Dodgers' news - Silverio, Ryu, rotation, Sanchez, Shields, Lohse, prospects

It's been a busy week without it having been a busy week. Sounds weird, I know. But the Dodgers have been involved in tons of rumors, but there haven't been a lot of transactions.

Here's a quick rundown of some of the Dodger-related news this week.

Silverio wasn't concussed?

Ben Badler of Baseball America was able to interview Alfredo Silverio, the former Dodger prospect who was selected by the Marlins in the Rule 5 Draft on Thursday.

There were a couple of interesting notes from the piece.

"The Dodgers brought Silverio in for tests and determined that he had a concussion. Only there was one problem: Silverio said the test was done in English. Silverio signed out of the Dominican Republic in 2003 and can speak English, but it's not his native language. Silverio said he understood everything the doctors were telling him, but he wanted to think about what they were saying before he responded, which may have been misinterpreted.

With Silverio's concussion, the Dodgers wanted him to stay off the field, but Silverio asked the Dodgers if he could get a second opinion. When Silverio went to the University of Pittsburgh a few weeks later for a test -- this time conducted in Spanish -- Silverio said they told him he did not have a concussion. Even with that, Silverio still missed the entire 2012 season, as he had Tommy John surgery that spring, which Silverio said he believes was the result of an elbow injury he sustained in the car accident."

The most interesting part of this is the fact Silverio's concussion might have been misdiagnosed. While it didn't matter in terms of playing time because of the elbow injury, it raises some concerns for me.

It's always better to be on the safe side, but in a situation like this, the Dodgers should have done a little more to make sure Silverio didn't actually have a concussion. It shows a lack of diligence on their part. Knowing the his first language isn't English, they should have conducted the examination in Spanish in the first place. And slow answers aren't the be-all, end-all when it comes to diagnosing a person with a concussion, but it is a significant part.

It obviously didn't scare the Marlins away, as they took Silverio early and likely expect him to contribute significantly in 2013.

There wasn't a spot for Silverio on the Dodgers' this season, so losing him doesn't hurt as much as it would have, say, last year. However, the Dodgers medical staff needs to do a better job in situations such as these in the future. While I haven't heard anything like this, it'd be in its best interest to make sure somethign like this doesn't happen again.

Ryu deadline Sunday

The Dodgers have until Sunday at 2 p.m. to sign Hyun-Jin Ryu to a contract. Mike Petriello reported Ryu has already passed his physical, which is the first step to getting the deal done.

Yes, the Dodgers and Ryu's agent Scott Boras have gone back and forth already, but that was just the opening salvo. Expect the negotiations to heat up Saturday with a deal being struck just prior to the deadline. It's the Scott Boras way.

And with the Dodgers less and less likely to land Zack Greinke, Ryu's signing could be that much more important.

Speaking of potentially no Greinke...

With the team contemplating a move to the next-best free agent starter -- Anibal Sanchez -- it could and should also explore the trade market even further.

The Dodgers have been linked to R.A. Dickey and James Shields. While it'd be easier to land Dickey, I still want the Dodgers to go after Shields. He provides more value, despite Dickey coming off a 2012 Cy Young season.

But whatever happens, the Dodgers need to steer way clear of Kyle Lohse. He isn't that good a pitcher and he'd cost the Dodgers their first-round draft pick. If the Dodgers were going to give up a draft pick to sign a pitcher, they should have just signed Hiroki Kuroda.

First prospect list of 2013

It's prospect season and True Blue L.A. is the first site to check in with a prospect list. Its fan voting concluded on Friday with not a lot of surprises.

Its Top 10 is as follows:

1. Yasiel Puig
2. Zach Lee
3. Corey Seager
4. Joc Pederson
5. Chris Reed
6. Matt Magill
7. Paco Rodriguez
8. Chris Withrow
9. Garrett Gould
10.  Onelki Garcia

Check out the full Top 20.

I'm shooting for the end of the month to release my Top 50. Right now, it's going to take some doing. If it doesn't go live this year, it in early January.

Photo credit: Cbl62, Wikimedia Commons

Dodgers should target James Shields, no matter what happens with Greinke

Someone who is -- and isn't -- getting a lot of coverage during these Winter Meetings is James Shields. He was once reported to be the Dodgers' No. 1 trade target, yet they haven't been linked that closely with him this week.

But the Dodgers should attempt to acquire him -- even if they do sign Zack Greinke.

Shields, 31 in 15 days, is a legitimate No. 2 or No. 3 starter, which is something the Dodgers don't have on a consistent basis with Chad Billingsley and Josh Beckett.

The lifetime Ray has posted a 3.89 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, 2.1 BB/9, 7.7 K/9 and a 3.84 FIP in his career, and those numbers would presumably get better if he were traded to a team outside the American League East.

Shields has been one of the most underrated pitches in the last two seasons. He's averaging 238 innings with a 3.15 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 7.6 H/9, 1.0 HR/9, 2.3 BB/9, 8.5 K/9 and a 3.64 K/BB. Those numbers would look awfully nice either right behind Clayton Kershaw or (preferably) Greinke.

Shields has a friendly contract, as he's slated to make $9 million this season and $12 million next season on a club option, which would almost certainly be exercised. That makes him even more attractive to a potential acquiring team.

The team's interest in acquiring two starters this winter could mean it doesn't believe Billingsley's elbow is as good as it's been made out to be.

While he was touching 94 MPH on the gun after the season, there's no iron-clad guarantee the platelet injections will help Billingsley avoid Tommy John surgery. He's an unknown at this point and it's best to assume he's a non-factor until his health proves otherwise.

It also says the team doesn't think of Ted Lilly as a starting pitcher anymore. I don't, either, especially after all the shoulder issues last season. He has a chance to be a contributing member of the bullpen, but I'd be shocked if he made more than a few spot starts in 2013.

