All off-season I have hoped the Dodgers would go BOLD. Of course I was disappointed. I thought this would be the year. But unlike some here, I am not about to concede the WS to NYY (or LAA) this year or any time in the future. NYY CBT is already at $245,341,667 with holes still to fill. $2.5MM more in spending and they exceed the top penalty. The tax is one thing (they can afford it), but they will also lose 10 spots in their Round 1 draft in 2021.
They are still expected to sign Brett Gardner to play CF. They will not be comfortable going into the season with Aaron Hicks as their CF. Neither Frazier or Tauchman are CF.
Gleyber Torres is a 2B, not a SS. He can play SS, but he is a 2B playing SS, because Didi will now be playing for Philly.
Can Gio Urshela duplicate last year? He never has before. Maybe he is a late-bloomer, but maybe 2019 was an aberration.
Can DJLM duplicate last year? I like DJLM, but it will be extremely difficult for him to duplicate what he did in 2019.
Their backup catcher makes Austin Barnes look like JT Realmuto. Kyle Higashioka will be 30. He is a AAAA player who has bounced up and down for the last three years. In 146 AB, his career stats are .164/.212/.336/.547. He is the only other catcher on the 40 man.
Who is going to play 1B; Luke Voit or Miguel Andujar? NYY is not comfortable with either one at 1B, which is why DJLM was playing 1B at the end of the year when Didi came back.
Giancarlo Stanton is a DH playing LF. I am not going to downgrade his impact with the bat. He can hit 50 HRs, but he will also K 200 times.
Starting Pitchers – Cole, Severino, Tanaka, Paxton, German (??) – Happ, Montgomery, Loaisiga. If I am AF or Doc, that does not scare me. I guess it does a lot of you.
Severino – Has rotator cuff problems that kept him out all 2019. What is the likelihood he will get back to Ace status?
Tanaka – His arm has to be falling off. He pitched 7 years in Japan before coming to the US. 1,315 IP in those 7 years. In his 6 years with NYY, he has pitched an additional 1,006 innings. His metrics continue to drop.
German – I am not sure when his Administrative Leave for Domestic Violence is complete. He was out 6 games for the regular season, and all 9 playoff games. There will undoubtedly be additional games in his suspension, but it is unknown how many. He may have been 18-4, but his ERA was north of 4.00. He was never an 18-4 pitcher before 2019.
Happ – They are trying to unload Happ and his $17MM contract. So far, no takers. If any MLB team trades for Happ they better get Deivi Garcia also in return. Why would any MLB team do NYY a favor by taking that contract off their books?
In 2021 – They will be losing $85.25MM in contracts, leaving them initially $74.783MM shy of the 2021 CBT threshold. That will be spent. Considering that the 8 players with arbitration in 2020 are projected to make $21.35MM in 2020, it is realistic to anticipate that those 8 players could make 150% of that amount or $32MM in 2021. There will be 6 more in arbitration for the first time including Gleyber Torres, Domingo German, and Luke Voit. Let’s project them to be at $10MM. That will leave NYY about $33MM to replace two starting pitchers (Tanaka and Paxton), DJLM, and still needing a SS, CF, and backup catcher.
Many are already projecting that Aaron Judge will not be signed by NYY once he hits FA. No financial room, and he will be 31.
So no, I am not conceding 2020 to NYY or 2021….NYY had more holes than did LAD, and they cannot fill them all this year, and there will be more next year (especially with starting pitching).
AF has extreme confidence in his development people to develop starting pitching. He has great confidence that Urias, May, Gonsolin, and Gray will all be upper rotation pitchers to join Buehler and Kershaw, while Stripling and Maeda are competent back end rotation if needed. NYY cannot claim the same confidence.
Cole – FA
Tanaka – International FA (developed in Japan)
Paxton – Trade
Happ – Trade and re-signed as a FA
Severino – Originally NYY international FA signing (agreed he was developed by NYY)
German – FA after trade with Miami
Montgomery – NYY 4th round 2014 – He is a Ross Stripling level pitcher.
They traded their top pitching prospect (Justus Sheffield) for Paxton. Do they have the same concern about developing Deivi Garcia? He could (should) be ready by 2021 if he continues to develop. Organizationally NYY has 7 players on their 40 man that they have signed and developed: Aaron Judge, Gary Sanchez, Luis Severino, Tyler Wade, Mike Ford, Kyle Higashioka, Miguel Andujar. If they re-sign Gardner, he would be the 8th. They have 3 top 100 prospects, all 3 international free agents. Only two of their top 13 prospects are from Rule 4 Amateur Draft (June Draft); Clarke Schmidt (RHP – #5), and Anthony Volpe (SS #10).
NYY has decided that they cannot adequately develop their own prospects, so they have to trade and sign them as FA. The Dodgers trust their developmental people. If the Dodgers do not sign any significant FA or make any significant trades, their downside is:
Rely on Urias and May for the rotation. Not ideal, but certainly not a problem. Buehler, Kershaw, Urias, May, Maeda – Outside of Cole, I like the Dodgers rotation better overall.
Lux will be the everyday 2B. Minor League Player of the Year. I can live with that.
No change in JT, Seager, and Muncy – I will match that infield with NYY and feel confident that LAD is better.
No change in OF. Verdugo/Belli/Joc-Pollock vs. Tauchman, Gardner (or Hicks), Judge. I consider Stanton more of a DH than a LF. I take Belli over Judge, and I take Verdugo over Gardner (Hicks). Maybe I have my rose colored glasses on, but Joc/Pollock is clearly better than Tauchman, but I would prefer that platoon to Stanton when he is periodically playing LF.
