Well, it finally happened. Someday, we will revisit all that is wrong with the clowns and jokers, but today is not that day. Collectively, neither side deserves our time… especially the scumbag MLBPA prima donna’s. But, I am done talking about them for now!
It will likely take a day or two for the deals to start dropping, but I will be shocked if Freddie Freeman heads home. Joe Kelly will definitely be back and Kenley Jansen remains a strong possibility. I truly hope that Clayton retires, but if he really wants to play at home in front of his kids, I understand. I still think he needs TJ. I think he is teetering between the Rangers and retirement! The Dodgers really don’t need to do anything, but they likely will do something… or three. I just don’t see six years of Freeman being a smart idea, and I do not think they have a 6-year offer on the table for him. Is Albert Pujols a possibility? He hit LHP well.
Now, that the DH is official, will the Dodgers use it as a Merry-Go-Round or will they hand the job to Justin Turner and Pujols? Remember that Max Muncy can play 2B or 3B. He’s probably better at 2B, but at 3B, Mr. Light Tower Power (Edwin Rios) is due back. He deserves a “look-see.” Or… JT could DH twice a week and the Dodgers could sign Jorge Solar to DH. Never forget Joc Pederson is also available. Trevor Story is also a long-shot.
Josh Harrison is on my radar and Chris Bryant is another possibility. He actually might be the best fit for the team and fits the mold of versatile players the Dodgers covet. Then… there is the matter of Trevor Bauer. I think he will be back… like right away. Ryan Pepiot will likely break with the team this Spring, and Knack, Beeter, and Miller aren’t far off! I think it would be felony stupid for the Dodgers to go after another starting pitcher… unless the price is crazy low. We shall see.
By the way, I think there will be a lot of MLB Free Agents who don’t get contracts.
Dodger News
- Old friend, Odalis Perez passed away yesterday after falling off a ladder. R.I.P. O.P.
- Reporters will be allowed back in the clubhouse after two year of COVID-19.
- Trea Turner, Juliuo Urias, and Caleb Ferguson will have to either agree to a new contract or go through arbitration. My guess is that they will all sign quickly.
- The Dodgers signed 28-year-old LHP Daniel Zamora, who is a typical Friedman pickup. At first, you yawn… later comes the surprise.
- Boy, is Bill Plaschke suffering from the full onset of Alzheimers? Cut Bauer and sign Kershaw? Now, I know Clayton had a PRP injection in his elbow and never pitched after that and I guess he could make a miraculous recovery, but the Dude looked done last season. I think he either retires or pitches at home in front of his kids. That could be his dream. I am down with that.
- I am not sure if Pepiot will start or relieve, but I hear that both Pepiot and Miller are looking pretty damn good. It is not out of the realm of possibility that Miller could be in the rotation with Pepiot THIS year. If you look at Miller’s College and Minor League Record, you will see that he has about the same number of innings as Clayton and is two years older than when Clayton came up.
It should get pretty interesting in the next 24 hours. Domino’s will start falling soon.
You did that just to spite me.
Does that make you “Butt Hurt”?
It’s hard to discern which is worse.
3rd grade discourse or 3rd grade grammar.
Can I flip a coin?
Major props to B&P and Mark this morning.
Even though I’m inconsequential, they both brought a great smile to my face.
Makes slogging through work easier.
I’m sure Bear was referring to pizza and not spotted chips.
You bet, with pineapple and Canadian bacon. My fav. He is so stressed about my grammar, I am going to keep using bad grammar just to piss him off.
I also like Hawaiian pizza.
Super glad the strike is over. You may walk on my lawn again.
Lockout, players were not on strike.
Kershaw should never wear a uniform other than a Dodgers. Give us one more year Kersh.
Signing Kris Bryant makes more sense to me than signing Freeman. Muncy can play 2B but does anyone really think he should play there regularly? Between Bryant, Turner, Muncy, Taylor and Rios you cover 3B, LF, 1B and DH pretty well against righties and lefties.
FWIW, this is kinda my perspective.
I think if you leave Max at 2B, he will do an “above average” job.
He’ll be somewhere between Jeff Kent and early Chase Utley. With Seager at short, probably a disaster. With Trea at short, possibly doable. Trea and Lux would be great defensively.
I went to a concert recently; paid big bucks. It was above average. I was hoping for wow.
Muncy says he actually prefers 2B to 1B. Even though he doesn’t look the part, he’s been solid at 2B. I am expecting that Freeman comes home to SoCal, but he isn’t essential. On offense, Freeman would be an upgrade over Seager because of consistency. Bryant would be second on my wish list.
