As fans, we love to think that we know more than we actually do. But the day to day, behind the scenes action is something none of us knows a thing about. We can speculate and guess to our hearts content. But we do not really know what the powers that be felt about the play of Michael Conforto or Teo’s not so spectacular defense.
Nor do we have any clue why all of a sudden, they decided that Ryan Ward should be placed on the 40-man roster just before he was scheduled to become a rule-5 player. The inner workings of the team have always fascinated me.
Many years ago, you knew that if a player had a bad season, he was going to be offered a contract at a much lower salary than the year before. It was just the way that teams conducted their business when there was a reserve clause that bound players to the team that had them as long as they were under contract.
There were no multi-year deals. Babe Ruth had gotten a 3-year deal from the Yankees in 1922. His base salary was 10,000 dollars. He also got a 10,000-dollar signing bonus each year of the deal. The contract was for 3/210,000. His annual salary was 52,000. The contract also called for 2 option years which the Yankees exercised.
From 1924-29, Ruth made 70,000 a year. In 30-32 he made 80,000. That dropped to 75,000 in 33, and 52,000 in 33 and in 34-35 he made 35,000. He once was told he made more money than the president. He remarked that he had a better year. Players today, well, they rarely get less than the season before unless they are released.
Cutting salaries is just not done. The players union, probably the strongest labor union in the United States, simply does not let it happen. So, what happens behind the closed doors is a mystery to us. We can look at Conforto’s poor performance and almost guarantee he is not back with the team.
Is that a lock though? If Freidman’s performance of his job over the years is any indicator, yes, it is a certainty that Mike will be looking elsewhere to continue his career. Yet what about a player like Kike? Kike is a fan favorite and one of the most popular players on the team.
He brings energy to the clubhouse and is a multi-positional defensive whiz. But his regular season performances for the most part leave a lot to be desired. He was a minus 0.1 WAR player this season. His OPS and OPS+ were well below his career numbers. Despite his career penchant for post-season heroics, he struck out 24 times in 64 at bats. 15 of those came in the World Series. He made 6.4 million this season a 2.4 million dollar raise over 24 when he was a 1.3 WAR player. His OPS and OPS+ were well below his career numbers in 24 too.
Now 34, he does not seem to be worth the cost. We know that he is well liked by the front office, otherwise they would never have made the deal in 23 to bring him back in a trade with the Red Sox. Do they feel differently than we fans, many of whom have advocated openly for his return? That is open for debate. Myself, I do not bring him back.
The day-to-day decisions made by the brain trust of the Dodgers is something none of us will ever really know or understand. I do love a mystery though, and one great thing about this is that it keeps us guessing what the real plan is.
Should they sign a big name again this offseason like they did last year? I am of the mind that they will avoid any player who has the QO attached to his name. That would mean that Tucker, Bichette and Diaz are off the table.
Cease signed a 7-year deal with the Jays yesterday. Does that take them out of the running for Bichette? Not sure it does. But they have plenty of offense and two-young stud infielders in case he does leave. Whatever Freidman choses to do, we know he will have the complete backing of ownership. They are not content with 3 titles. They are hungry for more.
Heading out to California tomorrow. Trying to beat a bad weather front that is moving in on Sunday. Also, would like to offer my condolences to the family of the young National Guard soldier who was shot in DC, and sadly passed away. Such a tragedy. Prayers for her family.
The other thing we don’t know until we know is how injuries affect a players performance. So as soon as season over Kike has surgery. So playing thru injuries , not slumping. And when will be ready to play again??
Kike’ may have had a bad WS but was critical to the Dodgers win in game 6. First alerting the umpires/Dean about the stuck ball and then playing in more than the analytics said to double off Barger at 2nd.
He brings intangibles to the team. Whether he’s brought back?
I get the love for Kike, but honestly, he is not worth carrying during the regular season. Check his stats. I don’t care about intangibles, I care about consistency when it is needed, Kike does not bring that. Defensively, yes, offensively no.
Kike can hit .050 in the regular season, I do not care.
Need that guy in the post-season….he is coming back…
Don’t bet on it. He won’t even be ready by spring training after his surgery. You can bet if he hit .050, he would not be on anyone’s roster.
Showing it is not your money.
Keekay is gone but Rojas should come back. A second squad coach really.
a team can’t keep carrying sub .200 hitters every year. While Kike is (has) been so great in the postseason, he is almost invisible in the regular season. Just like Austin Barnes, the time is now to consider a change. maybe they sign him and “store”. him until the rosters expand, i’m not sure. One of Rojas or kike is probably a given , just not both.
read this morning the yankees are now the favorites for Tucker. bellinger still on their wish list too. i guess the could sign both and platoon grisham. or maybe cody plays a lot of first. i’m sure they would love to dump stanton and that salary!
