Junkyard Dogs, Anyone?

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1. I’ll play along. Pitchers can’t be junkyard dogs is a stipulation and you listed all position players except for Pollock, Smith and Lux. The bench is somewhat overhauled with the loss of Joc and Kike. So who does that leave?

   To me, Smith IS THE junkyard dog. He’s unassuming compared to others on the team, listed at just 5′ 10” but somehow has a career OPS of 980! Are you kidding me? A career OPS of 980 for a 25 YO catcher? Talk about doing more with less. He also seems to have a knack for hitting clutch and late, and has the nards to stop the game and go talk to his pitchers when things aren’t going well. He really looks like a leader in the making.

   Changing the subject, I’m starting to get really annoyed at AF for coming out with the Pigs comment and doing virtually nothing this offseason. At least, nothing towards the 40 man roster.

   Cleavinger, Kahnle, Knebel are the only new players added to the 40-man. Cleavinger has 2 outs worth of Major League experience and Kahnle is expected to be out for the year. So basically, he’s added just 1 freaking player! Sorry Mark, but there’s no way to spin this. He’s basically stood pat this offseason. Even if he brings back Turner, he’s basically standing pat. And unless the minor leaguers step up and are better bench pieces than Joc and Kike, this team is worse than last year’s team.

   Yes, there’s still a lot to be excited about. The core is young and could still be improving. We have more pitchers than just about any other team. We added another late inning option in Knebel. But, we hardly made the team better for all the talk of being pigs from AF and bringing in new personnel from the outside from Doc.

   I don’t know if AF is the best GM in baseball, but he sure is the most patient. He doesn’t feel the need to counter the Padres and isn’t going to rush to sign players just because many are coming off the board. Does he have some magic left? I guess we’ll find out when Spring Training begins.

   This offseason sucks! Don’t come out and say you’re gonna be pigs, then sit on your hands all offseason.

   1. Andrew Friedman has until July 31 (or whenever this year’s trade deadline is, to “be a pig”.

      Who cares what the team has or hasn’t done by Jan 28??

      1. I’m sure no one cares what the team does during the offseason. That’s why we’re all present on the this blog. If his intention is to be a pig by the following year’s trade deadline, that statement was about 9 months premature.

   2. I do not recall AF defining the term “pigs”. Apparently YOU have decided that the definition is to spend large sums of dollars for all of the top FAs. I assume being a pig in your world is signing Trevor Bauer, DJLM, Ozuna, and trade for Arenado. Oh, maybe Ozuna is a little too hoggish. Nothing like a $270MM payroll to come across as pigs.

      1. With all due respect, AC. YOU apparently like to twist my words like fake news. I have never said that they should or would spend $270 Million on payroll. I said that they could and would go over the CBT when they wanted and pointed to the $270 Million in past payroll as a fact to back my claim. You may not agree with what I said, but you don’t have to twist my words to make your point either.

         If you believe than AF meant being pigs as bringing in one single reliever with MLB experience, then I commend your mind reading ability. But, we all know that isn’t the case. Not one single person in the entire world took that statement as letting six players with MLB experience walk and replace them with one player with MLB experience which is where we stand today.

         It has been commonplace lately for people to be quoted out of context and to redefine words and to move goalposts so to say. I think all of these things are bad for humankind. Keep doing it and nothing will mean anything anymore.

         My point is, don’t make a comment like “being pigs”, then do nothing. And stop trying to defend him like he’s your cult leader when he asks you to be first in line for the cool-aide distribution.

         1. If you look at the context of “Let’s be pigs” and how it has been texted and re-texted by people within the organization, it is clear that “being pigs” refers to winning more championships. I am sorry that you interpreted what AF said to mean he would acquire more expensive players. You should take your own advice and not twist his words!

