I still think it was a bad idea to get rid of Pierre, but the Dodgers didn't do horrible in the trade.
They got Minor League pitcher's John Ely and Jon Link.
Ely, 23 and a third-round pick out of the University of Miami in 2007, went 14-2 with a 2.82 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP at Double-A last year. He's a control pitcher, which means he isn't always dominant. He was 10-12 with a 4.71 ERA at Single-A Advanced the year before.
Link, 25, is a reliever and a former 26th rounder from 2005. A 3.99 ERA in 48 appearances at Triple-A last year. more than a K per nine (10.53) but a high WHIP (1.46).
I don't think he projects or scores out very high.
Ely=Stults
So Ive been thinking there is nothing to make me think the Dodgers havnt become a small market team (Padres, Nats, Athletics, Royals), either until Frank wins in court and gets out from debt, or the team is sold to someone who has more than 100,000 dollars to his name. The team that we have at this point, IMO has a three year window to win, if that, but do not currently have the pieces to win the whole shebang...the world series.
If we cant spend in free agency for medicore players and are salary dumping Pierre then we probably wont have the cash to spend in free agency next year when there are a bunch of game changers bound to hit free agency or are traded. So in order to prevent coming up short the next two years and then having nothing to show for it I propose a radical change that will either help poor broke McCourt gets some change in his pocket, or prime the team for sale. If salary dump is what your looking for then the next two years are crucial with major salaries coming off the books and arbitration hearings coming up. Well lets salary dump trade some valuable players due raises and stock the lower levels of the farm club that can make a real run at something in 2012 when Frank can spend, or a new owner has full control to do something.
First to Go
Either- with 51 homers the last two years and his clutch ability, he has some real value that could fetch two low or high A prospects I would prefer pitching, teams like the Royals, Mets, Cards (if they miss on Holladay), Braves would give up some of their prized lower level talent...not major league ready just yet, 2-3 years
Broxton to NY Yankees to pry away some of their recent development...maybe Montero?? They need someone to replace Rivera soon.
Loney to the Orioles for Arrieta or Erbe some good young pitching to give the Os another good young defensive player to keep building around.
Bills and Sherrill, Martin to the Mets to raid everything they have got with getting five of their top seven prospects including Ike Davis and Ruben Tejada, and FMart
Kuo to anyone willing to give up some low level position players like a 3B, or a young OF guy with pop, willing to accept Kuo might not have value and could close if we keep him.
We will not field a horrible team and could possibly compete in the crappy West...I doubt it but with Furcal and Blake leading a younger cast, we are still keeping two pieces to build a 2012 world Series champion...Killer K's Kemp and Kershaw. Kuroda and Manny will be off the books for the most part as well as the parts of Jones and Pierre by 2011-2012 we will have a Marlinesque payroll with some prime talent and Major League studs.
With the young pitching talent in the lower levels the Dodgers have plus the 2-3 pitching prospects we would recieve are rotation could feature an ace with Kershaw plus fresh young talent to compete and whatever Free Agents Ace is available after the 2011 season...could be Felix.
This team could have a small payroll and be stocked to make a real run by then if an owner is willing to commit some cash.