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1. Hey, it is my birthday today and I would not mind if the Dodgers brought in Freddie Freeman as a birthday present.

   I think the Dodgers should do what the Rams did last season and go all in for 2022. This team is still loaded and with another big bat in the middle of the lineup another trophy is realistic.
   With Bauer, Walker, Julio, Clayton and lots of possibilites for the Nr. 5 spot the rotation is as good as any other in MLB. Back end of the bullpen is also excellent already even without KJ. Treinen, Kahnle and Bazooka is very, very talented. Tons of good vet arms in addion with some great looking youngsters in Miller, Pepiot, Jackson, Knack.

   So yes, bring in that big bat and go for it!

   Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

   1. Could that bat be Kris Bryant?

      1. No loss of a draft pick here with the signing of Byrant. If not Bryant, sign Soler.

         1. Bryant way more versatile, can play 1B 3B and OF.

            Id sign him if price is right.

   2. I love the thought of Kris Bryant, but I wondering why no one is talking about Anthony Rizzo. I would take him in a heartbeat over KB if we miss out on Freeman. But, I would be more than happy with KB as well. I think Soler would be my fourth choice. Could Mookie see more time at 2B if Soler is signed?

   3. Happy Birthday!!!

2. Will AC and DC allow political dialogue?

3. Mark ,great to have you back fulltime with Old Bear. As I’ve said in the past this is the best Dodger Blog around where you can speak your mind on both sides of the argument, get harassed if you aren’t agreed upon by others and move on in a friendly peaceful way to the next day and next subject. Agree to disagree in a respectful manner. The way it should be.

   Love the sounds from the videos of Dodger baseball at Glendale and the insightful interviews. Looking forward to your new format .Appreciate all your hard work and keeping it going for us devoted Dodger loyalists.

4. Will AC and DC allow political dialogue? And Kersh didn’t retire and you might owe someone a dinner

   1. Remember, it wasn’t Mark that banned “political dialogue”. It was the community who voted to disallow it.

5. You have a good track record, Mark. You also do a good job reading between the lines on most things. You would probably be more right, more often if we weren’t dealing with players, who are highly unpredictable. Clayton is a good example. The reports were that he had a flexor tendon strain in his forearm, but he was recently interviewed and spoke about his elbow injury. PRP is generally a treatment used to cure (more like postpone) a Tommy John injury. So, was this misdiagnosed at the time, or where the reports just lies like Max Muncy’s UCL injury, which also should have required TJ surgery? To me, you were right about Kershaw. But, he’s convinced himself that he’s feeling better and isn’t quite ready to retire at age 35.

   Nelson Cruz never made much sense for the Dodgers to me, yet they were still “in” on him. They’re also “in” on Soler, Story, Freeman and others. Freeman makes a lot of sense for me, since they can shuffle things around to make him fit. Story to some extent as well and Soler, maybe? I guess they can use a 4th outfielder, but a lefty hitter would probably make a little more sense.

   The truth is, the Dodgers have enough talent in house and most teams are playing catch up. If we sign anyone, we’re blocking someone else. Hanser Alberto was probably a most needed signing as it balances out the bench quite nicely. I still think that Feeman makes a lot of sense for the upcoming season, and the Dodgers really want him. There’s a lot of smoke surrounding Freeman and the Braves are putting on the full press trying to get him back. But, it’s ultimately his decision. Does he want to play for the team he grew up rooting for, or doesn’t he want to play for the team he made his name with? This is where it becomes very hard to predict because everyone has different motivating factors. Some stars will choose to play for whoever gives them the most money, like Seager and Harper. While other will go play where they’re most comfortable like Kershaw. I’m sure some are turned off by the Dodgers’ style of management. While others buy into it. Another determining factor.

   To me, the longer someone is unsigned after the rumors begin flowing, the less likely they are to sign with that team. It means they are looking for, or considering other deals. I thought that Freddie would have signed by now. Maybe he’s holding out for more money from the Braves, but I sincerely think there’s some interest on both sides. It’s up to Freeman to make the right call.

