Intrasquad games and the exhibition season has come to an end. The results have been generally positive. The offense seems to be working on all cylinders. They are working the count, fouling off pitches, and attacking mistakes. During these games, they have shown they CAN BE a good two strike hitting team. They are going the other way with so much consistency that it is not a mistake. Some are looking to take the outside pitch to the opposite side, particularly Corey Seager. If they get any kind of offense from the catcher corps, they will be loaded 1-9.
From what I have seen of Corey Seager since ST is that he is going back to how he attacked the ball in his rookie and sophomore year. I would not project him to be 12-15 HR guy, but could lead MLB in doubles and a .330 plus BA. Corey does not walk very much, so his OBP will be more closely reflective of his BA. His doubles will boost his slugging so that his OPS should get back to his .850 +. Defensively, his arm is back to where it was in 2016/2017. He has never had top range, but it has always been good enough to keep him as one of the better SS. He has always gone to his right better than up the middle. He will be able to get back to throwing out batter/runners from deep in the hole at third. Most of MLB journalists are projecting either Mookie or Cody as MVP. Me? I am going with Corey Seager. And yes, I am biased.
Pitching wise, I think the Dodgers are well stocked. Once Walker Buehler gets fully ramped up, he and Clayton Kershaw will form a very good top two. As good as Scherzer and Strasburg? Maybe not, but Max showed some signs of slowing down at the end of last year. Verlander and Greinke? deGrom and Stroman? Bieber and Clevinger? Castillo and Gray? There are multiple quality top two, and adding Corbin to Scherzer/Strasburg, the Nats have the best top three. But I am more than bullish going to battle with:
- Kershaw
- Buehler
- Urias
- Strip
- Wood
Anyone falters, Dustin May will be ready to step in. Tony Gonsolin/Mitch White/Josiah Gray ready to follow.
I have not been bullish on the Dodgers bullpen for the past several years. But this year, the bullpen COULD be a strength. I am not saying it will be, because bullpens are always unpredictable. Seeing Kenley working on his weaknesses last night, he showed that he recognizes that he has problems with runners on base. His inability to hold the runner on first, and his inability to keep the runner on second from stealing signs, is not lost on even the average Dodger fan. I do not for a minute believe he has conquered those weaknesses, but to recognize it and work at it is a big plus.
Other than KJ, the back end of the pen seems to be well stocked:
- KJ
- Blake Treinen
- Joe Kelly
- Brusdar Graterol (AKA Bazooka) – formerly Buffalo
6th and 7th inning:
- Pedro Baez
- Caleb Ferguson (L)
- Scott Alexander (L)
- Dylan Floro
- Jake McGee (L)
- Dennis Santana
- Josh Sborz
- Adam Kolarek (L)
- AJ Ramos (R)
Long Man
- Dustin May
When the team gets down to 26, the bullpen will be eight. AF and Doc/Prior/McGuiness should be able to find a GOOD eight man bullpen form those listed above. Tony Gonsolin could also make that list if he is not needed as a SP. While both Mitch White and JoJo Gray were effective in their exhibition starts, their earliest ETA should be 2021 unless something catastrophic happens.
I know it is fashionable to negate the Jake McGee signing as a mistake based on what transpired last night. He had not pitched in over a week. He got released by a team that does not have good pitching (can’t feel good). So that he would not be on an airplane, he was told to drive to LA on Sunday (from Denver), He got into LA on Monday. Got the COVID-19 test and all of the other protocols. And then was rudely welcomed to the Dodgers staff on Tuesday. After the game, there were no excuses requested or delivered. He did say that AF knows what he can do. Same for Brandon Gomes who he pitched with while both were with Tampa Bay. He did offer that Prior/McGuiness have some things that they have seen that they can work with him on.
2019 – Home – 19.2 IP, 5.95 ERA, 1.831 WHIP
2019 – Away – 21.2 IP, 2.91 ERA, 1.015 WHIP
I may be proven wrong, but I am still comfortable with the acquisition.
