Once again MLB has spoken, and the Dodgers farm system was the #1 shopping source for Rule 5 draftees. In the Major League Phase, the acquiring team “buys” the player for $100,000 and must keep that player on the roster for the entire 2021 season, or offer the player back for $50,000. Overall, 2 of the top 7 picks of the Major League Phase were Dodgers. RHRP Brett de Geus was the #2 selection and went to the Texas Rangers. RHRP, and former 1st round draft pick out of Vanderbilt, Jordan Sheffield was the #7 overall pick going to Colorado.
There were 18 Major League Phase draft picks, 56 MiLB Phase, and 74 total. The 18 ML Phase draft picks were the same as were drafted in 2016 and 2017, and the most selected since 19 in 2010. The total of 74 draftees were the most since 79 were selected in 2004. It was a very robust Rule 5 Draft.
All in all, the Dodgers had 8 players selected over both the Major League Phase (2) and the Minor League Phase (6). No other team had as many selected. NYY and Tampa Bay had 7 selected, while Toronto, NYM, and Twins had 5. 25 teams lost at least one MiLB player. Boston, Seattle, Atlanta, Washington, and Milwaukee did not have any players selected in the Rule 5 Draft.
There were 18 selections overall in the Major League phase of the Rule 5 Draft. The New York Yankees had three selected, while the Dodgers, Minnesota, Baltimore, and Cleveland each had two Major League Phase players selected. Seven other teams lost one player in the Major League Phase.
For the acquiring teams, 16 teams made one selection while two teams (Baltimore and Oakland) had two each. The Dodgers did not participate in the Major League Phase selection.
The first overall selection went to the Pirates who drafted highly regarded but erratic Dominican RHP, Jose Soriano, from the Angels. Soriano was the Angels #13 prospect, and just turned 22 in October. He has not pitched above Low A in his career. Soriano has a 70 fastball but a 45 control. In 2019, Soriano issued 5.9 walks/9 innings. That clearly is not sustainable at the ML level. His MLB Pipeline Scouting Report indicates that what he needs is innings. Soriano had TJ surgery early February 2020. I would suspect that Pittsburgh could hide Soriano on the IL through June. 17 months after TJ surgery is not unheard of. They can start to build him up at their Florida complex and then hide him the rest of 2021 in the bullpen. Soriano can then be optioned in 2022. Pittsburgh knows they are not competing in 2021, so I would suspect that they are planning on keeping him. This will cost Pittsburgh $570,500 to keep him on the roster for the entirety of the 2021 season. That is somewhere between a 3rd and 4th round Rule 4 Amateur Draftee.
There were eight draftees who were on their team’s Top 30 Prospects:
- Jose Soriano (RHP) – Angels #13 to Pittsburgh
- Brett de Geus (RHP) – LAD #27 to Texas
- Jose Rivera (RHP) – Houston #14 to LAA
- Luis Oviedo (RHP) – Indians #25 to NYM
- Dedniel Nunez (RHP) – Mets #18 to SFG
- Paul Campbell (RHP) – Rays #24 to Miami
- Trevor Stephan (RHP) – NYY #24 to Cleveland
Of the 18 Major League Phase draftees, 15 were RHP, 2 OF, and 1 SS. Surprise, surprise…pitching was the position of preference in the draft.
Dodger Losses:
Brett de Geus (23) – Dodgers #27 prospect (Initial Texas ranking #29) – Brett has above average fastball (60) and curve (60). He does have a third pitch, but it is an inconsistent slider, that could be further developed. MLB Pipeline Scouting Report:
Los Angeles’ player development staff helped de Geus upgrade his pitches, but it may the Rangers who benefit because they grabbed him in the Rule 5 Draft at the end of 2020. After topping out at 95 mph with a straight fastball in 2018, he now deals a 93-98 mph heater with running action. He also has improved his breaking pitches and now operates with a low-80s curveball with power and depth and an upper-80s slider/cutter.
De Geus’ confidence improved along with his stuff, and he did a much better job of attacking hitters last season (2019), when his walk rate dropped to 1.9 per nine innings from 3.9 in his debut. His ability to generate strikeouts and weak ground-ball contact could make him a late-inning relief weapon.
Brett was my favorite LAD prospect. I have been advocating for him since 2018 in Ogden. He went from Rookie League 2018 to High A in 2019, and excelled. Overall in 2019, he pitched 61.2 innings and registered a 1.75 ERA and a 0.941 WHIP. He had 72 strikeouts along with 13 walks (5.54 SO/W). In the 2019 Arizona Fall League he was relatively unhittable. He was not scored on, and allowed 2 hits in 9.1 IP. He had 11 K’s and 2 BB’s. He was added to the LAD 60 man roster for 2020, and spent the season at the USC alternative training site. I thought he had Caleb Ferguson type helium allowing him to possibly rise from AA to MLB in 2021. He is a solid 2 pitch reliever and misses bats. He had a 2.00 Ground Out/Air Out ratio at Rancho, making him a legit ground ball pitcher. In a brief review of the potential Texas bullpen, he has a very legit chance to stick. I am not a scout by any means, but if I thought that de Geus could make the LAD roster at some point in 2021, I would have to think that Texas could keep him on the 2021 roster for the full year. Rookie relievers can stick. If Texas offered Brett back, I would think that AF would accept. He now joins Willie Calhoun and AJ Alexy as former Dodger draft picks on the Texas Rangers roster. I will miss Brett de Geus and will follow him closely with Texas.
Jordan Sheffield (26 in June) – Unranked as a prospect in LAD and Colorado MiLB system – This was Jordan’s second year as a Rule 5 Draft eligible pitcher. He went undrafted last year, and while many did not include him as a potential draft pick, I thought that he might have been and stated so on Wednesday. Again I am not a scout, but I did follow an obscure publication that hinted that some teams were looking at Sheff as a possibility. He is a former #1 draft pick out of Vanderbilt, that never could stay strong as a starting pitcher. He had questionable control and threw way too many pitches (and still does). He was converted to relief half way through 2018, without a lot of success in his 7.0 IP. But the Dodgers saw enough potential in him as a reliever that they sent him to Arizona Fall League where he pitched much better. In 9.1 IP he allowed 2 runs for a 1.93 ERA with a 1.071 WHIP. He still had control problems with 7 K’s and 4 BB’s in those 9.1 IP. In 2019, Jordan pitched decently at both Tulsa and Rancho. He had a combined 55 IP, and a 3.27 ERA and 1.364 WHIP (because of his walks). He had 74 Ks and 43 BBs for a rather poor 1.72 SO/W ratio. He allowed more walks (43) than hits (32). He is a flyball pitcher with a 0.46 GO/AO ratio in 2019. That ought to be fun in Colorado. I think the Dodgers had very high hopes for Jordan, but he never could sustain himself as a starting pitcher, and his control is too volatile for relief. IMO he will be offered back to LAD, and AF will decline. There is no upside for Jordan Sheffield as a Dodger. He needs a new start with another team.
