With the addition of Mookie Betts and the maturation of other YOUNG players, I think it may be time to bring back that moniker. The name “Big Blue Wrecking Crew” has been utilized any number of times throughout Los Angeles Dodger history, even on a LP Album featuring Steve Yeager, Rick Monday Jay Johnstone, and Jerry Reuss.
But, it has generally been applied to the group of Dodgers who bashed 30 home runs each in during the 1977 season: Steve Garvey (33) Reggie Smith (32), Ron Cey (30), and Dusty Baker (30).
That record of four players with 30+ Home Runs could be broken in 2020, especially if Joc Pederson is not traded. I am not worried about Joc getting his feelings hurt in arbitration. He’s a free agent after this year and has every incentive to put up monster numbers. He will play hard for a new contract or hurt himself… I think he’s smart enough to show up, step up and shut up!
Who could hit 30 HR for the Dodgers in 2020?
- Cody Bellinger – Very likely
- Max Muncy – Highly likely
- Joc Pederson – Highly likely
- Mookie Betts – Highly likely
- Corey Seager – Likely
- Justin Turner – Possible
- Gavin Lux – Possible
- Will Smith – Possible
Every player at every position has a shot at 30 HR. Of course, that won’t happen, but 2020 could be the best offensive year ever for the LA Dodgers. We don’t know how the lineup will be constructed… Betts could leadoff or hit 2nd or 3rd.
Against RHP:
- Joc Pederson LF (why not?)
- Betts RF
- Bellinger CF
- Muncy 1B
- Turner 3B (if he can be healthy for 140 games…)
- Seager SS
- Smith C
- Lux 2B
Against LHP:
- Pollock LF (what better place?)
- Betts RF
- Bellinger CF
- Muncy 1B
- Turner 3B
- Seager SS
- Smith C
- Lux 2B
What the Offense Will Look Like
Joc will start 2/3 of the games in LF (until if and when he is traded), but AJ will get AB’s when a LHP comes in and he will also serve as the primary RH pinch-hitter. Both players could be little disgruntled, but that gives them all the more reason to play hard. That platoon could deliver 55 HR for LF. Friedman will trade Joc, but it will have to be an overpay.
The player who could have a “Monster Season” is Max Muncy. If Betts and Bellinger (who both have excellent speed) get on base with regularity, it means that Max will see more fastballs and Max Muncy may be the best fastball hitter in all of baseball. That adds up to a monster season.
I fully expect Corey Seager to get back to his Rookie and Sophmore form and hit .300 with 25 to 35 HR. Justin Turner, as usual, will need to stay healthy and that’s not easy for him. But, if he does, he’s a force to be reckoned with.
I expect the Killer B’s, Betts and Bellinger, to be in the Top 5 MVP Candidates and Max Muncy could be close too. He’s a darkhorse MVP candidate. Pollock and Pederson might be playing to move on, while Seager and Turner are battling to stay healthy and relevant.
Will Smith is a great defensive catcher who will hit .240 to .250 with maybe 20-25 HR and Gavin Lux is a Rookie-of-the-Year Candidate who could (BIG COULD) breakout is his first season.
… and the farm is still massively strong! I hated losing Alex. I like Alex Verdugo (a lot), and Jeter Downs as well. Both may be good to All-Star players. Conner Wong is a backup, if he makes the show. But, they were good players from a stacked farm system that is still stacked. That’s the important part that is still in play. Keep the farm strong. It’s hard for Andrew Friedman to trade prospects because he knows he knows the value of a good prospect who has been properly developed.
How the Pitching Improves
Pitching is a crapshoot. Ross Stripling, Blake Treinen, Joe Kelly, Pedro Baez, Kenley Jansen. Jimmy Nelson, Alex Wood, Dylan Floro, Scott Alexander and others are all capable of good-to-great seasons, but not all will. However, some will!
Kenta Meada, Rich Hill, and Hyun-jin Ryu are all gone from 2019. However, Dustin May, Julio Urias, Tony Gonsolin, Alex Wood, and David Price are ready to try and take their place. Brusdar Graterol has some of the most electric stuff you have ever seen and is a closer in waiting. He will make a huge impact in the bullpen this year. He is an absolute filthy pitcher with a 98-102 MPH Fastball and a 88 MPH “heavy sinker” that looks like the same pitch.
That brings me to David Price, who could have his left arm fall off or he could win 20 games… and anything else in-between. Peter Gammons and Andrew Friedman both know Price very well. Gammons believes Price will be one of the Top Starters in the NL and I am sure that Friedman’s familiarity with him sealed the deal. We don’t know.
But, until the bell rings, we will never know. That’s why they play the games and I am more excited about 2020 than any year I can remember.
