Baseball America came out with their rankings today, and they rated the Dodgers #13. This is an interesting discussion.
Personally, I think the Dodgers’ farm system is in the #5 to #10 range, but BA makes a good case.
The only team worse than the Padres (#29) is the Rockies.
MLB Network Top 10 Third Basemen (2026)
Rank Player Team 2025 Rank
1 José Ramírez Cleveland Guardians 1
2 Max Muncy Los Angeles Dodgers 8
3 Alex Bregman Chicago Cubs 3
4 Matt Chapman San Francisco Giants 6
5 Manny Machado San Diego Padres 4
6 Junior Caminero Tampa Bay Rays NR
7 Bo Bichette New York Mets NR
8 Isaac Paredes Houston Astros 9
9 Eugenio Suárez Cincinnati Reds 10
10 Austin Riley Atlanta Braves 5
Weird
I love Max but
Very strange…
I think Max might deserve to be 9th on this list, because Suarez will be DHing.
Just noticed that Top 3B list doesn’t include the Royals’ young Mikael Garcia. who hit to a .800 OPS in ’25 and also won praise for his defense.
Max’s OPS equaled that of Caminero–but Caminero played in 54 more games and hit 45 bombs.
Max’s numbers were similar to Parades.
But Max led them all with an OBP of .376.
Mookie Betts Wants to Play Shortstop For Dodgers Until He Retires
“Betts, as always has lofty ambitions for the 2026 season and beyond. While he was a Gold Glove finalist in his first full season as the Dodgers shortstop, he told reporters that he wants to play the position for the remainder of his career.
“I’m a hundred percent sure I’ll be able to. I keep my body in really good shape, and so, at that age, you know, the argument is, ‘Yeah, you’ll slow down’ or whatever, but nah, I’ll be fine,” Betts said at DodgerFest Saturday. “I work out and do everything it takes to be successful to be able to move. And I understand that’s what I got, you know? I have to be able to move and stay agile. I’ll be able to play.”
Cool
We dont really have a top SS prospect so I see no problem.
Morales probably to 3b. Vargas moves too. Lindsey is a long way off. Freeland utility or 3b.
I am not a believer in Lindsey.
He’s just a name to me though the Trea Turner comp intrigues.
Tigers, Framber Valdez Agree To Three-Year Deal
“The Tigers land the offseason’s top remaining free agent, reportedly agreeing to a three-year deal with Framber Valdez that guarantees $115MM. The deal, which is pending a physical, allows the star left-hander to opt out after the second season. It contains a $20MM signing bonus and an unspecified amount of deferred money. Valdez is represented by Octagon”.
ESPN’s top ten:
1. Josue De Paula, LF
2. Eduardo Quintero, CF
3. Zyhir Hope, RF
4. Mike Sirota, CF
5. Emil Morales, SS
6. Alex Freeland, SS
7. Zach Ehrhard, RF
8. River Ryan, RHP
9. Jackson Ferris, LHP
10. James Tibbs III, RF
https://youtu.be/ui8kUKuLBaU
Surprisingly, Zach Erdhard is #7, above Tibbs, #10. Zach has very good numbers, strong arm and speed. Might be a sleeper. Not a lot of power but that speed could mean a bunch of doubles and triples if he can hit the gaps.
I don’t see why River Ryan isn’t No. 1. He’s the most proven of the bunch, and might be in the rotation now if not for the injury. He has all-star upside.
Which is just an illustration of how subjective these rankings are.
Another way to analyze these prospects: Who is closest to contributing in ’26?
My assessment:
1-Ryan
2-Freeland
3-Ryan Ward (most proven minor leaguer, could help a few small-market teams)
4-Tibbs.
Yes, Erhard may be a sleeper. Also Davalan, who has a similar profile.
I hope the top OF prospects shake out this season to determine which join Morales as “keepers. ” With Tucker and Pages aboard for the foreseeable future, there may be room for only two. One of the OF could join Ferris and ??? in a deal with the Tigers.
We certainly robbed Boston on that trade, getting Tibbs, Erdhard and others – At least on paper. Can’t wait till they show some promise in spring training.
Do you really think we need/want Scooby Do?
No need for Scooby or Shaggy…
But like Lola in “Damn Yankees,” whatever AF wants, AF gets.
One reason I like trades, especially blockbusters, is to give prospects blocked on the Dodgers the opportunity to shine. (One reason the Dodgers landed Tibbs and Erhard is that they were blocked on the Red Sox. )
The Dodgers have a lot of talented prospects who would benefit from a trade.
Sox sign lame-o IKF
I don’t see why River Ryan isn’t No. 1. He’s the most proven of the bunch, and might be in the rotation now if not for the injury. He has all-star upside.
Which is just an illustration of how subjective these rankings are.
Another way to analyze these prospects: Who is closest to contributing in ’26?
My assessment:
1-Ryan
2-Freeland
3-Ryan Ward (most proven minor leaguer, could help a few small-market teams)
4-Tibbs.
Yes, Erhard may be a sleeper. Also Davalan, who has a similar profile.
I hope the top OF prospects shake out this season to determine which join Morales as “keepers. ” With Tucker and Pages aboard for the foreseeable future, there may be room for only two. One of the OF could join Ferris and ??? in a deal with the Tigers.
