Andrew Friedman is Ruining Dodger Blogs

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1. “I’m going to have a chip on my shoulder the rest of this season”

   So, this year’s like every other year.

   The Betts move will be different only if he is extended. The one thing Friedman hasn’t done is successfully offer the multi-year multi-nuts screwball contract.

   “Not many people who go to Asia regularly where I live. I’m not worried at all”. Bear speaking to the coronavirus. You might want to reconsider that buddy. Just a suggestion. Living in North Wintersville might help for a while, but this thing is going everywhere.

   The Pacers look good Mark. They could actually a win a game or two against the Heat.

   1. Nope, not worried at all. Until there is a confirmed case, I just don’t worry about stuff I cannot control. I do not live my life in fear. Not in my DNA. Too many bad things as a kid, and just having to always rely on no one but me. If it is my time, well, that is ok too. No one gets out alive. I am not a Friedman hater. I just am not a great fan. He has been right a few times, and wrong a bunch, and sorry Mark, I am not letting DR off the hook for some of the monumental gaffes he has made. He is a good players manger, but as a baseball strategist, he is pretty second rate. Don’t get me wrong, I am happy the Dodgers are deep and good. But I am not kissing the toad and calling him a princess. Like Badger said, he hasn’t got the bit ticker, franchise changing player to commit here for the long term. If Betts stay’s, that changes a lot, Might even erase some of the stigma of McCarthy, Kazmir, and Anderson. And despite how good the Dodgers are and many of AF’s Rays teams, none have crossed the finish line and brought home the trophy. I think the cheating only really impacted one game, game 5 in Houston. It seemed like the Astros knew everything that was coming up there. You can blame cheating all you like, but they did not have that in game 7 and they handled Darvish like he was their cousin. They just were not deep enough in the pitching department to get over the hump. And look at the pitchers who shut them down. Not exactly Maddux, Smoltz and Glavine. Morrow who was nails most of the series was awful in game 5 giving up 4 runs. And I do not care who you are, when one of your prime offensive weapons goes totally in the tank, it is not going to do much for your offense. And Bellinger went right down the tubes. 17 K;s in the series. I have been blessed to see all of their titles. And they won with teams that were no where near as good as these guys are. But the playoffs and the Series are a crapshoot. That was proven last year when the Nats rolled them.

      1. Until there is a confirmed case?

         You have television reception there in North Wintersville?

         1. There are no confirmed cases in this area. Most of the cases are up around Denver. Yeah, we get TV, I don’t watch broadcast television. Like I said Badger, I do not live my life in fear. If I were to get sick enough I am pretty sure I would know if I were in trouble. But all this media driven panic is just a little bit much. It is more prevalent in higher population areas. I have no clue where North Wintersville is. We are nestled in a nice little valley, it is peaceful and calm.

            1. Media driven panic?

               I see it differently.

            2. It’s a virus. Penicillin won’t cure it. It’s flu on PEDS and highly contagious. There will be mild and severe cases and the latter more likely to kill weaker/older people than the flu. It spreads exponentially–one gives it to 2 who give it to 4 who give it to 8 etc.

            3. That is your choice Badger. I respect that. People buying out all the toilet paper and water? That is media driven hysteria. You either will get it or you won’t. I am not worried one bit because I do not go out and mix with people a lot. I know mt health better than anyone. Now, If I had the symptoms, I would go to the Dr. I take care of myself as well as I can. I just cannot see spending energy on something that in all likelihood is not going to affect me at all. My choice. Hey, when your number is up, you have little you can do to change it.

2. Zach McKinstry was sent over to the minor league side but I was hoping he would have made the team. If the rest of ST goes as it is now for Pollock, and the Dodgers do as they say and hold players accountable then Pollock should be DFA, Pederson and Taylor will be fine in left field. Pollock out, Lux and McKinstry in. I am still undecided between Graterol and Santana at this point.

   1. They are NOT going to DFA a guy who is owed 46 million over the next 3 years. That is insane. Pollock will be given every chance to improve. And unlike most, I don’t think spring stats mean crap.

