We are going to start today by talking about how we treat each other on this blog. It has been brought to my attention (and I have seen it myself) that some on this website are “argumentative, obnoxious, antagonistic, and want to pick fights”. No names will be named, but this WILL stop. You can stop it or I will stop it. Your choice! No more discussion – If you find you can no longer post here, you will know this was about you.
When I start getting complaints about the same commenter from several people, I will let you know that I will not continue the insanity. End of discussion. This has been a public service announcement. Now back to our regularly scheduled programming.
Let’s Talk Dodgers
It’s just a few days until pitchers and catchers report, so i have a lot of hope we will see a baseball season this year. Some people are ecstatic that the Dodgers blew by the LuxTax threshold X 2. I am OK with it, but as has been proven over and over, money doesn’t buy championships! Argue all you want, but you are wrong! It is my opinion that you outspend your competition when you are too stupid to compete on the same playing field. I am OK with it THIS year, but I do not think this is a wise decision on a year-over-year basis.
Frankly, I am shocked that Andrew Friedman signed Trevor Bauer or Justin Turner… let alone BOTH of them. It makes us all feel warm and fuzzie, but we all know that Trevor Bauer has had one good year and one great year (60 games) in 9 seasons. We know that Justin Turner is on the downhill slide of hs career. If it works, Andrew Friedman and Stan Kasten are geniuses. If it doesn’t, they are not all that. Time will tell.
Remember this: The 2021 offseason is the season where Andrew Friedman violated his own rules (maybe- the offseasons not over). I hope it works, but I have a bad feeling about this. When Andrew Friedman said, “Let’s be Pigs.” I think he was talking about winning Championships. Signing Bauer and Turner and driving the payroll up to $255 Million is also very Piggish… and pigs get slaughtered!
Maybe AF has a plan to trade David Price, AJ Pollock, and Joe Kelly, but right about now, I think what he has done could be a “dope-fiend move.” That is my take. I have been wrong before (I did not think he would go over the LuxTax Cap), but that is what I believe. If he stays at this salary level (and he might), you can believe they won’t repeat it next year.
The possibility exists that both Bauer and Tuner could be non-factors for LA this year. I said “possibility.” I do not hope for that nor do I think it will happen, but it is a possibility. History will be the judge, but it does not feel good to me. I hope that I am dead wrong because this is my team!
Sorry, this is so short, but I had to get up early to write a “cease and desist” letter to a company in UAE for stealing our copyrighted intellectual property. Here’s the last paragraph of a lengthy e-mail:
Additionally, for each separate infringement, we are seeking $10,000 in damages or $200,000.00 US Dollars for the entire copyright infringement. If you do not immediately remove the copyrighted material, we will avail ourselves of every legal remedy, including Interpol, FBI, and seek treble damages at The Hague International Court of Justice. We will not allow our intellectual property to be so blatantly stolen and will seek legal redress within twenty-four hours of the communication.
We shall see what happens, but that has been my day so far!
JT is a great presence on the team, I don’t think anyone can dispute that, if what us fans hear is correct (we actually are on the outside looking in). With that thought in mind, maybe JTs past year’s performance had more to do with a broken wrist that he had suffered previously. He may have been operating at less than full strength and full comfort. A little time off and some medical intervention may be going on that we don’t know about (we are actually are on the outside looking in). Really we saw this same potential scenario with Seager, many thought he should be gone, traded, benched etc., while some of us knew he was still in the healing process from two surgeries from the season prior. What made Seager pretty damn awesome last year? Well, TIME to recover fully and then gain comfort and strength. My ortho surgeon told me more than once that a person really needs at least one year to fully recover from a big injury or big surgery, minimum. I think many of you will be surprised when TJ has a very strong year this upcoming season. I believe JT was having a hard time catching up to the high fastball last season, not due to his age but due to that wrist injury. Look for Turner to come back with a vengeance, I have a funny feeling he has been working his arse off in preparation to this season, to prove many people wrong.
