MLB Trade Buzz: 6 Dodgers Ned Colletti Needs to Shop Now

The 2011 Dodgers are drowned in bad news. Muddled in a bankruptcy lawsuit, stuck tied with the equally-awful San Diego Padres in last place. the Bums are looking at potentially the worst record a Dodger team has had since moving to Los Angeles.

General Manager Ned Colletti made news today by firing hitting coach Jeff Pentland, sending a message to the entire organization. However, Colletti needs to understand this season is gone and the best thing to do is to sell off every veteran now and prepare for the future. 

Free agent acquisitions Juan Uribe and Ted Lilly have been disappointments thus far, Rafael Furcal, Casey Blake and Rod Barajas have been tormented by injuries and the bullpen that was once so strong is full of fresh young faces, called up before their time. Unfortunately James Loney has failed to live up to expectations, and his name is being discussed around baseball circles. 

The Dodgers can’t seem to catch a break, as even their best trade option, veteran starter Hiroki Kuroda, will not lift his no-trade clause to any team on the East Coast. Therefore, the Dodgers have to look for a team that he will agree to, something many in the front office are not sure will even happen. 

See if your favorite Dodger is on this dreaded list...

James Loney: Time to Give Up on the Project

It’s truly touching to see how much everyone wants to see James Loney succeed. I, just like so many fellow Dodger fans, want nothing more than to see him tap into the potential that his strong body and sweet swing make us believe in. His fantastic defense makes everyone want to keep him forever, but the offensive frustration has reached its peak. 

Loney, currently batting .263 with only 4 home runs and 31 RBIs this season. His on base percentage is only .310, down significantly from his career .343 on base percentage.

Loney has never hit more than 15 home runs in a season and his power numbers are dropping when everyone in the Dodgers organization needed him to boost the numbers. 

Loney is making 4.8 million dollars this season and is arbitration eligible after the next season. This works to the Dodgers advantage, as a team that is need of a solid, reliable  first baseman not just for the rest of the year but for the long term can afford Loney. Potentially, the Pittsburgh Pirates could take a chance on him considering Lyle Overbay is batting only .239. 

The Oakland Athletics might be a team that would like the services of Loney, who could flourish with a change of scenery. The A’s have often gone after failed projects of other teams and given them opportunities elsewhere. 

Whatever the outcome, Loney’s time in LA is numbered if he doesn’t improve immediately. 

Hiroki Kuroda: The Best Trade Chip We Got

A quality starting pitcher is hard to come by in the midst of a heated major league season. Hiroki Kuroda has been a valuable starter for the Dodgers for the last four years, but the best service he can do for the Dodgers is lift his no-trade clause and allow them to deal him to a contender. 

Kuroda, a hard-luck pitcher who is 6-11 this year with a very respectable 3.13 ERA and 1.20 WHIP, is making $12 million this year. The Dodgers could definitely help out any team that wants his services and get more prospects in return. Unfortunately, Kuroda does not want to go to an East Coast team, a difficulty considering that both the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees have inquired about Hiroki’s services. 

Kuroda could be a good fit with the St. Louis Cardinals, who could use some help from a quality starting pitcher that has done well under pressure. Kuroda won two games in the 2008 playoffs for the Dodgers on their run to the NLCS.  

Expect many more teams to jump in the Kuroda sweepstakes, potentially making it harder for Kuroda to resist a trade to a contender, especially if they are west of the Mississippi.