I was happy to see Rojas suggest the IKF’s costly too-short leadoff may have been the coach’s fault. IKF has taken a lot of grief for that.
I think people forget how good Gavin Stone was. I sure hope the Dodgers don’t trade away River Ryan.
They won’t.
I’m happy they didnt sign a SP
Show faith in young guys
They’ll be discussed in the trade talks for Skubal.
Seriously, I think the Tigers’ decision to sign Framber is a quiet acknowledgment that they’ll have to deal Skubal. IThey’ll save a few hundred million by flipping Skubal for for Sheehan/Stone/Ryan plus a top OF prospect,
AF would NEVER trade three controllable pitchers for Skubal especially with a lockout that is immerit and the future of a salary cap that will be discussed along with higher team spending penalties.
I meant for the slash marks to suggest a selection of the three names; if I meant all three I’d have used the + sign. (I think Sasaki is untouchable.) We could also add Wrobleski, Casparius, Ferris and Root to the list, as well as Rushing and Freeland, because Tigers would have their own ideas about their needs.
It’s all fungible.
I’m not sure how the pending salary negotiations might influence the Dodgers’ course of action re Skubal. Maybe it does, but I’m not sure why.
What I am pretty sure about is that Detroit will have a very hard time affording Skubal. The bidding could include the Yankees, Mets, Blue Jays and ???.
But as the Shohei and Tucker signings showed, AF tends to get what he wants.
Or, maybe they’re all in to win THIS year.
The Tigers will have a better idea re Skubal as the season progresses. A lot could happen, including injuries, that could shape their thinking.
The Tigers could win it all and still lose him to free agency with nothing but draft-pick compensation.
The Dodgers certainly don’t need Skubal. Getting him might “ruin baseball” all over again.
LOL ZERO chance they get that much for 1 year of Skubal…his value just went down too considering he won his arbitration.
His value went down, but the price for Detroit went up. Detroit could cut their losses by dealing him.
They just added Framber Valdez, and could theoretically replace Skubal in the rotation with Sheehan plus ???.
I’m not saying the Dodgers should swing a deal, but it seems plausible.
If AF lusts after Skubal, he could make an offer that is hard to refuse. The two-time Cy winner would move to the front of the rotation, ahead of Yamamoto, Shohei, etc.
Does anyone here think Skubal will be a Tiger for life?
Seems to me this isn’t a matter of if, but when.
Just a few months ago, some wonky baseball rag was proclaiming that the Dodgers had the VERY BEST farm system, and others rated it highly.
All very subjective, of course. But a “Top Five” system seemed about right to me.
And now Baseball America is ranking at No. 13?
This makes as much sense as Max being rated as the game’s second-best third baseman.
Agree and i love BA
Prospects are only Suspects until they perform at the Major League level. Lists are basically meaningless.
Well I’m not sure Max is #2! But if he’s in the top 10, that’s a big deal! If he’s stays healthy he could have a very good season. He’s playing for another contract so look for Max to be ready to play! Austin Riley #10? That’s a little strange also. Behind Bichette and Suarez? I would take him in a heartbeat after Max leaves.
With all the praise River Ryan is receiving, I don’t think he’s a trade candidate! Sheehan? Probably. Stone? Possibly if it was for Skubal. I agree that it looks like the Tigers are preparing to trade him with the Valdez signing. I seem to recall that the Dodgers would only trade for him if he signed a contract extension. Could get very interesting!
Speaking of 3rd basemen, Jose Ramirez has always been on my wishlist! Top 5 player who just plays the game the right way! Looks like he’s a Cleveland guy for life.
So Preller has gutted the friars farm system. How much longer does he stay in his job? Maybe he has to trade Tatis to try and start restocking the farm. Or maybe someone else will be given the opportunity to do that?
Poor Colorado! Maybe they are the Cowboys of baseball. Won’t win nothing till they change ownership!
Really thought Baltimore would sign Valdez. Nice additions early, but not enough pitching depth to compete for the division. Just enough to make the fans feel better. Same thing in Pittsburgh. Read they had an offer for Valdez. Again, close but no cigar.
Finally. We have some awesome pitchers in the game today! But this week with the passing of Mickey Lolich, we lost another “horse “ from the past. The Sandy K’s, the Drysdale’s, the Gibson’s, the Carlton’s, Denny McClain, Jim Palmer, and later on Randy Johnson, Roy Haladay, Mike Mussina, and on and on. Guys who took the mound to not only beat the other team, pitch as long as they could, and have to be drug off the mound. 6 innings is now a great start for pitchers. It’s never going to be the same again. But it does make me smile when once in a while”vida blue” moment someone pitches a complete game. I’m sorry to say now, I loved watching Roger Clemens pitch as much as anyone who ever took the mound! Sorta like Bonds. He was a hall of famer before whatever he didn’t do that he probably did do! Yamamoto gave us some of the old days in the World Series this past season! It still happens every blue moon!
Much-maligned Max has always been underrated, so it’s a bit jarring to see him suddenly overrated.
Especially at a point when, in his mid-30s, he’s having more trouble staying on the field, and some age-related regression is to be expected. Max is more likely to be platooned now than when he was in his prime and playing second fiddle to Bellinger.
I certainly expect guys like Bregman, Caminero and Riley to have better seasons than Max. Probably Machado too, though he’s lost a step. But that’s OK! When he’s healthy, Max is a force. He’ll probably bat 6th, between Smith and Teo. This lineup is awfully good.
