The Trolley Dodger

Nothing like some good months-early rumor mongering covering both coasts. MLB Trade Rumors points to a Boston Herald article on the subject, “Free to decide: Players on the open market”…

Now in the final season of a four-year, $36 million contract he signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers after the 2004 season, Lowe will be a free agent again in the fall. While there are already indications that the New York Yankees will be among Lowe’s suitors during the offseason, the pitcher will have a most obvious strength when it comes time to sit at the bargaining table: Durability.

And since he wouldn’t have to pitch in Coors Field, he’d be just fine, I’m sure. ;)

Rumor has it the Cubs are looking for a CF and are taking a serious look at Coco Crisp.

The Cubs were reportedly looking to resign Juan Pierre before the Dodgers picked him up. (They gave up a lot to get him in the first place.)

From a Cubs news item on February 2007:

Long gone
CF Juan Pierre: He led the NL in hits with 204 and swiped 58 bases, third-best in franchise history. But Pierre left via free agency because he wanted a long-term deal, and the Cubs didn’t want to block prospect Pie. They’ll miss Pierre’s expertise — he was a good mentor for young players — and his energy.

Think they’d still be interested? If they’re that interested in Crisp, why not Pierre if we subsidized the salary?

2007 stats

PLAYER G   AB  R  H   2B 3B HR RBI SB  BA   OBP  SLG
Crisp  145 526 85 141 28 7  6  60  28 .268 .330 .382
Pierre 162 668 96 196 24 8  0  41  64 .293 .331 .353

I think the word that best describes my reaction: eewwwwwww!

“Manny’s new agent: Scott Boras”

Manny Ramirez spoke to reporters about his contractual situation Thursday, but when he did he failed to mention one new revelation: Ramirez is switching agents and has hired Scott Boras, a friend of Ramirez’s told SI.com.

Regarding the rumored acquisition of Joe Torre and Don Mattingly, it wouldn’t be the first time the Dodgers have welcomed former Yankee superstars to their coaching staff, particularly one (like Donnie Baseball) who desperately wanted the Bronx manager job.

You might recognize the fellow in the middle of this picture, who traded his pinstripes for a Brooklyn Dodgers uniform for half of the 1938 season:

“Former Dodger Gagne is happy to be in Boston”

Eric Gagne was at Angel Stadium Monday, admitting that as the trade deadline neared, he allowed himself to wonder what it would be like to call the stadium 30 miles north home again.

He had read the rumors and knew the Dodgers needed pitching.

“It would’ve been great,” Gagne said. “I had a great time over there, 12 great years. It was a lot of fun, but now it’s behind us.”

Grumble, grumble.