A few days ago breaking news announced that the Dodgers had signed left-hander Casey Crosby to a minor league contract with an invitation to Spring Training. It might not be seen as breaking news for the Dodger faithful who have suffered through a long World Series Championship drought but I expect it is to the 31-year-old Crosby who was born one month before the Dodgers clinched the 1988 World Series on October 20, 1988. His is a classic story, one of many among young men who have chosen to follow the nearly impossible road to MLB that is littered with a variety of potholes waiting to derail careers.
His career aspiration to become an MLB player started during his high school years and continued along a very difficult road to his invitation to 2020 Spring training with the Dodgers. Crosby was born in Maple Park, Illinois, a small town in Kane County which is about an hour’s drive west of Chicago. He graduated from Kaneland High School in his home town.
His row of potholes began in his sophomore year in high school when he suffered a torn meniscus in his throwing arm. Bounce back number one then came in his junior high school year when he returned throwing almost 90 mph up from 80 mph before his injury. The increase in velocity was attributed to a growth spurt at age 17 as he began to fill out his now 6’5”/225-lb frame. All of a sudden scouts showed up from all corners to watch him pitch as he garnered numerous awards including the Gatorade Player of the Year in the State of Illinois. Additionally, scholarship offers came in from universities far and wide but he committed to close to home… The University of Illinois in Chicago.
A signing bonus of $748,500 lured him away from the University of Illinois and he was signed by the Detroit Tigers in the 5th round in 2007. It was expected that he the might go higher in the draft
Then came pothole number two. Shortly after reporting to the Instructional League, the then 18-year old hurt his elbow and as a result, he underwent the now commonplace Tommy John surgery. He sat out the entire 2008 season with the exception of 4.2 innings at the end of August. Lightning does strike twice in the same place. When he reported to Spring Training in 2009 his velocity had again elevated, this time to 98 mph.
“It’s absolutely bizarre. I can’t explain it,” said Crosby referring to being able to throw 98 mph. “You see growing up guys throwing 98 mph and you’re just like wow. How can somebody do that? The ball just looks like it’s jumping off their hands and now I’m throwing 98 mph, it’s very bizarre.”
He bounced right back in 2009 with the West Michigan Whitecaps of the Class-A Midwest League, going 10-4 with a 2.41 ERA and nearly a strikeout per inning. His ERA would have been league-leading but he was short a few innings of qualifying. His WHIP was 1.13.
Pothole number three limited him to 12.1 innings in 2010 at the start of the season. This time it was a “tired arm”, a baseball term that means the pitcher has tweaked something but doesn’t quite need surgery. It is never good and Crosby was then shut down for the year with the Tigers trying to protect his 21-year old arm.
He did bounce back in 2011 pitching, but not as convincingly as before, the most innings he has pitched in any season tossing 131.2 innings for the Erie Seawolves of the Class-AA Eastern League. He next played two seasons with the AAA Toledo Mud Hens of the International League with mixed results. That is, with good strikeout numbers but high ERA’s and too many walks. He did have a brief MLB experience in 2012 starting three games with the Tigers while pitching 12.1 innings and allowing 15 earned runs.
Pothole number four came in 2014 when he pitched only 17.1 innings before he was released by the Tigers. Briefly signed by the Red Sox he was released by Boston in April of 2015.
Enough is enough so Casey Crosby left the game he loved and did not play any ball in 2015 and 2016. In his words, “I was mad at the game,” said Crosby, “I didn’t watch baseball in 2015 or the regular season in 2016,”
“It was really hard,” Haley Crosby said. “I could see he felt like he lost his identity. We didn’t watch baseball or talk about it. It was like he didn’t know what the next step was. He stopped working out, wasn’t talking much and finally told me he was done.”
During his two years away from the game, he spent time with his family, worked in a bank and finished a college degree in accounting at Northern Illinois. Although he didn’t watch any regular season baseball, he did tune in to the 2016 World Series as he and his wife Haley had grown up Cub fans. “I watched those games and couldn’t take my eyes off it,” he said. Although he remembered all too well the pain the game had inflicted on his arm, Casey Crosby again had an itch that needed to be scratched. He opted to try to catch on with an independent team so he could be close to home to finish his degree.
He took a new approach to the game in preparation for another try at mission impossible. His wife took the next step, researching a diet that was designed to naturally help reduce inflammation.
“Gluten-free, no more dairy, red meat, and a lot less processed sugars,” he said. “No cheese and cheese comes with everything. Now, it’s mainly chicken and pork. Fish is OK, too, but a lot of it is too light for me.”