True, it was great for fans. I did love it personally, but look at what it did to them physically. The pitching motion is unnatural. Sandy’s arm would literally double in size the morning after a game. I miss the complete games but I wouldn’t go back for the sake of the pitchers themselves. Even if we did not care about the layer, “enlightened self interest” says protect your investment.
On another note: do we have games in 2027? The more I read about it the more I think not.
There are three things that literally “KILLED” pitchers’ arms:
1. LOWERING THE MOUND: This created a need for pitchers to make up for the velo lost from a higher level.
2. MAX EFORT THROWING: I mean, throwing your hardest on every pitch is debilitating.
3. SPIN RATE: Contorting your arm in order to do that is unnatural.
On games in 2027: The only thing that gives me hope is that this is money neither the owners nor the players will get back.
Orel always talks about how there used to be “breaks” in lineups, like a weak #8 hitter followed by the pitcher. And of course the growth of the bullpen’s role has encouraged pitchers not to save anything for the later innings.
Good point.
So, I did a little ChatGPT on the Prospect Rankings. I don’t think it will all format corectly, but here goes:
Here’s why Baseball America currently slots the Los Angeles Dodgers’ farm system around #13 while other outlets like ESPN, MLB Pipeline, The Athletic (Keith Law) rate it significantly higher — and where Keith Law specifically has them:
1. Why Baseball America’s Ranking is Lower
Baseball America (BA) uses its own methodology to rank farm systems, and in 2026 their preseason organizational ranking for the Dodgers is not as high as some competitors. That can happen for a few reasons:
Depth vs. Top-End Talent
• BA’s organizational rankings weigh both breadth and impact potential across the full top 30, including lower-level players.
• If most of the Dodgers’ highly rated prospects are clustered in a few positions (like outfielders) with less high-impact depth elsewhere, BA’s model can push the system down.
• BA also looks at recent performance, tool grades, and risk a bit differently than other services. They may see more volatility or less impact probability beyond the top tier of prospects.
Comparative Organization Context
• Some farm systems have a wider range of impactful prospects at multiple positions and levels, which can make them look “deeper” in BA’s view even if they don’t have as many top stars.
• For example, systems with both elite pitching and hitting prospects across multiple levels tend to rank higher. BA historically places more emphasis on that balance.
The result: BA has the Dodgers lower in its organizational power rankings relative to some other evaluators.
2. Other Services Rank the Dodgers Higher
In contrast:
• ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel has the Dodgers tied for #1 in quality depth behind another club in terms of graded prospects (40+ future value grades).
• MLB Pipeline lists multiple Dodgers in their top-100 overall prospects (five), including Josue De Paula (No. 15) and others — which bolsters system perception.
• FanGraphs, MLB Pipeline, and others include several Dodgers prospects in their top rankings, again supporting a higher view of the system’s talent pool.
These services may weight overall talent ceilings and headline prospects more heavily than BA’s balance/depth metrics do.
3. Where Keith Law Ranks the Dodgers
Keith Law’s ranking — published via The Athletic — places the Dodgers’ farm system at #2 overall in MLB for the 2026 preseason, just behind the Milwaukee Brewers.
A few notes on Law’s evaluation style:
• He tends to emphasize top-end prospect talent and impact potential, especially recent breakout performers and high-upside hitters.
• Law also categorizes systems into tiers, so being second overall suggests he sees the Dodgers as a true elite system despite Baseball America’s more modest placement.
Summary
Source Dodgers Farm System Rank
Baseball America ~#13 (moderate depth/balance view)
Keith Law (The Athletic) #2 in MLB
ESPN / Pipeline Top systems (tied for high quality depth)
Why the differences? Each evaluator uses slightly different criteria — BA balances full system depth, others emphasize top-end impact and tools, and Law’s tier system rewards peak-upside talent — which is why you see such variation in Dodgers farm system rankings.
If you want the full side-by-side prospect lists from each service this year (BA, Law, ESPN, Pipeline), I can compile them into one table too.
OK do that!
Here’s a **side-by-side comparison of how the Los Angeles Dodgers’ prospects fare on the four major preseason top-prospect lists for 2026. This gives you a clearer picture of why organizational rankings vary and which individual players are lifting those evaluations:
Dodgers Prospects on the Top 100 Lists (2026)
Baseball America (Team & Individual)
Baseball America’s 2026 Dodgers Top Prospects
(Baseball America publishes a team-specific top 30 as part of its annual prospect coverage — you can see the full list in their prospect handbook.)
– #1 Dodgers prospect: Eduardo Quintero (OF)
Dodgers in Baseball America’s Top 100 MLB Prospects (National List)
According to BA’s national Top 100 published list:
• Eduardo Quintero – ranked (approx) #20 overall (top Dodger)
• Josue De Paula – also in top 100
• Mike Sirota – in top 100
• Zyhir Hope – in top 100
That’s 4 Dodgers in BA’s Top 100.
Baseball America values tool grades, depth beyond the top handful, and full organizational balance, so having only four top-100 prospects (even if they’re quality players) can pull the overall system ranking down relative to systems with both elite prospects and broader organizational depth.
