Dee Gordon Officially Hits The Trade Block

Dec 022012
 

The Dodgers are telling teams shortstop Dee Gordon is available, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today. Yep, the Dodgers former top prospect is officially on the trade block.

Gordon, 24, had a very strong debut in 2011, but failed to live up to expectations in 2012 being outplayed by fellow Dodgers Elian Herrera and Luis Cruz. Gordon hit just .228/.280/.281 in 330 plate appearances, though he did manage to swipe 32 stolen bases for the Dodgers in 2012. He missed just a little over two months after tearing a ligament in his thumb. Shortly after Gordon suffered the injury, the team acquired Hanley Ramirez from the Marlins.

Upon Gordon’s return to the team in mid-September, Gordon found out that Mattingly’s patience had worn thin and that he was the newest addition to the Dodgers bench. Of course, that doesn’t mean Gordon doesn’t still posses the talent, as I say 2012 was probably just a sophomore slump. Gordon is still considered one of best young talents in the game and could be placed into a package to acquire a front-line starter during the Winter Meetings that kick off tomorrow morning in Nashville.

Earlier in the offseason,  manager Don Mattingly indicated the team would move forward with Hanley Ramirez at short and Luis Cruz at third. Assuming it will be Mark Ellis at second, Dee is all but destined for a bench role in 2013. My guess is Dee is traded before the start of the season. My guess is there will be plenty of suitors, especially from teams that lose out on Stephen Drew.

 12/02/2012  Posted by at 7:38 pm Dodgers Rumors 3 Responses »

Dodgers Winter Meetings: Final Day Recap

Dec 082011
 

So the Dallas Winter Meetings are over, and while Colletti failed to make a big splash, he also didn’t do a whole lot of damage either. We did find out from Dylan Hernandez that the Dodgers will not be bidding on Yu Darvish. I have my shocked face on right now.

The Dodgers finalized their deal with Aaron Harang today. I love the one year at $3MM for 2012, however 2013 we are paying this guy $7MM, Colletti is seriously killing me right now! Ready for this? How would you feel about paying Harang, Chris Capuano, Ted Lilly, Matt Guerrier, Matt Treanor, Mark Ellis, Juan Uribe, and Jerry Hairston Jr. $47.75 million in 2013. Absolutely incredible right?That’s more than the entire Tampa Bay Rays 2011 payroll. Ridiculous. I would love to hear how Colletti feels about this, “uhhh, what do I care I’m gonna get fired anyway, right?”

The best news of the day is that we got rid of a waste of space today for some talented minor leaguers. Yep, Dana Eveland was handed a one way ticket to Baltimore in exchange for Tyler Henson and Jarrett Martin. Pretty flippin’ sweet if you ask me.

Finally, No Rule 5 Draft transactions for the Dodgers, there’s a sigh of relief, it’s not like we got young talent to spare these days. That’s it!

Oh wait, one last thing. Here’s a quick update on what the judge ruled today about the Dodgers TV rights should you care to take a peek.

 12/08/2011  Posted by at 5:05 pm Dodgers News, Dodgers Rumors No Responses »

Dodgers Winter Meetings: Day Three Recap

Dec 072011
 

Well day three wasn’t as interesting as I thought it might be. Actually, as a matter of fact it was quite boring. There isn’t much to cover, so here ya go.

MLBTR kicks us off with couple of updates for us this evening.

The Astros have officially hired Jeff Luhnow as General Manager. Pheew! That keeps Logan White around a little while longer. Perhaps the best news out of today’s events.

They are also reporting Ross Ohlendorf has been released by the Pirates. Trade Lilly and sign this guy for a one-year $2MM deal? Just a thought.

Tony Jackson of ESPNLA says that the Dodgers have no interest in Manny Ramirez, who is applying for reinstatement after abruptly retiring last year following a second positive test for performance-enhancing drugs. So Colletti isn’t planning on throwing $20MM at Manny again? Well there’s a sigh of relief.

