Corey Seager – Dodger Legend

This article has 58 Comments

1. You either have a reading comprehension problem or you are deliberately trying to stir things up. I believe it’s both.

   Corey Seager to third had nothing to do with how tall he is, though people who are tall always think it is about how tall they are. For reference I give you you. The suggestion to move him came from what those of us who can read did read in scouting reports from 5 years ago as well as from stat sheets currently available that, unfortunately would require reading so no need to reference them, again. There are two issues in particular that have always stood out – range and fielding percentage. I would explain, again, but, it’s been done a few times before to no avail.

   So Lindor is a bum because he had an off year in 2020. This year made bums out of several players, including the MVP from the year before. Trade them all.

   Cute kid. But that is one ugly couch it is laying on. Oh, wait….

   Note: glasses while you sleep do not help see dreams more clearly.

   For those who may be wondering, yes I am starting the morning with a bit of humor.

   1. Defensive stats are crap. Trea Turner’s DRS is worse at SS than Corey Seager in less innings and no one is talking about moving Turner off the position. Tatis is even worse if you extrapolate the number of innings played. And since WAR includes defensive stats, it is also crap, just a little less crappy.

   2. Put me in Mark’s camp……..Seager is our SS now and into the future. Lindor is not going to be a Dodger!

   3. Badger, I believe Mark is being polite with his words because he sees the reason SOME want to Seager to third is rooted for another reason than to upgrade SS. I agree with Mark, and I’d rather gloat on the inside than through stabs at individuals who were simply wrong as time had already proven. Back when TWC caused a “blackout” to nonsubscribers we still had Hanley at that position and some of us had to tip a few beers (with me it was a couple pitchers) to view games. With 1.? pitcher Dos Equis dark consumed I watched Kershaw pitch the most perfect no hitter I ever watched which would of gone as a perfect game if not for Hanley’s error. But before that 15 K gem was the 1st game I watched that season in that bar I saw this red headed guy at 3B who I said to myself “this guy is a teamer” and he was part of every run scored by Dodgers that game. Nothing really outstanding but I liked what I saw because he was also a gamer. And Mark was nearly the only one who agreed with me when I commented how I viewed this guy and I couldn’t understand why it took so long for fans to finely see that he was what the Dodgers needed. You were in that group and I still think you haven’t really let go of wanting Turner replaced at least subconsciously and Lindor is your way to fix something that ain’t broken. You have by far more knowledge than me about baseball but you have a hard time letting things go. Rightly or wrongly I think that’s why Lindor is such a big topic. Now I apologize for my rudeness.

      1. Quas, you noticed what we all have noticed for a long time. If I knew how to place emojis, you’d be getting a thumbs up from me. They is sums peeples that just done loves to be miserable and theys wants to drags everyone else into theys misery.

         Mark, don’t let the bastards grind you down. Good job keeping the site alive.

      2. I already said, several times in fact, that I don’t believe Lindor will be a Dodger. That wasn’t the point. The point was a. it was never about how tall Seager is and b. improving team defense.

         I’m fine with Turner, but he is aging and doesn’t even show up on the list of top defensive third baseman.

         Here’s the site that explains what it is that is what is to which I refer:

         http://www.espn.com/mlb/stats/fielding/_/position/ss/order/true

         Why you mention Trea Turner Bulldog? He ain’t that good and I never said he was.

         Pac 8-10-12 football starting. Finally, football games I am interested in.

         1. Good information, Badger. Interesting that Seager’s fielding percentage is so low for 2020 compared to other SS. My perception was that Seager made the routine plays but not the spectacular plays. But in 2020, Seager had a lower fielding percentage than Lindor, but a higher Range Factor than Lindor. And in 2019, it was the same trend, with Seager having a fielding % of .967 and a Range Factor of 3.67, compared to Lindor with fielding % of .979 and Range Factor of 3.54. http://proxy.espn.com/mlb/stats/fielding?year=2019&position=ss&order=true

            As others have mentioned, the defensive stats are not very reliable, especially over smaller samples when a team shifts constantly. In my view, Seager should stay at SS in 2021, as he has earned the position over several years, and he is the most valuable SS in MLB right now. And there is no need to trade for Lindor this offseason, and give up top prospects and salary for one year of team control in a still uncertain season.
            Ideally, the dodgers extend Seager this year, but since his agent is Scott Boras, that is unlikely. If Boras plays his usual negotiating games, after the 2021 season, Dodgers will have to choose between Seager, Lindor, Story, Baez, and Correa who are all scheduled to be free agents. I again prefer Seager, but at least other good options will be available if Corey elects to go elsewhere.
            As usual, Friedman has left the team with many options to compete for a World Series championship.