C – Sanchez over Smith, but NYY does not have a backup catcher. I like Smith and Barnes over Sanchez and Higashioka. If NYY gets a competent backup catcher, they would have the advantage. Until Ruiz is called up. There is the difference. The Dodgers can call on their farm and NYY (or LAA) cannot.
Where NYY has a clear advantage and where LAD can make their biggest impact is in the bullpen. Throw all that ERA comparisons out for relief pitchers. I will take NYY’s bullpen over LAD all day. I do not expect LAD’s bullpen to be status quo. In fact, I think they have potentially significantly improved with the addition of Blake Treinen. He will not be the last. For those who want to dismiss Treinen as a legit late inning high leverage reliever, AF was pretty spot on with Joe Blanton and Brandon Morrow.
Maybe the Dodgers can trade Kike’ for Britton. No, it is not a fair trade. But NYY has to cut down on their payroll, and their strength is their bullpen. They could use Kike’, and they can replace Britton. That will save them about $8MM that they can use elsewhere. Or maybe LAD can pull a Cozart/Will Wilson type deal and acquire JA Happ and Deivi Garcia for cash considerations and/or a third tier lottery pick. Again not a fair trade, but NYY needs the threshold room. Why would any MLB want a fair deal in any trade with NYY?
2019 Astros playoff rotation – Verlander, Cole, Greinke is better than the projected NYY playoff rotation of Cole, Severino, Tanaka, and the Astros lost to a team the Dodgers should have beaten. Some have said that with a better offense NYY can make up for the talent difference in starting pitching. Wrong – NYY – 943 runs and a slash line of .267/.339/.490/.829, while Houston scored 23 less runs (920), but a superior slash line of .274/.352/.495/.848. As a team, Houston was better last year than NYY is projected for this year, and they lost.
The Dodgers can still improve before ST, be in a position to assess where they are at the trade deadline, and make any necessary changes. AF may be shy with high-priced FA, but he has not been shy at the trade deadline. So for all of you NYY worshipers, keep the admiration going. I won’t try to dissuade you. I believe the Dodgers have a team that can win. Can’t guarantee that they will, however, I will take my chances with the Dodgers roster next year.
Discussion (163)
Disagree, not disagreeable
There has been plenty of predictions that the Dodgers would try to trade Pederson, Pollock, and Hernandez but if Friedman wants to add a plus plus righty bat that would add excitement and change the discussion about this off season, then it might be Verdugo that gets traded instead to land Betts. Just saying.
I am fine. I made the post invisible but it’s still there. AC can reactivate it in case of my demise. 😉
I am in route to the DR
Yankee backup C for 8 years, Austin Romine, signed by Tigers for $4M. He will compete for the starting job. I would have wanted him over Barnes, but that ship has now sailed.
Success is going to Dodger Stadium and not having to watch a team that sucks. The Giants won three WS a few years ago. So why are San Fran fans so miserable? Because they’re really bad and that’s not much fun. Memories fade, winning now becomes more important. The Dodgers will win a title or two, it’s inevitable.
Well it all depends on what you define as success. Seven straight divisional titles and averaging 95 wins a year or winning World Series. I don’t think Cubs or Red Sox would trade places with the Dodgers
I am quite amazed at some of the commentary. I mean seriously. I may not agree with all the decisions, but this is a very good ownership group and Andrew Friedman does an incredible job.
The payroll is one of the highest in baseball and the Dodgers won 108 games in 2019. They win every year. Seven straight NL West titles. Twice made the World Series. The talent level is off the charts and the farm system is able to sustain success over a lengthy period. The owners are spending big bucks on stadium improvements.
Yes, the Winter Meetings have ended, but that doesn’t mean the Dodgers are done. Trade talks are continuing. Pursuit of free agents continue. Ken Rosenthal believes the Dodgers will make a big trade. They have assets, but Rosenthal says Gavin Lux won’t be going anywhere even in a Lindor trade. The Dodgers have more than enough prospects/current roster players to make any deal they want.
The sky is not falling. As we go into spring training, the Dodgers will once again be considered one of the favorites to win a World Series.
Ever wonder why the Cubs have fallen on hard times after winning a series or why the Red Sox are having big payroll issues? The Dodgers are built to be one of the best teams in baseball in 2020 and still be on top in 2028. That takes a special kind of approach. That means exciting baseball every summer.
Enjoy this team and think back to how bad it was under Frank McCourt or when Kevin Malone was GM.
Well Mark since the last time the Dodgers won a WS the “greedy ones” have won 5 with another one on the way next year! As Gordon Gecko said, “greed is good”! I’m just tired of trying to get lucky to win a WS. With Cole we would have had the best team! How much longer does it take for you to get frustrated. 8 years, 10 years and then the window closes
I’ll put my two cents in the pot. In agreement with AC, Cole and Stras signed huge deals with the teams they wanted to play for without any kind of a discount. The Rendon thing is a head scratcher. Why would he choose the Angels over the Dodgers? Maybe he doesn’t like the different lineups every day. Maybe he’s seen Doc’s post season moves. Maybe he just hates Blue. Sometimes the top guys just don’t want to be a Dodger. I’m a Dodger die hard and I’m not overpaying to get one of those guys on my team. Like AC said, Cole took a lower AAV for one more year. He chose the Yankees.
Blake Treinen was the best closer in baseball a year ago. He’s worth taking a chance on. Betances is also worth taking a chance on, and I hope we get him as well. We have a lot of Major League talent and a deep farm system to deal from, so I have no problems going the trade route now. Reports are that they’re after impact guys in the trade market. Let’s see what happens now.
As far as the ticket prices narrative goes. They sold more tickets than anyone, so you raise prices. It has nothing to do with salary and only has to do with demand. If you want ticket prices to drop, stop going to the stadium. Send a message. But, that will only result in less revenue and less to spend on the guy that wants to come here.
