For years, Dodgers blogs have been a sacred place where Dodger fans went to lament their fate, cry in their beer, pontificate how bad the team, coaches, managers, general managers, and owners were, and generally write about how they could do a better job than whoever happened to be in charge.
When Andrew Friedman was hired by the Dodgers as President of Baseball Operations, he was greeted with jeers, smears, and tears. The second he was hired he was hated like he was a serial killer and a very high percentage of Dodger fans set out to make sure he failed just like they knew he would. The thing is… he didn’t fail, but it took about five years before many of the gloom and doom fans finally became aware of that fact.
Mind you, they didn’t want to acknowledge it. They wanted to Damn Everything Friedman. Even when the facts indicated otherwise, they talked about him like he was a dog… no… they talked about him like he was a mangy cur. They talked and they talked and they talked… until they couldn’t. Well, the really stupid ones still talk… that’s why they are really stupid! I can’t fix stupid and I don’t even try, but the Blogs who bash Friedman and the Dodgers are becoming dinosaurs – extinct!
When did it all change? Well, it actually happened pretty quickly. On January 3, 2020, Rob Manfred announced that the Asstericks cheated the Dodgers out of the 2017 World Series and then, a little over 30 days later, Friedman acquired Mookie Betts, David Price, and Brusdar Graterol to “one-up” the Yankees who acquired Gerrit Cole.
All of a sudden it became clear that the Dodgers would have likely won the 2017 World Series had it not been for the dirty, lowdown, cheating and lying Asstericks! Then to nail it all down, Friedman acquired one of the Top 5 players in baseball, a proven starter, and a future closer. Also, some of the moves by Dave Roberts that Dodger fans questioned may not be what they appeared to be in light of the cheating.
Yes, Andrew Friedman is killing Dodger Blogs. It’s a proven fact that when the Dodgers are doing good, there’s not much for the naysayers to talk about. At every blog, including LA Dodger Talk, there are fewer comments when the Dodgers win than when they lose. Losing brings out the misery and misery loves company, and therein lies the problem. There just ain’t much misery today and today is a great day to be a Dodger fan.
I hope you all will join me in rooting the Dodgers to their first World Championship in 32 years. It should be the second… not the first. This one just helps right a wrong! I am going to have a chip on my shoulder the rest of this season and I am certain that it’s about as big as the ones on the shoulders of the Dodgers.
Disclaimer: I do not think Andrew Friedman is perfect. He’s made some mistakes (AJ Pollock is one I see… but some disagree). No, he’s not perfect… but he’s the best I have seen in my lifetime. What the Dodgers are doing with their pitching staff and the help they get on the hitting side is incredible! Player development is at an all-time high!
Roster Moves
The Dodgers have optioned Keibert Ruiz, Zach McKinstry, DJ Peters & Luke Raley and have reassigned Brett de Geus, Jacob Amaya, and Omar Estevez, to minor league camp. I don’t agree with sending McKinstry down, so I am still proceeding forward with 2B is McKinstry’s to lose. In 27 AB’s Zach is OPS’ing 1.226 while in the exact same number of AB’s Lux is at .644. Let it play out the next two weeks… if Lux wins the job, so be it. But right about now, the job should go to Zach.
What Will the Roster Look Like?
I can safely say that there will be 13 pitchers and 13 position players and (barring injury) most are easy to figure out.
Position Players
- Will Smith
- Austin Barnes
- Max Muncy
- Kike Hernandez
- Zach McKinstry (I’m not throwing him back)
- Corey Seager
- Chris Taylor
- Justin Turner
- AJ Pollock
- Cody Bellinger
- Mookie Betts
- Edwin Rios
- Matt Beaty
I am betting that Joc Pederson starts on the IL…. and I could be very wrong. I am also thinking that Austin Barnes could be the Opening Day Catcher. I’ll even predict the Opening Day lineup:
- Betts RF
- Bellinger CF
- Turner 3B
- Muncy 1B
- Seager SS
- Beaty LF
- McKinstry 2B (No I won’t give it up… yet!)
