A very weird offseason indeed. This year’s free agent class featured some high-end talent and at the top of the list was Aaron Judge fresh off of a record-setting 62 home run season to go along with an astonishing 10.6 WAR. A right-handed bat who plays Right Field and Center Field. Potentially a nice fit for a Dodgers team that seems to have one everyday outfielder in Mookie Betts and a hole in the lineup that a right-handed power bat would fill nicely.
After top prize Judge, a quartet of shortstops were available. The Dodgers’ own Trea Turner was the first of them to sign elsewhere. Xander Bogaerts, Carlos Correa, and Dansby Swanson came off the board quickly once Trea Turner signed. You would think a SS would fill a hole after losing one of the top shortstops in baseball, two years in a row! That’s not how things worked out for us.
On the pitching side of the free agent market, very old and very good Justin Verlander signed a two-year deal to pitch into his age 40 and age 41 seasons to join the top of the Mets rotation with fellow old and good Max Scherzer for the same $43+ Million per year. The other prize at the top of the pitching market, Jacob Degrom, who hasn’t pitched a full season since 2019 got a 5 year deal from the pitching starved Texas Rangers earning $37 million per year to pitch through his age 39 season with a club option for Age 40.
To round out the top 10 available free agents, New York was very busy as the Yankees snatched up Carlos Rodon and the Mets resigned Brandon Nimmo. The Blue Jays signed Chris Bassitt. All of the top 10 free agents were signed before Christmas. A Christmas miracle indeed…
It was apparent the Dodgers were staying out of the deep end of the waters in such a strange offseason. Instead, they turned to bringing back their own legend, Clayton Kershaw on a very reasonable $20M, 1 year deal. Then, they signed Noah Syndergaard on a very reasonable $13M, “Fix Me” 1 year deal, following the likes of Andrew Heaney and Tyler Anderson while hoping for a big payday after a return to dominance. For good measure, they filled the hole for a right-handed bat in the middle of the lineup with another 1 year deal, this time for JD Martinez for $10M. Another “Fix Me” deal in where JD is trusting his future by reuniting with Robert Van Scoyoc, the Dodgers hitting coach that is credited with turning JD Martinez into one of the most productive hitters in baseball early in his career. In addition to these big name signings, the Dodgers also took a flier on Jayson Heyward, signing him on a minor league deal. Another “Project” to work on, but on a worst case scenario, he’s still a very good outfield defender with a plus arm.
Beyond Clayton’s return, this was not the result that most Dodgers fans were expecting. But, at the same time, it could turn out to be a very impressive haul. In fact, if these names were acquired in a single offseason a few years ago, I think everyone would be ecstatic. These names are just as big as any of the top 10. Hell, even bigger when Nimmo and Bassitt are checking in at the end of the top 10 list. And just to put a cherry on top, they got all three of them on risk-free, one-year deals totaling the same AAV and half the length of Justin Verlander’s contract. Our oldest signings, Kershaw and Martinez are both a full 5 years younger than Verlander. Thor is a full decade younger than Verlander and believe it or not, Jayson Heyward is just 33 years old at the time of the signing even thought it seems like he’s been around forever.
Now, consider this. The Dodgers current projected payroll is just a tick below $32M under the salary cap. That number perfectly coincides with Trevor Bauer’s salary.
Coincidence or an Optimal Approach to Maximizing Production while Minimizing Risk?
The biggest cheater in baseball, Rob Manfred, has successfully screwed the Dodgers once again with the Trevor Bauer saga. The Trevor Bauer can has been kicked far enough down the road that all of the most useful free agents have signed. It sure seems like he’s on a mission to derail the Dodgers’ run of success, but AF fighting back the best he can while coming dangerously close to the CBT threshold.
With the Dodgers almost exactly Trevor’s contract under the cap, it seems to me that AF expects Bauer to be in a Dodgers uniform to start the season. All the details about Bauer’s case is under wraps and no one has reported any kind of information regarding his appeal, other than it was expected to be settled sometime this month. Yet, here we are, less than a week until Christmas and the New Year just around the corner and nothing is settled and no new information or speculation has been revealed by anyone. It’s seems that these hearings are more secure than the Ghislaine Maxwell trial! As a result of the payroll uncertainty surrounding Bauer, and the record length contracts that were being handed out like happy pills at a Grateful Dead concert, AF pivoted to the “Sign and fix” strategy gathering formerly great players this offseason. AF is all about risk management and optimization. His approach this offseason sure looks like he’s operating under a plan with the following goals.
- As always, be deep with Starting Pitching.
- Don’t just hand over a starting job to a rookie without having adequate insurance in place.
- Reset the cap when the opportunity arises.
This offseason will be forever known as the offseason of stupid contracts. Has there ever been so many players signed through age 40? For the last couple of days, a lot of the talk on this site was about the decline of two very good, if not prolific hitters in JT and JD. Both are risky moves and most people think one or the other are washed up. Both are considered DH’s only at this point in their careers, even if JT can fill in at 3B and JD can play a little LF. Both have seen their production decline for several straight years. Every GM knows this and sees this, but somehow it seems like every big name signed contracts well past the current age of these two questionable veterans. Andrew didn’t budge and instead acquired talent at a reduced cost. Of course, each of them have their warts, but each is also young enough to have some promise left in their talents.
These signings provide three things.
- Reduce risk by providing insurance in case the rookies aren’t ready.
- Provide flexibility to cover for injuries or poor performance.
- Acquire a lot of upside.
Kershaw, Martinez, Syndergaard and Heyward have all been stars. You can’t teach talent, but you can recapture it. They did so with worse tools last year while turning Heaney and Anderson into highly valued free agent targets that came off the board expeditiously. While JD Martinez doesn’t provide positional flexibility, he does provide an excellent chance of upside to replace Trea Turner’s or JT’s bat. Maybe better, maybe somewhere in between. It’s clear that the Dodgers front office thinks he has more to add than JT does. Max Muncy looks to get the most time in the field as a result of this signing. In a perfect world, Max would be a semi full-time DH. I love great fielding teams and with Max having a full time role at 2nd or 3rd, we aren’t going to see plus defense at those positions. Max says he’s most comfortable at second base and I believe that’s the plan for him. So, if you’re one of those that’s scared of Lux playing SS, you’re gonna love Muncy at second.
Miguel Vargas is a third baseman and the readiest of all of the rookies, even if he didn’t look like it last year. He’s got the longest runway of all the rookies and that runway will be at 3rd base, not left field unless Busch hits himself onto the team. A lot has been said about the defensive challenges of Vargas and Busch. But, both of these top rookies have made vast improvements on the field. That’s not to say there won’t be some growing pains. With a little luck and a lot of talent, their bats might just make up for any holes in their gloves.
