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Gagne Believes He Will Be Ready For Opening DayRecovering from June elbow surgery, Eric Gagne has spent the winter in relative seclusion, finally emerging this week on the island sands to offer an answer to every Dodger fan's question. Game Over says it's Game On. "I will be ready for the start of the season, no doubt," he said in a phone interview late Thursday. "I feel great. I'm throwing strong. I'm doing more now than during winters when I was healthy." Good thing, because he will take the mound this summer in save situations not only for his Dodger team, but his Dodger career. The club's most popular player is also in one of the most precarious positions. If you didn't think his health and impending free agency didn't land him on the Chavez ledge, then you must agree that Danys Baez has pushed him there. I have several guesses why Ned Colletti traded for Tampa Bay's 41-save relief ace a couple of weeks ago, and none of them are potentially good for Gagne. The first guess: The Dodgers just aren't sure Gagne can return to full-time closing form, even if he is judged to be sound. The second guess: If Gagne is throwing well again, the Dodgers want the flexibility to deal him in July to avoid losing him to free agency. Gagne says the first scenario will never happen. "The job is mine until I lose it, I don't think they want to pay a setup man $10 million," he said. As for the second scenario, Gagne said he can only trust. "I want to play here, but if they don't want me here ? well, I doubt that," Gagne said. "I trust them that the trade was made to make the middle of the bullpen stronger, and that was it." Los Angeles Dodgers Read the Full Story Discuss Send Feedback Buy Tickets Dodgers Coming Into Molina Picture With The Price Tag In FreefallBengie Molina's price tag has dropped so far that the Dodgers are interested in signing him for one year, multiple sources said Wednesday. General Manager Ned Colletti has spoken twice to Alan Nero, the agent for the former Angel Gold Glove catcher, and could make an offer this weekend. The Toronto Blue Jays have expressed the most interest in Molina, who turned down a three-year, $18-million offer from the New York Mets in November but now might get only a one-year contract. The Blue Jays have reportedly offered Molina $4 million for one year, and the New York Yankees also might be interested. Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Toronto Blue Jays Read the Full Story Discuss Send Feedback Buy Tickets Dodgers Grab Baez From Devil RaysThe Los Angeles Dodgers acquired All-Star relievers Danys Baez and Lance Carter from Tampa Bay for two pitching prospects Saturday, strengthening their bullpen while closer Eric Gagne works his way back from elbow surgery. The Dodgers sent right-hander Edwin Jackson and minor league lefty Chuck Tiffany to the Devil Rays in the deal. Los Angeles also gets a minor league player to be named. Baez went 5-4 with a 2.86 ERA and a career-best 41 saves last season, earning a spot on the AL All-Star team. He has 96 saves the past three years but will almost surely be used as a setup man in Los Angeles if Gagne is completely healthy. One of baseball's best closers, Gagne underwent season-ending surgery on his pitching elbow in June. Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti said the right-hander is expected back in time for spring training, but the team now has another proven closer to call on just in case. "The bullpen is a key piece and I feel we've added to it," Colletti said. "I'll take two great closers any day of the week." Los Angeles Dodgers, Tampa Bay Rays Read the Full Story Discuss Send Feedback Buy Tickets Dodgers Jan 2006 Archive
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