The Case for Teoscar and Other Stuff

Posted By on December 27, 2023

Teoscar Hernandez hit the jackpot last Winter, as the Seattle Mariners signed him for $14 MM. That was an absurd amount for a player who should be in a platoon. I can make a case that the Dodgers should sign Hernandez to platoon with Jason Heyward… but only at a much-reduced rate… perhaps about half of what he made in 2023. If the Dodgers could sign him to a contract like that, I am all in.

I keep hearing, “But he struck out 211 times!” Yes, he did… in 678 plate appearances. He played 160 of the 162 games like he was a regular (well, he was because they were paying him like he was) and showed why he should be in a platoon with Jason Heyward. Teoscar walks very little. He is from the DR and evidently subscribes to the theory that you cannot “walk off the island.” So, he gets in his hacks. In his 678 PAs, he walked a meager 38 times!

However, if you dig a little deeper, you will find that he is much, much better against LHP. For his career, he OPS’s .772 against RHP and .887 against LHP. He still strikes out a lot, but he makes a lot more hard contact against lefties. He averages a HR every 22 ABs against RHP, but against LHP, he hits a long ball every 14 ABs, and chicks dig the long ball.

Look at Hernandez’s home/road splits. He hit just .217/.263/.380 at pitcher-friendly T-Mobile Park; his .295/.344/.486 slash away from Seattle was more characteristic. He typically grades as a below-average defender in the corner outfield despite above-average sprint speed and arm strength. DRS and Statcast both felt he was roughly average in right field this past season. As a RH hitter he would likely start 30 to 40% of the games (against LHP) and Heyward could spell him later in games. At around $7 MM per year, he could be a bargain! MLBTR has projected him at $80MM over four years. No way the Dodgers come close to that! But I could see a 4-year/$40 MM deal.

Justin Bieber Might Be a Better Option Than Shane

I have said this before, but I will repeat it: His velocity is way down. His spin rate is down. His control is off. These are all common symptoms of a frayed UCL. He would be a very bad choice, in my opinion. Dylan Cease? I think the Dodgers pitching gurus could bring him back to being a very good pitcher, but at what cost? The juice is not worth the squeeze. He is going to cost a lot – a whole lot. The Dodgers have three more pitchers due back next year: May, Gonsolin, and this guy named Ohtani… and while we are at it, forget Luis Robert, Jr. The only way the Sox will trade him (their words) is for a “huge overpay.”

Arguing About Dave Roberts

I am done arguing about Dave Roberts. There are a certain number of Doc Haters here who love to argue how bad he is. I just wish they would not take out their brains and leave them on the dresser before they begin arguing. I am fearful they may not put them back in properly, and then what? I am only concerned about what is best for them.

The Dodgers Do Not Need More Pitching

I suppose that if Ryan Brasier comes up at a decent price, then they should sign him, but he will be 37 next year, and I would not give him a multi-year deal. The Starting staff is very crowded. As it stands right about now, here it is:

  1. Buehler
  2. Glasnow
  3. Yamamoto
  4. Miller
  5. Sheehan
  6. Knack

You also have Gavin Stone, Nick Frasso, River Ryan, and Kyle Hurt all knocking at the door. It is beyond felony stupid to all more pitchers when you have those electric arms at the ready. Landon Knack is a guy who just needs the chance to show what he is. In my opinion, his ceiling is better than Ryan Pepiot’s. He is a big burley guy who used to (as in the past) eat Twinkies and Big Macs as if they were healthy foods. His conditioning and diet were poor, and this produced a number of lower body injuries. He has changed both his diet and his dedication to conditioning, and all he needs to be is a Number Five or Number Six Starter. He has a 95+ MPH Fastball and a very nice slider. His change-up and curve both came back to being plus pitches in the second half of last season. Last season, he pitched 100 innings and put up a 2.51 ERA between AA and AAA. His WHIP was 1.16, and he struck out 99 hiters. He is ready for the Show!

