First of all, I received multiple emails wishing me good health and prayers, and for that I will be forever grateful. I do not get sick very often, but when I do, I do it right. The illness occurs once every 5-6 years, and lasts a couple of weeks. And it is almost always the same. I start out with a head cold, with a severe sore throat, and it eventually settles in my chest. For several days, I cough violently, losing my breath, and have on numerous occasions passed out after a coughing spell. I have absolutely zero strength or energy to move around. This year, cognizant of COVID-19, I continued to check for fever, but my body temperature never rose above normal. This year I tried to beat the devil out of it with excess Vitamin C and Advil, and of course my wife’s soup. It started a week ago today, and I was finally able to get out of bed on Saturday to compose this post. I also had a COVID-19 test Saturday AM just in case. I have stayed away from people the entire week, but there are 5 others in our house, and while they maintained their distance, they deserve to know if I was infected.
After I complete this post, it will be back to bed for the rest my body still desperately needs. During the week, I formatted Bear’s articles, and published them. I was very grateful that he had enough to cover for me on Wednesday and Friday. While I did read Bear’s articles while formatting them, I did not read many of the responses, since last Sunday. I apologize, but I may be repeating topics and points of view that may have been reported during the week.
2020 MLB Winter Meetings (Dec. 7 – 10) – Dallas, Texas
Pre-pandemic, I was planning on making this trip. I have never been to a Winter Meetings before, and I this was one of my scheduled retirement bucket list trips. While the team advance employees and some journalists were scheduled to check into the Omni Dallas Hotel this evening, this year’s Meetings will be done virtually. In most recent years, Scott Boras was the focal point of the meetings. Per Bill Shaikin, in a December 4 article in the LA Times, “Stephen Strasburg, Gerrit Cole and Anthony Rendon can sign during the week of the winter meetings, as they did last year, and you’ve got news. Bryce Harper, J.D. Martinez and Jake Arrieta can sign after spring training opens, as they did in 2017 and 2018, respectively, and you’ve got next to nothing at the meetings.”
Shaikin goes on as to describe Boras as being mournful about the cancellation. Shaikin quotes Scott Boras about his experiences at these meetings:
“The teams don’t give any insight. The interaction with the journalists, and having that forum, creates a level of excitement that frankly doesn’t exist in other sports.”
Boras is generally quite pointed and controversial while discussing how the owners have the money to (over)pay for his clients, and he isn’t disappointing in 2020. Boras stated, “There’s no team in baseball that lost money last year.” He also believes that MLB owners have a financial interest in playing a 162 game schedule in 2021. Per Shaikin, “He (Boras) dismisses suggestions that the 2021 schedule might be shortened because, he said, owners have promised their local television partners a full season.” Per Boras, “So you better believe we’re playing a full season”.
So while it is virtual, there is a lot to discuss, and the agents are going to still be in a position to corral team decision makers. I am comfortable in my beliefs that certain Zoom meetings have already been established. There will undoubtedly still be some FA signings and trades this week. How many and what players will be involved are not known, just like every other year. There will also be some owner meetings of some kind, and hopefully they can come to an agreement with the MLBPA regarding the Universal DH. Many FA signings and potential trades will be in limbo until that decision is made.
I look forward to a good meeting, and will be watching MLB Network for any news. If this comes off as many suspect, Shaikin opines that the meetings will not and should not be repeated again. I will not go that far, as I think Boras is correct, and this type of meeting is unique to MLB, and brings some “excitement” to MLB. However, it does seem reasonable that much if not all of the business can be done remotely.
Corey Knebel
Call me very intrigued. I was going to be advocating Knebel if he were to be non-tendered, so I have no problem with the trade for PTBNL or cash. Pre TJ, Knebel’s fastball was averaging 97.6. Last year, he averaged 94.8. After returning from a three week visit to the IL for hamstring issues, his FB average ticked up to 95.4. In all, one year removed from TJ surgery, Knebel pitched quite poorly in 15 games and 13.1 IP. He never was able to get reacclimated and will now have another off season to get his baseball legs back.
While his fastball’s velo was down, Knebel is more known for his curveball which averages about 15 MPH below his fastball. In 2017, Knebel had a FanGraph’s value of 12. Outside of Joe Kelly, no other LAD reliever throws many curves. One of AF’s comments was that he wanted to change the look all around for his bullpen. Knebel does that.
For all those who may have forgotten, Knebel pitched extremely well in the 2018 NLCS against the Dodgers. 6 games, 7.0 IP, 2 hits, 1 run, 10 K, 2 BB, and a batting line of .095/.208/.190/.399. That works.