The Dodgers lost six players in the MiLB Phase, and selected two. The Rays also lost 6 players in the MiLB Phase. NYY, Toronto, NYM, and Texas lost 4 each. Three teams did not select any player in either the Major League Phase or the MiLB Phase. Acquiring teams must pay $24,000 for each of their draftees. There are no roster restrictions for the MiLB phase draftees. Dodgers players lost in the Minor League Phase:
- Round 1 – Shea Spitzbarth (RHRP) goes to Pittsburgh (1st overall MiLB pick)
- Round 1 – Tyler Gilbert (LHP) goes to Arizona
- Round 1 – Errol Robinson (SS/2B) goes to Cincinnati (Great news for Errol, I wish him lots of luck)
- Round 1 – Chris Roller (CF) goes to Cleveland
- Round 3 – Drew Jackson (SS/2B) goes to Mets
- Round 3 – Marcus Chiu (Utility) goes to Miami
MiLB Phase draftees are generally considered organizational depth. They are not considered significant prospects. A couple years back, Shea Spitzbarth was a star at ST, but could never distance himself from the other pitchers to distinguish himself as a legit MLB reliever. He has been passed by a number of relievers in the LAD organization. He gets a chance to start over in Pittsburgh, a team that needs a lot of pitching.
Another of my favorite people, Errol Robinson (26), was drafted in the 6th round out of Ole’ Miss. He started out well and moved fast. He moved to AA in his first full year in professional ball (2017). But he stalled. In his third year at Tulsa (2019) he had a .310/.390/.400/.790 batting line, and was promoted to AAA where he struggled. Errol has a great smile, and while I do not expect he will ever be a ML regular, he might make it as 26th man with Cincinnati. I wrote the following in August 2017 – https://ladodgertalk.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=1813&action=edit
Drew Jackson (27) was drafted by Seattle in the 5th round out of Stanford in 2015. LAD acquired him in a trade that sent Chase De Jong to Seattle in March 2017. This was Drew Jackson’s second time selected in the Rule 5 draft. In 2018, Drew was selected by the Phillies in the Major League Phase. He was immediately traded to Baltimore for future considerations. He did not stick with Baltimore and was returned to the Dodgers. Like Errol Robinson, he is listed as SS but plays quite a bit at 2B, and was being developed more in CF to become that Tim Locastro type utility player. The Mets have a surplus of middle infielders who can be groomed to be that super utility player, but I hope that NYM gives him a good look in ST.
Prior to ST last February, the Dodgers traded Kyle Garlick to Philadelphia for LHRP Tyler Gilbert (27). Tyler was a 6th round selection in the 2015 draft out of my alma mater, USC. Obviously, I had my hopes up for Tyler. And Gilbert has been a very effective reliever at AAA in both 2018 and 2019 with the Phillies. In 351 IP. Tyler has a 3.36 ERA and a 1.171 WHIP. He has a 4.17 SO/W ratio, and a fairly even GO/AO ratio of 1.06. He was not invited to the USC alternative training site, so he has lost a full year of development. Arizona does need relievers, so I expect Tyler to get a ST invite with a chance to make the roster.
Chris Roller (24) never piqued my radar too much. He was a 30th round pick in 2017 out of McLennan JC (TX). He has reached as high as Low A at Great Lakes. In 2019, he slashed .274/.359/.455/.814 at Great Lakes. DC might be able to shed more light on Chris than I can. Cleveland needs OF, and while he is not nearly close enough to be considered a candidate in 2021, I think he is worth a shot for Cleveland to see if they can develop him.
Marcus Chiu (24) is another that never piqued my interest. He was a 15th round pick out of Marin CC (CA) in 2017. He played a full year at Rancho in 2019 where he hit .215/.341/.383/.724. He plays 1B, 2B, 3B almost equally. He has also played corner OF. Marcus gets a chance with a very young organization that seems to be on the upswing.
Dodgers Acquired:
In the 1st round of the MiLB Phase the Dodgers selected Catcher Ryan January from Arizona. Ryan will be 24 in May and was an 8th round draft pick in 2016 out of San Jacinto College. He is a LH hitter. The Dodgers have selected multiple players out of San Jacinto College, so they probably have a well-respected scout in Texas who has seen him play. He has played mostly at the Short Season Northwest League. However in 2017, after a productive 2016 season in the Pioneer League, he was suspended 50 games for testing positive for the banned stimulant Amphetamine, and did not play at all in 2017. He was a mid-season All-Star in the 2016 Pioneer League.
A scouting report on him said,
“his pop from the left side of the plate is his best offensive tool and he was able to get to it fairly consistently with Missoula, even hitting four long balls in August as he tired out a bit.
“He played regularly behind the plate with Missoula and is eager to show he can stick there,” the report said. “He does have a strong arm, but the rest of his defensive game needs refinement.
The report also suggested that January “might be athletic enough to handle an outfield corner or a move to first, where his bat could profile well.”
In 2016 in junior college with the San Jacinto Gators, January hit .370 with five home runs, a team-high 11 doubles and 24 RBI during the regular season. He then hit a tournament-high four home runs during the JUCO World Series in June.
The Dodgers have lost several catchers in the last year, so Ryan looks to be very much organizational depth, with a potential upside down the road. He has played very little professional ball. With 426 ABs, Ryan is batting .239/.361/.394/.755, 13 HRs and 53 RBIs. He does strike out at a 30% clip. Dodger prospect…HR power with a lot of swing and miss.
In the 2nd round, the Dodgers selected OF Roimer Bolivar. Bolivar is 21 (yesterday) and bats RH. He comes from Caucagua, Venezuela. He spent his first three professional seasons in the DSL. He is the epitome of a lottery pick. He is a speedy OF with little to zero power. But he is another of those Venezuelan contact hitters. In 651 PA he has 119 Ks and 80 BBs. In 2019, he had 39 BBs and 30 Ks. His batting lines have jumped every year:
- 2017 – .184/.286/.229/.515 – Age 17
- 2018 – .267/.367/.327/.694 – Age 18
- 2019 – .323/.471/.432/.903 – Age 19
No power, but a .471 OBP is quite impressive. His career K rate is 18%, but for 2019 it was 14.7%. He is a stolen base threat, that gets better every year in this category as well:
- 2017 – 11 SB, 8 CS
- 2018 – 12 SB, 7 CS
- 2019 – 15 SB, 5 CS
He was a tad older for the DSL, but I suspect that if he continues to put up impressive OBP numbers he should move quickly. He will probably start out in the Arizona League, but hopefully move up to RC by year end. I would like to see what he could do in Great Lakes as a 21 year old in 2022.