2. What a cute little grand daughter you have. Her name if fittingly pretty for such a precious baby girl.

3. You can underline that prediction: Lindor will not be a Dodger. He’s not needed.

4. Points for Team Timmons :

   1. AF is not going to give away a prospect haul for a year of Lindor. It’s true, he did a very uncharacteristically AF thing and did this with Betts, but the plan all along was to do another uncharacteristically AF thing and sign a player to a multi-year expensive contract. Mookie is an uncharacteristically special player. AF won’t trade value for Lindor unless he’s confident he can sign an extension. In this depressed market I don’t think any elite player with pending free agency is going to want to sign a long term deal. It’s smarter for Lindor to wait a year until he hits the open market and see if the market improves.

   2. AF does value sustainability. He wants a competitive team year over year. This means a healthy and regenerative farm system. That’s the formula: develop a core of homegrown talent around a top notch player development system, sign a marquee player if the opportunity presents itself and they are truly special, sign mid-level FAs to shorter term deals, find hidden value in cheap acquisitions. This is maintained by a steady pipeline of prospects to either develop or trade. This is the key because it allows for financial flexibility to sign the occasional star and eventually pay for the homegrown talent. AF is already planning for 2025. I guarantee you.

   – Lindor kind of screws this up b/c he’s another huge contract that AF has to work around. Signing Lindor to a megadeal perhaps means they can’t keep Bellinger. That, and he’s dried up the pipeline of future players

   3. Although this is overlooked b/c it’s assumed AF is just a stat junkie, I think he places a lot of value on team culture and team cohesiveness. I can forgive Robert’s occasional dumb moves (and so can AF) because Roberts is truly revered in that clubhouse. This is one of the reasons AF opened up the checkbook to sign Mookie – he’s a high character guy. It’s why he walked away from the Aroldis Chapman deal. It’s why Puig is squandering the money he’s made hanging out in nightclubs. You’d have to think long and hard before you completely remake a team that just won the WS.

   When AF was hired, he had to work around the constraints of the players and the expectations at the time, the farm system he inherited and the finances he had to work around. He is finally, FINALLY, at a place where he has the organization he wants and the long term financial flexibility he values. I doubt he does a dope fiend move to screw that all up.

   Points for Team Badger:

   1. The stats don’t lie. Seager’s defensive metrics have tanked. Yeah, he’s a great offensive players, but SS is really the most important position of the infield. Ozzie Smith was a Mendoza Line hitter for most of his career but was still an All Star and WS winner – and considered the greatest SS of his generation – for his defense.

   Take one defensive metric, UZR/150. It is a complex algorithm that factors range, zone rating, arm, and the ability to field balls and get outs that factors in a myriad of factors including the speed and direction of the ball and based on the accumulation of all of this data for every player in every park over several years to establish a baseline.

   Seager was at the bottom of the list. Lindor was at the top. There’s no question Seager, unless he improves, could be a defensive liability. To be fair, 2020 was by far his worst year. He was actually not bad in 2016/17. Lindor, however, is the best defensive shortstop in the game and could anchor that infield for years.

   2. Why can’t Seager move to 3rd? Is he going to emotionally fall to pieces? Are his feelings going to be hurt.? Will he be a disgruntled clubhouse cancer because he has to move over a bag? If that’s truly the case then maybe the organization needs to move on from Seager. Come on! You’re a professional! Grow a pair. Players have to accept their roles all the time, even if they would prefer not to. I think you do Seager a disservice to assume he wouldn’t do what’s best for the team. Even Manny Machado moved over to 3rd to make room for Tatis – and Machado is the biggest baby in baseball. Seager should actually welcome that move for selfish reasons. It’s in his long-term career benefit to move over to a defensive position that won’t highlight his weaknesses.

   3. Of course the Dodgers can afford Lindor. Guggs are a bunch of billionaires who burn piles of money for fun and we live in a baseball fairyland of rainbows and unicorns where financial considerations are no object.

