Left-hander Johnny Podres, who pitched from 1953 to 1969 for the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers, Detroit Tigers, and San Diego Padres, died Sunday night at age 75. During his playing career, Podres won 148 games and was named to three All-Star teams. He also owned a sparkling 4-1 World Series record and won three championships with the Dodgers.
My thoughts go out to the family and friends of Mr. Podres.

The Los Angeles Dodgers have signed center fielder Andruw Jones to a 2-year deal worth a reported $36 million. That’s a little pricey for my taste, but not outrageous, and it’s only two years. The problem is, this signing leaves me with more questions than answers:

What happens to Juan Pierre? If he slides over to left, as some have speculated, he becomes even more worthless than he already is. Don’t get me wrong, as a Padres fan, I’d love nothing more than to see the Dodgers run Pierre out to a corner spot every day, but I can’t bring myself …read more

While we’re waiting for some actual news to come out of the Winter Meetings, rather than just rumors, here’s something of interest: Joe Hamrahi at Baseball Digest Daily has posted an interview with Los Angeles Dodgers GM Ned Colletti. Cause for hope if you’re a Dodgers fan (or concern if you’re not):
One thing I know I wouldn’t have done differently. I’m glad I didn’t trade 3 or 4 kids at the deadline. I think that decision will prove to be valuable for a very long time. People ask about the young players all the time. Teams need young players.
Yeah, trust …read more

Joe Torre has been hired to manage the Los Angeles Dodgers — $13 million for 3 years. As I mentioned the other day when Grady Little stepped down, I respect Torre a great deal for his work in New York, but I don’t think he’s the right guy for the Dodgers given their circumstances.

Joe Girardi has been named manager of the New York Yankees. It’s a 3-year deal worth an estimated $7.5 million. That’s a little more than the slap in the face offered to the departed Joe Torre. On the bright side, Girardi is less entrenched than Torre was, which should make him a little easier for the Steinbrenner kids to push around.
Girardi probably deserves better. As he was in Florida, he’s being set up to fail. With the Marlins, his problem was that he couldn’t drive that franchise into the ground and force the team to move elsewhere. Now he gets …read more

Hey, finally some good news. The Los Angeles Dodgers have signed 44-year-old left-hander David Wells, who apparently doesn’t know when to say when.
Wells spent most of the season pitching for the San Diego Padres. It’s great to see that he is doing everything he can to help propel his former employer toward the playoffs.
[Tip o' the Knuckle Curve cap to Baseball Musings.]

Wednesday. The middle of the week. Humpday. Halfway between there and here. Eh, you get the point. Some good games on tap today…
American League

Indians at Tigers, 4:05 p.m. PT — Just a half-game separates these AL Central rivals. Paul Byrd vs Justin Verlander looks like a mismatch, and I suppose it is. Byrd, though, is a crafty veteran with freakish control (18 walks in 143 IP). Verlander’s ERA is 4.89 in seven starts since the All-Star break. Detroit’s offense is crazy good — Magglio Ordonez is a legit MVP candidate, Gary Sheffield is having a monster year (including 20 SB …read more

The Los Angeles Dodgers have dealt right-hander Elmer Dessens to the Milwaukee Brewers for outfielder Brady Clark. Dessens is 36 years old and can be counted on for 70 innings or so of league average performance. He’s nothing special but guys like that are useful to a pitching staff because they allow a team to save their stud relievers for high-leverage situations without making huge sacrifices in quality.
Clark is 34 years old and is coming off a disappointing season in which he batted .263/.348/.335 for the Brewers. Clark sports a career .278/.358/.389 line and can play all three outfield spots. …read more