OF Shane Victorino dealt to LAD

LOS ANGELES -- The Dodgers added veteran outfielder and leadoff hitter Shane Victorino to their collection of stars in a trade with the Phillies for reliever Josh Lindblom and Minor League pitcher Ethan Martin on Tuesday, according to a source.

Club chairman Mark Walter said last week that the Dodgers weren't finished bolstering their roster after trading with Miami for infielder Hanley Ramirez, and they still aren't, as talks with the Cubs for starting pitcher Ryan Dempster continued Tuesday.

Victorino, 31, gives the Dodgers a proven leadoff hitter with disruptive base-stealing skills. He isn't quite the equal of injured shortstop Dee Gordon for sheer running speed, but has considerably more pop in his bat and stays in the lineup as a switch-hitter.

Victorino is a three-time Gold Glove center fielder, where the Dodgers have reigning Gold Glover Matt Kemp. But Kemp told the club he would move to left field if it meant acquiring a player like Victorino, who hasn't played left field since 2006.

A two-time All-Star, Victorino returns to his original club. The Dodgers drafted the native Hawaiian in the sixth round of the 1999 First-Year Player Draft, then misjudged his potential and twice lost him in the Rule 5 Draft.

The Padres selected Victorino from the Dodgers in 2002 but returned him in May 2003 when he was batting .151. Victorino played in the Dodgers' Minor League system the rest of 2003 and the entire 2004 season, but was left unprotected again and was selected by the Phillies in the 2004 Rule 5 Draft.

Victorino will earn $9.5 million this year and is eligible for free agency at the end of the season, but the Dodgers are thin in Major League outfield prospects, and considering Victorino's age, might be inclined to re-sign him.

When Gordon returns from a torn thumb ligament next month, he's likely to bat eighth in the order when he plays.

Ken Gurnick is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Dodgers realized most of their prospects are !! and they're swindling desperate teams into giving them pieces. Ned Colletti is doing work this week. Let's see if it ends up being worth a damn.

damn, they should put the cherry on top & just go for dempster

Dodgers look nice on paper.

Vic
Ellis
Kemp
Ethier
Hanley

Dodgers look nice on paper.

Vic
Ellis
Kemp
Ethier
Hanley