Last call: How the Dodgers can sign Manny Ramirez or CC Sabathia

There has been a lot of talk of whether the Dodgers should re-sign Manny Ramirez, or how they should forget Manny and sign CC Sabathia. But can they afford either one of them? Let's take a look at the Dodgers payroll for next season.

Last season, the Dodgers payroll was about $118 million, and remember, they didn't pay a penny for Manny, because the Red Sox paid his salary. Let's take a look at those players defintely coming back in 2009:

Under Contract (dollar amounts are in millions)

Infielders: None

Outfielders: Andruw Jones, $15.0; Juan Pierre, $10.0

Pitchers: Jason Schmidt, $12.0; Hiroki Kuroda, $10.0

Arbitration eligible (contract value estimated based on what similar players received in past arbitration cases)

Infielders: Russell Martin* ($5.0)

Outfielders: Andre Ethier* ($4.5)

Pitchers: Yhency Brazoban ($0.5); Jonathan Broxton ($2.0); Scott Proctor ($1.0).

*-Will probably be eligible for "Super Two" arbitration.

Players who aren't eligible for arbitration and can just have their contracts renewed:

Infielders: James Loney ($0.6); Blake DeWitt ($0.5); Chin-lung Hu ($0.4).

Outfielders: Jason Repko ($0.5); Matt Kemp ($0.7); Delwyn Young ($0.4).

Pitchers: Chad Billingsley ($0.6); Hong-Chih Kuo ($0.425); Clayton Kershaw ($0.4); James McDonald ($0.4); Eric Stults ($0.4); Ramon Troncoso ($0.4); Cory Wade ($0.5).

So that takes us to $66.325 million. Let's assume Frank McCourt is feeling generous, and agrees to increase the overall payroll by 10%. After all, there will be plenty of revenue generated from the new spring training facility in Arizona, especially with some seats going for $90 a game. So the Dodgers' target total payroll is about $129 million. There is still $62.675 million left. However, they still need a third baseman and a shortstop (let's assume Blake DeWitt is the every day second baseman).

At third base: Casey Blake made $6.1 million last season. Let's say he can be signed for three years, $24 million. That adds another $8 million to the payroll, bringing us to $74.325 million.

At shorstop: Rafael Furcal says he wants to come back. The Dodgers say they'd like him back. His agent says he wants a four-year deal and doesn't think his back problems should be an issue. Furcal made $13 million last season. So, let's say everyone wants to stay happy, and he signs a 4-year, $56-million deal. That adds another $14 million to the payroll, bringing us to $88.325 million.

They also need a backup catcher, so let's sign a guy for the $400,000 minimum. The payroll is now $88.725 million. And the opening-day roster so far would be:

Catchers: Russell Martin, random backup. First base: James Loney. Second base: Blake DeWitt. Third base: Casey Blake. Shortstops: Rafael Furcal, Chin-lung Hu. Outfielders: Andre Ethier, Matt Kemp, Andruw Jones, Juan Pierre, Delwyn Young. Starting pitchers: Hiroki Kuroda, Chad Billingsley, Clayton Kershaw, James McDonald. Relievers: Scott Proctor, Yhency Brazoban, Hong-Chih Kuo, Cory Wade, Ramon Troncoso. Closer: Jonathan Broxton.

We still need another infielder, so let's lure Angel Berroa back by offering him $2.0 million. That brings us to $90.725 million. We need someone to fill the Mark Sweeney void, so let's bring in another guy at just above the league minimum, bringing the 2009 payroll to $91.125 million.

That leaves the Dodgers with two big holes: A starting pitcher and an outfielder (unless you want to take a chance that Andruw Jones will suddenly start hitting again). And we have $38 million left to spend. I say offer Manny a 4-year, $120-million contract. That brings us to $121 million in payroll next year, and leave $7 million for a starting pitcher. And if $30 million a year isn't good enough for Manny, then he can go elsewhere, sign someone like Adam Dunn for less, and offer a big deal to Sabathia or AJ Burnett. So, if Manny signs a 4-year, $120-million deal, here is the Dodgers' lineup next season:

Furcal, Martin, Ramirez, Loney, Ethier, Kemp, Blake, DeWitt/Berroa. You can win with that lineup.