MT, in your cease and desist letter you left out the threat of a bomber attack should they continue to persist, lol.
Perhaps it is not that “he has violated his own rules” simply that this season is different from the previous ones, since it is the first time that they are world champions, so the procedure may be understood for that reason, really. I don’t know and I’m not sure if I use the right words to make me understand
Bauer projects plenty of innings but a 3.73 ERA and a 1.2 WHIP? That’s a lot of money for those kind of numbers. And I think we can expect more tough press if the guy doesn’t express some humility.
Whatever. We win over 100 again and work to survive a brutal post season. It’s good to be a Dodger fan.
I could care less if Trevor Bauer is 15-9 with a 3.73 ERA in 30 starts, or is 24-4 with a 2.2 era in 30 starts. He’s getting 40 mil for what he’s going to do on the road in Game3 of the NLDS, NLCS, and World Series.
I don’t care if JT plays in 120 games or 75 games in 2021. He’s here for what he consistently does in October, bat 3rd and drive in key runs.
These 2 signings are about October, so forget their 2021 WAR or if they’re all stars or not. I’m happy if Rios plays as much as JT. This is all about October.
Nail on head Bobby.
Mark – there’s no need to be embarrassed about having the biggest payroll in MLB, as someone has to have it.
If it’s not the Yankees or RedSox, it’s probably going to be us anyway.
There’s lots of money coming off the books next year so AF can do his thing then. He sees a window now, and he’s going for it. For all our Division wins, we still only have a single WS win.
He is doing what you interpret his term “Pigs” to mean – trying to win more Championships.
And he’s doing it without give up any top Prospects.
I would add that although I love JT, that seems like an awful lot of money to me, but hopefully he will get on the field enough to earn it.
Just a short shout out to my friend from across the pond… Be happy and safe…
As I’ve asked so many times lately, but we must get lost in the blog… Will it be be 301 or 501 my friend???
P.S. What is the status of your trip here???
Pete – glad to hear that you’re on the mend – behind every man is a good woman, and it sounds like you have a very good woman there.
Definitely playing 501 here – we are still in full Lockdown and have been since before Christmas. Next Monday we are being given the Roadmap out of this by the Prime Minister – but already been told that nothing will happen before March 8th.
Gotta be honest – this has been extremely hard, and is really dragging on now.
My Missus is not allowed to work – her Hairdressing Shop is obviously closed and she’s not allowed to cut hair privately as we are not permitted to mix households – and that means not even your own family if they do not reside with you. So no interaction for those not at essential work with anyone else – very tough on all those that live alone.
I’m working 7 days a week in my Cab, but it’s brutally quiet – mainly the older crowd going to get their vaccinations. My earnings are probably down 70%. – so things are bleak.
On a positive note we have now vaccinated all the over 70s (at least one dose), plus all the vulnerable ( 88% of the people who have died here are over 70) so we should see a big drop off in the mortality rate.
Unfortunately my trip of end April/May has been postponed for a year – which is the right call. We have rebooked for the same time in 22.
Was watching the golf from Pebble Beach last night wishing that I was still going to be Teeing it Up there soon.
Still – got it to look forward to when things should be much better in a year.
Very much looking forward to hooking up and enjoying a Phillippes, before heading to Chavez Ravine. Your back will be good by then.
Hopefully Bobby and a few more can join us – looking at you Badger!!
So looking forward to to ST starting soon – just renewed my MLB Subscription – will be great escapism for me as always.
Great time to be a Dodger fan.
Stay safe everyone.
This off-season, like last one, Friedman was looking for a difference maker. The Dodgers of 2019 had been successful in past seasons (division titles and WS appearances) but hadn’t won it all, even though the team was arguably the best in baseball. He scored Mookie Betts, and Betts may well have been the difference between another disappointing post-season and the Series.
The Dodgers have committed essentially 2 years and $85MM to Bauer. Is Bauer a difference maker? He may well be. Signing another Brandon McCarthy or Scott Kazmir wouldn’t have made a difference. Signing Bauer might and the Dodgers are banking on it.