6. B&P. Can you please elaborate on the Dodgers style of management

   1. Limiting pitchers innings, like Scherzer complained about. Utilizing the shift more than most teams, using the IL more than most teams, platoons and double switches, the scheduled rest days, etc. Seldom bunts or hit and runs. The three true outcome style of hitting, walk, HR or K. Not beating the shift on offense.

      1. Thx

7. Good interview with Clayton Kershaw this morning in the LA Times.

   Nelson Cruz never made much sense. Just think the Dodgers want to be flexible with the DH, give players a day off here and there.

   But Freddie Freeman does make some sense. Makes the Dodgers better, hurts the Braves.

   Still think an extension for Trea Turner makes a lot of sense. Turner even said he’s open to it.

   Will the Dodgers pursue it, Mark?

   Yes, the case against Trevor Bauer is weak, especially from a legal standpoint. But MLB operates in a different bubble. There is some history that indicates MLB may suspend him. But Rob Manfred just finished a bruising battle with the union. Does he want to step into another?

   Most of the free agents tied to the Dodgers probably aren’t on Andrew Friedman’s radar.

   Just a sense, but pitching seems to be a concern, although I suppose you could make a case for moving ahead with what you’ve got. It would be nice if David Price would step up. Hate to see them trade top prospects to acquire a starter.

   Guessing there will be a surprise signing of a free agent, one way or another, maybe a trade in the next few days.

8. Joe Kelly to the White Sox, 2 year contract.

   Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!

9. Thanks Mark for all you do. It’s great to have you committed to keeping this site going strong. I enjoy all the knowledge and opinions shared here. It’s good to be back talking Dodger Baseball.

10. I remember when Muncy first became a Dodger. I wasn’t that sure about him, especially on defense. I can remember him missing foul balls near the dugout railing. I also remember him looking clumsy chasing foul balls down the right field line. Well, he’s come along way since then. His offense has always been good and I am sure glad he’s a Dodger. Most fans feel that he’s fine as a 2nd baseman and he may well be, but I think the position would be much stronger with lux or Taylor playing there.

    I was sure worried when he injured himself last fall. I heard him interviewed during the lock out and he said he hadn’t even held a bat in his hands yet. Most of you guys follow things more closely than I do. What is the lates on his elbow now?

    .

    1. They say it is 85% and getting better by the day.

       1. Thanks Mark.

    2. Yes, when Muncy arrived, the question was whether his glove was good enough. He actually turned himself into a fine first baseman, and he’s really not bad at 2B. Muncy may be too husky to pass the proverbial eye test, but I’ve seen reports on defensive metrics that grade him at the upper tier of range at 1st. He must have a quick first step. Quickness is more important than speed on the IF.
       It would be great if Lux starts hitting lefties, but until he does I think he’s a platoon/UT guy at best. His speed is a great asset in the OF. I’m fine with him and Taylor as a lefty/righty platoon at 2B if Freeman doesn’t come over. And now Alberto is in the mix too…. In the OF I assume that both Lux and Taylor can get to balls that Pollock can’t reach–but Pollock really isn’t a liability.
       But now that Olson is going to the A’s, the chances of Freddie coming are better than ever….
       Seems like every time I glance at MLB.com there is another significant deal.
       So what is AF cooking up?

11. In NL West news: Fernando Tatis has a broken wrist and will undergo surgery. He’ll be out at least 3 months.

    1. Bad news for the Padres. And we all know even when he comes back, it will take a while for him to be back where he was. Lots of action on the free agent front. Pretty sure no matter where he goes, Freeman will sign sometime today. Nothing mentioned about the Twins-Yankees trade last night. They finally gave up on Gary Sanchez and his so so defense. Got Josh Donaldson and Kiner-Falefa. Old pal Souza signed with the Mariners, Brad Hand is now a Phillie. Full squad workouts start today. Cheeto’s making a push to re-sign Correa. Dodgers added Yency Almonte, Mike Wright and Jake Lamb to their list of non roster invitees. No matter how hard I try, I just cannot get used to calling the Cleveland franchise the Guardians. Going to be the same thing with the Washington Commanders. Brady un retires…no big news there, and the Lakers are not only pitiful, they in no way resemble the team I cheered for years ago.

