Would Your Rather?

This article has 89 Comments

1. If they use May,Gondolin or Urias in the pen they would just have to replace them in the rotation. I guess that’s fine if you have someone better to replace them with.
   I have been tracking the starters for the last 3-4 yrs, and they rarely start every five days more than 2-3 times in a row. A sixth and seventh starter are routinely used, sometimes out of the pen or AAA. Plus I expect pitchers will not be asked to start 30 times so utilizing the extra starters makes sense.
   Kershaw, Buehler, Urias, May, Gonsolin and Price, while a really good rotation, are all mostly in a situation where limiting their innings makes sense.

   1. Barring injury, at least one or two of Urias, Gonsolin, and May could be in the Bullpen… and maybe the three rotate… or maybe they will go with six starters?

2. I’m starting to get bullish on Mitch White for this year. He’s a post-hype guy but he’s always had the frame and the stuff. Controlling it and staying healthy is his challenge. Could be a nice swingman/long reliever this year.

   1. I have always seen him as a bullpen piece… maybe even high leverage in a year or three!

      1. That’ll work. We saw it last season: it takes every single player contributing to win the grand prize. There are no small parts, only small actors.

3. That’s an interesting question Mark.

   Are we talking every year?

   I believe I would rather have 6 in the Top 100. I would think a team with that would be ranked in the top 3 in minor league systems year after year. It would sure be a sign our drafting and development teams are working. It could also depend on how many of those are in the Top 20. If they are consistently 90-100, then maybe not. If they are evenly spread out, then yes.

   I think it’s important to note that there are a lot of teams that are working hard and working smart on development. What the Dodgers have that some teams don’t is organizational depth in bank accounts. That of course doesn’t guarantee a championship, but if you’re smart, and our management is, it guarantees you will compete. Many organizations that lack our resources are starting over every few years. We just pick up where we left off.

   I think we win the West again but I believe it won’t be the cakewalk it’s been the last few years.

4. I love the fact that Gonsolin was not even in the top 30. So depth does matter

   1. BA has admitted its error. It’s one of their few total whiffs of the last twenty years.

5. I have no problem using the three young guns in the pen if we continue to pickup quality starters. However, as we’ve seen in the past, sometimes project pieces take a spot on the active roster that’s more deserving for younger, better players. In fact, with all of these veteran signings, some of the three could also be blocked in the bullpen. Again, no a horrible thing for some. In particular, Gonso might be better served spending some time in AAA to start the season to work on whatever it was that caused him to regress in the post-season. May could certainly use some time there as well working on a secondary pitch to yield better strikeout numbers. The same can be said for Brusdar.

   On the music side, that album, Beatles for Sale was a Christmas gift from my son this last Christmas. I’ve been wearing it out. I started collecting vinyl again as we have several record shops in my area. I’m up over the 230 albums in my collection.

   1. When Brusdar figures out that second pitch, look out.

6. BTW Mark, your blog has been excellent recently and I see you are challenging other sites for daily comments. Keep it up!

   Also, I rarely employ absolutist language but I agree with you that we are not getting Ozuna. Must be idle chatter or a ploy to pressure Turner into signing.

   1. If Rios and Lux are infield regulars and Turner is not re-signed, Ozuna makes sense as the DH.

      1. Right, I agree under those parameters, although I find it unlikely Rios comes into the season as the starter.

         That would be an interesting piece: Can Rios be a full-time 3b?

7. Nice write up Mark. 16 of 30 is pretty good. Like to see how the 19 and 20 classes fare. I think they would only consider Ozuna if they knew the DH was coming back. Otherwise, he is a liability defensively, and judging from what i have seen, his base-running skills are meh.

   1. Makes more sense to move Pollock to DH and just sign a FA OF. Anyone can play LF.

      1. I disagree. Ozuna has way more power than Pollock. And there are few outfielders out there who are worth what they are asking. Why pay Pollock 18 mil to just hit when he is not that prolific as a power hitter? And Pollock is still one of the better defensive outfielders in the game.