   1. Stats do often lie. 2011 stats said Matt Kemp was the best player in baseball and I agreed. But it turned out I was wrong as were the stats. The Dodgers weren’t really a team at that time as there was a lot of selfishness at that time as that’s what mostly in all clubs. I’m certain Kemp wishes he had done it differently and was more team concerned. Most players work to improve their stats to be more in demand. There’s no stats covering selfishness or sacrifice so there’s more to it than stats alone. The Black Sox could have won the Championship simply on talent and they weren’t a team, they were mostly selfish players put together by a more selfish owner. Eddie Collins was not a selfish player and wasn’t any part of that mess other than a great player on the wrong team. Gut and eyes have something that can lie as well but have to be part of the mix to make a real team. These Dodgers are a real team.
      Well they say, Time loves a hero.

      1. Kemp was never a good defensive player. Even in 2011 he wasn’t a good defensive player. He was certainly better than in 2010, when he was actually atrocious. He was so bad that Ned Coletti publicly criticized his play. It was so bad that Dave Stewart, his agent at the time, made rumbling about demanding a trade over the criticism.

         He was a better overall player, including defense, in 2011, but his good offensive year hid his flaws. He had a decent comeback year in 2014 and AF sold high on him while he still had value. His defense was atrocious again in 2014. I bet AJ Preller wishes he had that trade back. He got swindled and was probably captivated by his potential star power and offense. A bad defensive outfielder is a poor fit for Petco Park.

         I really don’t know if he was a cancer in the clubhouse or not. There were those issues with Jeff Kent, but I’m sure Kent was at fault, too. He seemed like a curmudgeon.

         All water under the bridge.

5. Mark, I agree with you. Seager will be a Dodger SS for a long time. We gave up a lot to get Mookie, and he was worth it. Boston may have gotten 3 starters out of the trade. We cannot trade away another 3 of our good farm kids. What is amazing to me is that Boston thinks all three are going to be starters for them. That tells you something about the kids we have in our farm system. Keep these kids and bring up one or two each year.

   I can see Gonzo going to the pen and be the closer. I would hang on to Wood. Use him in long relief. I would also try to sign Baez to a friendly contract. Jansen and Baez cannot be used with runners on base. They need to start an inning. Floro is very good at pitching with runners on base. Sign him. Graterol can be used many different ways. A few more relievers and we are ready to go. JT will sign with the Dodgers. AF is good at taking care of good players.

6. I forgot to say congrats on the grandkid. She’s beautiful…and I like Rey, even though Disney killed that franchise.

7. That is a great picture Mark.

   Have been reading all the posts as usual, and interested as always in the proposed trades and FA potential signings.

   Obviously we are in a great position, thanks to the strategies of AF, and the player development department.
   However, I am a big believer in improving from a position of strength.
   Never rest on your laurels. Now is the time, when you are World Series Champions, to entice players to our Club.

   Sure The Constrictor (Bauer), would ideally like a longer deal, but why not offer him one year high value deal, and to see what he says? Maybe he’ll bite their hand off to be part of something special, to have a meaningful October?
   Maybe some players are ultimately more motivated by actually winning Rings, rather than just collecting more money than they will ever spend (Trout)? If Bauer shines, he will still get a good deal for 22.

   Now for my main point. I understand the fors and against regarding Lindor. He is an excellent, exciting player, but our need is not a SS, because as Mark strongly argues, that is Corey’s position.
   Our need is at 3B. JT has probably been my favourite Dodger over the past number of years, but there’s no question that Nolan Arenado would look pretty good in Dodger Blue for the next 7 years (taking him to age 36 – JT’s age now).

   There’s no doubt that Colorado and Arenado would like to get out of their unhappy marriage. This might be the perfect time to take advantage of this rift.
   If we don’t sign JT to AC’s estimated $10m a year 2 year contract that’s a start. As mentioned previously we have some big contacts coming of the books soon, maybe we can steal Arenado relatively cheaply in terms of a Trade?
   What would Colorado want?

   RF Betts
   SS Seagar
   3B Arenado
   1B Muncy
   C Smith
   LF Pollock
   CF Belinger
   2B Lux

   It also sorts out the RH thumper that we need in the heart of our lineup.

   I’ll sit back and wait for the flak, but I do seriously think that we should try and strengthen while we are in such a strong position, and you know Arenado would welcome a trade to his childhood team.

   Betts, Arenado & Belinger in the same team gives us 3 Gold Glovers as well, and what a team to watch 162 times a season?

