Not surprisingly, the Monday Night Miracle (I have trouble calling it that, having grown up a Blues fan, but don't have any other ideas) was tops on Jayson Stark's list of baseball achievements in 2006.  Or any other year, for that matter.  Owing to the fact the game was among the most amazing things I or anyone else has ever seen in sports, I'm assuming it was the memorable moment for most of you from last season.  But as we wind down 2006 (cue light string music...), it's time to step back and contemplate the other great moments provided by the Blue.   Was your favorite (besides four homers on seven pitches followed by a seemingly crushing run given up in the tenth before Nomar's two run walkoff homer) the scoreless duel between Greg Maddux and Jason Schmidt, won by a Russell Martin solo shot, in a game that rather refreshingly took about eleven minutes to complete?  (String music builds...)  Was it the first time you heard that goofy remix of Hey Jude and realized Sammy Saito could pitch?  Are you the downbeat sort that will let the memory of the Mets series dominate your gray matter?

(Crescendo...) To paraphrase the ubiquitous Dodger commercials of 2006, "What did you take home?"

BK

(fade out...)

Because it looks like Barry Zito isn't headed to New York to play for the Mets, but will stay in the Bay Area and hurl for the Giants.  Ironic, since the composition of the roster had generally made their fans want to do the same.  Who can blame them?   It's irritating to see pros pocket all that cash, then stand in line with them at the movie theater and watch them get their senior discount, too. 

Since he's not really going anywhere, Zito won't even need to sell his house and brave the pricey San Francisco market.  Of course, at $18 million per year, he could if he felt the urge.  Assuming they ever get younger, this obviously helps the G-Men.  But next year, all Zito does is slide into the #1 slot vacated by L.A.'s very own Jason Schmidt.  They weren't very good last year, haven't improved over the winter, and I don't see this getting San Francisco back to the top of the NL West.  But Zito should have success at whatever they call that stadium these days, and could help the Giants avoid being really bad.  Who knows?  Zito and a healthy Bonds could prove me wrong, but right now, I still wouldn't worry too much about San Francisco. 

BK

Given the salaries that have flown around since the start of free agency this winter, I think it's fair to say that most players have already received their Christmas presents, helping the hot stove lower from a boil to a simmer entering the holiday weekend.  So all the big Dodgerland issues- where will the power come from, what uniform will Brad Penny be wearing come spring training, how long would it take Ned Colletti to grow the sort of 'stache to compete with these guys, etc.- in will wait until next week, at least.  So let's take the time to reflect on one more gift some former players are hoping to get in the near future- a ticket to Cooperstown. 

The eligibility of Mark McGwire, Jose Canseco, and Ken Caminiti for enshrinement in '07 has pushed the steroid question to the forefront, or more fore in the forefront, since it really hasn't gone anywhere.  Caminiti isn't a consideration, and Canseco would be a long shot even without the needle issues, but McGwire gives writers their first opportunity to accept or reject a symbol of the Steroid Era.  The general consensus is that Big Mac won't get in this year, but the larger debate is on how to handle players from the last decade and a half, give or take. 

I know I'm not an L.A. native, and perhaps that sort of thing matters in a case like this, but once again, the Dodger Dog is being placed in some pretty lofty company with which it doesn't belong.  Yes, the somewhat sorry excuse for a ballpark dog has been nominated by AOL CityGuide for its "City's Best Hot Dogs 2007" honor for Los Angeles.  From the press release sent by the Dodgers:

"The world famous Farmer John Dodger Dog is competing against Carney’s, Hot Dog on a Stick, Jack’s Diner & Billiard Club, Jody Maroni’s Sausage Kingdom, Nathan’s Famous, Skooby’s Hot Dogs, Weiner Factory, The Stand and Pink’s... The Dodger Dog has been a staple at Dodger Stadium since 1962.  The Travel Channel named Dodger Stadium the world's best stadium for fine dining in 2004." 

Because Jayson Werth is now a Phillie!  He of the seemingly permanent bum wrist and the Dodgers parted ways after the front office declined to offer him a contract.  From the blog's perspective, this kinda sucks, since Werth (when healthy and in the house) was probably the funniest guy on the squad.  Hell, dude even had a faux-hawk for a few days!  That's wacky, kids!  And given the lack of quotable guys on this roster (I'm really hoping Randy Wolf turns out to be a regular at The Comedy Store), Werth's absence may be felt from an "adding flavor to an article" perspective. 

Toby Hall, we hardly knew 'ya.  Literally.  I mean, the guy had what, nine ABs as a Dodger?  Four?   Did Grady even make him show up for a lot of games?  Either way, when Hall was traded, he worried (a little too publicly) that it would hurt him to be a backup at a time he wanted to showcase himself for his pending free agency.  It's hard to get a starting gig somewhere else when you're sitting, so the theory went.  Turns out, Toby was dead on, evidenced by the two year deal he just signed with the White Sox to back up A.J. Pierzynski.  Kudos to his soothsaying abilities. 

Click below the jump for some nice quotes I yanked from Baseball Prospectus on Logan White, the Prospect Whisperer who has helped bring a ton of excitement back to the Dodger faithful.   Something to tide us over while Ned Colletti tries to generate some actual news.

