'Your papers, please' must never be heard in America
Here it is: the final weekend before baseball's winter meetings begin Monday in Dallas. It's been more than a month without any baseball and it'll be just over two more before the Washington Nationals pack up and head down to Viera, Fla. to start the 2012 season anew.
Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Rafael Furcal will rejoin the team Saturday to have his knee examined and could return to the field Monday in Houston if all goes well.
The first player Ned Colletti acquired in a trade after the Los Angeles Dodgers hired him as general manager in 2006 was Andre Ethier, a little-known outfield prospect from the Oakland Athletics.
Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Rafael Furcal is likely headed for the disabled list Tuesday after breaking his left thumb sliding into third for a fifth-inning stolen base in a 6-1 win over the San Francisco Giants on Monday night.
Capsules of National League teams, listed in order of finish last year:
"Last year he started off real hot, too, and I thought he was a triple crown candidate," said teammate Aaron Miles, who spent last season with St. Louis. "His swing is as good as it can be. He's short to the ball and long through it. I mean, if you wanted to copy anybody in the game, he'd be probably one of the best swings you could ever copy."
