Since my wife and I started US Systems in our garage 18 years ago, we have never both been able to be gone for more than 4 or 5 days due to the demands of it. However, in the past two years, we have hired 5 vice-presidents in Sales, Finance, Marketing, Engineering, and Operations from the corporate world. This is the first time we have been able to be gone this long.
The past two weeks have marked the longest we have ever been on vacation. Now, mind you, I am not complaining… we have been to amazing places for business… and a little pleasure. It also marks the longest we have been away from our youngest child, who is 20 (he’s the one on the right). Since he was born, he has always been with us, except for maybe a weekend. It was a new experience for all of us.
It was a great two weeks that started in Fisherman’s Wharf and finally meeting Jeff Dominique and his wife as well as Evan Bladh. WE watched the 49’ers and the Packer at my step-son’s house and had dinner and breakfast with them. I highly recommend the Argonaut Hotel. We spent six days at the Hyatt Regency Waikiki, right on the beach. I very much recommend it. We had a great time.
Then, it was back to Napa for two days of wine tasting and dinner with some of my wife’s old friends (she’s from SF). We sent two cases of wine back to Indy and we got back at 11 PM on Tuesday night. I was in the office at 7 AM on Wednesday and Patty and I headed to the Pacer Game to see Victor Oladipo’s return after over a year of rehab from injury. Little did we know how much the game would be about Kobe Bryant and have a fairy tale ending.
Kobe, Kobe, Kobe
Before the game started, there was a 24-second moment of silence for Kobe Bryant and Gianna and my wife said she couldn’t stop crying. When the buzzer sounded, the crowd started chanting “Kobe, Kobe, Kobe.” The Bulls won the tip and immediately put the ball on the ground as all the players stood quietly waiting for the 24-second clock to wind-down. At the end of the 24-second clock, the crowd started chanting “Kobe, Kobe, Kobe.”
Next, the Pacers took the ball out and did the exact same thing and as the 24-second clock wound down, the near-sellout crowd started chanting “Kobe, Kobe, Kobe.” In Indiana, we know basketball and appreciate the greatness of Kobe Bryant.
Midway in the first quarter, Victor made his debut. If you don’t like Vic, you just don’t like people. The crowd all held up yellow signs welcoming # 4 back, but if we expected Superman, we were disappointed. The Pacers played uninspired basketball all night, turnovers and missed shots that they normally would have made. Maybe they were hoping for the obviously rusty Oladipo to take over.
Behind by seven points, they chipped away until Vic (who was 0-6 at the time from 3-point range) hit a 30-foot jumper to tie the game and send it into overtime. He did not play in OT as he is on a minutes limit, but the Pacers played like their hair was on fire and won by a 115-106 score. Victor was obviously overwhelmed and credited Mamba Mentality for the shot.
You have to love Victor Oladipo. What a night and he had Kike and Gigi’s initials on his shoes in honor of them.
Now Back to Dodger Baseball
- Not surprisingly the Dodgers outfield was ranked #1 in the NL West by MLB.com. Even Ray Charles can see that.
- Scott Kazmir has been working with Driveline Baseball over the winter and plans a comeback three years after his last game. I have no opinion…
- Of course, Andrew Friedman is interested in Lindor, Clevinger, and Betts… he’s just not going to make a dope-fiend move. It’s a waiting game and if and when the Indians and Red Sox drop their asking price, he may be inclined to play.
- I am very excited about the current Dodger’s pitching staff with Mark Prior, Josh Bard, Rob Hill, and Driveline Baseball. I am not sure which arms will go where and not all reclamation projects may be successful, but I think enough will that the results will be amazing!
- How far has Yasiel Puig sunk? Maybe the Marlins will sign him for fun.
- Less than two weeks until pitchers and catchers report….
Hate to bring this up again, but I just read an article on The Athletic about an Astros Fan who listened to every at bat during the 2017 Hou home games and that there were over 1100 bangs during the season. It seemed to go away after the ChiSox game in which Danny Farquhar complained about the sound. This is a great read and when I clicked on this site….mind blown http://signstealingscandal.com/players/. The players who benefitted the most, bangs per game.
Great article Mark. Congratulations on the time off as someone that is also in a service industry, I too have had to sacrifice lack of family and travel time for the business. It was not until recent hires which I have gone through like a kid goes through diapers to find the right fits that I may have a couple employees that may work out. Hopefully in the near future I will be able to take 2 weeks off, and enjoy more family time.