-- Houston Mitchell

Photo: The Dodgers can keep Russell Martin, Andre Ethier and Manny Ramirez next season. Credit: Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images

Comments

[GauchoSi]

Uh, last time I checked, this lineup DIDN'T win (check Phillies series). The difference is, your lineup leaves us with a starting rotation of Billingsley, Schmidt (??) , Kuroda, Kershaw, and McDonald. Additionally, Broxton has proved that he can't handle the closer role. As opposed to resigning Blake, the Dodgers should instead to look to acquire a third baseman via trade. One idea, would be to reacquire Beltre, whom Seatlle might be inclined to pay for a large portion of his salary in order to move him. Another idea would be to pay attention to whether the Red Sox sign someone to replace Lowell, and perhaps they could trade Pierre for him, enabling the Red Sox to replace Crisp, who was just traded to the Royals. The point is, the Dodgers will have to get creative, and think outside of the box, because the status quo has only proven that it can go so far.

[Gerarrdo]

I like your thinking of having Manny and CC back but I don't agree with your contracts. I would signed Casey Blake for 2 years at 17 million. Furcal would give him 2 years at 20 million...if he leaves to Oakland, then signed Orlando Cabrera for a 3 year contrat in the high 20s. As for Manny, I would give him a 4 year contract at 105 million. I would offer the 120 million contract that was set for Manny, to CC Sabathia. I think CC might do what Kuroda did last year, went to the Dodgers for less money, plus if Jones doesn't get out of his funk, we can use Sabathia as a pinch hitter when he is not pitching. He can easily hit 5 home runs over right field.
If CC decides to go to the Yankess, I say offer a 4 year contract work around the mid 50s to AJ Burnett.

Either way, the dodgers have to get busy during this winter season to boost up the team. Heck, I would convince MAD DOG to not retire and signed him up for a year contract and having pitche the 6 or 7 inning. Dodgers can get a lot from Maddux as a reliever.

[Patrick]

Manny why did you leave the Red Sox? I got pretty angry because you are my favorite player.

[jeff]

Makes sense. If you want to sign the top guys, you need to show them that you want them. "We'll be in touch with his agent" or "we have interest in the player" doesn't cut it. Ned, you're blowing it.

[Dan]

Houston, I am with you on everything except the Manny contract. I say offer him 4 year, $22-25 million (front loaded) and give CC a 7 year - $14 million offer (front loaded, of course) and let the chips fall from there. If the Dodgers are really seriously looking to escape from the current shadow the Angels have cast then this is the way to do it. You offer the stars the money and lets see if they are serious about playing in front of the best fans in the world.
But this is not all that needs to be done. Mr. McCourt needs to lower the parking back to $10, and bring beer prices back to a reasonable level. The economy is not as good as it once was and nevertheless Dodger fans, like myself, would rather give them my entertainment funds to the Dodgers than anything else. But you have to earn my long term interest just like an courtship or marriage. It can rocky and at times very mediocre but hoping the outcome will be more magical than anything before.

[James]

I like your ideas but I think if Colleti becomes a bit imaginative we would have a shot at both. Lets say next seasons payroll is 129 million as you said and that after signing all the necessary guys we have 37 million left to spend this season. I think Manny can be had at 20 mill a season for 5 year. That leaves 17 mill to throw at CC. I know the offers CC are getting are bigger than that but Colletti could structure a comparable deal by including signing bonuses or loading the back end of the contract. Remember Jones and Scmihdt come off the books next year freeing up an additional 27 million and being that I am one of the few people that still like Pierre I do think he has trade value someone is going to need a lead off hitter and his contract is at the very least workable.

[dan]

The problem with this scenario assuming Manny is signed is with the starting pitching. 3 of the 4 starters have less than 2 years of Major League experience...combined. While it is certainly probable that Kershaw and McDonald will have very high ceilings, they don't have much experience, and Kuroda just completed his 1st year in the Majors. The Dodgers need to be able to compete against the likes of Arizona's top duo of Webb and Haren. That means they need an established ace ie. Sabathia or Peavy. Billingsley will match Haren, but no one currently on the staff can match Webb. The Dodgers should pursue Sabathia and solidify their starting rotation as potentially one of the best in MLB for a number of years to come. Martin, Loney, Kemp, Ethier and DeWitt will continue to mature as hitters and this will be a lineup that can consistently win the division.

