Sports News and Trade Rumors: Pro Sports Daily

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November 19

Los Angeles Times

"Even with starting pitching as their most pressing need, the Dodgers do not plan to pursue John Lackey, the best starter available in free agency. As baseball's owners concluded their quarterly meetings here today, amid predictions from other National League executives that the Dodgers could lower their payroll substantially, Dodgers President Dennis Mannion said General Manager Ned Colletti has not been ordered to trade one of the team's eight arbitration-eligible players to save money. Dodgers owner Frank McCourt, who has not spoken publicly since his divorce proceedings started last month, declined an interview request. McCourt's estranged wife, Jamie, has asked a court to rule that she ..."

Pitching tops Dodgers' free-agent list

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November 19

MLB.com

"Rare is the year when the Dodgers lack quality starting pitching. But they might have to delve heavily into the free-agent market to maintain that asset. The reigning National League West champions are expected to focus on starting pitching when open bidding on free agents begins Friday. After leading the league in overall ERA last season and tying for second in starters' ERA, the Dodgers could lose as many as three members of their season-ending rotation -- free agents Randy Wolf, Vicente Padilla and Jon Garland. Jeff Weaver, who started seven games, is also a free agent. With approximately $40 million in salary coming off the books, Los Angeles should be able to obtain a starter or two ..."

McCourts' divorce "in good hand"

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November 19

Los Angeles Times

"Commissioner Bud Selig said the Dodgers were "in good hands" for now but refused to offer assurances to fans worried that the McCourt divorce saga could compromise the future of the club. Baseball's owners held their quarterly meetings here today, with Jamie McCourt absent from sessions she had attended regularly. Frank McCourt last month fired his estranged wife as chief executive, and she cannot continue to serve on ownership committees so long as she is not involved in club management, said a high-ranking baseball official, speaking on condition of anonymity because of pending legal proceedings. Baseball officials are reluctant to comment publicly before a court takes up the issue of ..."

Shortstop Scutaro open to staying with Jays

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November 17

Foxsports.com

"Teams are inquiring about free agent Marco Scutaro not just as a shortstop, but also as a second baseman, according to his agent, Peter Greenberg. One team even asked if Scutaro would consider moving to third. Scutaro, who played Gold Glove-caliber defense for the Blue Jays last season, will "entertain all possibilities," Greenberg said — including a return to the Jays on a one-year deal if, as expected, he is offered salary arbitration. The Jays offered Scutaro a contract extension during the season and another after the season ended, Greenberg said. Scutaro wants to explore the free-agent market, but he likes the city, team and manager Cito Gaston, who gave him his first chance to play ..."

Don Mattingly interested in managing L.A. Dodgers when Joe Torre leaves

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November 15

New York Daily News

"And Don Mattingly might end up replacing Torre after all when Torre is done managing in sunny Los Angeles. The Yankee icon, who is the hitting coach for Torre's Dodgers, says he has been "having discussions with the Dodgers and I really like where that's going. I really think it's the place for me. I really like where that organization's going and their thoughts on the future. I want to end up there, to be honest with you." While Mattingly was cryptic when asked if he was, essentially, the "manager in waiting" in L.A., his talks with team brass were enticing enough to get him to back out of consideration for the Nationals job earlier this autumn. "It was discussions about the future of the ..."

A Celebrity Divorce Case Rocks the Dodgers

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November 15

New York Times

"When the ceremonial first salvo had been tossed in McCourt v. McCourt, the principals in the divorce case, the Dodgers owner Frank McCourt and his erstwhile business partner Jamie McCourt, had at least put to rest a question that had dogged them since they bought the team nearly six years ago. Are they in it to win it? In what is shaping up as the most riveting contact sport that will take place in Los Angeles this winter, the McCourts wasted little time - or, it seems, expense - in assembling all-star lineups for a divorce trial whose outcome could force the sale of the team. Advising Jamie McCourt is Bert Fields, the entertainment lawyer who has represented, among others, Michael Jackson ..."