      1. Bear, , with Mckinstry being optioned, it looks more and more like Gore will be that 26th man…OH well as they say…IIWII.

         1. I do not see it. He is not on the 40 man roster. With Pollock, Joc, Belli, Taylor, Beaty and Betts, there is no room for a straight running man. He brings nothing to the table. By the way, I have seen no reports what so ever that would confirm that.

3. I’ve always enjoyed watching the Pacers play, from Reggie’s teams to Paul George’s Pacers’ battles with the Heat. No hate for that team whatsoever. Beat the Celtics tonight!

   And I”ll take you up on that offer! My bags are always packed to go see a potential title clinching game. I had a room in Houston booked in 2017, if we had a shot to clinch there. Had a room booked in Boston in 2018, if we had a shot to clinch there. Hopefully this year I can book rooms somewhere in June AND October (or just see them in LA)

   Alex Wood looked really good again yesterday. I think that driveline stuff is really working. Gonsolin looks as if he never needs to see the minor leagues again. That AAA team, whoever is on it to start, might be good enough to finish 4 in the NL West!

4. Wow, MT doesn’t have Lux on the opening day roster. I think he’ll make it.

   1. With McKinstry optioned out, it looks as though he probably will.

5. I think your pitching staff is correct. Alexander is the weak link. He can’t throw strikes and doesn’t need to be in a game that is high leverage. He is either in a game that is over or one that you are looking for a dp ball as a last resort. Ferguson has been talking about being a starter so I don’t know where that goes.

   Joc Pederson will be in the opening day lineup if he is still on the team which appears likely. If lux is not the starter then who is? Been down that road with kike so I doubt, so maybe muncy with Rios or Beaty at first base. I think the Dodgers want to save the extra year on lux so he better turn it on if he wants to stay.

   Gonsolin is ready it is just a matter of whether they want him as a starter or if the bullpen performs without him. A trade could change everything but not likely unless injuries crop up on other teams.

   1. Roberts has said it is not etched in stone as far as Lux starting at 2nd to begin the year.

6. I’m intrigued by Graterol and would like to see him on the opening day roster (along with Gonsolin), but I don’t get the sense that will happen due to how he is being used in spring training games. Unless I have missed something, he is only pitching late in games against AA and AAA players, not earlier against regulars as Gonsolin is doing. I would think Doc would want to see him against Arenado, Marte, Machado, etc., in these games if they think he will open the season in LA. Is is true that he already has major league experience, but so does Gonsolin, yet their usage this spring has been very different. Of course, there is still time for that to change.

   Beyond that, I think the comments (either by Doc or AF) about Gonsolin’s age relative to that of May also hint that Gonsolin will get a roster spot in the pen rather than going to AAA as a starter.

7. Mark, nice article, nice picture, good looking son. Agree on your roster selections especially the pitchers although I would love to fit Gonsolin in there.. He was awesome yesterday. On your other list of players, I mostly agree, but would substitute Lux for Rios. Don’t know where to play them all though. I love Toby Keith.

8. Great piece in The Athletic on Edwin Rios and his trip to the “Fat Farm” (his words, not mine.

   https://theathletic.com/1638482/2020/03/10/i-took-it-to-heart-man-the-big-change-that-aided-dodgers-prospect-edwin-rios/

   1. Read that first thing this morning. This guy can hack.

      How would you handle this?

9. At least he got a good country tune on here. Big Toby Keith fan. Red Solo Cup, and I’ll never Smoke Weed with Willie again. I meant to say BIG TICKET on the prior post, not bit ticker.

   1. Two of my favorite Toby Keith song…three if you count How Do You Like Me Now.. Of course, I am not sure I have heard anything from Toby that I do not like.

      1. Agree, AC. One of my favorite CW singers.

      2. Have you heard Shitty Golfer? Crazy tune, my favorite is still Courtesy of the Red White and Blue. That song pretty much ended the career of the Dixie Chicks, who now say they are no longer country. Never thought they were to begin with. I also like, Should Have Been A Cowboy. There is a big sign in Oklahoma in his hometown that says, Home of Toby Keith. There is a similar sign in Garth’s home town. Saw them a lot when I was driving cross country.