I am headed to Phoenix to the Cannabis show. In case it is legal to grow it in your state, here’s the best way.
Discussion (64)
Disagree, not disagreeable
Not to belabor my earlier point about my preference for far less platooning, just this afternoon on MLB Network, I heard John Smoltz comment on the Dodgers for this season. “They (Dodgers) had so many outfielders for awhile, they had to find a way to get that line up that would be more consistent and more conducive to winning a world championship. They are the best I’ve seen at platooning guys BUT that has a shelf life eventually. You start stereotyping a player that he only play against left handers or right handers. Now that have a line up that can play 140 games or more together. They are the cream of the crop.” That’s a true statement as long as Doc allows that to happen.
Also Doc’s love for loading up almost exclusive lefty line ups or righty line ups might become a thing of the past. It would seem to me that it would be advantageous now for batting orders to be staggered lefty – righty as much as possible when getting into the bullpen. With the new “3 batter minimum” rule it’s now impossible to match up with 3 specialists to face 3 batters. 3 same side hitters in a row now seems to a potential disadvantage.
I like Seager second if we’re all expecting the pre-injury Corey. He will feast on fastballs there. The reason I like Max 5th is because he hits lefties too and provides the best protection for Belli. Doc has already said that Mookie is hitting leadoff. It would be silly to put someone else there. High .OBP, fast and excellent base runner. The debate is who bats second.
FWIW, on MLBN that 30 clubs in 30 days coverage of all the teams has the Dodgers as the last team to be showcased on March 21.
Notes from the press conference and post conference interviews:
Doc indicated he would probably play Mookie in right field and have him lead off.
AF stressed how big an influence he expects Price to be in the clubhouse. His personality and sense of humor really came across in the question/answer period. When asked why he chose #33, he said it was a salute to James Shields, who was a mentor to him when he first came up. Nice touch. I expect he and Buehler will be close since they’re both Vandy alums.
Someone asked Friedman how things went during the hold up with the Angels trade. He said he called both Strip and Joc and tried to let them know how things stood. He told them they could call him anytime until things were settled. He said Strip texted him every couple of days. Joc called him about 8 times a day. No indication as to whether either of them might be traded any time soon.
Wow! This season is going to be fun. I can’t wait for ST to start. There is so much talent on this team. The Dodgers were a very good team before the trades but now I’ll say it again-Wow! And they still have an excellent farm system.
My main hope this year is for Seager to get back to his 2016-2017 game. Maybe he just has to be a little more patient at the plate. Too many 1st pitch swings and misses.
As far as Mookie goes, like everyone, I’m expecting a very good year from him. But, no matter what kind of season he has, I hope that the Dodgers do not get involved in any 10-12 yr. contract offers after this season.
Well guys and gals, here’s to a great season. Go Dodgers!
The Dodgers defensive center line is far superior to that of the Yankees.
LAD:
C Smith
2B Lux
SS Seager
CF Belli or Betts
Yankees:
C Sanchez
2B LeMahieu
SS Torres
CF Gardner
Only LeMahieu is very good and Gardner is average and his arm is not good.
Press conference to begin shortly. You can stream it on dodgers.com
I wouldn’t be surprised if there was a deal in the works for Stripling and Joc but as it stands I like this current team a lot. Joc might not love losing in arbitration and being traded and than not, but that’s baseball now. He needs to be a professional (and I think he will be) and put any possible hurt feelings on the shelf and do his job, especially coming into free agency. I really like Hawkeyedoder’s line up with Mookie leading off. I especially like the plan for left field being the only platoon position. The other positions have set players and predictability. CT3, Kike and Beaty have roles giving everyday players days off, filling in with injuries and pinch hitting. I have made no secret about my dislike for Doc’s propensity to be overly creative and overmanage the line up. I like Doc but this is one of three areas I don’t like. (the others being in game management of the bullpen and the September try outs for roster spots) I kept close watch down the stretch last season and there was a different line up every day. The line up du jour. While player versatility is regarded a strength, I like a set core line up for many reasons. I don’t need to see 5 different guys play second base or Joc Pederson play first base. Assuming Pollock, Lux and Smith especially play up to expectations, there really are not a lot of questions about this team. Doc is a stubborn man but maybe this year, with this group, he can stop reinventing the wheel every game.
Reports that Baez won his arb hearing at $4M
My preference, not that anyone named Doc or Freidman, care, would be:
Lux
Betts
Belly
JT
Muncy
Seager
Joc/Pollock/Kike/CT3/Beaty/Rios/DJ Peters
Smith
Doesn’t much matter where anybody bats. This team is gonna score a lot of runs!
