Where’s Mookie?

February 9, 2020

My grandkids enjoy playing “Where’s Waldo”   That is until they don’t.   You see, while you think it would be easy finding a nerdy-looking bespeckled man, dressed in a bold red and white striped shirt, wearing a red and white beany, the artist has made a career out of crafting immense visual puzzles, complete with mammoth oceans of people, spiraling buildings, and mythical beasts that make spotting the elusive Waldo an…

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Some Thoughts on the Trades

February 6, 2020

AC made a very interesting comment In his Feb 5th article when he mentioned that Joe Kelly and Andrew Friedman most likely already had discussed the sign-stealing of the 2018 Alex Cora Boston Red Sox team.   I have a hard time believing that the Dodgers would go forward with the Betts acquisition if they suspected a high level of malfeasance on his part.  On the other hand, it makes me…

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Is That BOLD Enough?

February 5, 2020

I was in the middle of a meeting with our outside CPA’s discussing tax strategies last night when a colleague busted in and told me the Dodgers just traded for Mookie and Price.  That is all he knew at the time.  Unsure who went in the deal.  He just knew that I wanted the Dodgers to get Mookie.  My meeting broke up shortly thereafter and I went back to my…

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The Best Pitching Staff in Baseball

February 1, 2020

Disclaimer: I am not saying that the LA Dodgers have the best pitching in MLB. However, the possibility exists that they COULD. They certainly have the quantity… the quality is in question by some. At the age of 28, he won the CY Young and the MVP with a 24-5 record and a 2.40 ERA. Over the next few years, here was his ERA: Age 29 – 2.64 ERA Age…

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An Iconoclast Looks at MiLB Contraction

January 23, 2020

One of the many definitions of an “iconoclast” is someone who strongly opposes generally accepted beliefs and traditions. Some people think inside the box. Others think outside the box. I prefer to think there is no box. I am an iconoclast. I readily admit it and even embrace it. While the entire Dodger Fandom was attacking Andrew Freidman (pick a day… any day), I was embracing his tactics. I still…

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The Mookie and Price Dilemma

January 6, 2020

I know that many are afraid of a Betts/Price trade because of the financial concerns for David Price, and I can understand that.  So I went back and looked at the Nick Punto trade (I know Mark’s favorite subject); a previous time when the Dodgers assumed a huge financial obligation for a perceived benefit.  I pulled the below article: https://www.beyondtheboxscore.com/2018/3/29/17104518/gonzalez-beckett-crawford-red-sox-dodgers-trade-retrospective One of the lines that caught my eye was when…

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Let the Young Pups Play

January 5, 2020

Puppies . . .  who doesn’t love them?   Part of the charm of puppies is training them and teaching them to help them along the way in their growth to dogs.  “Raising a puppy is not necessarily easy, but it’s an adventure that’s full of rewards as you develop a deep bond with your pup that will last throughout his life. A lot of patience and a little extra effort…

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Stealing From Theo…If Not Now, When?

January 4, 2020

It is time for a little Devil’s Advocacy.  I have been an unapologetic fan of Andrew Friedman and what he has accomplished, and just as critical as to what he has NOT accomplished.  I was critical when AF did not beat out the Astros offer for Gerrit Cole before the 2018 season.  The Astros traded a #5 SP in Joe Musgrove, a decent but unceremonious 3B, Colin Moran, a RHRP…

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Who Really is Blake Treinen?

December 31, 2019

Let’s get this out of the way: The Dodgers have a closer… his name is Kenley Jansen. He had an off-year in 2019 and the Dodger coaches, as well as Kenley himself, believe he will return to form in 2020. It’s not like this has never happened to other relievers before. Even the greatest ones (well maybe except Mariano Rivera) had off-years. The great Trevor Hoffman had many up and…

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Who Will Be LAD #2?

December 29, 2019

I cannot see the Dodgers signing Josh Donaldson.  He reportedly has two pending four year deals (Twins and Washington).  But the Braves have right of last refusal (meaning that is where he wants to play), but they are going to need to guarantee that 4th year, which they are contemplating right now.  There is no reason for the Dodgers to continue to chase their tails here.  JT is a quality…

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