The way I figure it, the 30 man roster will include 5 starting pitchers, 11 relief pitchers, and 14 position players.
My best guess:
SP (5):
- Clayton Kershaw (L) (I list him #1, until Buehler unquestionably grabs it)
- Walker Buehler (R)
- Julio Urias (L)
- Alex Wood (L)
- Ross Stripling (L)
RP (11):
- KJ (R)
- Blake Treinen (R)
- Joe Kelly (R)
- Brusdar Graterol (R)
- Dustin May (R)
- Caleb Ferguson (L)
- Pedro Baez (R)
- Dylan Floro (R)
- Jake McGee (L)
- Dennis Santana (R)
- Adam Kolarek (L)
Scott Alexander (L) and Josh Sborz (R), will be the first up when needed.
Starters (8):
- 1B – Max Muncy
- 2B – CT3
- 3B – JT
- SS – Corey Seager
- LF – Joc
- CF – Belli
- RF – Mookie
- C – Will Smith
Reserves (6):
- A.J. Pollock
- Kike’ Hernandez
- Austin Barnes
- Matt Beaty
- Edwin Rios
- Zach McKinstry
I have left off Terrence Gore because he is not on the 40 man, and I do not see anyone on the 40 man who should get DFA, so I cannot see Gore making the roster unless someone on the 40 man is released or goes on the 45 day IL.
Walker Buehler was asked what happened that he did not continue to ramp up during the down time. As I surmised, he was unsure of the uncertainty and just shut it down for about a week. He says he is 1-2 innings behind. Buehler is a slow starter anyway, so shutting it down a week makes sense.
A very common question asked of the players in their Zoom press conferences is whether there are any specific rules set down by the players to stay in line with the protocols. I assume that because he is the face of the team, Clayton has been asked every time and his response does not vary. “We all know what we have to do and not do. We all have a common goal of winning the WS and no player wants to be that guy who wanders out and comes back with the virus.” I think his point is we are all adults, and we know what is at stake. We do not need to write down rules. We have less than a week before the team embarks on their first road trip, so we might have a better feel once they return from Houston, Arizona, and San Diego.
There is a lot of speculation that Mookie and AF are close to reaching a 10 year deal. I am more skeptical because Mookie has always maintained that he wants to go through free agency. But maybe the pandemic has changed his position. If the rumors of a 10 year $350MM contract are true, then the Dodgers, Mookie, and Dodger fans will be happy. I guess stay tuned.
Mookie Betts. 12 years, ‘at least’ $353M. Wow!
Will comment later on this.
I’ll comment on this now. WOW!!! Shocking, wonderful, and somewhat puzzling. He’ll be 39 years old when this expires. Mookie is the picture of health, optimism, and talent. If anyone can play into this age bracket, he certainly would be a good bet to do it, but still, 39!? His work is now cut out for him.
AC, a really good post and overall solid picture of the Dodgers as they begin the season. You’ve covered a lot of ground and I concur with you. This is a great group that should win it all barring unforeseen calamities like injury or Covid interruption. I cannot remember a better balanced team with as much power and pitching as they have now.
The only hesitation I would have is thinking that Corey will be an MVP. Even if he continues to hit and field well, which I think he will, it will be difficult for him to displace Cody or Belli as the top of the heap on the team and nigh well impossible to compete with the rest of the talent in the league for MVP.
I saw some positives in McGee’s appearance and am not ready to pull the plug on him. The window for pulling it together may not favor him this season. The same might be said for Lux. I was really surprised to see him melt down. Dodgers wasted no time in repairing this. I’m actually starting to like Doc this season. He seems more comfortable than ever and is more open with the interviewers.
When listing bullpen possibilities you didn’t mention AJ Ramos. I think he’s shown what he can do and if not on the opening day roster I would much rather have him be the first guy up than Sborz.
Seager has looked so good it’s scary. I just hope that he carries it into the season and if he does, AF can start talking to him as soon as he has Mookie’s autograph on the dotted line.