The Dodgers couldn’t afford to stand pat. The teams that have stood pat have gotten old (think 2010-2014 Giants or 2008 – 2011 Phillies) and then they got bad. The Dodgers have improved in the short term and haven’t tied up resources long term that would preclude them from making additional moves in 2023.
I’m taken back somewhat on what AF has spent on Bauer and Turner. I think Mark had estimated a $8-10M value for Turner and I agreed with those figures. So, why the apparent overpay? Many here have commented that AF appeared to be OK with letting Turner go to another team. It would be nice to have JT return to the team. I was prepared and OK with him leaving. I don’t understand why AF paid JT what he was paid. But, it’s great to have him back and it’s not my money. With Bauer, it’s seems a staggering amount of money to pay a pitcher with average results up until last year’s Cy Young shorten season. Along with the financial penalties the Dodgers lost their first round pick this year and most likely will drop to the third round before they make their first pick. AF and staff may have determined that the top of the draft will be poor this year. They still have access to the international market. It could be some insight on what AF and the ownership think about who might not be on the team next year or what happens with the CBA negotiations and 2021.
I guess we’ll all have to see how the year plays out and trust why AF does what he does.
Mark, how did you find out a UAE company was illegally using your technology? That has to be a major concern in today’s current global economy. Good luck with resolution.
It’s a small world with the internet. A customer told us about it.
It’s not about what kind of pitcher Bauer was but who he is now. His spin rates for all his pitches was top 5 in baseball last year. To get him on a 2 year deal at the height of his career is a great move by AF. So many deals for stars pay for several years of downside production. This year the teams with the most pitching depth will survive those who don’t will die. And Bobby is right. It’s all about October. We won’t have to have any bullpen games next years playoffs. In my view this year’s team is much stronger coming into spring training than last year. Upside abounds with the addition of a Bauer and Price and Belly and Muncy with rebound years. And improvement from our all our young guns. The only regression may come from Pollock and maybe a little from Seager. If you’re gonna be pigs and win more championships then having a more talented team sure helps!
Stats are a funny thing and sure you can make the argument that the team that spends the most “usually” does not win the WS. Except for the fact the stats show that in the last 25 years the team that has spent the most has won the WS 5 TIMES. In fact the stats show that the team that has won the WS has been in the top 10 of payroll 17 TIMES in the last 25 years. Only the 2003 Marlins whose payroll was 25th has a team below league average payroll ever won the WS in the last 25 years.
There are teams that spend a lot on payroll who did not have much to show for it and is more a reflection on their talent evaluation, minor league talent, GM, injuries, etc. Look at Boston, Chicago and SF in 2019 for this.
I am not going to think to harshly about the Dodgers spending so much this year when a lot of money comes off the books next year and they still have a large talent pool in the minors to replace.
Maybe Bauer was a luxury signing and the Dodgers did not need to but it is basically a 2 year deal at most. JT’s signing was for a lot higher than I thought he would or should get but it is not my money and am glad we have him versus a competitor.
The bottom line is there is no rule or curse or superstition about winning the WS or not based on “who spends the most”. Sometimes you win sometimes you dont. Many other factors involved. And it is not my money and I am sure there would be many fans even more upset had Bauer or JT sign somewhere else and claim AF sat back and did nothing to make the Dodgers better. Just cant please every fan. Just the way it is.
… and then there are the Baseball Gods! What do they think of this?
I had not been following the Dodgers news for a week or so, and then I found that we had signed Turner. That was good news! But then I learned that Alanna Rizzo has left, and that was very disappointing. In my opinion, she was the best thing about the Dodgers telecasts. What is left now, outside of Joe Davis, is not appealing. But there is no reason for me to write my criticisms of some of the other members of the game and postgame team right now. I did look at some of a broadcast reel of Alanna’s replacement, Kirsten Watson, and my sense is that she will be okay, but not nearly as good as Rizzo.
