The Legend Returns

Posted By on March 12, 2022

I have had a long period of time as a Clayton Kershaw fan. It started before he was drafted by the Dodgers at the 7th spot in 2006 (the last time the Dodgers drafted in the Top 10). In 2007, I traved to Beloit, Wisconsin to see this wonderkind.. and it was obvious from the first pitch that this kid was something special, even though he was only 19. He made it to The Show at age 20 and has been here ever since. The cover photo was taked with my son.. who is now 23. He still has that ball autographed by Clayton. Clayton has been my favorite Dodger since 2006, but I believed he would retire after last season. Until he proves me wring, I still believe it.

I hope I am sooooo wrong. I really do. I am referring to Clayton Kershaw and his health. I truly believe that his career is over… unless he has Tommy John Surgery and pitches again in 2024… and maybe he will, but the Dodgers just signed him to a 1 year/$17 Million Dollar Deal. I hope they have good insurance… shoot, I doubt that he will pass the physical! But, by God, I hope I am dead wrong! I hope Clayton has 25 starts, pitches 175 innings, and has a 2.67 ERA, but I cannot see that happening. Everything I saw last season was that Clayton Kershaw was a player whose UCL was hanging by a thread. Hey, maybe PRP did the trick. Boy, I hope so. My heart wants to believe that, but my rational mind says “You saw what you saw.”

That’s all I can say about that. I will expect the worst, but hope for the best! At least Clayton showed that he is a Dodger… inside-out! I believe that he asked the Dodgers not to give him the QO so that he could decide between Texas and LA. I think there was a time he was not sure which way he wanted to go and the Dodgers, out of respect for him, let him decide. I am glad he did not go to the stinking Rangers. I will root for the legend and hope that he is part of another Championship. The old saying is “If you love someone, set them free. If they come back, they are yours. If they don’t, they never were!” Welcome Back, Legend! Hopefully, this is the Kershawshank Redemption!

The Dodgers payroll stands at about $245 Million which is over the Luxury Tax Threshold and it is rumored that the Dodgers are interested in Freddie Freeman which could add $30 Million to that total. YIKES! Then, I think they will add Joe Kelly, but at this rate, Kenley Jansen is history. Who will be the Dodger’s closer? The Bazooka? Blake Treinen?, Ryan Pepiot, Phil Bickford, Tommy Kahnle, Daniel Hudson, Mitch White?

The Trevor Bauer Debacle

It could be over as soon as March 19th. MLB and the MLBPA has extended his leave through March 19th. I keep hearing that Rob Manfred has the option to suspend Bauer. What for? No charges were filed after a long investigation by the Police and the DA. The Court said that the alleged victim’s statement were “materially misleading.” It’s is generally pretty easy to get a restraining order, but in this case, the alleged victim not only did not get the restraining order, but the Judge went out of her way to characterize the witness as “misleading.”

The fact that no charges were brought AND the Court characterizing the alleged victim’s evidence as “materially misleading” does not give a lot to choose from. He has the power to suspend Bauer, but I do not believe he has the “evidence” to do so. If he suspends Bauer, then Manfred and MLB will almost certainly be sued and slapped with a restraining order to allow him to go back to work. Additionally, I think Bauer would ask Congress to take away baseball’s antitrust exemption. I do not think MLB will suspend Bauer – because they can’t!

I know that there are a hundred “fish hacks” who indicate otherwise. The evidence does not support it and does MLB and Rob Manfred really want to go into people’s bedrooms and rule on what is acceptable or unacceptable. We have heard what the alleged victim said happened. Trevor Bauer says that is not true. He has not tried the case in the media as the alleged victim has, but he says that what she said is not true. The Court said what she was saying was “materially misleading” and the DA declined to press charges. If Manfred suspends Bauer, he is saying that he found wrongdoing where others did not. I think Manfred is a Bafoon at times, but I do not believe he is as big a bafoon as all the baseball bloggers and writers who think Bauer will be suspended. I am not afraid to state my opinion.

I am assuming Clayton will be healthy (I sure hope so). If so, here is the Dodgers rotation:

  1. Striker Buehler
  2. Julio Urias
  3. Trevor Bauer
  4. Clayton Kershaw
  5. Tony Gonsolin, Andrew Heaney, Ryan Pepiot then Dustin May

Misc. Dodger News

  • Now, we wait an see if Freddie Freeman is really a possibility.
  • Joe Kelly anyone?
  • Kenley Jansen?

