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 wonder about former Astro Tyler White, who I believe continues to be on the Dodger 40 man roster.
The latest exposure on the 2017 Astros cheating scandal that was completed by an Astros fan, Tony Adams, (astroscheatingscandal.com), reviewed each game in 2017 and determined that Tyler White was quite active in receiving the trash can bang notifications. He didn’t play much, but when he did, White received trash can bangs at a 26% clip, one of the highest percentages on the team. I’m wondering if White will be confronted or forced to address/apologize for the issue with the team. This is completely unrelated to the recent transactions, just an interesting predicament this player finds himself in.
Regarding the trades:
I hate losing Verdugo who I believe may win a batting title one day. Giving up five years of control on him hurts. And giving that up in exchange for only one year guaranteed of Betts may come back to haunt us of a Title isn’t won. As far as Verdugo’s future, let me just tell a personal story that a close friend of mine experienced.
Playing in Boston can be tough. Replacing a superstar even more. The press is brutal there. A childhood friend of mine out of Hacienda Heights, California was drafted by the Celtics the year after Len Bias’ death. Mike Smith was seen as a safe pick. First, because he was a Mormon kid out of BYU and the chances of another tragic result like the Bias incident were virtually nil. But he arrived in Boston with very high expectations, and they were quite unfair. He was compared to Bird as he was quite the outside shooter and he had similar physical attributes. Bird was starting to age and his back was giving out, and Red Auerbach announced following the draft, “He reminds us a lot of Larry.” It was the kiss of death for him. He was killed by the Boston Press corps as he made some rookie mistakes.
First, he bulked up before entering training camp because he thought he needed a stronger frame for the NBA. What resulted were difficulties in adjusting to the additional 20 pounds he had put on. A few injuries resulted, something he had never experienced. The press called him lazy. Truth was, he was hurt. But he played through it because he heard the criticism, even though he wasn’t near 100%. There were rookie mistakes as he learned the league: primarily turnovers and some defensive errors. Even though he had a ten-game run of scoring over 20 points each night, they absolutely excoriated him in the press, both Tv and print. His confidence was shattered. Long story short, he never panned out as an NBA player. When his contract was up, he was released and no one wanted him. Off to Europe he went and he led the league in scoring in Spain two consecutive years and was a virtual superstar there, but his NBA career would never go anywhere. Out of the league a few years into his career. My point: You either sink or swim in that city and there is NO ROOM for error. Alex will need to perform and be able to turn away from the press clippings when they rip him because it will happen. It’ll be unfair because Verdugo isn’t Betts, but Boston is Boston.
Friedman was stellar in not giving up the prospects. I’m amazed that he was able to pull that off. I love the fact that May, Smith, Ruiz, Downs, Gray, Gonsolin, Ferguson, Hoese, Busch, White, Cartaya, Rios and even Peters still remain Dodgers. If the ball club identifies weaknesses that need to be addressed at the trade deadline…there are still prospects to deal. Though I hope they don’t have to go that route. Ideally, they are able to move forward with the horses they have in place.
A full season of Betts is preferable to a trade deadline deal, such as the Machado and Darvish acquisitions in 2018. It’s always advantageous to land guys for the full season and allow them to learn team philosophies from Spring Training on. The Dodger organization is top-notch and I am confident that both Price and Betts will find themselves very comfortable from the beginning. Chemistry on the team is good and it is a winning chemistry where expectations are high. We’ll see if Betts is a good match. Sometimes players don’t gel in the new environment. Hopefully, Betts finds Los Angeles to be to his liking and that gives them the advantage in a free agency signing war during the off-season.
With Price, 3 years at 16 million per season is a steal of a deal. Had he been in a qualifying offer situation, he would have been paid more than that. Reports are that he’s throwing already and he has recovered from a cyst removal on his pitching wrist that was quite bothersome. Add to that, he’s not facing the bandboxes and powerful lineups in the AL East now. 10-15 starts at Dodger Stadium and then another 5-6 in San Diego and San Francisco will result in Price’s numbers improving substantially in 2020. I never gave Price much thought before this trade, but now I’m pretty happy about the potential with him.
