Los Angeles Dodgers

Scioscia's Illness

ALL
OUTSIDER

Hells Bells in Los Angeles?

By Mike Scioscia's tragic illness | January 7, 2009 | Mike Scioscia's Tragic Illness

Not that this isn't an idea that hasn't already been kicked around for months, but Yahoo's Tim Brown says that the Dodgers have actually acted upon it... The Los Angeles Dodgers have offered Trevor Hoffman a one-year contract with a club option for 2010, according to a source familiar with the negotiations. Hoffman, the all-time saves leader, also has discussed a contract with the Milwaukee Brewers, and is likely to have received a formal offer from them, as well. Discarded by the San Diego Padres, Hoffman is thought to prefer Southern California, having spent 15 ½ of his 16 big-league seasons in San Diego. Now, let me say this: I don't believe the Dodgers need a closer, at least not in the sense that they need a starting pitcher or needed to get rid of Andruw Jones. Despite the likely losses of Joe Beimel & Takashi Saito and the already-gone...

Read more | 2 Comments | Tags: Los Angeles Dodgers, Milwaukee Brewers, MLB, San Diego Padres, Trevor Hoffman

Initial Thoughts of MLB Network

By Alan Smodic | January 6, 2009 | MVN Outsider

Much like DirecTV's MLB Extra Innings package, the MLB Network is more baseball than one can handle. -- programwitch/Flickr.com

On January 1, Major League Baseball followed in the footsteps of the NFL and NHL by unveiling its own channel -- the MLB Network.If you don't already know what this exactly is, MLBNetwork.com's about page helps:MLB Network stands for Major League Baseball Network, which means access to more baseball than America's ever seen! This new 24-hour network delves into the world of baseball, going far beyond the field. Fans can tune in at any time for fresh perspectives, current news, the latest trade rumors, pre and post-game banter, highlights and more.Again, if you've seen the NFL or NHL networks, just picture those and think baseball. I wasn't sure if I'd receive the channel (I get the NFL network, but not the NHL), so I was surprised to see it coming in through my satellite. Obviously, I checked it out.I was impressed with my first viewing. The first show I saw...

Read more | Discuss | Tags: MLB

And Every Cowboy Sings a Sad, Sad Song

By Mike Scioscia's tragic illness | January 5, 2009 | Mike Scioscia's Tragic Illness

No, I didn't miss Andruw Jones restructuring his deal to get the hell out of Dodge(rtown). After a long weekend away and a short coma at the shock of not having to see that fat sack of crap in a Dodgers uniform in 2009, I'm back and beyond thrilled. That said, I'm not going to dwell on it too much right now - he's not officially been dumped yet, everyone else in the world has already talked about it the last few days, and I made my feelings pretty well known last week right here. Today, as much as I might want to discuss the minor league and/or non-guaranteed signings of Juan Castro (.268 OBP over 14 seasons! Yet he'll still make the team over Chin-Lung Hu, won't he?) and Claudio Vargas (not as terrible as you think, but still thoroughly inferior to Eric Stults), I'd like to talk about...

Read more | 11 Comments | Tags: Ken Gurnick, Los Angeles Dodgers, MLB

Burrell's Flight, Jones's Limbo, Padres' . . . Relief?

By Jeff Kallman | January 5, 2009 | Community

UPDATE: There went that idea. While early Monday reports said he'd been on the threshold of going perhaps to Toronto (and I'd heard weekend speculation along similar lines as well), Pat Burrell ended up going no further than the opposite...

Read more | 2 Comments | Tags: Andruw Jones, Jake Peavy, Jeff Moorad, John Moores, Los Angeles Dodgers, Pat Burrell, San Diego Padres, Sandy Alderson, Toronto Blue Jays, Trevor Hoffman

Top Fits for Andruw Jones

By Evan | January 5, 2009 | MVN Outsider

Andruw Jones - kla4607/Flickr.com

With word that the Los Angeles Dodgers have restructured outfielder Andruw Jones' contract to an affordable $5 million deal (with the rest of the $15 million deferred over the next six years without interest) and a pledge by the Dodgers to release or trade Jones so he can land with a new team, which teams seem like fits for Jones?There are a couple criteria that need to be met to fit for Jones. One is that Jones is primarily a centerfielder, although we won't let that play too much into our fits -- outfielders, centerfielders most notably, tend to move around the outfield corners more often than infielders do.Secondly, Jones has expressed a desire to start and will control his fate if he is released. Only through the trade market would a team be able to secure him as a fourth outfielder if they promised to give him ample playing...

Read more | 4 Comments | Tags: Atlanta Braves, Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Angels, Los Angeles Dodgers, MLB, New York Mets, New York Yankees, Pittsburgh Pirates, Texas Rangers

Andruw Jones: Should the Marlins roll the dice?

