Colletti

The Dodgers should not be talking about Jerry Sands this season, other than to wish him well. The kid was playing for the Great Lakes Loons this time last season. In a happier time and place, the Dodgers would just let him grow. In this time and place, with their offense all too drearily resembling the one from last year and their resources all too limited, the Dodgers might have to turn to the kid and hope for the best. The Dodgers began play Saturday with an offense that ranked among the bottom five in the National League in runs, home runs, on-base percentage and slugging percentage.

NASHVILLE - The Dodgers offered a long-term contract to South Korean left-hander Ryu Hyun-jin on Tuesday that was promptly rejected, General Manager Ned Colletti said. “Predictably, it fell a tad short,” Colletti said. Colletti said he didn't know how the Dodgers would proceed in the negotiations. [Updated at 5:35 p.m.: Ryu's agent, Scott Boras, said he presented the Dodgers with a counteroffer. "We exchanged offers, and negotiations continue," Boras said. ] Boras, said his client should be compensated like a major league No. 3 starter.

Is there a pattern about to be broken? These things can be so hard to do. General Manager Ned Colletti just loves his journeymen backup catchers - Dioner Navarro, Brad Ausmus, Gary Bennett, Rod Barajas, Mike Lieberthal, Sandy Alomar, and of course, Matt Treanor. Like it's a requirement. Something to cross off his annual winter check list. It's understandable, really. A team needs a dependable, veteran catcher it can count on to put behind the plate once a week or so, and feel confident the staff is in capable hands.

Brandon League is coming, but who's going? The Dodgers announced their trade for the veteran right-handed reliever after Monday's game, but not how they would make room for him on their roster. They don't have to make the actual move until League arrives Tuesday. History says one reason for delaying the corresponding move on the eve of the nonwaiver trading deadline is the Dodgers are still working on another trade. A current reliever could be part of still another deal prior to Tuesday's 1 p.m. trade deadline.

Reliever Brandon League has finalized a new three-year deal with the Dodgers, a person with knowledge of the situation told The Times. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the deal isn't expected to be announced until Wednesday. Financial terms of the contract were not immediately known. General Manager Ned Colletti said last week that re-signing League was one of his top priorities. The Dodgers bullpen posted an earned-run average of 3.23 this season, fourth-best in the National League and eighth-best in the major leagues.

Think you're smarter than the average bear? Smartest bear in the den? Smartest bear somebody's ever met? You haven't met Stan Kasten. Zack Greinke said when he met privately with General Manager Ned Colletti, Manager Don Mattingly and Kasten prior to signing his six-year, $147-milliion contract, he came away dutifully impressed with the Dodgers CEO and part owner. “I don't want to make his head too big, but I thought Stan Kasten was like the smartest guy I've ever talked to,” Greinke said at his introductory press conference Tuesday.

PITTSBURGH — Tests on Jerry Hairston Jr.'s sore left hip showed "no glaring tear, nothing big" and the utility man is feeling "a lot better," Dodgers head trainer Sue Falsone said Thursday. Hairston, 36, was put on the 15-day disabled list Monday after the hip problem, which had been bothering him for several weeks, grew considerably worse. The test results were "definitely encouraging," but the Dodgers were sending the results to two hip specialists "so they can take a second and third look at it, just to make sure we're not missing anything," Falsone said.

NASHVILLE - Would the Dodgers' 2013 season be a failure if the team did not win the World Series? Stan Kasten leaned forward in his chair. The Dodgers' president was one of a handful of team executives listening in as General Manager Ned Colletti briefed the media Tuesday. "I'm waiting for Ned to answer," Kasten said. "I want to know the answer. " The Dodgers arrived at baseball's winter meetings hoping to sign Zack Greinke, and they would not be surprised to leave in the very same position.

Good thing Dodgers General Manager Ned Colletti has such an affinity for versatile players. He likes to say the National League demands it, but it's a philosophy that's never been more difficult to argue with than now. The Dodgers lost second baseman Mark Ellis to a strained quadriceps injury Friday night, and although the extent of the injury won't be known until after he undergoes an MRI exam on Saturday, prospects are less than promising....

TUCSON - While General Manager Ned Colletti tried to downplay the anticipated eight-week absence of Hanley Ramirez, Dodgers Manager Don Mattingly acknowledged he was concerned about the left side of the  infield. “To be honest with you, I'm not comfortable with anything that's going on at short right now,” Mattingly said. Luis Cruz or Dee Gordon will replace Ramirez at shortstop. Gordon is viewed as having a higher ceiling but also a lower floor. If the inexperienced Gordon is chosen, Cruz can play his more natural position at third base.