Doc says he will not be on 30 man. But he should Have definitely been in my 6th, 7th inning bucket. That was a big oversight by me. He is one I am really rooting for. I will go back and update . Thanks.
He’s here on a minor league contract. I hope that means he’ll stay with the organization instead of being cut loose. Maybe they just feel he needs a little more work before he’s ready to go full tilt. After all, he did miss a lot of time with a shoulder injury.
Anyway, I was impressed with what I saw of him and hope we see him at DS some time this year.
I think the active Roster has now been posted. I assume this is the case as only 30 names are listed. https://www.mlb.com/dodgers/roster
It is. It appears that the Dodgers took 17 pitchers instead of 16. They added Scott Alexander over Zach McKinstry.
Roberts had said yesterday McKinstrey was not making the roster.
I thought he was leaning to Alexander not making the 30 man to start the season, making McKinstry in play. That would make the 13 position players the same as they will have at a 26 man rotation. Doc is going to ride these 13 guys as long as he can. Even in a 60 game abbreviated season, there is going to be injuries, maybe even more than usual for pulled muscles.
This is a questionable move but they are so deep that it might not matter. McKinstry has player written all over him.
It has and they are carrying 17 pitchers, including Baez who has yet to throw and Alexander. I actually have that song on a DVD. I love it and remember when it came out. It was also interesting to see the collage of photo’s the DJ put on the video. In the one where they show Durocher, if you look behind his left shoulder, you see a very redheaded Vin Scully. The photo where Danny is playing the trumpet for the charge is a movie still from a film he made called ” Te Five Pennies. About jazz man Red Penny.
ESPN.com is saying that the deal is for 13 years, including this season, 380 million dollars. And it could be finalized as early as tonight. Blue Jays not allowed to play home games in Pittsburgh per the Pennsylvania board of health, so a couple of days before the season they are scrambling to find a home. Lots of former really good players getting released, including Melky Cabrerra and Beckham from the Mets. Bret Cecil was also released.
The offense looks stacked. I guess we will find out later if they call Lux up but if they do then one of Rios or Beatty likely gets sent to USC.
The rotation looks OK – I wonder how much Buehler’s post-Spring Training laziness will cost them? I think that Strip will be OK and we will have to see how the back of the rotation (Wood/Strip) will do – the early signs are good.
As for the ‘pen – Kelly has not looked good and has hardly pitched (again). I have seen no evidence that he is anything other than what he has always been – inconsistent. Treinen has hardly pitched and Baez hasn’t pitched at all. Alexander either. Kolarek hasn’t gotten right handers out and Floro can’t get lefties. The pieces are there but this group wasn’t that good last year and the Summer version of Spring training hasn’t proven anything. Graterol could be the difference maker here.
Last year’s team OPS’d .810 without a DH and averaged almost 5.5 runs/game. Add a DH and Mookie Betts – this could be the best Dodger offense since 1953.
Kelly has not looked good?
He has not pitched a lot, but he has pitched 3.2 innings and struck out 6 with ZERO BB and a 1.09 WHIP. What des he have to do? Fly?
Good question.
13 and $380mm? Why? Maybe just having him at Spring Training and in the clubhouse/dugout until he’s 40 is worth it to the Dodgers. “Be Like Mookie” will be the mantra.
I’m wondering if the LOOGY is going to be phased out. I remember a guy from over a decade ago… Ozuna… a right hander with a nasty split finger or two seamer who had a split that read nearly identical RH to LH. Both sides hit around .230. A few years he was actually better against LHB. I’m thinking Treinen and Graterol can get anybody out. I think Alexander has decent splits too. Get Orel to teach some of these young hard throwers the two seam grip that tails down and away from LHers and we won’t need Kolerek.
Mark I tried to comment on 9:56 post on the last thread but the thread had been closed. I agree with your 800 pound gorilla take, and as strange as it all feels I am so far thrilled baseball is moving forward. Basketball and football next. Gulp.
