Has San Diego Caught The Dodgers?

January 25, 2021

There has been a lot of talk by MLB fans in general how the Padres may have caught the Dodgers.  On the East coast, most in NY and Atlanta believe they have better 26-man rosters.  Dodger fans of course take offense at such a charge.  None of the four teams are finished completing their rosters, but I thought I would take a more in depth look at a Dodgers/Padres comp,…

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2021 Hot Stove League ???

December 28, 2020

Editorial Comment – This post was written prior to the Blake Snell acquisition by the Padres. The longer this offseason goes without much movement, the more likely AF is going to get involved. The number of teams that want to jettison payroll is growing  and is undoubtedly going to pique the interest of teams like LAD.  While it will stress out fans who continually want to see something happen to…

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The Marketing of Players

November 29, 2020

This is the time of year when we hear that teams will be listening on potential trades for Player A.  However, most of the time those proclamations are simply rhetorical.  The Brewers have said they are willing to listen to offers for Josh Hader.  The Rays will be listening on offers for Blake Snell.  The Reds will be listening on offers for Sonny Gray.  The Cubs are listening on offers…

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AC’s Musings

November 13, 2020

We need to end this myth that Mookie cannot hit LHP.  Over his career, against LHP, Betts is slashing .297/.379/.509/.888.  Mookie’s career against RHP – .302/.372/.526/.897.  Those seem like even splits to me.  Over his career, Mookie has faced RHP 76% of the time.  I think it is more likely that Betts was unfamiliar with NL LH pitchers, and after a year on a new team and a new league,…

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After 25% of the Season

August 10, 2020

I was not sure how I was going to write my column for Monday.  It was looking ugly for a while, but with a pair of 3-run HRs by AJ Pollock and Mookie Betts, the Dodgers turned a potential disaster into a win. Typical Dodger win with the long ball.  In the three game series, the Dodgers scored 17 runs, 14 of them directly from seven HRs. I know that…

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More Rants Than Raves

August 8, 2020

I was hoping to sit down on my patio deck to watch the Dodgers vs Giants when I realized that I could not get the game on MLB.TV.  I was already in a foul mood when I had to come into the house and listen to Krukow and Kuiper.  I then watch Urias once again nibble instead of going at the hitters.  For the first time this year, I am…

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Nice Comeback Win to Knot the Series

August 5, 2020

First observation, this is a much different game for the Dodgers without Mookie Betts.  They are still talented enough to win, but he sure does make it much easier.  Seager and Betts seem to have been carrying the team on this trip, and the spark just seems to have gone out without Mookie.  The pitching matchup for Tuesday night was the one expected for Monday. Two of the brightest MLB…

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West Division Starting Pitching

May 16, 2020

Earlier I listed the teams in each of their proposed divisions.  At the time, it was anticipated that the Braves and Pirates would switch divisions, but otherwise the two West divisions, the two Central divisions, and the two East divisions would join together to form a single West, Central, and East division.  The starting pitching in the West figures to range from terrific to bad to really bad.  The Dodgers…

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Collusion or Just Frugal and Prudent

December 2, 2018

So far, this year is beginning to mimic last year a bit. There has been some movement, but it is for the lesser thought of FA or in one case a player who wants a bigger pay day next year (Josh Donaldson).   It seems that a lot of teams are looking for the trade route first before even considering a high cost FA. Look for Harper and Machado to…

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Spring Training is Just Like Christmas in February.

February 13, 2018

Okay now that Yu Darvish is signed, sealed, and delivered to the Chicago Cubs, who is the next domino to fall?  21 of the top 50 are still unsigned, and 6 of the top ten.  Interestingly, 5 of those 6 are represented by Scott Boras (JDM, Hosmer, Arrieta, Moustakas, and Holland).  Is it collusion, or is it anti Scott Boras?   So what does that mean for the Dodgers?  The…

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