New Years' Eve Is Upon Us, Only 2 + Years Until The World Ends

At least that's what Hollywood keeps telling me.

I'll be taking in and enjoying (?) a Clippers game tonight with some good friends in celebration of the impending 2010.

Have a fun night everybody, stay safe, and don't do anything (too) stupid.

MLB Trade Rumors & The Dodgers

MLB Trade Rumors set up a discussion thread for the Dodgers yesterday, with topics ranging from the McCourt divorce drama to the offseason and what moves may lie ahead.

I haven't read through the comments. What a joyless venture that would be.

Dodgers Pursuing Joel Pineiro?

According to Buster Olney, they are. ESPN Insider is needed to read the full article, including the portion about the Dodgers' interest in the righty.

Pineiro, 31, has pitched for Seattle, Boston, and most recently St. Louis over 10 major league seasons.

Pineiro has a career FIP of 4.23 and has K'd 5.59/9 IP. Other warning signs regarding Pineiro:

• His best seasons have been his last few, meaning regression is much more likely than progress
• Even in those last few seasons, his xFIP has been near 4, with the exception of one season (3.76 xFIP in 2009).
• Pineiro relies heavily on the defense behind him, and defense is tough to predict from year-to-year. I'm always weary of a pitcher who has to rely on others around him in order to have any success.
  

Eric Stephen over at True Blue L.A. discusses the merits of Pineiro. As Eric points out, what Pineiro does well is limit walks and HRs.

Considering pitching is THE organizational strength, I really don't see the point in this. And we have cheap, divorce-riddled owners. So yeah, color me not only uninterested in the slightest, but skeptical the club could even afford this considering the financial constraints currently imposed upon it by the philandering, cheapskate McCourts.

Names like McDonald, Elbert, Haeger, Lindblom, and Ely should become household names (in Dodger households) when talking about the 4th and 5th rotation spots.

And you know what?

That's more than fine with me.

The Left Field Pavilion

The Left Field Pavilion

The Dodger Blog with some of the best photoshop work you'll find.

No offense Ferio. You're still top notch and my photoshop hero forever.

The Godfather Knows Who I Am, Sort Of

Jon Weisman, the Godfather of Dodger Blogging, has listed this blog in his list of Dodger blogs for the decade over at Dodger Thoughts. I'm thrilled for the shout out, and I could care less that he spelled the name wrong.

When Jon Weisman knows who you are, or at the least mentions your blog/site/ramblings/musings, you've hit the big time. Or at least the semi-out-of-the-dumpster times.

John Sickels's Prospect Rankings

Sickels's Top 20 Dodger Prospects for 2010, as well as those who just missed the cut.

Eric Stults May Have To Learn Japanese After All

Stults is still being pursued by Japanese clubs, specifically Chiba Lotte. Their interest in Stults is so strong that they are reportedly sending a negotiator to discuss what it will take to purchase Stults' contract and pry him away from the organization.

I don't know if the services of Eric Stults have ever been in this high of a demand. He should feel good, I think. An interesting question: would you rather pitch in AAA for most of the season, with the likelihood of one or two call-ups, or pitch full time at the highest level in Japan? I would take the stay-in-America path, but that's just me. Oh, and I couldn't pitch if my life depended on it. And by pitch, I mean throw more than one or two pitches over or anywhere near the plate.

Considering how cheap and in desperate need of money Frank McCourt is, I would be shocked if he didn't sell the contract for anything he could get his cheap hands on.


Previously in the Eric Stults to Japan Mystery Conundrum Rumor-Mongering Saga:

• Dodger Rotation Rumors (December 3rd, 2009)
• Dodgers Decline Offer For Eric Stults, Japanese Lessons Put On Hold (December 13th, 2009)
  

Happy Hanukkah & Merry Christmas

And yes, one of those is fairly late.

I'll be indulging on this holiest of days with pizza and the San Diego Chargers. Nothing really beats that, I must say.

Enjoy the holiday weekend, stay safe, and don't do anything too stupid.

I leave you with Weird Al Yankovic and the excellent "Pretty Fly For A Rabbi". My fellow Jews know what I'm talking about.

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Jaime Jarrin & Ecuador

Jaime Jarrin, Hall Of Fame broadcaster for the Dodgers, brings baseball to his native Ecuador.

Chan Ho Park Is Infested By The Sue Bug

Park is suing former teammate and Dodgers' catcher Chad Kreuter due to an unpaid loan. Kreuter has thus far only repaid Park roughly 63% of a $460,000 loan.

