The winter meetings buzz is off and running: Is the Dodgers' James Loney on the market? Is Prince Fielder a target? [Updated]

Don't you just love the winter meetings? So much talking and gossiping, so many rumors flying.

And now with text-messaging and Twitter, those tidbits arrive in hand almost as soon as they leave a front office executive's lips. It's almost like you’re there, except you don't have to stand around a hotel lobby for 12 hours.

So the meetings got underway Monday, and off they went, with so many rumors it's a challenge just to keep up.

For the Dodgers, however, one rumor quickly stood out. An old rumor, to be sure, but at least given a certain air of freshness back in Orlando.

FoxSports.com’s Ken Rosenthal reports the Cubs, Nationals and Brewers are interested in first baseman James Loney and that he's available.

Loney is somewhat of a polarizing figure for many Dodgers fans. Some love his smooth glove and the way he has consistently driven in 90 runs a season. Others loathe his lack of power at a position that typically provides it.

Loney, however, is only 26 and still arbitration-eligible (read: relatively inexpensive), so he won't be dealt easily.

One good rumor deserves another, or at least a follow-up. And off they went. MLB.com’s Bill Ladson tweeted that in exchange for Loney going to the Nationals, the Dodgers wanted shortstop Ian Desmond and reliever Jordan Zimmerman, Ladson added: "I don't think that’s going to happen.’’

Apparently, you can never have too many shortstops, unless of course you're going to move one to third and have Casey Blake replace Loney at first.

YahooSports.com's Steve Henson followed with a tweet from a Dodgers source claiming there would be no Loney deal because he's too expensive to replace.

Really? There are still some decent free-agent first basemen out there (Adam LaRoche, Carlos Pena, Derrek Lee) whose price might be coming down. Loney figures to get about $5 million in arbitration, so it's not like he's completely pocket change.

The only way he's traded to the Brewers figures to be if Prince Fielder is coming to L.A. in an unexpected mega-trade. That would certainly shorten Fielder's walk the next time he gets irate with a Dodgers reliever.

Loney is part of that young core the Dodgers have been building for the last four years, and you don’t deal part of your core unless you feel it's for an obvious upgrade. Or you're not doing cartwheels over your young core.

[Updated at 2:32 p.m.: Another hour, another rumor. Or at least, an updated rumor.

ESPN/LA.com's Tony Jackson is reporting that the Dodgers are in active discussions with the Brewers over a deal to send Loney and Jonathan Broxton to Milwaukee for Fielder.

Broxton is coming off a troubled season but is the guy Manager Don Mattingly said will be his closer to start the coming season. Fielder has one more year of arbitration coming before he can become a free agent. He hit .261 with 32 home runs and 83 RBIs last season, and earned $10.5 million.

But almost as quickly as that buzz started, The Times' Dylan Hernandez tweeted that General Manager Ned Colletti shot down that rumor.

A rumor here, a rumor there ...]

-- Steve Dilbeck

Photo: James Loney. Credit: Ed Andrieski / Associated Press

Comments

[Steve Yeagermeister]

That trade to the Nationals makes no sense unless there is some serious manlove for Loney in the nation's capitol. Dodgers would still be lacking power at first base and it would create a real infield log jam if they were to then sign someone else for 1B. And why would the Nationals do it when they could keep Desmond and Zimmermann and sign Lee, LaRoche, etc. for a couple million more?

[West Andrade]

tyler colvin for james loney?

[Alfred E. Loney]

What, me worry?

[8yearprospect]

TRY thinking outside the box here Dodgers fan...

1st base would be a good place to move the fragile Furcal. But Uribe and his 28 homers wouldn't be bad either. Either one would be an upgrade over Loney.

Loney's glove does not make up for his weak bat. And unless he gets a brain transplant, don't expect his offensive numbers to improve.

[Mike]

ESPN reporting there are talks about a Price Fielder swap with Milwaukee which includes Loney and Broxton.

Colleti already has enough fat people on the team.

[N.P.Krohn]

The real Zim in D.C. is Ryan. Loney,Bills and Blake for both Zimmermans or move on.

