Two Conundrums: Gavin Lux and Miguel Vargas

March 16, 2024

There are perhaps no players who are are polarizing as Gavin Lux and Miguel Vargas. Everyone has an opinion it seems… and they vary wildly. Both are players who have defensive challenges and who have bats that could be special. First of all, the Dodgers value Gavin Lux’s bat. I agree with that 100%. He could be a very special player. Gavin has always seen himself as a shortstop. The…

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The Dodgers Player Development Machine

March 12, 2024

Under Andrew Friedman’s leadership since 2015, the Dodgers have a winning percentage of . 623 (845-512), including a franchise record 111 wins in the 2022 season as well as a club-best . 717 winning percentage during the shortened 2020 season (43-17).There is a lot more to the Dodgers Player Development that just coaching and one-on-one sessions. Entering his tenth season with the club after being named to the post on October 14,…

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Margot and Glasnow – New Dodgers

December 16, 2023

Not all trades work out. Specifically, I am talking about Ryan Pepiot and Jonny LeDuca for Tyler Glasnow and Manuel Margot. It’s easy for a fan to look at a glass half full or a glass half empty. I prefer to think that there is no glass. Every trade is “Risk vs. Reward.” In the instant case, the Dodgers traded Ryan Pepiot (a prospect), who at best was a #3…

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Peeling the Onion

December 10, 2023

I find it humorous that some of you think I was hiding yesterday after the Ohtani signing was announced. I would urge you not to judge me by your proclivity to hide when you are faced with what you may believe is adversity. First of all, this is baseball… not real life! Nobody died, and nothing terrible happened. The Dodgers signed Shohei Ohtani, and that is it. I did not…

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Fake News

December 9, 2023

For about a year, I have been predicting that Shohei Ohtani will not be a Dodger. Until proven wrong, I stand by that… STILL! On November 11th, I wrote this: “Everyone seems to revere Ohtani as “God-like,” and while he is an amazing talent, I think any team that is determined to sign him is going to regret it very much. I believe you are going to see him start…

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Reality Check

December 3, 2023

We have already talked about the significance of the Winter Meetings beginning today in Nashville. I feel the odds are pretty good that by tomorrow, there may be some significant movement, but you can never be sure. Any team is one blown-out elbow away from a ruined season. The Yankees of 2023 were a prime example of that. Their signing of Gerrit Cole continues to be outstanding, but the acquisition…

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How to Build a Great Rotation

November 20, 2023

Many… or at least some Dodger fans believe that this Winter, the Dodgers will do something they never have under Andrew Friedman and sign two or maybe even three starting pitchers to long-term deals. Let’s get this over with right now: It is not happening! If you look at Andrew Friedman’s past history, you will see that he rarely gives out long-term contacts – Mookie Betts was the lone exception….

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AF’s Most Important Offseason? 

November 16, 2023

Coming off of two straight epic post-season meltdowns, is this Freidman’s most important off-season since he took over?  I get the impression from reading many baseball blogs and websites that the Dodgers fan base wants something really big and really dramatic.  I get the impression that half-measures and signing fringe guys is not going to satisfy the average Dodger fan. I see a lot of no more Peralta’s and no more…

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Let This Sink in!

November 12, 2023

Since 2019, the National League Pennant Winner (in a full season) has been the team with the Worst Record that was in the playoffs. Let that sink in for a minute. What does that mean? Let’s look back at the records: 2019 – Washington Nationals – 93-69 2020 – Dodgers won in the COVID Partial Season while playing the most rounds ever! 2021 – Atlanta Braves -88-73 2022– Philadelphia Phillies…

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Shohei Ohtani and Nincompoops

November 4, 2023

Why Shohei Ohtani is not Coming to the Dodgers It is fun to think about Ohtani in the Dodgers lineup. There is a lot of talk about marketing opportunities, reaching the Japanese population, and jersey sales. However, let us not forget that the Dodgers put more butts in seats than any other team and already are a marketing dynamo. I seriously doubt that signing Ohtani will improve the bottom line….

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