      2. “ Anyone can play LF.”

         We may get to see Ozuna say “hold my beer and watch this.

         I would like to see his bat in our lineup though.

         1. Just my opinion, but to hear that the Dodgers are checking in on Ozuna, seems to give credence to Ken Rosenthal’s belief that the universal DH will be here for 2021. Otherwise there is no reason to include the Dodgers and Ozuna in the same conversation. I do not see it, unless the Dodgers truly are not concerned about CBT, and I have been consistent that I believe they want to stay at or very near the CBT. Ozuna does give them the big RH bat, but it does not help them at 3B. So JT would still have to be on the top of the LAD wish list. Seriously, if the Dodgers wanted to be pigs, JT and Ozuna in the LAD lineup can make up for a lot of pitching sins. The Dodgers do not have many pitching holes, so that would not be much of a concern.

         2. Haha

8. Less than 24 hrs before tomorrow’s arb deadline.

   Will we see any deals between now and then?

   Have to think we’re working hard right now.

   Maybe AF will have a better financial picture once some 2021 salaries are settled.

   He could be telling JT, “We’ll pay you as much as we can afford . . .”

9. I’m grumpy today, so apologies up front.

   But Baseball America is, like every other specialty media org, struggling to turn a profit and keep paying quality writers like Kyle G. Their top prospects lists are their own IP.

   The least we can do as a blog when we copy vast amounts of content is to provide a link to where people can support BaseballAmerica through subscription. Or drive/encourage people to subscribe to their podcasts, which can also be monetized.

   the most we could do is overtly encourage the great readers here to subscribe and support BA, Fangraphs et al. And not copy the majority of their premium content.

   YES, I realize the chat was on the open web. But on Baseball America there’s an article cap, which we subvert, and there’s less friction to readers buying a subscription.

   Again, apologies, but I’m grumpy and precious about this stuff.

   1. That said and make of it what you will, I will commend Jeff on the wonderful way he both presented the information and the value he added to it.

      Well done, sir.

   2. Bluto,

      I hear what you are saying and it is true, but I also know many of these guys and they do not mind if you do it occasionally as it helps drive traffic to them as well. If we did it all the time, they would not like it, but we do it very little.

10. Mark, you never responded to my inquiry from yesterday about whether you could do polls here. Seems like there was some interest although it may be impossible from your end or just too much work. Would appreciate a response. Thanks.

    Attaching a link from a column which talks about the question of whether or not to resign JT for 3 or 4 years at his age.

    If you aren’t into numbers, this probably won’t appeal to you but if you are it’s an interesting read:
    http://enews.newsletters.ocregister.com/q/2E6uC4tae7EIoyZKoFFDy11PxE0EI2ekgvOjRB3xnhGXhP6Q9IZcBodv8

    1. I’ll take a poll to see… 😉

       We may add them in the future, but I have to change the platform and it involves some work. I have several other changes in mind also, but…

       Time is the problem.

       1. Thanks for the reply Mark.
          Simple solution: Turn your water business over to your son and spend full time here at LADT.
          Look forward to seeing some polls here in the future if you can work it out.

          1. Someday I will, but that time is not now… and I am having too much fun.

11. Dodgers first choice is to retain Turner. Turner wants 4 years, Dodgers prefer two. Meet in the middle. 2 with a mutual option. DJLM is not coming here on a 5 year deal, nor will he get such a deal from the Yanks who are standing firm so far. Little to no movement on free agents right now. With all the financial uncertainty it is understandable. Molina now also contemplating retirement since he really want’s to go back to the Cardinals, and they are balking at giving him 2 years. Kluber, Cishek, and Swarzak all threw for teams the other day. Cishek is interesting and someone I think AF should look at. Theo Epstein will become a consultant for the commissioners office.