I have a sneaking feeling that Clayton Kershaw will come back in the summer, but if I had to sign one pitcher, it would be a Lefty, namely Hyun-jin Ryu! I think he would be a solid pickup for a year and 120 innings. Yes, he has a history of injuries. I am not counting on him for a lot of innings, but is finally healthy again and worth a low-cost deal.

Who is Chris Taylor?

That is a great question. CT3, as he is known to his teammates, was part of the Zack Lee trade with Seattle. He came to the Dodgers, and they re-tooled his swing, which turned him into a Slugger from a punch and Judy hitter. In 2017, he put up 568 ABs and hit .288 with an .540 OPS. He also hit 21 HR. In 2018, he slipped a little but still had a .775 OPS. In 2017 and 2018, he put up 4.4 and 4.3 WAR, respectively.

In 2019, he hit .262 and OPS’ed .794, and then in 2020, he put up 1.9 WAR in the 60-game season (his OPS was .842). Lest anyone forgets, like Kike Hernandez, CT3 can play any position (except Catcher) and play it quite well, so when he became a Free Agent, the Dodgers opted to let Kike walk and signed CT3 to a deal that runs through 2026. He made $15 Million in 2022 and 2023 and will make 1$13 Million in 2024 and 2025, with a $12 Million Option in 2026.

In 2017, 2018, and 2020, he was a steal! In 2021, he hit 20 HR and OPS’ed .782, but has had nagging injuries in 2022 and 2023. If you are a “glass half empty” person, you will think, “What does he bring?” If you are a “Glass half full person,” you already know that if he is healthy in 2024, he can put up monster numbers and play defense at 3B, 2B, SS, LF, and CF at a very high level. Mostly, CT3 has been worth his contract, but you guys who just want to put All-Stars at every position will always be miserable.

Today, Yamamoto will allegedly be added to the roster, necessitating a roster move. If no trade is made, they will DFA a player and have ten days to trade him. It’s easy to guess that it might be Bryan Hudson, but you never know.

Progress is Not Linear

I wrote this yesterday and I will leave you with it today because it is very important:

I am glad you mentioned Kyle Tucker! He is a classic example of why you need to be patient with prospects.

In his first call-up (72 PA), he hit .141. The next season in 72 PA (again), he hit .269.
In his 3rd callup (228 PA), he hit .268. Finally, in his 4th callup (over 4 years), he became one of the best right fielders in baseball as he hit .294 with 30 HR and put up a .917 OPS.

In parts of 5 seasons in the minors, he hit .283 with a .863 OPS.

In parts of 5 seasons in the minors, Miguel Vargas hit .310 with a .879 OPS.

In parts of 4 seasons in the minors, Michael Busch hit .283 with a .919 OPS.

Why do you always want to trade guys away? Progress is not linear… player development takes time, but good things come to those who wait. Bad things come to dope-fiends.

This article has 70 Comments

  1. CT3 is VERY VERY valuable to the Dodgers. Glue guy, I expect him to have a big year and be a piece to the 2024 WS championship. Easy guy to root for.

    Interesting story about Sborz in the Athletic.

    Was horrible in the 2nd half, caught lightning in a bottle during postseason…24 is our time….

  2. Mark, I thought you were the one who advocated firing Roberts with your infamous monkey post? Am I wrong?

  3. I’d rather give a legitimate shot to Busch and Vargas than sign Teoscar. I’m sure he’s better than his Seattle numbers reflect, but why add more payroll when you may have a couple of young players who can step up and make an impact if given an opportunity. We’ll never know until they get that chance.

    They may acquire another starting pitcher (you can’t have enough pitching, right?) But it will won’t be an expensive high end type. They do have the young guns — Miller, Sheehan, Knack, Stone — who would seem primed to make an impact in 2024.

    The Dodgers roster isn’t perfect, but it’s really good and no matter how hard they try, it won’t be perfect.

