Dodgers Web musings: MRI on Jon Garland’s shoulder scared off teams

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Some felt Jon Garland could have received a richer, longer contract if he had decided to sign elsewhere. Some were a bit mystified about how the Dodgers structured the contract tied to innings pitched.

Garland, however, offered an explanation this week on the 790-AM Mason and Ireland Show about why teams may have shied away, telling Steve Mason (audio):

``I had a few teams that were a little worried about my MRI on my physical. They were a little weary about committing that much money over a few years when there’s so much up in the air, especially with starting pitching.’’

Garland made similar remarks about the MRI on his shoulder to Jim Bowden on his XM Radio show.

Must be some fairly scary stuff on that MRI.

Any 31-year-old pitcher who’s thrown over 2,000 innings isn’t likely to have the cleanest MRI on his shoulder, but apparently it was bad enough to frighten other teams away from a long-term contract.

Which explains why the Dodgers would offer $5 million next season, plus $3.5 million in incentives based purely on innings pitched, the bonuses beginning with 150 innings.

For an $8-million club option to kick in for 2012, Garland must throw at least 190 innings. He has thrown at least 190 innings for 10 consecutive seasons.

Also on the Web:

-- Chad Moriyama at MemoriesofKevinMalone.com gets an early jump on evaluating the Dodgers eligible for arbitration … in 2011.

-- ESPN.com’s Tim Kurkjian writes that Don Mattingly’s work ethic and underrated communication skills bode well for him as the Dodgers’ new manager.

-- InsidetheDodgers.com’s Josh Rawitch, the team’s vice president of communications, said fellow Dominican Manny Mota talked to Juan Uribe almost daily after the World Series to persuade him to sign with the Dodgers.

-- The WashingtonPost.com’s Adam Kilgore writes that the Nationals have added former bench coach Bob Schaefer to their front office as a special assistant to GM Mike Rizzo. Guess that’s one team Matt Kemp won’t be traded to.

-- Yahoosports.com’s Tim Brown likes the signing of Uribe and thinks the infusion of experience should serve the Dodgers well.

-- Foxsports.com’s Bowden lists his five best moves (video) of the offseason thus far, listing the Dodgers’ rotation signings at No. 4.

-- CBSsports.com’s Scott Miller finds himself pleasantly surprised by the Dodgers’ rash of early Hot Stove League activity.

-- Steve Dilbeck