[b]

Delmon Young does not play for the Dodgers. He plays for the Twins.

[scott]

Houston, I am with you we have to sign Manny to contract to put people in the seats with this slowing economy and make the Dodger offense more watchable. I still think we need another hitter ala beltea. Offer Manny 22 a year and try to get CC or the pitcher from the angeles former white sox Pitcher who is a free agent. Sign orlando Calbrea and let Raffy walk. I wanted to see Dejess jr. in 2 years not 4.
Get also a closer, we need a closer.

[Carl Creasman]

"Delmon Young does not play for the Dodgers. He plays for the Twins."

Obviously you did not read the post carefully. Houston did not say Delmon, he said Delwyn who is with the Dodgers and, I believe, is Delmon's brother.

While I would like to see Manny back, I truly believe that we need CC or an equivalent (Peavy) worse than we need Manny. Our young guys are getting better and that coupled with the Dodger history of winning with top notch pitching, I believe that the pitcher is the way to go if we can only do one.

[eric]

True this line up didn't win last year. Having manny for a full season along with some other changes would make a difference in that though. The dodgers were more than patient with andruw jones and shouldn't even consider keeping him on the roster. The signing of him has to be the biggest bust in the history of the team either in LA or Brooklyn. Jason Schmidt? he was on the downward slide BEFORE he came to LA. How is it he will be better now? Adrian Beltre? Last time I checked we didn't win with him here either. They have the $$ to sign both Manny and CC. Especially considering the $$ Manny will make for the team over the course of a full season.

[Andrew]

Offering Manny Ramirez a contract for 4 yrs at 120 million is ludacris. The market for Manny is in the 3-5 yrs at 18-20 million range. Why overpay by that much? Giving Manny 20 million a yr and offering CC a contract of 5-6yrs at 22 million is within the budget of 129million. Furcal is going to the A's or Giants. Sign Cabrera or Renteria at 2-3 yrs at 8-10 million. Elbert will replace Beimel and McDonald can either be our 5th starter or replace Chan Ho Park in the bullpen. The money you saved by not signing Furcal and instead going with Cabrera or Renteria is around 4 million ( 43 Million left for Manny and CC). As i said give Manny 20Mill and CC 22Mil. Lineup: Cabrera Martin Ethier Manny Loney Kemp Casey Dewitt. Rotation: CC Billingsley Kuroda Kershaw McDonald. Thats a perennial Division Champ for years to come

[Elysian]

Delmon Young is the brother of Dmitri Young, not Delwyn.

If Furcal walks, that makes Pierre's departure less likely. Gotta have that leadoff hitter, even though Pierre is not a good one. But we know Colletti values him that way.

I predict Cabrera is the Dodgers' backup plan at SS if/when Furcal bolts for up north (please, not the Giants), although he should not be viewed as a leadoff hitter--his OBP is not good. Question is--who leads off? Kemp did a very good job of that before being yanked after slumping a bit. But slumps are going to happen wherever you bat. He could be a consideration at leadoff, but I doubt the Dodgers want to do that. Maybe not the ideal spot for him, but a leadoff guy with sock as well as speed is very intriguing. There are so many holes to fill--what will be the first piece to go into place, I wonder?

I think there's a good chance that Sabathia bolts the Yankees' offer for CA, with the Dodgers being the favorite. If the union pressures Sabathia to take the highest bid, how does the definition of "free" apply to being a "free agent?" If a player clearly doesn't want to play for a team or in a certain area, he should be able to make that decision without the union butting in. I think Sabathia ends up here.

The other top pitchers (Lowe, Burnett) should get their due, regardless of what Sabathia gets. If he happens to sign for $125 million instead of $140 million, that is not going to make much difference for them, really. They still will be very highly in demand and will make far more than they probably ever dreamed of.

And really, what is the difference between a $15 million a year deal and a $16 million a year deal? The person has enough money for several lifetimes, and in this economy, they should be extremely grateful while millions will be out of work. There won't be much sympathy for them.

[Logan]

I think we should sign The O-Dog, CC, And Cabrera. Manny, I think you should just dome back in dodger blue. think Ned think this is a winning team