Dodgers Web musings: Manny Ramirez goes 'Moneyball'

Or maybe that should be the other way around. Our favorite dreadlocked, greatest-quote, not-talking, power-hitting, feeble-swinging bundle of contradictions has taken his waning talents to the Oakland A’s.

You probably missed that chapter in the book, but for an A’s team woefully shy on talent, it is a small gamble. At least financially. Pedro Gomez at ESPN reported that Ramirez signed for $500,000. Of course, the Dodgers still owe him $8.3 million in each of the next two years.

The Manny who absolutely electrified Dodger Stadium in 2008 is now 39 and coming off a year in which he sat out almost the entire season after being busted a second time for using performance-enhancing drugs.

He’ll have to serve a 50-game suspension first, but he wants to play, so best of luck and all. Manny is now Oakland’s problem, though it might make for an interesting sequel.

Also on the Web:

— Pitchers and catchers report to camp Tuesday and Dodgers.com’s Ken Gurnick writes that it will the first time in a decade they so with an ace. You can possibly figure out who that is.

— The Times’ Patt Morrison has an interesting Q&A piece with Sue Falsone, the first head female trainer in any American professional sport.

— Dodgers General Manager Ned Colletti gives a video interview to Fox at a Kings game where he confirms that he wants to sign Andre Ethier to a long-term contract.

   

— ESPN’s Buster Olney says Yankees catcher Russell Martin has dropped weight for this season. Where have we heard about Martin adjusting his weight before? Oh yeah, here.

— Believe it or not, he’s still here: Brett Tomko has signed a minor-league deal with the Reds.

— And while on ex-Dodgers, infielder Blake DeWitt — the Dodgers’ future second baseman only two years ago — has accepted a minor league assignment with the Cubs after clearing waivers. He’s 26.

— Hong-Chin Kuo is ready to start his new life as a Seattle Mariner: “We all face challenges in life. I had one last year and my teammates helped me through it — everyone helped me through it. My coaches, my wife, everyone.”

— The Jeremy Lin phenomenon reminds some of Nomomania. Wait, check that, it’s Fernandomania.

— Don Mattingly tells Dodgers.com's Gurnick that despite not having an established closer like Jonathan Broxton, he is more confident in his bullpen this season.

— Robert Timm at Dodger Dugout offers his two cents on the team’s coming spring.

— Steve Dilbeck

Dodgers need to do right by Jamey Carroll and trade him

Jamey Carroll is 37 years old and has had two career playoff at-bats. He’s been a marvelous find for the Dodgers the last two years. He’s played hard, played all over the field, filled in for injured players and led by example.

He’s done everything they’ve asked while suffering through two of the Dodgers' most difficult seasons ever. All for the bargain price of $3.85 million.

Now it’s time to do something for him.

Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports tweeted the Dodgers have placed Carroll on waivers. At this time of the year, hardly a surprise. Teams place tons of players on waivers before the Wednesday trade deadline. If they clear, then they’re in position to work a trade.

But there is a strong likelihood Carroll will be claimed by a contender. Then the Dodgers would have 48 hours to either work out a trade or withdraw him from waivers.

Work the deal. Get what you can, even if it's precious little.

Carroll deserves the opportunity to play for a contender, to make a real postseason contribution. At his age, he may not get another chance. The Milwaukee Brewers had reportedly talked to the Dodgers about Carroll prior to the July 31 non-waiver trading deadline.

The Dodgers’ season is now about the future. They need to get a longer look at infielder Justin Sellers. Shortstop Dee Gordon will return soon, and the Dodgers will want to see Sellers play second. They need to call Ivan De Jesus Jr.  back up when rosters expand Thursday.

At this point, they have no real need for Carroll. His contract is up at the end of the season. And if they wanted him back next season, they could sign him the same as any other team. They could also try to return infielder Aaron Miles, who’s almost three years younger.

Until James Loney’s recent streak, Carroll has been third on the Dodgers in hits this season. Not bad for a guy who was originally signed to share time and mentor Blake DeWitt at second. The model of consistency, he hit .291 last season and is hitting .291 this season.

