Carlos Gonzalez: If He's Available, Should the Dodgers Go After Him?

In an article written by the New York Post's Joel Sherman, the trade market is starting to formulate with a couple of big names.

While the early litmus test says the likes of Ryan Dempster, Matt Garza, Zack Greinke, Cliff Lee and Cole Hamels all could be changing teams mid-season, one that should intrigue the Los Angeles Dodgers is none other than Rockies outfielder Carlos Gonzalez.

This is purely speculation on my part, but the addition of a player like CarGo would be an impressive statement on behalf of the new ownership group.

Gonzalez is on a cash-poor team in Colorado on the threshold of hitting the expensive years of his contract.

Next season his contract bumps up to $7.5 million before jumping in to double-digit millions in 2014.

Big money for a team like Colorado.

Small potatoes for the Dodgers. Not a need at all but small potatoes.

As Sherman says,

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You would have to worry if he is a Coors monster, since his home OPS this year is 1.174 compared to .847 on the road and 1.075 to .787 since joining the Rockies in 2009. Also, there are questions about his motor — if he plays hard all the time.

"

The fact of the matter is, Gonzalez is a young stud that would likely be an All-Star caliber player regardless of where he plays.

For the fans, the outfield would be comprised of fantasy baseball caliber All-Stars.

Realistically speaking, this is a move that the Dodgers will not pursue. The money would certainly be wiser spent on a Cole Hamels in the summer time to deepen the pitching staff.

As constituted, the team payroll for 2012 is only at $97.3 million. If the Dodgers wanted to dream big... they certainly have the wiggle room.