Yesterday someone wrote this:
I would want to see us put together rosters which are the best in baseball, at least in some of the seasons. Why should a franchise with this large and fervent fan base, and the second largest media network in the country, not have that?
Well, they don’t have that because as we have repeatedly seen, over 70% of these big, fat contracts become boat anchors. The Yankees no longer do that… and if you do that, you are a dumbass, like Dave Dumbrowski! Well, he’s really not dumb, but everywhere he has been, he has had successful teams that then sucked for a long time after winning or being close to winning. He might get you there once, but you are going to spend years climbing out of the hole.
But wait, the Dodgers do have one of the TOP 2 or 3 highest paid rosters in baseball. I (and may other baseball people) would argue that they have the most depth of any MLB team. Signing players to huge, long-term deals is simply not the way to do things as has been demonstrated over and over.
The Yankees highest-paid player, Giancarlo Stanton, has had 31 AB’s this year and at 30, he is signed for 8 more years. How do you think that is going to turn out? Brain Cashman will really rue the day he traded for Stanton when he has to let a young star walk because Stanton got the money.
I realize some Dodger fans would happily trade a Word Championship for 10 more years of losing, but I wouldn’t and neither will Andrew Friedman. He is trying to build a sustainable winner. By getting there year-after-year, you have a lot better opportunity to win it… and make no mistake about it, winning a World Series involves a degree of “luck.”
Here are a few examples: JD Martinez falls into your lap at about half of what he was asking. A David Price, who has in the past been worse than Clayton Kershaw in the playoffs, suddenly has to step up. A journeyman (Steve Pearce) becomes the MVP. When your closer falters, two journeymen (Kelly and Eovaldi) become Batman and Robin and when your catchers all average below .200, the rest of the team compensates. However, they couldn’t sustain it and that cost Dombrowski his job.
Will he get another job like that? Maybe… maybe not! He is somewhat old school, but he does utilize analytics and the Red Sox Analytics Department is nearly as good as the Yankees, Dodgers, and Astros. You can bet the Red Sox will make a run at Andrew Friedman if he doesn’t sign with the Dodgers soon.
Signing big contracts with Free Agents or Trading Prospects for Aging Stars could also keep the Dodgers from signing their own homegrown stars, like Bellinger, Seager, Buehler, Verdugo… even Pederson. So, Friedman doubles down on the farm and the Dodgers farm system ranks with any team in baseball. As 2Demeter2 so eloquently wrote yesterday, not only do that draft well, but they develop extremely well. The Dodgers arguably spend more money on player development than any other MLB team… and that Ladies and Gentlemen is the Path to Success.
In a few days… maybe today, the Dodgers WILL FLIP THE SWITCH to Beast Mode and this train will be bound for glory!
Discussion (77)
Disagree, not disagreeable
Too bad about Yelich. Really tough to come this far in the season, and then have it suddenly ended. My guess is that he will make a full recovery, and will be back and just as dangerous in 2020.
Love this by Plaschke:
“Before Tuesday, my favorite Dodgers moment this season was the June weekend featuring consecutive walk-off home runs by rookies Beaty, Verdugo and Smith.
But then Roberts topped that Tuesday night in the Baltimore visiting clubhouse when he asked his champagne-bottle-clutching team to delay the postgame celebration until somebody could face-time injured Verdugo and Max Muncy. Only when they appeared on raised smartphones was the champagne popped, at which point it was sprayed all over their video faces.
“No man left behind,” Roberts screamed, and that is how you win seven titles in a row.”
Evidently Yellich out for the season with a broken knee cap.
Good night for us. Yankees lost. Braves lost. Houston getting their butts handed to them. We can pick up a game on everyone!
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE DODGERS!! LET’S CONTINUE THE WINNING WAYS AND GET THAT WS WIN!!
DODGERS CLINCH 7TH CONSECUTIVE NATIONAL LEAGUE WEST TITLE
Dodgers to give away first-ever Postseason bobblehead at first NLDS home game
LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Dodgers tonight clinched the 2019 National League West Division Championship, the club’s seventh straight and 18th overall NL West title.
Fans are encouraged to visit Dodgers.com/Postseason for the latest Postseason schedule and ticket information. Additionally, those that purchase a full season ticket Membership for the 2020 season will be granted full Postseason rights for this year, including the World Series.
In honor of his MVP-caliber season, the Dodgers will give away a Cody Bellinger bobblehead at their first NLDS home game, marking the club’s first-ever Postseason bobblehead. The special edition bobblehead depicts Bellinger in his home run trot and will be available in both his home white uniform and road grays. The first 40,000 fans in attendance will receive either the white or gray version of the bobblehead depending on what is available at their point of entry. The team will also distribute rally towels at each Postseason home game.