Overall the Dodgers netted $296,000 in cash on the Rule 5 Draft.
De Geus was your favorite?
But why though?
Why not?
My list of free agents that I hope Friedman takes a look at. 2 of them have injury concerns, so medicals will be needed to be looked at.
Corey Kluber
Joakim Soria
AJ Ramos
Sean Doolittle
Pedro Baez
Look up their career OPS stats overall and career OPS vs right handed and left handed batters. Pretty impressive.
I’ve said the bullpen needs to be upgraded or better yet a house cleaning. Corey Kluber is a starter not a reliever. But why not add a starter and move a couple of our starters from last year to the bullpen to strengthen the bullpen.
I’m not taking anything away from the relievers that most would talk about like Brad Hand, Liam Hendriks and any other popular relievers. But I have looked at their career OPS stats overall and vs right and left batters and I either see lopsided splits or bad stats overall except recently in the last 1 or 2 years.
AC – I cannot add a lot about Chris Roller. His was a surprise selection since he didn’t play above the Class-A level. He did seem to be a sparkplug for the Loons and as a 30th round selection gave it his all. He is a good fielder and has some base stealing ability. He showed a bit of power in a pitcher’s league with 21 doubles, 8 triples and 7 home runs in 88 games with the Loons in 2019. I can recall that a number of his hits were significant hits at needed points in the game.
https://www.milb.com/video/roller-makes-diving-catch-c31000004097
I came across this note on Roimer Bolivar.
Venezuelan outfielder Roimer Bolivar originally looked like he was going to sign with the Red Sox. Then just before July 2, Major League Baseball banned the Red Sox from signing any players during the 2016-17 signing period. The Rays jumped in and signed Bolivar for $280,000. Bolivar, 17, was one of the top outfielders in the 2016 class. He’s built like a Division 1 wide receiver, with an athletic, projectable frame (6 feet, 170 pounds) and loud tools. Bolivar is a center fielder whose speed and arm strength are both plus, though he will need to improve his outfield instincts. Bolivar has a high physical upside if everything clicks, though he’s still more tools than polish. He has strong hands, good right-handed bat speed and makes hard contact when he connects. Bolivar has a chance to hit for power, but his approach will have to improve to become a better hitter against live pitching. Bolivar trained with Wilmer Becerra.
AF had to know that de Geus would be picked which leads me to believe that he does not think as much of him as we do!
To paraphrase the great Eazy-E, we’ll throw him in the gutter and go find another. Wah gwaan.
I don’t see January staying behind the plate for the Dodgers; the team has too many quality catching prospects in front of him including Carson Taylor who the team drafted in the fourth round last June. His bat will determine whether he becomes a prospect, and a position change will give him the best chance to move quickly through the organization. Interesting that Baseball America has the Dodgers drafting Bolivar as a pitcher – could be a typo, or Dodgers see his arm strength better suited on the mound.
de Gaus and Sheffield might still have a career ahead of them. But, there was little chance they were going to get much of an opportunity next year. Good for them that they get an opportunity with teams that may be able to utilize their services. Hopefully, this means that the Dodgers are eyeing pitching upgrades, otherwise one or both would have been added to the 40 man.
I’m hoping we do better than Eric’s list although Kluber might be worth a look. Baez is probably the surest bet to have a good year, but will ultimately melt down when you bring him into action with runners on base in the post-season. I think we can do much better with the likes of Kendricks, Hand, Clippard, Bradley, Holland, Jeffress, Treinen, Yates and the list literally goes on and on. There’s so many good bets, why try again with the likes of AJ Ramos and El Gasolino? This is a great change to upgrade and make the best pen we’ve had in years.
It would be so sweet to beat down the Padres with Yates and Hand.
January? Why?
My favorite prospect is still Ruiz, with Gray close behind. I’d like to see DJ Peters get some at bats. He’s the ugliest blind squirrel in our cage. Betwee AA-AAA in ‘19 he OPS’d over .800. 4 seasons in the minors .865 OPS. At 6’6” 245 pounds he’s the kind of hitter where nobody leaves their seat when he’s due up. Let’s see him. Or send him to Colorado where he would hit 40.
I don’t know. Rule 5 draft? No actual winter “meeting”? Meh. This winter feels like one of those winters with a lot of mud. Strange feeling in the air. It’s like we’re in bunkers. Our political scene is a global embarrassment. It’s half time and Covid is winning. College basketball looks like it should be shut down and now the NBA is walking backwards on this early start thing. Pac12 football seems like it can’t get going and isn’t even considered in the playoff structure. Spring? People won’t be there. MLB season? 162 games? Not likely. We’ve had a cheating scandal, the Nationals out of nowhere then the Dodgers in a 60 game season with cardboard cutouts in the stands. We’re talking about it but, do we know what we’re talking about?
Well, we do have the Rams. So far so good with that.
The Dodgers are nearing a minor league pact with Carlos Asuaje, per J.P. Hoornstra of the Southern California News Group (via Twitter). The 29-year-old utility-man appeared in 175 games for the Padres from 2016 to 2018 with a triple slash of .240/.312/.329. He saw 49 games of action with the Lotte Giants of the KBO in 2019. On a minor league deal, Asuaje is likely to get an invite to Spring Training, but he’s likely being brought on board primarily to serve as minor league insurance.
I will pass on all of Eric’s choices for the pen. Even Pedro. And Kluber is damaged goods. You have no clue what you are going to get out of him. And why in blue blazes would you want to move starters to the bull pen when every one says that is where the teams strength is? Makes no sense. Now is the time for Urias and May to earn their spurs. Gonsolin can go down there. But Urias and May should be starters PERIOD. I have to go to Colorado Springs to take a neighbor to her orthopedic surgeons appointment. And it is a SNOW DAY !! Oh joy. Nothing I like better than driving in inclement weather.
I just read that Kluber’s shoulder was a minor procedure. I doubt he’s going to take a job as a reliever. With all those relievers on the market, I would rather sign a proven reliever or two, than sign another starter and pushing a young starter to the pen. I think the Dodgers are in a great position to divy up their starts among the 6 – 7 starting pitchers they already have with Bueller, Kershaw and Price getting around 28 – 30 starts each with the rest spread across Urias, May, Gonsolin and Gray in the that order.
Has there ever been a star come out of Rule Five draft?
Roberto Clemente……..and Shane Victorino were both selected from the Dodgers in the rule 5 draft…Victorino twice. Once by the Padres, and then after he was returned to the Dodgers, by the Phillies and he was on a World Championship team there and one in Boston in 2013
Roberto Clemente comes to mind! He was pretty good I hear.
Not bad. 3000 hits, played on 2 World Series winners.
