From: MLB Notebook

Even after Vicente Padilla pulled a Plaxico Burress by shooting himself in the leg, the Dodgers have expressed interest in bringing him back to Los Angeles next season.

I'm not here to debate whether or not someone who shoots themself is smart enough to be a MLB pitcher, but to ask one single question: Is it worth it for the Dodgers to bring Padilla back?

The Dodgers currently have 2010 options on both Padilla and Jon Garland worth $22MM combined, and it doesn't take a genius to figure out that they won't be picking either of them up. With only Clayton Kershaw, Chad Billingsley, and Hiroki Kuroda under contract in the rotation, the Dodgers are likely to make a big offer to Randy Wolf for another season or two.

Assuming Wolf returns, the Dodgers staff lacks one thing - an ace. The staff is filled with starters of a number two or three quality, but nothing that scares you going into a playoff series. The deep rotation filled with talent is great in the regular season, but it doesn't do much in the playoffs. Unless Kershaw continues to make major improvements and Billingsley gets his act together, the Dodgers are looking at an early round exit again.

The only real ace in play this offseason is John Lackey, but even he wasn't great this year. However, a move to the NL would likely correct that, allowing him to look great again. Do the Dodgers really want to spend that kind of money on a starter? I have two alternatives for them, who will probably cost less than Lackey, combined.

Ben Sheets - Everyone seems to forget he'll be around this offseason. While his injury history is extensive, he has great stuff and knows how to pitch in the NL. He's getting up there in age, but I think you can bring him in on a one year deal with an option for the second. He shouldn't cost too much in terms of base salary, and the incentives he could reach would be well worth it.

Erik Bedard - Another forgotten free agent. While he is likely to stay in Seattle, I'm sure the prospects of winning a title in L.A. could lure him into Dodger Blue. He is utterly dominant when healthy, but hasn't been for a couple of years. A cheap one-year deal is all he needs, and he could help anchor the rotation for 2010.

So, where does Vicente Padilla come into play? If the Dodgers bring him back along with Wolf, they will have five starters on the payroll in 2010, leaving them without the big game pitcher they need. While I think Padilla will find work in the NL after his playoff performance, he is what he is - a back end starter.

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