As much as I dislike how our off-season has gone with the lack of picking up a 2nd Ace, I agree with you and appreciate AF patience. I too hope that as soon as the price drops swoop in and get that Star. Hopefully with all the heartbreaking endured from 17-18 ownership and AF come up with a plan to bring us the coveted WS championship we have lacked since 88. Now back to refreshing my Twitter.
The bangs stopped when they switched to buzzers. This is going to come out soon…
More will certainly come out. Players will continue to switch teams like Fiers, players will get released, etc and people will talk. I’m sure Dodgers players will be asking Tyler White a lot of questions. Altuve was one of the lowest on the bang chart. He was rumored to wear a buzzer or pulsating band-aid.
I’m just guessing the Dodgers don’t have much going with the Indians. But the Betts rumors are increasing and maybe getting somewhat serious. Friedman added fuel to the fire at fan fest.
Nobody apparently is biting on Price, no surprise there, so it would appear that the only option available, if the Red Sox are serious about getting under the cap, is trading Betts.
Interesting interview with Alex Wood. He was told he would start, the reason he opted to sign with LA.
Jimmy Nelson expects to be used in different roles.
Alex Wood’s signing I think would really preclude us from taking Price in a Betts deal, unless the price was really really right (man, i’m funny)
I still think we’ll get our co ace in July, so no need to worry or fret about it now. Get Betts now. Get deGrom in July. Get me a ring in October
Vanessa Bryant insta post last night was powerful. I, as a single dude, can’t begin to imagine what she’s going thru. I”m sure those of you on this board who have spouses and kids don’t want to imagine what she’s going thru. How on earth do you mourn a spouse AND a child at the same time??
I’ve been through it. Woke up one day in the hospital and my father was gone. It brought back a lot of memories. I feel for that family and it breaks my heart that the two little ones will never really know their Dad. My son threw a complete game against a Nebraska team in a USSSA World Series a couple of years ago. There was a time when he was younger, came in with the bases loaded and two outs during our state tournament in the middle of a California rules extra inning game and struck out the opponent allowing us to win by one. Each time I thought I wish my Dad was hear to see this and brought me to tears. The Bryants as well as the families of the others lost in the crash will battle with those same feelings. It’s tough. It certainly motivated me to take my daughter to the Iowa-Wisconsin game the other night.
That’s awesome about taking your daughter to the game. Hope you had fun!
Olney putting the likelihood of the Dodgers getting Betts at 8.5 on a 1 (not getting) to a 10 (getting him) scale. Would love to see Betts in a Dodger uniform but unless he is signed for a multi-year deal, the Dodgers will not part with top tier minor league talent.
I can see a trade involving Joc, Stripling, maybe Kenta and some minor league pieces. Would allow the Red Sox to be freed of the 27 million owed to Betts this year and still get some talent that can contribute at the ML level right now. If this deal happens it will be in the next 10 days, certainly before players start to arrive at CBR. Can’t see AF making the trade in the middle of ST.
If the Dodgers pull it off I hope they can do it without having to take David Price.
Allowing the Red Sox to be freed of the 27 million owed to Betts is EXCEPTIONAL positioning.
Orel Hershiser: “If Canseco, McGwire, Parker, and all those guys in Oakland would’ve know what was coming with me… I would not be a bulldog, I would be a chihuahua. They changed LIVES “
The Athletic has this to say about a Betts trade:
https://theathletic.com/1571208/?source=twitterhq&redirected=1
The article offers two lineups. One with and one without Betts. They say the one w/o Betts is so strong that it mitigates how much Friedman will offer.
Here is a lineup the Dodgers could unveil on Opening Day:
Mookie Betts, RF
Max Muncy, 1B
Justin Turner, 3B
Cody Bellinger, CF
Joc Pederson, LF
Corey Seager, SS
Gavin Lux, 2B
Will Smith, C
“The Dodgers are not incentivized to take on Price’s money just to land Betts. Want to know why? Let me show you something else. Here is another lineup the Dodgers could unveil on Opening Day:”
Pederson, RF
Muncy, 1B
Turner, 3B
Bellinger, CF
Seager, SS
Lux, 2B
Verdugo, LF
Smith, C
“The lineup featuring Betts is better. Obviously. But either lineup would be the most dangerous in the National League West. Either lineup would likely be the best in the entire National League.”
So we are basically deciding on whether we want Betts over Verdugo. Verdugo is under team control for another what 5/6 years and Betts is a 1 year rental. How much more production are we going to get out of Betts over Verdugo this coming season? And if Betts does produce more than Verdugo, is it worth the cost in players to be traded to the Red Sox?
This Betts crap to the Dodgers is scaring the hell out of me. I hate this rumor.
