Prior to the winter meetings next week in the Indianapolis Convention Center, the Los Angeles Dodgers need to decide what moves the team needs to make that will lead towards their next winning season.
Ned Colletti continues business as usual and makes it a priority to put the Dodgers back in the playoffs for the 2010 season.
The Dodgers have 17 free agents, including Manny Ramirez, who recently exercised the club option. Other free agents who played a major role in the 2009 season include Orlando Hudson and Ronnie Belliard, both of whom filled in second base very well this past season.
Brad Ausmus and Mark Loretta also added the punch to a great bench that is now emptied out. That leaves only outfielder Juan Pierre, who really is the fourth outfielder on the Dodgers and not a true bench player.
Then there are several pitchers the Dodgers need to decide whether to re-sign, or select others to fill in the holes before the new season: Vincent Padilla, Randy Wolf, Jeff Weaver, and John Garland all are free-agent pitchers.
The Dodgers do still have one of the best farm systems in the major leagues. Christopher Withrow, who was the 2007 No. 1 pick, is a prospect of the Dodgers and asserted himself in his late-season call-up to Double A, posting a (2-2)-3.95-.240-26-12. He is now at a position to potentially help the Dodgers' rotation sometime next season.
Another Dodgers' prospect pitcher they may look at is Aaron Miller, a first-round pick last June who didn't take long to stamp his name as a potential pro ace.
The Baylor product dominated low Class A through 10 starts and could move very quickly to the majors—perhaps even by the end of 2010.
The pitching staff still needs to find a true ace; that was once thought to be Chad Billingsley, though he has not lived up to expectations.
Rumors are spreading on trading him to the Blue Jays for Roy Halladay. But now it’s believed to be a long shot, especially with what’s occurring on the ownership table for the Dodgers.
Therefore, the Dodgers' No. 1 priority is simply finding their ace this offseason and possible re-signing their veteran pitchers, like Wolf and Padilla. As for now, their starting rotation is Clayton Kershaw, Hiroki Kuroda, and Billingsley.
Second is finding an infielder to fill in the empty space at second base. With Hudson and Belliard each being free agents this offseason, second base is vacant.
Blake Dewitt may be able to take on that role, for now he continues to play the role of Casey Blake's back-up at third.
In this case, Colletti is rumored to be looking at several veteran players. Marco Scutaro could fill the hole the Dodgers have at second.
According to the Boston Globe, Scutaro is interested in playing for the Red Sox or the Dodgers. If the 34-year-old veteran played for the Sox, he would move to shortstop. Other teams are also reporting interest.
Other infield free agents the Dodgers may want to take a look at include Brewers' infielder Felipe Lopez, who had a batting average last season of .310 and is only 29 years old. At this time, only the Orioles have looked into signing him.
Signing role players off the bench is also going to play a major role in the offseason for the Dodgers, as they may lose backup catcher Brad Ausmus and backup infielder Mark Loretta, among others.
As General Manager Ned Colletti and Manager Joe Torre prepare for the upcoming winter meetings, they both understand the importance of filling the holes to plan for an even better season than the last two, even though the ownership may be in shambles.
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