Not to force blood to shoot out of your eyes with a shock wave, but to say the Los Angeles Dodgers don’t dissipate money is entirely fictitious. The Dodgers are approaching nearly $110 million payrole heading into 2011, which includes deferred recompenses. But what can they do? The Dodgers needed to discharge some of the baggage.
Unfortunately the team was unable to liberate Manny Ramirez this past season without disbursing for some of his salary. This resulted in postponed payment, albeit you wish this wasn’t the case, as the Dodgers still owe him money and also won’t be playing on the team.
Many mistakes are made when this transpires. Like the absence of Juan Pierre in the line-up. Pierre, a much-needed outfielder, continues to receive pay from Los Angeles and is owed over $3.5 million going into 2011.
Other players on the Dodgers payroll that are either retired or on other teams include Andrew Jones, Brad Asmus, Octavio Dotel and Jason Schimdt. A total of six players not performing for Asmus have retired with the organization, but he still owed from his time spent playing, which is why they elected to include him.
The Dodgers accurate payroll is in the $90,000,000 range for players on the current roster. The total of guys they are presently playing gauge up to over 41, but spring is a ways away. Moreover, other moves can come to pass like filling in the starting left fielder position with a trade or pick from one of the remaining less-money free agents.
Everything remains a conundrum to the Los Angeles organization this off-season, even with the crisis between ownership. The divorce has effected the moves Colletti makes and I really don’t believe the GM is very conservative and doesn’t create valuable long-term deals with any players.
Therefore don’t see any major signings in the near future. Not only due to money, but the organization as a whole has kept away from long-term deals as of late. The top 2011 free agents will most likely not join the team’s roster come spring. This is why the Dodgers really didn’t pursue Carl Crawford or Jason Worth, who could have filled the missing void at the outfielder position quiet well.
Dodgers fans only hope for the best from the great new coaching staff and the young veteran players can play to their highest potential.
