Well we are now in December, less than one week away from the Winter Meeting, and the Dodgers have Kevin Quackenbush and Adam McCreery. So, I guess the Dodgers are all set. Andrew & Co. addressed the bullpen, what else can anyone else want?
I have been scouring the internet to catch word that the Dodgers pulled off a trade for JT Realmuto or Corey Kluber. Or if Andrew signed any big FA, medium FA, or even a lowly catcher FA. Nope – nothing yet?
Well just in case, Friday was the tender or non-tender day, and as far as I can tell, there were nearly 40 players that were non-tendered. I believe the list below is a fairly comprehensive list, but I am sure that I have left a couple of well deserving players.
| Non- | ||
| Primary | Tender | |
| Position | Player | Team |
| Catchers (4) | ||
| Chris Hermann | Astros | |
| Caleb Joseph | O’s | |
| James McCann | Tigers | |
| Juan Graterol | Reds | |
| 1B (4) | ||
| Justin Bour | Phillies | |
| Samir Duenez | KC | |
| Matt Davidson | ChiSox | |
| Jordan Patterson | Reds | |
| Infielders (6) | ||
| Ronald Torreyes | Cubs | |
| Tim Beckham | O’s | |
| Yangervis Solarte | Toronto | |
| Chris Owings | AZ | |
| Jonathan Schoop | Brewers | |
| Wilmer Flores | NYM | |
| Outfielders (6) | ||
| Gorkys Hernandez | SFG | |
| Avisail Garcia | ChiSox | |
| Billy Hamilton | Reds | |
| Bubba Starling | KC | |
| Robbie Grossman | Twins | |
| Aristedes Aquino | Reds | |
| RHSP (4) | ||
| Mike Fiers | A’s | |
| Kendall Graveman | A’s | |
| Matt Shoemaker | Angels | |
| Shelby Miller | AZ | |
| RHRP (10) | ||
| Matt Bush | Texas | |
| Ricardo Rodriguez | Texas | |
| Adrian Sampson | Texas | |
| Hunter Strickland | SFG | |
| Cory Gearrin | A’s | |
| Blake Parker | Angels | |
| Jason Adam | KC | |
| Andres Machado | KC | |
| Alex Wilson | Detroit | |
| Brad Boxberger | AZ | |
| LHRP (5) | ||
| Zac Curts | Texas | |
| Luis Avilan | Phillies | |
| Xavier Cedeno | Brewers | |
| Dan Jennings | Brewers | |
| Sam Howard | Rockies |
This has to be a magical time for Andrew Friedman. Look at all of the non-tendered relief pitchers. He and his computers are going to be working overtime to find someone who just might fit. He is probably sitting at his desk rubbing his hands together all the while saying Oh Boy, Oh Boy, oh Boy!
On this list, James McCann, catcher, is someone who will draw some interest. He allowed 5 passed balls and threw out 36% of potential base stealers, as the primary catcher for the Tigers. However, he is a negative pitch framer which will diminish his value to Andrew.
With CT3 and Kike’, along with Muncy, I cannot see why even Andrew would pick up any of the six infielders, who are really utility players and none that are at the level of anyone currently on the Dodgers roster. All six are ML infielders and should find another ML home. If any of these can be signed at the minor league level, that is certainly plausible.
The only OF that interests me at all is Bubba Starling. He is a CF who is ML ready with his glove right now but has never hit. He is 26 years old and is a former 1st round pick by KC (#5 overall). He was considered by many to be the #1 prospect in the MLB 2011 draft. He was also considered the #12 QB in the nation as a HS senior. He was hurt most of last year, and I can see him as a possibility. If Andrew can get him to sign a minor league contract with an invite to ML camp that would be something that I would be in favor. I have to believe that someone is going to take a chance on him and stick him on a ML roster.
The Dodgers do not need any mid to low tier starting pitchers.
Now for the relief pitchers (other than closer Jansen). Relief pitchers currently on the 40 man:
Scott Alexander
Pedro Baez
JT Chargois
Josh Fields
Dylan Floro
Yimi Garcia
Adam McCreery
Josh Sborz
Starters who are relieving:
Yadier Alvarez
Caleb Ferguson
Dennis Santana
Brock Stewart
Ross Stripling
Alex Wood
Stewart is not going to be with the team. Adam McCreery and Yimi Garcia are potential DFA. Fields has an option. And a host of others could be traded as complimentary players. It is easy to see why Hunter Strickland could be desired for late inning relief. But I have heard he is not the greatest clubhouse presence, which I believe led to his being non-tendered. The player I would consider above the others looking for a magical bounce back year is Blake Parker. Parker was very good in 2017, and just so-so in 2018. He doesn’t throw hard, but he lost some velo from 2017. He may be someone to take a long look at.
