Hey Dodgers, I have a subtle, yet strong message for you: It’s time!
It’s time to flip the switch, and chuck all the money onto the table, and walk away with every prized possession at the Winter Meetings.
Want Zack Greinke?
Go get him!
Word as of this morning (by ESPN’s Jayson Stark) states that the Texas Rangers are a team to look out for.
But you are the Los Angeles Dodgers, a team that is about to reel in the cash as part of a massive television deal. A team that is one ace away from packing the best 1-2 punch in baseball (alongside Clayton Kershaw, of course).
It’s time to flex those muscles, and take a chance on Anibal Sanchez if you cannot bring Hyun-jin Ryu to the States.
So Scott Boras is fighting for every penny (again); big deal!
It’s time to move on!
Yes!
Take a long look at Anibal Sanchez, who helped the Detroit Tigers reach the World Series. That’s the kind of player you want to drop money on, not one who could potentially become the next Kazuhisa Ishii.
Remember him?
A 109-73 record and 3.54 ERA brought him to the Major Leagues for a price of $24 million in posting fees and salary, only to give the Dodgers a .534 win percentage (36-25) with a 4.30 ERA.
Could Ryu provide the same?
One would hope not!
His comparison (at best) is Mark Buehrle, whose numbers could rival that of Sanchez, but bear in mind, the Korean Baseball league is equivalent to Double-A in the Major Leagues, at best.
Nothing is guaranteed except for the potential to succeed.
Hee-Seop Choi.
Remember him?
Another potentially gifted player for Korea that busted.
Some players just cannot make the transition to the Bigs.
Thus, it’s time, Dodgers. Go out and get Greinke signed if that’s what you want. Follow his signing with that of Sanchez.
Sign them both at the same time if that’s what it takes.
With the money comes the power to do as you please.
Want Josh Hamilton?
Trade Andre Ethier immediately to Texas; let them have their outfielder, while we stick Hamilton in right. Ethier would thrive in Texas, a win-win situation for him.
How about Giancarlo Stanton?
Miami needs money, obviously. They traded away the moon to rebuild again. They traded away their projected starting shortstop for another prospect.
Guess what, Marlins, Dee Gordon is available!
Who better to fill the speedy Jose Reyes’ spot than the faster-footed Gordon, who is young and able to help guide that franchise atop it’s lineup for several seasons to come.
Meanwhile the Dodgers get a player that is filthy, and in my eyes, the best power hitter in the game, and one that is said to be the only player with more raw power than the Dodgers’ own Yasiel Puig.
It’s time to show the cards, Dodgers.
Establish yourselves as baseball’s juggernaut.
Walk that walk.
You’ve done it with the big trades last season, and by extending Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier. Now be bold, make another trade (or two), and sign those big-name players, and let’s get the calendar rolling over to Opening Day.
