Over the past few days, I have listened to several interviews, heard rumors and news. Here are few things I would like to share:
- I am so impressed with Edwin Rios (the person). He is mature beyond his years, poised, thoughtful, determined, and fully understands the role hard work plays in becoming a great player. He has singled-out Justin Turner, Clayton Kershaw, and Mookie Betts for teaching him the importance of hard work. In a short season, he hit .250 while OPS’ing .946, and continued to average a HR in every 9 AB’s. Edwin has changed his body, improved his footwork, and play at 3B (he says JT has worked with him way beyond the call of duty). I think he sounds like the Dodgers next 3B. His “light tower power” is something few players possess. Edwin Rios might be my new favorite player. He has worked his rear-end off to get better and better and I think next Spring he will be even better!
- The Dodgers will talk to just about every reliever, including Brad Hand, but thinking Hand can be signed for $10 million right about now is delusional. He will seek a multi-year deal. He will be 31 next year, so you have to weigh what he may be worth. He has 10 years of bullpen duty on that left arm and he has been very, very good at times and mediocre at other times. I would have to consider lots of things before I gave him a multi-year deal… and I can’t see more than 2 years.
- Kenley Jansen is making $20 Million next year. The Dodgers can only hope that Kenley’s pride and another offseason of Driveline will slow his decline… maybe even improve his performance. That’s the best they can hope for. I doubt that you ever see Friedman give a closer this kind of money again.
- Trevor Bauer allegedly has an interest in the Dodgers. Do the Dodgers really have an interest in him? Of course, they will talk to him, but this is a guy who in 9 seasons has a 75-65 record with a 3.90 ERA and 1.265 WHIP. He has had one good season (2018) with Cleveland where he pitched 175 innings with a 2.21 ERA, and one great season (2020) where he had a 1.73 ERA and 0.795 WHIP. It has long been rumored that he wanted just one-year deals. I find it hard to believe that if the Mets offered him 5 years at $150 million, he would not take it! I cannot see any possible scenario where he is a Dodger in 2021!
- Goodbye, Jimmy Nelson – we hardly knew ya! It seems pretty unlikely that he could help the Dodgers in 2021. It was time to move on…
- Carlos Santana is available… Hold it! I did not say I wanted him. 😉
- I look for the Dodgers to make a deal with Jake McGee and Dylan Floro soon… or Floro can go to arbitration.
- McGee, Baez, Hernandez, Turner, Pederson, Wood, and Treinen are already off the roster. Gore, Alexander, and maybe Peters will be cut loose too. Certainly, some will be back… but who?
- Brett de Geus, Gerardo Carrillo, Andre Jackson, Omar Estevez, and possibly Marshall Kasowski (maybe he is developing another pitch?), and possibly Zach Reks could be added to the 40-man roster. I would be shocked if Friedman wastes a roster spot for Kendall. That was a bad pick, Andrew… move on – there’s nothing to see here.
- Reks, Raley, and Beaty – All LH, all the same player?
- I am serious when I talk about moving Will Smith to 2B next year. Of course, that depends on whether Keibert Ruiz is ready offensively and defensively. Barnes and Ruiz would be a perfect L – R platoon and I think Will Smith is an athlete who could play anywhere and still be the Emergency Catcher. Of course, the Dodgers have thoughts on this too! I am just thinking ahead. I have no opinion about Lux right about now. I’m from Missouri! With his throwing issues, I could see Lux moving to the outfield (LF).
- I don’t see many (many not any) trades for the Dodgers and few FreeAgent signings. I think they try to grow with the youngsters. The infrastructure is in place. Just tweaking and incremental growth is what I see.
- There are some huge storm clouds on the horizon in baseball. The MLBPA is getting ready to file a grievance, which could be in the hundreds of millions of dollars, for MLB implementing the 60 game season and not making it longer. Also, many teams have spent their reserves and a lot of teams took out loans (which have to be paid back). This is happening while you are seeing a record number of non-tenders. Here’s a quote from The Athletic: “You’re going to have a record number of non-tenders,” a club executive said, referring to the process of making arbitration-eligible players free agents rather than giving them the raise that would normally come through the arbitration process. “I think you’re going to have a lot of those veteran players in their 30s making $2 million, $3 million, $5 million, those guys are going to be replaced by young players and I think it’s going to cause a lot of ill will. I’d be very surprised if, knowing there’s a strike or lockout coming up, and the uncertainty, if people give out eight-, nine-year deals (in free agency) — I don’t see it.” This does not bode well for baseball and older guys like Justin Turner might find they have to take a $4 or $5 million one-year deal.