FINISH HIM!

Who Replaces Joe Torre?

Don Mattingly or Tim Wallach?

Clayton Kershaw's ESPN Chat

Held yesterday. Some highlights:

• Kershaw is working on his changeup this offseason.
• He thinks Chad Billingsley would beat him in a footrace.
• His great-uncle discovered Pluto, at least according to Clayton. That would make his great-uncle Clyde Tombaugh. I don't seem to remember learning this when I studied Tombaugh and Pluto in Astronomy class. Would have made it a hell of a lot more interesting.
  

Keith Law On Darren Dreifort

Law names Darren Dreifort as the worst free agent signing of the decade.

ESPN Insider is needed to read Law's thoughts in their entirety, including the bit on Dreifort.

Dodgers Announce Minor League Staffs

Minor League Staffs.

Clayton Kershaw Wins Award, Texas-Style

Clayton Kershaw will be honored as the 2009 Texas Professional Player Of The Year on January 29th in Fort Worth.

I imagine all celebrations in Texas look something like the picture to the right.

Clayton Kershaw Heads To ESPN On Tuesday

Figuratively, as he'll be chatting live with fans on Tuesday.




*Tuesday at 10 a.m. PT/1 p.m. ET*

Dodgers' Current 40-Man Roster

36 Dodgers are on it.

	Pitchers	B/T	Ht	Wt	DOB
	Ronald Belisario	R/R	6-3	235	12/31/82
	Chad Billingsley	R/R	6-1	245	07/29/84
	Jonathan Broxton	R/R	6-4	295	06/16/84
	Scott Elbert	L/L	6-1	215	08/13/85
	--Javy Guerra	R/R	6-1	195	10/31/85
	Charlie Haeger	R/R	6-1	210	09/19/83
	--Kenley Jansen	S/R	6-2	220	09/30/87
	Clayton Kershaw	L/L	6-3	225	03/19/88
	Hong-Chih Kuo	L/L	6-1	240	07/23/81
	Hiroki Kuroda	R/R	6-1	220	02/10/75
	Brent Leach	L/L	6-4	220	11/18/82
	--Jon Link	R/R	6-1	190	03/23/84
	James McDonald	L/R	6-5	195	10/19/84
	--Carlos Monasterios	R/R	6-2	175	03/21/86
	Travis Schlichting	R/R	6-4	215	10/19/84
	George Sherrill	L/L	6-0	230	04/19/77
	Eric Stults	L/L	6-1	220	12/09/79
	Ramon Troncoso	R/R	6-1	220	02/16/83
	Cory Wade	R/R	6-1	190	05/28/83
	--Armando Zerpa	L/L	5-11	175	02/13/87
	Catchers	B/T	Ht	Wt	DOB
	A.J. Ellis	R/R	6-2	225	04/09/81
	Russell Martin	R/R	5-10	210	02/15/83
	Lucas May	R/R	5-11	195	10/24/84
	Infielders	B/T	Ht	Wt	DOB
	Casey Blake	R/R	6-2	205	08/23/73
	--Jamey Carroll	R/R	5-9	170	02/18/74
	--Ivan De Jesus	R/R	5-11	190	05/01/87
	Blake DeWitt	L/R	5-11	205	08/20/85
	Rafael Furcal	S/R	5-8	185	10/24/77
	Chin-lung Hu	R/R	5-11	195	02/02/84
	James Loney	L/L	6-3	220	05/07/84
	Outfielders	B/T	Ht	Wt	DOB
	Andre Ethier	L/L	6-2	210	04/10/82
	Matt Kemp	R/R	6-2	225	09/23/84
	Xavier Paul	L/R	5-9	205	02/25/85
	Manny Ramirez	R/R	6-0	200	05/30/72
	Jason Repko	R/R	5-10	190	12/27/80
	--Trayvon Robinson	S/R	5-10	175	09/01/87

Blake DeWitt On Second Base Job

Blake DeWitt's thoughts on the second base job and the acquisition of veteran players at that position the last couple of years.

"My approach is not going to change," said DeWitt. "I'm going to work hard, improve as much as possible and get to Spring Training ready to win a job and help this team win. A couple of years ago I might have felt different. But I've learned a lot, I've grown up a lot since 2008. I realize some things you can control and some things you can't."

Aaron Harang Trade Talks "All But Dead"

Per Ned Colletti, via Dylan Hernandez's Twitter.

