Hock a Loogy

...and so it begins.

We've known it would come to this; we knew that eventually the opening of a few roster spots would be necessary in order to accommodate adding some players not currently included on the 40-man roster to the team.

So now here we are one body lighter on the U.S.S. Dodgertown due to the return of left-handed reliever Armando Zerpa to his former team, the Boston Red Sox. This, combined with the ominous-sounding report of Hong-Chih Kuo’s sore elbow, combined with George Sherrill's Spring aches and lack of command, combined with recently demoted Scott Elbert's sore shoulder and 20.25 ERA, and combined with Brent Leach's struggles last year all lead me to believe that Cooletti is looking to hook Joe Torre and company up with an experiencied left-hander to help ease the bullpen burden.

As the Free Agent market for loogies dwindles down, there really are only a few names worth considering. Ron Mahay and Joe Beimel get the most play in rumors for any team that is looking to add a lefty, although Alan Embree is also available.

The Dodgers are getting to be obviously desperate with all the tough lefty luck lately, so I would expect any of the remaining free agents to be able to demand a Major League contract or an opt out of a Minor League deal like the one Will Ohman and his agent (hosed us on) were able to negotiate last year.

Hole Punch

With the signings of Ronnie Belliard, Brad Ausmus, and Reed Johnson, all holes in the Dodgers’ 40-man roster are now full. There are still several positions left open for competition on the Active squad that would appear to be best filled by one or more of Ned’s long list of non-roster invitees that includes Jeff Weaver, Alfredo Amezaga, and Doug Mientkiewicz. If any NRI guys are to make the team out of spring training, we'll need to axe or trade some fellows off the 40-man list to make room.

The Dodgers do have options, though, but Eric Stults and Charlie Haeger do not. They are both “out of options” so if they don’t make the team, they will have to clear waivers to be sent to the minor leagues. Carlos Monasterios and Armando Zerpa are an even easier decision. They can simply be given back to their old clubs. In addition, Belliard’s contract, while it is a major league deal, is non-guaranteed.

In Ned’s pantry, he has some surpluses of catchers and outfielders to trade, as well. AJ Ellis, Lucas May, Jason Repko, Xavier Paul, and even Chin-lung Hu could be traded; perhaps for a left-handed relief pitcher or even more prospects to stock the farm.