Blake Powers Dodgers Past Texas

The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Texas Rangers 6-3, taking the series two games to one. The Dodgers were in an early hole when a Rafael Furcal error allowed two runners to score in the first inning, giving Texas a 2-1 lead. However, Casey Blake hit a 3-run homer that put LA up for good. Chad Billingsley went 7+ innings, allowing only three runs (two earned). Blake also had a double and scored a run. Orlando Hudson and Brad Ausmus both doubled, with Ausmus getting an RBI and Hudson scoring a run. Juan Pierre scored twice, and James Loney drove in a run. Andruw Jones hit a solo-homer for the Rangers, and both Hank Blalock and Michael Young scored.

Editor's Note: Andruw Jones Shows No Respect

Apparently, it wasn't Andruw Jones's fault. That's according to an article in the LA Times by Dylan Hernandez. In the piece, Jones faults owner Frank McCourt, saying he was responsible for his trials and tribulations during the 2008 season. He explains that McCourt never supported him from the beginning of his arrival to his contract termination. Jones believed that Matt Kemp was the center-fielder of the future, and that the Dodgers had no desire to retain Jones any longer when he emerged:

"I know they had Matt Kemp, who was going to play center field all the time, so I didn't feel like I was in their plans." Jones said he started to get the sense that he was on his way out of Los Angeles when he met with McCourt before undergoing knee surgery last May. "It was disrespect," Jones said of the way McCourt spoke to him. Jones said he was upset when his agent, Scott Boras, told him in the off-season that McCourt was looking into ways to void his contract. While acknowledging that McCourt paid him a hefty salary, Jones said the owner had no right to complain about a deal that was mutually agreed upon. "I got paid that money because that was my value," Jones said, pointing to the numbers he posted in 12 seasons with the Atlanta Braves.

Does Jones apologize to the Dodgers or to the fans for showing up to Spring Training overweight? No. Does he apologize for his incredibly disastrous statistics? No. Instead, Jones decides to play the blame-game and point the finger at McCourt, the man who paid him $36.2 million over two seasons to play like the All-Star he was in Atlanta. He wasn't paying for the name; he was paying for homers, RBI's, and diving catches. And when he couldn't deliver, doesn't it make sense that the boss would want to find out why that is? Not to Andruw Jones:

Jones said McCourt was too involved in the Dodgers' baseball operations. "I know it's his money but sometimes they need to stay away from what's going on in the field. He never played baseball before. He might have a sense of it from running the team but he can't be too involved like that."

Jones sure knows how to bite the hand that feeds him. As per his release, the $22 million or so promised in the second season was deferred over the next six years. McCourt is still technically signing Jones's pay checks. But that means nothing to him. As far as Jones is concerned, McCourt was a nosy, over-involved owner who stuck his head in places where it didn't belong. Jones failure to admit his mistakes and fault his own poor approaches on the field is like a slap in the face of Dodger fans who had to stomach his constant strike-outs. Fans had no choice but to watch him fall apart faster than broken fine-china with runners in scoring position, pushing a majority to call for Ned Colletti's dismissal. Jones shows no respect to the various sources of his salary, instead looking to blame everyone but himself for his pathetic collapse in Los Angeles.

Dodgers Overcome Delay, Irony for Victory

The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Texas Rangers 3-1, snapping a two-game losing streak. The game was scoreless through five innings before a power failure that caused a bank of lights to fail became too big of a distraction. The game consequently was delayed for an hour and 40 minutes. As soon as the contest resumed, Juan Pierre scored in the sixth to give the Dodgers an early 1-0 lead. However, former Dodger and local irritant Andruw Jones homered to tie the game. Matt Kemp responded though, hitting a two-run home run in the next frame to give LA the lead for good. The bullpen held down after Randy Wolf pitched five scoreless innings, who had to be lifted due to the delay. Rafael Furcal had an RBI and a double, and Orlando Hudson collected two hits. Casey Blake also doubled. The 4-6 hitters in the Texas lineup all failed to get a hit; both Michael Young and Ian Kinsler singled.

Jonathan Broxton pitched a perfect ninth for his 15th save of the season after returning from Georgia for the birth of his son.

Dodgers News: LA Makes Up for Schmidt, Kuo Gets a "B", and Korea Comes to Town

The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Texas Rangers 14-7. Juan Castro beefed up his utility-man resume with a solo homer, and Hector Luna had a 2-run home run. Xavier Paul had 3 runs, 3 hits, and 2 RBI's, and Blake DeWitt scored a run, got two hits, and knocked in two. Both James Loney and Matt Kemp had one hit, one run, and one RBI. Jason Schmidt gave up three runs in two innings in his first start with LA since 2007, but got the win after the Dodgers scored 10 runs in the first three innings. Eric Milton threw three scoreless innings after Claudio Vargas surrendered four runs.

Schmidt, in his first start since 2007, allowed three runs, two walks, and two hits, including a home run. He struck out two.

Hong-Chih Kuo made his spring debut in a B-game against the Chicago White Sox, pitching a scoreless inning. Kuo could pitch in a real game as early as Thursday.