These guys are not cheap. They’ve been at or near the top ever since they bought the team from the McCourts.
I’m really, really glad they got Treinen. I’m bummed it was only for a year.
The worst part is that because the Dodgers struck out with FAs, they will have to give up prospects and pay ludicrous salaries.
That said, Betances and Trienen are a nice pair of arms to add. Really nice.
I had no expectations about the offseason, so I am not disappointed.
I am a realist. Sports, even baseball is not life, but it parallels life.
The smart ones thrive.
The dope fiends and dumbasses crash and burn.
I say: Stay the Course and good things will come to you.
The Greedy are the ones who think they can beat the system. Case in point: The Yankees!
Watch and Learn, People!
The frustration of the Dodgers’ fan base isn’t that they haven’t been good – it’s that, in the opinion of many, that they need to get a difference maker of some sort if they expect to get over the hump and win the Series for the 1st time since 1988.
The Dodgers have enhanced this expectation by saying that they were going to be “very aggressive” this offseason and even Dave Roberts has predicted the most roster turnover since he has managed the team.
In the face of this, they were out-bid by the Yankees for Gerrit Cole and didn’t even make offers to Strasburg or Rendon.
They have signed a free agent reliever who lost the closer’s job with Oakland and had an ERA of 5 last year and a WHIP of over 1.6. So far, that’s it.
AC and others have said that the Dodgers need to “GO BOLD”. Thus far, it hasn’t happened. The offseason hasn’t ended yet and they may still do something noteworthy but it hasn’t happened thus far.
Sure the Dodgers should be good next season – they should win the Division easily. But I don’t believe that they win the World Series with the rotation or bullpen that they have right now. And since that’s the goal, I think that they should do more than they have to accomplish that.
I’m not too concerned about the offense – I would like to see them have a more balanced offense (not so lefty-dominated and not so homer dominated), but they should be very good.
They have to have a better 3rd starter than Maeda (who is it right now) and more reliable relievers than Wild Man Kelly et al.
I am not passing judgement now – I am willing to wait to see what happens between now and the start of the season. But I am disappointed that they haven’t done more up to this point. And I’m not alone.
Honeycutt retired. His knowledge and experience are certainly not easy to replace.
What do you guys all think about Honeycutt not being the pitching coach anymore?
Mostly lurk. But I can’t handle reading post after post wishing the Dodgers would be sold. As if the team had dream owners in the past. 15 years of Fox and “Parking-Lot” McCourt landed us all of THREE division titles. THREE IN 15 YEARS!! Current ownership has won the division SEVEN YEARS IN A ROW. Greedy Bastards! We failed to win the series twice. Which sucks. Really really sucks. Nobody thinks it sucks more than me. But you can’t just buy a WS. 162 games is a huge sample size. The teams with the best rosters will almost always win more than the teams that don’t have the best roster. The playoffs are a crap shoot. Give me 1000 rolls of the dice and my prediction of how many times snake eyes pops up will be incredibly accurate. Give me 10 rolls, not so much. 5 and 7 game series leave a massive amount up to chance. No FA signing guarantees you squat.
This ownership has made us highly competitive year after year, all while maintaining one of the deepest, most productive farm systems in baseball. Greedy Bastards! 15 years of previous ownership didn’t get us to ONE world series. Our current owners have got us to TWO. Greedy Bastards!
These days all too many Dodger fans remind me of a 16 year old who is pissed off about the Porsche daddy bought them for Christmas because they really had their heart set on a Lamborghini. Greedy bastard!
AC, thank you. Any word on Bill Haselman?
DODGERS ANNOUNCE 2020 MAJOR LEAGUE COACHING STAFF
LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Dodgers today announced their Major League coaches for the 2020 season with bench coach Bob Geren (fifth season), first base coach George Lombard (fifth season), hitting strategist Brant Brown (third season), third base coach Dino Ebel (second season), hitting coach Rob Van Scoyoc (second season), assistant hitting coach Aaron Bates (second season) and newly appointed pitching coach Mark Prior (third season) all returning with Josh Bard (bullpen coach), Connor McGuinness (assistant pitching coach) and Danny Lehmann (game planning and communications coach) all joining the 2020 staff.
Dave Roberts – Manager (fifth season)
Bob Geren – Bench Coach (fifth season)
Mark Prior – Pitching Coach (third season)
Josh Bard – Bullpen Coach (first season)
Robert Van Scoyoc – Hitting Coach (second season)
Brant Brown –Hitting Strategist (third season)
George Lombard – First Base Coach (fifth season)
Dino Ebel – Third Base Coach (second season)
Aaron Bates – Assistant Hitting Coach (second season)
Connor McGuinness – Assistant Pitching Coach (first season)
Danny Lehmann – Game Planning & Communications Coach (second season)
Bard, 41, returns to the Dodgers after spending the last two seasons with the New York Yankees as the Major League bench coach. The New York native began his non-playing career with the Dodgers as a special assistant to the general manager in 2013. He spent the next two seasons as a professional scout from 2014-2015 and was the Major League bullpen coach from 2016-2017. In 2017, he helped the Dodger relievers set a National League record with 637 strikeouts and led all National League bullpens in ERA (3.38), opponents’ batting average (.222) and K/9.0IP ratio (10.24). In two seasons with the Dodgers, the bullpen went 64-41 with a 3.36 ERA (430 ER/1150.1 IP) and 1270 strikeouts in 319 games. During his tenure as the Dodger bullpen coach, the relievers ranked second the Major Leagues in wins, second in saves (98), third in innings pitched, third in ERA and batting average against.