   1. This is interesting. I actually kind of like this idea.

      The Rockies and Arrenado aren’t happy with each other, and the Rockies have already explored trade talks. The one deal killer is Arrenado’s opt out clause after 2021. That can actually work to the Dodgers benefit if we all know that he wants to play for the Dodgers. He also has a no trade clause. The opt out depresses his trade value for other teams, but chances are he wouldn’t exercise it with the Dodgers, or at least would be eager to renegotiate.

      He’s a great defensive 3rd baseman.

8. Mark can you release me from Moderation Prison please?

   1. Done!

   2. welcome to my world

9. Let me say a couple of things:

   1. I would try and lock Seager up long term this winter;

   2. I would be open to signing Lindor as a FA next year (providing Corey gave it his blessing), but let’s see what kind of year Lindor has again; and

   3. Arenado – No! He will be 30 next year and had a bad year in 2020. He is awesome defensively but hits .322 with a .985 OPS at Coors and .263 with a .793 OPS on the road. He is owed $200 million through 2026 and you would have to give up some pretty good prospects to a division rival. Not NO, HELL NO! Think Vinny Castillo. Look him up!

   1. True, Arenado .793 OPS lifetime on the road, but that will improve from not adjusting back and forth from Coors to Earth. Justin Turner’s lifetime OPS is 838. Not a huge difference there. Take Arenado out of Coors full time and he looks like JT with a better glove and more power.

      With that said, I don’t think Colorado will trade him to the Dodgers for obvious reasons. Although, the Dodgers have some interesting pitching prospects and left handed bats that the Rockies could use.

      Arenado has a lot of fire and plays very passionately, a lot like a Kirk Gibson type player. I would love to have that guy on our team. But, we can always bring back JT on a two year deal and try to get Arenado once he opts out after next season.

      The best thing for AF to do is express serious interest in Arenado planting the seed for him to opt out and in doing so, forcing their hand a little bit.

      1. I would not trade for Nolan, but I would consider signing him as a FA!

         1. He has an opt out after next year

         2. Good luck trading that contract. If he opts out…. and frankly it’s hard to see that… then .. maybe. Reconstruct a 5 year deal. He will remain decent that long.

            1. Why wouldn’t he opt. He hates Rockies management.

               The opt out and his high AAV depresses his trade value. Rockies might have to settle or just lose him and get nothing.

            2. He would have to REALLY hate the Rockies to walk away from over $160 million guaranteed. I wonder what he might project until age 35 away from Denver? Career away OPS is good, but nearly 200 points lower. His contract is for Coors OPS.

               I honestly don’t know but what team would come close to $35m per from 31 to 35? Maybe money gets back to normal after next year. I’m thinking by then we have third figured out.

10. The spam filter is marking everything as spam… including my comments. I have to release them. Be patient – I will try and check every hour.

11. W – “our need is at third base.“. I agree. That’s the problem I solved. Not successfully of course.

    Arenado. No. I agree he wouldn’t hit as well in LA.

    What patch said.

    I think Boston got more for Betts than Cleveland will get for Lindor. Lindor is going to make huge dollars but the choice of cities will be limited. We all know the franchises that can afford him. We are one of them.

    I forgot to mention – my daughter’s middle name is also Rey.

    1. “What patch said.”

       Which part? The rainbows and unicorns? 😉

       1. For “Points for Team Badger“ of course. Brilliant composition. The rest of it was a bit wandering and wordy.

       2. I answered this. But it got locked up.

          1. And then it showed up. Everything but the emoji at the end. But, does it need to end with an emoji? Tell you what, everything I write, end it with the emoji of your choice.

12. Okay, I’m amazed. The Dodgers just won the World Series and the MVP in both the series and the NL championship was shortstop Corey Seager. The Dodgers have a great team moving forward and a top ranked farm system. Still, we hear about Lindor. Oh, he had a down season, but for some folks Lindor is the cream that makes the morning coffee better.

    Now don’t take this wrong. Lindor is a very good player. An exciting player. People love watching him play.

    But Seager is a very good shortstop, underrated defensively, but some will bring out in depth defensive stats or scouting reports to say we need Lindor. Really? I agree with Mark.

    Seager is also a clutch hitter. A product of the Dodgers minor league system. Now that he’s healthy again, watch out. He’s a big time, impact player.

