Mark Loretta from mlb.com

Casey Blake from mlb.com

Rafael Furcal from MLB.com

So it’s been a little while since a post since I was traveling.  I took my family down to So. Cal to see the family for Christmas.  We drove down the coast on the way down and then through the valley on the way up.  My kids Grandpa and Grandma had over 1′ of snow in Crestline, so it was great fun to play in the snow.  I knew I was getting close to L.A. when I saw a Dodgers license plate holder in Ventura at a gas station.  I just don’t see enough of those up here.

So since I last posted, the Dodgers signed Mark Loretta, Casey Blake and Rafael Furcal.

First – Loretta.  It’s a nice pick up.  Nothing against him – he’s been a good ball player for a while.  Hopefully off the bench he can hit in a pinch and help the team.  I still think Garciaparra off the bench could be better option, but I bet he still wants to play consistently, and not just off the bench.  Honestly Nomar, you should consider off the bench until you can get rid of the reputation that your legs give out too fast, then go for the full time contract again.

Second – Blake.  I love Casey Blake.  He got mixed reviews in L.A., but he’s a solid player.  2 years would have been better, but at least there is a solid 3rd baseman for 3 years.  He’s not going to be A-rod, but he did great for the Dodgers this last year at times, especially with clutch hits.  He is streaky…but he’s always been that way.  He will be solid.

Finally – Furcal.  There were lots of stories around, but the thing I love is that he wanted to be a Dodger.  It’s obvious he wanted to go to the Dodgers, but wanted a minimum price.  The Braves gave the prices, so he was considering them.   Then the Dodgers realized they would rather have him than anybody else, so they met the price.  Furcal got the team and price he wanted, and the deal was done.  Since he wants to be there, he should be fine.  I’m betting his work in the winter league really influenced this, since his body seems to be back intact…pun intended.

In all three cases – the Dodgers are really re-creating the team from last year.  Now if they can just get some pitching and then Manny – they will be good to go.  The focus has been on Manny, but the Dodgers really need a #1 horse.  Actually they need a #1 and #2 in case one of the other guys goes down.  I’m starting to wonder if they think Jason Schmidt will pitch this year as they didn’t go as hard after C.C. as I thought they would.  We’ll see.  At least they are working on the holes.

So all the talk is Manny and the fact that the Dodgers made an offer just less than A-Rods.  Depending on which article you read, it was a good offer or a bad offer…and I just heard one that said the Dodgers lost ground with thieir offer to even the Blue Jays…even though the Jays can’t talk to Manny until the 14th?  How can you lose ground if you’re still the only offer for 8 days?  Not sure.

Anyway, I loved Manny and for pete’s sake – he’s the lead picture to this website.  Having said that, I give a 40% chance of the Dodgers signing him.  The Dodgers don’t want a long deal, and I think some team will make it happen.  Now, I don’t know that Manny is a good fit for the Blue Jays or Yankees compared to the Dodgers, but he obviously wants the biggest pay off.

The thing that catches my attention are the other players “available.”  If the Dodgers truly want to replace their left fielder, they should go after Holliday.  The guy is a stud and will be for a long time.  The other guy is Peavy.  I know the Dodgers want C.C., but he will get big money and there is a good chance the Dodgers will be outbid.  I don’t want the Padres to gain from the Dodgers, but Peavy consistently beat the Dodgers and would be a great gain at a lower price than Sabathia.  We’ll see.

I do think the Dodgers have to go hard after Furcal.  He is a liability, but he was a huge spark, even in the playoffs.  It’s interesting, if the Dodgers strike out this winter, they will have a very different team next year.  Very different.  I love the GM meetings because the rumors go crazy.  It’s fun to join the buzz.