Pedro Moura had a Q & A on The Athletic yesterday about the Dodgers. Some moron named Edward V. asked this:
How long till Friedman and co are kicked out by Dodger fans for not delivering a championship?
Pedro Moura wrote:
Fans are not the bosses of big league executives, Edward.
So, Edward came back and said:
Fair. How about how long till Dodger fans turn on the executives for not delivering a championship?
Pedro responded:
It seems like many fans turned on them long ago?
Those are the people that drive me crazy! The Dodgers are in the best shape they have been for 30 years or more and the idiots are calling for Andrew Friedman’s head? The Dodgers are picked by Vegas as odds-on one of the TOP THREE team in baseball and guys like Edward ask stupid stuff like that? What is wrong with you, Edward?
This team is deep and the farm is elite. MLB.com rates their lineup as the 5th best in baseball. Most analysts pick them to win the NL West (Jim Bowden picked the Rockies) and so do I but it is never easy. The Giants and Padres could be better than many people think and the Rockies are good – I just don’t see them winning. Bowden wrote this telling line in The Athletic:
The lineup is expected to have less platooning than in the past, but with a little more contact, fewer home runs and a little less drama in the clubhouse.
“Less drama in the clubhouse” speaks volumes. Just a few people on this site and many on other sites, criticize Friedman and say he has failed. Everything they say is from a negative point of view and I am not going to stop them from saying it, because it is free speech, but I will say it is dumb simply because it is not true. It’s not true because the record speaks for itself.
To say I am a “homer” shows you have no clue about what I have said in the past. I was no fan of Ned Colletti, Joe Torre and most recently, Don Mattingly and I was frequently criticized for being so vocal in my criticism. It’s not homerism – it’s what I believe. I have been right about Friedman from Jump Street… and that really pisses some of you off.Is he perfect? Hell no! He has made his share of mistakes and will continue to do so, but I wonder why the irrational hated of him is so prevalent when the facts say otherwise.
I have no problem with people saying it’s going to be tough to get back to the World Series, because it is. It’s going to be very hard. History shows that very few teams have made it three years in a row. If the Dodgers don’t get there this year, I am sure you will say “I told you so.” So, if they do get back again, will you promise to Just Shut the Hell up? Do we have a deal?
I do not believe that “Everyone who questions whether the Dodgers will win the World Series is wrong.” That is not true. I believe that anyone who questions everything is wrong! Read that line carefully – that is what I believe! When your point of view is always negative, you are TOTALLY WRONG! There’s a lot of positives on this team and this organization. The positives outnumber the negatives. You can say what you want and if it’s dumb, I will say that too. To use Dave Dombrowski as a example is shallow and silly. Some of you have no clue. I would be happy to elaborate if you want to beat that horse. Sorry if I offend you, but I call it the way I see it and you are seething because you have been calling for Friedman to fail since he started and it’s not happening.
Today starts the new season. The Dodgers have put a new hitting philosophy into place that stresses the importance of moving runners, cutting down on strikeouts and improving situation hitting. How it works will take time to determine, but so far, the players are buying in. There will be challenges and the Dodgers will need some luck to get back to the Fall Classic. If you think they can’t get there, you are wrong. If you think it will be difficult, you are right, but the pieces are there. It’s up to the team to execute. A lot can go wrong. A lot went wrong last year and they still made it. A lot can still go wrong this year. If it does, the depth has to step up. No excuses!
You cans say that Joe Kelly can’t throw strikes and might fail, but to say that totally ignores the fact that when the stakes were highest and the Red Sox needed him to step up, he delivered. HE BIG TIME DELIVERED! You can point to the negative, but you have to give the positive equal time. Houston Mitchell just delivered his take via e-mail:
Dodgers will win the NL West
Yes, I am predicting the Dodgers to win the NL West for the seventh consecutive season. Do I think they are better than last season? Not necessarily. They could be, if everyone plays to their potential. But they underachieved last year, getting off to a 16-26 start and still finishing with 92 wins, which means they went 76-45 the rest of the way. I think they will win 91-95 games this season. Here’s why they will win:
The other NL West teams aren’t that great. It’s possible the Dodgers finish as the only team with a winning record in the division.Full seasons from Corey Seager and Justin Turner will off-set the loss of Manny Machado. Seager may be a bit rusty and may get off to a slow start, but he is too talented for any extended slump.