    I agree on Dylan Cease. The cost would be high. Maybe too high. But, hey, a tweak or two and he’s the next Gerrit Cole. Or not. He’s a little like Cole, had one exceptional year and some average ones. His biggest issue is a high Walk tendency.

    But I’d to see the Dodgers allow the young pitchers to thrive. Miller will be a starter, but Sheehan has serious stuff.

    As for Taylor, he needs to cut down on the swing and miss stuff. Too many strikeouts with runners in scoring position

    Good write-up today, Mark.

  4. doc might be crossed eyed with all the platoons he will be afforded! the whole outfield.3rd? shortstop? dodgers may break the all time platoon record for a single season! i know , exaggerated a little! i know it won’t happen , but i’m really missing Cody about now. center field and leave him alone! oh well , get ready for a different outfield every day. and no, i don’t think that’s exaggerating!

  5. Platoons are nothing more than your bench players getting more playing time, in match up situations they are suited for, and your starters getting more rest. If you can afford more better bench players than anyone else, and the Dodgers can, why wouldn’t you go get ‘em?

    Clearly Friedman has no problem with platoons. Neither do I.

    1. Outman hits better than the Ringling Brothers and his defense is solid. He did not hit for power against LHP but his BA against was higher than it was against RHP. Put the guy in CF every day and leave him alone. Use the platoon players in the corner outfield positions. Barnes is the weakest link on the team, but he does not play enough to hurt them. They won two 1-0 games last year. Barnsie drove in the run in both. One with an 8th inning homer. And who knows, maybe he has one of his better years at the dish. He is a very good defensive player.

      1. Outman had about .350 OBP against lefties and righties. He’s part of the reason Mookie set an RBI record from the lead off spot…
        Mark’s data on Tucker is one reason I don’t think the Dodgers should give Vargas. And/or Busch a shot inLF. I still assume one will be traded. This team is so loaded Dodgers can reassess LF at mid season.
        DovDodgers need another SP? No. But if AF secretly shares the misgivings about Liz at SS , the blockbuster could happen..But I feel pretty good about Glasnow and Yamamoto… Gotta wear shades.

        2. So you want to “cherry pick” OB%?

          Outman can’t hit with power against LHP. Period!

          Pick any stat you want, and then watch him flail away at lHP. It’s a joke! A bad Joke!

          Every hit he had against a LHP was a shock.

  6. some people like them, lots of people don’t. 5 .240 hitters don’t excite me ! 2 .290-.300 hitters di . personal preference!

      1. How is it “cherry-picking” to emphasize on-base percentage?
        One the best scenes in Money Ball emphasizes OBP. Why did Billy Beane want broken-down catcher Scott Hatteberg? “He gets on base.” (Fun that the guy who converts Hatteberg to 1B is Ron Washington, is now managing the Angels.)
        The Dodgers brass didn’t platoon Outman in ’23 and there’s no reason to platoon him in ’24. He was a rookie who posted stats remarkably similar to proven veterans like Bryan Reynolds and Ian Happ. He played solid defense in an important position. Finished 3rd in ROY voting
        Does he lack power against lefties? So far, yes. But somebody keeps insisting that progress isn’t linear, so perhaps that will change. Plus, he gets on base. He can bat 8th or 9th against lefties, and then get knocked in by Mookie, Freddie and Shohei. Is that a bad idea? Which supposed platoon partner is better at getting on base?
        It’s remarkable that a guy who is eager to give Vargas every opportunity to prove himself thinks that Outman has somehow earned a demotion.

  7. Okay a outfielder that your looking for that hits right handed that would be Tommy Pham, Corey Dickerson, Max Kepler, and Jorge Soler, that’s the only right handed outfielders and you all think the dodgers couldn’t tade for like a Kris Bryant or Robert JR or Sterling Marte. If course they can we have the best farm team in the league and could go get anybody just who would be better then Vargas and Busch. That’s what the Dodgers are looking at. And my guess it’s going to be Tommy Pham a perfect platoon player like Margot and Heyward they can play all three outfield positions and he wants to be a Dodger. He would be the David Peralta replacement guy. With some pop an bats right handed I know it’s not what the fans want but that’s the best option if they don’t want to trade for a player.

