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Baseball News from L.A. Times

The first baseman drives in the game’s first run and has a three-run double in the seventh inning. Juan Pierre gets three more hits and Orlando Hudson extends hitting streak to 17. Continue reading on L.A. Times

The Los Angeles Dodgers are hardly missing a beat w/out slugger Manny Ramirez and still hold the major’s best record.  While many, including myself, thought they would struggle w/out Ramirez in the lineup, they have actually thrived.  Starting pitching is the primary reason, w/ both Billingsley and Wolf dominating so far this season.

Baseball News from L.A. Times

They sweep the Padres and set a franchise record by starting 10-0 at Dodger Stadium. Outfielder Manny Ramirez sang to himself and juggled a couple of baseballs as he walked out of the Dodgers’ clubhouse, his spirits visibly lifted by what transpired on the field Sunday.   Continue reading on L.A. Times

Baseball News from L.A. Times

He has two home runs, including a grand slam, and five RBIs while Andre Ethier and Orlando Hudson drive in three runs each.  The Dodgers are playing so well these days that they gave Manny Ramirez half the game off, without a care in the world.   Continue reading on L.A. Times

Baseball News from L.A. Times

He says his hamstring feels pretty good after playing three innings.  Manager Joe Torre said he knew it would be useless to tell Manny Ramirez to take it easy. Continue reading on L.A. Times

Baseball News from L.A. Times

He pitches six scoreless innings and has a two-run double in the second inning of an 11-4 victory over the Texas Rangers.  Randy Wolf pitched longer than any Dodger pitcher has pitched this spring, tossing six scoreless innings Sunday in an 11-4 victory over the Texas Rangers at Camelback Ranch.   Continue reading on L.A. Times

Despite Manny Ramirez’ apparent hamstring injury, he did a promotional spot playing Cricket out in Gilbert, AZ.  This, after reports that he had confined his workouts to the pool.  Can’t say I’m surprised by Manny’s actions, but I would be highly upset if I was the Los Angeles Dodgers since they just promised Ramirez $45m over 2 yrs.

He is not running as he tries to relieve tightness in his left hamstring, which is keeping him out of spring-training games. Manny Ramirez says he is exercising in a swimming pool but not running as he tries to relieve tightness in his left hamstring, which is keeping him out of Cactus League games. Continue reading on L.A. Times

Spring training is still several weeks away and Ramirez is hopeful of being ready by the time the Dodgers open baseball season.  Hopefully, the early behavior is not an indication that the “troublesome” Manny Ramirez is going to be prevelant this season.

Baseball News from L.A. Times

The team travels without him and defeats the Chicago Cubs, 5-4, with Jeff Weaver throwing two scoreless innings and Doug Mientkiewicz hitting his second home run in four games.  Manny Ramirez had his first full workout of the spring today with the Dodgers but missed their trip to HoHoKam Park and a 5-4 victory over the Chicago Cubs.   Continue reading on L.A. Times

After months and months of negotiating what turned out to the the same offfer, the Los Angeles Dodgers have Manny Ramirez under contract.  Despite the new contract, it was too late for Ramirez to get into a playing mindset and participate w/ the team in their matchup w/ the Chicago Cubs (a victory).

Baseball News from L.A. Times

The deal calls for million this season and million for the next — providing the slugger chooses to exercise the second-year option.  Intending to discourage further questioning about Manny Ramirez’s absence from the Dodgers’ spring training camp, Manager Joe Torre said on Wednesday that the All-Star outfielder probably wouldn’t be playing through the weekend.  Continue reading on L.A. Times

The Los Angeles Dodgers and Manny Ramirez are at odds again over their latest contract offer, reportedly $45 million over 2 yrs, including a player option for the 2nd year, which means Ramirez would essentially be a free agent again next year if he chose to.

Ramirez, seemingly w/ no other offers, rejected the offer, but it is unclear exactly what he is hoping to get from the Dodgers.  LA is likely the only team that is even entertaining signing Manny, so it would seem rather stupid for him to turn down such a good offer.

Baseball News from L.A. Times

Dodgers made an offer almost three months ago, the slugger’s agent rejected it, and now neither seems about to blink.  Jeff Kent had cried his last tear. He gathered his family and went on with the rest of his life, and the Dodgers went on with the rest of their business.  Continue reading on L.A. Times

Perhaps the retirement of Jeff Kent will help the Los Angeles Dodgers free up some more money to re-sign Manny Ramirez to a multi-year deal.  The issue is his stability and commitment to the team game - something Ramirez has yet to prove for more than a couple years in both Cleveland and Boston.

The Dodgers certainly need Ramirez in the offense to contend in the NL West, so most rumors suggest that he will sign a short-term deal in the coming days/weeks.  There are virtually no other offers on the table for Manny, so the Dodgers have the negotiating power at this point.

Baseball News from L.A. Times

The Dodgers have agreed to trade or release Jones in exchange for his deferring much of the million remaining on his contract.  Andruw Jones and the Dodgers? One and done. Continue reading on L.A. Times

Baseball News from L.A. Times

In the five years Frank and Jamie McCourt have owned the team, the cost for a family of four to attend a Dodgers game has increased almost 57%. The Team Marketing Report, which tracks the costs of attending baseball games with information provided by most teams, says it cost a family of four last season $229.14 to attend a Dodgers game. Continue reading on L.A. Times

Baseball News from L.A. Times

On the day that he officially signs with the Dodgers, the shortstop says he never agreed to a deal with Atlanta. On the day Rafael Furcal passed a physical and signed his name on a three-year, -million contract with the Dodgers, he found himself deflecting questions about his agents’ dealing with the Atlanta Braves. Continue reading on L.A. Times

Perhaps it is just me, but I believe that the Atlanta Braves would’ve regreted signing Rafael Furcal to a long-term deal - an expensive one at that.  Let the Los Angeles Dodgers be the ones to suffer through Furcal’s injuries and inconsistencies on the field.  Furcal was exceptional in his 1st stint w/ the Braves, but has struggled since leaving

Baseball News from L.A. Times

Pitcher slips on an ice-covered step outside his Pennsylvania home. The injury adds another question mark to a depleted rotation.  Chad Billingsley fractured a bone in his lower left leg when he slipped on an ice-covered step outside his Pennsylvania home Friday night, adding another question mark to a depleted Dodgers rotation that is set to lose Derek Lowe and Brad Penny this winter. Continue reading on L.A. Times

Baseball News from L.A. Times

Cash that would go to the free-agent outfielder could be used to shore up team in other ways.  Scott Boras was right, the Dodgers failed to make Manny Ramirez a “serious financial offer.” Continue reading on L.A. Times

Baseball News from L.A. Times

Blake DeWitt’s three-run triple is the key hit in a five-run first as Dodgers take Game 3 on a strong outing by Hiroki Kuroda and cut Philadelphia’s series lead to 2-1. Teams nearly brawl in the third inning. The Dodgers revived their World Series hopes tonight by defeating the Phillies, 7-2, in Game 3 of the National League Championship Series at Dodger Stadium, thanks largely to a five-run first inning. Continue reading on L.A. Times