This is the time of year when we hear that teams will be listening on potential trades for Player A. However, most of the time those proclamations are simply rhetorical. The Brewers have said they are willing to listen to offers for Josh Hader. The Rays will be listening on offers for Blake Snell. The Reds will be listening on offers for Sonny Gray. The Cubs are listening on offers for Kris Bryant, Kyle Schwarber, Javy Baez, and Willson Contreras. Does Jeff Bridich have to trade Nolan Arenado?
I said MOST of the time the proclamations are rhetoric, but certainly not always. The Cubs will most certainly trade Bryant and/or Schwarber. Baez and Contreras far less likely, but they will LISTEN. Darvish? Hendricks? Possible, but very very unlikely. But make no mistake. It will be more than a couple of lottery picks. The Nats, Braves, Blue Jays are just a couple of teams with a need at 3B and the means to acquire him. I am sure that it will not cripple the prospect rich LAD, but AF will not include any of their top prospects, and that includes Gavin Lux, as was suggested yesterday. And please, no more comments that he traded top prospects for a rental in Mookie. Kris Bryant is not even in the same zip code (or state for that matter) as is Mookie. I am not convinced that Bryant is any better than a JT/Rios platoon that would not include any loss of player capital. And me being convinced, or any other fan, is irrelevant. But we all can have free opinions.
The Indians are purposely telling anyone who will listen that Francisco Lindor WILL be traded. It will be the highest bidder, but he will be moved. The favorites: NYM, NYY, Toronto, Phillies, Cincinnati, and LAA. Most respectable journalists have strayed away from LAD. One could make an argument as to why, but the fact remains that it is not a need for the Dodgers, but a luxury…one that could probably create negative side effects, and one that I doubt AF will breach.
The emergence of Devin Williams is the reason that Josh Hader is available. Or is he? The Brewers have a good start on a rotation with Corbin Burnes and Brandon Woodruff, but that is all that it is…a good start. Without a strong rotation, a strong bullpen is required if the team hopes to contend. With Hader having the potential to pitch multi innings any time in the game, and Devin Williams in a position to close, the Brewers are a stronger team. With Justin Topa, Brent Suter, Freddy Peralta, Alex Claudio, and the return of Corey Knebel give the Brewers a chance to have a lockdown bullpen. I expect that the Brewers will find at least one low risk questionable starter to give Josh Lindblom and Adrian Houser some company. Perhaps another year of Brett Anderson or someone similar.
Of course, if Josh Hader can get two ML or at least ML ready starters and perhaps a LHRP, David Stearns will listen. Otherwise, Stearns will be happy to keep Hader and add to the rotation as he has done with Jhoulys Chacin, Wade Miley, Brett Anderson, and Gio Gonzalez in the recent past. They are not long term fits, but they some how find another gear in Milwaukee. The point is, Stearns is not desperate, and with a projected arbitration in the $6MM range, Hader is not all that expensive.
While Jeff Bridich has not said that he will trade Nolan Arenado, he is going to have a difficult time trading a player with a $199MM contract, a no-trade clause, and an opt out clause lurking, and getting fair value in return. The return cannot possibly match the value of Nolan Arenado which does give rise to a potential reason for AF to pounce. If Bridich can move Arenado and get something reasonable back and not have to “give” him to the Dodgers, he might take that, and look to extend Trevor Story. I beleive that Arenado will hit outside of Coors. Regardless as to how large or small the prospect cost would be, what AF will object to is the $199MM and $32.5MM AAV. That will take the Dodgers over the CBT by approximately $12.5MM, and the team will still need to sign a couple of relief pitchers, and another RH bat for the bench. Could it happen? Sure, but IMO it will not. I doubt that AF’s definition of being pigs is going $20MM to $30MM over the CBT.
Arenado or Bryant? One will cost $199MM for 6 years, and one is a rental who may or may not recover from 2020. Let’s assume, just like Christian Yelich and Cody Bellinger, Kris Bryant will recover from a poor 2020. But enough to give up top prospects? I bet that AF is looking at other possibilities. What will it take to get Eugenio Suarez out of Cincinnati (pictures below)? The Reds have Freddy Galvis at SS and Kyle Farmer as the backup. I bet that AF is more likely to trade Gavin Lux for a 3B who is signed thru 2024 and has a 2025 option (age 33 season). The financial cost of Suarez would be just about the same as the projected cost for JT. How about Brian Anderson out of Miami? Maybe he blossoms outside of Miami just as Christian Yelich did.
We do know that AF is working on Plan W while everyone else is working on Plan B. A few years back everyone figured that AF was going to trade with Minnesota for Brian Dozier, but the price was too high. So he settled on Logan Forsythe for Jose DeLeon. It did not work out as he hoped, but outside of Joc Pederson, Forsythe was one of the few offensive bright spots in the Dodgers 2017 postseason. The irony is that Forsythe is later traded to Minnesota in a package for Brian Dozier, who was more of a bust as a Dodger. They do not all work, but AF shakes a lot of trees to find the right fit.
Since we are not playing fantasy league baseball, what is the cost of the loss of JT in the clubhouse and the Dodgers community? No, I still think the call is for JT/Rios to share 3B, give Lux the job to lose at 2B, and hold onto the prospects. The Dodgers are not going to go big game hunting at 3B unless JT finds another team, which is certainly possible. I may be wrong, but I bet JT has advised AF that he will contact the Dodgers when an offer comes in to see if AF will match it. JT wants to stay with LAD as much as LAD and its fans want him to stay.
Could the Dodgers use Josh Hader? Of course they could. But is he the only one? Liam Hendricks, Blake Treinen, Brad Hand, Kirby Yates, Trevor Rosenthal, and Trevor May could all be Dodgers simply for money. But to pick the right one(s), that is the problem every player personnel decision maker has, and picking relievers is the most difficult job of all for them. But this is where AF can make the biggest difference. He will not make the decision without proper due diligence, and his due diligence is better than I can come up with.
Now to Blake Snell? He MAY be available, but it will surely cost. Erik Neander is a master at turning ML players into huge gains for the Rays. He and his staff have a great eye for talent. Just revisit the Chris Archer trade with Pittsburgh or Jose Martinez trade to St. Louis.
There have been a number of scenarios where Blake Snell goes to the Cubs, NYM, Giants, multiple scenarios for the Padres and the Angels. Perhaps the most clever and AF type trade scenario was put together by MLB.com’s Anthony Castrovince.
- LAA gets Blake Snell
- Detroit gets Angels OF Brandon Marsh and SS Jahmai Jones (both top ten LAA prospects)
- TB gets RHP Spencer Turnbull (Detroit – MLB), OF Victor Reyes (Detroit – MLB), LHP Joey Wentz (Detroit #9), C Jake Rogers (Detroit #12), 2B/OF D’Shawn Knowles (Angels #8).
Seems like a workable trade. Yes, the Angels absolutely need starting pitching, and Blake Snell immediately improves them. The cost to the Angels is their #1, #7, and #8 prospect. That is a very steep price. Would LAA further deplete their farm system by losing 3 top 8 prospects to get their Ace? The Tigers get two of the best prospects in all of MLB in positions they need, and the Rays get five potentially high reward players for 1. Neither Spencer Turnbull nor Joey Wentz can replace Snell in 2021. The Rays look for numbers for long term team control.
