I Can’t Do This Anymore

Posted By on November 5, 2025

Jon Weisman started his blog www.DodgerThoughts.com on 02/09/2004, according to the Internet Police. I started www.LaDodgerTalk.com on 01/04/2006. I posted on Jon’s site for a while, but, as I had done with other companies I have worked for, I eventually had to start my own deal. I guess I don’t play well with others. To the best of my knowledge, Dodger Thoughts and LA Dodger Talk are the two oldest sites, but Jon’s domin is dormant because he is the Freaking VP of Communications for the Dodgers, so I am the Last of the Mohicans… which by the way, is one of my Top Two Movies (I’ll post my favorite scene at the end ).

Mike Petriello was also a competitor with his site www.MikeSciosciasTragicIllness.com, which is no longer around. MSTI was a dumb name… but the author is still around. Boy, is he ever! Mike Petriello is a freaking baseball savant and genius. I could have been better than him… if I only had a few (OK, a lot) more brains. However, all good things have to come to an end… or do they? I am tired! While Jon and Mike built careers in baseball, I built a $100 Million Company. So… there is that!

Baseball was my hobby. Still is… but I am moving on to my next career. My Book, The Mountainmover, is coming out next Summer, and there will be a second book. Speaking engagements, a movie, and all of the craziness that accompanies this kind of thing. I have to back away, but rest assured, I am not closing LADT down. You will be seeing others join this site in the next few weeks.

Stay Tuned.

Last of the Mohicans End Scene

This article has 76 Comments

      1. Do what you need to do, Mark.
        Your much-appreciated work here, I think, will never be done. But you do have some pretty big fish in the fryer.

    1. Max, at age 35, is a bargain at $10 million. (Hell, the Dodgers paid Conforto $17 million.) The Dodgers should bring him back as their primary 3B.. He’s delivered a lot of bang for the bucks.
      That said, I think Max would make more $$$ if the Dodgers declined his option to make room for 25-year-oldl Munetaka Murakami. I don’t expect that, but it’s a possibility.
      On the open market, Max would appeal to a lot of teams that could use him at 1B (his best position), 3B or DH.He’s even played some 2B for the Dodgers, remember? He’d also provide veteran leadership and a role model for another team.
      I’ve joked that Max’s agent must be his brother-in-law. His devotion to the Dodgers–an organization he’s credited with saving his career–has kept off the free agent market.
      Instead of a one-year $10 million deal with the Dodgers, he could probably get more years at a higher AAV from another team.
      If I had been Max’s agent, I’d have re-negotiated years ago.

      1. Murakami is intriguing, but I hear that his defense at 3B is pretty subpar, and his 30% strikeout rate in Japan will certainly increase in MLB. I do not think we will see him, unless he can play LF, but that leaves Teo in RF. The Dodgers can win with Pages in CF, but Teo needs to go to LF. I would like tos see a platoon of Call and Wilyer Abreu in RF. Abreu is a Gold Glove and OPS of .808 against RHP. Alex Call OPS’s .775 against RHP. Combined, they equal a good RFer. The Dodgers would have to trade with the Red Sox to get Abreu, but it is rumored he is available.

        He does have “light tower power” and a very quick bat!