Non-Roster Invitees (From Dodger Insider)

Pitchers

RHP Beau Burrows
RHP Jon Duplantier
RHP Carson Fulmer
RHP Sam Gaviglio
RHP Ryan Pepiot
RHP Yefry Ramirez
RHP Bobby Wahl
LHP Robbie Erlin

Infielders

Eddy Alvarez
Andy Burns
Michael Busch
Kody Hoese
Miguel Vargas

Outfielders

Ryan Noda
Jason Martin
Andy Pages
Stefen Romero

Catchers

Hunter Feduccia
Carson Taylor
Tomas Telis
Tony Wolters

The first official Spring Training workout for pitchers and catchers is March 14. Players are expected to report by March 13.

A Shameless Plug…

This article has 57 Comments

  1. It will be interesting to see what the velocity will be with Kersh’s fastball. If it stays at 89-90 and he has to throw a ton of sliders then his elbow has no chance to survive this year. It’s just a shame that injuries have slowed down the 2nd half of his career. And how does Watson seem to get a pass with his incredible career moving forward but Bauer should never pitch again.

  2. I don’t think Joe Kelly is a necessity with the addition of Hudson, the return of Kahnle and Ferguson and the addition of some young guns (White, Jackson, Pepiot et al). Wasn’t aware the Dodgers were already at $245 million player payroll. If Freeman is signed it certainly means no KJ and it might mean some payroll is moved. Can we get someone to take Price off our hands?

    As much as I would love to see Freeman singed, I think he stays with the Braves.

  3. Personally, I think if we sign Freeman, Pollock’s salary would be an option to shed. He only makes $12 mil, and he’s still a good player. But we can replace him in LF with Lux, CT3, and others. (maybe even Joc)

    1. So we’re doing this again? Pollock makes $12M, CT3 makes $15M. Pollock’s OPS was 892, CT3’s 782. How do you come up with this stuff? R-E-S-P-E-C-T the Pollock!

      1. Another way of interpreting what you are saying about Pollock is that he has trade value. With Muncy nursing a shoulder and Freeman not being a sure thing, Seager gone, Lux still unproven, the Dodgers could wind up needing a lefty bat in LF.

        1. No they don’t! They don’t need a lefty bat in LF. What they need more of is exactly what Pollock is; an all-around player who does NOT have big splits that forces a platooning situation. (Joc Pederson come to mind as a guy who forced 2 guys to play the spot). Pollock is a career .279 / .802 hitter versus RHP and .285 / .859 against LHP. Last year it was .301 / .908 vs RHP and .288 / .872. Pretty damn good numbers. He has more AB’s vs RHP because there are more RHP.
          Why do some people hate Pollock and are blind to his value. Granted, he’s not the most charismatic player and doesn’t “play happy” but he’s a good player who Dodger fans have never warmed up to. I don’t get. I don’t need a cheerleader, I’ll take an all-around everyday left fielder who Doc doesn’t have to pinch hit for every pitching change.
          Also, Mark I have the exact 100% feelings about Kershaw. I’ll take a 100 health innings spread out over the season with a serviceable ERA. If we got that it would be a win for the rotation.
          I too an waiting for the next chapter in the David Price Story. When they start outfitting the players in NASCAR style logos, his should say “For Decoration Purposes Only”

          1. Actually I have appreciated Pollock except in the post season. When healthy he has been very good. My point was that as all the dominoes play out, the Dodgers could wind up with a lineup that was too righty dominated which would lead to teams trying to line up their righty pitchers against them. Duke Snider never complained about that while on the Brooklyn teams he played. I’m sure Bellinger wouldn’t either.

            If everybody agrees with your assessment of Pollock then if he is packaged with a prospect or two the Dodgers could wind up younger/better than they are with Pollock.

  4. I woulda thought Heaney would be a lock for the Rotation.

    How about asking dear old David Price if he wouldn’t mind stretching himself out a bit and at least try and earn a portion of his salary?

  5. Kersh will have a solid year. If he was injured and knew he couldnt help the team he wouldnt have come back., He has more money than he ever needs.

    Kersh wants another ring and he’ll be a key cog in this engine

  6. Wouldn’t it be really something if Kershaw shows what he’s really made of and doesn’t have his worse season and actually lowers his career ERA a couple points. That record already belongs to him so it would be shocking to everybody but Clayton and me. He believes he’s not done yet while knowing he has nothing to prove except to himself. He is a Dodger.

    1. Quas it has nothing to do with “showing what he’s really made of”. The problem isn’t his drive and heart. It’s his elbow.

      1. If it is his elbow what is the reason his resigning? He doesn’t seem to think he’s done and he’s aware he’s of the competitive nature. I don’t think he’d throw his arm away if things look not so good. So there’s that.

