Agony and Anticipation

Posted By on December 7, 2020

Agony and anticipation. That is what the winter meetings have always felt like for me. I am pretty sure many others feel the same. It has been more that way since the advent of free agency. Back in the day when players got no more than a one year deal and were tied to their teams by the reserve clause. For you youngins, that means that the team that signed them or traded for them owned their contracts and the only way out was release or trade.

And back then if you were released you usually had to go back and work your way back into the majors. Consider Hall of famer, Dazzy Vance. Dazzy broke in at the age of 21 at class D York in the NESL. He pitched in the minors from 1912 to 1914 and broke in with the Yanks in 15 and went 0-3. He was traded to the Pirates and went 0-1. Sent down to the Minors he stayed there until 1918 returning to the Yankees where he had a 0-0 record.

Back to the minors. He spent the years from 1916 to 1921 back in the minors never rising above AA. But in 1921 he came to the Dodgers at the tender age of 31 and proceeded to put up good enough numbers to get into the hall.

Pretty impressive stuff. Back then things were a lot different. Older pitchers on their way down were usually the fodder coming out of the bullpen. Not like today when some kid throwing 100MPH heat walks in to relieve a tiring starter. You could also look at Grover Alexander, Old Pete as he was affectionately called. Over his last 3 full seasons he won 46 games and lost 27, and that was from age 40 to 42. In the first two years of that stretch he had a sub 4 ERA, including a 2.52 in 1927 and he started 37 games that year.

But aside from his stellar career numbers, what he did in the 1926 World Series against the Yankees is remarkable, and he was 39 years old. Traded to the Cardinals from the Cubs, he finished with a combined 12-10 record with an ERA a tick over 3. Against the Yanks he won his two starts including game 6. He was sent to the bullpen with no expectation of being used. But when the starter got in trouble and loaded the bases, Ol Pete was summoned. On zero rest he struck out Tony Lazzeri with the bases loaded and finished the game and the series for the save. Amazing for a guy that age.

I used those two examples to show how different and how changed the game is. Now the off season has more movement and action than ever before. But to most of us it moves at the pace of a snail with arthritis. Last winter was full of anticipation. Coming off of the playoff loss to the Nationals, most felt AF would be compelled to do something.

Between Nov 2nd and the 4th the free agents declared their intentions. They released Kris Negron on the 9th, he actually retired. And he signed a couple of minor league free agents on the 7th, and the 27th. They non tendered Garcia on the 9th of December. The first free agent signed for the big club was Treinen on the 15th of December. J. T. Chargois was released. Jimmy Nelson came in January. Alex Wood also was signed in January and in his first off season trade he sent Casey Sadler to the Cubs for a minor leaguer.

On the 10th of February, merely days before spring, he traded Jair Camargo and Kenta Maeda to the Twins for Luke Raley and Brusdar Graterol. And the same day traded Connor Wong, Jeter Downs and Alex Verdugo to the Sox for Mookie.

Three full months of agony waiting for something to happen and it went down like a hammer. Of course the final deal had been restructured since Graterol was originally slated to be part of the trade for Mookie. But the Sox, in a huge blunder in my book, did not like his medicals, so changes were made. He signed Terrance Gore, traded Kyle Garlick to the Phillies. And his spring roster was set.

Over all, a very satisfying off season, but not without moments of angst. There was the trade of Ross Stripling and Joc to the Angels for players that were never specified which Arte Moreno cancelled. Okay with me, I did not like what I saw of the return package from the Angels to begin with. Luis Rengifo? Please.

And just think of how the face of the team would have changed over the truncated season that followed. Strip was their winningest pitcher out of the gate. Pederson never really got hot until the World Series. But then his playoff bat came alive. Jake McGee who would contribute greatly was not signed until 3 days before the season commenced.

This winter the same thing is happening. None of the 8 players who are free agents have signed anywhere. There are arguments among Dodger fans as to who they should target to come back. And AF has told all of those players to explore what is available to them. 

Turner is currently a favorite of more than a few teams including the Blue Jays where a couple of old teammates are now playing. Joc has been mentioned in connection with several including the Giants and the Cardinals who need some pop really bad.

Kike’ is drawing interest from several teams including the Twins, who have both of their better utility players become free agents. Blake Treinen may want too much money, Pedro Baez want’s 3 years. McGee and Wood are both enticing options. Wood as a long man taking the job Strip had. McGee did an excellent job this year. But I see both as doubtful.