MLB Pipeline (National Top 100)
MLB Pipeline’s 2026 Top 100 list shows five Dodgers in the national top 100:
Player Approx Rank Comment
Josue De Paula (OF) #15 Highest-ranked Dodger on Pipeline’s list
Zyhir Hope (OF) #27 Strong dual tool guy
Eduardo Quintero (OF) #30 Very high on many boards
Mike Sirota (OF) ~#60 Pipeline sees him as a legit bat/defense combo
Emil Morales (SS) ~#92 Braves outfielder shortstop with intriguing offensive profile
So Pipeline has more Dodgers in the Top 100 than BA — and their highest ones (like De Paula and Hope) are ranked tighter to the stars.
ESPN / Kiley McDaniel (Top 100)
ESPN’s McDaniel list similarly features five Dodgers in the 2026 Top 100:
Player Approx Rank (ESPN)
Josue De Paula (OF) – ~#21
Eduardo Quintero (OF) – ~#37
Zyhir Hope (OF) – ~#40
Mike Sirota (OF) – ~#55
Emil Morales (SS) – ~#65
ESPN’s list aligns with Pipeline but typically weights future impact projections slightly differently, which is why ranks aren’t identical.
The Athletic / Keith Law (Top 100)
According to Keith Law’s The Athletic Top 100:
The Dodgers have an even larger presence — seven Dodgers prospects crack his list (most the team has ever had):
Player Approx Rank (Law)
Eduardo Quintero – ~#9 (highest Dodgers rank)
Josue De Paula – ~#20
Zyhir Hope – ~#36
Mike Sirota – ~#51
River Ryan (RHP) – ~#55
Emil Morales – ~#65
Alex Freeland – ~#87
Law’s list includes pitching prospects like River Ryan and a 40-man eligible MLB player like Freeland, expanding the Dodgers’ representation compared to other outlets.
Why the Rankings Differ System-Wide
Service Dodgers in Top 100 System Perception
Baseball America 4 More conservative on depth; weighted on broad balance — system feels thinner overall by this metric
MLB Pipeline 5 Stronger emphasis on star prospect presence and depth at the top
ESPN (McDaniel) 5 Similar to Pipeline, tilts toward hit tools & future value
Keith Law (Athletic) 7 Includes more pitchers/non-traditional prospects & sees higher ceilings on some players
Because Keith Law lists more Dodgers spread throughout his top 100, and some of his highest guys (Quintero at #9, De Paula in the 20s) have real star-type ceilings, his view of the farm system as a whole is much stronger — and that’s one big reason The Athletic rated the system #2 overall whereas Baseball America’s organizational evaluation is more modest.
Highest-Profile Dodgers Prospects Across Lists
Prospect BA Pipeline ESPN Keith Law
Eduardo Quintero (OF) Top Dodgers prospect; BA ~20 ~30 ~37 ~9
Josue De Paula (OF) In BA top 100 ~15 ~21 ~20
Zyhir Hope (OF) In BA top 100 ~27 ~40 ~36
Mike Sirota (OF) In BA top 100 ~60 ~55 ~51
Emil Morales (SS) (less prominent) ~92 ~65 ~65
River Ryan (RHP) Not in BA top 100 Not in Pipeline top 100 Not in ESPN top 100 ~55
Alex Freeland (INF) Not BA top 100 Not Pipeline top 100 Not ESPN top 100 ~87
________________________________________
Takeaway
The Dodgers’ farm system placement among services depends on how each outlet weighs depth vs. elite talent:
• Baseball America sees fewer elite players and thus values overall balance more conservatively.
• MLB Pipeline, ESPN, and Keith Law emphasize high-end talent, giving L.A. a bigger presence because of prospects like Quintero and De Paula.
• Keith Law’s list in particular includes additional players not in other outlets’ top 100, which helps explain why he ranks L.A.’s system much higher than Baseball America does.
Does ChatGPT access subscriber content? Just curious.
I asked them:
Here’s the scoop, served clearly and honestly:
No — ChatGPT does not access subscriber-only content on other websites or services.
That means I don’t go into paywalled news sites, private forums, subscription articles, or other gated digital spaces to pull content just because you’re a subscriber there.
What I can access or use:
Information you provide directly in the chat — like pasted text, uploads, or excerpts you share.
Publicly available information from the web when I use the browsing tools (if enabled and relevant).
General knowledge trained from a mixture of licensed data, publicly available text, and human-trained examples up to my knowledge cutoff.
What I don’t do:
I don’t log in to your accounts (e.g., New York Times, The Athletic, Coursera, JSTOR, etc.).
I don’t fetch material hidden behind your personal paywalls or subscriptions.
I don’t browse inside private platforms you access with a username/password.
So if you ask for something that’s behind a paywall and don’t provide the content yourself, I can summarize or explain the topic, but I can’t fetch specific subscriber content locked behind a login.
Cool, thx
Turned 79 years young today and I’ve bee lucky to be alive rooting for all 9 Dodger World Series Championships. Hopefully there are more on the way.
Happy Birthday!
HBD!!!!!
Happy Birthday, young man.
HBD, AVF!
Max Muncy:
His career OPS is .828.
3B with a career OPS higher than Max:
1. José Ramírez
2. Austin Riley
3. Manny Machado
If Max is healthy, he could put a year like he did in 2021: .895 OPS! That’s superstar level!
I”m feeling a ig HR/OBP year.
Guy has elite power and an amazing eye.
