2021 and Beyond… the Dynasty Continues

Posted By on October 29, 2020

Dodger’s Offseason Plans

The Dodgers won the World Series in 1988 and it only took thirty-two more years to win another Championship.  I guarantee the next ones (notice I did not say “one?”) will be much sooner. Dave Roberts and Andrew Friedman got the proverbial monkey off their backs and both can now rightly take their respective places as “baseball icons.”

I do want to say a few things about Roberts and Friedman.  If anyone doesn’t like either person, I will suggest that you have a deep-seated problem. One of the first things Andrew Friedman did after winning the World Series was to apologize to Dodger fans that it took so long.  Then, Doc showed what a class act he is by thanking many players, fans, as well as Ross Stripling, by name.  The players absolutely love Friedman and Roberts and the reason is that they are “good guys” who genuinely care.

Dave Roberts has the highest winning percentage of any Dodger manager with over 400 games managed.  It is .615, while Alston is at .558 and Lasorda sits at .526.  Walter Alston won 23 post-season games, while Tommy won 31 postseason games.  The next time Dave Roberts wins a postseason game, he will tie Tommy for first place in Dodger lore.

The Dodgers have built a culture of winning – they hire great people, draft or sign great character players and play the game the right way.  By the way, that is not going to end anytime soon as the Dodgers are already Preseason favorites to win the 2021 World Series.

However, just as soon as one season is over, Andrew Friedman and Company have to start planning for 2021 and what it will bring.  Baseball is not in a good place right now.  Many teams are terminating employees and the amount of money owed by many teams is crippling (if you believe their numbers).  It will not be “business as usual” in 2021 for baseball. The top free agents will get paid, but the second and third tier of free agents will not be so lucky. 

I think that the season will likely start in May, 2021 and be 120 to 130 games.  I am assuming that a vaccine for COVID-19 will be available, but if it is not, we could see a repeat of 2020.  The pandemic has really hurt most baseball teams, but the Dodgers have deep pockets and are more prepared to weather the storm.  They will most likely flourish during these troubling times because of the financial strength of the organization.

This is not true of many smaller market teams who could be crippled.  The ramifications of the pandemic are not fully known, but I would not be surprised is MLB had to “rescue” or take over a franchise or three.  What can Dodger fans expect for 2021?  Well, first, we have to look at the Dodgers own Free Agents:

Dodgers Own Free Agents

The Dodgers have some of their own who are officially now free agents, namely:

  1. Pedro Baez – $4,000,000.
  2. Kiké Hernandez – $5,900,000.
  3. Joc Pederson – $7,750,000.
  4. Blake Treinen – $10,000,000.
  5. Justin Turner – $16,000,000.
  6. Alex Wood – $4,000,000.

Total: $47,650,000.

Of course, Andrew Friedman and the Dodgers would welcome them all back… but at what cost?  Realistically, only two or three will likely be back, depending upon the market this winter. Baez likely will not be back.  I think that is a done deal! Pederson will likely get a multi-year deal and not be back. The same would seem to be true of Kike Hernandez, but there is more here than meets the eye.  The Dodgers love Kike and he loves the Dodgers – I think whether he returns or not depends upon his market and it may not be great with all of the financial uncertainty across the baseball landscape.

What about Treinen and Wood?  Blake has been dazzling at times and so-so at others.  He has had one great year and some OK ones.  The Dodgers won’t pay him $10 Million again, but will anyone else?  I could see a 1-year deal at $6 million, but maybe Treinen can’t see that. If Alex Wood wants to come back, it would have to be as a reliever and at about the same salary as 2020.  Will he wrap his head around that?  I have no clue… but I would love to have him.  In the past two years, he has shown that he can be an effective reliever.  Starter?  Not so much!

The one Free Agent the Dodgers do want back is Justin Turner, but he will be 36 next month and realistically, is no longer a starting third-baseman.  DH is his best spot and assuming there is  DH next year in the NL, I can see the Dodgers offering him a 2-year $15 million deal with a club option for a 3rd year. By the way, I will have no comment on his COVID-19 test until I hear the full story. The media is savaging him right about now because that’s what those idiots do (ask me how I really feel).

Off-the-Books

  • Morgan Cooper – The Dodgers believed University of Texas right-handed pitcher Morgan Cooper, taken with their 62nd overall pick in the second round of the 2017 Major League Draft could be fast-tracked.  Said scouting director Billy Gasparino. “Given his experience at the University of Texas, we definitely expect him to hit the ground running. The difference with him is that most of his stuff is present, so we’re not waiting for a pitch to come, or to work on the delivery. We think a lot of it is in place.” Then he disappeared. Where’s Waldo… I mean… Morgan Copper?
  • Jesen Therrien – Therrien was the Phillies’ 17th-rounder in 2011 out of Canada, and has recently worked with Eric Gagne. He is now 27 years old and has not pitched since 2017 due to Tommy John Surgery.  Technically, not still Dodgers’ property, he is a tantalizing unknown. Said to have  95 MPH fastball and wipeout slider, he was once considered a good relief prospect.  Who knows now?