         1. There’s a sign in Garth’s home town that says “Home of Toby Keith”? That’s weird. There’s a big sign in my home town that says “Los Alamitos Race Course”.

            1. No you ninny. It says home of Garth Brooks. Keith is from Norman, where OU is Garth was born in Tulsa, but his family moved to Yukon which is in the western part of the state right on I-40. Only the Beatles have sold more records than Brooks.

         2. All on my playlist. One of the very first artists I bring up.

         3. The Dixie Chicks are back together and recently released a new song called “Gaslighter.” That prompted me a few days ago to listen again to Taking the Long Way, and I was reminded what a great album that was. I’m not sure “Gaslighter” is at that same level, but I’ll be interested to see how the rest of the new album shapes up. They would probably do well to market themselves as Americana this time around and would fit in well with Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, Brandi Carlile, Sturgill Simpson, Drive-By Truckers, etc., in that big tent genre.

            1. Speaking of Brandi Carlile…

               Brandi Carlile – Hallelujah from Sergio Haro on Vimeo.

            2. That’s a great clip, though it seems odd to see her without the Hanseroth twins. They are even with her on Highwomen gigs.

               Her concert in Chicago last summer was one of the best I saw in 2019, even if it was at a lousy venue (Northerly Island, which was a small airstrip in Lake Michigan near the Chicago loop until the mayor had it destroyed on 9/12/01) with lousy seats. I’ll see her again this summer at a Highwomen show (with Jason Isbell/400 Unit and Chris Stapleton) at Wrigley, which is an equally horrible place for concerts. (Soldier Field is far better for outdoor shows.)

            3. The late Leonard Cohen

            4. They have already stated that they are not really a country act anymore.

            5. Never liked them. I am more into traditional country, and not too fond of the pop country genre. Jason Aldean and a few others fall into that. And most of the stuff played on so called country radio, just is not country. Been playing it for close to 50 years. Give me Waylon, Merle, and Alabama anyday.

10. I too am intrigued by Graterol. Obviously he will pitch for the Dodgers this year. Just as obvious is Lux being our second baseman. I think it’s a big deal for young players to be involved in Opening Day ceremonies at home and I would like to see Lux there. Graterol is a bullpen guy and we have a plethora of veterans down there. After the hoopla of Day 1 the rest are just games. Kershaw will go 7, then Baez and Jansen will wrap it up so no reason for Graterol to be there.

    Rios, Beaty and McKinstry. It’s going to be interesting to watch how these guys are handled. On 80% of teams in this league they are all on the Opening Day Roster.

11. It is looking more and more like old friend Matt Kemp is not going to make the Marlins roster. Matt is having a really terrible spring. Only 4 hits and 2 ribbies. No homers. Sad end to a pretty good player.

    1. I blame it on Rihanna.

       1. Or Coors Field.

          1. You could say that. When he hit that wall out there chasing that fly ball, it pretty much changed the type of player he was.

12. I know most of you read probably read a TON more blogs than I do (I read 2), but I really haven’t seen the mass negativity towards Friedman that Mark is alluding to. Sure you’re going to have a few individuals complaining but every baseball fan I know is thrilled to have AF in charge.

    1. Not every fan, he was getting crucified on Twitter until the Betts deal. And although he has done some good things, some dumb things and some very head scratching, I am not a big fan. Never have been. But I do realize he has made the team very competitive. But until he gets them across the finish line, he is just another Baseball ops guy with a very good team. Fans want the big win period.

       1. Roberts has to be better at in game management and better with how the pitching is handled, especially in October when it counts the most to maybe get Dodgers across the finish line.

    2. There is one site that is pretty anti Friedman. The comments on a lot of sites had anti-Friedman tones to them. And then there is Reddit…quite a bit of whining. They all seem to have calmed down a bit.