Surprised that Bregman isn’t on that list.
Happy Birthday Andrew
I turned 79 last October so I believe we have similar perspectives on our Dodgers. I am grateful to have been a Dodger fan and was blessed to have had Vin Scully for most of my life. I never could have imagined this Golden Era of Dodger Baseball.
I don’t know how long it will last or how long I will be alive but what a way to finish.
I believe that the Padres got better today with the signing of Miguel Andujar. IF he can stay healthy (BIG IF), he gives them a professional bat in LF.
Agree. Very under the radar signing and at a very modest cost.
Did they lose another draft pick? I haven’t seen that yet.
No
Then you’re right Mark. A very good signing. Guy can hit. With Merrill, Machado, tatis, bogarts, andujar., they still can hit. As much as dislike machado and tatis they are still going to produce. Though I believe they will miss Arreaz in that lineup.
Happy birthday Andrew F. I have a son named Andrew. I’m sure you are a fine young man too!!
Username checks out!!!
Man, I can’t stop watching World Series highlights.
It took almost every single guy on the roster to lock that thing up.
Trivia question: which players got the first two Dodger RBI in Game 7?
Teo & Edman on sac flies
2026 World Baseball Classic
DODGERS
Edwin Díaz (Puerto Rico)
Jake Gelof (Israel)
Hyeseong Kim (Korea)
Antonio Knowles (Great Britain)
Shawndrick Oduber (Netherlands)
Shohei Ohtani (Japan)
Will Smith (United States)
Yoshinobu Yamamoto (Japan)
Tarik Skubal Wins Arbitration Hearing
“Tigers ace Tarik Skubal has won his arbitration hearing against the team, reports ESPN’s Jeff Passan. He’ll be paid a record-shattering $32MM in his final season of arbitration eligibility and, in doing so, radically alter subsequent arbitration earnings for top-tier starting pitchers with five-plus years of big league service. The Tigers had submitted a $19MM figure, which was more in line with traditional arbitration earnings for elite starters. Skubal is represented by the Boras Corporation”.
This is why we need a salary cap (AND a floor). Andrew Freidman has been masterful at playing within the rules. Underestimated is the Dodger front office savvy in generating revenue. Using spending as a percentage of payroll, we actually are down the list a good bit due to the very high revenue income. But while giving AF his due, and also recognizing that some small market teams have been bale to be competitive (off and on), the advantage large market teams have in the post 1980s era of big contracts is just not good for the game. Half the MLB teams have little hope of competing in a given year and at best can hope to perfectly time their spending and roster to compete maybe one to three years before a dismantling of the roster for financial reasons. Arguing against this point is that this problem has persisted for many years and baseball has prospered in those years as a whole, but would you really like to be a Pirates fan in this environment? Marlins? Twins? I would miss baseball something awful if we don’t play in 2027, but if it results in a salary cap that gives all teams a fighting chance, I would accept it. The Dodgers would still be highly successful in a salary cap environment (see AF in Tampa).
The Dodgers spend about 75% of their revenue back on the team. They spent how much renovating Dodger Stadium? I feel no sympathy for billionaires who are spending around 35-40% of their revenue on the ball club. The Cubs spend 39% and Ricketts is wealthier than Walters. Kudos to AZ who despite having kind of a crappy fan base they still spend 66.7% on their team.
MLB better be careful about biting the hand that feeds them. Ohtani is a unicorn in his ability to generate revenue for a club. He won’t be around forever. If they need to make an adjustment around the Dodgers TV contract that seems reasonable but that’s it for me.
If I had to guess, I would predict that the Detroit Tigers are “all in” at the start of this season with Framber Valdez and Tarik Skubal at the top of their rotation. I do not see them trading Skubal… unless they are out of it at the deadline. However, I do not see that happening. This is likely their rotation:
1. Skubal
2. Valdez
3. Flaherty
4. Mise
5. Olsen
6. Anderson
7. Melton
They only need 5. They really need another big bat, but if Spencer Torkleson, Colt Keith, Kery Carpenter, and Riley Green can continue their development, the Tigers could be a fun team to watch. I see them as Darkhorses to win the AL.
Steve cohen will be foaming at the mouth at the end of the season! I said a couple of months ago that Skubal would be a Met. So unless the Dodgers get crazy and offer the tigers a package they can’t refuse, he will be a Met. He would be a nice addition, but if River Ryan develops into what we believe he will, and Gavin Stone is healthy, and Sheehan is still cooking? Along with Yamamoto, Snell, Sasaki, Ohtani, Glasnow? Wait. That’s a lot of starters! Nobody in baseball can touch that rotation! If the bullpen is good, the Dodgers are going to pitch their **sides off!
Seattle 28— Patriots 20.
What do the Mets have to offer Detroit for Skubal? They would have to gut their farm system, and I can’t see David Stearns doing that.
Not talking about a trade. I’m talking about free agency
Well, the Dodgers could be players as well, but Skubal will be 30 next year. I cannot believe that he won’t need a second TJ in the next 3 or 4 seasons, due to how violent his delivery is.
BTW, he burst onto the scene at the same age River Ryan is.
Just sayin’
He’s not only had TJ but also flexor tendon surgery.
No way I’d either pay what they would ask for him in trade or go after him in free agency. Let the Mets take their chances with him and if it works out, good for them.
I’m waiting for Skenes.
