I have a plan on how to help fix he Dodgers.
Wait, don't panic, this isn't one of those columns where a blinkered fan suggests acquiring A-Rod in return for a backup catcher and a bag of balls.
I think these proposed moves make sense and could well happen - qualities which are not often found together as the trading deadline approaches.
With Rafael Furcal ruled out after needing back surgery and Juan Pierre on the DL for the first time in his career, Matt Kemp is batting leadoff.
I'm not a big fan of this, as although Kemp has speed, he is not patient enough, strikes out too much and is not yet a smart baserunner - I've seen him picked off too many times already this year.
So the Dodgers need a shortstop, a leadoff hitter and a veteran to get the exciting young players doing the little things.
They have been linked with Pittsburgh's Jack Wilson.
And they are also rumoured to be heavily in the CC Sabathia sweepstakes.
According to Ken Rosenthal on the Fox Sports website, the Dodgers may only have the players to do one of those deals.
This is what I would do:
Offer Chin-Lung Hu, Andy LaRoche and James McDonald to the Indians for Sabathia.
This is the package Rosenthal mentioned in his article on the Sabathia rumours.
Of course, the Indians could sign Sabathia to an extension, or trade him to a team such as the Brewers if they prefer the prospects on offer such as Matt Laporta and Carlos Triunfel.
But this offer would give the Indians an excellent fielding shortstop in Hu.
He has struggled with the bat at the Major League level, but time is on his side and he could eventually replace Jhonny Peralta if the Indians trade him or don't resign him.
LaRoche would give them another option at third base, as Andy Marte doesn't look like the answer and Casey Blake my well be dealt at the deadline too.
And McDonald, the Dodger minor league pitcher of 2007, is a decent arm for the future.
This deal would give the Dodger rotation a big boost, as Sabathia gives them the true ace they have been lacking for some time - Brad Penny just isn't ace quality, Lowe is an excellent second or third starter and Billingsley isn't an experienced ace - yet.
So what about the shortstop dilemma?
Don't worry, I'm not expecting Nomar to revert to his years as the Red Sox shortstop, or sudden offense from Angel Berroa or Luis Maza.
But my answer isn't Jack Wilson, who is under contract for next season with an option for 2010.
It's not Khalil Greene, even if the Padres would deal him to an NL West rival.
Ronny Cedeno or Clint Barmes? Possibly, but not who I'd go for.
The man I'd deal for is David Eckstein.
Apparently Toronto are dangling AJ Burnett and want a shortstop in return.
If this makes Eckstein available, go and get him.
He will be a free agent at the end of the year, is having a decent enough year, injuries aside, and would give the Dodgers someone to lead by example and show the young players how the game should be played.
I think a prospect or bullpen arm such as Yhency Brazoban or Corey Wade could get a deal done.
These moves would leave the Dodgers short of power, but I think these moves could still make a big impact in an extremely winnable division, and help the team in a short postseason series.
Imagine facing Sabathia and Billingsley twice in the same playoff series.
So if Ned Colletti is reading this, forget a power hitter and don't bother with Jack Wilson. Choose the Ecks Factor.
I was just saying this same thing yesterday. Eckstien in Dodger Blue is all too perfect. He knows how to win, he was a world series MVP you know.
I like Eckstein as a hustle player and is an asset in intangibles, but the problem is Maza/Berroa can do what Eckstein can do at least on the field. Neither Maza nor Berroa will ever see a hot streak while Eckstein can at least put the ball in play to better effect.
Personally, I've never really been a Sabathia fan. Some folks see the asset of him being a bit chunky as some factor in him going deep into games, but his IP workload coupled with his conditioning or the lack thereof (even though he's corrected his form) makes me think CC is a rental. Granted some sunk money is off the books in the offseason to foreseeably have Sabathia on board but knowing the Dodgers, they're either extremely cheap or they have a lot of money dedicated in the wrong places. It's really been both. The Sabathia move will depend on 1) if Dodger management feels they've made an accurate enough assessment of Andy Laroche and 2) the status of the patchwork guys (i.e. Park, Kershaw).
I would say it's a Catch 22 situation. The Dodgers' offense is bar none the worst in the NL but by the same token, the pitching has been a shambles. Despite all that, we're 1/2 game back of reeling Arizona (should've put away SF tonight to make it a 1/2 game lead) and the pressure to win, mounted by impatience with the kids, makes this year an opportunity that can be won or lost. We trade for Dunn, we have the issue about resigning a big money player. Same thing for Bay, which makes trading Kemp for him really pointless. Holliday would be a fantastic coup, but his away OPS is not much to write about, especially at Dodger Stadium (give or take, it's below .800)...and again, the big money. Personally I have mixed feelings about it, given that the Dodger management has made piss-poor decisions for the last two decades for the most part.
I would think any player the Dodgers bring on is going to be a rental. They dont' have that much coming off the books.
Personally, I would prefer not to see Sabathia in the division, and most certainly not on LA.
But thats just me
True, not a lot of money is coming off the payroll, but I think this might be the last year we owe money to Darren Dreifort. That has to count for something.