[realistic_dodger_fan]

wow thinking outside the box what good is furcal as a 1st baseman. What makes him so valuable is his range and his range that goes with his arm. That means at 1b he is one dimensional and not worth much. What are you goijg to do replace him with a punching judy mid inf like Carrol. That just means your lineup becomes more than laughable. Ethier really the guy is an outfielder not A 1ST baseman. Come on think baseball wise. This guy problem to me has never been hitting the bomb, especially since you have kemp uribe and even furcal that can provide above average power, its been getting over the 100 rbi mark. The kid is consistent for the most part drivin in 90 rbis god forbid he has a bad half when no one else is hitting. First of all 1b who is consistent and can get you 90-100 rbis he is so cheap. Plus to other teams he is not as valuable to the as he is to the dodgers unless fielder gets traded because he doesnt have the hr numbers. I dont mind thinking out of the box but at least know something about baseball before you throw something out there

[N.P.Krohn]

I like Desmond alot but i like the idea of promoting from within more and both Gordon and Dejesus Jr may have bigger upsides, with Jr possibly making an impact at some point this season. Desmond will only get in their way. Jordan Z. was the top pitching prospect in their system before injury and Strasburg pushed him back to the pen. He can start and would be an even better swing man than Padilla because of his age. Similar to Hawksworth but with better control. If he is on the market and could be got for lesser prospects Ned should get him. A way better option than Monestarios or Ely.

[Santa Claus]

Ken Rosenthal on MLB Network stated at 2:50 P.M. Prince Fielder to Dodgers for Loney and Broxton is latest rumor.
.
DO IT NED!!!

[JDS]

Hey - Loney still has a better average, more RBIs and has a sweet glove. A power bat, i.e. homers, does necessarily get you more runs.

[Dodger Tony]

To Mike at 2:20PM..."Colletti already has enough fat people on the team".
What a funny quip. You are hilarious. Nothing funnier than fat people jokes. Good for you. Oh man, you kill me. Hysterical. Those funny fat people.

Grow up.

[JDS]

Correction - doesn't necessarily get you more runs.

[OldBrooklynFan]

What a Rumor. I always felt if the Dodgers would replace Loney it would have to be with a bonafide home run hitter. Prince Fielder fits that prescription. So it's hard to condemn it.

[HI Dodger Fan]

i would imagine that the only stumbling block to the loney/broxton for fielder deal is fielder's extension... which the dodgers could not possibly afford because ned is passing out dollars to mediocre vets like he is bidding against the yankees. guys like fielder do not come around often. there are lots of loney's that can be found every

[Gangstaslapped]

Furcal at 1st!!?? Come on 8yearprospect, that is THE dumbest idea I have ever heard. lets get that Fielder deal done Ned!

[Tony]

If they can't get Fielder, just send Broxton to the Brewers anyways, or any team for that matter

[joe]

apparently many people are saying it will take more going to the Brewers to get this done. But if Loney can hit .290 with 85+ rbis, and Broxton regains his 2009 form after his offseason rest, this could be a steal for the Brewers. The Brewers have to trade Fielder because they won't be able to afford him after next season. As much as Milwakee fans may complaint about this deal, no one is offering anything better. If Fielder walks after next year, the Dodgers will find themselves without Broxton, Loney and Fielder. I have a feeling that Fielder is going to want to test the free agency especially after Werth got that ridiculous contract. And let's not forget, Fielder's agent is no other than Scott Boras. It's going to be interesting how this folds out!

[realistic_dodger_fan]

aww the shepard leading the blind.. Thank you Frank for being in a divorce settlement because if you think Boras is gonna let Fielder sign an extension you got be crazy. Come on he got jayson werth a 7 for 126 mill contract. He is not even a middle of the order type of order guy who can put a team on his back. This is never going to happen because there would have to be a window and Boras and the Dodgers dont have the greatest relationship. If you dont think the Dodgers would have to give up a top pitching prospect even the red sox had to give up Kelly. Dont be myopic fans cause it is not fitting