That'd free up a lot of cash for use elsewhere, but we would need to use at least some of it for "proper" pitching; we can't afford our rotation to be any worse than it was last year. But there still might be cash for Hernandez. The Banana weighs in on the topic today too, but doesn't add much to earlier reports. A two-year deal would bridge the gap until Montero is ready, and I know Byrnes doesn't want to block him. However, I suspect Hernandez might get a longer-term deal than that elsewhere.

Pokey Reese? Doesn't really seem worth paying money for: he's only got 133 games in the past three years, didn't play last year because of a shoulder injury, and hit .221 + .215 the two before that. Give him an invite to spring training perhaps, but I'd rather see Cintron and Green occupy the slot.

That Tribune story also says the Dodgers are talking to Royce Clayton. [Rubs hands in Mr. Burns' impression] Excellent! That'll extinguish any hopes the Dodgers have of competing in 2006, and send all right-thinking Dodgers' fans into a funk for the off-season. Clearly their new GM is intent on making an impression...