Betts is a top 5 player in baseball. Verdugo isn’t. And very likely won’t ever be. Nothing against Verdugo, who I really like, and who I hope we keep over Joc to play LF, but very few players will ever get to Mookie Betts level. He’s that good.
Betts is that good with cheating Cora on his side.
Look at Adam’s post below.
Welcome back Mark. Glad you had a nice vacation with your family. Great that you had the opportunity to have lunch with one of my favorite writers, AC.
If Boston trades Betts… and Betts alone, not Price, then I can see them taking very little salary back. Certainly not Pollock or Pederson or Maeda. The Dodgers won’t include Lux or May, so I would guess a deal would look like Peters, Hernandez, Gonsolin, and Ruiz. That would save them $23 million and they would have someone who could play RF this year (Kike) and years to come (Peters). I hate trading Gonsolin more than Ruiz. I think Boston would do that, but I’d rather include Stripling instead of Gonsolin.
I’d probably do that. Reluctantly.
That is a high price for one year of Betts. I could definitely see DJ doing some serious damage in Fenway. Red Sox have Christian Vázquez locked up through 2022, so I wouldn’t be surprised if Jeter Downs was involved instead of Ruiz.
It would certainly be a smart move for the Red Sox. I’d hate to see DJ and Gonsolin gone. But given that Trout and Yelich aren’t available, that is the best possible player to plug in to the outfield in the Ravine. Even if only for one season.
Mark I am with you on the replacing gonsolin with stripling’s, also do not even think of adding JO JO Gray.
The Dodger outfield would then include Pederson, Verdugo, Pollock, Bellinger, Betts, and Taylor. I’m guessing Verdugo gets included if it’s just Betts.
But if Price is included then Pollock, Kelly, Maeda are in play.
If Betts is traded to us and has a great season will AF go all and sign him? Say 10 years and 375 mil
I’d give a “definite maybe” on that!
I’d love Mookie on board but let’s wait to next year when it’s only money.
I’d rather try and get Arenado out of Colorado now, and add Betts next season (or at the TD).
That situation intrigues me.
It appears to me that he is trying to force his way out of there.
It’s as if, having signed that deal last off season, that he’s had a terrible year of non contending with the Rox, and he’s realised that they ain’t gonna be any good any time soon.
He had a full No Trade clause, and an opt out after 21. I think that he doesn’t want to wait and waste those two years, and that he wants to be on a contender now.
He is a Dodger fan, and had stated that he wants to play for us.
I think he’s trying to force a move to the Dodgers. He has seen that JT has said he’d go to 1B for his final season. He knows we are gonna need a 3B in a year, and we don’t have have anyone in the system.
He knows we have the prospects.
He will be aware that AF wants to make a splash this off season.
He can easily agree to waive the Opt Out in 21.
It’s seems that he is making himself untenable at the Rox – almost burning all his bridges, even with the fans.
Do they really want the Face of the Franchise looking miserable?
He holds the cards. He can veto a move anywhere.
The Rox won’t want to trade him
within the division, but might not have any choice.
What would it take, bearing in mind they have a very unhappy Superstar earning a lot of money for a lot of years?
For me, anyone not named May.
Lux, KBear, Big Tone.
An Infield of JT, Seagar & Arenado, with Muncy at 2B would be amazing.
We would be getting him through his Prime years.
Pete, missing your Wit – hope you’re ok mate?
I like Arnado too, but for his career here are his Home and Away Splits:
Coors: .324 BA .380 OB% .615 Slg% .995 OPS
Away: .265 BA .323 OB% .476 Slg % .799 OPS
He is not the same player on the road. Coors really helps some players and he’s one.
I think playing at Coors helps when they are at home and hurts when they are on the road. That was the case for DJ LeMahieu after he left CO.
Good information Mark. I didn’t know/look at that.
I’m a NO on Arnado.
Arenado was .277 with .521 slugging % last on the road last year while playing GG defense. I thought if Coors helped anyone it was DJLM and he’s done fine and so would Arenado. Playing in Denver takes a toll on your body. He would still be a force.
If the Dodgers were to get Betts, I could see a “trickle-down” effect whereby Joc gets traded.
1. Verdugo LF
2. Betts RF
3. Bellinger CF
4. Muncy 1B
5. Turner 3B
6. Seager SS
7. Smith C
8. Lux 2B
That is a “fearsome” lineup.
Flip Joc for a pitcher.
Love that lineup Mark and I would NOT change where they are in the lineup. PRINT THE TICKETS NOW!!!!!!!