    1. Pham is constant drama wherever he goes. He was shipped out of San Diego because of his immaturity, which is saying something. Too much toxic baggage for a mediocre bat and below average defense.

      What about Adam Duvall?

      He started out red hot for the Red Sox last year, has always had a slightly better than average wRC+, hits for power and plays pretty good outfield defense.

      He’ll probably cost around 8-10 million for a one year deal.

    2. Why the rush?

      Why not wait and see what they have?

      Try Heyward and Taylor in RF

      Try Outman and Margot in CF

      Try Busch and Vargas in LF…

      Maybe Pages will be ready…

      See what you have at the trade deadline and move accordingly!

      Maybe the Dodgers Outfield is not the best in the business, but nobody has a TOP FIVE BATTING ORDER as good as the Dodgers.

      1. Trade deadline for what? You know this. Expanded playoffs = small pool of players available. Look at last year what AF had to settle for. The trade deadline is for the most part mediocre players, and if there is someone better than mediocre, then supply and demand kicks in and you overpay with prospects and money you take over from the contract of who you get.

        This has nothing to do with the outfield you layed out. I’m just talking about the trade deadline.

        1. Good! You just perfectly explained why the “wait ‘n see-ers” who pontificate that it’s soooo EASY to make mid-season trades to EFFECTIVELY plug holes on playoffs teams, …are living in fantasy land!!

    3. Dickerson hits left-handed. Sox have no inclination to trade Robert Jr. and have stated that several times. He is the only real star left on that team. Kepler also hits left-handed. Bryant has been injury prone for the last three seasons and has 134 million left on his contract with the Rockies. Soler is a solid hitter, but his defense sucks. Pham would love to play in LA. He was hoping to be traded to the Dodgers last year. As for Marte, he is 35, has not been injury free the last several seasons and his production offensively has suffered because of that. A few years ago, I would have loved to have him as a Dodger, now, not so much. I just believe they have no interest in Pham, or we would have heard or seen some kind of word that they do. Maybe his behavior in San Diego has something to do with that. What I do know, and what is being reported extensively is that they are monitoring the market for Teoscar Henandez.

  8. We already have enough hitters with high K rates surely could do without more. I’m hoping Friedman is getting tired of watching innings being killed by the usual strikeout kings game after game as some of us fans are. No on Hernandez

  11. Mark, have to disagree with your take on Cease/Robert Jr. trade. Of course it will be expensive and cost many great prospects, but most will never play for the Dodgers as they are blocked and will have no position. Why not overpay if you will never use them anyway? Busch, Cartaya, Outman and an infielder for Robert, three or more pitchers for Cease. Unbelievable SP with an unbeatable line-up which would provide a lot of leeway for Vargas to develop in left field. This would provide left/right hitting/power balance and fairly long term position coverage team wide, with the exception of right field. Heyward leaving next year will open the position for Pages. Hoarding prospects is not smart if they have little or no chance of breaking through. We would still have many great prospects, and additional injured people returning next year. The Dodgers can afford it, build the dynasty. To paraphrase Friedman, what’s wrong with being pigs?

    1. Because being pigs is not sustainable. If the farm is not healthy just look at what happens – The Yankees are a classic example.

      I do not agree that they are blocked.

  12. I know the playoffs were a bust-thanks to the NON-STRIKEOUT guys. But with all those K’s we won 100 games. So how many more games will we win if we pick up some more guys? 130? I’m with Mark. We have enough hitting choices to start the season.

  14. No on Pham!!! Plenty of documented off the field incidents and even one highly publicized on the field incident. No bueno….has thug mentality.

    VIVA AZUL

  15. James Outman should not be lumped into the same category as these platoon vets we have.

    He’s a young, ascending player who should be allowed every opportunity to show what he can do every day, and not just tossed aside as a young, platoon guy just for the sake of it.