Can’t imagine Betts not falling in love with LA especially as sure of a fit as he seems. His energy should will be catchy to all team mates. I really have very high expectations we’re gonna see a special season from Clayton Kershaw to go with his other special seasons and I can’t wait till those cheating bastards have to square off with Clayton – they won’t stand a chance to look even like fair hitters. They grew it, so they can chew it. Sum it up with one word – SHAME. Hoist your flag and hold your heads low – and chew it.
I had been thinking about our lineup. I know that Betts has been leading off, and so the Dodgers might just figure he is comfortable there. But I might be inclined to bat him lower in the order. We do not have a real #2 hitter; that player is usually someone with speed, and who can hit to both sides of the field, helping to protect the leadoff man if he is on base. I don’t have any stats, just what I have seen, but Muncy seems more of a pull hitter, and he does not have any speed, making him a double play threat. Seager I do not know; he always seemed to be someone who could hit to both fields, but I think that he pulled the ball more last year. Teams are still going to pitch lefthanders against us if they can, and I don’t know how many times we will score in the first inning (a problem for us last year) if we put a slowish pull hitter in the second spot.
Again, this depends on where Betts likes to bat. In the American League, the leadoff man does not follow the pitcher, so there are plenty of rallies where you have two or even three men on base when the leadoff man comes up. Not in the National League, and of course Smith is not going to hit over .250 most likely, and we don’t know what Lux will do, maybe .260 or .270? So Betts is not going to be coming up much with men on base if he leads off. I would take a risk and let Lux bat leadoff, he might be ideal for that spot. Maybe Turner second, he hits for average. Then Betts, then Bellinger, then Muncy. I’m just playing around with it, and obviously I’m not sending in the lineup cards. I know that Roberts and maybe Friedman like to alternate LH to RH in lineup, but I don’t think that’s so important. Going back to the ’78 days, we had mostly RHH, and we did fine. Maybe analytics have made it more important to balance the lineup? I would like to see Betts bat in a position where he could drive in runs. He had RBI last year, but of course that was in AL with the designated hitter.
Lopes v Rose v Reese v Lux
Buckner v Griffey Sr v Robinson v Betts
Garvey v Morgan v Snider v Bellinger
Smith v Bench v Campanella v Turner
Wynn v Perez v Furillo v Pederson
Cey v Foster v Hodges v Seager
Crawford v Concepcion v Amoros v Muncy
Yeager v Geronimo v Gilliam v Smith
I doubt Lux will lead off but Lux, Betts, Bellinger puts all the speed at the top of the lineup. Most likely Lux and Muncy would be switched at least to start the season.
The Big Blue Wrecking Crew followed years of pathetic offenses. It played against the Big Red Machine.
Lopes v Rose v Reese
Buckner v Griffey Sr v Robinson
Garvey v Morgan v Snider
Smith v Bench v Campanella
Wynn v Perez v Furillo
Cey v Foster v Hodges
Crawford v Concepcion v Amoros
Yeager v Geronimo v Gilliam
Great read mark well done!!! I will have to admit I grew up with this infield, I have to say they were to me the greatest infield that ever played but what do I know lol
Sorry, doesn’t work.
If you platoon Joc and AJ in left field, where do Kiki Hernandez and Chris Taylor get at bats? The infield is set unless Gavin Lux falters. Don’t see that happening.
I’m not sure Joc is a happy camper and it’s his free agent year. He wants to have the opportunity to hit lefties. That won’t happen with the Dodgers. Two of the three outfield spots will be handled by everyday players, Mookie Betts and Cody Bellinger.
What worked in 2019 likely won’t work this year. Somebody has to go. There was a reason for the trade with the Angels beyond the dollars.
Speaking of money and the cap, thought it was interesting that Andrew Friedman told Jim Bowden on MLB Radio that the Dodgers are way over the cap, thus fulfilling Stan Kasten’s prediction.
In KC boarding a plane for Phoenix
I am still keeping my fingers crossed that Joc stays a Dodger for 2020. If he is not traded by ST, I believe he stays. He will not be part of any trade deadline deal as no team out of contention is going to trade anyone for two months of Joc, and the Dodgers will not trade Joc to a contender. I think most teams have their core already set and Joc is more valuable to the Dodgers this year than a couple of lottery ticket prospects.
Most everyone has anointed NYY the AL pennant winner, and with their RH pitching, Joc could be a big force for the Dodgers in the WS. Yes I have anointed the Dodgers the NL pennant winner, and let it be so. I do not beleive the Dodgers will give Joc a QO, so I would like to see him go out as a WS winner (WS MVP??). He deserves it. If he wants to stay a Dodger, I am sure AF will listen. If you read the blogs and sports journalists Joc is not happy and will be leaving after the season. I do not know if that is true. The Dodgers have a great clubhouse, and I do not believe a lot of players look forward to leaving.