It’s worth remembering that Justin Turner could also play 1B, as he himself emphasized when the Dodgers were wooing Rendon. JT’s range has become more limited with age. If the Freeman doesn’t come over, perhaps AF could deal with the A’s for an SP and Matt Chapman, with JT sliding into at 1B/DH role.
Reports have Kersh back, and some prominent blogger says that MLB will extend Bauer’s suspension. Whatever…
Another SP would be nice, but Rodon has gone to the Giants. Perhaps a trade with A’s or Reds of ??? could be had. (I assume nothing prevented GMs from chatting while the players were locked out.)
Does anyone know if we forfeit a draft pick if we sign Freeman?
I know based on the last CBA, we would NOT forfeit a pick to SF if we signed Byrant, as he was a mid season trade.
There’s someone on this board who has been dwelling on unintended consequences of late.
This is an article for him/her ($$$)
https://theathletic.com/3176265/2022/03/11/sarris-the-small-cba-rule-change-that-may-change-the-way-some-winning-teams-do-business/
I am not certain how those dominos will fall.
Well played, Mark.
Well played.
Signing Trea Turner to an extension is #1 priority to me and if unable to do so, I’d seek to trade him.
I remember previous discussions regarding Tyler Glasnow and he being out for the year and Tampa Bay perhaps not being willing to pay him. If that’s the case, I would like to see a possible Glasnow/Kiermaier trade. If Muncy isn’t ready, Bellinger could play first and Kiermaier in center.
I’d also like to see the Dodgers play Will Smith at 3rd occasionally this year to see how he does there. Would be nice if he performs well for when Justin Turner retires and Diego Cartaya advances.
Sign Greinke & Kelly. Maybe a trade for Sonny Gray.
Pass on Freeman. Save $$$ for Soto.
Good song.
You may be right about Clayton Kershaw, Mark. Or you may be wrong. Most people who write about the Dodgers or cover the team seem to think he’s back. Sandy Koufax, Don Drysdale and Kershaw. No one is certain about the arm. But I’m certain the Dodgers have a much better grasp of the situation than any other team. The next few days will clear up the picture.
As to Trevor Bauer, he has apparently been working out at a union site in Arizona. I guess he can show up to camp Sunday. Is he still suspended? Not sure. I thought he was suspended with pay through the end of the year. But it seems MLB would need to take action to clear that up, new season and all. If he shows up, don’t think the Dodgers will eat all the millions left on the deal. I certainly wouldn’t.
Apparently Bauer expects to pitch. Certainly baseball has all the information they need to make a decision. So we’ll see.
There are insiders who say the Dodgers are serious about Freddie Freeman and he lives nearby. You could certainly make a case that they need another left handed bat who can bat second, replacing Corey Seager. Max Muncy said he will be ready for opening day, but he can slide to second. If all that happens, does that make Gavin Lux available in trade? It also makes sense to sign Trey Turner long term. Just a guess, but the Dodgers try to make that happen, based on how Andrew Friedman feels about Turner’s skill sets.
They need more rotation pitching depth. Depending on the status of Kershaw and Bauer, a trade may make some sense. Friedman said earlier some starting pitching available on the trade market. Hopefully Andrew Heaney works out. They obviously saw something. Hey, I’ve seen him be dominate at times and unravel at others.
The bench could use a boost, but the bullpen seems pretty good at this stage. Thinking Joe Kelly is back, but Kenley Jansen will get more money and years elsewhere.
The Dodgers do get Dustin May back around August and they do have some pitching talent in the minors. Will one of them make the leap this summer?
All this needs to be done at hyper speed. Lots of craziness about to happen . Should be a fun ride.
Putting two and two together. The Dodgers are in the rumor mill about Freeman and the Yankees on Olson. Could it be that the Yankees expect the Dodgers to sign him?
Most people who write about the Dodgers think Clayton will be back and most people that write about the Dodgers think they’ll dump Bauer. How credible are these writers? Jeff Passan would be on the high end of credibility, Bill Plaschke is an idiot.
Sign Trey Turner to an extention or trade him? They are not going to trade him no matter what, because trading him doesn’t help the team win this year.
Kevin Kiermaier is 31 years old. You know what you’re going to get from him. Great defense for at least a couple more years, and just a touch below average offense. Gavin Lux has a much higher ceiling. No way Kiermaier is anywhere near the Dodgers radar. I’d rather just make Lux a Center Fielder and save the cash for somewhere else.
