Nomahh joins the Dodgers

[riverside sluggers]

ok, at least i can breathe sigh of relief he wont be in pinstripes for 06.

 

Grady, Lowe, Mueller, and Nomar is in the mix for an idiots reunion in LA. Could Damon be following suit as well? Millar might even try and follow them even if hed have to agree to not a starting role.

 

Boston Herald: LA story: Nomar is a Dodger: Signs a 1-year deal

By George King/ New York Post

Sunday, December 18, 2005 - Updated: 01:31 AM EST

 

A phone call from Joe Torre and a chance to re- ignite a career in New York wasn’t enough to entice Nomar Garciaparra to join the Yankees. Last night, the former Red Sox shortstop agreed in principle to a one-year deal with the Dodgers worth $6 million in base salary. The 32-year-old will play first base. According to a plate-appearance incentive, Garciaparra could earn more than $8 million next year. He made $8.25 million last year for the Cubs when he played in only 62 games due to a severe left-groin injury.

 

According to sources, agent Arn Tellem in formed the Yankees, Astros and Guardians last night that Garciaparra wasn’t going to be joining them. Torre called Garcia parra last week to make sure he knew the Yankees were interested. However, Garciaparra had concerns about the New York media after an up-and-down relationship with the Boston media. Garciaparra’s decision to play in Los Angeles, where he has a home and will be reunited with former Red Sox manager Grady Little and third baseman Bill Mueller, is a blow to the Yankees. New York believed he was a good fit to its lineup since the Yankees would have played him at first base and moved Jason Giambi to DH.

 

As for free agent center fielder Johnny Damon, the Yankees are in a wait-and-see mode along with the Red Sox. It’s believed each club has no problem going to four years for between $11-12 million for the 32-year-old Damon, but agent Scott Boras hasn’t come off his seven-year contract search. The Angels, Orioles and Dodgers are interested but not as much as the Yankees and Red Sox. Asked if the Yankees had requested a meeting with Damon, Boras said, “No, but it’s not like they don’t know Johnny.”

 

The Yankees remain in terested in right-handed reliever Julian Tavarez, another Boras client, but figure Tavarez’ request for a four-year deal around $20 million is excessive

.

[whereisnomar]

I never really wanted him back on the Sox, but anyone else was better than the Yanks, I was eating breakfast when the idea was announced, and when they said "first base" I spit out my food.

[Soxfan1]

Damn, i wanted himin the American League at the least. Wellthere bringing back the team that got to the ALCS and they got the manager that blew it. We playing LA next year?

[riverside sluggers]

that would be a negative on the sox playing the dodgers in 2006. the regular season anyway

[yankeessuck013]

this should put an end to the coco crisp rumors.

[ORS]

They played the Central this year, they play the East next year, so in '07, the Dodgers should be on the schedule. Hopefully those games are at Fenway. Mueller's ovation as a visiting player will be a misty-eyed moment.

 

EDIT: The Mets come to Fenway next year. If Pedro's on the hill in any of those games, the Fens will get a little dusty then too.

[yeszir]

Nomar seems to be doomed to one year contracts for the rest of his career unless he can make it through an entire season without an injury.

[Soxfan1]

They played the Central this year, they play the East next year, so in '07, the Dodgers should be on the schedule. Hopefully those games are at Fenway. Mueller's ovation as a visiting player will be a misty-eyed moment.

 

EDIT: The Mets come to Fenway next year. If Pedro's on the hill in any of those games, the Fens will get a little dusty then too.

I saw that. Also we'll play the braves and renteria I think.

[schillingouttheks]

They played the Central this year, they play the East next year, so in '07, the Dodgers should be on the schedule. Hopefully those games are at Fenway. Mueller's ovation as a visiting player will be a misty-eyed moment.

 

EDIT: The Mets come to Fenway next year. If Pedro's on the hill in any of those games, the Fens will get a little dusty then too.

Don't you mean they come this year? Or is next year the same thing as this year...ugh, I hate how next year can mean the same as this year.

[ahhchon]

this is the make or break season, he'll never earn more than 5 mill if he can't stay healthy for at least 140 games.

 

john

[Cityofchampions33]

Well playin 1st would give him somewhat of a better shot to do that wouldn't it? Unless he stretches his groin again. However it's better than SS/2B to the fact that he doesn't have to run around as much. I wish him the best wherever he goes, and hope he succeeds in LA.

[Moose]

Yes!

[Soxfan1]

Moose you must be happy. Got Mueller, a guy who can't pull a starter, a wife cheater and NOMAH!!!!!

[Moose]

I know, we're slowly becoming the Boston Dodgers of Los Angeles.

[RedRuffing15]

Much better fit for LA than NY...he'll be utilized better

[Soxfan1]

http://bostondirtdogs.boston.com/Headline_Archives/nomarla.jpg

[Moose]

#5? I'm sure Hee-Seop will give up 5 for Nomah.

