The Thlot Plickens

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1. Don’t forget sleeper Ehrhard

   1. Actually, Davalan is ranked higher than Ehrhard, but they are also in the mix.

      1. Surprised that Erdhard is ranked much lower than Davalan, despite the BA. Erdhard hit 14 HRs, stole 37 bases with an 860 OPS in 2A Tulsa and played CF, 1B and 3B in college.
         Davalan is in Ontario at single A with less than 10 games , but the BA and OPS was ridiculous ly high. Maybe both will rise in SP.

      2. Surprised that Erdhard is ranked much lower than Davalan, despite the BA. Erdhard hit 14 HRs, stole 37 bases with an 860 OPS in 2A Tulsa and played CF, 1B and 3B in college.
         Davalan is in Ontario at single A with less than 10 games , but the BA and OPS was ridiculously high. Maybe both will rise in SP.

      3. Davalan is a serious helium guy. Really excited about him. Ehrhard has a lower ceiling but is closer to the show.

      4. And James Tibbs III–can we call him Trip?–is probably the closest to The Show.
         He was a first-round pick by the Giants, got shipped to Boston in the Devers deal, then came to LA in the Dustin May deal. Had a strong season in 2A and should start at Okc while the hotter prospects are at lower levels.
         In addition to OF, he plays 1B
         Mlb.com ranked prospect “tools” and placed Davalan as having second-best hit tool behind DePaula. Quintero rated as the best overall, with strongest arm. Hope tops in power. In addition to being fastest–no surprise–George was praised as second-best fielder behind SS Noah Miller because he can cover so much ground in CF.
         While there’s a lot to hope on here, all of these prospects have good trade value, as do several pitchers. The O’s just packaged four prospects for Shane Baz. What would it take for the Dodgers to net Jarron Duran or Wilyer Abreu or ???

         1. Idle thought…
            I used to be bulllish on Luis Robert Jr as a rehab project. After another disappointing season, he’s more of a rehab project now–but the silver slugger + gold glove talent still exists.
            The acquisition cost has declined–and the White Sox need a lot of help. The Dodgers have a surplus of prospect talent. They could offer five solid prospects who have limited opportunities with the Dodgers. Should the Dodgers take a flyer?
            Worst case: the Dodgers land a quality CF with serious power but poor contact skills. He flops and is replaced by Sirota, Hope or Quintero.
            Best case: a superstar batting cleanup for the next 5-7 years.
            Certainly don’t expect it. But the Dodgers could handle the risk.

            1. From what you said his value has gone down. Could we get him at a lower prospect cost? If so, he may be worth it. The Dodgers are a literal baseball rehab center.

2. Dustin May trade was ridic

3. I can’t wait to see what happens with our OF prospects.

4. I’m not sure that AF & company go into spring training without adding a prominent hitter. whether it’s Bichette, Tucker, Duran, Kwan, or a surprise name nobody’s mentioned yet. Love Tommy Edman. I just see him more as a super utility guy, not an everyday player. And who knows if or even when he’s ready next season. Kike? No clue. Rojas? Valuable yes. but how much production does he have left in his 37 year old body? Call? Had some really good at bats, but is he close to being an impact hitter? Probably not. So yeah, I believe they acquire an impact hitter. Just a question of whom!

   1. We need one. Toronto had a better lineup top to bottom. We had everyone healthy but still went throuhh long flat spells offensively. And we’re older. And we have money. We will add an impact bat.

      1. Over the course of the season, the Dodgers ranked second in runs score and the Blue Jays fourth. The Yankees ranked first.
         The Dodgers hit 53 more HRs than the Jays–and fittingly won game 7 with HRs from Max, Miggy and Smith.
         The Jays’ lineup got hot in the playoffs, especially Springer and Clement. Meanwhile, Andy Pages’ bat disappeared.

5. I’m for signing Bichette as I’ve said all along. Definitely will be an upgrade to the offense and second base. Losing the third and sixth picks in the July draft doesn’t bother me and no further loss of International money by signing him. AF is now dealing at the top of the market with ownership’s blessing.

6. Andrew seems to make up for our lack of early draft picks by selectively trading (fleecing) for other teams undervalued high upside prospects. You have to give a lot of credit to him and his scouting department for some of the kids he has traded for. I don’t think he is worried about losing a couple of draft picks.

   I can’t wait to see who he gets!

   1. 100%

7. The White Sox are in agreement with infielder Munetaka Murakami on a two-year deal worth $34MM, according to a report from ESPN’s Jeff Passan. Passan adds that Murakami is expected to play first base in Chicago.

   1. He ours in 2028!

      1. That was my first thought. If he plays well in Chicago, he could be in position to succeed Max or Freddie.

         1. I worry about his K Rate. We shall see.

8. Part 2 of Ardaya’s mailbag ($$$)
   https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6900026/2025/12/19/dodgers-mookie-betts-roki-sasaki/

   Dalton Rushing needs a development lane. Has there been any discussion of either load managing Will Smith or even running a two-catcher system as they do in ATL? — Jay O.