I love the idea of Soto. Would you be willing to give up on Bellinger to bring him on? I doubt they’re going to pay their outfield close to 100M per year, doesn’t leave much for everyone else. Soto, Lux and Betts? Soto, Lux and Belli with Betts getting traded?
Freeman is a great fit. Let Muncy try 2B and 3B for a year. Miguel Vargas might end up in LF, ala Castellanos. Michael Busch is starting to figure out 2B. Belli is a great Center Fielder and Betts is a great RF. Muncy could be gone in a couple of years after his contract is up.
2024 Dodgers
C Smith/Cartaya R/R
1B Freeman L
2B Busch L
SS Lux L
3B Vargas R
LF Pages R
CF Belli L
RF Betts R
DH Rios L
The more I think about it, the more I would sign Joc Pederson and Chris Bryant. I would move Bryant to 1B, so as to minimize injury risk. I think Betts is our best hitter and I would put him at #2.
Lineup against RHP:
1. Turner SS
2. Betts RF
3. Bellinger CF
4. Muncy 2B
5. Smith C
6. Rios 3B
7. Turner DH
8. Bryant 1B
9. Pederson LF
Lineup against LHP:
1. Turner SS
2. Betts RF
3. Turner 3B
4. Muncy 2B
5. Smith C
6. Bryant 1B
7. Bellinger CF
8. Taylor DH
9. Pollock LF
But would you sign Kris Bryant?
I’ll give you a definite “maybe.”
There’s Kris Bryant to Seattle chatter.
Kershaw probably going to the Dodgers
Fun Fact. In 21 Joc’s OPS against RHP was 733, Pollock’s was 902. Bringing back Joc is akin to bringing back Kershaw. If Joc wants to be a 4th outfielder, it’s another lefty on lefty heavy bench. So, that is still not a great fit. I would rather those AB’s go to Rios / CT3 / Lux. Lux is the future, Joc is the past.
Why are we still talking about Pollock being on the small side of a platoon. What’s a guy gotta do to get a little R-E-S-P-E-C-T?
Absolutely agree. Pollock is the Rodney Dangerfield for the Dodgers. No more Joc. The Dodgers got Joc’s best. Time to move on.
Let Kershaw go to Texas or retire. He totally underperformed his last “legacy” contract. Sad to see him go, but back issues don’t go away. And now add arm troubles. No thanks.
Love if they signed Harrison. Good utility ballplayer and great teammate. He would add that special depth that the team didn’t have last year. Along with Taylor the team should be set with some professional, successful utility players.
With Rios coming back they should be good for major DH at bats and platoon with JT.
Other than seeing how the rotation pans out I think the Harrison addition would be it for me. If Bellinger continues with his late season approach to hitting I expect a huge, MVP type season from him. I’d love to have some of the stars mentioned above, but the Dodgers have Trea, Urias, Buehler, Bellinger contracts to deal with in the near term. Plus, the already signed Betts contract. Time for the farm prospects to shine in the next 2-3 years. Go Blue!
Carry on.
Bauer has arrived at Dodger camp.
I say let us just sign a lot of dominos.
I mean 2 for $5.99 isn’t a bad deal
Exactamundo. Hey I care less about the money. Not mine, but I sign Freeman. He is a difference maker. Hits for average and power. Replaces Seager’s bat easily.
What there is:
C Smith /Barnes
1B Muncy
2B Lux
SS T.Turner
3B Turner/Ríos
LF CT3/Outman
CF Bellinger
RF Betts
DH Pollock and Cia.
The central defensive line: C Smith, 2B Lux, SS Trea, CF Belli it is wonderful !!!
What’s a worse name? Walker for a pitcher, or Outman for a hitter?
Outman for a fielder isn’t bad.
I just traded Plaschke to the Boise Tribune.
Kershaw had plattlett thing in lieu of surgery. Give him a $10M base and an innings pitched performance clause that allows him to “earn” the huge $$. Otherwise, I would rather root for him as a Ranger.
I like the idea of a player being able to play for his favorite and local team while a youth. Freeman wants to be a Dodger. I want him for three years and would overpay him for the short contract if payroll is reduced by Kershaw winding up in Texas. I would want to trade Muncy if Freeman is signed.
I want Lux at second base and then move to short if Dodgers can’t extend Trea.
I hope Bauer can be traded with value coming back. I hear the Mets want to spend money. So, sign Freeman, package Muncy with Bauer, and make a 4 team trade for rotation help.
Per Plaschke…Priceless. Sorry Boise, another Californian.
Other player thoughts (other than Kershaw signing) are interesting.