    3. One of the early things that annoyed me about FAZ (to use the board terminology from those days) was the constant shuffling of DFA’d players at the margins of the 40-man roster. I understood the desire to make incremental improvements but lamented the impact the constant claiming and posting of players had on their lives and families, both with transitions and the dead time in terms of playing that each transaction caused. I noticed that pattern stopped in recent years. Whether that was more Farhan’s thing than Friedman’s, or whether the talent level finally rose to such a level that such maneuvers were no longer deemed necessary, I’m happy they stopped.

       I think another thing that initially impacted perceptions of Friedman was that he might be a newer version of DePodesta. That was a dark era for me in terms of Dodger fandom (especially the deadline trades in 2004 and the fiasco that was 2005), even worse than the Fox years. I consciously tried to change my allegiance to another team that year but couldn’t. I returned to the Dodger fold with his departure. I was almost at a similar place again this winter (but on the verge of losing interest altogether rather than finding another team to support) after the early playoff exit and failures to sign any of the big free agents who filled obvious holes (after the bullpen woes seemed to be ignored the the last few years). Oddly, the revelations of the Astros cheating scandal brought me back.

13. McKinstry has shone that he will be a important piece of the puzzle going forward. He needs to be playing everyday to keep developing his talent and that is not going to happen right now at the big league level. But a couple of trades or an injury … I’m betting he gets a call sometime this season. Looking forward to that!

    1. That is why I said he may have been optioned out, so as to get regular playing time. It will be interesting to see who is that 26 th man for the Opening Day roster.

14. I think Smith will be the starting catcher. Lux will be at 2nd base. Gonsolin, not Graterol in the bull pen.

    Welcome back Badger.

    1. Agree

       1. Barnes is making the case to start but most likely it will be Smith at catcher. Who knows but Roberts was not definite on whether Lux starts the year at 2nd.

15. I would put Gavin Lux at 2nd and leave him alone. If he struggles down the road, I would replace him with CT3. McKinstry needs to play every day in AAA. Lux was the greatest thing since sliced bread and everyone begged for his September (or sooner) call up. So he hits .240 in 23 games and hasn’t had a great spring but now some folks are lobbying he get sent down and a guy with no MLB time should replace him? I don’t get it.
    Thomas, Raley, Peters, McKinstry and Co. have had eye catching spring but that doesn’t mean they are ready for the 26 man roster. The future is bright and AAA should be their place to develop for the future. 3 good weeks in spring training doesn’t earn you a spot on this roster.
    I don’t see Rios making the roster if Joc is ready.
    Muncy is not, defensively, an everyday 2nd baseman. Lux and CT3 are way better. Put him at first and leave him alone.
    Beatty is also suspect defensively in the infield and I’m not good with him as the back up 3rd baseman. I wish Rios could do that.
    I don’t want to give Doc the opportunity to have a revolving door at 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and left.

16. With all the young depth we have, still wonder what some package of Strip, JOC and Kike would bring back? Does AF keep both JOC and Kike and let them walk at years end or try to get something in return this year?

    1. They are both gone.

    2. I think the Dodgers should keep them all this year. Just look at the Yankees situation. Depth is important and if this is the Dodgers’ year, don’t take any risks. Some of the players may not be happy with platooning, but i think a ring will make them feel better. If anything, hold on to them until the trade deadline. Maybe they can be used as trade capital to fix any team weaknesses that pop up during the season.

17. Mark, so Meathead is a Celtics fan?

    That would explain a lot.

    🙂

    1. Yep!

18. The Dodgers are loaded and that makes the decision about who hits 8th more interesting. Needs to have someone who will and can get a walk with two outs with the pitcher up next but less so with less than two outs with Betts in the lead off spot.

    Here is my opening game lineup:
    Betts,
    Pederson–needs a righty bat hitting behind him
    Turner,
    Bellinger,
    Muncy–could be Joc instead w/ Muncy at #2
    Smith
    Seager–Could also return to #2 if he sees more pitches
    Lux–future lead off hitter

    Rios will be traded one of these days to an American League team

    Gonsolin will be in the bullpen to start the season and if needed in the rotation will spend enough time during the season in OK to get stretched out.

    Between Taylor, Hernandez, and McKinstry it would seem like one lefty and one righty bat would be preferable to two righty bats.

