UPDATE: Rosenthal says the Dodgers have “zero intention” of trading Ethier, but will listen. He says two teams have inquired.
October: The Dodgers are interested in trading Andre Ethier!
November: No, the Dodgers are not interested in trading Andre Ethier.
December: The Dodgers are interested in trading Andre Ethier:
Source: Dodgers shopping Andre Ethier. If they deal him, they could be in the mix for Nick Swisher.
— Mark Feinsand (@FeinsandNYDN) December 18, 2012
I don’t doubt that the Dodgers would actually like to trade Ethier, but he’s got an ugly contract, even by late 2012′s increasingly crazy standards. L.A. owes him $85 million between now and 2017. This for a guy who turns 31 next season. If anyone wanted Ethier, they’d be better off just signing Nick Swisher themselves.
Which doesn’t mean he’s untradable. For one thing — as one of my Tweeps notes — a free agent like Swisher may nit wish to go to a place like, say, Seattle, so if the M’s wanted his like, they could do a deal for Ethier. And of course, L.A. could kick in a lot of money in any Ethier deal.
Still seems pretty unlikely anyone would bite, but stranger things have happened.
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- lostsok - Dec 18, 2012 at 9:31 AM
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Either hits right-handers way better than Swisher, but Swisher crushes lefties where Either can’t touch them. Both are adequate but unspectacular fielders.
It seems like kind of a zero sum move for LA.
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- MyTeamsAllStink - Dec 18, 2012 at 9:41 AM
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I’ve never been the biggest Eithier fan but didn’t they just sign him to a new contract?And Swisher isn’t much of an upgrade if that’s who they are in fact targeting.Im guessing Eithier and his whining may have finally gotten old while Swisher is a good clubhouse guy.
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- chill1184 - Dec 18, 2012 at 10:07 AM
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Obviously the Dodgers would have to eat some of that money in order to move him. I dont see a team taking 17 mil per year for an outfielder who is going to be 31 next season.
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- paperlions - Dec 18, 2012 at 11:18 AM
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Of course they would have to eat a lot of that deal…he’s never had a single season worth that kind of salary…and now he’s no the wrong side of 30. He wouldn’t have gotten a contract even close to that extension if he was a FA.
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- senioreditor2 - Dec 18, 2012 at 12:07 PM
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Have you seen the dollars being thrown around this off season. He undoubtedly would have been given similar money if 29 other teams had a chance to bid.
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- paperlions - Dec 18, 2012 at 2:00 PM
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No, he wouldn’t have. Those dollars have only been thrown at a few guys…each of which are far better than Ethier. He’s just not that good There is no way anyone was giving him $17M/year for 5 years. Upton didn’t get that and he’s the far more valuable and younger player.
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- sdelmonte - Dec 18, 2012 at 10:10 AM
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Ironically, the only team that seems to be making trades for contracts like Ethier’s is the Dodgers.
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- hisgirlgotburrelled - Dec 18, 2012 at 10:13 AM
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I wonder if getting traded to Seattle is what Ethier had in mind when he signed a 6-year contract to stay in LA just 6 months ago.
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- SOBEIT - Dec 18, 2012 at 11:08 AM
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dejavu…this will be the story for years. Just replace Ethier with the next max contract player who is suddenly unproductive, but you have a logjam of players at the position, and there is an upgrade available in the FA market.
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- losanginsight - Dec 18, 2012 at 12:42 PM
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Ned should try to get GC Stanton and pay 95% of Ethiers contract and throw in the Harangatang too.
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- MyTeamsAllStink - Dec 18, 2012 at 1:19 PM
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Eithier to the Rangers for Ian Kinsler.Dodgers need a second baseman (sorry mark Ellis) and the Rangers need a right fielder
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- paperlions - Dec 18, 2012 at 2:02 PM
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Why would the Rangers do that when they can sign Swisher, who is the same player, only more durable with slightly better defense, to a better contract without trading anyone?
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- koufaxmitzvah - Dec 18, 2012 at 6:12 PM
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Swisher has a Gold Glove?
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- paperlions - Dec 18, 2012 at 6:48 PM
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Yeah, because GG are reflective of defensive ability. *eye roll*
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- koufaxmitzvah - Dec 19, 2012 at 7:38 AM
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Come on, Paper. If Swisher is a better defender than Ethier ,then he should have at least 2 Gold Gloves. Based off of your rhetoric.
So what crazy stat indicates that Swisher is better than Ethier in the outfield?
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- iamjimmyjack - Dec 18, 2012 at 2:03 PM
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When is Ned Colletti going to get canned? This guy is handing out ludicrous contracts. Stan Kasten is a smart man. I’d be suprised if Colletti lasts another year. Yes he’s aquired good talent, but still the Dodgers are a great franchise. They shouldnt have to overpay to attract free agents. Its Los Angeles.
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- djjackson81 - Dec 18, 2012 at 11:29 PM
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I’m glad he a Dodger being a Dbacks fan. 200 + million and counting hope Beckett and Crawford earn there money
