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Dodgers have plenty of room to make moves
Colletti has budget flexibility this offseason, even if he doesn't use it, or need it, in putting the Dodgers' roster together.
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While the Dodgers have remained open to the return of Ramirez, although on a shorter deal than he wants, and have started to kick the tires on the likes of Adam Dunn as a run-producing replacement, the team goes into the New Year having slashed close to $48 million off last year's payroll and even without any more additions, would enter the season favored to win the NL West.
The Dodgers did re-sign free agent shortstop Rafael Furcal — but his salary was cut from $13 million for last year's injury-marred effort to $6.5 million for 2009 — and third baseman Blake, whose three-year deal pays him $5 million in 2009.
But in addition to Ramirez filing for free agency and Maddux retiring, the Dodgers payroll since Opening Day a year ago has been cleared of the salaries of Derek Lowe ($10 million), Jeff Kent ($9 million), Nomar Garciaparra ($8.5 million), Brad Penny ($8.5 million), Esteban Loaiza ($7 million), Joe Beimel ($1.925 million) and Chan Ho Park ($500,000).
For most teams, the loss of that type of veteran nucleus would be concerning, but for the Dodgers, the efforts of the scouting department, led by Logan White, have alleviated some of the concern.
While a key for the pitching staff would be if they can at least salvage one season out of the three-year, $47 million deal they gave Jason Schmidt, the Dodgers do have three quality home-grown arms who could fill big roles, although none of the three should have to shoulder the ace role, yet.
Chad Billingsley is coming off a 16-win effort in his third big-league season; 2006 No. 1 draft pick Clayton Kershaw, a lefty, doesn't turn 21 until the spring but showed last year he is ready for the big-league challenge, and James McDonald, organizational pitcher of the year the last two seasons, handled September and postseason bullpen challenges well.
The offense benefits from the return of Furcal but could use a veteran in the middle. The Dodgers know better than to count on a resurgence of Andruw Jones, even if he will make $18.1 million for the second year in a row. But they also know that the young offensive nucleus came alive once the divisive personality of Kent disappeared from the clubhouse for the final month of last year, and the young nucleus of outfielders Andre Ethier and Matt Kemp, catcher Russell Martin and first baseman James Loney relaxed and appeared to enjoy the game again.
Notes:
Those two uncertainties did play into the decision to keep third baseman Garrett Atkins, who would slip over to first, opening up third for Ian Stewart, if Helton struggles, and also the pursuit of Jason Marquis from the Cubs, providing a durable veteran to help eat up innings if Francis is slowed.
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