On most issues, 51s still on hold as season opener draws near

Nick Christensen

Thursday, Feb. 19, 2004 | 9:53 a.m.

February started as a month full of questions for the Las Vegas 51s, and as the month nears an end, it appears as though most will go unanswered.

The new Dodgers ownership and front office haven't made their plans for their Triple-A franchise clear yet, the Dodgers have yet to hire a farm director, and Caesars Entertainment's attempt to purchase the Montreal Expos have put negotiations for a new minor-league ballpark in Henderson on hold.

The only real news for 51s general manager Don Logan was bad news, in that the Texas Rangers will be without American League MVP Alex Rodriguez when they play two games against the Colorado Rockies in early April, after Rodriguez was traded to the New York Yankees for second baseman Alfonso Soriano this week.

Logan, however, did his best to put a positive spin on things.

"He was arguably the most high profile player in the game, for a number of reasons," Logan said. "But Soriano's a great young player, he hasn't refined his game to the point where A-Rod has, but he probably will."

Logan added that the Rangers are playing their first ever exhibition games in Las Vegas, and that ticket sales have been "solid" for this year's two exhibitions.

"It's major league baseball, and Las Vegas' chance to see major league baseball without having to leave town," Logan said. "(The Rockies) have Todd Helton, and Larry Walker, and Preston Wilson, you've got some real marquee type guys, the Rangers have some good young guys."

Less than a week later, the Dodgers' "young guys" return to the field when the 51s open their season April 8, hosting the Portland Beavers.

Logan said he expects this year's 51s to include catcher Koyie Hill, outfielders Shane Victorino and Wilkin Ruan, infielder Ricky Bell, and pitchers Edwin Jackson and Greg Miller.

Jackson is the highlight of that group, but is also high on the trade wish lists of other major league teams that might be willing to send new Dodgers GM Paul DePodesta offensive help for the top prospect.

Jackson made his major league debut on his 20th birthday in September, earning a 2-1 record with a 2.45 ERA in four games with the Dodgers.

"Everybody in baseball would want to trade for Edwin Jackson, and you can say 'Well we can go out and get a couple quality hitters for a pitching prospect like that,"' Logan said. "This guy might be the next multiple Cy Young winner coming down the tube."

But even if Jackson is traded, or if he starts the season in Los Angeles, Logan said that he plans on focusing this year's marketing on reminding Las Vegas the caliber of play at Cashman Field.

Logan added that he plans to market the Dodgers' affiliation more intensely than in years past. But, with several player development contracts expiring at the end of this season, including the Dodgers' with Las Vegas, this may also be the Dodgers last season with their Triple-A team in Las Vegas.

Pacific Coast League officials last year repeated their commitment to keeping a Triple-A franchise in Las Vegas, but former Dodgers executive vice president and general manager Dan Evans, who was let go last week, said last season that if the 51s did not find a new home or improve Cashman Field, the Dodgers might end their four-year affiliation with the Las Vegas franchise.

Logan said he had not yet spoken with anyone with the Dodgers' new ownership or with DePodesta, but plans to meet with them at spring training next month.

There were reports last season that some kind of announcement regarding a new stadium, believed to be planned for vacant land near the Galleria Mall in Henderson, would be made before spring training.

But reports last month that Caesars Entertainment was in talks to buy the Montreal Expos and move them to a new ballpark behind the Paris Hotel put any talks about a new stadium for the 51s on hold.