[Soxfan1]

http://www.peninsulaclarion.com/images/082502/nomar.jpg'

 

Red's his color.

[26 to 6]

They played the Central this year, they play the East next year, so in '07, the Dodgers should be on the schedule. Hopefully those games are at Fenway. Mueller's ovation as a visiting player will be a misty-eyed moment.

 

EDIT: The Mets come to Fenway next year. If Pedro's on the hill in any of those games, the Fens will get a little dusty then too.

Muellar's?? What about Nomar's? I think his will be dramatically more emotional.

 

 

Millar and Damon said last year that if they had to they would go do the same thing somewhere else that they did in Boston. Looks like LA is the destination. How cool would it be for all of them to win a World Series with the Dodgers under Grady Little.

[Cityofchampions33]

Muellar's?? What about Nomar's? I think his will be dramatically more emotional.

 

 

Millar and Damon said last year that if they had to they would go do the same thing somewhere else that they did in Boston. Looks like LA is the destination. How cool would it be for all of them to win a World Series with the Dodgers under Grady Little.

 

From a national perspective, heart-warming, from a Sox perspective, very grim (because of Little, it's good for the players)

[elsrbueno]

Wow, the LA Dodgers now have 5 infielders: Rafael Furcal, Jeff Kent, Nomar Garciaparra, Cesar Izturis, and Bill Mueller who would theoretically 3 positions. To start the season it should be a non-issue, because Izturis is hurt and either Kent or Garciaparra will play first (I'd prefer Kent playing first). When Izturis comes back, there might be an issue with playing time.

 

This probably means Hee Seop Choi will not be tendered a contract and could be a free agent soon. Could the Red Sox sign him as a lefty to platoon with Youkilis? Just a thought.

[ORS]

Muellar's?? What about Nomar's? I think his will be dramatically more emotional.

 

 

Millar and Damon said last year that if they had to they would go do the same thing somewhere else that they did in Boston. Looks like LA is the destination. How cool would it be for all of them to win a World Series with the Dodgers under Grady Little.

Nomar's standing soured with some after his attitude post-ARod trade attempt. Mueller is universally respected by RSN. I haven't seen or heard a single negative thing about him from a Sox fan. I'm fairly confident in predicting that he will receive more of a hero's welcome if the Dodgers come to Fenway.

 

EDIT: I suppose it depends on who is in the stands that day, as there are some who blame the team for Nomar's attitude. That said, Mueller's respect from the fans isn't just about what he did on the field. It is about the type of person he is, his work ethic, his humility, and the fact that he plays the game just like he probably did as a little-leauger, running hard out of the box on contact, charging the balls hit his direction, running the bases with his eyes on the base coaches, and having a genuine surprised look on his face when he hit one hard enough to send it out of the park.

[He Hate Me]

couple of things about this.

 

1) I can't believe anyone is paying him $6 million base salary. Then again this is the same idiot team that paid Chan Ho Park and Darren Dreifort over $100 million

 

2) Had he signed with the yankees, that would have allowed me to gloat about it for at least the next few months until he got injured in May 06

[Manny Goes Boom]

couple of things about this.

 

1) I can't believe anyone is paying him $6 million base salary. Then again this is the same idiot team that paid Chan Ho Park and Darren Dreifort over $100 million

 

2) Had he signed with the yankees, that would have allowed me to gloat about it for at least the next few months until he got injured in May 06

 

LMAO Total opposite opinions in those two ideas.

 

Oh, and if he signed with the Yankees, he probably would have gotten a $6 million base salary. That's George's way.

[He Hate Me]

LMAO Total opposite opinions in those two ideas.

 

Oh, and if he signed with the Yankees, he probably would have gotten a $6 million base salary. That's George's way.

 

ugh if we had paiud him 6 million bux, everyone on this board would be miserable. I would not spare anyone, red Sox or yankee fan.

[Beckett95]

C-Navarro/Alomar/Phillips

1B-Nomar

2B-Kent

3B-Mueller

SS-Furcal

LF-Ledee/Repko

CF-Lofton

RF-Drew

 

Bench--

Werth--R

Choi--L

 

pretty solid new lineup

[elsrbueno]

#5? I'm sure Hee-Seop will give up 5 for Nomah.

 

Hee Seop probably won't have a choice. They're not paying Nomar $6 million to platoon with Hee Seop... I imagine they'll decide not to offer him a contract and he'll become a free agent, or they'll retain him and try to send him elsewhere.

[26 to 6]

LMAO Total opposite opinions in those two ideas.

 

Oh, and if he signed with the Yankees, he probably would have gotten a $6 million base salary. That's George's way.

I think our offer was $5, which I would have had no problem paying, when healthy this guy is one of the best players. Would have been a risk with a potentially HIGH reward for a pretty cheap price.

[26 to 6]

Hee Seop probably won't have a choice. They're not paying Nomar $6 million to platoon with Hee Seop... I imagine they'll decide not to offer him a contract and he'll become a free agent, or they'll retain him and try to send him elsewhere.

