Bet on it: New Dodgers owners will sign Andre Ethier to extension

Ned Colletti wants to sign Andre Ethier to a contract extension?

I’m liking his chances.

Ethier is actually in great position. Think the new ownership group will take over and the first thing they’re going to do is let their second-best position player enter free agency?

Ethier wants to stay in Los Angeles, so this looks almost automatic. The new owners can’t come in and start talking about how committed they are and how they will continue to invest in the team, and then immediately let their two-time all-star walk.

That just wouldn’t fly with the fans. Fans are so beaten down by Frank McCourt’s ownership that they are going to be particularly suspicious and vigilant this time around.

So expect Ethier to be signed this summer. Besides, the last thing they need is for the moody Ethier to get upset and go into one of his funks. Right now he’s healthy, playing great, not being a problem, tied with Matt Kemp for the major-league lead in RBI (22), and the team is winning.

This won’t hurt Ned Colletti’s resume either, should incoming team president Stan Kasten already have someone in mind for the general manager’s spot.

Ethier wins, Dodgers win, Colletti wins. OK, mostly Ethier wins.

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Bet on it: New Dodgers owners will sign Andre Ethier to extension