(I spelled it wrong deliberately). Well, the Dodgers were serious about signing Juan Soto… untill the bidding got over $600 Million. That was when they punted. I agree… I don’t think he is worth a penny over $599 Million! The Dodgers then signed Michael Comforto to a one-year deal, presumeably to platoon with Andy Pages in RF. I think that was an excellent move. The Dodgers do not want Teoscar in RF and Comforto and Pages are both more accomplished outfielders. Comforto was in San Francisco which is a horrible park to hit in and, just like Teo (last year) who had and off season in Seattle in 2023, only to come back with a vengence in 2024, I think Michael Comforto has a very good season left in him.
Moving from SF to LA and having RVS as a hitting coach could re-ignite Conforto’s career. At one time, he was headed for Superstardon. From 2017 to 2019, he hit 27, 28 and 33 HR. He could be the steal of the offseason.
A platoon of Pages and Comforto could yield 35-40 HR and 100+ RBI from the 7th or 8th spot in the batting order, as well as delivering solid defense. The Dodgers still have the opportunity to sign Teoscar, but they don’t want to go beyond 2 or 3 years and I think the Yankees or Red Sox will. the Dodgers could see what develops among current players in LF, such as Dalton Rushing or Chris Taylor. Kike could be in the mix as could James Outman. If I don’t list him there will be hell to pay.
Rushing may or may not make the team, but he would benefit from playing a year with Smith and Barnes and maybe catching 20-30 games.
I think the steal of the offseason has been Blake Snell. Snell is Ace Caliber. Compare that to Max Fried whom the Yankees gave 8 years/$218 Million and he’s a #3 or #4 for the Yankees. Good luck with that.
After the Rule 5 Draft, I scanned the names and didn’t see any Dodgers taken. It turns out that I missed Garrett McDaniel. Garrett “Freaking” McDaniel? McDaniel? He’s a soft-tossing Lefty who isn’t even the equal of Justin Bruihl. I mean, the Angels could have taken Ryan Ward, Jerming Rosario, Carlos Duran, Damon Keith, Jack Little, Austin Gauthier, Ben Harris or Ryan Sublette, but NO…. the Dumbass Angels took McDaniels. Thank You! That is why the Angels are … the Angels. There is no dumbass Vaccine. The Angels are a joke!
The Dodgers don’t have to do anything else… except maybe sign Kike Hernandez. Maybe Walker Buehler might not get a great deal and re-sign with the Dodgers, but Jack Flaherty is already gone… believe ‘dat!
Roki Sasaki is not a slam dunk but the Dodgers are going all out to get him. We shall see… I have no prediction…
Lastly, I hope the Nolan Arenado rumors are wrong. He is done… He would have been a great Dodger… ten years ago! That ship has sailed! Stick a fork in him!
As one of our posters says…”Book ’em. Dano.!”
Certainly a lively winter break….
The talk about the Astros dealing Kyle Tucker seems to be serious. AF and BG have to be exploring that opportunity–even if it means dealing with the Astros.
Could the Dodgers lose out on Teo but wind up getting Tucker instead? That would be amazing. He’s under contract for only one more season before free agency–but wasn’t that the case when AF dealt for Mookie and then signed him to a big extension? Maybe Tucker would love to join the juggernaut.
Meanwhile, the Red Sox–who are keen on have agreed to deal four of their top prospects to land Crochet. One of the prospects is a catcher, which could alter their ask for Robert… if there is an ask. I don’t think Robert will be traded. But if Dodgers are interested in taking on the risk, the White Sox might prefer an SP prospect to Rushing. I’d still offer Lux in a package, because Edman could move to 2B.
I don’t think Andrew would have any problem dealing with the Astros if he could make the Dodgers a better team by doing that, but from what I’ve seen in various posts and blogs, it seems as though the Cubs and Yankees are both very interested in Tucker and are probably better matches based on what the Astros want in return.
So, be prepared to see Tucker traded and be prepared to see him going to a city other than L.A.
“I think the steal of the offseason has been Blake Snell. Snell is Ace Caliber. Compare that to Max Fried whom the Yankees gave 8 years/$218 Million and he’s a #3 or #4 for the Yankees. Good luck with that.”
I’m very happy with the Snell signing but I don’t know where you get the idea that Fried is any less of a pitcher.
