L.A. Dodgers: Petty Lawsuits Must Be Solved Before Team Will Ever Compete

The Los Angeles Dodgers have become a franchise more defined by what happens in court than what happens on the field. 

Now, we have yet another lawsuit on our hands. This one is being filed by the Dodgers against Fox.

The case is detailed by Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times.

The last few years of Dodgers history have not been particularly kind. From a baseball perspective, there are worse teams, much worse teams. But the consecutive division titles they won in 2008 and 2009 seem like decades ago. 

The bottom line is that this team will never seriously contend for a championship, or really even a playoff spot, until its deal is signed. 

Since moving to Los Angeles, this is a franchise that has won 11 National League West division titles (and secured two wild-card berths), nine National League championships and five World Series championships.

Quite frankly, a 162-161 record over two years is just not good enough. And it's not that this team has no talent.

Clayton Kershaw is at worst a Cy Young candidate. Matt Kemp is at worst an MVP candidate. The talent around them in the pitching rotation and starting lineup is strong. 

But a franchise will not be good if it's not stable at the top. Right now, the Dodgers are anything but stable at the top.

Read what Shaikin said: 

"

The creditors' committee expressed concern Monday that the delay could jeopardize the goal of selling the Dodgers by Opening Day 2012, a goal that could be further jeopardized by the dueling lawsuits.

"

This lawsuit doesn't bode well for their sale by Opening Day of 2012. If they don't get a sale by Opening Day of 2012, the season won't be any better.

The bottom line is that the talent on the field will struggle if they don't know who's paying their checks, or if the checks will even come. Sure, guys like Kershaw and Kemp will perform, but no team is loaded with that kind of talent. 

The rest of the talent needs stability. Right now, the Dodgers just don't have anything close to a stable situation.

If the Dodgers' sale is genuinely being hamstrung, then this lawsuit is completely fair and necessary. But if not, this is not a time to hold out exclusively for your best interests. Doing so will keep the team from getting where it needs to be.