GAME OVER?...

The face of the Los Angeles Dodgers franchise might not be back next year. Eric Gagne has a team option this offseason, and will most likely not get picked up. The option will come at $12 million, but he will get the option bought out for $1 million. This situation will happen. That does not mean that he will not be back. The Dodgers can still re-sign him at a lower rate. Maybe a incentive laden contract, similar to that of Nomar Garciaparra had this year. I do not care what Ned Colletti has to do to re-sign him, he needs to do it. From 2002 on, Eric has been "the guy" on this team, a 3-time all star, the 2003 Cy Young winner, and most important a stablelizing force closing out games. During this time, there was no one better than him. He only blew a remarkable 6 games during that stretch, set a major league record 84 straight games, and made people stick around until the ninth inning to watch him enter the jungle. Eric came armed with a blinding fastball, knee-buckling curveball, and a baffling change-up. Eric was the first star player Dodger fans could call their own since the dreadful trade of Mike Piazza. Ned needs to bring back Eric, and give him an opportunity to prove himself. A healthy Eric Gagne, is the best closer in the game. A healthy Eric Gagne will make the Dodgers bullpen the best in the National league West. A healthy Eric Gagne will drive people to the ballpark, and this just happens to be what Dodgers owner Frank McCourt seems to be more interested in. Lets not commit the same mistake that we made with Steve Garvey, Mike Piazza, and Fernado Valenzuela. Let Eric Gagne finish off his career in blue. I know he has been injured for most of the past two seasons, but considering what Eric has done for this organization, he deserves to be brought back and prove himself. I do not want it to be GAME OVER for Eric with our boys.... Jonathan Meloan has continued his hot streak in the Arizona Fall league. Meloan lowered his era to 1.13, and has been overpowering. Brian Akin has also kept his stellar play, while Casey Hoorelbeke, and Danny Muegge have been solid. A.J. Ellis torrid streak is still alive, he is now hitting a team leading .526. The same cannot be said for Chin Lung Hu, and Anthony Raglani, they have both struggled mightily. Meanwhile in the Hawaii Winter Baseball league, Blake DeWitt has finally woken up. He has brought his batting average up to .214, Xavier Paul is batting .259 but has played better than that. Cory Dunlap is hitting .278 with 9 rbi in 12 games. Hopefully Dodger prospects finish off strong.


BELIEVE IN BLUE!