He studied video of pitchers who were able to remain healthy and worked on his mechanics, changing his arm slot and trying to shorten his delivery.
In a July 2017 tryout arranged by his agent for a dozen major league scouts, his fastball was clocked in the mid-90s but he needed to show more. He signed with the Lincoln, Nebraska, Saltdogs of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball in early August and pitched in relief for six weeks. Over 16.2 innings he posted a 2.16 ERA. The stats were not the most important achievement for Crosby.
“The main thing was I was pain-free,” he said of his 16 appearances. “That was my goal.”
His bounce-back was a signing by the Minnesota Twins for the 2018 season and posting a 2.95 ERA at three levels over 17 relief appearances and 21.1 innings pitched. Crosby chose free agency at the end of the season but did not get an MLB bite going into the 2019 season
Continuing in relief in 2019 and in independent ball he pitched 46.2 innings over 42 games posting a 1.74 ERA with 75 strikeouts and 34 walks. .
In an August interview, Crosby indicated that he was ready to go on with his baseball career.
“This is the best I’ve felt in a long time,” Crosby said. “Ever since the surgery, it’s been great, knock on wood.
“I’m feeling great, so great in fact that I’m even considering playing after the season is done, somewhere in winter ball. It’s the first time I’ve known that I can take it on and I’m available to do it.”
One expects that being signed by the Dodgers removes his possibility of winter ball with the encouragement to continue working out in a different manner. Perhaps with Driveline.
What does Casey Crosby have to offer an MLB team at age 31? According to his independent league coach, Chicago Dogs manager Butch Hobson, he is definitely worth taking a second look at.
“I don’t know why, with that arm, somebody hasn’t picked him up already,” Hobson said. “It’s definitely a possibility. It’s one of those things where it’s a matter of them coming to see him pitch,”
“He’s done very well for us,” Hobson said. “He’s a big part of the back end of our bullpen. I like the way he goes about his business. He’s a good guy.
“I like him a lot — great athlete, great arm.”
Crosby is a gamer who has changed his approach to become more efficient and effective at the game while protecting his arm. He is a huge believer in analytics and they have certainly revitalized his career. His spin rate of 2600+ has become more efficient while the vertical movement on his fastball with a significant rise, registers up to 20.8 inches.
Here is a video of him using his 3-pitch mix – fastball, curveball, changeup.
Keeping in mind the following metrics are from a bullpen session, this is how they rank among other MLB left-handers. We might say because of the bullpen session only, they are untried at the MLB level but nevertheless intriguing.
Fastball velocity – 99th percentile
Fastball vertical movement – 96th percentile
Curveball vertical movement – 99th percentile
Still throwing in the upper 90’s, the challenges for Casey Crosby are to replicate these metrics in competition and to improve on his K/BB ratio. Those are mighty big challenges but just another pothole in the road for him to overcome.
Very nice DC, Let´s see what Mr Crosby can do in Spring Training.
Hard to hang in til age 31 without having more success to keep motivated. Love for him to make the active roster.
He has a big mountain to climb but before 1953 it was thought that Mt. Everest couldn’t be climbed. I’ll certainly be pulling for him. The Dodgers like good character players. Casey is certainly one of those.
There’s mutual interest between Bumgarner and the Dodgers, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports. The Dodgers took some time at this week’s Winter Meetings to sit down with Bumgarner’s agents.
It is not about the arm, although his spin rate increased more than any MLB pitcher last year, and we know how LAD loves spin rate. While his velo is not all the way back (and never will be), it did increase last year. But it is the intangibles that he brings. At 30, he is certainly not over the hill, but his competitiveness flame will never be extinguished.
Many have opined that what the starting rotation needs is an innings eater. That is what MadBum does. 6 straight years of 200+IP, two down years due to injury, and then right back over 200 last year.
But even as most point to last year as being a bad year (and it was not pretty), I remember someone telling me that during the Giants 17-3 run last summer, MadBum was outstanding. He started 5 games and pitched 30.0 innings. His ERA was 1.80 with a WHIP of 1.00. The slash line against him was .236/.261/.327/.588. 30 strikeouts against 3 walks. And most important, during those 5 starts…no HR’s, in a year when he allowed 30. But when he smelled the playoffs, he kicked it into another gear.
I do not know how realistic it is, and his dirt bike accident does give me concern. Not the injury, but the selfishness. But the current roster does not have the “take no prisoners” attitude. And maybe the team can learn from MadBum. IMO, I would like to see someone like MadBum (if not MadBum himself) be on the 26 man.
