In L.A., Bill Shaikin writes the Dodgers' personnel moves this week are the sign of a new front office "that can marry a huge imagination with a huge wallet." In addition to acquiring SS Jimmy Rollins, 2B Howie Kendrick and P Brandon McCarthy, the Dodgers "could just be getting started" as they also traded CF Matt Kemp to the Padres. Shaikin: "There is no Plan A or bust with this new front office. There is Plan A, Plan B and Plan C for every trade on the table, and there is Strategy A, Strategy B and Strategy C depending on how each trade plays out." President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman now has "made 10 trades in 25 days" (L.A. TIMES, 12/11). In California, Pedro Moura writes Friedman's moves were a "remarkable demonstration of how to sell high and buy low in a market where everyone's trying to do the same" (ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER, 12/11).
SOUTHSIDE SHOPPING: White Sox GM Rick Hahn and Exec VP Ken Williams said that the team’s payroll, including buyouts, is currently close to $100M with “not much more wiggle room.” Hahn: “We do have other needs and we intend to address as many of those needs that we have left through a variety of ways, creative, free agency, trade or whatever comes across but I don’t think any of those needs will be addressed by a single $20 million player” (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 12/11).
DALLAS BUYERS CLUB: Rangers GM Jon Daniels said that the team “will have a payroll close to” the $133.5M they had last season. ESPN DALLAS’ Calvin Watkins noted the Rangers have an estimated $110.3M “tied up with 10 players, which includes” $24M for 1B Prince Fielder, $18M for 3B Adrian Beltre and $15M for SS Elvis Andrus. It is “not like the Rangers have limited resources, but they've elected to not morph past” the $133M range (ESPNDALLAS.com, 12/10).
