November 14, 2000
A smattering of topics to heat up your hot stove:
Ch-ch-changes
Now that it's official that Davey Johnson won't return as manager in LA, we turn our attention to who will replace him. We've heard a few names mentioned prominently, but one keeps popping up more often than the others. Look for the Dodgers to name Jim Tracy as their next skipper any day now. Tracy was the team's bench coach in 1999 and 2000. He's never had a managing job before for a Major League team but top brass seem confident in going with him.
We're also hearing that former MLB catcher and current TV personality Bob Brenly will take over the lowly Diamondbacks' franchise.
Free agent fever
It's looking more and more likely that this will be a HUGE free agent season for teams. There are some big names, for sure, going into the off-season sweepstakes. The Dodgers, who have been stingy with their free agent cash the past few years — barely spending any money — could be poised to a be a big player this off-season. At least that's what GM Kevin Malone has been hinting at.
The headliner of course is 25-year-old shortstop Alex Rodriguez, who has said he wants out of Seattle and plans to file for free agency. Other top-name players likely headed that route as well include Gary Sheffield, Chipper Jones, Johnny Damon and Ray Durham.
Could A-Rod be trading the great Northwest for Dodger blue? LA would have to pay a pretty penny for his services, but we believe Malone and company will make a strong play for the five-star prospect, who could be one of the better players in the game right now. Word has it that A-Rod is seeking a seven-year deal in the neighborhood of $12 million per year.
San Diego, which won the NL West this past season, also appears interested in A-Rod as well as Chipper Jones. The Yankees seem to be drooling the most over Sheff.
So long Edgar?
If the Dodgers manage to snag A-Rod, that would likely mean the end of the line in LA for current starting SS Edgar Renteria. We're hearing chatter that he would be traded away for pitching help. The Dodgers seem to want another starter considering its youth behind Darren Driefort and Ramon Martinez.
Would other players go if A-Rod is signed? Some of our snooping has suggested that the Dodgers might deal Mike Piazza, another high-priced player, for a big bunch of prospects. Then the Dodgers would build around A-Rod with a ton of talented youngsters (including a few that are already here, like Josh Hamilton and pitcher Andrew Zarzour).
We have to question why LA would trade away Piazza, at least initially. Imagine a lineup featuring Paul Lo Duca (playing 1B), Piazza and A-Rod in the 3-4-5 spots. That would pack quite a punch for sure, especially if you add in Raul Mondesi, who had a nice power surge at the end of last season...
This and That
Word on the street is that Andrew Zarzour's elbow issues aren't much to crow about. The Dodgers shut him down from play in the Arizona Fall League before he even threw a pitch in a game. They just wanted him to get some rest and save his best stuff for the spring after complaints of some soreness. Nothing serious beyond that, we're told...
One Dodgers' scout was adament in his belief that Josh Hamilton could be the next great star of the club. "He's got the sweetest swing I've seen in a long time," the scout said. "He could hit .325 or better next year, you wait."
Down on the farm, a young Albert Pujols has been making waves. The Dominican born player, a first-round draft pick, ended last season in Triple A. Look for him to make a move for the Big Club in 2001. Other players to watch down next season in LA's system include SS Adam Everett and RF Craig Wilson.