Official 2009 LA Dodgers Roster Thread

[filihok]

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2009/0...s-avoid-a.html

the Dodgers avoided arbitration with outfielder Jason Repko by signing him for $500K plus incentives for '09.

[filihok]

So there are just a few empty spots left on the roster.

A back-up catcher, back up infielder, back up outfielder (since Andruw was released), a couple of starting pitching spots and a reliever.

What should we do with these?

Just a new guy has suggested Varitek to back up Russ at catcher. While that'd be a nice move I think the price tag (in salary and the draft pick) will keep Colletti from doing it. Ausmus would be an ok option. Ardoin is also an option.

For the infield it looks like Castro, Hu, or Maza will win the spot in spring training. Likely Castro with his experience, letting Hu work on his bat in AAA.

In the OF, Delwyn Young is out of options. DY spent most of last year on the major league roster but didn't get into too many games. That looks like what'd happen this year. Repko is also a possibility as is a trade of Pierre...?

Sheets and Pettite are the favs for the rotation, but I'd say that's unlikely. Looks like one of the second tier guys (Looper, Garland, etc) and then Stults and Estes fighting for the 5th spot.

Lots of possibilities for the last bullpen spot. I really like Elbert. His stuff is nasty, especially for a lefty. But I don't think the last spot in the bullpen is the best place for him. Signing Denys Reyes is also a possibility as another lefty wouldn't hurt.

[filihok]

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2009/0...hal-on-ro.html

The Dodgers have roughly $50MM in payroll flexibility right now.

So far the Dodgers and Russell Martin have only talked about a one-year deal.

[filihok]

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/9...imed-to-pounce

Dodgers: In Position to Pounce


With or without Manny Ramirez, the Dodgers are in an unusually flexible position. Their payroll is in the low $70 million range, according to internal projections, even when including the yet-to-be-determined salaries of the team's four arbitration-eligible players — pitcher Jonathon Broxton, catcher Russell Martin and outfielders Andre Ethier and Jason Repko.

The signing of Ramirez would add between $20 million and $25 million. The team also is mining free agency for another starting pitcher and reliever, which could cost about $10 million.

Even then, the Dodgers would be below their final 2008 payroll of $126 million — a figure that did not include Ramirez, third baseman Casey Blake and pitcher Greg Maddux, whose previous teams paid almost all of their salaries.

If the Dodgers fail to sign Ramirez, they could turn to a more inexpensive free agent such as Adam Dunn or Bobby Abreu. Or, they could simply start the season with an outfield of Ethier, Matt Kemp and Juan Pierre.

Like many teams, the Dodgers believe that trade bargains will emerge if the economic crisis leads to declining attendance and financially strapped teams need to dump payroll.

[filihok]

http://www.dailybreeze.com/sports/ci_11494759

Dodgers outfielder Jason Repko avoided arbitration Monday, agreeing to a one- year contract that will pay him a $500,000 base salary and also carries the decidedly remote possibility of up to $87,500 in incentives.

But that, apparently, is where the good news ends for Repko, who is entering his 11th season in the organization and still hasn't been able to establish a foothold in the major leagues.

That is why Repko's agent, Dan Lozano of the Beverly Hills Sports Council, wishes the Dodgers would simply ship his client elsewhere.

"For the last two years, we have been asking the Dodgers for a trade, both myself and Jason," Lozano said.

"They have not given us any indication he is a part of their plans this year, nor in the future. If he goes out and has another great spring like he did last year, there are still no guarantees, like last year, that he will be part of this club."

[filihok]

Andre Ethier asks for $3.75 million in Arb. Team offers $2.65 million

http://www.insidesocal.com/dodgers/2...s-arbitra.html

[filihok]

http://blogs.pe.com/prosports/2009/0...nd-broxto.html

The Dodgers avoided arbitration with catcher Russell Martin, signing him to a one-year, $3.9 million contract today.

The Dodgers also signed reliever Jonathan Broxton to a one-year, $1.825 million contract plus incentives.

http://blogs.pe.com/prosports/2009/0...belisario.html

The Dodgers signed reliever Ronald Belisario to a minor-league contract and invited the right-hander to spring training.

Belisario, who was signed by Florida out of Venezuela, went 4-4 with a 4.74 ERA and nine saves for Class AA Altoona in 2008. in the Venezuelan Winter League, he went 2-0 with a 3.80 ERA in 20 appearances

.

[filihok]

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

As another poster pointed out:

Jeff Kent, the premier slugging second baseman of his generation and arguably of all-time, will announce his retirement at a Dodger Stadium news conference Thursday.

[filihok]

http://www.baseballthinkfactory.org/..._dodgers_pads/

Free-agent catcher Brad Ausmus, seeking to play for a team near his home in Del Mar, Ca., is in the process of choosing between the Dodgers and Padres, according to major-league sources.

[filihok]

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

LOS ANGELES -- The Dodgers signed free-agent catcher Brad Ausmus to a one-year, $1 million deal on Wednesday

No V-Tek then.

I'm not sure about this. Ausmus provides nothing with the bat, which makes it harder to get Russ out of the line-up on a consistent basis. Unless we sign Manny and have a lil offense to spare. Ausmus has a reputation as a strong defensive catcher, but I don't know how much of that is just reputation. He's 39 and will be 40 for most of the season. He's experienced for sure, but 16 years of squatting have to have taken a toll.

[FRENCHREDSOX]

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



No V-Tek then.

I'm not sure about this. Ausmus provides nothing with the bat, which makes it harder to get Russ out of the line-up on a consistent basis. Unless we sign Manny and have a lil offense to spare. Ausmus has a reputation as a strong defensive catcher, but I don't know how much of that is just reputation. He's 39 and will be 40 for most of the season. He's experienced for sure, but 16 years of squatting have to have taken a toll.

He is "projected" to hit .218/ .300 /.280 with 1HR

[filihok]

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2009/0...ns-dodger.html

According to Ken Rosenthal, the A's, Twins, and Dodgers are pursuing Russ Springer.

[filihok]

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2009/0...s-are-lea.html

According to Ken Rosenthal, major league sources say the Dodgers have the "inside track" on signing Randy Wolf. Such a deal would likely be for one or two years.

[EVEN11323]

I wouldn't mind seeing the Twins pick up Springer. Don't have to give a draft pick, and we really need to add another proven arm to the pen.

[filihok]

He's an ok guy...I don't think he's as good as his last two years' stats make him look.

I think LA needs a lefty (reyes?) more.