Good job (again) Ned (is there and echo?).

The team has plenty, plenty of options for the 4th and 5th rotation spots, and we don't need to give up players on the Major League roster, prospects, cash, or any combination of the three to acquire a guy on the downside of his career.

Dodgers Sign Brian Barton (UPDATE)

To a minor league deal with an invitation to Spring Training, reports Dylan Hernandez via Twitter.

The Dodgers will now be inviting 10 players to Spring Training who have signed minor league deals with the club.

Barton, 27, was born in LA and signed as an amateur free agent in 2005 by Cleveland.

Barton, an OF, has appeared in 83 games over 2 seasons, amassing 179 plate appearances with a .354 OBP.

His minor league numbers are impressive, with a slash line of .300/.398/.451/.849 in 5 seasons.

I really like the idea of Xavier Paul and Barton being the 4th and 5th OFs, though the team does have a love affair with Jason Repko that I can't explain.

Nice signing by Ned.

Barton's career:

• May 14, 2005: Signed by the Cleveland Indians as an amateur free agent.
• December 6, 2007: Drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals from the Cleveland Indians in the 2007 rule 5 draft.
• April 20, 2009: Traded by the St. Louis Cardinals to the Atlanta Braves for Blaine Boyer

UPDATE: Thanks to commenter louisinsf over at Dodger Thoughts (and verified by the ever reliable Wikipedia), Barton was drafted by the Dodgers in the 38th round (1137th overall) of the 2000 MLB Draft, but did not sign and instead attended Loyola Marymount University.

Juan Pierre Trade Completed (UPDATE)

It will in fact be John Ely and Jon Link heading to LA. Good job Ned Colletti, something I don't say too often.




Does Link (right) remind anybody else of Bobby Jenks without the blond goatee?


Previous Pierre Trade Coverage found here.

UPDATE: Eric Stephen at True Blue LA informs us that Link has been placed on the 40-man roster, while Ely does not have to be placed on it until 2011. The 40-man roster now has 36 Dodgers on it.

Dodgers Sign 9 To Minor League Deals

• Doug Mientkiewicz
• Angel Berroa
• Josh Towers
• Justin Miller
• Luis Ayala
• Prentice Redman
• Juan Perez
• John Lindsey
• Francisco Felix

All 9 have received an invite to Spring Training.

The first 7 have been mentioned here already, but the last two are new names.

Lindsey, 32, spent time in AA and AAA with the Dodgers between 2007 and 2008.

Felix, 26, has spent his entire pro career in the states in the Dodgers organization, beginning in A ball in 2006 and reaching AAA in 2008. He split 2009 between AA Chattanooga and AAA Albuquerque. Over his 5 seasons of minor league baseball, including time spent in the Mexican League, Felix has K'd 8.7/9 IP with a WHIP of 1.37.

UCLA Needs To Add A Class. Now.

A class on baseball and sabermetrics.

Please, please add a class like this UCLA.

I would have already signed up yesterday.

Dodgers Sign Two Former Dodgers To Contracts

Doug Mientkiewicz and Angel Berroa have signed minor league deals and been invited to Spring Training. Mientkiewicz has the better shot of the two to make the team.

A Question For The Baseball and Stat-Loving World

Am I the only one who finds it both amusing and sad that Harold Reynolds is co-hosting a special on the MLB Network about baseball and statistics?

The same Harold Reynolds who has a career OBP of .327 (frankly, I'm shocked it's above .300) and an OPS+ of 83.

The same Harold Reynolds who wrote this monstrosity of a blog post on baseball stats, that of course included the mandatory "clogging the bases" statement that people who know nothing about baseball think about players who draw a lot of walks.

In honor of old Harold, this post will go up at the time corresponding to his on-base percentage.

Have some fun and read the Harold Reynolds archives over at Fire Joe Morgan.

Somebody, Anybody: Please Kill Jimmy Football

I normally do not advocate the death of another human being, but when it comes to "Jimmy Football", all bets are off. Someone please end this joke of an ad campaign, and if Jimmy Football mysteriously disappears as well, I don't think anybody would be disappointed or miss the guy.

The picture says it all: DOUCHE.

Hee-seop Choi Climbed A Mountain

And credits that with revitalizing his career.

The former Dodger hit 33 HRs in the Korean League in 2009.

Ned Colletti Returns To His Normal, Awful G.M.ing Ways

Dylan Hernandez is reporting that the Dodgers have begun to explore "a possible trade with the Cincinnati Reds for pitcher Aaron Harang".