His arbitration forecast is around $5MM which should not be onerous for the Dodgers, and should not handcuff them from completing any other plans. Knebel is exactly the reliever type that AF loves to sign for that high reward at a relatively low risk. I know that the Dodgers (Doc and AF) are saying that relief roles are evolving and that matchups will not dictate which reliever comes in. At the present time, a closer is not considered paramount. However, I have a problem believing that Doc can readily make that change. Thus, I still see the need for another late inning high leverage reliever. Knebel may be able to get back to that level, but I think LAD will still look for another. My pick was Trevor May, but the Mets signed him. I do not see AF signing Liam Hendriks, but could check into the Brad Hand, Trevor Rosenthal, or Blake Treinen (in that order). IMO, with trading for Knebel, I cannot see AF trying to get another reclamation project like Kirby Yates. Although my preference is still trading for Blake Snell and leaving Dustin May and Tony Gonsolin in the bullpen, eliminating the need for another late inning high leverage reliever. Strong veteran starting pitching is my preference, especially when it gets to the postseason. BUT, I do not expect the Dodgers to acquire Snell.
MY PITCHING ROSTER
- Walker Buehler (RHSP)
- Clayton Kershaw (LHSP)
- Blake Snell (RHSP)
- Julio Urias (LHSP)
- David Price (LHSP)
- Dustin May (RHRP)
- Tony Gonsolin (RHRP)
- Corey Knebel (RHSP)
- Brad Hand (LHRP)
- Brusdar Graterol (RHRP)
- Joe Kelly (RHRP)
- Victor Gonzalez (LHRP)
- Dylan Floro (RHRP)
Two other LHRP, Scott Alexander and Adam Kolarek, both have options remaining, and should be on that OKC Express. They are both emergency depth pieces.
Discounting Urias and Buehler, LAD pitchers with options include, Alexander, Gerardo Carrillo, Dylan Floro, Tony Gonsolin, Victor Gonzalez, Brusdar Graterol, Andre Jackson, Kolarek, Dustin May, Dennis Santana, Josh Sborz, Edwin Uceta, and Mitch White. That is not just depth (13 pitchers), but functional depth.
Top LAD Players
Bear had a good article on his opinions of the best Dodgers from Brooklyn and LA for each position. While I was formatting the article for publication, I had a chance to read it. I did not grow up during the Brooklyn days, so I really have no personal bias favorably or unfavorably. I cannot offer any dissenting or agreeable opinions, so I will let those who have knowledge debate those players.
Left Fielder –
For LA, I am okay with most of the positions. Gary Sheffield had a fantastic three years, but I have an issue with anyone who was a Dodger for all of three years can qualify to be the best in LAD history at a position. TD played 7 years with the Dodgers. His best three were 1962-1964. His batting line was .317/.349/.466/.815, 66 doubles, 17 triples, 57 HR, 327 RBIs. He was a two-time MLB batting average. In 1962, TD led MLB in hits and RBIs. As good as his 199-2001 seasons were for LAD, outside of HRs and OPS, his numbers were very comparable to Davis’. Batting line .312/.420/.581/1.001, 72 doubles, 5 triples, 113 HRs, and 310 RBIs. Sheff did not lead MLB or NL in any category. In addition, TD played on three Dodger WS teams, including two World Champions.
Sheff gets credit for the best three years, while IMO Tommy Davis was the overall best LAD left fielder in LAD history. Dusty Baker played a stellar 8 years, and his LAD career metrics were very comparable to Davis’, but Dusty never had two years comparable to Davis. Dusty also represented LAD in three WS, but only one Champion. I am going with Tommy Davis as best LAD LF.
Catcher –
Bear selected Mike Piazza, and I believe because he was a HOF and the best offensive catcher in LAD history. However, IMO there is more to being a catcher than being an offensive threat. For me, being a defensive catcher and game caller are more important for being a catcher than the offense. Mike Scioscia and Steve Yeager handled the pitching staffs expertly. Yeager was the LAD catcher for 14 years and was the primary catcher on 4 WS teams (74, 77, 78, and 81). Scioscia was a LAD catcher for 13 years, and was the co-catcher in the 81 WS and the primary catcher for the 88 WS championship teams. Scioscia was a LAD his entire 13 year career, while Yeager was a LAD for 14 of his 15 career years. I am not about to compare Yeager or Scioscia offensively to Piazza, but Piazza only represented LAD in the 1995 and 1996 NLDS where they went 0-6. Lou Brock called Yeager the best-throwing catcher in the game. Scioscia caught two no-hitters and hit a dramatic HR off Doc Gooden in 1988 NLCS. Mike is also the Dodgers all-time leader in games caught (1,395).
- Steve Yeager caught stealing rate was 38%.
- Mike Scioscia caught stealing rate was 34%.
- Mike Piazza caught stealing rate was 23%.