I am looking forward to the season. We have put together a team, which unless it suffers a number of major injuries, which is always a concern, has a lot of resources to get through a long season. There is star power, and there are good supporting players. The only concerns are the bullpen, and the right-handed hitting. We certainly got by with our lineup last year, so that is probably all right. We do need to have at least a few relievers come up with big seasons, so that we know what to do when we have a one-run lead in the seventh, it is not like picking out of a grab bag. I sort of hated o see Kolarek go, do we have anyone else who can consistently get out the top lefthanded batters?
Most fans complain about their teams NOT spending enough money to make their team better!
Since Guggenheim and Kasten took over there have been two times when they spent gobs (above tax line) of money on payroll: immediately upon buying the team(so they could compete on MLB level while farm system was restocked) and now, after winning the world series. The pandemic undoubtedly hurt revenues for MLB teams. Sure, owners are billionaires by virtue of owning an MLB club. But cash flow (or the lack thereof) can be an issue for any level of affluence. Had 2020 been a normal length season with fans in the stands, Bauer probably isn’t signing a short term deal. Turner’s AAV is surprising, but odds are good the DH will be in place for 2022 (provided there isn’t a strike). If management wanted to upgrade the team for 2021, there really weren’t too many ways short of shipping off half the farm. Realmuto? Springer? Never likely. Hendricks would have been interesting in the pen, but relievers are fickle. I’m betting Padres got a steal on Ha-Seong Kim. So, Bauer was the top option to upgrade the pitching staff were you can never be deep enough. Circumstances made a short term high AAV contract mutually agreeable. Voila. Team is upgraded andvthey didn’t trade the farm to do it.
These fringe moves for Neuse and the arm from Miami and Oakland are very interesting. Relievers are fickle. That’s why rebuilding clubs sell them off at the trade deadline. Kolarek and Floro were contributors but it’s a crapshoot if they’d pitch as well or not. Getting more lottery tickets could yield upgrades. LA coaches and players development seem to have lots of tricks up their sleeves.
Hooray Baseball! It’s almost here!
If, as Andrew Friedman said during the Trevor Bauer press conference, the Dodger payroll is a three to five year process, one or two years really don’t matter. Not like the Dodgers haven’t been here before. They seem to be very committed to winning another championship this year.
Friedman admits they were very much aware of what was taking place in San Diego and yes, the signing of Bauer may have have been somewhat of a reaction to that. The Padres are clearly a threat. The importance of winning the division has never been greater.
Maybe it’s a dope fiend move or maybe it’s a move built around logic and strategy, the understanding that those who snooze, lose.
Losing 10 spots in the draft? That may not matter. Not like they were drafting in the top 10. They will probably get a pretty good prospect there as they would have drafting earlier. Besides, looks like they had a pretty good international signing period.
What can you expect out of Bauer. No idea. But if the Dodgers use of analytics and approach to pitching fits Bauer, everything may click and he becomes a difference maker.
I get it, some of this makes people uncomfortable. Just when you thought you had them figured out, the Dodgers blow up the box and do something many think is totally crazy. Everybody will worry what all this means In future. Will the Dodgers extend Clayton Kershaw, what about a contract for Corey Seager?
A little unsettling. Some shuffling of feet, anxiety building. But My guess is LA resets payroll in the near future as big contracts fall away. If Kershaw wants to continue, he does it as a Dodger. If Seager stays healthy and has another big year, the Dodgers sign him to a long term deal.
Meanwhile, the team will change and evolve. Not everybody will be kept, but the core will remain intact.
Looking forward to a very bright future.
When we were discussing what we thought JT would be able to get in terms of a contract, I was one of those who thought he would do well (my prediction was 2/30 or 3/40) but Andrew even went above that. Good for JT! But is it really an overpay?