I am not saying the team does not have the competitive juices flowing. Nobody is more competitive than CK or Dick Mountain. But there is no mean streak in any LAD. The FO likes their culture. They have built arguably the best 40 man in all of MLB talent wise, and certainly within the top 5 of the 26 man rosters. But maybe just a little less nice could bring this group what they have been missing.
I know Hawkeye hates the idea, but it is the one area that seems to have been missing. Sometimes it is the attitude that needs a little tweaking.
There isn’t anyone in MLB who competes harder than MadBum and he has admitted that is what gets him to go off on hitters every so often. He doesn’t throw at guys, he yells at them, and to me that makes all the difference.
For the last few years he’s played on a team with no chance to make the playoffs. I’m thinking that if we sign him and he comes to a team that is almost certain to make the playoffs, that alone will make him pitch better.
I vote “yes” on MadBum, but who knows if he’ll vote yes on us. Time will tell.
Great story, but oh those walks. If he can conquer that he could be a spectacular asset for the pen. We could certainly use him. Because of all the stuff he’s gone through and time he’s missed, his body may be 31 years old but his arm age is actually quite a bit younger.
Love these stories DC! I hope this young man finds the success he’s worked so hard to achieve. I’m going to be rooting for him!
Hoping his pot holes are all now patched indefinitely. Kudos to his wife for researching and implementing a diet that helped him. A battler with a good character. Who could not root for this young man? I know I will be cheering him on.
I haven’t read anything about Casey anywhere else, but I know the dumpster diving jokes about Andrew Fraudman will be coming out. These are the guys that many of us on this site root for. As DC said, the road to The Show is hard enough when everything is going well. I hearken back to my son’s journey and to our own LADT’s Phil Jones’ journey in MiLB. I will be cheering hard for young Casey Crosby. I say young because even at 31 he is young to me.
I detest those dumpster diving comments or scrap heap comments. These are young men facing incredible odds and at the same time trying to make a living for their families. They deserve our respect even if we might prefer other players in their place. Casey no doubt will begin the season with the OKC Dodgers and hopefully get a call to the LA Dodgers during the season. Singing the Blues is right. It really depends on limiting his walks.
Limiting walks. Isn’t that the issue for all relievers? Jordan Sheffield has the same problem, as did Caleb Ferguson last year. The difference is that both you and I know that Caleb is a control pitcher, and I fully expect him to get that part of his game back.
Amen, DC.
I don’t mind opposing hitters dumpster diving at pitches low, away, and out of the strike zone though.
Sometimes it isn’t the word but how we use it that matters.
Me too AC. You just have to love this guy’s stick-to-itivness. You just have to root for a kid like this. Whether he makes it or not, I love the effort. His mechanics in the video certainly look good to me. I will keep an eye out for him if is an invitee to ST. Great find DodgerChatter.
Not a lot of guys throw 98 from the left side, that alone is worth looking at. The fastball certainly looks like it stays up or rises. The change seems to look the same out of his arm, and sinks. That’s a deadly combo. The command of the curve looks good. He’s got some tools and the heat that offsets command.
With the addition of Treinen, the 40 man is full, so there will be moves to add any other players. I’m holding out hope that we can still land Donaldson, but I’m not holding my breath.
I read somewhere that the Dodgers think Lux will be as good as Lindor. The only two prospects that I hope are untouchable are Lux and May. Can they get an impact guy without including those two?
D.C. Great story. I’m rooting for Cesey next year. And your point about the dumpster diving is a good one. I have used that term before and won’t again! They are diamonds in the rough for me now
Brings back memories of LH relief pitcher Jim Morris who persevered and finally pitched in the majors just before turning age 36. Hopefully this young man can realize his dream, but have a better career than Morris.
Isn’t there some poetry out there about Casey at the Rubber?
Kershaw is 31 and will make $31M in 2020 and 2021.
Bumgarner is 30.
Would Bumgarner be willing to match Kershaw’s contract and sign for $62M two years?
If he does well, he could still sign a large 3+ year contract after 2021.
Or, will he want a 5 year $100M contract? Dodgers could trade him after 2021 to avoid Bumgarner being a Dodger and Kershaw not.
Sign me up for Bumgarner and Bettances. It’s not like the Dodgers don’t share their roots with the Giants and Yankees.
I’m still in for Archer, Lindor, Torres, and Betts. No, not all of them but I like them all.
