Posted By Mark Timmons on December 1, 2022 December 1, 2022Mark Timmons
This article has 62 Comments
Thinking Fast and Slow
Continuing from previous post…….. Yes, MT I have seen the Dodgers play twice this past year at Nationals Park. Nice stadium also added Citi Field in NYC to my list of visited MLB ballparks this past year and will hopefully add Cincinnati and STL next year.
Your wife’s assessment of SF is spot on. That place, while it might be picturesque and a nice place for tourists to visit, is a real shit hole. Homelessness, vagrancy, open space drug use, feces on sidewalks and aggressive panhandling are real. While I had motivation and a reason to leave California, I most likely would have left even if I didn’t have family living elsewhere. Lived in the Golden State my entire life, but had to get out……..current day politics aside.
Keep in touch when you go to Cincy, St Louis, or Milwaukee next year. Cincy is 90 min away from me.
Absolutely
I know for sure I don’t know what AF/BG have up their sleeves but hoping for a nice surprise.
Rosenthal has a bit on the Dodgers including this:
One possible scenario: Trade for Brewers second baseman Kolten Wong, a player the Dodgers like, according to major-league sources. Sign one of the big four free-agent shortstops. Play Gavin Lux at third.
Does he have actual sources for this, or does Rosenthal just make this stuff up? I get the feeling these people are no different then we random commenters on blogs with our unlikely trade scenarios. They just have a larger audience.
Again, joke or serious?
I’m 100000000000% sure Rosenthal has better things to do than make stuff up about Kolten Wong.
Like he doesn’t have a list of MLB players that he has to mention every year and realized he hasn’t mentioned Wong yet. I daydream the following with a smile:
“Darn! I need to write about Kolten Wong today. Perhaps I can mention him with the Dodgers as an oblique promotion of my podcast with Dave Roberts. But tomorrow! How am I ever going to find a way to mention Tyler Stephenson?!?!?!?!?”
Does having a source mean anything? Sure, it means a lot. But it certainly doesn’t mean that Kolten Wong will doubtlessly be a Dodger. I mean the source could be Dave Roberts from after the podcast, or it could be Wong’s agent. However, if the latter I’m sure Rosenthal (or I’d hope) would look for a 2nd confirmation.
It would be very interesting to see the curtain raised and see how reporters like Rosenthal verify the “scoops” they are given.
Tweet from Doug McKain at DN…
Dave Roberts on who will play shortstop next year for the Dodgers on the Starkville Pod:
“If it doesn’t work with Trea, we have one of our homegrown guys in Gavin Lux who we’re probably looking at to fill in at short.”
Also said, “I loved having Trea with us”.
When I read this it almost sounds like it implies that it’s either Trea or Lux, like they aren’t considering the other Free Agents. It’s also a puzzling to use the phase “fill in at short” The Great Communicator, eh?
MLBTR reporting that the Dodgers and the Giants have an interest in Kolten Wong. Elfin signs a 3 year deal with the Rays.
Excellent report!
That’s what I know for sure, too….
Saw the Kolten Wong notion. Hmm.
He might fit, and he probably wouldn’t cost much. Angels gave up three pitchers of little note to get Hunter Renfro from the Brewers–great move for the Halos–, nd now they apparently want to dump Wong’s salary too. I wonder whether AF and Associates might try to expand the talks… like Wong + Adames….
The Brewers supposedly want to dump Yelich’s big contract. He’s fallen off a lot since his MVP year–though not nearly enough as Belli. (Remember when those two guys were miked up at the All Star game? Stars of the future!)
Anyway, talks with Brewers could get more interesting. The report I read also suggested that Dodgers would go hard for a free agent SS, and perhaps move Lux to 3B. That makes no sense to me, since the brass is betting big on Vargas.
I still think Dodgers will give Lux his shot at the position he grew up playing. Wong, a past gold glover, would help stabilize the D and ensure that Muncy is a DH/3B guy.
I checked out Wong’s stats – good glove, slightly better than average bat. Are they seriously considering him as a starter (if the interest is real) or as a utility guy? If a utility guy, ok, I’m in. If a starter – not impressed.