Realistically speaking, Busch probably needs more time in the minors and Outman will be there with him unless he plays himself into the outfield in Spring Training. There’s going to be a lot of competition in the Dodger’s outfield come Spring Training. Jayson Heyward is attempting a comeback at age 33 and he’s best suited for LF. But, he’ll also be a very good defensive option if RVS can fix his bat. Chris Taylor and Trayce Thompson can both play all three outfield positions and Johnny DeLuca is a true Centerfielder as is James Outman. Last but not least, Andy Pages could pull a Belli and force the Dodgers hand by bashing his way into the lineup similar to what Belli did when he arrived ahead of schedule. Pages is better suited for Right Field, but has played plenty of Center Field in the minors. With Heyward, Taylor or Thompson flanking him on the left side, his range would be less of a factor.
On the infield, Muncy can play 2nd and 3rd allowing either Vargas or Busch to break in. Management can settle that score during Spring Training. If both Vargas and Busch have a hot spring, they can move one of them to left field, which could work with a Thompson / Outman platoon in Center.
Now that the roster is set, there will be other minor league signings that typically never work out and some other prospects on the 40-man that aren’t too far away. I can’t see another big signing or a trade considering where the payroll sits and the fact that the 40 man roster looks pretty complete just as soon as they officially add JD and cut Yonny (Cash Considerations) Hernandez. Once that move is made, there’s not a single player on the 40-man that wouldn’t get picked up immediately if the Dodgers needed to clear another roster spot. The team, as a whole, is very deep and talented when Justin Bruihl is your weak link. By the time the Bauer saga is settled, they won’t be any $32M players for the Dodgers to throw money at if the decision goes the wrong way. If Bauer is back in a Dodgers uniform, the rotation will likely be the best in baseball and could open up a trade for another bat at the deadline.
My “Way too early” Opening Day Lineup…
Betts RF R
Lux SS L
Freddie 1B L
JDM DH R
Muncy 2B L
Smith C R
Vargas 3B R
Outman CF L
Taylor LF R
RIP Justin Turner
Justin Turner was not only a productive member of this team for the last 9 seasons, he was a beloved member of the Dodgers family for good reason. A utility player turned star third-baseman, Justin became a fan favorite with clutch hitting and excellent defense at the position. He was an underdog, that became the unofficial captain of this “Almost Dynasty”. His postseason heroics are well documented by reaching beast-mode setting most of the Dodgers post season records as a hitter.
He finishes his time with the Dodgers as the “All-time Dodgers postseason leader in games, hits, doubles, Home Runs, walks, and RBI.”
Justin and his wife, Kourtney’s philanthropy off the field is as well documented as Justin’s heroics on the field. They are very active fundraisers for local charities and have given back to the community that supported him throughout his baseball career starting at Mayfair High School in Lakewood to Cal State Fullerton, then coming home to the Dodgers for most of his career.
Thank you Justin, for the time you spent in “My Blue Heaven on Earth” and for all you do on and off the field. You will be missed.
Padres To Sign Matt Carpenter
By Steve Adams | December 20, 2022 at 11:52am CDT
11:52am: Carpenter will be guaranteed $12MM on the contract, tweets Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. He’ll be paid $6MM this season and the value of the 2024 player option is also $6MM, tweets Jon Heyman of the New York Post. Rosenthal notes that the pact can max out at $21MM, though Carpenter would need to exercise the player option and reach a full slate of performance incentives in order to secure that total. That seems unlikely unless all of the incentives are baked into the 2024 season; if Carpenter plays well enough to unlock a full slate of 2023 incentives, he’d likely also have played well enough to turn down the player option and return to free agency.
I believe JT played college ball at Cal State Fullerton, not CSULB.
You would be correct. He went to MAYFAIR High school. BP forgot to hit spell check.
Fixed, thanks guys. 😉
Go Titans!
JT also credits fellow CSUF alum Tim Wallach for encouraging Dodger brass to sign him.
Worked out pretty well.
Nice analysis there BP ol buddy. If they have to keep Bauer, and he actually does pitch for them again, that rotation is the deepest in the majors, and absolutely the best in the west. SD is going to try and make a starter out of Lugo, but they have no leeway if one of their big guns goes down to injury. Same with the Mets and almost every other team. The Nationals DFA’d Gerardo Carrillo. He went there in the Scherzer-Turner trade. Mets re-signed Ottivino.
If Bauer’s payroll status kept the Dodgers from signing one of those long term contracts an argument might be made that Manfred did the Dodgers a favor. The answer will be known by mid-season if based on how well the Dodgers are doing without any of those big contracts.
The line-up looks about right.
Worst off-season ever, penny pinching Dodgers, cheap owners. Padres and Mwts just keep getting better, why we shop at the dollar store and talk about saving our wealthy owners money. And getting them the luxury tax reset which they claim is about draft picks when in reality is about their Christmas bonuses!! And how Bauer is holding them up, what a joke. My season tickets have gone up over 100 percent in their tenure as owners. And people are sympathizing for them, and their cash position, what a joke.
Uh….The Dodgers have had the highest or near highest payroll every year since forever. Now they’re penny pinching, cheap owners who shop at the dollar store? In reality it’s about somebody getting a Christmas bonus?
Spoken like someone who has no idea how businesses operate … or how the real world operates.
Actually, I would make the argument that, even if the Guggenheim Group has such unlimited cash that the compounding CBT penalties are mere trifles, there are good reasons to impose fiscal limits on your operations.
When you have too much money to spend, you wind up wasting it. This applies to people as well as organizations. They become inefficient. Scarcity creates innovation and shrewd thinking and decision making.
Moneyball was a product of having no money.
Exactly. And for the A’s it worked, but they still did not win anything
You really think the Dodgers owners are concerned with their Christmas bonuses? They have all the money they could use and then some. This is a side project for them and the real payday comes when they sell the team and make billions.
You’re a freaking joke with a world view of a child. You sound like an entitled, spoiled brat complaining about an ownership group that has spent more money on payroll than any other team since they took over. Like it or not, ALL TEAMS RESET THE CAP at some point. You don’t like it? Tough shit. It’s not your team and it’s not your money.
As far as your season tickets go. It’s supply vs demand and has nothing to do with payroll. If you raise ticket prices and you lead the league in attendance, you keep raising them as long as there’s enough idiots to keep buying them. Businesses aren’t charities. If you don’t like it, don’t buy it. Be happy that they spend money on the team and even when they reset, they’re right up on the edge of the CBT. It could be much worse.
And now that all these teams spent record contracts this offseason, the Dodgers will be free to spend next off-season with much less competition. Brilliant move if you asked me.
Your post isn’t quite as stupid as trading Urias for Rosario, but it’s close. Let’s see if someone can say something stupider today.