Because I value the catching/throwing/receiving/game calling aspects for a catcher to be more of a consideration than offense, I would rate both Yeager and Scioscia over Piazza. Because Yeager was the catcher for LAD in four World Series to three for Scioscia, by the smallest of margins, I would select Yeager as my pick for the LAD all-time catcher.
RHSP –
I could argue that Don Sutton was the best all-time RHSP for LAD, but my very first game at Dodger Stadium was Game 3 of the 1963 WS, where Big D fired a complete game 1-0 shutout 2-hit victory over Jim Bouton and the NYY. I will never forget that experience as long as I live. In his 16 years as a Dodger, Little D was never spectacular, but he was always good to very good. He made the HOF because of longevity and being good to very good over that long period of time. Drysdale had a 14 year LAD career. None of Sutton’s LAD career numbers clearly place him above Drysdale. I agree that Big D is the greatest LAD RHSP in LAD history.
LHSP –
To most, there has never been a greater LAD than Sandy Koufax. While Game 3 of the 1963 WS was my first game a Dodger Stadium, Game 4 was my second. While Koufax’s effort was not as dominating as Drysdale’s, it did clinch the World Series. In fact, Whitey Ford was a more dominating pitcher in Game 4.
There is a very short list of the top LHSP of all time and Koufax is at the elite level. But that was because for a 5 year period, no pitcher dominated the game of baseball more than did Sandy Koufax from 1962-1966. I think most on this site grew up around baseball during the Koufax/Drysdale era, and it is always the childhood hero that takes precedence in player comparisons.
But for me, Clayton Kershaw has dominated for a longer period of time and was not outpitched that much in shorter periods.
Both pitchers were CY winners three times in four years. Koufax was a top five CY vote receiver for four consecutive years (1963-1966). The year he did not win, he was #3. OTOH, Kershaw was top five vote-getter in seven consecutive years (2011-2017), and top three in six of those years. Both pitchers were MVP’s.
- Koufax – (1961-1966) – 211 GS, 1632.2 IP, 129-47, 2.19 ERA, 0.970 WHIP, 1713K, 412BB, 2.16 FIP, 156 ERA+
- Kershaw – (2011-2017) – 207 GS, 1452 IP, 118-41, 2.10 ERA, 0.913 WHIP, 1249 K, 242BB, 2.36 FIP, 179 ERA+
- Koufax – (1963-1966) – 150 GS, 1192.2 IP, 97-27, 1.86 ERA, 0.909 WHIP, 1228K, 259BB, 1.97 FIP, 172 ERA+
- Kershaw – (2011-2014) – 126 GS, 895.1 IP, 88-33, 2.11 ERA, 0.946 WHIP, 948K, 200BB, 2.41 FIP, 172 ERA+
- Koufax (Career – 1955-66) – 314 GS, 2324.1 IP, 2.76 ERA, 1.106 WHIP, 2396K, 817BB, 2.69 FIP, 131 ERA+
- Kershaw (Career – 2008 – Current) – 354 GS, 2333 IP, 2.43 ERA, 1.003 WHIP, 2526K, 585BB, 2.75 FIP, 158 ERA+
While Kershaw’s post season numbers are not impressive, no pitcher in MLB history has more strikeouts in the postseason with 207. Yes, I recognize that is because of expanded playoffs, but nevertheless, nobody else stands above Clayton in this category.
If we are to choose which Dodger LHSP had the best four year run, no pitcher in MLB history had a better four year run than Koufax’s 1963-1966. But the premise was, who has been the best LAD LHSP, and for me, career wise, Clayton Kershaw is the GOAT. Many of us Dodger fans have been very fortunate to have watched both Koufax and Kershaw as Dodgers and at the elite of the elite level.
I have run out of gas, and I did not have an opportunity to include pictures. Hopefully I am on the road to recovery, but right now, I do need my rest.
Kenley Jansen still exists.
Great points Jeff. And I said Sheffield was the most logical pick to get PICKED on.:LOL…..But my reasons for picking Sandy stand. Member of 4 World Champion Teams, 4 no hitters including a perfect game in 4 consecutive seasons. I think his 3 best seasons dwarf Kershaw’s best. Kershaw of course pitches less innings and does not have the opportunities for complete games and Sandy had more in one season than Kersh does in his career. His career numbers, Kersh that is, are higher simply because he was a starter from his second season on. Koufax was a spot starter and reliever . He did not get into the starting rotation until 1958. And I saw them both pitch a lot. On any given day, Koufax could do something special. He was that good. I do not always feel that way with Kersh. And I have sat next to the bullpen when they have warmed up. Koufax’s ball had a totally different sound. Yes, Ford pitched 7 innings of 2 hit ball in game 7 giving up only the homer to Howard, which was a massive shot into the loge section right down the line. And then the winning run scored on Boyer’s error. But Sandy shut down that New York lineup for the second time in the series. He struck out 23 in 2 games. Set a WS K record in game one. To me he was just a better pitcher. Especially in the clutch moments. Kersh will eventually take the mantle of the best as those of us who saw Sandy and Kersh pass on. But Koufax was the best I ever saw period. I picked Piazza mostly because of his offense. I know how good Yeager and Scioscia were. But their hitting was abysmal. Yeager’s best moment was when he was co-MVP with Pedro and Cey in 81. Sandy was also the MVP in two world series, Kersh’s World Series starts have not been that impressive. He lost his game in 66 because Willie D made 3 errors. And I kind of temper Ford’s performance against the 63 team. They were not a great offensive team that year. The Yankees were the better team on paper.