Now it’s time to give Carroll a shot at more than those two hitless playoff at-bats he received with the Rockies in 2007. He’s earned it.

MORE:

In 1966, the Beatles brought a whole new ballgame to Dodger Stadium

Rookie pitcher Nathan Eovaldi is capitalizing on early opportunity

These baseball players are making themselves right at home

-- Steve Dilbeck

Photo: Jamey Carroll. Credit: Jeff Hanisch / U.S. Presswire.

Dodgers suffer first extra-inning loss of the season, 7-6

The Dodgers thought they had the Rockies right where they wanted them.

Say what you will about the Dodgers this season, but they had been a monster in extra innings. They sneered at teams in extra frames. They were suddenly, inexplicably, baseball's best.

They seemed to be at it again Saturday in Denver, when in the 12th inning they got an unlikely home run from little Aaron Miles and an even more unlikely inside-the-park homer from Trent Oeltjen to take a 6-4 lead.

But rookie closer Javy Guerra blew the first save of his career in the bottom of the 12th, and then the Rockies won it in the 13th when Mark Ellis doubled with two out against Blake Hawksworth -- the Dodgers' eighth pitcher -- and Dexter Fowler followed with a game-winning single.

The 7-6 Colorado victory was the Dodgers' first loss in seven extra-inning games this season.

And for a moment, victory seemed so close.

It's a Broxton meltdown as Dodgers fall, 4-1, to Cubs

Jonathan Broxton is living on the edge. And right now, he’s teetering the wrong way.

It’s uncertain how long manager Don Mattingly can put up with Broxton as his closer, but after Tuesday night’s 4-1 loss to the Cubs, it can’t be too long.

On a night when Andre Ethier extended his hitting streak to 29 games, Broxton entered the ninth in a 1-1 tie.

After getting an initial out, he threw eight consecutive balls. When Mattingly, who has demonstrated a quicker trigger finger in player moves than predecessor Joe Torre, came out to get  him, he was cheered.

When Broxton walked off, he was booed. The previous night he had retired the Cubs in order, but on Tuesday his velocity dropped to he low 90s. His form look off, almost awkward.

Broxton has converted seven of eight save opportunities, but few have looked clean. He has a 5.68 ERA.

His cause wasn’t helped Tuesday when Blake Hawksworth replaced him and gave up a two-run double to Geovany Soto that got past Matt Kemp and a run-scoring single to ex-Dodger Blake DeWitt.

Dodgers' search for someone to hit second in lineup could have them thinking outside the box, though not the organization

There’s the old Abbott and Costello who’s-on-second bit, and the lesser-known but currently more relevant Dodgers’ who’s-batting-second routine.

Somebody has to hit second in the lineup. It’s in the rules and everything.

Only right now, the Dodgers have no ideal No. 2 hitter. Not even a resemblance of a No. 2 hitter.

Last season the one Dodger who batted second more than any other was -- Matt Kemp? It’s true. I loathed the idea from the get-go, not just because he’s a strikeout machine, but because I wanted one of the team’s few power bats in position to drive in more runs.

Kemp, however, hit 12 of his 28 home runs batting in the two spot, easily more than any other place he hit in the lineup, though over half of those came in April when he was on fire.

Trailing Kemp in the number of times batting second was Ryan Theriot, who’s outta here, and Russell Martin, ditto.

So who are the candidates next season?

Kemp, James Loney (ugh), Mystery Person in Left Field or ... Ivan DeJesus Jr.?

Now admittedly this is something of a reach, but one worth exploring. As of this moment, DeJesus does not figure to be on the 2011 club.

He did not even earn a September call-up, which, Dodgers.com's Ken Gurnick noted at the time, was a clear message. Gurnick said DeJesus was reportedly in the doghouse because he was struggling with the concept of teamwork.

And there’s another problem, though one we’ve seen before. DeJesus was drafted a shortstop but switched to second base last season and is still learning the nuances of the position. Similar comments were made a year ago with Blake DeWitt and he became their opening-day second baseman.