The team needs an impact right side bat to replace TT’s production. Wong ain’t it.
And he hits left. I don’t get the attraction.
dodgerpatch….check, check, and check with what you wrote.
My suggestions for player additions:
Sign Verlander – three years at $40M annually
Sign either Trea or Bogaerts
Trade for Bryan Reynolds
Add Vargas and Outman along with a couple of pitching prospects
Sign 2-3 more pitcher reclamation projects to fulfil AF’s annual requirements
Please, do the above by the end of 2022 so to add some type of offseason excitement for Dodger fans.
Really…. Colton Wong???
Carry on.
Colton Wong would be a problem. Kolton Wong as well.
But Kolten Wong….
Thank you for the correct. Nothing gets by you Bluto! Lol.
All done with love Ted!
Have a good one.
Hey Patch,
In regards to the impact bat need (which is real) the key phrase in Rosenthal’s reporting is the one I’ve subtly moved into ALL CAPS. Not meaning to shout or be rude, if I could bold or underline I would….
One possible scenario: Trade for Brewers second baseman Kolten Wong, a player the Dodgers like, according to major-league sources. SIGN ONE OF THE BIG FOUR FREE-AGENT SHORTSTOPS. Play Gavin Lux at third.
Ok, fine. I reread your post. The Dodgers interest in Wong is based on Rosenthal’s “major league sources.”
– whatever that means. The drunk guy at his local bar?
A careful reading of your post gets the hypothetical across. A casual reading of his report or tweet, or whatever it was, doesn’t really make clear when his actual reporting ends and his speculation (spit balling) begins.
“one possible scenario …?” Whose scenario? MLB sources? or is something he made up?
The only part of his report that is journalistically relevant – and I’m being real generous with Rosenthal here by acknowledging he’s a journalist – is the report the Dodgers have interest in Wong.
All this stuff by these people reads like something from TMZ.
IF (big if) the Dodgers are interested in Wong AND one of the big four FA SSs, to me it seems more likely that the Dodgers would be packaging Lux in a trade with the Brewers. Maybe it’s part of a larger package to land a guy like Corbin Burnes, who’s set to earn nearly 13 mil in arbitration. The Brewers get controllable talent in Lux, and some package of Bobby Miller, Pepiot – whatever makes the math work. The Brewers shed nearly 25 million in payroll and the talent they get offsets the loss somewhat and keeps them competitive.
With just a quick read on Lux this morning by me, some dumb schlub on the internet and not a “journalist” like Rosenthal, I learned that Lux is near the bottom in throwing ability from the SS position. He doesn’t have a naturally strong arm. How would he be successful at third base.? And so far he lacks the offensive pop that is required at that position. Rosenthal’s scenario gets dumber and dumber the more I think about it. I’d rather read Bumsrap’s scenarios. LOL – no offense, Bum.
This is all my fault.
The quote from Rosenthal without context.
I’m not, obviously going to post the whole thing, but the main thrust of Rosenthal’s story is also what his lede is:
The Dodgers are capable of pivoting in virtually any direction, which is just how they like it.
And the Wong this is just an epitome of that. An idea they’ve floated (internally and externally) in a seemingly (as this community has discussed) random way.
Nothing more and nothing less.
I’m sure they are talking about bigger trades (like you cite) and smaller signings (like Shelby Miller).
Neither he (nor I) necessarily expect it to happen, but it represents something interesting. Their POV on player acquisition this off-season. ‘he published it for the same reason I posted it (I think/hope) I just thought it represented a unique idea and merited posting.
If we only posted things that were going to certainly happen, we’d be bored shitless.
All good, now.
Right?
In fact, the report doesn’t even indicate they brought acquiring Wong to the Brewers. It kinda positions it as a scenario they discussed internally.
Who knows maybe they came to the conclusion that many here have come to, that Lux can’t play 3rd.
“All good, now.
Right?”
No. He’s commie scum and so are you.
… Ok, fine. Context matters. It was part of a long form article on the Dodgers penchant for flexibility and being able to pivot. I’ll go along with that. I thought it was one of Rosenthal’s “Dodgers linked to So-and-So. Deal imminent” tweets.