Some scenarios had the Angels trading Jo Adell and others. Some had SFG trading Heliot Ramos (who they said is untouchable). Some had SDP trading Dinelson Lamet.
Someone asked how does Blake Snell help the LAD rotation? I am guessing that the Dodgers could use a 28 year old top of the rotation LHP who has won a CY with a $10MM AAV and $39MM total due for the next three years. I would guess that every team’s rotation would improve with Blake Snell. Is Clayton Kershaw and David Price going to be healthy for 31-32 starts for 2021? Doubtful. Will Walker Buehler be able to start the year or will it take 3-4 starts for him to get ready? Will Julio Urias get away from his 1st inning troubles? Is Dustin May ready to start and finish a whole season, or is he best as the #6 for 2021 and fill in for CK or Price or Buehler when they can’t pitch? Does he need one more year of development? Maybe Urias can’t get away from those 1st inning blues, and his best role is in the bullpen in the Josh Hader role. Jo Jo Gray is not ready to be in the rotation. Many of the same people who are counting on Gray, White, Hoese, and Busch for 2021 are the same who think Lux is overrated after 151 MLB PA and being named the best player in MiLB in 2019. The USC secondary site was no replacement for real MiLB baseball at OKC, Tulsa, Rancho, or Great Lakes.
Snell will cost less in $$$ than Drew Smyly. Do you just summarily dismiss the idea out of hand that Snell could be pitching for LAD at Dodger Stadium in 2021? Could the Dodgers put together a better package than what Tampa Bay was projected to receive in the LAA/Detroit scenario? One that would not cost the Dodgers Lux, May, or Gonsolin? I know Tampa Bay likes numbers. They need a catcher ready this year, a LHRP, a potential SP to replace Snell, and potential OF who is not more than one year away. Just for giggles:
- Dodgers get Blake Snell
- Rays get Catcher Keibert Ruiz, RHSP Mitch White, LHRP Victor Gonzalez, and OF Cody Thomas.
All would hurt for the Dodgers to lose, but other than VGon, all are currently blocked. Does Neander take the call? If I were Neander, I would not do it, but IMO it is better than what they would get in the Detroit/LAA deal. The need for Neander to move Snell for more players is greater than AF needs him. That is when AF does his best work.
There are a number of players who have been tied to the Dodgers, but I continue to contend that they are not the ones that AF is tied to. Those are easy connections. Every single one of them are plausible, albeit not very likely. Do I think any of the following will become Dodgers in 2021?
- Nolan Arenado – No
- Kris Bryant – No
- Francisco Lindor – No
- Blake Snell – No
- Eugenio Suarez – No
- Brian Anderson – No
- DJLM – No
- Trevor Bauer – No
- Ha-Seong Kim – No
- Liam Hendriks – No
- Kike’ – No
- Joc – No
- Jake McGee – No
- JT – Yes
- 2 of – Blake Treinen, Brad Hand, Kirby Yates, Trevor May, Trevor Rosenthal, Pedro Baez, Alex Wood, Mark Melancon, Shane Greene – Yes
- Gavin Lux at 2B – Yes
- RH Bench Bat (someone most have not thought of) – Yes
I also think it is plausible (not likely) that AF will sign one of those oft-injured or over-the-hill SP to a one year contract…just in case. Corey Kluber, James Paxton, Jon Lester, Rich Hill, Garrett Richards, Taijuan Walker, Jose Quintana. But it is MORE LIKELY they will sign one or two or three of the non-tendered pitchers to a MiLB contract with an invite to ST, and let them compete. That is the AF way.
Love these type of posts AC. We all love to be GM’s and this gets the juices flowing.
Your projected trade for Snell? In my opinion, Neander laughs and hangs up.
I think it would take something like Ruiz, Gray, VGon and Pages. That he might listen to.
A Snell trade might depend on how the Dodgers feel about Kluber or Richards. I would like it if Archer were signed to a minor league contract with an opt out if he isn’t a Dodger by July.
The Angels and Padres want more pitching and if the Dodgers signed Kluber and Richards that would truly be pig like.
I have to agree with you on every point Jeff. As I said in my last post on the other stream, I do not see AF making a move for any of the Marquee players out there this year. I see them signing one of the starters that will be DFA’d or non tendered on the second. Like William’s who is now a free agent. Had a couple of good years and fell off last season. Let go by the Pirates last week.If the Rockies cut Gray loose, I would jump all over that. He has some nasty stuff and with the right coaching he can be a monster.
Only Dodger on the non tender candidates list on MLBTR is Scott Alexander. But we all knew he is a candidate for that. Some interesting players on the list.
Ken Gurnick wrote on Nov. 1, 2020.
“Who might be a non-tender candidate, and when does the club have to make that decision?
The non-tender deadline is Dec. 2. The Dodgers have no obvious non-tender candidates, unless they choose to trim modest salaries from their bullpen. Left-hander Scott Alexander, who was left off the postseason roster, and right-hander Dylan Floro, who pitched in several key spots during the World Series, would qualify.”
https://www.mlb.com/dodgers/news/dodgers-2020-offseason-faq
Yeah, I know about that list, but the one on MLBTR was put up yesterday. I think the Dodgers have a higher respect for Floro than they do Alexander.
Another fantastic article Jeff! Again, we are so fortunate here at LADT to have writeups like this one available to us on a constant basis. Agree with you on almost all of your opinions. Many don’t think we need another starter or two. I feel we do need an addition or two. You listed the scenarios that they might face with the starting pitching. From your list above I would target Taijuan Walker and/or James Paxton. The non-tender list coming up should be interesting.
With all the uncertainty possible in this offseason and during the regular season why not keep it simple right now. Sign JT so he and Rios can play 3B. If it doesn’t work out then we have an option to pursue Aranado without giving up prospects. Play Lux at 2B. If he doesn’t work out then steps can be made to fix the issue. But, at least give Lux the opportunity to fail as opposed to assume he is going to fail. We can see how Seager does in 2021 and determine if we want to resign him. If injures occur again with him then a long term contract will not advisable. If we won’t or can’t resign Seager then we can look at Lindor or Story without giving prospects. The coming season should allow the Dodgers to sort out the roles for our younger pitchers like Urias, May, Gonsolin, Graterol, and Gray.
Yes, 2021 can be another successful season and WS appearance. But, at least, it should add a lot of clarity to the Dodger personnel situation.
We’re kinda saying the same things over and over. Life in the off season.
Chicken egg. We sign Turner the Arenado trade talks die down. We trade for Arenado bye bye Justin. I can’t help but wonder what’s being said behind the closed doors. If he really wants to play for the Dodgers, other GMs are going to know that and not bother with any negotiations. He can opt out and come finish his career here, so, we may wait? That’s surely possible but Colorado wants something in return. If Friedman wants him now, we won’t bother signing Turner. I wonder what Turner wants?
Winter meetings coming up. Continued spike in coronavirus coming up. A lot of balls in the air. Who knows. I’m still where I was weeks ago. We look pretty good as is. Sign low risk high reward pitchers, sign a solid late inning reliever, get Turner back and in shape, develop Lux and Rios over the winter and tee it up as soon as the virus allows.
Random thoughts:
1. Wait until Dec. 2 passes. A large group of available players becomes even larger
2. Consider Kim. Lots of possibilities with him including giving Lux a LFer glove.
3. Re-sign Turner.
4. Add a veteran SP for depth.
5. Three-pack bonanza of relievers.
Remember: we have all the leverage.