“They have all the money they could use and then some. This is a side project for them and the real payday comes when they sell the team and make billions.”
This is a good point and most likely true. Professional sports teams owners don’t make money on the operations. They make money on the total valuation increase of the team. Even so, there are still good reasons to have a healthy balance sheet if/when owners choose to sell. An overall fiscally sound and healthy team is more desirable than one like the Angels, who will most likely have to have a fire sale to make their balance sheet more attractive to a prospective buyer.
That, and having a winning team year in and year out that attracts consistent ticket and merchandising sales will make your team much more valuable. Integrating cheap rookies and letting them flourish to complement key expensive veterans is the best way to create a sustainably winning franchise. Buying a bunch of expensive free agents, maybe winning a WS, and then having your organization collapse and be forced to sell off the parts in some boom/bust cycle seems like a dumb way to create consistent value.
That’s funny. I only smell one…
We’re all feeling really badly for you Adam.
Being forced to pay for season tickets every year and all.
I wouldn’t blame you if you stopped being a Dodger fan right this minute.
I hear there are fan openings at the following cities: Oakland, Cincinnati, Detroit……………………
Pittsburgh, Miami, Kansas City.
You are just joking… right Adam? You don’t REALLY believe that… do you?
The criticism is not the problem.
It’s the stupidity!
Giants postpone Carlos Correra’s press conference due to medical concerns.
lol – perfect. Farhan the Genius.
Maybe you should see how this plays out before you start dissing Farhan. He may be using this as a means to lop a bunch of $ off that contract.
Really? Piss off you’re franchise player on the way in and you think I need to wait how this plays out to save a few bucks? That’s funny. Bush league move!
Will the real Bulldog please stand up, and take a bow.
https://media.giphy.com/media/wjBMdDqMCyxJoCJ2yZ/giphy.gif
If I’m reading this right, the Dodgers payroll that counts against the CBT is a little over 211 million. That means that if Bauer is reinstated at full pay for this year – 32 million – that puts the Dodgers over the threshold and into repeat offender status.
https://www.spotrac.com/mlb/los-angeles-dodgers//payroll
I really don’t think the Dodgers want to do that this year. This year is a good opportunity to reset the tax. I don’t think they would shed the contracts they did and opt not to sign a FA just to barely cross the threshold and get all of those compounding penalties.
I think AF has a trick up his sleeve in case Bauer is reinstated.
Here’s what I’d do:
Make an offer to a wannabe contender that needs starting pitching – the Rangers come to mind. Offer to trade Bauer and assume 20 mil of his AAV. The other team picks up the remaining 12 mil. Maybe some prospects trade hands just to make it all work.
– The Dodgers get rid of a PR headache
– Still stay under the CBT
– SP poor contender gets a solid 175 inning former Cy Young winning SP on a short deal for 12 mil.
If I were the Rangers or the Indians I’d do it in a heartbeat.
Some of you are still pining for Bauer, but the Dodgers don’t need him. There are already five veteran SPs, and he just blocks guys like Gavin Stone, who has excelled at every MiLB level and really needs to pitch against MLB hitting this year if/when Kershaw/Gonsolin spend time on the IL.
Yet we always seem to have too much pitching at the beginning of the year and too little at the end. I probably don’t need to explain this to you, but here I go anyways.
Kershaw will go on the IL 2-3 times and maybe throw 130 innings
Urias will throw right around 200 innings.
Dustin May will be limited to around 140-150 innings.
Gonsolin threw 130 innings last year and his arm fell off.
Syndergaard threw 130 innings last year so 170 innings this year might be reasonable.
Just for ease of use. Let’s say Julio throws 200 and the others average 150 (I think I’m being generous here). That will give you 800 on a wing and a prayer.
If your starters average 5 innings in a game (not optimal), you need 810 innings pitched from them.
If you want 6 innings per game, you need 972 innings from your rotation.
That’s 162 innings to account for. Everyone here thinks Gavin Stone is ready after throwing just 121 innings last year with 23 of those coming at AAA. Yes, just 23 innings at AAA total in his career. In those 6 starts, he averaged just UNDER 4 innings per start.
Trevor Bauer isn’t blocking anyone. There will be injuries and May or Gonso can pitch out of the pen or in the minors for a portion of the season to keep them fresh and ready for the postseason. Who knows, maybe the problem fixes itself when Gonzo blows out that shoulder that’s given him problems every single year?
Last season we had too many starters on Opening day…
Walker Buehler, Tony Gonsolin, Andrew Heaney, Clayton Kershaw, Julio Urías, Tyler Anderson.
The year before we had too many starters on Opening day…
Clayton Kershaw, Trevor Bauer, Walker Buehler, Julio Urías, Dustin May, Tony Gonsolin
It sounds to me like the premise of your argument is something like this. “Trevor Bauer bad, Dodgers organization good”. I keep thinking about why it would be acceptable for another team to take on Bauer, but not the Dodgers? I can’t think of a reasonable conclusion without some sort of emotional reasoning, which isn’t reasoning at all.
I also think about what the Dodgers have said and done since the incident. They haven’t said anything negative about him. They didn’t suspend him. In fact, Stan Kasten said they wouldn’t suspend him and then MLB wound up doing so.
They pulled his merchandise, but they did that with Puig and still kept him and played him afterwards.
Then I think about the Mets paying Verlander and Scherzer 43+ Million and the Rangers paying deGrom $37 millions on multi-year deals. And you think that Bauer is going to net you “Maybe some prospects to make it work” for a Cy Young winner, in his prime at a paltry $12M? Yeah, I think all 29 teams would line up for that deal…
It sure looks like it would make more sense to keep him.
No. My premise is “Bauer major PR nightmare. Dodgers don’t want distracting (and expensive) major PR nightmare.”
Ok, fine. The Dodgers had 6 SPs the last couple of years – and needed them. Yes, it would be a luxury to have Bauer and maybe stick May in the BP in a swing man role until Kershaw’s back flares up around June.
How much is that luxury 6th man in the rotation worth? Not only are you paying him 32 million for that luxury, but you’re paying all the additional taxes for being a repeat offender over the CBT … plus losing the draft picks and whatever future value they would have … plus… now you likely continue to be a repeat offender in 2024 if you have any desire to keep Urias next year, so the penalties keep compounding rather than go back to first time offender status because you were smart and reset in 2023.
All of that because the Dodgers go 11 million over the threshold for Bauer the PR Headache for one friggen year … because he’s an insurance policy in case Gonsolin’s shoulder starts hurting?
….Plus…. he’s been out of baseball for a year and a half. He’s gonna be rustier than that hammer I left outside in the rain.
… Plus … he was starting to lose his luster (and spin rate, more specifically) when they banned the sticky stuff. Oh, he was still decent after, but there was a measurable decline. The real Bauer was the guy pitching for the Indians, not the guy who pitched for the Reds and won the Cy Young.
