Maddux and Lugo join the Dodgers

Say good-bye to Cesar Izturis, Joel Guzman, and Sergio Pedroza, and welcome to Greg Maddux and Julio Lugo.

Even after the speculation (here and elsewhere) that Maddux might be traded, I am taken aback that we have this legendary pitcher on the staff. Sure, he isn't the same player as in years past, but it's a hall-of-famer out there.

Which struck me yesterday -- the Dodgers have a few likely hall-of-famers on roster at the moment, with Maddux, Nomar, and Jeff Kent the obvious ones, and some other possibilities both on and off the DL. Yes, we're not the Yankees where you can't swing a cat without hitting a future Cooperstown resident, but still, not too shabby.

Talented Julio Lugo joins a crowded infield. While not a defensive upgrade from the departing Izturis, he is definitely a more potent offensive threat. I don't know much more about him than can be found on his MLB player page, but from what I've read, this surprise move (the Dodgers weren't even rumored to be after him) might work out quite well. Even if he is a rent-a-player for the last couple of months of the season and winds up leaving after, we would still get a couple of good draft picks as compensation -- making up in some way for losing Guzman and Pedroza.

Speaking of Guzman, I am not sad to see him leaving. Despite the buzz surrounding him last year, the team's opinion of him has fallen off dramatically. My opinion, after seeing him play at the 51s game I was at in June, was pretty low -- his choice not to railroad a catcher in an important situation (instead just walking into the tag produced a chorus of boos from the stands) soured him for me. Play the game.

I would like to say I will miss Cesar Izturis, and I will to some degree, but it's been expected for so long that he was leaving that it seems a bit anticlimatic now that it's happened.

So the push begins. Will the Dodgers be able to win the chaotic NL West Division race? Can't wait to find out!

UPDATE

Jose Cruz Jr was designated for assignment today to make room for Lugo on the roster. Given his production, I can't say I'll miss him much either.