Sounds like scenarios have been discussed where they take on Price’s money or do a deal without including Price. Anything involving Price would have to allow the Dodgers to get out of Pollock’s deal, but also limit the prospects going that direction. I would be open to either. Boston has to be able to sell a move to their fans though.
~
In a move without Price included the Dodgers would have to move either Verdugo or Pederson. I would be okay with moving Verdugo as much as I don’t want to. He’s got a back issue and for those of us who have had back issues they can pop up and return at any moment. Having a platoon of Joc and Pollock in LF isn’t the worst thing in the world either. Joc hit 36 bombs last year. His HR per AB is right near Pete Alonso’s.
I would prefer to take Price and Betts for Pederson, Pollock, Peters, Stripling, and Ruiz.
That’s enough for taking all that salary.
Boston could still be competitive with Strip, Joc, and AJ, and get two top prospects.
This is where they go back over the salary cap.
What Price does is gravy.
I’m still guessing this if Price is included:
Pollock and Kelly for Price.
Maeda and Verdugo for Betts.
Pollock = $12M AAV through 2023
Kelly = $8.3M AAV through 2023
Price = $32M AAV through 2022
Dodgers would add about $12M AAV
Betts = $27M AAV through 2020
Maeda – $7M AAV through 2023 (estimated)
Dodgers would add about $20M AAV
Total increase for Dodgers = $32M less Verdugo’s AAV
LouMerloni says the Redsox offered Mookie Betts a 10 years, $300M deal in the 2019 offseason. Mookie countered with 12 years, $420M.
Do you actually think Betts is worth that and more importantly do you think Friedman is going to offer anything like those figures to Betts?
Betts is a 1 year rental. THAT’S IT.
So,you compromise in the middle: 10 Years $350
Maybe he just wants the hell out of Boston. He would be the first African-American player to want out of that town.
How good is Mookie Betts when he doesn’t know what pitch is coming??
After Cora arrived in Boston Betts’ OPS is about .950.
Before Cora arrived it was about about .840.
I’ll just keep Verdugo, thanks.
Good information Adam. I didn’t know/look at that.
I’m with you, I’ll keep Verdugo, thanks.
I would not include Verdugo in a trade for one year of Betts. Period. But, in 2016 (without Cora in the dugout) Betts slashed .318 / .363 / .534 / .897 – and a 133 OPS+ Pretty good numbers for a 23 year old player. When he was 22 he had a .820 OPS and a 117 OPS+.
That was the first full year the ball being Juiced, it started in 2015 after the all star break. Betts had his best year in 2018 when they were accused of cheating.
Boston’s system wasn’t the same as Houston’s. From what I’ve heard it was only when there were runners on 2nd nor was it running during the 2018 postseason because there was MLB reps all over the dugouts. We shall find out soon though.
I hope like hell the swap with a Boston never happens. One year with Betts over how many years with Verdugo? Also, last year was Betts best year. When did Boston cheat? If we trade for Betts, we may just have bought a “pig in a poke”.
Word is out that the ** have to give their drum to the dodgers as part of their penance. Betts should be just fine in LA.
I also heard that players that wore buzzers will now wear electric dog collars and pitchers will be in charge of the remotes.
Bum, you’re brilliant
I love some of the people and subject matters on this board.
Two years ago one poster (I can’t remember who) saw Verdugo for ONE game. I think he didn’t run out a grounder and for NINE MONTHS people on this board resonated on his attitude.
Now the uninformed here (myself included, without a doubt) wouldn’t give Verdugo up for Mookie Betts? A top five player?
We need to get a collective grip here.
I also want to go on the record, that it’s with baited breath that I await the pivot from complaining about inactivity to whining about giving up prospects
Not me… I’m pure as the driven rain!
😉
So Mark you are pure as the driven rain, But who’s doing the driving.
Your friends might prefer you wait for the pivot with a fresher breath. Bluto, sorry, I couldn’t resist.
Bated Breath!
😉
Buster Olney was just on ESPN 710 in LA. He really believes Mookie will be a Dodger very soon.
Things are getting interesting!
I wonder if getting Betts will lead to other big trades? Arenado, Lindor,…
I’m sure they’re going through variations of who would be in the trade package. This may be pretty much settled. At this stage, it may just hinge on Red Sox ownership giving the okay. I just can’t see them taking on Price’s contract. Who actually knows if Price is healthy? Some concerning history. The Dodgers apparently have long term interest in Betts. Since it’s just a one year deal, the prospects or players going back will not include Gavin Lux or Dustin May. I can see the Dodgers absorbing the entire contract for Betts.
When you say absorbing the entire contract for Betts, do you mean the Dodgers would only trade prospects for him?