….Plus … Stone only pitched 23 innings or whatever in AAA because he started out in A ball and shot his way all the way to AAA in one season, and completely dominated at every level. He needs to get some MLB exposure, even if a small sample, not get stashed in AAA for a year. Same with Pepiot. He has some control issues to work out, but MLB experience will help him. If we expect these guys to be the future rotation, they can’t languish in the minors.
…Plus… aren’t the Dodgers getting Buehler back in August? Not that I expect much from him, but now you have 7 starting pitchers heading into the playoffs.
All of that … plus… the continuing PR nightmare that he’ll continue to be with the virtue signalling LA media and it’s Westside readership. The Molly Knights and Dylan Hernandez’s will continue to pound Bauer and the Dodgers all year long. It will be discussed and argued endlessly.
Add it all together and Bauer would be the single most expensive player in Dodger franchise history … all to have a 6 man rotation and provide some depth.
He’s been the most expensive 6th man since he’s been here. We were getting May back last season, just like Walker this season and still had 6 Starting Pitchers to start the season.
What’s this PR nightmare that you speak of? How about the distraction? We went further in the playoffs the year this happened and that was the PR nightmare and distraction. It will be much less this year if and when an arbitrator clears him to play because he’s freaking innocent!
I for one would rather have more good players than less good players if the goal is to win the World Series at the end of the year. You might see it a different way.
…Plus…none of your pluses are factual in nature. No one knows when Bueler will be back. Bauer didn’t pitch poorly with a reduced spin rate and that time period coincides with dealing with that crazy lady. So, was it spin rate or crazy lady or just a tough part of the schedule and lack of sleep? He had about a 3.45 ERA during the span you speak of, while going at least 6 innings in each start. Bauer also had a hell of season with the Indians 2.11 ERA? I’ll take that. He’s a pitcher that got better. You’re trying to make an argument that a guy that pitched 4 innings a game is a better option than a Cy young winner that routinely pitches 6-8 innings a game. He’s spent 1.5 years out of baseball pitching in his training facility. Not rehabbing an injury. You should get a new hammer.
Your confusing your feelings with facts.
There has been some time passed since the case was in the news everyday. I even had people I know who had no clue that he was still property of the Dodgers. He might be a PR nightmare, but if he is cleared to play, and that is a huge point right now, they pretty much have to play the guy if they are going to fork out all that money. I am sure there will be some sort of oversight to make sure he stays out of trouble.
I have a post in jail
Fixed it.
Bulldog, that’s not you. He’s wearing a jacket and tie, you my friend are probably in your
leopard print pajamas.
Carhart Flannel, burnt orange. Grey Adidas Tiro Track Pants. Black Sun Records T-Shirt. Blue and Grey Dodgers Beanie with the buff ball on top. 😉
True to the Red White and Blue T shirt, barefoot and wearing Batman pajama pants.
Solid IDGAF attire.
Exactamundo and perfect for a Wal-Mart visit!
Now is the time to feel best to be a fan of this franchise. Homegrown talent is easier to cheer for and victories are sweeter when your club has molded players to be winners. Dodger Stadium is the biggest stage in sports and I find it great that 2023 rides being dependent somewhat on the players they built to contribute to those they’ve bought in the past and the players who took a reduction in pay just to be on this team. I take that as insiders info that players believe in this franchise and what the 2023 season is going to be. That’s investing bigtime. It’s finally time to showcase just how a good farm system can make great ballplayers.
Very well said Quas.
Agreed. Well said.
WOW! You pulled out a winner, QUAS!
Adam’s entitled to his view.
He’s paying his hard earned money.
Personally I’m really pleased with the Thor and JDM pick ups, as articulated so well by B&P above.
Very much looking forward to the season already.
Yeah, well a view is one thing. A tirade of accusations, lies and name calling is another.
Truth. I have seen some really stupid shit posted on twitter the last few days. I figure it is a bunch of uneducated dolts with zero brain matter spewing vitriol and idiocy.
I think one of my posts from the previous article never made it out of jail.
Can it be freed here, or is it confined to history?
Bluto, I am sure there is a way to transfer it, but I am not smart enough to do that, so I copied it:
Patch,
I’m all over the place in this reply, so bear with me.
Once Upon a Time in the West for Leone westerns IMHO.
One Upon a Time in America, for Leone et al.
As for managers being responsible for at least one playoff win? This cannot be a serious opinion. The average winning margin in a playoff game is what? 3-4 runs??!?!? You think there are constantly singular managerial moves that can move (ugh) the needle that much? Obviously we are dealing with barely tangible stuff here, but most studies with managers indicate they have a direct bearing on like 3-4 games over a 162 game schedule. There’s less than 10% of that in the playoffs. And much fewer variance.
See:
https://blogs.fangraphs.com/the-sense-behind-ripping-the-manager/
https://www.si.com/more-sports/2010/08/26/managers-impact
https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/most-managers-are-headed-to-the-hall-of-mediocrity/
As for not detecting the Astros cheating. This is even sillier.
1. Many teams had SERIOUS belief that the Astros (and other teams, including LAD) were cheating. Proof is/was extremely hard to come by.
2. The Dodgers DID take measures to try and deter the Astros cheating.
3. Every manager is in the exact same boat as Roberts if you really believe the inane point that he had no clue the cheating was going on. How can you single him out for it?
Signed BLUTO THE GREAT I put that last part in there! 😉
As always, thank you, Mark
I can’t hear any argument, Bluto. Case Closed!
Wait for it…
I agree with a couple of points in the SI article.
1) …That supports the belief that the best baseball manager is one with a strong roster who is smart enough to let his players play and stay out of the way.
2) According to WXRL, Baseball Prospectus’ cumulative win-expectancy based statistic for relief pitchers, the best set-up man in a given season (the White Sox’ Matt Thornton last year, the Red Sox’ Daniel Bard this season) is worth between four and five wins. According to the market, the best baseball manager isn’t worth any more than that. We can’t prove that that’s true, but I’m willing to believe it.
3) However, in a 2004 article in The Baseball Research Journal, Bill James famously, and controversially, described this method of determining the persistence of a phenomenon as “the Fog,” as in “just because you can’t see it doesn’t mean it’s not there.”
Another good write up B&P. I think too AF was smart not to pay those outrageous lengthy contracts. They have to pay Mookie until he’s 39 and Freddie until the age of 37. To add another contract to that age range would be a problem in the future. That’s why this may be the last year of Urias with the team. He’s going to to be paid big bucks. As long as Steve Cohen owns the Mets the contract terms are going to be through the roof. It would be painful to lose Urias after this season, but with the pitching prospects the Dodgers have it would allow the team to move on. That’s why it may be a good idea to give 3+ of potential starters some serious major league time this season to see who’s the real deal and who needs more time in the minors or isn’t going to cut it.
