Dodgers still looking as shortstops land elsewhere

Two shortstops are gone, and maybe a third. The Giants have signed Edgar Renteria, the Cardinals acquired Khalil Greene from the Padres, and the Tigers reportedly are pushing hard to acquire Jack Wilson from the Pirates*.

The Dodgers still don't have a shortstop, with management unconvinced that Chin-lung Hu can hit major league pitching, at least not now. They say they're still interested in bringing back Rafael Furcal, but their decision not to offer him arbitration says they weren't interested in him accepting a one-year contract if it might cost them in the range of $13 million, which is the same as his 2008 salary.

It is unlikely that Furcal could have gotten much of a raise in arbitration, given that he was limited to 36 games last season because of a back injury and subsequent surgery.

Other than Furcal, who visited last week with the Oakland A's, the top remaining free-agent shortstop is Orlando Cabrera. The White Sox offered him arbitration, so the Dodgers would have to surrender their first-round draft choice to sign him, and they would prefer to explore other options. But it's a steep drop from Furcal and Cabrera to the likes of Alex Cora, Cesar Izturis and David Eckstein, so the Dodgers will be talking trade at next week's winter meetings.

The Angels are satisfied with Erick Aybar, who had an eventful week in winter ball, and are not looking for a shortstop.

-- Bill Shaikin

* Corrected Wilson's team from Padres to the Pirates.

Photo: Rafael Furcal tags out Philadelphia Phillies second baseman Chase Utley to end the first inning of Game Three of the NLCS on Oct. 12. Credit: 26) to Gary A. Vasquez / US PRESSWIRE

Comments

[LarryF]

How can this team go with Hu at SS? Instead of another house in Malibu - or even a youth baseball field - pay Orlando Cabrera to come in here and provide some leadership like he used to for the Halos.

[Bill]

Jack Wilson from the PIRATES. THX

[Gatsby]

Jack Wilson? Are you insane? I would rather keep Hu for a fraction of the cost. Pirates are asking for at least 2 prospects in return.

[kensai]

Orlando Cabrera? Hu's plus defense would probably make up for his offense if he even hits .250 for the Dodgers. Take a closer look at Cabrera's career line and what the Dodgers would have to pay him. He's worse than Edgar Renteria.

Jack Wilson? They want 3 young prospects for what amount sto one year of him. Well, unless you want to pickup a 9 million dollar option next year for a better version of Chin Lung Hu (fringe bat/plus glove).

The only good thing would be taking a chance on Furcal, but McCourt isn't doing that. If you don't like Furcal, than banking on Hu/Berroa/DeJesus is probably the best bet, isn't it? If you're going to settle for mediocrity at the position, why not get it for cheap?

[Chris]

Please take Yuniesky Betancourt from the Mariners-- he's cheap, decent stick and a solid glove... or at least, so the M's have tried to convince themselves the past three seasons.

[ALBERT4RMCPT]

I THINK THE DODGERS SHOULD GO FOR ORLANDO HUDSON FROM ARIZONA HE'S A WAY BETTER PLAYER THEN ALL OF THEM !!!!!

[Darrell]

We need to get a guy like Hudson. Great attitude and clubhouse guy. Try to resign Blake at 3rd. We have Dewitt as insurance if one gets hurt. AFTER THAT GO AFTER PITCHING!

[Geoff]

I think the dodgers should push hard for R. Furcal even with him not being fully recovered from his back and still push hard for C. Blake and even if they get both of them back i think they should still go after one other shortstop. The one I am referring to is J.J. Hardy. He has been named in some reports I have read during the season around the trade deadline and off season as available and why not he is 26 and is a power bat averaging a .270+ avg, 20+ HR, 77 RBI's in little more then 3 seasons. All of those are better averages then Orlando Cabrera and Jack Wilson and his salary last year was 2.7 million or so last season even if he is only a stop gap for the young guys to develop or he can be a possibility to sign to an extended contract and save the dodgers money. His only weakness compared to R. Furcal is that he is not threat to swipe a bag with under 10 steals in his whole career. Also maybe if we don't get Manny or C. Blake he can be developed into an outfielder or can play second, short or third and move B. DeWitt and R. Furcal to the other holes in the infield and solidify the defense. Then go after another corner outfielder if uncertain with Jones or Pierre in LF. With an defensive lineup of C-Martin, 1B-Loney, 2B-DeWitt/Furcal/Hardy, SS-Furcal/Hardy, 3B-Blake/DeWitt/Hardy, RF-Either/Kemp, CF-Jones/Kemp, LF-Ethier/Pierre/Hardy/Jones this would be a primarily young and potent lineup like the TB Rays have and developed with the ceiling only going up for the majority of them. This is all with out Manny and if he is signed I say still go after Hardy for all the reasons I have already listed with his stats and youth cause he can be insurance for the infield. Then spend the cash on pitching and utility players.