GONE-ZO ARIZONA...

On Tuesday, the Los Angeles Dodgers lost four integral parts of the team. On Wednesday, the Dodgers reloaded. The Dodgers added stud pitcher Jason Schmidt by signing him to a three year deal worth $47 million dollars. They then signed Mike Lieberthal to a one year deal to back up Russell Martin, and just when you thought the dealing was over, they reeled in Luis Gonzalez to one year deal. The Dodgers had a very productive day. They strengthened the rotation, and shored up a whole in the lineup. The dilemma now is what happens to Andre Ethier, James Loney, Matt Kemp, and Brad Penny. It is well known that the Dodgers are looking to stock-pile pitchers in order to go out and trade Penny for the power bat they sorely need. There is speculation that the Dodgers will go seek a trade with the Toronto Blue Jays to acquire All-Star Vernon Wells. The Dodgers would have to part ways with Penny, and one if not two of their highly prized prospects. Say a deal does take place, Vernon Wells in right field, Juan Pierre in center field, and Gonzo in left, what happens to Andre Ethier?. Has Andre fallen out of favor with the organization?. Andre Ethier earned himself a starting position. Now he might be the odd man out. Also, there is the age old question of "do you trade prospects?" The Dodgers have stood strong, and kept most of their prospects. But, not just keeping them, they have to play them. James Loney is ready to be an everyday player, Andy LaRoche has been passed over many times, and we are still waiting for his first big league game. It would have made more sense if the Dodgers had simply not picked up Gonzo, and then gone after Vernon Wells, or Andruw Jones. That way Andre would not be road blocked. They also could keep Penny, and have one of the strongest rotations in all of baseball, but at this point that looks doubtful. The Dodgers are fed up with his poor attitude, and unreliable performance. But, Penny should be given one more shot. He did win sixteen games, and start the All-Star game. The Dodgers should just leave the team as is. In a weak National League, they are more than capable of winning in the playoffs. As of this moment, this Dodger ballclub is a throwback to that of the sixties. A team that runs well, moves guys over, and most important, is knee deep in good pitching. I can only hope that Ned Colletti stays with the building from with-in mentality.


BELIEVE IN BLUE!