   First, the Dodgers need to get Dalton Rushing’s swing back to a functional place that doesn’t require everyday at-bats. As of now, it appears that Rushing is set for a similar role as the one he was supposed to have last season. It’s likely not ideal for his development at the plate, but the team is prioritizing continuing his progress in handling a pitching staff first.

   That doesn’t mean they won’t look for more at-bats for Rushing. General manager Brandon Gomes floated the idea of more days off at first base for Freddie Freeman, which is one avenue.

   Thanks for doing this. With the recent hiring of Rocco Baldelli and his experience in the front office and on the field, what type of projects do you think he will be involved with? Is this a one-year relationship, or do you see it expanding beyond the 2026 season? — Paul D.

   The term “special assistant” is usually vague, and that’s because the role tends to be just that. It can mean a lot of things depending on who it is. Jose Vizcaino and Ron Roenicke, for example, are a regular presence at Dodger Stadium, almost as an additional member of the coaching staff.

   Chris Archer spent his first few days in the front office in the suite at the Winter Meetings alongside Gomes, getting a feel for planning meetings as much as dealing with player development staffing decisions. Raúl Ibañez will pop in and out of the ballpark and is a more regular presence around the postseason, but is someone whom Andy Pages bounced ideas off of in his breakout year. You’ll see Tyson Ross observing bullpen sessions in spring training.

   I’d expect Rocco Baldelli to be around this season. I also would not be shocked whatsoever if he’s interviewing for managerial openings next October.

   1. Do the Dodgers really “need” another proven bat? Last season, they had the second-best offense in the majors behind the Yankees–even Conforto dragging them down. (The Blue Jays were fourth-best.) Age should cause some regression, but the incumbents also have unrealized potential.
      Consider:
      –Pages is streaky. He was in the all-star chatter before his second-half slump. He should improve.
      –Mookie’s illness led to a slow start. But he finished strong and should hit better this season–though it seems foolish to expect superstar numbers now.
      –Rushing, who hit down with Conforto in ’25, could become a (part-time) force if he gets more ABs, perhaps by providing Freddie with regular rest, which could help Freddie as well.
      –Kim hasn’t had a fair shot to prove himself. He batted a solid .280 with an OPS of .699, which was higher than his UT peers Edman and Kike. With more ABs, he would also have more opportunity to use his speed.
      –With good health, Edman could bounce back toward his career norm.
      –Ryan Ward could be a pleasant, late-blooming surprise–but he probably only plays if the Dodgers decide to keep Pages in center and Teo in right.

      Contrary to Mark’s suggestion, Teo doesn’t need a platoon partner as his splits are close to even. In a “down” year, he still hit 25 HRs and knocked in 89 runs, while missing 28 games.
      Being Dodgers fans, we covet more talent, with Bichette, Tucker, Belli as FA targets and Duran and others on the trade market.
      But simply replacing Conforto with a glove-first centerfielder would significantly improve the team. The Dodgers have already done that by picking up Siani.

      1. Last year was a down year for Teo, as his OPS was close to the same from both sides of the plate, but for his career, his OPS for LHP is over 100 points higher than RHP.

         1. I don’t think the Dodgers can go into the season with Ward and Call in left.

            Even Conforto offered more optimism, and he was awful. Ward has never hit MLB pitching, and Call is a platoon waiting to happen. Too much volatility and uncertainty in that pair.

            Very doubtful that it’ll be a high-ticket item, but it has to be something. I’m looking for something analogous to Conforto, just hoping for better results.

            1. Ward could be a late bloomer. One reason he has never hit ML pitching is that he has never had the chance. Murakami just signed a $34 million contract amid doubt about his ability to hit velocity.
               Certainly Ward bloomed late in the minors. Remember, the Blue Jays’ roster included an outfielder, Nathan Lukens, who needed 9-10 years to reach The Show.
               I think the Dodgers, with current roster options, would still be favored to reach the World Series. Assuming Edman’s ankle is OK, the OF could read Teo-Edman-Pages. That would be a clear upgrade over Conforto-Pages-Teo.
               If Edman isn’t fully healed, then perhaps Call/Ward-Pages-Teo. (Management may be OK keeping Teo in RF and making late-inning defensive substitution.)
               If that doesn’t work out, the Dodgers could address it with a mid-season trade. While I wanted AF to deal for Kwan, Cleveland’s price was reportedly too high. AF pivoted for a half-measure in dealing for Call.
               That said, I still think a deal for Duran, Abreu, Robert Jr or Buxton makes a lot of sense, and that Ward could be flipped for a prospect.
               I doubt that Teo gets traded. But one baseball site projects Yoshida as the DH for the Red Sox. Teo would be a big upgrade over Yoshida.

            2. “Analogous to Conforto” might be a one-year overpay for Bader, which could make sense for the Dodgers.
               But Bader supposedly is seeking the security of a 3-year contract.
               Dodgers have already upgraded through the subtraction of Conforto. They could certainly improve their OF but it might cost them a pitcher they’d prefer to keep.