BK

Damn, you people don't even let a guy finish his morning Cheerios and sports page before you start posting the news.  But anyway, word is that J.D. Drew's physical may not have come out clean, and whatever issues popped up are delaying the formal consummation of his 5 year/$70 million deal with the Red Sox.  As the article points out, it's no easy task given all the potential choices to try and figure out what part of Drew is on the fritz and who knows, it might not be that at all... but if you're a BoSox fan, is this how you wanted to start your weekend?   

Hits, walks, breaks.  That's our man.

BK

And that's why we're giving you answers.  Or really, our Times amigo Steve Henson is giving you answers.  But we're linking those answers, which is almost as impressive.  And speaking of impressive, that's how I would describe the restraint needed to theoretically turn down this kinda scratch.  Granted, he's gonna get paid no matter where he goes, which is a why a coin flip could still be in order.  But Vern might as well be tossing a two headed dealie, because I'm betting either side will equal "staying in Canada."

AK

Because you're helping to pay for him.  (Try not to let it effect your opinion of Ned Colletti.)  The Dodgers announced that prices for most 2007 season ticket packages have gone up anywhere from 14 to 40%.  No word yet on individual game tix, but if I were a betting man, and I am, I'd say they'll bump up as well.  But hey, at least you'll get to see a team full of dudes itching to play for an L.A. crowd in an atmosphere that can even pound the cynicism out of a sports columnist.  That ain't easy.  Vernon Wells would sweeten the mood even more, but Toronto isn't going to quietly let him walk.   

In other news, don't let the pasty photo of Jerry Reinsdorf accompanying this article discourage you from getting an update on the Blue's future spring training situation. 

Once a Slim Fast pitchman, now he's Santa.   Guess the shakes didn't take.  But it didn't keep Tommy Lasorda from giving some time to sick kids.

BK

Or any other cast member from Law & Order because Ned Colletti has opted not to pursue tampering charges against the Sawx.  Maybe it just wasn't worth the effort, give how slim the chances of winning these cases are.  Or maybe Colletti just didn't want to spend any extra seconds in a room with Satan... er, Scott Boras.  Hey, get in line, Ned.  But I can still picture the court room scene, if witnesses are actually sworn in for these types of cases.

The Blue had a conference call last week to give the media a chance to speak with new Dodgers Jason Schmidt and Luis Gonzalez.  Unfortunately, despite technology that allows man to reach the moon, our collective advancement in multiple caller technology seems to be lacking.  Ned Colletti sounded close enough to, as the old slogan (sort of) goes, "reach out and touch," assuming you could reach out and touch Saturn.  As for Schmidt, he might as well have been talking though a tin can on a string (from Saturn, of course), clear as he came through.

Gonzalez, however, was loud and clear, as if he was in my office yelling in my ear.   So what would have been a smattering of pulled quotes from all three is now a Gonzo fest.  Click below for more.

I was going to take the afternoon off, but Dodgerskip baited me into a fresh post.  Curse you, Dodgerskip! 

Anyway, the winter meetings are over, and the Dodgers have come away with three new Blues in Jason Schmidt, Mike Lieberthal, and Luis Gonzalez.  What they didn't get was a power bat- no Gonzo doesn't come with a time machine back to 2001- to stick in the middle of the order.  Ned Colletti isn't worried, and is very pleased with what the Dodgers accomplished... should you be?  I'd say yes.  Schmidt is a huge signing, giving L.A. two top quality starters at the front of the rotation to go with Randy Wolf, an increasingly less important Brad Penny, and Billingsley/Kuo.  Yes, I'm putting them ahead of Tomko- and am pulling early for Kuo.  A hard throwing lefty that just kills when he's on?  It seems worth seeing if he can do the job over the long haul.  Given Penny's propensity for weight gain, back issues, and inability to pitch deep into games- all of which are likely related, I think there's a good chance the Blue would be more productive with both Kuo and Billingsley in the rotation.  And it's not because I think Penny is going to be as bad as he was over the second half last year, just that the other two could be good enough to outperform him.   

So I'm drinking my morning tea, eating my morning bagel, and trolling through various sites looking for fresh Dodger news for you little rugrats when I come across a certain article that causes my keyboard tapping fingers to freeze, my throat to choke on the chewed up bagel remnants inside, and the tea to slowly drool down the sides of a now slackjawed mouth:

Cardinals Emerge as Bonds' 'Mystery Suitor.'

I don't own a record player, so I immediately got in my car, sped off to the nearest pawn shop and purchased an old school turntable, just so I could make that "needle scratching to a halt" sound.  It just felt necessary. 

To say the least, not a happy camper.

There will be plenty more coming in the morning, but in case you missed it, the Dodgers capped a rather busy Wednesday by inking former Diamondbacks LF Luis Gonzalez to a one year, $7 million contract.  The move will push Andre Ethier to right.  Clearly the prospect of turning left field over to James Loney wasn't something Ned Colletti was comfortable with... or perhaps he's stockpiling options to make one last trade before the winter meetings close shop and all the baseball writers go home.  Not every player in the bigs is repped by Scott Boras, right?