Lifetime, Fried has the lower ERA (3.07 to 3.19). He has a very slightly higher bWAR in 60 fewer lifetime starts. That’s a huge advantage in Fried’s favor since WAR is a cumulative stat.
As far as the contracts are concerned, yes we managed to get Snell for 5 years less and that’s a good thing considering their ages, but…………………………..Snell’s AAV comes out to $36.4MM while the Yankees are paying Fried an AAV of $27.25MM. In other words, on an annual basis we’re paying Snell almost 1/3 more per year. Or, if you want to you can say that the Yankees are getting the extra 3 years from Fried at about $12MM per year.
You say that Fried is the #3 or #4 starter for the Yankees. Could you please explain that?
By almost every pitching stat Fried outpitched Cole last year and he’s the only one on that staff that could be considered their Ace if you weren’t going to give that title to Fried.
I know you don’t reach your conclusions lightly, Mark, so please show me where I’m wrong here.
Correction: we got Snell for 3 years less, not 5 years but my other numbers should be accurate.
How many Cy Youngs does Snell have?
How many does Fried have?
Cole is #1, Rodon is #2 – I heard Boone say this. and Fried will be #3 or #4.
Since 2018, Snells Velocity on his fastball has been 95.1 to 95.9 (last season). Frieds Fastball is 93 on average.
Two Cy Youngs, a No-Hitter and higher velo speaks like an Ace. Fried is good, but not an Ace.
Interesting that you find Cy Youngs so important when you just railed on the organization that awards those for totally ignoring Doc for Mgr of the Year.
My main point, was not that Fried was better than Snell, although I think there are some stats that say he is.
My real problem was that you, or even worse Boone says he’s #3 or #4 in a rotation that includes Rodon whose lifetime work doesn’t get close to Fried’s and Gil who had a very nice season last year but it was just one season. And Fried has had a lower ERA in each of the last 5 years than Gil had last year.
I couldn’t care less how fast these guys throw. It’s results I’m after. Would you have gotten rid of Maddux at the height of his career because he didn’t throw hard enough?
So in conclusion, he said, clearing his throat:
I’m happy we signed Snell. At his best he’s better than Fried, but he isn’t always at his best.
I refuse to label Fried a #3 or #4 in the Yankee rotation. I don’t care what his manager says.
Thank you for providing this arena for me to express my opinions, none of which anyone here has to agree with.
It’s possible one of the outcomes if Teo does NOT re-sign could be it makes AF/BG consider re-signing Kiké again?
Will Outman rebound – for the season I mean, NOT for a month or two. Or will he quietly fade into obscurity? Any prediction?
Good thinking
Outman will nevber hit LH pitching. JUst like Joc. Lux has a chance of hittingb LHP, but we shall see.
It’s really strange. All through the minors. Miguel Vargas had great hitting skills. He could hit the breaking stuff. That’s what troubles Outman, but now, MLB discovered that Vargas cant hit high velo fastballs. Outman can!
Ack, didn’t edit that last post fast enough…
Meant to note that the Red Sox also seem to be frontrunners now for Teo.
Without a significant addition, here’s the Dodgers’ OF mix now: Conforto, Edman, Pages, Taylor, Outman…Rushing?
There are a lot of platoon possibilities in that group. Conforto-Pages is one possibility.
As for the FA outfielders, several are solid but not exciting options, but most are best suited for the corners.
Superduper best-case scenario: Outman finds his ’23 mojo in the spring… and then he gets the start at CF, flanked by Conforto/Pages in left, and Kyle Tucker in RF.
Dare to dream!
The Dodgers are NOT getting Tucker. Bet it!
I think this was the “minor league phase” of the Rule 5 draft and the players taken don’t move to the major league roster. Oh wait–there were both phases.
Why not call it a Rule 6 draft to avoid confusion.
I hope some of the OKC veterans like Ryan Ward get selected and then play happily ever after.
From TrueBlueLA:
The Dodgers lost one player in the major league portion of the Rule 5 Draft on Wednesday, with left-handed pitcher Garrett McDaniels getting plucked by the Angels. In the minor league portion of the Rule 5 Draft, the Dodgers added outfielder and first baseman John Rhodes and lost four others.