Pederson’s 36 bombs will be missed, but as much as people raved about all his leadoff homers, I was of the belief that he never should have been in the leadoff role. Joc is a platoon guy and a complete failure against lefties. Though his muscle and pop will be missed, I see his departure as the opportunity for Matt Beatty to get some playing time and to shine.
Kike Hernandez and Chris Taylor appear to have diminished roles now that Rengifo is coming over and now there seems to be only one rotating outfield spot available in left. I don’t see a lot of opportunities for playing time for them between the occasional day off for Turner, Seager, Lux, and Muncy. Then there is the LF platoon that could be a rotation between 4 players. That’ll be a tough chore for Roberts to keep all parties happy, especially Hernandez who is in a contract year.
Stripling deserves a chance to be in a starting rotation. He’ll now get it in Anaheim. I’m happy for him. He was a good Dodger and he will be missed.
As far as the prospects coming over from Anaheim… I have no idea who they are as presently they haven’t been announced. The Dodgers through the Angels trade have cleared about $11 million and some valuable roster spots. I’ve got a feeling that they aren’t quite done yet. Kudos to Andrew Friedman for waiting things out and not rushing into a foolish deal. Patience paid off and he didn’t let the media or fan criticism affect his decision making.
NOTE: We are still awaiting final physical approvals to consummate the trades. They are not official.
I’m not sure the Angels trade is complete as reported. I could understand Joc straight up for Rengifo. Not that they’re equal but to dump Jocs salary and get anything back makes sense. But to add a pitcher(Stripling?) and a minor leaguer doesn’t add up. Rengifo isn’t needed on our roster as he’s not much of a hitter and we already have 2 good utility players. Could the Angels be adding more prospects? And if so who? They don’t have many. Is Friedman planning to flip Rengifo? Or move either Like it Taylor? Stay tuned!
Rengifo will likely be a starting 2B . If you think he can’t hit, you are kidding yourself. I have watched video of him and he is a very good player.
Remember, AF likes to get players BEFORE they are that player!
Mark I am confused, If Rengifo is likely a starting 2B,Where does Lux play.
The deal is held up over physicals for Grateral . It could come unraveled, but I think they will figure it out.
I thought about Tyler White and his Houston days. He only had 61 ABs in 2017, and his home numbers were sub-Mendoza while his away numbers were not much better, but at least above the line. He was also not on the WS roster in 2017. I am also guessing that White has been approached by both management and players with respect to the cheating. I doubt that we will ever hear about it unless Tyler decides to open up. I am also quite certain that he has been approached by Dodger baseball journalists. MLB clubhouse culture is about as tight-lipped as it comes, which is why Mike Fiers caught so much flak.
I do believe that when George Springer becomes a FA next winter, he will not be getting an offer from LAD. Some teams will give him an offer, but it may not be as healthy as he would have expected before the scandal. His numbers will always come under scrutiny, as will Correa’s the following winter. Altuve and Bregman are very fortunate that they have signed long term deals. I am not so sure that Josh Reddick will get many if any at all next winter.
AC – it’s funny you mention Springer because it’s the image of him if him jumping wildly around the Dodger Stadium outfield that is my abiding memory of that game 7 loss.
The whole time knowing that he and everyone else on the team had cheated.
Disgusting
I said if Boston wanted Verdugo as part of the trade for a one season rental of Betts I hope the Dodgers say no, now the trade is done and Friedman got both Betts and Price for Verdugo while sending Maeda to the Twins. If the Dodgers had to take on the full contract of Price and the still possibility of losing Betts after this season I would still have been against the trade, but Price now comes with half his contract being paid by Boston ( I have no idea why Boston agreed to that and only getting Verdugo from the Dodgers but they did and I think Friedman is due all the credit for this very good deal) which I feel is not a steal but very fair. If Betts can be signed by the Dodgers than I say great, great trade, if Betts is not signed to a long contract than I say Betts for one year and Price for three years at a reasonable cost is a good deal, Andrew Friedman, well done.
I completely agree. Was fair for both sides. Price isn’t a $30m+ pitcher but he’s an experienced vet with solid playoff experience. Definitely worth what we are paying him now. And we didn’t give up any other prospects.