- Barnes C
- Kershaw P
Pitchers:
This is a little less certain and some of it depends upon what the Dodger Brass wants for certain pitchers. Dustin May will stay on a Starters path and go to OKC, but Tony Gonsolin is in question. Will he stay a starter and go to OKC or become a multi-inning reliever? He’s ready…. now! Here’s my best guess:
- Kershaw
- Buehler
- Price
- Urias
- Wood
- Stripling
- Ferguson
- Alexander (short leash)
- Graterol
- Baez
- Treinen
- Kelly
- Jansen
Them there’s my thoughts. Pick ’em apart!
Today’s Music
Tonight’s Game: Celtics at Pacers
It’s crunch time. I’ll be at Bankers’ Life Fieldhouse tonight with bells on… My son-in-law is a Celtics fan, so it should be fun. This photo is from the last game… Our friends are pastors of a church we used to attend. Bobby, if the Pacers play the Lakers in the Finals, I have a ticket for you!
Fun 1 Minute Video
We did the Winterfest in Indy which is where people pay $80 to come in and drink craft beer from about 100 breweries. Of course, we supply the water treatment for the breweries all across the world, but at this event, we supplied the water to drink. We hooked up a big Commercial Reverse Osmosis System and produced all the water they needed without a bunch of empty plastic bottles clogging our ecosystem.
Discussion (89)
Disagree, not disagreeable
I doubt it. Cleveland will probably hold on to him until at least the deadline. With 1 more year after this on his contract. Problem would be the salary. He is getting a bunch
I wonder if AF was back in touch with Cleveland today? Could Lindor play 2B on short notice (or 3B, if Turner moved to 1B and Muncy to his preferred 2B)? Cleveland needs outfielders, right?
Joe Broussard was released. One other minor league pitcher, Connor Strain was also released. I really thought Broussard was going to be a good addition to the team, but over the last year he faded a lot.
Well, the Pacers lost, but it was a great game… Victor is very close to being all the way back. He had 27 but was tired at the end. Patience…
Teaser for tomorrow….
Steely Dan – Hey Nineteen (1981) from MUNROW'S RETRO on VIMEO on Vimeo.
My old school – Steely Dan TKV from Mike N. Ike on Vimeo.
Great read this morning AC!
I am a huge Friedman admirer. He is playing chess while we are looking at a checker board. I had questions when he did the Puig/Wood trade for prospects but now looking back it was genius. I would not be surprised if he traded Wood again for prospects,the gift keeps giving.
I like your 26 man roster. Better to play Lux in AAA till there is more room on the bench up here.
If the Angels wanted to win this year and beyond, they should consider trading Abel for Gonsolin, Alexander, Floro, Rios, and McKinstry. Yes I realize if Betts re-signs with Dodgers, Joc won’t be.
Thanks for posting that Athletic article on Rios, Mark. I’m going to have to re-think my opinion of him. As Rios himself points out in the article, a lot of people seem to think he’s always been a big, lumbering first baseman. I was amazed to read that back in 2013 he was actually considered a good-fielding shortstop. That makes me think he ought to be able to play a decent third base. If that’s the case, maybe he becomes JT’s caddy over there instead of Beaty although I’d really like to see Beaty make the OD roster because he’s a very good pinch hitter. I’ll be interested to see how this all plays out. Still wouldn’t mind seeing Kike sent somewhere where he can play more often and help himself in his contract year. That would leave openings for both Rios and Beaty and we, of course, have CT3 who can cover everything that Kike does.
FanGraphs has an interesting article on the three batter rule. It also links a The Athletic article on the same subject. The Athletic article is a few days old, so it may have been posted already. I’m in finals week, so I haven’t been here much recently.
https://blogs.fangraphs.com/the-three-batter-minimum-rules-biggest-dilemma/
https://theathletic.com/1656469/2020/03/06/stark-managers-react-to-the-new-three-batter-rule-thats-not-fair/?source=shared-article
Andrew Freidman is revolutionizing baseball in the way of operating a team, he is making history and in the future he will be remembered for that and will be imitated, as has happened on other occasions with the Dodgers, by the other teams.
It is congruent as the history of the team since it is what they have done throughout history, I cite two examples:
1 Jackie Robinson
2 The baseball academy in the Dominican Republic.
The Dodgers have always been pioneers in many things, Andrew Friedman is part of that.
At some point it is my hope that we stop talking about Friedman. Maybe the Dodgers will go undefeated this year.
“ Gonsolin will be in the bullpen to start the season and if needed in the rotation will spend enough time during the season in OK to get stretched out.“
That’s probably how I would play it.