Excellent article, Jeff!
Like Bear, I agree with pretty much every point. Also agree with Bear’s ideas on starting pitching flyers like Gray or Williams. With the non-tender deadline coming this week, there will be many new pitching and RH bat options for Friedman to consider. It is also possible that the Cubs trade Bryant prior to this deadline to reduce payroll.
Using Jeff’s template, I would opt for keeping the core championship team together as much as possible including:
Re-signing Turner
Keeping Lux as primary 2B option
Signing Baez and either Hand/Treinen/May/Colume
Adding starting depth with Rich Hill, Kluber, or Wood
And adding an affordable RH bat who hits LHP well like Carlos Santana, Braun, Renfroe or Encarnacion..
The dodgers could probably take these steps while staying close to the CBT limit for payroll. And more importantly, they could maintain the positive culture that has been developed with this team. The team should also benefit from the addition of Price this year, and the further development of young players like Lux, Smith, May, Gonsolin, and Rios.
Don’t forget McKinstry!
I’m wondering if Andrew Friedman looks back at past “value” acquisitions like Forsythe, Dozier, Kazmir, McCarthy and others and compares them to the money well spent on Betts being the godsend that finally getting them to the promised land.
As for Blake Snell, this is a reach more so than any other possible acquisition. You mention questions will all of the Dodgers starters, but fail to mention the fact that Blake Snell has only pitched 1 complete season in 5 pro years! And that “complete” season was really incomplete. A Clayton Kershaw complete season at the same ages would be 33 starts and 220+ innings. Hell, David Price had two season at nearly the same age as Snell with 34 starts and 220+ innings. Blake’s Cy Young season featured just 31 starts and 180 innings. The fact that he has a team friendly deal suggests that you would have to give up more to get him than you would for Nolan or KB. Then you get the pleasure of adding $12 a year to the rotation and bumping a May or Urias that’s making a fraction of that sum. That just doesn’t sound like a good allocation of resources to me.
You doubt that “being pigs” means going 20-30 million over the CBT. I can understand that, but you failed to mention what you think it means to be pigs. Resigning JT, a bench piece, and a couple of relievers sounds a lot like “business as usual”, it definitely isn’t being a pig. The free agents that are coming off the books, if none resign, is a $50M of payroll coming off the books. I would think not spending at least that much would be the opposite of “being pigs”. Hell, adding $20 million to that amount is not “being pigs” it’s more like having dessert after your steak dinner.
Let’s just say that since they missed the CBT, the associated taxes and draft penalties last year, in a year in which they budgeted to be over the CBT, that they might just be willing to do it this year. And let’s just say that they expect the CBT threshold to increase, and maybe the penalties decrease in the next CBA. That opens things up quite a bit.
Now, we can go back to the $50 Mil that came off the books this year by letting our own free agents walk. We saw that no one was willing to take Brad Freaking Hand for $10M on a one year deal. So, I’m assuming we can get two pretty damn good relievers for around $8M each? Hell, Kenley coming off the books next year pays for both of them. I would be willing to stock up if I were a savvy GM.
So now, you have 34M to spend on a 3B RH Middle of the order bat and a RH bench bat. And that’s before you do anything piggish. That’s just spending the money that came off the books.
I agree that trading for Bryant, or Arenado, or Lindor, or whoever will be difficult. But, this year offseason is the least difficult to do it because of the increase in supply of teams shedding salary because of COVID and the decrease in demand because of teams shedding salary because of COVID. Only the big market teams are in the position to take advantage of this situation.
Occam’s razor and hometown fans agree that the simple solution is bring back JT. It makes a lot of sense to bring back a fan favorite to most of the fans out there. But, does it makes sense to bring back a underdog story with bad knees who’s clearly lost a step and is having trouble catching up to elite heat in his age 36 season when the AL has a DH spot that screams his name? To me, that is a very un-AF type move.
I guess we’ll see if AF has grown up as a GM, not relying on Farhan Zaidi type trashcan rummaging pickups, instead choosing to make a shrewd Mookie type acquisition and taking advantage of a once in the lifetime market for clubs with money to spend in order to build a dynasty. Or if he’ll go the junkyard pickers route and strive to become the 90’s “get to the playoffs and lose the big ones” Braves.
I’m going to keep arguing for Dynasty until all the chips are off the table.
As far as Nolan goes, I believe he has a full no trade clause. This gives us a huge advantage as Nolan can say Trade me to my hometown team, or I walk next year. In this scenario, the Dodgers don’t have to do much better than a compensation pick. Nolan will cost them less than what Betts cost.
Boy, I don’t even know where to start to even discuss this… most of the foundation of the comment resides in Fantasy Island!
I highly doubt there will be 162 games next season.
I think it’s likely we see around 100-120.
Getting players and owners to agree on paychecks while fans are still outside looking in May be the biggest hurdle. Players will most likely all be vaccinated before P&C report but it could be June before fans fully return.
One year free agent contracts could be the thing until 2022.
We keep talking about adding pieces to improve our team but we can get much better with some off season improvement with the players we have . If May and Graterol improve their sliders with more spin rate and break then we have a closer and another top of the rotation starter. Can you imagine how good Graterol would be if he could also develop a change up like Baez did! If Kelly could rid himself of his fastball “yips” then he can be a big piece of the pen. Smith needs to improve hitting off speed. Rios needs to become more disciplined on his pitch recognition. And I’m a Lux fan and believe he will be a good player. And Belly and Muncy have to be better than last year. We have a lot of young players with a lot of upside with a lot of veteran role models showing the work ethic it takes to become better players. I don’t think we need any dope fiend moves giving up a lot of our young talent. At least for next year. Sign Turner and 2 or 3 of Jeff’s bullpen Recommendations
I would argue that the Dodgers would be better off signing DJ LeMahieu than trading prospects for Nolan Arenado. You never know about prospects, but odds are Arenado would cost at least two… maybe three prospects. Then, you would have to pay Arenado $199 million!
DJLM could likely be signed for under $85 million and would fill a position of need for the Dodgers at 2B… or even 3B (I prefer him at 2B). DJLM would only cost a draft pick… at the end of the round, where it is hard to get a top player. Keep all the prospects and sign DJLM. DJ would be a perfect #2 hitter – move Seager to #3.
It’s possible the Dodgers’ offense could be better without a big power hitter at #2. Then re-sign Turner.
Lineup:
1. Betts RF
2. DJLM 2B
3. Seager SS
4. Muncy 1B
5. Turner /Rios 3B
6. Bellinger CF
7. Smith C
8. Pollock/Lux LF
I still believe that the “yips” are an issue with Lux and no one is talking about it, but I have heard enough chatter to believe it is a thing. This lets him stop worrying about it. I believe Nolan is a #3 hitter… in Colorado, but not in LA. For his career, DJLM has hit .336 at home and .274 on the road. In 2020, he hit ..423 at Yankee Stadium and .306 on the road. Nolan Arenado’s career splits are .322 at home and .263 on the road. No way DJLM would hit .423 at Dodger Stadium. He would still be good hitter but he owns Yankee Stadium.