I’m looking forward to spring training and see how things get sorted out. It’s going to be exciting getting some new fresh players and prospects on the team. It was time. I will miss JT’s professionalism, leadership, talent, and being an incredible human being. I won’t miss the frustrating saga that is Cody Bellinger. But, I wish him well.
Happy holidays to everyone who writes and contributes to this knowledgeable forum. And a big thanks to Mark for providing and maintaining the site for us Dodger fans. And a Happy and Healthy (more important) New Year to all.
Of course, carry on!
I would say at this point, especially if they decide to take a run at Ohtani in free agency next year, the chances that Urias goes somewhere else are about 75-25 he will. Boras is going to look for a long term deal for Julio. And that means, especially at his age, 7 or 8 years at least. Dodgers have not signed a pitcher for more than four in a long time.
So, here I am sitting in the Midwest where it is said everything East of the Rockies will be hit by a Bomb Cyclone on Friday with somewhere between 1 and 79 inches of snow.
Bring it!
I’ve got my snow tires on… well actually they are 22″ Mud Off Road Tires, so I can Handle about 30″
I’m looking forward to it.
I congratulate you again B&P, your article today is great, I have the same feeling that you express about the biggest cheater in baseball RM, I agree with you that this man seeks to derail the streak of winning seasons for the Dodgers, he gives the impression that he has a very strong animosity against our team and especially against TB (I imagine it is because of his clashes on social networks), but even so I understand less is why the property does not press for Manfred to rule on the resolution on the TB case, as previously Another colleague has explained to me that these issues do not transcend the general public.
I also think that this indecision has harmed the Dodgers in every way, I hope this matter is resolved soon so that we can outline the team’s 40-player roster, once again I salute you and congratulate you and all who write here for your brilliant collaborations on LA Dodgers Talk.
It is a proper think tank.
Thanks José! “These issues do not transcend the general public”. I totally agree here. Manfred is drunk with power is all I can say about it. This is as much punishment for Bauer calling out the problem with MLB not doing anything about the use of sticky stuff by pitchers as it is about this bogus setup. When the authorities decided not to prosecute, that should have been enough to reinstate Bauer. Manfred’s actions put the Dodgers at a disadvantage, essentially applying a different set of rules for the Dodgers than for the rest of the league.
The Giants where scheduled to have a press confrence to announce the signing of Correa and now have postponed it. There seems to be a health issue at hand. The Giants are waiting for some lab tests results. This could get messy.
I count 11 position players on the 26 man roster. 2 spots left. If the Dodgers are planning on Outman and Vargas being on the 26 man roster then you gotta let them start because you don’t want them wasting their time on the bench. So 1 outfield starter spot is left and right now Taylor would fill that spot, but I do see David Peralta still out there, he has a better career BA and OPS than Taylor and isn’t anywhere near a strikeout machine as Taylor. Anyone for Peralta?
Peralta career .281 BA, .796 OPS
Then I’d like to see AF get a GOOD reliever and the best I see on the market is Chad Green. I see only 10 GOOD pitchers if I include Stone for 13 spots on the 26 man roster.
Green’s career 1.02 WHIP, .212 BA, .645 OPS with similar splits. That’s pretty damn good. I think AF should go after him.
Peralta and Green fit for what the Dodgers could use that are still available on the market.
I doubt Taylor is penciled in to be the starting left fielder. He is better being the super sub. He will get some starts there as will Heyward. The starting outfield will most likely be Outman, Thompson and Betts. And then Taylor will slide in there when they play a lefty starter. Three years ago Peralta would have been a nice get. He has not been the same player the last couple of years. He finished last year with Toronto. He does not K as much as Taylor, but he does not have his versatility either. And he only plays the outfield. Green has not even been mentioned in any of the blogs or news streams. Peralta is 35 years old. Even Heyward is younger than that.
Oops I looked at Peralta’s splits and he would only be good as a bench/pinch hitter guy.
They do not need one of those. I think your evaluation of the pitching is way off. It has been their strength the last couple of years. And to get both of those guys you mentioned, someone on the 40 has to go.
There are plenty of guys on the 40 man roster that could be dropped and nobody would miss them.
Heyward isn’t on the 40 man roster so they would have to drop somebody to add him and he is a bust. There’s no way you will see him in Dodger stadium.
And I changed my mind about Peralta after looking at his splits.
But Green would be a great pick up.
A little premature calling Heyward a bust there Eric. He will get all spring training to prove he is still a viable player. There are maybe two guys on the 40 man who would be the first in line to be cut. So define plenty. I think the first one dropped would be Hernandez, and maybe Reed after him. The rest of the roster is loaded with their prime prospects, so the chances they go are pretty slim. And they really do not need to cut a player to add Heyward, they have two guys who will automatically go on the 60-day IL at the end of spring, Buehler and Trienen. Green would be a great pick up in your world. There has been no mention of him at all on any of the Blogs or baseball sites as being connected or considered an option by the Dodgers. You are dreaming. Heyward is also two years younger than Peralta. I checked Green’s stats, and he has good numbers. But judging from his innings worked, he seems like a set up man. Dodgers have a couple of those already. Their bullpen is loaded.
Hernandez is gone as soon as JDM is added to the roster.
Feyereisen, Treinen, and Buehler will all start the season on the 60 day IL. That’s when Jason Heyward gets added to the 40, if he shows promise in Spring Training.
Chad Green is a solid pitcher and would be a good add to any staff. He’s a bit homer prone, but he’s solid nonetheless. But, I don’t think he has much more upside at 32 than many others on the 40 man.
For instance, Graterol has a higher lifetime ERA, etc. But, he’s just 24, throws 100 and his ERA was just 0.26 points higher than Green last season. Green threw just 15 innings last season, so there’s probably some medical concerns. Graterol is also cheap and while that may not matter to some, it certainly does matter if you’re working with a budget as all teams are.
The concerning thing about Green is that his fastball lost a full tick last year and it resulted in a huge increase in batting average against, from 184 the year before to 286 last season.
Bulldogs: You got the batting average against wrong about Green. .193 to .241
I’m sure Prior could tweak him and get him back on track. There are not 8 relievers on the 40 man roster that are not injured better than Green stats wise. That’s how I look at it and you never have enough pitching. There are guys with options that can wait in AAA for an injury. That’s what you call depth.
Plus I’m sure he was injured early in the year by only throwing 15 innings and that’s what caused an increase in batting average, so that increase is a mute point. I think you are nitpicking him bigtime.
The only thing that can be argued about him is if he is still injured and expected to miss most of the season or more. But still AF does this all the time. Picking up good pitchers who may be injured and sticking them on the IL for future good results.