The meetings start on Monday, the 7th of December. 55 years to the day after I joined the Army. Was more nervous then than I am now. I trust AF will make the moves he thinks will benefit and improve a World Series champ. I do not see anything radical happening, although he could surprise us again. We all know the weaknesses. RH power, back end of the pen.

But you can bet there will be some nail biting and hand wringing going on this week and the days leading up to players reporting to spring training. As we saw last season, there could end up being no major movement until the last minute, and then again no movement at all. He has some roster spots open and will have one more when they can have the option of placing Caleb Ferguson on the 60 day IL. Until then, and they finally have the guys they want in camp, it will be anticipation and agony for most of us.

This article has 95 Comments

  1. For those of you who have been wondering. MLBTR is reporting that the MLBPA and the league will have meetings this week about the structure of the 2021 season, Included will be discussions about the universal DH, and the runner on second in extra innings and a expanded playoff format. Players initially rejected a trade off that would have given them the universal DH for expanded playoffs. But those two things are definitely on the table.

  2. I agree with you, Bear, about the agony of anticipating which moves the Dodgers will make in the winter meetings and after. One important difference in how it feels to me this year, is that we’re champions! In the past, there was always the bitterness of disappointment to deal with. We always had such high expectations, and then, another disapponting outcome. This year, I don’t feel that so much is riding on it. Yes, I want to see us repeat. Of course, I do. But I don’t have that feeling of “what will AF do to bring us over the finish line?” It’s a very different, and more pleasant, feeling this time for me.

  3. The winter meetings for me start with the hope that I understand what the Dodgers need and
    are going to try and do, than end with the realization that I had it all wrong, again.

  4. AF will make deal or sign a player that we all will question. A year later we will marvel at what we end up with (e.g., who thought getting Jeter Downs would ultimately get us Mookie?).

  6. Thank you for your service, Bear. Any thank you to all who sacrificed their lives on this date. We are all made better because of you.

    1. I would also like to thank you for your service, Bear. And thank you for the nod to Pearl Harbor day. Everyone should remember these travesties to help keep them from happening again.

      1. Hard for me to forget since my dad was there aboard the USS Nevada. Only battleship to get underway that day. He was wounded when the Arizona blew up and was later transferred to a destroyer..

        1. I know someone’s father who is still on the USS Arizona. They really were the great generation except for the ones who claimed such and then tried to prove it with lies after the fact. But us baby boomers had it wrong way too long.

    1. I won’t. I honor all those who gave thier lives that day. My fathers ship mates and the over 1000 sailors on the Arizona. They never saw it coming, but they rallied and fought back bravely. It united this nation as nothing else has ever done.

  9. I don’t forget. It’s my sister’s birthday. She’s 74 today.

    I keep hearing we are looking for right handed power, and maybe we are, but I look at our team of right handed hitters and suspect what AF is actually looking for is any way to improve the team. Our right handed starting lineup against LHP has Betts, Turner, Pollock, Smith and Taylor. Those guys have a combined slugging % over .500, which is pretty not too bad. We also have Seager, Bellinger and Muncy who all can hit either side pitching. I believe we had a winning record against LHP the last few years so, yeah, if right handed power falls on our lap I would welcome it. But I’m still on board with signing Turner, letting him split time with Rios, drill Lux at second base for the next 3 months and start him right away, sign the relievers we need and get ready to be chased by every team in Majors. I know I’m repeating myself here but I just don’t think we need much. If Hernandez leaves, McKinstry, if Pederson leaves, Dahl. Bench guys can be found. Our starting 8, plus Taylor and Rios, I wouldn’t trade for any other team’s top 10.

    Ok, that said, I look for a splash signing or trade and it will happen within 75 days.

    1. Can’t count on Turner yet. But he still is the best option to me. Will only cost money. Teams have been told to operate like there will be no universal DH next season. That cuts down the destination options for some players like Ozuna and Duvall.

  10. I’ve got to believe it will be a slow December and January until the vaccine’s gets rolled out and are working so clubs can determine if fans will be back in the stadiums sometime next year and money can be made. Can’t spend what you won’t have

    1. Good point Cassidy. Though I think Dodger ownership can do whatever they want.

      Any predictions on that front?

