Los Angeles
Dodgers

News: Schmidt (shoulder) will likely retire after filing for free agency, MLB.com reports.
Impact: Injuries limited him to just 10 starts during a three-year span with the Dodgers, while yielding a 3-6 record with a 6.02 ERA after signing a $47 million contract with Los Angeles prior to the 2007 season. 

News: Martin batted a disappointing .250/.352/.329 in 2009, the second consecutive season his OPS has experienced a drop-off.
Impact: Compared to 2007, Martin's home runs dropped from 19 to seven and stolen bases from 21 to 11. Still, he's just 26 and should be considered a borderline top-10 catcher headed into 2010. 

News: Loretta batted just .232/.309/.276 in 181 at-bats for the Dodgers this season.
Impact: At age 38, Loretta's career may be at an end. He'll at least get an invite to spring training, but whatever fantasy value he once had is in the distant past. 

News: Loney finished with a .281/.357/.399 line, including 13 homers and 90 RBIs.
Impact: The homers and RBI were identical to the marks Loney recorded in 2008. Four of Loney's home runs came in the month of September, giving us at least some hope of a mini power surge next year. 

News: Kuroda finished 8-7 with a 3.76 ERA, but was limited to just 117.1 innings due to oblique, concussion, and neck injuries.
Impact: A healthy Kuroda has proven himself to be a solid No. 3 starter, and that's what the Dodgers will hope to get in 2010. He'll return as a member of the rotation and is a late-round option in 12-team mixed leagues. 

News: According to MLBlogs.com, Jason Schmidt is likely to retire this offseason.
Impact: Schmidt currently has no plans to pitch next year, even though he filed for free agency on Wednesday, and it's not likely that his services would garner many interested parties. The once dominant starter went just 2-2 with a 5.61 ERA in four starts last season, and was severely limited once again by his practically bionic shoulder that has seen multiple surgeries. It was a solid career, but Schmidt likely should have hung up the spikes seasons ago. 

News: Kuo missed nearly three months of the season with elbow problems, but upon returning in late-July, posted a 2.19 ERA the rest of the way to finish with a 3.00 mark in 30 innings.
Impact: Same old story. When healthy, Kuo is among the elite left-handed relievers in the game. The Dodgers will cross their fingers that his elbow holds together in 2010. 

News: In his first full season, Kershaw finished 8-8 with a 2.79 ERA and 185 strikeouts in 171 innings.
Impact: Kershaw was also fourth in the league in walks with 91, so he's not yet a finished product, but a sub-3.00 ERA and 9.7 K/9 at age 21 is pretty special. Look for more wins and further progress in 2010. 

News: Kemp had another solid season, batting .297/.352/.490 with 26 home runs, 101 RBI and 34 stolen bases.
Impact: That's good enough for top-5 fantasy outfielder status headed into 2010, and at 25, it's likely Kemp's best years are ahead of him. To top things off, Kemp also won his first Gold Glove this year. Apparently he can play center field after all. 

News: Paul, on the disabled list since May 22, has been transferred to the 60-day DL.
Impact: Paul initially went on the disabled list with a staph infection on his left leg and went to the Dodgers' spring training complex to rehabilitate. He has begun baseball activities and may be called up in September. 

News: Schlichting was placed on the 60-day disabled list Sept. 1 with a back injury.
Impact: Schlichting had no record with a 3.38 ERA in two appearances this season. 

News: The Dodgers moved Schmidt from the 15-day disabled list to the 60-day DL on Aug. 27 to make room for recently acquired starter Vicente Padilla.
Impact: It could mean the end of Schmidt's career. The 36-year-old starter underwent two shoulder operations that sidelined him all of last season and most of 2007. He's in the final season of a three-year, $47 million contract and has made a total of 10 starts in that time. The three-time All-Star pitched 17 2-3 innings in four starts this season, going 2-2 with a 5.60 ERA. 

News: Furcal finsished with a middling .269/.335/.375 line in 2009, including nine homers and just 12 stolen bases.
Impact: On a brighter note, Furcal did hit .330 after August 31. If he's now truly 100% after the prior-year ankle and back issues, Furcal could be a bit of a sleeper in 2010. It's easy to forget that he's still just 32. 

News: Elbert finished 2009 with a 5.03 ERA in 19.2 big league innings.
Impact: The four homers and seven walks hurt Elbert's ERA, but he flashed good enough stuff from the left side to strike out 21 batters. At this point in his career, seeing Elbert as a regular member of the LA rotation seems unlikely, so expect him back teaming with Hong-Chih Kuo and George Sherrill in the Dodgers' bullpen again in 2010. 

News: Thome is expected to be one of a few players that White Sox will talk to as its designated hitter in 2010, ESPN-AM 1000 in Chicago reports.
Impact: Thome along with Hank Blalock and Hideki Matsui are on the Pale Hose's designated hitter list. Thome might have an in-road to this because the White Sox do not have a lot of cash which might eliminate Blalock and Matsui. 