This plan allows the Dodgers to keep their prospects and wait for them to develop – it also saves a lot of money and most of all, it is much less risk! AC has wanted DJLM for a long time. Maybe that time is now. However, he live in NYC and has a residence in Michigan – Does he want to come to LA?
I think Lux is ready now and will improve each year but if he isn’t ready now, his trade value could sink. For me. Its play him or trade him. He either be or not be and that’s the multi-million dollar question.
Taylor is the PERFECT insurance policy for Lux’s not being ready. We’re covered there.
I would like a Joc-replacement though to play a little OF. He can take Beaty’s spot.
McKinstry replaces Hernandez and Rios of course has a spot.
Ruiz can hone his craft another year but I agree the time is now for Lux.
It pains me, but I have succumbed to the acknowledgement that DJLM is not leaving the East Coast. He has been a favorite of mine for a long time, but he has made it clear that he wants to stay in NY. If not NYY, then NYM, or maybe Washington. So let’s turn it over to Gavin Lux and give him a year to prove he is a ML 2B. Lux does not have to be a batting champ like DJLM was (twice) to be positive for the Dodgers. The Dodgers lived with the yips with Sax, they can do it with Lux. This is who AF is…build from within. Betts was an anomaly, one the Dodgers needed. He will do it again if he has to. He does not have to.
Sounds like the Dodgers would have to offer a significantly larger contract to get him otherwise he takes an East coast contract. DJLM is the type of player Friedman likes but he would have to lose out on Turner and not make a trade before he got over aggressive on DJLM. They need a righty bat and I don’t trust Pollock.
I have no problems withDJLM. But, I disagree about batting him second. I think he would be a perfect number 3 cut extremely close to the JT mold of a lot of contact with a decent amount of power. The best thing I like about signing DJLM is that he allows you to choose between Lux and Rios next year as DJLM can play either position. He actually makes the most sense out of JT, Nolan and KB.
I LOVE your lineup Mark and I wouldn’t change a thing. I, like AC, always wanted DJLM and having him hit behind Mookie is awesome. BTW his lifetime BA vs LHP is .325. He also has 2 Batting crowns in addition to 3 GG for 2B. What’s not to like about him? Yes, he’s 32 and is looking for 5yrs and $100 million and maybe he doesn’t want to play in LA but we’ll never know unless we really try.
My early shopping list for Christmas list is:
Resign JT and Treinen all the others can walk
Sign DJLM and Hand
Trade for Liam Hendriks
The “yips” are a real thing and something Lux needs to overcome. Maybe left field is the place to do that.
Here are my thoughts on the “yips”: I’m sorry this so so long but I’ve spent lots of time on the mental aspects of being successful and this is actually the short version:
Unless you’ve experienced them or observed others deal with extreme cases of the Yips, you don’t get it. Conventional thinking would tell you to just practice more and stop thinking about it. Like “Doctor it hurts when I do that”. “Well, don’t do that.” It’s not that simple.
Confidence and lack of fear of failure are wonderful attributes for an infielder. A couple of examples are Frankie Lindor, Robinson Cano and Nolan Arenado. Cano (cheater) is 100% confident when throwing the baseball. He can throw comfortably on the run, off balance from any arm slot, from his knees and from any distance and it’s almost always on the money. Arenado would prefer to throw while running and seems to dislike setting up and throwing conventionally. He runs and just lets it go. There appears to be no fear by either as they defy the traditional mechanics that I was taught as a kid. My coaches would never have let me throw like they do. Why? For fear of throwing it away. Well, they don’t have that fear.
If a player, like Lux, has practiced his mechanics and has been successful in the past, the Yips are not a physical problem. They are a mental problem. You have them when you can do things freely in practice then have trouble in more pressure situations, like the game. (It is a form of choking actually but athletes avoid that word)
It stems from fear of failure. For fear of embarrassment. Fear of letting down teammates, coaches, and yourself. Fear of losing a game. Fear of looking stupid for all the world to see. And fear of losing your job if it continues.
I call it “Stinking Thinkin”.
It feels like an incurable disease. While trying to find a solution, things often get worse due to over analyzing and over thinking. You lose confidence and trust. And then worry about it more.
Things that used to be routine suddenly aren’t and you dread making the next throw. You over-think and steer the throw, losing the freedom to let your body react as it does in practice.
And the worst, you can’t stop thinking about it.
One of the first responses mentally is to get into the safety mode. As the demons are saying “don’t screw up” your mechanics change on the fly.
When the poor throws happen and the yips begin, the first fix is to start tinkering with mechanics and not really admit it’s a mental problem.
Taking 200 ground balls a day is NOT the answer. More reps in “non pressure situations” that don’t carry the same consequences isn’t the answer. You have to overcome the mental fear and regain confidence. You have to learn to unplug your brain from the negative self-talk and allow your body to do what you’ve practiced. Some guys beat it. And some don’t. It’s ended promising careers.
Here are things I tried to do and coach to help remedy the Yips:
* Admitting the problem is a key and that’s hard hard to do. If you’ve had success you don’t easily admit to listening to the demons or choking.
* Assuming your throwing mechanics are sound, Stop listening to all the helpers with mechanical advice. You really do know how to throw. (Lux wasn’t the MiLB Player of the Year because he had bad feet and mechanics)
* Stop focusing on other’s expectations and outcomes. Work to play for yourself and not care so much about what other think.
* The only mechanical concession is to “simplify” your throwing and not get more complex. Like many golfers, get into a set routine physically and mentally. Use ONE mental key prior to the pitch. My thought was “lead with your elbow” on a 6-4-3 double play throw to second. It might be stay low. Or move your feet. That one little mechanical thought allowed to let my body work in a relaxed way. It freed my brain from the demons.
* Focus on your process and not the outcome. Trust the process and your positive routine. This focus doesn’t allow the brain to listen to the demons. Baseball is the worst sport because you may have to stew mentally with a bad play for innings before you get an opportunity to redeem yourself. One bad throw is unrelated to the next chance. is stinking thinking too.
Overcoming the fear with new mental skills, exercises and relaxation restores confidence. The goal is to eliminate completely any negative self-talk. Be in the moment and just play.
* Breaking free from listening to the demons is hard but it can be done. You know you are there when the “don’t screw up messages” aren’t in your head in the middle of your throw. You stop thinking about it. It takes time, discipline and patience.
Sorry for the length here and I hope you stayed with me, here.
Excellent essay on the yips. I know my son had the yips as a catcher throwing back to the pitcher for awhile. It wasn’t every throw. But he often stopped his throw and thought about it too much. The coaches did not harass him. The pitchers did not harass him. He had no problem throwing to 2nd on an attempted steal or to 1st. Just back to the pitcher. The problem just went away. He knew he was not going to get benched and he knew the pitchers were not going to belittle him. He stopped thinking negatively, and it was behind him.
Extremely interesting, philjones. Read every bit of it. Maybe a hypnotist could work? How did Sax overcome it, if he did?
Questions, Hope they are not too dumb, but, do some prior shortstops playing 2nd base have trouble turning the double play from 2nd? Does angle have anything to do with throwing the ball?
Here is an article as to how Sax got rid of the yips. https://www.sportscasting.com/steve-saxs-final-conversation-with-dying-father-cured-his-yips/
Phil could probably answer your second question better than me, but I asked my son and he told me that in MiLB, SS very often work out at 2B because that is where they may end up. On a DP you are coming off the bag from the inside and not the outside so the throw is different. But not that much that it would create yips. I do not think that it is the DP that gives Gavin problems. I doubt that he is overthinking DP’s. I think the worst throw Lux made last year was on a very easy routine ground ball to him. I think he overthrew the 1B by ten feet.