19. I thought that the hire of Friedman was generally applauded by Dodgers fans. I know that as seasons went on, there was this segment of the social media which seemed to hate him, which is absurd. He is a smart guy, has done some very good things, although he has not done too well in free agent acquisitions, usually dipping into the lower-end market to try to find a bargain, rather than spending for the almost sure thing. But of course I have blamed much of that on the ownership. His most recent two FA pickups were Pollock and Kelly.. The trades have been very mixed as well; remember Latos, Jim Johnson, Alexander, Madsen. Obviously, if the Dodgers can sign Betts, it will make up for most of it, but if not, then he was just another rental, albeit for a year, not a few months.

    I don’t think that Houston cheating means that the Dodgers won the world title. Roberts still took out Hill too early, he still made a mistake by starting Darvish in Game 7 over Kershaw. It is probably true that if Houston had not cheated, the Dodgers would have won the World Series, but then the Yankees might have been the team we faced. Anyway, we haven’t won the title yet, and most well put together teams usually win one or more.

    This is a rather strange season, and of course under the frightening shadow of the coronavirus. It’s hard to imagine that the season will just play on, at least without major disruptions in attendance or travel. Putting that aside even for a moment, for the Dodgers, it is all about winning the title. Another division will not do , nor likely would another pennant. Victims of their own success, in some sense, but for a franchise to be considered great, for the GM and manager to be elevated in general opinion, they have to win titles. Billy Beane may be the best GM in the game, but no one really talks about him now, because the A’s do not win any titles. And they have much less in resources than the Dodgers do. Let us very much hope that the pandemic can be dealt with, that we can have a full season of baseball to enjoy, and that the Dodgers can actually win their first World Championship in 32 years, on the field.

20. With the year that Gavin Lux had last year, most find it hard to believe that he should start the year in AAA. I agree with Badger that it is a big deal for rookies to get introduced at opening day ceremonies, but I think this is going to be a very veteran team. With Kike’ and CT3 both still on the team, the organization has the luxury of sending Lux back to AAA to play every day. If there was only one of Kike’ or CT3, Lux would absolutely make the opening day roster. With two utility veterans, and Muncy who believes his best position in 2B, 2B is covered. There are things that Lux can work on. He needs to get more confident against LHP and he needs more experience defensively at 2B.

    Zach McKinstry has proven that he can compete at the ML level, but there is no place for him right now on the 26 man. He also needs to play every day at OKC. If ST stats were a decision maker, Cody Thomas, who is tied for the ML lead in HRs, would make the team. Cody will also probably go to AAA where he will undoubtedly struggle as he has all the way through his professional career. He has had a great spring to give him confidence going into the regular season, and hopefully this will be a breakout year for him where everything comes together. Regardless of the spring, I am guessing that LAD is still higher on DJ Peters at this time. This year will dictate who moves to the head of the OF class.

    AF knows that Gonsolin can always come back as a reliever, and it may eventually be his role. But right now, I suspect that LAD wants him to continue to start, and that will be in OKC. Doc (and AF) have already named their starters and their order in the rotation. Kershaw, Buehler, Price, Urias, Wood. None of those five have pitched themselves out of the rotation. Strip and Gonsolin have both had fantastic springs and show they can start if needed. Strip has done the back and forth at the ML level, so he is accustomed to it. What the rotation is in March/April will not be what it is in September/October.

    IMO, locks for the bullpen are KJ, Treinen, Kelly, Baez, Ferguson, and Stripling. I do not see anyway that Ferguson is sent down. He has been stellar in not allowing a baserunner in 4.1 IP this spring. While Alexander’s command is iffy at best, he is still a lefty who will at least give a different look. He can pitch to both RHP and LHP, if he can throw strikes. I see him on the roster. That leaves one spot, and with Jimmy Nelson apparently not close to pitching in a game, and IMO Gonsolin will be asked to start at OKC, that leaves Graterol or Floro. If you look at ceiling, there is no contest. But I still believe that Doc and AF want to start the season with a veteran presence, and while Floro is not lockdown, he is the #8 reliever and Brusdar can get his innings in at AAA rather than languishing on the bullpen bench. Graterol is just 21 and he will be back when the games get closer to playoff with his arm lengthening out after being out all last year.

