Still Not Enough

So, the Dodgers have made another crappy offer to Manny Ramirez. By offering him a one year deal (worth a hefty $25 million) and a 2nd year option worth $20 million, the Dodgers are prepared next season to put themselves and their fans in the same position we've been in this entire offseason. Once again, we'll be forced to endure the uncertainty of whether or not we'll have Manny, and, hence, a chance to compete.

I don't get it. Right now, along with Albert Pujols, Manny Ramirez is the best hitter in the game. Because he's in his mid 30's, are those skills simply going to dissolve that rapidly? They might, I suppose, but they won't. Not with a player of his caliber and health. The evil Scott Boras has insisted on Manny having the option of becoming a free agent again at the end of the year. So, he's gonna pull the same crap he pulled on us with JD Drew. Why would McCourt allow that? Hasn't Manny more than proven he's worthy of a 3 year deal? Is it really the economy that's keeping the super wealthy McCourts from extending that offer to one of the greatest pure hitters who's ever played the game? I doubt it. Is it the shenanigans Manny pulled in Boston? So what? The fans love him here and they deserve some piece of mind. Aren't the 3.5 million fans who show up every year, win or lose, worth the consideration of not having to be placed on the Manny roller coaster again?

Okay, so let's assume Boras and Manny accept the offer. We have Manny for this year, but we still have no pitching because no one in the Dodgers front office found it necessary to make offers to CC Sabathia or AJ Burnett or Derek Lowe or make a deal for Jake Peavy. Our 5th starter right now is Schmidt/Vargas/Milton/Estes/Troncoso. In other words, we don't have one. (I'd make it young James McDonald's job to lose) The Giants, who refused to get in a bidding war for Manny's services, have little or no hitting. But boy, do they have pitching! Had they signed Manny, it would've guranteed them the division in '09. So do they now cancel each other out and the Diamondbacks win the West? Maybe. I still like the Giants to win it because of their pitching. But having Manny at least gives the Blue a fighting chance. Still, shhlubs like Matt Kemp, Russell Martin and Andre Ethier are going to need to hit. (The fact that Martin wants to honor his mom by having his jersey read "J. Martin" - his mother's maiden name is Jeanne - bugs me. Just say "hi mom" when you look in the camera)

The O Dog. Orlando Hudson could turn out to be a great sign for the Dodgers. He brings a lot to the clubhouse. He's a class act, a great guy and great teammate. He could also hit like hell when he's not hurt and he plays a mean second base. However, the Hudson signing is too bad for young Blake DeWitt, who I absolutely believe is going to be a great Major Leaguer. Frankly, I would prefer Blake over Blake (Dewitt over Casey) at third base. I like Casey Blake, but I like DeWitt better and I think he's ready. A platoon? Might not be a bad idea. (I have no idea why they gave Casey Blake, who strikes out a ton and can't hit to right field, a multi year deal) But having Hudson gives the Dodgers a nasty table setting with Furcal and Hudson getting the lineup going. Then, the specter of Manny, whether he hits 3rd or clean-up, looms in the hearts of opposing pitchers. Lot of pressure on Ethier and James Loney this year. Someone's going to need to be a left handed compliment to Manny in the middle of that lineup.

And so, the Spring has sprung. Here we go. More soon, including my take on the World Baseball Classic. In a couple of weeks, my predictions for '09.