Of course you could have avoided all of this confusion by simply copying and pasting the entire article so we can all consume someone else’s intellectual property for free, but I digress.
You guys really think Lux can make that throw from 3rd. No way!
Steve Garvey revisited. Gavin Lux. Always considered as trade bait. He can’t play SS, LF, CF, and now 3B. Does it ever end? Leave Gavin Lux the hell alone. Put him at 2B and forget about it. The only question should be is where will he hit in the lineup?
I hear they’re working on a drone he can use.
Apparently, Bluto believes everything he reads. In that case, we’ll have Correa, Bogaerts, Judge, Verlander and DeGrom. What the hell do they need Wong for? Batboy?
If you think they’re gonna use Wong at SS after only playing a single inning there in his entire 10 year big league career, which came last year, and move Lux to third base, another position to learn, you’re beyond help. The last thing the Dodgers need is a lefty-swinging, light-hitting, middle infielder. And then they’re going to waste prospect capital to get him? Gullible.
And yes, Rosenthal is full of shit and doesn’t have anything better to do than to write a bunch of nonsense, apparently like the rest of us.
So far, just from the Brewers. The Dodgers are apparently interested in Wong, Adames, Burnes and Yelich.
More fun to come with the Winter Meeting starting on Sunday.
What I believe is irrelevant. Why would anyone care?
That would be an awesome outcome to the off-season though.
Awe-SOME.
I would gladly pay you Tuesday for a hot stove take today.
OK, I can translate what the Dodgers are saying:
“We can play Gavin Lux at SS or 3B and trade for Wong”
Translation:
“We want to convince other teams Lux can play SS so he will have more trade value.”
From MLBTR:
“Wong is coming off an atypical season. A two-time Gold Glove winner, he’s been one of the sport’s top defensive second basemen throughout his career. His track record at the plate has been more mixed, but he paired arguably his best offensive season and his worst showing with the glove in 2022. Wong hit 15 home runs and put up a .251/.339/.430 line through 497 plate appearances, numbers that checked in 16 percentage points above league average according to wRC+. Statcast pegged him as the game’s worst defensive second baseman, though, estimating he was seven runs below average. Wong committed 17 errors, tying a career high, and he had the worst speed metrics of his career. At his age, Wong’s best days as a defender could be behind him, although it’s worth noting he also didn’t seem fully healthy. He lost a couple weeks in June to a right calf strain and acknowledged after the season he played through leg injuries (via Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel).”
I cannot see any interest in Wong, except for the bench.
MLB.tv showed a potential Giants lineup with Aaron Judge, as if to show how scary it could be.
I spit out my food laughing so hard at this “scary lineup”
Lamont Wade
Judge
Joc
JD Davis
Mike Yazstrimski
Wilmer Flores
Brandon Crawford
Thairo Estrada
Joey Bart
If you see me shaking… cover me, I must be cold!
I think they were showing that lineup to point out how Judge likely wouldn’t sign there to play with that lineup and if they hope to sign him they better be signing another two or three big names to keep him company.
That lineup could easily finish around .500 even with Judge in the middle of it.
It’s scary if you have to fill out that lineup card!
Passan:
Right-handed reliever Chris Martin and the Boston Red Sox are in agreement on a two-year, $17.5 million contract, pending physical, sources familiar with the deal tell ESPN. Martin, 36, was magnificent for the Dodgers after a deadline trade and parlayed it into a multiyear deal.
Kolten Wong discussion is ended. Just traded to Seattle for Winker and Toro.
That is stupid sick! I told you Wong was Wrong!
Wong for Winker is just Wong
Good! We don’t need average players! There’s just no way Judge signs with anybody but the Yankees.
Fully agree!
I hate to lose Chris Martain, but he ain’t worth that much to the Dodgers, who can take any stiff off the street and turn him into Cy Young!
I’m willing to sign a one year deal for a couple mil and put up with ya’lls abuse!
lol – Yes, good deal. One contract and I’ll retire afterward. 😉
Let’s hope Shelby Miller picks up where Chris Martin left off. (Martin really cashed in nicely!)