    Just look at the financial aspect. The Dodgers just invested a massive deal for Mookie Betts, a truly game changing player, during a pandemic. Does anyone actually believe the Dodgers would trade a bunch of prime prospects for one year of a player who is probably going to want a massive contract? Can’t imagine Andrew Friedman making such a move. Why would he? The Dodgers won the World Series, have won eight straight division titles and are the odds on favorites to win it all again.

    The organization needs to ink Seager to a long term deal. Then they will need to do the same at some point with Cody Bellinger and Walker Buehler moving forward.

    Yes, the Dodgers have money, maybe they will use it to their advantage this winter when the market is down. Wouldn’t be surprised . But they will do it with precision, not just start throwing dollars around. LA Times baseball writers expect Justin Turner to return to the Dodgers — several reasons for that. Team leader, still very good player, fan favorite.

    As to Nolan Arenado. In what world would the Rockies want to trade their best player to the Dodgers? Can’t imagine that happening. Not mention the cost in prospects.

    Maybe a better move would be a couple of top flight relievers, although relievers are somewhat inconsistent.

    One thing is certain, however, we haven’t heard the end of the Lindor talks.

13. We have team Mark and team Badger. There is also team Bums. Team Bums ignores probabilities and just has fun creating a team of players he likes the most.

    That said, this is what I think is most likely:
    1. The Dodgers will sign Turner to a team friendly contract for one or two years.
    2. The Dodgers will sign Pederson to a two year contract somewhere between $16M and $20M.
    3. The Dodgers will not sign any other of their free agents.

    The lineup will be:
    Betts
    Seager
    Turner
    Muncy
    Bellinger
    Smith
    Pederson/Pollock
    Lux

    There will not be a DH in 2021.

    Being realistic isn’t as much fun.

    1. Maybe the Dodgers will trade for Mitch Haniger. Does he even still play?

       1. I already tried and I think you said Seattle would never trade him.

    2. Nope. No fun.

       We already won with that lineup. That lineup is so last week. Get with it Bums. Ch ch ch ch changes, turn and face the strange. Time to move forward. It’s progress, time to be progressive.

14. Beautiful grand daughter Mark! Can we trade Seager for her? And move you to SS. Also can you move me out of moderation as well? After all I did call your grand daughter beautiful!

15. Arenado’s road numbers were improving every year until this short season. My bigger concerns are he’s had shoulder issues. Usually a shoulder surgery makes the next season bad. I also question Nolan’s mental toughness. He seems to let struggles snowball and hasn’t risen to the occasion for that team. He seems to let his emotions get the best of him
    ~
    For someone who is unhappy in Denver he’s going to have a tough time opting out of that money if things haven’t turned around economically by this time next year

16. Excellent article, Mark.
    Good song choice.
    But the best part of your post, was the picture of your grandchild!

17. The Dodgers just lost George Lombard who is now the bench coach for AJ Hinch!

    1. Wasn’t Hinch the cheating coach for the Astros?

       Mark, your granddaughter is beautiful. It is said Rey means king, but she is a queen.

       Keep Seager at short, no Rental Lindor please.

       Ps, I think your couch looks fine to me (sorry Badger)

       Even though I do not always agree with Patch, sign him as a writer for this blog please, Mark. He is a very good writer.

       1. The couch looked great and comfy but might not be firm enough to keep a back from aching.

    2. Good luck to George. He’ll be a manager some day soon.

       Might I suggest that this is the perfect time to make Chase Utley our new first base/infielders coach. He’s had some time with his family. I’m sure they’re dying to get him out of the house.

       Utley for 1st base coach!!!!

       1. Utley is a good idea or a vote for Bill Hasselman.

    3. Can’t blame the guy, it is a career move to bolster his managerial resume. He barely lost the Tiger job to Hinch. Great looking kid Mark. My great grand daughter turned one in August. Still waiting for my grand daughter to send me a picture of her.