David Peralta cannot hit LHP so he is a guy who only played against RHP, but he is getting old. His defense is like JDM’s and he is in line to slip even more. I’d rather use Mike Busch. I think his power numbers would be much greater. Peralta hit 30 HR in 2018 and has not hot more than 12 since. HARD PASS!
Are you talking about the Chad Green who has not put up an ERA below 3.00 in the past 4 years? Why bring him in only to cut him? The Dodgers have at least 18 pitchers better than him.
Mark: Yep I didn’t look at Peralta’s splits before I posted my original post and when I looked at that I realized I would pass on him.
E.R.A to me is not an acurate stat to base an opinion on a pitcher. To me you gotta look at the undrerlying stats that I posted.
Mets To Sign Carlos Correa
By Mark Polishuk | December 21, 2022 at 2:05am CDT
In a shocking development, Carlos Correa has agreed to join the Mets for a 12-year, $315MM contract, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports (Twitter link). Correa had previously agreed to a 13-year, $350MM deal with the Giants, yet reports surfaced yesterday that the introductory press conference was postponed due to an unknown issue with Correa’s medicals.
Just saw that, he gets a year less and 35 mil less. He is going to play third for the Mets.
Unless the Mets make trades the following years, their payroll will be well over the fourth final penalty threshold of $293 million. Steve Cohen doesn’t care. His current payroll is well over $400 million with penalties. Just saw the Vegas World Series odds and even with all the Mets moves, the Astros are +600 ,the Dodgers + 700, the Yankees +700 and the Mets are 10 to 1. Money doesn’t guarantee you anything in baseball.
What do the Giants do now?
Drop back 20 yards and punt. It means Crawford is going to have to be their SS again, and he isn’t getting any younger. While the Giants had an issue with something in his medicals, the Mets jumped right in.
Wow, I LOVE this! The Mets will be very good for a couple of years, then it will all come crashing down. Good and bad for Mets fans. Good short term, bad long term. I would have loved to have Correa on a short-term, high AAV contract, but not on a long-term deal. But, the thing I like most about this is that the Giants are a freaking joke! Their fans are going to be so pissed.
No logical person can think the Dodgers are better than the Mets at this point.
Catcher Smith vs McCann – Dodgers
1B Freeman vs Alonso – Dodgers
2B Muncy vs McNeil – Muncy offense, McNeil defense – wash
3B Vargas vs Correa – Mets
SS Lux vs Lindor – Mets
LF Taylor vs Canha – Dodgers
CF Outman/Thompson vs Nimmo – Mets
RF Betts vs Marte – Dodgers
DH Martinez vs Vogelback – Dodgers
SPs
Urias vs Verlander – Mets
May vs Scherzer – Mets
Gonsolin vs Quintana – Dodgers
Kershaw vs Senga – Dodgers
Syndergaard vs Carrasco – Dodgers
Dodgers still better.
I concur and that does not include the depth they have in the pen and behind the 5 starters. As a matter of fact, I would not be surprised to see the Dodgers use a 6 man rotation.
LOL okay guy….that’s the type of comparison a 3rd grader would provide. Funny wasn’t McNeil the batting champ last year….but okay Muncy who couldn’t hit his weight is better offensively. And tell me how Taylor is better than Canha who OPS’s .770 last year while Taylor is a literal strike out machine. And how is Martinez better than Vogelback? You and Mark should just get a room and suck each other off already.
You must be a tiny little man to talk that way behind your computer keyboard.
I know you would never say that to my face because you are hiding already.
Are you a man or a mouse? Come on SQUEEK UP, Little boy!
kpizzle
He’s basing some of this on what he expects is going to happen and that’s not a good way to compare. No offense Bulldogs. But kpizzle your last sentence was bad and unnecessary to say so I don’t like your last sentence. Mark is the owner of this website if it wasn’t for him we wouldn’t have this website.
Kpizzle, we can arrange to meet so you can bitch slap me. I really want that.
I wonder how this is going to be viewed by the other owners. I don’t know what they can do, but I have to believe that they won’t sit idly by while Steve Cohen uses his personal fortune to bring his payroll + CBT to over $400 million. This cannot be good for the game.
I’ll leave it at that for now, and wait for people more knowledgeable than I to offer their own thoughts.
You have a point, but the other owners, and the commissioner really cannot do anything if he wants to spend money and buy a Championship. We all know that does not always work. You cannot foresee injuries and you cannot predict with any accuracy performance. You can use all the tools they do, but changing teams, and changing cities is not that easy. Even elite players have had problems.
The owners and fans can frown upon what Cohen and the Mets are doing but nothing can be done until the current CBA expires on December 1, 2026.
I love it! It gives the Dodgers an excuse to increase spending.
Cohen is in for a rude awakening. Just because he spends an outrageous amount of money on players doesn’t mean he knows what he is doing. I would say he doesn’t. To pay two pitchers who are 38 and 40 a combined total of $86M a season is not smart. To pay a relief pitcher over $20M a year for five years is not smart. Finally, paying an injury prone SS/3B $315M for 12 years is not smart. These salaries are actually more when the $90M+ penalty is included.
It’s all about pitching and their starting staff is old and susceptible to injuries. The youngest starter is the newly signed from Japan, Senga who is 30. I read a comment in the Athletic that the Mets were smart not to sign a QO free agent because it allowed them to keep all their draft picks. Well, there are going be several lost picks and tens of millions in international spending lost because of incredibly exceeding the CBA. Plus, they have Billy Eppler as a GM and his record with the Angels in building a strong prospect system is poor.
Bottom line, I see the Braves and Phils giving the Mets all they can handle.
This is funny.
What a slap in the face to SF lol
They were being prudent. There was obviously something in his physical that set off alarm bells in San Francisco. I do not think it was a slap in the face, but it was a shocker probably. SF still has a ton of money.
I agree more with Watford. It is a huge slap in the face. It doesn’t matter if SF has money if there’s no one else to spend it on. They needed a star to get butts in seats. If you don’t put butts in seats, you’re not going to have money for long. Correa was a good signing for SF even if it was a boat anchor. You can argue it’s a worse signing for the Mets since Correa is going to be a third baseman, making his deal more of an overpay. He’s got great numbers for a shortstop. Good numbers for a third baseman. There’s also some risk as some shortstops don’t make good third basemen. Some do, of course, but others don’t.
I am looking at it from the Giants point of view. They must feel like they dodged a bullet. They do not have a star player true, but I have seen some very good teams without a star. The Mets had made a last minute bid to sign him, but the talks with SF were close to being finalized. Boras just kept the channel open and when the deal hung up he pivoted to NY.