And Kolten Wong won’t be a Dodger but a Mariner. And Jesse Winker will be a Brewer… Report I heard has the Brewers considering an Adames deal.
Cody is training with Matt Holliday.
Looks better already.
I wonder if this increases the odds that he signs with the Cards. Holliday is their new bench coach.
There is going to go down a big trade of very very good player(s) for a lot of our farm kids and maybe 1 or 2 establish players.
deGrom to the Rangers, 5/185 with an optional year 6 that would bring the deal to 222 mil. Full no trade.
holy moly!
Watch his arm fall off.
Good for us!
I agree.
The Rangers are going to be fun to watch. They’ve already spent something like 700 million in the last couple of off seasons, plus hiring Bochy and I’m sure there is more to come.
Wouldn’t be surprised to see them add Nimmo for another 100+ mil and another pitcher like Taillon or even Rodon. They’re out-Prellering Preller, although I guess he does it mostly with trades.
Elon Musk!
$44 Billion buys a lot…
That’s all I’ve got to say!
As you like to say; dope fiend moves. All as is buys is a lot of problems.
So much for deGrom wanting to win a WS!
Well I guess Verlander is gonna get his three years! Gut check time for Trojans in 2nd half!
Think the outcome would have been different if Williams had not been hurt. MLBTR reports deGrom’s deal includes an option year that can bring the total contract to 222 million. Milwaukee will hold onto Adames, Burnes and Woodruff into the season. All could be dealt at the deadline. Phillies to meet with all 4 premium SS on the market. deGrom also has a full no trade.
Dont know about SC Bear., Their defense is just awful! Changes need to be made in the coaching staff on that side of then ball!
Yeah, the offense has a lot of holes. But with Williams hurting, the offense sputtered. Killer play was the interception when they were in the red zone in the 4th quarter. But they have an entire new coaching staff. And I would give them another new class before I would condemn the coach. They recruited more on the offensive side when they came to the school. It should get better next year.
The Rangers seem to be adopting the throw around the money and everything will be better strategy. Unless, of course, the players don’t perform. Corey got 300 million plus, but didn’t play like a $325 million player. Will DeGrom live up to the contract? Some injury history is concerning, especially for a contract of that length.
If Gavin Lux can’t play short does that mean the Dodgers will play in the SS FA market? I think Lux can play short and his bat can play up.
But I’d rather bring back Trea.
Not sure I’d invest in Verlander, not at three years. Dodgers have some impressive young pitchers. But not a lot of shortstops.
I think that has to be the focus. They are still in discussions with Trea Turner. Lot of moving parts. Will any club show up with a $300 million deal? Other than a healthy Mike Trout there isn’t a $300 million player in the game.
That doesn’t mean some crazy organization won’t fork out those kind of dollars. But honestly, how many of the big contracts actually work out?
I recall reading that Juan Soto would be the first $500 million player. But he looked fairly ordinary in 2022.
No question, a certain homerun hitting pitcher will get mega bucks at some point.
But I just don’t see any current free agents playing in that type of market.
A. San Diego has met with Turner twice. B, Judge is going to get a 300-million-dollar deal whether he is worth it or not. Either in New York, or San Francisco. Philadelphia is meeting with all four top free agent SS. deGrom has an injury history and the Rangers are rolling the dice and hoping he stays healthy. But he is 35. Verlander is going to get his money, especially after his bounce back season and a Cy Young. Will LA pay him that kind of cash? Remains to be seen. I think Turner coming back is wishful thinking. But letting him sign with your rival, is not very wise. People keep talking about Ohtani. Until he is a free agent, there is zero chance he comes to LA in a trade. Angels not going to trade him across town. Their fans would implode. Milwaukee is going to keep Adames, Burnes and Woodruff until at least the deadline next season. The winter meetings begin tomorrow, and then things should start happening. There is a lot of chatter that both Judge and Verlander, will sign before the end of the meetings. Lux came up as a SS. He has not exactly shined when he has played there in the majors. I am still convinced he is better at second than at SS.