The former backstop played 10 years in the Majors with the Cleveland Indians (2002-05), Boston Red Sox (2006), San Diego Padres (2006-08), Washington Nationals (2009) and Seattle Mariners (2010-11). In 586 career Major League games, he hit .254 (452-for-1778) with 162 runs, 109 doubles, three triples, 39 homers and 220 RBI. He was originally selected by Colorado in the third round of the 1999 First-Year Player Draft out of Texas Tech University.
McGuinness, 30, is in his fourth year with the organization and his first year with the Major League staff. He joined the Dodgers in 2017 as the pitching coach for Single-A Great Lakes and worked the last two seasons in the same capacity for High-A Rancho Cucamonga. He joined the Dodgers after serving as a college pitching coach for NCAA D-III Catholic University (2016) and Emory University (2014-2015). In his tenure with the Emory Eagles, he helped lead the team to back-to-back NCAA DIII College World Series, finishing top five in 2015 and runner-up in 2014. He played four years for Emory, going 2-6 with a 6.75 ERA in 41 games for the Eagles, while earning his BA in Economics with a concentration in Finance.
Lehmann, 34, rejoins the Dodgers as the game planning and communications coach after serving in the same role in 2018. In 2019, he served as a special assistant to the club and served as an advance video scout for three seasons prior to working with the Major League staff in 2018. The former eighth round pick in the 2007 First Year Player Draft out of Rice University by the Minnesota Twins played in 365 minor league games and batted .229 with 47 doubles, four triples, eight homers and 85 RBI.
The Los Angeles Dodgers franchise, with six World Series championships and 23 National League pennants since its beginnings in Brooklyn in 1890, is committed to a tradition of pride and excellence. The Dodgers are dedicated to supporting a culture of winning baseball, providing a first-class, fan-friendly experience at Dodger Stadium, and building a strong partnership with the community. With the highest cumulative fan attendance in Major League Baseball history, and a record of breaking barriers, the Dodgers are one of the most cherished sports franchises in the world.
Visit the Dodgers online , follow them on Twitter @Dodgers and like them on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/Dodgers.
For media information, visit http://www.dodgerspressbox.com.
DBM,
Unless I forgot someone, the pitchers currently on the Dodgers who started out as position players are Kenley Jansen and Pedro Baez.
Kenley was a strong armed catcher with a weak bat. I forget the details, but if memory serves, he distinguished himself by throwing out a bunch of big leaguers in the 2008 World Baseball Classic. I believe the Dodgers converted him to a pitcher in 2009, and he was up with the Dodgers to stay in 2010.
Pedro Baez was a highly rated Dodgers third baseman who never clicked with the bat, but had a cannon arm at 3B. He made it up to the Dodgers soon after being converted to the mound. I forget what year that was.
I’m not a fan of Betances. He has poor control, not a great attribute in a late inning reliever. His career BB/9 is 4.0. Yeah, strikes out a lot of people but he allows baserunners. Plus he only pitched 1 inning last year.
He had shoulder and lat injuries, returned and tore his achilles tendon.
As long as the front office seems to be concentrating on relievers what would everyone here give up to get Hader? Arguably one of the three best relievers in baseball, but his homer rate went up dramatically last year. On the other hand, the ball was obviously juiced and hopefully MLB will do something about that for 2020. Also, Hader has thrown a tremendous number of innings over the past two years, but he’s still only 25. Lots of positives and negatives.
So……………………………………..what are we willing to give up to get him?
Delin Betances will be the next signing. I mentioned it yesterday and now I’ve seen reports that the Dodgers are after him.
Mark Walter’s ass needs to be held to the fire.
Rule 5 draft results are in. Cristian Santana and Jordan Sheffield are still Dodgers. The Astros lost three, the Cubs 2, and the Yankees, Nats, Rays, A’s, Blue Jays, and Padres one each.
I will be back on Tuesday. AC, DC, and 2D2 will try to help some of you to seek mental help.
Good Luck! I’m outta’ here….
The Dodgers are where some of the Yankee players were 2 or 3 years ago. No one knew for sure how good Andujar, Torres, Urshela (not sure he’s for real), Frazier, and Judge would be.
The Dodgers are sitting on Lux, Verdugo, Smith, Ruiz, and 4 or 5 young pitchers who look to be ready to step up: Urias, May, Gonsolin, Gray, et al.
I am fine if they do nothing more than sign Treinen.
All some of you see are the trees. I see the forest.
Some of you have a disease for which there is no cure: optic rectumitus… it gives you a crappy outlook!
My faith in this team has been destroyed. With Roberts dumb manager decisions. Friedman failing at the trade deadline. Lets not spend and lets not give up prospects. Buts lets raise ticket prices. Guggenheim, Friedman, and Walters failing to add a marquee free agent. Nobody wants to deal with them. Your supposed to excite fans with the product. No one wants to hear rich people whine about not being able to spend. Greed always wins.
When we don’t get Hader I was going to recommend to AF that we re-sign Yimi, but unfortunately he’s off the board, just signed with the Marlins. I guess we’ll just have to settle for Hader.
Lux seems to be the best 2nd baseman they have. Why would they not make it his permanent position? Why train him for the outfield so he can platoon, maybe? Guess they know best.
Dodgers didn’t lose Jordan Sheffield (or Cristian Santana or Cody Thomas) in the Rule 5 Draft. They drafted 2B Carlos Sepulveda in the Triple-A phase. The 23-year-old hit .243/.342/.285 in 448 PA with Myrtle Beach (A+). Good fielder, good contact. Needs strength. A good amount of strength, reportedly.
Here we go again Yankees making a play for Josh Hader lmao this is F$#@%&! hilarious lmao. Where you at Dodgers with the supposed big pockets and prospects, step it the F up
And this Rendon deal they didnt even try!! Cole, they just offered enough to say they tried they knew he wasnt gonna sign for that much they knew it had to be more, dont think they truley want to be better they just need to be good enough to go to the playoffs
I think the move to have Gavin Lux learn to play some outfield is a versatility move. Doesn’t mean he won’t play a lot of second base. Without a change in the infield, it would appear that it will be set with Justin Turner at third, Cory Seager at short, Lux at second and Max Muncy at first.
