Ned Colletti has been busy. Last night in the 7th inning of the Dodgers/Diamondbacks game there was a buzz in the press box that a trade was upon us. One reporter thought he could actually see John Garland shaking hands with his now former team mates in the D'Backs dugout while the name Jim Thome was being mentioned among the whispers. Could the Dodgers have acquired them both?
A few minutes later, Dodgers PR Director Josh Rawitch came in and informed us they did indeed acquire Thome and Garland and Ned Colletti would be available to take questions. We all know the Dodgers were looking for Pitching help, but another big bat? Ned Colletti said he was looking for another Matt Stairs who could come off the bench and be productive in the playoffs. Interestingly enough,Thome called Ned and told him to keep him in mind because he wanted to come to the Dodgers and help out wherever he could. Regarding Garland, that was one of the strangest moments I have ever been a part of as a reporter. After the Dodgers game was over, the media who was already in the Dodger locker room were asked to stay there because John Garland would be right over...from across the hall. Garland sheepishly walked into the "Otherside" to greet reporters. He told us that he was told in the 7th inning to go in, take a shower and pack his bag because he was just traded to the Dodgers. I asked John if he knew anyone in the Dodger locker room and he said "No". Just then James Loney came over and welcomed him. I also welcomed him into the "Otherside". I caught up with Joe Torre in the elevator and asked him if he has ever had a player walk to the "Otherside" during a game. Torre said, "Not one who is going to start against his former team in a few days".
So the Dodgers add two more to the fold. In exchange, a minor leaguer will go to the White Sox for Thome. Colletti would not say who will go to the Arizona clubhouse in exchange for Garland. The big question remains, will someone in the Dodger locker room be walking to the "Otherside"?
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