Dodgers gets Garciaparra

[caff]

Free-agent infielder Nomar Garciaparra has agreed to a one-year contract with the Dodgers, according to the New York Post. The question now is how the Dodgers will resolve their infield logjam once shortstop Cesar Izturis returns from elbow-ligament transplant surgery, probably at mid-season.

Garciaparra, 32, chose the Dodgers over the Yankees, Indians and Astros. A former All-Star shortstop with the Red Sox, he is expected to play a new position, first base. But second baseman Jeff Kent had been expected to move to first after Izturis returned, with Izturis replacing Kent at second.
However, it is unlikely that the Dodgers would ask Kent and Garciaparra to change positions if they both were hitting well, creating the possibility that Izturis could be used in a utility role. Izturis, one of the top defensive shortstops in the National League, is only 25. But he has lost his primary position to the Dodgers' biggest off-season pickup, free-agent shortstop Rafael Furcal.

The issue is one the Dodgers do not need to address right away. By the time Izturis returns, it's possible that injury or ineffectiveness will create an infield opening. But Garciaparra emphasized during his negotiations that he wanted to play one position, rather than be shifted around. It's highly unlikely he would move to left field, another position he has never played, in the middle of a season.


Poll

The biggest question with Garciaparra is his health; in the past two seasons, he has appeared in only 143 games. He missed more than three months with a groin injury last season, but he hit well for the Cubs after returning in early August, batting .318 with 11 doubles and nine homers in 179 at-bats.

The addition of Garciaparra continues a busy off-season for the Dodgers, who have hired Ned Colletti as general manager and Grady Little as manager and signed third baseman Bill Mueller in addition to Furcal. The club also has made offers to two free-agent outfielders, Kenny Lofton and Reggie Sanders, both of whom are 38.

If the Dodgers sign Lofton and Sanders in addition to Garciaparra, their Opening Day lineup could look like this:

SS - Furcal
CF - Lofton
RF - J.D. Drew
2B - Kent
1B - Garciaparra
LF - Sanders
3B - Mueller
C - Dioner Navarro

The Dodgers still need to address their starting pitching, but free-agent right-hander Jeff Weaver could accept salary arbitration, rejoining Derek Lowe, Brad Penny and Odalis Perez in the rotation. The team, however, has been trying to trade Perez and might need to shed additional payroll due to its flurry of moves.

 

[ESCOBAR 92113]

damn, that would be nice lineup

 

[caff]

i feel you, but when you see a good line up like that usually the team dont do shit.... i wont be surprised if they dont make it to the playoffs

 

[herm96]

if he doesnt get hurt(not likely).

 

[LA Dodgers]

but where are they going to move GParra when Izzy comes back and plays second and Kent moves over to First Base

 

[citycollegesf]

i was so mad when i heard this. thats bad news for the giants

 

[herm96]

LA DODGERS HOW U LIKE THEM DODGERS ACQUIRING ALL OLD PLAYERS THAT CANT PLAY ANYMORE. AT LEAST THE GIANTS OLD PLAYER CAN STILL PLAY WELL.

 

[LA Dodgers]

LA DODGERS HOW U LIKE THEM DODGERS ACQUIRING ALL OLD PLAYERS THAT CANT PLAY ANYMORE. AT LEAST THE GIANTS OLD PLAYER CAN STILL PLAY WELL.

GarciaParra--32 still in prime if not injured
Bill Meuller--?? cant be over 34 still a solid player
Raphael Furcal-28 very much in his prime

now if you compare that to

Matt Morris-- definatly past prime
Worrell--38 years old

or last year when they signed 40 something year old LHP Fassero, 38 YO Visquel (although that was a good sign), 38 YO Alou
====================================
you know what the real difference between Dodgers and Giants fans is????

Giants go out and sing a couple no name, past their prime pitchers and starting talking about how they are going to win the West and Win the World Series, while Dodger fans are realistic and dont go running off at the mouth about how GParra and Meuller are going to put them over the top and Win another World Series.

Even Colletti said it himself, when asked if they would be able to win, he said "NO".

