Whether you're talking "Bob Barker" or "Drew Carey" era

Kevin...You're right....I understand that Colletti has not made one phone call or met with even one other Gm since he has been in Nashville! Any chance that you could be the Dodger GM? You seem to know so much while sitting on the toilet!

Package,

I appreciate your point about the Red Sox and Yankees being "whatever it takes" spenders, but the Yankees are also the laughing stock of the DECADE with that team and the money they've spent (and the lack of results).

When I hear "Bedard", I think "Schmidt" for some reason...

Also, I appreciate people's opinions, but I dont want to be hear all day!!!
KEEP THE POSTS SHORT!

Thanks for the info. DBB.

I don't know if the Forbes numbers include the regional networks. But it appears to me that they value the teams themselves, which likely would NOT include the networks.

However, the Yankees, Red Sox and Mets are clearly valued considerably higher than the Dodgers (the Yankees trump the Dodgers by 2:1). As for the Angels and Tigers, although their value is considerably less than the Dodgers, they are both owned by Billionaires. The Tigers owner Mike Illitch is listed with a net worth of $1.5 billion (I believe it's derived from Dominoes Pizza), and Arte Moreno's net worth is listed at $1.2 billion. Considering that McCourt's purchase of the Dodgers was leveraged with considerable debt, I doubt if he's worth anything near either of them.

I don't remember where I read it, but I do recall once reading that the Yankees YES network was valued in the billions of dollars.

Also, the Forbes info. states that the Yankees new stadium that's set to open in 2009 is expected to increase revenues at least $50 million annually. In addition, the Mets signed a record naming rights deal with Citicorp that will pay them $400 million over 20 years. That's $20 million per year. Forbes also states that the Red Sox signed a deal that will bring them $16 million annually for radio rights, which is double what they previously received. I don't know what the Dodgers or any of the other teams derive from radio rights.

Again, I can't point you to a particular article, but I recall reading several months ago that the Angels are exploring the creation of a regional network. I expect that this is something that the Dodgers will also pursue, but likely not until they are free of Fox.

I don't know how much money the Dodgers receive from Fox, but you can rest assured it's not the lions share of the revenue. It was mentioned that the Red Sox own an 80% share of NESN. I'm not sure what the percentages are for the Yankees (YES) and the Mets (SNY), but I would imagine somewhere between 80 - 100%. And these are full fledged networks that broadcast year round, not just during the baseball season.

I don't pretend to be an expert on these networks. However, everything I've read indicates that they are highly lucrative. Some of you may recall that when Boras was marketing A-Rod he talked about signing a deal with a team that had a regional network. The idea was to market A-Rod through the network.

Regarding team attendance, follow the link below. For 2007 the Yankees drew 4.271 million, the Dodgers 3.856 million, the Mets 3.853 million and the Red Sox a mere 2.97 million.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/attendance

I've been a Dodger fan my entire life. My father was a Dodger fan and my sons are Dodger fans. I just don't get it. I won't give another penny to this
franchise until either the McCourts sell or spend some money. They are
the largest revenue making sports team on the west coast. All we have heard since he took over is that he will do anything and everthing to bring
a winner to LA. We're all still wating. No Hunter, no A-Rod, no Cabrera but we may get an unproven pitcher from Japan. Andrew Jones had a bad year. He still hit more home runs than any other Dodger. I can't and I won't
take it anymore!

I personally don't mind if the Dodgers spend the next season giving the young guys a chance to show what they've got in front of Joe Torre. Will they have what it takes to win it all? Probably not. But it'll be fun to see if Loney, Kemp, Martin, Billingsley, Ethier, LaRoche can blossom the way Jeter and Rivera did for Torre in NY. I imagine that Torre will be able to discern the true players from the fakers, and then we can jettison the fakers to go for it all in 2009. By that time, the next batch (Kershaw, Elbert, Hu, etc) should be ready to make an impact. Just a gut feeling, but I feel like Kershaw is going to be really special, maybe one of the top five pitchers in the NL a few years down the road.

The biggest thing I can't figure out is Delwyn Young and where he stands. Seems like the kid can flat out rake it, but his defensive deficiencies are keeping him down. He's already paid his dues in the minors, and it would seem that you either give him a chance this year or you trade him.

Kevin,

May I remind you that the "glory" that the Karros-Piazza-Mondesi-Nomo-Hollandsworth years brought also brought zero playoff wins. The only post-season victory came courtesy of "Lima Time" vs. AK/BK's Cardinals several years back.