Those Vegas odds cannot be up-to-date, given that this is breaking news that was just reported this morning. Most people are probably still not awake. Even I saw this because I woke up prematurely, and will probably go back to bed for another couple of hours. And I’m on the east coast, where it’s three hours later than a lot of you.
Franco Harris, the former Steeler running back passed away at age 82. RIP.
Correa sure switched to being a third baseman very quickly. Methinks he is concealing an injury!
… and Stevie-boy fell for it!
That’s what it looks like. That’s why he was willing to take less AAV and a longer deal.
Actually the deal is 12 years, the one with SF was 13.
The target on the back of the Dodgers has been removed and will be solely on the New York Mets. All the pressure with Cohen’s exorbitant spending will be on them. Can they handle it?
WOW! My “usual suspects” list really came through……Correa (most despised player); the Giants (most hated team); and the Mets (most foolhardy ownership) have energized me on December 21 to hear “play ball” and get the season started! It will be a special treat to watch as this debacle implodes in 2023. In the process, the Dodgers quietly go about their business. If only the Padres could have gotten involved in this mess some way….
The Padres have their own mess. Soto doesn’t look like the same player that won a WS with the Nats. Tatis isn’t happy about being an outfielder and Machado will certainly opt out next year.
Man, I can’t wait for the season to start. I’m very excited to see Vargas next season. I think he’s going to be a very solid hitter and a big key to the team’s success. The word is, he’s been working out like a madman at Dodger Stadium.
The chemistry on that team cannot be great. Cronenworth is going to be their first baseman. It looks like Kim will slide to second, with Bogaerts at SS. Tatis is slated to be the CF when he comes off of his suspension. They still are short on starters with experience.
Does all this mean the Giants are going in circles?
Yep. Around the drain.
I think you guys are wrong.
He’s had a rethink and decided he wants to play for a win now team rather than for a team mired in mediocrity for a decade.
And he’s prepared to do it for less years and money!
This wasn’t his decision. The deal was pending physical and he failed according to the Giants. Taking less money tells all. He famously said he was going to sign for the most money during the regular season. The Mets were not his choice, it was his fallback.
Just got the text from my Giant’s fan brother-in-law. He’s so pissed.
I’ve mentioned this idea before, but now it seems that the Orioles are officially shopping their GG-caliber SS Jorge Mateo because of their depth at the position.
Fantastic range, glove and arm. (Look at the highlights.) Probably more valuable now with the shift. Pitchers would love him–and he’d probably help starters last longer. I’ve read that he rates in top 5 for defensive runs saved.
Can’t hit much–a bit of power–but he led the AL in steals. Good fit for the 9th spot in the batting order.
If Dodger brass, as Mark suggests, don’t really believe their own hype in Lux’s ability to play SS, Mateo could be an alternative for AF the bargain hunter.
Random other observations:
–Denying JT a two-year contract and signing JDM for just one is another sign the Dodgers will be all-in for Ohtani. He would take over the DH role and also be the ace (or co-ace) in a 6-man rotation–and maybe command $50 million per year.
–The Ohtani gambit could also help explain why AF is slow-rolling an extension for Urias and other pitchers–and why he declined Anderson’s desire for a 3-year commitment. He obviously loves Kershaw’s preference for one-year deals.
–Signing JDM means Will Smith won’t DH as much as before. If JDM delivers, fine. If not, not so fine.
–The suggestions that JT can’t catch up to fastballs doesn’t square with his strong second-half production. Obviously the Red Sox must think his second-half performance means more than his poor start; plus he can play 1B if their new kid falters. I just read that in the playoffs it was Max and CT3 who struggled against San Diego’s hard-throwing staff. Terrible BAs against pitches over 95 mph.
–Except for Mookie, Freddie and Smith/Barnes, the Dodgers defense seems pretty shaky. Vargas will play somewhere–but where? So many question marks right now.
Finally, FWIW, I wanted the Giants to get Correa. Would have been good for the rivalry. Now the Mets are officially the best team money can buy.
Curious: AF is known for unconventional thinking. If you were in his position, and you had six starters having very good seasons as the trade deadline approaches, would you trade Urias for a return similar to what the Nats received for Juan Soto?
Yep, if there no plans to resign Urias
Maybe they’re clearing payroll so they can re-sign Julio? Maybe they won’t need to if Miller, Stone and Pepiot make strides?
If they wanted a guy like Jorge Mateo, they would promote Jacob Amaya.
Mateo’s fielding percentage at SS is 973. Not Gold Glove Caliber Not much better than Lux. He’s also two years older.
All of this Lux can’t play SS is non-sense. If you can’t see by now, the Dodgers passed on resigning Seager last year, Turner this year and passed on a half a dozen other shortstops. The reason? Because they have Lux. They certainly aren’t going to replace him with a guy like Rosario or Mateo.
If JDM doesn’t deliver, Smith will be DH when he isn’t catching. If he does, he might see some left field to keep Will’s bat in the lineup.
JT can’t catch up to fastballs. He only hit a handful over 95MPH all season and hit less of them than Bellinger, who can’t catch up to heat. What do you think it’s going to look like another year older? You’re assuming that during his hot run he was hitting fastballs, but that wasn’t the case.
Vargas is not as bad on defense as you think he is. And he’s been working all offseason at Dodgers stadium. But, the defense will be worse with Muncy at second, but not as bad as you think it will be. In case you didn’t notice, JT and Muncy set a low bar on defense at 3B last season. Probably why the Dodgers will move him to second base, blocking Busch, but Muncy’s contract is only guaranteed through this season. Club option next year to go back to DH when JDM leaves, Busch takes over 2B next year full-time.
Vargas, worst case, will equal JT’s and Muncy’s defense at 3B. Lux will be as good as Trea at SS. Muncy will be worse than Lux at 2B and Freeman remains the same. Not a drastic fall off. If Vargas is better than Muncy and JT last season, it will be close to a wash.
Gosh, I’d kill to get the Soto package for Urias. I think Soto is and will be amazing.
On the Mets, I’m quite torn (self-import alert).
On one hand, owners spending maximum money is always good. Players should make their maximal value and this is only done (in theory, as it’s never happened) if owners spend their maximal amount.
On the other hand, Cohen’s wealth is, historically, obscene. And sports is a business. Not every owner could spend at the levels he is, there’s no proportionality! Is this good for the game to have an owner without restraint (business restraint) and with unlimited (nearly) assets?
it’s a toughie.
Is this good for the game?
Talk to me after we see if they win the next 3 or 4 World Series. Nothing better than seeing a Goliath brought to its knees.
It’s really funny to be having this conversation as the newly dethroned Kings of Spending.
I’ve mentioned this idea before, but now it seems that the Orioles are officially shopping their GG-caliber SS Jorge Mateo because of their depth at the position.