 

[ESE_GRIMY]

i was so mad when i heard this. thats bad news for the giants

LOL

 

[BROWN GUERRERO]

GUARANTEE THE GIANTS WIN THE DIVISION!! GUARANTEE BABY!! LA HAS NO PITCHING!!

 

[djmo69]

Nomar, not the same player he once was. His back is always messed up.

 

[herm96]

GarciaParra--32 still in prime if not injured
Bill Meuller--?? cant be over 34 still a solid player
Raphael Furcal-28 very much in his prime

now if you compare that to

Matt Morris-- definatly past prime
Worrell--38 years old

or last year when they signed 40 something year old LHP Fassero, 38 YO Visquel (although that was a good sign), 38 YO Alou
====================================
you know what the real difference between Dodgers and Giants fans is????

Giants go out and sing a couple no name, past their prime pitchers and starting talking about how they are going to win the West and Win the World Series, while Dodger fans are realistic and dont go running off at the mouth about how GParra and Meuller are going to put them over the top and Win another World Series.

Even Colletti said it himself, when asked if they would be able to win, he said "NO".

its pretty funny how says bill meuller is old and not a good player when said he might sign with giants but now that is Dodger solid player.

here your previous post from last week:

http://www.siccness.net/vb/showthread.php?t=165066&page=2&pp=15

and how many games has Gpara PLAY LAST YEAR AND YEAR BEFORE? 62 GAMES OR SO. about MORRIS HE ONLY 31 AND WON 14 GAMES LAST YEAR. THE DODGERS PITCHER BEST WON 14 TO 15 LAST YEAR(WEAVER?) and he not even signed and over payed for furcal. FURCAL NOT EVEN THE BEST SHORTSTOP IN NL

 

[LA Dodgers]

its pretty funny how says bill meuller is old and not a good player when said he might sign with giants but now that is Dodger solid player.

he is solid and decent but probly past his prime, i wouls have preferred they give A. LaRoche a chance

and how many games has Gpara PLAY LAST YEAR AND YEAR BEFORE? 62 GAMES OR SO.

he is a gamble

about MORRIS HE ONLY 31 AND WON 14 GAMES LAST YEAR.

and he has had arm problems and may be past his prime. how do you think his questionable arm is going to respond to F. Alou having him go 120-140 pitch games . just like schmidt he will break down from the over workload the manager will pt on him

THE DODGERS PITCHER BEST WON 14 TO 15 LAST YEAR(WEAVER?)

he was actually their 3rd best pitcher. and as you know about 80% of the team was on the DL and that included many pitchers

over payed for furcal. FURCAL NOT EVEN THE BEST SHORTSTOP IN NL

yes furcal was overpayed for.

but there is NO1 in the national league that is a better SS than Furcal. ya i know, your going to blow up Vizquel (a sure HOF'er) but he is on the way out.

there are 3 National League SS that are about equal in defense with furcal right now (Izzy, Vizquel, and Rollings) but none of those can hit anywhere near Furcal

 

[herm96]

he is solid and decent but probly past his prime, i wouls have preferred they give A. LaRoche a chance




he is a gamble





and he has had arm problems and may be past his prime. how do you think his questionable arm is going to respond to F. Alou having him go 120-140 pitch games . just like schmidt he will break down from the over workload the manager will pt on him





he was actually their 3rd best pitcher. and as you know about 80% of the team was on the DL and that included many pitchers




yes furcal was overpayed for.

but there is NO1 in the national league that is a better SS than Furcal. ya i know, your going to blow up Vizquel (a sure HOF'er) but he is on the way out.

there are 3 National League SS that are about equal in defense with furcal right now (Izzy, Vizquel, and Rollings) but none of those can hit anywhere near Furcal

who was the best pitcher for dodgers than? BRAD PENNY(A HOT HEAD), PEREZ(WHO WANTS TO BE TRADED), I GUESS IT WILL BE BRET TOMKO(IF WEAVER ISNT SIGNED). BRET TOMKO JUST SIGNED WITH DODGERS.