Organization Pitchers

We really have no idea what type of player development was accomplished in 2020 at the “alternate site.”  I am sure the Dodger coaches, managers and brass were working with the guys to improve their skills, but that is going to be pretty hard to quantify without “hard data.” I have listed what I believe are my Top 15 Dodger Minor League Pitchers:

  1. Josiah Gray – He has a solid fastball with late movement, a nice slider and a changeup that is a “work-in-progress.” He seems to miss a lot of bats and has a solid future as a starter… except that he is blocked by six, count ‘em, 6 starters ahead of him.  It has not been Friedman’s M.O., but I would not mind seeing him pitch out of the pen in 2021.
  2. Mitchell White – Mitch has three plus pitches (fastball, slider and curve) but has difficulty staying healthy.  I think a decision should be made to send him to the pen, where he could become a high-leverage reliever.
  3. Bobby Miller – At 6’ 5” and 220 pounds, Miller is a prototypical starting pitcher. He is a great athlete with tremendous arm strength and electric stuff.  His fastball approaches 100 MPH and his slider (cutter) and changeup (splitter) are all plus pitches.  He should be ready in 2022… if not sooner.
  4. Clayton Beeter – Beeter is a 6-foot-2, 220-pound right-hander who throws a four-seam fastball, curveball and changeup from an over-the-top delivery that allows him to throw downhill and create deception. His fastball and curveball are above-average and allow him to overpower hitters. His fastball sits in the mid-90s and has touched 98 mph. His curveball might be his best pitch and serves as an extremely effective outpitch. It consists of 12-to-6 break and typically generates a high percentage of strikeouts.  He certainly projects as a starter… probably in 2022.
  5. Landon Knack – Landon is a fast-track work in progress.  He now hits 98 MPH with his fastball and his slider is an emerging out pitch.  That’s all he needs to be successful reliever, but the Dodgers may view him as a starter. At any rate, he could be close to the Show..,
  6. Michael Grove – The Pandemic certainly impeded Grove’s progress.  The Dodgers picked him in the 2018 draft while he was recovering from Tommy John Surgery.  He has a 96+ MPH fastball and his slider used to be a plus pitch.  At last check, that pitch was not back, but 2021 is a big year for him.  He could end up in the bullpen easier than he could start in my opinion.
  7. Gerardo Carrillo – He has a plus fastball that can hit 98 to 99 MPH and not much else.  In addition, he has control issues.  His future is in the bullpen, but he needs another pitch and has been working on a cutter.  Still only 22 years old, he could move quickly IF he can master the cutter. Harold Uhlman has a nice piece on him HERE.
  8. Edwin Uceta – He has been adding velocity to his fastball, which touches 95 and also has a changeup that mirrors his fastball.  He is another pitcher that I see in the bullpen, not as a starter.  He has great makeup and according to people in the organization, he has an “advanced feel for pitching.”
  9. Kendall Williams – Kendall was part of the Ross Stripling trade, and is another large prototypical starter.  The big RHP is 6’ 6” and 205 pounds whose fastball currently is 94 to 95 MPH.  Still only 20 years old, he is very projectible as a starter.  Williams possesses the normal secondary off-speed pitches in a slider, curveball, and change-up. His curveball will be his best secondary pitch, mostly due to his size and three-quarter arm slot. He should arrive in 2023.  Harold Uhlman has an excellent piece of Kendall Williams HERE.
  10. Ryan Pepiot – Harold Uhlman wrote extensively about Ryan right HERE. I can’t cover him any better. He could be ready in 2022.
  11. Jimmy Lewis – Where do they keep getting these 6’6” RHP? He is potentially a middle-of-the-rotation starter with a 95+ fastball and plus control.  2023 is his target.
  12. Brett de Geus – Harold has the goods on Brett right HERE.  I think Brett will be in the Dodger bullpen in 2021, filling the role of Pedro Baez. 
  13. Andre Jackson – Fresh off of Tommy John Surgery in 2017, Jackson is very new to pitching.  His fastball hit 98 with late “life” and he has a good changeup.  He is on a starters path, but I think he ends up in the bullpen… probably in 2022. He is already 24 years old and extremely athletic at 6’ 3” and 210.
  14. Robinson Ortiz – This smallish 20-year-old lefthander. His fastball hits 97 and he also has a good changeup.  His breaking ball is a work in progress, but he has drawn comparisons to Caleb Ferguson who will be out until 2022.  Ortiz should be ready for the bullpen in 2022.  I do not see him as a starter.
  15. Hyun-il Choi – He’s a 20-year-old RHP from South Korea.  If he can add a couple of MPH to his fastball (currently 94 MPH) and continue to refine his curves and changeup, he has a chance to be a back-of-the-rotation starter.  He’s likely 3 years away.

The Dodgers have lots of power arms in the Farm System. In 2020, they graduated Dustin May, Tony Gonsolin, and Victor Gonzalez (who was the Dodgers #30 Top Prospect).  The system is loaded with pitchers, most of who will become relievers.

