It All Starts Now

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1. I can’t recall an Opening Day with such an awkwardly crowded OF.
   There’s bound to be a shakeout, and maybe Luke Williams or Yonny Hernandez will get called up.

2. Happy opening day yall!!

   ’23 is the year of the Dodgers.

   Kersh rides off into the sunset with his 2nd World Series Trophy and Mookie and Freddie cement their legacies in LA….

   Vargas wins ROY…..
   Urias wins CY and WS MVP
   May is the comeback POY.
   Mookie and Freddie split the NL MVP vote so Goldschmidt wins that….

3. Corbin Burnes a good fit? I’m all-in on him at the deadline. Throw in Ohtani and we got the best rotation in NL.

   I can dream and Dodgers Nation say it so.

4. Reynolds and the Pirates have been discussing an extension and were said to have made significant progress last night towards same. Today is the supposed deadline. Rain predicted this morning, but it is supposed to clear up before tonight’s game. Gonsolin looks like he will now be out until June instead of late May.

   1. It was just reported end of April for Gonsolin….

      “Tony threw a bullpen today. (Pitching coach) Mark Prior said it went really well, he felt good. My assumption is the next few days he’ll throw another one and keep progressing from there. … The timeline that we’re thinking about is end of April for him to be back.”

      1. 2 months for a sprained ankle? Football and basketball players are out 4-6 weeks for high ankle sprains. Regular sprains? 3-4 weeks. Baseball players are sissies.

         1. Is he pushing off or landing on that ankle?

            1. Landing.

5. Old friend Matt Beaty is a friend no longer.

   Was a Padre, recently a Royal, now a Giant.

6. My useless predictions?

   1) The offense /defense will get sorted out, but we will have a dominant pitching staff which will carry us

   2) Andy Pages will come up sometime this year and take over LF or CF (with Outman in the other spot and Mookie in RF)

   3) We are in a dogfight with the Padres for the NL West and Wild Card 1 (Juan Soto will have a normal Juan Soto MVP type year)

   4) I don’t like Will Smith batting 3. I feel he’s more of a 4 or 5 hitter and eventually that 3 spot will go to Miguel Vargas (maybe not till next year, however)

   1. I’d rather see Vargas batting 2nd with Freddie third.
      I still see Freeman as the better RBI guy so would rather have a chance to have two guys on base ahead of him.
      I don’t care about the left/right thing at the top of the order.

      1. I’m old school.I am with you blue.

         1. Blue–that might stick.

            1. The argument for Freddie batting second is that he’s the team’s best hitter and best on-base guy, so he sets up the 3-4-5 hitters well. Trout bats second for the Halos. A lot of teams put their best batter second.
               Vargas could slot in there, but he still has a lot to prove.
               His two walks today are a good sign. He equaled his walk total over 50 MLB at bats last season.
               Also nice to see Outman get lucky again today.
               And of course Will Smith was excellent. And so was Urias, outpitching Gallen. Six Ks and zero walks over 6 innings. And the BP was excellent too.
               Muncy had a very bad, no-good day. He seemed to be pressing. He’s known for his plate discipline but at least twice he struck out chasing pitches well out of the zone. Maybe he’s gotten the Ks out of his system.
               In related news, Ohtani must have been frustrated by today’s game. He was excellent, left with a 1-0 lead and then the Angels blow it. Unless something amazing happens, I don’t expect Ohtani to be an Angel in 2024–and it could happen much sooner.

   2. I like Smith in the 2 spot and Freeman in the 3 spot, but I’m not complaining because I wanted Smith in the top 3 spots somewhere.

      I think you’re right about Pages, but it could be DeLuca and it will be LF because Outman is perfect in CF. Both have hit LHP good in the minors and the dodgers need that and will soon realize that because all of Peralta, Heyward, Thompson only hit RHP fairly good/good and suck against LHP. I left out Outman because I think he will do good enough against LHP.

      And I think you’re right about the dogfight with the Padres.

      The only thing I worry about, about the pitching and it’s always the case, there will be 2 or 3 crappy bullpen pitchers that Doc will find and use in high leverage situations. I just hope it doesn’t happen in the playoffs and I hope those games lost during the regular season because of Doc doing that don’t come back and bite the Dodgers in the ass.