Jeff, thanks for the great article on Sax and video with Rick Ankiel. It’s interesting that Sax got his confidence back through practice and reps. He started trusting himself again through the advice from his dying father. Practice helped him get back his confidence. He could take that to the game. Many can’t just practice their way back due to game pressure. But read the part about how embarrassed he was with the reaction of others kept him thinking about the problem.
Ankiel’s video is a clinic of what I was trying to explain. I hope you listened to that. It was great. His fear and embarrassment (“I was letting everyone down”) was just the Stinkin Thinkin that exacerbates the yips. His bullpen practice wasn’t his answer. He couldn’t take it to the mound. Yogi was right. “Baseball is 90 per cent mental. The other half is physical.”
Well, I’ve beaten this conversation to death, huh?
I have listened to the Ankiel video numerous times. It is a great reminder as to how much mental this game is. There are a lot of people with the physical talent that did not make it. And there many examples of players with less talent that do make it.
I think the yips could be attributed to what happened to Von McDaniel. He had a great rookie season. Then the next year he could not find home plate. He never played in the majors again although he tried to revive his career as an outfielder, just like Ankiel.
Hey DBM, hypnosis has certainly been tried. Jeff provided an excellent answer to you good question. I think shortstops may have an easier time throwing to first but may struggle with the shorter tosses. It seems like on the longer throws, guys just have to let it go and gun the ball without as much thought. It’s the shorter throws when there’s time to think about it that can be problematic. And not all the time but everybody is wired differently. As Jeff mentioned, his cacher son had no problems with the quick release long throw to second but the simple short toss back to the pitcher, caused the yips. I played against a kid named Mike Ivey who was the #1 overall pick in 1970 by the Padres. He started as a catcher and he struggled throwing the ball back to the pitcher especially with a runner on 3rd. He eventually was a Major Leaguer as a first baseman.
The big difference to me between 2nd and short, besides the time to get it in the air, was the spin of the ground ball off the bat. That takes a little adjusting. And the shorter throws on double plays and from second to first can be an issue like it can be for Lux.
Due to all the shifts in the infield nowadays the guys need to have the footwork down for either side of the bag. The footwork and various angles now have to be practiced. But usually it’s the “easier”, shorter throws get yipped.
Thank you guys so much for the explanations of how to cure the yips, AC and phil. Sad story about Sax remembering how he and his brother were apparently told after the game that their dad had passed. Happy for him that he and Rick Ankiel were able to overcome it, Sax by his dad’s deathbed words and Yapiel by changing positions. I think it is a mental condition caused by lack of confidence that you both stated. Hope Lux can get by it and believe in himself because isn’t that the main thing?
Phil I know singers who used it to overcome stage fright. Believe it or not Merle Haggard had serious stage fright. He got over it by never looking directly at the audience.
Great stuff Jeff… One thing that jumped out at me was your following statement…
“Many of the same people who are counting on Gray, White, Hoese, and Busch for 2021 are the same who think Lux is overrated after 151 MLB PA and being named the best player in MiLB in 2019. The USC secondary site was no replacement for real MiLB baseball at OKC, Tulsa, Rancho, or Great Lakes.”
So true and food for thought…
If MT’s guess of 100 to 120 MLB season comes true, does that affect the MILB season??? I’ve also lost track of the estimated start up for Camelback???
They have not announced any start up times for ST, Peter. For now we are all just guessing. And that is a fun thing to do when no news is coming from the baseball front. Oh a couple of players have re-signed in Japan and Korea. Addison Russell resigned with the Korean team he was with last season. We can play armchair GM and build the roster we would like. Me, I am staying away from any projections. I will just let AF do his thing and look at what assembles in Camelback when ever that might be and make a premature judgement then. The reason is you really will not know what the 26 is going to look like until they break camp and head to LA>
Are you sure Russell resigned in Korea Bear? I saw a tweet this morning that said he didn’t have a very good season over there and they weren’t resigning him.
My bad, misread it…whoops……Old age is playing havoc again. I really need to get this laser surgery done. There have been a couple of pitchers who resigned with their teams. And I think a couple went to Japan too.
HAPPY 93RD BIRTHDAY TO THE BEST THERE EVER WAS VIN SCULLY. HAPPY BIRTHDAY VINNY!!!
I second that, Bear!
Well thought out, excellent column, Jeff. One of the best I’ve read.
If I could come up with one player who would make the biggest impact on the Dodgers in 2021, it would be Blake Snell, if, of course he stays healthy. That being said, it would seem to be a difficult road to take and it would be costly.
Pursuing two relievers would seem the best road. Now, which two? Plenty of choices, no guarantees. Yes to Gavin Lux at second. He’s got skills and could become an impact player. The Dodgers should find out what kind of player he can become. Justin back at third. Why make all this more difficult than it has to be? Easy pathway, easy decision. The fact they have Rios makes it even easier.
Just looking at the team as it stands now, pretty good group heading into 2021. Seems like we’re at the finishing touches, unless something pops up that makes sense, doesn’t cost an arm and a leg — or a boatload of prospects, I think we may be focused on the bullpen, maybe a RH bat, but not a Bryant, Arenado type.
Well said. People are underestimating Snell’s value as an affordable ace locked in for three years.
Only way I see Lux traded is if we land Kim. More likely to be moved is Ruiz, but even that isn’t necessary.
AF always lets the market come to him. This year that philosophy is even wiser.
The funniest thing I have seen all day is the fact that the Denver Bronco’s have no QB’s available for today’s game. Besides and injury, the three QB’s on the roster were declared ineligible for violating Covid protocols for not wearing masks when around one of the coaches. Denver will most likely use a WR from their taxi squad as starting QB. He was a QB in college. Getting nostalgic today while re downloading my music to my computer. Listening to a lot of Folk music, which I really got into when I was young, Kingston Trio, Peter, Paul and Mary and some others.
My favorite Kingston Trio Songs:
Mark, I have a 4 disc set that has selections from 9 albums. Close to 100 songs. And Desert Pete and the Reverend Mr. Black are two of my favorites too. Along with MTA, Bad Mans Blunder and A Worried Man. He rode easy in the saddle,
In response to BulldogsandPenguins from up above – Contrary to your affinity for Bryce Harper, there were no Mookie Betts available. And Bryce Harper is nowhere close to Mookie Betts.
I doubt very seriously if he considers the poor pitchers he signed when making decisions today. Some here wanted him to sign Jordan Zimmerman. AF made a very fair offer to Zack Greinke, but Arizona made a stupid money offer that he had to accept. AF made an offer to Hisashi Iwakuma, but he turned out to be damaged goods, and they walked away from it. They could have signed David Price, but they were not going to spend $217MM for a pitcher when they already had one at that level. The Giants just got out of the Samardzija mess and they still have Cueto for another year. John Lackey? Marco Estrada? Doug Fister? Mike Pelfrey? Those were the other available FA pitchers that were available. It was non-descript pitchers like J.A. Happ that were the bargains. Well at least for one year. AF did sign Maeda, on a very creative deal. It did not matter who AF signed, most here would not have been happy. The next year, the big pitcher available via FA was Jeremy Hellickson, followed by Ivan Nova, Jason Hammel, R.A. Dickey, and Edison Volquez. He made mistakes with McCarthy and Kazmir, and should not have offered the QO for Anderson. We can all agree on that. But much less painful than Jordan Zimmerman. AF is not looking back, and those mistakes had absolutely nothing to do with AF trading for and extending Mookie Betts. And they will have nothing to do with any decision regarding Nolan Arenado, Kris Bryant, or Francisco Lindor. I hope he stays with JT for the next two years.