- If you haven’t read about this Dodger fan, you should: A Dodger Fan For the Ages
The Future of LADT
It has been a long time since I have posted three days in a row, but I can do it right now because I am still at home for the most part recovering from the virus. The first week out of the hospital was great – I felt so good! It was amazing. The second week got tougher, as all of this week, precisely at 4:30 PM, I developed a 101-degree fever which would ebb and flow until 2 or 3 AM. All week, I have soaked 4 or 5 shirts a night. Then no fever all day, until 4:30 and the cycle starts again. My Doctor says it is one of the side effects for some people. How long it lasts is unknown. I feel pretty good, but tire easily. I have stepped away from our business until I return to health. I have numerous Doctors’ appointments scheduled over the next two months. I have been in the office a total of 3 hours this week… just making an appearance so people feel better.
So right now, I can keep LADT going. I know that Harold Uhlman (DC) and Rob Schelling (2demeter2) are stepping away from the blog and I cannot speak for Michael Norris (Bear) or Jeff Dominique (AC). I think Michael wants to continue to write. However, hopefully in the next few days we will have some clarity. I appreciate all of you and thank you for being part of our community.
The Sheer Joy of FINALLY Winning..
R.I.P. Sean Connery
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2020/oct/31/sean-connery-james-bond-actor-dies-aged-90
Discussion (46)
Disagree, not disagreeable
The Pittsburgh Pirates declined their $11 million option on Chris Archer, making the right-hander a free agent, per Jason Mackey of PGSportsNow .
I think it is time to stop the closer business. Use matchups. U got Jansen, gonlazez, bazooka, to list a few. Just mix and match. That way u find out who can close in high leverage. If kolarek is still in la and u have lefty’s up in the ninth throw him in there. After gaining World Series experience many of them are battle tested. This allows u to go with the hot hand.
My totally unscientific top ten playoff performers of 2020:
1. Seager–count the hardware
2. Betts–elite baserunning & defense separates him from pack
3. Kershaw–needed him and he delivered
4. Urias–nails
5. Bellinger–he just looks stoned
6. Buehler–should be higher; glad we didn’t need him G7
7. Smith/Barnes–winning tandem
8. Muncy–clutch when it counted
9. Keekay–that HR
10. Turner–heart & soul
Julio Urias joined MadBum as the only pitchers to have 4 wins and a save in a postseason.
Mark, may physics fall in your favor as I’m certain they pretty much will. The sooner the better. I think I might need tested for that shit. I’m on the third day of a headache.
Reported on Yahoo, Puig sued for sexual assault. Assault reportedly happened in 2018 at the Staples Center during a Lakers game……
One thing about Cohen buying the Mets. He can spend a lot of money that is true, and he will probably pay premium prices for the players that they decide they want. Alderson is coming back to be the President of the team. So his teams will probably become pretty competitive. But he still has to worry about the Braves. The Braves have the 3rd rated farm system in the majors. The Mets are going to have to rebuild theirs. The Dodgers at this point have the Padres to contend with. The Rocks pitching is a mess, the Giants are in somewhat of a rebuild mode as are the D-Backs. They released Chris Cron today. The Dodgers farm might not be rated as high as SD, #1 to # 9. But there are still some pretty good pieces down there. LA also has a lot of money, and after 2021, the cupboard has a lot of spare cash. I also think Mark hit the nail on the head about how different salaries will look next year. There is not a lot of money out there right now, hence so many declining options and non tenders coming up. With Gore and 7 free agents the Dodgers have a lot of wiggle room right now. I could even see them non tender a couple of guys who are on the squad right now. Beaty and Raley come to mind. Guys like Kendall and some other’s who have not advanced as fast as the team would like. I also think they should protect Estevez. He impressed me in the games I saw him play in spring. He also has a little pop. There will be some trades to tweak the roster and probably a lot of non roster invites. Most of them probably relief pitchers. I think they move quickly to resign Turner and give him a 2 year deal. With so many relievers now on the market, they can afford to be choosy. The one I would jump at is Hendricks. Hand has to get through waivers, Hendricks does not. They will not bring Trienen back on a 10 mil plus deal. I also read that MLB might look to extend the CBA for one more season to see if they can get everything back to normal as to salaries and a full season. Makes sense to me and the players union might go for it. Boston is checking to see if Cora can work with Bloom. If so he will come back to manage the Sox again proving once more that cheating pays.