    If, after 2 months, he shows he’s completely clueless up there vs lefties, THEN see about a change. But for now, it’s absurd to label him as a platoon player in Year 2. How the hell can one learn and grow if not given an opportunity?

    2. Exactly Bobby. Although I would extend your 2 month runway. The Dodgers have a powerful offense as it stands right now to allow Outman the opportunity. Some people (Mark) are trigger happy.

      For others not Bobby:

      Yes I’ve heard the bad defense (I consider flawed stats) from some here about Rhys Hoskins. But with the very good offense and if healthy, the very good starting pitching, with backups in the minors, the Dodgers can absorb his shortcomings (with flawed stats) defensively in LF. He DOESN’T need to be platooned and he makes the offense even more powerful. He’s a RHB with a better career BA, SLG and OPS than Muncy and about the same OBP as Muncy. He’s projected at 2 years and 36 million total by MLBTR and they have a tendency to be high on their projections I’ve noticed.

      Just my 2 cents.

  16. So – They will have a 26 man active roster. No more than 13 pitchers, so 13 position players. That means 9 starters and a 4 man bench.

    If the starters are Smith at C, Freeman at 1B, Betts at 2B, Lux at SS, Muncie at 3B, Hayward at RF, Outman CF, Taylor LF, Ohtani at DH, that leaves a backup catcher (probably Barnes), a backup INF (Rojas), a backup OF (probably Margot) and just 1 bench spot. If they trade for or sign another RH bat/OF, either they trade/DFA Margot, or both Vargas and Busch start the season in AAA. Either way, they won’t both be on the team in April, absent some other roster change.

  17. amen bobby! if muncy doesn’t get platooned why should outman? James is better defensively than muncy. i know it’s different positions so don’t go nuts! i just don’t see the dodgers keeping both busch and vargas. now friedman says busch will get every opportunity to earn a job . where? vargas, where? they both have nothing to prove in the minors. how about a blockbuster with cleveland? muncy, busch, stone, cartaya,pages, and frasso for ramirez and clase.anyy interested?

    1. Cleveland is not trading Ramirez.

      Why should Outman be platooned?

      1. The Eye Test – he looks very lost against tough LHP;
      2. Stats – I admit his career is short, but his OPS is .664 against LHP, and he averages a HR every 131 ABs. If that’s not lost, then I am Betty Crocker! Against RHP he averages a HR every 16 ABs.

      Why should Muncy be platooned:
      1. The Eye Test – For his career, Max Muncy has OPS’ed over .800 against both LHP and RHP.
      2. Stats – In his career, Max has a .830 OPS against RH and an .808 OPS against LHP. He averages a HR every 14 ABs against LHP and a HR every 16 ABs against RHP.

      THE ANSWER IS MUNCY SHOULD NOT BE PLATOONED.

      Outman should. He still swings like a caveman against LHP!

      Come on, man! Don’t bring weak shit into my wheelhouse!

      That was too easy!

      1. Max has struggled more lately against lefties. Instead of career stats, let’s go with, “What have you done for us lately?”
        And Max looks like a below average fielder at 3B. Chris Taylor figures to have the better glove, and should hit lefties better.
        He sure did so last season.
        In ’23, Taylor hit to a .795 OPS against lefties with good power and a mediocre .317 OBP. Max, meanwhile, hit lefties to a .641 OPS with an awful .263 OPB. (Outman’s OBP vs lefties was .357. Why would you sit a guy who gets on base so often? )
        I’m not sure a full-time platoon of Max/CT3 would be make sense, but it’s clearly an option.
        Possible lineup vs. southpaws:
        Mookie 2b
        Freddie 1B
        Shohei DH
        Smith C
        Taylor 3B
        Lux SS
        Vargas LF
        Outman CF
        Margot RF

        Bench would be Max, Heyward, Busch, Barnes, Rojas. If the Dodgers really wanted to load up from the right side, Rojas could start at SS.
        A lot depends on whether Vargas hits. If he doesn’t, Taylor plays left and Max starts. If he does hit, maybe he bats 5th in this lineup.
        I still assume that Busch will get dealt. How about Busch + Varland + ??? for Clase? One reason to deal Knack: He is already 27.