      1. Reconnecting the head not really the problem. Getting the “new Ted”to the plate might be a little more difficult, let alone hitting a slider and making it to first.
        And we are not talking about AF being involved!

        1. Ted’s a dead head…..

          Truckin’, got my chips cashed in….. keep truckin’, like the do-dah man…

          People are weird. Glad I’m not one.

          2. Not one of my favorite bands, but I saw them a couple times in the late 80’s early 90’s. I usually just went for the good parties in the parking lot.

  12. Good article, Bear!
    And thank you and all veterans for their service!
    It is a good day to remember the ultimate sacrifice made by so many 79 years ago. And to remember all those who have fought and served to protect our freedoms.

    On the baseball front, during the winter meetings from last year there was widespread speculation about the Dodgers signing one of the top free agents. They reportedly were in the running for the top 3 free agents: Gerritt Cole, Rendon, and Strasburg before each signed for $35 million per year or more for at least seven years. In addition, there was talk of Dodgers signing Donaldson, Castellanos, Ryu, and Wheeler among the other top free agents. Of course, the Dodgers signed none of the top free agents, and it seemed like a very disappointing offseason until February when they acquired Mookie Betts.
    With hindsight, it appears that losing out on Cole, Rendon, Strasburg and the other free agents was a positive for the Dodgers, even though it seemed like a huge disappointment at the time. The patience of Friedman paid dividends when he completed the Mookie trade, and would not have been an option if he had acquired one of the top free agents. Besides leading to the World Series win, the Betts trade and extension also leaves the Dodgers better positioned to remain a contender for the next decade. Credit to Friedman and the Dodgers for remaining patient and disciplined last year, and for not listening to my demands to sign the top free agents last year!

  14. Raisel Iglesias & Cash to LAA for Noe Ramirez & PTBNL. Since Iglesias was to make $9.125MM ($8.042MM – AAV), and Ramirez for $1MM, this was obviously a salary dump. Angels make out on this one.

  15. Teams told NOT to anticipate Universal DH. I do not agree with that, but at least a decision “seems” to have been made. What does that do for the JT market?

    2. Maybe eliminates a couple AL teams.

      He should be ours unless tge bidding gets too high or we land an impact RH bat for 3b.

  16. Iglesias’s everywhere in Anaheim. Solid move. Still need a top of the rotation starter. Pony up Arte!

    1. Do we need both?

      Iglesias is a good pick up for the Angels. Ramirez is pretty good too. PTBNL will define that trade.

      1. Lots of Reds fans hate Iglesias. His 3.15 Career ERA belies his record of 18-32 with 18 blown saves in the past 4 years. I think this is another Arte Dope-Fiend Move.

        1. Reds fans are idiots.

          Or, they pick cherries better than you do:

          over that 4 year span you just referenced – 100 Saves and ERA+ of 181, 176, 112, 176.

      1. Not going to happen. Lux is going to be given every chance to win the job. Relax, the kid is only 22.

      1. MLBTR has him projected at a lot less than many other starters.

        He could be a starter and two of Gonsolin, May, or Urias could go to the pen.

        I like Urias as a starter, but I am also intrigued with him in the Andrew Miller, Josh Hader role.

        1. Quit getting guys who’s names I cannot pronounce! I had enough trouble with Grabarkewitz. I am really glad they did not go after that former Pirate pitcher from the Netherlands, Dovydas Neverauskas!

      2. Angels are the ones who should be jumping all over Sugano. They’re desperate for starters, Japanese pitchers tend to favor west coast teams when they first come over and he’ll have a fellow countryman already there in Ohtani. They need him more than we do.

        As JoeZ mentioned, no reason we couldn’t sign both JT and Kim who can play all over the infield, has speed, power, doesn’t strike out and I believe is considered an above average fielder. CT3 only has one year remaining on his contract and we don’t have Kike. I vote yes on both JT and Kim.

        1. Assuming Hernandez is gone, as utility we have Taylor, Rios, and McKinstry, all of whom play multiple infield positions. I get we sign Turner. I’m assuming you intend to trade McKinstry? That’s fine with me, he’s going to 26 and looks ready, so somebody no doubt could use him.

