Don Mattingly, we didn't even hardly knew ye

hopefully colletti's acquisitions fare better than last years. take a look at this article about last years deals. wow. $40M down the drain, with $77M more looking like the same...

http://mlbfleecefactor.com/2008/01/22/a-look-back-the-dodgers-2007-investments/

I agree....that is kind of weird. Maybe the Dodgers are requiring him giving up a year of free ageny, though, and he doesnt want to. Just guessing.

Higgins,
I got the same vibe when I read about Martin also...It's like he's ready to "bolt" for the money as soon as he has time served

Well, assuming they are telling the truth (as far as it can be told), it seems that Don wanted some time away for some reason. Keep in mind that he's still a coach for the Dodgers.

Package,

I agree with you on LaRoche. He's not actually proven himself as a hitter and has had the benefit of playing in 'Vegas. What the Dodgers get from Nomar will be at worst, a bonus. And, at best, may prove to be a savior.

The impression I get (especially from the Times story) is that there's some particular family issue that requires Mattingly to be home more often. Let's hope it's not some sort of Andy Reid situation.

And I'm not sure what to make of the Martin thing. I'm not entirely certain he's really ready to "bolt." Maybe it's just a negotiation tactic to get a Tulowitski/James Shields level deal.

I don't think anyone is sold on LaRoche. Certainly he hasn't played enough at the MLB level to warrant being given the job. However, his minor league record warrants that he be given a legitimate shot to earn it. And yes, there are questions concerning Nomar. As unproven as LaRoche is, I'm not comfortable with Nomar either. His recent injury history, and power decline are reasons for real concern. It might well be that he will have a lot more productive numbers in a backup role.

If LaRoche exhibits the patience at the plate that he did in his first go round with the Dodgers last year, he would fit very well into the 8th spot in the order. I personally liked what I saw during his time with the Dodgers. His low batting average did not concern me, because that's not unusual when young players get their first taste of the big leagues. I saw a controlled, short, quick stroke. Given a chance to get comfortable, I believe he can be a productive player. As for power, he's exhibited that in the minor leagues, and I see no reason why it won't emerge at the MLB level.

I'm not saying LaRoche is Russell Martin. But let's admit it, two years ago, a lot of you would have been saying the same things about Martin taking over as the Dodger catcher if there was a proven veteran in front of him. LaRoche may turn out to be a total flop, but Nomar brings risks also.

And what's so "ho hum" about .280? Also, even if LaRoche tears it up in spring training, it doesn't prove a thing. Does anyone remember Larry Bigbie and Wilson Valdez from last year?

One other point about LaRoche. If he wins the job, he deserves a long term shot at holding it, if only because he has a history of slow starts in the minor leagues.

Of course, all of this is academic. Joe Torre is ultimately going to make the decision, and we're all going to have to trust that it's based on sound reasoning. It could be that third will be manned by someone else other than Nomar or LaRoche. Lot's can happen between now and the beginning of the season (or even a bit later than that).

Rob,
Trade Furcal to let Nomar play short....wow that's a strech....what were you smoking when you came up with that one? Just kidding, you are right about the infant situation but you would think he had enough money to hire a nanny so it didn't affect his work.

Brooklyn Dodger
A .280 batting avg. is ho hum if you sit a career .300+ 6 time all star plus he hit over .280 during his off year (last year), in favor of an unproven rookie, and please stop with comparing of minor league stats and situations to that of the major league. I am sorry that you don't like Nomar, but let's face it, so far, Andy can't carry Nomar's lunch bucket. One other thing, Nomar played over a 100 games last year and could have played more but the Dodgers had to live with the Grady---Wilson Betemit stupidity move.

Rob
You are definitely right on with the infant thing. Even though that should not interfere with his ability to do the job, it probably did.

First time poster on this blog- I read Laroche picked up a few pointers from mattingly while he was here. Thats more than the Dodgers hitting coach all last year.

Package, Benzo, KTN,
I'm speaking from experience. I have an one year old and I can't do my job at all. Good thing I'm my own boss or I would be fired... I'm actually thinking of firing myself?! If Nomar is anything like me (control freak) he might have a hard time letting a nanny take care of his twins.... although as Benzo mentioned the "French Maid" outfit will definitely go a long way in giving up some of that control.