            1. Really?

         2. You were the one who said the Dodgers should trade for Arenado, I beleive you said the Dodgers should sign both DJLM and Bauer. That is about $70MM – $80MM and would take the Dodgers to $270MM. That is where I got $270MM, not from what you have said in the past. But let’s assume you did not mean all three. There is no question that you believed the Dodgers should go all in on Arenado. He alone takes the team to $237MM, and a significant prospect loss. So I assume you are okay with $237MM? Maybe Arenado alone is not piggish and AF meant an elite closer like Liam Hendriks. That’s another $13MM. That takes the team to $250MM. Subtract Knebel, and that is $245MM. That is two players and adds $40MM (net $5MM for Knebel).

            You are alleging that AF said something that does not agree with your definition. Isn’t that the same thing as “people to be quoted out of context and to redefine words and to move goalposts so to say.” You said I put words in your mouth, aren’t you doing the same thing? Or does that only pertain to being done to you. You have said $270MM. There is no question about that. Now maybe all you meant was that they have spent that much in the past. Without any additional context or definition, you have left it wide open for a logical inference that you believe they can do it again. Okay my inference was wrong. Then get off the fence with your hypotheticals and you tell us what AF meant when he said he wanted to be pigs. You cannot say he misled anyone if you are not willing to define what you think he meant. Mark has stated on a number of cases what he believed AF meant. Apparently Mark was not misled by the term “pigs”. You apparently have chosen not to accept Mark’s definition. Okay that is fair. So go ahead and YOU tell us what AF meant.

            1. I thought that being pigs would be to bring in multiple players to improve the team. At around the same time he identified at least one right handed bat and multiple bullpen pieces. And by saying pigs, I assumed that he would get proven commodities. I thought there was a good change to go over the CBT and stated a fact that he was over the CBT at the start of last season as backing evidence.

               I’ve suggested players that I would love to have on the team. Bryant, Arenado, DJLM, Springer as one of those right handed bats. I also said someone AF probably has on his radar that I haven’t thought of.

               I also wanted a couple of bullpen arms and I’m pretty happy with Knebel and Treinen. But, that’s all he’s done so far, so he still isn’t in pig status.

               So, now you tell me. What do you thing AF meant by the pigs comment and what has he done to fulfill on that bold statement?

               Would you consider resigning JT, and adding Knebel and Treinen as being pigs? If so, I can accept that even if I think it’s falling short of such a bold claim.

               There’s still a lot of rumors about Trevor Bauer. Bauer, Knebel, Treinen and JT… that would meet my pig definition. Any predictions?

            2. As Friedman, recently named Executive of the Year, told SportsNet LA on Wednesday, “Days after, the text threads with coaches and various front office…the mindset was, ‘Let’s be pigs. Let’s do everything we can to go out next year and do it again.’” That is what was actually said. Why does that connote going out and spending $$$$? I take it as keeping together the core of the team that has been to 3 of the last 4 WS, and has the best winning % of all teams in MLB over the last six years, five years, four years, three years, two years, and one year. I take it to mean that they will continue to harvest from their minor league system wherever and whenever they can. If there is a reasonably cost effective replacement for one of the players leaving, they will look at him. But it does not have to be the best player at that position. They have to be mindful of the budget, not just for this year, but for the future so they can continue at their current pace. They need to be in a position where they can re-sign both Clayton Kershaw and Corey Seager next winter, and Bellinger, Urias and Buehler shortly thereafter. Why should they disrupt the balance they currently have? Their is no question that Manny Machado is a great 3B, but I have zero desire for him to be on the Dodgers. Make sure that there is continuous communication with the players to make sure they are have the proper workout regimen to get ready for a 162 game season. Make sure Buehler and Lux get to camp ready to go. Make sure Kershaw and Price do not overdo it before camp. Make sure that the development team has the proper metrics to plan for the continued development of the youngsters on the roster and in the pipeline. Continue as they have been doing, AND FINISHING ON TOP. Being pigs? Winning again. They were on a 116 win pace last year, without David Price, and with Belli and Muncy having very off years.