          2. If he gets anywhere close to his Korean numbers (admittedly no sure thing), he’s a better option than any of the three you mentioned to be an everyday player.
            I think comparing Rios and Kim is apples to oranges so lets leave him out of it. Totally different types of players, both offensively and defensively.
            CT3 only has one year left on his current contract.
            McKinstry is a lefty hitter.
            We don’t know that Lux will develop into our permanent second baseman.
            We don’t know that CT3 will resign after this year.
            We don’t know that JT will physically be able to play third on a regular basis and almost certainly won’t be able to do it 2-3 years from now.
            We don’t know that Rios will develop enough offensively to be a regular third baseman for a 162 game schedule.
            Kim could potentially solve any or all of those scenarios……………………………….or he could be a total bust. I’m willing to take a chance but I understand if you would like to spend AF’s money elsewhere.

          3. I wasn’t comparing Rios to Kim, I was naming bench players we already have that play infield. Rios subs for Turner so third base is out. Seager. Lux. Taylor subbing at those positions, and McKinstry. I guess we could continue to block him, he has options, but he was ready for a promotion this year.

            “We don’t know that……”

            That’s true. There’s a lot of things that we don’t know. But there are things we can assume – Buehler will be good, Betts, Bellinger and Seager will start. So will Smith and Muncy. Pollock will still be out in left and… Lux is our starting second baseman. As Bear said, relax, he’s only 22. And I will add – he’s a stud.

  21. If anyone illustrates the spirit of Roberto Clemente in his heart and the heart of his wife it’s Turner and Mrs. Turner.

  22. It was just announced on Twitter that Dick Allen passed away. RIP. Spent one year as a Dodger then traded to the White Sox for Tommy John. Wainwright wins the Clemente Award.

  23. Adam Wainwright was named Roberto Clemente award winner for 2020. There were 30 deserving nominees, and JT was certainly a very honorable nominee. Wainwright was nominated 5 times before finally winning. His foundation accomplishments are off the charts. He got very emotional when speaking about the award. Congratulations to al 30 nominees, but especially to Adam Wainwright.

    By the way, after Roberto’s beautiful wife Vera passed last year, Luis Clemente is great ambassador for the Clemente family.

    Here is his Foundation:

    https://bigleagueimpact.org/

  24. I had 4 uncles in WWII. All from my mother’s side. The oldest fought in the battle of the Buldge and landed at Omaha Beach. The 2nd oldest fought in the Pacific. The Other two uncles were in the army, but did not have to fight. The movie Saving Private Ryan, I think changed the regulation to only 2 from same family could be in a war zone at the same time. I am sure in the Viet Nam war only one could be in a war zone. My brother and 3 first cousins fought in Viet Nam. These 4 were my grand parents grand children. I can not imagine how my grand parents made it through. No one died in the wars.

    1. I think the movie used as its inspiration the Sullivan brothers. All five died when the cruiser Juneau was sunk during Guadalcanal. They implemented the policy separating brothers after this.

    2. The rule was enacted because of the death of 5 brothers, the Sullivan’s who were all serving aboard the USS Juneau a light cruiser. She was struck by a torpedo and removed from action during the naval battle of Guadalcanal. That happened the morning of the 13th of November, 1942. Later that day while withdrawing from the area she was struck again by a torpedo from Japanese submarine I-26. The torpedo stuck near the magazine and the ship exploded and sank very quickly. The senior officer of the Task Force decided it would be too dangerous to look for survivors and was skeptical than anyone had survived. Actually around 100 sailors had survived. A B-17 saw the survivors in the water, but under orders of radio silence did not report the location until after they landed several hours later. The report was lost among all of the other paperwork, and the report was not discovered for several days. Finally, 8 days after it was sunk, a Navy PBY Catalina flying boat found and rescued 10 sailors. The rest had been left to the elements and the sharks. The survivors reported that 3 of the brothers had died instantly, a 4th drowned the day after the sinking and the final brother, suffering from delirium. dived over the side of his life raft and was never seen again. Mean while, their family became worried because the letters quit coming. The rules required the Navy to not disclose the loss of the ship as to not give the Japanese any information. Finally their mother wrote the Bureau of Navy Personnel, Her letter was answered by President Roosevelt on the 13th of January 1943. But the family had been notified by 3 officers. The officer in charge had said, I have some bad news about your boys, the father asked which one? And the officer in charge replied, All five. Really a sad story and many family’s have made similar sacrifices over the years. The letter George Marshall reads in the movie is real. It happened during the Civil War when many family’s lost multiple sons on both sides.

