NASHVILLE -- The addition of Andruw Jones could end up providing the Dodgers with more than a bat in the middle of the lineup and 10-time Gold Glove winner in center field. The agreement of a two-year, $36.2-million deal that General Manager Ned Colletti confirmed Thursday could also net the Dodgers an extra arm in their rotation or bullpen.
"It makes our quest for starting pitching more focused, perhaps even more possible," Colletti said as he was preparing to leave the winter meetings.
Jones hit only .222 last season, but Colletti noted that his power numbers remained solid, as he hit 26 home runs and drove in 94 runs. Colletti said that Jones' bat made him "a little bit more" comfortable with his options at third base, the declining Nomar Garciaparra and the unproven Andy LaRoche.
"If something comes along that we know is definitively better, we'll take a shot," Colletti said. "But I don't want to use what I may have to use for pitching to take care of that."
The Dodgers have inquired about Baltimore Orioles left-hander Erik Bedard, but a deal for him probably would take a multi-player package that included Matt Kemp.
"We are not of the mind to give up three or four prospects for one player, I'll tell you that," Colletti said. To move Kemp, Colletti added, "I'd have to have a conversation where my jaw drops. It's got to be something you can't say no to. I haven't heard anything like that. In fact, teams have stopped asking."
That seemed to imply that Andre Ethier could be dealt for a mid-level pitcher.
The Dodgers could also bolster their rotation by landing Hideki Kuroda, a free-agent right-hander from Japan. Kuroda is set to visit Los Angeles next week, along with Seattle and Arizona. The Dodgers and Diamondbacks have offered Kuroda three-year contracts; the Mariners have offered a four-year deal.
Acquiring Kuroda would allow the Dodgers to use their extra outfielder to add a middle reliever, which Colletti said is another top priority.
Serious talks for Andruw Jones commenced Nov. 19, the day Jones' agent, Scott Boras, said he and associate Mike Fiore met with Colletti and Dodgers owner Frank McCourt at Dodger Stadium. The group met again at the ballpark Nov. 25, this time with Jones and Dodgers Manager Joe Torre in attendance.
Boras said he had in mind a seven-year deal and Colletti admitted that upon hearing his demands, he thought he had no chance of signing Jones.