               I have already said that I would have signed DJLM IF (BIG IF) he wanted to come to LA. He did not. He wanted to stay in New York. Not everybody wants to come to LA. I have said that I would have liked Blake Snell. I have no idea if AF even approached Tampa Bay, or if he did, what Tampa was insisting in their return from LAD. I continue to hope that Bauer is not a Dodger. I do not care how good he was last year. He is not worth the money he is asking for. George Springer? No cheating Assterisks for the Dodgers. The Dodgers were never in on JT Realmuto. Are the Dodgers hurt by losing Baez, Wood, McGee, Joc, Kike’? I do not think so. I do not believe that Pollock needs a LH hitting platoon partner in LF. I think that CT3 is more than capable of being the Swiss Army Knife of the Dodgers. McKinstry is a capable replacement for Kike’. Does not have the glove, but has a more consistent batting approach.

               Would the Dodgers be better with Luis Castillo in the rotation? Absolutely. But at what cost? And how does anyone know if AF did not try to acquire Castillo (or Suarez) form the Reds? We know that AF tried to trade for Arenado, or at least made meaningful queries. Colorado made it clear they did not want to trade with LA. Are the Dodgers better with JT and Rios at 3B and not losing any of their prospects? Or better with one year of Kris Bryant and the loss of prospects and $20MM salary?

               Like it or not, AF believes in his farm system. He has graduated Smith and Barnes, Lux, Seager, Bellinger, Buehler, May, Gonsolin, Ferguson, VGon, Urias…on to the winningest team in MLB. Why should they deviate from that plan?

               Being a pig. Continue with what they have been doing, but finishing.

      2. I agree with B & P 100%. AF did say he wanted the Dodgers to be pigs. You and Mark can kiss AF’s tush all you want and make up your own little stories of what you think AF meant by being pigs but you keep saying the same BS over and over and over.
         I do agree with Mark that AF was probably told not to spend $ and probably after he had already stuck his foot in his mouth.
         I wanted Snell. Yet I keep hearing all this crap that Snell can’t go past 5 innings. I bet you’re going to find out you are all wrong.
         I wanted DJLM. I’d have passed on Turner and tried to get younger. Yeah, DJLM isn’t young but he was the same age Turner was when we signed him 4 years ago and Turner hadn’t won 2 battting titles. Yeah, I wanted Bauer after we lost out on Snell and DJLM. I don’t want Arenado now or next year. or ever. Too late now but I’d have tried earlier to trade for Rafael Devers or Matt Chapman but AF isn’t willing to part with any prospects. It may come back to bite him.

         1. JR, if English is your second language I fully understand your lack of comprehension as to what AF said about being pigs. If English is your main language I will not call you dumb, but you do have bad luck when it comes to thinking.

         2. I was in favor of Blake Snell. I believe he will be an elite pitcher in the NL. So if he goes past 5.0 IP, I will not be wrong. I was not against him. I have been an advocate for DJLM since he was a Rockie, and have written about that on too many occasions. He was not leaving NY. He said all along that is where he wanted to play. He was trying to get the best deal he could out of the Yankees. I have no desire to spend $34MM on Trevor Bauer for all of the reasons I stated before. I have written that I would like for AF to pursue Matt Chapman, but the earliest the A’s will consider is next year, with 2 years of team control remaining thru 2023. The A’s should be able to maximize their best player prospect return next winter.