    2. Maybe he will have his shoulder operated on as well if it is on the same arm as his broken wrist.

12. Reports are that Tatis was hurt earlier in the offseason. But only had access to team Doctors this week. The lockout could cost the Padres quite a bit. Especially if Tatis could have had surgery week or even months ago.

13. Seriously, that idiotic retarded asshole clown from SD, will he be out for 3 months? That’s the second best news after an agreement was reached to play baseball… Wow, this is starting to look better!

14. Dodgers signed Mike Wright and Jake Lamb. Jake had back-to-back years of 30 HR, but that was in 2016 and 2017. He is now 31 and a “project.”

15. Jorge, is it just the Padres or are you this hateful against anybody not Dodgers?

    1. Just SD, I hate ridiculous clowns

16. We’ve been traveling to AZ to play in baseball tournaments for several years, but our agenda hasn’t lined up with the Dodgers schedule. However, this year we have a window that works perfectly for us. I’m very proud to share that I’m taking my son this Friday to our first game at camelback ranch.

    Do you have any tips in regards to how early to get to the ballpark to watch BP and warm ups to take in as much of the experience possible?

    Thanks,

    Peter

    1. Get there early and check out the practice fields. You can get pretty close to the players and they will autograph things for you.

    2. Arrive 2-3 hours before gametime. By the time you park and head over to the practice fields you should be able to get a good look at all the players. Parking can be a little tough, bring water with you so you can have something to rehydrate while you’re on the training fields. Watch out for Doc in a golf cart. He’s a crappy driver that thinks he always has the right of way regardless of flashing lights and stop signs.

    3. Friday is a 1:05 Game, so they will have light workouts in the morning. You might see some players around 9 AM, but not all will come out. The gates to the Stadium open 90 minutes before the game and unless it is extremely hot, they will be taking BP at that time.

       1. Thank you gentlemen

17. I agree with you about Freeman and Cruz. The Dodgers have preferred to use a revolving DH to rest players and get bench players ABs. Freeman wants 6 years. They have prospects, one of which will be able to play 1B and they have Muncy.

    I would never count Clayton Kershaw out.

    Don’t be surprised to see Bauer suspended at the beginning of the season. Don’t be surprised if he never wears Dodger Blue again.

    Dodgers’ needs:
    1 – SP or 2. They have Buehler, Urias and Kershaw and after that, ??? Heaney has never been good. He’s a flier. May may not be back as a starter until 2023. Gonsolin is a ?? Price is done.
    2 – bench depth. Last year’s bench was not effective. Don’t know if Rios will be good after undergoing surgery for labral tear. McKinstry is a ?? They have their backup catcher and after that???

18. Jorge’s passion for the Padres is borderline unhealthy IMHO.

    1. I think it’s awesome and shows his passion. I hate the Padres now, almost as much as I hate the Giants. Unlike the Giants, I may like the Padres again some day.

       I don’t wish injury on anyone. But, I can’t stand the Padres and Tatis is one of the players I hate the most. I hate his dance around 3B and I hate that giant clock chain they do for homers. They’re the most bush league team in baseball by the way they conduct themselves on the field.

       1. Amen

    2. Jorge,

       The opposite of love is not hate… it’s ambivalence! Hating someone is like drinking poison and thinking someone else will die.

19. Atlanta acquires Matt Olsen from the A’s.

    This means Freeman is leaving Atl…….

    1. There you go. He’s gonna be a Dodger. I heard the Yankees shifted back to Rizzo.

    2. One of them could DH… But it sounds like you are right.

       Well, I have to reverse my position…I will be glad to be wrong!