Most on this site wanted Brian Dozier, and were disappointed with Forsythe. Although if I remember correctly, Bums did say that CT3 should be the 2B. AF traded for Forsythe the last year he was in Tampa Bay, so he had already done his due diligence, and JDL was deemed expendable. If the rumors were true, Minnesota wanted Cody Bellinger for Brian Dozier. I do not remember any other 2B that was available at the time, and there really was no middle infield prospects in the Dodger system on the horizon at the time. So no, AF is not thinking back.
Blake Snell – First of all I do not think AF will trade for him, but he did draft him in 2011 (1st round). He knows Blake Snell very well. How was Blake Snell’s CY year of 2018 incomplete? He went 21-5, 31 starts, 180.2 IP, 1.89 ERA, 0.974 WHIP, 221K/64BB, and an ERA+ of 217. How much more complete do you need? How many LAD pitchers 28 or under have won a CY. Outside of CK, what current LAD starting pitcher with over 100 IP had an ERA at 1.89? I am not going to try and convince you that Blake Snell is on the short list for Ace pitchers available, or that the team with the best pitching usually wins. But do not try to make your point by saying that Snell has never had a complete season. That is just out and out untrue.
You do not think that the Dodgers need Snell, that is okay with me. I am not making the decisions. But if LAD had Snell for the 2020 playoff run, who really gets close to beating the Dodgers? I think most everyone here said that LAD needed that 3rd SP, so they would not NEED Gonsolin or May in the rotation. AF will not trade for him, but IMO he fits in nicely in the rotation, and May will get 15-20 starts for those pesty IL days we all know they will have. May will be brought along just like Urias and Buehler. Limit the number of innings until he is ready to go 31 starts. We still do not know if Urias is ready for 31 starts. That strategy has worked thus far. Plus Snell is making just a tad more for 3 years than Nolan Arenado does in 1. Braves get Smyly and the Dodgers get Snell. Who wins that battle?
I do agree that Arenado has the leverage. He does not have to accept any trade, but then he will either stay in Colorado or walk away from $166.5MM guaranteed. We have already seen that money is at the top of his priority list, so he is not walking away. Regardless whether Arenado has the leverage, Bridich is not going to trade him to LAD without a significant overpay. It is not his job to help the Dodgers. Moving Arenado to LAD significantly hinders the ROX chances of overtaking LAD. Bridich is just not going to do that. If Arenado wants out of Denver, all he has to do is waive his no-trade clause, without asking for a ransom. There are a good number of teams that would want Arenado as their 3B. St. Louis has been begging Colorado to trade him. Atlanta, Washington, Toronto, NYM all are looking for a 3B upgrade. Any one of those teams may end up with him. He can opt out next year and sign with the Dodgers then. I think the only reason why the Dodgers are in the discussion is because they need a 3B. Would the Dodgers be improved with Arenado at 3B. Absolutely!! I was hoping Arenado was going to test FA and sign with LAD. But he did not wait. Colorado panicked and signed him to an eight year $260MM extension. Who wouldn’t sign for $260MM guaranteed. They are not going to compound that mistake by giving him to LAD.
With Mookie and a bundle of homegrown talent that will get paydays, I doubt that AF would offer $200MM for Arenado this year. And yet you think AF would do that and give up prospects. I think this wish of yours ends up just like your push for Harper. And yet the Dodgers will make the playoffs, and then as we have learned, anything can happen.
There is only one available player that is in the same hemisphere as Mookie, and that is Francisco Lindor. But he presents a problem because AF is not going to move Seager to 3B just to get Lindor. Let the bidding begin next year. If Seager would agree to be a 3B…then go get Lindor. Maybe AF and Corey are having that discussion. We have no idea. But I guess that if Corey was willing to move and still want to be a Dodger, then AF would be free to make the offer to Cleveland and trade for Lindor. Maybe AF should try to extend Seager first and then trade for Lindor. But again it is not Scott Boras’ job to make AF’s job any easier. Boras likes for his clients to test FA, so that is what I expect. I hope I am wrong.
The Dodgers are $20MM below the CBT, so the Dodgers may exceed the CBT, but I am guessing by less than $10MM. JT and two late inning high leverage pitchers get them above the CBT. Arenado alone puts them $12.5MM above the CBT without any other additions.
If AF can get snell in a deal he is comfortable with he will. He is right up his alley. An ace on a 3 year cheap contract u better believe he has exhausted every angle to get him. Tampa needs a catcher so Ruiz would be the start and then fill in the blank. If anybody thinks that would not make us better then put him on any other team and c if it makes them better. No one can assure healthy but if healthy he is a plus for any team. Because of our great pitching he is not a necessity but if we were to get him he could still make other moves.
The trade of Nolan Arenado to the Dodgers is a popular MLB journalistic topic. Here is Buster Olney’s take:
“Nolan Arenado grew up as a fan of the Dodgers and knows firsthand just how dominant L.A. is, so it would make sense that the Rockies’ third baseman would want to land as a teammate to Mookie Betts, Cody Bellinger et al. But the impediments to an Arenado/Dodgers swap are monumental, and might well be impossible to overcome.”
“Start with this: His contract is astronomical within the context of baseball’s downsized COVID-19 economy. Arenado has six years and about $200 million left on his contract, at a time when rival evaluators are wondering if the Cubs might have to dump Kris Bryant because he’ll make close to $19 million next season. If the Dodgers and Rockies ever seriously engaged in conversations, L.A. would presumably ask Colorado to pick up some of the money owed to Arenado — and maybe a lot of it. How palatable would a scenario like that be for the Rockies, who would basically be handing their best player to their main rival while paying some of his salary?”
“There would still be risk for the Dodgers, as well. Arenado turns 30 in April, and given how teams evaluate these decisions, the Dodgers (or any other team) would probably assume there would be a decline in the performance, especially given Arenado’s all-out style of play. (To date, Arenado has been incredibly durable, playing in at least 155 games in each of the past five full seasons).”
“The Dodgers would have to be comfortable with the data underneath Arenado’s home/road splits, the perpetual mitigation that comes up with the performance evaluation of Colorado hitters:”
Arenado in his career in Coors Field: .322/.376/.609.
Arenado in his career on the road: .263/.322/.471.
The Dodgers’ adept front office would dig through that, and also the question of whether the organization would be better off sticking with internal options.
“Corey Seager, the club’s shortstop, will be a free agent next fall, at age 27; he’s a client of Scott Boras. Would the Dodgers prefer to save their money for Seager, rather than take on Arenado? Would they consider both? Do they need to save financial flexibility for Bellinger’s future megadeal? Might they think about a future with Gavin Lux at short and Seager at third? Might they prefer investment in a long-term shortstop, like Francisco Lindor? One of the Dodgers’ best prospects is a third baseman, Kody Hoese; would they rather go the cheaper route?”