I don’t agree that Nomar is done, but I am of the opinion that he is no longer the 6 time all-star of years past. He hasn’t been that player for a quite a while. Nomar hit .283/.328/.371 last year with 7 HR and 59 RBI. He will be 35 in July, no greybeard, but probably on the downside of his career. I like Nomar, but think at this stage of his career he is best suited to be a part-time player. As such, I believe he is more likely to stay healthy and productive.

If the Dodgers intend to solve their third base problem long term, then they either need to look outside the organization for a trade that will have a cost in players, or look within, where they have a legitimate (albeit largely untested) prospect in LaRoche. I believe this is a logical progression for a team that appears to be making a major investment in other young players such as Martin, Kemp, Loney, Billingsley, Broxton, etc. At worst, if LaRoche doesn’t cut it, Nomar is around as a fallback. The only other young third basemen of note in the Dodgers organization are Pedro Baez and Josh Bell, both very young players that are at best 2-3 years away, assuming that they don’t stall as they move up to higher levels.

I look for the Dodgers offense to be pretty productive this year, and expect a dramatic increase in power from players like Loney, Kemp and Ethier. Martin could also produce more power, and certainly the addition of Andruuw Jones will do the same. Hopefully, Furcal will be back to health, and have a good year. I think that they have enough offense to give LaRoche a long look at third, especially if he hits 8th. In fact, if Nomar plays, I can’t see him hitting anywhere but 8th, not a good spot for someone with a tendency to swing at first pitches. Again, if LaRoche doesn’t work out, there’s always Nomar or the possibility of a trade by the July 31st deadline.

Baseball America in its 2008 Prospect Handbook rates LaRoche the #2 prospect in the Dodger organization, just behind Clayton Kershaw. Here’s what they have to say:

“The Dodgers took a 39th-round flier on LaRoche in 2003 and signed him for $1 million after he tore up the Cape Cod League that summer. He’s the son of former major league all-star Dave and the brother of Pirates first baseman Adam. Andy entered spring training in competition for Los Angeles’ third-base job, but went 11-for-51 without a homer in big league camp and spent most of the season at Tripe-A Las Vegas. He had left shoulder surgery after the 2006 season, which might have precipitated his slow start, and he battled back soreness in 2007 as well. LaRoche has plus raw power and a good feel for hitting. When he gets his arms extended, balls fly off his bat to all fields. He lets balls travel deep and has plus bat speed to catch up with the best of fastballs. He has advanced pitch recognition and commands the strike zone well when he stays within himself. He’s a slightly below-average defender with a solid-average arm. LaRoche’s approach was inconsistent last season. He was overly patient at times when he first got to the majors in May, then chased balls out of the zone in his second try with the Dodgers in September. He also gets pull-happy at the plate. He’s a below-average runner with unexceptional range defensively. Los Angeles would like to see him take his preparation more seriously. His injury history is more extensive than he or the club would like. LaRoche profiles as an everyday third baseman, with the potential to bat in the middle of a lineup. The Dodgers haven’t been able to fill the hole at third base since Adrian Beltre left in 2005, and LaRoche should finally get his opportunity this season.”

Package,

I'm not sure that spring training stats are going to be the only determining factor in Torre's decision. As I noted previously, we saw last year with Larry Bigbie and Wilson Valdez how unreliable spring stats can be. In the end, I think Torre will make a decision based on a combination of performance and the feel he has for both players.

Like I said, I'm not completely sold on LaRoche. The bulging disk in his back is a source of concern. But supposedly it's manageable if he diligently does his prescribed exercises. Also, although it's not reflected in his stats, I liked what I saw last year, and some of that was buttressed by the Baseball America piece. But, I agree, at this point LaRoche has a lot to prove. I just think it's worth it to give him that chance, if only because I'm not sold on Nomar being able to hold down the position full-time during the season, and long term in general.

Actually, during the winter I was somewhat hopeful that the Dodgers might be able to swing a deal to bring back Beltre. But that didn't happen, and is not likely to.