Torre praises Girardi, Yanks for title run

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November 14

New York Daily News

"Joe Torre Â could almost hear the banter in the dugout. Watching on television as the Yankees played in their first World Series since he left, the four-time champion Yankees manager knew exactly what Derek Jeter was saying as the camera zoomed in on him after Hideki Matsui hit a home run in Game 6. "Every time they'd bring a lefthander in, Derek Jeter would say in the dugout, 'Don't bring a lefthander for Matsui, don't do that' and invariably Matsui would hit a double or a home run," Torre said. "When the camera went to Jeter in the dugout after Matsui hit a homer, it was like I could hear him saying 'I told ya so.'" After 12 years and four World Series titles with the Yankees, ..."

Schmidt, Zaun join open market

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November 12

MLB.com

"Right-hander Jason Schmidt and catcher Gregg Zaun were the only players to file for free agency on Wednesday, the seventh day of the 15-day filing period. Eligible free agents have until midnight on Nov. 19 to file their paperwork to the Major League Baseball Players' Association, and to date, 156 have done so. Clearly, Zaun and Schmidt aren't names that open eyes on that long list. But could they bring some value to clubs in the upcoming season? In Schmidt's case, probably not. The 36-year-old right-hander enjoyed a fair share of success with the Giants, but shoulder problems have tarnished his future the last three seasons, and he is expected to retire. If he does retire, Schmidt will ..."

Mets eye free agents Orlando Hudson, Chone Figgins

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November 12

New York Daily News

"Trying to rid themselves of an ill-advised contract, the Mets shopped Luis Castillo during the GM Meetings that concluded Wednesday. Still, despite the veteran second baseman hitting .302 this season and staying healthy, GM Omar Minaya may have a difficult time moving Castillo. Castillo is midway through a four-year, $25 million deal that blocked the Mets from signing free agent Orlando Hudson last winter. Castillo had met with team officials at the end of the 2008 season to apologize for his performance and request to remain with the team. The Chicago Tribune reported the Cubs are interested in Castillo and are attempting to rope in a third team such as Tampa Bay or Texas as a way of ..."

Dodgers put a low price on decades of experience

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November 12

Los Angeles Times

columnist Bill Plaschke

"After spending the last couple of weeks choking on the McCourt divorce numbers -- $6,000 a year for birthday parties? -- Dodgers fans can finally relax. Your favorite team has figured out how to pay for it all. They're taking it out of George Genovese. "I was like, 'What did I do?' " said Genovese, 87, a crooked grin rising from beneath his thick glasses and shock of gray hair. Genovese, perhaps baseball's most notable living amateur scout, was sitting in the aging easy chair in his tiny North Hollywood home recently when he received a solemn phone call from one of his Dodgers bosses. He was thereby informed that his annual part-time salary was being slashed. From $18,000 to $8,000 -- a ..."

Dodgers' Hudson disappointed in how season ended

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November 12

L.A. Daily News

columnist Ramona Shelburne

"Dodgers second baseman Orlando Hudson collected the fourth Gold Glove of his career Wednesday. You remember Orlando Hudson, don't you? Don't you? All-Star second baseman, arguably the Dodgers' best player through the first half of the season. Then, poof, he disappeared, the victim of an ill-timed September slump and Joe Torre's decision to ride the hot hand of Ronnie Belliard late in the season. By the playoffs, Hudson was little more than a late-game defensive replacement and pinch hitter, hardly the role anyone could have imagined for the energetic veteran in April, May and June. Hudson never publicly complained about getting benched, and his silence was taken for acceptance. That all ..."

Dodgers Kemp, Hudson win Gold Gloves

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November 12

L.A. Daily News

"Center fielder Matt Kemp and second baseman Orlando Hudson picked up Gold Glove Awards on Wednesday, marking the first time since 1975 that two Dodgers who had played a full season in Los Angeles had won the award. The 25-year-old Kemp, is a first-time winner. He ranked third in the major leagues with 14 outfield assists and committed only two errors Hudson, who will be 32 in December, won for the fourth time. The All-Star free agent, who is the first Dodgers second baseman to win a Gold Glove since Davey Lopes in 1978, committed only eight errors for a .988 fielding percentage. The last time the Dodgers had two Gold Glove winners who played the entire season in L.A. was in 1975 when first ..."