      One prediction. Outman will bat 7th ahead of Vargas and behind Peralta against RHP.

      With Outman’s speed and power I’d like to see him eventually bat first. Moving Betts back in the order to tap into Betts power there. I highly doubt it will happen though.

      1. Oh shit I forgot. My comment about Pages or DeLuca was about being in a platoon, not against both RHP and LHP. Only against LHP. The only one I see taking over LF is Busch if he’s playing LF in AAA and if he can start hitting LHP good, otherwise he’s stuck in AAA.

7. It was a long wait but opening day is finally here. In their 1st 10 games, the Dodgers play 8 vs. the D-backs and 2 vs. the Rockies. It sounds like an opportunity for a real good start to the season.

8. 75 year D fan ,good stuff here, thanks to all. As to AF, I suggest the Bauer debacle was a large influence in going from a freespender to a posture that wouldn’t pony up for Anderson, this year’s biggest mistake imo. I am not confident in our rotation past 2. Not sold on Gonsolin, and Thor looks Shaky. Outfield is a mess, not sure Doc will sort thru it successfully. I look for 90 wins, disappointing offense. No Turner, no title. Just my two cents.

9. Robert Murray
   @ByRobertMurray

   Source: Outfielder Ben DeLuzio has been granted his release by the Chicago Cubs – and is signing a minor-league deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

   More depth by AF.

   1. Righty batter, plays all three outfield positions.
      Former 3rd round draft choice.
      Had some half-decent batting numbers in the minors and is 28 years old.
      Wouldn’t be surprised to see him in L.A. before the season is over.

10. Mets placed Verlander on the IL to open the season. Their 40 year old 43 million dollar a year #2 pitcher breaks down before opening day.

    1. What was the injury?

       1. Low grade teres major strain

          1. My teres strain is minor.

             1. Are you available to pitch for the Mets?

             2. Yes.

             3. AF was in on Verlander. Could be that the Dodgers dodged one.
                Anyone else notice that the Dodgers have no standout, near-ML-ready prospects for 3B?
                For OF, we have Pages, DeLuca and Ramos. We have pitchers galore. For catcher, Cartaya, Rushing and some younger guys.
                Best I can tell, if Max gets hurt or flops, Taylor is his backup–and we’re hoping that Taylor gets fixed. Or maybe Vargas shifts over and Betts plays 2B before Yonny or Luke Williams arrives from OKC.
                There’s no rush, but the Dodgers need to lose an outfielder and add a quality UT.

          2. Is that jargon for old age?

             1. It’s rotator cuff jargon

                Subscapularis.
                Infraspinatus.
                Teres minor.
                Supraspinatus

                Some learn these the hard way.

    2. Had read he had some control issues recently. Not surprised by the move.

11. I think that the Dodgers’ recent string of successful regular seasons and win totals show that their leadership is better at “Moneyball” baseball than anyone else. My objection to Friedman, et al, is not that they haven’t been very successful; I have a general aversion to new age baseball. That’s a different issue.

    As to the coming season, I have the same concerns that many have:
    2 big question marks for infield defense (Muncy and Vargas)
    A huge offensive loss at SS (T. Turner for Rojas)
    2 giant question marks in the OF (anywhere that Betts doesn’t play)

    A team that’s been a juggernaut for years hasn’t had these kinds of questions. Maybe Vargas and Outman will be great (and I hope that they are) but right now, they are question marks. We don’t know if they can do the job until they show that they can.

    They have too many veterans on the downside of their careers – Heyward, Peralta, JD Martinez.

