Another Concussion Victim Back on the Market.

In news that potentially affects the dodgers offseason plans, the brew crew declined their option on third baseman Corey Koskie.This makes Koskie a free agent and the dodgers do have a glaring hole at third.

I'm not for signing Koskie as a starting third baseman.  Ned should take a cue from one of his successful strategies like he did in signing Mike Lieberthal as Russell Martin's backup.  Most likely, ARod is probably the first third baseman pursued.  If Ned fails to obtain ARod, plan B (or C if Ned really would trade for Garrett Atkins) would seem to be to hand the job to LaRoche.  In this scenario, Koskie would be a great fallback option at third base if LaRoche continues to experience back problems or falters at the MLB level proving he's not the next long term dodgers third baseman.  

Koskie, like Lieberthal would be someone the dodgers wouldn't need to be a full time starter. If Koskie can reproduce his '06 numbers in limited at-bats he'd be a good gamble if he's willing to settle for 1-2 million and is willing to come into a situation where he might see little to no playing time.  On the other hand, a possibility for a good amount of playing time with Nomar being brittle and LaRoche being a little gimpy exists.

Koskie's big question is the status of his health.  Will he even be able to play?  What if he can't play when we need him?  It is this gamble that makes his minus a plus for the dodgers.  His post-concussion syndrome woes are the reason he may accept a backup role and a one year, backup player's salary in order to re-establish his ability to perform.  The dodgers could be a desirable fit for Koskie because there are health questions surrounding Nomar and LaRoche which would mean more potential starts for Koskie.

His plusses are:

1. Power, a major dodger shortcoming.  
2. He's a lefty that hits righty pitchers well, complimenting Mike Lieberthal, a right handed batter that mashes lefties off the bench.  He may make Sweeney expendable.
3. He'd be coming in on the cheap.  
4. He could easily outperform his contract if healthy. 
5. He'd only want a one year commitment.
   

His minuses:

1. Health
2. Willingness to be a backup
3. Relatively expensive for a backup

I don't think this is all that likely to happen but it is probably an option the team will consider and maybe discuss with Koskie to see if there's a fit.  If I were a betting man I'd put a 15% chance of them signing him.

God, the offseason is so boring right now that I have to write about Corey freakin' Koskie who didn't even play last year!

/storms off a la Napolean Dynamite