  18. Roberts does what management wants him to. He is a good communicator and gets buy-in for the current Dodger way of doing things. He is not a great Xs and Os guy. He is currently under contract though the end of 2025.

    His post-season record isn’t great. I don’t know any other way of looking at it. Yeah, the players play, it’s a crapshoot, etc., etc., but the fact is that they have lost too many series that they should have won. It’s up to the manager to put his players in the best position to succeed, and he hasn’t in the post-season.

    I could see the Dodgers making a change if they don’t win it all this year. I think that expectations will be high. How could they not be?

  19. DODGERS PRESS RELEASE

    DODGERS SIGN THREE-TIME PACIFIC LEAGUE MVP YOSHINOBU YAMAMOTO

    LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Dodgers have agreed to terms with right-handed pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto on a 12-year contract.

    Yamamoto, 25, joins WBC teammate and two-time MVP Shohei Ohtani on the Dodgers after spending the last seven seasons with the Orix Buffaloes of the Nippon Professional Baseball League. In seven seasons with the Buffaloes, he posted a 70-29 record with a 1.82 ERA and 922 strikeouts in 172 games. In 2023, Yamamoto helped the Buffaloes win the Nippon Pacific League pennant and led them to the Japan Series Championship after going 16-6 with a 1.21 ERA and 169 strikeouts over 164 innings in 23 games. He was named the Nippon Pacific League Most Valuable Player for the third straight season as he won the Japanese Pitching Triple Crown, leading the league in wins, strikeouts and ERA.

    “I’d like to thank everyone in the Orix organization, the Dodger organization and all the people close to me who have given me so much support throughout this free-agent process,” said Yamamoto. “I am truly excited to wear Dodger Blue and can’t wait to play in front of a packed Dodger Stadium.”

    “This is a great day for the Dodgers and Guggenheim Baseball Management. It is also a major milestone for baseball to have Yoshinobu Yamamoto come from Japan to the United States, bringing a level of talent and promise that has captured the imagination of baseball fans worldwide,” said Stan Kasten, Los Angeles Dodgers President and CEO of Guggenheim Baseball Management. “Reuniting with his former Team Japan teammate Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu is poised to have a remarkable impact on and off the field in Los Angeles – as well as to further MLB’s ongoing efforts toward making baseball a great global game. We are thrilled he has chosen the Dodgers and honored to have him.”

    “We could not be more excited to bring Yoshinobu Yamamoto to the Dodgers,” said Andrew Friedman, President of Baseball Operations, Los Angeles Dodgers. “You don’t win three MVP awards by the age of 25 without an exceptional combination of talent, work ethic and mental toughness. He’s an elite pitcher with an impressive dedication to his craft who will only become more dynamic in a Dodger uniform. We are thrilled for him to be a mainstay at the top of our starting rotation for years to come.”

    Yamamoto is only the third player in Japanese Baseball history to win the MVP award in the NPB over three consecutive seasons, joining Hisashi Yamada (1976-1978) and Ichiro Suzuki (1994-1996). Yamamoto is also one of eight players in history to have three or more NPB MVP awards, joining Sadaharu Oh (9: 1964-1965, 1967, 1969, 1970, 1973, 1974, 1976, 1977), Shigeo Nagashima (5: 1961, 1963, 1966, 1968, 1971), Katsuya Nomura (5: 1961, 1963, 1965-1966, 1973), Kazuto Yamamoto (3: 1946, 1948, 1951), Tetsuharu Kawakami (3: 1941, 1951, 1955), Hisashi Yamada (3: 1976-1978), Ichiro Suzuki (3: 1994-1996) and Hideki Matsui (3: 1996, 2000, 2002).