The Dodgers will play “October Baseball” for the 33rd time in franchise history (24th time in Los Angeles) and for the ninth time in the last 12 years. Los Angeles previously won division titles in 1974, 1977, 1978, 1981, 1983, 1985, 1988, 1995, 2004, 2008, 2009 and 2013-18 and twice reached the postseason as the Wild Card, in 1996 and 2006. In franchise history, the club has won six World Series championships and 23 National League pennants.
Los Angeles is just the third-ever team to win seven or more consecutive division titles, joining the New York Yankees (9, 1998-2006) and Atlanta Braves (14, 1991-2005). Dave Roberts, the Dodgers’ manager since 2016, becomes the first manager in MLB history to lead his team to division titles in his first four full seasons as a big league manager.
Fans can purchase official NL West championship and 2019 postseason merchandise online at Dodgers.com and at the Top of the Park store, which is open daily from 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Magic Number 0
I agree with Mark that Boston is going to go hard after AF this winter. They have already demonstrated that they are more than willing to spend. As Ken Rosenthal noted in his Athletic article regarding the possible firing of Dave Dombrowski, “rebuilding doesn’t appear to be an option in Boston, so a new front office boss will have to creatively replenish the minor league system while still keeping the Sox in contention for another championship.” Who does that sound like Boston is going to go after? If you believe $7MM per year was a lot nearly 5 years ago, let’s wait and see where it ends up this time. Either way, AF is going to be paid very handsomely.
As far as turning on the switch and looking at history…let’s do that. In 2017, on August 24, AZ was 21 games back and went on a 13-game winning streak to September 6, including beating the Dodgers 6 games. Contrarily on August 26, the Dodgers lost 16 out of 17 and saw their lead dissipate to 9.0 games. After that streak the Dodgers were 12-6 in their last 18 games, before they knocked the stuffing out of AZ in the NLDS, beating Taijuan Walker, Robbie Ray, and Zack Greinke. Then went on to beat the Cubs 4 games to 1 in the NLCS. They were 1 hanging 0-2 cutter to Marwin Gonzalez from probably taking a 2 games to 0 lead in the WS, and maybe win it in 5. And while the Dodgers were given up for dead during their streak (go back and read the doomsayers that year), they sure seemed to turn a switch in 2017, just in time for the playoffs. Also that 0-2 pitch shows that a season can turn on one pitch. The No-They-Cannot-Just-Turn-the-Switch fans may turn out to be right. Or maybe Mark and I and others who think differently will be right. That is why they play the games. But I am not giving up on them before Game 1 of the NLDS. Bring on the Nats, Braves, NYY or Houston. I like the Dodgers chances.
One more thing for Bobby. Yes, I was not real high on Gavin Lux, but I was more upset that the Dodgers chose Lux over Bo Bichette. I still think they chose the wrong player, but I now believe that the changes Gavin has made in his swing will turn him into a solid 2B. I just do not believe at the same caliber is Bichette.
I just heard from DC:
We lost power to Dorian early on Saturday and just got our power back a while ago. It was quite a doozie but remarkably caused much less damage than expected. We had 6 inches of rain and wind gusts up to 100 mph, sustained about 60 mph. Personally we had no damage, just a big clean up as we have so many hardwood trees on our property.
He will have a post on Thursday!
Mark,
I hope you’re right. The one thing that Seager has going for him is that I’m wrong much of the time. Whatever the case, I have full confidence that we will see the Corey Seager of 2016, only better.
I have been thinking that Seager’s power would return next year when he finally had a full off-season to concentrate on strength training. And while to some degree I think that’s correct, I also think that Orel Hershiser may be correct that Seager may just need another year away from his injuries to find his way fully back. And despite bad numbers against lefthanders this year, Seager has always hit them, and that’s something that will likely come back next year.
Corey Seager is a rare talent. When he is struggling… maybe you rest him a day or two, but he has to play. If he’s not the best SS in baseball, he’s in the discussion. I pronounce him back and you will see great things from him.
Poor old Orioles. Poor teams have poor luck.
So… does anyone still want to “platoon” Corey Seager?
I didn’t think so!
I’m a huge Seager fan. But I wonder, would that ball he hit have been a HR in Dodger Stadium? I wonder how many HRs the Dodgers would hit if they played 18-19 games in the Camden Yards bandbox.
Cassidy, you’ve been hypothesizing about who can help carry us in October?
Can I add Seager to that list?