News: DeWitt had a hugely disappointing season, going just 10-for-49 for the big club while spending the majority of the season in Triple-A.
Impact: DeWitt's performance for Triple-A Albuquerque was equally as disappointing with a .775 OPS. The club has an opening at second base next year, but look for the club to explore alternatives. 

News: Ethier had a stellar 2009, batting .272/.361/.508 with 31 home runs and 106 RBI.
Impact: Ethier also led the league with six walk-off hits. If he can get the batting average up next year, he can be a top-15 fantasy outfielder. Dodgers fans everywhere are crossing their fingers that a long-term deal is in the offing. 

News: Castro batted .277/.311/.339 in 112 at-bats for the Dodgers this year.
Impact: Nothing to see here from a fantasy perspective. The Dodgers could bring him back as a backup infielder again in 2010, but he's clearly not starting material. 

News: The Dodgers have declined a $2.2 million club option on Ohman for next season.
Impact: The left-hander gets a $200,000 buyout and filed for free agency Monday. He went on the disabled list May 29 with a sore shoulder, and didn't make the Dodgers' postseason roster. Ohman, who pitched for Atlanta last year, had a $1.35 million salary this year with the Dodgers, who purchased his contract from Triple-A Las Vegas in April. 

News: Broxton put himself in the upper tier of baseball's closer fraternity in 2009, winning seven games and saving 36 with a 2.61 ERA and a major league-leading 114 strikeouts (for relievers) in 76 innings.
Impact: Broxton's nemesis Matt Stairs got to him again in the playoffs (just a BB this time however), but overall, a successful first full season as a closer for the 25-year-old Georgia native. He'll get a nice bump in pay from the $1.8 million he made in 2009. 

News: Blake provided some needed stability at third base this season, batting .280/.363/.468 with 18 homers and 79 RBI in 485 at-bats.
Impact: Blake's hamstrings gave him troubles at different points in the season, but then again, he is 36, so these types of ailments should be expected. He's signed through 2011 and will return as the team's starting third baseman again in 2010. 

News: Billingsley's poor finish (0-3, 5.16 ERA in September) was well-chronicled in the playoffs, but he still won 12 games with a 4.03 ERA and 179 strikeouts in 196.1 innings.
Impact: The poor finish combined with Vicente Padilla taking his spot in the playoffs could leave Billingsley undervalued in 2010 drafts. Don't forget, he's still just 25, though he'll have to improve his command (86 walks) to reach his No. 2 starter ceiling. 

News: Ausmus hit a surprising .295/.343/.368 in 95 at-bats as Russell Martin's backup this year.
Impact: Ausmus, a free agent, turns 41 in April, but as 2009 proved, he may have another year left in the tank. He's no longer a starting option, but don't be surprised to see the Dodgers bring him back for another year. A Dartmouth grad, he could also be in line for a managerial job sooner rather than later. 

News: The Royals are said to have interest in back-up Dodgers catcher A.J. Ellis, according to the Kansas City Star.
Impact: The Royals don't have a ton of interest in offering arbitration to last year's starter John Buck. The 28-year-old Ellis is firmly entrenched behind 26-year-old Dodgers starter Russell Martin, and L.A. is reportedly interested in Kansas City infielder Alberto Callaspo. Stay tuned.  

News: The Dodgers returned Milton to the disabled list with a thoracic back injury Sunday, and he's likely out for the season, the Los Angeles Times reported.
Impact: The move was made to make room for infielder Blake DeWitt. Manager Joe Torre told the Dodgers' official Web site that Milton's injury 'never went away.' 

News: The Dodgers could be re-thinking bringing back Vicente Padilla for the 2010 season after he accidentally shot himself in the leg in a bizarre accident in his home country of Nicaragua last week, according to the Chicago Tribune.
Impact: Padilla's clutch pitching down the stretch last season had all the makings of a contract drive, and it may not be wise of the Dodgers to sink major dollars into a pitcher that was designated for assignment twice in the same season for being a clubhouse cancer in Texas. His 4.46 season ERA for 2009 was his lowest since 2003 with the Phillies. 

News: Manny Ramirez has exercised his $20 million, 2010 player option, making his return to the Dodgers next season official, according to MLB.com.
Impact: The Dodgers knew this was coming, but were probably holding out a sliver of hope he wouldn't. Manny hit .290 with 19 home runs and 63 RBI in 104 games in 2009. 

News: Ramirez is coming back to the Dodgers next season. The team said Friday that the slugger exercised his $20 million contract option for 2010. His agent Scott Boras informed Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti of the decision.
Impact: Ramirez hit .290 with 19 home runs and 63 RBIs in 104 regular season games. He missed 50 games while suspended for violating baseball's drug policy. In the NL division series against St. Louis, Ramirez batted .308 with no homers and two RBI. Against Philadelphia in the NL championship series, he hit .263 with one homer and two RBI. 