    I think that the rotation will be fine as will the bullpen. But offensively, they do not match up with the Padres. Look at a position by position analysis
    C – Smith vs Nola – LA
    1B – Freeman vs. Cronenworth – LA
    2B – Vargas vs. Kim – ?
    3B – Muncy vs. Machado – SD
    SS – Rojas vs. Bogaerts – SD
    LF – Peralta/Taylor/Thompson vs. Tatis Jr. – SD
    CF – Outman/Taylor/Thompson vs. Grisham – ?
    RF – Betts vs. Soto – ?
    DH – Martinez vs. Cruz/Carpenter – LA

    I have seen projections that the Dodgers win between 88 and 96. I expect low 90s and a wild card berth. This is a “rebuilding” year and the first part of a youth movement. They are evaluating the youngsters to see who is a keeper and who isn’t and where they need to fill in holes while trying to win, where SD is all in this year.

    1. Old school might have Rojas batting second like Ted Sizemore did if Betts decided to run more.

    2. Soto is going to play left and Tatis, still 20 games away from debuting, is going to be in RF. Betts over Tatis simply on his defense. Grisham can’t hit, definitely can throw the leather around though, but he was under the Mendoza line last year. Padres starters are beat up with Musgrove and Morejon out. Thier pen is deep.

12. I agree with Summerboy more than I wish I did. Gonsolin MAY be the injury prone type(?) Yet another significant one will prove it to me. Syndergaard is past his best years and will have to be a better pitcher than he needed to be earlier when he had exceptional heat.

13. Speak of injuries, Pepiot has just been put on the IL with an oblique strain. Grove is now our #5 starter.

    Fried left his start for Atlanta with an unknown injury.

14. That’s the joy of baseball this team could win 88 games or 108 you never know until they play the games. I’m forever optimistic and believe they win closer to 100.

    I believe the Dodgers have better depth than the Padres and that will make the difference with the Dodgers in front by a game or 2 certainly not a 20 game runaway like last year. I think the kids will be alright with even more of the young players besides Vargas and Outman making a difference.

    Pepiot to the IL Grove to the rotation.

15. The joy of baseball is this team could win 88 games or 108 games. That’s what I like best about the game you never know what will happen. With Pepiot going down Grove could be a ROY candidate or he can fail miserably.

    I’m eternally optimistic and think they win 100 games and win the division by 2 games. But worse case scenario they miss the playoffs. I believe the Dodgers depth will be the difference.

16. Dodgers open season with nine players on the injured list

    The Dodgers finalized their opening day roster on Thursday, and in doing so placed pitchers Tony Gonsolin, Ryan Pepiot, Daniel Hudson, Jimmy Nelson, and Alex Reyes on the 15-day injured list, giving the team nine players on the injured list to open the season.

    Pitchers Walker Buehler, Blake Treinen, and J.P. Feyereisen were all placed on the 60-day injured list on February 16. Shortstop Gavin Lux, who is expected to miss the season with a torn ACL and sprained LCL in his right knee, was placed on the 60-day injured list Thursday to make roster room for Jason Heyward, who made the team as a non-roster invitee.

17. I predict Dodgers and Padres tie for the Division, each with 94 wins.

    I predict no Dodgers will win ROY

    I predict no Dodgers will win MVP, CY, or GG.

    I predict Mark will call one or more of us idiots and, he may be right.

18. I’m thinking about changing my name to idiotic moron

    1. That name is reserved for the guy who calls me names and is always blocked/// but he keeps trying. I will not say his name.

       1. There has to be several to choose from. Keep them blocked.

          1. You can say it Mark. It’s me.

19. Might see Stone sooner then expected. Hope so. I’m aware of the reasoning behind giving Pepiot and Grove their shot first over Stone but not sure I agree. Hoping they don’t burn out most of the innings he can pitch this year in minors. Gave clay his shot at 20 years old. Galvin is already 24

    1. Stone won’t be called up anytime soon. He needs to be stretched out because they consider him a starter.

20. t will be an interesting season. I’m predicting 85 to 90 wins. If the stars align it could be better but there are too many question marks, for me. Mark and Dodgerrick have mention many of them. Baring injuries, if JDM, CT3, Thompson and Peralta can hit, if Mookie regains past form, if Vargas is as advertised, if CK gets 20 starts, if Gonsulin’s arm doesn’t fall off, if Thor can find the fountain of youth and if either Pepiot or another young arm steps up in the rotation, we can be better. I think the bullpen is the best in baseball. But there are too many question marks for me to be more optimistic. I think by season’s end we will see the future Dodgers like Mike Busch, Andy Pages, Jonny LeDuca, Dalton Rushing, Diego Cartaya, Gavin Stone, Mike Grove, Bobby Miller, Eddys Leonard, Jorbit Vivas, Nick Frasso, River Ryan, Emmet Sheehan, Landon Knack, dancing on the ladder with some moving to MLB. In doing so, we can reset the Luxury Tax threshold to look toward a bright future with “home grown” talent or used as trade bait. This is a good year to make it a true rebuilding year.