I thought I read that Johan Santana was a Rule 5 guy
Correct
He was. And there are several others. Not many lately. But some go on to productive careers and others have a decent season or two and then the league catches up with them. Clemente is the only one in the hall.
Outlier
1954? We go back 66 years to find an example?
Victorino was pretty good. 31.5 WAR in 12 seasons. But every year we go through this, with dozens of players moving all over and for the most part the ripples hit shore without anyone noticing. It’s not going out on a limb to say the same thing will happen this year.
Bowden’s at it again, with a non tender list “best fits” piece in the Athletic. Nobody fits the Dodgers so, there’s that.
Yep and he is the only one in the hall. I would have loved to have seen him in RF for the Dodgers. That would have been awesome. As it was, had to settle for him playing great against them. Loved to watch that guy throw.
A little more about Clemente, he was a bonus baby, like Koufax, and as such he should have been on the major league roster. The Dodgers sent him to Montreal, where because of the culture change and language barrier, he struggled. He also did not play a lot. But he had a couple of Spanish speaking team mates who were helping him. Lasorda, Chico Fernandez, not the one that died last week, and Joe Black. Unfortunately for Dodger fans, the Pirates had sent a scout down to see Black. But his focus switched when he watched Clemente in warm ups. That cannon of an arm and some pretty impressive hitting. But Clemente did not play during the 3 days the scout was there. None the less, he recommended that the Pirates draft Clemente in the first rookie draft ever that year. The first rule 5 class. The scout was Clyde Sukeforth. Sukeforth was the scout who was sent by Rickey to bring Jackie Robinson to Brooklyn so he could sign him to a contract. Sukeforth was also the scout Rickey sent to check out a young outfielder in the Negro leagues that Roy Campanella was urging him to sign. Sukeforth went down and checked the kid out. He came back and told Rickey, kid can’t hit a curveball. So the matter quietly died. A few years later that kid would become a career long thorn in the Dodgers side and go into the Hall of Fame…..yep, Willie Mays.
According to Michael Shapiro’s book, “The Last Good Season” – Bavasi had an agreement with Branch Rickey to send other players to the Pirates in exchange for Rickey not drafting Clemente. But before the draft Rickey and O’Malley got into an argument and Rickey reneged on the agreement.
Why would Rickey not have an argument with O’Malley? He basically stole the team out from under him and then bought him out at the lowest amount of money he could. They did not like each other. And the whole thing basically blew up after Rickey left.
Wow! Clemente in rule 5 and Pedro Martinez in trade. Two of the worst GM moves of all time!
That move was on ownership for not keeping the kid on the roster. Not sure how much input Bavasi had in 54. Remember also the lost Konerko and his 400 career homers in a trade too. At least Shaw saved some games for them. DeShields totally disappeared.
Lasorda was the Dodger GM who traded Konerko
Without understanding how trades work.
I know, it was the only trade Lasorda made in his short stint as GM. But it shows how any front office can blow one now and then. Cubs trading Brock for Ernie Brolio. Lots of examples out there.
Johan Santana, Joaquin Soria, Darrell Evans, George Bell, Dan Uggla, Josh Hamilton were all rule 5 guys.
MLBTR has a story about the restructuring of the minor leagues today. Interesting read. I am wondering what the new Draft league will look like. A league where the draft choices get to show their stuff. Should be interesting.
The Brewers have acquired LHP Leo Crawford from the Dodgers as the player to be named to complete the December 2 trade for RHP Corey Knebel.
I am very happy for Leo. He has been erratic throughout his career, but when he was good…I hope he gets a shot with Milwaukee.
Hey Badger, during our conversation yesterday, which I re-read, I think I got confused between Reading and Redding. Were you a PA guy or a Ca guy?
By bad if I had the wrong part of the country. Ignore me. I’m old!
Redding Ca. I went up there in ‘74 to go back to school.
You do not need to go back to Clemente for productive Rule 5 draftees unless you only consider HOF players:
Johan Santana (already mentioned)
Shane Victorino (already mentioned)
Josh Hamilton
Dan Uggla
Joakim Soria
George Bell
Odubel Herrera
Marwin Gonzalez
Hector Rondon
Matt Mantei
Fernando Vina
Frank Catalanotto
Willy Tavares
Miguel Batista
Jay Gibbons
Scott Posednik
Graeme Lloyd
Antonio Alfonseca
Luis Ayala
Guillermo Mota
Scott Sauerback
Jorge Sosa
Derrick Turnbow
Not HOF but had productive ML careers.
Were all of the guys you listed taken in the MLB part of the Rule 5 or did someone actually strike gold and get a player in the MiLB segment?
Agree with your comment on Leo Crawford. I’ve always liked him but agree that he hasn’t been terribly consistent.
In the Major League Phase. Mind you, their rookie years were not always good (including Santana). Some were returned during the year (Fernando Vina). After 24 games and 53PA with Seattle, Vina was returned to NYM. Played for the Mets for one year and then his career took off with Milwaukee.
As you know, you do not have to concentrate solely on the stars to find productive ML ballplayers. I have a feeling that the Dodgers will be facing Leo Crawford at some point in the next couple of years. MLBTR indicated that some have compared Leo to Brent Sutter “in terms of deception and projectionable functionality as a starter who could work out of the bullpen depending on need.”
Gotta give to get. Hell, even Wesley Wright stuck around the majors for years. No ting.
Clayton McCullough just named new Dodger first base coach. Who, pray tell, is Clayton McCullough?
Never mind. My research tells me he’s been in the Dodger system as a field coordinator for the past five years or so. Apparently very highly thought of and was a potential managerial hire by Farhan before he settled on Kapler.
Welcome to first base, Clayton!
I was hoping for Utley, but I’m a fan of promoting from within. Congratulations and welcome Clayton McCullough.
Manager for Blue Jays Rk/A/A+ teams (2007-2013) before joining Dodgers
Revisit the 2019 Rule 5 Draft – There were 11 players selected in the Major League Phase of the draft. Of the eleven, nine were kept by the drafting team. Both of Baltimore’s selections were returned. One of those returned had a decent campaign. Of the nine that were retained, seven played at the ML level with the team that drafted them (or traded to), and two were offered back but eventually stayed with the team that drafted them.
1) Rony Garcia (RHP) – Drafted by Detroit from NYY and was retained. Pitched at the ML level in 2020 for Detroit.
2) Brandon Bailey (RHP) – Drafted by Baltimore from Houston and returned to Houston. Pitched fairly well at the ML level in 2020 for Houston. 5 games, 7.1 IP, 2.45 ERA, 1.227 WHIP, 4 Ks/3 BBs.
3) Sterling Sharp (RHP) – Drafted by Miami from Washington (Nats #13 prospect), and was retained. Pitched at the ML level in 2020 for Miami.