    With Johnny Cueto apparently scheduled to be the opening day starter for SF, Joc will be the opening day LF. With Samardzija undoubtedly due to go game 2, Joc should get back to back starts, with AJ starting against Gausman or Smyly. It comes down to 2 of Lux, Beaty, and Rios to make the 26 man. As I posited above, I think Lux starts in OKC and that leaves LHH Beaty and Rios as reserves and PH. LAD does not see Lux as a reserve, but I do believe that is currently how they see Beaty and Rios.

    My prediction:

    Smith
    Muncy
    Kike’ or CT3
    Seager
    JT
    Joc
    Belli
    Mookie
    Barnes
    AJ
    Kike’ or CT3
    Beaty
    Rios

    Kershaw
    Buehler
    Price
    Urias
    Wood

    KJ
    Treinen
    Kelly
    Baez
    Ferguson
    Strip
    Alexander
    Floro

    1. Very sound AC. I am not enamored with Alexander and Floro but there are in-house arms to replace them as needed during the season.

       Trout was sent down before he stayed up. I would let Lux start at second and if needed, sent down during the season. He hasn’t had that many games at second but he has very quick hands and for me looks great there. It’s his position, if not now, then in May or June.

21. It seems to be the media types who hate Friedman. Probably a combination of jealousy and click bait.

    Of course, if they knew what they were doing they would be running a team, not criticizing those who do in the fish wrap.

22. “ Gonsolin will be in the bullpen to start the season and if needed in the rotation will spend enough time during the season in OK to get stretched out.“

    That’s probably how I would play it.

    He’s going to be 26 in May. He started 6 games last year, relieved in 5. Was good in both roles. Threw 80 innings. Hamstring issue likely prevented more work. I don’t know what the team has planned for him but my hunch is they want him to start, but not necessarily this year. That tells me he begins the year in OKC. With his stuff they may want him to pitch a bunch 6th and 7th innings. Whatever, he’s in the plans. He has 2 options left so it won’t be surmising to see him start in the minors. As RotoWorld put it “he represents an excellent stash candidate”.

    This team has so many choices that it could make it’s hard to know what they will do up front. I think we can rest assured all these guys are going to get extended looks throughout the year.

    1. I think the long term plan for Gonsolin should be as a starter. He has the quality pitch selection, IMO, to be a 3rd to 5th quality starter. I think he goes to AAA to start and is called up in August to be middle relief.

23. At some point it is my hope that we stop talking about Friedman. Maybe the Dodgers will go undefeated this year.

    1. I’ll take the under on both.

24. Andrew Freidman is revolutionizing baseball in the way of operating a team, he is making history and in the future he will be remembered for that and will be imitated, as has happened on other occasions with the Dodgers, by the other teams.
    It is congruent as the history of the team since it is what they have done throughout history, I cite two examples:
    1 Jackie Robinson
    2 The baseball academy in the Dominican Republic.
    The Dodgers have always been pioneers in many things, Andrew Friedman is part of that.

    1. Well stated!

       1. Well so far AF has put together really good teams that haven’t won a WS. What’s revolutionary is what Belichick and the Patriots have done. Let’s hold off on AF’s sainthood until he wins a couple of championships!

          1. I totally agree. He has assembled a very competitive team. But until they bring home the trophy, it means nothing.

    2. Let’s not forget Asia. Hideo Nomo,ChanHo Park etc

25. FanGraphs has an interesting article on the three batter rule. It also links a The Athletic article on the same subject. The Athletic article is a few days old, so it may have been posted already. I’m in finals week, so I haven’t been here much recently.

    https://blogs.fangraphs.com/the-three-batter-minimum-rules-biggest-dilemma/

    https://theathletic.com/1656469/2020/03/06/stark-managers-react-to-the-new-three-batter-rule-thats-not-fair/?source=shared-article

    1. Where do you go to school?

       1. I’m taking classes at Portland Community College. I have a BA from San Francisco State. I might go for another bachelor’s degree. I’m feeling my age though.