Rollins, Victorino again get Gold Gloves

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November 12

Philadelphia Inquirer

"Jimmy Rollins and Shane Victorino did not win the World Series again this year, but they are repeat winners of the Gold Glove at their positions.Rollins won his third consecutive National League Gold Glove at shortstop yesterday, while Victorino claimed his second straight in the outfield.Rollins, who will turn 31 on Nov. 27, led all major-league shortstops with a .990 fielding percentage and made just six errors, fewest among full-time big-league shortstops. He had an 86-game errorless streak during the season.Rollins is the first NL shortstop to win three straight Gold Gloves since Rey Ordonez did so with the New York Mets (1997-99). He is the first Phillie to win three in a row at any ..."

Jamie McCourt discusses Dodgers, divorce

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November 11

MLB.com

"Former Los Angeles Dodgers chief executive officer Jamie McCourt, who was dismissed in October by her estranged husband, Dodgers owner Frank McCourt, spoke publicly for the first time about the split and how it is affecting her personal and professional life. In an interview published in Wednesday's Los Angeles Times, Jamie McCourt said she handled day-to-day operations for the team and was involved in many key decisions, including the hiring of manager Joe Torre. Frank McCourt has said that he allowed his wife to identify herself as "co-owner" for the "interests of family harmony" but her claim has damaged the Dodgers organization. "I've decided I'm going to take the high road," Jamie ..."

Dodgers could pursue Wolf

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November 11

New York Post

"Chad Billingsley slumped so badly in the second half that he was removed from the Dodgers' rotation for the playoffs. However, Dodgers officials continue to believe that Clayton Kershaw and Billingsley will form the top of their rotation moving forward and that they want to secure a No. 3 starter to work behind that young duo and in front of Hiroki Kuroda and a No. 5 starter that likely will come internally from among knuckleballer Charlie Haeger, James McDonald, Eric Stults and Scott Elbert. The most obvious is choice is Randy Wolf, who went 11-7 with a 3.23 ERA for the Dodgers last year. Los Angeles is likely to offer the lefty arbitration, which could depress the market for a Type-A ..."

Phils, Cards, LA each take two Gold Gloves

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November 11

MLB.com

"They flashed leather, pulled off web gems, picked it, got their uniforms dirty, and stoked stadiums with razor-sharp routes, dazzling dives and wall-scraping wows. They're the 2009 National League winners of the Rawlings Gold Glove Awards, announced on Wednesday. At first base, San Diego Padres slugger Adrian Gonzalez repeated his 2008 crown by tying for fourth in the league with a fielding percentage of .995. Gonzalez made only seven errors in 1,367 total chances in the midst of his second straight All-Star campaign. The second base Gold Glove returned to the possession of Orlando Hudson, the Dodgers veteran who won Senior Circuit hardware in 2006 and 2007 while with the D-backs after ..."

Sherrill for Jackson a possibility?

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November 11

Foxsports.com

"The Dodgers have some interest in Tigers starter Edwin Jackson, who is available. But one source with knowledge of the teams' positions said the sides haven't discussed a trade of Jackson for reliever George Sherrill. Still, a 1-for-1 trade of those players might ultimately make sense for both clubs. A big reason: Sherrill ($2.75 million) and Jackson ($2.2 million) earned very similar base salaries in salary arbitration this year. That should be the case again in 2010, which would enable the cash to balance easily. The Dodgers need a reasonably low-cost starter such as Jackson. The Tigers would like to acquire a late-inning reliever to offset the potential free-agent departures of Fernando ..."