    1. Cishek is exactly the underwhelming free agent reliever that AF will zero in on. Very low risk, and VERY high reward type reliever. 11 year career, 576 IP, 2.78 career ERA, 1.163 career WHIP. 605 Ks in the 576 IP, with a meh 2.75 K/BB ratio. He has allowed 41 HRs for a respectable 0.6 HR/9. His career WAR of 12.2 is greater than 1.00 per season. He will not approach $8MM, so he is a good bet to earn his salary if he continues to average a bit north of 1.0 WAR.

       Cishek even meets Eric’s criterion, as he has career sub .700 OPS from against both RHB and LHB. No he is not Brad Hand or Kirby Yates, but if Treinen and Jansen can share closer duties with Graterol and VGon sprinkling in a few they should be good at the back end (not dominant but good). And pursuant to the topic, I still believe that Tony Gonsolin can be a lethal high leverage late inning closer type. Cishek is the guy that just seems to get batters out. Not special…just successful.

       1. Yep I’ve noticed Steve Cishek. He’s dominant against RHB and good enough against LHB. Not the ideal reliever but an upgrade over some of our current relievers.

12. Theo Epstein joining MLB Commissioners Office as consultant for on field matters. It would appear that he will assume many of Chris Young’s previous responsibilities plus a lot more.

    1. Baseball would be well served if Theo took over from Manfred in a couple of years.
       He would speak truth to power (the owners) and wouldn’t just be a puppet for them.
       If you ask why the owners would go along with that, the answer is simple, it would make the game better and that would put more money in their pockets.

       1. I think it would be a great move if Theo were to become the commissioner. I am not sure the owners would accept him, because Theo would govern on what is best for baseball, not just for the owners. That is what MLB is missing…the voice for the BASEBALL.

13. You gotta look at how many starting pitchers we have. Correct me if I am wrong, but we have 3 definite starters in Buehler, Kershaw, Price. Somebody has to fill the other 2 spots. I’m guessing it is May and Urias. That leaves Gonsolin as a reliever, which is a good thing for the bullpen.

    This is my standards only, others will have a different opinion. Looking at stats only I see only 2 guys in the bullpen that have dominant stats (Gonsolin, Gonzalez) and both have not racked up many innings in the big league. So they are not sure things but I like what I see so far. Yes Jansen has dominate career stats but we all know he is declining.

    Friedman has added guys to the bullpen already but just my opinion I’m not impressed with who he has added. The bullpen right now is crowded so I don’t know how much if any room is left for addition.

    1. I like Urias,Gonsolin #4,#5 put May in pen for now. You can use him as spot starter if needed . Even though Urias is load in the pen hes earned being a starter.

    2. Just to make it clear Dustin May needs to be a starting pitcher in my opinion, if we are talking about 2 of May, Urias, Gonsolin filling out the starting rotation.

       Although he has not racked up many innings in the big league, May has a career .814 OPS against LHP. I’d rather have that in the starting rotation than late in the game (bullpen).

       So I’d like either Gonsolin or Urias in the bullpen. Not Dustin May.

14. Muncy has made a plea to the FO to bring back Turner. Makes sense. But the way things are unfolding right now, I have no clue which way AF is leaning. My idea would be to sign a starter, someone with some chops, and move Urias to the pen since he has pitched better from the pen than as a starter. Leave Tony G. and May in the rotation. If no Turner signing, then they need to trade for a RH bat.

