The Key To Our Success Is Not Manny!

As you know, I really don’t want Manny Ramirez back.  I agree that he’s a great player, but I believe that character issues will rear their ulgy head.  To put it in perspective, we can sign Bobby Abreu, Orlando Hudson and Ben Sheets for just a few million more than Manny.   Which way do you think we would win the most games?  I think it would be with Sheets AND Abreu AND Hudson, not just Manny!  However, that won’t happen. 

I am convinced that the Dodgers will not sign a Type A free agent who cost them a draft pick.  That’s one reason why they stayed out of the Teixiera sweepstakes.  Hudson and Sheets will never be signed by the the Dodgers because they are Type A Free Agents who have not been offered arbitration - therefore they cost us draft picks (like the 17th in the draft).  The Dodgers are committed to signing players who cost no draft picks, so that we can continue to build from within.  SMART - VERY SMART!

Manny costs us no picks, Blake cost us nothing in picks and neither did Loretta.  Ned will contine to follow that path and I think that he will pay Manny $45 million for 2 years or Manny will walk.  End of story.  We will have Manny for 2 years or he will walk - and probably get less…

Abreu, Burrell and Dunn have not been offered arbitration, so they will cost us nothing.  Look up and see which players cost us a draft pick and I guarantee we won’t sign them - and THAT’S  VERY SMART!

The real key to our success is whether Matt Kemp can start to harness his great potential, or will he just go the way of a player like Willie Crawford?  Willie Crawford was a guy who had great skills, but somehow never could put it together.   Matt Kemp is capable of 30+ HR/120 RBI/.300 BA  and 35 SB, but will he realize his potential?  This guy is a superstar-in-waiting, but he has to come through…

If he does, whether we sign Manny or not, we will be a force to be reckoned with.

The Jones Chronicles (not good)

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