I like Lux for second base and for Taylor to be the second baseman if Lux falters. There is no room for Muncy at second base. His position is first base. If he can’t start the season at first, then Rios should fill in until Muncy is ready.
Muncy should be traded if Freeman is signed.
I think Pederson would not hesitate to sign with the Dodgers if offered a contract. Pollock, Bellinger, Betts, and Pederson is a solid outfield and an improvement over last year. He is a good person to have on a team.
Joc is a GREAT person to have on a team.
I’d love to have Freddie (and I do hope we get him), but he’s not a need ; he’s a want.
Our NEEDS are more quality starters not another all star 1b. But again, I’d be ecstatic to sign Freddie
Will the real Cody Bellinger please stand up in 2022! What to expect? The first few 91-92 mid mid fastballs will be telling.
I think Kersh is done, unfortunately. The moment the Dodgers declined to make him a qualifying offer that was obvious. The only reason the team wouldn’t make the QO is they were afraid Kersh would sign it. Which means they don’t think he’s worth 1 year $19m. The only reason they’d fear that (given his history with the team) is that they know he needs surgery or that it’s likely he will need surgery. If Kersh was healthy they’d have made the offer. I think he hangs them up.
Dodgers just announced their non roster invitees. 21 players. Pages, Hoese, Busch, and Taylor among them. Carson Fullmer also, Dodgers first game is April 8th in Denver……good luck with that and bring your long johns. It is 21 degrees here today. And has been under 10 most of the week. Home opener April 14th against the Reds.
Rodon is signing with the Giants.
2 years/44 mil, with an opt out after 1 year.
Good deal for Rodon.
And no surprise that the Giants went after another upper end starter.
I just read about that. Rumor mill is getting hotter. MLBinsider is saying that Freeman has made his decision. Looks like he is signing with the Dodgers, but we will see. Also reporting that Kershaw and LA are close on a one year deal.
MLB Trade Rumors says the Braves are renewing their pursuit for Olsen. Perhaps the Freeman to the Dodgers just might happen.
Go get’ em Andrew.
I concur
Freeman and Kersh will be Dodgers by tomorrow. Jansen probably not.
Trevor Bauer is expected to be placed on administrative leave for a week as MLB investigates/considers possible suspension. Bauer doesn’t believe his case warrants a ban since a judge who heard the case threw it out. MLB can and has issued suspensions for non-criminal offenses.
Blue Jays, Cubs, Red Sox and Dodgers have shown interest in INF Jonathan Villar.
Braves have been in touch with Oakland about Matt Olson (an Atlanta native) in the event that Freddie Freeman signs elsewhere. Many in the industry expect Freeman to sign before Carlos Correa, among top remaining free agents
MLB is finalizing its streaming deal with Peacock to show 18 exclusive games — six of which will start at 11:30 a.m., with the other 12 expected to start around noon.
Love Farhan:
The Giants’ rotation …
Logan Webb
Carlos Rodon
Anthony DeSclafani
Alex Wood
Alex Cobb
Rodon, Wood, Cobb and DeSclafani were signed on 2- and 3-year deals totaling $125M.
Wow. So many Bill Plaschke fans.
Apparently what he writes is working. His goal is to get you talking or writing about his columns.
You can call him whatever you want, but he does challenge your thinking.
I’ve had some conversations with Plaschke. He’s okay. That doesn’t mean I agree with everything he writes. Not sure he agrees with everything he writes. But he does create conversation and lots of letters to the LA Times sports.
People love to hate Plaschke’s columns.
As to local writers and pundits thinking Kershaw returns and Bauer goes. One may be sources and the other simply desired outcome. We know the Dodgers want Kershaw back. Kershaw has talked numerous times about not taking for granted what happens with the Dodgers. A chance to win every year. Nationally most baseball insiders believe Bauer will be suspended, basing much of that history. Those close to the Dodgers have indicated some key players had some issues with Bauer returning.
We’ll see.
Kershaw back on a1 year deal. No $ announced.
Excellent news! CK will retire a Dodger
Maybe.
When I saw that it was a one year deal my thoughts were that perhaps he understood that, with his injury concerns, his potential market was low and it would be best to use this year as a showcase. If he is healthy and has a bounce back year then maybe he can get another two-year deal … and maybe not with the Dodgers.
In any case I’m glad he’s back.
17 mil with incentives
Geez Bum, ever been to Boise? Nice town. What did they ever do to you to send Plaschke?
* Finally, the DH. Now maybe we can nail Doc’s ass to the bench. Please use the DH as an everyday offensive weapon and not a means to get .220 hitters at bats.