Sources: Tigers trying to deal All-Star Jackson

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November 11

Foxsports.com

"Edwin Jackson was an All-Star pitcher for the Tigers this year. He looked like one of the great acquisitions in baseball for most of the season — a starter who pitched deep into games and wouldn't become a free agent until 2011. Now? The Tigers have made Jackson available on the trade market as part of an effort to alleviate their payroll crunch, multiple major league sources told FOXSports.com. It's not clear if club president/general manager Dave Dombrowski is engaged in serious talks with other clubs about Jackson. There is no indication that a deal is close. But it's telling that the team is considering trade scenarios involving Jackson at all. The Dodgers, who originally drafted ..."

Jamie McCourt denies affair, says accusations are 'devastating'

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November 11

Los Angeles Times

"Sat down with the Screaming Meanie on Tuesday morning, and how about that, even cutting into Jamie McCourt's negotiated swimming time. Until now she hasn't said anything publicly since being fired by her husband as Dodgers CEO, being labeled an adulterer in the process and pounded in court filings. "I've been creamed," is the way she put it. "But I've decided I'm going to take the high road." California is a no-fault state when it comes to divorce, and since she was described as an "at will" hire by Frank McCourt in a letter terminating her services as the team's CEO, there was no apparent need in either case to detail any alleged wrongdoings. But the mudslinging list is a long one, and at ..."

Around the majors

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November 10

SI.com

(scroll down)

"• Andy Pettitte has indicated to teammates that he is leaning toward returning to the Yankees for one more year. If they need it for further convincing, one of the Yankees' sales points will be that 10-15 more wins will aid his Hall of Fame candidacy. • The Phillies are expected to try to lock up Cliff Lee, though with a year to go before free agency, they'll be looking at something less than nine figures. • While the Phillies declined the option on defensively adept third baseman Pedro Feliz for $5.5 million, they're interested in bringing him back at a slightly lower figure. • The Red Sox will still consider Alex Gonzalez after declining his $6 million option and also look at free agent ..."

Halladay more likely to go than Gonzalez

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November 10

SI.com

"Baseball people seem to believe that of the two superstar players available in trade -- Roy Halladay and Adrian Gonzalez -- Halladay is more likely to be moved for a few important reasons, such as: 1) He's eligible for free agency after this year, whereas the Padres have Gonzalez for two more years. 2) He makes $16 million to only about $5 million for Gonzalez, who has $10.25 mil over two remaining. 3) He wants out of Toronto. In an especially weak free-agent starting-pitching market, Halladay, 31, would draw interest from several teams, and with a new GM in Toronto (Alex Anthopoulos replaced J.P. Ricciardi), the whole game could change. It isn't known how Padres GM Jed Hoyer or ..."

Three more Dodgers opt for free agency

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November 10

MLB.com

"Infielders Juan Castro and Mark Loretta and reliever Will Ohman filed for free agency Monday, leaving Jason Schmidt as the only Dodgers player eligible for free agency yet to file. Schmidt is expected to retire. The club has already bought Ohman out of his 2010 option for $200,000 after he missed most of the season with shoulder and elbow problems. He currently is recovering from shoulder surgery. Castro and Loretta served as utility infielders, with Loretta doubling as the primary right-handed pinch-hitter. Castro appeared in only 57 games and hit .277 as the primary backup to shortstop Rafael Furcal. Loretta hit .232 and went 14-for-60 as a pinch-hitter, but he also delivered the ..."

Mark Cuban denies report he's interested in LA Dodgers

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November 10

Dallas Morning News

"Mavericks owner Mark Cuban said a story in Los Angeles linking him as a potential buyer of the Dodgers has "no substance." The Dodgers are not for sale, but the divorce between Frank and Jamie McCourt raises questions about team's future. Cuban has said repeatedly in recent months that he has no interest in adding any sports franchises to his business portfolio. Cuban indicated it would take a unique set of circumstances to have interest in the Dodgers. "Read the text of the e-mail I sent," Cuban said. "It's all headline and no substance." A Los Angeles Times story quoted Cuban as e-mailing: "I'm not a fan of debt-driven acquisitions. If a unique situation came up where I could ..."

