Why the Dodgers won't spend huge

If your season is hinging on the deal, you are screwed.

QUOTE(#1):

Originally posted 08:17 AM ET  04.16 by Commerce Comet

Time to rethink that policy.................

different ERA for sure ....

In all that time, Kasten's teams never handed out a contract longer than five years to any free agent from outside their organization.

And in all that time, how many times was Kasten part of a group that purchased one of the most iconic baseball franchises for two billion dollars?

Looking at how he handled free agents twenty years ago doesn't tell us much on its own. It might be interesting to see how he compared to his peers in that regard, though; as in, how many five years contracts were given free agents from a team new to them and how many team owners gave those contracts.

QUOTE(#4):

Originally posted 08:55 AM ET  04.16 by Prayin' Utleys

Quick question, in fantasy baseball I traded Jonathan Niese SP for the Mets for Mike Minor SP on Atlanta, what are your thoughts?

My thought is you should wash your hands after playing with those turds.

QUOTE(#4):

Originally posted 08:55 AM ET  04.16 by Prayin' Utleys

Yes.Quick question, in fantasy baseball I traded Jonathan Niese SP for the Mets for Mike Minor SP on Atlanta, what are your thoughts? Anyone feel free to offer their two cents.

First reaction is better upsife for minor. but as slink said, wash your hands.

Just think that if the Dodgers didn't have such a mess last year and had the money to sign Fielder. Could you imagine him in the lineup with Ethier, Rivera and Kemp!!!

QUOTE(#4):

Originally posted 08:55 AM ET  04.16 by Prayin' Utleys

Yes.Quick question, in fantasy baseball I traded Jonathan Niese SP for the Mets for Mike Minor SP on Atlanta, what are your thoughts? Anyone feel free to offer their two cents.

Agreed with the above...

They should both find their way to the Waiver Wire before the All-Star break.

Advise: Don't hold on to a guy too long just cause you traded for him :-)

QUOTE(#11):

Originally posted 12:53 PM ET  04.16 by The Oldtimer

Just think that if the Dodgers didn't have such a mess last year and had the money to sign Fielder. Could you imagine him in the lineup with Ethier, Rivera and Kemp!!!

I don't think they could've matched Detroit even if they weren't a mess last year. L.A was the highest bidder until Detroit made their unbelievable offer. Though, compared to how Loney is once again starting the year, he would've definitely made a big difference.

QUOTE(#3):

Originally posted 08:43 AM ET  04.16 by TRUTH3.0

Right now they are looking very good but I would suggest that is more due to a weak schedule than a contending team.

Everyone gets to play the Padres and Pirates. Beating them doesn't make the Dodgers a weak team. You are correct that they haven't proven they are legit quite yet, but this was a team that, despite being in the doldrums last year, still finished with a winning record. If Capuano can get several decent starts in, I don't believe there will be many problems competing for the division.

QUOTE(#14):

Originally posted 03:11 PM ET  04.16 by skyraker

Everyone gets to play the Padres and Pirates. Beating them doesn't make the Dodgers a weak team. You are correct that they haven't proven they are legit quite yet, but this was a team that, despite being in the doldrums last year, still finished with a winning record. If Capuano can get several decent starts in, I don't believe there will be many problems competing for the division.

Good point, I don't see the Dodgers having much problem having a good season and competing in the NL West. I didn't/don't expect Kemp to have the same type year as last year, but damn he is hotter than hell at the moment.

After two or three seasons of finishing second to Arizona or San Francisco..., maybe even the Rockies, will make this new group start to spend Fielder or Pujols sized contracts. Los Angeles has a really good team out there (I don't follow due to being a Jays fan) but this team can do some damage if they make the playoffs. Just staying the course and resigning your FA's to 5 plus year deals may not work if you falter down the stretch.

QUOTE(#3):

Originally posted 08:43 AM ET  04.16 by TRUTH3.0

Agreed Mick. Those days (Atlanta) are over. And teams cannot be reasonable competitors.Despite what some have said on here, I still think the Dodges have a ways to go to bring that organization back. Right now they are looking very good but I would suggest that is more due to a weak schedule than a contending team.

I would argue otherwise. From mid-90's to mid 2000's, it was ok to hand out huge contract, or even sizable contract to bring in juiced up FA, because they would be productive into their late 30's. But... as we are starting to see, players not juicing up are starting to decline at earlier age... and boy do they decline in a hurry, too! (Look at Greek God of walk, looking done at 33). Adam Dunn signed huge contract at 33, with the Whitesox, and he looks done.

So... now more than ever Teams need to develop their farm system and obtain other pieces via trade or pick up FA at cheaper price (No huge 6 year contract given to 31-32 year olds)

the dodgers, have being spending big, but with money guy johnson, the team should sign top players!!!

As a Dodgers fan I don't want to see contracts handed out like the Fielder and Pujols deals of the past offseason. I am in favor of putting lots of money into player development as well as re-establishing themselves as leaders in the foreign recruiting market. McCourt cut so much from these core pieces of the franchise because of his and Jamie's pilfering of Dodger money. Kemp got an 8 year deal but he'll still only be 36 when it's done. I'm in favor of locking up Ethier for 6 years as soon as possible and Kershaw for an additional 5-6 years after his contract expires after next season. Other than those core players, build up the farm and let them come in and do the job. There are some decent pitching prospects that are still at least a couple years away but we need more bats.

Every contract for a player is different, and every team is different. For example, the Pujols deal makes sense for the Angels because of their TV money they will be raking in over the next few years. But, the Cardinals would have been stupid to make such a deal. Also, the Angels had become irrelevant over the last couple of years as the Rangers dominated the division. St. Louis, however, just won a title.

The Dodgers have not been in the World Series since Reagan was President. They need to make a smart signing, such as Cole Hamels, this offseason.