    3. Langeliers and Pache are both Top 100 Prospects, Cusick was a first-round pick last year and Estes was a breakout low-level prospect. Big haul.

       There was some reporting that the Dodgers were discussing trading for Olson (note the spelling).

       1. That reporting has been refuted!

          Rejoice!

20. Mark ,we may be both wrong on Freddie Freeman unless the Yankees acquire him.

21. And going to ……. Mark?

22. Dodgers must be waiting to get a trade lined up before announcing the FF acquisition. Unless there is a mystery team out there like the Orange County Angels I think FF is going to be a Dodger.

23. I would think that Freddie would not want to go to the East Coast.

24. It’s always fun to try and figure what AF will do next! If FF signs can’t believe TT is a Dodger next year.

    1. That’s what I was thinking yesterday as well. The superstar money this year will go to Freeman or Trea.

       After that, we need to save up for Buehler and Urias (and Bellinger)

25. Well Freddie is a free man no longer! Move over Max. You’ve got a new playmate! Just wanted to beat Passan to the punch

    1. Why does the icon next to Cassidy change from one post to the next?

       Rockies are aggressively pursuing Kris Bryant. Talks are at ownership level sez Rosenthal.

       Haven’t seen anything definitive on Freeman…

       1. Have no idea unless he goes on his word press account and changes it. Dodgers announced the Sandy Koufax statue will be unveiled on the 18th of June. Statue will be in the CF pavilion area. Game is against the Guardians. Nothing but rumors about Freeman right now. No announcement made yet. Padres after Suzuki hard. MLBPA and MLB in discussions about bringing back the runner on second in extra innings. Seems the players like the idea a lot more than most fans.

       2. Cassidy is a shape shifter!

26. Tatis out for 3 months – broken wrist.

    1. Little late there Watford. Already in the discussion. As we all know, Jorge’s favorite team…..NOT!

       1. Sorry – just got in and catching up
          on all the excitement.

          So much happening – Mark expanding – AC starting out – Baseball season 22 is full steam ahead and MLB.com are taking my subscription! Not to mention Tatis is injured and the Braves signed Olsen meaning Freddie must surely be coming on board??

          What a day, and what a week coming up – for you Horse Racing fans I’m off for 3 days at the Cheltenham festival, the pinnacle of Jumps Racing.
          May need a new liver by Friday.

          If Freddie signs, and Trev gets the green light, we are absolutely stacked.

          1. Braves traded for Olson and it cost them four prospects. Freeman is on their radar for sure, but Jays and Yankees not out of it yet. Although I cannot see him going to Canada and paying income tax twice.

27. The words are actually “Ghost Runners in MLB.”

    The Ghost Runner is coming back… mercifully!

    From MLBTR:
    The extra innings ghost runner might be sticking around in Major League Baseball, report Jayson Stark and Matt Gelb of The Athletic. Players, who “heavily support” this new feature from the last two seasons, tell the reporters they expect it to be enacted this week with the announcement of health and safety protocols.

    Though the automatic runner on second base in extra innings was originally put in place as a COVID response, ultimately the players like it because it has mostly killed the marathon extra innings game.

    Stark and Gelb note that the apparition may not necessarily appear in the 10th inning, but instead could surface in the 11th or 12th. With the National League adopting the designated hitter this year, baseball traditionalists are doing plenty of grumbling this week.

28. Wow: The Reds are gutting the team.

    Winker and Suarez to the Mariners.

29. Instead of Freeman (Although it wouldn’t be bad to have him) it would be much better to sign Joc, Greinke and Bryant, who could occupy 3B after Turner
    This gets more exciting than the deadline trade!

    1. No way Joc is coming back. Greinke was on their radar, but not anymore. Bryant is being heavily pursued by the Rockies.