15. I’ll play along Mark,

    Would you rather lose the ability to read or lose the ability to speak? The ability to read
    Would you rather have a golden voice or a silver tongue? golden voice
    Would you rather be covered in fur or covered in scales? fur
    Would you rather be in jail for a year or lose a year off your life? lose a year off my life
    Would you rather have one real get out of jail free card or a key that opens any door? Get out of jail free card
    Would you rather know the history of every object you touched or be able to talk to animals? Talk to animals
    Would you rather be married to a 10 with a bad personality or a 6 with an amazing personality? 6 with personality. Looks and bodies fade, but personality will turn a 6 into a 10 overtime
    Would you rather have all traffic lights you approach be green or never have to stand in line again? Not stand in line
    Would you rather give up all drinks except for water or give up eating anything that was cooked in an oven? give up all drinks
    Would you rather go back to age 5 with everything you know now or know now everything your future self will learn? undecided on this one.
    Would you rather be able to dodge anything no matter how fast it’s moving or be able to ask any three questions and have them answered accurately? Ask three questions
    Would you Rather the Dodgers have 6 Top 100 MLB Prospects or 40 Top Prospects in an Insanely Deep System? Insanely deep system, year after year with one or 2 years of 6 top 100 MLB prospects.

    I concur with DodgerLover, the writing on this blog has been exceptional over the past 2 months(it has most always been very good, but it has gotten even better than before). Thank you Mark and Jeff and please keep up the good work! It is much appreciated.

    1. Gee thanks 2D…what am I? Chopped Bear??? Just kidding. I think they have done a great job, Me,??? I just try to entertain.

       1. So very sorry for the oversight Bear!! Your writing is fantastic, and I’m glad you considered my prodding to begin writing regularly for the blog. I have the utmost respect for you my man, and I didn’t at all mean to slight you!! I’m going to sit in the corner and remain there for the rest of the day. 🙂 Harold, of course, is also a wonderful writer. Please both of you keep up the good work as well!!

          1. I wasn’t slighted in the least. Just twistin the knife a little. No problemo my friend.

    2. Would you rather have one real get out of jail free card or a key that opens any door?

       Wouldn’t that key open a jail door?

16. I just read an article in the Athletic by Jason Stark kicking around yet another rule change; this time regarding the universal DH. I guess since MLB can’t get off it’s ass and get a decision done on the matter, a gimmicky alternative is the next best thing. The rule has been dubbed the”double-hook” or DH 2.0. The idea is discussed with a manager, Bud Black, and ex DH Adam Dunn, a pitcher Adam Wainwright and an AL exec. The idea is that a lineup starts with a DH. Once the starting pitcher is removed from the game, the teams loses the DH. The team than must use a pinch hitter, the DH plays defense or the pitcher hits. The ideas supposed to promote longer outings by the starting pitchers and add strategy to the game.
    I am almost universally in favor of last year’s rule changes, even 3 batter rule. But this proposal (which will never be seriously considered) is the worst idea I’ve ever heard. You can read the arguments, pro and con, so I won’t get into that here.
    But instead of tricked up options maybe baseball should address what I consider the most important topic on the table right now. A decision that totally effects signings, trades and rosters. Let’s get a decision on DH 1.0.

    1. With all due respect to the moron who thought that up: THAT IS MORONIC!
       

17. We miss your insight 2dem. Would love to have you back even in a limited role

    1. Thank you Cassidy! That’s very kind of you to say. I’ve been kicking around a “Random Thoughts” article, but unfortunately, I haven’t yet found the time to finish it.

18. Strong opinion: I think people who advocate for signing BOTH JT & DJLM [or Ozuna] are delusional. I’ve seen it elsewhere and it’s an unnecessarily greedy view. We need one more impact RH bat, preferably one eho plays 3b. After that, it’s smaller pieces only (like a bench OF).

    Also, I think we are going to miss Hernandez a lot. Yes, McKinstry is a good replacement and we still have Taylor, but are there other utilitymen out there we could snag for cheap? I think one could replace the one-dimensional Beaty.

    1. I think they will miss Kike’s glove and personality. His inconsistency at the plate will not be missed at all. Dodgers avoid arbitration with Knebel. He gets 5.3 million.