Funny that in reading today's report that Cabrera and Willis were traded to Detroit for 4 players who "were not expected to start this year for the Tigers". That's a far cry from wanting Loney AND Kemp from the Dodgers. Either we're being oversold on Dodger prospects' abilities or GMs feel that Coletti can be fleeced. Remember the proposed David Wells for Loney or Kemp?

I like Matt Kemp -- no doubt about it. If you tripled his HR's and AB's, then yes, he'll be about as good as Jones (which is indeed a possibility but as yet unseen -- and yes I know that Forrest had a lot to do with that). BUT, he is the first player mentioned in any trade talks, so in all probability he will be traded for Bedard or some other player, which brings us back to needing a power hitting OF. My point is, if the Dodgers are bent on giving away Kemp in a trade, then they better shell out to replace hit bat (real or potential).

Thank Goodness Cabrera is off the table. I don't know why the MArlins were willing to accept minor leaguers for him, when they were demanding Loney and Kemp from us, but whatever. He was a fat disaster waiting to happen. Best of all, there will be no more talk of Dontrelle Willis becoming a Dodger. Nice guy, greath enthusiasm, but not really a good pitcher despite the press clips. He's coming off a disastrous season (the pitching equivalent of Andrruw Jones), and he's showing an increasing tendency to walk batters. Look for him to shine in the AL for the first half, as people are mesmerized by the leg kick, then fizzle in the second half as they learn to take walks and disable the leg kick, leading to homers galore. (29 of them last year).

Kemp and Broxton for BEdard? No way. For Santana? in a heartbeat. Why the difference? Two guys named CY Young. bedard is a nice pitcher, and could some day become Johan Santana. But so could Broxton.

I believe Broxton is being wasted in the setup role. Hee'd be so much more valuable as a starter. He doesn't have a closer's mentality, as we saw in his several stints pinch hitting for Saito, so there's no point in grooming him to be the last man out of the bullpen. I think the Dodgers can get away with one more year of Saito and Broxton, but will want to re-evaluate the bullpen and rotation in 2009, when Penny and Lowe depart.

A rotation of Broxton, Billingsley, Kershaw, Penny (he'll only be 32, and worth re-signing) and Schmidt/Kuo/Meloan/ whoever might look pretty good. And Brazoban will be back to fill out the bullpen.

This team will gel, just give it some time. There's no reason to do something for the sake of doing something.

Chuckdog,

I think you are on to something. And I think the case is that other GM's are of the opinion that they could fleece the Dodgers in any trade. Look at what the Marlins were asking for of the Dodgers: 4 MLB-roster ready players. Yet, when dealing with Dombrowski and the Tigers, the Marlins are just fine accepting 6 minor league prospects of have just a sprinkling of major league experience. Does anyone else think this smells of collusion between Jim Leyland and his former employers in Miami???

I am really glad that Ned did not pull the trigger on a trade for Dontrelle & Piggy. I agree with Cordova, that signing Kuroda should be key for Ned right now. And as AK suggests, I would be happy with a outfield that has Pierre in left, Kemp in right, and Ethier in Center.

Chunk dog..... If you read my comment that is exactly what I meant, they held on to the YOUTH of the team in the mid 90's karros-piazza-mondesi-hollandsworthless and nomo, and it got them NOwhere.... and for the most part the young talent on this team isnt even as good as those teams were...
Until the team learns how to spend money wisely... ( much better than tomko, schmidt, pierre, etc) WE all will be doomed for yet another season of watching them play right around .500 ball going back and forth with the pads and d-backs... and maybe sneaking into the playoffs just to get mopped up yet again.... If they go out and sign Andruw Jones.. put him in center, move Pierre to right... you free up kemp to put together in a package deal that would bring in a decent pitcher... And you would strengthen the team and not cost you much more than Matt Kemp.. who I like and is a good hitter. There is NO reason this offense shouldnt be scoring runs at will... Hopefully Furcal comes back 100% next season, with him and Pierre at the top of the order setting the table and then follow that up with Loney and Martin and hopefully an Andrew Jones.... that is a difficult lineup for anyteam to pitch too.... and Steve Phillips on Espn mentioned the Dodgers possibly bringing in Mike Cameron... WHY??? And what about 3rd base?? is Larouche ready? He is a decent looking young player that from what it looked like when he was up with the club last year still needs some more time in the minors.... So we are still stuck with Nomar at 3rd... always liked the guy hes a good ballplayer but he just doesnt fit here.... COME ON COLLETTI get out there and sign Andruw Jones!!