Dodgers, Torre talking contract extension

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November 9

MLB.com

"The Dodgers and manager Joe Torre are in talks to extend his contract for at least one more year, Torre confirmed to the Los Angeles Times. Torre, 69, has one year remaining on the three-year, $13 million contract he signed with the Dodgers after managing the Yankees for 12 years and four World Series championships. "We were talking about my coaches and I've been thinking about it," Torre told the newspaper. "It's been fun. When I came here, I was curious about how it might go. But the last two years have been invigorating. You see progress and your ego tells you maybe you had something to do with it." Torre has managed the Dodgers to consecutive National League West titles and appearances ..."

Figgins a tough decision for Angels

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November 8

Orange County Register

columnist Mark Whicker

"On July 14, 2001, the Register reported the Angels had traded Kimera Bartee to Colorado for an infielder named Desmond Figgins. Desmond DeChone Figgins, to be precise. None of his three names seemed destined for fame. Figgins had spent two years in the Carolina League. He did have a fanciful 34 triples that second year, but he was in Double-A when the Angels got him. It was hard to imagine that he would ever be a tough decision for the Angels. He is now. Assuming that he files for free agency, Chone Figgins is fixing to find out how much he is loved and, more important, valued. He is one of the best offensive players in this class. Even the most critical Angels fans must admit that Figgins ..."

It looks as if Joe Torre wants more

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November 8

Los Angeles Times

columnist T.J. Simers

"Two days at Santa Anita for the Breeders' Cup, and of all places providing a sports memory of a lifetime in addition to a hot tip that finally pays off. I hear Joe Torre is talking about extending his contract as manager with the Dodgers and remaining beyond next season. "Where did you get that?" Torre says, the first time all weekend he seems to care where I'm getting my inside information. But it's true, Torre says, "we're talking about it." We know this, he's not chatting with Jamie McCourt about it."

Ramirez will stay with L.A.

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November 7

Los Angeles Times

"Manny Ramirez is returning to the Los Angeles Dodgers next season.The team said yesterday that the slugger exercised his $20 million contract option for 2010.Ramirez hit .290 with 19 home runs and 63 RBIs in 104 regular-season games. He missed 50 games while suspended for violating baseball's drug policy.Brewers trade. Milwaukee dealt J.J. Hardy to Minnesota for speedy outfielder Carlos Gomez.Hardy, a 2007 all-star shortstop, was demoted to triple A in August.The Brewers also declined a $3.7 million option on righthander David Weathersby, buying him out for $400,000.Royals trade. Kansas City sent Mark Teahen to the Chicago White Sox, with whom he will return to his familiar position at ..."

Manny Ramirez will remain with Dodgers

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November 7

Los Angeles Times

"The Dodgers have learned that Manny Ramirez will be theirs for another season -- at a price tag of $20 million. Ramirez's agent, Scott Boras, told General Manager Ned Colletti on Friday that Ramirez would not exercise the escape clause in his contract that would have let the former All-Star outfielder re-enter the free-agent market at age 37. Ramirez had until Tuesday to inform the cash-strapped Dodgers if he intended to void the second year of a two-year, $45-million contract he signed in the spring -- something that was viewed as highly unlikely in baseball circles because of the kind of year Ramirez had. Although Ramirez just completed a season in which he was suspended 50 games for ..."

Dodgers: Manny Ramirez to return in 2010

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November 6

Los Angeles Times

"Manny Ramirez will return to the Dodgers next season, according to his agent, Scott Boras. Boras said that he informed General Manager Ned Colletti today that Ramirez would not exercise the escape clause in the two-year, $45-million contract he signed in the spring. Ramirez will earn $20 million next season."

Torre, witness to domestic abuse

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November 6

Los Angeles Times

"He's Joe Torre, a household name from coast to coast, the stoic statue in the dugout, talking now about a lack of self-esteem -- his own. Of all people. He's MVP as a player, World Series champion four times as Yankees manager, the Dodgers under Torre the most successful they have been in 20 years. But he's still also little Joey in so many ways, a witness to domestic abuse in his own home, and the shame and embarrassment that come from believing only his family had such ugly problems. "I get to be 55 or so," Torre explains, "and my wife, Ali, is going to a Life Success seminar. So I go along, but 'Oh Lord,' I tell myself when I arrive, 'what am I getting myself into?' I'm a very private ..."