    2. While it may be glutinous and not likely to happen, I like the idea of JT and Ozuna in the lineup. Again…NOT LIKELY TO HAPPEN, but that lineup could be modern era historic (or at least challenge Big Red Machine of the 70’s). I think it is also conceivable that the Dodgers do not sign JT because someone may give him 3 years guaranteed. Would you rather see McKinstry or Beaty as the DH? If the Dodgers can afford Ozuna and JT, why not? NOT LIKELY.

       Could the Dodgers snag a utility man cheap? Sure. How cheap is cheap? Marwin Gonzalez? Jurickson Profar? Kike’ Hernandez? Cesar Hernandez? Jonathan Villar? All switch hitters or RH (Kike’). Or is cheap reeeeaaaaly cheap? Just bring up Omar Estevez for $570,500.

       I would not be shocked to see Edwin Rios as the everyday 3B and DJ Peters as the RH bat off the bench. Not my choice, but certainly cheap.

       1. Wow, Peters is a longshot. He’d be more for defense and pinch-running than his bat I think. Would have to blow in ST for that to occur.

          1. He has the power. Cuts down on the K’s and he is an option.

          2. I am not advocating for Peters, but he is RH and if the Dodgers do not sign a RHB, who else do the Dodgers have? Fans do not want to spend for DJLM or Ozuna. More importantly, neither does AF. They do not want to guarantee JT three years (much less four). Neither does AF. They do not want to trade prospects for Suarez or Bryant. The Rockies are not going to trade Arenado to the Dodgers. I am truly tired of multiple utility players. Kike’ and CT3 were the same player. Why do the Dodgers need McKinstry and Beaty, neither who can do what CT3 can. Why do the Dodgers need both Luke Raley and Zach Reks? Same player. McKinstry, Beaty, Raley, Reks, Rios…all left handed hitters. Only Rios figures to be an everyday player, but even he is a platoon if the Dodgers do sign JT. I think the one extension I would push for (other than the obvious), would be CT3. You want a utility player, why not the best. Keep him in LA and then find everyday position players.

             1. Sorry, I meant that Peters would have to show a lot in ST to make the team.

                I agree that McKinstry and Beaty are imperfect at best together on the bench. Too little experience for a team with WS aspirations.

                I assume Barnes, Taylor & Rios and one of McKinstry/Beaty (McKin has the defensive versatility & Beaty has a decent LH bat). That leaves one spot left. I have to think we can do better than Peters.

    3. Well AF did say he wanted to be a pig this off season

19. Not only is tomorrow arbitration day, but the International signing period begins. Dodgers have a pool of a little over 5.5 million.

    1. As has been reported multiple times, the Dodgers look to sign the top rated teenager (Wilman Diaz, 17), the top rated SS (Wilman Diaz), and the top rated catcher (Jesus Galiz, 17). Two of the top 7 international prospects. LAD is not expected to sign any other top 30 international prospect. They will, however, sign a multitude of other international players, and will spend every penny of their allotted international pool.

       1. Cespides is rated # 1. Video of him hitting is impressive..some one will bite on him for sure.

          1. Cespedes has good bloodlines, but he is already 23. He could be Yoenis, or he could turn out to be another older player from Cuba who has not come close to meeting expectations, Victor Victor Mesa. Victor Victor was signed by Miami for a reported contract of greater than $5MM.

20. Dodgers sign Enny Romero to a minor league deal. Parts of 5 seasons in the majors. Last pitched for the Royals in 2018. Plus 5 ERA. Looks like a AAA signing to me. Also pitched for the Rays and the Nats and Pirates. Best season 2017 with the Nats. More K’s than innings pitched. Left handed reliever.

    1. 6’3″ 232 lb.

       Lifetime K/IP ratio > 1

       Has a cup of coffee already

       In competition with Kolarek/Alexander/Pazos/Cleavinger/etc. for 2nd LHRP job.

       Or 3rd LHRP job if both Gonzalez & Kolarek are in pen.

