While the maneuvering, posturing and horse-trading continues between Dodger GM Ned Colletti and Ramirez's agent Scott Boras, here is a look at the two candidates.
The last time we saw Ramirez, he was hitting just a tick under .400 during the regular season and even higher during the playoffs.
Dunn finished his tenure at Cincinnati by clouting 40 home runs for the fourth consecutive season.
One anonymous general managers pointed out Dunn's defense at first base or a corner outfield spot is a major liability. "He's best suited as a DH," was his assessment.
As another American League GM pointed out, "He'd better not be 'The Guy' because he has a lot of holes in his swing and he can be pitched to."
Both players have tremendous power, both create runs, both reach base at a remarkable clip and drive in the magic 100 runs each year. Neither of them will be mistaken for Tris Speaker in the outfield.
Dunn is 29 and cheaper. Manny is 37 and more charismatic.
The Bill James Handbook projects the following season for each player in 2009.
Player ave obp ops rc ab-h 2b hr rbi
Ramirez .301 .404 .955 121 552-166 34 34 113
Dunn .246 .386 .913 100 562-138 34 42 103
If these projections are close to the mark, it seems as if Dunn would be the prudent choice. But we're willing to give space to any of you who have an opinion otherwise.
And now a mishmash of other Dodgers news.
Saito to Boston?
According to the Boston Globe, the Red Sox made an offer to former Dodger Takashi Saito after he was non-tendered by Los Angeles. "The Saito market has been surprisingly quiet since he was let go. He'd seem to be a really good gamble for a large-market team, especially since he'd be under control for three years even after being given a one-year deal."
Indians Sign Wilson Valdez
Cleveland signed infielder Wilson Valdez to a minor-league contract and invited him to spring training. Diamond Leung of the Riverside Press-Enterprise noted, "The author of the press release was apparently so excited by the signing that the former Dodgers starting shortstop's entire name was in capital letters."
Orioles Sign Mark Hendrickson
The Orioles officially signed veteran left-hander Mark Hendrickson to a one-year contract worth $1.5million. It could increase to $2 million if he pitches and/or starts enough games to earn incentives.?
?Hendrickson, 34, has a career 50-63 record and a 5.07ERA over parts of seven seasons. He went 7-8 in 2008 with a 5.45 ERA in 36 games (19 starts) for Florida.
?The 6-foot-9 pitcher was 6-15 with the Dodgers in 2006-07 with a 5+ earned run average.
?Dodgers Sign Two Free Agents
The Dodgers signed starting pitcher Brian Mazone to a minor-league contract and invited him to spring training. Mazone, a 32-year-old left-hander, is a career minor leaguer who pitched in the Phillies organization for the past three seasons. Previously he pitched in the Atlanta, Milwaukee and San Francisco systems.
The team also re-signed pitcher Mario Alvarez to a minor-league contract after non-tendering him early this month to remove him from the 40-man roster. Alvarez, who missed all of the 2008 season due to an injury, was not extended an invitation to spring training.
LHP BRIAN MAZONE
6-4 205 tl bl
Born- July 26, 1976
Obtained-Signed as a free agent January 2009
Year team w-l era gm gs sv in h bb so whip
1998 A- 1-6 5.56 20 9 0 68 91 27 32 1.74
2003 A+ 0-7 9.31 3 13 0 59 97 27 49 2.10
2004 AA 1-1 2.12 7 1 0 17 13 2 19 0.88
AAA 1-1 4.50 2 2 2 12 17 3 6 1.67
2005 AA 11-8 3.10 30 20 1 128 122 34 89 1.22
2006 AA 0-0 2.37 6 6 0 38 32 7 26 1.03
AAA 0-0 2.04 20 20 0 128 108 36 85 1.13
2007 AAA 3-2 2.21 6 6 0 37 30 8 20 1.04
2008 AAA 9-12 4.10 28 28 0 165 176 36 113 1.29
Totals 26-37 3.87 132 105 3 651 686 180 442 1.33
Ex-Dodger VP Steps Up
Camille Johnston, the Dodgers' former senior vice president of communications, has been named special assistant to President-elect Barak Obama and director of communications for First Lady Michell Obama. Before working for the Dodgers, Johnston was the director of communications for Tipper Gore.