FYI, Rob Schelling is not done!
He will be back from time-to-time as the spirit moves him.
So, I have to let you know that there is POSSIBLE good news on the HORIZON:
Moderna will have 20M COVID-19 vaccines ready by year’s end
https://nypost.com/2020/10/30/moderna-will-have-20m-covid-19-vaccines-ready-this-year/
It’s possible’: the race to approve a Covid vaccine by Christmas
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/oct/30/its-possible-the-race-to-approve-a-covid-vaccine-by-christmas
Within weeks, the first results to show whether one of the vaccines actually works will emerge. With a vaccine hailed as the world’s best hope of halting the deaths and the social and economic destruction wreaked by the Covid pandemic, the world is holding its breath.
It could be Oxford University, partnered with drug company AstraZeneca. It could be Moderna in the US. Or it could be Pfizer and the German company BioNTech.
All three have either recruited the last of the tens of thousands of volunteers they need for the critical final trials or will shortly do so.
And sometime in November or December, their independent monitoring boards will “unblind” their secret data to find out whether fewer people given the experimental vaccines are getting Covid-19.
I am posting this because it bodes well for the fact that there could be normal baseball season next year! They are not going to rush it, but they are not just dilly-dallying either! They are all in and want a “safe vaccine.”
My wife and I are the Godparents to a Major in the Indiana National Guard’s Children and the National Guard are being trained to deliver the goods in Indiana as soon as they become available. I don’t know about other states, but our Governor is not messing around.
#1 – Health Care Workers
#2 – Nursing Homes
#3 – High Risk
#4 – General Population
It’s going to happen soon – 30 days, 60 days, 90 days, but it is going to happen.
When backed into a corner – never underestimate the power of the human spirit!
First of all, my hopes for a full recovery Mark. I wish you nothing but the best. As for me continuing to write for LADT I will endeavor to do so. I really enjoy doing it and I am so grateful I have had the opportunity. It has been fun. Especially in a Championship run. RIP Sean Connery. To me, the best Bond ever. The new film with Daniel Craig will be out sometime in November. Gore was outrighted off of the roster today. So they are at 32 on the 40 man. They will have to protect some players from the rule 5 draft. I read yesterday on Twitter that Bauer was supposed to have a Zoom session with the Dodgers today at 2 PM. Whatever that is. I am heading out tonight to see some of my friends play at the Penrose VFW. A band called the Atomic Fireballs. Strange name for a country band, but they have extra players for when they play as a classic rock band and they do blues too. Their lead guitar player, Larry, is a die hard Giants fan. But he was classy enough to send me a congratulatory email after the Dodgers won. Ordered my championship T shirt and a coffee mug! I could see them making some minor trades. I like Beaty, but I would love to see him get a chance somewhere else if he is not going to play here. I would give a 2 year deal to Hendricks, but not to Hand.
Also wishing you well, Mark! From everything I’ve heard, this virus is sneaky. So take care of yourself and get lots of rest. I hadn’t heard about Rick’s wife. So sorry to hear she isn’t doing well. My prayers and thoughts to everyone who is affected for a speedy recovery.
I am really curious, Mark, about where you saw the interview with Rios. If he can keep developing as a player, he has the potential to be something special.