        1. I hope the Angels sign Murakami.
          Wilyer Abreu is a good trade target, and Teo should have move to LF months ago. An OF that reads Teo-Pages-Abreu might be a better upgrade than one that reads Kwan-Pages-Teo. Both Abreu and Kwan are Gold Glovers.
          Ryan Ward, age 27, was just added to the 40-man roster. It’s hard to imagine him cracking the Dodgers’ 26-man roster, but easy to see him as a sweetener in a potential trade. He and Bobby Miller need fresh starts on a needy team.
          I’m still wondering about the Rushing-Rortvedt quandary. Rushing is the top prospect who was being groomed to share the catcher’s role–and then Rortvedt arrives and quickly assumes the backup role. Rushing is the kind of trade chip that could bring in proven talent like Kwan or Abreu.
          OK, here’s deal one: Rushing + Bobby Miller + Kendall George to the Guardians for Kwan + a lottery ticket. (Cleveland is a pitching factory, and Miller is a good rehab project. George is an exciting talent–but lacks power and is overshadowed by other Dodger OF prospects.)
          Deal two: Teo + Ward + pitching prospect to the Red Sox for Abreu + lottery ticket. Teo slips into the DH role, and Ward’s power and defensive limitations could benefit from the Green Monster. If the Red Sox won’t deal Abreu, how about Teo + Ward for Jaron Duran?
          While I love the idea of wheeling and dealing, I also think that signing Harrison Bader as a free agent just makes a lot of sense. The OF would become Teo-Bader-Pages, with Edman and Kim sharing 2B
          For the record, it pains me that the Dodgers WS roster did not include Outman instead of Justin Dean (who is now a Giant) and the two-headed relief monster of Roki Sasaki plus Mason Millerl. On the other hand, the weaknesses in the roster helped produce a dramatic, spectacular, memorable championship

      2. If the Dodgers don’t retain Max, it would only be fitting for him to go to a team in our division and to kick our asses every time he comes to bat. In my opinion, that’s how much he’s meant to this team!

        1. Dodgers exercised their options for Max and Vesia…and added Ryan Ward (!) to the 40-man roster.

  4. You are a better blogger than Jon. He thought he knew more about about baseball than he did.

  5. Saw a fun interview with Tim Kurkjian that Dodger fans would love…
    It seems he ran into Sandy Koufax at the WS and they started talking basketball, recalling Sandy’s other sport at the University of Cincinnati. Broadcaster Karl Ravech joined them and soon they were comparing Sandy’s massive hands to Karl’s tiny ones. Somehow they got on the topic of feet–and learned that Sandy wears a size 15.
    Sandy stood 6-2, but the length of his arms and size of his hands had him playing bigger–and evidently those feet as well

    1. … and here is that photo:
      koufax Fingers
      He could hold six baseballs in his hand… later Johnny Bench held 7 and JR Richard held 8.

  7. As far as max, resign him and make him a utility guy. Some 3rd, some second, some 3rd, and no i’m not crazy, dh when ohtani pitches. Ohtani may be super human at times, but he ain’t superman! He was gassed in game 4. And he was still a bit gassed in game 7. If Bichette is capable of playing 3rd., go after him! Ohtani needs to sit between innings when he pitches, at least during the regular season. if he’s going to pitch the entire season, he needs to scale it back! And max would be a perfect replacement at dh. Freddie will need to rest a little bit more also. … that strikeout rate for the japanese 3rd baseman is scary! they don’t need to add more k’s to a lineup where max, teo, and pages have plenty of swing and miss to go around! …. Just a little funny side bit. I heard Mike Ferrin on mlb show scold a. dodger fan the other day for enjoying george springers injury in the world series. Now i’m not one to wish injuries on anybody, but he hurt himself, so if the guy hurt himself, too bad! I will say, springer distanced himself from the aaaasssstros very quickly after the scandal. And, he is a good hitter, and they love him in toronto. But he damn sure ain’t loved in LA! So i hope the Bregman rumors don’t resurface! I don’t think i could stomach that! I know, it’s long ago and far away! Some things just don’t go away! … Please post as much as you can Mark! congratulations on everything! hope your life remains full and joyous! this siite sure makes ours better!

  8. The World Baseball Classic next year will once again cause chaos in Spring Training for all the MLB teams with players leaving a normal Spring Training to participate. How many Dodgers will participate? Will Ohtoni, Yamamoto and Sasaki all be pitching for Japan? 98 Days till Spring Training.

  10. Just an FYI, From Outkick:

    Lunatic leftists are fired up and trying to pressure the Dodgers into skipping their White House trip with President Trump after winning the 2025 World Series.

    The National Day Laborer Organizing Network launched a petition whining that the team shouldn’t celebrate in a place they claim “hurts immigrants.”
    Leave it to lefties to make a championship visit into a political stunt.

    The Dodgers have made this trip before without blinking. It’s a time-honored tradition where champions meet the president and enjoy the moment.

