 million. The offer was ignored and withdrawn.

[filihok]

http://www.bakersfield.com/136/story/666672.html

Once Colletti took the podium, most of the focus was on the 2009 season.

“I’ll answer the first question before it’s asked because I know what’s first,” Colletti said with a grin. “There’s no question we’re trying to re-sign Manny (Ramirez). We made the highest offer in the history of the franchise, what would have made him the highest-paid outfielder in the history of baseball. So we didn’t start out low. “... All indications are he wants to play here, and hopefully in the next couple weeks we can have some strong dialogue with his representatives and get him in uniform. OK, second question.”

[filihok]

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2009/0...os-late-2.html

Mariners advisers have suggested bringing in Jason Varitek to improve the Seattle pitching staff.

[filihok]

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/ba..._t.html?page=0

Their two-year, $45 million offer is still the only one on the board and Boras is desperately trying to lure another team into the bidding. While Manny, off his yeoman performance in carrying Los Angeles to the NL West title last year, makes the most sense for the Dodgers, they've had no reason to bid against themselves.

[daves]

It sure is taking a long time with Manny. It would be a great fit for him to come back to LA. As it is now, he could be on the Mets radar since the price is coming down?

I don't understand why they didn't pursue CC? He would have jumped at the chance to play in LA!

[Arctic Blast]

Note to Manny : Clearly, the market is not there for you that you expected. Suck it up, princess, and sign somewhere for what you can get.

[haveacigar]

Because it's POSSIBLE that no one will sign Tek and he'll sit out? He's a 37-year-old catcher that hit .220 last year and his agent's crazy enough to ask for a multiyear contract at $10 million per. The Sox aren't going to pass on Teixeira and then pay top dollar for a replacement-level catcher, and I think Tek is too proud to take replacement-level money. So if the Dodgers want him, they should find a way to get it done.

The Red Sox have no serious stake in the matter (I'm sure the longevity of Varitek's career is not their priority), but if they know the Dodgers want him, they aren't going to make it so that the Dodgers can avoid giving them the first round pick. Scenarios like a sign-and-trade are intriguing but there's just no reason for the Sox to do it. It's not like the Dodgers would have any negotiating leverage in that situation.

[haveacigar]

a few things:

I think Jon Garland would do quite well with the Dodgers, and I like him more than any of the other FA starters except for Ben Sheets. I'd rather they take whatever they'd pay Sheets and just get Manny locked up.

Is there going to be any closer competition, or are they just essentially handing the job to Broxton?