Reaction, Colletti Interview

Dodgers GM Ned Colletti was my guest on Home Turf Wednesday in preparation for his keynote speech Saturday at the BC Hot Stove Dinner. I will have the audio posted shortly in case you missed it but what an interview indeed.
I was really impressed with Colletti's candor when it came to things like his bullpen, the free agent market and of course Manny Ramirez. When it comes to Manny, Colletti has had his fill on questions this off season, but when he broached the subject, I had to ask.
The response was surprising, but yet at the same time exactly what Dodger fans want to hear. The Dodgers have offered what they are going to offer, Manny wants to be a Dodger, they want him to be a Dodger and that's where they stand. On the flip side Colletti said the Dodgers will play next season...with or without him. Colletti has been trying to juggle Manny-Mania this off season while working to fill other free agent gaps. The team made headway when Rafael Furcal and Casey Blake were re signed, but I think they've let a little bit of their pitching staff slip (Lowe, Saito etc) while the wait out the Manny situation. Guillermo Mota was a nice sign today but I think LA is a few starters and middle relievers away from being where they need to be.
As Colletti pointed out, the NL West will be stacked with pitching this season, Peavy in San Diego, Lincecum in San Francisco,Webb in Arizona, some of the best hurlers will be in the West this season, LA has to land a Randy Wolfe, Jon Garland or a Braden Looper in order to compete. Manny is great and all but you need pitching to win out west.
Hopefully Dodger fans are satisfied with the interview, Colletti covered all the bases and appears to have a plan. If that plan includes Manny, better sooner than later before that pitching pool dries up and LA is left hoping the sales of Manny hats and dreads makes them enough cash to counteract a third place divisional finish.