DeJesus, however, played for new manager Don Mattingly in the Arizona Fall League, and seemingly very well (.321 average, .411 on-base, .436 slugging). And during league play, he made it clear to mlb.com’s Danny Wild what his goal was for next season:

"I need to be ready in spring training and get that job at second base."

Since then, of course, the Dodgers have picked up a second baseman in newly signed Juan Uribe. Although, that appears a roadblock, it may not be.

One of the very good things about Uribe is his ability to play several infield positions, particularly third base. And as you may have noted, the Dodgers still do not have a starting left fielder, and possible free-agent candidates have dwindled down to a precious, if highly unspectacular, few.

So the Dodgers have to be considering moving Casey Blake from third to left, Uribe to third and starting DeJesus -- who has a career minor-league .369 on-base percentage -- at second and batting him in the No. 2 spot.

That’s a lot of movement, and rookies batting second are hardly ideal, but neither are any of the other current choices. Plus, Blake and his 17 home runs in left appear better than the remaining options.

That would also allow Andre Ethier, Kemp and Uribe to be featured in the middle of the lineup. Jay Gibbons could get some starts in left against right-handers, and the Dodgers get needed power in left with the Blake-Gibbons combo.

This requires that DeJesus step up in spring. He’ll still be a mostly young 24 in May, but his time should be coming.

DeJesus spent last season at triple-A Albuquerque, and considering he was returning from a leg injury that caused him to miss his 2009 season, had a reasonable year (.296, .369, .378).

That’s not to say he couldn’t benefit from another season at Albuquerque, but there should be an opportunity for more come spring. Because somebody has to bat second.

-- Steve Dilbeck

After signing Juan Uribe, Dodgers send Ryan Theriot to Cardinals for reliever

Minutes after the Dodgers officially announced the signing of infielder Juan Uribe, they sent Ryan Theriot to the Cardinals for right-hander Blake Hawksworth.

No tears were shed.

Theriot was going to be non-tendered after the signing of Uribe, so at least the Dodgers were able to get something for him.

Hawksworth went 4-8 with a 4.98 ERA for the Cardinals last season in 45 games (nine starts), and will turn 28 in March, so it’s not like he has some kind of exciting upside. But at least he’s someone who can eat up some middle innings and provide an emergency start, which, at this point, is more than you would have expected to get in return for Theriot.

Theriot came along with Ted Lilly from the Cubs for second baseman Blake DeWitt at the trading deadline, and continued an unimpressive season. In 54 games for the Dodgers, he hit an empty .242, with one homer, a .323 on-base percentage and a lowly .283 slugging percentage.

He had a little speed, was probably better defensively than anticipated and was good in the clubhouse, but he hurt the lineup and just wasn’t going to help the Dodgers win.

It made for a brief, unmemorable Dodger career. But right now, brief sounds good.

-- Steve Dilbeck

Signing Ted Lilly at least starts Dodgers' offseason on a positive note

Well, now they have three-fifths of a rotation. Which is 20% more than they had Friday. That’s called progress.

Inking Ted Lilly is mostly nothing but good news, the only qualifier being he’ll be 35 to start next season and the Dodgers signed him to a three-year deal.

His agent had made it clear that Lilly wanted three years, and with such a sparse offering of free agent talent available this winter, the Dodgers knew he probably would get it, so they bit that bullet.

His fastball has begun to tail off, but it’s not like he was ever a power pitcher anyway. It would have been better to sign him for two years, but the market is what it is.

How much this is all going to cost the Dodgers, however, has yet to be revealed. Since they got this done quickly, and he was a local boy who wanted to return, just hope it was semi-reasonable.

Now at least, the Dodgers will have something to show for the trading of Blake DeWitt to the Cubbies. It’s not like DeWitt was tearing it up (.270, one homer, 30 RBI in 256 at-bats as a Dodger), but he is only 25 and showing modest improvement.

Lilly joins Clayton Kershaw and Chad Billingsley in the 2011 rotation. And it’s still possible that Hiroki Kuroda and Vicente Padilla could return, though both are expected to test free agency.