To state the obvious, our greatest need is relief pitching. This is despite the outstanding performance of the bullpen in game 6 of the WS. In my view, we have plenty of young starting pitchers who will be ready to step up next year. Not so sure about our young relievers. Victor Gonzolez was a pleasant surprise this year. Who else is in the pipeline? Bottom line: we will need a closer next year. Unless he can prove otherwise, KJ just isn’t that guy anymore. I feel really bad for him, but that is the reality. One of the problems is that the performance of relievers can be notoriously fickle from year to year. That’s what made KJ’s consistent excellence so impressive. But that’s the exception, not the rule. Retaining Treinen? Acquiring Hand? You never know what you are going to get. I hope that AF has some leeway to acquire a couple of good, solid relievers. We’ve got to stay ahead of the competition. To do that, we need to keep improving in our areas of weakness, even though there aren’t many of them.
Wow. That doesn’t bode well for available players this year! I would think we’d be all over his signing. For me he’d be a big addition for another title run. I would imagine a lot of guys will sign one year deals.
On MLB Radio today they predicted Free Agents will get 40 cents on the dollar. In Hands case, they predict $7 mil tops
Thanks Jeff for your continued contribution. I always enjoy your insight. Bums, good luck trading Jansen in this financial environment. Not gonna happen. But I bet Kenley comes back better next year. Back to Driveline this off season! I dont think you can pass up a chance to pick up a guy like Hand for 10 mil if he makes it to us in waivers. Could also be some other bullpen gems to be had as well this off season. I dont think our bullpen is good enough right now for another WS title next year. Everywhere else I think we’re set. If we got a right handed bat where would they play without the dh. I guess if we picked up a big bat first baseman and move Muncy to second. But Id rather put the money in the bullpen
Now we wait for Bear!
I told Mark that I will post and he said we could partner up. I am okay with that. But when the conversation goes to the virus, I am not going to participate. I really feel bad for Mark and I am very sympathetic to Dodgerrick who truly has a dangerous predicament. My prayers to Mark and Rick’s wife.
I have my demons as well, also caused by the virus, but mine are psychological and not physical. Regardless I am at a better place, and as I discussed with Mark, I am very efficient by turning a 6 month consulting gig into a 6 week gig and Into a monthly maintenance program. They wanted me for a more up front position and I am not that person. I prefer to be in the background.
I will work with Mark to keep LADT the best.
Before I paid Hand $10M+, I would offer Jansen plus $10M+ in a trade. That would reduce payroll by $20M.
I would go into the 2021 season with Graterol, Gonzalez, White, and Gonsolin holding down the late innings of relief. I wouldn’t sign any relief pitchers and instead use organization depth to fill the relief roles. However, if the Dodgers could again sign Wood at $5M I would do that and let him be the Miller in the Dodger relief corp.
I read many many comments that crucified players during the 60 game regular season that praised many of the same players for their performance in the playoffs and followed up that praise by saying that the weird 60 game season should not be viewed as an indicator of 2021 performance. That was truly a what have you done for me lately mentality.
Wishing you well Mark. There are so many things we can do together that we can’t do apart. Hopefully we together defeat this virus and we have a full baseball season in 2021.
Again I second the motion. THANK YOU Mark for all your dedication to keep LADT alive and well. And all our other dedicated writers. I think Hand would be a great pick up for the one year waiver pick up for 10 mil. I wouldn’t sign him beyond that. Also if Roberts didn’t trust McGee in this post season why resign him. We need playoff performers not regular season players.
Very thought- provoking article, Mark, thank you. My main thought is that you continue to recover from this terrible virus and sorry to hear about the side effects you are suffering. You need your rest and sleep to gather strength so hope that fever goes away completely.
I thought all of your comments were interesting. Also have high hopes for Rios, he has impressed me. Not sure about the Lux-Smith idea, but we will see. I just think Lux will do fine at second and Smith at catching next year.
I am sorry to see 2D2 and DC leave writing for this blog as I so enjoyed reading them. Hope AC and Bear continue to contribute.
I wish that the minor league is able to have a season next year.
AC, you need to come back. You are the chocolate to Mark’s peanut butter! You are the Mookie to Mark’s Seager. You and Mark are the one two punch that every great team has.