AC,
I am not a doctor, so take this as just a suggestion that I have done many times, safely. If you are not mega-dosing, Vitamin C will not have the effect you are after. 1 teaspoon equals 5.12 grams. 1 tablespoon equals 15.36 grams. You need to take upwards of 30g or until your bowels move. Some people need more, some less. It seems pretty safe except for some gas that may occur. Usually dosing every hour or so. You can also mix it with baking soda to make it taste more tolerable, 1tsp Vit C, 1/4-1/2tsp baking soda. I would skip the advil as it is just a suppressor and does nothing for your illness and irritates the intestines and liver. Hope this helps you.
Don’t get me wrong. Love Kersh, but give me the guy that pitches a 3-hit complete game shutout on 2 days rest in game 7 of the World Series. That’s clutch.
AC, Those kinds of colds and sore throats really suck. I keep several of these at the ready and take them at the first warning. It was worked for 4 years, but not against COVID-19! I hope the COVID test comes back negative.
https://www.ezcpak.com/
On Clayton and Sandy:
Sandy appeared in 8 postseason games pitching 57 innings. Clayton has appeared in 37 postseason games and has pitched 189 innings. Clayton has a 4.19 ERA and a 1.074 WHIP. Sandy has a 0.95 ERA and a 0.825 WHIP. Clearly, Clayton was exposed much more as he pitched 3 times the innings Sandy did. It’s a small sampling for Koufax, but it is what it is.
However, to pick Sandy as the G.O.A.T. because be had the best 5-year run (by far) a the most dominant pitcher in baseball, is simply cherry-picking statistics. In a 12-year MLB Career, Koufax is 165-87 with a 2.76 ERA and a 1.106 WHIP. In Clayton’s 13 year career, he is 175-76 with a 2.43 ERA and a 1.003 WHIP.
Clayton has 2526 strikeouts while Koufax trails him with 2396. Clayton has more IP, has given up fewer HR and A LOT fewer walks. If you cherry-pick the last 5 years of Koufax’s career and use it as a window into a pitchers career, then Sandy is the G.O.A.T., but if you consider the entire body of work, the trophy belongs to Clayton.
Both were great, but there was never a 5-year runs like Sandy had, nor will there ever be again!
I wonder how good Koufax’s “body of work” would have been had he started every 5th day instead of every 4th and only asked to pitch 6+ instead of completing 137 games? If the 1966 Koufax was on the current Dodger team he would be the #1 and he would win 30 games
Cherry pick that.
Koufax was the best pitcher I ever saw, and I saw a lot of pitchers including, Kershaw, Gibson, Clemens, Ryan, Johnson and Johnson.
Ok, I lied about the second Johnson, but it sounded good.
18 inch mound – Cherry pick that!
John Smoltz claims that the higher mound produced les stress on the pitchers arm!
Smoltz is a cry baby. Always has been. Cherry pick this, Koufax won 27 games with a sore arm. CK never has done that. He ain’t that tough.
Koufax was a bonus baby and had to stay with the big league club. I wonder how much faster he would have progressed if he had the player development available around the time Clayton was in the minor leagues.
For me if I had to win one game, I pick Sandy.
AC glad your starting to feel better.
Koufax would beat Kershaw 1-0 and allow 2 hits to this bunch of free swingers.
I was thinking about the same thing earlier. The strike zone was bigger then, the mound was taller, but hitters were much better skilled at protecting the plate with 2 strikes.
I love ClaytonKershaw and what he has meant to the Dodgers with his astounding records that he has accomplished and, I am sure, will continue to do so. But, I am picking Sandy Koufax as the greatest left-handed pitcher of all time. Just one note….Clayton pitched three times as many innings as Sandy but the strikeouts were very close for a time. Sandy Koufax is a jewel in the Dodger crown, so to speak.
If we can’t cherry Sandy’s best 5 consecutive years, where does that put Snider in the rankings?
You can say the same thing for almost every player on the list.
Thank you and welcome back. Alway enjoy your work and frankly the site is tops with all the writers. I hope we do get a full season! Thumbs up to Mark for getting more involved. I can almost always tell by the title, if Mark wrote it! Cheers to good health.
