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Nomar to 3B starting Friday

Nomar Garciaparra is moving from first to third base to make room for James Loney. The move is in response not only to the fact Loney is hitting well enough to play every day, but also to the fact neither Wilson Betemit nor Tony Abreu has hit well enough to nail down the everyday third base job. Grady approached Nomar about the switch yesterday, and, according to both Grady and Nomar, Nomar immediately agreed. Grady said Nomar might still occasionally see some action at 1B, but he was VERY committed to Nomar becoming the primary 3B. Nomar will take grounders at third before all four games of the Arizona series, then probably start there for the first time on Friday night against San Diego. He last played 3B during his season and a half with the Chicago Cubs (2004-05). This time, he has five days to make the transition. That time, he had one day -- the day he was traded to the Cubs by Boston, with whom he had always played shortstop.

Comments

Finally! A move that makes sense for the next 10 plus years! Loney is ready... Defensively and offensively, we become stronger with this move. Now what to do about Kemp, who is kicking down the door as we speak. What of Ethier, who is maturing into a solid all around ballplayer. This does nothing more than give added flexability at the rapidly approaching trading deadline (Zambrano?)

Kemp and Ethier everyday, one in right, one in center. JP becomes pinch-runner, designated sacrificer in late-inning situations guy, a la Dave Roberts for the '04 Bosox.

this is a great move by Grady!!! Now. like TCHANEY said, Kemp needs to play everyday...we may not need to trade for a bat...maybe Ethier for a pitcher? Buehrle would be nice....or Willis??

We don't need a starting pitcher. Billingsley and Kuo have better stuff than anyone we could hope to acquire for a reasonable price.

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TONY JACKSON

Tony Jackson is in his fourth season covering the Dodgers for the Daily News, his eighth season as a full-time Major League Baseball beat writer and his 13th season covering MLB on regular basis. He is a native of Springdale, Ark., and a graduate of the University of Arkansas, although he refuses to root for the Razorbacks again until Frank Broyles is finally out of there. Tony is single and has a daughter who lives in Colorado. His hobbies include working out, reading and taking winter vacations with his daughter to non-MLB cities, usually in Mexico or the Caribbean. And he LIVES to blog.
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