AROD, trade in those stripes for Dodger Blue

Posted Originally on 9/22/07

I love Opening Day.... every year for the last 10+ seasons I've attended the home opener at Dodger Stadium, sometimes even flying 300 miles in the morning only to turn around that same day. Every year is always "the year, this is it, we're going all the way." Bottom line, Opening Day means no wins, no loses and all the promise in the world.

But yet again, 2007 has left a sour taste with all Dodger fans. On paper, we should have the division easily but instead a September meltdown has left us in what could be a 4th place finish! Sure, our new "ace" Jason Schmidt started just six games and won only one topping out at 85MPH on the radar gun (coincidently, the only win was Schmidt's first Dodger start) and we ended up having a total of 11 pitchers start games for us but c'mon! Look at our payroll, look at the division, are we really a .500 ballclub? I guess so.

As a true Dodger fan though, I won't mourn for long. In fact, I'm already turning the page and looking forward to the off-season and another home opener in 2008 because next year is our year!

I know what you might be thinking, no chance, stop being so optimistic but I can't help it. I already have my plan in place, I just hope Colletti and McCourt is on the same page.

One word, AROD!

A lot of what ifs exist, will Alex Rodriguez and Scott Boras even opt out, will the Yankees not do everything in their power to keep Arod and will Colletti speak with Boras? Well, only time will tell but if Arod opts out and becomes available then the Dodgers have to, I repeat, have to make a run at this incredible talent.

Move over Kobe and move over Beckham, Arod to the Dodgers would not only be the piece we need on offense but would be the piece the Dodgers need to potentially clear 4 million fans in attendance! Think about the next 8 years or so, Arod should break the HR mark recently tainted by Bonds and save the historic record for good. Plug him in at 3b and in the 4 hole around Furcal, an overpriced Pierre, young stars Loney, Kemp, Martin, Ethier and the veteran Kent (in what should be his last season) and you have a dominant lineup to go with Penny, Lowe, Billingsley, Broxton, Proctor, Biemel and Saito (need to re-sign him first). If Schmidt is healthy then we're even better especially if prospect phenom Clayton Kershaw can join in soon. Arod is by far the biggest impact player available and he fits perfectly with this squad. We could even shop around Andy LaRoche for pitching help...

Alright, so how do get this done? We know Arod wants to play for a winner and I'm sure he wants to be in a major market. He has all this with the Yanks but he's not the only star there and I don't think he's always been comfortable in pinstripes anyway. The answer, pay him! SHOW AROD THE MONEY! Give him $250 million for 8 years, heck give him part ownership! I don't care, just get it done!

You want playoff victories, you want to build a dynasty... get AROD!