By David Vassegh

On Monday evening at Dodger Stadium the Dodgers wrapped up their 2 day organizational meetings with all of the Baseball Operations Dept., including scouts from all over the world. Magic Johnson, Ned Colletti, Tommy Lasorda, and Stan Kasten all addressed the staff over the last 2 days. After it had all concluded, I caught up with Dodgers Manager Don Mattingly, GM, Ned Colletti and Senior VP of International Scouting, Bob Engle, who had input on the Dodgers making the bid on Korean pitcher Ryu Hyun-jin. Here are some of the highlights from our converstations.

-Ned Colletti squashed the internet rumors that he has talked with any teams about Andre Ethier.  "I talked to Nez (Ethier's agent) about 2 weeks ago when the first of the 50 tweeters went viral...I haven't entertained it, I haven't called anybody, I haven't taken a call asking."  Listen to the Audio

-The Dodgers have doubled their International scouting staff to compete with other clubs overseas.

-Ned Colletti on adding starting pitching:

Colletti wouldn't name any free agent by name, but he is looking at some of the top free agent starting pitchers to add to the rotation. Zack Greinke, Anibal Sanchez are expected to sign the biggest deals. Colletti is also still exploring trade possibilites to add starting pitching. At the trade deadline, Colletti was in talks with the Cubs for Matt Garza, he may try that again. James Shields of the Rays is also a possibility, Shields is owed $10.5 million this season from the pitching rich Rays, they may want to unload him at the trade deadline before he becomes a free agent at the end of the season. Colletti also was in talks for Ryan Dempster before he was traded to the Rangers. Dempster is now a free agent and could be had for the right price, but he is talking with the Cubs as well to return to Wrigley.

-Don Mattingly on where Hanley Ramirez will play.  SS or 3B?

"If Hanley is willing to work at short, it ends up being the best scenerio for us right now.  He has to be willing to get better, that's not a real big secret for us." Listen to the Audio

-Don Mattingly on Mark McGwire being his new hitting coach.

"After we talked hitting and this specific situation, I called Ned right afterwards and said we don't need to talk to anybody else, this is our guy, I felt that strongly." Listen to the Audio

-Bob Engle, Dodgers Sr. VP of International Scouting on Korean pitcher, Ryu Hyun-jin:

"He's built similar to David Wells, I'm not associating his ability to David Wells, but he is definitley someone who can be a contributor with a Major League Club...He's a pretty well accomplished and polished pitcher"  Listen to the Audio

-The Dodgers are promoting their AAA Hitting Coach, John Valentin to become the Assistant Hitting Coach to Mark McGwire.