Sorry to hear you’re sick, AC. Get well soon. I could tell you weren’t quite right when you listed Snell as a RHSP. Bear’s list got a lot of comments as many can be argued. That’s one of those things that’s great about baseball. Some will get the nod over short term dominance and others get it due to long term excellence. The walk down memory lane was both entertaining and enlightening.
With so many great relief options out there and so many talented pitchers in the rotation, or waiting in line to become part of it, there’s NO WAY the Dodgers will trade prospects for Blake Snell. Hell, might as well just spend the money on Bauer and keep the prospects or use them for a third baseman, but that isn’t the optimal solution for the bullpen either. The fact remains that we lost Treinen, McGee and Baez and those spots need to be replaced. Knebel is one, so we need at least one more reliever that we can count on in leveraged situations. Moving a young starter into that role to sign another starter makes little sense. It just makes way more sense to exploit the large supply and get a reliever at the discounted rate.
I found your insight on Scott Boras interesting in that he thinks no one lost money last year and there will be a full season. Music to my ears. I don’t agree at all that the Winter Meetings will go virtual going forward. I agree that it is too big of an event and there’s many things that can’t be replicated via zoom calls. There is no running into an agent in the bar or elevator in a Zoom call. Deals are made in back halls all the time. Not to mention, the Winter Meetings usually comes with a huge job fair.
Anyways, hope you get better soon and I’m very excited to see some news in the coming weeks.
I was thinking the only way get Snell is if we land Kim and trade Lux.
But that’s a few too many conditionals to be taken seriously.
If there is a 162 season it’s very certain it won’t be business as usual pre covid-19. The 2020 shortened season wasn’t exactly a loser or a winner as far as the pandemic goes. And where it made my life change little my daily habits of life in a smallish desert Ca. town has changed dramatically. Not only because my brother is in induced coma on a ventilator but more because this desert town is seemingly flooding with new cases. I don’t know where or what wave this is but I think it’s going to reach everywhere and the whole world will never be business as usual pre-pandemic. I might just now be seeing the 1st wave reaching for my world. As a fan I’ve discovered 162 games isn’t much more meaningful than a 60 games season and regardless of what owners or Boras do or stay they can’t call the shots on the little info they have. I’m as much of a bigshot where that’s concerned. This covid-19 thing is not going away soon even if the vaccination works 100% with zilch side effects. Fat chance for that. The future norm will surely be different. How different who knows?
Quas, your brother is in my prayers. So sad to happen this way. It makes you realize what priorities are and I am sure that to some people the tragedy of this virus is more important than how many games we get to play next year or if we get the DH or not.
Take care, DBM. Just looking forward to a better year ahead for everyone’s life.
Sorry Quas. I can only imagine how difficult this must be for you. I do hope your brother pulls out of it.
I think your points about this pandemic are spot on. It’s going to be a long, grueling winter. I’ll leave it at that.
Sandy was the most dominate pitcher of all-time. Just pick 2 captains and choose up teams like we have all done numerous times. Your first pick would definitely be Koufax if you want to win.
AC, glad to see that you are feeling well enough to write an article for us. Sincerely hope you continue to get better. All of the LADT family is rooting for you to dig those spurs in and race ahead to good health. I am sorry but did not have your email to send you a message, but posted here my good wishes for you.
I want to win, it’s Koufax every time.
How about Urias? 😉
You ever see Koufax pitch? Urias is a baby right now. He is learning. But Sandy’s fastball, which was never measured by the way, would dwarf his. And Koufax had the most devastating curve ball I have ever seen. No contest.
Similar to Bear’s Brooklyn/LA division my mind divides eras by black and white or color.
If I picture a player in black and white he is an old timer; if in color than modern. That division allows me to pick both Koufax and Kershaw though I am old enough to have seen both play (at least on TV).
I suspect my kids may use the analog TV vs HD as their cut point.
OK, here’s a way to settle the argument:
If you think Koufax is the GOAT, then I get to pick the year.
I think Kershaw is the GOAT, so you get to pick the year!
Gotcha!
Now, if we can pick 5-Years, then it’s Sandy!
1966. 27-9 323 inning pitched, 317 strikeouts. 1,73 ERA. 27 complete games. You lose. Kershaw never came close to that kind of performance and Koufax did all that with an inferior offensive team. And his arm was sore all the time.
I also have a feeling that after Clayton’s offseason training success last year, he will refine it even more this offseason. I expect to see him have an outstanding Age 33 season and next offseason make a decision as to whether he wants to continue playing.
If Kershaw had to pitch Koufax’s schedule he would have been done years ago.
Your point about the mound is valid. I would also add a strike zone that was about a foot larger on top. But the number of pitches and the number of innings is not even close.