Unlike the major league portion of the Rule 5 Draft, players lost in the minor league phase are simply gone, now part of the organization that drafted them with no additional roster requirements.
The Dodgers lost pitchers Hyun-il Choi (to the Nationals), Michael Hobbs (Mets), and Orlando Ortiz-Mayr (Marlins), as well as catcher/outfielder Jefferson Valladres to the Twins.
Rhodes played the last two full seasons plus part of 2022 for Double-A Bowie in the Orioles system, after getting drafted out of Kentucky in the third round in 2021 by Baltimore. Rhodes in 2024 hit .202/.271/.309 with a 69 wRC+, 16 doubles, and eight home runs in 104 games.
He split time between left field, right field, and first base this season. Rhodes’ 23 starts at first base represented his first time at the position since four games in Low-A Delmarva in 2021. Rhodes turned 24 in August.
The difference between Soto and Ohtani is the amount of money Shohei generates in sponsorship, advertising etc.
LA Times article points out the millions and millions in revenue he brings to LA.
Soto is a very good young player, but he won’t generate those kind of dollars. Plus there are no deferrals to help the Mets out.
Maybe signing Soto isn’t such a great deal after all. Unless, of course, the Mets owner decides to keep on spending.
He’s certainly has the resources.
Remember the reason the Dodgers love deferrals. They invest the money to make LA more money.
Conforto is an interesting signing. He hit pretty well away from San Francisco.
Still think they need Teo back.
But extending Edney and Treinen, plus signing Snell — pretty good winter so far.
Looking for the Dodgers to add a couple of bullpen pieces, maybe Kike Hernandrz and of course Kershaw.
Roki signs with Dodgers. Can make more endorsement money in LA than anywhere else.
Any chance Arenado could play LF? And after Muncy, move him back to 3B
If Teo is looking for 4 years, and most are worried about defense, so why not Arenado? At least we know he’s an excellent glove.
Arenado may not be the offensive equal of CT3. Look at his stats, he has slipped so far.
1 – Nolan doesn’t play OF
2 – he makes $29,500,000/year
3 – he slashed .272 .325 .394 .719 last year
4 – No to Nolan
In reality Conforto will be the everyday LF and Andy Pagés will be the RF most of the time, Pagés will be given a long leash this year, Teo will not return, Kiké’s return is much more likely.
After ASG’s break, Kiké began to wear glasses and turned the season around, the “old” Kiké from the first stage with the team returned, he put back the statistics of those years.
That could happen, but Pages has extreme splits and Conforto’s OPS against LHP for his career is .705,
Pages OPS’ed .647 against RHP, but hit LHP to the tune of a .917 OPS.
Both are good RF’ers and that smells like a platoon to me.
Wouldn’t think nor expect this.
Pages/Conforto platoon much, much, much more likely.
Santander hit 44 home runs in a career year this past year and is a switch hitter who plays average defense. Surprisingly, Dodgers don’t seem to have any interest in a slugger who could rest Ohtani against nasty lefties and fill in outfield and bench role. Nice fill with another movable part
Rest Ohtani…cmon, in what world are we doing that?
The interesting thing about Santander is that he is a much better hitter when he plays the field.
As a DH he hits .208 with a .695 OPS!
Ohtani OPS’es .839 against LHP (>996 against RHP).
Santander can’t carry Ohtani’s jock.
Pages is gonna be good.
Remember that game 5 he had in NY?????
Sign WB today!
The ship has sailed on Walker. Roki Sasaki or Tanner Scott fill in the last available spot on the 40 man roster before Spring Training.
Kyle Tucker would be great, but the Dodgers would almost certainly want to sign him before trading prospects like Rushing, DePaula, and Ferris. It probably would take an 8-year/$300 Million deal and in his age 28 year, he could bet on himself and get a really big payday.
I don’t see that happening. Also, he’s from Florida … he’s not an LA kind of guy!
Tucker gets than more than 300 million in free agency in 2025. I believe closer to 500 million or beyond.