9. Murakami signed a 2-year deal with the White Sox

10. Awful news. RIP James Ransone, Ziggy Sobotka on The Wire.

    An all-time great character.

    June 2, 1979 – December 19, 2025

    1. One wonders if his ability to embody anxiety, volatility, or moral collapse without blinking contributed to his demise.

11. Dodgers Re-Sign Carlos Duran To Minor League Contract

12. The Dodgers absolutely need a “proven “ bat! The offense needs a bit of a facelift! A type “A”. Hitter like Bichette injected into that lineup would breathe life into a sometimes listless lineup. Hit him 3rd. Hit him 5th . Hit him anywhere in the lineup! Personally, I would take him over Tucker. Probably cheaper too. Max will b 35. With his injury history , how much can they count on him for an entire season? Dalton can get plenty of bats catching, backing up Freddie, backing up Teo. Kim becomes even more valuable . He can play 3 infield positions, pinch run, even play some outfield. Miguel is probably just a second baseman for the most part. Call ? Part time at best. So yeah , Bichette is the perfect addition for the dodgers!

    1. I like it all.

       1. The Dodger offense was aweful the 2nd half of the season and through October. That’s just not a slump. It’s an issue and this team is another year older. It would be a shame to waste our brilliant pitching and a threepeat because of a weak offense. Sign a big bat!

          1. Yep, we have the prospect but they need 1-2 more years before they make a major impact. One more hit of FA juice then we quit!

          2. Pre-All-Star OPS was .776.

             Post-All-Star OPS was .755.

             Of course, a lot of that was injury-induced: Smith, Freeman, Teo, Kike, Edman, Muncy, et al.

             Still, a younger outfielder would most likely help.

             I think we may see one of the Dodgers outfield prospects this year.

             1. It’s the prudent way to go to see some of the highly regarded outfield prospects this year than to sign Kyle Tucker. Bo Bichette as I have said all a long makes the most sense at second base. Nobody believed me when I said AF should sign Edwin Diaz. AF has the blessing of ownership to shop at the top of the market that enhances our chances for a three peat.

             2. Can we get one full year of Muncy being healthy before he is no longer a Dodger?

             3. I keep hoping that one of the young OF prospects has a breakthrough.
                It’s happened for other teams with other guys….
                The age issue is one reason my thoughts circle back toward Luis Robert Jr. .
                He’s sort of like Buxton in terms of talent and injury risk, but about 3-4 years younger. Buxton is 32 and Robert 28. B
                uxton has had more recent success, however. Seems like more of a sure thing to me.
                Crazy to think that the Dodgers might be able to add one of those via trade–and also write a fat check for Bichette.
                Should we be pigs?

    2. I like Bichette, but let’s remember that the Dodgers had MLB’s second-best offense last season, trailing only the Yankees.
       But another proven bat would be fun.

13. Contreras traded to the Red Sox by the Cardinals.

    1. Be that as it may, AF signed Teo to be a full-time player–and that is precisely the role he’s played…. until he gets subbed out for defensive purposes.
       Besides, 100 points really isn’t that much when so many players have wider splits. If Teo hits .850 from one side and .750 from the other, would we be upset?

       For a while, I was keen on idea of trading Teo if it could help bring in a young rising star like Wilyer Abreu , but simply moving him to LF would help a lot. Could Rushing be used more in LF? Perhaps–but he was never put out there when Conforto was struggling.
       Giving Rushing 20 of Freddie’s starts might help both players. Plus, it would be fun to be able use Freddie as a pinch hitter in a close game.

14. I keep hoping that two of the young OF prospects has a breakthrough but I want that breakthrough to be now via trade. I’d gladly have a CFer today rather than 2 tomorrow. I’ll add a pitcher to get that CFer.

15. GO COLTS!!!!

    1. I’m not confident!

       1. What about Alabama vs. Indiana?

          1. I’m confident!

             IU is going to Roll the Tide!

             1. I love three games with actual importance on New Year’s Day!

16. I want to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas. I hope you have a wonderful day filled with love and family. I will be heading back to Colorado this Saturday. Be safe and enjoy.

    1. You too Bear!!

       Safe Travels

    2. Merry Christmas Bear!

17. Passan:

    Full trade, per ESPN sources:

    A’s receive: Jeff McNeil and $5.75 million (to help cover his $15.75 million salary; the Mets also would pay his $2 million buyout if his option isn’t exercised)

    Mets receive: RHP Yordan Rodriguez

    1. The Mets got only a 17 year pitcher in return and paid part of McNeil’s salary to be rid of him. A bad clubhouse guy according to all reports on NY sports shows and in the newspapers.

       1. So glad I’m not a Mets fan…

18. Merry Christmas Bear! Be safe, we need your knowledge and insight here! Everyone have a wonderful holiday. I’m thinking I want Bichette under my blue Christmas tree!!

19. Ryan O’Hear to Pittsburgh on a 2-year deal.

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