“The Dodgers have the prospect power and financial might to do so many different things, and what Friedman has demonstrated in his time overseeing L.A. is that he rarely picks the pricey option. “ (Emphasis mine)
You’re probably right about the pricey option AC. Maybe I’m just FOS, but I’m always going to go back and point to a payroll high of $278 Million. If they did it once, they can do it again if it’s the guy they want. Right now is a good time to grab more rings. You have a spot where you need a RH power bat, never mind Olney’s stupid comment about Lux at short and Seager at 2nd which would pretty much guarantee an all left handed infield on a team where the GM said he wants to be balanced.
I also said that Bryant was another option. Hell, it’s possible, but highly unlikely that he can trade for Bryant this year and end up with Arenado next year. Probably not probable, but definitely possible. I have also said that I don’t mind JT coming back. But, I don’t think it makes sense for a team that wants to win to bring back a player who is clearly diminishing when at least two better options are available.
I also don’t think bringing back JT and getting a couple of relievers qualifies as being pigs.
Let’s see if you can figure out what I mean by Snell’s incomplete season. Here’s the last 5 AL CY Winners. Tell me what stands out? And that was the most innings he ever pitched in a season. I can’t call a guy that’s never pitched more than 180 innings an Ace. He really shouldn’t have even won that year. Verlander made 3 more starts, 35 more innings, a better whip and 69 more K’s than Snell. Snell had more wins and a better ERA.
2019 Verlander 223 Innings
2018 Snell 180 Innings
2017 Kluber 203 Innings
2016 Porcello 223 Innings
2015 Keuchel 232 Innings
So yeah, I call 40 less innings than 3 of the past 5 winners incomplete. I call the only pitcher not to go 200 incomplete. I call the guy that made the least starts incomplete.
… AND ALL EXCEPT SNELL ARE EITHER INJURED OR IRRELEVANT NOW! Keuchel is slightly relevant.
They don’t let pitchers do that anymore… right or wrong!
Keuchel was better than Snell last year, so who’s more relevant? 15 pitchers threw 200 innings in 2019, so much for they don’t let them do that anymore.
I would say it was more a matter of team philosophy as opposed to snell being unable to go more innings. Look at our World Series game cash pulled him because that is what they do. That is what we do more often than not. U can’t expect guys to pitch more innings when the team stops them. The team doesn’t expect more than 6 even in a playoff game. Pathetic, but that is the trend.
Team philosophy? 180.2, 129.1, 107.0, 89.0 and 50 last year. Two seasons with an ERA over 4. 1 above 3.5, 1.89 in his Cy Young year and 3.24 last year. He’s a good, not great pitcher that had 1 very good, not great season. I will never call 180 innings a great season. That’s my opinion. In 2019 Verlander had 300 K’s, 223 innings and a .803 whip. That’s a great season. In 2018 Snell had 221, 180 .974. Every other year in his career he’s been solid with a 1.2 WHIP and a 3.24 or better ERA. Might as well just sign Bauer. Only money, no prospects.
Funny how the BBWA disagree with you on Snell. Bauer? You keep wanting the Dodgers to take on another $30MM contract this year. You can probably count on one hand the number of people who think that the Dodgers will spend what you think they should. $278MM? That is just flat out not reality.
Then by your logic, Buehler has never thrown a complete season. The last pitchers for the Dodgers to go 200+ innings was 2015 with Kershaw and Greinke. Snell did not miss a start in 2018. He pitches for a team that relies heavily on its bullpen as do the Dodgers now. But per your definition, because he did not pitch 200 innings he should not qualify for pitching a complete season. I doubt that any Dodger pitcher will get close to 200 IP in 2021. The only one that might be capable is Buehler, but it is doubtful even for him. With your logic, it makes even more sense to get a pitcher as good as Snell was for 180 innings to slide right in to the Dodgers rotation, knowing that they do not have any pitcher capable of pitching for a complete season per your definition. The Dodgers may have one pitcher capable of 200 innings, not 5. So 6 pitchers at 165 IP is the same as 5 pitchers at 200. Get that 6th pitcher capable of 165 IP. That is not Jo Jo Gray or Mitch White.
Who is Snell gonna replace, AC?
Are you talking about a 6 man rotation, something the Dodgers do not do and CK is very opposed to? Or, are you gonna trade Price in order to trade for Snell? You gonna move May or Urias to the pen when so many relievers are available? All of which cheaper than Snell. Both May and Urias are cheaper than Snell and could possibly be better. May was better than Snell last year in the regular season. Urias we better in the post season and Urias’ only year with an era above 3.39 was the year that the Dodgers rushed him into the rotation and subsequently got hurt.
You argue against prospect cost for Arenado, but you’re arguing for trading for Snell. No need in the rotation, a clear need for a power right handed hitting third baseman. With Snell’s team friendly contract, which one will require a larger prospect package? Sorry, I don’t follow your logic.
You obviously have not been watching the Dodgers the last few years. The last time the Dodgers stuck with 5 pitchers is when?
2020 – 3 starters with 10 starts, 2 with 8, 1 with 7, and 5 others for 7 starts.
2019 – Ryu (29), Buehler (30), Kersh (28) Maeda (26), strip (15), Hill (13), Urias (8), Gonsolin (6)
2018 – Wood (27), Kersh (26), Hill (24), Buehler (23), Strip (21), Maeda (20), Ryu (15)
2017 – Kersh (27), Wood (25), Hill (25), Ryu (24), McCarthy (16), Darvish (9), Urias (5)
2016 – 8 pitchers with at least 9 starts, 2 more with 6, 1 with 5, and 4 others with a total of 9 starts.
May is not going to be a full time pitcher. May is not the pitcher that Buehler is and they did not cut Buehler lose until his 3rd year. Price did not pitch last year and started only 22 in 2019. He is 35. 2015 was the last year Kershaw had 30 starts. He turns 33. If the Dodgers do get another SP (Snell or someone else), May will be the #6 pitcher. That is not a knock on May. The Dodgers like veteran starters to let their “kids” develop. I think May is going to be an outstanding pitcher. But this is how the current Dodger regime works their young pitchers. May will get his starts, even with 6 or 7 starters. It is easy to see 15 starts for May. IMO, they will use at least 7 starters in 2021 by design. If they do not get another SP, then Gonsolin is the #6, and White and Gray are the #7. I doubt that AF would be comfortable with that.
I never said I was against the prospect cost for Arenado. You apparently believe it is going to only take scrap, and I contend Bridich is not going to let LAD have him unless there is an overpay. I just do not think that AF will spend $200MM AND giving Colorado prospects. Regardless, I doubt that he pays $200MM without knowing what Seager is going to do. He is far more inclined to include prospects for a $39MM contract for a starting pitcher, which he values.
But go ahead and keep deluding yourself that the Dodgers have to have Arenado to win as you insisted with Harper. They did not need Harper, and they do not need Arenado. He would improve the Dodgers, but he is not a necessity. If Colorado wants to pay half of Arenado’s contract and take lesser prospects, AF will listen. But Bridich will not make that offer.