* With all the soft tissue injuries I was really surprised they shortened Spring Training as much as they did. Surprised. Not unhappy.
* Nice to keep 162 games even with 9 inning doubleheaders. It eliminated more negotiations over reduced service time and salaries. Play ball.
* So bigger bases, shift rules and pitch clocks in 2023. Don’t talk about it. Do it.
* I may be the only one but I liked a man on 2nd for extra innings but starting the 11th. But of all the things to go. That’s the least painful.
* I have heard nothing throughout these rule change proposals about the ABS? Anyone?
* As the sides grew closer, I thought it was chickenshit on the part of MLB to toss out the International Draft at the 11th hour. They have been trying to make that work for 15 years and it might be a great idea. But Sandy Alderson has been working on it for years with little progress. The Latin Countries wanted him and the idea thrown out of their countries. That’s not something to be added as a second thought and as a bargaining chip.
My Dodger thoughts:
* I’d start giving Will Smith reps at 3rd. He’d be good there. Save his knees and open a spot for Cartaya someday.
* Like Mark, I think CK is done. I personally hate the idea of watching him try to pitch with his arm health hanging over the stadium like a dark cloud. We went through that with his back. It was pins and needles on every pitch anticipating the worst. I saw Dave Dravecki and Nolan Ryan throw his last pitch in the Kingdome. Heartbreaking stuff I don’t want to watch.
* I’m all in on Freeman. He’s perfect. Use the money from CK and KJ and either pitch boat anchor, Price or cut your loses. I’m fine with Muncy at 2nd base.
* tie up T. Turner.
* So Manfred is going to dick around with Bauer for another week? I say he pitches. I’d meet with at least the veterans and maybe the whole team and see how they feel about him in the clubhouse. I’ll bet they move on and Bauer pitches. It’s business.
* I am against signing marginal short term rotation guys. I think before the year is out we will get quality innings from Bobby Miller and Pepiot.
* Get off AJ Pollock’s ass, put him in left and let him play. What is this friggin obsession with Joc Pederson?
* I hear the MLB Network guys talk about the next 5 years with rose colored glasses. How perhaps a less combative environment could exist where details could be worked out prior to the end of the contract. An olive brach extended. My hope is that someone else is there to pick it up from the MLB side other than Rob Manfred. It’s a perfect time for his graceful exit.
Kersh is getting 1 year, $17mil, plus incentives
I hope the incentives don’t kick in until he reaches 100 innings.
I was obviously wrong about Kersh. Can he still pitch or is this a “farewell” tour type of 1 year deal? Seems expensive for that. I hope there is some gas in that arm.
I dunno. I think 17mm kinda implies he isn’t healthy, fully.
To me it implies they (including CK) don’t know how long he’ll be able to go. Maybe all year, maybe he won’t get out of Spring Training.
These elbow injuries are a major problem waiting to happen but some guys have pitched for years before it finally gets them.
Seems like a good compromise contract. Now let’s hope he earns all of those incentives.
Seems like a lot of money for someone who isn’t fully healthy.
Really? I love Clayton and feel a sense of loyalty for all he’s meant to the Dodgers. But unless they know more than us, which wouldn’t be hard, 17 million is too much and should be spent elsewhere. It would be lovely to sit around the fire singing kumbaya over him retiring a Dodger but this looks so much like a last ditch effort to try anything but Tommy John. I’d prefer retirement but it’s easy for me to say. Hopefully I eat my words.
I’d also like to see Albert finish in St Louis.
John Morosi:
Dodgers making a strong push for Freddie Freeman and have offered him a multiyear contract
Note to Friedman: Don’t wind up with too much payroll in the hands of 35+ aged players like the lakers.
Freeman expected to make a decision within the next 24 hours, possibly giving Atlanta one last chance to match the offer.
Dodgers also in the running for the Japanese star Suzuki and also for Villar.
Freeman and Dodgers reportedly reach agreement on multiple year deal.
Can you still delete that sbuffalo?
Wow! My wife was right! I miss TJ Simers.
How would Suzuki be used in the Dodger organization?
Dodgers are loaded in the outfield. I doubt he is going to sign with LA.
If all produced the way they should, this could be an exciting L/R lineup with a lot of speed at the top.
SS. T. Turner
2B. Lux
RF Betts
CF. Bellinger
3B/DH J. Turner
1B. Muncy
C. Smith
DH/3B. Rios
LF. Pollock
Let the games begin!! So damn happy.. Looking fwd. to Rancho C. baseball.. Freeman in the fold would great..
Kersh back with the Blue is the way it should be!!