WRITE ON: DODGERS COLUMNIST CONTEST.

GORCEY vs. WAUGH

Do you believe in magic?

RYAN GORCEY

20

UC Berkeley Student

Camarillo

Sometimes you don't know what you really have until it's gone. And then you work like heck to get it back.

In 2004, the Dodgers had magic. They had a washed-up pitcher with nothing to lose, a hard-nosed catcher and a powerful third baseman who were Dodger lifers, and the most acrobatic double-play combination in baseball. But most of all, they had heart. They had soul. They had character.

At the deadline, they surrendered their heart for an arm and sold their soul for a rent-a-player.

After Jose Lima pitched his guts out to extend the season -- if only for a day -- the front office quit. It wasn't enough that Dave Roberts, Paul LoDuca, and Guillermo Mota had already been sacrificed, but the two most loyal Dodgers -- Shawn Green and Adrian Beltre -- were cut loose too, and in 2005, the Dodgers -- out of contention -- didn't make a single trade at the deadline.

This year, Ned Colletti made five deals. He already had the hard-nosed catcher, so he went out and got the powerful third baseman, the washed up pitcher, and the athletic second baseman.

The team that had lost 13 of 14 games became the hottest in baseball because instead of ripping out the team's heart -- its youth -- or selling its soul by giving up, Colletti showed players and fans that there is still hope for this year and for the future, and the two aren't mutually exclusive. He did what he had to because he believed that this group of players could do something special.

Look into the eyes of those rookies hanging from the railing like college freshman -- and those of the veterans doing the same. They believe too; because someone finally believes in them.

And after six no-hit innings from that washed-up hurler, maybe we Dodger fans can have something we've been afraid to have for too long: faith.

Maybe we too can dare to believe. If that old arm of Greg Maddux has an almost-no-hitter left in it, then maybe there is enough magic left for something so improbable, so impossible, that it might just happen.

No laurels (or Hardy)

ALEXANDER B. WAUGH

49

Investment manager

Charlotte, N.C.

Say this for Ned Colletti, he didn't rest on his laurels. Of course, losing 13 out of 14 games after the All Star break didn't leave him much in the way of laurels to rest on. Following a flurry of activity, the Dodgers, at least on paper, appear to have improved their chances for a playoff berth. And any trading period in which Odalis (6.83 era, clubhouse cancer) Perez is jettisoned has to be considered at least a modest success. Hello, Elmer Dessens.

The only marquee pitcher traded during deadline madness was Greg Maddux and the Dodger's got him for good field, no hit Cesar Izturis. Rafael Furcal, with a super sized contract, is ensconced at shortstop and Izturis had become the dreaded ``utility infielder'' with about as much power as a used Yugo. Wilson Betemit, his replacement at third (who may be the sleeper in all this wheeling and dealing), has matched his home run total in 2 games. The Dodgers added pop to a position with the third worst slugging percentage in the league. Maddux, a living legend, is not the pitcher he was but is still capable of going deep in the game; witness his first start. He will be a very positive influence and have a domino effect on the other starters. Arguing whether Billingsley or Sele should be pushed out of the rotation is like two bald headed guys fighting over a comb. Who cares, as long as one is?

The trade for SS Julio Lugo is a more curious affair. Colletti collects shortstops like David Wells collects chins. Lugo is also a major offensive upgrade over Izturis but a numbers squeeze is ahead with the return of Kent and Garciaparra. Expensive insurance for 2 weeks, perhaps.

What did Ned miss? A really big bat, most of whom went untraded. The Dodgers are dead last in the major leagues in home runs (the Royals don't count) and even with the new additions, the team leader has 12. They will continue to play small ball.

Give Ned an overall grade of B. On paper.

OKAMURA vs. YANNICH

Ned's report card

SCOTT YANNICH

23

Real-estate agent 

Valencia

``Winning and building at the same time,'' the stated goal of Ned Colletti upon introduction as the new Dodger general manager. Let's take a look this years trade deadline. The moves he made, the moves he didn't make, and his grades for each.

The Cleansing of the Clubhouse Deal (Perez & 2 prospects for Dessens): Clubhouse Cancer Gone. Bullpen help in return. Enough said. Grade: A-

The Future Deal (Alomar Jr. for LaMura): A 40 year-old veteran for a 25 year-old 2002 Fifth Round Selection who at Double-A Birmingham was 5-0 with a 1.99 ERA and 67 strikeouts in 34 relief appearances. Great investment, Ned. Buy low. Sell high. Grade: B

The Questionable Deal (2 prospects for Lugo): 2004 Dodger Minor League Position Player of the Year, Joel Guzman, for a two month rent-a-player that's basically a replacement Izturis. (Note: Lugo even wears the same number as Izturis did.) Grade: In danger of failing.

The Killing Two Birds with One Stone Deal (Aybar & Baez for Betemit.): Colletti not only shored up third base defensively, but more importantly, blocked the division leading Padres from filling their greatest need, a third basemen. Add the fact that Grady Little will no longer be tempted by Baez in the bullpen. Grade: A-

The Blockbuster Deal (Izturis for Maddux): Although Izturis will be missed, the addition of the Professor, even if only for his knowledge and leadership, is tremendous for the Dodgers. Add 328 career wins, 4 Cy Youngs, 15 Gold Gloves, and extensive playoff experience and you may have found the missing link to the 2006 Dodgers. Grade: A+

The Deals Ned Didn't Make: He didn't trade the blue chips -- Ethier, Kemp, Martin, Loney, LaRoche or Billingsley -- and since very little activity occurred across Major League Baseball, I have to believe Colletti got the best pieces he could without breaking the bank. Grade: A

With Colletti making the Dodgers both stronger on the field and in the clubhouse, 2006 has been a successful trade season for the Dodgers. Grades for Ned: A for effort, A for improvement. Job well done.

University of Major League Baseball

ALVIN M. OKAMURA

47

Grocery checker

Encino

At the University of Major League Baseball, the Dodgers having completed all class work in the course titled, ``Improving your team at the trade deadline.'' The Dodgers have earned a solid grade of -- B+.

On Monday before the trade deadline, the Dodgers and Ned Colletti acquired future Hall Of Fame pitcher Greg Maddux from the Chicago Cubs and infielder Julio Lugo from the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. For Maddux, the Dodgers gave up on infielder Cesar Izturis and to obtain Lugo, minor league prospects Joel Guzman and Sergio Pedroza were sent packing.

Maddux is the much-needed arm that the Dodgers and every other team in baseball were shopping for. With his best years behind him, Maddux still brings 327 wins, 4Cy Young awards, and postseason experience to the Dodgers pitching staff. I'm sure that Maddux didn't always have his best stuff winning those 327 games. So hopefully, Maddux can help the Dodgers win without always having their best stuff.

Julio Lugo is the bat that the Dodgers need due to the questionable health of Jeff Kent and Nomar Garciaparra. Lugo will fit nicely in the Dodgers lineup. When Kent and Garciaparra return to lineup, Grady Little will have the luxury of having too many bats to find a place for.

Losing Izturis shows how the once ``shortstop of the future'' has become the shortstop of the past. With his disappearing bat and 4 million plus salary, the Dodgers are glad to be parting ways. Joel Guzman and Sergio Pedroza are just the tip of the iceberg of the Dodgers deep farm system, which many consider the best in baseball. The Dodgers are dipping into their savings to make the playoffs.

With almost every team still in the playoff race, the Dodgers were one of many buyers with not many sellers. Colletti and the Dodgers looked under every rock, but refused to sell their future. The present goal is make the playoffs where anything can happen. The future goal is championships when the names on the backs of the jerseys won't be needed.