        1. He’s resigning because he wants to pitch and be a Dodger. Right now nobody knows, including Clayton, if his arm will hold up or not. Following his treatments and rest, it will eventually take competitive, full effort, pitches to find out. Treating and rehab of the flexor, which supports the UCL, can be an unknown. I believed when he was diagnosed his UCL wasn’t torn so Tommy John wasn’t needed or recommended At least that’s what I remember. Everybody, including Kershaw, will ne hoping that the other shoe isn’t going to drop.
          Despite our lean rotatio on paper right now and plenty of question marks, I would consider a 6 man rotation, hope for an expanded pitching rosters while guys round into form, and get the youngsters some innings. The young talent is obviously there and growing pains are inevitable. The Bobby Millers need to shine up the lose change.

  7. I didn’t want KC back. But, now I firmly believe he’ll be the first pitcher that PRP works on. His fastball will return to the 92-94 range and he’ll earn his 4th Cy Young, 8 years after his last. I heard he’s been working with Badger on a changeup.

    It’s great to see that the Dodgers are “in” on just about everyone…
    Freddie – Check
    Suzuki – Check
    Kelly- Check
    Cruz – Check

    The Dodgers have employed a new strategy. Instead of trying to make their own team better, they’ve decided to sign everyone in hopes of preventing other teams from getting better.

    I think it’s political theater in regards to Bauer. Bauer seems to be playing along by agreeing to another week of administrative leave. I don’t like how the sportswriters were so quick to convict Bauer in the court of public opinion. They have no accountability, although Molly Knight no longer works for The Athletic.

    I don’t want Kenley back for the same reason that I didn’t want Kershaw back. If Kershaw struggles, he’ll remain in the rotation because of the name on his back. If Kenley struggles, he’ll remain the closer because of the name on his back. On the flip side, Kenley was very effective last year. I’m wondering why he hasn’t signed already. Is he holding out to come back to the Dodgers? The Dodgers are spending like me at TJMaxx after dinner and a couple of drinks. Buying a bunch of shit I don’t really need.

      1. Must have missed it, did we sign Freeman? Kershaw won’t be ready for the start of the season, and most likely won’t be around at the end. Do we need that? Other than that, lot’s of minor league signings akin to the “shit” I buy at TJMaxx. Don’t get me wrong. Every now and then I find a gem.

  8. As we all should know by now, only Friedman has any idea what the plan is. It’s fun to surmise and guess, but until opening day we will have no clue what the roster will look like. Hey Mark, with them authorizing advertising on the uni’s maybe you can get your logo in the mix.

  9. We can now add Jorge Soler to B&P’s list above.

    As usual, Andrew has plans A though Z and he’ll keep working through the alphabet until one or two of them come to fruition.

  10. Not crazy about the advertising on the uniforms (kind of like Little League), but did survive when the NBA started to do it a few years ago. Hope the ads aren’t obtrusive enough to defile the Dodgers classic look.

  11. So if Bauer is suspended by the league, does his salary come off the Dodger books for 2022? Also, I wonder if he will get time already served from being out last year? Just curious

    1. Who knows what mad man Manfred has on his mind? Ozuna is coming back and he was suspended for the second half of last year. I have heard nothing as to what kind of suspension he would serve. As for Soler, I hear rumors about Nelson Cruz too. Dude is 42! If they want an emotion chip added to the mix, Tio Albert would also be on the list. Texas traded Kiner-Falefa to the Twins for C Mitch Garver. Cishek signed by Nationals. So some movement, not exactly the frenzy everyone thought there would be. Another rumor has Boston pursuing Jansen.

      1. I would have no problem with Nelson Cruz. Dude will hit when he’s 50. True pro hitter under appreciated by NL fans.

    2. He was paid last year, so he can’t get time served unless he gives the money back. That ain’t happening!

      I still say… no suspension, but maybe he would agree to 15 days… I have no clue.

    3. No that was administrative leave and he was paid during that time. If suspended, the time begins at the time of suspension.

  12. I see five, maybe six players on the 40 man they can move with no problem. And by move I mean waive or trade. At least four pitchers.

      1. Yep, Raley, Nunez, Phillips, Price, Cleavenger, Beaty. Cleavenger is redundant with Ferguson coming back, Phillips was a waiver claim, Nunez low man on the lefty totem pole. Price is tradeable with most of his salary being paid by the Sox, Raley and Beaty are basically the same guy, with Rios coming back, he plays the same positions as Beaty, and I think Outman is in the running for Raley’s spot.

    2. Wow, 4 pitchers? I guess, but pretty much all of the pitchers on the 40 have a high degree of upside and would be better than the 8th guy on practically any bullpen in the league.

      The only guy on the 40 that I would waive is Luke Raley, maybe Amaya. And even Luke has some upside with his power and Amaya with his glove.

      1. I think maybe one or two of the Non Roster guys can cover whatever Cleavenger, Phillips, Price and Nunez bring to the table. I am especially interested to see how Carson Fullmer looks. The guy has some nasty stuff. Sorry, Raley is McKinney with power. Strikes out too much and does not make consistent contact.