For LHRP, other than Tony Cingrani and Scott Alexander, who are as safe as anybody, Caleb Ferguson and Alex Wood are the only other LHP who may relieve. However, Caleb could be sent back to OKC to start, and Alex may be traded. Xavier Cedeno and Dan Jennings are two LHRP that I am sure Andrew will look at. He may even look at taking another shot at Luis Avilan.
It has been suggested that with Farhan Zaidi now with SF that there might be less reluctance on SFG’s to making a trade with the “hated” Dodgers, at least for this year. One pundit has suggested Joc for LHRP Will Smith straight up as a trade that would help both teams. One SFG that I would have to consider is a player that I thought was ready to take off last year. He started off as hot as anyone in the game and then got hurt and was never really the same for the year. He went on the DL twice. He was a potential non-tender but signed a $3.45MM 1-year contract. He has one additional arbitration year. There, I will say it. Yes, I like Joe Panik. Not nearly as much as DJLM, but I do like Joe Panik. Maybe there is a program for me that I need to consider that someone can suggest. Just like Matt Duffy took off once he got healthy and left SF, I think Panik will do the same.
It is just some silly conjecture while we all wait for whatever is going to happen…if anything at all.
Discussion (56)
Disagree, not disagreeable
https://sports.yahoo.com/sources-landing-lebron-magic-johnson-travels-dodgers-officials-court-bryce-harper-050324678.html
Other than the Mariners finalizing the Cano trade, and finalizing the Segura trade, the rest of MLB was sleeping. Elsewhere:
1. Dodgers extend Dave Roberts thru 2022
2. Angels announce coaching staff
3. Giants hire J. P. Ricciardi as an advisor
4, Marlins sign Pedro Alvarez (1B), Dixon Machado (inf) & Deven Marrero (inf) to minor league deals.
5. Braves sign Pedro Floriman (inf) to minor league deal.
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On Tuesday, December 4 at 8:00 AM ET, the Seibu Lions will post LHSP 27 year old Yusei Kikuchi, who can begin negotiating with all 30 teams. Scott Boras is Kikuchi’s agent, so he will probably take all 30 days that are available to decide. This will not be a quick decision as was Ohtani last year.
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Some very exciting baseball news. Without Jerry Dipoto what would concrete news would we have to digest. I can only read what every team needs to do before next season, and who they should sign or trade for so many times. One pundit has Kikuchi and Syndergaard going to San Diego, another has Syndergaard going nowhere. One pundit has NYY trading Gary Sanchez to the Fish for Realmuto, another has him going to Houston, and another has him staying until August trade deadline. Now Kluber is off the table and Bauer is the projected Cleveland pitcher to be traded. Who knows what happens tomorrow.
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Very little discussion on Harper and Machado. The only news on Corbin was that his brother (as best man) brought out a NYY hat at Patrick’s wedding for the best man speech to try and convince him to sign with NYY. Keuchel has been linked to Milwaukee and Toronto, but nothing real.
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Bottom line, it is just dead in the baseball world. Maybe I should just make something up and see where it goes.
Interesting thread from Kyle Boddy who runs Driveline, the baseball development company:
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Most – if not all – MLB teams drastically underestimate just how far behind they are the Astros when it comes to a unified scouting and player development system, especially the latter with regards to investment.
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It is staggering how far behind the median MLB team is.
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The Dodgers are probably #2. They spend untold amounts on R&D staff and analysts, and yes, “computers.” This kind of spending is not subject to the salary “cap” and for some reason MLB teams haven’t yet figured out that they should divert payroll to these efforts.
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Players asking for data to get them better and coaches not having it.
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Players asking for data to get them better, getting it from an intern, and getting yelled at by a coach.
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Coaches who think bat sensors measure launch angle.
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Improperly calibrated Trackman units.
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Best path forward: every player should have a plan from the org that details how they can contribute to MLB roster, no matter how small the chance is. When you tell your uncle, he says “duh, of course.” When you tell a baseball insider, they say “lol no chance.”
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This makes such obvious, obvious sense to the average fan and you probably all assume it exists. Literally maybe 2-3 organizations have a plan like this and the rest have no fucking idea why anyone gets better.
I can’t speak for the validity of Segura being a cancer, but I do know that he had to bury a child his last year in Milwaukee. Having said that, he’s been moved quite a few times now. I remember when he was dealt to Seattle thinking I wish the Dodgers had him at 2B.
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Dipoto sure butted heads with Scioscia in Anaheim. He makes more trades than anyone too so I have no idea what the truth is when it comes to Segura. I do know that he shows up and does nothing but rack up base hits on the diamond.
