LAS VEGAS (AP) -As the Los Angeles Dodgers began to fill holes in their infield, they also were trying to determine whether they could make legitimate runs at Manny Ramirez and CC Sabathia.
Los Angeles completed a $17.5 million, three-year contract with third baseman Casey Blake at the winter meetings Tuesday and agreed to terms with free-agent infielder Mark Loretta on a one-year deal.
The Dodgers hadn’t announced the deal for Loretta, but a person familiar with the negotiations confirmed the sides were just waiting on a physical. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the Dodgers had yet to make a formal announcement.
wants to be a Dodger.
“There’s no question money’s going to be a big part of it,” Los Angeles manager Joe Torre said, acknowledging Sabathia’s bat would be a nice addition along with his arm. “You hear rumors, the fact that he prefers the left coast. But the fact that he makes a statement like that … it teases you.”
Torre said he hadn’t spoken to the 36-year-old Ramirez, who came to the Dodgers in a trade with Boston on the July 31 trade deadline and batted .396 with 17 home runs and 53 RBIs in 53 games.
“I’m really not looking for that to be solved anytime soon,” Torre said. “Manny is Manny.”
For now, Torre must be pleased with Colletti’s progress on other fronts. Replenishing the infield with two veterans should only help a young Los Angeles roster. Blake, acquired from Cleveland on July 16, plays third base and Loretta is a solid backup.
“Obviously, they’re great players,” Torre said. “We had Casey last year and in Loretta’s case, he used to beat my brains out when he was with the Red Sox. Every time you think you had him out, with two strikes he’d get a base hit to right field. These are certainly the types of players that I think if you’re trying to build around young players, they’re certainly a major consideration and a big advantage.”
im a key reason the Dodgers made a strong run late to win the NL West and reach the second round of the playoffs.
Blake will receive $5 million next season, $6 million in 2010 and $5.25 million in 2011. The Dodgers have a $6 million club option for 2012 with a $1.25 million buyout. He can earn additional money in performance bonuses based on plate appearances.
“We are excited to bring back a player whose performance on the field and leadership off the field contributed so much to our division championship this year,” Colletti said. “Our club changed when Casey arrived, and we are thrilled that he wants to continue his career with the Dodgers.”
The 37-year-old Loretta spent the past two seasons with the Houston Astros after playing for the Red Sox in 2006. He batted .280 with four homers and 38 RBIs in 101 games in 2008, his 14th major league season.
Torre said he’s been a fan of Loretta for years.
“I like the type of player he is,” Torre said. “He looked like a guy who handled the heat of the game really well.”
Even with Loretta, the Dodgers will likely make a push to bring back shortstop Rafael Furcal, who is seeking a four-year deal.
The 31-year-old Furcal was sidelined for all but 36 games last season with Los Angeles because of back problems that required surgery. He was activated from the 60-day disabled list during the final week after being sidelined since May 6.
Furcal batted .357 with five home runs and 16 RBIs. He turned down an offer from the Oakland Athletics on Friday.
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AP Baseball Writer Ronald Blum contributed to this story.
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