1 WAR is generally considered worth about $8MM in salary these days and Turner has been at 4 WAR or better each of the last three years. Since that measurement is cumulative, if you adjust last year’s shortened season (even with the time he lost due to injury) he was still over 4 WAR. He’s being paid as though he’ll produced at a 2 WAR level, so there is plenty of room there.
Cassidy had a very good point above when he mentioned that although Bauer is being paid ridiculous money, it’s probably only for 2 years and in his prime. It will be interesting to compare Bauer’s contract with Cole’s when that is finished to see which actually provided the team with greater value. The last 3 or 4 years of that Cole contract could be very painful.
Good morning to all. It is still colder than a, well you get the idea. It is supposed to drop to -18 tonight. So I have my insulated jeans on and the heater going full blast. We are also in for what looks like more snow the next 3 days. So, I can spend some quality time on my computer reading all the nuttiness around the world. Anyway, we must remember that ownership gave the ok to blow by the CBT. They approve all contracts, so give some credit to Mark Wagner. If he was not on board with these moves, they would not have happened. There was a write up on ESPN.com about how the length and dollars are not really there this time. Oh, a couple of players got deals with some years, LeMahieu and Springer, but not the dollars they would have gotten in a more stable time. Sergio Romo signed a deal yesterday with the Mariners. A lot of players are still looking for contracts of any kind. Some have even retired. The Dodgers are in a good spot to repeat, but nothing is carved in stone. They will have some competition from the Padres in their division, and down the road, the Braves will be a force. If the Mets happen to get Syndergaard back sometime later this year, they automatically become better. Just like LA got better simply because they are going to have David Price. Now it is just about time for the teams to start reporting to camp. There will be some fans in the stands for the games, and that right there should make for a better feel for the players. I read where having fans during the World Series made it feel more real than the season itself had. It is time for Dodger baseball. Lets get ready to , oh well, cannot wait for the crack of the bat and some live games on TV.
AF said at some point the Dodgers will use their financial might. What can they do when because of success they don’t have a good draft position. They work the international market for young players, trades like the last couple to get younger and target a need, trades like Stripling who got us a prospect.
If anything they see the need for seager, bellinger, etc ahead of time but they wait until the last minute. I know it takes 2 to tango. I can’t help believe they could have signed Turner to an extension long before they did. Apparently, Milwaukee offered turner about what he got from the Dodgers. I think AF procrastinates too long unlike Preller who ignited the market and made some very cost efficient moves. We are going to be in the same boat next year with kershaw, seager, Jansen etc. we have known this a long time so mb both sides won’t negotiate.
I read somewhere that AF didn’t think he could get Bauer but chairmen Walter stepped up. It seems that AF would have been working earlier to get salary relief on Kelly etc. but mb they didn’t want to or couldn’t. I am happy to get Bauer and Turner and it is not my money. I personally think there should be away to be under the second tier of the luxury tax. Mb that is not their goal. If they are looking 3-5 years they have to be able to anticipate and make the moves. The Mets traded Matz so they could have room for TB. They didn’t get him but they have room for other options.
My bad Romo signed with the A’s
Count me as one of those shocked by the Bauer signing and a little surprised by the amount of the Turner signing. But overall, both signings make the team better and deeper in 2021, and it is not my money to save. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Friedman maneuver under the $250 million threshold by trading Kelly and a prospect, but even if they stay above this Tier, the penalties are manageable for the first year. Current estimates have the Dodger payroll at $257 million which results in about $15 million in CBT owed. If the payroll was reduced to $250 million, then the tax would be $10.4 million. The other major penalty for CBT payroll over $250 million in 2021 is that the first round pick in the 2022 draft would be lowered 10 spots.
A separate consequence of signing Bauer is since he was made a qualifying offer by the Reds, the Dodgers will forfeit their second round pick in the 2021 draft, which is expected to be pick #64. Between the huge salary commitment of $85 million for the next two years, the luxury tax of $15 million, the 10 draft spots lost on 1st round pick in 2022, and the lost 2nd round draft pick in 2021, the Bauer signing comes at a very high price.
