With the Dodgers being hamstrung in the cash flow department, and with very few marquee free agents in the 2010 class, the Dodgers have adopted the quantity over quality philosophy.
In Ned Colletti's tenure as Dodgers GM, small signings/trades like Juan Castro, Jeff Weaver, Brad Ausmus, Ronnie Belliard and etc...have paid off. He's been thrifty, but calculated.
This off-season, that philosophy has been taken to a whole new level. Colletti, prior to February, had signed Vicente Padilla, Reed Johnson, Jamey Carrol, Belliard and Ausmus.
Since then, he's done more bargain hunting as he has re-signed Weaver, brought in super-utility guy Alfredo Amazega, pitcher Ramon Ortiz, Timo Perez and Brian Giles.
None of these names jump out at you, and if one or two of them works out, then great. If only a couple workout, then it's not a big deal because hardly any money was spent.
First of all, I really like Amazega. As a guy who watches a lot of baseball, I saw him play a lot with Florida. He can play nearly anywhere, and can supply some offense. I would expect more of the guy who hit over .260 from 2006-2008 over the guy who hit .217 last year. He played in just 27 games as injuries slowed him down.
I think bringing Weaver back was a good idea. Weaver was actually pretty valuable last year and as a long reliever/swing starter there aren't many better options.
Ramon Ortiz and Perez are pretty much irrelevant, but somehow the Dodgers have a way of getting something out of players. Who knows, right?
The wild card is Brian Giles. He's breaking down, and it's a body part (knee) that isn't going to get any better. Giles is 39, and missed over 100 games last year, and batted under .200.
Don't expect anything from this guy.
However, if it works out, and he can supply 120-180 AB's (and hit a little bit) as a left-handed bat off the bench, it would be a huge plus. A huge surprise, but a huge plus.
We feared another decent pitcher was not going to be signed, but we were hopeful. Apparently a piecemeal system will be in place this year. Let's break that down again, and further, when pitchers and catchers start to report. Which, by the way, is 10 days away.
Amezega signing is the only positive move along with weaver. Wang may also join the team.
Amazega is certainly the only positive move along with Weaver.
Sounds like Wang is a no go. Damn.
Giles is worthless. I'll be shocked if he even makes the team.
I'm alright w amazega signing but him and reed johnson plus jamey carroll makes for a weak right hand hitting bench without the speed of pierre...not nuch pop unless dewitt starts and belliard is on the bench. Normally ned hopes that one or two of these guys come through each year and now he is relying on quite a handful of them coming through or bouncing back...this team has not improved from last year but has taken a step back imo...we are only trying to compete in the west not in the entire thing.