    I read today about MLB looking to promote the ABS System for the 2024 season. With all the current new rules, the ABS has been tabled and hardly mentioned lately. I personally welcome a resurrection in implementing ABS. We haven’t seen piss poor HPU lately but it won’t be long when games start to matter and umpire evaluations begin in earnest. I’ve seen enough poor balls and strike calls and I’m all in on there new system.
    Maybe due to age, the new rules implemented or the coming of the ABS System, 10 MLB veteran umps retired after the 2022 season. The most since 1999. 7 were crew chiefs. Half of the umps that retired made up half of the 10 worst umps in 2022 for consistency: Greg Gibson, Marty Foster, Jim Reynolds, Bill Welke and Jerry Meals. The two umps that weren’t in the bottom 10 for consistency, Ted Barrett and Tom Hallion, were still in the bottom 12 for accuracy. Marty Foster and Greg Gibson were among the five worst umpires in the league for both consistency and accuracy. So their retirement is welcome but sadly none of the retiring umpires were named Angel Hernandez, Ron Kulpa, CD Bucknor or Laz Diaz.
    Many of the new full time umpires were vacation replacement umpires prior and I’m impressed with the quality. The best three umpires, Pat Hoberg, Jeremy Rehak and Will Little, are young. A nice improvement, hopefully. But that’s still not an adequate reason to balk on the ABS System for 2024, IMHO.

21. Too bad for Pepiot – just when he was working the kinks out. You could tell in his last tuneup with the Angels that he was not right. I personally think Stone is the best pitcher to come out of the farm system since Clayton. AF is not putting him on the roster now because he would have to drop someone else. That could change quickly!

    I think we will see Miguel Vargas move up in the order pretty quickly. Ideally, one would like to see a LH hitter, like Freeman, behind Mookie and Vargas at #3, but he will have to earn that promotion. I also like to maintain R-L-R-L balance whenever possible;e although that is not absolutely a requirement.

    1. Betts RF
    2. Freeman 1B
    3. Vargas 2B
    4. Muncy 3B
    5. Smith C
    6. JDM DH
    7. Peralta/Taylor LF
    8. Outman CF
    9. Rojas SS

    …but that won’t happen yet!

    1. I think you hit on the best line up MT. The only platoon being in left field, which is a problem. But based on last year’s stats none of our 4 left fielders can hit LHP. CT3 = .193, Peralta = .154, Thompson = .174 and Hayward can’t hit either. Career wise CT3 hits .253 vs LHP so maybe he’s the best option to platoon with Peralta. Maybe Thompson gets a shot vs RHP where he hit .308 last year? Those reverse splits are a fly in the ointment.
       But I can live with CT3 and Peralta.

22. Wow and they say no one comes to see the umpires. I used to be dead set against ABS but the balls and strike calls have gotten so terribly bad last couple years quicky changing my view of it and becoming more and more open to the idea

    1. Too many umpires make it impossible not to be seen.

23. Gonna be tough to win tonight, Gallen has become a ace, finished fifth in cy voting and my man Julio hasn’t looked sharp so far. Next couple games look favorable starter wise. That’s why they play the game. I know I’m excited

24. We can only hope that Cartaya is in the same class as Rutschman. That kid is an absolute stud!

    1. Rutschman is a beast. I have a friend who’s brother played catcher in AAA for Baltimore last year. He got to work with Rutschman for the couple weeks he was in AAA before being called up. He said Rutschman had no holes in his game. None. Frame, block, throw and mash from both sides of the plate. My friends brother took over for him at catcher in AAA when Rutschman was called up. He said it was a bit daunting taking over from the consensus #1 prospect in baseball.