The outfield is already crowded. That could change with a trade or two.
Pitching, starters and relievers, through trade or free agent signing, would seem to be the focus moving forward.
I was remembering our signing of Greinke, the only major free agent we have ever signed under this ownership. And as I’ve said several times, the only reason we did that is because we had to show Time-Warner that we were going to put forth a very competitive team, in order to get the 7 billion dollar windfall deal. Kasten or another of the owners was quoted as saying. “We had to get him.” So when it was a matter of making big money, the Dodgers went for it. $200 million or so to make $7 billion.
But here is the really “interesting” thing. Even then, Kasten was looking for a way to dilute the purchase. Greinke and his agent wanted seven years. The Dodgers only wanted to give six. So Kasten said that he would give Greinke an opt-out clause after three years. That’s right, the Dodgers got their one big free agent, but gave him six years if he was not that good, and let him leave in three if he was. So Greinke was good, and he opted out, and then the Dodgers tried to sign him, but failed. Now you tell me of one other respectable franchise which manages to sign a top free agent and gives him the opportunity to opt out in three years? Without that clause, the Dodgers have Greinke for seven years. Or maybe he would have taken six for more money, but Kasten and the Dodgers have to always have their way, always looking to avoid any long-term commitment. Greinke is not great, but he was good. And since then, the ownership has not given out one long-term contract of over five years, whereas all sorts of others teams have done that. I guess they finally offered Cole eight years, but it was one too few, , so darn, they fell short again.
This ownership refuses to compete for major free agents. “We made a good offer” is not really competing, since the idea is to make the best offer, at least sometimes. I could go into art auctions all day and make “good offers” and never get one piece. I could sent out a “good resume” and never get hired for anything, because I have never gotten the skills to make myself the best, or presented myself in that way. The Dodgers have lots of money, but they are ultimately obsessed with their little wishes, which involve setting internal prices, not going high enough, trying to avoid long-term contracts at all costs. In other words, they are playing their own game, while enough other franchise are playing the new game, and thus they are the ones getting the top free agents. At this point, the Dodgers should stop trying to delude the fans ,and never even offer a major FA, because they are never going to get him. It would be like me playing poker, and waving my chips around, but never putting them in the pot.
Another bad thing, in my view, is that in contrast to franchises like the Yankees and Angels, which are owned by one family or person, the Dodgers have multiple owners. So instead of a Steinbrenner or Moreno, who might choose to go all-out, spend his money, maybe overspend at times, to win a title, the Dodgers cannot do that. The idea of them selling shares in the Dodggrs, which they have been doing, is to dilute their risk. I have no idea what premium they are charging for new owners, but it is something; and so they make even more profits this way.
I suppose that the decisions come from the majority owner Walter, or possibly Walter and Kasten, not the other ones. But while someone like Moreno, or Kronke with the Rams, or Ballmer with the Clippers, only has to answer to himself, the Dodgers owners have to convince their new investors that they will give them a profit each year. They put out prospectives, like the one that Shaikin of the LAT uncovered, where they promised not to go over the luxury tax for the next five years. They are selling shares of the team, and to do that, they promise them guaranteed profits. The concept of winning a title is really not part of it. I suppose they would like to, but not all that much.
That is in essence why the Dodgers always lose out on the free agent bidding, and always will, unless someone can show them, as in the Time_Warner situation, that they can make an immense profit out of it. When you draw almost 4 million people, there is no further gain to be made from winning a title, in terms of attendance. And they raise ticket prices every year. The wishes of the fans seem irrelevant to them. That is why when last year Kasten was questioned about losing out on Harper and others, he answered by pointing to the season ticket sales being good. We the fans are looking at one thing, and they are looking at another.
And worse,, there is no way to put pressure on, or get rid of these owners, because they have spread their risk around so much, that they are under no pressure at all. Maybe if attendance went down to 2 million, but that’s never going to happen, and even if it did, they would just cut payroll 100 million. The Dodgers are a cash cow for the owners, and the fans are being milked, and there is not a thing we can do about it, except hope that somehow the profits-above-all, minimization of risk strategy will pay off maybe once in 15 years with a title.
What I want above all as a Dodgers fan is to have what the Yankees fans have now, which is a virtual certainty that they will be a dominant force in competing for World Series Championships for the next decade. and all the anticipation and excitement which goes with that. But the Dodgers play it year by year, the goal is always to protect the profits, and limit long-term risk, not to develop any kind of dynasty–unless one somehow calls winning a lot of division titles a dynasty. The Yankees are now where they want to be going forward, and so are the Dodgers, and those are quite different, sadly enough for Dodgers fans. That does no mean that I will not hope for some more additions, or that I will not root for us to win the title this year, but I will do so with the knowledge that there are other franchises in baseball which want it more, will spend more, do more toward that. We are a very large market franchise with a whole lot of money, and we think we are smarter than everyone else, and can play it like a mid-market franchise, and get more profits that way, and still be competitive. And that’s what we are: “they” make more profits, and we are competitive, but never the best. We’ve always got highlights of the 1988 season to show on the Dodgers network, though.
Good points AC and Mark. Yes, I too am disappointed that the Dodgers did not sign Cole, Stras or Rendon. But it is not the end of the world. I am very happy that AF cherishes our young stars, Lux, May, Gonsolin and others and keeps them with our team. Would like to see Ryu back and more help to the bullpen which I think is extremely important. I look forward to next season and hope my Dodgers do well.