Thinking Fast and Slow
Continuing from previous post…….. Yes, MT I have seen the Dodgers play twice this past year at Nationals Park. Nice stadium also added Citi Field in NYC to my list of visited MLB ballparks this past year and will hopefully add Cincinnati and STL next year.
Your wife’s assessment of SF is spot on. That place, while it might be picturesque and a nice place for tourists to visit, is a real shit hole. Homelessness, vagrancy, open space drug use, feces on sidewalks and aggressive panhandling are real. While I had motivation and a reason to leave California, I most likely would have left even if I didn’t have family living elsewhere. Lived in the Golden State my entire life, but had to get out……..current day politics aside.
Keep in touch when you go to Cincy, St Louis, or Milwaukee next year. Cincy is 90 min away from me.
Absolutely
I know for sure I don’t know what AF/BG have up their sleeves but hoping for a nice surprise.
Rosenthal has a bit on the Dodgers including this:
One possible scenario: Trade for Brewers second baseman Kolten Wong, a player the Dodgers like, according to major-league sources. Sign one of the big four free-agent shortstops. Play Gavin Lux at third.
Does he have actual sources for this, or does Rosenthal just make this stuff up? I get the feeling these people are no different then we random commenters on blogs with our unlikely trade scenarios. They just have a larger audience.
Again, joke or serious?
I’m 100000000000% sure Rosenthal has better things to do than make stuff up about Kolten Wong.
Like he doesn’t have a list of MLB players that he has to mention every year and realized he hasn’t mentioned Wong yet. I daydream the following with a smile:
“Darn! I need to write about Kolten Wong today. Perhaps I can mention him with the Dodgers as an oblique promotion of my podcast with Dave Roberts. But tomorrow! How am I ever going to find a way to mention Tyler Stephenson?!?!?!?!?”
Does having a source mean anything? Sure, it means a lot. But it certainly doesn’t mean that Kolten Wong will doubtlessly be a Dodger. I mean the source could be Dave Roberts from after the podcast, or it could be Wong’s agent. However, if the latter I’m sure Rosenthal (or I’d hope) would look for a 2nd confirmation.
It would be very interesting to see the curtain raised and see how reporters like Rosenthal verify the “scoops” they are given.
Tweet from Doug McKain at DN…
Dave Roberts on who will play shortstop next year for the Dodgers on the Starkville Pod:
“If it doesn’t work with Trea, we have one of our homegrown guys in Gavin Lux who we’re probably looking at to fill in at short.”
Also said, “I loved having Trea with us”.
When I read this it almost sounds like it implies that it’s either Trea or Lux, like they aren’t considering the other Free Agents. It’s also a puzzling to use the phase “fill in at short” The Great Communicator, eh?
MLBTR reporting that the Dodgers and the Giants have an interest in Kolten Wong. Elfin signs a 3 year deal with the Rays.
Excellent report!
That’s what I know for sure, too….
Saw the Kolten Wong notion. Hmm.
He might fit, and he probably wouldn’t cost much. Angels gave up three pitchers of little note to get Hunter Renfro from the Brewers–great move for the Halos–, nd now they apparently want to dump Wong’s salary too. I wonder whether AF and Associates might try to expand the talks… like Wong + Adames….
The Brewers supposedly want to dump Yelich’s big contract. He’s fallen off a lot since his MVP year–though not nearly enough as Belli. (Remember when those two guys were miked up at the All Star game? Stars of the future!)
Anyway, talks with Brewers could get more interesting. The report I read also suggested that Dodgers would go hard for a free agent SS, and perhaps move Lux to 3B. That makes no sense to me, since the brass is betting big on Vargas.
I still think Dodgers will give Lux his shot at the position he grew up playing. Wong, a past gold glover, would help stabilize the D and ensure that Muncy is a DH/3B guy.
I checked out Wong’s stats – good glove, slightly better than average bat. Are they seriously considering him as a starter (if the interest is real) or as a utility guy? If a utility guy, ok, I’m in. If a starter – not impressed.
The team needs an impact right side bat to replace TT’s production. Wong ain’t it.
And he hits left. I don’t get the attraction.
dodgerpatch….check, check, and check with what you wrote.
