So Much to be Determined

Anyone here have any of those LED candles that can be remote controlled? They come in various sizes. It’s amazing what can be controlled nowadays remotely.

Anyhow, about those buzzer allegations…buzzers make a noise that a catcher and umpire could hear, and the immediate proximity (unlike a banging trash can) could be too obvious. So maybe Altuve is technically telling the truth. Maybe he didn’t strap on something that buzzes but instead, something that vibrates. They, too, come in all sizes. Some are rather quiet I am told. You know, the kind that one’s wife would feel shame over if her husband’s shirt were ripped off. 🙂

DBM

Here are a couple of minor league articles at MiLB.com.

Dodgers farm system ranked #7.

https://www.milb.com/milb/news/minor-league-farm-system-rankings-position-players-10-1/c-312714824

Red Sox take on Jeter Downs and Connor Wong.

https://www.milb.com/milb/news/boston-red-sox-invite-jeter-downs-to-big-league-spring-training/c-312731452

On a different note – some of you have referred to Joc’s interview skills.

I don’t normally see them because MLB.com always cuts off immediately after the game.

What’s the problem?

He seems like a real goof guy?

I don’t know if anyone read my comments yesterday – but said much the same as Phil above.

This wasn’t bending the rules, this was Organisational cheating. How no one said NO out of all those Professionals is incredible. It’s no good being sorry now, it’s way too late for that. They’re not 8 year olds, and made an error of judgement. They made a decision to cheat, got caught and now they’re sorry. It was ALWAYS gonna come out.

It’s terrible that the players have been able to walk away from this with no sanctions. This sets a terrible precedent.

I’m glad I didn’t have breakfast before watching the Asstros staged event this morning. What a lame attempt this was to spin the facts to avoid the inevitable backlash they are about to endure. From the owner who threw the “leaders” under the bus (but not himself) to all the players who were coached up to show remorse and contrition, referred to the investigation instead of answering direct questions, and saying they were ready to “move on”. The remorse seemed to stem from the fact they were caught and not the fact they cheated their asses off. For Crane to state that hitters knowing what was coming had no impact on the outcome of games was the topper. Altuve, who I used to like, was the master of the undenial, denial over the buzzer question offering only the fact that MLB found nothing. The more I watch the video of Altuve approaching home plate after sitting on a 2 & 1 SLIDER from Chapman while gesturing and holding his jersey so it wasn’t torn off and then jetting to the clubhouse, the more I’m convinced he was “bugged”. MLB granted immunity to all the players to get to the bottom of this story and not open a lengthy and complicated can of worms to decide individual guilt. I wonder if this immunity agreement could be reneged if most evidence comes out about the use of buzzers?

The company line of “we are all sorry, wish it hadn’t’t happened, I wish I had done more and now we just want to move on” was so orchestrated and lame. Claiming this was a “bad decision”, collectively made by an entire team, isn’t good enough. Eating the sushi from a gas station store is a bad decision. Using electronics to cheat and changing the outcome games is criminal. This is way beyond a bad decision and for the life of me I can’t understand how pitchers, particularly, in the dugout could have sat back and let this happen wondering if they could be victims of similar schemes in other stadiums. With the exception of Friers, it’s amazing that the philosophy of “if you ain’t cheating, you ain’t trying” stood pat with the Asstros until this morning when it suddenly became wrong.

In light of Astros remaining clandestine to everything unproven I have mixed feelings as we all hate a rat and Justin Verlander ain’t one and he has no need to feel shame. Buck Weaver was no rat and the commission needs to make it right. If passes are allowed these days for the obviously guilty then recognize what has been wrongly done to the obviously innocent. What happened to Jim Thorpe was very wrong where ‘Dream-teams’ now represent the US in Olympics and him with Weaver it can never be made right. But the record can and should be. If one believes Jose Altuve wasn’t wearing a buzzer he also believes Bill Clinton did not have sexual relations with that woman. The Commission owes Buck Weaver…..BIG! Excuse me, it’s a dizzy day.

No doubt there will be injuries and the like before the end of spring training, but it is my opinion that both Gonsolin and May start at OKC or extended spring training in order to get their work in.

The 5th spot in the rotation will be a battle between Wood and Nelson. It’s possible that they may also start with a quasi 6 man rotation, depending on the off days at the beginning of the season. I would not be surprised to see the Dodgers take a mix and match approach with Nelson, Wood and maybe even Urias.

Funny, I almost posted last night how few spots are available. I think the 13 position players are a lock. I agree with AC’s group. Hitman Beaty shouldn’t go back down unless they want to keep getting him consistent AB’s. They acquisition of Raley was confusing to me.

