By the way, Michael Norris, aka/Bear, wished you all a Happy Holiday Season. He was visiting his sister in California and developed an infection. Fortuneately, his sister is a nurse and is taking care of him until be can get well. He is planning to catch a game in Chicago this summer and I said that I would love to meet up with him.
I have a lot going on for the Holidays and news is slowing up. I am supervising the construction of adding a hot tub (my wifes and my Christmas gift to each other), and about 50 feet of sidewalk to my wifes new office in OBI-1 (that’s short for Outbuilding one). Family starts coming in this weekend. In the Spring we are building a deck around the hot tub. In February, I will be in Glendale for four days. Late March and Early April, I will be in Long Beach (1 Dodger Game), Disneyland, and Mexico), then back to Long Beach in late April for a convention. I plan to hit a lot of games this summer. Semi-Retired!
We had 32 for Thanksgiving… hopefully Christmas is less.
Allegedly Teoscar wand 3 years at $22-24 Million. That sounds reasonable… UNLESS the Dodgers think Rushing is ready. Who knows? I will post as appropriate. Happy Holidays!
Best wishes to Bear and a speedy recovery.
And to all
Merry Christmas.
Sign Teo AND give Rushing a chance? Is this feasible? Would less playing time at the major league level hurt his development relative to regular playing time in AAA? Hoping Bear recovers quickly. Will miss his insight in the meantime for sure.
Happy Holidays
51 days till pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training on February 7th and 36 days days till Roki Sasaki has to finalize a deal with a MLB team by January 23rd or has to return back to Japan. He has 45 day s to strike a deal from the posting date of December 9th. Hopefully AF and BG are leaving the one roster spot open for him on the 40 man roster which is currently at 39. Holiday Season is upon us and the older we get time seems to be flying by.
Amen brother. I can believe I’ll be gathering tax stuff for my guy soon.
seeing chatter around ex padre Kim possibly being a dodger target. This does make sense to me, would it take Teo out of the picture? And, where or how does kike fit in the dodgers plans? Kim allows mookie to play 2nd when a left handed pitcher is on the mound and Lux sits. or kim could just play second. Signing Kim would most likely be the end of Kike in LA, for now. Teo, Kim, Scott? sounds good to me!
I personally think the Dodgers have someone like Grichuk on fallback if Teo doesn’t sign. Imo, we needs Teo’s presence in lineup and are playing hardball.
Merry Christmas.
Still think they sign Teo. Maybe Tanner Scott.
I agree they MIGHT think Rushing is nearly ready for The Show but it would be unlike Friedman/Gomes to rely on that estimate. The history has been to be conservative in assessing rookie advancement. On the other hand; and even though I would love to see Teo back in blue, I get the hesitancy of a 3 year contract when he cannot be used as a DH.
Also, I am hearing deafening silence as to Buehler. Is it a foregone conclusion he will not be back? If so, that’s sad. He’s been nails since they drafted him.
Sending our best wishes Bear!
Happy Holidays Everyone!
I was driving a lot today and listening to MLB.RADIO. I think this could be happening:
Kyle Tucker was traded to the Cubs but is a Free Agent after this season. I doubt that the Cubs can sign him and in fact, if they fall out of contention, they could trade him at the trade Deadline. At any rate, Andrew Friedman may want him, but Teo could be a roadblock.
Maybe AF is not signing Teo because of Rushing and other prospects or maybe he’s planning on Tucker who would likley cost less than half of what Soto cost. If Rushing is ready, he will get time… and some will be behind the plate.
Also, just about everyone felt Andy Pages was a year away last year, especially since he had missed the previous season with shoulder surgey.
Here are the facts:
1. Just 23;
2. Missed the previous season;
3. Hadn’t played since he was 21;
4. Serious Surgery.
Not only did he do pretty good, but he absolutely crushed LHP.
He struggled against the same side, but it’d too early to say that he can’t hit RHP.
If he takes another step forward in 2025, he could be damn good!
If Pages and Comforto could get 450 ABs each, then you could fill in with Outman, Rushing, Kike, and or CT3.
The Dodgers only have $5.2 Million in International Signing Bonus money. I thi nkAF is figuring out how he could get another $5-7 Million to sign Roki!
There is a lot going on… even if it looks quiet!
If the Dodgers started the season like this… it could all end well.
1. Ohtani DH
2. Betts SS
3. Freeman 1B
4. Smith C
5. Muncy 3B
6. Pages RF
7. Conforto LF
8. Edman CF
9. Lux 2B
2026:
1. Ohtani DH
2. Freeman 1B
3. Betts SS
4. Tucker RF
5. Muncy 3B
6. Smith/Rushing C
7. Pages LF
8. Edman CF
9. Lux
Joke?
AF is basing his off-season on the hope that the Cubs don’t resign a player they just traded prospects for?!???
Here’s what’s happening, and it’s very easy to believe.
As has been proven since he got here AF does not like to overpay for pretty good players. He prefers them at a discount, and he’s trying to get Teo at a discount.
It worked with Max M, it worked with JT, he worked with AJ Pollock, it works with everybody he signs who is not a superstar.
The Cubs won’t/can’t get into a bidding war with Tucker.
Does anyone think otherwise?
If Tucker is half as good as Soto (he actually better than that), he will get close to $375 Million.
The Cubs can’t pay that!
Nor will the Dodgers!
Are you saying Tucker is not a superstar?
No.
That 2026 lineup looks good. However, I can foresee a scenario where the Dodgers do not exercise Muncy’s option if they end up with Kyle Tucker.
Everybody except Chris Taylor apparently. Friedman was desperate coming off s season with poor production from the young bench players. He overpaid for CT3 as a result.
I think it is possible CT3 pays him back this year!
CT3 was not an overpay, not even close.
This is very likely CT3’s last season with the LAD. In fact, I can envision a scenario where he is released if his struggles continue. IMO, Tommy Edman makes CT3 expendable, in particular a struggling CT3.
CT3 going to do well this year.
Mark my words….
Chris Taylor hit .157 in the first half of 2024.
Then he hit .303 in the second half.
In the NLCS, he hit .375.
In 8 years in the postseason, his BA is .247 with a .791 OPS.
Not bad for a utility guy who can play solid defense all over the field.
When AF signed him, he got exactly the guy he wanted.
What h does this year is icing on the cake.
HE IS A UTILITY GUY! On of the better ones in baseball.