The price, according to Hernandez: one or two players off of the MAJOR LEAGUE ROSTER, plus a good chunk of money.

Yeah, how about no.

Harang, 31, has a career FIP of 4.10, WHIP of 1.33, and has K'd 7.54/9 IP for his 8 year career, but he's nothing more than a back of the rotation starter at this point in his career, even accounting for the bump in numbers he would likely see after moving from the little league field in Cincinnati to a more pitcher-friendly ballpark in sunny Southern California.

Again, wasn't money a problem, why arbitration wasn't offered when it clearly should have been? Oh, and we have plenty of options for the 4 and 5 spots in the rotation: James McDonald, Scott Elbert, Charlie Haeger, Josh Lindblom, and perhaps even John Ely.

Color me uninterested in Harang.

This comment form Hernandez's article, from a reader who I'm pretty sure would do whatever it took to get Harang on the Dodgers, sums up Frank McCourt's business philosophy:

It would probably take prospects, the better the prospects the more cash the Reds would pay.

Yeah, cause that has worked out so well in the past, hasn't it?

Dodgers Sign Two Veterans

The Dodgers have signed journeyman infielder Jamey Carroll, 35, and journeyman reliever Luis Ayala, 31.

Carroll's deal is for 2 years and reportedly about $3.85 million, plus incentives.


Ayala's deal is a minor-league deal with an invitation to camp come Spring Training. He has a career FIP of 4.01.


Carroll better not take time away from the younger, upside-laden and, quite frankly, better Blake DeWitt. Carroll is a backup, a bench player. Treat him as such.

Dodgers Sign Juan Perez (EDITED)

Perez inks a minor league deal, per Diamond Leung.

Ned Colletti continues his holiday shopping spree at the scrap heap of pitchers.

Perez is 31 and has not pitched in the big leagues since 2007.

His major league career consists of 24 appearances, all with the Pirates in 2006 and 2007. Perez has also pitched with minor league affiliates of the Mets, Pirates, and Braves.


Juan Perez's career:

(Via Baseball Reference)

• September 2,1998: Signed by the Boston Red Sox as an amateur free agent.

• October 15, 2005: Granted Free Agency.

• October 28, 2005: Signed as a Free Agent with the New York Mets.

• August 23, 2006: Selected off waivers by the Pittsburgh Pirates from the New York Mets.

• November 3, 2008: Granted Free Agency.

YES! Juan Pierre Has Been Traded! (UPDATES)

Juan Pierre has been traded to the White Sox, according to Tim Brown and Ken Rosenthal.

Brown reports the Dodgers will pick up about half of Pierre's remaining salary, and will acquire two minor league pitchers.

Dylan Hernandez Tweets the minor leaguers will be named later.

Buster Olney Tweets the breakdown of salary as: $8 million to be paid by the White Sox, $10.5 million to be paid by the Dodgers.

As the title of this post clearly demonstrates, I am ecstatic at this news. Now, I just hope Xavier Paul wins the 4th outfielder job over Jason Repko, which appears to be more of a challenge than it should be due to the Dodgers love affair with Repko.

I don't really even care who we get back in return for Pierre (though hopefully there's some nice upside with the two minor leaguers); I'm just thrilled Juan Pierre is no longer a Dodger.

You can follow along and stay up to date with this transaction through MLB Trade Rumors and their excellent coverage.


UPDATE: Eric Stephen over at True Blue LA gives his take on the trade, including the statistical information I was too lazy to link to, though that information should be known by everyone today. Shockingly, many don't understand baseball statistics, or just choose to ignore them when it comes to Juan Pierre, using awful statistics like batting average and steals.

UPDATE # 2: Jon Morosi of FOX Sports Tweets that, according to a "source", the prospects coming to LA are John Ely, 23, and Jon Link, 25.

UPDATE # 3: Jayson Stark reports that the pitchers the Dodgers will acquire are likely to be ready to hit the show in 2010, which lends credence to the pitchers being Ely and Link, as Morosi reported. Ely has already reached AA, while Link has reached AAA. Ely has over a 3:1 strikeout to walk ratio and has struck out roughly 8/9 IP in his minor league career, while Link has struck out more than a batter per inning and has an almost 3:1 strikeout to walk ratio in his minor league career.

UPDATE # 4: The Dodgers have announced the trade. The players to be named later will be announced no later than January 7th of 2010. I'm hoping the players are Ely and Link, or at least comparable players. Ely and Link in particular make me love this deal even more than I already do.

