By discount, I meant length of contract. Had they signed him for the 5+ years he was reportedly looking for, I wouldn't have been particularly thrilled.

He's clearly no Cabrera, but at the cost of NOT giving up Loney, Kemp, Billingsly, Broxton, Krenshaw, LaRoche (there was talk of deals for as many as four of that bunch), he's a veteran presence from a team that won games.

And 30 is not over-the-hill.

I was going to talk about his benefit to the team being beyond what he offers with his stats, but GD beat me to it.

I believe his experience that he can share with the younger players is his biggest contribution. The fact that the Dodgers did not give up any of the players mentioned in GD's post is what makes it a good deal.

30 is over-the-hill for an athlete in obvious decline. And Andruw Jones is in obvious decline. The Dodgers are the laughingstock of baseball this morning.

You're right though, this deal isn't too terrible because of the length of contract. A five year deal would have made the Giants' signing of Zito last year look inspired by comparison -- and I spent last season laughing at Giant fans for the Zito deal. So no, this deal doesn't tie up the team financially in the long term, but it's another example of Colletti's incompetence and McCourt's baseball ignorance.

If all he does is stop the hemorrhaging of runs caused by Juan Pierre's complete inability to learn his position in a decade, then he's worth it.

Amen to that.

What sport is this again?

I'd also point out that, average aside, dude had 94 RBI, which was is 8th consecutive season with 90+. I don't really care if he's on base, as long as the people ahead of him are and he's sending them home.

"If it doesn't involve a ham and a bone, it's not a sport." ~ scaeagles

Of course, now it looks like the next move might be to offer Matt Kemp up for starting pitching. It'd be a shame to see him go, but it'll be easier to take if they get value back for one young player and not have put Schnidt or Loiza in the starting roation, rather than throwing 3 or 4 prospects for a single bat.

Egads, looks like the Mets are shaping up to be a powerhouse this season. They might have sold their future off, but they tentatively have Johan Santana. That gives them three 15 game winners. And if Pedro's healthy after surgery...yikes.

ETA: Oh yeah, I forgot that Pedro was back for the tail end of last season...and looked like Pedro. Yeah, I think they're in good shape for pitching.