Later, we will look at Position Players… and there are plenty of those, as well.  I do not see the Dodgers going after any big free agent pitchers (Bauer) because they simply do not need to.  Going into 2021, they have a plethora of high-quality starters:

  1. Buehler
  2. Kershaw
  3. Urias
  4. Price
  5. May
  6. Gonsolin
  7. Gray
  8. White

The Farm System is stacked and staged for year-over-year growth and where I am from, they call it a dynasty! I will cover the position players soon and I will tell you my TOP 15 does not include D.J. Peters.

Today’s Music

This article has 106 Comments

  1. Great article! Support turner a 100%. Mark, I was very high on urias before the year started but then through the year he was good but well not what I was hoping. U stayed with him so props to u. But now after the playoffs he is a star. I trust him above everybody but Buehler. So he should start the season as the number 2. May is going to be a great pitcher in some role. Price can fill the 4-5 role with Gray probably fighting with Gonsolin for a starting role. The farm is loaded with pitching.

    If the national league keeps the dh and I suspect it will then Rios and turner can platoon dh and third base. Lux will get untracked and probably Joc won’t resign but if he does him and pollock can platoon.

    MLB investigating turner what a joke. They let the ASStros off scot free. Go Turner and the great Dodger team. The Dodgers fought all the cheating, bad umpiring, the stupid mlb decisions and comments by Manfred and still won. AF is class go Dodgers the best organization in baseball.

  2. It’s not like Justin Turner hadn’t been around everyone all day already. Pre game, locker room, 8 innings, a month! Perhaps I’m an idiot, but I doubt 2 more hours being around him would have made a difference. To remove him from the championship game and force him to miss the celebration, I think is BS.

  3. You didn’t men Sborz. He played a few games with the team this year. He’s a reliever now but how will he stack up?

  4. Terrific article. I would advocate for an asterisk on all MLB post season records, including managerial, that distinguishes between periods when there was only a World Series compared to present day playoffs. For example, Alston only managed in World Series whereas Roberts record is based on playoffs. Ditto on Duke Snider’s home runs that were all hit in World Series — who knows how many total he would have hit if there were playoffs.

  5. I also support Turner 100%, bring him back, kike and Treinen as well.
    I will definetly offer 35 mil for 1 year to Trevor Bauer.
    I know we are stacked at pitching, but it is 4 years now that Urias have been pitching, and still at the begining of this playoffs he wasnt a starter. Front office doesnt trust young arms like May and Gonso, much less the rest of the young guns.

  6. “Manfried considering stripping the WS Championship, Turner to be banned for 2 Years”

    Now that is a headline I almost expect to see from this idiot. The known cheats, Asstros get off scot-free, the Dodgers get stripped of a title for a post game celebration because the most hateful and uncaring man in baseball dared to risk all mankind to Covid by being with his team an additional 15 minutes that day. (Bear this is sarcasm, no follow up is necessary)

    I heard a funny comment on a morning show, “the player with Covid stayed in the game longer than the player throwing a shutout”.

  8. On the Price and Betts deal, the 48 mil coming from Boston, is that money coming intact, complete? Or because he didnt play 2020, they take the prorated portion of the money off?

  9. Glad to see you’ve come to your senses regarding the vaccine. Most (not all) of the “ idiots“ you mentioned, along with Dr Fauci, the entire medical community, and me, were trying to tell you there will not be a vaccine until mid next year at best.

    I think some of you are missing the point on Turner returning to the field. I’ll leave it at that.

    Yes we remain deep. And we have the ability to lure free agents. I already mentioned one I’m interested in. Hendriks. We will also have Price back. Maybe.

    The virus will still be with us next year so who knows what that will mean for all of baseball, from Little League to the Major Leagues. Can’t talk about the what if’s with that, but I can say we continue to be pretty damm stupid about it.

    Muncy got Manfred with a good one. Manfred is a tool He looked ridiculous up there.

    And a very long, arduous off season begins.

      1. Lots of fake news. Who in their right mind would get vaccinated at this early stage of the game. Hardly any clinical trials, different strains of the virus, and these companies are rushing to make as much money as they can without really knowing if it will work or whether there is any downside.

  11. Has MLB announced when they plan to make a definite decision on the NL DH for 2021? That will affect all kinds of decisions that NL teams have to make, some of them coming up very quickly.

    For example, QO’s have to be made by this coming Monday. Most club options have to be picked up by this weekend. Actual free agency starts on Monday.

    Can you imagine what a difference it will make to contract offers that JT might get from teams, depending upon whether they know they can use him as a DH or not?

    The prevailing opinion at this point seems to lean towards no DH until the new contract is negotiated after next season, but they need to make a definite decision quickly.

    1. Hopefully it’s back. Somebody here yesterday posted an article saying it was not going to return in ‘21.

      Whatever, I think the Dodgers will work to keep him around. He may get AL offers that could be better, but with another short season likely I think LA can get it done.

      If Miller and Beeter both have change ups they can throw for strikes it will not take them long to make the jump. That is, if they can actually compete somewhere next year.

  12. It is being reported from several sources that the DH will not be used in the NL next year.

    Whoever is part of that line of thought is a Certified Moron!