    2. Perhaps two cups of coffee isn’t enough for me as I found it somewhat confusing. I’ll get another cup.

       1. Some of the articles on FanGraphs make my eyes glaze over. The deep analytical stuff is definitely not for me. I enjoy their chats and prospect articles.

26. Thanks for posting that Athletic article on Rios, Mark. I’m going to have to re-think my opinion of him. As Rios himself points out in the article, a lot of people seem to think he’s always been a big, lumbering first baseman. I was amazed to read that back in 2013 he was actually considered a good-fielding shortstop. That makes me think he ought to be able to play a decent third base. If that’s the case, maybe he becomes JT’s caddy over there instead of Beaty although I’d really like to see Beaty make the OD roster because he’s a very good pinch hitter. I’ll be interested to see how this all plays out. Still wouldn’t mind seeing Kike sent somewhere where he can play more often and help himself in his contract year. That would leave openings for both Rios and Beaty and we, of course, have CT3 who can cover everything that Kike does.

    1. I knew he was originally a shortstop. I doubt he had the glove to stay there though. Assuming Lux is on the team then the last position spot is Beaty vs Rios. Which can provide a better glove? We know Beaty is good pinch hitter and there will be more of that with the 3 batter rule. I agree with Mark’s pitching staff. McKinstry isn’t making it though.
       ~
       Thought the Athletic article on the 3 batter rule was good. The rule just seems to show how disposable relief pitchers are to MLB. Pens are going to get blown up. Relief pitchers are going to wind up on the IL, but since they don’t make much money no one cares.

27. If the Angels wanted to win this year and beyond, they should consider trading Abel for Gonsolin, Alexander, Floro, Rios, and McKinstry. Yes I realize if Betts re-signs with Dodgers, Joc won’t be.

    1. Well Joc will test the FA market and he still might be dealt at the deadline but keep in mind Joc won’t bring back much in return if he is dealt alone and not as part of a package of players. Simple reason is that he’s in his walk year.

       1. This keeps coming up. I don’t see a circumstance where Joc is dealt at the deadline. AF wouldn’t trade him to a playoff contender if that means the Dodgers have to face him in two months.

          It’s usually his MO to trade when the value is highest to get a return, but that ship has sailed, and I think AF has more of a priority to win this year. If that mean’s Joc helps them do it and then walks, AF might consider that the price to pay of a WS title.

    2. Do you mean Adell?

       1. Yes but if I spelled his name right someone couldn’t resist the urge to say the Angels would never trade Adell.

          1. BTW, if you haven’t noticed, I often offer up players that are overly praised in here in trades for elite players. Sometimes prospects are overhyped before their time and those who overhype them are the first to say they aren’t good enough for the other team to accept the trade.

          2. We are giving up quite a lot. Maybe we could get both Adell and Abel lol

             1. And Cain

28. Great read this morning AC!
    I am a huge Friedman admirer. He is playing chess while we are looking at a checker board. I had questions when he did the Puig/Wood trade for prospects but now looking back it was genius. I would not be surprised if he traded Wood again for prospects,the gift keeps giving.
    I like your 26 man roster. Better to play Lux in AAA till there is more room on the bench up here.

29. Teaser for tomorrow….

    Steely Dan – Hey Nineteen (1981) from MUNROW'S RETRO on VIMEO on Vimeo.

    My old school – Steely Dan TKV from Mike N. Ike on Vimeo.

30. Well, the Pacers lost, but it was a great game… Victor is very close to being all the way back. He had 27 but was tired at the end. Patience…

31. Joe Broussard was released. One other minor league pitcher, Connor Strain was also released. I really thought Broussard was going to be a good addition to the team, but over the last year he faded a lot.

32. I wonder if AF was back in touch with Cleveland today? Could Lindor play 2B on short notice (or 3B, if Turner moved to 1B and Muncy to his preferred 2B)? Cleveland needs outfielders, right?

33. I doubt it. Cleveland will probably hold on to him until at least the deadline. With 1 more year after this on his contract. Problem would be the salary. He is getting a bunch

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