Tragedy in Manhattan and Nomar

The baseball world lost one of its family members yesterday. Yankees pitcher Cory Lidle died Wednesday afternoon in a tragic plane crash, a plane he was piloting. He leaves behind a wife and a six year-old son. My deepest sympathies to all who knew and loved him.

The LA Times' Bill Plaschke had a great article on whether or not the Dodgers should re-sign 1B Nomar Garciaparra. Plaschke argued that with Nomar's injury history, his potential price tag (probably 2-3 years at about $7-8 mil per) and with young James Loney ready for full-time duty, the Dodgers should just move on and use that money on a slugger or another veteran starting pitcher. And I couldn't agree more.

Although Nomar is a great clubhouse presence, a walking billboard for hardwork and determination, and a clutch hitter; you can only really count on having him healthy for 100-125 games. And more importantly, 1B phenom James Loney is ready, willing and able to play a full season at the Major League level. Loney batted .380 with AAA Las Vegas this year and in a few short stints (a total of 102 AB's) with the big club, he hit .284 with four homeruns and 18 RBI. And, oh by the way, also led the team with three RBI's vs. the Mets in the first round of the playoffs.

The Dodgers will be a young team in 2007 with Loney, outfielders Andre Ethier and Matt Kemp, catcher Russell Martin and pitchers Chad Billingsly and Jonathan Broxton. But with youthfulness comes a cheaper price tag. And if second-year GM Ned Colletti can use his remaining resources on quality veterans to surround his youngsters, the Dodgers can certainly have aspirations higher than the first round of the playoffs in 2007.

Other rumors, news & notes:

• The Chicago Cubs have inquired about the availablity of San Diego Padres manager Bruce Bochy. GM Jim Hendry inquired about Bochy before hiring Dusty Baker four years ago, but was rebuffed. He joins the short list of replacements for Baker with Lou Pinella and Joe Girardi (also highly coveted by the Washington Nationals)
• The Texas Rangers have narrowed their search for a replacement for the recently fired Buck Showalter to bench coach Don Wakamatsu, Oakland third base coach Ron Washington, NY Mets third base coach Manny Acta and manager Trey Hillman of Nippon Ham of Japan's Pacific League. None of the candidates have any managerial experience at the Major League level
• Former Orioles (in 2004 - never signed) and Devil Rays 2005 #1 pick, pitcher Wade Townsend is back pitching for Tampa Bay after a two-year battle with elbow problems. The almost 24-year old Townsend, who helped lead Rice University to a National Championship in 2004, will begin his comeback with Single-A Columbus of the South Atlantic league.
• Rumors have been swirling of a possible Jeremy Bonderman-Mark Texeira deal this off-season. The deal makes sense for the pitching-starving Rangers, however, I'm not sure if this is the right move for the Tigers. If 2007 is the year Kenny Rogers finally tails off and is a sophomore slump for Justin Verlander, the Tigers would really miss having Bonderman anchoring their rotation.