I believe Austin Barnes is a much better player than he showed last season and will hit better than .205 and that Russell Martin’s defense, walks and power will make up for a relatively low batting average. By the way, here’s how Dave Roberts will give each playing time at the beginning of the season: “Early, call it the first week, first seven days, it’s gonna be four-three, Austin,” Roberts said. “And I think that’s just kind of letting both these guys get their legs under them as the season progresses. I see Austin getting more of the lion’s share, but as any season goes on, performance matters.”
Losing Yasiel Puig hurts on the field, no question. It hurts the defense in right field. But A.J. Pollock is an upgrade defensively in center. His injuries the last few seasons have been from playing hard. I’m hoping he stays healthy most of the season and makes up for most of what was lost in the Puig trade.
Also, Puig was not a great clubhouse guy. I’m not big on clubhouse chemistry at all. Like I’ve said, you give me 15 guys who hit .300 but are jerks and I’ll give you 15 guys who hit .200 and are saints and we’ll see who wins the most games. However, I think sometimes changing the dynamics of what is going on internally can give you a boost, sort of like changing managers sometimes spurs a team to greater heights. We’ll see.
The Dodgers have the best pitching in the division, even with Clayton Kershaw and Rich Hill on the shelf. Walker Buehler, Kenta Maeda, Hyun-Jin Ryu, Julio Urias and Ross Stripling are the best rotation in the division. Stripling and Urias, who are in the rotation only because of injuries to others, are good enough to be in almost any other rotation in baseball.
The bullpen will cause fans to pull their hair out as usual, but Kenley Jansen should be better this year, and I’m hoping the gains Pedro Baez made in the second half last season weren’t a fluke.
Mostly though, the other teams in the division aren’t that great.
I could go on, but I can already hear some of you saying I’m crazy, so I’ll stop. We have all season to discuss the Dodgers, so let’s not burn out today.
My wife, who is from San Francisco and was a Giants fan 25 years ago when we met, has now been transformed and turned from the Dark Side. She arrived at work today dressed for the occasion.
Discussion (103)
Disagree, not disagreeable
Interview with prospect Gerardo Carillo:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SOt2XgHPQRU
Gee guys, still think our team sucks and is not as good as last years? I know one game does not make a season, and I do not have the pedigree on this site of Mark and AC and DC, but why do I feel like I am the only guy waving the damn pom poms sometimes, and if I wave them too much y’all think i’m brainwashed by Freidman and am drinking the Kool-Aid.? CELEBRATE this team and these years right now, this will not last forever, Because of the Dodgers, the National League has bulked up big time, and we have a huge target on our backs. They are all gunning for us, yet in all my years since being a fan in the early 70’s, I have never seen a 6 year path of success like we have enjoyed. And like Mark has said time and time, an time again, our future is so bright with the young guns coming up and the way Freidman has handled the payroll going forward. Believe, believe, believe, or cash out and go to another site. Peace out from one of the bottom dwellers.
Listening to Dodgertalk earlier. Someone called in and reported that Greinke never touched 90…was pitching to avoid contact because he didn’t trust his stuff.
How long is his contract?
I am glad everyone back east got to watch this game at a decent time too.
Joc great day
Belli great day
Only 1 Strikeout between them. And 3 total for the team. Nice to see.
Joc great day
Belli great day
Only 1 Strikeout between them. And 3 total for the team. Nice to see.
I must admit I never expected to see Cory seager on opening day. He is such a tremendous player. If his health remains he will be in the running for mvp. Ryu was fantastic today and when healthy a playoff pitcher. Please pitch him in la. Joc was very good against righties last year and today was great. Barnes more hits today than last year lol. Kikehot! Bellinger is so athletic. Good to see muncy off to a good start. Pollock and bellinger give us 2 fine defenders.
Greinke pitched great for the Dodgers and is a fine pitcher. I was never for resigning him at the price he got. He sold himself to the highest bidder. I can’t judge him for that but some would have taken winning over money. Stewart was awful today. He has got to get better but at least we didn’t have to burn up another pitcher. Barring injuries doc will be challenged to find at bats for verdugo. I expect he will rest pollock to keep him fresh. Otherwise Taylor looks to get at bats for joc when lefties pitch.