    Rob Manfred looked Drunk to me at the Trophy Presentation. He is a buffoon!

    I would hope that smarter thinking will prevail!

    1. I was in the no DH camp but this year won me over. Going back to no DH does not seem to be a terribly intelligent decision.

    2. Vaccine or not it could take the better part of a year for some sense of normalcy returning. My guess is baseball will have a reduced schedule and will follow the same rules as this year (dh, man on second etc.).

      1. My wife, Registered Nurse, and I both thought Manfred seemed like a guy that had suffered a stroke in the past.

        Now the Dodgers owner that gave the ridiculously both and long winded speech, just came across as being clueless of his surroundings and the moment. Keep him away from all public addresses in the future, that was embarrassing.

        Good stuff, Mark Timmons. There is actually a lot of positive things going on in the world of medicine in regard to da virus, sadly haters hate and don’t want to hear anything of a positive nature. Positive news actually seems to piss off some people. Truth really does hurt.

          1. People choose to believe what they choose to be true. We are where we are because of that truth. As Fauci just said “we are clearly going in the wrong direction”.

    4. Manfred suffers from a medical condition called perceptional occlusion. We should give the guy a break. Remember he’s just an overpaid tool. I qualify for that job and I haven’t done anything really meaningful in …….. sorry, I’ll have to look that up.

    1. The Dodgers World Series victory triggered several super spreader events.

      May the gods help us all

        1. And the Woman’s March in DC a few weeks ago. All a bunch of hypocrites.

          Except of course for the retirees on this site. Those folks are so worried about mankind that most all of them have given half of their wealth to the 20, 30 &40 year olds with families that have lost their jobs.

          Just ask each and every one of em.

  15. Yesterday was a wonderful day. I was content and happy all day, while skirting work for most of it. I spoke to all my buddies and fellow Dodgers fans to discuss how wonderful it was to finally be champions. I went to the stores to get gear and spoke to strangers about this wonderful and very overdue accomplishment. I guess now is the time to do what we do best. Discuss what needs to be done for next year.

    Several free agents made key contributions to the ultimate goal and unfortunately many won’t be back…

    JT – Often called the heart and sole of the team. – I would love to have him back, DH or not for a couple of reasons. The biggest is that he’s a right handed hitter in the middle of the lineup. The second biggest is have you seen the free agent list? He’s lost a step on defense and can’t catch up to the heat as easily as he used to. At this time, he’s the bridge to Hoese, unless Friedman can pick someone’s pocket.

    Joc – Sorry bro, gotta go. If you could only hit left handers. Can’t afford to keep everyone.

    Kike – Same as Joc, gonna be too expensive for a Utility guy, especially when you have CT3, Omar Estevez, Gavin Lux and Zach McKinstry. There is no need to fill here.

    Treinen, Baez, Wood, McGee – Two lefty, two righty bullpen pieces, a couple better options would probably replace all 4. There are a bunch of free agent relievers, time to grab one or two. Trevor Rosenthal? Josiah Gray and David Price will be here. Price is in the rotation and Gray is knocking on the door. White, Gonsolin, May are all live arms and a couple might need to be in the pen.

    This is going to be a crazy offseason. Minor leaguers were not scouted by other teams since they were kept in a bubble while others didn’t play. Most lost a year of development. Teams have endured huge losses on the season, so some will be looking to dump players, decline options etc.

    Most of our up and coming hitters are still very left handed. If Turner moves on, that will be a gaping hole with no good fit in free agency. If I were a betting man, I would double-down on Friedman trading away some future to make the team even better for the upcoming year.

    During the World Series I saw a lot of similarities with the Rays and previous Dodgers teams. Too many platoons and an affinity for matchups. The Dodgers seemed to have graduated from those things so I do not expect them to resign a bunch of players and have multiple platoons. But, I could imagine JT playing less at third and Rios getting time at 3B and 1B.

    As far as Manfred wanting to punish JT with a two year extension. I find that especially despicable after not suspending a single player for cheating. It would end JT’s career and technically, the season was over and his teammates assumed responsibility by wanting him out there. I will leave it at that as I don’t like mixing politics with sports.

    Just a reminder for those with strong opinions about this virus. None of us know anything about it, except maybe Mark since he got it twice. And beat it twice. While being a member of the “Danger” group. If you’re relying on the BBC or CNN or Fox or Fauci to tell you the truth, Mark would already be dead by their predictions, models, warnings and recommendations.

    Same thing for the DH next year. No one knows for sure. If Manfred was a halfway decent commissioner, it would be decided before a single free agent is signed. But, we all know that isn’t going to happen.

  16. Just out curiosity, how many of you remember the polio scare? I do. My folks were freaked out about it, a few kids in the neighborhood got it, and as I recall I got vaccinated when I was in the second grade. I believe I was 7. Though science has made leaps and bounds since ‘55, the process, as I understand it, cannot be rushed.

    1. Hello, have you heard of computers and the ability of them to actually speed up testing and … ah never mind I think I’m wasting my time. Hatas hate, out!

