National League Prediction Part Two

the Mets are built to win in 2006.  The Dodgers are looking to stay competative until their young players mature.  The Dodgers are clearly inferior when it comes to the lineup and the rotation.  If Gagne is healthy then the Dodgers could have an advantage in the bullpen.  The Dodgers would have to keep it close and hope that their bullpen could win some close games, but Im not sure they could even get it close.  Of course a lot can happen over the course of the season, but right now the Mets are clearly superior.

The Dodgers have no business getting involved with Manny Ramirez.  Lets for a second assume that McCourt is willing to take on his contract.  The Dodgers whole strategy over the last couple years has been to win with the core of homegrown talent later in the decade.  Manny is only getting older, and moving to Dodger Stadium isnt going to help his offense.  Getting Manny would be a win-now move that would burden the payroll in the last years of his contract (if he isnt already), when the Dodgers actually figure to be a real contender, assuming they didnt trade some future stars in getting Manny.