4) Stephen Woods (RHP) – Drafted by KC from Tampa Bay and was offered back to Tampa Bay but stayed with KC. Woods did not play at the ML level in 2020.
5) Yohan Ramirez (RHP) – Drafted by Seattle from Houston and was retained. Ramirez had a fairly productive summer in Seattle. He pitched in 16 games, 20.2 IP, 2.61 ERA, 1.403 WHIP, 26 Ks/20 BBs, 3 saves and no blown saves, with 1 hold. He pitched a scoreless inning with one K against LAD on August 20, 2020.
6) Mark Payton (OF) – Drafted by Cincinnati from A’s and was retained. He played at the ML level in 2020 for the Reds. He is 29, so he is certainly not a high level prospect, but he has produced at AAA (.334/.400/.653/1.053 with 30 HRs). He also played on Team USA in Olympic Qualifying Tournament.
7) Dany Jimenez (RHP) – Drafted by San Francisco from Toronto and was retained. He pitched at the ML level in 2020 for SFG.
8) Vimael Machin (SS) – Drafted by Philadelphia from Chicago Cubs. Philadelphia traded him to Oakland where he was retained. He had 71 PA at the ML level in 2020 with Oakland.
9) Trevor Megill (RHP) – Drafted by Chicago Cubs from San Diego. He was offered back to San Diego but remained with Chicago. He did not play at the ML level in 2020.
10) Jonathan Arauz (SS/2B/3B) – Drafted by Boston from Houston (Astros #25 prospect) and was retained. He had 80 PA for Boston in 2020 and batted a respectable .250/.325/.319/.644. He is 22 years old, and should stick with Boston.
11) Michael Rucker (RHP) – Drafted by Baltimore from Chicago Cubs. He was returned to Chicago. He did not play at the ML level in 2020.
Admittedly last year was an anomaly. But the teams did not know about the virus at the time these players were drafted. Players selected in the ML Phase do not always have productive 1st years like Dan Uggla. Actually most do not have productive years at all. Just enough to be hidden by non-contending teams. But they showed enough to be retained on the roster for the entire year. It is a lot easier to hide a player on a 28 man roster than a 25 man (previous ML roster size). If the players are not ready, they can be optioned this year without losing them this year. Both Yohan Ramirez and Jonathan Arauz both showed enough to be considered for the ML roster in 2021.
I don’t seem to understand the Milb portion of the rule 5 draft. I know we lost DeGeus & Sheffield due to them not being on the 40-man roster and being in the minors for 4 or 5 years depending on their ages when first signed. I know they each cost Texas & Colorado $100,000 and they must stay on their rosters for 2021 or be offered back to the Dodgers at half price. What’s the rules regarding the other 6 players we lost. Why do they only cost $24,000 and do they have to stay on the AA or AAA team for the whole season or be offered back at half price? I would think not, but what are the rules regarding those 6? Just in the system way too long?
There is no restriction as to what level the players drafted need to stay at. They do not have to offer them back. They were basically purchased for $24,000. The Dodgers lost all six of the MiLB Phase draftees but was paid $144,000. Sometimes you find a nugget. Ryan Thompson (submarine pitcher for the Rays) was a MiLB draft pick in 2018, and made it to the WS in 2020. There are others. Here is an article from Baseball America on the Rule 5 draft. Further down the article it goes into the MiLB phase.
https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/smart-front-offices-are-taking-advantage-of-the-minor-league-rule-5-draft/#:~:text=To%20be%20eligible%20for%20the,it%20would%20prefer%20to%20protect.
From The Athletic, where Gammons has a lot more:
While the Dodgers may engage in talks with the Rockies on Nolan Arenado, the rules of the road are that Colorado has to take back a ton of money, and Andrew Friedman is not trading good young players. Not Kody Hoese or Michael Busch. Not Andre Jackson or Landon Knack or probably even Josiah Gray
lol – Sure, we’ll take Nolan, but we aren’t going to give you anyone good and you have to take Kenley or Kelly. That just sounds stupid. Peter Gammons is a hack.
Perfect. So Arrenado, $80mil to LA for Joe Kelly, Mitch White, and Josh Sborz.
I’m down.
Maybe David Price so they can use that money towards Bauer, the Rosenthol rumor. I’m always looking for a way to replace Muncy with Rios, so Price, Muncy and White for Nolan, then sign Bauer. Perfect! Then all you need to do is sign Hand and Yates or another one of the RHRPs.
That’s a Yes from me too.
DODGERS NAME CLAYTON MCCULLOUGH FIRST BASE COACH
LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Dodgers announced their Major League coaches for the 2021 season with Clayton McCullough serving as the new first base coach and the return of bench coach Bob Geren, hitting coach Brant Brown, third base coach Dino Ebel, hitting coach Rob Van Scoyoc, assistant hitting coach Aaron Bates, pitching coach Mark Prior, bullpen coach Josh Bard, assistant pitching coach Connor McGuinness and game planning and communications coach Danny Lehmann.
McCullough, 40, will enter his seventh season with the Dodgers organization and his first as the Major League first base coach. The North Carolina native has served as a minor league field coordinator and helped oversee the Dodgers’ operation at the alternative site on the USC campus last season. Prior to joining the Dodgers organization in 2015, McCullough worked for the Toronto Blue Jays organization from 2006-2014, serving as the manager of the GCL Blue Jays (2006-2007), Class-A Lansing Lugnuts (2008-2009), Advanced-A Dunedin Blue Jays (2010-2011) and Class-A Vancouver Canadians (2012-2013). He posted a combined record of 629-559 during his managerial career in the Blue Jays organization. The former East Carolina Pirate standout was originally drafted by the Cleveland Indians in the 22nd round of the 2002 First-Year Player Draft, playing four seasons in the Indians system before beginning his coaching career.
2021 Coaching Staff
Dave Roberts – Manager (sixth season)
Bob Geren – Bench Coach (sixth season)
Mark Prior – Pitching Coach (fourth season)
Josh Bard – Bullpen Coach (second season)
Robert Van Scoyoc – Hitting Coach (third season)
Brant Brown –Hitting Coach (fourth season)
Clayton McCullough – First Base Coach (first season)
Dino Ebel – Third Base Coach (third season)
Aaron Bates – Assistant Hitting Coach (third season)
Connor McGuinness – Assistant Pitching Coach (second season)
Danny Lehmann – Game Planning & Communications Coach (third season)
The announcement of Clayton McCullough as the new First Base coach has changed the Vegas line, basically the odds are so steep that it is pretty much saying that Vegas is guaranteeing the Dodgers will win the WS for the next 5 years. Damn, what a brilliant move. Go Dodgers!
Side note: No word if Aaron Bates returning as the Assistant to the Assistant to the Assistant Hitting Coach played any role in the newly posted odds in Vegas.