I guess I went to Dollar Tree on the right day. They had a bunch of movies there and even some blu rays. I got Superman III and IV, Westworld, The Road Warrior, The Man From UNCLE, Chips, 4GOT10, Age of Heroes, which is about the formation of the British commando unit by Ian Fleming, and Acts of Vengeance with Antonio Banderas. Alderson says the Mets are going to target free agents more than trades.
Contrary to what some were reporting, the Phillies did not lose 2 billion dollars. They lost 145 million. Still waiting to see if they pilfer one of our FO guys to be their GM. Byrnes would be the most likely candidate in my book. The day’s of pitchers going over 200 innings are headed the same way as the 9 inning start and complete game. It just ain’t happening baby.
They are trying to get two of our guys! They will make Kingston the President of Baseball Ops and Byrnes the GM… unless Friedman promotes someone!
I agree. The Dodgers do not have a GM right now, I think he should give that job to one of them. Preferably Byrnes.
It is probably the other way around. Kingston has never advanced beyond Assistant GM except when he was interim GM when the Mariners fired Jack Zduriencik. He was up for the LAA GM spot and the Phillies are actually looking at him for the GM spot.
OTOH, Brynes has been a GM (2006-2010 with DBacks) and for the last 10 years has been Senior VP of Baseball Operations for SDP (2011-2014) and LAD 2014-present).
I can see the Dodgers promoting Kingston to GM. Byrnes is not leaving LAD unless he gets a President – Baseball Operations position.
13 years in the majors and only 1 bad year (2016) and 1 so so year (2011). Can get outs consistently against both sides of the plate. An under the radar free agent that probably won’t cost much. Joakim Soria.
I’m a realist, I see the superstar names being thrown around that don’t fill any holes the Dodgers have such as position players and starting pitchers and I’ll pass on them.
I think the Dodgers are fine when it comes to starting pitching with Buehler, Kershaw, Urias, May, Gonsolin, Price. That’s 6 starting pitchers to fill 5 spots. But I wouldn’t be against signing 1 free agent starting pitcher. But I definitely wouldn’t trade for one.
I think the Dodgers are fine when it comes to 8 starting position players with Smith, Muncy, Lux, Seager, Turner (sign him), Betts, Bellinger, Pollock. The only question mark is Lux and we have plenty of guys that can step up in case Lux doesn’t work out. Plenty of guys that can play multiple positions so it wouldn’t necessarily have to be a 2B to plug that hole. But I wouldn’t be against signing 1 free agent position player. But I definitely wouldn’t trade for one.
I know I’m a broken record, but my concern is the bullpen. Look at what is called the platoon splits of each of our current relievers. Pretty bad, pretty lopsided. Besides the 6 starting pitchers I mentioned above, the only other pitchers on the current roster that I would keep are Gonzalez and Graterol THAT’S IT.
I would sign as many top of the line free agent relievers as I could, along with Joakim “consistently reliable” Soria. And I would consider signing Baez and Treinen.
I would give away both Joe “wild man” Kelly and Kenley “declining egomaniac” Jansen for free to anyone who will take them.
Give away $28 million?
That’s easy to do when its not your money.
Past history is no indication of future results. Jansen and Kelly could have stellar seasons in 2021 – at leat, that is what we hope.
Pedro Baez actually is BETTER statistically than Soria, but Soria ain’t bad. He will just be 37 next year and that is a concern for me.
As I said I would consider signing Baez (and Treinen). I like Baez, he is consistent. I like his stats. I do disagree about Baez being better statistically than Soria. At least not the stats I like best (OPS and OPS vs right and left).
I’ve seen enough of Joe “wild man” Kelly and Kenley “declining egomaniac” Jansen. I wouldn’t hesitate giving them away to anyone who will take them.
It’s PAST TIME to CLEAN HOUSE on the bullpen.
Originally a Dodger farmhand.
Correct!
Here is some HOT news from Baseball America:
In its first proposal to Minor League Baseball more than a year ago, Major League Baseball’s reorganization of the minor leagues ticketed Triple-A Fresno for a move to the Class A California League.
The Grizzlies and the city of Fresno have never supported such a move. Now in the final days of the long-running MLB-MiLB talks, MLB has presented what appears to be an ultimatum to the Fresno Grizzlies: accept a move to Class A or be dropped from affiliated baseball altogether.
The Fresno Bee reported on Thursday that MLB deputy commissioner Dan Halem sent a letter to the mayor of Fresno, the mayor elect and the Fresno city council. In it, MLB said that the Grizzlies and the city of Fresno have until Monday to accept the move to Class A or they will not be part of the affiliated minor league system.
The Bee reported the Grizzlies are slated to be the Rockies low Class A affiliate in the California League if they accept the demotion. The Grizzlies would also have to agree to not sue MLB or any individual clubs..”
Here was Fresno’s response:
“We are extremely disappointed in the ultimatum given by Major League Baseball to the Fresno Grizzlies and their ownership at noon on the day before Thanksgiving, and we are firmly committed to stand side by side with our partners as they fight to keep Triple-A baseball in our great city. The Grizzlies have been an award-winning franchise both in management and marketing for over 20 years and the investment that the Grizzlies have made in this team and its facilities must not be dismissed. The City of Fresno is decidedly united with the Grizzlies in this endeavor to maintain our Triple-A legacy of success.”
It sounds like Court to me…
I concur. MLB is being pretty dictatorial about all this. The Grizzlies have been one of the better PCL franchises and a move to low Class A means less games and a lot less revenue. I think they have a case.
The problem Fresno faces is that there are 8 West MLB teams, and 7 of those 8 have west PCL teams. Fresno is the odd team out. The 8th west team without a west PCL team is LAD. The OKC Dodgers is the Dodgers AAA PCL affiliate and is owned by Mandalay Baseball-a joint venture between ownership of the Los Angeles Dodgers and an investor group led by Mandalay Entertainment Chairman and CEO Peter Guber (one of the Dodger owners). The Dodgers are not leaving OKC for Fresno, and that is what Fresno wants to force MLB to do. With the anti-trust exemption that MLB enjoys, they are not in danger of Fresno forcing MLB to put a MB team (LAD) in Fresno. Fresno’s choices are to become the Rockies California League affiliate or go independent. MLB is taking over MiLB so look for MLB to bully MiLB owners groups. More top affiliates are going to go the way of OKC and have the MLB team become the owner.
This is not popular in some cities like Fresno, but allegedly, this will be a step in the direction for better player development. I said “allegedly.” I suppose Fresno could ask for MLB to buy them, but they have no bargaining power as long as MLB has antitrust exemption.
Eric, you are right, the bullpen is a concern. But I doubt a total overhaul is in order. You might only like Graterol and Gonzalez, but they are not going to just cut Kelly and Jansen loose. What’s wrong with Floro or Kolarek? They were pretty good most of the year. They are not just going to go all ape and get rid of people. There are so many relievers on the market that AF can pretty much pick and choose whoever he likes. Unfortunately there are no guarantees with bullpen arms. You can be nails one year and a bust the next. So, who had better stats this year? Treinen or Floro? Answer, Floro. His ERA was over a point lower. He was 3-0, Treinen was 3-3. His WHIP was 1.11 and Blake’s was 1.21. Kolarek was even better than that. 3-0, 0.95 ERA and a WHIP of 0.79. Which was the best of any of the relief corps. They will no doubt address the pen. But just what AF has up his sleeve we will have to wait and see,
Royals to sign FA Mike Minor.