The Dodgers are taking their talent-hoarding beyond the baseball diamond.
The team has made good use of its cash since agreeing to a TV deal with Time Warner for its new regional sports network, SportsNet LA. With the deal reportedly worth between $7 billion and $8 billion, the Dodgers have had no trouble splurging in trades or acquiring free agents over the last couple of seasons.
Now, with the network due to launch in 2014, the Dodgers are loading their booth with talent, too.
Nomar Garciaparra has been hired as a commentator by the team, the Los Angeles Times reports. A California native, Garciaparra played three seasons for the Dodgers as he was wrapping up his 14-year Major League Baseball career before becoming an analyst for ESPN. With the Dodgers’ network, Garciaparra is expected to provide commentary for pregame and postgame shows.
The Dodgers are also hoping to lure former Los Angeles pitcher Orel Hershiser to the new network, a harder prospect considering he’s the centerpiece of ESPN’s Sunday night broadcast. His contract is due to expire soon, though.
Garciaparra played for four teams during his MLB career, but he’s best known for starting his career as a slick-handed shortstop in Boston, where he played for nine years.
Photo via Twitter/@DonAngelito