UPDATE # 5: Juan Pierre looks baller with that mustache in the above photo. I'd like him a bit more if he grew it back. Not enough to want him on the team, but hey, it would be a start (again, a start that didn't end with him on the Dodgers).

UPDATE # 6: Jon Weisman over at Dodger Thoughts gives his take on the Pierre trade. A great read.

Reflections Of Blue Closes Up Shop

Brandon over at Reflections Of Blue has decided to retire his great blog. Best of luck Brandon, I hope to see you return one day.

His final post: A Final Reflection

REFLECTIONS OF BLUE CLOSES SHOP

A little over one year ago my friends and I started Reflections of Blue with no particular mission statement in mind other than our common admiration (ok, outright obsession) for the Los Angeles Dodgers. From that admiration grew an online destination where both euphoria and excruciating agony mirrored the daily journey that was, if nothing else, an emotional season of Dodger baseball. However, after an almost incredible year, it is time to hang up the cleats. There were never any goals laid out, so while I can't say we succeeded or failed in achieving any aspirations I can say we sure had a helluva good time.

When the site was started a year ago I never could have imagined the countless hours of research and effort needed in attempts to keep the site relevant. Even after posting I often found similar topics covered more thoroughly, and with greater resound, at other Dodger destinations throughout the web. It wasn’t demoralizing per say, but the internal pressure to elevate the content was felt on a consistent basis. That in itself is not the primary reason I have chosen to retire the site, but it's something that has frequented my thoughts over the past two months. I do feel however, that things did click at various points along the way as I found my little “Dodger diary” getting linked more frequently as the season wore on. The guys at True Blue LA and Sons of Steve Garvey were instrumental in making that happen, and for that I politely bow and pass along a humble thank you.

The original idea for Reflections of Blue was imagined after learning about a scrapbook of the 1962 Dodgers that my father kept while growing up in nearby Ventura. (For those unaware the 1962 squad tallied 101 wins in the inaugural season at Dodger Stadium; however, a 3-10 finish forced a three game playoff with the Giants for the National League pennant. If you’ve learned anything from being a Dodger fan over the years I don’t have to tell you how that series played out.) If nothing else, Reflections of Blue carried a sense of personal recollection, and my father’s mementos were the chief inspiration behind that theme. The newspaper clippings, pastel portrait giveaways, and ticket stubs included in that childhood collage were incredible links to the past, and I hope that one day the posts and images that appeared here will allow me to fondly recall the events that transpired as I was captivated by the boys in Blue on a nightly basis.

I can honestly say I've never followed an individual season closer, and never cheered louder for any team, in any sport, as I did for the 2009 Los Angeles Dodgers. However, much like my father’s scrapbook chronicles, the season has come and gone, and now feels like the appropriate time to step back and watch the 2010 season develop from afar. I bid adieu with the uncertainty of the future looming largely in the forefront, but also with the eternal hope of the distant Brooklyn Dodger faithful cry, “wait till next year" echoing constantly in the background.

Dodgers Decline Offer For Eric Stults, Japanese Lessons Put On Hold

The Dodgers declined an offer for Eric Stults from a Japanese club. He remains a Dodger, and in America, for now.

The Dodgers had been shopping his contract, what with the team's financial foes and all.

Dodgers Sign Josh Towers

To a minor-league deal worth $700,000.

Towers, 32, has pitched for Baltimore, Toronto, and the Yankees, as well as the minor-league affiliates of the Rockies and Nationals.

His career FIP is 4.83, and he has struck out 4.79/9 IP over his 9-year career.

Dodgers To Tender Contracts To All Arbitration-Eligible Players

The list:

• Matt Kemp
• Chad Billingsley
• Jonathan Broxton
• Andre Ethier
• Hong-Chih Kuo
• James Loney
• George Sherrill
• Russell Martin
• Jason Repko (?!?! - Oy vey)
  

Winter Meetings News

Jon Weisman passes along multiple Dodger moves:

• Jamie Hoffmann was taken with the first selection in the Rule 5 Draft by the Yankees.
• The Dodgers are going to offer arbitration to Jason Repko. Color me fucking stunned. He must have pictures of someone in the organization.
• The Dodgers acquired Carlos Monasterios from the Mets, who selected him in the Rule 5 Draft. The price: CASH. Wasn't a lack of cash the problem? The reason why we couldn't offer arbitration to Wolf and Hudson? Oh wait, it was a "baseball decision". Fuck.
• The Dodgers acquired Armando Zerpa from the Rays, who selected him in the aforementioned Rule 5 Draft.
  