30. A lot of chatter that Freeman is going to be a Blue Jay.

    1. Jays seem to have shifted their focus to Schwarber. MLB insider says that Freeman is still most likely headed to the Dodgers. LA SportsNet has added 5 to their broadcast team including Jose Mota, Jessica Mendoza, Eric Karros, Dontrelle Willis and Adrian Gonzalez. Look, none of us have any idea who AF is targeting right now. We are just slaves to the rumors. Bluto, I think it is great that Jeff is starting his own blog. Maybe he wants to control what kind of content he posts. I am down with it. Being retired, I will have time to peruse his writings and those of another site I follow. I like to get as much info as I can. And Jeff has proven himself a very competent writer and analyst. McCutcheon is joining the Brewers.

31. Mark, the reasons you mention why the Dodgers should not sign Freeman are correct and it is what is best for the team in the medium and long term, I am in that boat, the Dodgers should not sign Freeman.
    So if the Dodgers go and sign Freeman it doesn’t mean you’re wrong, it’s far more likely that the Dodgers are wrong.

32. Just read today’s post, not sure I understand why anyone would start a new blog.

    Not just the fact that it’s a capital expense (albeit a small one.)
    But maintenance is a pain.

    Is there a reason they wouldn’t just post content here?

    Selfishly, it’s one destination instead of two (or three)

33. If you listen to Podcasts, the latest Baseball America podcast focuses on the Dodgers:

    Miller, Vargas, Pepilot, Busch (with a nice anecdote featuring Dave Roberts) and plenty more…..

    1. Man, I cannot wait to see these guys play in spring games!

34. Just saw a video of Bellinger taking BP. It looks like he has changed his stance again. But this one looks very natural. And he was raking.

    1. Did you see the Urias video? Looks like he lost a bit of his tummy

       1. Yeah. They commented that he had lost some weight. So did Gonzalez. He looked fat last year. Supposedly he has lost a lot of weight and feels great.

35. You left out resting a player as he hits the pinnacle of his hot streak.

    1. Dave rests players whether they are hot or not. Just the way he does things. Scherzer was not happy with the way he was used. But players bitch no matter what. For all his resting players and the moves he makes, you cannot be down on the guy for how his teams seem to win. They won in 2020 by coming back from 3-1 hole. Could not pull it off last year because the Starting staff totally broke down. Even Buehler, who has been nails in the playoffs had a stinker. So did Urias. You cannot blame bad games on the manager.

    2. I now notice when one hits the reply button, the reply does not appear immediately under the post targeted. My response was to B&P’s description of the Dodger’s style of management.

36. I’m sure most of you have seen this, but . . . https://buckeyeswire.usatoday.com/2022/03/13/ohio-state-football-espn-trades-buckeyes-football-to-fox-for-joe-buck/

37. Some interesting facts I found on Freddie Freeman :

    As Jon Paul Morosi notes, Freeman is represented by the same agency as Clayton Kershaw, who agreed to a one-year deal with the Dodgers ) earlier on Friday. Also other than his father, the only hitting coach Freeman cites for helping him establish his approach as a child was Ira Green, father of former major league slugger Dodger Shawn Green, who ran a Los Angeles-area baseball academy.

    Legal contract paperwork and a physical must be holding this deal up or a possible trade is in the works to clear roster space.

    1. Interesting.
       On the non-Dodger front, I’m hoping the Angels sign Correa.
       I want to see a REAL Freeway Series before I die.

       1. I could see the Angel’s signing Correa even though no one is talking about it. I bet the Dodgers are working on freeing up money to get FF. I’m betting Price, AJ and a couple prospects for at least 2 medium ranked minor leaguers that’ll turn into some legitimate talent. AF always has a way to fleece someone out of some underrated minor leaguers. That paves the way in left field for Taylor, Lux, Rios and Beatty to get more at bats

38. Someone told me that the Dodgers offer to Freeman is 4 years. Not sure how they know. Maybe they don’t.

39. Nothing is going to happen tonight. But games start in 3 days. FF needs to be in camp.

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