       Asking Cartaya to be at that level is probably a bit much. I think Cartaya is a generational talent at catcher. Rutschman is a generational talent at any position. He’s already being ranked in the top 10 of all MLB players. And he hasn’t even had a full season under his belt.

       That said, Rutschman is 25 and Diego is 21. Diego will likely make his debut two full years younger than Rutschman. So we will see where Diego is at 25. I doubt he will ever be the #1 prospect in baseball. But this time next year he might crack the top 5 if he has another good season in the minors. We don’t need him to be a top 10 player in baseball at 25. I’d be pleased as punch if he was a top 30 player at that point.

       1. Oregon State alum.

25. Braves left-hander Max Fried departed today’s Opening Day start after throwing just 43 pitches over 3 1/3 innings. The club would later announce that he was removed with left hamstring discomfort. After the game, manager Brian Snitker told reporters, including Mark Bowman of MLB.com, that Fried will likely go on the injured list. Snitker also said Fried has a hamstring strain, per Justin Toscano of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

26. 10:10 PM ET

    Diamondbacks (74-88)
    Dodgers (111-51)

    SP Zac Gallen R
    0-0 .00 ERA
    SP Julio Urias L
    0-0 .00 ERA

    Expected Lineup
    RF Mookie Betts R
    1B F. Freeman L
    C Will Smith R
    3B Max Muncy L
    DH J. Martinez R
    LF D. Peralta L
    2B M. Vargas R
    CF James Outman L
    SS Miguel Rojas R

    Clear-night
    0% Rain
    56° Wind 6 mph L-R

    1. Confirmed Lineup

       1. I love it! Im most excited about the bottom of our lineup!!!! Go kids!

27. Pitching duel in Texas. deGrom and Nola!

28. I think the Dodgers have fewer questions than many fans think.

    At this time last year, we knew that Bellinger, Taylor, and Muncy had some form of injury or surgery concern.
    Bellinger has been replaced with Outman, who it appears should be an upgrade… even if he hits .240. I expect t he will do better than that.

    Muncy is healthy and is off to a great start. It’s not silly to expect that he can have his career year.

    Then there is LF, where Peralta is a pro against RHP, and CT3 has a much lower strike-out rate against LHP. CT3 had a horrid year in 2022, but in 2021, CT3 hit .296 with a .897 OPS against LHP. If he can come anywhere close to that, all will be well. He’s healthy, and while he has not looked great in ST he has done it before.

    That leaves 2B and Miguel Vargas, who has worked hard to learn a new position and has played it credibly. The bat is the deal. Freddie Freeman is very excited about his “hit tool.”

    I think people are confounded with Thompson and Heyward, but if both of them and CT3 don’t make it, there are still great options. Some of you are “glass-half-empty people.” The fact is, the glass is not half empty or half full. It’s 85% full.

29. Bellinger was 0-3 today and hitting cleanup for the Cubs. I’m excited to see some new faces and hopefull on opening day. Go Dodgers

30. I think I’m most excited about when Urias gives up 2 in the first, and Cassidy says don’t resign him, and Bear goes off on Cassidy

    1. Hey I’ve always been a huge Julio fan and said he’d be a future ace with Buehler back in 19 when everyone was saying he should be a reliever! But I do like to poke the “Bear”! And I’m willing to throw in a hunsky to resign him!

    2. Trade everybody, bring in a whole new team. JT went 2-4 today with a ribbie. Verdugo was 2-5. Kike went 0-3. I wait until midseason to go off on Cassidy.