Great day to be a Dodger.
Watford is the one that was right, can you imagine if we had both Greinke and Kershaw under contract right now?
I wasn’t big on giving Kershaw this extra year at this price, but I was upset that we didn’t sign Greinke, but he is just a shadow of himself right now.
This is where Mark was right, and so was Friedman.
Look at the young pitchers in our system now.
Like Mark has said, Friedman has made his mistakes but we are in a great place now, because of Friedman.
These sweet sixteen games are amazing right now.
I was fast-forwarding so fast I missed Bellinger’s HR.
At this point in the season, offense is certainly not a problem, even Joc gave me some goosebumps. That was fun to watch, makes you forget about JT and Pollack going 0’fer, hopefully they turn it on tomorrow. Ryu, good job man.
That was fun!!
Bums is the toast of LA Dodger Talk!
Let’s put this in perspective, if we do this against Robbie Ray, then maybe we have something to talk about.
After are next two series in the west, we will be playing the Cards, the Brewers, the Cubs, and the Reds.
All those fans who complain the Dodgers hit too many home runs are feeling pretty miserable right now.
Hi Rick, this game is for you. I know, small sample size.
For those who like small ball, this game is not for you. Great opening game. Funny, only our best starters don’t have a hit.
So much for slow start and not much offense, eh?
Wow. Do we call ourselves the Chavez Bombers??
Bum-Joc had a great day.
I am also very happy for Barnes today!
2 for 2, with one hit being a HR.
If Barnes had a better arm, he would be a perfect catcher, because he is so athletic.
A catcher’s size is not that big of an issue, because catchers can’t really block the plate anymore.
Greinke booed when introduced, booed when he was taken out, and bruised in between. He did well as a Dodger but took the money. Hard to feel bad for someone who has had lots of success and earning $30M+ annually.
Hey best part is we should see Stewart pitch.
Can’t wait to watch this when I get home.
One of our board members, NorCal is at opening day today. I chose not to go because of my stupid herniated disk. I hope you’re having fun my man!
Wasn’t Joc on third, and Corey on second?
How is that an easy double play?
Therealten
I totally agree with that.
That is what should have happened, in that game seven after Taylor opened up with that double against the Astros.
So Muncy drives in a run with less than 2 outs. That something we struggled with big time last year. Those are situations that can go unnoticed because of a weak ground but are vital to winning! Joc pop!!! Didn’t go unnoticed!!! Wow!!! Go Dodgers!!!
Bums – I salute you!
I’m glad Grienke decided to take the money in Arizona. He looks very average.
In the NL, both the East and Central could be wild multi-team battles.
Nationals & Phillies are basically a wash w/ Braves & Mets certainly capable of winning the division.
Brewers/Cubs/Cards all look like contenders.
I give the Rockies a legitimate chance to win the West or the WC, but honestly I don’t see any other team making the playoffs. Wake me up when the Padres are for real.
Of course the NL West is our main goal for the regular season, but I’d expand that to HFA as well. Nobody should be better than us in the league.
Joc and Cory making Greinke work.
Joc with a 2 strike hit the other way! Good for him
Amazing. Listening to sports talk in the car.
Today is Opening Day. Sweet Sixteen. NBA playoffs are starting soon. Hell, even the NHL playoffs are too. And then there’s the Master’s.
So what was the conversation topic? The Cincinnati Bengals.
Click
Just saw Drew Jackson’s MLB debut (force out). Zach Britton makes a nice 6th inning guy for Yanks. Oh, and Tulo just hit a double. Have to head back to work but baseball is definitely here.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KwFuGtGU6c
They have Kemp’s 27 to Verdugo! lol Is that an intentional FU to Kemp?
BlackMirror99
I can’t agree with you more, if we can hit consistently, and prove we can hit top pitching, we will be a better team this year.
And if we do have that type of a productive offense this year, practice makes perfect, and that would make a perfect post season, because that has been our biggest weakness for more then a few years.
And eliminating all those platoons, will make our guys better prepared to hit both lefties and righties.