It is why I have faith in AF. He’ll make the big move if it makes sense. Walk away if it doesn’t.
Dodgers and Max Muncy agree to a 3/$26mil extension. Deal also includes a 4th year at $13.5mil or a $1.5mil buyout.
Well deserved by Max and a good move by AF.
Kaboom
Fantastic news! Keeps Friedman’s “file and trial” policy in tact, and avoids arbitration with a top notch player. I wonder if Joc’s trade (if it is ever consummated) may have been an indication that he was not going to sign an extension, preferring to test free agency after 2020?
I think you nailed it
I doubt they wanted to extend Joc and I think they always planned on his leaving after this year. Assuming the Joc trade goes through, the only others going to arbitration at this point are CT3 and Baez. Let’s see if either of those guys is offered an extension or traded by ST.
We’ll never know for sure, but I think the Dodgers like the Pederson / Pollock (or Taylor, or Hernandez) platoon – the results were excellent. If Pederson had been willing to take an extension similar to Muncy’s deal I think they would have been willing to make that deal, especially with the intent to trade Verdugo. I believe the team would like to extend Taylor, then trade Hernandez. And if Baez will agree to a modest AAV the team would probably do that as well.
I guess we’ll never really know how the front office felt about Joc. It’s pretty obvious he was very popular in the clubhouse. With regard to platooning him, it seems as though they are trying to get away from platooning where they can. If Pollock has a good year (health and performance wise, and I realize the odds of that aren’t high), I think he’ll start most games in left. Although he hit much better against lefties last year, his lifetime splits (much larger sample size) are pretty even. That would basically leave catcher as the only position with a regular platoon setup.
If I were Joc I would want a no trade clause if I were to sign a 3 year extension. Joc found a good home and gets to play with Trout and Stripling. He will probably get his $9.5M salary and whatever else happens with his career it will be gravy.
The downside of Joc moving to LAA is that he has to play with Rendon.
The Angels have a good team and if Ohtani is great the Angels can be great.
The Angels had over 3,000,000 fans attend their games last year and a better team should increase that amount. That is over a million over average attendance for the MLB.
Extending Joc isn’t the same as Muncy. Joc has one year left of arbitration and then becomes a free-agent. All the Dodgers did with Muncy is buyout and guarantee his arbitration years. In return the Muncy camp gives them a club option on what would have been his first year in free-agency. Joc/Taylor to me is better than Pollock, but the Angels need a LH bat.
Interesting, which would be similar to Boston’s situation with Betts. The perception by many is that the Dodgers were on the beneficial end of a Betts lopsided deal. May help explain why the Dodgers are, perhaps, on the lesser end of the Pederson lopsided deal.
OPS+ in last 2 seasons (100 is average)
Max Muncy (145)
Cody Bellinger (144)
Juan Soto (140)
Freddie Freeman (138)
Nolan Arenado (131)
Bryce Harper (130)
Anthony Rizzo (130)
Paul Goldschmidt (127)
Manny Machado (127)
Kris Bryant (126)
$26M over 3 years for Muncy is a steal.
Dodgers got a great deal with Max! Betts around 155 when I looked last week
Pederson ops+ 127
I think you win championships with guys like Muncy. Versatile, tough, got some gamer/clutch factor to him. Great extension!
The Dodgers may have preferred to trade Pollock over Pederson but couldn’t make a deal that brought back salaries less than $1M. The Angels needed a lefty bat and while thin do have at least average infielders which allowed them to give the Dodgers a young and good infielder that can replace Taylor and Hernandez soon.
Yes, I would have preferred a Joc/Kike’ platoon and Pollock the one traded.
My one regret is not seeing a Joc/DJ Peters platoon. Would be a strikeout fest. But they’d have combined for insane HR totals.
Add Muncy to make it a trio.
Why don’t the Dodgers just keep Graterol and offer another player or players from roster or prospects. Our bullpen is our biggest weakness so why not Graterol? He throws 100+mph with a good slider. That’s what the Dodgers and fans have been looking for. Or, if his arm is an issue then just cancel the Minnesota trade and offer Maeda to Boston. They need starting pitching and he’s inexpensive. Include a low level prospect if necessary.
