MLB Takes Over Control of Los Angeles Dodgers
Amidst a troublesome and nasty divorce, Los Angeles Dodgers owner Frank McCourt is relinquinshing control of his team to Major League Baseball.
Commissioner Bud Selig announced Wednesday that he is going to appoint a league representative within the next couple of days to oversee the “business and day-to-day operations of the club,” according to DailyNews.com.
The divorce has left McCourt in a financial bind and the team is suffering as a result.
The representative will be announced within the next few days.
Stay tuned to DodgersCentral.com for more on this breaking story.
Update: Bud Selig has been quoted as saying. “I have taken this action because of my deep concerns regarding the finances and operations of the Dodgers and to protect the best interests of the club,” “My office will continue its thorough investigation into the operations and finances of the Dodgers and related entities during the period of Mr. McCourt’s ownership,” Selig said. “The Dodgers have been one of the most prestigious franchises in all of sports, and we owe it to their legion of loyal fans to ensure that this club is being operated properly now and will be guided appropriately in the future.”
This is absolutely huge news, it really shows that McCourt is a huge failure as an owner and that he has to be on his way out, can you say hope?
Update: It seems that the Dodgers aren’t being taken over Major League Baseball but will have an overseer but not a complete takeover.
My guess is that Selig, who balked at an earlier loan by Fox to McCourt didn’t like how McCourt went around him and got a $30 million loan from Fox while he thinks about the $200 million proposal on the table from Fox to the Dodgers. Dirty business, this is what McCourt does but he has to realize that the MLB owns the Dodgers and his rope is short now, hopefully Selig will use it to hang him, worst Dodger owner EVER!’
I’ll be updating as I gain more information.
Or you can watch my Twitter feed as I’ll throw in anything pertinent as I find out as well.
Update: Jamie seems thrilled and the Dodgers brain-trust has been meeting for the last hour or so.
http://twitter.com/#!/dodgercentral
Dodgers Have Any Chance at Prince?
The first thing I want to say is…I don’t have any information that the Dodgers are looking at Prince Fielder. This is me- analyzing the roster, and seeing if there’s a chance. And I’ll tell you what- the price might be a little hefty- but it’s also a shot I would take …depending if you can make a move around it.
The Dodgers could use a heavy (no pun intended) hitter to go inbetween Kemp and Either. Now, they thought they had that with Manny, and sure- Manny does fine when he’s actually playing…since he doesn’t actually play…well…yeah. The Milwaukee Brewers are going to have a heck of a time trying to resign the big man- which tells me…they’ll have to at least contemplate trading him. I believe they’ll be 6 big market teams in on Prince this off season and into next year, are the Dodgers one of them? Definitely.
Every team will offer their best prospects. The Dodgers can do better. Chad Billingsley. Now a few days ago I wrote an article about Billingsley. Trade him? Keep him? I stand by the fact the Dodgers should look into trading him for all the reasons I stated in that article. I feel good about that. He does have the upside of a power ace…but he also has the downfall of getting paid a TON of money to sit on the DL. The risk isn’t worth it to me which is where Prince comes in. The Brewers would want mlb ready guys for Prince. Well how are they going to turn down Chad and James Loney? Two guys already in the bigs- with success. Well I know what your thinking. If they can’t afford Prince- how can they afford Chad? Simple- Prince is going to want 150 million or so. Chad you could sign for roughly 60-75. A chance they can take if they want to win. They need a guy behind Gallardo, and Billingsley could be the match.
So what are the Dodgers going to do without Chad in the rotation? Simple- they’ll have to go out and make a sign. Everything relies on how much money this organization will have. I mean- how can a big market like Los Angeles not have the money to do this? I don’t know the 100% true facts behind the ownership’s finanical plans and I don’t try too….but come on. It’s LA! The Dodgers are too proud a franchise to continue to go down hill…and the only way to get back into the race next year is to make a drastic move or 2. I mean imagine if Billingsley tears up his shoulder for Milwaukee last year. Great move! Now imagine Prince hitting between Ethier and Kemp? Yummmmy.
Like I said- this is nothing more than some logic. Who knows if this will happen, will be talked about happening etc. All I know is…the Dodgers need to take a shot on the big man from Milwaukee.
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Dodgers keep pushing away; Penny of DL
The Los Angeles Dodgers continue to hit with power, enough to continue powering up the standings.
On Wednesday, the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the San Diego Padres 7-2 on the back of two Manny Ramirez home runs. In a series thats well known as a pitcher’s park has been beat up by Manny ever since joining the Dodgers. Ramirez finished with three home runs in the series, and has 14 home runs and 40 runs batted in over 38 games.
The Arizona Diamondbacks continue their losing ways, giving up a 3 1/2 game lead to Los Angeles. Joe Torre has everyone playing together ever since the addition of Manny.
On Thursday, the Dodgers reactivated Brad Penny from the disabled list. Penny was 6-9 before going on the DL with shoulder inflammation. He will initially be used out of the bullpen, making one to two inning appearances.
Dodgers sweep D’Backs, take over first place
The Los Angeles Dodgers finished a strong six game home stand, strong enough to produce a first place record. The Dodgers won all six games during the home stand, sweeping the San Diego Padres and Arizona Diamondbacks. Los Angeles has now won eight straight.
Sunday they defeated the D’Backs 5-3, Nomar Garciaparra provided the go ahead sacrifice fly in the seventh, and James Looney knocked in three runs as well.
The Dodgers now travel to San Deiego for another set against the Padres. The Dodgers embark upon a 10 game road trip, where they are just 28-40 on the road.
San Diego heads into the series in last place in the NL West, and almost mathematically eliminated. They will try to play the role of spoilers to the LA Dodgers during the series.
Game 1
Greg Maddux (7-11, 4.18 ERA) will face Cha Seung Baek (4-10, 5.36 ERA) in game one. Maddux began the season with San Diego before being traded to LA via waivers.
Game 2
Hiroki Kuroda (8-10) will face of against Wade LeBlanc (0-1) in game two. LeBlanc will be making his second career start, his first was last week against the Dodgers when he lasted just four innings, giving up five earned runs, eight hits and three walks.
Game 3
Derrek Lowe (12-11) goes against Shawn Estes (2-1) on Wednesday. LA is off Thursday before heading to Colorado for a three game series against the Rockies.