I saw Bear you posted about donovan. I did read somewhere that the dodgers do have some interest in him. they inquired last year also. a .287 average this past season with some power and the ability to play several positions. Sound like someone that would peak their interest? i’m on board ! we’ll see.
I’m not sure why, but they are rumored to have interest in garcia the rangers just non tendered. he’s been awful the last 2 years. plus he’s a left fielder. don’t like that rumor at all! Would rather have Bader!!!!
also saw another rumor suggesting they could be open to moving Glasnow. To what team it didn’t say . injury prone , but dominant on the mound. i wouldn’t do it!! Unless maybe they do want another lefty starter in the rotation . Framber valdaz? probably not.
Curious to see if the red sox sign both alonzo and bregman . would sure make Jared Duran available!! hit hint
Garcia is a right fielder.
Garcia is also RH. The dodgers really need a LH hitter in the OF.
Perhaps a flyer on Nolan Jones?
He had a spectacular debut with the Rockies in 2023, with an OPS over .900, but has struggled since. Definitely passes the eye test. Tall, swift with a great arm.
Maybe the Dodgers can fix him.
my bad ! wrong side. doesn’t matter, we don’t want him! may as well sign kike! he can play infield too. So , it’s bellinger, tucker, kwan, or duran? pick one.
There are other LH hitting outfielders out there besides those guys. Tucker has the QO, sorry, LA is not signing him, and he is not a defensive whiz. Kike has outstayed his usefulness. Yeah, he made one great play in the World Series, but one great play does not cement a roster spot.
To me, a trade > (more likely than) a signing.
To me, an IF > (more likely than) an OF.
To me, a value trade > (more likely than) an overpay.
Until Freddie, Muncy and maybe Teo come off the books 27-28 no big signings.
Took this from the CBS sports on the internet. I hope I didn’t break any copyright rights. If so I apologize. I think this says it best.
team logo
Los Angeles Dodgers: Do I really have to say it?
The Dodgers have won two straight World Series titles. If you’re a Dodgers fan and you’re not thankful for that, you’re just never going to be happy. Many fans won’t get to see their favorite team win two championships in their lifetime and you got two in two years (and three in six years). I get that griping comes with fandom, but golly, life is good for the Dodgers and their fans right now. Enjoy this. It won’t last forever.
Those last four words are the absolute truth.
hey! we waited 32 years to get another one! so i don’t take it for granted. i’m waiting on another one! we won’t catch the yankees in our lifetime, but they can sure put a dent in it!! 3 in a row!
How about a trade idea? Glasnow and Hope for Holiday?
Way too much over pay.
Ok…Glasnow for Holiday?
Only way that would happen is if the Dodgers paid a huge chunk of Glasgow’s salary. I believe you are talking about Jackson Holliday of the Orioles? Glasnow is owed 65 million over the next two seasons and has a team option for 30 mil and a player option for 21.6. Holliday is 21. Glasnow is 32. Holliday is under team control until 2031. He played mostly at second base last season. Baltimore is not going to want a high-priced pitcher with injury issues for one of the best young prospects in the game. I doubt Glasnow would even be a starting point. The Dodgers have plenty of middle infielders who can play both SS and second base, Betts, Kim, Edman, and if he comes back, Rojas. They do not have a need at his position. If Baltimore even considered trading the kid, they would want either a proven major leaguer or a couple of highly rated prospects.
Don’t believe Glasnow trade hype
Interesting thought… I have doubts that Holiday will ever live up to the hype.
Glasnow’s name is getting bandied about.
I could see him in a blockbuster for Skubal, or perhaps in a blockbuster with the Red Sox for Abreu and Marcelo Meyer as Max’s future successor.
Unless I’m reading the tea leaves wrong, I don’t see the Dodgers doing anything during the winter meeting but get a solid closer.
I think they finally want to give Ward a ST tryout in RF and the corner infield prospects we have to replace//platoon Muncy. 2B should be solid with Kim (.281 BA, 13/14 SB, GG in KBL) or a healthy Edmons. MAYBE the Japanese 3B is he is willing to come to LA.
Uh, Ward does not play RF!
They 100% will add an OF, likely a starter.
ward is trade bait! probably nothing else. it’s a shame he isn’t a top notch defender, if he were he might have a shot. could see ward, emmit , and hope to boston for duran? Too much? Too little? just asking.
He is as good of a defender as Teo if not a little better and he is faster. I watched the kid play a lot. He is better than you give him credit for.
Maybe Sheehan + Ward + Kendall George…
Off to California. You guys have a great day.