This Dodger’s team is great. We just need another really good right handed bat. Let’s wait for all the non-tenders to come out before we start moving catchers around. Will Smith stays at catcher.
I agree 100% about Rios. I usually check score and read all the minor league summaries during the season and Rios always had a ton of ink. I love his look, his sweet swing and he sure looked good defensively all the sudden. He might make a gold glove first baseman some day and can handle 3B as well.
Beaty, Recks and Raley? I don’t think so. You can put a glove on Recks and Raley. Beaty is a nice bat off the bench with a brick on his right hand.
I would love to graduate Rios and Lux to the big club as starting infielders. But, that would mean an all left handed hitting infield. I thought the same thing about Lux to the outfield. That dude can fly and will eventually cover a lot of ground, but that wouldn’t really solve a problem. Too many left handed hitters. Something has to give. Look for AF to acquire someone unexpected and trade away one of our left handed bats.
Price isn’t going to opt out next year because not a single player suffered any serious consequences from the virus. This is a non-story. He’s gonna want to try to get another ring next year.
Really sorry to hear about the after effects you’re having from the virus Mark. Hopefully they subside quickly.
Regarding your comments above:
1) Rios – I’m a big fan also. Love the way he’s improved his defense. But if he’s going to become our permanent third baseman he’s going to have to cut down on his k’s and improve his OBP, both of which are way above/below where they should be. He’s a natural hitter and a hard worker so I’m hoping he can accomplish that. I’d love to be able to watch that beautiful swing for years to come.
2) Smith to second and Lux to left – first thought, that’s nuts. Second thought, that makes some sense. We need a lefty hitter to platoon with Pollock and a spot to play Ruiz if he’s ready and isn’t traded. Conclusion – I’d be willing to give it a try, especially since Smith was originally an infielder way back when.
3) Reks, Beaty, Raley all the same player – probably a fair conclusion. I don’t expect that Raley will ever be part of the Dodger MLB roster. I really like Beaty but management seems to have cooled on him and gave him no opportunities last year after he started poorly (due to lack of opportunity in the first place). The guy that intrigues me is Reks and I’d like to see him get some real playing time next spring to see if he can play his way on to the roster. If he could, he’d be a good platoon partner for AJ.
4) Covid – with a second wave just now beginning, there is no reason to think it will just stop in February in time for ST, so we’d better be ready to have another shortened season next year, but hopefully longer than 60 games. That coupled with the CBA ending next winter is going to turn baseball on its head. We should all be doubly thankful we’re 2020 World Champs because there is no telling what 2021 and the future will look like.
Take it easy Mark, slow and steady in your attempts to get back to full strength. Thanks for the effort with the blog, but not worth risking your health over.
I hope that Jeff Dominique returns soon and we can keep it maxed out!
Love the overhead shot of Mookie scoring from third.
Sorry to hear your having some complications from the virus. Hopefully they will subside quickly.
I second Badgers comment, thank you for running this blog.
It is us who should be thanking all of you Mark.
I’ve been thinking about you and your family, and how this has gone for all back there. I too have been trying to keep up on the science of it, though admittedly the more scholarly articles are over my head. So much is yet to be known about this, but early warnings were accurate and suggestions unheeded made it worse. Hopefully after this most recent peak, and beginning early next year, we can start new efforts to get a handle on this thing.
Looks like Cohen is in with the Mets. Things will change there starting right away I suspect.
An article in the Athletic suggests Seager has been working hard on his defense. Though I didn’t see any difference, and neither did the metrics, maybe some improvements will be manifest by next year. He’s likely the shortstop here for the future, so, if there is a defensive driveline academy hopefully he will enroll.
I don’t expect much movement this off season, just periphery stuff. A lot of chatter regarding money. Some veterans might have to accept shorter, less lucrative contracts for ‘21 and hope things will be back to normal in ‘22. It could take another year to catch up. I hope not, but I can’t help but believe we should all expect more of the same.
I think McGee had a good season, and I guess you do to because you suggest they resign him. I’m curious as to why he wasn’t used more in the playoffs.
I also wonder if David Price will again opt out since it looks like things will stay the same, unless a vaccine becomes available.