Yes. The reported goal of the Red Sox is getting under the cap so unless the trade is expanded to include another Boston player or two, it would certainly make sense to trade for just prospects from the Red Sox perspective. It could certainly include low cost players like Verdugo, although I would rather keep him. There was some talk that other Red Sox players could be included. I wouldn’t be surprised, if that happens. We’ve seen Friedman do that before.
I would take Price’s contract to be able to unload Pollock. Sorry Bum, I don’t see them taking Kelly too. However, if I can unload Pollock and lower how much I’m sending them in prospects I’m at least interested.
I can still hope though. Let’s leave it in the ether.
Pure speculation on my part: Maybe AF is waiting to announce any trade(s) in deference to the tributes and accolades surrounding Kobe, not wanting to take away from the attention.
Rudy, that thought had crossed my mind too.
What an idiot AF is ! How can he give up all that for just one year of Betts! We were better off when he didn’t do anything! Just getting ready!
I wasn’t aware the trade had been consummated.
So lets say we trade for Betts tomorrow. What if the MLB investigation determines that the Sox did actually do bad stuff with stealing signs and, even if it did not happen in the 2018 World Series, Betts took part in it.
Now fast forward two weeks to Spring Training. What does Betts’ welcome to the clubhouse look like?
We know that AF is very careful about how the guys on the roster mix and function together. How can he trade for Betts without knowing how involved he might have been in sign stealing?
Because there is ZERO point ZERO chance of that happening?
Are you saying no chance of AF not knowing whether Betts was involved?
Not sure if I understand your reply to my question.
They aren’t going to give the Astros players immunity and not the Red Sox players when the investigation took place almost simultaneously.
I’m not talking about immunity which I agree they will give the Sox players. I’m talking about knowing that Betts did it.
How would the Dodger clubhouse feel if the Dodgers traded for Altuve or Bregman tomorrow? I really don’t know. Just wondering, but somehow I don’t think they’d be very happy to see them, even as great as they are.
To be clear, there is ZERO chance the Dodgers dugout will not be thrilled with getting Mookie Betts, Altuve or Bregman
In any realistic circumstance. That said, there would be a problem if they would come out and say:
I hate the Dodgers, I love to cheat against the Dodgers and Kobe Bryant deserved to die.
Needless to say that will not happen.
Which he won’t nor will
Interesting that you think there would be 100% acceptance of Betts (assuming it was proven he actually did something).
After the statements a number of the guys have made recently about the Astros, I think it would be a little hypocritical to welcome him without reservation, but then everyone knows that winning means everything and he would certainly improve their chances of winning.
I don’t see players named. Beltran played a huge roll and I believe if he weren’t retired and becoming a manager his name would have never been put out there.
No to Betts and no to Price.
Betts only hit .217 against us in the World Series . If forced to take one or the other I would rather have Price with the Red Sox eating lots of cash as Price has performed in the 2 world series he has been in.
And, we keep Joc’s 35- 45 homers this year along with Kenta’s lights out in the bullpen come October .
Cmon K mon. Who would want one of the five best players in all of baseball? What are we trying to do? Win a WS?
I like what we got, unless he can pitch like an
Ace in October, I’m not interested .
Momentum growing Betts will be a Dodger with Olney now saying he’d bet the family farm in Vermont a deal is done before the start of ST. Absolutely love it if the deal is indeed completed, even if it involves Verdugo. Betts is a top 5 MLB talent, a stud RH bat with exceptional speed. He immediately elevates us to the top of the MLB rankings . Getting this deal done without having to give up Lux, May, Gonsolin would be huge. Hate to see Jeter Downs, Josiah Gray leave the organization, but you’ve got to give up something to get something.
I’d give up Gonsolin before I’d give up Gray.
same
I would not deal with Boston or Houston because of their cheating. A cheater has no place in the Dodger club house.
I can believe giving to get, but for one year I am not including Gray. And my thinking is Betts goes back to bosox in 2021.
Is there still bowling alleys in L.A.?
Of course. They are everywhere.
That strikes me as an odd question.
Can you spare a minute, or is your mind in the gutter?
Just asking….
😉
I expect most LADT readers have seen these articles but some may not have. Dusty says no cheating on his watch.
https://sports.yahoo.com/inside-one-astros-fan-quest-to-do-the-unthinkable-prove-his-team-cheated-sign-stealing-155724616.html
http://signstealingscandal.com/
Latest from Boston beat reporter:
LAD have the best current big leaguer in play (Verdugo), SD offering the best prospect (Campusano) as well as the most pieces but less financial relief due to Myers. LAD could also broaden talks to include Price, but that would diminish Sox return.