By Alex Carver | January 5, 2009 | Marlins Today

What do Andruw Jones and the current economic status of the United States have in common? They have both recessed a historical amount over the past two years. After hitting .263/.355/.908 with 92 homers and getting 380 combined MVP points in 2005 and 2006, the 30-year-old outfielder only managed to squeeze out a .190/.283/.614 line with 29 homers in 2007 and 2008 earning him a one way ticket out of Atlanta and most recently, one out of Los Angeles as well. It was announced on Friday that Jones and the Dodgers have reached an agreement that will defer the remainder of his backloaded two year $36 million contract while making it certain that he will not be in L.A. next season. Jones will be out approximately $21 million. Spring training is six weeks away. Thanks to the slowing economy, the free agent market is still loaded. Manny Ramirez, Adam Dunn,...

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Atlanta Braves, Florida Marlins, Los Angeles Dodgers, MLB

Links for 1/4: Lowe, Jones, Peavy, Kawakami

By Will Schaffer | January 4, 2009 | Chop-n-Change

Update: Dave O'Brien says that Kawakami will narrow his offers down this week, but talked to the pitcher's agent yesterday and he said that the Braves were still in the mix. It's been a little slow around the blog lately, largely a product of there being little new news to report. Here's a couple links to hold you over until something substantial happens.SI's Jon Heyman listed the Braves as one of the Mets' biggest competitors for free agent starter Derek Lowe. Mark Bowman chimed in also, saying that the Braves aren't liking the price tag, but after missing out on Jake Peavy and A.J. Burnett, Lowe may be Frank Wren's only good option. I just can't believe that we haven't yet heard any rumors of the Braves showing serious interest in another top free agent or trade target after missing out on those two.The other news to come out recently...

Read more | 45 Comments | Tags: Andruw Jones, Atlanta Braves, Kenshin Kawakami, Los Angeles Dodgers, MLB, San Diego Padres

Breaking: Giants offer Manny four-year deal?

By Daniel Rathman | January 2, 2009 | MVN Outsider

Manny Ramirez (Darrins/Flickr.com)

According to Dennis O'Donnell of CBS5 in San Francisco, the San Francisco Giants have offered free agent Manny Ramirez a four-year deal. The third year of the offer is reportedly incentive-based, and the fourth is a club option. This follows a report from earlier in the day from Troy Renck of the Denver Post, which suggested that the Giants were quietly mounting an aggressive campaign for the 36 year-old, who excelled for the Dodgers after a midseason trade out of Boston in 2008. O'Donnell cites a well-connected source as having confirmed the offer -- the financial terms of which were not disclosed -- but also notes that a team official remained highly skeptical of the Giants' chances of landing Ramirez, flatly saying "it's not happening." The Dodgers are the only other team known to be in active pursuit of Ramirez, so it's entirely possible that the recent rumors of the...

Read more | 2 Comments | Tags: Los Angeles Dodgers, Manny Ramirez, MLB, MLB Outsider, San Francisco Giants

Initial Thoughts of MLB Network

By Alan Smodic | January 6, 2009 | MVN Outsider

Much like DirecTV's MLB Extra Innings package, the MLB Network is more baseball than one can handle. -- programwitch/Flickr.com

Read more | Discuss | Tags: MLB

Top Fits for Andruw Jones

By Evan | January 5, 2009 | MVN Outsider

Andruw Jones - kla4607/Flickr.com

Breaking: Giants offer Manny four-year deal?

By Daniel Rathman | January 2, 2009 | MVN Outsider

Manny Ramirez (Darrins/Flickr.com)

Read more | 2 Comments | Tags: Los Angeles Dodgers, Manny Ramirez, MLB, MLB Outsider, San Francisco Giants

Winter Meetings Report: Sabathia disappoints with NYC money grab; Mets dominate closers market; Big bats still available

By Brandon Rosage | December 12, 2008 | MVN Outsider

One host couldn't hide his disdain for the plot twist CC Sabathia supplied for baseball's off-season storyline, while the other host can't get enough big market spending. In this "Winter Meetings Report," The Pitch hosts Joe Aiello and Brandon Rosage bicker about the affect Sabathia's signing has on the off-season market, as well as the business of entertainment for Major League Baseball. Discussion also moves to the New York Mets' acquisition of Francisco Rodriguez and J.J. Putz to solidify their bullpen, and the latest developments regarding Mark Teixeira and Manny Ramirez' future. Plus, the show gives some time to the Red Sox' new logos and added rumor mill sorting. Join the discussion, listen in and participate via e-mail (thepitch@mvn.com) or in the comments....Read more