18. Not going to argue about a player I have a lot of confidence in, and who I have always been a fan of. All I know of Lindor is his stats. Do not know what kind of a person he is, or how he reacts in a clubhouse. I know Corey Seager is a positive part of this team. Bum, there has been no ruling on whether the DH will return or not, and it will not be decided until the MLB and MLBPA meet here very soon. The players want it. MLB wants to trade that for expanded playoffs. They are also trying to extend the current CBA for one more season until they can determine if fans are going to be allowed back in the stadiums and what sort of financial gain or loss will be anticipated. One reason free agents are not going to get anything close to what they might have gotten had 2020 been a normal year. There is about as much uncertainty heading into this offseason as there has been since WWII. Then they were not sure because they thought they should shut down because the war was going to drain manpower, but FDR told them to keep playing, the country needed it. I am no prognosticator by a long shot. I rarely if ever make any kind of prediction. But of this I am certain. Friedman has a plan. He has pretty much stuck to his plan since he arrived on the scene. He will trade if he feels it improves the team. He does not like trading his top prospects unless it fills a need and brings quality back. Take Machado. The Dodgers traded 5 players for a rental. One of those players, Valera, had MLB experience. Pop, Bannon, Diaz and Kremer were minor leaguers. Only Kremer has made it to the majors. Diaz has been demoted all the way down to high A after getting some time at AA. Valera has gone to the Yanks and Blue Jays. Pop and Bannon peaked at AA. None of those guys was a top 10 prospect when traded. Only Calhoun was a top 10 pick when he was traded to the Rangers. When they got Hill and Reddick from the A’s, Montas was already MLB ready. Cotton was the only one who pitched for the A’s in 16. Cotton now pitches for the Cubs. Holmes has still not made the majors. Downs on the other hand was a top 10 player. But him and Verdugo and Wong for Betts, was a very good trade. Dodger fans tend to forget that it was supposed to be a 3 way deal with the Twins. The Sox would have gotten Graterol. But, they did not like his medicals. So the Dodgers restructured the trade and then made a separate deal with the Twins to get Graterol and Raley, who by the way they had been a Dodger before. No, I do not think AF makes a major trade for a player that involves prospects. Especially for someone they could target in free agency after 2021. As for their own free agents, most of the stuff I have read have mixed views as to the direction the Dodgers will go. ESPN has them resigning both Pederson and Turner. Others, only Turner. None have them as the landing spot for Lindor. Most agree he will most likely go to the Mets because Cohen has the money and the desire to make the Mets competitive again. The Dodgers are prominently mentioned as the landing spot for Bauer. And many believe it will be a one year deal. As for Arenado, I live in Colorado and I can tell you that any move the Rockies make to trade Nolan, or Story for that matter will not be met with much enthusiasm. Nolan might well opt out after next season. He is not happy, and he has never won. And listening to his interviews you know he really dislikes the present ownership and the direction the team has gone. But the Rockies would never trade any player of his caliber to the Dodgers. The dislike is that intense.

19. Rays resigned Robbie Ray. One year deal. 8 million.

    1. Jays

       1. Yeah. Jays and I messed that one up……You can call me ray, or you can call me jay, but ya doesn’t has to call me Johnson……

20. It seems that I have been writing about Corey Seager Seager since he was drafted in the 1st of round (18th overall), out of Northwest Cabarrus HS of Concord, NC in June 2012. For the first 5+ years, the tall, quiet, and introverted Dodger SS was highly regarded by both MLB and Dodger fans. Not only was he a ROY, but he was 3rd in MVP voting in 2016. He was an AS and won Silver Slugger awards in both 2016 and 2017.

    In 2018, Seager had double surgeries for ulnar collateral ligament reconstructive surgery (AKA TJ surgery), and arthroscopic hip surgery. He was back playing by opening day 2019, and while he was nowhere close to where he was pre-surgery, he still led NL (tied) in doubles with 44, with a batting line of .272/.335/.483/.817. Not bad for a SS coming off double surgery.

    The Dodgers were thwarted again in 2019 in their drive for a WS championship, and AF went big game hunting. He wanted that difference maker. AF tried to sign Gerrit Cole. Didn’t happen. Anthony Rendon…Nope, AF heard that Cleveland may be interested in trading Francisco Lindor. AF inquired, but the price was above what AF was willing to pay. So AF moved on. Next up, AF was on the verge of acquiring Mookie Betts at the 2018 trade deadline, but miraculously Boston got back into the playoff picture and decided to hold onto their franchise asset.

    AF decided to call his old friend Chaim Bloom, now the Boston GM, and try to resurrect a deal for Mookie. Lo and behold, AF and Bloom generated a trade for Mookie to come to LA. Originally it was Alex Verdugo to Boston, Kenta Maeda to Minnesota, and Brusdar Graterol to Boston, with Mookie and David Price (+ $16MM) to LA. Now that was a steal.