      1. Phase 3 trials are the key. How the vaccine compares with those not given the drug. If there is a meaningful statistical advantage then we are good to go. Computers at this point are meaningless.

    2. I happen to have read a lot about it and I would absolutely take the Oxford/Astrozeneca or Moderna Vaccine… when approved. Well, it used to take 10 or 15 years to bring a vaccine to market.

      You can read about the history of vaccines HERE:

      https://www.historyofvaccines.org/content/articles/vaccine-development-testing-and-regulation

      Modern technology and lots of money have cut down the time it takes by 10-15X. Here’s the big question: “How long will the immunity last?”

      The first vaccines may just be “Bridge Vaccines” – that means they provide immunity for a while, but not forever.

      Anyone who says they won’t take it is simply ignorant of the facts.

    3. I remember the Polio care – one of my friends got it… and the process can now be rushed. This ain’t 1955.

      1. Phase 3 trials are the key. How the vaccine compares with those not given the drug. If there is a meaningful statistical advantage then we are good to go. Computers at this point are meaningless.

        1. We will see when it is actually released.

          I remember Mark saying “a month” (months ago) and telling him then he was dreaming, and, of course he was wrong. I believe what the science is saying, and has been saying for months, and that is an effective vaccine next year. It has nothing to do with hatas, and everything to do with truth. The truth is we don’t have a vaccine and nobody knows when we will but it isn’t likely going to available anytime soon. And I’m not taking any vaccine considered by experts to be rushed.

          1. Mark is a visionary. He sees things in the future. Unfortunately, his super power doesn’t accurately predict dates, just eventualities. There will be a vaccine………the Dodgers will win a WS………..etc., etc. I’m waiting for his Presidential prediction and if Bitcoin will become a legitimate investment for the mainstream.

  17. Tuesday night after the game I hopped on this site to read some of the comments. I don’t know why but I thought of the lady the used to post on here but passed away a couple years ago. I don’t remember her name but she would have been so happy seeing the Dodger win.

    3. Jimbo – Michelle Jayne (MJ) – i mentioned her at the end of that thread.

      She was a lovely person, seemingly of the same nature and disposition as our own DBM.

      To put a cap on the Dodger’s win, was her favourite player, Mookie becoming one of our own, and playing a big part in making it happen. She would have loved that.

      I’m sure Roger (Dodger/ New Blue) would be overjoyed too.

      2. MJ was a true, loyal Dodger fan and good poster. She was the one who inspired me to be brave enough to post on this site. She would have been thrilled to see the Dodgers win the World Series. I am sure she is smiling down on us from up above.

      3. I still have several of her last messages to me. We got to know each other through private conversations. She was a very passionate, well informed woman.

        1. I too had a unique relationship with MJ as well.

          If she was the one posting under the alias of Hamhock (sp), she is still laughing at the joke she she would have pulled on us.

  18. Great article Mark!
    I agree that Andrew Friedman and Dave Roberts are genuinely nice guys with good intentions. I have seen both up close at spring training and both are personable, humble, and articulate. Great to see both get championship rings.
    The roster is in great shape as long as they come to terms with Turner, and sign a couple of relievers. Mark’s proposal on Turner seems reasonable, and I would love to see Justin stay with the organization long term. Would like to have Treinen back, but his price tag may be too high. And dodgers still have another year of Kenley at $16 million and Kelly at $8 million. Reliever performance seems to be quite volatile, and having many lower priced options to start the year seems preferable to one high priced reliever. I always liked the idea of signing Will Smith, the reliever, but in a key situation in NLCS, he did not produce against Will Smith, the catcher. Homegrown talents Victor Gonzalez, Dustin May, and Julio Urias turned out to be very effective bullpen options instead of solely relying on higher priced free agent relievers.
    In terms of the DH in the NL, I have heard that MLB does not want it for 2021 and wants to use this issue as a bargaining chip with the players association in their negotiations. Both sides are likely to ultimately agree to DH, but not until 2022 labor agreement is finalized.

  19. First, I wasn’t able to comment after Tuesday’s great win. I was 32 when they won in ’88, now I’m 64. Boy, thinking about the time passing makes me feel old. I don’t want to wait until I’m 96 for them to win again!

    A friend who’s a fan tells me it was more of a relief for them to win than a joyous event. I know what he means – being a Dodger fan means living with a team that, all too often, snatches defeat from the jaws of victory. After Game 4…you all know what I feared.

    I am really grateful to everyone at LA Dodger Talk – those who spend hours coming up with ideas for articles and writing them, and fans informed and interested enough to keep things lively here. It makes the season more fun.

    As to next season, Mark neglected to add Jake McGee to the list of free agents for 2021. He signed a 3 year $27MM contract with the Rox but the Dodgers were paying him the league minimum.

    The estimates are that MLB lost about $3 billion in 2020 and that the Dodgers lost over $200MM. The Dodgers announced 35% pay cuts for full time employees making over $75K in May and the rumors are that they laid off about 5 scouts in September. I expect more cost cutting will follow. How will that impact free agent signings?