YOU REALLY THINK FURCAL IS BETTER OVERALL PLAYER THAN ROLLINS?

as for MORRIS - THE WORKLOAD SHOULDNT AS MUCH WITH IMPROVED BULLPEN THIS YEAR

 

[herm96]

DODGERS SIGN BRET TOMKO

LOS ANGELES -- With Jeff Weaver's return still uncertain, the Dodgers moved to shore up the starting rotation on Thursday by signing free agent right-hander Brett Tomko.
Tomko signed for two years with a third-year option and $8.7 million guaranteed -- $3.6 million in 2006, $4.1 million in 2007 and a mutual option for 2008 at $4.5 million or a $1 million buyout if Tomko opts out.

The 32-year-old right-hander went 8-15 with a 4.14 ERA in 2005 for the San Francisco Giants. He will be reunited with new Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti, the Giants' former assistant general manager.

Tomko has won double-digit games in five of his nine Major League seasons, and has thrown at least 190 innings in each of the last four. He owns an 81-73 record with a 4.26 ERA in a career that has included stops in Cincinnati, Seattle, San Diego, St. Louis and San Francisco.

The Dodgers starting rotation also includes Derek Lowe, Brad Penny and Odalis Perez. Colletti is seeking a fifth veteran, preferring not to rely on youngsters Chad Billingsley, Edwin Jackson, D.J. Houlton or Jonathan Broxton.

He has continued talks with Weaver, who has been the closest thing to an ace on the Dodgers staff over the last two seasons. Weaver, who earned $9.35 million in 2005, is seeking a four-year, $40 million deal. The Dodgers have until Jan. 8 to negotiate with him, and Tomko is seen as insurance in case Weaver signs elsewhere.

Tomko appeared in the postseason with the 2000 Seattle Mariners, continuing a common thread found with Colletti's winter roster makeover. The Dodgers GM has signed six free agents (Tomko, Kenny Lofton, Nomar Garciaparra, Sandy Alomar Jr., Bill Mueller and Rafael Furcal), all of whom have postseason experience. Like Tomko, Mueller and Lofton played for Colletti with the Giants.

Colletti now has committed more than $90 million for 17 signed players in a 2006 payroll that is almost certain to exceed $100 million.


ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF OVERPAYING, WHATS NEXT SIGN KIRK RUETER FOR 3 MIL PER SEASON?

 

[BROWN GUERRERO]

LMAO THEY CAN KEEP TOMKO!!! THAT FOOL BLEW NUTS LAST SEASON!! I STILL CAN'T GET OVER THE 2 FAT ASS LEADS HE BLEW IN SAN DIEGO!!

 

[LA Dodgers]

who was the best pitcher for dodgers than?

DerekLowe

YOU REALLY THINK FURCAL IS BETTER OVERALL PLAYER THAN ROLLINS?

Yes, i will post stats later to see who the starts agree with (plus Furcal is a post saeason SS unlike rollings)

as for MORRIS - THE WORKLOAD SHOULDNT AS MUCH WITH IMPROVED BULLPEN THIS YEAR

much improved????

you lost the best guy you had (Eyre) and picked up another 38 YO has been in his place. plus all hte other old timers in the pen just got a year older.

so how is the pen much improved???

 

[herm96]

steve kline is pretty much the same as eyre. i bet eyre has a down year with all the appearances he had last year

 

[BROWN GUERRERO]

LA DODGERS HAVE YOU EVEN FOLLOWED THE OFFSEASON? THE GIANTS TRADED FOR KLINE TO REPLACE EYRE. THIS GUY WAS THE PREMIERE LEFTY RELIEVER WHEN HE WAS WITH THE CARDS. THE GIANTS HAVE A BETTER PEN THAN THE DODGERS.

 

[LA Dodgers]

THIS GUY WAS THE PREMIERE LEFTY RELIEVER WHEN HE WAS WITH THE CARDS.

really, i could have sworn Ray King was the Cardinals "premier" Lefty out of the pen

THE GIANTS HAVE A BETTER PEN THAN THE DODGERS.

thats yet to be seen

excluding last year the Dodgers have year in and year out one of the best piching staffs in baseball