I still don’t get this Angel trade. After their top three prospects there’s not much to be excited about. The three are OF, and Trout isn’t going anywhere, so maybe one of them will be included with Rengifo. Read where the Dodgers get Rengifo and two prospects. Wait and see….just like the Dems in Iowa.
I think keeping Graterol is definitely an option and then sending someone like Grove to the Bosox. But I think the Dodgers will do everything possible to have Red Sox and Twins work out the problem between them. I am suspicious that this is a Red Sox ploy to get more out of the Dodgers after “shaking hands” on the deal. Maeda to Boston would require reworking the amount of money coming to Dodgers, and I don’t think Dodgers want to do that. If Betts leaves after 2020, and both Verdugo and Pederson are gone the Dodgers only have Bellinger, Pollock, Taylor, Beaty, and Rios as alternatives + DJ Peters who could be ready. I guess Dodgers could move Lux to the OF if necessary.
Really interesting idea about keeping Graterol. Maybe they’re thinking about that as an alternative idea. I also thought about just sending them Maeda but that would probably involve our taking less money for Price’s salary since if Maeda makes all his incentives I think his contract winds up paying him somewhere between 7-10 million per year.
Someone ran a poll on Twitter Tuesday night, asking people if they thought the Iowa results or the Betts trade would be finalized first. Little did anyone think that as of mid day Thursday, the correct answer would be “neither”.
Am I understanding this correctly? Graterol passed his physical if he is a relief pitcher but not as a starter?
Apparently there was something in the physical that indicated his shoulder probably couldn’t withstand a lot of innings every year and, therefore, he would be better suited to relief work. What is hard to understand is that this was pretty much known throughout baseball after his problems last year so it’s strange that the Sox only brought it up now.
Exactly! This is nothing other than Boston trying to go back for more after agreeing on the deal.
Could someone explain this page? I do not understand, how much is the current payroll after so many trades?
$215,791,667?
$216,542,500?
$218,251,000?
https://www.spotrac.com/mlb/los-angeles-dodgers//payroll
All we can really say about the Betts/Price get and the loss of Verdugo/Maeda are the stupid cliches that are pretty much so. Like, we shall see and time will tell. Questions I have are…. is Betts ultimately an expensive rental? Do Price and Maeda just cancel each other out? Will Verdugo end up a better player for the $$$$ then Betts? My dumb opinions are….I really don’t think this deal improved the Dodgers all that much but (insert cliche). Will it improve the postseason performances of (insert name of whatever Dodger players). My enthusiasm for the Dodgers ever capturing a championship or even long term competitiveness is way down these days. I’m not sitting on my hands waiting for spring training like other years. Guess many would say I’m just not a “real” fan. My enthusiasm for other things is down too. Like, will our nation ever become truly civilized and are we headed for a permanent right wing authoritarian kleptocracy. Guess many would say I’m just not a real “patriot”. Oh well, refer back to whatever cliche applies.
Or left wing socialism. Then all teams must submit to an average salary so everything is equal
Deep.
Joc’s arbitration hearing is today. Definitely a unique situation! From MLB Rumors:
As the baseball world — fans and the industry alike — await the resolution in the potential hangup on the Mookie Betts blockbuster and the finalization of the reported trade sending Joc Pederson and Ross Stripling to the Angels, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic tweets one possible holdup in the latter of those two deals: Pederson’s arbitration hearing is taking place this morning.
It’s an extremely atypical set of circumstances leading into Pederson’s hearing, as the Dodgers are reportedly in agreement on the framework of a deal that’d send him up to Anaheim at a time when they’re also set to argue his salary with an arbitration panel.
Had the two sides agreed to a swap involving Pederson earlier in the winter, the Angels could’ve prepped for a case in spite of the fact that Pederson has never played a game for them. That type of situation isn’t ideal for clubs but also isn’t unprecedented. As then-Angels-assistant-GM Matt Klentak told MLBTR several years ago in regard to Matt Joyce, whom they’d acquired in an offseason trade (and fortunately signed before heading to an arbitration hearing): “I still haven’t met Matt Joyce. I’ve negotiated his contract with his agent, we’ve traded for him, but I’ve never personally met him. … I’d really have hated for the first time I met this guy to be wearing a suit, sitting across a table, arguing over a million dollars.”