Mark. You like Kersh, that is fine. Maybe by the end of his career he will be considered the greatest. But here is a better way. Koufax was done at 30. Lets stop Kersh’s stats at age 30. He had 22 less wins and 251 less K’s than Sandy. Kersh did have a better winning percentage and a lower ERA. But he would still have zero rings, and one no hitter. As good as Kersh is, he has never been as dominant as Koufax. And Kersh pitches in an age where striking out is just meh. When Koufax pitched striking out was not considered as insignificant as it is today. He pitched when the bunt and the sacrifice were everyday affairs. Against these all or nothing hitters, Koufax pitching the same amount of innings he pitched back then would strike out 400 a year. Kersh and pitchers today do not come closer to having to pitch that much. And then at the end of the year we hear how they have to save enough to be fresh for the playoffs. Sheesh, Koufax pitched a 2 hit shutout to win the world series on 2 days rest. Kersh has never done that and quite frankly, he never will because I seriously doubt he will ever throw another complete game. Koufax had 54 over a two year period. Kersh has 25 total. Sorry, I saw them both. Sandy was the more dominant and the best I have ever seen.
I saw Sandy too and I love Sandy, but he was dominate over 5 years. Clayton, while not as dominant, has been dominant for 12 years. My point is that Clayton’s excellence (while not quite as high) was consistent.
The game has changed and the lower mound puts more strain on the arm, so it’s likely Sandy would not have had as much success with the lower mound. It’s hard to compare two different eras. We can never know. I am not saying one is better than the other – its apples and oranges, but it’s interesting to say “what if.”
I have always said this: I have never seen anyone with such consistently violent stuff than Koufax. What role the 18 inch mound played we ay never know. We do know that when the mound was dropped to 10 inched, Bob Gibson threatened to sue MLB.
We do know that in 1968, Bob Gibson had a 1.12 ERA and when they dropped the mound to 10″, he had a 2.18 ERA the next year and 3.12 the year after… all while still winning 20+games.
Good to hear from you, AC. Hope you are fully recovered soon. Your articles are always informative and enjoyable.
On mlb site, it shows about 80 free agent relievers and 50 free agent starters available. While I would love to get Hand, Hendricks, or Treinen, there are many capable options that can add bullpen depth without the risk of a multi-year, high cost free agent contract. And with the addition of Knebel, the bullpen is pretty good already, with a lot of options in minor leagues as backup depth. I could see Friedman adding a couple of affordable pitching depth pieces like McGee, Hill, Wood, Kintzler, Soria, Jeffress, or Wisler. And with only about $15 million in remaining salary below the luxury tax threshold, the biggest priority should be 3rd base and a RH bat, which hopefully would include Justin Turner.
I also saw a good article on MLB today regarding the top free agents signed last year and how they performed. https://www.mlb.com/news/revisiting-2019-20-mlb-free-agent-signings
While Cole, Rendon, Ryu, and Wheeler had good years, none of the top 10 signings helped a team reach the championship series this year. The Dodgers had rumored interest in most of the top free agents last year, but the Betts trade turned out to have a bigger impact than any of the free agent signings.
Here’s what I think. We love Kershaw. We’ve paid him well. When we had the chance we added a single year to his deal. I’m viewing this season as a partial changing of the guard with Jansen and possibly Seager moving on (not to mention Taylor, Kelly, Knebel).
I’d really like to keep Turner around for another two years and who knows, maybe we sneak a Q.O. or two in on Kershaw and Seager. But I can’t assume any more than that.
In order to run a continually successful organization, you have to constantly be looking for value, which is why Lux as starting 2b is such a desired outcome.
Then you have to select the premium talent you want to keep. After seeing the commitment to Betts and his performance, I trust our FO completely.
(That said, I’d love a Seager extension.)
Phillies are supposedly listening on Wheeler. That team is a total mess. Now they’re trying to cut payroll after the owner boasted a year or two ago about spending unlimited amounts to get a winner. Bryce Harper can’t be very happy.
Koufax vs. Kersh – having seen both pitch numerous games and only going by the eye test, my vote has to go to Sandy, but I understand those who would vote the other way. Koufax is my all-time favorite Dodger and I don’t imagine that will ever change.
Players like Arenado and Harper who agree to huge contracts that leave less money to build around them need to shut up about a team’s weaknesses and play.
Maybe they should be traded for each other. They wouldn’t be any happier but at least they’d have a change of scenery.
Harper in Colorado. That would be interesting.
Wheeler does not want to come to the West Coast. He took less money to sign with the Phils.
He doesn’t want to win and will do it for less money. Got to give it up for his “I don’t give a sh*t” attitude. He’s in a good spot for it.
AC… Welcome back and easy does it!!!