I heard that it is pretty likely that they will non-tender him though, but I would tender him and then try to move him if I was Colletti.

[RedSoxRooter]

Wow.. I thought the media in Boston, Philly and NY was tough... Nomar's going to love it in LA.

 

http://www.latimes.com/sports/baseball/mlb/dodgers/la-sp-simers20dec20,1,4798221.column?coll=la-headlines-sports-mlb-dodger

 

T.J. Simers: LA Times

Clearly, He'll Never Give a Dodger Fan an Even Break

 

When you begin with a base of 3.6 million suckers willing to buy tickets to watch a bunch of no-name players with no names on the back of their jerseys lose 91 games, you know it's not going to take much to get Dodger fans really excited.

 

Well, mission accomplished.

 

On Monday the Dodgers introduced their new first baseman, Nomar Garciaparra, returning to the position he last played in Little League, and a quick check of the ESPN Sports Nation fan poll later in the day indicated 65% now believe the Dodgers will make the playoffs.

 

Page 2 reader Steve Abrams e-mailed right away to say "even your cynical self must admit this is an improved team," and the way the Dodgers played a year ago, signing a dead man to play first base would've been an upgrade.

 

I know how smart Dodger fans can be, rocking the stadium a year ago with "Hee-Seop Choi" chants — usually just before he struck out — and now they're going to get Garciaparra, stepping out of the batter's box after each pitch, bringing the game to a halt, tightening, retightening and then tightening again his batting gloves — making Dodger games last another agonizing 20 minutes.

 

As a public service I asked Garciaparra if he knows how annoying he can be, much like golfer Sergio Garcia and his extended waggle before Jack Nicklaus told him to knock it off, and Garciaparra said, "Annoying to you maybe, but now everyone in Little League is doing it."

 

What's one more bad role model in the Dodger clubhouse? Which reminds me, Derek Lowe was at the Garciaparra news conference along with companion and former TV journalist Carolyn Hughes, which probably explains why Garciaparra's wife, Mia Hamm, didn't leave her husband's side.

 

 

 

I TOOK a look, but construction hasn't begun on the "Think Red" hillside sign, although the Dodgers now have a Boston Parking Lot Attendant as owner, the Massachusetts governor's son as director of marketing, and a former Red Sox manager, third baseman, first baseman and starting pitcher.

 

(They also have a two-time drunk driver from Atlanta at short, but given the earlier reports that the Red Sox used to take a nip before each game leading up to the World Series, we know he would've fit right in with Boston.)

 

The great thing about additions like Bill Mueller and Garciaparra is that three or four years ago they were really something — kind of like the Senior tour in golf, giving Dodger fans names they might now recognize. The Kings tried the same thing with Jeremy Roenick and Luc Robitaille, and you can see how well that's turned out.

 

When I suggested to Garciaparra it appears he's on the downward side of his career, he disagreed, saying he wouldn't have been in demand if that was true.

 

"No one wanted you to play shortstop," I said, "which would indicate you've lost something," and once again he disagreed, saying several teams wanted him to play shortstop.

 

"Name them," I said, and he declined.

 

Garciaparra then told the media that when he walked through the Dodger clubhouse looking at the names above each locker, he concluded this team can win the World Series. I guess they've already taken down Jason Phillips' name plate.

 

I asked him to repeat that just to make sure he's not some kind of practical joker, and he did — like he really believed it — so I asked him what would he know about winning a World Series?

 

He said he won a World Series, the one the Red Sox won three months after they traded him to the Cubs — although the record shows Boston went 56-46 with Garciaparra, and 42-18 to finish the regular season after trading him.

 

In fact when the Red Sox traded Garciaparra, Boston Globe columnist Dan Shaughnessy wrote, "Thank the baseball god, he's gone. We no longer have to watch Garciaparra pretend he cares about the fortunes of the Red Sox. … He had to go. He was more miserable than any athlete I have ever seen."

 

Jeff Kent and Garciaparra on the same team — yeah, this is going to be fun.

 

 

 

I THOUGHT it might be the $6 million and the chance to stay near his Manhattan Beach home that brought him here, but Garciaparra said the thing "that sent me over the top was childhood memories" of Dodger Stadium.

 

Garciaparra has one hit — a home run — in 11 lifetime at-bats in Dodger Stadium, but he couldn't remember the details.

 

"So your childhood memories of Dodger Stadium sent you over the top," I said, "but you can't remember your only hit in Dodger Stadium — a home run?"

 

(I have a feeling Kent is going to catch a break this season, as I'll probably be spending most of my time trying to cut through Garciaparra's baloney.)

 

Don't get me wrong, I'm really looking forward to seeing who plays more: Garciaparra or J. D. Drew.

 

Drew didn't play much last year, but he still had more at-bats than Garciaparra — for the second year in a row — which obviously doesn't matter right now because Dodger fans think their team has gotten a lot better.

 

Suckers.