DODGERS - TURKEYDAY SPECIAL

THANKGIVING OFFSEASON REPORT

OVERVIEW
The Dodgers head into the offseason after a 3rd place finish in the NL West and finishing just short of the NL Wild Card. After a good 2002 campaign, you’d figure that the Dodgers would just need some minor tweaks to the lineup to push them to the playoffs in 2003. However, the Dodger lineup still has significant holes and one wonders what GM Dan Evans will do to get Shawn Green some support in a lineup that currently lacks power and finished dead last in the NL in walks in 2002. It won’t be an easy task for Evans as the Dodgers are still strapped with the Malone era contracts of Kevin Brown, Darren Dreifort, Mark Grudzielanek and Eric Karros. Evans spent much of the recent GM meetings gauging interest in Grudzielanek and Karros, which there was little to none… no surprise there. Evans will work the phones to try and move Grudzielanek’s $5.5 million contract for 2003 and open the door for prospect Joe Thurston. It is likely that the Dodgers will have to include Adrian Beltre in any deal that includes Grudzielanek and/or Karros. If the Dodgers do trade Beltre, they could turn around and sign free agent Edgardo Alfonzo, Jeff Kent or Robin Ventura or trade for KC Joe Randa or Expos Fernando Tatis to fill the hole at third.

JORDAN DEMANDS TRADE
GM Evans expects him to be LF in 2003
Outfielder Brian Jordan exercised his right to demand a trade on October 30th after the Dodgers declined to extend his contract. As a player traded in the middle of a multiyear contract, he is allowed to file a trade demand during the 15 days following the World Series. If no deal is reached by March 15 and Jordan doesn’t rescind his request, he becomes a free agent and loses $11.5 million of guaranteed money. Don’t expect GM Evans to shop Jordan very actively as Evans has stated that he expects Jordan to be the starting left fielder in 2003. This looks similar to the Rick Reed scenario played out in 2001 with the Twins.
Jordan had a solid, yet unspectacular, first year with the Dodgers. He batted .285 with 18 homers and 80 RBI in 128 games. Jordan did hit .347 and led the NL with 30 RBI in September. As typical of Jordan, he battled injuries for much of the second half of the season.

FAREWELL OLD MAN
Veteran reliever Jesse Orosco agreed to terms on a one-year, $800,00 contract with the San Diego Padres on November 19th, bringing an end to his 3-year Dodger career. Orosco, 45, wanted to finish his career in LA but the Dodgers only offered him a minor league deal. “It seems peculiar the Dodgers are worried about money, because what Jesse wanted was small in the big scheme of things,” Alan Meersand, Orosco’s agent, said. “The difference between his contract and the major league minimum is only $500,000. That’s like Donald Trump worried about spending $4 or $3 on a sandwich.” Orosco went 1-2 with a 3.00 ERA in 56 games this season limiting hitters to a .229 average. Orosco is the major league-record holder in pitching appearances of 1,187 games over 22 seasoms. Among the free agents who could replace Orosco are Mike Stanton, Mark Guthrie, Dan Plesac and Jeff Fassero.

DAAL – WOULD YOU SIGN HIM?
Omar Daal is clearly the most attractive FA coming out of the Dodgers in 2002. Daal is looking for a starting job and won’t find that option in LA. Daal pitched well in 2002 with a 11-9 record and 3.91 ERA in 161.1 IP. He’s now 2 years removed from his 4-19 disaster and is a decent #3/4 starter though I still would be wary of his “talent” and here’s why. First of all, Daal was 9-8 as a starter with a 4.45 ERA. He was also extremely streaky. He pitched amazingly well in August (3-1 with a 2.18 ERA), but his September meltdown (0-3 with a 6.65 ERA, .323 BAA) helped bring down the Dodgers playoff hope. Secondly would be the Dodger Stadium effect, which is about as strong as the Coors effect but for pitchers. Daal had a 3.39 ERA at home while he had a 4.48 ERA on the road. Expect Daal to revert to his career 4.40 ERA or higher in 2003 and if he moves to the AL expect even higher. If he latches onto a contending team, he’ll likely be good for double-digit wins in 2003.

TRADE OFFER REJECTED
According to ESPN’s Jason Stark, the Brewers turned down a deal for SS Alex Cora (for pitchers Ben Diggins, who was traded in the Tyler Houston deal, and Valerio de los Santos). Cora was a pleasant surprise in 2002 as he hit a career high .291 with 5 homers, 28 RBI and an .805 OPS. If I were Dan Evans, I’d rather deal Cesar Izturis, who showed no ability to hit right-handed pitching in 2002 hitting only .195 and a .467 OPS in 292 at-bats, yuck!!!

KARROS AMENDS CONTRACT
The Dodgers looked to avert a potential 2003 showdown with Eric Karros by altering a contract clause that could have affected his role in 2003. Chairman Bob Daly modified a clause that would have guaranteed Karros $9 million in 2004 if he had at least 500 plate appearances in 2003, enabling the Dodgers to decline the option, for a $1 million buyout, regardless of Karros’ time in the lineup. Karros, who is rehabilitating from arthroscopic shoulder surgery, hit .271 with a career-low 13 home runs and 73 RBI last season. GM Evans has said that Karros’ 11-year run as the everyday first baseman has ended, saying the Dodgers are considering acquiring “someone to share time with” Karros. In my opinion, trading him outright would be preferable to the team but moving his $8 million contract for 2003 will not be easy.

KREUTER’S OPTION DECLINED
The Dodgers declined their option on backup catcher Chad Kreuter, opting to pay the 38-year-old a $300,000 buyout rather than a $1.2 million salary in 2003. Kreuter, who backed up Paul Lo Duca, played in 41 games last season, hitting .263 with 2 homers and 12 RBI. No fantasy impact here.

ANOTHER JAPANESE IMPORT?
Unfortunately not Godzilla, the Dodgers are looking for a long reliever for their brittle rotation, and they apparently have interest in Japanese RHP Takashi Saito. Saito, 32, was converted into a reliever two seasons ago and has a Japanese career record of 76-64 with a 3.62 ERA and 48 saves. Last season, Saito was 8-3 with 47 saves and a 2.00 ERA as a closer with the Yokohama Bay Stars. The Braves and Mets are also interested in Saito.

THE RETURN OF PROKOPEC
The Dodgers signed RHP Luke Prokopec to a 2-year minor league deal. He is rehabilitating from September shoulder surgery, but the team hopes he can be a long reliever or spot starter by late next season. Last offseason, Prokopec was traded by the Dodgers to the Toronto Blue Jays for Cesar Izturis and Paul Quantrill.

THE REST OF THE DODGER FREE AGENT CLASS OF 2002
Marquis Grissom – He is also looking for a team that will give him a starting job. Don’t expect many teams to be jumping at the chance to give the 35-year-old that chance. He needs to recognize that his ability lands him as a 4th outfielder at best. Grissom, who had a .831 OPS in 2002, had his most productive season since 1996. In 111 games, he hit .277 with 17 homers and 60 RBI.
Tyler Houston – He wasn’t happy after being acquired by the Dodgers as Adrian Beltre caught fire and Houston rode the bench. Tyler should quit his whining as he hit .200 with no homers, 7 RBI while striking out 21 times in 65 at-bats. He’s an overrated hitter that will likely land a job as a platoon player.
Dave Hanson, Jeff Reboulet – does it really matter?

If you have any questions or comments, please email me at Dodgers@fantasyinfocentral.com

Chris Wang
Dodgers Correspondent