Six Dodgers file for free agency

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November 6

Los Angeles Times

"A handful of Dodgers filed for free agency, including infielders Ronnie Belliard, Orlando Hudson and Doug Mientkiewicz and pitchers Randy Wolf, Jon Garland and Eric Milton. Thursday was the first day of a 15-day window in which players can file for free agency. They cannot negotiate with other teams until the window closes. Garland became a free agent after the Dodgers declined the mutual option on the 30-year-old right-hander's contract. Acquired from the Arizona Diamondbacks on Aug. 31 for a player to be named who turned out to be infielder Tony Abreu, Garland was 3-2 with a 2.72 earned-run average in six regular-season starts for the Dodgers."

Jamie McCourt is denied bid for reinstatement

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November 6

Los Angeles Times

"On the day the Angels re-signed Bobby Abreu to a multiyear deal, the future of the Dodgers started to take shape on the eighth floor of the Los Angeles Superior Court building. Slowly. While Jamie McCourt was denied her request to be immediately reinstated as the Dodgers' chief executive in an emergency hearing Thursday, the more important issue of whether she is a co-owner of the storied franchise along with soon-to-be ex-husband Frank McCourt did not become any clearer -- and probably won't be for some time. Of a 2004 agreement that listed Frank McCourt as the sole owner of the Dodgers and Jamie McCourt the sole owner of multiple residences, Commissioner Scott Gordon said, "It's clear ..."

Court denies Jamie McCourt's bid for reinstatement as Dodger CEO

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November 5

Los Angeles Times

"The Los Angeles County Superior Court has ruled against Jamie McCourt in her request to overturn her termination as Dodgers chief executive officer by estranged husband Frank, according to Dylan Hernandez of The Times."

Dodgers pass on Garland's 2010 option

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November 5

MLB.com

"The Dodgers declined the $10 million 2010 mutual option for right-handed pitcher Jon Garland, who can become a free agent. Garland is entitled to receive a $2.5 million buyout, which will be paid by the Arizona Diamondbacks as part of the terms of the trade that sent Garland to the Dodgers for infielder Tony Abreu on Aug. 31. The 30-year-old Garland was 3-2 with a 2.72 ERA in six Dodgers starts, was a long reliever who did not pitch in the National League Division Series against the Cardinals and was left off the roster for the NL Championship Series against Philadelphia. On the season, Garland went 11-13 with a 4.01 ERA with 204 innings pitched, the fifth time Garland has pitched at least ..."

Dodgers bid farewell to Jon Garland

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November 5

Los Angeles Times

"After six appearances totaling 36 1/3 innings — none in the postseason — pitcher Jon Garland has been cut loose by the Dodgers, who declined his $10-million option for 2010 (though the team is free to negotiate a new contract with him). Dylan Hernandez of The Times tweeted the news, and Ken Gurnick of MLB.com has a report. As part of the terms of the Dodgers' trade with Arizona, the Diamondbacks are reportedly paying the $2.5-million buyout. Second baseman Tony Abreu went to Arizona in the deal. Gurnick also reminds us that the Dodgers cannot offer Garland salary arbitration or get draft-pick compensation for him."

Dodgers' Padilla recovering from gunshot wound

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November 5

L.A. Daily News

"Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Vicente Padilla is recovering from a bullet wound in his leg after a target shooting instructor accidentally shot him. Dr. Eduardo Reguera said Padilla, who signed with the Dodgers in August, didn't need surgery after spending time at Managua's Metropolitan Hospital. Police spokesman Vilma Reyes said Wednesday that Padilla's pistol apparently jammed during a target shooting session late Tuesday. Padilla handed the pistol to a shooting instructor, a former police captain, who didn't realize there was a bullet in the chamber and shot himself in his hand, Padilla's legal adviser Roberto Calderon told The Associated Press. The bullet also grazed Padilla's leg."

