With an off-day on Thursday, and a big series coming up this weekend against the Giants, it felt like the right time to begin introducing our readers to the new members of the 2007 Los Angeles Dodgers. So, with apologies to Stephen Colbert, below is Part One of our 436-Part Series, "Better Know a Dodger". And who better to start with than perhaps the most anonymous of Dodgers, shortstop Wilson Valdez.
Better Know a Dodger . . . Wilson Valdez
A Cut Below
It's disconcerting that the Dodgers were outclassed this week by both the Cardinals and Braves, arguably the NL's two best teams.
Can't Touch This
Now, LAist knows not to make too much of a great early season start. But consider that the Dodgers have managed to play fantastic baseball without Eric Gagne, Brad Penny, or Wilson Alvarez yet. To all of those Dodger doubters, who think using new innovations and technologies to build a baseball team is foolish, you can admit that Paul DePodesta probably knew what he was doing. Even ESPN Analyst and Moneyball doubter Harold Reynolds publicly apologized on Baseball Tonight.
$36 Million is not Lowe
LAist confesses that its always been a Derek Lowe fan. The guy has great stuff, and rose to the occasion in the postseason this year for the Red Sox. But $36 million for Lowe seems excessive for a guy who has basically had one good year as a starter. So why are the Dodgers guaranteeing him four years?
Colon Cancer
Arte Moreno has been getting a lot of praise for opening up the checkbook this offseason, but teams like the Mets, Orioles, Rangers, and Dodgers could tell you that spending money does not always guarantee success. You have to spend wisely.
Dodgers Hitting the Wall
These are tough times for the Los Angeles Dodgers. They just went through their second long losing streak of the season, finally beating the Angels 10-5, but find themselves three and a half games behind the Giants and in third place.

