On the Usefullness of the Mitchell Report

The Mitchell Report contains information about players using steroids, HGH, etc. Here is the run-down of all former Dodgers (major league team only), and the quality of their evidence:



Kevin Brown: Radomski says he supplied Brown with HGH and steroids several times, and even produced a copy of a USPS Express Mail package. Enough to arouse suspicion.

Chris Donnels: Admitted to using steroids, HGH, and other drugs. Check included as well. Suspicious.

Eric Gagne: Mentions LoDuca bought him some the first time and later Gagne bought some himself. Includes USPS Express Mail receipt. Suspicious.

Matt Herges: Referred by LoDuca, wrote "Thanks!" in memo line of check. Probably true.

Phil Hiatt: Bought steroids and HGH, no checks or USPS receipts. Not compelling enough.

Darren Holmes: Told reporters he ordered HGH but never used it. Cut and dry.

Todd Hundley: Radomski sold him stuff and knew him since 1988. Donnels said he talked to him about steroids and Radomski when on the Dodgers too. Prett solid testimony, although physical evidence would be nice.

Mike Judd: Dodgers AAA strength and conditioning guy observed Judd and LoDuca inject each other with steroids. Compelling.

Paul Lo Duca: Letters to Radomski, records, 3 checks in the appendix, and mentions of referrals and injections. HGH and Steroids. A whole lot of stuff on this guy, most likely to go to jail (or at least deserve to).

Adam Riggs: Used HGH & Steroids. Referred by LoDuca. Moneygram and checks. Strong evidence.

F.P. Santangelo: Used HGH & Steroids. Checks. Referred Piatt. Doesn't look good.

Gary Sheffield: Use the cream on his knees, referred to by Bonds, Greg Anderson. Admitted to it, sort of.

Ismael Valdez: Reported by SF Chronicle to have bought HGH. Not enough to go on, but he sucks.

Todd Williams: Radomski said he sold him steroids once in 2001. Not too compelling, but suspicious.

It is particularly interesting how few sources provided so much information, which would lead one to believe that there is definitely more to be found. However, one has to wonder why so much inconsistency for receipt copies, checks, etc for some players over others.

JD Boo-Hoo

JD Drew, who disgracefully is ashamed of his excellent first name, also feels the need to strike back verbally at Ned Colletti, months after bolting for a big fat raise.

Saying it was a business decision, citing job security and not wanting to be traded as his primary reasons for employing the clause, Drew said he did not begin to consider the option until the 2006 season ended.

It strikes me as ludicrous for anyone who is guaranteed a contract to worry about job security. If anything, he was in a position to take over center field in Los Angeles so that James Loney or Matt Kemp could have taken the extra outfield spot. The fact is the Dodgers would not have been nearly as likely to retain Nomar Garciaparra had Drew stayed in LA, and Drew could have even gotten the 3-hitter job. When Bill Plaschke calls for Loney over Nomar, you know something's up.

As for whether or not he would have been traded, the time to trade Drew would have been at the deadline to Seattle for Adrian Beltre, but Colletti decided not to go down that road (good call) and got Wilson Betemit instead, even dumping Danys Baez in the process. As for trading him, think in Colletti terms: the Dodgers would give up a fair amount of power (their leader in homers and RBI last year) as well as a veteran with decent defense (although a declining arm).

Besides, LA was looking to up their pitching staff through free agency and trade for a power hitter, and they'd have to trade Drew for another outfielder. He wouldn't go within the division to Arizona nor to Anaheim, the Mets wouldn't have an attractive enough offering, the Marlins likely wouldn't want to double their payroll for him, the Orioles don't have anyone, the Red Sox wouldn't give up Pena for him, the Yankees wouldn't give up Matsui, the Blue Jays wouldn't budge, the Rangers had nobody. The Phillies? ha! I could see the Reds taking him for Dunn and someone else, but Dunn has one year before free agency. I could also see the Tigers going for him, because they are very weak in team OBP and have Monroe and Thames as potential trade targets, perhaps both. But other than Cincy or Detroit, I would have doubted it, and if Drew specified those teams, then no dice.

Drew opted out because he knew $11 million a year was a bargain on the market for the type of player he is (a poor man's Bobby Abreu). He's a good ball player, and the team OBP will miss him next year. I won't deny that the glossy pages didn't include my last paragraph. But if he's going to say he's offended that Colletti would attack his honesty, and add some bogus window-dressing reasons, then something is wrong.