“OTOH it could all blow up. There are no guarantees in life”. Yes, it could still blow up. And there is one guarantee in life we all share.
I think the NBA could work, if they stay in the “bubble” but I see absolutely no way Football can happen. Just my opinion.
I agree about football. Basketball? I don’t know man, that bubble idea sounds fragile to me. It’s Florida. 6 straight days of 10,000+ new cases. (Palm Beach Post, yesterday). Whatever. I just hope baseball goes on without problems.
Works for me if it works for him.
He has not pitched in any of the “summer training” games against the Snakes or Angels.
In intersquad competition he got hit.
His 3.2 innings were in March – that’s ancient history.
Not worried at all about Kelly. He was not going all out in intrasquad games, why should he? Kershaw was not all that sharp in a couple of intrasquad tiffs either.
Exciting news about Mookie. Between that and watching the Dodgers knock the ball around the last few nights, I’m ready for this sprint of a season. With the way Seager is swinging the bat, I think I would put him back in the two hole and let Muncy protect Belli. I would rather see CT3 in the lineup over Kike.
I agree with both of your points Hawkeye. I would flip Seager and Muncy in the order, and (by a slight margin) I prefer CT3 in the lineup to Kike, mainly because I feel he’s more consistent.
I don’t think you can go wrong either way, but Max is faster than Corey!
Max is a “Freakin’ Gazelle!”
Yeah, Gazelle MacKenzie, American Hit Parade, so, obviously she could hit. Couldn’t run from here to there. The only run she had was in her hose.
Mookie, then pick names out of a hat and we can beat anybody.
PRESS RELEASE:
DODGERS SIGN 2018 AL MVP MOOKIE BETTS TO A 12-YEAR CONTRACT
LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Dodgers announced that they have signed outfielder Mookie Betts to a 12-year contract through the 2032 season.
Betts, 27, is entering his seventh season in the Major Leagues after spending the parts of the last six seasons with the Boston Red Sox. In 794 games with Boston, he hit a combined .301 (965-for-3203) with 139 homers and 470 RBI, while being named an All-Star four straight years (2016-19) and winning four Gold Glove Awards (2016-19), three Silver Slugger Awards (‘16, 18-19) and the 2018 Most Valuable Player Award. He led the Red Sox in WAR in each of his first five full seasons in the Major Leagues (6.0 in 2015, 9.5 in 2016, 6.4 in 2017, 10.9 in 2018, 6.9 in 2019).
In his MVP campaign, the Tennessee native hit .346 (180-for-520) with 32 homers and 80 RBI while leading the league in WAR (10.4), runs scored (129), batting average and slugging percentage (.640). After leading the Red Sox to the World Series Championship in 2018, he became the first player in American League history to win the World Series, MVP, Gold Glove and Silver Slugger in the same season and the second player in Major League Baseball history to complete the feat (Mike Schmidt in 1980).
Last season, he hit .295 (176-for-597) with 29 homers and 80 RBI in 150 games while finishing first in the American League amongst right fielders in defensive runs saved (20). He finished fifth in the AL in OBP (.391) and 11th in OPS (.915) while leading AL right fielders with 10 outfield assists.
Betts was acquired by the Dodgers on February 10, along with David Price from Boston in exchange for outfielder Alex Verdugo and minor leaguers Connor Wong and Jeter Downs. He was originally drafted in the fifth round (173rd overall) of the 2011 First-Year Player Draft out of John Everton High School (TN).
Betts will make his Dodger debut tomorrow night in the season opener against the San Francisco Giants at 7:07 p.m. PST.
Well I guess that ends any discussion that AF will NEVER sign anyone to a $100MM contract or to any contract longer than five years.
I also guess we do not have to hear any more questions about seeing Mookie in a Dodgers uni .
I saw him in a Dodger uniform just the other day.
But, seriously, this is a big deal. This organization is dynastic.
