Well That Was Quick

Hope Mike Napoli never unpacked his bags once he got to Canada. Less than a week later, he's on the move again. This time to Texas, to the Rangers, for reliever Frank Francisco.

I assume he'll platoon at first base with lefty-hitting Mitch Moreland, so long as they don't re-sign Vlad Guerrero.

Together Again

In Tampa. Both get one-year dealies, Manny to DH and Damon to play left.

Now, if the Rays somehow sign Kevin Millar out of unofficial retirement, they'd nearly have an 'Idiots' reunion of sorts!

L.A.'s other team also made a splash, picking up 32-year old outfielder Vernon Wells and the four years and $86MM left on his contract from Toronto for catcher/first baseman/DH Mike Napoli and outfielder Juan Rivera.

Can you say D-E-S-P-E-R-A-T-I-O-N for the Angels? I can. Because that's what this deal reeks of from here.

I'm honestly glad the Blue weren't this desperate to fill their left field hole. Good riddance, Halos!

It's Pronounced "Tims"

But it's spelled Thames. And his first name is Marcus. And he's your new righty-hitting left-fielder to platoon with Jay Gibbons. Unless Tony Gwynn, Jr. hits in Spring Training. Then Gwynn is your center-fielder. And Matt Kemp is your right-fielder. And Andre Ethier is your left-fielder.

Still with me? Good, because neither am I.

Thames will get a one-year deal. And so will Gabe Kapler, of the minor league variety, with an invitation to Spring Training.

Sad State of Affairs for the Blue

When Fox and Frank McCourt have joined forces together, you know it spells trouble for the Dodgers.

T.J. Simers breaks it all down for us, and things don't look pretty.

Tragedy Strikes Dodger Family

Yesterday, a 22-year old lunatic in Tucson, AZ opened fire and attempted to gun down Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords during a "meet-and-greet" with constituents at a local grocery store. Giffords was shot point blank in the head, but survived, underwent surgery, and is in critical condition. The lunatic didn't stop there. He continued his shooting rampage and in the process killed six people and wounded more than a dozen others.

Among those who were killed were John Roll, a federal judge for the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona, and a nine-year old girl, Christina Green. She was the daughter of Dodger scout John Green, and granddaughter of former Major League pitcher and manager Dallas Green.

Her life started and ended both with tragedy. She was born on September 11, 2001.

My condolences, thoughts and prayers go out to all the families involved, and I pray for speedy recoveries for all those who survived this horrific incident.

As for the lunatic, may God have mercy on your soul.

Frank's Spreadin' the News... Again

Read about it here.

Someone Found a New Home

Former Dodger hot corner stud Adrian Beltre just landed an insane six-year deal (five guaranteed) with the Texas Rangers this week, dispatching incumbent third baseman Michael Young to a first base/DH role. Gotta give credit where credit is due. Super-agent Scott Boras has done it again.

The losers in all of this? Vladimir Guerrero, and the Angels. Guerrero was the Rangers DH last season. He will now have to look for a new team, though he shouldn't have any problems there. And the Angels lose out on yet another top free agent they coveted. Could there be a reunion of sorts in the making for Vladdy and the Angels?

As for the Dodgers, this has nothing to do with them. However, they are expected to give former A's third baseman Eric Chavez a chance to work out for them. If he proves he's healthy enough, he could get a minor league deal with that so-called spring training invite, and possibly work his way into a platoon role at third base with the Beard, Casey Blake.

The Dodgers Will Go As Far As...

Tim Redding takes them!

Another minor league contract with the infamous spring training invitation attached to it handed out today by The Great Colletti.