Weekly Musings From Dodger Camp

Some of the latest musings and links from around Dodger Spring Training...

• Missed this one last week, but fortunately, Russell Martin is fine after an MRI revealed no serious problems with his ankle. Maybe the Dodgers knew something when they signed Brad Ausmus that they would still need Danny Ardoin. Thank God that MRI was negative!
• Juan Pierre wants to either start, or be traded... again. Mr. Torre says 'no dice!'
  
• Jason Schmidt is aiming to reclaim a spot in the rotation. Good luck!
• Former Dodger Brad Penny traded barbs with third base coach Larry Bowa. Penny took the first shot, with a couple of jabs at the team included, while Bowa responded (check out the Torre quip after Bowa's reaction... great line by Joe Cool!) without ever reading or hearing what Penny said about him, or the Dodgers. I've always loved how Bowa has a way with words!
• Mr. Colletti says the Blue can afford both Orlando Hudson and Manny Ramirez if they want them both; they are indeed talking and remain interested in O-Dog. I'm still not sure why they need him, but Blake DeWitt can not be thrilled about this.
• Just before the team was to go in front of a three-man arbitration panel with Andre Ethier to determine his 2009 contract, the two sides reached an agreement to avoid the process. Apparently, getting all dressed up in suits and ties for nothing, and having a side meeting out in the hallway was all it took to iron out a deal.

There are some minor Manny dabbles out there, as well...

• Manny told one Giant player that he will be a Giant.
• A rumor made its rounds suggesting the Hated Ones to the North and Scott Boras were planning to meet in San Francisco; it was false. Then word was they've only had some conversations. The Giants insist they're simply just monitoring the situation. Right.
• Today we learn there apparently was some sort of counteroffer made by Boras on behalf of Manny to the Dodgers at some point; obviously Team Colletti felt it was too unrealistic for them to consider. We do know they've only made the two offers, and the two sides do continue to chit-chat.
• Read into this one however you want, but the Dodgers have reserved an empty locker in the corner of their Spring Training clubhouse for Manny.

In other words, nothing new to report on the Manny circus...