By DIAMOND LEUNG, The Press-Enterprise

Jason Schmidt threw only 10 of 21 pitches for strikes in last week's spring training "B" game. When a reporter asked about his command, he responded with barbs.
"Is that a question?" the veteran Los Angeles Dodger asked. "Really, you want to know?"
He laughed. He appeared happy.

Los Angeles Dodgers owner Frank McCourt and general manager Ned Colletti made a new two-year, $45 million contract offer to Manny Ramirez during a 2-1/2-hour meeting with agent Scott Boras at Dodger Stadium on Wednesday, according to a baseball source familiar with the negotiations.

As Joe Torre gathers his entire team together Thursday for the first time this spring, the Los Angeles Dodgers manager has said he might make light of doubling this winter as co-author of "The Yankee Years."

Blake DeWitt's hometown of Sikeston, Mo., experienced an ice storm last month that hit with enough force to cause millions of dollars in damage and a major power outage.

The Los Angeles Dodgers took a second stab at re-signing Manny Ramirez by extending the slugger a one-year, $25 million contract offer, according to a baseball source, but the offer was turned down late Monday.

Citing the unpredictable state of the economy, Los Angeles Dodgers owner Frank McCourt hinted Tuesday that the team would be reluctant to sweeten the two-year contract offer that would have instantly given Manny Ramirez the second-highest annual salary in the game.

LOS ANGELES -- Manager Joe Torre certainly knows how to finish, and his Los Angeles Dodgers apparently developed that mentality as well in becoming National League West champions.

LOS ANGELES -- Frank McCourt said fans have voiced their desire for him to re-sign outfielder Manny Ramirez, but the Los Angeles Dodgers owner sidestepped questions even about his interest level in doing so.

Some 70 minutes before Sunday's first pitch, Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Russell Martin adjusted the clubhouse stereo system at Denver's Coors Field and began bobbing his head. Manny Ramirez walked by clapping his hands, repeating the Lil Wayne song's refrain. "Sky's the limit," he said.

LOS ANGELES -- A good magician won't reveal his secrets, but Greg Maddux wouldn't even acknowledge that during his first go-round with the Los Angeles Dodgers, he had put on a spectacular display of his baseball smarts.