        1. I don’t agree at all. I think Nunez and Cleavinger (with an I) have some talent that doesn’t grow on trees. Both throw gas from the left side and Nunez has an invisible change up. They both have backend bullpen upside.

          Phillips was a great surprise last year and Price was a little disappointing by Dodgers standards, but would be in most bullpens with a 4.01 ERA. Fullmer needs work and some fixing, that will take some time. You bring him up when someone gets hurt, no rush to add him to the 40.

          Yes, you can include any of them in a deal. Hell, you can put all of them in the same deal for Frankie Montas. But, they’re all worthy of a roster spot. Carson Fulmer was worse in the Minors than Price was in the Majors, so there’s that.

  13. Freeman is a wish for some but not a real need for the Dodgers, the team already has Muncy one of the best 1Bs in MLB.
    If FF comes to LAD then I’ll support him as a fan but really the team doesn’t need him
    Trea will be the SS and Lux ​​will be the 2B, if Gavin can’t handle the lefty pitchers then a Lux/CT3 platoon will take over.
    In the DH we will see a lot of AB from J.Turner, Pollock, to keep them fresh, and from Will Smith to take advantage of their offense.
    I’m not saying that FF can’t get to the Dodgers but I see it as very unlikely, it’s more of a wish than a need and a need is always more of a priority than a wish.

    1. Yeah, Mookie wasn’t a need either at the time. Verdugo is to Mookie as Muncy is to Freeman. Then think about the upgrade of Muncy at 2B, or possibly taking over 3B from JT and you can see why it’s more a need than a wish.

      You’re thinking about filling a hole going into next season and AF is thinking how to keep improving a great team. Freeman is the answer.

      It isn’t about filling holes. It’s about acquiring difference makers.

      I’m trying to figure out the need you speak of.

        1. Freeman is money, Olsen is prospect capital that can be used to trade for pitching. But, I would gladly take Olsen if we miss on Freeman.

  14. Too many if’s. If Lux is ready, if Muncy is ready. Freeman is a career .290 hitter in the post season. Muncy hit’s .233. Both of their fielding percentages are the same, but Muncy played 30 games less at 1st base last season than Freeman. Freeman would be replacing Seager’s LH bat. Muncy has stated he enjoys playing 2nd more than 1st. I think Lux has skills, but counting on him to be the everyday 2nd baseman is a stretch at best. He will be the LH super utility guy and move to SS if Trea is not extended.

    1. Perfectly summed up Old Bear! Right now, the worst hitter in the lineup would be CT3/Lux. If you go from CT3 to Freddie, that’s a huge upgrade! Freddie is one of the best pure hitters in baseball.

    2. I think if Muncy doesn’t play first then he should train full time at third. Lux and CT3 have second covered. The DH will help get everybody at bats.

      1. Muncy is not fond of 3B, but 2B is where he loves to play. His arm is average, so 3B is not a great spot for him. Rios and JT play a good 3B and CT3 and Lux would be above average there with more reps.

        If Freeman comes to LA (and I doubt it), I have no doubt that Max will play 2B. IN fact, Muncy would likely be the best 2B in the NL. Tell me who is better.

  16. For those of us who were hoping we’d sign Josh Harrison, the White Sox also grabbed him.
    One year plus an option.
    They probably offered him a starting job at second base, so that would have appealed to him more than being a bench player here.

    1. Yeah, I would have taken Harrison on a deal like he had last year ($1.0 Million something), but not what they signed him for.

      I liked Kelly, but the Sox probably made him an offer he could not turn down.

  18. JP Morosi who told us last night that we should have an answer on Freddie by tonight is now saying that no decision is imminent and that other teams are now involved.

    JP, you’re a very nice guy and speak about 40 languages, but your reputation as an accurate monitor of MLB transactions leaves something to be desired.

  19. The Braves will wind up with Freeman. They are now finally involved in serious negotiations.

    1. If that happens, we can all remind ourselves that we didn’t really need/want him anyway.
      Self delusion always helps in this kind of situation.

      1. Yep, that’s how I feel about Kershaw. Welcome back! 😉

        Sorry to see Kelly go. I loved watching him, but we don’t need more arms in our bullpen unless it’s elite.

    3. AF is in on all available free agents because he knows he isn’t signing Freeman

    1. He was actually a pretty useful pitcher in the past.

      The 29-year-old righty has talent but has been injured too frequently to showcase it in recent seasons. He owns a 2.65 ERA in 132.1 career major-league innings despite a 13.3 percent walk rate, but just four of those innings have come in the last two seasons due to shoulder and elbow troubles.

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