What’s wrong with dumpster diving?
My dad always used to say “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure”.
The Dodgers found Muncy and Taylor dumpster diving and that turned out extremely well!! Even if Crosby “only” turns out to be a sixth inning guy it would be quite the find. Definitely worth a shot.
Because most refer it derogatorily and with disrespect. The players do not care, but many friends and family like to visit the site and it is hurtful to them. I cannot tell you the ugly things that were said about my son, many from Philadelphia so-called journalists. I refer to these guys as AAAA players, career minor leaguers, or organizational depth. Casey got a good signing bonus, but many do not. My son got $1,000 and a ticket to Batavia. Take it or leave it. They bust their tails with the odds clearly against them. Especially those with no bonuses because the organization is not financially invested in them.
Just show them respect. They deserve that much, because they are not getting paid.
Giving Mad Bum 31 million would be pure insanity when you could have had Cole for 37. He’s not worth 20 mil to me. We need a number two with big time stuff to pair with Buehler that can shut down a playoff team with a 2-1 win. I’ m intrigued wthnthe Clevinger and Lindor trade and would be willing to part with Lutz and May and others in that deal. That deal gets us up near the Yankees level. Dealing Lutz will,tell us how much AF values Downs. Diamonds in the rough for me AC. I had buddies in the lower level of minor leagues and know what a grind it is!
I was ready to write what Cassidy just wrote above regarding Bumgarner. Of course, not getting Cole does not mean we should not get Bumgarner. But it is pretty striking when we would rather pay a much more questionable pitcher because it is fewer years. It is certainly possible that Bumgarner will get back to his unquestionably great form of past seasons, but it is also possible that he will not, and that the Dodgers will sink the money for three or four years, as they have done with other short term risky acquisitions like Kazmir, possibly the often injured Pollock, and Kelly. Yes, Cole could get hurt, but it is not that likely, and right now he is a great picher. Bumgarner is not, which is why the Yankees went after Cole. On the other hand, we do need a #2 starter, as we do not have one. I just find these quick and inevitable pivots which the Dodgers make every year to be frustrating, and they look like the Dodgers are in another economic class than the Yankees and Angels.
Can’t ignore the velo, hopefully Dodgers catch lightning in a bottle. The next Max Muncy find?
Since I suggested that Bumgarner made some sense awhile back, I still like the idea. I’m guessing the contract will have to be four or five years at around 20 mil a year, but that may not be too far off from what Boras is trying to get for Ryu. I think the Dodgers have some concern about Ryu’s injury history over a contract longer than a couple of years. Maybe they would have gone three years, still may, but some indication that four years is the length. We’ll see.
Ken Rosenthal said the Dodgers won’t give up Dustin May or Gavin Lux because both are controllable and figure into the team’s 2020 plans. They’ve got enough other assets to meet Cleveland’s needs. May be 50/50 something gets done. More complicated with a pitcher in the mix.
Dodgers have a lot of irons in the fire, but they’re seeking high ceiling players only. One or two deals likely to happen in the next few weeks.
Betances would be a nice add.
I am not concerned one way or the other about the Dodgers adding organizational depth or trying to catch lightening in a bottle. I am concerned about improving the major league roster. The reason that some fans criticize management is that they haven’t yet seen improvement to the roster which makes it look like the signing the likes of Crosby is all that they are doing and if true, that would be disappointing.
If the Dodgers sign Madison Bumgarner, for instance, and do nothing else, I would say that they are worse starting the season then they were last year, since they would be replacing Ryu and Hill with a pitcher who has not been as good as either one for the past few years, and I’m not convinced that another broken relief pitcher like Blake Treinen is a difference maker either.
As I suggested the other day, the off-season isn’t over for a few more months but if the season started today, the Dodgers aren’t as good now as they were at the end of last season.
Maybe winning the NL West is enough for people – baseball is like hand grenades and close is good enough. I am looking for the Dodgers to acquire a difference maker, and it hasn’t happened yet.
I’m very impatiently waiting for it to happen and seeing what Mark is talking about.
Since the Dodgers don’t want to give up prospects or spend any money. They can get some players from my softball team to the roster to get them over the hump. Just pay them at a couple hundred dollars or so. Even that might be to expensive for them. Very frustrated with this ownership and front office. I usually don’t feel hate towards a team I love. But these money hungry bastards are killing my love for the team. Be bold stop being a bunch of scared sissies. It’s baseball jeez you aren’t curing cancer.