Rays working on Iwamura deal

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November 3

St. Petersburg Times

"Just got back to New York and heard from an industry source who's not with the Rays that they are on the verge of completing a trade of 2B Akinori Iwamura. The Rays were looking to do some kind of deal since they weren't planning to pick up the $4.85-million option to bring him back. What's interesting is that the source indicated the deal wasn't with the Cubs or the Dodgers as has been speculated on but to an unexpected team. Hmmm. The Rays are operating under something of a deadline since they have until one day after the end of the World Series to either pick up the option or pay a $550,000 buyout and allow Iwamura to become a free agent. They have been working on essentially a ..."

Jamie McCourt seeks to remove Dodgers from divorce hearing

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November 3

Los Angeles Times

"Jamie McCourt argued in a motion Monday that the Dodgers should not be a party in a divorce hearing, asking the court to throw out papers filed in the team's name that "unnecessarily and gratuitously attack" her. The motion is expected to be considered Thursday in Los Angeles Superior Court as part of a hearing to determine the validity of McCourt's demand for immediate reinstatement as the Dodgers' chief executive. Frank McCourt, her estranged husband, fired her two weeks ago. After she filed for divorce last week, he responded in a filing that her reinstatement would be "akin to throwing a bomb into a crowded room.""

McCourts' divorce: Moneyball, Part 2

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November 1

Orange County Register

columnist Randy Youngman

"Well, now we know why their last name is McCourt. Frank and Jamie McCourt, one or both of whom own the Dodgers — that issue will be decided by a court — are likely to become synonymous with court proceedings as they proceed with a high-profile divorce that seems destined to titillate and disgust the common people in Southern California who wouldn't even know how to spend $500,000 a month. Yes, Jamie has asked in a court filing for $487,634 a month in spousal support to maintain an extravagant lifestyle to which she has become accustomed. Or if she is reinstated as Dodgers CEO — her husband fired her shortly after the Dodgers were eliminated from the playoffs, perhaps suspecting she told ..."

Even before the McCourts' divorce became public, there were signs that the team was falling apart.

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October 30

Los Angeles Times

"Dodgers fans didn't need to witness this week's divorce wrecking ball to feel the rubble and cough the dust. By the time Frank and Jamie McCourt chose to publicly level their marriage, their ownership legacy had already been disintegrating. To those who watched the Dodgers fall three wins short of a World Series for the second consecutive season, perhaps none of the salacious allegations are as disturbing as the team's inability to trade for Cliff Lee. To those who heard about the cleanup hitter taking a shower while his teammates took a bath, perhaps none of the ugly finger-pointing is as unsettling as the ownership's coddling of Manny Ramirez. And, really, as embarrassing as the McCourts ..."

Jamie McCourt faces tough road, experts say

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October 30

Los Angeles Times

"They are nine words buried in the fine print of a legal document that divides family assets between Frank McCourt and Jamie McCourt. They sit toward the end of a paragraph that lists properties belonging solely to Frank McCourt: "all assets of the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team." Jamie McCourt insisted in her divorce filing this week that she is entitled to a share of ownership in the Dodgers. However, she faces an uphill battle in persuading a court to throw out the legal agreement that says otherwise, according to three family law experts surveyed Thursday by The Times. Jamie McCourt's attorneys have said the Dodgers should be considered community property under California law, which ..."

Harsh words fly in McCourt divorce filings

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October 29

Los Angeles Times

"The dramatic tale of the Dodgers ownership battle took another turn Wednesday when Jamie McCourt's attorney said that she had lined up financing for a possible bid to buy out her estranged husband. "Whatever it takes to buy Frank McCourt out, she's got," attorney Bert Fields said. Yet Frank McCourt has no intention of selling the Dodgers, to her or anyone else, his attorney said Wednesday. "Congratulations to her for being a prospective buyer," attorney Marshall Grossman said. "There is no seller. Perhaps she could explore some other sport." The day started with a new and salacious twist, with Frank McCourt claiming in a 664-page court filing that he fired Jamie McCourt as the club's chief ..."

