Satisfied Texas, Regressed Dodgers

"Dodgers chose the past, instead of the future."

The LA Times critically reported on 21st that the LA Dodgers made a two-year contract with elder Nomo Hideo, giving up the long-term contract with younger Park Chan-Ho (28). On the other hand, Park Chan-Ho told frankly in the joining ceremony with the Texas Rangers on 23rd that there was no club other than the Texas that invited Park.

Who made a right choice between the Dodgers who brought back Nomo, and Park who opted for the Texas?

Even though Park said that there was no other option for him, his contract can be considered as the best `win-win trade`. The best quality starter Park is a pitcher who can earn over 20 wins in a single season, if he can get more run supports. The Rangers is the very team that Park has been seeking for, because it possesses the best powerful sluggers with poor pitching staffs. It is in the same vein that the Texas released Rick Helling and Darren Oliver who recorded barely 0.500 winning percent even though they earned over 10 wins, and it recruited Dave Burba and Todd Van Poppel to construct a new starting mound. And newly-acquired closer John Rocker will also be an advantage for Park, even though he created trouble because of his racist utterance.

On the other hand, the Dodgers is expected to be stuck with the stigma of trade loser. Even though it acquired starters Nomo and Omar Daal, and one of best bullpen pitchers Paul Quantrill, it appears difficult to fill up a vacancy after releasing best right-hander starter Park Chan-Ho, promising starter Luke Prokopec and closer Jeff Shaw who earned 43 saves this year.

Meanwhile, the New York Yankees added more weight on powerful hitting line-up by acquiring this year`s best free agent Jason Giambi and third baseman Robin Ventura. The New York Mets strengthened its power by signing starter Shawn Estes and bullpen pitcher Mark Guthrie as well as ML best second baseman Roberto Alomar who can guarantee 20 home runs, 100 RBIs and 0.300 BA every season.

The Boston Red Sox, who had suffered from senile starters, acquired three starters John Burkett, Dustin Hermanson and Darren Oliver to relieve the burden of ace Pedro Martinez. And it signed slugger Johnny Damon to hold the balance between offense and defense.

On the other hand, the Oakland Athletics, which recorded the most wins following the Seattle Mariners in the American League this season, released Giambi and Damon, and acquired only David Justice, causing the decline of offensive ability.

Hwan-Soo Zang zangpabo@donga.com