Lilly won his first five decisions after coming to the Dodgers in a July 31 deadline deal with Ryan Theriot for DeWitt. He finished 7-4 with a 3.52 ERA in 12 starts.

With Kershaw (22) and Billingsley (26) still relatively young, it’s good to have at least one veteran in the rotation with Lilly.

-- Steve Dilbeck

Daily Dodger in review: Ryan Theriot -- should he stay or should he go now?

RYAN THERIOT, 30, second baseman.

Final 2010 stats: .270 batting average, two home runs, 29 RBIs, 20 stolen bases, .321 on-base percentage, .312 slugging percentage.

Contract status: Arbitration eligible.

The good: Better defensive second baseman than most anticipated. Career  .284 batting average. A plus in the clubhouse. Scrappy, hustling player.

The bad: Hit an empty .242 after coming over from the Cubs in a July 31 deadline deal. Was advertised as having more pop than Blake DeWitt, but it never materialized. On the season in 586 at-bats, he hit two home runs. DeWitt hit five in 440 at-bats.

In his last 92 at-bats, Theriot did not collect a single extra-base hit. He’s a lineup problem. His on-base percentage is so weak, it doesn’t warrant batting him high in the order, and he has little power to bat at the end of it.

What’s next:The Dodgers have to decide whether to offer him arbitration. Most have simply assumed they will since they 1) need a second baseman, and 2) probably feel they have to show something for their trading of DeWitt, particularly if they are unable to re-sign left-hander Ted Lilly.

There is reason, however, to non-tender Theriot. He made $2.6 million last season, will probably get close to $4 million in arbitration and turns 31 in December.

The take:It seems like Theriot hasn't been around long enough to get much of a feel for him. Of course, that could simply be in response to what little impact he’s had since donning Dodger Blue.

More careful consideration of what Theriot brings to the roster makes offering arbitration far less than certain. There are a host of players who can put up numbers similar to Theriot’s.

Mike Petriello of MikeSciosciasTragicIllness.com makes a pretty convincing case for letting him walk. He would prefer the Dodgers spend another mil or so and land Juan Uribe, who would at least offer some power.

I understand there is also this guy named Orlando Hudson available. And, really, think triple-A Albuquerque’s Ivan DeJesus couldn’t put up stats similar to Theriot’s and at about $3 million less?

--Steve Dilbeck

Dodgers start clearing it out: designate Ronnie Belliard for assignment

You can hardly call it the official start to the house cleaning in preparation for next year -- the Dodgers did waive Manny Ramirez in a straight salary dump.

Still, there seemed something almost symbolic about the Dodgers' designating Ronnie Belliard for assignment Tuesday. That cleared a spot on the 40-man roster for outfielder Trent Oeltjen, called up from triple-A Albuquerque.

The Belliard move could be viewed simply as recognition of his failure this year (.216 batting average, .327 slugging percentage in 162 at-bats) . . . or that the Dodgers’ season is effectively over and it’s time to start looking toward next year.

If the former is the case, there are a lot of Dodgers who’d better start getting nervous.

Belliard was a trade-deadline acquisition a year ago, and played so well (.351, .636) he ultimately pushed Orlando Hudson out of the lineup and started in the playoffs.

This year, however, the second base job was given to Blake DeWitt, and then, after his trade, to Ryan Theriot.

Belliard became a utility player, behind Jamey Carroll, and never blossomed in the part-time role. He hit just .171 as a pinch-hitter.

At age 35, this is likely the end of Belliard as a Dodger. There’s no real reason to bring him back.

If he clears waivers -- they didn’t already send him through? -- the Dodgers can either release or trade him. The minor league season has ended, so he can’t be sent down.

Oeltjen, 27, played on the Australian Olympic team in 2004. He appeared in  24 games last season for the Diamondbacks. He started the season in the Brewers’ farm system, before exercising an out clause and then signing with Albuquerque. He hit .347 with five home runs and 33 RBIs in 119 at-bats for the Isotopes.

