For the last two years former Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti repeatedly told Dodger fans and the media that having an abundance off All-Star-caliber outfielders was “a good problem to have” – this in spite of all of the eye rolling and head shaking that Colletti’s comment generated. And even though Dodgers new President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman used this same comment during his October 17 introductory press conference and had reporters saying to themselves “Here we go again,” on Wednesday Friedman threw the media and Dodger fans a bone about his intentions regarding the crowded Dodgers outfield and the likelihood that a trade may be imminent.

“I think that’s most likely the best course of action,” said Friedman at the General Managers Meetings currently underway in Phoenix. “Things play out in different ways with injuries and everything else, but as we try to configure the best 25-man roster, I’ll be surprised if it’s not in a way to move an outfielder to address an area that’s not as deep.”

Now granted, this is not exactly a black or white answer but it is far less gray than anything that Colletti ever gave us. It does, however, bring us right back to the very focal point of the outfield situation: Who goes and When?

Who goes?

Although Friedman dodged these questions in a Colletti-esque manner, he did follow up with a couple of interesting comments about his current crop of outfielders – comments that will undoubtedly get the rumor mill flowing.

Regarding Matt Kemp:

“Obviously what Matt’s capable of doing is significant in this day and age with the run-scoring environment the way it is, his ability in the batter’s box is different.”

Okay… that was weird. It sounds like an endorsement to keep the 30-year-old Midwest City, Oklahoma native, who had an absolutely sensational second half of the season.

Regarding Carl Crawford:

“In my mind he had a good year. He’s an incredibly talented player.”

Ditto for the 33-year-old Crawford.

Even though Friedman did not comment on Andre Ethier or Yasiel Puig, Fox reporter Ken Rosenthal and his ever-present (and often unreliable) “sources” did – via Twitter:

Based on what Friedman told reporters on Wednesday, Rosenthal’s tweets are anything but prophetic – of course someone has to go. But if Rosenthal’s “sources” are correct about Puig not being in play, we’re right back to the same old same old – it’s either Kemp, Crawford or Ethier. And based on Friedman’s comments about Kemp and Crawford it’s looking once again like Ethier is the guy – it’s déjà vu all over again.

As far as salaries go, things are a bit more in focus. Puig is owed $24 million over the next four years, Ethier $56 million over the next three years, Crawford $62.25 million over the next three years and Kemp $107 million over the next five years. If Puig truly is out of play, that makes Ethier’s contract the least painful for Mark Walter and the rest of Guggenheim Baseball Management group to eat – but painful nonetheless. But here again, if Rosenthal is right about teams wanting a left-handed hitter, the Dodgers could get a serious return in the way of prospects for the 32-year-old Ethier.

Although there is no way of knowing who or when Friedman and Dodgers new general manager Farhan Zaidi will pull the trigger on an outfielder trade, one has to believe that it will happen relatively soon – perhaps as early as December 8 – 11 when the 2014 MLB Winter Meetings take place in San Diego.

Stay tuned…