News: Manny Ramirez is expected to return to the Dodgers in 2010, according to Dylan Hernandez's (Los Angeles Times) twitter page.
Impact: The news came from Manny's agent Scott Boras. The elite outfielder holds a $20MM option, and will apparently exercise it.  

News: Ramirez will exercise his $20 million option for 2010 and return to the Dodgers, Dylan Hernandez of the LA Times reports.
Impact: Hernandez reports Ramirez's agent Scott Boras said he will exercise the option in the coming days. Ramirez had a relatively quiet 2009 season due in part to his 50-game suspension, but should be a productive hitter once again during the 2010 season. 

News: Milton (back) filed for free agency, the L.A. Times reports.
Impact: Milton underwent surgery in July to remove a herniated disk in his back, so he'll need to prove he's healthy before finding a job this winter. 

News: Wolf filed for free agency, the L.A. Times reports.
Impact: Wolf had a strong season with the Dodgers (3.23 ERA and 160:58 K:BB ratio in 214.3 innings), so he'll likely have many suitors this winter. 

News: Mientkiewicz filed for free agency, the L.A. Times reports.
Impact: Mientkiewicz missed almost the entire season after shoulder surgery but returned in September. He'll likely sign a non-roster deal somewhere to try and win a utility job. 

News: Belliard filed for free agency, the L.A. Times reports.
Impact: Belliard hit .277 with 10 home runs and played well for the Dodgers in the final months, so he could get a starting job next season. However, his .325 OBP is a worry. 

News: Hudson filed for free agency, the L.A. Times reports.
Impact: Despite sharing playing time with Ronnie Belliard at second base late in the season, Hudson will likely be one of the top infielders available on the free agent market. 

News: The Dodgers have declined a $10 million mutual option on Garland for next season, making him eligible for free agency.
Impact: The right-hander gets a $2.5 million buyout because the team declined, and he would have earned a $1 million buyout if he had declined. Garland was acquired from Arizona ahead of the July 31 trade deadline for infielder Tony Abreu. He was 3-2 with a 2.72 ERA in six games for the Dodgers, and didn't make their playoff roster. He was 8-11 with a 4.29 ERA in 27 games with Arizona. 

News: The Los Angeles Dodgers have declined the 2010 option on starting pitcher Jon Garland, according to the Twitter page of beat writer Dylan Hernandez.
Impact: The Dodgers acquired Garland from the D-Backs before the deadline, but he was just average at best in his time in LA. He will find a home next season, and he figures to remain an average starting pitcher and borderline fantasy player next season. 

News: The Dodgers declined to pick up Garland's $10 million option for 2010, the L.A. Times reports.
Impact: Arizona is paying the $2.5 million buyout in his contract as part of his trade to Los Angeles. He could return to the Dodgers on a different deal, however, but for now he'll become a free agent. 

News: Padilla accidentally shot himself in the leg in Nicaragua. Dr. Eduardo Reguera said Padilla didn't need surgery after spending time at Managua's Metropolitan Hospital.
Impact: Police spokesman Vilma Reyes said Wednesday that Padilla's pistol apparently jammed during a target shooting session late Tuesday. Padilla was trying to clear a round from the chamber when the pistol went off. His agent, Adam Katz, told the Los Angeles Times that it was a ``hunting accident.'' Padilla went 4-0 with a 3.20 ERA for the Dodgers the final two months of the regular season. 

News: Padilla, who revived his career in the Dodgers' run to the National League Championship Series, was treated for a minor self-inflicted gunshot wound in his right leg at a hospital in his native Nicaragua on Tuesday, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Impact: News reports out of Nicaragua stated that Padilla was hurt at a shooting range. At least two news outlets reported that Padilla was accidentally shot by his "escort," who was trying to fix Padilla's malfunctioning gun. Padilla is expected to file for free agency in the coming weeks, but the Dodgers said that they are interested in re-signing the 32-year-old right-hander. 

News: According to the LA Times, Dodgers starter Vicente Padilla was treated for a minor gunshot wound in a Nicaragua hospital on Tuesday.
Impact: The wound was apparently self-inflicted and Padilla's agent is calling it a "hunting accident". The pitcher was treated for 30-40 minutes after being rushed to the hospital and it appears the bullet just grazed his leg. Hopefully this doesn't turn out to be another "Plaxico situation" as the Dodgers were looking into resigning the revamped veteran next season. 

News: Ramirez has to decide on his one-year, $20 million option by Nov. 10, or five days after the World Series concludes, whichever comes first, the Dodgers' official site reports.
Impact: Considering how much Ramirez tailed off in the second half, he's unlikely to get an equal or better deal, so the odds are in favor of him exercising that option. 

News: Scout.com reports that Andre Ethier has been named the "Clutch Performer of the Year", an award presented by Pepsi. The award is sanctioned by the MLB and voted upon by fans.
Impact: Ethier led the majors with six walk-off hits including four home runs. He had six multi-home run games this season and had 31 home runs total.