    The 2023 season marked the third straight time he had won the pitching triple crown after going 17-6 with a 1.16 ERA and 176 strikeouts in 2022 and 18-5 with a 1.39 ERA and 205 strikeouts in 2021, and the fourth time in his career he finished with the ERA title as he posted a 1.95 ERA in 2019. He is one of three players in the NPB to win the ERA title four or more times, joining Kazuhisa Inao (5: 1956-1958, 1961, 1966) and Tomoyuki Sugano (4: 2014, 2016-2018).

    Yamamoto made his international debut in the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, leading team Japan to the Gold Medal as he went 0-0 with a 1.59 ERA and 18 strikeouts in two games. He was named to the All-Olympic team and helped his team go 5-0 in the tournament and capture its first Summer Games Olympic Gold Medal. He continued his international duties in 2023 during World Baseball Classic, as he was part of the quartet that led Japan to their third WBC Championship (2009, 2013, 2023). In the tournament, he went 1-0 with a 2.45 ERA and 12 strikeouts in two games (one start).

    Yamamoto will be the 12th Japanese-born player to wear a Dodger uniform, joining Ohtani, Dodger Manager Dave Roberts (2002-2004), Hideo Nomo (1995-1998, 2002-2004), Masao Kida (2003-2004), Kazuhisa Ishii (2002-2004), Norihiro Nakamura (2005), Takashi Saito (2006-2008), Hiroki Kuroda (2008-2011), Kenta Maeda (2016-2019), Yu Darvish (2017) and Yoshi Tsutsugo (2021). It will be the sixth time in franchise history that the Dodgers will carry two or more Japanese born players on the roster and the first time since 2017.
    Originally born in Bizen, Okayama, Japan, Yamamoto played seven professional seasons, receiving numerous accolades in his career, including Pacific League MVP (2021-23), WBC Champion (2023), Tokyo Games Olympic Gold Medalist (2020), Nippon Professional Baseball League All-Star (2018-2019, 2021-2023), Eiji Sawamura Award (2021-2023), Pacific League Pitcher Best-Nine (2021-2023), Pacific League Golden Glove Award (2021-2023) and Japan Series Champion (2022).

  20. Introducing Yamamoto today – anyone know if theres a new conference scheduled or time ?
    Thanks 🙂

  21. RIP Tom Smothers of the Smothers Brothers. Passed away today. One of my favorite all time comedic talents and also a talented musician. Tom went to Redondo Union High School in Redondo Beach. He also attended San Jose State and was a state champion gymnast in high school on the parallel bars. He and his brother wanted to be folk music artists, but Tom did not feel he was a good enough musician. But he knew he was good at comedy. They added that to their act and became very popular. He was 86 years old. His father, Major Tom Smothers, died while a POW
    of the Japanese in April 1945.

  22. nah, max ain’t getting platooned. , nor should he. 2 more years for max. kinda funny, the whole infield may not have. platoons. , unless lux struggles. and the outfield is completely platoon. doesn’t hurt to wish Mark, i would love ramirez at 3rd! still gonna have a lot of swing and miss in that lineup.

  23. From Friedman’s mouth about Yamamoto “You don’t win three MVP awards by the age of 25 without an exceptional combination of talent, work ethic and mental toughness.”

    Exceptional work ethic. I said that the other day about Ohtani and it’s true about Yamamoto too.

  24. if the Dodgers sign Teoscar he is the starting LF period. You act like OPS’ing .772 against RHP is bad….that’s well above average and if he’s a Dodger he plays every day. Plus Heyward already has a platoon partner in Margot we’ve been over this. 🙂

    1. You are partially right!

      The problem is that the Dodgers will not give him enough $$$ to play every day! Nor should they!

  26. How to Watch Yoshinobu Yamamoto Introductory Press Conference With Dodgers
    The introductory press conference will be broadcast on SportsNet LA.