Read more | Discuss | Tags: audio, Boston Red Sox, CC Sabathia, Cleveland Indians, Los Angeles Angels, Los Angeles Dodgers, Milwaukee Brewers, MLB, New York Mets, New York Yankees, Seattle Mariners, Washington Nationals

See you in five years, Greg

By Alan Smodic | December 6, 2008 | MVN Outsider

Dave Nelson/Flickr.com

If you're around the same age as I am, then you grew up as a youngster watching baseball in the 90s. And if you were the type of player I was, then you weren't idolizing the long ball. You didn't tune into games to watch Barry Bonds or Mark McGwire.I was a pitcher. I first started pitching at age nine. By that time, Greg Maddux had already entrenched himself as arguably the best in the game. It was around then when Maddux became my favorite player.I grew up outside of Pittsburgh and have always been a Pirates fan. I wasn't on a Braves bandwagon. In fact, I still disliked the Braves for my first MLB memory -- the slide. But I loved Maddux.I tuned into TBS to watch the Braves every time he pitched. My parents got me tickets to Pirates/Braves at Three Rivers Stadium anytime he was scheduled to start. He...Read more

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Atlanta Braves, Chicago Cubs, Greg Maddux, Los Angeles Dodgers, MLB, San Diego Padres

Winter Meetings Primer: Hudson and Crede top values on IF; How to assess pitching market; Rumor mill

By Brandon Rosage | December 5, 2008 | MVN Outsider

With four days until the start of baseball's Winter Meetings in Las Vegas, The Pitch assesses the market at each key position. Hosts Joe Aiello and Brandon Rosage start with the pool of free agent infielders, ranking Orlando Hudson, Joe Crede and Casey Blake highly above sluggers demanding more dough. Moving past Manny Ramirez, the discussion moves to good-value outfielders, like Raul Ibanez and Bobby Abreu. The show sorts through the overrated and underrated hurlers on the pitching market, including praise for Oliver Perez, Derek Lowe, Randy Johnson and Jon Garland. Join the discussion, listen in and participate via e-mail (thepitch@mvn.com) or in the comments....Read more

Read more | Discuss | Tags: audio, Boston Red Sox, Detroit Tigers, Los Angeles Angels, Los Angeles Dodgers, Milwaukee Brewers, MLB, New York Yankees, Pittsburgh Pirates, San Francisco Giants

Hot Stove Dishes - November 22, 2008

By Brian Joseph | November 22, 2008 | MVN Outsider

The latest buzz served up from baseball's Hot Stove League. Ten of the hottest stories, moves and rumors from the past week: The Giants are the dark horse to be big time players this offseason.Out of nowhere, rumors swirled that the Giants would be inserting themselves into the CC Sabathia chase. San Francisco already went out and signed one of the better lefty relievers on the market. Besides Sabathia, the Giants are after Edgar Renteria and might jump into the fray on another higher end infielder to fill their middle infield needs. If the Giants land Sabathia, they would instantly be contenders in the National League West. Mike Mussina retires!We can move on from the discussion of will Mike Mussina return to the Yankees or not for 2009 since he officially announced his retirement this week. The 270-game winner now will be discussed based on his merits for Hall of...Read more

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Arizona Diamondbacks, Atlanta Braves, CC Sabathia, Chase Utley, Edgar Renteria, Francisco Rodriguez, Joe Beimel, Los Angeles Dodgers, Mike Hampton, Mike Mussina, MLB, MLB Playoffs, New York Mets, New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies, Ramon Vazquez, St. Louis Cardinals, Texas Rangers, Trever Miller

Hot Stove report: Bay Area lures Sabathia, Pedroia builds case for big money, free agent predictions

By Brandon Rosage | November 21, 2008 | MVN Outsider

Just a few weeks away from Major League Baseball's winter meetings, "The Pitch" fans the flames of the Hot Stove by shuffling through all of the latest CC Sabathia, Manny Ramirez, Mark Teixera and Jake Peavy reports. Hosts Joe Aiello and Brandon Rosage also evaluate the MVP and Cy Young Awards and how the winners might be affected in the market today and down the line, including Boston's rising star Dustin Pedroia. Listen in and participate via e-mail (thepitch@mvn.com) or in the comments. And don't miss Brandon Rosage's new web video talk show "Boom, Outta Here," which spends its latest episode discussing Pedroia's shot at a new Red Sox deal....Read more

Read more | Discuss | Tags: audio, Boston Red Sox, CC Sabathia, Los Angeles Angels, Los Angeles Dodgers, Milwaukee Brewers, MLB, New York Yankees, San Francisco Giants, Seattle Mariners, St. Louis Cardinals

MVN: Most Valuable Network