My suggestions for player additions:
Sign Verlander – three years at $40M annually
Sign either Trea or Bogaerts
Trade for Bryan Reynolds
Add Vargas and Outman along with a couple of pitching prospects
Sign 2-3 more pitcher reclamation projects to fulfil AF’s annual requirements
Please, do the above by the end of 2022 so to add some type of offseason excitement for Dodger fans.
Really…. Colton Wong???
Carry on.
Colton Wong would be a problem. Kolton Wong as well.
But Kolten Wong….
Thank you for the correct. Nothing gets by you Bluto! Lol.
All done with love Ted!
Have a good one.
Hey Patch,
In regards to the impact bat need (which is real) the key phrase in Rosenthal’s reporting is the one I’ve subtly moved into ALL CAPS. Not meaning to shout or be rude, if I could bold or underline I would….
One possible scenario: Trade for Brewers second baseman Kolten Wong, a player the Dodgers like, according to major-league sources. SIGN ONE OF THE BIG FOUR FREE-AGENT SHORTSTOPS. Play Gavin Lux at third.
Ok, fine. I reread your post. The Dodgers interest in Wong is based on Rosenthal’s “major league sources.”
– whatever that means. The drunk guy at his local bar?
A careful reading of your post gets the hypothetical across. A casual reading of his report or tweet, or whatever it was, doesn’t really make clear when his actual reporting ends and his speculation (spit balling) begins.
“one possible scenario …?” Whose scenario? MLB sources? or is something he made up?
The only part of his report that is journalistically relevant – and I’m being real generous with Rosenthal here by acknowledging he’s a journalist – is the report the Dodgers have interest in Wong.
All this stuff by these people reads like something from TMZ.
IF (big if) the Dodgers are interested in Wong AND one of the big four FA SSs, to me it seems more likely that the Dodgers would be packaging Lux in a trade with the Brewers. Maybe it’s part of a larger package to land a guy like Corbin Burnes, who’s set to earn nearly 13 mil in arbitration. The Brewers get controllable talent in Lux, and some package of Bobby Miller, Pepiot – whatever makes the math work. The Brewers shed nearly 25 million in payroll and the talent they get offsets the loss somewhat and keeps them competitive.
With just a quick read on Lux this morning by me, some dumb schlub on the internet and not a “journalist” like Rosenthal, I learned that Lux is near the bottom in throwing ability from the SS position. He doesn’t have a naturally strong arm. How would he be successful at third base.? And so far he lacks the offensive pop that is required at that position. Rosenthal’s scenario gets dumber and dumber the more I think about it. I’d rather read Bumsrap’s scenarios. LOL – no offense, Bum.
This is all my fault.
The quote from Rosenthal without context.
I’m not, obviously going to post the whole thing, but the main thrust of Rosenthal’s story is also what his lede is:
The Dodgers are capable of pivoting in virtually any direction, which is just how they like it.
And the Wong this is just an epitome of that. An idea they’ve floated (internally and externally) in a seemingly (as this community has discussed) random way.
Nothing more and nothing less.
I’m sure they are talking about bigger trades (like you cite) and smaller signings (like Shelby Miller).
Neither he (nor I) necessarily expect it to happen, but it represents something interesting. Their POV on player acquisition this off-season. ‘he published it for the same reason I posted it (I think/hope) I just thought it represented a unique idea and merited posting.
If we only posted things that were going to certainly happen, we’d be bored shitless.
All good, now.
Right?
In fact, the report doesn’t even indicate they brought acquiring Wong to the Brewers. It kinda positions it as a scenario they discussed internally.
Who knows maybe they came to the conclusion that many here have come to, that Lux can’t play 3rd.
“All good, now.
Right?”
No. He’s commie scum and so are you.
… Ok, fine. Context matters. It was part of a long form article on the Dodgers penchant for flexibility and being able to pivot. I’ll go along with that. I thought it was one of Rosenthal’s “Dodgers linked to So-and-So. Deal imminent” tweets.
Of course you could have avoided all of this confusion by simply copying and pasting the entire article so we can all consume someone else’s intellectual property for free, but I digress.