Viewed through that lens and considering the timing of the trade agreement, it’s only logical that the Angels wouldn’t be tasked with making the the case against Pederson’s camp on such short notice. They haven’t had time to prepare an argument for said hearing or even to try to come to terms on a middle ground between Pedesron’s $9.5MM filing figure and the $7.75MM figure submitted by the Dodgers.
Of course, the ultimate price point will in some ways impact how the two teams value Pederson. It’s highly unlikely that the outcome of the hearing will torpedo the trade, but it could determine which secondary pieces the Angels send to the Dodgers to finalize the arrangement. Given that additional layer of complexity, Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register tweets that an exec with another club “suspects” that MLB is having a third-party lawyer present the other side of Pederson’s case, thus entirely removing the Dodgers and Angels from the equation.
Between Pederson’s hearing and the reported medical snag in the Betts/Price/Maeda blockbuster, there are clearly numerous balls in the air that need to be accounted for prior to the completion of this series of significant transactions. A ruling on Pederson’s case should be known in the near future — arbitration results are typically known within a day of the hearing — which could bring some clarity to one of the many wrinkles in the Dodgers’ ongoing and extremely complex trade negotiations.
Of course LAA could offer the mid point between the two numbers and maybe be done with it.
The Angels have a better chance of their outfield hitting 100 home runs than the Dodgers’.
The unspoken problem with the Mookie Betts trade
Alex Verdugo was credibly implicated in a sexual assault. Why doesn’t that seem to matter?
https://www.beyondtheboxscore.com/2020/2/6/21124292/red-sox-dodgers-alex-verdugo-the-unspoken-problem-with-the-mookie-betts-david-price-trade
The Dodgers spend millions of $ every year in AZ, I’m surprised there’s any record of the assault at all, they usually disappear entirely. Verdugo’s attitude change? When did leopards start changing their spots???
According to Gabe Kapler’s statement, all parties agreed that one player (Alex Verdugo) was passed out on a bed due to over consumption of alcohol (Verdugo was 18 at the time). I do not pretend to know all of the facts, and not attempting to defend any one, but it appears that the article you referenced does not include an accurate description of the events, especially that the Dodgers released the prospect accused of the “alleged” assault.
I hate these trades and I hope they don’t happen.
So Betts is replacing either Verdugo or Joc.
Price is replacing either Maeda or Stripling.
Right there tells you that even if Betts is an upgrade over Verdugo or Joc he is not an upgrade over both and therefore even with a Betts upgrade the Dodgers are still downgrading at the other outfield position. AJ “I can’t stay healthy and wiffed when it mattered” Pollock full time is a downgrade over Joc (who starts against most pitchers considering most pitchers are right handed).
Same goes for Price, if he is an upgrade over either Maeda or Stripling (which I doubt), he’s not an upgrade over both. The pitching staff just got worse.
You watch, you’re going to see a hole develop in LF, if these trades happen. Then what? Let’s hope DJ Peters goes on a tear right out of the gate in AAA and plugs that left field hole.
Not to mention BETTS IS A 1 YEAR RENTAL I GUARANTEE.
Price is replacing Hill almost down to the penny. Wood is replacing Ryu. Because Urias is in the rotation, even before adding Price Maeda was going to have to battle May, Gonsolin, Stripling, and Nelson for the 5th spot to stay out of the pen where he at some point was going to inevitably wind up and where the Dodgers prefer him. So using him as a piece to get Betts makes sense.
~
How many teams are even capable of re-signing Betts at the end of the season. It’s a very, very short list. BTW, George Lombard was his first minor league manager and they remain very close.
~
So, I heard this story today about Betts. After Game 2 of the World Series there was quite a spread in the clubhouse. After everyone had eaten, Mookie took all of the food to the homeless community in Boston. Someone snapped a photo of it and published it the next day. He was quite upset because he though it dehumanized the people who were down on their luck and didn’t want it to be about him. Like Justin Turner, these are the type of human beings that the Dodgers front office will want representing this franchise.
