Dodgers send Eveland to Baltimore for young players, plus lots of other news

No, really. That's what really happened. Ned Colletti actually an older player for younger players.

Dana Eveland, last season's September "sensation" was sent to the Baltimore Orioles today for left-handed pitcher Jarret Martin and outfielder Tyler Henson.

Eveland threw 29 2/3 innings of solid ball for the Dodgers, and Colletti somehow turned that into two players 23 years old and younger.

Now, just because they're young doesn't mean they're good. Looking at the numbers and scouting reports, I don't think I'd rank either of those guys in my Top 50 prospect list.

Martin, a 2009 18th-round pick, has a low-90s sinking fastball that is his best offering. He also has a curveball and changeup. Martin has struggled with control in his brief career, averaging 5.9 walks per nine innings. His K/BB ratio is none too pleasing, too (1.49).

He does rack up a few strikeouts, though. Unsurprisingly, he had more success in the Appalachian League (10.3 K/9) than he did in the South Atlantic League (7.9). He profiles as a bullpen arm despite starting 31 of his 44 career appearances. If I had to guess, I'd say he starts the season at High-A Rancho Cucamonga.

Henson, 23, was a fifth-round pick in 2006. He's played more third base than any single outfield position in the minors, but his subpar fielding led to a position change this past season. He played mostly right field in Triple-A.

As well as having experience at third base, he's also played shortstop (92 games) and second base (24 games) in his minor-league career. I don't have an idea what the Dodgers want to do with him, but it seems he's best suited in the outfield.

Henson doesn't have a lot of power, but his prospects were looking better after a decent 2010 season (.278/.329/.440, 37 doubles, 12 home runs) for Double-A Bowie of the Eastern League. However, that success didn't translate to Triple-A Norfolk (.247/.313/.321, 18 doubles, three home runs). A positive from his 2011 season: he reduced his strikeout rate from 32.1 percent in 2010 to 21.8 percent in 2011. It's still not great, but it shows at least some improvement.

Neither of these guys are likely to be impact players for the Dodgers. Martin has the best shot, mostly because he's left-handed and throws in the 90s. Henson is closer and should begin the season in the crowded Albuquerque outfield (Alex Castellanos, Kyle Russell, Alfredo Silverio, Scott Van Slyke).

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The Dodgers also officially signed Aaron Harang to a 2-year, $12 million contract today. The details breakdown like this, from Dylan Hernandez of the L.A. Times:

"The projected No. 4 starter will earn $3 million next season and $7 million in 2013. The contract includes a vesting option for 2014 that could be worth $7 million to $8 million, depending on how much he pitches over the next two seasons. If the option doesn't vest, the Dodgers can buy it out for $2 million.

If Harang pitches 400 innings over the next two seasons, the vesting option would be worth $8 million. If he pitches 380 innings over the next two seasons, including 180 in 2013, the option would be worth $7.5 million. If he pitches 360 innings over the next two seasons, including 175 in 2013, the option would be worth $7 million."

This is much more backloaded than expected. Eric Stephen of True Blue L.A. gives us a disturbing look at the 2013 payroll:

"The Dodgers also have a projected payroll of roughly $106 million for 2013 and that's without a right fielder or first baseman. That number includes a staggering $47.25 million for just Harang, Capuano, Lilly, Matt Guerrier, Juan Uribe, Jerry Hairston Jr., and Mark Ellis."

Well, that certainly sucks. I expressed my thoughts on the Harang signing on Monday.

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Bill Shaikin of the L.A. Times has some news on the McCourt/FOX/MLB situation. It doesn't seem like there will be a "Dodger" network anytime soon. FOX will simply not allow it, even after the contract expires.

"However, under a previously undisclosed provision, the contract also hampers the Dodgers' ability to form a regional sports network after the contract expires so long as Time Warner , Comcast or ESPN is an equity partner, according to the people familiar with the agreement."

It'd be cool to have a Dodger TV network. Of course, you'd probably have to live in the greater Los Angeles area to receive it, which I don't.

The amount of potential money from an exclusive TV network would allow the Dodgers to sign free agents like Albert Pujols and C.J. Wilson, who both signed with the Angels this morning. Just another slap in the face to the Dodger fans. Thanks, Frank.

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Hernandez also has a bit about James Loney's apparent arrest last month.

"According to Tang, Loney was driving his 2009 Maserati westbound on the 101 when he sideswiped three vehicles for unknown reasons. Immediately afterwards, his sports car came to an abrupt stop in the fast lane, Tang said."

That sounds really weird and potentially bad. And then there's always the confirmed and unconfirmed:

"But a person close to the player said tests for drugs and alcohol returned negative and that Loney has apologized for the incident.

The CHP's Tang, however, said no results were available yet from a blood sample taken from Loney by officers"

So, we don't know if he was on something or if it was just a mere accident. Either way, this isn't what Loney or the Dodgers need right now.