            I am not sure what stories Mark or me are making up. Both he and I have stated all along that we beleive the Dodgers are not going to spend over the CBT threshold, and so far they have not. Now they may with JT because I believe that Belli’s and Seager’s contracts were more than they expected. B&P, and now apparently you, are the ones who are making up stories. All I am asking for is your definition of being a pig. At least B&P has offered up a definition of what AF meant. I disagree, but that we can do. AF said he wanted a RH bat and to tweak the bullpen. He res-signed Treinen and signed Knebel. With David Price as an addition to the starting rotation, Tony Gonsolin moves into the bullpen. How much more should he have done? If he signs JT, that will be his RH bat. When he said RH bat, my assumption was not a big bat (other than JT) but a veteran RH bat off the bench (i.e. David Freese or a RH Mitch Moreland). I have been consistent with those predictions. I have also said that I wanted Trevor May as the big bullpen improvement. He went to the Mets. If they sign Trevor Rosenthal or Alex Colome or even re-sign Jake McGee, I will not be upset. If they stand pat from here, I accept that as well. If that is kissing AF’s tush, so be it.

            How do you know if AF did not try to acquire Devers from Boston or Chapman from the A’s? Because they did not get either player, that automatically means they did not even try? I do not know if he did or did not, but I do not assume that he didn’t. Maybe Boston did not want to trade Devers. Maybe the A’s were not ready to trade Chapman. Maybe the A’s wanted Buehler for Chapman.

         3. Regarding Chapman. This was just reported in MLBTR:

            Despite those payroll concerns and the escalating prices of third baseman Matt Chapman and first baseman Matt Olson, the A’s aren’t discussing either of their corner infielders in trades, Rosenthal further reports. Chapman agreed to a $6.49MM deal for the upcoming season, while Olson will earn $5MM. Both sluggers figure to be in line for considerable raises next winter, however, and it’s an open question as to just how long the A’s can hang onto them. Oakland controls both through the 2023 season, but it’s not unreasonable to think that one or both sluggers could vault close to the eight-figure range in 2022 or even exceed that threshold (particularly in Chapman’s case).

            As I said above, I do think AF checks in on Chapman next year, unless Hoese goes off. AF needs a good reason to not promote his own prospects. You may not agree with that approach, but that is who he is.

   3. Yesterday Jeff went into the CBT with great detail. The Dodgers will be over the CBT level when they sign JT and are barely under without him. So Bulldog, you’ve been critical of AF for “standing pat” and “doing virtually nothing this off-season”. Criticism is easy but what would you have done this off-season considering the CBT? Would you have just exceeded the 210 million and if so to sign who? Maybe it’s AF’s bosses who need your criticism if you want to exceed the CBT. Please share how you would have improved the roster.

      1. Well philjones, I’m not the one who made the comment about being pigs. I’ve suggested many players and have suggested going over the CBT. It’s a fools errand to say how I would have improved the roster. If I say I would trade player A for player B, I would only get back noise or more noise. There’s no winning there, so I seldom make trade proposals.

         Do you think the Dodgers have been pigs this offseason? If so, please explain how. If not, you shouldn’t be calling me out.

2. Masahiro Tanaka back to Japan. Angels allegedly out on Bauer. I think Jake Odorizzi and Taijuan Walker could find homes in Anaheim. I think they are waiting for one more year of Pujols and Bundy and two years of Upton, before they go big game hunting again. The Blue Jays are undoubtedly out on Bauer. With Matz, I think they will probably look to Canadian, Big Maple, James Paxton. That leaves the Mets, who by moving Matz, now have the financial ability to sign Bauer and stay under the CBT threshold.

   Bauer says he is waiting for the Dodgers to offer him $250MM. I do not like to ever say never, but this is about as close as it gets. I think it is best that Trevor signs for the only team that is willing to spend to sign Bauer, and that is the Mets.

   1. My only offer for him would be 25 mil for one year! 250 mil! See you later pal! Good luck to the Mets on this one. Potential for disaster!

3. Stay warm in Jackson Hole, Mark. Found your article and video of your business and new venture interestIng.
   Congrats and good luck to your son. Pretty girl in the ad also.

   As a long time Packer’s fan, I am well aware of the value of Ray Nitschke to his team. I also admired Bart Starr, Paul Hornung, Jerry Kramer among others. I think the description of Nitschke’s contribution to his team would fit those of Justin Turner. Please AF, sign him, maybe not for 4 years but at least 2 with an option to 3.