We have all heard how the players feel about Doc, but I read something today that went above and beyond as far as I am concerned. When Kenley Jansen awoke from his 5 1/2 heart surgery, he heard Doc’s voice who drove from San Diego to be at Jansen’s bedside after getting out of surgery. Jansen was touched. I doubt that makes him a better decision maker on the diamond or dugout, but it sures says a lot about him as a person.
Maybe the most profound statement uttered today on the Roberts deal: “They don’t really want someone with an opinion or a track record” ???
Seattle deal is puzzling to say the least.. I used to watch J.P. Crawford play HS ball over in Lakewood Ca. and have followed his minor lg. career and painfully what we have here is unfulfilled promise…
This Segura trade to the Phillies had a very noticeable slant towards the Phillies already. Now the M’s are including in addition to Nicasio (salary dump), but also a decent serviceable 27 year old LHRP, James Pazos. Pazos is pre-arbitration so it has nothing to do with salary dumping. He had 50 IP in 2018 with a 2.88 ERA and 1.240 WHIP. He allowed 28% of inherited runners to score (32 IR and 9 IRS). It sure seems that the M’s wanted Segura out. It might be interesting to see how Segura and Kapler work together. Curiouser and Curiouser.
Good move locking DR up for awhile. He’s not perfect, but he’s better than most. I like him.
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Heck, we could always be like the Marlins, who, because of a hard of hearing assistant G.M., signed Dixon Machado instead of Manny Machado. “Wrong Machado Joe!” “Crap, I wondered why it was so easy.”
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AC another great post! I was still trying to get my mind around yesterday’s post, and now you’ve given me a lot more to chew on. Makes it hard for me to get any work done! Please keep up the great work and keep our minds churning until the Winter Meetings, when we can divert our attention to the day after day rumors that never bear fruit.
The Braintrust has mostly made adjustments at the deadline (or thereafter) rather than making a lot of moves before the season. While there are a couple of obvious things that need to be addressed, I don’t expect there to be much action now.
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Think about it – the Dodgers played Barnes as the starter at C during the past 2 World Series. I think that means they have more confidence in him than we do. Maybe they only sign a member of the International Brotherhood of Backup Catchers and go with Barnes as starter. If it doesn’t work they adjust at the deadline when it’s cheaper and they can get a rental without adding salary to the base.
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They will also bring in flotsam and jetsam from the waiver wire, the minors or the injured and try to make them relievers to build the bridge to Jansen. There will be guys no one has ever heard of or thought about. Then maybe make a move at the deadline.
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Since they have options at 2B, they may make no changes at all there.
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They have surplus players in the OF or SP. Maybe they trade from the surplus to get what they need, but don’t expect much in the way of change.
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Not a huge fan of Roberts, but not surprised by the extension. He’s the perfect Braintrust manager – he’ll do it their way. No prior management experience, young, a good communicator – just like Cora, Baldelli, Boone, Kapler, Bell and many others. They don’t really want someone with an opinion or a track record – they want a motivator, a communicator. The Braintrust will supply the brains and ideas.
Official Press Release
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DODGERS REACH MULTI-YEAR AGREEMENT WITH DAVE ROBERTS
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LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Dodgers today announced that Dave Roberts has agreed to a four-year contract to manage club through 2022. The announcement was made by Dodger President, Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman.
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“Keeping Doc as our leader on the field was a top priority this offseason and now that we’ve accomplished that we are excited to collectively shift all of our focus to doing all we can to bring a World Championship to our passionate fans,” said Friedman.
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Roberts, 46, has piloted the Dodgers since 2016, leading the club to three consecutive National League West division titles and back-to-back NL pennants in 2017 and 2018. Following his first season managing the Dodgers in 2016, he was named the National League Manager of the Year and last year became the first Dodger skipper to lead the club to the World Series in consecutive seasons since Tommy Lasorda in 1977 and ’78. In 2017, the club won 104 games, tying the franchise record for victories in a season. Since joining Los Angeles, Roberts is 287-200 (.589) overall and his 287 wins are tied for the fourth most all-time among skippers in their first three full seasons. He is also the first Los Angeles Dodger manager to lead the club to the Postseason in each of his first three years.
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“When I was hired to lead this team three years ago, I said at the time that managing the Dodgers is truly the opportunity of a lifetime and I feel the exact same way today,” said Roberts. “We’ve worked hard to develop a team and culture that will put us in position to win the World Series every season, but we still have yet to achieve our ultimate goal and that is what drives me each day. I want to thank Andrew, Stan Kasten and our outstanding ownership group for believing in me and keeping me in Dodger Blue, a uniform I’m so proud to wear.”