       1. Then I’ll try to get all the stupid stuff I say in before then!

31. I see it as this by trade deadline we see we are week at left field and at shortstop. So who do we get to improve the lineup and the fielding and are behind the Padres to chase them down. So we look at batters that can hit lefties an righties a good and we will need a veteran starting pitcher for the playoff run now are we okay with winning the west or making it as a wildcard. So Taylor is t hitting Thompson isn’t hitting Hayward has turned into a pinch hitter off the bench. Outman has hit pretty well has 15 homers at trade deadline so he is now the everyday centerfield and Vargas as some.pop and leads national league in homeruns for second baseman so we are good there. So who do we call we call the White Sox see what they have for Anderson a outfielder and a starting pitcher with that move Rojas moves to utility guy in bench and Anderson starts the outfielder we get then becomes the starter. And then the starting pitcher is in the rotation that one senerio. Second option we look at the Diamondback they have Ahmen at shortstop been the starter there what the last three years they have Alek Thomas he would be good in left field for the Dodgers and young to sign him then the Dodgers get Bumgarner for a playing pitcher who loves the playoffs and beats up on the Padres when he pitches. Mad Bum madness in the rotation look at that urias kersh Thor Mad Bum and May. And the third option they trade with the Brewers doe Adames Yelich Burnes to the Dodgers adames becomes every day shortstop Yelich is your everyday leftfielder and can hit second or leadoff a hometown kid like Freeman. And Burnes slides into the starting rotation and you have Urias Kershaw Burnes May and Thor for playoff run and west title to win the division and not play in wild card game. Those three choices and which one I see fit the third one because all those three players can be signed on for 2024 and Ohtani will be a free agent and if the dodgers get him he slides eight into where Kershaw in in the rotation and we might lose Thor and Urias but they will get Buehler back and can always get another starting pitcher . And are lineup is set next year. Without so many question marks like tonite is like. That’s how I see the Dodgers season go.

    1. There are two chances that any of that happens.

       1. Slim and non-existent.

    2. Way to frippen early to even think about the trade deadline. Besides, how do you know we are week???? All those guys could go off and have career years. Not likely,. but anything is possible. Worrying or even talking about mid season trades on opening day??? Uh, nope.

    3. Bradley, I have come to the conclusion that you are either very old and senile or 8 years old. Schizophrenia has also crossed my mind.

       1. I am perfectly fine just see where we are week and what do the dodgers do at every trade deadline they get a bunch of players they need and get rid of the ones that aren’t producing. Everyone else was making predictions of season why are mine so wild and wrong. That’s what you do before ethe season starts and you see what happens. You never know what team will be hot. There’s always a surprise turn around team. Here is one I will predict. The Baltimore Orioles will be the team this year. Will make the playoffs.

32. So you feel a great need to replace a guy who was 16-1 with. .224 era in 2022? Now that’s a spoiled fan! And you are truly MAD to want Bumwashedup! Don’t drink and post!

    1. Heyward has been great since Bumgarner was good.

       1. And I picked the third option as the best one for the Dodgers you said give facts. Adames will be a free agent Burnes will be a free agent and Yulich because he grew up in LA just like Freeman rooting for the Dodgers. And the Brewers want prospects because that’s what the Brewers do they get prospects and then they start for them an when good then they get traded.

    2. Bumgarner in the playoffs pitches different then regular season. Experience over a rookie Pepiot or Grove hmm. If dodgers don’t get him watch the Rangers will with Bochy.

       1. Bradley, I’ve read all about the recent popularity of Psychotropic drugs. Given your pontifications here, it’s obvious your are an expert. So, shrooms or peyote? I want to know from an expert. Where should I start? Which is why I’m asking you.

          Look forward to your expert reply.

          1. Wow thanks Taylor need to get rid of Thompson and Hayward but don’t know yet for who until we see what other players are doing at the deadline then we will know who to get where the dam Dodgers we go and get who we want.

33. Verlander did not last long.

    1. Sure didn’t .

34. Steve Cohen may be learning some hard lessons.

    It’s the lessons AF already knows, but buying the biggest, baddest free agents free agents is not the path to winning.

    Losing… maybe.

    San Diego will learn it too.