   1. DBM,
      The girl who does has been with us for 8 years. She used to do ads all over the area and other acting jobs. Then she got her degree and is now a psychologist. We are the only side gig she has. She does 8 to 10 videos a month for us in one shooting. She reads from a teleprompter and aces the first time. She can do 10 videos in 90 minutes! She’s off for most of this year as she is having her first child in August!

   2. I might compare Drysdale with Nitschke but not Turner. I am more likely to see Bart Star in Turner.

      Pete Rose might have been the ultimate junk yard dog but I wouldn’t bet on it.

4. Whether we know what Andrew Friedman meant when he made the “pigs” comment, I think that most Dodger fans are disappointed with the pace of the offseason. Friedman often waits out deals until the last possible moment and seemingly loses out on players of interest. I remember 2016 when the Dodgers were hunting for starting pitching and one free agent after another went off the board, with Scott Kazmir left as the last SP with any kind of track record. We know how that turned out.

   On the other hand, the Dodgers didn’t trade for Mookie Betts until February 10. I am certain that the Dodgers are not finished yet. I think that the trade deadline is too late, but the season won’t start until April at the soonest.

   It’s clear that the Dodgers want a RH bat and that they want to bring Turner back. It will be interesting to see who blinks first.

   I am not impressed with the broken down bunch of arms that the Dodgers have signed in hopes that one or two might pitch effectively in the bullpen. Like Bulldogs said, Kahnle, Knebel and Cleavenger is really just Knebel – Kahnle probably won’t pitch and if Cleavenger pitches, that means that the team is in big trouble! He left out Jimmy Nelson and Brandon Morrow – Morrow went to the DL in June 2018 and hasn’t pitched since. Jimmy Nelson went on the DL in September 2017 (torn labrum) and pitched 10 games (3 starts) in 2019 to the tune of a 6.95 ERA.

   It’s like buying lottery tickets – you can’t win if you don’t play and the more you buy, the better your chances, but no matter how many you buy, you still probably won’t win.

   Otherwise, they’ve lost Kike Hernandez, Joc Pederson, Pedro Baez and Alex Wood and have added a bunch of injured guys who probably won’t pitch. Not a great off season – you can spin it how you like but some of the other teams in the Division (Padres especially) have improved and the Dodgers haven’t.

   1. I detect a note of concern in your comment Rick and I just want you to know that you shouldn’t despair.
      Scott Kazmir is still available.

      1. And he’s still on the payroll! Perfect fit.

         1. The contract that keeps on giving.

   2. Most times you don’t win the lottery.

      The Dodgers don’t need any of those reclamation projects to come through… but I would bet that one or two will and if they do, that is all they need.

5. Interesting article Mark. Your heading towards my neck of the woods now, so watch those winds, and yep, Jackson Hole can be very cold in January. Junkyard dogs. Perfect description of players who are not afraid to get dirty. Orel’s nickname was Bulldog, so he had a little of that when he was on the mound. in tough situations he would definitely reach back for something extra. Jr. Gilliam was another who never took an inning off. He played the game right and was the ultimate team player. Drysdale had that kind of mentality too. He never gave in to hitters. Justin smiles to much to be a junkyard dog. He plays hard and he is a leader. My fondest memory of Nitschke is him being clothes lined in the movie The Longest Yard.

6. The 800-pound gorilla is that I believe AF is mandated by Kasten not to go over the LuxTax… and will only go over it if they sign JT. Once over it, they may make another move or two.

   Remember when the Red Sox traded away three stars to the Dodgers and their fans were aghast… and how the Dodgers won the World Series as a result of that?

   Whoops… it was the other way around.

   Remember how in 2020 the best relievers in baseball were the highest paid? Me neither!

7. Could the Yankees sign Didi to improve shortstop defense and put someone in the lineup that would take advantage of the shallow right field ? What would they do with Gleyber?