From one Gazelle to another
I really like CT3 as an everyday 2nd baseman leaving Kike do do what he does best. That infield, in fact the entire defense, looks very solid to me. Be nice to Pollock hit
Damn, I hope this Mookie rumor has legs. I’d love to see him secured for the future. Yippie just read it’s a deal
Gatoraid is a dude and he sure looks like a future closer to me.
I hate to let you all know this, but Pollock is a pro. He was one of the better players in the 2nd half after he came off of the IL. I trust the guy, he knows how to play the game and comes to play. If he stays healthy, and that is the only if, he will contribute.
Yes, pj, starting CT3 is looking like the smart move. He looks primed this season to take it to the next level. I can see Lux not coming back this season with CT3 and Kike having such a strong showing.
Graterol does lool like a future closer to me, too. He’s exciting to watch. Ramos has some talent, too.
So the Dodgers tried to sign Harper and failed. Got Betts instead. Far better deal.
Congrats to Mookie, and the Dodgers for signing him to the contract. Beyond his obvious playing talents, he seems to be one of the good guys, with great work ethics, focus and character. Hope he has many enjoyable years with the Dodgers and gives the fans a real boost towards a championship.
Little bummed about McKinstry but hope to see him this year without wishing anyone suffering an injury. Also love CT3 and his defense and his offense.
Anyone heard of any ‘opt-outs’ in Mookie’s contract?
MLB tv carried a little of the Mookie-AF presser. Mookie said he didn’t need to test free agency because the Dodgers gave him a fair deal and he loves everything he’s experienced in his short time here. Players and front office have been great and he knew he wanted to stay.
As an aside, I’ve never seen AF so animated. He’s really ecstatic.
That’s really great news.
So gutted that MJ won’t get to see Mookie in Dodger Blue. She absolutely loved him.
The future looks very bright.
My only doubts surround our Starting Pitching. Hope Beuhler gets up to speed quickly, and have to admit to being disappointed that Price decided not to play as I had a feeling he was gonna rebound well in LA.
I knew you guys would begin to get into the this different Baseball Season.
I’m. Looking forward to it.
Am loving the Betts deal and I’m glad the Dodgers and AF were willing to make this deal for this player. Not Machado or Harper or even Cole. Mookie seems like a perfect fit and everyone’s a winner. No winter of free agency and and that Bu** sh**.
So it appears that with this season’s 27 M included, this deal is actually 13 years at 392M. My question is, is any portion of this year’s 27 M paid by the Red Sox? I know a portion of Price’s $96M is paid by Boston but I don’t know about Betts.
I can’t wipe the smile off my face that this is done.
Regarding rudybyrd’s question above, there are no opt outs or no trade clauses in Mookie’s contract.
He gets a 65 mil signing bonus which apparently isn’t taxable because he doesn’t live here, and about a third of the contract is deferred but no statement as to how long the payments will extend for. Maybe he’ll try to break Bonilla’s record.
Thank you, STB.
$115 MM is deferred. Mookie’s home state is Tennessee and Tennessee has no state income tax. Bonuses are paid out so that the income is earned at the recipient’s home, not in the state of the team. Ross Stripling did this as well this year. The bulk of his 2020 compensation was in the form of a bonus. Strip’s home is in Texas, which also does not have a state income tax. This also allowed Strip to keep most of his 2020 salary as it was paid out before the shut down. I am assuming that Mookie will continue to keep his home in Tennessee, so that his deferred compensation will also have no state tax as long as Tennessee continues to not have a state income tax.
So help me out here Jeff, if it’s salary it’s taxed in the state where earned and if it’s a bonus it’s taxed (or not taxed) in the state of residence?
And if I am correct in my statement above, is salary earned by a Dodger while playing in Colorado taxed at Colorado rates rather than California rates?
I think it’s pro-rated (PUN ALERT)
From what I recall, players pay taxes based on in-state / game-day action. It’s the total number of days that an athlete works (game, practice, autographs and team meetings included) in a state divided by the total working days in the year (I think, but am not sure this is just # of total working days not profession specific (i.e. all the weekdays of a year, not week days during spring training, regular and post-season. Or, in another example inclusive of all NFL weeks including the phony ones like the week before the Super Bowl, which Super Bowl players would be taxed by the state hosting the Big Game.)