    1. It’s also why Ohtani will not be a Dodger!

       1. I don ‘t see AF doing it either. Especially not at 30

          1. Here’s the case for Ohtani in Dodger blue.
             First, it’s a business decision, and not just a “baseball decision.” MLB is pushing baseball as a great global sport to rival soccer. Think of how basketball, born in the USA, spread across the world, spawning professional leagues in many countries. This year’s WBC provided a taste of baseball as a global sport with global interest and TV and marketing interests. Baseball, of course, is already big in the US, Latin America and much of Asia. (When I lived in Hanoi a few years ago and my older son played baseball, I was surprised when his team was treated to a clinic by an MLB “ambassador.” I stunned me to learn how MLB had a small team of such people prompting the game in Asia and Australia.)
             The Dodgers are a growing brand. It already has some international cachet. In Asia–I live in Hong Kong now–I happen upon locals wearing LA or NY caps. but mostly LA. Only a expat might wear another team’s cap. Ohtani’s appeal is global.
             So, a marriage between the Dodgers brand and the Ohtani brand would sell how many Ohtani jerseys? My guess would be in the millions. I don’t partake in that market, but the MLB Shop website tells me than a Angels Ohtani “City Connect” jersey can be had for $159.99. Do the Angels get a cut? Does MLB? Does Ohtani himself? I don’t know the answers, but this is not a small market. (My younger son, who wears No. 17, has cheap Ohtani T-shirt jersey, possibly a counterfeit.)
             Do I think the Dodgers brain trust thinks about Ohtani’s international appeal and the marketing potential. Absolutely. And I think other teams do too–but the Dodgers may have a head start on capitalizing on a relationship.
             The Dodgers will sell out Chavez Ravine whether they sign Ohtani or not. But his name will sell a lot more Dodger gear on the global marketplace.
             At any rate, I think it’s a mistake to think of this as only a “baseball decision.”
             But of course, baseball is part of the equation. And Ohtani is a pretty darn good player who excellently covers to positions while everybody else covers one.
             If he was only pitching, he would merit an AAV at maybe $35 million. If he was only DHing, perhaps $20 million. Anyway, I think $50-60 million is a fair ballpark estimate, so to speak. He probably has his own ideas about how long his contract should be. It’s all negotiable.
             He is certainly worth more than Judge or Trout or anybody else because he simply plays much more. He’s involved in hundreds of more pitcher-batter duels than anybody else. He is probably a Top 5 pitcher and a Top 10 slugger. He will even win games with his defense and speed.
             AF agreed to pay Bauer $102 million over three years, even though he was known to be a jerk and his Cy Young Award came in a 60-game season.
             Why would the Dodgers, of all teams, pass up the chance to get Ohtani?

35. Some on this site don’t seem to enjoy baseball much. I think some who claim to be fans ( of what I don’t know) actually hate the Dodgers. Lots of energy complains about the things that haven’t happened yet.
    Give it time, at least let it fall from the tree before stomping on it!
    Win or lose, I can’t wait for tonight’s game.
    LET’S GO DODGERS !

36. I don’t know; I liked Outman with 77 better than with 33

    1. If you are talking homeruns I would be happy with either number.

37. Urias is a bum! Don’t resign him! Too early Bobby?

    1. no but you can mention our defensive wizard at SS

38. All bat no glove! Well you said that you were most excited about the bottom of our lineup!

39. Did somebody say they didn’t like Smith batting third?

    1. Bear didn’t like my comment either

    2. If Smith hits like that, he can bat wherever he wants.

       1. This is the lineup I predicted a while back. Smith hitting third, Rojas, 0 for 1 in the field hitting 9th. I’m not gonna check to see if that is true, but I’m pretty sure it is. I did have Heyward/Thompson platooning. I’m still not certain why Heyward is here.

40. Can Smith bat third AND cleanup

41. Nice piece of hitting by JDM, to shorten up and go in the other way
    Muncy should take note

    1. I was thinking the same thing!

42. James just give me my chance Outman! The big stage.

43. Didn’t get to see the game I was busy. Looked at the box score and saw Outman hit a home run.

    2 for 3 with a walk. Good start for him.

    Smith my other favorite 3 for 4. Another good start.

44. He, I decipher Bradley posts and afterward realize the game wasn’t even been played. I just want to say, I like very much how the team looks. My granpa used to say “No lleves la carreta antes que los bueyes” (to put the cart before the horse). Let’s give at least 60 games to have a clear look. But don’t get to much trade excited, Dodgers will try more kids first and trade if they come, will be at the tradeline.

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