Good Andrew Friedman quotes on MLB.com today…
“As we sit here in the middle of December, we feel really good about the core group that we have in place,” Friedman said. “We have a couple of areas we’d like to address before Spring Training and have had a lot of conversations going with free agents, as well as with the 29 other teams. We feel like there’s a good enough amount of supply out there of what we’re looking for that we’ll end up in a good spot.
“Obviously, we couldn’t be any happier with how the 2020 season ended, but now it’s incumbent upon us to turn the page and focus on doing all we can to repeat. Looking back over time in baseball and seeing how difficult that has been is a challenge all of us are focused on.”
At face value I like what he’s saying. It sure looks like he’s going to be filling a couple of holes. It doesn’t sound to me like he’s looking for platoon players.
I think retaining JT is a good possibility, but I don’t think there’s a snowball’s chance in hell that he’s going to be as good as he’s been in the past. I just think an imminent physical breakdown is about to happen. I base this on his hampered base running in the post season and his knees that need injections during every Spring Training. But, if the price for an upgrade is prohibitive in prospect capital, or potential free agent targets get deals that AF isn’t going to match, I believe JT’s more of a reluctant plan B for a team with REPEAT aspirations. I like that AF thinks there’s enough supply to be able to get a deal done. That statement definitely applies to the girth of quality relievers available.
I remain highly optimistic as I do each year around this time. Nothing to complain about since I don’t see a lot of guys coming off the table. It definitely made my day to read the words that he’s focused on a repeat. Even if I know that’s what he needs to say. This team does have a great core and we can really go on a run here.
For the record of the five pitchers on my list Corey Kluber is my least favorite because he’s a starter. I only listed him because if for some reason the Dodgers couldn’t sign any of the relievers on my list then I would go after Kluber even though it would push one of our starters to the bullpen. But I would rather not push one of our starters to the bullpen I’d rather sign as many of those relievers on my list as possible.
Brad Hand and Kirby Yates both have lopsided splits. But they’ve gotten the job done even with those lopsided splits. I definitely wouldn’t sign Brad Hand because there’s more right handed batters than left handed batters. But I wouldn’t be opposed to signing Yates.
I am intrigued about Liam Hendricks. The thing with him though is that prior to two years ago he basically sucked. So the question that I have is, is he the real deal.
I will rank the five pitchers on my list according to most wanted to least wanted.
Sean Doolittle
Joakim Soria
Pedro Baez
AJ Ramos
Corey Kluber
And again I wouldn’t be against signing Liam Hendricks and Kirby Yates.
I think we need another lefty in the pen since we lost Ferguson to injury and McGee to free agency. I’m not sure Kolarek, Gonzalez and Alexander is enough lefty bullpen arms the 40 man roster. I’m probably dreaming a little bit for Hand and Yates since Hand will probably want to close. But, I can dream as long as he’s still on the board.
To me the lefty righty thing is obsolete since the three batter minimum rule is apparently sticking around. That rule is why I put a lot of emphasis on relievers that can consistently get outs against both sides of the plate.
That last sentence should have said relievers who have good stats against both sides of the plate.
Also I may be dreaming about Sean Doolittle because I was told that Dolittle and his wife apparently love the Washington DC area. But as long as he is still a free agent I can dream.
Also Mark Melancon could be a good option.
All those guys closing in on their mid 30’s Doolittle is 34, Soria, 36, Melancon is 35, Baez is 32. Ramos is 34. There are younger options including Rosenthal and Greene. There are so many relievers out there you could stock the bullpen 4 times over. As for Kluber, he is 34 also, he has not pitched in more than 7 games in two years. You have no idea what you are getting out of him. There are younger starting options too. And why bring in a veteran starter and block or impede the progress of your own guys who are still developing? Makes little sense to me unless you plan to sign someone like Bauer long term or trade for some other starter. You have a veteran arm returning in Price. I just do not see it. And I do not think any of those guys except maybe Baez because he was a Dodger, are anywhere on AF’s radar.
I rely more on stats (career stats mostly) than age.
Have you looked at Rosenthal and Greene’s stats?
Greene is the same thing as Floro a ROOGY which means Greene is not an upgrade. Might as well stick with Floro. I’d rather replace Floro.
Rosenthal has reverse splits his strength is against left-handed batters ONLY. Just like Brad Hand no thanks.
There might be a lot of relievers that pass your test but not mine.
Eric, not sure what you mean about Rosenthal’s career stats. His splits have just a 33 point difference in BA against and 108 difference in OPS. Doolittle 31 points for BA and 81 points for OPS. Both are tougher on lefties and these differences aren’t enough to say that splits are even an issue.
Last year, Doolittle was injured and he wasn’t that good the year before. Whereas Rosenthal was dominant last year after being injured for most of the previous two years. I think recent success and age would be the tiebreakers here. Also the fact that Rosenthal’s K rate of 14.5/9 was twice as high as Doolittle’s 7/9.
BulldogsandPenguins
I really think Doolittle will bounce back to how he pitched before 2019. I admit that its a gut feeling. So I very well might be wrong. And I hear you on the K rate. I just value OPS vs right and left the most.
As far as the stats between Doolittle and Rosenthal.
Doolittle career OPS vs right .617 vs left .536
Rosenthal vs right .680 vs left .572
I may be picky or unreasonable when it comes to stats. But anything above .700 OPS for a reliever doesn’t pass my test. Therefore Rosenthal does pass my test, but there are more right handed batters than left handed, so I’m more concerned with OPS vs right handed batters than left handed batters. Rosenthal’s .680 OPS vs right does pass my test but it is close to my .700 mark. So Rosenthal is alright, but I see better names on the free agent market than him.
But good question.
You do know that AJ Ramos was cut by the Dodgers last year. He was then picked up by Colorado and pitched an unimpressive 2.2 innings for Colorado. He has not pitched well since 2016. I liked him as a low risk high reward MiLB sign last year. I guess the pitching coaches and decision makers looked at something other than one career OPS stat to make their decision to let him go. I doubt that AJ would consider LAD on a MiLB contract after last year, and I doubt that AF would offer AJ a guaranteed ML contract.
Pedro Baez is not a late inning high leverage reliever. He has never been clutch. His good numbers all come in low stress situations, and he pitches extremely well in those situations. I cannot remember the last time he came in with runners on base in a playoff game and left them stranded. I am sure it has happened, I just do not remember. Baez is a 6th/7th inning reliever with no runners on base. AF can do better.
The Nationals need relievers and if they considered Sean Doolittle to be a quality late inning reliever he would sign in a heartbeat. He is from the East and that is where he wants to stay. High school in NJ and the University of Virginia. Both he and his wife are very very much involved in the DC community. In addition, he was horrible in both 2019 and 2020. Although, he could have a solid 2021 just like many other relievers who are hot one year and cold the next.