It’s not time to be stupid. It’s time to target the right player who will be a difference maker in the playoffs and push us over the top. Cole was that guy and AF made the move. Cole wanted to be a Yankee more than a Dodger. I guess AF could have gone 10/360 but even for Cole that’s seems stupid. Every move we make has to be about winning those last eleven games and not to just be stupid. We’re still the best team in the NL but we need to get better to win it all. It’s not about how good we are now or even at the beginning of the year. It’s how good we are on August 1st. Let AF do his thing and see where we are by then. Then you can make your judgements about AF.
Yankees, Dodgers, Mets Reportedly In Market For Josh Hader.
If you think Dodger fans are upset about not signing Rendon, I found this reaction from Trea Turner very funny.
https://www.federalbaseball.com/2019/12/11/21012223/trea-turner-is-all-of-us-reacting-to-news-of-anthony-rendon-signing
Alright so look I understand that you dont spend stupid and u need to be wise, but right now the dodgers cant be picky it’s time to be stupid!!
OK, let’s think outside the box.
Could Gavin Lux play CF? I don’t know, but maybe. He certainly has the speed. Lux in CF, Bellinger in RF and Pollock and Verdugo in LF.
Trade Joc, Maeda and Kasowski for Aaron Bummer, Luis Alexander Basabe, and Jake Burger.
Keep that pipeline full!
Rendon has inside information that the Dodgers will not win the WS next season.
Doc said that Lux is going to see some time on the grass next year, or something to that effect. We’ll see if they’re targeting another infielder. It really sucks that we missed out on the big three. But, the teams that signed them needed them more.
I agree that the Yankees are pretty maxed out on payroll right now. But, they’re the team to beat in the AL with the addition of Cole. The Angels will score runs, but they won’t prevent many. They still don’t have any pitching. The Nats have two aces, but their lineup is going to suffer without Rendon unless they sign Donaldson. But they also lost half their 25 man roster to free agency, so I doubt they’ll be as good as they were last year even if they do sign Donaldson. Kendrick is not going to do what he did last year and his glove has holes in it. The Astros look to be in real trouble as they lost an Ace, another good SP, and most of their bullpen.
Times are a changing, but the one constant is the Dodgers are still the team to beat in the NL. The Braves may be a little better with a very solid pen, but losing Donaldson will hurt. The Phillies and Padres are trying to get better, but probably won’t be enough to be serious contenders.
Let’s make a deal! We’re gonna need a bold trade in order to go bold.
Someone actually wrote that Clayton Kershaw is no better than a #4? Wow!! I will leave your diagnosis to Mark. Kersh was 16-5 with a 3.03 ERA (10th in MLB), 1.043 WHIP (10th in MLB), 4.61 K/BB (14th in MLB), and was 8th in CY voting. If that is my #4 pitcher, I am feeling very confident going into the season.
But he may have been #3 for the Dodgers who had the best starting pitching in MLB.
ERA – Ryu (2.32, #1 MLB), Kershaw (3.03, #10 MLB), Buehler (3.26, #14 MLB)
WHIP – Ryu (1.01, #6 MLB), Buehler (1.04 #9 MLB), Kershaw (1.04 #10 MLB)
K/BB – Ryu (6.79, #3 MLB), Buehler (5.81 #7 MLB), Kershaw (4.61 #14 MLB)
Kershaw’s 16 wins were good for #8 in MLB (tied).
It’s one thing to be upset about not signing Gerrit Cole, but to say that Clayton Kershaw is a #4 is a little off of reality. I wanted Gerrit Cole, but not at 9 years, $324MM. Every team has a limit. The Dodgers’ limit for Cole was $300MM. Someone suggested that if the Dodgers were willing to go $300MM they should have been willing to go to $325MM. How far do you go? Every organization determines at what point diminishing returns begin to show. Apparently. the Dodger FO determined that after $300MM, the short term return did not justify the potential long term damage such a contract would pose for the team. Apparently, the FO believes in their kids. It is also apparent that NYY does not believe in theirs.
I am not naïve, and I recognize and acknowledge that Clayton has not consistently done it on the big stage. But did the Astros cheating steal #22’s playoff legacy in 2017? Kershaw was brilliant in Game 1 and Game 7 in LA. Game 5? Kersh had never pitched that badly before or since. The Astros stole that game. In addition, Doc did not do him any favors by pitching him in the 8th inning of Game 5. Maybe 2020 will be Clayton’s David Price year.
I may be wrong (probably am), but I still believe the Dodgers will find another top of the rotation pitcher. Maybe they will sign Ryu. Maybe they will trade for one. I have no idea who that may be.
I know it is hard for some to believe, but not everybody wants to play for the Dodgers. Apparently Rendon indicated enough that it was an issue. Why? I doubt that he will disrespect LAD by going on record and making any negative comments. There was early support for Rendon by Dodger officials. Doc was saying all the right things, so it wasn’t that the Dodgers did not have interest. Rendon just did not like the Dodgers. It happens.
Wow, 7/245 doesn’t seem too bad for Rendon. I’m really bummed we missed out on him. But, if a player doesn’t want to play for you, he doesn’t want to play for you. I would definitely give a go at Donaldson, but I would limit the contract to 3 years. He may only be a year younger than JT, but he sure looks younger than that. If they were willing to go 8 years on Cole, they can certainly do 3 for Donaldson. Either way there’s a good chance you would have had to eat a year of the contract anyways.
I would still also pursue an Arrenado trade, but would rather just sign Donaldson first. If you sign Ryu or MadBum, we can certainly afford to start with Downs and Gray in a deal for Arrenado.
When you’re already a great team, with few if any holes, it’s hard to improve it. But, I must say that it is a problem when guys don’t want to sign with your team. Maybe Rendon doesn’t like all the platoons, or the different lineups every day, or Doc’s bumbling moves in the postseason. If you keep doing whacky stuff, free agents will be turned off by it.