21. Dodgers still interested in Hand, but only on a one year deal. He is seeking a multi year deal.

    1. Talk to the Hand!

22. Pedro Baez contract calls for:

    $500,000 – Signing Bonus
    $4,500,000 – Year 1
    $5,500,000 – Year 2
    $2,000,000 – Buyout

    Total $12.5MM.

    The Dodgers signed Corey Knebel for 2021 and Tommy Kahnle for 2022, for less money. Both come at high risks, but both have higher ceilings. AF prefers higher ceilings when it comes to relievers, since there really is no such animal as a sure thing when it comes to relievers. And neither one figures to be less clutch (or anywhere close) than Baez in the playoffs, when it matters most.

23. I just saw video of Don Mattingly playing 3b.

    He is left-handed.

24. Phillies sign Archie Bradley.

    Hey it’s something.

25. Seeing names like Yadier Alvarez and Jeren Kendall in the top 7 tells us all what a crapshoot Top Prospect lists are. I love them, research them, play with them, but if the experts are not experts, how can I expect to be. And BTW, I am not talking about the journalists. I am talking about the scouts, coaches, instructors, and player development personnel that the journalists talk to. While I recognize that Kyle Glaser is a journalist, methinks he can scout prospects and write up scouting reports better than we mere fans can. How many here have sat with Marty Lamb to learn what it is that scouts look for. How many here can call Marty Lamb and have him pick up the phone. I am fortunate that I have former ML players and agents I have talked with. I am also fortunate that my son can get me in contact with a lot more of these guys, but I choose not to ask him to do that.

    It is hard to miss on Walker Buehler and Alex Verdugo, but when Morgan Cooper is #19 and has yet to throw a pitch as a professional, you know a lot of guesswork goes into the lists. Imani Abdullah who took his bonus money ($650,000), and after 72.1 IP in 2016, proceeds to pitch a combined 20.1 IP over the next two years. And then retires. Yaisel Sierra? The only think I like about Sierra is that 2021 is the last year LAD has to pay him ($8.5MM).

    I do not believe the Dodgers are 40 deep in prospects who will have an impact at the ML level, but if they were, I appreciate the depth that the team has. But the depth is not sufficient if the stars are not there. So yes, the starting rotation can pull from…Kershaw, Buehler, Price, Urias, May, Gonsolin, White, and Gray. But what would they be without Kershaw and Buehler? Would the Dodgers have been able to get Mookie without top prospects like Verdugo, Downs, and Wong? It is great to have CT3 and Zach McKinstry, but where would they be without Corey Seager. We have already discussed how weak the team is in OF depth? Where would they be without Bellinger. Kershaw, Seager, Urias, Joc, Bellinger, Buehler, Yadier Alvarez, Verdugo, May, and Downs were top 50 prospects. And I am undoubtedly missing some. In 2014, Seager, Urias, and Joc were 13-15 respectively. They also had Grant Holmes at 99. Yusniel Diaz got as high as 52, Willie Calhoun got as high as 60, and Jeren Kendall as high as 74. In the 2020 version, JoJo Gray was 62, and Keibert Ruiz was 68. Ruiz dropped 35 spots in top 100 and 3 spots in top 10 catchers (from #3 to #6).

    Now that the stars are becoming FA, who replaces them if they go elsewhere? There is nobody in the system who can replace Seager. There is nobody in the system who can replace Bellinger. Even though by trade, there is nobody in the system to replace Betts. Who replaces Kershaw? I am not saying who can the Dodgers get into the rotation, but rather who can get to the top of the rotation. Remember, Urias was as high as #14 in 2014, and his name is being bandied about as a reliever on this site. May is a #5 and Gonsolin a #6. Gray’s ceiling is a #3, but most think he is a #4 or #5. He needs to improve a 3rd pitch (either curve or change) to have one above average pitch (fastball at 60) and two slightly above average pitches (slider and ???). Where Gray excels is with his control. Mitch White is a Ross Stripling clone. He has three 55 pitches but needs to improve his control. He showed signs of improvement last year, but still not a top of the rotation pitcher. White is 26 and Gonsolin is 27. Not the age you want starters to break into the rotation for a WS contender. The team is finding it hard to replace a 36 year old 3B. They do not have a RH bat ready to join the ML roster.