Not to be over dramatic, but without Teo, or another big bat in right field, i’m not liking the outfield! Agree that Conforto and Pages platoon in right. Any scenario where Taylor gets half the time in left? not a good idea. Love Kike! But he’s not an everyday player. October? Absolutely! i just don’t see AF starting the season with platoons in both corners. Tucker would be fantastic in the outfield and offensively! Never know! But probably not. Santander? Lots and lots of power. But him in left with Max at 3rd. Might be a little scary. Max has improved at 3rd . But if Mookie is the starter at shortstop, the left side of the field could be an adventure! Bottom line? If they were willing to spend 600 million on Soto, why not give Teo a 4 year deal? i’m sure they can afford it!
You are right on the everything u said. I could not agree more
So true,why not.That would solve a lot of problems. Don’t understand
I’m pretty sure Conforto had reverse splits last year? Maybe AF and the boys are going to just go……..
Conforto in left
Edmans in center
Pages in right
And the 4 reserves
Barnsey, CT3, Miggy Ro and ………
Rushing sorry AAA
Outman sorry AAA
their going to go with their guy …..
Kike ‘Mr.Rocktober’ Hernandez
When they roll into Oct. nobody will care what the reserves did in the regular season. The roster is loaded! They will go with what got them there. The entire 40 man is nails! This is good. Very good! I’m chomping at the bit. Bring on the 2025 season.
Book em
He did have reverse splits last year, but I think that had a lot to do with playing in SF. He had 209 AB at SF and hit 3 HR.
He had 279 AB on the road and hit 17 HR.
Ordinarily, he has never had reverse splits.
Dave Roberts wins 2024 Baseball America manager of the year
Nuff Said!
The BWAA sucks – he came in 7th with them!
https://x.com/MLBNetwork/status/1866270603969438116?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1866270603969438116%7Ctwgr%5Ec113bb858fb7c2df33150bde18a95e25fba95393%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.truebluela.com%2F2024%2F12%2F12%2F24319203%2Fdave-roberts-manager-of-year-baseball-america
For all the Dave Roberts Hates out there, I have one word:
Go to Hell!
it’s not hard to imagine Conforto and pages to combine for 26 homers and 75 runs batted in. it’s also possible that they combine for 18 and 50. Edman in center ? 17 and 70 seems like a good number. right field with any one not named Teo? 14 and 45 probably would be fairly accurate. I like Outman. I still don’t see him playing in Dodger stadium this season. Rushing? i have no idea what he brings this year. Does anybody believe Max will have a monster year? Does Will Smith ‘s struggles continue ? Will Mookie have issues at shortstop that affect him at the plate? Lux? .250 and 15? seems reasonable. Ohthani? if he pitches it’s not realistic to expect 45 plus homers. Freddie? His ankle fully healed by spring training? The bench? major questions. I actually feel much more confident in the pitching than the offense!! And if they somehow sign sasaki? Wow!! Now before everyone calls me a wet blanket, the offense can be good as is. But compared to some other outfields in baseball, it doesn’t look nearly as good. the Arenado rumors? You’re right Mark, a few years too late! But. if AF could swing a deal for Tucker, that would be huge! He probably won’t talk extension , but people thought Mookie wouldn’t talk either. tucker/edman/ pages , conforto? now we’re talking!
A wet blanket? No Dad you’re just a what if guy and that’s cool. I don’t know why, but even if all that stuff happens I don’t see a scenario where the Dodgers don’t make the playoffs. They are so deep, especially in the pitching department.
Book em
Conforto not a good defensive OF. Better off in LF than in RF. Started out with the Mets as a C. I am not a fan. A platoon corner OF at best. Pages at this point looks like a platoon bat although he may be given a chance to prove that he’s not. They still need another corner OF. If Teoscar Hernandez gets too expensive then there are other free agent OF available or trades – probably someone no one here has thought about yet.
I also assume that we will see Rushing in the majors at some point this year and probably in LF and not at C.
Bruce Kuntz in DodgerDigest explains why the Angels took McDaniels in the Rule 5 draft:
“McDaniels had a breakout campaign this season, and it was aided by his switching to a relief role halfway through the year. He began 2024 in Single-A, starting in seven of his 11 appearances and pitching to a 3.80 ERA across 45 innings. His 22.3% strikeout rate and 11.7% walk rate each left something to be desired.
“That changed when McDaniels was promoted to High-A in June and sent down to the bullpen. From that point on, he appeared in 21 games between his time in High-A and a quick Double-A stint, pitching to a 2.22 ERA, 33.9% strikeout rate and 5.1% walk rate. Batters hit just .193 against him and McDaniels did not allow a single home run after moving to relief.”