Hawkeyedodger
You’re not getting what I am saying. The before and after the trades. 2 pitchers gone (Maeda, Stripling) and 1 added (Price). The replacement for the other pitcher among the 13 pitchers to make the active roster as is right now internally is a downgrade.
All I got so say about your 2nd paragraph is you don’t know who is “capable” of signing Betts. And how is Friedman’s record on signing players for lets say 10 years at a very high annual average. And I’m being generous because Betts wants 12 years at a very high annual average.
I couldn’t care less what players do “in the community”, I’m talking how to build a winning team that is sustainable over the long term.
Sorry if I am coming off as an ass, but I see these trades as is right now as losses for the Dodgers.
you’re not coming across as an ass. I don’t agree with your points, but they are valid. Let’s see how it all works out.
I disagree, he is coming across as an ass.
It’s an asinine argument.
We don’t agree that it’s a downgrade. Most likely Maeda and Stripling were in the pen for the Dodgers. David Price was pitching well last year until he got cyst on wrist. We can’t hoard all of our prospects and then never let them pitch. If Dustin May is untouchable in a trade and possibly Gonsolin and Gray too then at some point they need to take the bump. Maeda is better in the pen. If he were content to be there I might agree with your stance. Kenta nibbles too much, often runs out of gas in the 5th inning because of it, and usually starts fading the second half of the season.
`
We don’t know what the Red Sox truly offered, how it was structured, and what the Betts team countered. It was leaked for a purpose. Af has put the Dodgers in the position to do whatever he wants. He is regarded as one of the smartest GM’s in the game. I don’t believe for a second they won’t make every attempt to resign him. If they offered $300 million for a pitcher then I believe they will offer Betts more than Harper but less than Trout.
~
Let me ask, did you think this trade would ever happen in the first place?
Here’s your problem, Eric: You are playing checkers. AF is playing chess. Maybe Price’s arm falls off. It makes no difference. This team is too deep, however, I do not think
I have a feeling Beaty, Pollock, Rios, Kike, CT3 and whoever else is in LF will be more than adequate.
Peters is a year away… if ever!
We don’t even know who the prospects the Dodgers are allegedly getting from the Angels, so let’s not jump to conclusions. I happen to prefer Friedman’s track record over anyone on this board.
Remember the Puig, Kemp, Wood, Farmer salary dump? Yeah, that was really stupid!
Chess!
I!m pissed too. What’s AF thinking picking up one of the 5 best players in baseball! How’s that gonna help us!
😉
What I don’t understand is why the Red Sox wouldn’t just take Pollock instead of paying half of Price’s contract. $ are about the same. Why not get something instead of paying for nothing?
It takes two to tango.
Verdugo makes them younger and won’t be a contract they’re looking to unload. If Verdugo came up in Boston he would be as well thought of as Benintendi.
So, is Betts already a Dodger or is it still a Red Sox?
https://lmgtfy.com/?q=What+is+limbo%3F
Great call Mark, CHESS!!! On LA Sportstalk radio 570 with Roggin and Rodney, Fred Roggin said that Andrew Freidman should be arrested for robbery. Just robbed the Sox blind. Him and Rodney couldn’t believe that during FanFest last weekend that some Dodger fans were booing Freidman. Bunch of idiots who have no clue how this dude rolls. Yesterday he showed it. And don’t forget, NOT ONE of our prospects got traded, so come July 31st when we might need some pitching, the gun is still loaded. Loved Joc, but as Roggin said, he got Puiged, meaning he had reached his ceiling with the Dodgers on what he brought to the table, but also what he wanted to get paid in arbitration, plus they had no intention of signing him to another contract when he becomes a free agent next year. They also talked about not sleeping on Price, he had a cyst in his wrist removed that was bothering him and he has already thrown a few bullpen sessions. David Vassegh also weighed in and said that one of the AL coaches texted him and said that Price is going to carve up the NL.Plus, and this is where Freidman needs to be arrested, he got the Sahx to pay half of Price’s salary. How in the hell did he pull that off?! So many of you guys over the years have blasted us “Church of Freidman” followers, but this guy has got to be one of the top 2 or 3 execs in the game. If you are not truly stoked about the direction he has us going in, go root for the damn Marlins. No room for haters on this site!
