header image

[Sign Up Now] to Receive Our FREE Daily SCVTV-SCVNews Digest by E-Mail

Inside
Weather


 
Calendar
Today in
S.C.V. History
March 28
1934 - Bouquet Canyon Reservoir, replacement for ill-fated St. Francis Dam & reservoir, begins to fill with water [story]
Bouquet Reservoir


[MLB.com] – The Dodgers’ new ownership group said there is a limit to how much money they are willing to spend. They just don’t know exactly what that number is after pulling off the largest trade in Dodgers history – receiving Adrian Gonzalez, Carl Crawford, Josh Beckett and Nick Punto, along with more than $260 million in payroll obligations, from Boston in a nine-player deal.

L.A. will send first baseman James Loney, top pitching prospect Allen Webster, infielder Ivan De Jesus and two players to be named to the Red Sox, who are including $12 million, according to a baseball source, to offset the amount of salary changing hands in the trade. Reports have said Rubby De La Rosa and Jerry Sands will finish off the deal.

“I haven’t found [a cap] yet, but I’ll let you know if we get there,” owner Stan Kasten said. “We really do evaluate those things secondarily. We think the most important thing is building a team.”

That team that the Guggenheim Baseball Management group, fronted by Kasten, Mark Walter and former Lakers star Magic Johnson, is one that becomes an instant World Series contender for this season and many more to come, as the new ownership is committed to bringing the Dodgers back to prominence.

The Dodgers, not far removed from bankruptcy and the Frank McCourt era, now boast one of the most feared teams in baseball with the addition of players who have combined for 11 All-Star Games, four Gold Gloves, two Silver Sluggers, a World Series MVP Award and an All-Star Game MVP Award.

“You have to be thinking about today, tomorrow, a month from now, five years from now,” general manager Ned Colletti said. “I think you have to be aggressive. You can’t be reckless. You have to be relentless and you have to think creatively out of the box.

“For a while, we weren’t really able to do that.”

The team came close to pulling off the trade before the July 31 Deadline, and remained in talks with the Red Sox over the next few weeks despite the challenges that came with players needing to clear waivers.

The blockbuster trade with Boston is now just another in a long line of moves the organization has made since the team was sold for more than $2 billion less than four months ago.

First, the new ownership signed Andre Ethier to an $85 million extension, and then inked Cuban outfielder Yasiel Puig to a $42 million, seven-year deal earlier this season.

Before the July 31 Deadline, the Dodgers added shortstop Hanley Ramirez, outfielder Shane Victorino and pitchers Randy Choate and Brandon League. Not long after, the team acquired righty Joe Blanton.

All in all, the team has acquired six former All-Stars over the past month in Gonzalez, Beckett, Crawford, Ramirez, Victorino and League. Colletti said the recent moves essentially equate to the team’s free agency.

On top of the eight-year, $160 million contract Matt Kemp signed this winter, the Dodgers are quickly becoming the Yankees of the West with an expanding payroll.

But is payroll a worry?

Not exactly, as Walter said money comes after making baseball moves that will make the Dodgers better and enhance the fan experience. Walter, Kasten and Johnson all mentioned how the goal from Day 1 was to rebuild the Dodgers no matter the cost.

“I believe this is one of the most iconic brands of all time, and there is a lot of value here,” Walter said. “We do believe we are a top quality team that is a very high quality product. I think that goes beyond just winning.”

“We understand you have to spend money, and believe me, we understood that before we bought the team,” Johnson said.

The team spent most of the season playing with a mix-and-match lineup of callups and castaway veterans as both Kemp and Ethier spent time on the disabled list.

The Dodgers would not have made the playoffs if the season had ended Friday, as they trailed the Giants by three games in the NL West and sat 1 1/2 games out of the NL Wild Card, with Atlanta and St. Louis ahead of them.

“The names in the lineup are different, but my job stays the same to put these guys in the best possible situation,” manager Don Mattingly said.

Gonzalez is a significant upgrade from the first-base platoon of Loney and Juan Rivera, who have both underachieved this year.

The 30-year-old Gonzalez, who is in the second year of a $154 million contract through 2018, is of Mexican heritage, and he provides a marketable face for the Latin community in Los Angeles. Gonzalez batted .300 with 15 homers and 86 RBIs in his second season with the Red Sox after five with the Padres.

“Adrian, to me, is if not the best first baseman in baseball, he’s one of the premier first baseman in baseball,” Mattingly said. “I got a chance to see him in San Diego. That guy has a pure stroke, great defender with an understanding of the game. He’s got all the attributes.”