I have no problem with Soria, but there are other more qualified late inning relievers that are more desirous.
By your standard, the following pitchers would never have been considered:
Pre 2019 Liam Hendriks
Andrew Miller (due to starter numbers)
Brad Hand (due to starter numbers)
Dennis Eckersley (due to starter numbers)
Eric Gagne (pre 2002)
Trevor Hoffman (before being traded to SD)
Because they do not have career OPS numbers, no rookies like Devin Williams (last year’s NL Reliever of the Year), Mariano Rivera, Kenley Jansen…would be on your roster.
You can never tell whether a reliever is going to be good every year just by looking at one stat. Relievers are the most difficult to project, which is why almost every year, almost every team, has a problem with their bullpens. Even the best bullpen in 2020 faltered badly in the WS. I will trust AF, his scouts, and his analytics department scouring all of the stats and metrics to determine who is a best fit rather than one stat.
You don’t know my full standards to tell me who I would consider or not.
I look at the situation. I’d rather sign free agents than trade because who know who we would have to trade.
I don’t just look at career OPS. Its just the stat I put most stock in. If I were to explain in full (stats wise) why I picked a name on the free agent market I would be typing a lot with very long posts.
I have already said that Brusdar Graterol would be in my bullpen even with that .851 career OPS vs left handed batters, because he hasn’t racked up enough innings to call him a ROOGY.
You trust AF and his scouts? You might want to look at the bullpens he has built since he has been employed by the Dodgers. A pretty bad track record I do believe. And before you think you can read my mind like you thought you knew my standards, I’m not saying I’m smarter than AF.
I absolutely disagree that relievers cannot be consistent like you say. Tell that to Mariano Rivera and other similar relievers that were consistent.
He has a WS and should have had two. He has put a team in the WS 3 out of the last four years. I think I will stick with AF. You can continue to put your fantasy league teams together.
Mariano is the greatest reliever of all time and was a 1st ballot HOF. Name one reliver today that even approaches that level. Joakim Soria, Sean Doolittle, Pedro Baez, AJ Ramos (he was still cut by AF)?
Friedman’s success has been building good offense’s and starting pitching which I have mentioned and praised many times. His bullpen building has been pretty piss poor. Just to mention 1 example Julio Urias who is a starting pitcher had to bail out the 2020 playoff bullpen roster.
He did not bail them out. He was the sent to the bullpen as a multi inning reliever just like Maeda was. AF plans for these. Again 3 WS out of 4 years. If you can do better, I would recommend that you contact MYM who are looking for a GM.
Then Friedman must have planned for Kershaw to pitch in relief in the 2019 playoffs. How did that work out, yea elimination.
And for your information Jeff, since you used the word clutch and high leverage, go look at Baez clutch and leverage stats. It looks very clutch to me and very high leverage.
Baez is actually at his worse in low leverage according to stats.
Last three times Baez has entered with runners on base in the post season.
2019 NLDS Game 4 – Inherited 2 runners and both scored, plus he allowed a run of his own (HR)
2020 NLCS Game 2 – Inherited 2 runners and both scored, plus he allowed a run of his own
2020 WS Game 4 – Inherited 2 runners and both scored, plus he allowed 2 runs of his own (2 HRs).
Those are the last three times he came in high stress and failed. Not my definition of clutch.
All 2019 and 2020 games he entered with zero runners on, he was outstanding. Again not my definition of clutch.
You are talking about a small sample. Look at his career leverage stats.
David Dahl signed a one year deal with Texas for $3MM. I like this deal for Texas. Throw out last year’s numbers. I have no idea why Dahl played. He has no spleen so his auto immune system was non-existent. I am sure that he had that on his mind.
That is a real good deal for the Rangers, but his power numbers in that ball park are not going to be great. Rangers also signed Edubray Ramos who spent last year with the Dodger system. And the Rockies brought back Chi Chi Rodriguez on a minor league deal.
Does he still have arb eligibility after this year?
This is his 1st year arbitration. Texas has three years of control.
Texas just signed Dahl. One year 3 mil. Would have loved him as a Dodger for that! I say he has a big comeback year in 21!
Dodgers just signed Brandon Morrow to a MiLB contract. 2017 again????
Looks like we found the next Brandon Morrow! I do hope, for his sake and the Dodgers, that he has a repeat of his 2017 success.
Good deal, he’s only 36 and hasn’t pitched in two years. Good depth move I guess.
Old home week. We’ve also signed Brock Stewart. Why he would want to come back here where he has little to no chance of making the major league club is beyond me. There are so many teams desperate for bp help that I can’t believe someone else wouldn’t have given him a minor league deal.
Those two have about a combined 5% chance of making the team.
And that is exactly what most everyone said about Morrow in 2017. Not me, and I wrote it many times from ST that he would be on the 25 man by June. I have no idea what he has left because I did not see him pitch last year. I did see Morrow pitch for San Diego in 2016 and I thought he was a terrific MiLB sign. Before his injury in 2018, Morrow was outstanding for the Cubs – 35 games, 30.2 IP, 1.47 ERA, 22 saves, 2 blown saves, 3 out of 12 inherited runners scored. Before you write him off, you might want to see if he can still pitch. I am guessing that AF gives Morrow a better shot than 5%. I love this sign.
Pazos too
And Nelson
Up to 25% now!
I am not sure why they re-signed Jimmy Nelson. They obviously see something they like. He has not really pitched since 2017 (22.0 IP in 2019, 0 in 2018). People gave up on Rich Hill too. Nelson will be 32 next year. This happens every year. The Dodgers sign multiple players to MiLB contracts with ST invites to see if they can still produce. People make negative remarks. Very LOW risk and HIGH reward. AF does not beleive he is going to build his roster with these guys. But what if one comes through like Morrow did. Or Muncy. Or JT (although that was not an AF sign).
Pazos is intriguing. He was a productive LHRP with Seattle for two years. In a very limited role with Colorado he pitched well in 2019 and horribly in 2020. He could be one of those guys when it all comes together. He is very much worth a MiLB contract. Maybe he is this year’s Nick Anderson? How many would have passed on 1st team all MLB reliever Nick Anderson? Before his big year in 2020, I wrote the following on Nick.
https://ladodgertalk.com/2019/12/07/nick-anderson/
Morrow hasn’t pitched since 2018, finally being released by the Cubs in July last year after which he had a minor procedure on his elbow and expects to be healthy again for 2021.
This link to a March 2020 article details all the injuries he’s had, some not even related to baseball, since the very good year he had with the Cubs in 2018. He makes AJ Pollock seem like the healthiest player in the majors.
Let’s hope we get 2017 all over again like you mentioned above.
https://www.cubsinsider.com/2020/03/20/brandon-morrow-sees-extended-break-as-chance-to-finally-get-healthy-again/
He knows the Dodgers will treat him right and at least give him an opportunity to show what he has at AAA in front of other scouts. He will get a ST invite and be seen. It does not hurt the Dodgers and it helps one of their own.