    But after reviewing medical records, Boston doctors did not believe that Graterol was healthy enough to be a starting pitcher, and the deal fell through. AF still needed that game changing difference maker and went to Plan E or F or ??? AF wanted Mookie and decided to add Jeter Downs and Connor Wong to the trade, and take Brusdar Graterol from Minnesota. The Dodgers included catcher Jair Camargo and received OF Luke Raley in return. AF then decides to frustrate his haters and signs Mookie to a 12 year $365MM extension, proving he will sign a player to a large nine figure contract if the player warrants it. Mookie did.

    Now AF has his game changing difference maker, Corey Seager had an offensive year reminiscent of 2016-2017, and after 32 years the Dodgers finally won a WS, thanks largely to Mookie and Corey. AF no longer needs Francisco Lindor. Badger says his plan of trading for Lindor and moving Seager to 3B solves a problem at 3B. I agree…for one year. It will cost Lux, a potentially elite pitcher, and another top 20 prospect. Fortunately, AF is thinking a little more long term than 2021. Scott Boras will tell AF how disloyal he was taking his client, the NLCS and WS MVP, and moving him to a position he does not want to play, and that there will be more than a dozen teams ready to sign and play Seager at SS. The Dodgers could find themselves without Seager, Lux, CT3, and only Zach McKinstry to play SS, and Lindor’s agent is going to be asking for far more than AF is willing to pay. Yes, they can sign Story, Baez, or Correa. But it is more likely that the Cubs will extend Baez, and there is no way the Dodgers will sign Correa, leaving only Trevor Story. Story is a Texas boy, and Houston will be looking for a SS if Correa leaves. AF can see this coming far more clearly than any of us, and yet some are willing to hurt the franchise for one year of Seager at 3B and Lindor at SS. Not me and not AF.

    Like Cal Ripken Jr., Seager will eventually move to 3B or 1B ( as did Ernie Bank), but not 2021. Banks was a seven time AS and a two time MVP as a SS for the Cubs. And still played well enough throughout the rest of his career at 1B to be a HOF player. But Banks did not make that move until he was 30. Seager turns 27 next April.

    Lindor is a better defensive SS, there is no doubt. But Seager was pretty solid (not spectacularly) defensively in 2016 and 2017. He worked so hard in 2020 to get his offensive game back. Could it be that he now plans on working on his defense a little more fervently for 2021? I have no idea if that is true, but nobody can convince me it isn’t. And with any improvement, he will still not be as good defensively as will be Lindor. But Corey is the SS for the WS champion, and was the NLCS and WS MVP. I doubt that AF is in any hurry to p*** off Corey Seager, or his agent.

    1. Good stuff Jeff.

       We can live with sub standard defense at short. We certainly did this year. We can make up for it with great defense in other positions and outscoring everyone by two field goals and a safety.

21. Whatever advice AF needs from us now he’s getting it as a WS champion. Oh and by the way fire Dave Roberts. Did you see how he mismanaged the bullpen in games five and six!

22. Wow, USC came back and won that game???? 28-27, They were down 27-14 when I turned the game off with 5 minutes left in the 4th quarter. Colorado hammered the Bruins, 48-42.

23. MLB predicting Dodgers opening day lineup C Smith Barnes, 1B, Muncy, Beaty, 2B, Taylor, Lux. 3B. Rios. SS., Seager. PF, Betts, Bellinger, Pollock, Utility, McKinstry, Starters, Kershaw, Urias, Price, Buehler, May. and Gonsolin, Relievers. Floro, Gonzalez, Graterol. Gray, Jansen, Kelly, Kolarek, White, Santana If you notice that is 27 players. It also does not address any additions to the roster via free agency. And all of those players are presently on the roster. First off, no way they go into the season with just 3 outfielders and only McKinstry, untried in the majors, and Beaty as backups. This lineup of players does not address the need for some big guns at the back of the pen nor the shortage of RH bats off of the bench. I think they are way off base. Neither White, Santana or Gray are going to make the roster out of spring. Beaty is a non tender candidate. There will be some off season pick ups. Trust me.

    1. Outfielders – Taylor also plays the outfield. The team will not go with only two left handers in the bullpen (Gonzalez and Kolarek) so look for the team to acquire another, solid reliever. Beaty still has minor league options, so I do not see the team releasing him, but he could be included in a trade. A guy who I think has a very good chance of replacing Beaty on the active roster is Zach Reks. I also believe the team will add an experienced, late inning reliever – perhaps someone likeTrevor May, or Shane Greene.

24. 
    Good interview with Billy Gasparino.

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