He’s going to be 26 in May. He started 6 games last year, relieved in 5. Was good in both roles. Threw 80 innings. Hamstring issue likely prevented more work. I don’t know what the team has planned for him but my hunch is they want him to start, but not necessarily this year. That tells me he begins the year in OKC. With his stuff they may want him to pitch a bunch 6th and 7th innings. Whatever, he’s in the plans. He has 2 options left so it won’t be surmising to see him start in the minors. As RotoWorld put it “he represents an excellent stash candidate”.
This team has so many choices that it could make it’s hard to know what they will do up front. I think we can rest assured all these guys are going to get extended looks throughout the year.
It seems to be the media types who hate Friedman. Probably a combination of jealousy and click bait.
Of course, if they knew what they were doing they would be running a team, not criticizing those who do in the fish wrap.
With the year that Gavin Lux had last year, most find it hard to believe that he should start the year in AAA. I agree with Badger that it is a big deal for rookies to get introduced at opening day ceremonies, but I think this is going to be a very veteran team. With Kike’ and CT3 both still on the team, the organization has the luxury of sending Lux back to AAA to play every day. If there was only one of Kike’ or CT3, Lux would absolutely make the opening day roster. With two utility veterans, and Muncy who believes his best position in 2B, 2B is covered. There are things that Lux can work on. He needs to get more confident against LHP and he needs more experience defensively at 2B.
Zach McKinstry has proven that he can compete at the ML level, but there is no place for him right now on the 26 man. He also needs to play every day at OKC. If ST stats were a decision maker, Cody Thomas, who is tied for the ML lead in HRs, would make the team. Cody will also probably go to AAA where he will undoubtedly struggle as he has all the way through his professional career. He has had a great spring to give him confidence going into the regular season, and hopefully this will be a breakout year for him where everything comes together. Regardless of the spring, I am guessing that LAD is still higher on DJ Peters at this time. This year will dictate who moves to the head of the OF class.
AF knows that Gonsolin can always come back as a reliever, and it may eventually be his role. But right now, I suspect that LAD wants him to continue to start, and that will be in OKC. Doc (and AF) have already named their starters and their order in the rotation. Kershaw, Buehler, Price, Urias, Wood. None of those five have pitched themselves out of the rotation. Strip and Gonsolin have both had fantastic springs and show they can start if needed. Strip has done the back and forth at the ML level, so he is accustomed to it. What the rotation is in March/April will not be what it is in September/October.
IMO, locks for the bullpen are KJ, Treinen, Kelly, Baez, Ferguson, and Stripling. I do not see anyway that Ferguson is sent down. He has been stellar in not allowing a baserunner in 4.1 IP this spring. While Alexander’s command is iffy at best, he is still a lefty who will at least give a different look. He can pitch to both RHP and LHP, if he can throw strikes. I see him on the roster. That leaves one spot, and with Jimmy Nelson apparently not close to pitching in a game, and IMO Gonsolin will be asked to start at OKC, that leaves Graterol or Floro. If you look at ceiling, there is no contest. But I still believe that Doc and AF want to start the season with a veteran presence, and while Floro is not lockdown, he is the #8 reliever and Brusdar can get his innings in at AAA rather than languishing on the bullpen bench. Graterol is just 21 and he will be back when the games get closer to playoff with his arm lengthening out after being out all last year.
With Johnny Cueto apparently scheduled to be the opening day starter for SF, Joc will be the opening day LF. With Samardzija undoubtedly due to go game 2, Joc should get back to back starts, with AJ starting against Gausman or Smyly. It comes down to 2 of Lux, Beaty, and Rios to make the 26 man. As I posited above, I think Lux starts in OKC and that leaves LHH Beaty and Rios as reserves and PH. LAD does not see Lux as a reserve, but I do believe that is currently how they see Beaty and Rios.
My prediction:
Smith
Muncy
Kike’ or CT3
Seager
JT
Joc
Belli
Mookie
Barnes
AJ
Kike’ or CT3
Beaty
Rios
Kershaw
Buehler
Price
Urias
Wood
KJ
Treinen
Kelly
Baez
Ferguson
Strip
Alexander
Floro
I thought that the hire of Friedman was generally applauded by Dodgers fans. I know that as seasons went on, there was this segment of the social media which seemed to hate him, which is absurd. He is a smart guy, has done some very good things, although he has not done too well in free agent acquisitions, usually dipping into the lower-end market to try to find a bargain, rather than spending for the almost sure thing. But of course I have blamed much of that on the ownership. His most recent two FA pickups were Pollock and Kelly.. The trades have been very mixed as well; remember Latos, Jim Johnson, Alexander, Madsen. Obviously, if the Dodgers can sign Betts, it will make up for most of it, but if not, then he was just another rental, albeit for a year, not a few months.