    Of the group of 4 pitchers who are free agents, The one I expect will be back is the most expensive – Treinen. I didn’t think that there was any way that they would bring him back after paying $10MM on a bridge contract after he had a horrible season in 2019; however, he became Roberts’ go-to guy in high leverage situations in the post-season. It’s going to cost them, but I could see him coming back on a multi-year deal to close if Jansen is ineffective and Graterol isn’t ready.

    Of the position players, I expect the Dodgers to make every effort to resign Turner. He can play 3B part-time (if necessary) and allow the Dodgers to transition to Kody Hoese (or play Edwin Rios). Kike is expendable if McKinstry is as advertised since they already have Taylor; Joc too with Rios and Beatty available. I expect that Lux will be given every opportunity to start at 2B next year.

    From the big picture, the Dodgers need to save some money now so that they can afford to sign their own young stars before or when they become free agents – Seager, Bellinger and Buehler are going to cost them a lot of money in a few years – plus Kershaw will be a free agent after the 2021 season and unless he retires, there is no way that the Dodgers will allow him to wear another team’s uniform.

    On the issue of the COVID vaccine, the idea that the FDA would allow the release of a vaccine that isn’t fully tested is very unlikely. My wife is diabetic, does dialysis, has had pneumonia probably 20 times in the last 10 years (along with septic shock) and has a tracheostomy. If she gets COVID, she WILL die. Anything that I can do to stop that from happening is a must. That means that both of us will get the vaccine as soon as it is available. I am more concerned about her health and if I get it I will give it to her, which I must avoid doing at all costs.

    It’s easy to be flippant or political about the issue until it literally becomes life or death.

    1. Jake McGee has a $9 million option for 2021 or a $2 million buyout if he is healthy. So, he really is not a free agent.

      1. Per AP –
        McGee — whose arsenal is mainly a fastball and a slider — agreed to a $27 million, three-year deal with the Rockies ahead of the 2018 season. He is owed $3,518,519 in prorated salary this year, of which the Dodgers are responsible for the $208,704 prorated share of the minimum, and the Rockies are responsible for the $2 million buyout of his $9 million option for 2021.

        It appears the Dodgers did not exercise the option. They are letting the Rockies pay the buyout and if they want McGee for 2021 they will sign him as a FA. He has already been declared a FA by MLBPA. See link below. Jake is in 2nd column.

        https://www.mlbplayers.com/2020-xx-b-free-agents

      2. Excellent MP. You need to send that to Cash who is desperately looking for an excuse that Tampa fans will live with. This works.

  21. Very nice article Mark. With Harold’s great write ups and these short, but informative summations give us some real insight to these pitching prospects. It really gives us some insight to these players’ abilities and their personalities. So, when they come up to the Dodgers they’re not we have a good handle on who they are.

    I didn’t comment yesterday with excitement and congratulations to and for the Dodgers. Other than finally winning the World Series the thing I enjoyed was the fact that almost every player made a play during the playoffs that helped the team win a game. Even Roberts made decisions that help lead to victories. It was truly a team win…. players, manager, coaches, and front office. My mantra for the series for the Dodgers was “just make contact”. And, that’s what they did when you see their average with RISP and with two outs. It was awesome to experience.

    A agree with the comments about Manfred’s awkward speech. He did look and sounded like he had a stroke and seemed shocked that the Dodgers fans boo’ d him. I’ve stated previously that he is and has been one of the worst commissioners in all of sports history, An absolute embarrassment.

    Totally confused with the JT controversy. I would love to hear from JT and his thought process. It just doesn’t make sense. And the media’s reaction was predictable. Ken Rosenthal wrote a piece yesterday in the Athletic about JT and Kourtney irresponsible behavior (without knowing any facts, just observations). Of course, as with any covid articles they do not allow comments at the end. So, I wrote to the editor. I asked why they had Ken Rosenthal, their top national writer, to cover JT story. Here the Dodgers, after 32 years, had just won the World Series in a season with so much uncertainty and issues. Sure, the story should have been covered. But, by one of the other 4-5 writers that had stories under Rosenthal’s that actually covered the game and the Series. I like the Athletic, but I thought their decision to give JT’s situation the top story was a total disrespect to the Dodger fans, players, and organization.

    I hope they continue the DH next season. As an example, how nice it was to have both Smith and Barnes play? It reduces strategy, but that can work in our favor. With our deep lineup the DH can lead to avoiding rallies being stopped at the bottom of the lineup. And, reduces the decisions that are manager has to make.

    philjones, I appreciate you enjoying my contributions to the site. And, I always look forward to reading yours aw well. They are well thought out and expressed. There are many other contributors that I enjoy too. Almost everyday I learn something about baseball or the Dodgers that I didn’t know. Soon to be 72, I believe you are never too old to learn.

    1. Nice post tedraymond. Agree on philjones, one of my favorite posters, very knowledgeable especially regarding pitchers. Thank you for your comments.

