WRITE ON: DODGERS COLUMNIST CONTEST.

COTNER vs. PINSKY

Can't repair sinking ship

David Cotner

35

Los Angeles

Journalist

Should the Dodgers trade another player before the Monday deadline to save their flagging, sagging season? Let's look at their existing strategy: trade hangnail-heavy pitcher Odalis Perez for someone from a last-place team, namely the 35-64 Kansas City Royals. That's like saying ``I'll trade you this crummy little dime for that big shiny nickel.'' Why not snap up some of those 2-for-1 short-sleeved suits specials at Kmart, too? You know, because it's such a great deal.

Oh, and that Monday deadline is tomorrow. Before 4 p.m. Eastern time.

While the deck chairs on this particular Titanic are easier to rearrange now that they're in the water (playing the worst 13-game stretch in L.A. history is no mean feat), trading off players won't fix the season. Besides, all that's left at this point is the booger-eatin' moron. Speaking of which, also off to the Royals: minor league right-handers Blake Johnson (who?) and Julio Pimentel (huh?). So, pros and cons of the trade: Royals relief pitcher Elmer Dessens, now a Dodger, has an interstellar 90+ MPH fastball. He's going to take some time to get used to his new city. He'll miss the barbecue, and the romance of the Kansas City stockyards, but come on. This is Los Angeles. He'll probably do better than Perez, who said of his new job, ``--the team is a bad team -- (But) I could be happy there because I can be the ace on staff or one of the good guys on the staff.'' It's like he skipped the beatings and was handcrafted directly from the Hubris Tree.

Back in May, Dessens was tipped as the Royals' closer, replacing Ambiorix Burgos, and pitched a couple of scoreless innings against Minnesota a few weeks back. In time and with practice and fortuitous opportunity, he could pitch an absolutely psychedelic no-hitter. The Dodgers may not have saved the season with this trade, but it's sure made Elmer Dessens' life better.

Trade talk

Barry Pinsky

54

Financial Advisor

N.Hollywood

The All Star game fades into memory, the trading deadline rapidly approaches, and the Dodgers languish in last place, far behind the division-leading Padres. What's a rookie general manager to do?

The Dodgers of 2006 ooze competence, yet lack excellence. High-priced veterans at shortstop, second base, the outfield and the pitching staff have performed with little true distinction. Injuries, inconsistency, and discord have further overshadowed this lackluster year.

So now, as the season wanes, should Ned Colletti seek a blockbuster trade in an effort to right his listing team? The question becomes, ``Trade whom?'' There just doesn't appear to be anyone of compelling value to put on the block. It would be folly to relinquish them now in what would probably be a futile effort to catch the division leaders. (Recall Konerko and Reyes for Jeff Shaw.) While several of the Dodgers' young players and minor leaguers could command attractive offers, it has become very late in the game to mortgage the future against a rather overly optimistic dream of renewed team cohesion and vigor. Beyond the young stars of today and tomorrow, an overpriced and underperforming shortstop or a 39-year-old center fielder are unlikely to garner offers of the type of franchise player needed to make an impact. And pitching talent is a Dodger need, rather than a surplus. The only expendable player of demonstrated excellence is Cesar Izturis. Yet it would be perilous to sacrifice the one spectacular defensive specialist on a team of questionable fielding prowess in the hopes of acquiring the key piece to a puzzle which may not have a solution.

Should the Dodgers entertain trade offers? Well, it never hurts to talk. But it is wishful thinking in this market to expect a transaction of such magnitude that it could significantly improve the fortunes of a team which simply lacks the will and the means to excel.

AMITIN vs. LONDON

What a difference a trade makes

Seth Amitin

21

Writer

Glendale

There was a time when one could walk into the Dodgers locker room and hear about practical jokes being played, maybe even a laugh or two. The last time that happened was in 2004. When Jose Lima could look directly into the camera and say ``It's Lima time, baby,'' or sing the national anthem if he wanted. When Eric Gagne could pump his fist after shutting down the opposing batters in the ninth. The basis for the most serious fights between players at that time was the music played in the clubhouse.

The question in the Dodger dugout today isn't ``who can we get to fix this problem?'' it's ``what can we do to change our attitude?'' Hence, why Odalis Perez was shipped for a solid mid-reliever and why Toby Hall is getting more starts, after both complained about playing time.

Is it really that big of a problem if the Dodgers don't trade at the deadline? Is it wrong to stand pat if you can gain stability?

Since the start of the 2004 season, the Dodgers have had 7 starting catchers: Paul LoDuca, David Ross, Brent Mayne, Dioner Navarro, Jason Phillips, Sandy Alomar Jr. and the current Russell Martin. There has been one starting position player (Cesar Izturis), one starting pitcher (Brad Penny) and one reliever (Eric Gagne) to stay with the team from then to today.

The McCourts are making George Steinbrenner look loyal.

Cohesiveness is the problem, plain and simple, and stability brings cohesiveness. That's why, if the Dodgers make a trade at the deadline for a major player, a Soriano or a Barry Zito, it solves nothing.

Ask any good manager, he'll tell you half of every game played is on the field, the other half is in the minds of the players. Can Derek Lowe throw his slider to a left-handed batter without having to worry about Jeff Kent or Willy Aybar or Ramon Martinez booting it? Can Russell Martin trust the pitchers to hold the runners on base so he doesn't have to constantly worry about the runner going? If Nomar's production falls, can Drew or Kent or any of the high-priced players pick up the offensive slack?

The answer to all three questions since the all-star break has been no.

So, really, why should the team trade at the deadline?

Band-Aid won't fix this operation

Craig London

49

Security Guard/H.S. Sports Offical

Encino

Webster's Dictionary defines oxymoron as a contradictory idea. Such examples: good grief, sweet sorrow, and Dodger offense. How appropriate, since grief and sorrow best describe this team's current state.

On paper, this lineup seems capable of more production, but time seems to be running out waiting for its injuries to heal. The club just needs to get some of its better players back, such as Garvey, Cey, Lopes, and Gibson.

The numbers speak for themselves. In the last 30 days, a major league low of 12 homers, and Garciaparra, their most productive hitter, has had a dropoff of 90 points from his career average.

Jeff Kent's status remains uncertain, and projected for 30 homers, J.D. Drew has but 9. So to ask if the Dodgers need a trade, is like asking a child if he has heard of Santa Claus.

The bullpen was compromised severely when Gagne went down, as Baez's team high 9 saves attests. Needed desperately is a closer, and not Kyra Sedgwick. But one that every team in the division seems to have.

Trading for a front line starter may not be the answer, since he can only help every fifth day. But another sub .500 pitcher is needed about as much as the Titanic needed water.

This is a situation that is hemorrhaging and can only be fixed with major surgery. Go get a slugger and a closer and take your chances in a weak division. Otherwise they're magic number will be 9-1-1.