Yeah I don’t see them offering a 30 year old pitcher more than 4 years. At what per year? 50 million? Not sure how that would work out! The Mets will be all over him!
Let the Mets have him. We have too many highly promising youngsters for at least two of them not to work out at frontline starting pitchers
Hopefully the Dodgers can count on a couple of position prospects in the future. Pitching prospects seem to be getting the job done regularly and the position prospects have kind of been hit or miss lately. I’m really excited about River Ryan! Gavin Stone is money! Emmit is stone cold good! It’s going to be very interesting to see who’s still in dodger blue in 2027!
I would kike to thank everyone for the kind birthday wishes yesterday! It was a fabulous day with the family.
Kike is not going to do that! 😉
Rortvedt is back!!!
They have to cut Siani again! 😉
Per Ardaya, the Dodgers have DFA’d Banda. His thoughts:
– Banda was sneakily really effective last season, especially against LHH, but the Dodgers had six potential LH relievers on their 40-man roster, and Banda was out of options.
– Banda settled at $1.625 million in arbitration. We’ll see what team picks it up.
– This move reminds me a bit of the maneuver they tried with Ryan Brasier last season, trying to see if they can get something via trade for a guy who was a redundancy on the roster.
At the time, the Brasier deal was for cash or a PTBNL. How was that finally resolved? Did we ever get a player?
“The Los Angeles Dodgers received cash considerations from the Chicago Cubs to finalize the February 2025 trade of Ryan Brasier. While the trade was initially announced as being for a “player to be named later (PTBNL) or cash considerations,” the deal was ultimately settled for cash. This type of settlement is common when teams cannot agree on a specific prospect from a pre-negotiated list within the standard six-month window”.
Thanks Andrew. I’ve got to think we’ll at least get a player back for Banda.
As I predicted:
“The A’s have claimed infielder/outfielder Andy Ibañez off waivers from the Dodgers, Francys Romero of BeisbolFR reports. Los Angeles signed Ibañez to a one-year, $1.2MM deal last month and then tried to pass him through waivers in order to stash him in Triple-A as a depth option. Instead, the A’s will pick up that $1.2MM bill and add the versatile lefty masher to their infield mix”.
No big loss. He was redundant with Rojas anyway.
Potentially good news for Freeland.
Masher seems like an exaggeration.
“Tweaker”
Rortvedt’s return seems certain to affect Rushing’s future.
Sheehan + Rushing for Skubal?
Sheehan + Rushing + ???
Hey, why not toss Bobby Miller in there…
A deal just seems that much more plausible now, like the move of a pawn to set up something bigger. The Tigers can try to maximize Skubal’s value now and avoid his $32m salary this season by bringing in Sheehan at the league minimum with years of future control, and add a potential star in Rushing.
I hear that Rushing has options and could be sent to OKC.
Skubal-Yamamoto-Snell-Shohei-Glasnow-Sasaki…with Ryan and Stone and others in the wings.
I’m a bit bummed about Banda, a working-class hero who led the Dodgers in appearances while Tanner Scott shat the bed. Of course we are hoping that Scott bounces back….
Would they now consider trading Dalton with Big Ben back? Not suggesting they should, but just wondering. Might be a major mistake to trade him,
1. Why would they trade Rushing in favor of Rortvedt? The dude can’t hit!
2. Anyone could be traded for the right price. I would trade Ohtani for Judge and Skubal.
3. I never considered Banda being DFA’ed.
4. I don’t think Skubal will be traded now… only if the Tigers are not in contention at the Deadline.
So what happens to Rortvedt then if they don’t trade Rushing? My understanding is he doesn’t have any minor league options. They won’t carry 3 catchers. Are they planning on releasing him later hoping that no one will pick him up because of full rosters, and then send him to AAA?
We will have to see how this plays out.
Maybe he’s like actual insurance snd hope to never use him.
Why trade Rushing in favor of Rortvedt?
Simply because the Dodgers could get more in trade for Rushing, a potential star blocked by Smith, than for Rortvedt, who evidently made a big impression in a short time with the Dodgers in how he handled the pitchers and played defense. Those skills are more valuable in a backup catcher than simply hitting.
Rortvedt’s return could lead to a trade, but the Dodgers may also send Rushing back to OKC to play full-time. (Rushing still has options; Rortvedt doesn’t.)
Or perhaps Rortvedt is DFA’d again and the Dodgers hope he passes through waivers and can be sent down to OKC.
With the obvious exception of Skubal, I can’t think of a plausible trade target now that could clearly improve the Dodgers in ’26.
The Banda DFA surprised me too, though some Dodger watchers had suggested it could happen. He was solid for two years, even leading the staff in appearances in ’25. Just another sign of how deep this team is.
Why trade Rushing in favor of Rortvedt?
Simply because the Dodgers could get more in trade for Rushing, a potential star blocked by Smith, than for Rortvedt, who evidently made a big impression in a short time with the Dodgers in how he handled the pitchers and played defense. Those skills are more valuable in a backup catcher than simply hitting.
Rortvedt’s return could lead to a trade, but the Dodgers may also send Rushing back to OKC to play full-time. (Rushing still has options; Rortvedt doesn’t.)
Or perhaps Rortvedt is DFA’d again and the Dodgers hope he passes through waivers and can be sent down to OKC.