  22. This is going to be quite a Hot Stove season.
    Indians just put Brad Hand on waivers. They have a 10mil option on him for next year with a 1 mil buyout. Obviously they aren’t ready to spend the money on his contract so are hoping someone claims him and they can save the million buyout. Might be worthwhile for us, except that every team in MLB gets a chance at him before we do.
    Lots of teams are going to be letting go of players they never would have before the pandemic. The Cards are not picking up Kolten Wong’s 12 mil option.
    The teams with some money to spend (Dodgers, Yanks, Phillies, etc.) could have some interesting pickings this off season. The poor teams like the Indians, Pirates, etc. will be even worse off than in past seasons.

    2. Yes, should be interesting. I sure would be tempted to pick him up if he makes it all the way to the Dodgers.

    3. Small market teams will suffer. Dodgers are in a position to be the recipient of this. Some win, some lose.

  23. White Sox have hired La Russa as their manager.
    It pays to be tight with the owner. I can guarantee you that if the GM had made the choice they wouldn’t have hired a guy who is 76 years old.

      1. He might still be very sharp mentally (after all, look at us and we’re almost as old), but those young players will never be able to identify with him and I think that’s important.

        If you are willing to assume that Cora and Hinch have paid their penalties, either of them would have been a much better choice. Not to mention a number of other guys.

        Oh well, I’m prepared to admit I was wrong when we meet them in the 2021 WS.

        2. Tell me why in the world Cora and especially Hinch should get jobs again. Hinch has lost two locker rooms now, allowed his team to cheat then lied about it. You can’t tell me there aren’t deserving people in this world without those blemishes on their record.

          1. Because baseball doesn’t really give a s***. Everybody got paid, we slapped some hands, fined the rich guys a few bucks, move on.

    2. Cheaters keep getting rewarded in MLB. No one and I mean no one benefited more from the steroid era than Larussa.

  24. Brad Hand was placed on release waivers by the Indians who hope someone will claim him and his 10 million dollar option so they do not have to pay a 1 million dollar buyout. Manfred is a joke. As for Wagner, I think he has probably been saving that speech for years. The guy might not have public speaking skills, but he is a hell of a lot richer than we are, so I give him props for trying. I am happy for the team, and the organization. And most of all for the loyal fans who year after year spend millions of dollars to support the team. They play the game most of us no longer can. That is simply the way it is. Most of us have loved the game since our youth. Others like Watford, fall in love with it later in life. I cannot really remember a time when I did not love the game. I never felt that way about any other sport. Oh, I could play most of them with some level of skill, but when I stepped on a diamond, it was a whole different world. When I could not play hardball anymore, I played softball. Not as challenging unless it was fast pitch, but still it filled the void. Now I can savor a title for my team. The way things are in the world right now has put all of us on the edge. I totally sympathize with dodgerrick. He has a lot to deal with. And I wish him nothing but the best and hope his wife is comfortable and as well as she can be with all that is going on. I also thought of MJ after they won. We did often not agree on things, but she was a passionate fan and loved the team. I also was not a huge fan of the way AF did things. But although I am not completely won over, I do understand it more. Interesting thing is last night, I was watching Sportcenter with Scott Van Pelt. He had Tim Kurchner on and what Kurchner said was something I agreed with immediately. He feels that the game has leaned too far towards the use of analytics. His argument was based on Cash pulling Snell when he did. Of course, most Dodger fans, who did not want this series to go 7 games breathed a sigh of relief because he was dealing. But Tim said in the old days no manager would have done that. They would trust their eyes and not the data. Yeah, Cash did not want him to face Betts a third time. But he had struck out the top 2 in the order each time they had hit. He was dominating them. Tim said use the analytics, but also use your gut sometimes. He definitely dislikes the 3 true outcome aspect of the game.

        1. Dirk Pitt is a fictional character in Clive Cussler novels. Portrayed in the movies by Mathew McConahay in Sahara.

          1. Thus the cover.

            He posted here and other places. I am an idiot who is losing memory daily. I can’t remember what his name is. I’ve got several emails from him that I discovered in looking for MJ’s obituary. One of his handles was snakebite. Thought someone here would remember. Maybe it’s you Bear.

    1. Stephen A also changed that opinion after finding out some more facts from one of his MLB sources later in today’s First Take.

        1. Turner was asked to take risks before the shortened season started which he did till the last hour of it along with his family and is getting flack from MLB? Someone needs a hanging and it sure ain’t Turner!

    2. What a stupid take. He was on the field with wives (one who is pregnant) and children. He should be ashamed of himself.

  27. 1. I like the DH and do not like watching pitchers hit.

    2. I like starting the 10 inning with a runner on second.

    3. I like the three batter minimum for relief pitchers. Not to speed up the game but to add intrigue to the decision of pulling a pitcher.

    4. The Dodgers need another strong righty bat in the lineup to complement Seager, Bellinger, Lux, Muncy.

    5. Pederson most likely won’t be a Dodger next year partly because he is a lefty bat and partly because he wants to be a full time player. My preference would be for Joc to lose 30 pounds, play left field full time and full games, and add a big righty bat at another position.