~

I also agree with AC’s pitchers. Buehler, Kershaw, Price, and Urias are locks for the rotation. I believe Wood was promised a starting spot so they will have the allusion of an open competition with May, Gonsolin, Stripling and Nelson. Barring a disastrous spring or injury Wood will round out the rotation for awhile. The Dodgers know how many innings they want May and Gonsolin to throw this year. Urias too for that matter. Wood essentially becomes Maeda. When they’re ready to take the reigns off May or Gonsolin, Wood will probably go the pen unless he regains his All-Star form.

~

I tend to agree with AC’s pen but I do think the Dodgers like Kolarek a lot. So I see two battles Kolarek vs Ferguson vs Alexander for two spots and Nelson vs Gonsolin vs Graderol for the last spot. Although I think they prefer to have Gonsolin starting at the beginning of the year in AAA

Does anyone know if Joc is in camp yet? Position players aren’t officially due until Monday but it seems as though lots of the guys are there already.

If Joc isn’t there, that might indicate either hard feelings or that AF has told him he may be traded shortly.

If he is there, maybe AF managed to mend fences with him, at least for the time being.

Ah, so it’s about what fans think. Got it. You’re assuming Joc will get the majority of at bats. So, obviously Friedman and Company weren’t thinking about what the fans wanted when they tried to trade Joc. Oh well. Maybe they were trying to trade him to avoid all this. Team chemistry and all.

May and Gonsolin will get plenty of opportunity with Urias and Wood and Price on the IR with all their hang nail issues this year

I agree with 99% of AC’s suggested roster, the only exception for me might be hoping Alexander can be successful this season. Otherwise, was wondering about May? Well, as long as Ferguson and Beaty make it, I am good with it.

I have a long list, thanks to all you posters on minor league players, to keep an eye on and root for this year. Some of them are: (in no particular order), Josiah Gray, Brett de Geus, Ryan Pepiot, Logan Boyer, Ryan Moseley, Jack Little, Braidlyn Fink, Michael Grove, Marshall Kasowski, Zack McAllister, and Nick Robertson. Hope I did not forget to mention anyone. Wonder if there is a minor league website I could go to to read about how they are all doing.

Exactly what does suck it up mean?

Pollock had a very good second half. Joc had a very good season against right hand pitching. If Pollock starts hot and that could easily happen, where does that leave Joc? Maybe, it goes the other way and Joc starts hot. But something has to give. There is no suck it up in this situation. Both players have earned a right to start. Joc has clearly made it known he wants a real chance to hit lefties. Yes Pollock may prefer center, but he wants to start and left field is okay. They brought him into start.

The Dodgers, of course, recognize this, which is the reason they were going to trade Joc to the Angels. Unless something changes, there is going to be an uneasy undercurrent in the Club House.

I seriously doubt Dave Roberts wants to spend another season with meetings over playing time. That means a trade some time this spring. This isn’t like a case of a borderline starter moving to the bullpen.

There is no way to tap dance around this.

Jim “Craven” Crane refused to take any responsibility for the sign stealing scandal. In effect, he’s telling all current and future employees, “I ain’t got your back! Under the bus with you bums! “

ITS TIME FOR DODGER BASEBALL! Miss u Vin!

While I agree with AC’s rotation the thing that might let someone else break into it is that 4 of 5 are lefties.

Starting Pitching:

Kershaw (L)

Buehler (R)

Price (L)

Urias (L)

Wood (L)

Incredible talent, great depth. On paper it looks amazing, but I still think left field is a problem. Joc is in his free agent year and wants to play full-time. Pollock wasn’t brought in to be a role or platoon player. I don’t think you can manage that situation, especially with players like Hernandez and Taylor needing at bats. For every at bat Joc loses, it will cost him dollars in free agency.

Alex Wood will be one of the starters, which is why he signed with the Dodgers. Jimmy Nelson will be on the team, probably in a relief/starter role, similar to what Ross Stripling has done.

If Brusdar Graterol pitches well in spring training, he should make the roster. At the same time if Adam Kolarek can’t get out righties in Arizona, his chances go way down.

From everything Andrew Friedman has said and now Stan Kasten has chimed in, it certainly sounds like the Dodgers will go all in to sign Mookie. They’re making that pretty clear.

It would make sense to trade an outfielder this spring, but I actually hope they hang on to Stripling. We’ll see.

Going to be a fun spring. Looking forward to the Glendale trip.

I’ll be at Camelback Ranch on Saturday morning with my son, if anyone wants to meet up.

Some prospects to keep an eye on this coming year by Longenhagen.

In specific, a select few he thinks can break into the next top 100.

https://blogs.fangraphs.com/picks-to-click-who-i-expect-to-make-the-2021-top-100/

NOTE: For the Dodgers: Andy Pages, Michael Busch, and Diego Cartaya are all on here, along with a note that MB was considered by some teams picking in the top ten last year.