Corey is Mr Consistency and Cody is that five tool athlete that can help us win in so many ways.
Either of these two guys, could not only be our team MVP, they also could be the MVP in baseball someday too.
I expect a big year from both of these guys!
But Turner is always the key to our offense, because he is that one bat that does it all, and because of that, he makes our offense much more productive then anyone else, in our line up.
Evidently, Connor Joe is starting in LF for the Giants today. Another person is playing OF for them I have never heard of. We should probably root for them to do well because if they tank they will likely sell parts and become better faster. They still have a lot of salary tied up in veterans so they kinda have to roll with what they have now.
It’s Opening Day so it might be the only time all year I care about other teams.
The Dodgers also signed LHP Rob Zastryzny. Here’s what Fangraphs wrote about him in 2016:
“Zastryzny can be feast or famine depending on the day, with his stuff and command fluctuating from below-average to plus. I saw him in Arizona on one of the good days, coming away very impressed with his arsenal and command. He looked like a future mid-rotation starter, though his historical inconsistency makes it less likely he reaches that ceiling.
On the mound, he had a real fluid arm with a solid base and loose, athletic actions. All four of his pitches showed at least average potential and the command to match. His fastball sat in the low-90s, complemented by a changeup and slider in the high-80s and curveball just under 80 mph. In the past, Zastryzny has gotten too cross-fire with his stride, leading to pitches left up in the zone. He showed that tendency on a few pitches in Arizona, but they were rare.
I split the difference on his likely future role, since it’s hard to ignore what he showed in the fall. Whether his performances will continue to be up and down or if he’s cleaned up the direction in his delivery as a more permanent change will have to be monitored in 2016. He still projects as a back-end starter with his longer track record weighing heavily, but his ceiling may put him solidly in the middle of a rotation with continued development.”
I have to apologize to Bumsrap, who predicted Brock Stewart would be on the team.
Who knew?
Not me!
I agree with Quas. Knowing that the Dodgers have a decent chance to win the WS makes the season that much more exciting. I don’t expect it to be a walk in the park but roller coaster rides are fun. How tough would it be to be a fan of the Marlins?
The Dodgers aren’t perfect – no team is. I’m OK with people offering criticism, but like Mark I don’t like to be around people that are always negative. Its like sitting by that one guy at a game that constantly screams and yells at officials, players, coaches and fans. He ruins the experience for everyone else. Sports are supposed to be fun and entertaining.
The Dodgers have been to the WS 20 times. The Mariners and Nationals have NEVER been there. We are the luckiest fans alive!
At DS and looking forward to the opening day festivities. Rich Hill is throwing form 60 feet to a BP catcher along the third baseline with no signs of a limp and no knee brace. CK also throwing and looks good.
DS looks wonderful and the SoCal weather is fantastic. Should be fun!
Go Blue
Some have said that changing the way players approach hitting can’t happen overnight and that’s most likely true with the results but the approach can and should happen overnight. If the players bite into the need for such a change then I’m certain improvements will be on the rise. Clubhouse chemistry plays a big part when players are more concerned with how a team fairs above what their personal stats will be. Getting to the majors a player generally takes a selfish route and is concerned with only his stats because he’s playing on a team he’d like to leave. Chemistry is what made Baez gain the confidence to put it together during last season and I expect him to keep improving-good looking out Mr Jansen. I can think of several examples of past Dodgers that were good but would of been much better if they were less selfish. I’m pretty certain all of us can. I don’t want to mention names because I don’t want to be insulting as I have been in the past.
.
If I thought the Dodgers will not win the World Series I don’t think I’d enjoy the season so much. I’ve never bet against the Dodgers and competition sweetens the victory. Guess I’m just rambling without any real point but today is opening day! Lets go Dodgers! CHEERS!!!
The Dodgers are well equipped to handle the regular season grind with depth up the ying yang. I predict another division champ and as good a chance as any team for a WS champ. What more can you ask of any professional sports organization in this day and age of parity. Just compete. Guggenheim and Friedman brought the Dodgers out of the dark ages into the 21st century. It would be crazy to go back now. The Dodgers are in the middle of what I would call a full blown dynasty in the western div. I fully expect them to extend their run of div champs.