Great read. Never underestimate the value of heart. Some players make playing MLB baseball look so easy. Few understand that most had to grind it out just to get a shot. My son and I attend dozens of minor league games every year. We’ve gotten to know quite a few players. Some moved through a system like a Taco on Wednesday morning. Others have to grind. Multiple organizations. Poverty level pay. Second, third jobs in the off season. I keep in touch with a 27 year old who was in the Angels system. LH pitcher who touches 96-97. He hit 25 and was written off. He’s been playing in Mexico for the past two years. Every off season the guy dives into conditioning and works on tweaking his mechanics. Flies wherever he must to throw in front of any scout that will give him 15 minutes. Grinding for that one last shot.
There is something to be said for the guys that really really had to work for it. When they do make it, they take nothing for granted. We’ve seen in with Muncy and JT . I don’t think it’s a coincidence they’ve been two of our best bats in the playoffs. Which is also why I nearly threw my remote at the TV watching Machado, in Dodger Blue, jog to first on ground balls. Machado was that deluxe, ghost pepper taco that didn’t even have to wait for Wednesday morning. I’ll take a 10% chance of finding another JT over paying $300M for a 100% chance at a Machado.
There is not better organization in baseball at identifying these guys.
Really appreciate your first hand comments Jayne. Thanks for supporting minor league ball. The heart and soul of teams are usually not the prima donnas.
Make sure your 27 year old friend sees the article on Crosby, Jayne. Maybe that will inspire him to keep going. We all talk about talent in ballplayers, but sometimes we forget how important perseverance is.
I’ll forward him the link. He has an incredibly upbeat attitude. He feels fortunate he’s been given a shot to play AAA in Mexico the last two years. The pay is much much better. You can actually have a life outside baseball. Plus he’s had a chance to play with many former MLB players. Even some pretty big names who won’t hang em up. But I know he’d give anything to go back to making pennies with an MLB organization.
I rarely comment, but James, your comment has prompted this, if these owners are killing your love for this team, please don’t let the door hit you on the way out.
Hear Hear. One can be disappointed and frustrated as are all of us, but to hate ownership that much is not healthy. Win or lose, the Dodgers bring me great pleasure. But I do agree I would be smiling more if they won the last game of the WS.
well said bobo
Spoken like a trained sheep
I think you are the one with the wool over your eyes.
Marl8ns talking to Puig. So possible Mattingly/Puig reunion.
AC mentioned that players, especially minor league players read what is written about them. He speaks from first hand knowledge with his son having played professional baseball.
Here is more proof that AC will appreciate. On January 20, 2015 I wrote this article about Caleb Ferguson.
https://www.thinkbluela.com/2015/01/pitching-prospect-caleb-ferguson-hoping-to-make-dodgers-gamble-worthwhile/
Check out the comment section. Ron was/is on Twitter. I still am not. He posts the link for each article written on Think Blue. Quite often minor league players respond to the article via Twitter.
The best response ever was from Michael Shuba, George “Shotgun” Shuba’s son. Another was from Lisa Hughes, Jim Hughes (50’s Dodger) grand-daughter.
These comments are not intended to turn attention to me. They are to remind folks that players and their families do read what we write, even if in comment sections.
I Mentioned a Dodger minor leaguer last week on a Dodger Facebook page. His sister commented. Very close family from the LA area. They do pay attention.
Morrow back with the Cubs
HE wants to close.
In the Dominican… Going to the game tomorrow. Leones del Escogido vs. Tigres del Licey. They are shooting the movie during the game.
I met the Director of “Winter Ball” tonight at a beach bar with one of the actors and the camera crew. I am invited to the set tomorrow. This should be fun.
I also plan to drop by the Dodger’s Academy.
Here is a somewhat ominous quote from Jorge Castillo:
“Alex Verdugo, rehabbing from a back injury, said he hasn’t started baseball activities. His goal is to be ready for opening day.”
Previous quotes made it seem like things were moving along just great. This leaves some doubt.
That worries me…
Lindor and Clevinger for Lux, May, Verdugo and what else?
Be our guest:
https://www.baseballtradevalues.com/trade-simulator/
A rant, and a relatable rant at that, from Chad Moriyama:
Reasonable fans have been accused of overreaction to this off-season but I honestly feel like we’ve been rather consistent. Dodgers initially spent big in order to try and win while they built the infrastructure for sustainable success.
We defended the team getting to that point because winning the division consistently is the best path to postseason success. They have been undoubtedly wildly successful in laying that foundation, and deserve credit (and have received it) for doing so.
