Because I Can

Ok, I've expressed my preference for A-Rod, particularly as it means the Dodgers can keep Nomar, but in retrospect, I would rather not trade Penny, but Kuo. Kuo is a wild card, but he's actually at a high point in his value. The Yankees might like the idea of having two old high school teammates from Taiwan on the same team, too. Still, that is a costly move, so I will consider other moves that would be advantageous.

1) Adam Dunn, OF, Cincinnatti Reds. According to the Cincinnati Enquirer (HT: TrueBlueLA.com), Reds General Manager Wayne Krivsky really hates strikeouts, and would rather have a low strikeout rate than a lot of power. The article really points to Krivsky trading Adam Dunn, who lead the league with 194 strikeouts and hit .234. Dunn is coming off a below average year, though; his career average is .245. Before thinking he's terrible, though, look at his full batting line for 2006 and it's .234/.365/490, and did I mention he hit 40 homers, and that he had more extra-base hits than singles? By comparison, Andre Ethier put up a line of .308/.365/.477. Given Krivsky's obsession with mediocre pitchers and the Dodgers' likely willingness to deal Mark Hendrickson, Brett Tomko, and/or Joe Beimel, that might be just the ticket. Sure he's $10 million next year, and his option becomes void as he hits the free agent market, but Matt Kemp could very easily be ready after a year of tearing up in AAA.

2) Alfonso Soriano, OF/2B, Free Agent. Soriano is a free agent, so the good news is that nobody will be traded. The bad news, though, is that we can't simultaneously get rid of Brett Tomko by signing Sori. Still, offensively he is the power guy the Dodgers need, and he can also be a speedster if he has to be. Last year, his first year in the NL, he learned how to walk, and hopefully this will continue this year. What makes him viable is that he can also play second base (whenever Kemp is ready), or left field, and he's a plus defensive left fielder. Offensively, he's a huge plus as a second baseman. What makes this seem viable is that after watching Kent play second with his stunning .790 Zone Rating, Soriano would be a step up. Additionally, after being a good defensive left fielder, Sori may want to extend that reputation to the middle infield.

3) Jim Edmonds, CF, Potential Free Agent. Now granted, the Cardinals do have an option on him, but after an injury-riddled season, why not test the market. After all, they have Encarnacion in right, a defensive specialist in Taguchi who could possibly play center, and Chris Duncan for left field. Edmonds has a $10 million option, and the Cardinals may have other ideas as to how to spend that money. Edmonds is in kind of a Jeff Kent situation, where he had an injury riddled year, and could be worse next year. On the other hand, not only does he have the potential to still be good offensively (he was limited to 350 AB), but he's one of the best defensive (read: not Kenny Lofton) center fielders in the game.

4) Gary Sheffield, OF, Free Agent. Hey Gary, how's it going? Yeah, remember how you were mad about your contract a few years back? Um, forget about it. It's history. Wanna come back? We could use a cleanup hitter. And you'll be in right field, not at first base. Although, he did have a wrist injury, so maybe that won't be the best idea, as he might not have that power stroke next year.

I will amend this list if I see anything.

*****

As it stands, here's the Dodgers' defensive lineup next year (italics for iffy players):

c - Martin
1b - Loney
2b - Kent
3b - Betemit
ss - Furcal
lf - Ethier
cf - Repko
rf - Drew

Rotation
Lowe, Penny, Maddux, Billingsley, Kuo

All that needs to be done now is to get Gagne, Saito, and Brazoban back in the bullpen along with Broxton, and throw in Greg Miller. Dessens mops up.

Labels: Dodgers