Monday, December 06, 2010

Dodgers Looking To Fatten Up At First?

Though to be fair, if the rumors as reported by Tony Jackson are true, the Dodgers are considering a two-for-one trade that is close to parity from a mass perspective; the Dodgers are reportedly considering trading James Loney and Jonathan Broxton to the Brewers in exchange for Prince Fielder:

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- The Los Angeles Dodgers are actively involved in discussions on a possible three-player deal with the Milwaukee Brewers that would bring slugging first baseman Prince Fielder to Los Angeles in exchange for Dodgers first baseman James Loney and embattled closer Jonathan Broxton, according to multiple sources who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

Fielder, 26, has averaged 40 home runs over the past four seasons -- a dozen more than any player hit for the Dodgers in 2010 -- and 111 RBIs. He led the National League with 141 RBIs in 2009. He also has a career on-base percentage of .385 and led the NL with 114 walks in 2010.

The Dodgers previously have been reluctant to move Loney, primarily because there is no other everyday first baseman in the organization who is close to being ready for the majors. Loney also is a potential Gold Glove winner defensively, but the knock against Loney has always been that he doesn't hit for the power the front office and coaching staff have long believed him to be capable of producing.

The Chicago Cubs have also expressed interest in Loney, according to ESPNChicago.com's Bruce Levine. [...]

Fielder is in his final winter of arbitration-eligibility before potentially becoming a free agent after the 2011 season. He made $10.5 million in 2010, the final season of a two-year, $18-million deal he signed with the Brewers in January 2009. He probably stands to get between $15 million and $20 million this season.

Wow, that's a lot of poundage at play. I'm sitting here trying to wrap my arms around this one, but frankly I'm not Mr. Fantastic here so I can't get very far.

UPDATE 4:09p: MLB Trade Rumors cites sources that says this deal is in stasis mode, including denials from Ned Colletti himself. The Brewers' acquisition of Shaun Marcum this afternoon apparently makes it less likely that they'll move Fielder, but who the heck knows.

UPDATE 4:17p: Nope, Tony Jackson edits his earlier post with a new first paragraph: it's dead.

34 comments:

rbnlaw said...

I'm finding it hard not to like this idea.

Like Loney; used to like Brox; I'd love 44 dingers from 1B.

Plus, think of all the corny Prince jokes we can use.

We make party like 1999!

Dusto_Magnifico said...

This just doesn't add up.

Nostradamus said...

Colletti doth protest, apparently.

Nostradamus said...

Whether in favor or not in favor, trade talk is still wretched.

karina said...

this is WRONG, you know, the Dodgers have a "shaky" infield defensive so we can't afford putting someone on first who doesn't field well.

He might have lots of pop but he he might cost us lots of runs with his defense.

I don't like the Dodgers right now.

karina said...

Hey Dodgers managament, we want a shiny brand new World Series trophy, just like the Giants, we don't want a f**&%## Kung Fu Panda of our own.

I'm seriously considering to become a less than casual fan of this team...at least the White Sox won a WS this decade.

karina said...

King James can't be that bad if the Cubs, Nationals and Brewers are asking for him. Fielder has "American League DH" written in caps all over his belly.

I like to remind you Russell Martin hasn't signed with the Dodgers yet.

*still hyperventilating*

spank said...

I am very hip with this trade if it goes down. Can you imagine if Kemp gets his act together,the heart of the order will be a MOFO. And when I say imagine I really mean IMAGINE.

@ karina

Please don't say we want to be like the Gnats. I am being very calm right now but next time:

killKillKILL

Neeebs (The Original) said...

What am I going to do with my Loney Bobblehead?

I don't have enough space on the ledge for a Fielder Bobble.

MR.F said...

I want Prince.

Ned has shot it down... though he could be just trying to temper expectations?

Steve Sax said...

I think Ned is against the deal since Fielder has never played for the Giants.

On the flipside, Ned is indeed prone to chase the fat guy (see: Uribe, Andruw Jones).

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

DEAR GOD DO IT NED FUCKING DO IT

MR.F said...

SO SAY WE ALL, MRLASC.

Dusty Baker's Toothpick said...

Come on Ned, get your balls outta Jamie's purse and pull this deal off.

Mr. Doctor said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
spank said...

So the deal is done that the deal is not getting done. Looks like we are stuck with Loney.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

I know lots of rumors get tossed around in Winter Meetings, but there's something going on here, something substantial enough that Tony Jackson had reason to believe his source(s).

Nostradamus said...

@Marla

Are you suggesting that MLB front offices use the media to float potential trades to judge the amount of interest in a player, then deny it?

I am shocked, sir! SHOCKED!

Steve Sax said...

@Mr LA SC 4:08p: I do indeed think Fielder would qualify as something substantial.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

I'm kinda bored right now, so I've made a College Bowl mania group on ESPN. It's private, but anyone who wants to join can email me for the password.

Nostradamus said...

@mlasc

Hmph, might as well. I'm in.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

@Mr C - You hide your exuberance well.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Password is also available to those participating on Fantasy Football.

Nostradamus said...

@MLASC

My ambivalence is due to the fact that I'm a totally incompetent gambler. But since there's nothing on the line but pride, I'm willing to humiliate myself for the entertainment of others.

Steve Sax said...

I'm in, Mr LA SC, please email me!

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Email sent, Sax.

Kyle Baker said...

Late to this party. Even if it were still something in the mix that may happen, which apparently it is now not, I would not like the deal. I'd take Loney's excellent defense at 1B and his fairly-consistent RBI production over Prince's fat ass, one dimensional presence. Especially wouldn't want to see Prince locked up long term. That guy is an injury or diabetes waiting to happen. And if we'd give up Broxton, too (which I'm not necessarily opposed to), then we'd still have to plug in an every day reliever, who don't exactly grow on trees.

Intriguing, but I wouldn't pull the trigger on this deal.

Karina has me worried, though. You aren't divesting your team interest are you? This is scary.

Kyle Baker said...

I note that RBN used the following name earlier today in a different threat: "Oaktown Alphabet Starters "

That's just good clean fun.

Fred's Brim said...

I would rather see Loney's fly balls dying at the warning track than Fielder's. That dude wouldn't go 40/120 for the Dodgers.

NicJ said...

Stuck with Loney for one more year, Damn.

I guess we are just going with the "Just hope the offense fixes itself" plan.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

For a minute there, I thought the Dodgers would be good next year. Aye, 'twas not to be.

NicJ said...

just wait till they see our twenty man starting rotation.

karina said...

@Dusty Baker it's not divesting, it's expessing disagreement

karina said...

^expressing