Furcal

On Dec 16, 1:31 pm, KYLERSGRAN... RemoveThis @webtv.net (Brad Machado) wrote:
> Off to the sevarB. I'm sure Hu or Loretta will take up the slack nicely.

SO, in this chapter of off-season at Blue Heaven, the front office
focuses on one big signing, forsaking all others, then, as pitchers
and catchers report, the big name goes elsewhere, leaving us with a
mess? I think we've seen this script before.

Holliday, off the market. Furcal exported. I decided to look at
Sportsline "Top Free Agents" by position. Here are those attributed
to the Dodgers as potential suitors...

Randy Wolf (SP)--note, no Lowe nor Penny.
Relief Pitchers--none listed
Catchers--none listed (would a top FA settle for backing up Martin?
When Javier Valentin and Michael Barrett are on the list, I would
think so)
First Base--Considering Teixeira and Giambi are the only two on the
list and Loney already at first, any surprise the Dodgers aren't
listed?
Second Base--Both Orlando Hudson and Ray Durham. Might want Hudson,
likely get Durham.
Short Stop--Only one remaining is Orlando Cabrera, at least on this
list.
Third Base--Got Casey Blake back, but Joe Crede is on the short list?
Outfield--Manny is the only one with Dodgers on the list, so we can
expect Bobby Abreu to show up on our DL early.

So, with an outflux of 40% of the starting pitching and a bullpen
without a go-to in the ninth, we're looking at a Return of the Wolf
and little more?
With Russell Martin propped up with balsa wood over the last few
weeks, no rest ahead?
Orlandos up the middle wouldn't be bad, but I have a bad feeling with
Durham on the table that he'll be the option the front office takes.

I sure hope there are some PLEASANT surprises over the next eight
weeks, because a "Wolf and Durham" off-season won't be quite enough to
build off last year.