Now they’ve gotten to the point they wanted to before ostensibly taking the next step, a place where they can essentially not sign anybody and still be division favorites.
They have money to spend on impact talent that could push them over the top at minimal cost to sustainability and only hitting profits. They haven’t done that yet, so people are upset that everything clicking has effectively built towards … achieving record profits.
To an extent that’s expected from ownership, but not sure what that reality has to do with whether it’s justified for fans to put the screws to ownership over it. Sorry for the annoying thread, but had to get that off my chest.
Here’s Molly Knight in The Athletic along the same vein:
“In the end, the Angels beat the Dodgers to Rendon, signing him to a seven-year, $245 million contract. Also, the Dodgers reportedly failed to make Rendon an offer, sensing that he didn’t want to play in Los Angeles. A team source told me much of the same, saying simply “He didn’t want to be a Dodger.”
Fans and rival executives are calling B.S. on that, in part because it is difficult to fathom two of the top baseball players in the world leaving money on the table within 24 hours of each other. Ballplayers are hyper-competitive humans. There can be extenuating family circumstances, but 95 out of 100 will take the deal with the most money, period. Plus, the Dodgers win. A guy might take a contract with slightly less money to go to a winner, but that’s not a problem in L.A.”
And:
“Another reason people are skeptical that the Dodgers went all-in on these guys is because it flies in the face of this ownership group’s (and Friedman’s) approach to how they’ve always done business. They have spent money, yes, but they haven’t given out a contract north of $100 million to a free agent since they signed Zack Greinke in 2013 and that was before Friedman got to town. Mega-deals like the ones given to Rendon, Strasburg and Cole are not Friedman’s call, however. They are ownership decisions.”
Finally:
“There are two scenarios at play here, and both are not good. The first is that the Dodgers exaggerated their willingness to spend big on the free-agent market in order to say to fans, “Hey, we tried.” The second is that they were prepared to outbid everyone for Cole and Rendon, but Cole and Rendon did not want to be Dodgers. Fans are stuck on the former scenario, screaming that ownership is cheap and Friedman is a moron.
But isn’t the latter scenario scarier? The Dodgers have won their division seven years in a row. They lead the universe in attendance. They play in the most glamorous city in the world. They have the money to spend. And Anthony Rendon would rather play for … the Angels? The team that hasn’t won a playoff game in 10 years? Yikes.”
Ms. Knight’s 1st scenario seems likely to me – make an offer, even a good one but one that isn’t designed to get the player, get rejected and then say “but we tried” to a frustrated fan base.
Ms. Knight quoted another knowledgeable guy, Eric Stephen who tweeted “There’s a ton of offseason left, obviously, but the Dodgers deserve all the shit they’re gonna get from fans”.
If Chad Moriyama, Molly Knight and Eric Stephen are all questioning the Dodgers’ efforts to obtain elite talent, it’s not likely all smoke.
I found Molly’s article to be odd. It’s like half an article. I wish she would find out:
1. Why Cole chose the Yankees or didn’t choose to re-engage the Dodgers.
2. Why the Dodgers got the impression Rendon didn’t want to play with the Dodgers, and if THAT WERE TRUE, why.
3. If there is any kind of negative league-wide perception about the Dodgers, what it is and what its genesis is.
Otherwise we and her, like William often does, speculate.
I don’t believe most of the conspiracy theories out there. I call BS on the notion that the Dodgers were only feigning interest. Cole grew up a Yankees fan AND they offered him the biggest deal, which is good for the ego. The Rendon thing makes absolutely NO sense to me. But, as you quoted, someone from the team told Molly that Rendon didn’t want to be a Dodger. Even I’m smart enough to know that you act very interested to anyone that has a possibility of giving me an offer. So, if Rendon didn’t seem interested, then it makes sense he didn’t want to be a Dodger.
Orange County, where the Angels play, and LA are two very different places considering they are right next to each other. It could be that he likes the vibe better in the OC. Maybe he doesn’t like the Dodgers from playing against them in the Postseason a couple of times. Or, like I’ve mentioned before, he doesn’t like all the different lineups every day and all the platooning and all of Doc’s stupid decisions that cost us Championships.
It just looked that the big three all knew where they wanted to play and got the cash from that team. So, now it’s time to make a trade.
Agree on all points.
