Saturday,
October 25, 2008
The Dodgers Have Some Decisions to Make
Copyrighted by Sarah D. Morris, 2008
The 2008 Dodgers had many soon-to-be free agents. Dodger fans
wonder which free agents will return to
Nomar Garciaparra, Greg Maddux, and Jeff Kent are free agents. All
of them are considering retirement. Someday they will be in the Baseball Hall
of Fame. Garciaparra is the only one who may not retire, but the Dodgers
shouldn’t re-sign him. Throughout his three-season tenure with the Dodgers,
Garciaparra has been plagued with various injuries limiting his playing time.
Garciaparra can still hit though his power has diminished, but his defense
anywhere other than first base has become a liability. Although all Dodger fans
like Garciaparra, it’s time for the Dodgers and him to part ways.
Everyone wants to know if the Dodgers will re-sign Manny Ramirez.
To me, it was a no brainer, but then I hear rumors about what Ramirez wants,
and I say, “No!” I am not objecting to the huge yearly salary, but giving a
thirty-six-year-old a five or six-year contract is ridiculous. This is what the
media says Ramirez wants.
Ramirez propelled the
Dodgers into the postseason. He might have had the greatest last two months of
the season that any major leaguer ever had. Most people believe Ramirez is
destined to go to the Baseball Hall of Fame for his hitting skill. Dodger
Stadium witnessed this amazing ability. He was the first Dodger to generate
incredible fan interest since Fernando Valenzuela. He lightened up the sober
clubhouse helping the young Dodgers learn that baseball was fun again.
Ramirez’s amazing work ethic set a good example for the youthful Dodgers.
Although Ramirez was an important player for the 2008 Dodgers, they
can play well without Ramirez. When he came to the Dodgers, he had balky knees.
Signing Ramirez to a long-term contract can put any team in financial trouble.
Hopefully, every team will take some financial responsibility and not open its
pocket and give Ramirez and his agent, Scott Boras, what they want. If Ramirez
doesn’t get what he wants, he will play for less. Then, the Dodgers might be
able to re-sign Ramirez.
Casey Blake gave the Dodgers a reliable third baseman. If the
Dodgers want to keep Blake DeWitt at second base, they need to re-sign Blake.
If they don’t, they shouldn’t re-sign him.
Although at first I thought the Dodgers shouldn’t re-sign Rafael
Furcal, now I realize the Dodgers must re-sign him. Furcal had a great 2006
season leading the Dodgers to the playoffs. He won the Roy Campanella award,
given to the most inspirational Dodger. If he continued playing the way he did
in 2006, I think he would have won the National League Most Valuable Player
(MVP) award.
During spring training of 2007, Furcal sprained his ankle.
Originally, the injury was thought not to be serious.
However, the painful ankle hampered Furcal’s play for the entire 2007 season.
In September, Furcal couldn’t play because of a stiff back.
In 2008, Furcal was determined to have an excellent season. For the
first time as a Dodger, Furcal played winter ball and excelled. When he arrived
at spring training, he was ready to play. For the first time during his Dodger
career, Furcal didn’t miss a significant amount of time in spring training.
In April, Furcal was the best player in the major leagues. He was
leading the Dodgers to the playoffs by himself. On May 5, Furcal missed a game
with a stiff back. Originally, no one thought the stiff back was serious. It
didn’t go away. Furcal went on the disabled list. He had back surgery in July.
Although he came back for the last four games of the regular season and the
playoffs, he performed like a shadow of himself.
Everyone in
Immediately after the Dodgers were eliminated
from the playoffs, Joe Torre said that the Dodgers must make pitching a top
priority for the off-season. I agree with this even though the Dodgers had the
best pitching staff in the National League in 2008. As baseball fans know,
pitching wins championships. To me, if the Dodgers had a better starting
rotation this past season, they would be playing in the World Series.
The Dodgers have two free agents in their starting rotation.
Although Brad Penny isn’t a free agent yet, I doubt the Dodgers will pick up
Penny’s $9 million option. Penny is a good starter but has
never lived up to his enormous potential. Since 2004 when he became a
Dodger, he has experienced arm and back problems that have hampered his
performance.
In 2008, Penny couldn’t pitch after May. He tried twice. In
September, Torre used him as a reliever. Although he didn’t have his customary
velocity, he blamed his ineffectiveness on being forced
to be a reliever. Before the season ended, Penny left the Dodgers and went
home. Although Ned Colletti hasn’t announced that the Dodgers won’t pick up
Penny’s option, I don’t see them doing that. I agree with this, especially when
he abandoned his teammates when they needed his encouragement the most.
Derek Lowe is a free agent. At 35, Lowe has never been on the
disabled list. During his four seasons with the Dodgers, he has given them many
quality starts. In 2008 when the Dodgers were fighting for a playoff berth,
Lowe was superb. During the playoffs, Lowe gave the Dodgers three good starts.
Although the media says Lowe would like to go somewhere else, I
believe Lowe can be persuaded to stay in
It will be interesting to see what the Dodgers will do with their
free agents.