Colletti To Dodge Another Bullet

Amid a whirlwind of rumor-chasing and finger-pointing in Los Angeles, there's a sense of peace that will come out of the order Dodgers' GM Ned Colletti is determined to set. His chessmates are currently sitting back 4 games of the NL West-leading (cough) San Diego Padres.

Anyone can have a spectacular start to a season. It's April. The pitchers are still finding their grip, hitters are getting their vision focused on seeing better pitches, and managers are understanding their roster and get to play their part in deciding who is getting a better grip and who has their vision pinpointed.

Colletti revealed recently that he isn't pleased with his team's current direction. While there is still 85% of the season remaining, his displeasure with discourse (this team was picked by many to win their division) is evident in his shots taken at the team's most consistent and multi-talented player, outfielder Matt Kemp.

Kemp is having a good start at the plate, leading the team in home runs, and has manned every game in center field this season. Even with the fielding miscues, manager Joe Torre trusted him enough to make him one of only two players to play all 18 innings of Tuesday's doubleheader against the New York Mets (Jamey Carroll was the other). Where does the GM find fault in Matt Kemp?

But this team is struggling defensively and on the mound -- solid pitching has always been a staple for the Dodgers.

Make no mistake, this Dodgers team is layered with young talent. Names like Billingsley, Kemp, Ethier, Kershaw, and Broxton were prospects that now foster a home-grown environment that would make Martha Stewart proud. Colletti is upset with his team's current cellar-dwelling stance the same way a father is upset with his son for not trying his best. Can you fault a guy who's first job in baseball was in public relations?

He's dealt with controversy many times since his hiring in 2005. Colletti once had the hot-headed Milton Bradley dealt for a young prospect named Ethier. He had to deal with Jeff Kent's non-leadership in 2007. He STILL has the Juan Pierre, Jason Schmidt, and Andruw Jones signings...and departures, for that matter (the team is still paying part of each person's salary). Being in 'Mannywood' is nothing short of a drama.

So, now the proper PR move is for Colletti to publicly apologize to Kemp. Then Kemp's agent is supposed to protect his player by reading off the stats and throating the intangibles at us. We'll get the manager's perspective -- which will warrant a neutral statement Bill Clinton would be jealous of. Then Colletti or McCourt will try to hush everything by sitting by the dugout and hugging the players in the clubhouse (which cameras present, of course).

It's so standard. But, you never see the Pittsburgh Pirates in this situation because they don't have the expectations that should be there. The Dodgers are dedicated to winning, they support the system, and they have the right guy leading the rush to October. Cut the guy some slack, he's 'passionate' (as he wants to be referred to as) about seeing his son succeed.

And don't forget. The Padres are in first place.