Hello everyone,

Just reading this rumor from the LA Times here that the Dodgers may consider parting with OF Andre Ethier for a mid-level pitcher.

I wonder if RHP Sean Smith would have sufficed/will suffice (if he's not traded for Carroll.)  If not (and I admit, Smith probably wouldn't be enough,) would trading someone like Lee and a minor prospect do it?  What if you substituted Sowers or Laffey in place of Lee (though I'd prefer dealing Lee if possible)?

I'm not entirely sure of Ethier's control rights, but I'd think that his first full season was in 2006 that he would be under team control for at least another 2-3 seasons (could be wrong on that.)  Plus, he seems to have decent power and will only be 26 in early April.  He probably also wouldn't cost as much as Bay and would add another LH hitter to the lineup (though that would take away from Dellucci's ABs - would it be possible to include Dellucci in the trade along with Lee, maybe for Ethier and a lower-level prospect?)

You can see his stats here.

Just a random thought that came to me when I read that piece - sorry if the Ethier idea has been mentioned before.