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Roberts, who is of African-American and Japanese descent, became the Dodgers’ first-ever minority manager and the 10th manager in L.A. history on Nov. 23, 2015. He is the fourth L.A. Dodger manager to play and manage for the franchise, joining Tommy Lasorda, Bill Russell and Glenn Hoffman. As a player, Roberts was the Dodgers’ starting center fielder from 2002-04, but is best known for his dramatic steal of second base in the ninth inning of Game 4 of the 2004 ALCS for the Red Sox against the Yankees, which ignited Boston’s historic comeback from a 3-0 series deficit.
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Roberts grew up in the San Diego area and graduated from UCLA, where he played baseball from 1991-94 and became the Bruins’ all-time stolen bases leader (109). He and his wife, Tricia live in Southern California with their son, Cole, and daughter, Emmerson.
I’m not so sure I wanted Roberts back. Segura for Santana and JP Crawford? WTF? Is DiPoto trying to get fired again? What a sad day for the Dodgers.
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“Keeping Doc as our leader on the field was a top priority this offseason and now that we’ve accomplished that we are excited to collectively shift all of our focus to doing all we can to bring a World Championship to our passionate fans,” said president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman in a statement announcing the move.
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Friedman better have something up his sleeve because Cano / Diaz or Segura sure could have helped the Dodgers in the upcoming year. Returns for both of these deals seem underwhelming. I know that having Roberts on a lame duck option wasn’t ideal. Locking up your manager provides the illusion of stability to incoming free agents, so I’m assuming / hoping that a free agent signing is in the works. Otherwise, what’s the point of prioritizing Roberts over roster additions?
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I’m beginning to think that next year is going to be more of the same. Too much platooning, not enough bullpen, lot’s of transactions on the edge of the 40 man. Out-managed while trying to exploit platoon advantages. Is it too early to start drinking on a Monday?
Dodgers extend Roberts thru ’22.
BTW, I’m still not fearing the Padres, but I will sit up and take notice if they sign Kikuchi. I think he’s going to be good.
It looks like the Segura trade is coming to fruition. The latest has Segura and Juan Nicasio going to Philadelphia for Carlos Santana and JP Crawford. This is a home run for the Phillies. Segura for SS and Hoskins goes to 1B. Now that Hoskins is out of LF, it actually sets the Phillies up for Bryce Harper. The Phillies will be absorbing an additional $27MM of salary over 4 years, which will reduce to $22MM-$23MM depending on Crawford’s 1st two arbitration years. Although he is a potential non-tender when he gets to arbitration in 2021.
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Santana would appear to be a mid season trade chit. JP Crawford seems to be a weak hitting utility infielder at this time. He is only 23 so he still has time to develop.
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Saving $22MM-$25MM over four years seems to be of little consequence to a MLB team. But it is not my money. If the Dodgers wanted Segura, they could have easily offered Matt Kemp and CT3 for Segura, which would be better for Seattle. The Milton Bradley attitude comparisons seem to be getting stronger and stronger. I also doubt that he would have waived his no-trade to LA with Corey at SS. But who even knows if the conversation ever took place.
The Mets have an interest in Kluger. I don’t. He is 33, has pitched 200 innings in each of the last 5 years, has lost a little off his fastball in 2018, and has had back to back flops in the 2017 and 2018 playoffs. He has 3 years remaining on his contract that pays over $17M annually.
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I like and prefer Syndergaard. Cleveland needs outfielders and it was suggested that they might trade Kluber for Verdugo. So, how about Kluber to the Mets, Syndergaard to the Dodgers, and Verdugo to the Indians?
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Now for that righty bat. Muncy, Stripling, Maeda, Hernandez or Taylor to Seattle for Mitch Haniger.
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3B Turner
SS Seager
RF Haniger
1B Bellinger
LF Pederson/Kemp
CF Taylor/Hernandez/Toles
2B The player received in another 3 team trade involving Puig and Wood until Lux is ready.
C Barnes/Farmer/Smith
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2019 = Buehler/Kershaw/Syndergaard/Hill/Ryu
2020 = Buehler/Kershaw/Syndergaard/Urias/Fergussen/May/ Santana
Matt Bush!!! Now there’s a young man (32) who’s been thru hell and back…Have had the pleasure to talk to him in regards to his recovery and would hope he gets yet another shot…
AC you got the place blowing up… Like letters I sent to Santa Claus when younger for things I wanted…
IMO Stanton would be a great add and coming to the Blue would restart an already productive career…
Last but not least, please free Toles before he ends up back at Kroegers bagging groceries…
Heard this morning that Segura is going to Phillies. Don’t have the details yet, but I imagine that rules him out as an option for the Dodgers.
Where is Jansen?
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I’d look at Bush and Boxberger myself.
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We will be surprised at some point by a trade.
AC, I like your last sentence,especially the if anything, time will tell.
I have wondered if someone might try converting Shelby Millier to a reliever?