Fantastic range, glove and arm. (Look at the highlights.) Probably more valuable now with the shift. Pitchers would love him–and he’d probably help starters last longer. I’ve read that he rates in top 5 for defensive runs saved.
Can’t hit much–a bit of power–but he led the AL in steals. Good fit for the 9th spot in the batting order.
If Dodger brass, as Mark suggests, don’t really believe their own hype in Lux’s ability to play SS, Mateo could be an alternative for AF the bargain hunter.
Random other observations:
–Denying JT a two-year contract and signing JDM for just one is another sign the Dodgers will be all-in for Ohtani. He would take over the DH role and also be the ace (or co-ace) in a 6-man rotation–and maybe command $50 million per year.
–The Ohtani gambit could also help explain why AF is slow-rolling an extension for Urias and other pitchers–and why he declined Anderson’s desire for a 3-year commitment. He obviously loves Kershaw’s preference for one-year deals.
–Signing JDM means Will Smith won’t DH as much as before. If JDM delivers, fine. If not, not so fine.
–The suggestions that JT can’t catch up to fastballs doesn’t square with his strong second-half production. Obviously the Red Sox must think his second-half performance means more than his poor start; plus he can play 1B if their new kid falters. I just read that in the playoffs it was Max and CT3 who struggled against San Diego’s hard-throwing staff. Terrible BAs against pitches over 95 mph.
–Except for Mookie, Freddie and Smith/Barnes, the Dodgers defense seems pretty shaky. Vargas will play somewhere–but where? So many question marks right now.
Finally, FWIW, I wanted the Giants to get Correa. Would have been good for the rivalry. Now the Mets are officially the best team money can buy.
No thanks they can do better by putting Amaya in the lineup. Same no hit, but a more elite defender.
Wow, I just had deja vu.
The Dodgers will be outbid for Ohtani when he becomes a free agent by the spending maniac in Queens. Bet on it.
What do the Giant fans do with Correa jerseys they purchased and ordered prior to the actual signing.? Expensive car wash rags.
Clean up their spilled Chardonnay.
Unless Ohtani wants a 4 to 6-year deal or a front-loaded deal, the Dodgers will not sign him. (I wouldn’t either). He will be 30, and all of his best years will be mostly behind him.
Mets will sign him for 50 million a year for 10 years.
You are probably right!
I’m surprised fans aren’t complaining about not signing Brandon Drury.
From MLBTR’s latest CHAT:
Marco
4:49 In your opinion, is Andrew Freidman being calculated this offseason (by possibly targeting trades instead of free agents) or is he truly trying to take a break from the luxury tax?
Anthony Franco
4:50 Definitely seems like they want to dip back under the CBT to reset the tax bracket and load up for next offseason. They can accomplish that by prioritizing trade and lower-cost but productive free agents like Syndergaard and JDM without getting meaningfully worse
4:51 It’s not the most exciting offseason the Dodgers will ever have, but it’s fine. Still think they’re the division favorites, maybe the best team in the NL
HELLO: Still think they’re the division favorites, maybe the best team in the NL
lol – I’ve been saying that all along. No one wants to listen.
“Without getting meaningfully worse”. IMHO, they might just be arguably better.
I’m really looking forward to this coming season. I think this was one of Andrew’s better off-seasons as a whole, especially if he can manage to reset the cap.
What if Vargas hits like Seager did in his first season?
What if Thompson is that guy over a full season?
What if Outman, Busch or Pages are good enough to force themselves into the lineup?
What if Stone, Miller or Pepiot are good enough to join the rotation?
You gotta let the kids play at some point, or you should trade them. No one wanted to trade any of them, so why complain when they’re expected to finally play?
Sure, a lot can go wrong, but you have to take risks sometimes for a lot to go right.
3 of the ROY finalists this past season weren’t even on the MLB top prospect list to start the season last year. All of them OPS’s over 775 and one was over 850. If we have a couple of those this season, the offense will be better than last year.
I already like the Starting Pitching and Bullpen better than last year’s at the beginning of the season. Urias and Kershaw are the same. Gonsolin, healthy May and Thor are a better starting point than injured Buehler, Gonsolin and Heaney last year.
Phillips, Hudson, Almonte, Vesia, V-Gone, Ferguson, Graterol, Miller, Reed is already one too many guys. Bickford and Bruihl will be in the minors as depth. Grove, Pepiot, Jackson are on the roster and any of them can pitch in the rotation or in the bullpen. Treinen, Feyereisen, and Buehler will start the season on the 60 day IL, allowing them to add at least a couple more pitchers to healthy group. And then there’s Bauer (maybe).
Muncy was horrible at the beginning of the year, he should be better
JT was horrible at the beginning of the year, he’s gone
Belli was horrible all year, he’s gone
TT was the only productive hitter that we lost and he only had an 809 OPS. Outman, Busch, JDM, Vargas are all capable of doing better than that mark. Not saying they all will be, but one or all could.
Very true.
My only two major predictions are that Miguel Vargas and Gavin Stone are ready and will be very good.
Busch, Outman, Amaya, Miller, and even Pepiot are close. At least one or two will be good.
This is going to be a fun season, and I would love to talk to the two trolls who love to spout off but have nothing to say. If we are such A-Holes, LEAVE!
Quit coming back… PLEASE!
OK Pissle. I do research to form an opinion before I post. You should try that sometime, Met sfan. Vogelbach had his best full season last year and had an OPS of .793. JD had his worst full season in 9 years and was injured and had an OPS of 790. No one in the world except you thinks Vogelback is a better hitter that JDM. Dumbass.
OK Pissle. Taylor has a career 765 OPS vs Kahna 775. Taylor’s Career WAR is 15.6 vs Kahna 12.5. Kahna had an outlier year in those career stats on the high side in 2019, never came close to 100 points of that ever again, or ever before. Taylor’s season was an outlier on the low side last year. It was 100 points lower than any other year in the last 5. Taylor’s better, not by much, but better. Dumbass. Taylor’s also better defensively. Dumbass.
I think this is the type of comparison a third-grader would provide, guy. “No logical person can think the Dodgers are better than the Mets at this point.” So detailed. Dumbass.
Eric, I was talking about his fastball in that sentence. I gave his batting average against on his fastball. 🙂 So, let’s see here. Fastball Velocity is down, Batting ave against that fastball is up, he pitching only 15 innings, he was most likely injured. And you don’t think those are good reasons to avoid him? Give me a break.
After doing a little research. The injury concern is real. It turns out, he had Tommy John at the end of May or early June. So, he wouldn’t come back until August or September. I certainly wouldn’t cut someone on the 40 man right now to pick him up, only to have another hole to fill when you transfer him to the 60 day after Spring Training. No need to.
Mets traded McCann to the Orioles. Navarez is going to be their # 1. Advantage Dodgers.