    The one prospect that is considered a potential star by the evaluators is the player so many on this site have given up on, Gavin Lux. He is 23 and has accumulated all of 151 PA at the ML level, but he is not Fernando Tatis Jr. so he is not good enough.

    Scooter Gennett – 23 when became regular
    Whit Merrifield – 27
    David Fletcher – 24
    Ian Kinsler – 24
    Cavan Biggio – 24
    Eduardo Escobar – 25

    At 21, in 229 PA, Javy Baez hit .169/.227/.324/.551. He spent most of his 22 year old season in MiLB (81 MLB PA). He stuck with the Cubs at 23, but did not have an OPS in excess of .800 until 25.

    So, the Dodgers are loaded with good baseball players, but will need to be able to re-sign their stars. Or they will need to sign free agents. Their projected stars need to perennially play at the top 10 for their position (preferably top 5). The players the team has in their system will keep them competitive, but they need the stars to contend.

    1. I am very high on Julio Urias as a starter, but if in 2021, he needed to be the Dodgers version of Josh Hader, I would be down for it.

       The Dodgers have five young hitters who could rise or fall quickly:

       Pages
       Ruiz
       Busch
       Hoese
       Vargas

       None are can’t miss, but one or more has a shot at being very good. I would not count out Cody Thomas either.

       1. Agree with your first five but I am definitely not counting on Thomas.
          I have counted him out, in spite of your best advice.

          1. I am not counting on any of them…

             Just aware of the possibilities.

       2. I will go with Ruiz as a possibility in 2021, but not the others. Right now, Ruiz is insurance, but necessary insurance. Ruiz is not going to sit on the bench at ML when he can get much necessary work on his defense at AAA. Peters will get first shot. Not my choice, but he fits the Dodgers MO…Big power, and who cares about strikeouts. Pages has way too many holes in his swing right now. We will see what kind of student he is this year. I am a Vargas fan, but like many Dodger prospects, he has no clear position, and still needs a lot of development. Scouting report says 1B is his only other possible position. Yet another DH.

          I have never counted on Cody Thomas. There are too many LH hitting OF ahead of him, and they are nothing more than #4/#5.

          Why can’t the Dodgers turn their surplus RHP prospects into a decent OF prospect. What would the Dodgers have to give up to get Dylan Carlson? Not that he is available, but that is the type of OF prospect the Dodgers need to look for.

          1. I agree that Ruiz is a darkhorse for a 2021 roster spot.

    2. Good stuff, but I don’t believe in labelling guys with a #3 ceiling when they haven’t even developed all the way. They were saying May was a #2 or #3 but he has #1 stuff.

       We need to sign Seager and hopefully we do after the season.

       1. Having #1 stuff does not matter if you have #5 command. 76K in 90 IP is not #1 stuff. His ball moves, but so does Dylan Floro’s and Scott Alexander’s. Does he lose some of that movement to get better command? Actually based on QOS+ (an emerging pitcher metric), Tony Gonsolin’s fastball has the best “stuff”. He has 119K in 117 IP.

26. Give DJLM his 5 year deal. He’s the same age Turner was when you gave him 4 years and you’re ready to give him 2 more. DJLM can be moved to DH the final year if need be.

    Sign Turner 2 Years club option for a third. If he balks, you put DJLM at third. If you sign both, DJLM at 2B, Turner/Rios at 3B, Pollack & Lux duke it out in ST for left field.

27. Hated ones signed Alex Wood 1 yr $3mil w incentives

28. Alex Wood is now officially an ex-Dodger and since you folks refuse to let anyone sign with the Astros he signed with the Giants.

