[silversword55]

L.A. gets Garciaparra ... and infield logjam
Ken Rosenthal / FOXSports.com
Posted: 7 minutes ago

Free-agent infielder Nomar Garciaparra has agreed to a one-year contract with the Dodgers, according to the New York Post. The question now is how the Dodgers will resolve their infield logjam once shortstop Cesar Izturis returns from elbow-ligament transplant surgery, probably at mid-season.

Garciaparra, 32, chose the Dodgers over the Yankees, Indians and Astros. A former All-Star shortstop with the Red Sox, he is expected to play a new position, first base. But second baseman Jeff Kent had been expected to move to first after Izturis returned, with Izturis replacing Kent at second.

However, it is unlikely that the Dodgers would ask Kent and Garciaparra to change positions if they both were hitting well, creating the possibility that Izturis could be used in a utility role. Izturis, one of the top defensive shortstops in the National League, is only 25. But he has lost his primary position to the Dodgers' biggest off-season pickup, free-agent shortstop Rafael Furcal.

The issue is one the Dodgers do not need to address right away. By the time Izturis returns, it's possible that injury or ineffectiveness will create an infield opening. But Garciaparra emphasized during his negotiations that he wanted to play one position, rather than be shifted around. It's highly unlikely he would move to left field, another position he has never played, in the middle of a season.

The biggest question with Garciaparra is his health; in the past two seasons, he has appeared in only 143 games. He missed more than three months with a groin injury last season, but he hit well for the Cubs after returning in early August, batting .318 with 11 doubles and nine homers in 179 at-bats.

The addition of Garciaparra continues a busy off-season for the Dodgers, who have hired Ned Colletti as general manager and Grady Little as manager and signed third baseman Bill Mueller in addition to Furcal. The club also has made offers to two free-agent outfielders, Kenny Lofton and Reggie Sanders, both of whom are 38.

If the Dodgers sign Lofton and Sanders in addition to Garciaparra, their Opening Day lineup could look like this:

SS - Furcal
CF - Lofton
RF - J.D. Drew
2B - Kent
1B - Garciaparra
LF - Sanders
3B - Mueller
C - Dioner Navarro

The Dodgers still need to address their starting pitching, but free-agent right-hander Jeff Weaver could accept salary arbitration, rejoining Derek Lowe, Brad Penny and Odalis Perez in the rotation. The team, however, has been trying to trade Perez and might need to shed additional payroll due to its flurry of moves.

[Chadforpresidentin08]

The Dodogers could become a dangerous team easily, good signing for them. Thank God the Yanks didn't get him.

[Smedsthejet]

Damn Indians miss out on another signing.

Hopefully now they will resign Millwood as Elarton signed with the Royals and get a decent veteran power bat.

Garciaparra would have been one of the last pieces in the jigsaw that would get Cleveland back in the postseason.

[silversword55]

Thank God the Yanks didn't get him.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

What are you saying? Nomar Garciaarra is a great player that could lead us to the WS. what could be the problem with him?

[SignalZero]

The Yanks are losing their magic. They missed out on a player they wanted. I love it.

[MikeGangGreenFan2]

What are you saying? Nomar Garciaarra is a great player that could lead us to the WS. what could be the problem with him?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

we didnt need him we need a CF like damon.

[MikeGangGreenFan2]

The Yanks are losing their magic.  They missed out on a player they wanted.  I love it. 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

yea right.remeber in 04 when they got sheff,gordon and a-rod all after jan 1st.they will get some good players im time

[Chadforpresidentin08]

What are you saying? Nomar Garciaarra is a great player that could lead us to the WS. what could be the problem with him?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Well, there was no need for him. You can't dump Jeter for Nomar, and then A-Rod is too expensive to get rid of, and Cano has too bright of a future to sit, he's the future. So there was no need for him unless we were to trade him.

[Smedsthejet]

The Yanks are losing their magic.  They missed out on a player they wanted.  I love it. 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I love it too. Think of a postseason without the Yankees - how sweet that would be for us Yankee haters.

[MikeGangGreenFan2]

I love it too. Think of a postseason without the Yankees - how sweet that would be for us Yankee haters.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

keep dreaming

[silversword55]

keep dreaming

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>