Russ Mitchell Named To AFL All-Prospect Team

This is Mitchell's second honor of the year, after having won the Dernell Stenson Sportsmanship Award back in November.

I wouldn't call Mitchell a prospect though, as he's 24 (younger than I thought, I had guessed 26) and has never had a major league at-bat; he was drafted way back in 2003. The last player that I can remember still being a prospect, and in a similar situation to Mitchell's, who ended up making a major impact was Ryan Howard, and he came up so late simply because he was blocked at 1st base in Philly by future Hall Of Famer and recent Dodger Jim Thome.

Mitchell is only "blocked", and I use that term lightly, by James "Road" Loney. And I don't see a similar career path. Now Kyle Russell, that's a different story.

Either way, congrats to Mitchell for a season of recognition.

AFL All-Prospect Team.

Ned Colletti Doesn't Regret What Ned Colletti Should Regret

Randy Wolf signed a 3-year-deal with Milwaukee today. It's being reported there's a team option for a 4th year.

Colletti doesn't regret not offering Wolf arbitration.

I regret it, because we would have received picks.

Damn you Ned and Frank, damn you.

On a side note, Wolf looks so stoic in the picture to the right. That smirk is probably Randy laughing silently at how stupid Dodgers management is.

Dan Sexton, Now With 2 Goals and Counting

Congratulations go out to Dan Sexton, a 22-year-old rookie right wing out of Bowling Green University, signed as an undrafted college free agent in April of this year, for scoring his first 2 NHL goals tonight.


Great game from Sexton, less so from the team, even though they pulled out the win in overtime. Playing a great 3rd period and overtime doesn't take away from the fact that the first two periods were garbage.

Please, fire Randy Carlyle already. Like now. Go, go, go!

Rumor Tuesday, Now Featuring Juan Pierre and Aging Veteran Infielders: The Backups Strike Again

Backups, Unite!

• Tim Brown of Yahoo Sports Tweets that the Dodgers met with infielder Nick Green's agent.
• Joe Frisaro Tweets the Dodgers are interested in infielder Alfredo Amezaga.
• Frisaro also Tweets at least 3 teams are interested in Juan Pierre. Why, I have no idea, but let's hope one bites, and all the Dodgers have to do is eat some of his contract, and not include prospects, as some have speculated. Then again, McCourt is cheap and broke, and he has a history of choosing to give away elite prospects instead of paying money, so I'm scared of what that trade could look like.
  

Until next time, this has been the Backups edition of Rumors.

Links On A Monday Night

Ned Colletti's extension is for 5 years, reports Jon Heyman. I don't know whether or not to believe this, because I hate Jon Heyman, and he's an idiot. But of course McCourt is stupid enough to have done this. Shit. 2014 can't come soon enough. If 2012 ends up as the Mayans "predicted", let the only causalities be Colletti and McCourt. [Jon Heyman via Twitter]

Mitch Jones wins the 2009 Joe Bauman Award as the minor league HR king. [Minors Journeyman Wins HR Title]

Dodgers President Dennis Mannion gets more responsibility, as Frank McCourt makes him responsible for baseball operations. [Mannion To Oversee Baseball Operations]

Joe Torre apparently wants to return for 2011, then receive a front-office role when he finishes managing. I would really prefer him just leave now, and not have a front-office role. [Torre, LA Talk Extension, Front-Office Gig]

Ned Colletti denies that George Sherrill is on the market. The article also mentions the team intends for Josh Lindblom and Scott Elbert to begin 2010 as starters, with James McDonald's role up in the air. I assume the club wants Lindblom and Elbert starting in the majors. [Dodgers' Colletti Disputes Trade Reports]

A Movement Has Begun

Free Blake DeWitt.

Our man at second.

Also on board is Blue Heaven.

Image via The Left Field Pavilion.

The Dodgers Gave Out At Least 3 Of The 10 Worst Contracts Of The 2000s

Jeff Passan at Big League Stew lists the 10 worst contracts from this decade.

Three Dodgers make the list, all in the top 5.

Somehow Juan Pierre doesn't make it, though he would have if I had made the list.

At # 5, Andruw Jones.

At # 3, Jason Schmidt.

And at # 1, ........ drumroll please ........ Darren Dreifort.