BK

Grady Little sat down for a press conference today at the winter meetings. (Download g. Little - 12.06.06.doc ). Not too much earth-shattering news in here, other than some insight on the Beimel situation, and Grady saying that as of interview time (which was after a late lunch on the East Coast) the deal with Schmidt wasn't official. Though perhaps he hadn't read this.

—BK

Jason Schmidt is on the verge of donning a blue uni.  But before anybody worry about the righty being able to absorb the costs of moving his stuff to a new house, fear not. He's being very well compensated for relocating.  Schmidt's hurling not only provides a legit ace presence, but his experience will help offset the defection of last season's resident Yoda.  Perhaps Schmidt can even become the newest L.A. mound legend, since the last true king of the hill is likely to abdicate that title. 

Obviously, it'll be hard for Schmidt to match the fan favorite status a certain now ex-Dodger became during his stint in the Ravine.  My suggestion for "J to the S?"  Host a petting zoo for the kids.  Or exhibit a pulse rate registering slightly higher than a coma patient's.  Whichever is simpler.   

Also, Julio Lugo opted not to stick around.  In related news, Paris Hilton makes a drunken idiot of herself and there is traffic on the 405.

AK

Some days in the winter, you wake up and things are pretty quiet.  Other days?  You get serious news, starting with this: the Dodgers are on the verge of signing arguably the best FA pitcher (no slight intended to Barry Zito) on the market, as Jason Schmidt looks L.A. bound.  The $47 million he'll earn over the next three years should mitigate any concerns he has over our city's traffic issues.  And as we mentioned yesterday, the Blue have also retained the services of Takashi Saito for '07, meaning Eric Gagne is likely out the door (if he wasn't already).  Game over still wants to close.  Should he head to Boston, he'll have buddies to hang with in Julio Lugo and J.D. Drew, who have officially moved on to Boston, where Scott Boras thinks he'll be just fine. And, just in case anyone still thought Ned Colletti and Scotty B might patch things up and start playing a weekly racquetball game, Greg Maddux will head down the 5 to San Diego to pitch for the Pads, proud owner of a $10 mil deal for next year and a player option for '08.  Much shuffling in the NL West. 

Well, at least the closer spot is all buttoned up for next year.  Takashi Saito has re-upped with the Blue, signing a one year deal for a cool mil guaranteed, with the possibility of more if Saito finds, as Borat would say, "Great success."  Needless to say (but we get paid by the word, so we'll say it anyway), this is a good move.

BK

The rain's apparently about to start coming down in Orlando, but when it comes to the hunt for a big bat to drop into the Dodger lineup, the forecast basically calls for a whole lotta "dry."  True, the Florida meetings have involved a lot of talk about a certain dude who's just being a certain dude.  And it would be child's play to pry him from Theo Epstein's clutches.  Unfortunately, that's the problem, since the children in question are pretty special.  And unless the Beantown wunderkind agrees on a package involving fewer players born after 1983, it's a swap unlikely to induce mutual signatures.

As Ned Colletti works his way through the winter meetings, the big Dodger talk still centers around our favorite eccentric Red Sox outfielder.  But right now, the price is still too high.  How the whole Manny Thing will play out over the next couple days/weeks/months is pretty interesting.  The guy is so freakin' goofy that it's hard to get a read of what's going on (and it's not like I'm getting calls daily from him, just to keep me in the loop).  Yeah, he's asked for a trade, but in other news, the sun rose in the east this morning.  In his winter meetings preview, Joe Sheehan of www.baseballprospectus.com points out that given how well he's played in Boston and the Sox have had with him around, he's obviously not that big a distraction.  Does Epstein really have to move him?

Okay, the headline basically gives away all the information, but in case you're not reading in between the lines, here it is: The Dodgers have declined to offer arbitration to FAs Eric Gagne, Greg Maddux, and Kenny Lofton, but did extend it to Julio Lugo.  With the Red Sox looking mighty interested in the infielder, the hope (I figure), is that the Blue will get an extra draft pick out of the deal as compensation.  Not offering to Gagne and Lofton is a no-brainer, since Lofton isn't needed post-Pierre and they don't want to risk Gagne accepting.  Maddux?  It could be a courtesy to a guy who's been around for a long, long time.  Players typically don't like the restrictions arbitration places on them, and since the new rules allow for continued negotiations with a player not offered arbitration, the hope is a deal can get done.  But Ned Colletti is clearly interested in having Maddux return. 

The Phillies didn't offer Mike Lieberthal arbitration, so look for him to sign here and back up Russell Martin.  As for other moves?  The Blue bring a lot of chips to the table. 

BK

As promised, here's a little more from GM Ned Colletti at Tuesday's presser to unveil the new jerseys and new players.  Unfortunately, due to technical issues some of the audio files I had were corrupted (and by that I mean accidentally deleted at last night's Laker game) and won't be posted, so my apologies.  I'll add some old fashioned typed quotes at the bottom for any leftovers.  Click below the jump to hear the sounds that remain after WoahIShouldn'tHavePressedThatButtonGate. 

BK