With the obvious exception of Skubal, I can’t think of a plausible trade target now that could clearly improve the Dodgers in ’26.
The Banda DFA surprised me too, though some Dodger watchers had suggested it could happen. He was solid for two years, even leading the staff in appearances in ’25. Just another sign of how deep this team is.
Yasiel Puig is facing 20 years in prison after being convicted on Federal Charges.
My dad always said he was a million dollar talent with a ten cent head.
I think he overvalued his head!
Haha
I’m not sure, but I think acquiring Rortvedt is mainly because the Dodgers don’t have another catcher on the 40-man roster.
Correct.
FROM MLBTR:
Dodgers Designate Anthony Banda For Assignment
By Darragh McDonald | February 6, 2026 at 2:25pm CDT
The Dodgers announced that they have designated left-hander Anthony Banda for assignment. That’s the corresponding move for their claim of catcher Ben Rortvedt, a move that was previously reported.
It’s a little bit of a surprise to see Banda losing his roster spot. He’s been a serviceable member of the Dodger bullpen for a couple of years now, even making multiple playoff appearances over the past two years. The Dodgers also tendered him a contract for 2026, agreeing to a $1.625MM salary last month.
But there were also some worrying trends in his 2025 performance. In 2024, he had given the Dodgers 49 2/3 innings with a 3.08 earned run average, 23.9% strikeout rate, 8.6% walk rate and 44.4% ground ball rate.
His ERA mostly held steady last year, climbing marginally to 3.18, but with more concern under the hood. His strikeout rate dropped to 22.8%. His walk rate shot up to 12.7%. He only induced grounders on 39.4% of balls in play. His ERA would have climbed more if not for a .227 batting average on balls in play and 83.1% strand rate, both very fortunate numbers. His 4.52 FIP and 4.39 SIERA suggested he deserved far worse. He then got lit up in the playoffs, allowing six earned runs in 5 2/3 innings.
The Dodgers also have plenty of other lefty options. Banda probably wouldn’t have pitched in the playoffs so much if not for Tanner Scott and Alex Vesia being unavailable, Scott due to injury and Vesia due to a family matter. Both Scott and Vesia are expected to be back next year. The Dodgers have also seen young guys like Jack Dreyer and Justin Wrobleski take steps forward.
On top of Banda’s performance and the other lefties on hand, Banda is also out of options, which surely helped nudge him off the roster. The Dodgers tendering him a contract perhaps suggests they are hoping to pass him through waivers unclaimed, which would therefore allow them to keep him as non-roster depth.
It wouldn’t be the first time they tried that this winter. They signed Ben Rortvedt and Andy Ibáñez to modest deals of just over $1MM then later put both on waivers, seemingly hoping that no other club would take on the modest salaries. It didn’t work in either case. Rortvedt was claimed by the Reds in November, though the Dodgers claimed him back today. Also earlier today, Ibáñez was claimed by the Athletics.
It seems likely that Banda would be claimed as well, despite his shaky 2025. He has some major league success and the salary is not massive. He could also be retained via arbitration for the 2027 season by any acquiring club. Given the weak bullpens of some clubs around the league, especially the rebuilding ones, it seems unlikely that 29 clubs would pass on him.
DFA limbo can last as long as a week. The waiver process takes 48 hours, so the Dodgers could take five days to field trade interest. If the interest is decent enough, perhaps they can find a club willing to part with some cash considerations or a lottery-ticket prospect. If they plan to put him on waivers, they should probably do so sooner rather than later. The 60-day injured list opens up next week, which will give most clubs some extra roster flexibility for moves such as waiver claims.
For the 2026 MLB season, Major League Baseball is officially implementing the Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) Challenge System across all 30 ballparks for Spring Training, the regular season, and the postseason.
Unlike a “full” robot umpire system that calls every pitch, 2026 utilizes a hybrid challenge format where human home plate umpires continue to make initial calls, but specific players have the right to appeal to the automated technology.
Core Challenge Rules
Initial Challenges: Each team starts every game with two challenges.
Retention: If a challenge is successful (the call is overturned), the team retains that challenge. If the call stands, the challenge is lost.
Extra Innings: If a team enters an extra inning with no challenges remaining, they are awarded one challenge for that inning. This resets for each subsequent extra inning if the challenge is exhausted.
The Challenge Process
Who Can Challenge: Only the pitcher, catcher, or batter currently involved in the play may initiate a challenge. Managers and dugout personnel are strictly prohibited from intervening.
The Signal: To signal a challenge, the player must immediately tap their cap or batting helmet.
Immediacy: The request must be made instantly after the call to prevent players from receiving signals or data from the dugout.
Review Time: The entire process—comparing the pitch to the automated zone and displaying the result on the stadium videoboard—is expected to take approximately 15 seconds.
The 2026 Technology and Strike Zone
The system uses 12 Hawk-Eye cameras and AI software to track the ball’s location with a margin of error of approximately 1/16th of an inch.
Customized Zone: Each batter has a personalized strike zone based on their officially measured height.
Vertical Limits: The top of the zone is set at 53.5% of the player’s height, and the bottom is set at 27%.
Horizontal Limits: The zone is 17 inches wide (the width of home plate).
The “Tick” Rule: If any part of the ball touches any part of this three-dimensional zone, it is considered a strike.
