Player Updates

Diamond Leung let's us know how the rest of the Dodgers are doing.

• Jeff Kent is still undecided about playing next season.
  
• Chin-lung Hu is no longer playing in the Arizona Fall League due to a strained hamstring.
• Tony Abreu is on the mend. He is starting a rehabilitation assignment in Florida.
• Yhency Brazoban will begin throwing next week.
• Jason Repko will begin working out soon.

Also, I'd like to add that Andy LaRoche and Delwyn Young are playing for Team USA in this winters 2007 IBAF World Cup Tournament in Chinese Taipei. Check out the "Countdown to the Olympics" Baseball Blog for updates about how Team USA is doing.

Team USA played their first game of the tournament today against Mexico and came out on top with a 3-0 victory. Both LaRoche and Young went 0 for 4. LaRoche was the DH and Young played leftfield, batting #3 & #4, respectively.

Story Link: Diamond Leung:

Is Miguel Cabrera worth it?

Lately, I've been reading about the availability of Florida's thirdbase phenom Miguel Cabrera.

Is he a better match for the Dodgers than ARod?

On the positive side of the ledger:

• Miguel Cabrera is younger (8 years younger than ARod by my count).
• He fills a position we need.
  
• In 4 1/2 years he has hit 138 homeruns, has 523 RBI's, is batting .313 and has a career OPS of .929.
  
• A potential long term contract for Cabrera would be less than ARod's desired contract.

Negatives to Cabrera:

• He has been getting a little round around the edges. You know what I mean? Weight issues can oftentimes be a precursor to future injury problems.
• Rumors are that Florida is looking for 3 prospects (Rob at 6-4-2 mentions that Matt Kemp, Andy LaRoche and Clayton Kershaw are in Florida's sights.)
• Although a future long term contract would be less than ARod's, it is still expected to be a large chunk of change. MLB Trade Rumors suggest that an 8 year $200 million price is being thrown around. That's $25 million a year.
• At $25 million a year he would still throw a wrench in the Dodgers future planning. How will we be able to keep all of our homegrown shinning stars when they will undoubtedly command larger salaries when their time comes for free agency.

I guess you can say I do not envy Ned Colletti's job. After all, if he screws up he will forever be known as the devil that came down from San Francisco to ruin the Dodgers. If everything works out then he will achieve knighthood status.

All I do know is that the three names mentioned above as potential trade fodder is far too much to give up. In fact, I wound put Kemp and Kershaw in the untouchable column.

Here is what I would be happy with. Andy LaRoche, Andre Ethier and one of the following prospects (Hu, Abreu, Elbert or Meloan) for Miguel Cabrera. The deal would also be contingent on the signing of a long term contract. This package would still be better than what any other team can offer.