The Dodgers figure to be a dramatically different team next season. Although the core of young players remains under organizational control, there could be a slew of free agent defections among the veterans. One of the biggest decisions of the winter will be whether to pony up whatever it will take to re-sign LF Manny Ramirez or to spend that money on a host of other acquisitions that could make the team better as a whole.
BIGGEST NEEDS: The Dodgers must add a starting pitcher. RHP Derek Lowe is a free agent, RHP Greg Maddux retired and RHP Brad Penny moved to Boston as a free agent. ARRIVALS: INF Mark Loretta (free agent from Astros), LHP Shawn Estes (minor league free agent from Padres).
DEPARTURES: RHP Brad Penny (free agent, signed with Red Sox), RHP Scott Proctor (non-tendered, signed with Marlins), RHP Chan Ho Park (free agent, signed with Phillies), SS Angel Berroa (non-tendered, signed minor league deal with Yankees), RHP Jason Johnson (non-tendered, signed minor league deal with Yankees).
FREE AGENTS: LHP Joe Beimel, RHP Derek Lowe, INF Nomar Garciaparra, 2B Jeff Kent, INF Mark Sweeney, LF Manny Ramirez, C Gary Bennett, INF Pablo Ozuna, RHP Yhency Brazoban (non-tendered), RHP Takashi Saito (non-tendered).
Kent probably will retire, Lowe probably isn't interested in returning, and Garciaparra isn't likely to be invited back because of his history of injuries. Beimel will test the market, but he probably will return. Ramirez is believed to be seeking about $20 million per year on the open market.
ARBITRATION-ELIGIBLE: RHP Jonathan Broxton, OF Jason Repko, C Russell Martin, OF Andre Ethier.
Martin figures to get a huge raise. Broxton is likely the closer after Saito was non-tendered.
IN LIMBO: OF Juan Pierre appears to be untradeable with three years and $28.5 million left on his contract. But if he isn't dealt, it won't be for a lack of trying. The emergence of OFs Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier have reduced the once-valuable Pierre to a speedy fourth outfielder and left-handed pinch hitter, hardly making him worth what he is being paid.
MEDICAL WATCH:
RHP Chad Billingsley (left leg surgery in November 2008) hopes to be recovered for the start of spring training.
RHP Jason Schmidt (shoulder surgeries in June 2007 and September 2008) hasn't pitched in a year and a half, but he finally might be ready to return by the start of spring training.
OF Andruw Jones (sore knees) missed most of the final two months, but a bigger concern than his health is whether he will regain his lost stroke next season.