   1. That would happen on Fantasy Island.

      We are on a layover a the Minneapolis Airport and we just heard that it’s snowing like a Goat in Jackson Hole.

      1. Snowing like a Goat? Wow, never heard that one. Now maybe you might fly into a blizzard. But I have never seen a Goat snow. On the other hand, Banshee winds are possible out there. You might want to rethink your travel plans. Did you bring your long johns???? You are going to need them.

         1. Snowmobile suits are what we brought. Boots, gloves, etc.

            “Raining like a Goat or Snowing like a Goat is a Timmonism. I coined the phrase 50 years ago. It just never caught on… 😉

            1. I can totally understand why.

8. It seems there is somewhat of a league mandate to stay under the CBA of 210 mil. So AF’s hands may be tied. If so then he’s done a masterful job so far especially with the bullpen to spread out the risk. Got to get Turner tho!

9. Well the pig did not dip into the trough until February last year. Of course the seeds of that had been planted in January when the first trade was negotiated and Boston balked, causing LA to make some adjustments in the players who would go to the Bosox. Sure am glad they turned down Bazooka. I think AF probably has a good idea who his first choice is, and then a pretty good idea what the fall back option is. There are still a lot of players out there. They have been under the CBT for the last 3 seasons, so there is no reason to think they bust over it now. The longer this stretches out, the less likely Turner comes back. And the Brewers are in the game now.

10. The Dodgers did win the World Series and had the best record in baseball last year, so expecting a big improvement is not realistic. Also, the Dodgers proactively acquired the best free agent in this class when they signed Mookie Betts to a $365 million contract in August. Just because they signed Mookie in August instead of January, does not make this a less aggressive move.
    I would also consider David Price and Gavin Lux as new additions this year that can provide large improvements to last year’s team.
    At this point, the biggest potential loss is Justin Turner, and I still expect him to be resigned by the Dodgers. Kike and Joc were valuable role players but can be replaced by in-house options such as McKinstry, Rios, Raley, Beaty, or Reks. The bullpen looks at least as strong as last year, with Knebel replacing Baez, and several potential long shot upgrades in Morrow, Nelson, Cleavinger, Pazos, Alexander, and Romero. Not to mention possible relievers from the minors like White, Santana, Jackson, Uceta, and Carillo.
    If Friedman can bring back Turner, I think the Dodgers are set up to be better than last year’s team, even without any additional signings. To me, having a healthy Price and Lux outweigh the loss of Joc and Kike.
    As for Turner, I would consider taking a similar approach that the Yankees took with DLJ. I would spread the contract over 4 years, and allow JT to opt out after either year 3 or 4. Something like 4yrs at $34 million with the first two years at $12 million per year, and the last two years at $5 million per year. The AAV would be lower, and JT could get more guaranteed money.

11. In my opinion, Walker Buehler is a Junk Yard Dog. It’s in the attitude. So yes, pitchers can be Junk Yard Dogs.

    1. I would agree with that. Buehler is intense if nothing else. Yet that delivery is so fluid and effortless.

12. Cloris Leachman passed away the other day at the ripe old age of 94. She did a lot of good movies, but for me she will forever be Frau Blucher. Would you care for a nightcap????

13. Giants and Tommy La Stella deal finally done. 3 years and “around” $19MM guaranteed.

14. Twitter can be extremely entertaining. So many people, so many varied opinions as to whom the Dodgers are and should be going after. There are still some hard core who think AF is planning on trading for a 3rd baseman should JT depart. There are also those who think the Dodgers are lying in the bushes waiting to snag Bauer with a one year 25 mil plus deal. Usual suspects on the trade list, Bryant and Arenado. They do not seem to understand why the Rockies are very hesitant to trade one of their legitimate stars to a team in their own division. They think they should jump at the chance to deplete the Dodgers farm system some and snag a good prospect or three. They have obviously been oblivious to how Andrew Friedman works. Giant’s finalize 3 year deal with LaStella.

