Garciaparra signs 1-yr deal with Dodgers

pat · 12-18-2005, 10:26 AM

*Per ESPN

Quote:

The Los Angeles Dodgers are slowly becoming the West Coast version of the Red Sox after Nomar Garciaparra agreed in principle to an incentive-laden one-year deal, ESPN's Peter Gammons confirmed.

Garciaparra, who still needs to take a physical and finalize contract details, will likely play first base for the Dodgers. The deal has a base salary of $6 million and could be worth as much as $8 million, the New York Post reported.

The Yankees, Astros and Indians were originally interested in Garciaparra but we're told by Garciaparra's agent, Arn Tellum, of his choice to join the Dodgers.

Garciaparra played under recently hired Dodgers manager Grady Little in 2002-03 with the Boston Red Sox and was teammates with pitcher Derek Lowe and third baseman Bill Mueller in Boston. Lowe signed with Los Angeles last winter, and Mueller joined the Dodgers this week.

Garciaparra was considered one of baseball's best shortstops for several years while playing with the Red Sox, but his playing time was limited the past two seasons because of injuries. He was traded to the Chicago Cubs midway through the 2004 season.

A five-time All-Star with the Red Sox, Garciaparra hit .283 with nine homers and 30 RBI in 62 games for the Chicago Cubs last season, when he earned $8.25 million. He tore his left groin running out of the batter's box in St. Louis on April 20 and didn't return until Aug. 5.

First, Lowe, acquired last season. Second, Mueller, signed just recently. And now, Garciappara. Looks like Boston players like LA eh. Or LA likes Boston players?

Bargain deal if Garciaparra will remain healthy and not plagued with injuries.

ihatenames · 12-18-2005, 10:31 AM

I thinks thats a great signing for the dodgers. They got him at a good price.

atarizx3 · 12-18-2005, 10:36 AM

it's really where he should be

AnotherAlias · 12-18-2005, 11:12 AM

*sighs*

CommishJoe · 12-18-2005, 11:29 AM

Ah well. The idea of having Garciaparra, Jeter and A-Rod on the same infield intrigued me. Would have been fun to watch.

KurtBevacqua · 12-18-2005, 11:59 AM

This is really starting to get tiresome, watching free agents flock to Boston, LA, NY, and now Tornonto. We've got a good thing going in Cleveland, but would be a lot nicer if I felt we had some kind of chance to land one of these guys whenever those teams are involved in the bidding.

Dagrims · 12-18-2005, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CommishJoe

Ah well. The idea of having Garciaparra, Jeter and A-Rod on the same infield intrigued me. Would have been fun to watch.

I'd much rather see Giambi at 1B than Garciaparra. This isn't disappointing to me. What's disappointing is that two of the Yankees' three biggest needs haven't been addressed in the slightest (CF and SP).

mikev · 12-18-2005, 01:37 PM

Hmm..

Signed Furcal to play SS, already had Izturis.
Signed Mueller to play 3B.
Signed Nomar to play (assumed) 1B, where Kent was thought to be moving.

I figure LA will blow up by midway through the 2nd half because of people complaining about playing.

Faroo6 · 12-18-2005, 01:39 PM

Don't forget Grady Little. This just in the Dodgers have countered the Angels with this name change.

The Los Angeles Dodgers of Boston.

Bobbuttons · 12-18-2005, 02:26 PM

A 1 year friggin' contract instead of a multi-year deal with the Indians. Garciaparra's an asshat.

Luis_Rivera · 12-18-2005, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KurtBevacqua

This is really starting to get tiresome, watching free agents flock to Boston, LA, NY, and now Tornonto. We've got a good thing going in Cleveland, but would be a lot nicer if I felt we had some kind of chance to land one of these guys whenever those teams are involved in the bidding.

Again... I'd be pumped these guys weren't going to your team.

I'm ****ing ecstatic the Sox haven't done anything on the free agent front this offseason.

bagsangels · 12-18-2005, 02:58 PM

im not sure yet what to think about this........but at least the dodgers are doing something.

Bobbuttons · 12-18-2005, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luis_Rivera

Again... I'd be pumped these guys weren't going to your team.

I'm ****ing ecstatic the Sox haven't done anything on the free agent front this offseason.

Except that the Indians have already lost their best relief pitcher, their ace and league ERA champ and their 5th starter. I'm more than a little concerned.

SoxWin · 12-18-2005, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dagrims

I'd much rather see Giambi at 1B than Garciaparra. This isn't disappointing to me.

Unless I'm missing someone, wouldn't Nomar at 1B and Giambi at DH be better then Giambi at 1B and who knows at DH?? Assuming of course that Nomar is less of a butcher with the glove then Giambi. I'm not even sure that's a fair assumption given Nomar hasn't played an inning at 1B in his career.

I would have loved to see him in Boston on this deal as Trot's platoon mate/part time 1B with Youks/backup IF. I could see him getting 400 ab's under that scenario but I guess he wants a full time gig and the shot to prove he's healthy and worthy of one last big contract.

Quote:

What's disappointing is that two of the Yankees' three biggest needs haven't been addressed in the slightest (CF and SP).

