Ned Colletti's rope seems to be getting shorter

This could be Ned Colletti's last trade as the Dodgers' general manager.

Frank McCourt isn't going anywhere. Neither is Joe Torre. If the Dodgers fail to make the playoffs, Colletti is the one whose job is on the line.

Yet the Dodgers' issues extend well beyond Colletti, with Saturday's trade offering the latest bit of evidence. The Dodgers, a club that should never be in the business of selling prospects, sold off two pretty good ones for a stopgap third baseman.

Here's the typical tradeoff at the trade deadline: money or prospects. The more money you're willing to spend, the less the cost in prospects.

The Dodgers picked up Casey Blake from the Indians, without spending a dime. The Indians paid the $2 million remaining on Blake's contract, raising the question of why the Dodgers did not pay some or all of that money to ease the hit on their minor league system.

"If anybody thinks we were going to go and get Casey Blake for two non-prospects, they're wrong," Colletti said.

Colletti said he could have added to the Dodgers' payroll if necessary to complete the deal. However, a source familiar with negotiations said the Indians were told that the Dodgers needed any trade to be "revenue-neutral" -- in other words, McCourt would not increase the payroll.

If the owner is playing to win this season -- and a $118-million payroll would suggest he is -- it would be curious indeed to say no to another $2 million.

But, on a team desperately in need of reinforcements since Rafael Furcal's back gave out in May, these are the additions: Blake for nothing, Angel Berroa for nothing and Pablo Ozuna for about $150,000, a prorated share of the minimum wage.

When McCourt raises the price of your season tickets this winter, you might ask why you should pay more when he would not spend more.

"Our payroll is strong," Colletti said. "The commitment is obvious."

Perhaps McCourt has cut off Colletti's allowance. Colletti extended the budget with Jason Schmidt at $47 million, Juan Pierre at $44 million, Furcal at $39 million, Andruw Jones at $36 million, Hiroki Kuroda at $35 million and Nomar Garciaparra at $19 million.

If McCourt does not trust Colletti to spend his money, he should fire him now. If McCourt does not trust Colletti to run the front office, he should do the same.