    One year/3 mil with another 3 possible in incentives.

    I think it’s a good move for Alex. He’ll have plenty of opportunity to show he can still start up there. He would never have gotten that chance with us in 2021.

    1. Alex is now dead to me…

       😉

       1. I guess I am not wearing my Wood jersey anymore, at least not up here. Objectively speaking, good sign for the Gnats. SF wanted a lefty starter. Another Drew Smyly?

          1. I like Alex Wood and I wish him well.

             1. Now you are dead to me!

                😉

                JK!

29. Apparently the latest rumors have LAD out of the DJLM sweepstakes. Who knows why, but it was always a major LONGSHOT that he would sign with the Dodgers. DJLM will re-sign with NYY. I know teams will bid the price up on certain free agents, but no team likes to be used to build up the contract knowing they have no chance to sign the player. That is how Toronto and probably the Dodgers feel.

    If Washington, NYM, Toronto, or Texas guarantee JT three years, I am not confident that AF will match it.

    The Dodgers are checking in on Ozuna, but are not serious contenders to sign Marcell.

    The Dodgers are interested in Brad Hand, but only on a one year deal. The Mets are also interested, but also only on a one year deal. Hand reportedly has more than one multi-year offer. Are the Phillies one?

    Kirby Yates? The Padres are very much interested. If it comes down to the best one year deal, I am betting that SD will win that deal.

    Cincinnati reportedly insisted on Washington Nationals pitcher prospects Jackson Rutledge (#1) and Cade Cavalli (#2) as the return package for Eugenio Suarez. We know the initial request, and we know what Washington was not willing to give up. Suarez will be with Cincinnati once they hit ST.

    If the Dodgers want a difference maker from Cincinnati, they are going to need to not only give up prospects, but they are going to need to take on Nick Castellanos or Mike Moustakas. They might as well sign a free agent.

    I am guessing that AF is not done playing with the roster, but what he has up his sleeve is probably going to be a surprise. A good surprise? A not so good surprise?

    Meanwhile, the Padres are the favorite to sign Masahiro Tanaka. Yes, he has a slight tear in his UCL, but he has had that since he was in Japan. He is not an Ace, but he will be a great addition to the back end of the rotation and they would not have to include Morejon as a starter. It also gives them insurance if Lamet is unexpectedly not ready to go. They are also the favorite to sign Kirby Yates. The Padres have nearly $50MM space before they hit CBT. The Dodgers have a little more than $12MM.

    1. Have you heard anything about Rosenthal going anywhere? I really wouldn’t mind having him as another option to close games. I agree that SD will probably outbid us for Yates or even if we match their offer he’s familiar with the Padres so would probably go back there.

       1. I have not seen or heard one rumor on Rosenthal from a baseball source. I have heard baseball pundits saying he would be a great fit in Philly. I have never seen him linked to the Dodgers. But that does not mean anything. I never heard AF was in on Joe Kelly, or Corey Knebel, or Tommy Kahnle.

    2. ….”If the Dodgers want a difference maker from Cincinnati, they are going to need to not only give up prospects, but they are going to need to take on Nick Castellanos or Mike Moustakas….”

       There’s your segue Mark.

       1. It was set up nicely for him, right?

       2. Casty started off like he was Babe Ruth in 2020 and then proceeded to hit like my mother, whose middle name was “Ruth” the rest of the season. That said, he has two years left and if the Dodgers could get rid of Pollock, I would love him in LF. I think he just tried too hard last year. It won’t happen.

30. Dodgers and Floro avoid arbitration. 1 year – $975K.

    1. I hope he pitches more this year.

31. First Baez, and now Wood. I did not believe either was coming back to LA, so I am not surprised. Of our free agents we have retained Trienen and Nelson. Joc, Kike, JT and McGee still on the market. I am not sure who AF has in his sights. But I would bet when the shoe drops, it will surprise us all.

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