Okay, nobody really knows why the Dodgers didn’t make an offer to Rendon and only he knows if he wanted to play for the Dodgers or not. Everybody reported that the Dodgers were runner-up in the Cole sweepstakes at $300 million with some deferments in the deal. I’m guessing he really wanted to be a Yankee and they did a pretty good job selling the organization. They were also high bidder, no one is disputing that. I was amazed that the Dodgers went to $300 million. I wouldn’t have and I really wanted the Dodgers to get him. The only two difference makers were Cole and Strasburg.
As to Anthony Rendon, does anybody really believe he would put the Dodgers over the top? They should have beaten Rendon’s Nats in game five. That was pretty much a bullpen problem. The Dodgers already win lots of games. If we’re looking at a hitter who really made a difference in the playoffs we should have pursued Howie Kendrick. Okay, I’m not serious.
Honestly, I think everybody needs to take a step back and see how it plays out. Then let it fly.
All this is right now is a lot of speculation. No real facts. So how about this. They met and talked with him. They just didn’t connect. Ned Colletti has some pretty good stories about those kind of meetings. It’s a lot of money. Both the player and the organization have to feel comfortable. Or maybe they found something on the trade market they thought they could pull off and they opted to move in that direction. If they pull off a Lindor trade or something else, then we’ll know.
As far as catching lightning, isn’t that what happened when the Dodgers signed Justin Turner and Max Muncy?
I was a little turned off on Rendon when he made those comments about hoping not to still be playing after his mid thirties. He’s certainly entitled to a life after baseball and to start his retirement whenever he wants to, but if those quotes were accurate they just didn’t make me want to jump up and say “I want that guy to play for me.” Maybe Dodger brass had the same reaction that I did and that coupled with a so-so meeting made them realize they could use that money in other ways.
Hello to all. Can I leave a few comments?
As long as they make sense.
Yes!
If you respect all the posters Hamchuck.
It’s wait and see mode season. Adding an elite player or two seems an ambitious off-season goal, but it might be necessary to get over the WS hump. I didn’t put much hope in signing one of the Big Three, but I may have been underestimating our resolve. Our reported offer to Cole was on the Yankee obscene level and we did make a reportedly obscene offer to Harper last year. And we certainly weren’t cheap with our deals for Kelly and Pollack last year, or Treinen this year. So, I don’t know what to make of our commitment to free agency? I tend to believe we’ll pull the trigger if a player just works with us a little.
I’m not sure where that puts us this year and our chances of repeating the last three years success. At this point, I think our best hope some of our highly esteemed farm talent to grow up fast. Like a similar trajectory that Buehler, Bellinger, and Seager enjoyed.
** I think it most important one of Urias or May makes that leap to be a legit number 2 or 3 to replace Ryu’s production. The chances? I think it’s a long shot for next year based on what I saw from them last year. I think they’ll be steady rotation guys, but prone to inconsistent outings. Throw in Stripling and Meada, we have a legit ace, a declining Kershaw, and 4 back end rotation starters. That sort of reminds me of 2016’s rotation. That will likely put a stress on the bullpen , so the Treinen signing was probably wise.
** I like our offense if Verdugo and Lux start the entire year and hit near 300. But I really like our offense, if Seager comes back an improved hitter and Ruiz can make a case for rookie of the year. If that plays out, we’ll have a better balance of small ball production mixed with usual smash factor. Might be necessary anyway, if the league messes with the baseball and our slugging production dips
** Is all of this a pipe dream? Maybe. But it’s only asking them to live up to their billing sooner rather than later. At worst, they shI think the odds are better of our young guys developing vs obtaining studs via free agency or trade at this point.
I know everything is not likely to happen, but some, actually most of it, is rooted in reality that involves a players history and character:
1. Walker Buehler takes another step forward and wins the Cy Young.
2. Gavin Lux is ROY.
3. Max Muncy and Joc Pederson just do their thing.
4. AJ Pollock finally has 1 healthy year.
5. JT has a season similar to last year.
6. Bellinger works to be a better hitter – he hits fewer HR, but cuts down on K’s and hits over .310.
7. Corey Seager returns to his All-Star form (he wasn’t that far off anyway)
8. Will Smith is joined by Kaybear Ruiz after the Break and they are a formidable duo.
9. Alex Verdugo returns to health and hits .340.
10. Clayton Kershaw puts up a season even better than last year (remember, no one is a bigger competitor).
11. Blake Treinan, Kenley Jansen and Joe Kelly are good (not even great) in bounce-back years. Maybe one is great (and it likely won’t be the one we think).