You guys really think Lux can make that throw from 3rd. No way!
Steve Garvey revisited. Gavin Lux. Always considered as trade bait. He can’t play SS, LF, CF, and now 3B. Does it ever end? Leave Gavin Lux the hell alone. Put him at 2B and forget about it. The only question should be is where will he hit in the lineup?
I hear they’re working on a drone he can use.
Apparently, Bluto believes everything he reads. In that case, we’ll have Correa, Bogaerts, Judge, Verlander and DeGrom. What the hell do they need Wong for? Batboy?
If you think they’re gonna use Wong at SS after only playing a single inning there in his entire 10 year big league career, which came last year, and move Lux to third base, another position to learn, you’re beyond help. The last thing the Dodgers need is a lefty-swinging, light-hitting, middle infielder. And then they’re going to waste prospect capital to get him? Gullible.
And yes, Rosenthal is full of shit and doesn’t have anything better to do than to write a bunch of nonsense, apparently like the rest of us.
So far, just from the Brewers. The Dodgers are apparently interested in Wong, Adames, Burnes and Yelich.
More fun to come with the Winter Meeting starting on Sunday.
What I believe is irrelevant. Why would anyone care?
That would be an awesome outcome to the off-season though.
Awe-SOME.
I would gladly pay you Tuesday for a hot stove take today.
OK, I can translate what the Dodgers are saying:
“We can play Gavin Lux at SS or 3B and trade for Wong”
Translation:
“We want to convince other teams Lux can play SS so he will have more trade value.”
From MLBTR:
“Wong is coming off an atypical season. A two-time Gold Glove winner, he’s been one of the sport’s top defensive second basemen throughout his career. His track record at the plate has been more mixed, but he paired arguably his best offensive season and his worst showing with the glove in 2022. Wong hit 15 home runs and put up a .251/.339/.430 line through 497 plate appearances, numbers that checked in 16 percentage points above league average according to wRC+. Statcast pegged him as the game’s worst defensive second baseman, though, estimating he was seven runs below average. Wong committed 17 errors, tying a career high, and he had the worst speed metrics of his career. At his age, Wong’s best days as a defender could be behind him, although it’s worth noting he also didn’t seem fully healthy. He lost a couple weeks in June to a right calf strain and acknowledged after the season he played through leg injuries (via Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel).”
I cannot see any interest in Wong, except for the bench.
MLB.tv showed a potential Giants lineup with Aaron Judge, as if to show how scary it could be.
I spit out my food laughing so hard at this “scary lineup”
Lamont Wade
Judge
Joc
JD Davis
Mike Yazstrimski
Wilmer Flores
Brandon Crawford
Thairo Estrada
Joey Bart
If you see me shaking… cover me, I must be cold!
I think they were showing that lineup to point out how Judge likely wouldn’t sign there to play with that lineup and if they hope to sign him they better be signing another two or three big names to keep him company.
That lineup could easily finish around .500 even with Judge in the middle of it.
It’s scary if you have to fill out that lineup card!
Passan:
Right-handed reliever Chris Martin and the Boston Red Sox are in agreement on a two-year, $17.5 million contract, pending physical, sources familiar with the deal tell ESPN. Martin, 36, was magnificent for the Dodgers after a deadline trade and parlayed it into a multiyear deal.
Kolten Wong discussion is ended. Just traded to Seattle for Winker and Toro.
That is stupid sick! I told you Wong was Wrong!
Wong for Winker is just Wong
Good! We don’t need average players! There’s just no way Judge signs with anybody but the Yankees.
Fully agree!
I hate to lose Chris Martain, but he ain’t worth that much to the Dodgers, who can take any stiff off the street and turn him into Cy Young!
I’m willing to sign a one year deal for a couple mil and put up with ya’lls abuse!
lol – Yes, good deal. One contract and I’ll retire afterward. 😉
Let’s hope Shelby Miller picks up where Chris Martin left off. (Martin really cashed in nicely!)
And Kolten Wong won’t be a Dodger but a Mariner. And Jesse Winker will be a Brewer… Report I heard has the Brewers considering an Adames deal.