I trust that Friedman has a great long term plan, but I just don’t always follow some of the moves. As MT says, Friedman has more information and knowledge than any of us by miles! Bauer is a very good pitcher who was great last year, so hopefully he repeats his 2020 performance the next two years. Another positive factor to me is that for both the Bauer and Turner signings, the Dodgers only had to match the high bid, instead of overpay compared to the Mets and Brewers.
Overall, the Dodgers have had a great postseason and enter the season with the best team in baseball on paper.
Friedman has given them a great chance to win the division and enter the postseason as a clear favorite to repeat.
On to Spring Training!
I’m not as sold on Bauer as most are.
This is part of the reason why:
https://www.whatproswear.com/baseball/news/sponsored-post-pelican-pitchers-balm-the-all-weather-all-natural-pitchers-grip/
I’m hopeful of course. But he’s had more mediocre years than great years. A lot more. And I am still of the belief most prime years occur before the age of 30, not after.
STB summed up why Turner is worth at least what he got. He’s a 3+ WAR player, even if he isn’t an every day player. Load management with him and he will once again put up the numbers.
But, the Dodgers have never had JT at 37 or 38 years old. I can tell you for a fact, I could not do what I did at 35 at 38 years old.
Damn, I am almost double that. Who knew?
Some guys peak late, some peak early. Physiologically we start approaching senility after age 18. Dr Bertucci taught me that. Strength we peak at about 25. Bone mass peaks at age 30. Baseball players peak before 30. Arithmetic skills peak at 50. Women are most attractive to men at age 23. Women are most attracted to men with power. Age has little to do with it. Just thought I’d throw that in there.
There’s data on all this stuff and of course there are exceptions to every rule. Like Pelican Dip and Rule 8.02
Common Mark, you can’t even remember that far back!
The way the rules are as of today, Bauer’s stats should be better as he will not face a DH but a pitcher batting at least twice. He also will be helpful in teaching the younger guys what has made him successful. I think signing him was a positive move. AF, Stan Kasten and Mark Walter are not stupid people and remember fellas ,it’s not our money.
And he’s been durable which is huge for this year!
I don’t think AF has made a big mistake. The Dodgers can afford the luxury tax impact. The question is whether they SHOULD have to afford it. My worry with Bauer isn’t whether he pitches well – if he does, fantastic. If he doesn’t? Bad, but again the Dodgers are deep enough it won’t hurt. The bigger issue is whether he injects some crap into the clubhouse. If he becomes a distraction/damages the chemistry this club has been famous for, then his signing was a mistake.
As for JT, I agree he may have been dealing with lingering issues from his broken wrist. I agree he has likely been working hard to continue to be a force. He’s smart. He knows this is likely his last contract. The Dodgers will be better for having him ESPECIALLY if Bauer’s behavior becomes an issue. GO DODGERS!!!
Happy Birthday to 2 former Dodgers, Ron ” The Penguin ” Cey, and Russell Martin.
We should be partying!
In his time with the Dodgers since 2014 JT is tied for 8th with Josh Donaldson in OPS+ in all of mlb with minimum 3000ab’s. Pretty incredible for an ex utility player from the Mets. Not to mention what he means in the clubhouse and the community. Welcome back JT!
Many of you have mentioned that there will be a lot of money coming off the books next year. I’m sure you can’t give an exact amount but maybe something close. You guys know so much more about these things than I do. I’m interested in where they will stand payroll wise and what they would possibly be able to offer Corey and others. It seems to me that they are bound to be over the cap no matter what next year.
Kershaw, Seager, Jansen, Taylor, Kelly & Knebel come off the books.
Aren’t the Dodgers still paying money to players no longer with the team?
Nothing of consequence.
I do have a question since I am not sure how it works, but maybe Mark or Jeff knows. Ok, they are 7 mil over the second thresh hold, what is the time frame they have to get below the threshold before they have to pay the tax? End of Spring? Start of Spring? After the World Series? Never have figured that out.