Andruw Jones launched a home run off Claudio Vargas, his first homer of the spring. Jones played with the Dodgers last season, signing the highest salary contract in franchise history. However, Jones was a flop, with 14 RBI's and 3 home runs. The Dodgers reworked his contract so they could release him, and Jones signed a minor-league deal with the Rangers. He hopes to make the club in April.

Team Korea defeated Team Japan in their pool finale to determine the two teams' seeding in the next round for the World Baseball Classic. Korea will play the Dodgers this Thursday in an exhibition.

Editor's Note: Boras Takes a Serious Hit

Alex Rodriguez's (below) admission that he took performance enhancing drugs shocked the baseball world. What's even more shocking is why he took it. According to A-Rod, he was under enormous pressure to play well in Texas after signing a monstrous 10-year, $252 million contract on a team known for its exuberant home run totals. Scott Boras (above) put Rodriguez in that hole, squeezing every penny he could out of owner Tom Hicks. The contract forced the prices of everything from food to merchandise to rise, which put even more pressure on A-Rod. Fans who attended wanted to see the reason why they were paying higher prices for a sub-par team. Boras has put many of his players in similar situations, most notably Kevin Brown and Andruw Jones, both of whom came at the expense of the Dodgers. Brown signed the first $100 million deal, but only showed for it with injury-plagued seasons with LA and the Yankees. The infamous Mitchell Report later named Brown as a suspect of steroid use, including his last season with the Dodgers. Next came Jones. Andruw Jones signed with LA last year for a 2-year, $36.2 million contract, the most lucrative contract in franchise history. All Jones could muster though was a .158 batting average, 3 home runs, and 14 RBI's. He was later released, and cited the poor support from fans as to why he did not wish to return to the club. It can't be easy to get the fan's support when Jones strikes out 5 times in one game for the princely sum of $36 million. All three players signed enormous contracts and each cracked under the pressure, two turning to PED's and one falling into a career-ending slump. Boras's fingerprints are all over these train-wrecks, making him vulnerable to attacks. Whose to say his next big player won't crack under pressure as well? Any team associated with Boras's failures has taken harsh criticism. That's something the Dodgers need to think about the next time they're negotiating the contract for Manny Ramirez.

Dodgers Drop Jones

The Los Angeles Dodgers released Andruw Jones as part of his reworked contract. If the Dodgers were unable to trade him, he would be automatically released. Jones had a sub-par year to say the least, hitting a mild .158 with 3 home runs and 14 rebounds. Some teams have varying degrees of interest in Jones, including the Atlanta Braves, the system Jones came up through, and the Florida Marlins. Jones's salary will be deferred over 6 years, saving a majority of the cash for this year's payroll. The money will most likely be used to pursue Manny Ramirez and pitching, specifically ex-Dodger Randy Wolf, Jon Garland, or Braden Looper.

Jones's Contract is Reworked

The Los Angeles Dodgers and Andruw Jones (left) reworked his contract, virtually assuring he will not be with the team for the 2009 season. The new, restructured contract will spread the $21.1 million Jones is owed over as many as 6 years, with the amount deferred for next season coming to $12 million. Jones will either be traded or released, though there is a small trade market for the struggling outfielder. Talks with the Mets broke down on the issue as New York wanted to send their own Andruw Jones: Luis Castillo. The $12 million saved is meant to go to Manny Ramirez and pitching.

Dodgers Work to Unload Jones, Jump on Manny

The LA Times is reporting that the Dodgers are working to cut Andruw Jones (left) from the roster while still keeping $12 million of what they owe him. The Dodgers are looking at either an extension to take the money off the 2009 payroll, or a buyout to either trade or release Jones. The 10-time Gold Glove winner batted .158 last season, with 14 RBI and 76 strikeouts with 209 at-bats. The freed-up money is meant to be used for a new Manny Ramirez contract after the Denver Post said the San Francisco Giants are quietly pursuing the left-fielder.

Dodgers Look At Dunn, Abreu

The Los Angeles Dodgers are interested in Adam Dunn (left) and Bobby Abreu should they fail to sign Manny Ramirez, says ESPN.com and MLB.com. Both outfielders are big run-producers, each having at least 100 RBI last year. Abreu hit 20 homers, while Dunn hit 40. Dunn is more of a defensive liability and is prone to strike-outs, while Abreu lacks his power but is more defensively capable. The Dodgers are also interested in trading Andruw Jones to the Mets, as long as they eat up the majority of his contract. It is unclear who the Dodgers would want in return for Jones.

Winter Meetings - Day 2

The Dodgers had a quiet Day Two at the Winter Meetings in Las Vegas, though they did finalize deals with Casey Blake and Mark Loretta. GM Ned Colletti has made inquiries about numerous players, including Manny Ramirez, CC Sabathia, and trade options for Andruw Jones, according to MLB.com. Talks are limited on the option on Jones, however, as LA will be stuck with paying the majority of his salary. A new spot has opened on the Dodgers radar, as closer Takashi Saito's condition is shaky and uncertain. Trevor Hoffman's name has come up as a possible replacement if Jonathan Broxton is kept in the setup role.