What are you whining about, they offered arb to Bernie

Luis_Rivera · 12-18-2005, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bobbuttons

Except that the Indians have already lost their best relief pitcher, their ace and league ERA champ and their 5th starter. I'm more than a little concerned.

Letting their "best" relief pitcher go was a good thing. There's plenty of evidence toward that. They've decided to replace him with a very very good young arm.

I do agree that the Tribe's rotation is a concern but to want them to overspend in a gross market is a very shortsighted desire. Like I said before, you have a very competant front office in Cleveland... have some faith, be patient, and go with the flow.

mlyons · 12-18-2005, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoxWin

Unless I'm missing someone, wouldn't Nomar at 1B and Giambi at DH be better then Giambi at 1B and who knows at DH?? Assuming of course that Nomar is less of a butcher with the glove then Giambi. I'm not even sure that's a fair assumption given Nomar hasn't played an inning at 1B in his career.

As TotalEnd has shown, Giambi is, for some reason, a much, much better hitter when he's playing 1B than when he's DHing. As far as "who knows" at DH, it's a lot easier to find a decent DH than to find a decent 1B, simply because there are eight times as many players available to potentially DH than there are for 1B. Giambi's defensive shortcomings are something I can live with, what with 1B being the least important defensive position on the field.

QuestGAV · 12-18-2005, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bobbuttons

A 1 year friggin' contract instead of a multi-year deal with the Indians. Garciaparra's an asshat.

He's got to be counting on rebuilding his value and cashing in big-time next year. I'm sure the Indians deal wouldn't be quite as flexible if he had a monster year.

Luis_Rivera · 12-18-2005, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by QuestGAV

He's got to be counting on rebuilding his value and cashing in big-time next year. I'm sure the Indians deal wouldn't be quite as flexible if he had a monster year.

As much as I dislike Garciaparra, you can't fault the man for wanting to play near his home either... which is supposedly what he's wanted for years.

UngratefulDead · 12-18-2005, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KurtBevacqua

This is really starting to get tiresome, watching free agents flock to Boston, LA, NY, and now Tornonto. We've got a good thing going in Cleveland, but would be a lot nicer if I felt we had some kind of chance to land one of these guys whenever those teams are involved in the bidding.

Yeah, but when you guys are fielding the better teams almost entirely from home-grown players, I don't think you'll have much to complain about.

Bobbuttons · 12-18-2005, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luis_Rivera

As much as I dislike Garciaparra, you can't fault the man for wanting to play near his home either... which is supposedly what he's wanted for years.

He's still an asshat.

12-18-2005, 10:31 AM	#2
ihatenames Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Rockford Posts: 2,534	I thinks thats a great signing for the dodgers. They got him at a good price. __________________ New Album coming soon!

12-18-2005, 10:36 AM	#3
atarizx3 All Star Reserve Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Allenstown, NH Posts: 987	it's really where he should be __________________

12-18-2005, 11:29 AM	#5
CommishJoe Global Moderator Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 5,238	Ah well. The idea of having Garciaparra, Jeter and A-Rod on the same infield intrigued me. Would have been fun to watch. __________________ Joe Success isn’t owned. It’s leased. And rent is due every day.

12-18-2005, 11:59 AM	#6
KurtBevacqua Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 2,968	This is really starting to get tiresome, watching free agents flock to Boston, LA, NY, and now Tornonto. We've got a good thing going in Cleveland, but would be a lot nicer if I felt we had some kind of chance to land one of these guys whenever those teams are involved in the bidding. __________________ "The type and formula of most schemes of philanthropy or humanitarianism is this: A and B put their heads together to decide what C shall be made to do for D. The radical vice of all these schemes, from a sociological point of view, is that C is not allowed a voice in the matter, and his position, character, and interests, as well as the ultimate effects on society through C's interests, are entirely overlooked. I call C the Forgotten Man" - William Graham Sumner

12-18-2005, 01:37 PM	#8
mikev Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 4,014	Hmm.. Signed Furcal to play SS, already had Izturis. Signed Mueller to play 3B. Signed Nomar to play (assumed) 1B, where Kent was thought to be moving. I figure LA will blow up by midway through the 2nd half because of people complaining about playing. __________________ Global Unified Baseball Association - Vice Commish and Oakland Oaks GM

12-18-2005, 11:12 AM	#4
AnotherAlias Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: I'm back...for now Posts: 4,190	sighs

12-18-2005, 02:26 PM	#10
Bobbuttons Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Picturesque Mentor-on-the-Lake, Ohio Posts: 3,708	A 1 year friggin' contract instead of a multi-year deal with the Indians. Garciaparra's an asshat. __________________ Frankenstein never scared me. Marsupials do....cause they're fast! Gibson swings, and a fly ball to deep right field! This is gonna be a home run! Unbelievable! A home run for Gibson! And the Dodgers have won the game, 5 to 4; I don't believe what I just saw! I don't believe what I just saw!

12-18-2005, 02:58 PM	#12
bagsangels Major Leagues Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 332	im not sure yet what to think about this........but at least the dodgers are doing something.