    Now activists want to hijack that, usually for clicks and clout. Most baseball fans couldn’t care less about the politics. Baseball, like all sports, is supposed to be the break from the chaos.

    The Dodgers won the trophy. They earned the invite. Let the boys celebrate and keep the politics out of the dugout.

      2. So why post that?
        I can certainly understand why some players and coaches might not want to be party to a political stunt.

    2. Keep the Dodgers out of politics ideological warriors!

      This tradition is reserved for champions. In this case, back to back World Series champions.

      Hope the Dodgers don’t cave to this mutinous objective.

      Go “back to back and on their way to three-peat World Series Champion” Dodgers!!!!

    1. We do not know yet what happened.

      All we knew was that his wife was set to deliver around the World Series.

      They are keeping it private.

  12. I’m calling for the Dodgers to boycott all NYC Broadway shows now that the kid is the new mayor!

    1. Yes. Why not? That is next logical step. I think after that we should call for all players to stay in their homes until spring training. This way no group can be offended.

    4. Heh. Nice.

      Those dingbats are hilarious!

      Spare yourself from enjoying art out of spite!

      Just sit at home and breathe out of one’s mouth!

  13. Stammens hired as the Padres manager; Mattingly is leaving the Blue Jays. Joc Pederson exercised his option with the Rangers. Mark has graciously invited me to write for LADT occasionally and I have accepted.

  14. great news Bear! we can keep the site alive and well! post about baseball, family and other sports occasionally. But leave the sorry ass state of politics in the outside john where it belongs! when will we learn , 98% of the politicians in this country are only there to line their pockets and could not give a rats behind about us. i’m looking forward to reading trade ideas, free agent talk, who’s retiring, who’s not, who’s getting a manager job, who’s the top prospect in an organization, who’s projected to win their division, who’s going to be let go, who’s not. I don’t watch the news anymore. what’s the point? So let’s talk baseball, dodgers baseball!

    1. I think next bit of news is what contract Miggy signed to play next year and that Max option accepted

    2. I never post about politics. Right now, that is a volatile subject almost anywhere in the world and country. Those opinions I keep to myself. I have a question right now. How many here think some MLB team will consider signing Julio Urias or is he going to have to go to Mexico or somewhere else to pitch? He has finished his suspension and the requirements MLB put on him.

      1. the padres would be my pick to sign urias. character never seems to be a question with that crew!

  15. The Dodgers just picked up Max’s Option for 2026!

    They also picked up Vesia’s $3.5 million option and added Ryan Ward to the roster!

  17. miguel will never have another series like he just had! he should ride off with Clayton!! well , how about slide into a coaching job with the dodgers! Great for Max! now let’s hope he can play a whole season healthy! his game wasn’t the same after being hurt for the second time. Maybe Mattingly comes back to the Dodgers if the dodgers lose one of their coaches! Still chasing that world series ring!

    2. Justin Turner had his option declined by the Cubs. JT is now a free agent at age 41. I doubt he gets a deal from anyone. Mattingly and the Dodgers did not part on good terms. He was more or less forced out.

      1. JT will get a one-day contract to retire as a Dodger.
        And maybe Miggy will as well.

  18. Murikami doesn’t look so hot with 30%Ks and worst defense than Muncy. I think a RH or Switch hitting corner infielder from the farm would be a better choice. Rest Muncy against tough lefties while the prospects gets his feet wet. Might give Max an extra year or two. Same thing with the OF. Wouldn’t mind Belli coming back.

  20. pete fairbanks a free Agent. What you all think. how long before AF signs him? … Hate to see Catman leave. I guess they can’t keep everyone!

  21. 11/06/25 Los Angeles Dodgers sent CF Justin Dean outright to Oklahoma City Comets.
    11/06/25 Los Angeles Dodgers sent RHP Michael Grove outright to Oklahoma City Comet

  22. 11/06/25 Los Angeles Dodgers selected the contract of LHP Robinson Ortiz from Oklahoma City Comets and added him to the 40 man roster. The 40 man roster presently stands at 40.

