Vicente Padilla
A player that has grown on me over time, as I didn't want anything to do with him previously. It seems that his personality is one of those types that you hate when he's on the other team, but he's curiously likable when on yours.
Even recent incidents like shooting himself haven't really done much to alienate him from the team, as they just served as a reminder that he likely is somewhat insane.
It sounds weird to say this, but even the fact that he was hurt last year and only pitched 95 innings will help this contract situation significantly. Given the perception of him, his mediocrity in the AL, being past his prime, and being hurt, Padilla is likely to come at quite a discount for his upside.
The upside is there for a 10-12 million dollar pitcher being available for 4-6 million dollars. He has the skill set to be a potential #3 in Dodger Stadium, and a #3/#4 neutral environment type with the Dodgers limited payroll is worth the risk.
Decision: Sign to a 1 year, 5 million dollar contract.
Rod Barajas-Type B Projection
Admittedly, he did great for the Dodgers, and it was enjoyable to see him so happy to be playing for the team. However, there's also a reason he made just 0.5 million in guaranteed salary last year.
For all the memories he provided us fans...by uh...helping the Dodgers avoid losing 90 games, he's still a catcher with a .696 career OPS and a .284 career OBP . In all likelihood, his upside for next year would be about a .750 OPS, but more than likely it'll come in around .700 OPS. Pair that with a low OBP and below average defense, and if he demands anything more than a million, i'm backing out with quickness, especially with the Dodgers payroll.
Decision: Offer contract similar to 2010. Guaranteed money below a million, incentives going up to 1.25 or 1.5 million or so. If not, let him walk. For the sake of this exercise, I let him walk, and I don't offer arbitration.
Reed Johnson
A solid platoon reserve against lefties, he plays solid defense, and has versatility, but the Dodgesr can't be spending over a million on a fourth or fifth outfielder at this point. It's to the point where every dollar counts with this payroll. Sad but true.
Decision: Let him walk.
Hiroki Kuroda-Type B Projection
Simply put, he has been excellent in a Dodgers uniform when healthy, profiling as a capable #2/#3 type that made the middle of the Dodgers rotation such a formidable one over his time here. In 2010, he actually got better with age, and had a healthy year.
The problem is that the Dodgers are "poor" and have a ton of money already committed. Signing Ted Lilly basically took away the option of signing Kuroda again, as he will cost far too much. Even if he were to give the Dodgers a discount, I can't see him pitching for less than 12-14 million, and the Dodgers simply don't have room for that type of salary.
Unfortunately, and this is probably the biggest depression point, the Dodgers can't even offer arbitration and hope he declines. On the chance he wants to play another year and then retire, which is apparently a good possibility, the Dodgers absolutely cannot afford to pay him 15-17 million dollars in arbitration. If that happens, Frank McCourt might have to sell a house or two, god forbid.
Decision: "I really really really want you back, but unless you can play for like 6-8 million dollars a yaer, we can't even offer you a contract or arbitration.
Pathetic, you say? Yeah, I agree."
Jeff Weaver
Decision: Was better than I ever thought it would be while it lasted. Unfortunately, that time is now up.
Jay Gibbons
Decision: Signed with the Dodgers for 650k plus 150k in PA incentives.
Ted Lilly-Type A Projection
Decision: Signed with Dodgers for 3 years, 33 million dollars.
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Getting there...slower than usual...but getting there.
By the way, free agents were...free yesterday.
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