Cody is training with Matt Holliday.
Looks better already.
I wonder if this increases the odds that he signs with the Cards. Holliday is their new bench coach.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1598534403814105095
Who was throwing?
You can’t tell ANYTHING by that!
It’s just propaganda!
I can. He’s cured, I tell you, he’s cured!!!!! 🙂
What Follows is What I Know for SURE
There is going to go down a big trade of very very good player(s) for a lot of our farm kids and maybe 1 or 2 establish players.
deGrom to the Rangers, 5/185 with an optional year 6 that would bring the deal to 222 mil. Full no trade.
holy moly!
Watch his arm fall off.
Good for us!
I agree.
The Rangers are going to be fun to watch. They’ve already spent something like 700 million in the last couple of off seasons, plus hiring Bochy and I’m sure there is more to come.
Wouldn’t be surprised to see them add Nimmo for another 100+ mil and another pitcher like Taillon or even Rodon. They’re out-Prellering Preller, although I guess he does it mostly with trades.
Elon Musk!
$44 Billion buys a lot…
That’s all I’ve got to say!
As you like to say; dope fiend moves. All as is buys is a lot of problems.
So much for deGrom wanting to win a WS!
Well I guess Verlander is gonna get his three years! Gut check time for Trojans in 2nd half!
Think the outcome would have been different if Williams had not been hurt. MLBTR reports deGrom’s deal includes an option year that can bring the total contract to 222 million. Milwaukee will hold onto Adames, Burnes and Woodruff into the season. All could be dealt at the deadline. Phillies to meet with all 4 premium SS on the market. deGrom also has a full no trade.
Dont know about SC Bear., Their defense is just awful! Changes need to be made in the coaching staff on that side of then ball!
Yeah, the offense has a lot of holes. But with Williams hurting, the offense sputtered. Killer play was the interception when they were in the red zone in the 4th quarter. But they have an entire new coaching staff. And I would give them another new class before I would condemn the coach. They recruited more on the offensive side when they came to the school. It should get better next year.
The Rangers seem to be adopting the throw around the money and everything will be better strategy. Unless, of course, the players don’t perform. Corey got 300 million plus, but didn’t play like a $325 million player. Will DeGrom live up to the contract? Some injury history is concerning, especially for a contract of that length.
If Gavin Lux can’t play short does that mean the Dodgers will play in the SS FA market? I think Lux can play short and his bat can play up.
But I’d rather bring back Trea.
Not sure I’d invest in Verlander, not at three years. Dodgers have some impressive young pitchers. But not a lot of shortstops.
I think that has to be the focus. They are still in discussions with Trea Turner. Lot of moving parts. Will any club show up with a $300 million deal? Other than a healthy Mike Trout there isn’t a $300 million player in the game.
That doesn’t mean some crazy organization won’t fork out those kind of dollars. But honestly, how many of the big contracts actually work out?
I recall reading that Juan Soto would be the first $500 million player. But he looked fairly ordinary in 2022.
No question, a certain homerun hitting pitcher will get mega bucks at some point.
But I just don’t see any current free agents playing in that type of market.
A. San Diego has met with Turner twice. B, Judge is going to get a 300-million-dollar deal whether he is worth it or not. Either in New York, or San Francisco. Philadelphia is meeting with all four top free agent SS. deGrom has an injury history and the Rangers are rolling the dice and hoping he stays healthy. But he is 35. Verlander is going to get his money, especially after his bounce back season and a Cy Young. Will LA pay him that kind of cash? Remains to be seen. I think Turner coming back is wishful thinking. But letting him sign with your rival, is not very wise. People keep talking about Ohtani. Until he is a free agent, there is zero chance he comes to LA in a trade. Angels not going to trade him across town. Their fans would implode. Milwaukee is going to keep Adames, Burnes and Woodruff until at least the deadline next season. The winter meetings begin tomorrow, and then things should start happening. There is a lot of chatter that both Judge and Verlander, will sign before the end of the meetings. Lux came up as a SS. He has not exactly shined when he has played there in the majors. I am still convinced he is better at second than at SS.