I’ve said this before, this team is still a great team. We lost Ryu, Freese and Martin. That’s pretty much it. We improved the pen with Treinen, but we still need more help. Urias, May and Gonsolin will make up for Hill and Ryu. We just need to offset the loss of Freese to be as good as we were last year. But, they can still go bold and make a trade for an impact player like Arrendado, or Betts. I don’t think Lindor is a good fit because you have to move around Seager, Turner and Muncy.
Yes, Gerrit Cole is a difference maker, but a nine year contract at $324 million is beyond crazy, especially with the CBT threshold. Some serious penalties for exceeding certain numbers, which would prevent teams sustaining success over several years.
The Dodgers are built to sustain and that’s a good thing. How many times will the Yankees win the World Series during the next nine years? Once, twice? The reason they didn’t get there this year is the best bullpen in baseball crashed.
The Astros had an exceptional team. They had Cole, Justin Verlander and this year Zack Greinke. They didn’t win in 2018 or 2019. They apparently had to cheat to win in 2017.
No guarantees. The Yankees had CC Sabathia, Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriquez. How many World Series did that group win? One.
For whatever reason, the Dodgers didn’t make an offer to Anthony Rendon. Maybe they just didn’t connect during their meeting, didn’t feel he was right, was interested in a longer term contract. Didn’t feel he was the difference maker. It happens.
Look, they offered eight years and $300 million for Cole. Apparently he just wanted to be a Yankee.
The Dodgers won 108 games this past season and that team is essentially returning with a few changes. They lost because of a flawed bullpen.
They signed Blake Treinen and are involved in numerous potential trade discussions to acquire additional relief and starting pitching. If Treinen bounces back and his track record indicates he will, Joe Kelly returns to his second half form and Kenley Jansen, a full year away from his heart procedure, gets better, the Dodgers should have a far better pen.
Looking around baseball, the Dodgers are an incredibly talented team with pitching and hitting, a deep farm system with a front office working hard to make the team even better.
Missing out on Cole is not the end of the world. How many teams have young pitchers (Julio Urias, Dustin May and Tony Gonsolin) who have already had success at the Major League level. We have an ace in Walker Buehler and Clayton Kershaw is still a really good pitcher. Kenta Maeda is still with the team along with Ross Stripling. No doubt they will add another starter. Cory Kluber, Hyun-Jin Ryu or Madison Bumgarner?
Deep breath everybody. The Dodgers are still really good, may be the best team in baseball heading into spring training.
Finally, I will say this: If you don’t get the steak, don’t just buy a hamburger because the money is wearing a hole in your pocket!
Donaldson: At 34, Josh Donaldson is 1 year younger than Justin Turner. How wise is it to offer him a 4-year deal? Even 3? I don’t think so. I do like TO Dave’s suggestion about Chapman.
By the way: I wrote that the Dodgers won 108 games in 2019. Someone corrected me and said it was 106. NO! It was 108! Look it up!
Here are the facts:
1. The Dodgers paid more money to baseball players than any other team in baseball over the past 5 years, so when you say “The Dodgers are cheap and won’t spend” I immediately dismiss your takes because you are completely disconnected from reality. I am sorry but I do not suffer fools very well. If that is your thought process, I can understand why you are so upset: You have no ability to reason.
2. The Dodgers have won more games than any team in baseball for the past 5 years. Winning IS important and if you are good enough to get to the playoffs, you are good enough to win. You can’t change that win total.
3. The Dodgers have not won the World Series for 5 years under Andrew Friedman. Forget the other 26 – he wasn’t responsible.
4. The Yankees have not won the World Series for 10 years, so quit holding them up as a model organization. Yes, they know how to spend, but they don’t know how to win any better (actually worse) than LA. When you spout that lunacy, you might as well tattoo “I am a dumbass” on your forehead.
5. The Dodgers did offer Cole $300 Million. That has been confirmed. That was their final offer. Frankly, I would not have gone that high, so I am fine with that.
6. Over 70% of big free-agent contracts become very bad deals. At the All-Star Break, Dodger fans were up in arms that Friedman would not trade his prospects for Felipe Vasquez. How did that work out? For every FA pitcher like Verlander, there are ones like David Price. Chris Sale was good when Boston got him, but signing him to an extension was felony stupid. Albert Pujols has been a boat anchor for the Angels. The Yankees would pay half of Stanton’s contract if they could find a taker, two years after trading for him. They over him an average of $28 Million a year until 2028. Idiots!
7. Before that, the Yankees were hamstrung by Jacoby Elsbury’s deal. They may get out of it this year if their grievance is won.
8, The team with the most aces didn’t win last year and the team with Gerrit Cole didn’t win. These things happen in baseball.
9. For 5 years many of you have continually bashed Andrew Friedman with an irrational fervor because he is arguably the best in baseball. It took me a while, but it is so irrational, and not rooted in fact that it can only be one other deep-seated thing. I’ll let you decide what it is.
10. I have been through this so many times. Many of you act like it’s your first rodeo. Watch and learn. I will continue to throw this up in your face and you will continue to throw up your vitriol about Friedman on the floor. That’s where your perspective starts. Frankly, I pity your small-mindedness. It must suck to be you.
11. For whatever reason (ask him) Rendon did not want to play for the Dodgers. I am sure Boras told AF that. You can’t sign someone who doesn’t want to play for you, so why extend an offer?
12. No smart people were offended in the writing of this post!
I agree with AC. I wanted Strasberg or Cole. AF will not spend stupid money. The way to remain strong is by developing the farm system. AF has done a good job with our young players. AF will not trade the young studs. Look at the farm kids AF has traded. Almost all have not made it big in the majors. His evaluation of talent is very good. AF job right now is to fix the bull pen. Two or three good pieces for the bull pen Is needed. However, you just never know about a relief pitcher.
