Eric Stults Hoping To Find Permanent Role In Los Angeles

Eric Stults is looking for a long term fit as he prepares for the 2010 season with the Dodgers. Stults is out of options, and therefore can't be sent down to the minors without clearing waivers first. This basically means the Dodgers must find a roster spot for him in 2010, or they will have to trade him and hope for something in return. The problem is when teams get to this point other teams realize this which hurts the players value. A similar situation happened with Delwyn Young last season, this led to his trade to Pittsburgh, and the Dodgers left with virtually nothing in return.

Stults was recently quoted saying, "I'm out of options and something has to give, so I'm excited about this spring because a decision has to be made,"

The Dodgers have recently put Eric Stults up for sale, and have reportedly been in trade talks with the Chiba Lotte Marines from the Japanese League.

"I've heard from Japan in years past and I've said if I felt I had exhausted all my big league opportunities, I'd be open to that," Stults said. "I still feel I have value to a big league team." 

Stults faces an uphill battle at this point, and this will be a tough call for the Dodgers. While Stults has had glimpses of greatness recording a shutout in the last two seasons. He has also had several other solid games at the major league level, but just hasn't been able to stick for a long period of time. The thirty year old left hander has got to impress big time this spring or he will likely be handed a one way ticket out of Los Angeles. The most likely scenario is Stults is traded, and the Dodgers will likely get a player to be named later in the deal. If Stults can stay consistent, it's possible he could find himself as the fifth starter when the 2010 season opens.