The last couple week’s posts have been epic on a historical basis and rumors running amuck…
As I do every week, I kidnapped my brother from his assisted living pad to watch the ND game and a couple other guys… I ran copies of several LADT postings and the Dodger debates began… Very cool and you will soon have 3 new LADT viewers…
Badger stick to it on Koufax… IMO he is the greatest Dodger pitcher of all time… Yes, maybe Buehler one day!!! Who knows..
Sometimes I feel like a petri dish with legs, but colds and sore throats have never plagued me!!!
EZCPAK??? Must have seen you coming at CVS!??! Maybe it’s our Cali weather?!?!
Oops!!! That was Kersh one day…
Garlic! Raw. Clove after clove. No evil can survive garlic. Everything leaves the building when confronted with raw garlic.
I know Pee Wee was no doubt a great shortstop. His numbers and reputation are stellar. And he missed 3 prime years to military service. I never saw him play. Haven’t seen many videos either. And to do what he did with that glove is remarkable. But I was witness to what Maury did for the Dodgers. And he DID produce runs. He scored over 100 twice when the Dodgers weren’t scoring much. He scored 150 for the Dodgers in the two years age 37 and 38.
I met Maury at the Kaiser Grill in Palm Springs, in ‘91 I believe. He sat down right next to me. And by right next to me I mean right next to me on a bench seat against the wall. He was there with his Ophthalmologist. I was speechless for a while then couldn’t shut up once we started talking. I shared my pizza with him. Easiest to steal against. Simmons. Touhest to steal against. Jackson. Best pitcher. They were all good, but probably Gibson. Worst field. Candlestick (with a laugh). He was really a nice guy and very patient with me. It was surreal. I was having lunch with one of my favorite Dodgers of all time. I wanted to play shortstop because of him. I started stealing bases because of him. He and I were the same size. I teased him that I was faster and he just busted out laughing. I did too because I knew it wasn’t true. It was a great day. Got his autograph from that day framed on the bookshelf in my office. Any all time Dodger team I pick will have him on it.
Wills was my pick in LA. I saw them both play. Reese when he was way too old to be out there. But in Brooklyn he reigned supreme and he is in the Hall because of that. As for Maury, he was the best I have seen in LA. Seager is more of an offensive force than Wills ever was without Maury’s glove skills and speed. I will sometime in the future pick my all time team and it will have 25 players on it.
MT – The timing of ones comments in the queue ??? How does that work???
By time… unless one get caught in spam or moderation… which is maddeing!
AC, glad you’re on the mend! Quas, so sorry to hear about your brother. I hope he has a full and speedy recovery. As we say in the Netherlands: “Sterkte!” Means, “Strength!”
Keep the posts coming, guys! Great stuff!
P.S. I vote for Koufax, based on pure dominance.
Per mlbtraderumors, Semien getting interest at 2b and 3b.
That could be us.
RH bat . . .
If they are as committed to Lux as most believe they are he makes no sense. Angels need a second baseman badly. They just traded for Iglesias to play SS.
What about 3b?
He has played 50 career games at 3rd. His fielding percentage at 3rd is .902. That is horrible. I do not think so.
Small Sample Size
Big enough for me to give a rousing NO to at 3rd base.
Rather have Chapman than Semien. Come to think of it would love to have BOTH with Semien playing 2B. Ahh dreams do come true…..SOMETIMES
The Athletic has listed lineups for each team based upon “ex players” – Here is the Dodgers Ex-Lineup:
C: Yasmani Grandal
1B: Travis d’Arnaud
2B: Howie Kendrick
SS: Miguel Rojas
3B: Manny Machado
OF: Josh Reddick
OF: Alex Verdugo
OF: Matt Kemp
SP: Hyun-Jin Ryu
RP: Kenta Maeda
Makes little sense. Grandal has played 1st base more than d’Arnaud. 76 games to 21.
MLB’s Paul Casella proposed this trade:
Dodgers take on another one-year deal
Dodgers get: 3B/OF Kris Bryant
Cubs get: UTIL Chris Taylor, OF DJ Peters (Dodgers’ No. 11 prospect)
Why it could work: There are plenty of reasons this proposal makes sense. For starters, the Dodgers have proven they are more than willing to roll the dice by acquiring a player entering the final year of his contract. They did so with Mookie Betts last offseason, and they were not only rewarded with a World Series title, but they managed to sign Betts to a 12-year, $365 million extension that runs through 2032. Los Angeles also put together a sizable package to bring in Manny Machado as a half-year rental ahead of the ‘18 Trade Deadline. Next, with Justin Turner hitting free agency, the Dodgers could be willing to take on Bryant’s salary to fill that gap at third base. While the ‘16 NL MVP is coming off a disastrous ‘20 season, he may benefit from a move to the most potent lineup in the Majors — and a return to full health. As for the Cubs, they would be getting a proven commodity in Taylor, who can play all over the field defensively and has displayed 20-homer pop. As for Peters, he’s a 24-year-old outfield prospect who best profiles as a right fielder — a position that figures to be held by Betts for the next decade.