AF is not top 2 or 3. He is #1.
He got Betts and Price and still has the Farm.
If Andy Pages is indeed traded to the Angels, he will be in their Top 10 prospects. With the Dodgers, he was #29. Duuuuuhhhhh!
Friedman is a Freaking Genius! Only Morons can’t see that!
I am beginning to think that the Red Sox are back to their cheating ways.
They agreed on a deal and backed out. Everyone knows about Greateral’s arm and shoulder issues.
Now this? The Commissioner should investigate.
Take a look at the article in Boston Herald: “Chaim Bloom, call off Mookie Betts trade while you still can”
Not sure how you don’t see this deal as a positive.
Betts is the 2nd best player in baseball, on both sides of the ball.
Price replaces Hill for the pretty much the exact same salary. Who doesn’t take Price over Hill? Hill is great when healthy but at 40 and a body taped together with duct tape, a contract with him doesn’t look like a solid bet.
Pederson, while a great Dodger, is limited on what he can do for the team. He is a FA after this year and there just isn’t a spot for his skill set on a team like LA.
Stripling, while a nice piece, is not a vital one.
You can lament the difference in talent and championship quality from this team as constructed on Feb. 6, 2020 vs. the team that walked of the field embarrassed after their last game in LA last year and say they are not as talented.
I don’t agree but the argument CAN be made.
You cannot make a credible argument that the team as constructed on Feb. 6, 2020 is not exponentially better than the team that was on Feb. 3, 2020. Just not logical.
I have been a critic of AF for being way too conservative. This was a great move to go all in within the window that LA is in. That is all I have wanted him to do over the last few years. He finally did it, and I tip my hat. If he has more surprises waiting, I am all for it.
KaBoom!
They still don’t believe it at the “other” site! I’m getting slammed there! It’s fun!
They will lower your I.Q!
What a bunch of idiots!
What Eric refuses to see is that it is not Price alone replacing Maeda and Stripling. Somehow, he does not believe that Dustin May is good enough to replace either Maeda or Strip. Maeda and Strip would have ended up in the pen and the team does not need two long relievers. After all, that will undoubtedly be Tony Gonsolin’s job. AF has kept the kids for a reason. Time to move the middle tier and let the kids play, and let them prove themselves.
I am a big fan of Ross Stripling and I will greatly miss him as a Dodger. But I am ecstatic for him that he gets to start for LAA. But the Dodgers are better with Price/May/Wood/ than they would have been with Maeda and Strip. Price is throwing in Florida, and gives every indication that the cyst problem in his wrist is behind him. Before the cyst popped up, Price was good, especially for an AL East pitcher with all of those hitters parks and with the DH.
As far as Joc, he will be missed, but I will take the second half of 2019 of AJ Pollock. While Matt Beaty does not have the pop of Joc, he is not an underachiever in the HR dept. Pollock/Beaty/CT3 all had better slash lines with RISP and RISP w/2 outs than did Joc. But combined, they did not meet Joc’s 36 bombs. The Dodgers were not going to re-sign Joc, so they got what they could get, who happens to be a very good middle infield/corner OF utility player (floor) or a good 2B (ceiling), Luis Rengifo. Kike’ will be gone next year, and CT3 the following year. It is not that he was bad in the minors. In 2018 at 21 in AA – 181 PA – .305/.420/.477/.897 – 22 K…at AAA – 190 PA – .274/.358/.421/.779 – 22 K. He might have been a bit overmatched in MLB, but not egregiously so. He got good experience as a 22 year old. At AAA with 122 PA he slashed .273/.336/.464/.800. Unless Kike’ or CT3 are moved, Luis will probably start at OKC, and probably compete with Omar Estevez for 2B/SS.
I know, Eric, the Dodgers just do not need Mookie Betts. After all who needs one of the top five players in all of MLB who is a true 5 tool player. I know, I know, if the Dodgers would just trade for Ken Giles, they would win the WS.
And I really do not understand that you do not believe that good character and community involvement is necessary to build a winning clubhouse.
Always Compete
Thanks for putting words in my mouth twice.
“Somehow, he does not believe that Dustin May is good enough to replace either Maeda or Strip.”