Manny not leaving Mannywood

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October 28

SI.com

"Manny Ramirez is planning to exercise the $20 million player option that returns him to the Dodgers for 2010. His original plan was to shop around, but after a year in which he was suspended for 50 games, he must have realized this is his best option. Manny's plan to stay should come as no surprise the Dodgers. Dodgers people have said all along they expect Ramirez to pick up the option. It's interesting to look at how much he improved his lot by forcing the trade to L.A. in the summer of 2008. Had Ramirez simply stayed in Boston and played out his old contract, the Red Sox almost certainly would have declined what was a $20 million team option in that contract. So with the extra $5 ..."

Dodgers' ownership at stake in McCourt fight

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October 28

Los Angeles Times

"The battle for Los Angeles' storied baseball team hit the courts Tuesday when former Dodgers chief executive Jamie McCourt filed a divorce petition laying claim to half of the team and other assets she valued at more than $1 billion. In the petition, filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court, Jamie McCourt claimed irreconcilable differences and asked for immediate reinstatement to the job from which her husband, Frank, fired her a week ago. Frank McCourt countered with his own filing, asking the court to declare him the sole owner of the team at once, then handle the larger divorce case later. The filings publicly revealed a power struggle months in the making and far from over. And it ..."

Is Mattingly in line to succeed Torre?

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October 26

ESPN.com

"Don Mattingly was on the short list of managerial candidates in Cleveland, and wasn't hired. But he is speaking with the Los Angeles Dodgers about his future with that organization, and while it would be premature to say he is regarded as the heir apparent to manager Joe Torre, there may come a day when he will emerge as the leading candidate to replace Torre. Mattingly has been talking with the Dodgers since the team was eliminated from the National League playoffs by the Phillies, according to sources, and will have more conversations later in the week. Mattingly has made it apparent that he wants to manage; he was a finalist with the Yankees two years ago when Joe Girardi was hired, and ..."

Will Dodgers be contenders next year?

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October 25

San Francisco Chronicle

columnist John Shea

"Can Giants fans anticipate a Dodgers collapse next year? The answer might be delivered by divorce lawyers. As the Dodgers were being eliminated for the second straight year by the Phillies in the NLCS, Frank and Jamie McCourt were playing tug-of-war with the team's future, Joe Torre was looking at becoming a lame-duck manager, Ned Colletti was contemplating a rotation without an ace and Manny Ramirez still was being criticized for his bathing habits. The Dodgers hardly ended on a positive note, and now the question is how they'll respond to ownership turmoil and a left fielder with deteriorating skills who cares about teammates so much that he blew off the final inning of Game 4 to take a ..."

MLB monitoring McCourts' fight for control of the Dodgers

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October 25

Los Angeles Times

"With the fight for ownership of the Dodgers expected to hit the courts this week, the commissioner's office is monitoring the proceedings but expecting little effect on the daily operations of the club. Frank McCourt, who asserts he is the sole owner of the Dodgers, fired his estranged wife, Jamie, as the team's chief executive Wednesday. Jamie McCourt, who claims she is a co-owner of the team, is expected to respond by initiating legal proceedings this week. "Obviously, there's a disruption there," said Bob DuPuy, president and chief operating officer of Major League Baseball. "The team is being operated just fine." Although the ownership of one of baseball's storied franchises could be a ..."

Dodgers continue to dream about World Series; Wolf, Hudson likely gone for next year

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October 24

Los Angeles Times

"With the Dodgers less than an hour removed from recording their final out of the season, Andre Ethier let himself look ahead to the day they reach the World Series. What Ethier imagined was the same cast of players, only older. What he imagined was a team resembling the Philadelphia Phillies club that eliminated them from the playoffs in consecutive seasons. "They have a whole different identity than us," Ethier said. "They're built around that core lineup that has a lot of power. I don't think anyone in baseball is represented that well. It's tough to try to duplicate that. But I think we're developing guys here that can become those guys that they have over there." Can Ethier, Matt Kemp, ..."

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