Recommend the book The Best Team Money Can Buy by Molly Knight. Offers insight into Guggenheim, the purchase of the Dodgers and the thinking moving forward. Dodgers tried to keep Zack Greinke, offering a contract in the $155 million range. Thought they had the deal done and at the last minute Arizona jumped in with a crazy $200 million plus offer. When Arizona realized they had made a major mistake, the Dodgers attempted to reacquire Greinke, but balked at taking the entire contract.
At some point the Dodgers are going to take on large, multi-year contracts for players like Bellinger and Seager.
I have only posted here a couple times (and can’t even remember what “handle” I used) but wanted to comment on the strategy of being competitive most years versus going all out for one year. I have been an AVID Dodger fan for over 60 years (I lived in LA as a kid and was shocked to see my Brooklyn Dodgers would move to LA just to be near me!) and have been lucky enough to have something to look forward to with the Dodgers most years. I have the same feeling with AF now that I had with the O’Malley’s during the time they owned the team. You knew they were trying and usually had something to look forward to. During the Fox ownership era I learned how the other half lives (like the Pirates, Padres, Orioles). Each year was dismal and it really made me appreciate the new ownership and having a chance to win each year. I would love a World Series Championship but would not trade that for the track record we have had since AF took over and for the future we have to look forward to. I guess I am different but it is fun to look forward to seeing the box score each day as we compete for the pennant. I truly believe that winning the WS is a lot of luck most years (if your hot your hot!).
When I get upset about missed signing opportunities or trades not made I just look at the MAJORITY of the other teams and realize they would give anything to have the past and future Dodger fans have.
I do hope we win it all but if not I will be excited for next Spring Training to see how the new group of prospects impact the team (you see we have prospects that can impact the team because we didn’t trade them all away like Houston- and I know many are going to say who cares if they won the World Series). Every one has to right to enjoy the Dodgers in their own way (just was long as you enjoy them!).
The comments and arguments on this site are almost always entertaining and usually insightful. But they wouldn’t be as entertaining if we were 30 games out of first place with multiple long term contracts (I sure hate we missed out on the Bobby Bonilla deal).
I don’t think Ryu or Hill will be back next year and that gives the Dodgers $33M to spend on a free agent such as Cole or Rendon. Friedman could jump into the free agency market next year.
Wow JOC against a lefty. I guess we’ll see just how good he’s going right now. Would be nice to see him get one jack against a lefty this year!
Today’s division clinching lineup vs Dodger killer Ty Blach:
Pollock
Freeze
JT
Belly
CT3 (RF)
Seager
Kike (2b)
Smith
Joc (DH)
Buehler
What if you go all in and trade most of your young talent and then don’t win it? Best teams don’t always win! Can’t assume if Dodgers went “all in” that we’d win it.
Posters here are asking interesting questions. The Dodgers won in ’63 and ’65, but were in the doldrums from 67-68 after Koufax retired and didn’t make it back to the Series until ’74. Ask Dodger fans from then – was it worth it to win even though they were crappy for a couple of years?
They were in the Series 4 times in 7 years between ’47-53. But they never won until ’55. You think Brooklyn fans were satisfied just getting the Series but losing every time (to the Yankees no less), even though the team was great and always competitive? My Dad was born in Brooklyn and went to Ebbets in ’49 to see a Series game. He wouldn’t agree.
What is it worth to win it all?
Does this create a logjam at first base with Cody, Beaty, Gjorko, Freese and now Rios? I prefer Beaty, he plays a good, (but not as good as Cody) first base and hits clutch. Just my opinion and question. No offense directed at Rios.
DODGERS RECALL IF EDWIN RÍOS
LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Dodgers announced that they have recalled infielder Edwin Ríos from Triple-A Oklahoma City.
Ríos, 25, returns for his third stint with the club after hitting .286 (10-for-35) with two homers and four RBI in 17 games for the Dodgers. In 104 games with Oklahoma City, he slashed .270/.340/.575 with 31 homers and 91 RBI. In five minor league seasons, he has hit .295 (492-for-1670) with 95 homers and 326 RBI. He became the first Oklahoma City Dodger to club 30 homers in a season and first Triple-A Dodger farmhand since Joc Pederson clubbed 33 homers for the Albuquerque Isotopes in 2014. The Puerto Rican native was originally drafted in the sixth round of the 2015 First Year Player Draft out of Florida International University.
Say what you want about AF and the Dodgers but every year we’re right there at the top fighting for a ring. It sure would duck being an Orioles fan!
I wrote that sentence, and I appreciate the discussion of this “meta issue” in baseball. How do you best build to win a title? I would say, have a corps of young talent from your own system, and then supplement with key veteran pieces from the outside, via free agency or trade. But of course this is all abstract, and the actual concrete details can always be debated.
