Dodgers Sign Andruw Jones!

[Dan in Pasadena]

I thought this would have been posted this morning, but since no one did...$32 million for two years. A sweet deal for us Dodgers fans since he will likely be trying to re-prove himself for a HUGE payday in two years. A lot of money but in case anyone cares to note, the Angels paid the same (well, $200K less) for an older, lesser accomplished defensively Torii Hunter. This was a (gulp!) market place price.

If ONLY we could keep both Matt Kemp AND Andre Etheir in the outfield with him and trade Juan Pierre to a team in desperate need of a lead off hitter. Of course we'd have to eat a lot of his too huge salary.

The school of thought is Jones' signing signals either Ethier or Kemp will be dealt for a starting pitcher. Maybe, maybe not. Ned Coletti has shown a real resistance to move young talent. Maybe he redoubles his efforts (read, more of Frank McCourt's money) to sign the Japanses pitcher Kuroda? I hope so.

Leave Nomar and Andy LaRoche to duke it out at 3B. Nomar was an All Star 1B and SS, he's played 3B and has said he'd play anywhere the team needs. We'll see if he ends up being the 2008 right handed pinch hitter/utility infielder that Olmedo Saenz was. He has always been clutch and is a DRAMMATICALLY better fielder than Olmedo was. Thoughts?

[JCF]

....and Joe Torre as manager ?

[Dan in Pasadena]

Originally Posted by JCF

....and Joe Torre as manager ?

Yes, your question is...what?

[JCF]

Only wondering if you were as happy to see him headed that way as well.
- You should be.

[Dan in Pasadena]

Oh, okay. gotcha. Yes,I am pleased with the signing of Joe Torre. I think Grady Little got a raw deal perhaps but even though I wasn't militant about his managing, there WERE times when I just didn't get what the hell he was thinking.

My real feeling is the Dodgers would have almost been better than last year no matter what they did. If the kids got full seasons in, they were all on pace to hit 20HR's and I feel Loney and Martin probably have 25 in them. Kemp (if he'll stop hurting himself) could hit 30, perhaps a bit more.

Certainly their pitching needed upgrading...but whose doesn't? If we get through this offseason with additions and excluding subtractions, we may be very, very strong this year.

[gassy]

Good luck.

[JCF]

That was the exact same scenario with Grady when he was here (in Boston).
No one disliked him or thought he was a terrible manager - just that sometimes he did things that left you scratching your head .

Torre should do well with that team (The Dodgers).

[Dan in Pasadena]

Originally Posted by JCF

That was the exact same scenario with Grady when he was here (in Boston).
No one disliked him or thought he was a terrible manager - just that sometimes he did things that left you scratching your head .

Torre should do well with that team (The Dodgers).

Yup, hell of a nice person from everything I've ever heard about the man. An amzingly successful manager in the minors too. Too bad, but he has a couple of years pay in his pocket so hopefully he'll be fine.

Joe is a bit of a puzzle to me. I am happy we got him but I certainly hope he isn't coming here to help Mattingly get a future job or that he intends to cruise. I just wonder how much sheer desire and work a 67 year old, already-highly revered and successful manager can bring? I hope he feels he has something to prove...i.e. that he didn't only win because of the Yankees rosters...but let's be realistic...you gotta have the players to win.

[gassy]

Red Sox have the same roster as last year save J.E. and 2 more...possibly, but they may get Santana...Dodgers and Joe need a year or 2.

[Sunroof]

Not too bad, after all we got Glavine back to pitch. Andrew was loosing a few steps over the years, but if you want to witness the best their is in flying, diving, leaping, jumping catches, Jones will thrill you folks in California!!!!

Enjoy

[Dan in Pasadena]

Andruw's going to be an improvement in center just based on having an ORDINARY arm....down from what was an exemplary arm if i remember correctly. Pierre's arm was embarassingly bad. I'm hoping we somehow (and I don't know who would do it) move him to another team even if we have to eat a bunch of his salary...but I think a lot more likely is he stays and is in leftfield for his base running and base stealing and Andre Ethier is dealt. Perhaps back to Oakland where he came from for a pitcher.