Ken Gurnick is guessing the same game, the Dodgers are likely pursuing an outfielder or first baseman, and that Colletti is willing to trade James Loney. Yeah, yeah, yeah, more fluff. Stop talking Ned.

We heard early this morning that the Dodgers may be trying to acquire Chase Headley, nothing new on this rumor though. How much is Headley worth anyway? Not gonna lie, I really have no clue. I do know that he made $2.5MM with the Padres in 2011. Headley is still under team control until 2015, so he has quite a few arbitration years before he is able to file for free agency.

So I got to thinking today after I posted that article this morning, and really I am down for all this, depending of course on what we would have to give up in return. Ideas? The Padres are in as bad of shape as we are but there payroll is about half of the Dodgers. The Padres need offense desperately, since losing Adrian Gonzalez they have become one of the worst offensive teams in the league. But the good news is we don’t have any either, so we won’t be of much help in that department.

Perhaps we could send John Ely their way? Ely was recently outrighted to AAA and it looks like he isn’t in the plans for the Dodgers anymore. There is Ivan Dejesus Jr., Russ Mitchell, Justin Sellers, and several others that could be on there way out of town. Perhaps a three team deal is in the works? This might be able to get Loney or Lilly involved, and yes I am still crossing my fingers the Dodgers find Juan Uribe a new home this winter. I’m still so worried Colletti will do something stupid like trade Zach Lee that I really want to tie him up and duct tape his mouth shut, just until the new owner(s) take over and fire his monkey brain.

The hot stove is still pretty warm over in Dodgertown, fingers crossed Colletti doesn’t do something stupid and stumbles across something great. Tons of hope, no expectations.

 12/07/2011  Posted by at 8:14 pm Dodgers News, Dodgers Rumors No Responses »

Dodgers Winter Meetings: Day One Recap

Dec 052011
 

The Winter Meetings are in full force, and it will be interesting to see what kind of damage Dodgers GM Ned Colletti can do this week. There is a lot to cover here, so grab a beer, throw your feet up and get ready to dive in.

Jamie Hoffman has been claimed off waivers by the Colorado Rockies, just one of the many roster moves that will likely take place in the coming days. This is the second time the Dodgers have lost Hoffman, they first lost him to the Yankees in the 2010 Rule 5 Draft, before being returned to the Dodgers before Opening Day. I’m guessing this move was done to clear space for the signing of Aaron Harang. The Dodgers also added to the geriatric infield today with the signing of Jerry Hairston Jr. 
Some minor league deals got done today as well. Jump for joy as the Dodgers signed Alberto Castillo, he’s 35 and left-handed, still searching for the replacement for Hong-Chih Kuo. Jose Ascansio, a 26-year old right-hander pitched for the Pirates last season. I kinda like this guy so it will be interesting to see what he can do this spring. Ascansio hasn’t had enough major league experience to really provide any analysis, but from what I have heard and read on this guy, at least he has some talent. Right-hander Shane Lindsay and infielder Jeff Baisely were also signed. Yeah besides Ascansio I have not heard of these guys ever before. Probably some roster fillers for our AAA team is all that’s going on here.
Also reported today was Ronald Belisario is back to trying to obtain his Visa so he can be allowed to return to Los Angeles and compete for a spot in the Dodgers bullpen. Getting his Visa is a longshot at best from my findings, so this may be waste of time. Assuming Belisario has stayed in shape, it won’t take much effort to obtain a bullpen spot, he was the best reliever the Dodgers had before all his troubles began, no reason to think he wouldn’t be able to get back on track with relative ease. He has been reportedly pitching for his home Venezuelan Winter League team, and has a 3.50 ERA with 4 saves, 18 strikeouts, and 12 walks in 18 appearances. 
I know, I know, you are bummed not a whole lot of fun but typically meaningless rumors to sleep on tonight.
Okay wait, there is one, well kinda, Pat Gillick the Phillies senior advisor and former GM said he would consider a position as the Dodgers’ new president of baseball operations, he told Bill Shaikin of the L.A. Times. Super boring I know.
 12/05/2011  Posted by at 8:29 pm Dodgers News, Dodgers Rumors 1 Response »