I don’t think that Houston cheating means that the Dodgers won the world title. Roberts still took out Hill too early, he still made a mistake by starting Darvish in Game 7 over Kershaw. It is probably true that if Houston had not cheated, the Dodgers would have won the World Series, but then the Yankees might have been the team we faced. Anyway, we haven’t won the title yet, and most well put together teams usually win one or more.
This is a rather strange season, and of course under the frightening shadow of the coronavirus. It’s hard to imagine that the season will just play on, at least without major disruptions in attendance or travel. Putting that aside even for a moment, for the Dodgers, it is all about winning the title. Another division will not do , nor likely would another pennant. Victims of their own success, in some sense, but for a franchise to be considered great, for the GM and manager to be elevated in general opinion, they have to win titles. Billy Beane may be the best GM in the game, but no one really talks about him now, because the A’s do not win any titles. And they have much less in resources than the Dodgers do. Let us very much hope that the pandemic can be dealt with, that we can have a full season of baseball to enjoy, and that the Dodgers can actually win their first World Championship in 32 years, on the field.
The Dodgers are loaded and that makes the decision about who hits 8th more interesting. Needs to have someone who will and can get a walk with two outs with the pitcher up next but less so with less than two outs with Betts in the lead off spot.
Here is my opening game lineup:
Betts,
Pederson–needs a righty bat hitting behind him
Turner,
Bellinger,
Muncy–could be Joc instead w/ Muncy at #2
Smith
Seager–Could also return to #2 if he sees more pitches
Lux–future lead off hitter
Rios will be traded one of these days to an American League team
Gonsolin will be in the bullpen to start the season and if needed in the rotation will spend enough time during the season in OK to get stretched out.
Between Taylor, Hernandez, and McKinstry it would seem like one lefty and one righty bat would be preferable to two righty bats.
Mark, so Meathead is a Celtics fan?
That would explain a lot.
🙂
With all the young depth we have, still wonder what some package of Strip, JOC and Kike would bring back? Does AF keep both JOC and Kike and let them walk at years end or try to get something in return this year?
I would put Gavin Lux at 2nd and leave him alone. If he struggles down the road, I would replace him with CT3. McKinstry needs to play every day in AAA. Lux was the greatest thing since sliced bread and everyone begged for his September (or sooner) call up. So he hits .240 in 23 games and hasn’t had a great spring but now some folks are lobbying he get sent down and a guy with no MLB time should replace him? I don’t get it.
Thomas, Raley, Peters, McKinstry and Co. have had eye catching spring but that doesn’t mean they are ready for the 26 man roster. The future is bright and AAA should be their place to develop for the future. 3 good weeks in spring training doesn’t earn you a spot on this roster.
I don’t see Rios making the roster if Joc is ready.
Muncy is not, defensively, an everyday 2nd baseman. Lux and CT3 are way better. Put him at first and leave him alone.
Beatty is also suspect defensively in the infield and I’m not good with him as the back up 3rd baseman. I wish Rios could do that.
I don’t want to give Doc the opportunity to have a revolving door at 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and left.
I think Smith will be the starting catcher. Lux will be at 2nd base. Gonsolin, not Graterol in the bull pen.
Welcome back Badger.
McKinstry has shone that he will be a important piece of the puzzle going forward. He needs to be playing everyday to keep developing his talent and that is not going to happen right now at the big league level. But a couple of trades or an injury … I’m betting he gets a call sometime this season. Looking forward to that!
I know most of you read probably read a TON more blogs than I do (I read 2), but I really haven’t seen the mass negativity towards Friedman that Mark is alluding to. Sure you’re going to have a few individuals complaining but every baseball fan I know is thrilled to have AF in charge.
It is looking more and more like old friend Matt Kemp is not going to make the Marlins roster. Matt is having a really terrible spring. Only 4 hits and 2 ribbies. No homers. Sad end to a pretty good player.