As for the Dodgers’ Rule 5 acquisition, Kuntz wrote:
“Each player selected in the minor league phase costs $24,000, so the Dodgers only selected one player before skipping their remaining picks: Orioles outfield prospect John Rhodes. A third round pick back in 2021, Rhodes was seen as a potential average-or-better player in all five tools as he was drafted out of Kentucky. However, he has struggled to hit thus far in his professional career, batting just .225 through 324 games.
“Rhodes’ first full Double-A season was the best stretch of his career so far. In the first three months of 2023, the Tennessee native slashed .266/.364/.447 with 23 extra-base-hits. Rhodes’ season flipped in July, as he batted just .191 with a .680 OPS through the rest of the season. His struggles carried into 2024, as he returned to Double-A but struggled to the tune of a .580 OPS in 104 games.
“The Dodgers will look to tweak Rhodes’ swing and get him back on track offensively. He played a mix of corner outfield and first base this year for Bowie and is an outfielder by trade. A change of scenery could be just what the 24-year-old needs….”
I wonder if the Dodgers have approached Ohtani about playing some outfield in the future? If Ohtani was willing to do that and open up the DH role part time it would be easier to offer Teo the 3rd or maybe even the 4th year of a new contract. If that’s not something the team or Ohtani is willing to do, Teo may be heading to Toronto or Boston and the Dodgers looking into the trade market for LF. I don’t see the Dodgers linked to Santander at all but maybe a good fall back option for them. I just don’t think the Dodgers will go into the season with Taylor/Rushing as the LFer. Pages and Conforto will be platooning in RF as Mark also sees it. We have too much deferred money on the books to not fill that hole in the batting order and in LF. It makes it hard to compete against other teams who have the DH role available that are offering more years for his services. Just my take
If need be they can go out at the deadline and get someone for LF.
They can navigate 162…
why navigate when you can dominate? Teo took less money to help win a championship. why not reward the guy? Dave Roberts was marvelous this season. Why shouldn’t the front office make it a little easier for him next season and give him a good left fielder that’s not a .210 hitter? if you’re looking for nothing but defense, the bench fills your needs. Offense?? not so much!
BC they dont just want to win next year, they want to win every year into the foreseeable future.
Thats what makes em great.
They dont do “dope fiend” moves. And THATS why they have been the envy of MLB and will continue to be.
Teo was such a great player.I certainly thought he would be a Dodger for several years. I didn’t think la would let him get away. I mean we don’t have outfielder as good as him or will be in the next couple of years
. It is a mystery
An objective for the Dodgers, from this moment on, should be to get CF Julio Rodriguez out of Seattle, they must start trying and achieve it within three years at the latest. He is very young, he is signed long term and it would cost a lot, but it would be worth it, he would be ideal to lead the Dodgers when Mookie and Ohtani are beyond their 35 years of age. The true Dominican gem, the complete package, is Julio. A player, with only 2 tools, named Juan Soto is not.
Of course, I would love to get J-Rod, but you have to consider this:
2022 OPS – .853
2023 OPS – .818
2024 OPS – .734
If you look at OPS+ (Legue Average is 100):
2022 OPS+ – 147
2023 OPS+ – 130
2024 OPS+ – 116
Yes, he is 23, but do you detect a trend? BTW, Stopt’s OPS+ was178. Ohtani was 190. Betts was 145. Freeman was 143. Edman was 101. Teo was 137.
J-Rod has a lot of potential, but he is getting worse… not better. Would you trade Rushing, DePaula, Farris, and George for him… maybe Edman too.
Someone said that progress is not linear.
Also don’t forget that he plays in the worst stadium for hitters, Teoscar had a 108 OPS+ there.
I agree with that… He may be the Second Coming…
or he may be not!
Maybe RVS can fix him.
I am not against it, but it scares me.
In interviews yesterday on MLB radio Roberts said Conforto would be the left fielder. Gomes said when asked about Pages they really like him and it sounds like he’s going to get a chance to play every day. Bowden asked AF why he doesn’t call Milwaukee and trade Lux and a pitcher for Williams. AF told Bowden to let Matt Arnold know.