I believe Dustin May was already going to be on the 26 man roster before these trades, therefore May isn’t replacing anyone. Now with Maeda and Stripling gone someone that wasn’t going to be on the 26 man roster will be on the 26 man roster, some crappy pitcher such as a Floro type.
“Time to move the middle tier and let the kids play, and let them prove themselves.”
Isn’t that hypocritical of you since you like these trades.
I was already on board with that. That’s why I HATE loosing Verdugo.
“I know, I know, if the Dodgers would just trade for Ken Giles, they would win the WS.”
Just the other day I said trading for Giles doesn’t guarantee a championship. You know I don’t believe 1 guy guarantees a championship.
“As far as Joc, he will be missed, but I will take the second half of 2019 of AJ Pollock.”
How about looking at a full season of Pollock. No thanks I’ll take Joc.
I’m surprised that you decided to attack me and put words in my mouth. I thought you were a stand up guy. Guess not.
Eric,
You keep referring to oddly formulated points. Betts is an improvement over both Verdugo and joc. Because he is a better player than both are.
I don’t know if it’s intentional or not, but you seen to avoid the basic logic that eight one WAR players are NOT superior to one seven WAR player. There are only nine spots in a line up, and 26 on a roster. You need to accumulate the best players at different positions to get the most “bang for the buck”
Three OF spots. Would anyone rather have Joc and Verdugo flanking Bellinger or Betts and Pollock? It’s a no-brainer.
Onto May. There are only do many starters you can have. yes he was and is on the 26, but now he is firmly in the six or seven man rotation. He wasn’t before Maeda and Stripling left. He may have been sent to AAA. This the equation is would you rather have the aforementioned rotation of:
Walker, Kershaw, Urias, Gonsolin, Nelson, Gonsolin, may and Price
Or
Walker, Kershaw, Urias, Gonsolin, Nelson, Gonsolin, Maeda and Stripling.
Again, at best it’s the latter, at worst they are the same.
Don’t must the waters with Dylan Floro, it’s misleading at best and stupid at worst.
Latter = former.
Bluto
To answer your question, yes I’d rather have Joc and Verdugo over Betts and Pollock. Pollock is a clear downgrade and a health issue. I know you along with many think that somehow Betts is going to stay with the Dodgers long term. Well I’d like to sell you a bridge are you interested?
I don’t agree with your starting rotation. And where is your bullpen? Take a good look at who will make up the 13 pitchers on the team now vs before the trades, it’s a downgrade now.
I guess I’ll agree to disagree.
I don’t agree to disagree, I don’t agree with poor arguments.
But I appreciate your reply because it illuminates your argument style. Just calling something a downgrade without proof or reasoning does not make something like the 13 pitchers on the roster or Pollock downgrades. Happily for the Dodgers, and sadly for you neither are reailty.
Just like bringing up Betts’ long term viability with the team, without mentioning Pederson’s. Straw-man arguments are another logical fallacy.
J’accuse https://yourlogicalfallacyis.com/strawman
Can we please all agree to never use the word guarantee again. It’s a meaningless word in a baseball context and anyone using it in their argument just has no credibility at all!
Although I do think that because the Yankees signed Cole it does guarantee them a WS championship. Last time. I promise
My buddy in the Angels org answered my text after a day.
Paraphrased, massively … “We don’t know WTF is going on. Somebody, Dodgers or whomever, has asked for medical reports and anything else about just about anybody worth looking at”.
Who knows what is going on.
But the lack of leaks concerns me. No clue if the Angels deal is only held up because reported medical issues related to primary trade with Boston/Twins. Or Joc’s arbitration.
Something don’t smell right.
I’m getting a bad feeling.
Maybe the Dodgers are looking at sending one of the Angel prospects from the Joc trade to the Red Sox in order to make up for the medical issue of Brusdar Graterol. It should not be the Dodger’s responsibility to address the Red Sox medical concern with the Twins prospect, but in the interest of closing the Betts deal, it may be worth it to send a lower level prospect to the Red Sox.
Cassidy, I guarantee that there are no guarantees. Besides if there were guarantees there would be no reason to play the games. And that’s why they play the games. I guarantee it.
I guarantee you are right.