I am disappointed, but certainly will support the Dodgers next year.
In theory it is said that we do not have a real co-ace, but there is still a long way for the season to start, what I think this team needs is a true warrior, someone with experience and success, I would go for Donaldson and Bumgarner (whom I I prefer instead of Ryu) for 3 years.
And it wouldn’t even bother me to have Pablo Sandoval (Kung fu panda) He is another experienced batter, who knows how to win, would be perfect for the bench.
Sign some other veteran pitcher to consume innings and give May, Gonsolin, Urias enough time to continue learning and developing, this team is not Miami to take the field with so many rookies, this team has the obligation to win every year!
This team needs to do something, it doesn’t matter if it is to improve the team, it would be to give something to the fans, to show them that something is being done!
And I don’t care if Bumgarner was from SF, if Sandoval can’t play anymore, if Donaldson is already old …
https://lasportshub.com/2019/12/09/los-angeles-dodgers-rumors-andrew-friedman/
This team does not need to invest so much money in a player, but some help is needed
Can’t believe Andrew FRAUDMAN didn’t even pursue Rendon. I know we have JT at third and he has offered to move to first base. This is the kind of thing that drives Dodger’s fans bonkers.
Like Brooklyn, I will withhold judgement until everything plays out.
But for now, much like in October, we’re 0-fer getting the job done. Let’s see what happens tomorrow!
In case anyone hasn’t looked at the calendar, it’s still only Dec. 2019. Still a long ways away from October 2020, and a bit early to be declaring success or failure in the 2020 WS.
I was disappointed to hear that the Dodgers didn’t sign Rendon. But based on everything I read, there are myriad options left for the Dodgers, be they FA signings and/or trades. I will continue to withhold judgment until everything plays out. I still have faith in AF, and suspect that the Dodgers are far from done.
I had zero confidence the dodgers would get the job done on getting marque talent via free agency.
Dodgers game plan. Lets not spend money or trade prospects. Lets sign scott kazmir. Lets see who wants aj pollock. What lame excuses will ownership have now. Always getting outbid for everyone. I guess we are the tampa bay rays. Money hoarding jerks.
I just read that the A’s are interested in trading for and bringing back Jed Lowrie. Hmmm… sounds like they need a 2b. We got that and they got a 3b that has to be the best bargain in baseball at that position. Matt Chapman. I know, I know, why would the A’s trade away such a promising stud who is still at the major league minimum next year, followed by 3 arb years before finally getting to UFA in 2024? Well, the A’s aren’t exactly known for holding onto talent. Maybe AF can pull a surprise on us like Chapman. The A’s #8 prospect, Sheldon Neuse, is arguably at the point where he could take over 3b if Chappy were traded. So instead of them trading for Lowrie, what about sending them Kike to man 2b, or if they prefer, Taylor? We could fill another need of theirs, starting pitching. Send Stripling or if they prefer. Maeda. Of course we’d have to give up young prospect talent as well for such a cost controllable, excellent 3b. But by filling 2b and starting pitcher needs of theirs, we could protect Lux perhaps and offer someone like Gray or if necessary, May. Not enough? What about Diego Cartaya added with Gray, Kike or Taylor, and Stripling or Maeda?
I have a chance of meeting Chappy this offseason. We have a mutual friend who remains close with him. They played together at Fullerton. I’m sure Chappy would remain tight lipped and maybe somewhat annoyed if I hounded him too much, but if I get the chance, I’ll mention how great he’d look in Dodger blue, remind him that the A’s don’t pay, and that his childhood local team, the Angels, just locked up a new 3b long term.
AC I’m not saying Dodgers have no chance but past playoff history has been ugly for Seager, Belly and Kersh. Urias and May have a lot to prove before we can count on them in the playoffs. Kersh is no number 2 in the playoffs and a matchup with Severino would not be a good one for the Dodgers. Based on what we saw last couple years in the playoffs Kersh at best is a number 4. He should only pitch once in a series.. We have to get a number 2 behind Buehler and we need a lot of bullpen help to compete with that Yankee bullpen. But in the end our young stars have to play like stars in the playoffs if we have any chance
I’ve seen reports that the Dodgers didn’t make an offer to Rendon. They got the feeling that he wasn’t interested in playing for the Dodgers.
I hope Blake Treinen works out for the Dodgers. It’s a gamble, but at least the Dodgers took a step forward to address their biggest need in my opinion.
Now go get Giles for cheap.
I still say sign Will Harris.
Sorry AC. Almost that entire Yankee team was injured last year and they still won 103 games in a tough division. Adding Cole and if they stay relatively healthy they’re huge favorites to win the WS..Cole is a huge difference maker
One other thing. I do not remember who wrote it, but someone indicated that the Dodgers are owned by a trillion dollar corporation. NO THEY ARE NOT!!!
Guggenheim Baseball Management is the ownership group that was formed to manage the Los Angeles Dodgers professional baseball team in March 2012 for $2.15 billion. The consortium consisted of Guggenheim controlling partner Mark Walter, and also includes as investors former Los Angeles Laker Earvin “Magic” Johnson, and movie producer Peter Guber, baseball team executive Stan Kasten, investor Bobby Patton, and former Guggenheim executive Todd Boehly. Billie Jean King and her partner Ilana Kloss joined the Los Angeles Dodgers ownership group in 2018. Entrepreneurs Alan Smolinisky and Robert L. Plummer joined the ownership group in September 2019.
Guggenheim Partners LLC, the financial services firm, has NO OWNERSHIP stake in Guggenheim Baseball Management, but is often inaccurately mistaken with Guggenheim Baseball Management.
Disappointing so far. Can’t deny that.