What Rhymes With "Testes"?

It looks like Ned Coletti is continuing his diligent search for starting pitching. He will do whatever it takes to bring in top-talent to the organization (so long as McCourt doesn't have to spend any money). After failing to re-sign last season's actually-successful reclamation project (I'm sure Chan Ho Park would have commanded a salary in the high thousands so why waste that kind of dough), the Dodgers (in addition to signing Claudio Vargas who was cut twice last year) has just penned Shawn Estes to a minor league deal with an invite to spring training. The 35 year old has a career 101-93 record with a 4.71 ERA. He was an all-star back in '97 and has had a few 15-win seasons but has basically had a long mediocre career (which in fairness is probably not all that bad for a 5th starter).

I don't have any problem with the signing of Estes in and of itself. You get a guy who has had some decent flashes in the big leagues for no risk/investment and hope he puts it together for a year in a new environment (as mentioned it worked out well with Park last year). My problem is with the fact that the Dodgers dumped their top two pitchers over the last few years and have made no effort to replace them with comparable talent. $15-20 million came off the books when the Dodgers declined Penny's option and made no effort to re-sign Derek Lowe (although I think he wanted to leave anyway, but this doesn't get the cheapskate front office off the hook for not signing anybody else). You can't just drop your two top pitchers (leaving your team with just three legit starters, one of whom is still 20 years old), then do jack shit to replace those guys.

As I write this, I also see that Boston has signed Saito to a $1.5-2.5 mil. deal plus incentives for this year with a club option for 2010. Their deal with Penny (I read as I type) is for just $5 mil. plus incentives. What the fuck is going on?!?!?! The Dodgers are pissing away a prime opportunity to gobble up talent at bargain prices and instead they decide to get cheap. This, when they of all teams are in a position of financial strength (I've covered to death the profits and appreciation McCourt has benefitted from).

So at this point, we have no bullpen and no starting rotation, despite the fact that high quality players could be signed for well below their market value under normal economic conditions. At a time when the Dodgers should be primed to buy, they are selling.

Fuck Frank McCourt!!!

In response to these events, TQ...ViG will immediately begin taking donations in an effort to buy the team. Just so you know what you are getting into, if your donations allow us to purchase our beloved Los Angeles Dodgers, Mr.Falcon will be appointed GM (so long as he agrees not to insert himself in the lineup unless it is as a defensive replacement for Juan Pierre). Br!an will be permitted to drop Nancy B. from the top of Dodger stadium and play whatever gay-love Emo music he feels like throughout the game, and I, Purple Stuff, get all the free beer, Dodger dogs, and garlic fries I want. I also get a private bathroom at the stadium (since the beer makes me pee a lot and I hate waiting in line), so you homos won't get the pleasure of staring at my dong while I'm at the trough.

I expect the cash to begin rolling in shortly.