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Mailbag: Focusing on free agents
Beat reporter Ken Gurnick answers fans' burning questions
By Ken Gurnick / MLB.com


Why were the Dodgers so surprised when J.D. Drew opted out of his contract?
-- Vinny G., Philadelphia

I guess there were 33 million reasons why. It's a lot of money to walk away from, although Drew's agent, Scott Boras, knows there's a shortage of hitters in this year's free agent class. And Boras knows free agent salaries historically explode immediately following a new collective bargaining agreement. Which is why Boras had that escape clause available for this year, not after the 2005 season or next year.

Of course, general manager Ned Colletti knew all of this, too. Although Drew never gave any prior indication of executing the clause, history shows he and Boras have exploited any financial piece of leverage they can find. It dates back to Drew's amateur days. If the club was actually counting on him for 2007, a phone call to Boras at any time in the past month might have eliminated any element of surprise.

Colletti's annoyance probably has more to do with losing Drew as a bargaining chip to trade than losing the 100 RBIs per season. Now Colletti has neither. While 100 RBIs cannot be easily dismissed or replaced, especially when nobody in the Dodgers lineup besides Drew could produce that this past season, they should be able to get more bang for 33 million bucks. They have flexibility at a time when they are attempting to fill three significant holes. And not to bash Drew, who is a productive player, but he now has to play safety-first to protect his brittle body, and his power dropped to only 20 home runs -- even though he made it through the year relatively healthy.

Are the Dodgers really thinking of letting Eric Gagne and Nomar Garciaparra leave? I'll bet Gagne will be healthy and ready.
-- Arnie L., Valencia, Calif.

A few years ago, the Dodgers bet $55 million that Darren Dreifort would be healthy -- and he wasn't coming off three operations, as is Gagne. Now is not the time for the Dodgers to tie up money with Gagne, considering his uncertain health. They need to focus their attention on the top priorities of two hitters and a starting pitcher.

As for Garciaparra, he wants to stay local, but he also wants a multi-year contract. As well as he played in the first half of 2006, he fell back into his pattern of injuries in the second half. Again, the Dodgers have higher priorities, and signing Garciaparra now would limit their flexibility. They can't afford to be limited by money or position. When decisions involve millions of dollars, it's best to set emotions aside, especially when dealing with players who have sustained multiple injuries, no matter how popular they are.

Which free agents would the Dodgers receive compensation for if they leave?
-- Larry H., Welches, Ore.

The Dodgers' Type A free agents are Drew, Julio Lugo, Greg Maddux and Gagne. Their Type B free agents are Garciaparra and Kenny Lofton. The Dodgers would receive compensation for any of those players signed by another club if the Dodgers offered that player salary arbitration. It is impossible to predict what round the compensation pick comes from until all free-agent signings are completed. Type B free-agent compensation is now in the form of a sandwich pick as opposed to direct compensation from the signing club.


How do Ned Colletti's trades rank?
-- Art W., Westchester, Calif.

The best ones: Andre Ethier for Milton Bradley and Antonio Perez; Greg Maddux and cash for Cesar Izturis; Marlon Anderson and cash for Jhonny Nunez; Wilson Betemit for Danys Baez, Willy Aybar and cash. The worst ones: Toby Hall and Mark Hendrickson and cash for Dioner Navarro, Jae Seo and Justin Ruggiano; Ben Kozlowski for Cody Ross; Lugo for Joel Guzman and Sergio Pedroza; Seo and Tim Hamulack for Duaner Sanchez and Steve Schmoll.

Whatever happened to a Minor League catcher named Nixon?
-- Charles M., Oklahoma City

Mike Nixon was a third-round draft pick in 2002, drafted as a catcher although he had a scholarship to play quarterback for Arizona State. He spent four years in the Dodgers' farm system, then quit and enrolled at Arizona State, where at age 23 he is now a walk-on freshman linebacker and backup placekicker.

Are James Loney and Matt Kemp making progress toward securing full-time jobs while playing winter ball in the Dominican Republic?
-- Jose M., San Diego

Not judging from their stats. Both players got off to very slow starts. Through Thursday's games, Loney is hitting .237 and Kemp .194. At this point, Loney has a better chance of making the Major League club than Kemp, but it's way too early in the offseason to get a true read on either of them.

Ken Gurnick is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.