Who is Brock Stewart? Never heard of him. Ok fine, I rejoice he is back. I like ex shortstops.
I hear James Loney is getting a call.
I also heard that. He is getting one of those minor league contracts with an invite to spring training and this time as a pitcher.
Jimmy Nelson comes back too. I guess they’re trying to replace de Gaus and Sheffield with better options? I would think that one of those guys gets added to the 40 when Ferguson goes on the 60 day DL. Good moves. One of them is bound to work out?
Bear, these are the AF moves that used to drive you crazy. Winning a WS hasn’t changed his ways! Have to think one of these moves hits and he’s even a bigger genius! Wonder if AF is gonna at least grab one present from the top of the toy chest?
He freaking better! And I’m just talking stocking stuffers in the bullpen isle. The big present better be from behind the glass where they keep the good RH bats and Third Basemen. 😉
I think he’ll do no worse than JT in that department. JT is the floor.
Kershaw will soon be 33. Price is 35. A very affordable #1 starting (lefty) ACE pitcher is on the table and we have an abundance of resources to make a trade for him. AF said he wanted to be a piggy, then be a piggy and go get Snell. We certainly don’t want to face a deGrom/Snell combo in the playoffs or a Cole/Snell combo in the WS. A Buehler/Snell combo sounds much more appealing to me.
Next, steal LeMahieu from the Yankees, It’s time to move on from JT.
Finally, try to extend Seager.
That’s it. Easy as Uno, dos, tres.
General question to everyone here.
There’s a lot of talk about Bauer and Snell. Who would you rather have and why?
Bauer is a free agent with a qualifying offer, so you lose a draft pick. Snell, you would have to trade for and he won’t be cheap because of his team friendly contract. Bauer will of course cost more money. Snell would cost at least a top 5 and a top 10-15 prospect in the system then throw in a high upside lower level prospect. No AJ Pollock trades.
BulldogsandPenguins
Better question that I have is what is so good about Bauer and Snell that someone would push one of our young starters to the bullpen and that someone would have to trade for one of them?
Bauer has only had 2 good years in his career. Snell 1 good year in his career. I mentioned Corey Kluber who has had 5 good years in his career, but I explained that I only mentioned Kluber in case all the good free agent relievers were taken off the market first before I would go after Kluber. Since Friedman has a history of passing on good relievers and apparently believes the bullpen is not all that important.
What’s so good about Snell and Bauer? They’re both Cy Young winners. So is Kluber, but he’s only pitched in 8 games in the last two years and he’s 5 years older than Bauer and 7 years older than Snell. I have a question for you. Why do you only like 35 year old pitchers?
I don’t.
Jeff, so much work you had to have spent on this one. Far much more than I’ll be able to even file as ” I read that somewhere” but I also can’t claim I have my full wit these days. Still thank you for trying to reach this kid. You can lead a kid to knowledge, but you can’t make him think.
I need to write that one down, Quas. Very nice!
Me too. I honestly think Eric is probably a very passionate fan. And i think he honestly believes the guys he thinks should be signed are legitimate. And he does research on these players to back up his choices. I totally respect that. Do I agree with him? No. But we all have our own idea’s as to who we think AF should get for the pen. Now Friday the Dodgers added 4 pitchers and an infielder to the minor league pool. All are on minor league contracts and do not affect the 40 man, Pazo’s, Stewart, Nelson, Morrow and Asuaje. They are the kind of signings AF has always made since he got here. And yes Cassidy, the kind of signings that used to drive me batty. I just understand what he is doing a little better now. They are DEPTH. Low risk, high reward players. Asuaje has little chance of cracking the MLB roster, same most likely for Stewart. But he gives them protection at the AAA level since he does have experience, how ever not so successful at the major league level. Morrow is intriguing. Can he get back to the pitcher he was in 2018? If so, he is a steal because he has ice water in his veins. Nelson is somewhat of a head scratcher since they never got to see him healthy. Maybe they feel they will see that this season and wanted to bring him back. He will not be making as much money as if they had picked up his option, so in reality he is back at a lower price to see if he has anything left in the tank. If he is healthy and has the same kind of velo, he also is a valuable piece and he can start also. As for Paaos, I did not see him pitch, nor do I remember him pitching. But he is a lefty, and as such a commodity most teams prize. Eric, stick to your guns. Some will not agree with you, but it is tour right to believe in your choices.
I do not for one minute claim that I totally get what AF is doing. I also know that I have never run a major league baseball team. Nor will that opportunity arise, of that I am certain. What I know about baseball is knowledge that I have acquired from long years of watching the game, a lot of reading, and a few years playing the game myself. Not at the high level that some here achieved. I played like the title of the movie says, For love of the game. Success is measured by titles. Success in baseball is not guaranteed. So many things can happen over a 162 game season, and usually these are not factored in. What I do know about AF is that he stocks his minor league teams with a lot of talent that has been to the bigs. The 5 signings yesterday are testament to that. I saw an interview with him on the Dodger site. Very interesting stuff. He quoted John Wooden, the famous UCLA basketball coach who’s teams won 10 NCAA titles, including 7 in a row. Unheard of today. Wooden said, winning takes talent, box checked, the Dodgers have loads of it. Repeating takes character. Ahh. Now I get it a little more. What AF wants for this team is to repeat. But he is not going to get players who he feels do not have what they would consider, good clubhouse character. Free thinkers like Bauer need not apply. Do not pass go and do not collect 30 million bucks from LA. Make no mistake, AF wants the taste of victory again. So, how does he accomplish this? First off, he follows his instincts and does not jump in without making sure of his choices. Face it, at least 4 of the 8 free agents they have are getting significant interest from teams in the majors. Some have been connected to multiple teams. And AF told all of his free agents to explore their options. I hear more about Joc, Kike and JT than I do about the others. The only buzz I hear about Baez is his desire for a 3 year deal. Ain’t happening in LA old friend. Practically no buzz on Treinen. None on McGee either. They resigned Nelson so he is the first domino to fall. There have not been many trades, but there is a multitude of talk. I totally expect it to stay like this until after New Years. That is when a lot of the action took place last year. Thank goodness that 2020 is coming to a close. I cannot remember a year as screwed up as this one has been since 1968. There was a ton of turmoil that year.
Just for giggles, 1941 opening day Brooklyn Dodgers lineup…C Mickey Owen, 1B, Dolph Camilli, 2B Billy Herman, 3B, Cookie Lavagetto, SS Pee Wee Reese, LF Ducky Medwick, CF, Pete Reiser, RF, Dixie Walker. Not a bad starting 8, and they won the pennant that year.