Like Victorino and Blanton, Beckett provides playoff experience with a 7-3 record and 3.07 ERA in 14 postseason games (13 starts). However, the two-time World Series winner comes with some issues off the field, and he has underachieved greatly this season, going 5-11 with a 5.23 ERA in 21 starts.

Nevertheless, Beckett is just one year removed from going 13-7 with a 2.89 ERA, and he is a former 20-game winner. Fittingly, he was acquired by the Red Sox from the Marlins for Ramirez.

The 32-year-old righty is owed $15.75 million over the next two seasons, and he joins NL Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw in a rotation that is missing suddenly-hot Chad Billingsley, who left Friday’s game with a tender right elbow. Colletti said Beckett comes in at a great time, as Billingsley was placed on the 15-day disabled list.

As for Crawford, the speedy outfielder just had Tommy John surgery this week, but is expected to be ready for Opening Day 2013 after an expected 7-9 month recovery period. He disappointed in his first season with the Red Sox after signing a seven-year, $142 million contract that has five years remaining.

Crawford, 31, batted just .255 with only 18 steals last year, but he had stolen at least 50 bases five times in his career with Tampa Bay as one of the game’s top leadoff men.

Not expected to re-sign Victorino now, the Dodgers still have four outfielders signed to long-term deals, with Puig already at Double-A and possibly able to play in the big leagues in the next few seasons.

Loney had spent his entire career with the Dodgers after being selected by them in the first round of the 2002 First-Year Player Draft. He had back-to-back 90-RBI seasons in 2008-09, but his production has tailed off since. He is hitting just .254 with only four homers and 33 RBIs this season.

Colletti acknowledged the farm system, especially in the pitching department, has taken a hit, but he believes the team is in decent shape. He and Kasten were both hopeful to rebuild it and find top young prospects in the coming years as the new crop of Dodgers play out their contracts.

As to whether the team is done spending money this season, it’s hard to tell with this new Dodgers regime.

“We’re done until the next one,” Colletti said.

Comment On This Story
COMMENT POLICY: We welcome comments from individuals and businesses. All comments are moderated. Comments are subject to rejection if they are vulgar, combative, or in poor taste.
REAL NAMES ONLY: All posters must use their real individual or business name. This applies equally to Twitter account holders who use a nickname.

0 Comments

You can be the first one to leave a comment.

Leave a Comment


WATCH NOW
LOCAL SPORTS HEADLINES
Tuesday, Mar 26, 2024
College of the Canyons women's tennis played to a convincing 7-2 conference win over Ventura College on Moica to strengthen its potential playoff resume.
Monday, Mar 25, 2024
The Master's University men's volleyball team took to the road and came away with a 3-set victory, 25-19, 25-16, 25-22, over the Hope International Royals in Fullerton.
Thursday, Mar 21, 2024
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Battling back from a 12-point deficit, The Master's University basketball team had the lead late but could not hold it, losing to the No. 1 seed Freed-Hardeman 68-69 in the Round of 16 at the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Men's Basketball National Championship.
Thursday, Mar 21, 2024
GOLETA — College of the Canyons fielded two teams at the annual 3C2A State Preview event at Sandpiper Golf Course on Monday, with the Cougars finishing sixth and eighth in the field of 18 teams from around the state. 
Thursday, Mar 21, 2024
Cason Brownell had a bases-loaded double in the first and added a home run in the sixth to knock in all four runs The Master's needed in a 4-3 win over Westcliff Tuesday in Irvine.