Two questions;
1. “ Extra Innings: If a team enters an extra inning with no challenges remaining, they are awarded one challenge for that inning. This resets for each subsequent extra inning if the challenge is exhausted”.
If a team has 1or 2 challenges left after 9 innings, do they get any extra challenges in extra innings? If not, then one exhaust their allotment before regulation play.
2. “ The “Tick” Rule: If any part of the ball touches any part of this three-dimensional zone, it is considered a strike”.
It is my understanding that the strike zone is based on a two dimensional plane at the mid point of home plate, not a three dimensional plane.
Has this been changed? And if so, why?
Under the rules for the Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) Challenge System debuting in 2026, teams are managed as follows in extra innings:
Unused Challenges: Any team with challenges remaining at the start of the 10th inning simply carries them forward; they do not receive an additional challenge for that specific inning.
Replenishing Challenges: If a team enters the 10th inning (or any subsequent extra inning) with zero challenges remaining, they are awarded one new challenge for that inning.
Subsequent Innings: This replenishment rule continues for every subsequent extra inning; if a team exhausts its challenge in the 10th, they receive another at the start of the 11th, and so on.
Why 3D was rejected
Although the official MLB rulebook defines the strike zone as the 3D space directly above home plate, the initial 3D ABS trials were abandoned for several reasons:
“Aesthetic” Accuracy: 3D zones often called strikes on breaking balls that “nicked” only the back corner of the plate after clearly appearing outside to the batter and fans.
Consistency: The 2D midpoint zone ensures that the call matches what is seen on broadcast “K-Zone” graphics, which are 2D representations.
Fairness for Pitchers: A 3D zone could inadvertently reward “wild” breaking pitches that technically touch a rear edge but are not competitive strikes in a traditional sense.
So my recollection of a 2-D zone is correct. Then what is the tick rule you reference?
I appreciate your information/clarifications.
The “tick rule” in MLB’s Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) System refers to the requirement for a pitch to touch any part of the strike zone to be ruled a strike. This rule specifically applies when the system evaluates a pitch using its 2D strike zone configuration.
2D Evaluation Point: Unlike the traditional 3D “cube” above home plate, the ABS system measures the pitch at a single two-dimensional plane located at the midpoint of home plate (8.5 inches from both the front and back edges).
Strike Requirement: If any part of the ball—even just a “tick” or a sliver—touches any part of the designated rectangular zone at that midpoint, it is recorded as a strike.
Zone Dimensions: The 2D zone is 17 inches wide with a height based on the individual batter: the top is set at 53.5% of the player’s height, and the bottom is at 27%.
Aesthetic Adjustment: The move to a 2D midpoint zone was partly intended to make automated calls look more “natural” to viewers, as full 3D tracking often called strikes on extreme breaking balls that “clipped” the very front or back of the plate but never looked like strikes to the human eye.
Why are some on this site so trigger-happy on pulling a trade when the season hasn’t even started and this team is constructed more solidity roster-wise with more depth than the previous two World Championship teams? Patience gentlemen!!!
No clue. I guess it’s fun to play with other people’s assets. I personally don’t mind predicting FA signings but trades are too hard to figure. Only one I remember that was telegraphed start to finish was Mondesi for Green.
It seems to me that it will be a lot easier to clear waivers when teams have to be down to 26 than for 40 which might be the plan for Ben or since Rushing has options they could always send him down if they feel he needs more consistent AB’s.
Not a fan of the challenge system. Either call every pitch that way or none. Two challenges for a CB Buckner game? They won’t get out of the first inning.
Haha!
From MLNTR:
The Dodgers announced their minor league coaching staffs on Thursday, with two recently-retired MLB players joining the ranks. David Dahl is joining the Triple-A Oklahoma City staff as an outfield coach and assistant hitting coach, while Michael Hermosillo will be an outfield and baserunning coach for the high-A ball Great Lakes Loons.
In Hermosillo’s case, the news seems to act as a retirement announcement for the former outfielder, who just turned 31 last month. Hermosillo hasn’t played anywhere since suiting up in the Mexican Winter League during the 2023-24 offseason, and his last taste of affiliated ball came in the form of 66 games with the Yankees’ Triple-A affiliate in 2023.
A 28th-round pick for the Angels in the 2013 draft, Hermosillo spent his first three (2018-20) big league seasons in a Halos uniform. The Angels outrighted Hermosillo following the 2020 campaign, and after signing with the Cubs, Hermosillo made 47 appearances for Chicago over the next two seasons. All in all, Hermosillo hit .167/.268/.283 over 229 Major League plate appearances.
While not considered a top prospect during his time in the minors, Hermosillo got himself onto the radar with some strong numbers on the farm, including a .262/.355/.492 slash line, 56 home runs, and 42 steals (in 59 tries) over 1194 PA at the Triple-A level. Between his speed and all-fields ability in the outfield, Hermosillo seems well-suited to impart his wisdom with the next generation of Dodgers prospects. We at MLB Trade Rumors congratulate Hermosillo on his career achievements, and we wish him in the best in his coaching endeavors.
Dahl announced his retirement in December, officially closing the door on a career that included seven MLB seasons and an All-Star nod in 2019 during his time with the Rockies. This coaching gig is Dahl’s second stint in the Dodgers organization, as he signed a minor league deal with the team in June 2023 that didn’t result in any big league playing time, but Dahl did play in 54 games with Oklahoma City.