Resolved

Brad Penny: Make sure that lost offseason weight stays lost.
I've been convinced since Penny arrived in L.A. that his annual second-half swoons and nagging injuries are largely the result of conditioning.  Or lack thereof.  I'm not a doctor, nor has this notion been confirmed by a doctor, but that's my story and I'm sticking to it.  Last season saw Penny arrive at spring training slim and trim (by his standards), the foundation for a wickedly good April-July.  But as we've grown to expect, the second half saw Penny grow a little more doughy and dinged up, with his numbers suffering in turn.  Granted, accrued heft wasn't as extreme as 2006's.  And neither was the stats drop, which further convinces me that if he stays in shape, an entirely consistent and productive season will follow.  2007 saw Penny evolve from strictly a fire baller to a dude pulling out a grab bag of stops.  If he can further shock with his waistline, opposing hitters better look out.

Russell Martin: Recognize that you're already the team's heart and soul, so "vocal leader" is the next logical step.
This Dodger squad, in my opinion, is made up of mostly good eggs, but also decidedly lacking the presence of "a voice."  A rallying force to unify players during tough times.  Perhaps it's a cliche, but I do believe such things matter.  Unfortunately, the list of potential candidates strikes me as either "Players still too young and/or just a bit too immature" (Andre Ethier, James Loney, Matt Kemp), "Veteran hurlers who, like 99% of their pitching brethren, don't feel comfortable in such a role while playing every five days" (Penny, Derek Lowe), "Veterans on the quiet, mellow side" (Nomar Garciaparra, Juan Pierre), "Veterans actually possessing that charisma, but potentially uncomfortable galvanizing the English-only speaking troops in a second language" (Rafael Furcal) or "Veterans who are just plain lost causes for such a quest" (Jeff Kent).

Which leaves the Dodgers with basically one fella.  Which works out fine, since I think he's also a great choice and capable of stepping into some vacant shoes.  This would be a rather daunting role for most third year players, but Martin is also the most mature young athlete I've ever been around.  I don't see this challenge as too much for him, in large part because the requisite respect from his teammates is already there.  I've never seen a veteran pitching staff so eagerly gravitate towards a young catcher.  And he's already a de facto spokesperson for the "kids," so I don't foresee any resentment from his peer set.  Most importantly, I really think the Dodgers sorely need somebody to take these particular reins.

Estaban Loaiza: Man up.
BK and I have often joked that Loaiza was truly a seamless fifth starter replacement for Brett Tomko, in that both not only pitched poorly, but would come up with endless rationales explaining why a shelled outing didn't really go all that bad.  On two occasions, I recall Loaiza saying that were it not for multiple homers surrendered during the game, his performance would have been pretty good.  Which is like saying that "Minus the four strikeouts, I had a pretty good day at the plate."  Look, if you don't throw well, just say so, share what you think what wrong and leave it at that.  But these "if my aunt had different anatomy, she'd be my uncle" come off somewhere between "unconvincing" and "occasionally bizarre."

Andy LaRoche: Keep reminding folks that you're the best
I don't care that your young big league career is so far being regarded by some as disappointing.  I don't care if those folks would prefer established blood be imported to man the hot corner at your expense.  I don't care if you never get another hit while playing for the big club.  Your at-bat music still rules.  Don't change that tune.  Ever.  This is coming from me and your uncle Joe Esposito (who also has roots in the baseball community).
 
Ned Colletti: Treat Juan Pierre's contract for what it is.  No more.  No less.
A few readers have asked BK and I if we think Ned Colletti will pressure Joe Torre to play Juan Pierre every day to protect his rep, the logic being that Pierre as a fourth outfielder comes off as an admission that signing him was a mistake, a public concession some honchos wouldn't find palatable.  My guess?  I don't see it as an issue.  Colletti has never struck me as particularly ego driven (if anything, more the opposite).  Beyond that, Colletti's already demonstrated a willingness to "admit" a move was a mistake in so many words (and deals).  His first splashy move of 2006 was trading for Danys Baez.  And not much time passed before he shipped Baez to Atlanta for Wilson Betemit (himself flipped the next season).  I remember being very impressed that a first season GM would so readily allow a high profile move to come off as a failure.  Others might keep Baez around just to prevent crow sandwiches.  Besides, Andruw Jones' mere presence equals an admission that 2007's center field "upgrade" required a 2008 makeover, so the writing's already wall bound as it is.  Thus, I don't picture Colletti allowing image issues to interfere with Dodger bidness.

But just in case, a reminder...

You're paying Pierre the exact same dollars no matter if he's starting in left, coming off the bench for Ethier, or gets reinvented as a very situational lefty.  That weekly paycheck doesn't change.  Pierre's is a sunken costs contract any way you slice matters.  Therefore, you might as well run with the best outfield.  In my humble opinion, that would be Ethier in left, Jones in center, Kemp in right and Pierre putting on a best face while cheering from the dugout.  This is no indictment of Pierre.  It's just that the other three present a better O/D combo, plain and simple.  Obviously, should a trade go down involving one of the four cats in question, everything changes.  But otherwise, any self-imposed pressure to "justify" Pierre's presence should be ignored.  "Justification" doesn't pay the rent.  Wins, however, do. 

Joe Torre: When Colletti gives you his blessing when it comes to said Ethier-Jones-Kemp lineup, run with it.

These are just a few I'm throwing out.  Got any of your own?

-AK