  27. No one knows what we have in Vargas (injured last year) or Busch unless we give them a shot. The same people claiming he and Vargas are .240 hitters are the same ones who would be going insane if we traded them and they OPS’d .850. I really think Busch could be a stud if given his shot. And if Vargas lives up to his billing, we can slide him into 3rd next year. You have to have young players to balance out the payroll. Even the Dodgers! Can’t wait to see what Outman does in year 2!

      1. But skinnier! He’s a much better defender. And if he hits like Joctober, I’m happy with that!

          1. Come on, Quit cherry-picking.

            Joc is a career .622 OPS against LHP and .834 against RHP.

            Stop the bullshit!

          2. Outman’s already got Joc beat bigtime across the slashline against LHP except SLG only .024 behind.

            A decent year against LHP and he will leave Joc behind in the dust.

  28. Or maybe Mark is still rooting for Miguelito to be like Aesop’s tortoise and expecting Outman to fade like the hare….

    1. Cmon Mark! 4 years of .850+ is not cherry-picking! And career .834 OPS against righties is legit. I’d take that in a heartbeat for Outman and just platoon him. Bullshit is you trading Lux away in a package for Adames and Burnes and defending Adames average OPS bat! Lux will prove you wrong!

  29. According to some here the Dodgers should platoon every outfield position; just go with what they have and see what happens! I’m sure Ohtani would be pleased that he deferred $600 million so they could do just that! AF promised him he would build the best team possible, so mixing and matching a bunch of mediocre outfielders ain’t gonna happen. So please stop! You’re killing me!

  30. 1. Not sure if BJD truly prefers Muncy at bat rather than Betts or Freeman, but if so, I would agree that you are crazy.. in that regard.
    2. Was tempted to respond yesterday to the discussion about Roberts as a manager. We are just going to have to agree to disagree. While he has made some questionable decisions regarding the bullpen, pulling starters, and pinch hitting for platoon players too early in Arizona series, I find it laughable that that he takes as much criticism as he does. Tend to agree with much of Phil’s post yesterday on the subject.
    3. It is not an opinion that the best teams in baseball win the championship at a lower rate than the football and basketball. That is a fact. Why that happens is debatable. Certainly the randomness of BABIP, the importance of a starting pitcher, the layoff between end of regular season and first playoff game, the difference between requirements for success in regular season and what is required for success in post season regarding pitching depth, etc. Dodgers, Braves, and Orioles all gone in first round. Someone may correct this if I have misstated it but I seem to recall that baseball would have to play a best of 77 series in order for the best teams to advance at the same rate as they do in the NBA and NFL.
    4. As for roster additions, I would be fine with Glasnow, Yamamoto, Miller to start the season supplemented by two of Sheehan, Stone, Knack with Yarborough and an opener as a sixth starter if needed. Buehler will join them from extended spring training six weeks or so into the season. I would not add another starter nor another bullpen arm. With Grove, Hurt, Vanasco, and possibly Frasso to add to Hudson, Treinen, and Feyereisen off injury plus the holdovers like Phillips, Graterol, Vesia, and Ferguson they have the makings of a deep pen. And if history is an indicator, AF will find another Brasier, Phillips, or the like from the waiver wire to help. With the variance in relief pitching from year to year, Dodgers have always attacked this with numbers. And it has usually worked out well.
    5. I get the skepticism regarding Busch and Vargas. Neither of them has anything left to prove at AAA. And I don’t think the sample size of MLB at bats is large enough to draw any conclusions about their ML ability. I hope both get a chance with the Dodgers this year to stick at the Major League level.
    6. Lastly, would like to see Dodgers give Freeman and Betts more rest during the season. I admire their willingness to play every day but playing 140 games a year instead of 162 may keep them fresher for October. It would have the added benefit of creating at bats for Busch and Vargas to gain a foothold or at least make a determination as to their viability by trade deadline.

  31. Long drive coming up. Need my rest. Moss threw 6 TD passes in USC’s 42-28 win over Louisville. Watched Yamamoto’s presser. Guy was wearing some nice threads. If you haven’t noticed, the uniforms have changed slightly.

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