FanNation - The Republic of Sport

Moments after Nomar Garciaparra popped a Brad Lidge pitch into foul territory down the third base line in the bottom of the ninth inning of the NCLS's fifth game, he shook his head.

While he couldn't have been happy being the last out recorded of the NLCS (hence allowing the Phillies to officialy celebrate its trip to the World Series), Garciaparra also figured it would be his final at-bat as Dodger. Officially a free-agent, Garciaparra's return to Los Angeles is unlikely.

Not necessarily what he had in mind when he signed with the team that played 20 minutes away from his high school.

Joining Garciaparra are 11 other players who may make his next visit to Chavez Ravine in a visitor's uniform, if they return at all.

With a slew of free-agents to deal with this winter, who do the Dodgers keep and who do they let go? Usually a decent measure for a successful season, the Dodgers were only three wins away from the World Series.

With that, comes expectations. One of those expectations is to re-sign the players responsible for putting the team in this position. The converse is also true, in letting go the players who would be counter-productive to getting over that small hump between this season's progress and a World Series appearance in 2009.

One of those players everyone will be watching is Manny Ramirez, acquired in a three-team deal only minutes before the trading deadline on July 31. For most people, from fans to executives to those of us who sit in the press box, the impact of Manny is obvious: the Dodgers are not playing in game 5 of the NLCS without No. 99 in the dugout.

What Manny did for the Dodgers this season probably outranks what the other No. 99 did for another professional franchise in Los Angeles. (Of course, I'm referring to Wayne Gretzky and the L.A. Kings.)

While the Kings only made one Stanley Cup appearance with The Great One, many hypothesize that the Dodgers may earn more than one trip to the World Series if he stays in town.

Keeping Manny around will definitely help, but the Dodgers have a several other players to worry about that will affect the contract offered to Manny -- and how far the team can go if he does stick around.

So, who do the Dodgers keep? Who do they let go? And, what other free-agents should they pursue?

Let's look at each of the free-agents on L.A.'s roster not named Manny:

- Nomar Garciaparra ($9,000,000+, will not return):

The hometown kid was off to a solid start in his first year as a Dodger, but Nomar was plagued by injuries the final two seasons of his contract. In exactly 300 regular season games, Nomar hit .289 with 35 home runs and 180 RBIs. Yet, most of those stats were earned in that first season (.303 BA, 20 HR, 93 RBIs). In two seasons since, he was only .278 with 15 homers and 87 RBIs. Not exactly stats that will knock Ned Colletti's socks off.

Nomar is best served playing for an American League team in 2009, and won't return to Chavez Ravine.

- Brad Penny ($9,250,000, will not return):

It's been four years after the Dodgers sent Paul LoDuca, Juan Encarcion and Guillermo Mota to Florida for Brad Penny (and two others). An unpopular trade at the time, management thought fans would come around when Penny would return to World Series form -- after all, he was a key figure in the Marlins' 2003 World Series run. 

In four plus seasons, Penny was 46-33 and ERA of 4.07 in 118 appearances. This season, he was 6-9 (6.28 ERA), and was placed on the 60-day Disabled List just before the start of the post season to make way for Rafael Furcal. Told of this, Penny packed his belongings and went home. Never once was he seen in the dugout during the team's eight postseason games.

His non-appearance in October is proof-positive Penny will not return to the mound as a Dodger in 2009.

(NOTE: The Dodgers have a club option on Penny, and will probably exercise it this winter). 

- Derek Lowe ($10,000,000, probably won't return):

A bright spot for the Dodgers this season, Lowe became the team's ace and started 34 games in 2008. He finished the season at 14-11 (3.24) and was 1-1 (3.31) in the post season. The Dodgers would like to have the 11-year veteran return this season, but he's made it clear he does not like living in Los Angeles, and will probably seek riches in the midwest or east coast.

- Jeff Kent ($9,000,000, will retire):

At age 40, Kent is probably at the end of his career after 16 years of MLB service, including four seasons with the Dodgers. Kent may have been one of the most consistent players at the plate, though he was far from a clubhouse leader or fan favorite. Still, his production with the Dodgers can't be ignored: 75 HR, 308 RBIs, 281 runs, .281 avg.