Latest Additions to SCVNews.com
1934 - Bouquet Canyon Reservoir, replacement for ill-fated St. Francis Dam & reservoir, begins to fill with water [story]
Bouquet Reservoir
The California Department of Public Health launched the “Never a Bother” campaign, a youth suicide prevention public awareness and outreach campaign for youth, young adults, and their parents, caregivers, and allies.
California Launches New Youth Suicide Prevention Campaign
The Santa Clarita Master Chorale invites the community to "Let the Sunshine In," a delightful evening of food, wine and song at the annual Cabaret & Cabernet fundraising benefit.
April 20: Santa Clarita Master Chorale’s Cabaret, Cabernet Fundraiser
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health cautions residents who are planning to visit the below Los Angeles County beaches to avoid swimming, surfing, and playing in ocean waters:
March 27 Ocean Water Warning
As an integral ingredient necessary to help the Santa Clarita Valley to flourish, feedback from the business community is the secret sauce for achieving great things.
SCVEDEC Asks For the Business Community’s Opinion on Santa Clarita
Raise your heart rate while raising funds for the Santa Clarita Sister Cities Dollars-for-Desks campaign to provide school desks for students in Sariaya, Santa Clarita's Sister City in the Philippines.
April 13: Sister Cities Zumba-thon Fundraiser
Remo, Inc. is is the world's leading manufacturer and developer of synthetic drumheads and shells. They’ve been in business for 60 years
SCVEDC Company Spotlight: Drumming Up Big Business with Remo, Inc.
California State Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo (D-Chatsworth) and Assemblyman James Ramos (D-Highland) have introduced AB 3074 the "School or athletic team names: California Racial Mascots Act."
Schiavo Introduces Bill to Prohibit ‘Derogatory’ School Mascot Names
Los Angeles County’s Justice, Care and Opportunities Department  in collaboration with Local Initiatives Support Corporation Los Angeles is proud to announce the 2nd Annual Pitch Competition for the cohorts of JCOD's Incubation Academy.
March 28: JCOD Incubation Academy Helps Grassroots Non-Profits For the Second Year
Children’s Bureau is seeking foster families and now offers two virtual ways for individuals and/or couples to learn how to help children in foster care while reunifying with birth families or how to provide legal permanency by adoption.
April 18: Children’s Bureau Hosts Virtual Orientation
The Sunburst track was constructed in 1887 by the Southern Pacific Railroad and was a part of the main line running between San Francisco and Los Angeles.
Enjoy Spring With a Ride On The Sunburst Track
California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond hosted a Personal Finance Summit today where he announced his support for Assembly Bill 2927 (McCarty), legislation that would require a personal finance education course for California high school graduation.
State Superintendent Announces Support for Personal Finance Graduation Requirement
1847 - Probable birth date of Pico Canyon oil driller Charles Alexander Mentry [story]
C.A. Mentry
The first Music Jam Session at The MAIN was held on Thursday, Feb. 22 and was a hit. Come out and join in for the next one on Thursday, March 28 7 p.m.-9 p.m.
March 28: The MAIN to Host Musicians’ Jam Session
Los Angeles County Inspector General Max Huntsman of the Office of Inspector General has issued a report entitled "Tenth Report Back on Implementing Body-Worn Cameras in Los Angeles County."
Office of Inspector General Issues Latest Report on LASD Body Cams
College of the Canyons women's tennis played to a convincing 7-2 conference win over Ventura College on Moica to strengthen its potential playoff resume.
Canyons Closes Out Ventura 7-2 in Final Home Match
Join the Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce with the Latino Business Alliance at the Cinco de Mayo Networking Celebration on Tuesday, May 7.
May 7: Latino Business Alliance Cinco de Mayo Celebration
The Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control is hosting March Meowness promotion where all cat adoptions are just $15 from now until April 9.
Adopt a Cat During March Meowness at Castaic Animal Center
California State University, Northridge is partnering with the Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians and the Tataviam Land Conservancy to battle the impact of climate change in disadvantaged communities throughout the San Fernando Valley by establishing “urban forests.”
CSUN Partners with Fernandeño Tataviam Band to Build Urban Forests
Join the Santa Clarita Artists Association on Monday, April 15, 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Barnes and Noble, 23630 Valencia Blvd., Valencia, CA 91355, for the SCAA monthly meeting and guest demonstrator.
April 15: SCAA Presents Debbie Abshear Watercolor Demo
Residents are invited to join members of the Santa Clarita City Council for a special ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the addition of Santa Clarita's 38th park, Skyline Ranch Park, 18355 Skyline Ranch Road, Santa Clarita, CA 91351, to the Santa Clarita parks system on Saturday, April 6, at 10 a.m.
April 6: Grand Opening for Santa Clarita’s 38th Park
The Santa Clarita Valley Senior Center is preparing for the annual fundraising event, Celebrity Waiter, with the theme “California Dreamin’” on Saturday, April 27 at Bella Vida, 27180 Golden Valley Road, Santa Clarita, CA 91351.
Table Sponsorships Still Available for Celebrity Waiter Dinner
Springtime in Santa Clarita brings not only vibrant blooms and opportunities to embrace the outdoors with warmer weather, but also an array of free, family-friendly events and this Saturday is no exception.
Ken Striplin | A Fun, Festive, Egg-Filled Day
SCVNews.com