A players AAV is divided by 162 and then multiplied by the number of games that he belonged on a team’s roster plus whatever a team pays to a player no longer on their team like what Boston pays toward Price or someone like Kazmir or Bonilla.
Add in benefits and incentives earned.
Good question, Bear. My understanding is that the CBT is measured only once after the season is over. It is based on the actual CBT payroll for the 2021 season.
So theoretically, if they traded Price halfway through the season and another team paid $8 million of his salary, then it could put the Dodgers under the $250 million threshold. I am not advocating this trade, but just as an example.
Thanks RC, I have just never known how they figure that out. I would think that after the deadline, since they no longer allow trades in August, that the payroll for the season would be known. I do know they can pick up players who are waived though.
After the season, all salary payments made will be totaled, including incentives, with benefits calculated. The Dodgers have all year to get below $250MM. However, the longer they wait, the harder it becomes because the salary payments will be lessened. Losing a Joe Kelly contract before April 1 will save up to $8.33MM. The longer the season goes on, less will be saved. Those totals will be finalized by the MLB Commissioner’s office. What that total is will dictate how far over the threshold the team will be. The team is informed of the tax due on December 2, and payment is made on January 21. If the Dodgers exceed $250MM, their 2022 1st round pick will slide down 10 slots. Probably from 30 to 40. 30-40 are not sure things, and the Dodgers can get a good pick at 40 just like they can at 30. Regardless of the tax, the Dodgers will lose their 2nd round pick in this year’s draft after signing Trevor Bauer.
Thanks Jeff. to the rescue as always.
I don’t think it is all salary payments paid. That would disregard AAV.
Salary Payments broken into AAV.
Matt Shoemaker, Justin Wilson and Kevin Pillar all fine new homes. Wilson to the Yankees, and Pillar to the Mets. Shoemaker is headed to the Twins. Mets said to be interested in Rosenthal.
My assessment of the Dodgers going into pre-season.
First the offense:
My only concerns are at 2B and LF. Can Pollock stay healthy and who is going to be productive at 2B. Lux, Taylor, or do the Dodgers have a big enough hole at 2B that Muncy has to slide over to make room at an easier position to play for someone at 1B.
I’m not all that concerned with the offense because if Pollock gets injured as he normally does, I think DJ Peters will fill in just fine. Then with all the options the Dodgers have at 2B something will work just fine.
The starting pitching:
Kershaw is a year older, Price is a year older, and Bauer has only had 1 good year in his career and a good shortened 2020. There’s a lot of question marks in the starting pitching. I’ll say this, if the starting pitching turns out to be good, it will help the bullpen dramatically, not because of less use of the bullpen necessarily, but because in the playoffs all 3 of Urias, Gonsolin, May can be used in the bullpen.
The bullpen:
The bullpen goes hand in hand with the starting pitching as I said above. If the starting pitching is good the bullpen will be good because Urias, Gonsolin, May will all be in the bullpen during the playoffs. Friedman didn’t sign the relievers I wanted him to sign, if he did I wouldn’t be concerned with the bullpen no matter what happens with the starting pitching. But since he didn’t sign the relievers I wanted him to sign, everything concerning the bullpen depends on the starting pitching.
I’ll tell you this about the bullpen, Graterol, Treinen, May need to figure out how to get LHB out. Knebel and Alexander need to figure out how to get RHB out. And Joe Kelly needs to figure out how to get both sides of the plate out. The bullpen will be a mess if Doc has to depend on Urias and Gonsolin to be starting pitchers in the playoffs. Lets hope Doc doesn’t need to do such a thing.
48
Eric, you are a tough audience. You do realize most mlb pundits have rated the Dodger starting pitching the best in baseball. We also have 9 players rated in the top 50 mlb players in 2021. That has to make you confident about 2021
That’s because they put a lot of stock in last year performance. I put a lot of stock in career performance at the same time I also notice recent performance too. That’s why I say the starting pitching COULD be good. Overall I like this team.