I too am intrigued by Graterol. Obviously he will pitch for the Dodgers this year. Just as obvious is Lux being our second baseman. I think it’s a big deal for young players to be involved in Opening Day ceremonies at home and I would like to see Lux there. Graterol is a bullpen guy and we have a plethora of veterans down there. After the hoopla of Day 1 the rest are just games. Kershaw will go 7, then Baez and Jansen will wrap it up so no reason for Graterol to be there.
Rios, Beaty and McKinstry. It’s going to be interesting to watch how these guys are handled. On 80% of teams in this league they are all on the Opening Day Roster.
At least he got a good country tune on here. Big Toby Keith fan. Red Solo Cup, and I’ll never Smoke Weed with Willie again. I meant to say BIG TICKET on the prior post, not bit ticker.
Great piece in The Athletic on Edwin Rios and his trip to the “Fat Farm” (his words, not mine.
https://theathletic.com/1638482/2020/03/10/i-took-it-to-heart-man-the-big-change-that-aided-dodgers-prospect-edwin-rios/
Mark, nice article, nice picture, good looking son. Agree on your roster selections especially the pitchers although I would love to fit Gonsolin in there.. He was awesome yesterday. On your other list of players, I mostly agree, but would substitute Lux for Rios. Don’t know where to play them all though. I love Toby Keith.
I’m intrigued by Graterol and would like to see him on the opening day roster (along with Gonsolin), but I don’t get the sense that will happen due to how he is being used in spring training games. Unless I have missed something, he is only pitching late in games against AA and AAA players, not earlier against regulars as Gonsolin is doing. I would think Doc would want to see him against Arenado, Marte, Machado, etc., in these games if they think he will open the season in LA. Is is true that he already has major league experience, but so does Gonsolin, yet their usage this spring has been very different. Of course, there is still time for that to change.
Beyond that, I think the comments (either by Doc or AF) about Gonsolin’s age relative to that of May also hint that Gonsolin will get a roster spot in the pen rather than going to AAA as a starter.
I think your pitching staff is correct. Alexander is the weak link. He can’t throw strikes and doesn’t need to be in a game that is high leverage. He is either in a game that is over or one that you are looking for a dp ball as a last resort. Ferguson has been talking about being a starter so I don’t know where that goes.
Joc Pederson will be in the opening day lineup if he is still on the team which appears likely. If lux is not the starter then who is? Been down that road with kike so I doubt, so maybe muncy with Rios or Beaty at first base. I think the Dodgers want to save the extra year on lux so he better turn it on if he wants to stay.
Gonsolin is ready it is just a matter of whether they want him as a starter or if the bullpen performs without him. A trade could change everything but not likely unless injuries crop up on other teams.
Wow, MT doesn’t have Lux on the opening day roster. I think he’ll make it.
I’ve always enjoyed watching the Pacers play, from Reggie’s teams to Paul George’s Pacers’ battles with the Heat. No hate for that team whatsoever. Beat the Celtics tonight!
And I”ll take you up on that offer! My bags are always packed to go see a potential title clinching game. I had a room in Houston booked in 2017, if we had a shot to clinch there. Had a room booked in Boston in 2018, if we had a shot to clinch there. Hopefully this year I can book rooms somewhere in June AND October (or just see them in LA)
Alex Wood looked really good again yesterday. I think that driveline stuff is really working. Gonsolin looks as if he never needs to see the minor leagues again. That AAA team, whoever is on it to start, might be good enough to finish 4 in the NL West!
Zach McKinstry was sent over to the minor league side but I was hoping he would have made the team. If the rest of ST goes as it is now for Pollock, and the Dodgers do as they say and hold players accountable then Pollock should be DFA, Pederson and Taylor will be fine in left field. Pollock out, Lux and McKinstry in. I am still undecided between Graterol and Santana at this point.
“I’m going to have a chip on my shoulder the rest of this season”
So, this year’s like every other year.
The Betts move will be different only if he is extended. The one thing Friedman hasn’t done is successfully offer the multi-year multi-nuts screwball contract.
“Not many people who go to Asia regularly where I live. I’m not worried at all”. Bear speaking to the coronavirus. You might want to reconsider that buddy. Just a suggestion. Living in North Wintersville might help for a while, but this thing is going everywhere.
The Pacers look good Mark. They could actually a win a game or two against the Heat.