    1. Exactly!

15. Dodgers are the champions, it is not urgent to sign every available superstar, there is a saying that says “If it ain’t broke, you don’t have to fix it” something like that.

    I don’t remember if it’s Eric who likes Soria and Doolitte, well, there’s still hope …..

    ”Dodgers: Could Sean Doolittle be the Latest Buy-Low Relief Option for LA?”
    https://www.dodgersnation.com/dodgers-could-sean-doolittle-be-the-latest-buy-low-relief-option-for-la/2021/01/27/

    1. Eric is a proponent of signing Soria and Doolittle. I read that also.

       1. It is one blogger speculating that Doolittle is available and might fit in the Dodgers wheelhouse for reclamation projects. There is no substance, just conjecture. He is Eric with a byline. BTW, that also does not make either one wrong. Doolittle says he wants to pitch, and the longer this goes on, the less number of teams will consider him. He says he wants to stay back East (almost adamant), but he did spend 6 years in Oakland. At 34 and back to back poor years, he may have to accept a MiLB contract. Then again, if Aaron Loup can get a $3MM deal, Doolittle has to figure he is worth $5MM. So many unknowns, especially this year.

16. Mets are reported to have agreed to sign Aaron Loup for one year $3MM.

    Jon Heyman reports that the Mets offer for Trevor Bauer is 3-4 years and for less than $36MM AAV. How much less he did not speculate. He did add that the Dodgers are also at the same AAV but for less years. Both teams blow past CBT threshold if either comes to fruition. It is also the loss of a 2nd round draft pick. Make of that what you will.

17. So it’s still snowing like a goat in Jackson Hole. We are being diverted to Salt Lake

18. Keith Law of The Athletic has 4 Dodger Prospects in his Top 100. Gray is the highest at 39. Busch, Cartya and Ruiz are there too

19. the home team throughout the NL playoffs, with or without Bauer. From every indication given, it appears that the Dodgers want Urias and May to be starting pitchers. If the Dodgers sign Bauer, that probably means that Dustin May goes to OKC to start or Urias goes to the bullpen with one of Cat Man, VGon, or Bazooka to OKC. Starting pitchers make the $$$, and the Dodgers are not going to chance alienating Urias (and Boras) by moving him to the pen. Thus moving May to OKC to start the season would be the reluctant choice. Would you want to block May for a year or two? How many Wins Above Replacement is Bauer over May? Or do they give May the valuable ML experience pitching against ML hitters, giving him the confidence to become a weapon come the playoffs?

    Some will say that the Dodgers will need to trade Price in order to sign Bauer. I am not convinced that Bauer is a better choice than is Price. Before 2018, at the age of 27, Bauer was a middling pitcher. The first season he had a SO/W ratio of better than 2.5 was 2017. 2018 was his first sub 4.00 ERA season. In 2019, Bauer went backwards a bit with a 4.48 ERA. In 2020, he was outstanding. Who is the real Trevor Bauer? He has not had back to back quality seasons yet. The Dodgers have one player who has signed a nine figure contract under AF. AF makes darn sure he is going to get a satisfactory return on a $100MM++ contract. The next Dodger AF offers that level of a contract to will be Corey Seager. I do not think Bauer gives him that comfort.

    I do not know who Jon Heyman is talking to, but it just does not seem that Trevor Bauer is the pitcher AF wants to get behind. Certainly not someone he would want to move into the first surcharge tier for luxury tax purposes. Then again, maybe he is.

    1. Jon Heyman is smoking dope. Bauer is not coming to LA.

       Back in the plane but still waiting for clearance. Had two Polygamy Porters at a brewpub by the gate. I am not convinced we are not going to spend the night in Salt Lake

       1. Good head on those?

          1. Excellent.

    2. I am not an advocate that the Dodgers sign Bauer. I have a co-worker who is a D-Backs fan who remembers that they selected Bauer in the 1st round in 2011 and traded him a year later to Cleveland in large part because he was already a loud mouth malcontent who wanted to do everything his own way at the age of 21. I think that is the last thing that the Dodgers need – a self-promoter who wants everything his own way.