  28. I hate the DH. It makes no sense to me to compliment the strategy of the new extra-inning gimmick but at the same time remove the strategy of the game. Just because it benefits the Dodgers, I’m not going to change my opinion on it. My preference would also be for Joc to lose a few pounds and play LF. Pollock is best used with some rest and platooning. Maybe Joc could learn a thing or two from AJ after watching AJ drop some pounds and get up and down the base line quicker. I think the three batter rule did near nothing as far as speeding up the games go. We watched Roberts pull a pitcher with two outs int he 9th this year because the pitcher had faced his 3 batters.

    1. I hated it for a long time. But now, I am for it. It is time for both leagues to play the game on an even level. And in all honesty, it is unfair to make AL pitchers hit when they are playing interleague games when they do not do that all spring and during the season. The strategy of the game has been the same for the AL ever since they adopted the DH way back when. So either ban it universally, which ain’t happening, or adopt it in both leagues. Big Papi and Nelson Cruz would not have played as long as they have without it. And also, it reduces the risk of injury to your high priced aces. I am tired of seeing pitchers end rally’s with a K or a weak hit some where. Yeah, it was fun seeing CK win a game with his homer, and Ryu finally connecting was cool. But I remember all the times those things did not happen. Seeing a pitcher hit. 300 is rare. Seeing them hit even .220 is rare. The DH’s time is here. And the game will be more exciting for it.

      1. I just can’t get on board rewarding one dimensional players who can’t play the field. If you’re a terrible defensive player then it should be exposed. Plenty of young players coming up in the systems that can play ball. Most DH’s aren’t that good anyways. Cruz and Papi were the exceptions. Papi most likely was cheating. If they can’t drag their fat asses out to the field they should be done.

        1. I think it’s more about the embarrassing at bats pitchers now give. Clearly most of them don’t work on their hitting. I was for years against the DH in the NL. Now? Get them out of there.

  30. Is it a given that rosters will go back to 26 next season, or will they stay at 28, or is that yet to be decided?
    I’d love to see it at 28 permanently.
    I’m guessing most owners would like to see it back at 26 in order to cut down payroll, even if that would just save them a million or so.

    1. 28 wipes out any pace of play improvement you’re getting from the 3 batter rule. There’s a 40 man roster that can be used. No need for 28 guys. I think they will try a full season at 26 if we can get past Covid before going to 28 permanently.

      1. Pace of play is a joke. They don’t want to shorten games. In the last game, after the third out, I saw Betts disappearing down the steps into the john. He knew he had plenty of time because it was a commercial break. Stretch it out as no matter what is being replaced on the network, the game has a larger audience

        1. I agree with you. Instead of tackling the real issues like commercial time they mess up how the game is played.

  31. Well, I know it’s not everyone’s thing, but I visited my local bookmakers today to collect my winnings.

    It was £2000 or about $2600 dollars.

    This will go some way to repaying what I have invested in the Dodgers over the years!

    They were 6/1 before the season started.

    I have already put it in a safe place (where the Missus won’t find it), in preparation for my California trip next year (fingers crossed).

    Writing this has made me think of our old friend Vegas. He was a fine poster.
    Hope you enjoyed the win if you are reading this Vegas.

  32. My turn!! Congradulations LA Dodgers! Im very proud of you. You deserve it, especially after all those years of disappointment. And one thing more: You did it RIGHT! No high jinx. No banging on trash cans! No chacanery. It was won THE RIGHT WAY!

  33. Turner’s possible suspension is uncalled for. All of the ones he was with had been in the bubble with him. They had been around him in the first 7 innings of the game. Did you want to photoshop him into the team picture? I have been a Dodger fan since 8 years old in 1951. Really hope they have a parade in LA. If that is not allowed, just call it a protest since it seems to be okay to have protests!

  34. The Los Angeles Dodgers are World Champions!!!
    That was a very unique and unprecedented season and arguably the most difficult post season that any team has ever had to navigate to win a world series trophy. I’m hoping that this is the first of several championships for this club over the next decade. Cheers to the Dodgers for being a class organization from top to bottom and doing things the right way.

  35. Looks like the Tigers are going to hire Hinch. So Lombard will probably stay with the team. Braun’s option declined by the Brewers, so he is now a free agent. Over 50 relievers on that list so far. Yanks picked up Britton’s option. Jose Peraza is also a free agent. He was cut loose by the Red Sox.

  36. JT is getting everything he deserves and more. He tarnished his reputation with that selfish act and I lost tons of respect for him. I hope he retires.

    1. If you are going to be that harsh with Turner what should be done with all of the MLB players who violated COVID-19 protocols and may have directly exposed all of their teammates, coaches, support personnel, and in turn their families to the virus? I don’t believe any MLB players have been disciplined for violating protocol — Indians pitchers Clevinger and Plesac went out on the town in Chicago and told no one — Clevinger even flew on the same plane as his teammates rather than driving back to Cleveland. You are over-reacting to Turner. I agree that it was a selfish act, but when compared to what other players have done and not been disciplined it was pretty minor. If I am the Dodgers players, coaches, and front office, Ken Rosenthal is no longer allowed in stadium, clubhouse, and no one from the organization ever speaks to him for his article.

    2. Why did you change your name Kpizzle? We can still tell who you are by the stupid stuff you say!

Comments are closed.