One thing about Pages he was coming back from labrum surgery last year. He was supposed to be in AAA all year with a late season call up and has less than 120 at bats at OKC.
teo would not be a”dope fiend” move! a “dope fiend” move would be giving Soto 765 million!
Depends on what the offer is, do you know??
no i don’t! but it ain’t more than 80 million. i would bet money on that. i also know that if pages struggles, edman hits .250 and left field is a black hole, the dodgers will find the going much rougher than they had it this season. All 3 things i stated could happen. maybe 2 of them , but maybe only one! i’m a dodger fan for over 60 years! I pull for whomever they put on the roster . i don’t like the outfield with conforto in left, and pages in right. i said earlier, max ain’t getting any younger or any better. Will could continue to struggle. the bench is below average offensively. the giants get Burnes to go along with Logan Webb? they become relevant again. if the padres bring profar back , their outfield is better than the dodgers . the diamond backs have pitching and speed. Sure AF will make deadline moves, but why wait? Teo costs only money. no trade necessary. no qualifying pick goes with him. So there, just my opinion.
I think if the Dodgers really wanted Teo back,he would have been signed by now. I believe Teo is no longer in their plans. I’m sure that AF has a Plan B.
Well, the Yankees are in and Boston is in and the Mets may be in, so Teo is getting offers. I am certain that AF has said, give us a chance to match it… and I think Teo will. Then it depends upon the offer. AF is patient! They want Teo back, but not at any price.
I did not see that interview but it seems logical and appropriate to me that Conforto will be the LF and Pagés in RF will be given a long look.
Between Max and Mookie, 5 months were lost in 2024, now with normal and typical seasons they will compensate for Teo’s departure. First full season: Pagés vs Teo https://stathead.com/baseball/versus-finder.cgi?request=1&seasons_type=perchoice&player_id1=pages-001and&p1yrfrom=2024&p1yrto=2024&player_id2=hernan000teo&p2yrfrom=2018&p2yrto=2018
Dodgers organization update.
Even though I haven’t been nearly the CA league freak I was in the previous decade (my son is in HS now and has less time to go to games), I have been hearing grumblings for a while about changes to come. MLB’s takeover of MiLB changed things.
The Dodgers low A (previously high A) affiliate has been in Rancho Cucamonga for 15 years or so. The Dodgers announced a while back that they signed a deal with Ontario to move the team one city over to a brand new facility. The owners of the Quakes were a group headed by HOFer George Brett. Diamond Baseball announced the purchase of 3 CA league teams today. Nuts, 66ers and Quakes. They seem to be intent on buying up all of MiLB. They own over 40 teams now. Modesto (Seattle) is losing the Nuts to San Bernardino. Modesto will no longer have a team. Angels are moving to Rancho. None of that matters to the Dodgers.
But the Dodgers get a brand new facility. And I’m sure the Dodgers have been heavily involved in the design of that facility. While all the other teams in the CA league are simply just shifting around. The Dodgers get a new, state of the art facility and remain only an hour down the 10 freeway from LA. All the other teams move to existing (and aging) ballparks with dirt cheap (often $1 per year) leases in place with the cities.
My only point of even discussing this is the fact that it exemplifies the Dodgers organization. Arte Moreno and many other owners will spend big on big name players. But will neglect and stifle player development out of unwillingness to invest. Because obscure spending on player development don’t sell tickets (at least in the near term). Dodgers are once again proving that they are committed to maintaining the best organization in baseball. All the way down to their low A affiliate. As of 2026, the Dodgers will have the only facility in the CA league that is less than 20 years old. Most are 25-35 years old.
This won’t even make general baseball news. But the Dodgers are investing up and down the organization. They are in it long term.
BANG!
Why rack your brains so much with “so many options and assumptions” when it would be so easy to leave Betts in the RF and use Rojas, Edman, Taylor and even Freeland in SS? If they don’t sign Teo, which I think won’t happen or would have already happened.
Let me explain this in detail:
1. Betts IS NOT playing RF.
2. He is playing SS.
3. To think outherwise makes you delusional.
4. I know you don’t want that!
Why is Mookie playing short.That is the question. He is not our best option. It will not save his body.It will not be his best position and it will be very difficult for him.