Are Dodgers fans now willing to accept a lesser product?

Whether it be the years or simply knowing that the McCourts are less than flush, have L.A. fans been conditioned  to put up with an organization that no longer plays with the big boys when it comes to acquiring real talent?

The question is posed Sunday by The Times’ T.J. Simers, who as you might expect, is a tad underwhelmed by the Dodgers off-season moves:

"I think the Dodgers are stockpiling garbage when they should be acting more like one of the game's top franchises located in one of the country's top cities."

Poor T.J., he has always struggled to express himself. T.J., of course, lives to get a reaction, which doesn’t mean he isn’t -- often, usually, occasionally? -- correct.

The Dodgers have secured their rotation, but their biggest problem in the second half of last season was hitting. Or the almost complete lack thereof.

To this limp group they have added Juan Uribe, Tony Gwynn Jr. and Dioner Navarro. It does kinda get you all tingly, doesn’t it?

Uribe is an upgrade at second, though at three years and $21 million, he came at a stiff price.

Speaking of stiffs, that’s what T.J. labels the entire off-season signings, including those brought back -- Ted Lilly, Hiroki Kuroda, Jay Gibbons and Rod Barajas.

T.J. reasons that Dodgers fans should expect more, demand more. There should be a little more outrage in their response, and a lot less indifference.

"I think Dodgers fans have come to accept a lower standard of player when it comes to their team, management counting on it and knowing Dodgers fans will keep buying tickets."

Is it true? Do you think fans have been beaten down by tales of the McCourts' financial woes to the point they’re handing out something of a free pass with their expectations?

Is it wrong to expect greatness from a tradition-rich team operating in the second-largest market in the country? To be frustrated by an inability to significantly upgrade the offense?

And most troubling, will fans still queue up, pay their $15 parking and fill Dodger Stadium 3 million strong, regardless of the quality of product on the field?

-- Steve Dilbeck

Comments

[PsychedLakerGirl]

As a former season ticket holder who endured 5 years of the McCourts almost doubling ticket prices during that time.

From keeping our playoff ticket money to roll over into the new season when the team would lose in a sweep. Taking away player pre-game access to the kids pre-game for autographs in the field section because you didn't want those prime ticket holders to be bothered (even though they showed up in the 4th inning or not at all). Its deplorable how they have run this team.

They didn't put in any money when they bought our beloved team. and leveraged it to the hilt. And all the ticket price increases and parking fees paid for their houses and life of luxury they never would have had in Boston.

Go back to beantown and don't come back. True Dodger fans don't like you.

Current season ticket holders: at what point will you say enough is enough and not pay for the McCourt's lifestyle any longer? They aren't investing in the team - you are paying their legal fees for the next 5 seasons!!

[Don Coorough]

No, this Dodger fan for the last 48 years is not willing to accept a lesser product. In fact, just a few minutes ago, when I opened my email and found in my inbox a season's greetings from the Dodgers, I felt compelled to reply with the following message, "Please remove me from your mailing list. I am so disgruntled with the present ownership that I am no longer able to be a Dodger fan. When the team has new ownership, I will reconsider, but not until then." I have purchased team merchandise in the past and attended so many games in the past 48 years they number too many to remember. I will not spend one penny on anything related to the Dodgers for as long as the McAborts own the team.

[Chad]

i am not "ok" with our signings...or lack of signings...last year was a true disappointment. i had a really hard time watching baseball the last 2 months of the season. Team seemed to have given up, or totally lost whatever talent there was. Im tired of Colleti and Mcourt. Its time for a change starting at the top..outside of Clayton Kershaw and andre either there is no body on this team i would be afraid or upset about losing...get rid of em all and lets start over...21 million for Juan Uribe..you gotta be kidding me? and navarro? NAVARRO??? why not just bring back todd hundley for the 11th time. What once was a proud organization is now a joke. You would think with our rival giants winning the world series...they would stock up to take em out and have our turn. but thats not going to happen when you have a bad team and your "big splash" is Juan Uribe. Stop signing the Giants garbage they throw out and lets put a team together that will beat them, lets toss them our garbage, Its a joke. If your going to be cheap...then own a used car lot. Not the Los Angeles Dodgers. go buy a honda dealership or the marlins.

[John Bowles]

ehno I don't really care any more what the Dodgers do, why should I they don'twhile the phillies are adding Cliff Lee. the Dodgers are signing Eugenio Velez, Juan uribe. c'monwhy not recycycle FP Sanangelowhile uour at it Colleti. the Dodgers and Colletti have reached the pointof no return mark previously established by Georgia Frontierre an John Shaw. the Dodgers will never see another nickle or moment of my spare time.(The heck with) you Frank and Jamie it apears as the only sports season in SoCal is Laker season Dodgers may as well just add a little red to the uniforms and call themselves the Clippersthat is how far the McCourts have driven this franchise into the ground

[stef]

I am from eastern PA, have been a Dodger fan all my life. I am completely perplexed that a team from Philadelphia can have a payroll approaching 170 M + and can have a rotation with 4 aces and the Dodgers in a larger market has a budget much less with considerably less talent on the roster. Are we second rate? Let the facts speak for them self.

[Stoker]

I absolutely will not accept it. They must be crazy if they think I am going to spend my money on this below average team. We didn't even make a run at any of the top tier free agents. I've been a fan since 1977 and have gone up and down with the team for years, but we always tried. It appears we have stopped trying. Simers is right.

[Mike]

Not me. Living in Phoenix, I had season tickets 4 rows up from the dugout. Did not renew this year, and won't go to any games. Won't go to any at Dodger stadium, and won't go to any when they come to visit Phoenix. I'm boycotting until McCourt sells, and I urge other D fans to do likewise.

[waldobinney]

I long for the Campanis years... Those years died on 'Nightline', back in '87
The day the Dodger Music died.

[GJ]

Are you kidding me? I for one am happy that my beloved Dodgers still give me a reason to watch, cheer, laugh, and cry throughout the season, as opposed to the freaking Lakers who if they don't win a championship- they're fans are disappointed and think somethings wrong with the team. I can't stand those Dbags that root for the Lakers/Yankees as if they're some kinda underdog- they have the highest payroll THEY SHOULD WIN. These are the same people that go to Vegas and root for the house to win.