Gonna be interesting what we get from Wood, Nelson and Treinen. Need to hit some AF magiccfrom at least one of these guys!

I don’t see Alexander on the 26 man roster coming out of ST. He had arm surgery (I think for a circulation problem related to his diabetes last year) so I think he’ll start the season on an extended ST assignment and I think Kolarek makes the squad.

If I understand the new RP rule a RP must pitch to a minimum of at least three hitters or pitch the last out in an inning without having to face three hitters. I can see Kolarek still being used as a LOOGY and come into an inning after Kelly has got two quick outs and then promptly walks the next two hitters. Kolarek can be called upon to get the last out against a tough hitting left-handed hitter and thereby not have to face three hitters and I think that type of situation will certainly play out many times this season.

He’ll certainly have an occasion where he will have to face RH hitters, but I think he offers more value in the pen than Alexander. We shall see.

Great lineup and depth with all healthy. If I had to nitpick a weakness I would say lefty in pen and a number 2 starter. Both may be there but I would say those are our soft spots that bear evaluating. Guaterol could turn into a great pickup.

I’m gonna stay on the Matt Beaty bandwagon. I truly believe his time is now. If you look at his minor stats and the fact that he’s hit everywhere he’s played. All I can say, I believe he’s another Max Muncy. Unless somehow he’s regressed. If Joc gets traded still, Matt should play left. I’m surprised other teams haven’t recognized Beaty and tried to get him ??? Maybe they have.

I also expect a big year from Seager. A big year from Urias. And Treinan will be our closer by July. I think LA will win it all this year and Betts will get 10 years with a 32 million average $$. I look for May and Gonsolin to be lights out after August 1st. May starting and Tony setup reliever. One more thought.. we’ll have five 30 homer guys , Smith, Muncy, Seager, Betts and Cody.. and three more over 20, Turner, Lux and Beaty….

Great read Markie Mark. This line up is to me the deepest, I’m feeling this team and a world series

I attended my first ST last year for a week. It was fun. I got close to the hitting cages unknowingly, which is a restricted area . My wife and I were there quite some time before a security guard came and got us. He was nice.

There were about 10 catchers who worked 2 hours on framing a pitch. I was amazed that is was for 2 hours.

I was in a big hurry this AM

I like Betts a lot, and he is a special player, but I agree with Voldomer that Betts isn’t THAT GOOD where he can take up two roster spots. I also agree with Voldomer that Austin Barnes has to be on the lock list. The team needs two catchers, and Ruiz has options and Barnes does not, so that is about as much of a lock as you can have.

Since Nelson signed a MLB contract, and with no options, he is also a lock to make the 26 man.

So that is three open spots.

On your locks, I will go with Buehler, Kershaw, Price, Urias, and Wood as the 5 starting pitchers going into ST. KJ, Treinen, Kelly, Baez, Strip, Nelson are 6 of the expected 8 relievers and all are RHP. LHRP options include, Alexander, Ferguson, Gonzalez, and Kolarek. IMO, Victor Gonzalez will be in OKC and might assume a starting role to stretch out for a possible LH swing man role. The Dodgers are enamored with Kolarek, but the 3 batter rule will have to be strongly considered. Kolarek will undoubtedly be called to face ML RHH in ST to determine if Doc will feel comfortable with Kolarek on the 26 man. I am going with Alexander and Ferguson as my two LHRP for the total of 8.

That leaves one bench player, and unless anyone can convince me that anyone else is more deserving, I am going with Matt Beaty.

Starting Pitching:

Kershaw (L)

Buehler (R)

Price (L)

Urias (L)

Wood (L)

Relief Pitching:

Alexander(L)

Ferguson (L)

Treinen (R)

Baez (R)

Strip (R)

Kelly (R)

Nelson (R)

KJ (R)

Starting Eight:

Smith (R)

Muncy (L)

Lux (L)

Seager (L)

JT (R)

Joc (L)

Belli (L)

Betts (R)

Bench:

Barnes – C (R)

Pollock – LF (R)

CT3 – INF/OF (R)

Kike’ – INF/OF (R)

Beaty – LF/3B/1B (L)

One question that will be looked at closely; will Dustin May show enough that he should start at the MLB level in the rotation with Urias or Wood going to the pen, and either Alexander or Ferguson going to OKC. I believe that may be a May/June decision, but not coming out of ST. Also, will Jimmy Nelson show enough to break into the rotation as another RH option, again moving Urias or Wood to the pen?

Unless there are trades or injuries, I am going with the 26 I have above. At least until the next time I look at this.

Betts in on your “locks” list twice, so that frees up one slot. Surely Barnes gets it.