There are probably some exceptions like those states without state taxes (FL, TX, DC, WA) —meaning that while the Dallas Cowboys or Houston Astros don’t pay income taxes at home, they do when they visit their rivals.
All that said, can we not shit on taxes? They work! They are generally good for society. Sure the DMV is an example of mind-boggling bureaucracy. Sure we hate crony capitalism and Public Schools could be better. But, c’mon! Life in the States is pretty great, and we can thank taxes for that.
As per the Betts deal, not that it matters but I’m generally down on 8 year deals. I’m almost always down on 10 year deals, so I don’t at all like a 12 year deal. But if you’re going to make a mistake in giving a 12 year deal, why not do it on the 2nd best player in MLB when the best player isn’t available.
Great news on Betts, helps make up for some of the bad news on other fronts. It makes this season more fun to look forward to, as well.
I am not nearly as confident about the pitching, but we will find out. This season will be unique, in that someone like Wood, who in the past has pitched better in the first half than the second, does not need to go through close to an entire season. Same for Urias, who has never pitched that many innings, but would not have to in these 60 regular season games. I do hope that we add another top pitcher for next year, even with Price returning after a year layoff. And I’m not all that sure about Kershaw, but I will rely on the reports here that he looks better than recently. As to the bullpen, I am counting on Treinen to help, I do not know at all about Kelly, who had a pretty bad season in 2019. Our lineup should be very good, though it is disappointing that Lux wasn’t nearly as ready as we had hoped last year; and we also have to hope that Smith can hit at least .240 with some home run power. But the heart of the lineup is as good as anybody’s, including NYY, and then we’ll see how we might do in the playoffs against teams with very good frontline pitching. We are the favorites to win it all, but the very short season can make for surprises, since baseball has always been a marathon in which the small advantages show up over time.
I’m not sure we will sign another top pitcher this winter unless we resign Wood.
With May, Gonsolin and Gray in the wings for a rotation of Kershaw, Buehler, Price, Urias and Stripling there isn’t much room.
If the right person was available at the right price though … just not yet sure who that may be
Price will be back next year. The Dodgers really don’t need more starters and you forgot White.
2021:
1. Kershaw
2. Buehler
3. Price
4. May
5. Stripling
Gonsolin takes Chicken Strips place
Gray in 2022.
Urias?
Forgot…
I’m old! 😉
I’m still not convinced on White but I’m coming around this summer. On this team he may be a swing man like Stripling but that still would be quite an accomplishment given this roster
OK, I’ll do it right:
1. Kershaw
2. Buehler
3. Urias
4. Price
5. May
WOW!
No one will be forgetting about Urias after this year!
Agreed!
Agreed, again!
Loved the Dodgers song, never heard it before. Amazing news about signing Mookie to a long-term deal. So unlike AF to commit so much money over so many years. Statistically, we all know that players see a decline in their abilities starting in their early to mid 30s. So either AF knows something that we don’t know (Mookie is immortal) or the Guggenheim group said it was worth eating the money in the last years of his contract. Either way, this is huge! It is what Dodger fans have been waiting for while AF slowly put together a dynasty based on a systematic, disciplined approach. This is the final piece to the puzzle. And we saw some spectacular young arms in Summer Camp: Gray, Graderol, White, May. Some of you may have noticed, Nate Silver came out with his predictions for 2020. Gave the Dodgers a 20% chance of winning the WS. Next highest were Yankees and Houston, each at 14%. The odds change, of course, as the season goes on, depending on each team’s performance. These are the odds based on the info available today. It’s as if you start a race, and the Dodgers start 20 feet ahead, Houston and the Yankees 14 feet ahead, and so forth, down to the Orioles and a few others who start at 0. It’s Bayesian statistics.