-- Steve Dilbeck

Dodgers at the deadline: No mega-deal comes forth, but they're left improved [Updated]

Well, that’s over with. Feel better? No? Aren’t ready to order those playoff tickets just yet?

The non-waiver trade deadline ticked off Saturday, leaving the Dodgers with a new starter in their rotation, a new reliever, a new second baseman and extra outfielder -- and the same left-fielder, at least if he ever actually gets healthy. Who knew getting in touch with your female side was so time-consuming these days?

No blockbuster deal suddenly reared its head. No fresh star power, nothing to really get the juices flowing for the Dodgers’ faithful.

So they move on without a Cliff Lee, Dan Haren or Roy Oswalt. Move on without the addition of a serious bat.

Is the result disappointing for a team in the second-biggest market in baseball? Absolutely. Is it surprising? Sorry, silly question.

We’ll leave ruminating over the size of the L.A. market versus the size of the Dodgers payroll for another day -- or several -- and instead focus on the immediate question:

Are the Dodgers a better team today than they were last week?

And -- deep breath here -- the answer is: yes.

Ted Lilly is not the legitimate No.1 starter the rotation craves, but even at 34, he is a positive addition. Granted, his 3-8 record is not impressive, nor was his last little visit to Dodger Stadium.

In his three starts since, however, he has a 1.80 ERA (four earned runs in 20 innings). And his record is somewhat deceptive, given that the Cubs provided him the second-lowest run support (3.77 per nine innings) in the majors, second only to Oswalt's (3.07).

So a rotation of Clayton Kershaw, Chad Billingsley, Hiroki Kuroda, Vicente Padilla and Lilly is solid, one through five. That’s progress. The Dodgers will go out knowing they should have a chance to win every night.

[UPDATED:] Plus, the addition of the left-handed Lilly will enable to the Dodgers to again make Carlos Monasterios a reliever and unload one of those slugs dragging down the bullpen.

In a true deadline move, the Dodgers acquired reliever Octavio Dotel from the Pirates for James McDonald and minor-leaguer Andrew Lambo. This is another deal that makes it clear the Dodgers are focused on winning this season.

Dotel is 36, but had been closing for the Pirates (21 saves in 26 opportunities) and should be a good addition for this season. Lambo, 22, is an actual prospect and losing him could come back to haunt. But he’s twice been suspended for testing positive for a drug on the banned list. McDonald never delivered on his promise; perhaps he benefits from a fresh start.]

Scott Podsednik is a solid addition to the outfield and a serious step up from Xavier Paul, Garret Anderson, and even Reed Johnson.

Essentially swapping Blake DeWitt for Ryan Theriot straight up is not exactly an exciting upgrade. Many of their numbers are fairly similar, and Theriot is six years older than DeWitt. Still, Theriot (who does have a scary .320 on-base percentage) is arbitration eligible next season, so this could be the Dodgers’ second baseman for a while.

And then there is the deal that wasn’t made, unloading Manny Ramirez to the White Sox. Their offer: We’ll pay $1 million on his remaining contract.

The Dodgers didn’t bite, and for very good reason. Whatever you may think of Ramirez, he is still a productive hitter when healthy. When healthy, alas, being a key phrase here.

If the Dodgers had dumped Ramirez, they would have essentially said they were giving up on the 2010 season. Which would go against every other move they made, and be the kind of move that would never fly in Los Angeles.

The Dodgers are struggling to score and need to add offense, not subtract it. If Ramirez comes back in a week or two, he’s certainly capable of giving the offense a spark.

So, sure, it’s disappointing the Dodgers couldn’t pull the trigger on a significant deal to get the masses all excited. Still, in the short term, the moves Ned Colletti made have left the Dodgers an improved team.

[UPDATED: Said Colletti: "I don’t know if it was a great trade deadline or not. We’ll find out. I know that we set out to add a starter and add a bullpen piece, and see if we can add some more speed and versatility to the lineup, and we did that. How it all turns out, we’ll see."]

And hey, next year Carl Crawford is a free agent …

-- Steve Dilbeck