Yet, just like Penny, he was visibly upset when he did not return to the starting lineup after returning from surgery, and reluctantly settled for a pinch-hitting role in the playoffs. After the Phillies won game 5 at Chavez Ravine, Kent immediately cleared his locker and left the stadium -- another tell-tale sign of a player who will not return to L.A. in 2009.

- Casey Blake ($6,100,000, might return):

Acquired from Cleveland shortly before the Manny deal, Blake has been solid for the Dodgers. Playing for the first time in the National League, the 35-year-old hit 10 home runs and drove in 23 runs in 58 games. His 10 home runs were almost as many as he hit in 94 games (11) in Cleveland.

Yet, does Colletti offer a three- or four-year deal to a player who, while productive, is a player on the decline? Both sides may be better off agreeing to a two-year deal, with an option for a third. No one else on the roster can fill in the team's hole at third base like Blake, and he should be serviceable there until another Blake (DeWitt) develops.

I'd say the odds of Blake returning is 50-50.

- Takashi Saito ($2,000,000, should return):

After he found himself on the Disabled List, many figured Saito, the team's 39-year-old closer, was on his way out this winter. But, closer-in-waiting Jonathon Broxton is far from a sure thing.

Don't be surprised if Saito (18 saves, 60 strikeouts, 2.49 ERA) is brought back, just for insurance.

-  Greg Maddux ($10,000,000, won't return):

Maddux is such a professional, he told the Los Angeles media he was happy to accept the "cleanup" role during the Dodgers' playoff run. In eight playoff games, Maddux did not start one game for Los Angeles ... and he said he was perfectly fine with that.

Too bad the Hall-of-Famer won't be around next season. Since he lives in Dana Point (an Orange County locale), maybe he'll join the Angels in 2009.

- Rafael Furcal ($15,700,000+, may return):

It is unlikely Furcal will command $15 million this winter, especially with the likes of Manny, CC Sabathia, Pat Burrell, Mark Teixeira and Francisco Rodriguez hitting the market.

He may have been overpriced, but Furcal played well enough for the Dodgers to consider re-signing him.

Other teams will likely offer him more money, but he may just agree to a pay cut just to play on a contender.

- Joe Beimel ($1,250,000, will return):

The effective (and young) middle reliever expressed interest in re-signing with the Dodgers. Odds are, both side will come to an agreement by December.

- Pablo Ozuna ($1,050,000, should return):

 A solid utility man, Ozuna is good insurance for infield injuries, and will be a short-term stop-gap measure if Casey Blake doesn't return or Blake DeWitt struggles.

- Manny Ramirez ($20,000,000, may return):

Tales of Manny being Manny were well-chronicled in Boston, so many are skeptical that the Dodgers will immediately open its bank account to Ramirez.

Funds will be available, considering large contracts of Lowe, Penny, Garciaparra, Kent and maybe one other player is off the books. It's uncertain whether the Dodgers want to commit those available for Manny in a long-term deal. 

But two things are for certain: Manny (17 HR, 53 RBI, .396 BA, .743 SLG, 53 games) is the reason why L.A. was so close to the World Series, and at least one team will offer Manny  the contract he (or Scott Boras) wants.

The Dodgers are obliged to at least make him an offer near what he wants, even if it's a three-year, $70 million deal. The only hold-up will be whether Manny/Boras will demand a four-year, $100-million deal

Colletti & Dodger owner Frank McCourt are hesitant to commit to four years. They know what he did for the team in 2008. They don't know whether he will continue to do the same through 2012, especially considering he would be 40 at the end of a four-year deal.

Ideally, Manny would accept a two- or three-year deal, worth more than $20 million per year. If Manny is willing to accept such terms, he may retire in Dodger Blue.

With or without Manny, expect the Dodgers to consider making offers to Sabathia or Burrell.

What's scary is, with the number of players who won't return, the Dodgers will actually have the money to re-sign Manny plus two other Dodger free-agents, and still have nough money to offer to, say, Sabathia.

It'll be an interesting winter, and I say the Dodgers pull it all off.