12. Dustin Many and Tony Gonsolin step up and show out.
13. Another rookie or two steps up.
14. Julio Urias seizes the #2 Spot. He was damn good in a tough year for him. By the way, I hear from someone pretty close to the situation that his Domestic Violence issue was totally manufactured by the media. She slipped and he tried to grab her. He was advised to play along and make it go away. Once someone gets the wrong idea, it is tough to stop that train. Julio is allegedly a well-respected kid who is almost a man. I am anointing him the Dodgers #2. 150 innings. I am not sure how they manage that…
This is a pretty young team and to me, all show the ability to get better. If they do, this is maybe the best team in baseball. There will be some additions – maybe not who we think. I don’t know if it is prudent to go $100 Million with Bum, but I would do that before I went $60 million with Ryu, but maybe they don’t need either one. Sign Rich Hill for the second half and here’s the rotation:
1. Buehler
2. Urias
3. Kershaw
4. Maeda
5. May
Not as sexy as Cole or Bum, but I like it. BTW, I wonder how Cole will like pitching to Passed Ball Sanchez?
Quotes from CK:
On what went wrong: “It’s a hard question for me to answer. Bluntly, postseason, if I pitch better, we probably are winning. So, it’s like, it’s not easy to answer. We’re in a great spot again. Got a great team. We lost [Rich Hill], [Hyun-Jin Ryu], [Russell Martin]. But I think Andrew [Friedman, president of baseball operations] will make necessary adjustments where he sees fit and we’ll be in a great spot to win the division again.”
On bouncing back: “Every year is no fun. This year, the abruptness, the way it happened. It’s no fun. It’s not. It continues not to be. But you have two options: you can either crawl into a hole, or you can move on and try to get better for the next year. I don’t want to crawl into a hole yet, so I’m going to try to get better for next year.”
On the dichotomy of dominating a division but coming up short: “Over the years here, it’s just, I’m thankful. I’ve said it before, not every player gets to be on a team in the position we are every single year. I’m thankful for that. I love being here, love being part of it. It’s no fun to lose and be at the center of that. But, at the same time, I’m not ready to hang up yet. I want to keep trying and keep going. And the sentiment I got from the guys after, and talking to the guys after, [is] yeah, it sucks, but we feel good about our chances and we still want to get better. It’s a good feeling, man. I feel we’re right at the top of the NL again. With whatever happens between now and Spring Training or now and the Trade Deadline, [it] will only make us better.”
On the possibility of the Dodgers signing former rival Madison Bumgarner: “I love Bum. Great pitcher, good dude, great competitor. I know Andrew [Friedman]’s working on all sorts of things. We signed Blake Treinen, he’s got amazing stuff. It’s a good sign for us. To play with Mad Bum would be great.”
In response to Hamchuck (actually, it applies to us all):
GO PLACIDLY amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment, it is as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be. And whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.
By Max Ehrmann © 1927
I love his attitude, his character, his focus on trying to improve.. You could not ask for a better team mate. He is grateful to be with the Dodgers. Clayton, we are grateful for you and thankful for the contributions you have made over the years. . Hoping and looking forward for a good year for you.
MT, I’m glad to see your posts. I’m a little worried about you trying to take on the mob.
I’m a little concerned that the Lindor rumors have some legs. I don’t think he’s a great fit and I would hate to give up Lux and May in the deal for Lindor and Clevenger. On one hand, I think the sky’s the limit for both Lux and May. I’m completely enamored by Lux’s athleticism and May’s stuff and projectability. They both have a good chance to better than their trade counterparts. On the other hand, Lindor and Clevenger will be better next year.
As you stated, we have a very good, very talented team. I don’t think we have a bunch of back end rotation guys. I think Urias and May are both front end guys. Sure, there will be bumps in the road on the way to the post-season, but they have the stuff to be post-season heroes. I’m also particularly impressed with Gonsolin. In 2018, it was reported that he was hitting 100 Mph and held it late into games. We didn’t see any on that all year last year and I’m curious to see if he gets back to that elite heat next year.
If Treinen is anything close to his 2018 campaign, the bullpen as a whole will be unbelievable. We just need a couple of guys in the rotation that can pitch deep and keep some pressure off the pen. One additional elite arm pushes everyone down a slot and the entire pen gets better as a result.
I still think this team is too right handed. It would be great to work a deal for Nolan or Bryant or Betts. We have a lot of trade assets beyond Lux and May. I sure hope something comes together.
I cannot see giving up Lux and May for anybody. Both are going to be all stars. Both are controllable.