      1. Wow. That’s an incredible story. I thought I knew it, as I’ve heard of them. Most people who served know about them. But I did not know the details. 100 survivors and paperwork was lost? Only 10 lived? That’s horrible.

        1. Yes it was. And the commander of the task force not stopping to look for survivors was pretty bad too. Only thing that compares to it is the loss of the Indianapolis after she delievered the bomb. 300 of her crew lived to tell the tale. She was on a mission so secret she was not reported as over due.

  25. I remember Dick Allen. He was leading the AL in home runs in 1974 and he quit with a few weeks of the season left. He was in a snit of some kind and just stopped playing and left the team (White Sox). He was a bad fielder at 3 positions, but he could pound the ball. He never won anywhere he went.

    His one season in LA resulted in a good but not great season – he hit .295 and OPS .863, but he only hit 23 HR (one of his worst power seasons) and they traded him after only one season for Tommy John.

    1. Alston really disliked Allen and wanted him off of his team. He pretty much felt the same way about Frank Robinson his one year as a Dodger.

  26. My favorite player growing up in Philly. He used a redwood tree as a bat. A man of incredible strength!

    1. Prospects Live is a great source. I have been following it for some time. Thanks for posting the current rankings.

    3. Well that was an education. A lot of 50s, which I thought was average until I read the primer. We have several in or near the Top 150.

  28. More rings for our Champs:

    Brusdar Graterol and his lady are now engaged (no mention yet if Manny Machado approves or not)

    1. My wife got that for me for Christmas. I’ll read it over the break. Don’t spoil the ending for me.

  32. Brian O’Nora, a major league umpire since 1999 was arrested in Ohio over the weekend as part of a sex sting operation. He was arrested by a human trafficking task force after allegedly soliciting a prostitute on line…..Hmmm….Well there goes his shot at ever being in the Hall..

      1. He will probably either resign or be fired. Depending on how the Umps union supports him or not. Look what happened to Dave Stewart back in the day. A lot different now, Leo Durocher was suspended because he was dating another mans wife and consorting with people in Hollywood that the commissioner thought he should not be out with.

    1. Damn, Gen Yeager is one of those people I have always admired. I have watched the movie, “The Right Stuff ” many many times and I finally found it on blu ray. He was what they called a stick and rudder man back in the day. WWII ace. Flew all kinds of jets out at Edwards AFB. First man to break the sound barrier in the Bell X-1 he named Glamorous Glennis after his wife. RIP to a true pioneer of aviation. He was not chosen to be an astronaut because he was not college trained. He once said astronauts were spam in a can. He had a part in the movie as the janitor at Pancho’s, We lose Squiggy, Dick Allen and Gen Yeager all within a 3 day span.

      1. Have to agree with you there . I have read a lot about him. His life would have made an excellent movie. The Right Stuff had a great cast, but Sam Shepard was way taller than Yeager.

    2. Lance Lynn goes to ChiSox for Dane Dunning, 6′ 4″ 225lb RHSP. Dunning was a former 1st round pick of the Nats (University of Florida), and went to Chicago with Lucas Giolito and Reynaldo Lopez in the Adam Eaton trade. This is a good deal for both teams. ChiSox get a proven veteran pitcher, while the Rangers get a top prospect with control thru 2026.

      1. Scouting report on Dane Dunning per MLB Pipeline:

        Fastball – 60
        Curveball – 55
        Slider – 55
        Changeup – 55
        Control – 55
        Overall – 55

        Scouts debate which of Dunning’s pitches is the best because he has three that play as plus offerings at times. His fastball parks in the low 90s and reaches 96 mph, playing well above its velocity because he creates heavy sink and commands it well to both sides of the plate. His curveball has surpassed his slider as his best breaking option since he switched organizations, though he used his slider more in his first taste of the big leagues, and both stand out more for their break while featuring enough power.

        Dunning’s changeup gives him a potential fourth solid pitch, though it’s not as consistently effective as the rest of his repertoire. He had the highest floor among the system’s mound prospects before his elbow blew out, and he has regained his feel for pitching and ability to throw strikes with all of his offerings. He fit right in as a dependable middle-of-the-rotation option and should be able to handle that role for years to come.

        ChiSox #5 Prospect, MLB #98 (Per MLB Pipeline)

        1. Rangers are also supposed to be getting another young pitcher in the deal. No name yet.

  36. Congratulations to Corey and Maddy Seager. Hope they are blessed with a long and loving life.

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