Apparently the asking price for R.A. Dickey is higher than expected. The Dodgers, instead of trying to acquire a guy who's two years shy of 40, use those prospects to try to get Shields, who's roughly eight years younger than Dickey.

The Dodgers have the prospects to land a guy like Shields (but not his teammate David Price unfortunately), but a more creative approach to a deal could be in order.

Team President Stan Kasten has said he wants to rebuild through the farm system, but it'd be hard to do that if they give up three or four quality prospects for Shields. My solution: Make Andre Ethier the centerpiece.

The Rays are looking for offense. They were talking to the Nationals earlier this week about Mike Morse. The Dodges should build an offer around Ethier and lots of cash.

My proposal

To Tampa Bay: Ethier, cash ($25 million) Chris Reed and Joc Pederson
To Los Angeles: Shields

The Rays land a legitimate middle-of-the-order hitter in Ethier with the Dodgers paying a healthy portion of the deal. They also acquire a lefty whose role is yet to be determined. However, he's a former first-round pick and there is value in that for a club like the Rays. They also get one of the Dodgers' best trade chips in Pederson. Pederson had a breakout 2012 campaign and projects to have average tools across the board. He can play center field, but he's better in a corner.

The Dodgers land a starter who gives them a potential rotation of Kershaw, Greinke (if he signs), Shields, Billingsley and Beckett. That doesn't even take into account Hyun-jin Ryu, whom the Dodgers might sign later this week.

My proposal could be way off. The original I was thinking about had Dee Gordon, but the Rays acquired Yunel Escobar on Tuesday, so their shortstop hole was effectively filled.

There's also no way of knowing the Rays would be interested in Ethier, even if the Dodgers send a lot of cash in the deal.

Management could really test the whole "There's no such thing as too much pitching" theory with some acquisitions this winter. And it seems that theory won't get tested until the Dodgers sign Greinke or make a different move with similar significance.

Photo credit:Wknight94, Wikimedia Commons

Three days until the trade deadline, who are the Dodgers going to get?

It sounds greedy, but the Dodgers aren't done yet. After filling a need a third base with Hanley Ramirez and left-handed relief pitcher with Randy Choate, the Dodgers still have a couple more needs.

General Manager Ned Colletti wants to acquire a starting pitcher and another position player.

The Dodgers were rumored to really like Matt Garza, but his recent diagnosis (fluid in triceps) means he likely won't be dealt before Tuesday's trade deadline.

The Dodgers have also been in on Ryan Dempster from seemingly the beginning of his availability. The smart money is on Dempster donning Dodger Blue by Tuesday, but they could go in another direction.

Zack Greinke was dealt to the Angels on Friday, which was a hell of a deal for Anaheim. Now, the two biggest names linked to the Dodgers are Marlins' starter Josh Johnson and Rays' starter James Shields.

Frankly, either one would be a fantastic addition to the rotation. Johnson has injury concerns but is the more talented pitcher. Shields is a workhorse and he showed his true potential last season with a fine campaign.

The Marlins are reportedly asking for every team's "top two or three prospects," while the Rays are asking for more than the Brewers got in return for Greinke.

The likelihood of the Dodgers ending up with either Johnson or Shields are slim, but the fact they're even been rumored to have serious interest in big names such as these is so refreshing.

Ted Lilly is throwing a rehab game in Rancho Cucamonga next week. His pending return, coupled with an acquisition, should set the Dodgers' rotation for the rest of the season.

I'd bet on Dempster being a Dodger and the team sending Garrett Gould and Aaron Miller to Chicago for his services.

As for hitters, the name Justin Morneau keeps coming up. While I like idea, I'd almost want the Dodgers to acquire an outfielder before Morneau. I'll explain shortly.

Shane Victorino remains on the radar and while he's a real possibility, I really don't want him in Blue.

Hunter Pence, Victorino's teammate, would be the ideal acquisition. He's not a free agent until after 2013 and is about the best bat available -- if the Phillies decide to formally make him available. Pence's acquisition would also allow the Dodgers to bat Ramirez in the leadoff spot, which might be the best thing for the team right now.

Pence would be pricey, but I don't think I'd have much issue dealing two or three top prospects for him.

But back to Morneau. While I wouldn't be opposed to the Dodgers taking a chance on him rebounding to his MVP form, I'm more worried about his defense. He's not a great defender at first, but he's serviceable. However, with Ramirez at third base and Dee Gordon at shortstop, the Dodgers are going to need a a good defensive first basemen. Despite James Loney's struggles at the plate, he's still a great defensive first baseman. He's among the best -- if not the best -- at digging throws out of the dirt. Ramirez and Gordon aren't exactly known for their defense, so if the Dodgers can upgrade at another position, they can afford to keep running Loney out there at first base.

Who knows, maybe he'll realize it's nearly August and he'll kick it into gear.

So, we're about 73 hours away from the 1 p.m. deadline. There are still a lot of pieces in play and the Dodgers appear determined to upgrade the roster even more.

The team had its ups and downs this season. With the possibility (probability) of upgrading the team to be a playoff and even championship contender, this is one of the "up" moments.

Prediction

The Dodgers land Dempster and Victorino. Victorino, as much as I can't stand him, could be in the same boat as Ramirez as needing a change of scenery. He's a free agent after the season and the Phillies aren't going to re-sign him. The cost for Victorino would be minimal (a guy like Angel Sanchez could probably get him) and there's a slight chance he could revert to his previous form.

I can't stand Victorino, but I could see him starting in left field on Wednesday for the Dodgers.

Photo credits

Johnson: MissChatter, Flickr

Victorino: wonderwallwoody, Flickr