Rant and Rave Saturday

March 10, 2018

Kenta Maeda appears close to mastering a changeup, which could help him pitch deeper into games.  We will see. Kenley Jansen did not make his appearance yesterday due to a tight hamstring.  Hopefully it’s just tight and not pulled. The Dodgers have 18 players OPS’ing 1.000 or more.  That’s sick!  Kyle Farmer leads the way at 1.579. Toles and Verdugo have shown they belong although Verdugo wil likely go to…

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I Am So Happy Darvish is Not a Dodger!

February 10, 2018

I was never a fan of Yu Darvish… until he became a Dodger.  Then, I rooted for him. To me he screamed “underachiever!” OK, maybe I am wrong, but I think that a professional pitcher north of 30 should understand what “tipping pitches” is and should be savvy enough not to do it.  Yet, Darvish tipped his pitches or just plain chocked!  Well, tipping pitches is choking too, so there’s…

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FAZ and Unpredictability

November 28, 2017

Anyone who really believes they know what the Master Plan is could be delusional.  One thing I have learned is that one never knows in what direction FAZ goes.  Did anyone truly believe that FAZ would have signed all three 2016 FA?  Most did not even think Hill was a consideration, and that FAZ would only sign one of Jansen and Turner.  I thought that Turner would come back (LA…

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Return on Investment – Risk vs. Reward

November 7, 2017

Many have posited (including me) that the depth the Dodgers have generated were critical in their march to 104 wins. I have also written that the depth needs to be pruned at times so that the organization will continue to grow by clearing the way for new prospects or ML 25 man roster help.  That is why I had no problem with sending Jharel Cotton, Grant Holmes, and Frankie Montas…

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Just Another Middle Infield Prospect – Errol Robinson

August 5, 2017

Last Monday when the Dodgers acquired Yu Darvish, Tony Watson, and Tony Cingrani, the Dodgers traded four players from their top 30 prospect list; Willie Calhoun, Brendon Davis, AJ Alexy, and Oneil Cruz.  That opened the door for four new members of the Dodgers top 30.  Jacob Rhame returned to the top 30 and #is now listed at #28.  Three new members of the top 30 are: #27         Cristian Santana…

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And the Beat Goes on…

August 2, 2017

This is almost getting silly.  Are these guys even capable of losing, let alone a losing streak?  If they just win 2out of the next 4 games they will surpass that impossible streak of 42-8 when Puig first flew in. We could look at what the playoff rosters might look like, but it’s way too early.  I have a feeling there will be a few twists.  Will Watson pitch like…

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Friedman Doesn’t Blink!

July 31, 2017

The FAZ-bashing had already started after the Trade Deadline came and went, and all the Dodgers had done was acquire two left-handed relievers, who at first blush, looked like they might be qualified to be batting practice pitchers.  On the MLB channel the bashing had started: “If not now, when?”  Then, it was announced that the Dodgers had acquired Yu Darvish, and the FAZ-Bashers crawled back into their holes. Here’s…

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What Value Do Other Teams Place on Dodger Prospects?

July 31, 2017

So yesterday the Cubs acquired Justin Wilson and Alex Avila from the Tigers for Jeimer Candelario and Isaac Parades and a PTBNL. Candelario is the #92 MLB prospect, but Parades is the guy the Tigers really wanted. Baseball insiders think Parades has a chance to be a special SS.  The Cubs needed a catcher like Avilia so this fills two spots for them.  The Dodgers had no need for Avilia,…

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Clayton Who?

July 26, 2017

The Dodgers won about 68% of their games when Clayton Kershaw was on the roster and now have won 100% of their games without him. Why the heck do we need this guy anyway?   It seems like it’s a new man or men every night… stepping up to do the job.  Kenta Maeda did his job for 5 innings and the pen nailed it with Josh Ravin pitching 3…

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I Am No Kool-Aid Drinker

July 25, 2017

I am an unabashed and unapologetic supporter of FAZ.  They have built a tremendous team and know how to utilize a full 40 man roster to their advantage because they have the depth to do so.  I also believe that a winning TEAM is greater than the sum of the individual players.  Clayton Kershaw is special.  There is no question of that.  But he is one of 40, and I…

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