It begins
Gentlemen, start your checkbooks. It's officially free-agency season!
Perusing the Top 50 list of ESPN.com's Keith Law, I have to admit being intrigued by one particularly tall, unusually old left-handed pitcher listed at #17. Glad to see I wasn't the only one (and Jon's a smart guy, so clearly I'm not crazy).
BK
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Oh well, I guess I don't need to know who #17 is. ;)
Posted by: BostonPeng | November 14, 2008 at 12:26 PM
Yes we need pitching, but the idea of adding Randy Johnson seems pretty scary to me. I do think it's worth taking a look at but certainly not an option till you weigh all the other pitching options out there.
Although Johnson would seemingly be an upgrade over Penny for around 9mil next year. You have to wonder how long this guy is going to hold up. If he is set back by injuries in the 2nd half, how motivated is he going to be to come back if he's reached 500 wins.
The idea that he would be a mentor to the young pitchers seems a bit far fetched as well. He is not Greg Maddux, a fun loving guy who enjoys sharing knowledge. Throughout his career Johnson has had the rep of being standoffish and grumpy in the clubhouse. Not unlike a certain 2nd baseman that we are thankfully moving on from this off-season. We all saw how well that worked out in the clubhouse!
Just feels like we might be able to commit that 9-10 mill somewhere else that might be more help.
Posted by: jukuren | November 14, 2008 at 01:40 PM
Big Unit
Posted by: Blue Fan | November 14, 2008 at 01:47 PM
The notion of Long Randy Johnson pitching FOR us instead of AGAINST us is just too crazy to wrap my head around. But maybe it's just crazy enough to work...
Posted by: VA Blueblood | November 14, 2008 at 02:09 PM
I think we need to forget Manny and use all that money to fill holes. The Dodgers with Manny and without a solid starter and third baseman are worse than the Dodgers without Manny, but with a good rotation and consistent bats throughout the lineup. I'm probably in the minority, though.
www.diamond-theory.com
Posted by: Ben | November 14, 2008 at 02:36 PM
Ben,
Is diamond-theory yours, or are you just referencing the manny article?
I feel like we are in the minority too, but what has put us there is our refusal to give in to sentiment. Cuz I at least have to admit that I love Manny. I really do. I'm not sure there's any other athlete out there I'd rather have a beer with. He's a guy that may actually be more interesting for his personality than for his stat line (and he does in fact have one helluva interesting stat line). I'm not sure the term "mercurial slugger" has had a better owner. And don't tell my wife, but I suspect that I may be the slightest bit gay for him.
And all that being said, if we are only spending $120 million next year (of which I've read $60 million is not already committed), I just don't think it makes sense to tie up 25% of that in one player. Especially one who will in fact be a defensive liability. He makes so much more sense on an AL team right now.
I find it very, very, interesting that the Yankees did not immediately make him an offer today--and yet did reportedly offer CC the highest pitcher contract ever. Even the Yankees, with their endless Steinbrenner spending, would rather have the best arm out there...
But here's why that's interesting: the Dodgers may just have already made Manny the highest per-year offer he's going to get. This may in fact be the first time that Scott Boras will get a client less than he promised...
Flanders has got to rise-diddily-ise above his intelligence and play this very, very carefully...
Posted by: VA Blueblood.com | November 14, 2008 at 04:37 PM
Talking about Jones...
Is anyone REALLY willing to roll the dice on this guy for another year? If Borass can work something out I'm sure McCourt will take it. Plus Andruw doesn't really want to come back (but he will for the money).
But who would want to pay him a few million a year after the last 2 seasons, let alone even half of his 16 mill owed.
Posted by: Andy B | November 14, 2008 at 05:26 PM
I really am not looking forward to the Dodgers Marketing department selling "pockmark" masks a la the Manny Dread hats....
Posted by: benzo jones | November 14, 2008 at 06:13 PM
is "big unit" like "g-unit", cause if so I want to party like it's my birthday, and drink bacarday
Posted by: benzo jones | November 14, 2008 at 07:13 PM
Buster Olney predicts Manny will end up in Washington, and gives no explanation and refers to no sources, named or unnamed......odd...
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/blog
/index?entryID=3702206&name=olney_buster
Posted by: 10milliondollarzen | November 15, 2008 at 01:12 AM
I would only favor the acquisition of Randy Johnson if he was willing to work out of the bullpen, with possibly an occasional stint as a spot starter. As a regular member of the rotation I think he would wilt as his innings added up. Johnson's resurgence at the end of last season came after he had been out a considerable period of time due to injury. In other words, he was relatively well rested, and therefore had a strong finish.
Out of the bullpen, working anywhere from the 6th inning on, he could be paced throughout the season to avoid fatigue, and therefore might be very effective. I think he could even be valuable in closing situations where the opposing team was scheduled to send up one or more dangerous lefthanded hitters.
Would Johnson be agreeable to such an arrangement? Only he can answer that.
If Johnson were willing to work out of the bullpen it would also make it easier to have Scott Elbert open the season in the minors where he could continue honing his command, or it could free up the talented, but fragile Kuo to be used in a deal (maybe even as part of a deal to acquire Peavy).
Andy B,
From the reports I've read, Jones is owed $21.1 million in 2009. Apparently, his two year $36.1 million deal was backloaded. Like I've indicated before, I'm not totally convinced that he's through. However, if the Dodgers can unload him at a reasonable savings, then they should go for it, and use the savings to strengthen the team elsewhere. Whether the Dodgers can pull off such a deal or Boras can broker one, that's another matter. Would be nice if Pierre dollars can also be freed up.
Posted by: Brooklyn Dodger | November 15, 2008 at 07:34 PM