I appreciate that the Dodgers have built a strong minor league system. I agree with you that trying to win a title through mostly outside acquisitions either fails, or briefly succeeds, but depletes the roster. But we do see how a timely and even somewhat risky or pricey acquisition such as Verlander in 2017 and Greinke this year, can get you over the top. As I’ve noted, the Yankees have also added a number of outside pieces . With regard to Stanton, this could have been a mistake, but the price was actually pretty low, and he did hit 50 HRs last year, and might well bounce back to hit hundreds more. And somehow even with him being out for the whole season, and with all the other early injuries they’ve had, the Yankees still have a very powerful team, probably second only to the Astros. The Dodgers are probably third, with the Braves, which have a very aggressive GM, and who have added a number of players, perhaps fourth. I don’t follow the Twins at all, and they are the below the radar team which obviously is pretty strong, though I doubt that they will win the AL. The Cardinals have rebuilt, and look to be very good going forward.
Obviously, to win the title, you need to either be the best team, or somehow catch fire in the playoffs to beat those which have more overall talent. If the Dodgers can do this their way, it would be gratifying. But my opinion is that each year there are one or two teams which take the risks that the Dodgers refuse to take, and who win the tittle, while the Dodgers are always looking to next year, counting their profits, and and piling up cost-controlled prospects.
Interestingly, I think that the Guggenheim Group pulled a bait and switch on Dodgers fans. When they took over, they wanted to immediately restore the declining fan base, and also to get that multibillion dollar TV deal. So they spent big from the outset. They gave Kemp and Ethier contracts which were too big and too long. Kasten told the other teams that we were willing to buy up long-term contracts from them. They let Colletti make the deal which saddled the Dodgers will the bloated contracts of Gonzalez and Crawford. They traded for Ramirez. They picked up Greinke. Kasten said that people didn’t understand what the long term plan was, and that they would see. And sure enough, once they got the TV deal, they stopped doing that. They never again signed a major free agent to a long-term expensive deal. They let Greinke go via the opt-out clause which Kasten, who says he will never give anyone a no-trade clause, somehow allows. They passed on Scherzer, Sale, Stanton, Cole, Harper. They did not go after Goldschmidt, whom I wanted to try for. Passed on Britton, LeMahieu, did not even give Keuchel a look. I’m not saying that all of these would have been feasible additions, but maybe a few of them? Actually, the extension they gave Kershaw might have been better used, but of course there was fan loyalty and sentimentality involved.
No organization does whatever a given fan or the entire fanbase wants. It is just my opinion that the Dodgers, which make a lot of money, are not as committed to building the strongest team to win it all, the way that the Astros and Yankees are. And then you always have to contend with an organization like the Red Sox or maybe now the Braves, which will take a big plunge to try to win it all in a given year. Now, they may fall back after that, but that doesn’t necessarily help the Dodgers, because it just makes it harder for us to win that year, and next year it might be someone else stepping up. Finally, I do think that the Astros and Yankees are the best teams this season, they have built the best rosters. We would only have to play one of them, but if the goal is actually to win the title, one better team is all that it takes to prevent you.
I’m in your camp Mark with regard to wanting a team that’s very competitive every year and taking my chances with a WS victory. That said, we may be in the minority as I think a most fans would give up any future success to finally win the Grand Prize. That feeling is wonderful for the year you win, but if you descend into the depths after you win, those years with crummy teams to root for are absolute hell.
The Dodgers are built for regular season competitiveness. And Friedman built them that way on purpose. The Dodgers have some pretty exceptional young players that need to learn, or be taught, to take the team on their shoulders and do the heavy lifting in the PS. To win in the PS everything needs to come together. Pitching, defense and scoring runs. Only the players can do this. They need to step up to the next level of elite MLB performers. Will they? Only time will tell. It’s the old crappy saying again. We Shall See. WSS for short.
Flip the switch? Pardon me while I LOL. Not that I’m not hoping (praying even?) that they can do that. History says nyet.
I’m ready for beast mode and I am ready for Larry Sherry and Chuck Essegian. Maeda and Beaty could be the 2019 versions of Larry and Chuck.
To do or not do free agent Rendon this off season could tell us more about Friedman and his philosophy on free agents. It’s not that he won’t go after Rendon but whether he can get him for the right number of years. The Dodgers still need a strong righty bat and not one that switch hits.
I’m liking Ferguson and Maeda in the bullpen for the playoffs. Kelly too if he has legs. They could be the stars of the playoff bullpen.