Is Austin Barnes as Bad as You Think?

March 17, 2024

I am just going to jump right into this one: In 2023, the best Caught Stealing Rate by Catchers was +9. That means that the best catcher was good for +9 Runs Over League Average. Will Smith was -1 Run Below Average and Austin Barnes was -4 Runs Below League Average. If Austin Barnes is one of the worst throwing catchers in MLB, then Will Smith is right there with…

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We Don’t Know What We Don’t Know

December 20, 2023

We know what we know – that’s the easy part, but what about what we don’t know about what we don’t know? That’s the hard part. So, let’s just stick with what we know or maybe think we know. Do you know something I don’t? She’s not in the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame but has had a #1 hit every decade since 1965

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Dodger Bullets from the winter meetings

December 8, 2022

This is the time of year where everyone has an opinion and that means the intelligent and the morons.  Unfortunately, the latter seems to get a lot of play. The calls from some for the Dodgers to break the bank and shell out hundreds of millions on 30 year old stars in deals that pay them into their 40s is beyond insane.  Hasn’t anyone learned from the Pujols deal? Talking…

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What is Wrong With Andrew Friedman?

December 6, 2022

Not a Damn Thing! That’s what’s wrong. He is just failing to make any dope-fiend moves. Now, I want to give you a full disclaimer: It is possible that some of the dope-fiend moves made by other teams could have good short-term consequences (possible, but also not likely). I am not willing to pay off $300 million for 11 years for Freaking Trea Turner! But neither was Andrew Friedman. Max…

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You Can’t Make This %$#@& Up

November 20, 2022

Just how good were the Dodgers in 2022? Well, of course, they were bounced in the first round of the playoffs, so that is all many of us remember. However, a lot went wrong throughout the year. Consider this: How many teams could win 111 games and have their ACE pitch in just 11 games before losing him for the season? How many teams could survive having their closer implode…

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The State of the Pitching… and More

November 12, 2022

Now that the smoke has cleared, we can see pretty clearly that things have changed. Let’s consider what has happened or likely will happen: Craig Kimbrel is gone (YAY); Justin Turner’s option was not picked up; Andrew Heaney is likely gone; David Price allegedly retired; Danny Duffy is likely gone; Jimmy Nelson is likely gone; Blake Treinen is not a factor in 2023; Chris Martin is on the market and…

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Five Problems Facing the Dodgers

October 30, 2022

Every Dodger fan has their own idea of how to “fix” the Dodgers or how to build them for the playoffs. First of all, the Dodgers don’t need “fixed” – they won 111 games and picked a horrible time to turn cold. After leading MLB in hitting with RISP with a .272 BA (Houston was 2nd with a .270 BA), the Dodgers proceeded to hit .147 during their short time…

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Who Knows What Happens Next Year?

October 2, 2022

A better question is: Who cares what happens next year, this year? Here we are with three games to play, and the Dodgers are stuck on 110 wins. Will they lose 50 games this year? It’s a strong possibility. To put it in perspective, the Dodgers are 61 games over .500. There are currently four teams who have not even won 61 games. It will be disappointing if the Dodgers…

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Things That Make You Go “What?”

September 12, 2022

The Rancho Cucamonga Quakes finished the year 68-64 and will miss the playoffs for the first time (not due to COVID-19) since 2014. Scott Hennessey could be in trouble as the manager. The Great Lakes Loon’s season finale was rained out and will not be made up. They finished the season 75-55. On Thursday, they start the playoffs against Lake County in Eastlake, Ohio. If they end up playing Ft….

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What About Next Year?

September 6, 2022

I had already started this blog post when Whistling Ranger (welcome to LADT) posted this: “I look for the Dodgers to concentrate on roster management in the offseason. There is extreme competition for the 40-man roster.  Look for them to trade older players for younger, promising players that they don’t have to protect. If they don’t, they will lose some through the rule 5 draft or have to DFA them.”…

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