       I agree with AC that Bauer has a history that is spotty at best. He wouldn’t get $35mm/yr from me, and as AC also said, we have some young starters who have a chance to be outstanding that Bauer would necessarily block.

       The Dodgers have more important things to spend $$ on.

20. Why is there no interest in bringing back McGee? Just curious.

    1. I cannot think of a reason except the Dodgers have signed several lower tier lefty’s to contracts and traded for Cleavenger. McGee would probably get close to 3 or 4 mil in a deal. He was efficient.

       1. Thanks Bear. I liked McGee even though he was basically a one pitch pitcher and yet he had a very high K%.

    2. I do not know why either. I also do not know what McGee is looking for. That may have something to do with it.

21. Agree, AC. Do not want to see May at OKC along with either Cat Man, VGon or Bazooka joining him. Want to see Urias and May starting. No Bauer please. Our youngsters can handle it for us well . Bauer not needed.

    1. Bauer is a luxury they do not need. And at the prices they are quoting, why even go after him? His first 6 years his ERA was over 4 every year. Even the year he won 17 in Cleveland. Since that year he has gone, 12-6, 11-13 and was 5-4 last season. He won the Cy Young mainly because of his ERA. Only the second time in his career it has been below 4. He is 11 games over .500, 30 years old, and a loose cannon. You want that personality on a team with as tight a knit clubhouse as the Dodgers have? Doubtful. He gives the Mets the bridge they need until Thor comes back. In LA he just clouds the picture up.

       1. Why go after him? Maybe just to drive up the price for the Mets.

          The Giants have a need for pitching and the money to do it. I wouldn’t be surprised to see them sneak in and sign Bauer at the last minute. They will have lots of money to spend next winter so the Giants could be competitive before much longer.

          Wainwright resigns with the Cards. Glad to see he’ll probably finish his career there. He shouldn’t be pitching anywhere else.

          1. They have done that already and the Mets have a 4 year offer on the table. Giants are not doing that until their own mistake, Cueto is gone.

22. I saw Governor Davis at the Slippery Noodle years ago. Good times.

23. The slippery noodle has been there since 1859. The current owner just died.

    1. The GM during the Peyton era would always wave the Iowa crew through for free when we rolled into to town for Colts games. I believe his name was Marty. I don’t think he was the owner.

24. MLB just named Kershaw and Buehler as part of the NL top 10 starters.

    1. Yeah, I read that and they had Lamet rated above Buehler. Uh, not on my chart.

25. Forgive the off topic but Chelsea Dungee could be a superstar. First I’ve heard of her but watch out.

26. LAD has two prospects on the MLB Pipeline Top 100 Prospect list, Keibert Ruiz (#57) and Josiah Gray (#58). They are the only two consensus Top 100 picks thus far. I am working on a report of the four publications that have come out: Baseball America, Baseball Prospectus, Keith Law, and MLB Pipeline. This should be published on Sunday here at LADT. FanGraphs is still compiling individual teams top prospects, and they will report on their overall top prospects once those compilations are complete.

    Based on the prospect lists thus far, only Keith Law has any Dodger listed in the Top 50 (Josiah Gray #39). Michael Busch is on 3 of the 4 top 100. He did not make the MLB Pipeline list. Diego Cartaya and Miguel Vargas, each made one. While the LAD farm’s elite status is down a bit this year, if everything goes as planned, they could emerge as a top 10 system with the mid season reports. It is not a bad thing when you graduate a lot of prospects, but the next tier is a year or two away. It is not like they just disappeared off the list.

    1. Is the Dodgers’ MLB Pipeline Top 30 out?

       1. Not the 2021 Dodgers Top 30. The overall top 100 is out.

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