Who says no? The Dodgers — for now, at least. Los Angeles will likely explore a number of options to fill its third-base void, including potentially shifting shortstop Corey Seager to the hot corner and replacing him with another superstar believed to be available via trade this offseason: Francisco Lindor. The Dodgers could also bring back Turner, though the 36-year-old’s production dipped in 2020 and his controversial on-field celebration following the World Series certainly didn’t make the situation any simpler. Lastly, the Dodgers might not be ready to part with Taylor and his versatility, especially with Enrique Hernández hitting the free-agent market this offseason. A team that has relied so much on its depth in recent years may not be ready to lose a valuable piece like Taylor, though it could come down to how close prospect Zach McKinstry (Dodgers’ No. 18 prospect) is to being big league ready.
I would do that and sign Hernandez and Turner.
I would do it
Me too.
On Marcus Semien:
He has a career BA of .254 and an OB% of .322.
Hard NO!
Noted 🙂
And no fair using stats!
His 2019 line is .285 .369 .522 .892 with 33 home runs and 92 RBI and finished 3rd in MVP voting.
Semien? For third base? Turner/Rios projects better. Much better.
I don’t understand what all the fuss is about with Semien. He’s played in all or parts of 8 MLB seasons and has had exactly one good year.
No thank you.
Dumb comment of the year….Phillies managing general partner says he would not trade Wheeler for Ruth, Williams or Mike Schmidt. Obviously 2 of them are dead. But in their prime? Guys is nuts. Wheeler is good, but he is no Babe Ruth who could easily have taken Wheeler’s spot in the rotation.
Did he say in their prime? Maybe he’s saying he wouldn’t trade Wheeler for two dead guys or a retired guy.
I have to think about that!
I would have to think he was thinking in their prime, otherwise his statement is just sarcasm. Jets are now 0-12 losing to the Raiders on a hail Mary pass.
loljets
It was so Jets. They had the lead and a corner got beat on an out an up with 5 seconds left.
Thinking about the core . . .
Smith–C [Ruiz in wings, then Cartaya]
Muncy–1B [Rios, Bellinger, Vargas]
Lux–2B [Busch]
Seager–SS [sign him/Amaya?/DeJesus?]
Turner?–3B [Hoese, Vargas?]
Bellinger–CF/1B [J-Rod]
Betts–RF/CF [Pages]
Kershaw–Enjoy him
Buehler–Sign him now
Urias–MVPitcher
May–2021 breakout
Gray–He’s about ready
Graterol–Win/win trade
Gonzalez–Wipe out LH
CF/1B – Who is J-Rod or do you mean Luis Rodriguez (L-Rod)?
You left Gonsolin off your list. Whatsa matter DL? You don’t like cats?
Yes, L-Rod, my bad.
And Gonsolin deserves to be there.
Just think of all the years we would’ve killed to have him as a 5th starter.
And my wife adopts ex-racing greyhounds. It’s dogs I don’t like :0
USC 28 WSU 0 in the first quarter, Rams beat the Cardinals.
Congrats to Corey and Madisyn! Many years of happiness!
Bear, Trojans finally looking like a top ten team. Nothing wrong with Slovis’ arm tonight!
They are looking good, Score is 38-6 now in the 3rd quarter.WSU’s defense had stiffened some and their offense has showed some life. The lead is probably to large to overcome. I echo the congratulations to Seager and his bride. He sure is a lot taller than she is.
It’s always a good weekend when the following occurs:
1. Dodgers are World Champions
2. ND wins
3. USC Wins
4. IU Football Hoosiers win (they are relevant for the first time I can remember)
5. Colts win
Life is good!
Rams win!
You are one of the few who care if North Dakota wins or loses.
Sorry to interrupt you guys who have turned this into a football blog. 🙂
MLB Pipeline ran a story detailing 10 players they thought had a good chance of being drafted in the Rule 5 on Thursday. Three Dodgers and an ex-Dodger are listed in the ten players named:
Omar Estevez
Jordan Sheffield
Marshall Kasowski
Zach Pop (sent to the O’s in the Machado trade)
JP Hoornstra who covers the team for a couple of local newspapers says that internally the Dodgers expect Estevez to be taken in the draft.
No real baseball news happening Blue, blame it on the time of year. I saw that. But isn’t Kasowski injured>?
I thought so too but when I went to check I couldn’t find anything. I thought he had UCL surgery. If so, I’m guessing nobody will draft him.
Pop had TJ this past spring so it’s probably unlikely he goes anywhere either.
If I’m correct about the above, they did a sloppy job in putting their list together if 2 of the 10 are injured.
Well you know it’s really slow when we start talking about cornhole championships!