30+ HRs – Belli, Max, Joc, and Betts
25+ HRs – Seager, JT
20+ HRs – Smith, Lux, CT3, Kike’, AJ
That is 11 guys who have a legit shot at 20+ and 6 with 25+. It will obviously depend on number of PA for each player, but CT3, Kike’, and AJ have hit 20, and Lux and Smith are very capable. I will be very surprised if 6-8 do not hit 20+, and all 11 will be double figures. Looking at last year, the Dodgers had 11 in double figures, but David Freese had 11, and he will be missed. Of course, Matt Beaty and Edwin Rios are both more than capable of putting up big HR numbers. Can we see 13 with double figure HRs?
While I love HRs, I am hopeful that LAD takes more advantage of Mookie’s legs than his power bat. His speed at the top of the order give the Dodgers a factor that they have not been able to exploit before now. Maybe Mookie can be the Dodgers Rickey Henderson.
I am with Mark (and I am sure almost every Dodger fan). I cannot wait for this season to start.
No way I consider Joc or Pollock in the lead-off spot.
Betts
Muncy
Turner
Bellinger
Seager
Joclock
Smith
Lux
Mark, those were some of my favorite Dodger memories when Garvey, Cey, Smith, and Baker were on the team. And who could forget Yeager, Monday, Johnstone and Reuss and their Big Blue Wrecking Crew Song? Yes, I am old, but forever young at heart.
When the Dodgers break camp who will be on their pitching staff? Right now the list includes Buehler, Kershaw, Price, Wood, Nelson, Urias, Stripling, Gonsolin, Baez, Kolarek, Kelly, Treinen, Jansen , Floro, May, Alexander and Graterol.
Not sure of the options situation but can see Alexander, Kolarek and Graterol sent down ( with Graterol to work on his pitching motion). That leaves 14 pitchers. Who would you leave off ( assuming Wood, Price and Nelson are at least adequate)?
I like the lineup suggested by Ken Gurnick, and I think others, which has Betts leading off, followed by Muncy. They’re both very strong offensive threats with high on base percentages.
And while I can agree that this could be a Big Blue Wrecking Crew, I don’t see Pollock and Pederson generating 55 HRs out of LF, where a platoon would mean they were both playing part-time.
I think it’s possible that there were Houston players who didn’t take part and ended up watching it happen. There is a story out of how powerful Beltran was and that he “steamrolled” by those who did speak out. I can easily imagine them just going along to get along. I’ve seen it, we all have. Watched a fight or someone being bullied or knew someone was cheating on a test.
But yeah, those are the ones that at some point are going to call it out, like Fiers. It was going to come out. Maybe that’s another reason why players weren’t punished. You could punish every player on that roster but some might be innocent. Some might be more culpable but did MLB really know all the facts before they acted? Definitely not, there’s still more coming out.
One more thing. IMHO it’s different to call out a player or players for cheating w PED’s, you don’t rat on your teammates, but when a whole organization is cheating, that needs to be called out. Fiers did the right thing, finally. I give him credit.
They won’t give him the QO and he will move on… unless he’s traded.
I think this is the lineup:
Betts
Seager
Turner
Bellinger
Muncy
Joc/Pollock platoon
Lux
Smith
If CT3 is in LF instead of Pollock vs lefties not too many balls will find the outfield grass. If I were Freidman I would give Joc a million dollar roster bonus to ease the tension there.
I’m looking forward to this season with more anticipation than any in recent memory. Of course, for Mookie Betts, but I’m still mostly intrigued for the young guys. Finally, throwing May, Urias, Gonsolin into the deep end of the pool and watching as they learn how to swim. These guys could conceivably be our main rotation headed by Buehler through the next 5-6 years. Watching, perhaps, Kenley’s heir apparent in Graterol. Wouldn’t it be an ironic tale if he actually pulls it off? The accidental closer. Will Lux realize the organization’s high expectations? Is this the year Ruiz makes the leap? All high caliber talents that could be part of the foundation of our team in 5 years and here we are at the opening chapter.
Killer B’s along with the Platoon P’s make a powerful outfield.
Watford,
I heard from Pete. He is recovery from a second back surgery. Said he’d be back soon. Great to hear.
It is incredible that at this era where the homeruns have been climbing in scale, there has not been a team with 4 players with 30 or more homeruns (I think) and hopefully that mark is matched or even broken, but I see it difficult …
Houston could not, despite being cheats, they will no longer be the Houston Astros, now they should be called the Houston Asterisks!