Could the Manny Suspension be Good for the Dodgers?

Manny Ramirez of the Los Angeles Dodgers has been suspended by Major League Baseball today for 50 games for using hCG, a women's fertility drug. This is a huge hit to the whole LA Dodgers organization. But I think this may be a silver lining for the Dodgers.

Yes, they lose a guy who makes their whole lineup better from top to bottom. The front office loses their biggest marketing tool within Dodger Stadium. But here is why this could be a good thing in the long run. The Dodgers do not have to pay Manny for 50 games, which puts them right around the All-Star break. It's not like LA doesn't have a quality lineup without Manny - and they are in a division that is winnable without their star outfielder. They still have Orlando Hudson, Matt kemp, Andre Ethier and Russell Martin. Their staff still has Chad Billingsley and Clayton Kershaw - a very good 1-2 punch.

Also a good thing - Manny will be healthy for the stretch drive and will only have to play a limited amount of games during the dog days of summer. So, when he comes back - he is going to be 100% - and that will be scary for everyone in the NL West. Plus, with the Dodgers saving around $8-$10 million dollars by not having to pay Manny - this team can now go out and add either another quality starter to an already deep starting staff, or strengthen a bullpen that looks like has a big time stopper in Jonathan Broxton. And who knows, with the economy the way it is - they might be able to go out and add a big time impact bat to add to the lineup - how much scarier can that lineup get?

So if the Dodgers can stay in the race through the All-Star break - I think this team will be an even greater favorite to come out of the National League and go to the World Series.