Mark, I think you have made your feelings known about those posters that are so excessively negative on the “their” Dodgers. Some people are probably negative about everything in their lives. Just feel fortunate that you’re not them. Bottom line, Mark, they don’t deserve anymore of your thoughts or time. You have provided us with an awesome forum to discuss, positive and negative, about our Dodgers. Carry on.
I have been critical of philosophy of management and player performance in the past, but only because I believe they were capable of much better. I’m so happy that FAZ is no longer here and is now the Giants problem. I, obviously, don’t have any proof FAZ was responsible but I hated the platooning and daily lineup construction ( I still can’t believe Kiki hitting 4th in game 5 of the WS). Friedman has overall done a remarkable job putting together a strong front office, scouting, and coaching staff. The results are a deep roster and a deep and well coached minor league system. He has traded for top players at the deadline without giving up much in return. To still have many strong minor league prospects after those trades is just crazy. He knows when to say no on players he knows are going to be on the Dodgers eventually. Sure, Darvish and Machado didn’t put us over the top, but
Friedman went for the best.
Anxious to see what happens this year. As usual, health will be the key to success or failure. We haven’t started out well with Kershaw and Hill out, but with our pitching depth we should be OK. We’ve dealt with it before and I’m sure we will do so again. And, I hope for less strikeouts, more contact with runners in scoring position, and an improvement in Roberts game management. If those things happen then the season can lead to great results.
GO DODGERS…..be healthy and have fun !!
Pederson LF
Seager SS
Turner 3B
Muncy 1B
Pollock CF
Bellinger RF
Hernández 2B
Barnes C
Ryu P
There are a few players that I would have liked for the Dodgers to have traded for such as Trey Turner, Gleyber Torres, and Fernando Tatis Jr. They were all traded basically before they were untradable. I wonder if the Dodgers finally got one of those guys when they got Jeter Downs and Josiah Gray? Time will tell. Hats off to Friedman if one or both turn out to be awesome.
I like the Pederson, Pollock, Bellinger outfield with Verdugo as the 4th and with Taylor and Hernandez as flexible options more than an outfield of Kemp, Bellinger/Taylor, Puig. So, for me, the team moves forward with a better outfield and two potential Major Leaguers that could fit in nicely soon enough. Jeter especially filled a weakness in the Dodgers minor league middle infield depth.
104 wins.
35 home runs each = Pederson, Seager, Bellinger
11 post season wins
The front office evolves with executives coming and going but the constant is Friedman. He has mostly avoided bad trades and bad free agent signings. The Dodgers have been to the WS two years in a row and have good odds of getting there again and again.
Your post for the most part also reflects my opinion regarding the Dodgers future in 2019 with one notable exception: over the course of the season, I expect that Cody Bellinger will prove to be a more effective and efficient RF than Yasiel Puig and will also surpass his overall offensive statistics as well. Even as a fan of Puig, I felt he was weak going back to the fence to his throwing hand and often threw to the wrong base which allowed innings to continue unnecessarily.
As an aside, my wife was originally Napa, California and when we met almost 23 years ago, she too was an ardent Giants fan. Today, she also proudly wore a Dodgers shirt to work which means that there are at least two wonderful women supporting the right team in Indianapolis.
GO DODGERS
It’s . . . Time!!!!!!!!!!
Although I am firmly behind the Dodgers this year, I have to admit if I were a betting man, I would place a ticket on the Yankees this season. I think the back-end of their bullpen is potentially such a weapon that they could be close to unbeatable in the postseason. If they can play a team to a tie after five, the game could be over.
But the best team doesn’t always win, as we have sadly found out. It’s going to be a long season so I plan on following it like a movie that I don’t want to miss any part of. If this is the year that we end the drought, I want to be a part of it from Day One and always be a believer.
Some team predictions:
Team MVP–Bellinger
Team Cy Young–Urias
Team Rookie of the Year–May
Team Comeback Player of the Year–Seager
Team Surprise Performance–Garcia
It’s opening day!!!!!
76-45 after their horrid start last year is a 102 win season pace.
I stand by my prediction of 96 wins this year and a NL west win. The post season is a roller coaster ride. We’ll be on it.