  24. The Rockies continue to make dope-fiend moves. As was mentioned, they hired Paul DePodesta as head of baseball operations, who was with the Cleveland Browns for 10 years. The Browns were 56-99-1 since bringing on DePodesta. DePodesta was the one who refused to sign Adrian Beltre because they were just a few million dollars apart. Of course, Beltre was a Hall of Famer, and DePo is in the Hall of Shame! As long as Charles and Richard Monfort own the Rockies, they will be pathetic!

    The only thing the Monfort brothers excel at is criticizing the Dodgers spending. They throw nickels around like they are manhole covers!

    1. I will always remember DePo as the GM who let an eventual HOF inductee slip out of his grasp. Adrian Beltre was a product of the Dodgers system and was coming off of a career year. A breakout year, if I may. All the reasons for extending a long-term deal fell on his lap. There were very little reasons to question his judgement if the Dodgers, as an organization, decided to extend a long-term deal to their young star player.

      Not resigning Adrian Beltre at that particular moment became difficult to explain from a PR perspective. In my opinion, DePo never recovered from that.

      In terms of the Monfort brothers, it is owners like them who do more harm to the sport than teams like the Los Angeles Dodgers. When was the last time anyone was excited about the product the Rockies put on the field?

      Having said that, as a baseball fan, I hope DePo is able to turnaround that Rockies organization. They’ve been bad for a quite some time.

  25. same owners who want a cap on teams spending too much money on development. Some will keep right on whining about the dodgers, yankees, etc. while pocketing majority of the money they make and refusing to infuse it back into the team. The rockies are close to being considered the worst organization in the mlb! Shame, beautiful stadium. Fans may as well expect 100+ losses for a long time!……. Can’t say i was surprised by the release of justin deane. Can’t expect to be in the majors if you are not allowed to hit. Hey, he got a ring! good for him, seems like a great guy……. Is there any chance Yates gets one more shot with the dodgers? was he injured for most of the season? It would have to be for a lot less money! …. Trienan? what’s next? … Fairbanks? do they go get him? … i see no way they sign Diaz! …. I did see they have interest in Suarez from the padres. wouldn’t that be funny? … off to the carolinas for my son’s 40th birthday surprise party! very proud of him and what he’s accomplished! great radio show and a wonderful son, father, and husband! Glad he takes after his mom!

  26. So the Ryan Ward thing is intriguing. I figure it’s one of two plays:
    1. Ward’s an asset, Ward has value. Why lose him for nothing in the Rule 5?
    2. Maybe the team has found a fix for his swing and just needs time to implement?

    I just kinda doubt that, his numbers definitely give one pause:
    He’s almost 28, he has heavy splits: RHP: 1.038, LHP: .686

    And that’s in the PCL which is a heavy hitter league. And he has a glove that does not play.

    I’m confused.

    As for Robinson Ortiz:
    95 mph lefty sinker and high spin slider. Plus stuff.

    I know the team likes to keep a consistent Hitter/Pitcher ration on the 40, but I would have been more expecting Jose Rodriguez or Peter Heubeck added?

    1. Maybe they want to give him a shot. Conforto played 145 games. Could he be worse as a a platoon guy and fielder than him??

      1. yes, of course.

        could be better too, but you really gotta squint to see it.

        Either way it’ll definitely be cheaper

        1. I can’t see it. Teoscar has to go to LF (unless they trade him, which I think is unlikely). Ward is trade bait! Add Miller, Knack, and Sheehan to that list.

  28. Matt Sauer has signed with the KT Wiz of the KBO league, The 26-year-old inked a one-year, $950K deal that includes a $750K salary and a $200K signing bonus

    1. You know, we look at that and think that’s not a lot of money (compared to what the stars get), but for a young guy, that is “life-changing” money. If he invests it wisely, he is set for life.

        1. Foreign players are often provided with luxury apartments and interpreters in Korea. They simply have to fly there, and most of their expenses are taken care of.

  29. I’m surprised his arm didn’t fall off after that 111 pitch four-inning outing where he gave up about 60 runs.

Comments are closed.