2020 was the year Minor League Baseball disappeared from the face of the earth. There is no trace of it and it does not appear in any record or history books. Some games were evidently played, but no records were kept. There is probably some video, but we will never be allowed to see it. What happened in 2020 could be a boon for some players and a bust for others.
- Maybe Keibert Ruiz spent hours a day working on his swing… burning it into his muscle memory and maybe the HR we say from him in his first call-up is his new norm. We don’t know – we lost a year, but the possibility exists that he COULD be MLB ready in the Spring of 2021.
- Maybe Kody Hoese and Mike Busch benefitted more from the one-on-one tutelage and are ready to take their game to the next level. We know that one year can be a make or break year (just ask Will Smith). Did 2020 help or hinder Kody and Mike? We don’t know.
- Maybe JoJo Gray has learned a new pitch or technique that can also take him to the next level. MLB writers recently voted for one player from each team to be the Rookie of the Year and Josiah Gray was the consensus winner for the Dodgers. Did JoJo take a big step forward at the USC location or a step back. We don’t know.
However, we have heard anecdotal evidence about each of these players that could lead one to believe that might be true. Maybe it’s true about all of them, but Hoese and Busch might only be ready for AA next year. I have heard several people talk about Gray’s development. The fact that he has only been pitching full-time for three years has shocked some people who say he has an amazing “feel” for the game. I have heard that his stuff is getting filthier, but I can’t really say.
If Ruiz is ready, that could be a game-changer. He could platoon with Austin Barnes as a L-R platoon and hit 8th. That would allow Will Smith go to 2B or 3B, which is like trading for a top tier player. Do you believe in Gavin Lux? Give him a try in LF and platoon him with Pollock until he shows he deserves 2B or Rios plays himself off 3B. The farm system stays intact and all the bats we need may be on the roster already.
I believe that Muncy and Bellinger will come back to their top form. If you do it once, twice… you can do it again. I believe that Muncy and Bellinger will both have great seasons in 2021.
Sign DJ LeMahieu? That would cost the Dodgers a draft pick. Remember when, after losing Mark Teixeira to free agency and the Yankees, the Angels were awarded the 25th pick of the draft as compensation. And who did they use that pick on? None other than Mike Trout. Or look at it another way: Signing Mark Teixeira cost the Yankees Mike Trout.
There are others, but here are the highlights (or lowlights), depending upon your perspective:
- The Rangers landed Joey Gallo after the Angels signed CJ Wilson.
- The Rockies drafted Trevor Story after losing Octavio Dotel to Toronto.
- The Yankees got Aaron Judge after losing Nick Swisher to the Indians.
- The D-Bags for AJ Pollock after losing Orlando Hudson to the Dodgers.
- The Braves got Adam Wainwright after the D-Bags signed Russ Springer.
The list is much longer, but you get my drift. If you aren’t forced to make a dope-fiend move, the player you draft may be better than the ones you sign. I would not be afraid to go into 2021 with this lineup:
- Betts RF
- Seager SS
- Smith 2B
- Muncy 1B
- Bellinger CF
- Pollock /Raley (or Reks) LF
- Rios 3B
- Barnes/Ruiz C
On the other hand, the Dodgers could have waited until Mookie Betts was a free agent this winter and signed him, but then they would have missed out on a World Series Championship. So, there is that! Ideally, I would like to see another power hitter at 3B.
The Bullpen
Yesterday, I wrote this:
The Dodgers have a lot of young arms who could prove to be more useful in 2021 than any free agent or trade. Uceta, Carrillo, White, Santana, Miller, Beeter, Grove, Pepiot, even JoJo Gray, could prove to be valuable in the pen. I am not saying all will, but one or two might be ready
AC commented: “You cannot possibly believe that any of those prospects are better relievers than Hendriks, Hand, Yates, Rosenthal, Treinen, Colome, Melancon. Less expensive but not better.”
I am only talking about one or two out of that bunch, not all of them. But really my point is this and I will address each of those pitchers: Past performance is not indicative of future results. “Past performance is no guarantee of future results” is generally treated as a warning label: Don’t assume an investment will continue to do well in the future simply because it’s done well in the past. “Past performance is no guarantee of future results.” Let’s consider this:
- Liam Hendriks (32 years-old) – He has had one excellent year and one good year. Before that, he was not much to write home about. He is seeking a 4 or 5-year deal at around $12 million per year. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.
- Brad Hand (31 years-old) – He has lost a lot of velocity and his peripherals indicate that his stuff is not what it once was. Nobody wanted him for $10 million for 1 year. Maybe half that for a year. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.
- Kirby Yates (33 years old) – Fresh off elbow surgery. Will he be recovered? Past performance is no guarantee of future results.
- Trevor Rosenthal (31 years old) – Has had an up and down career, but since 2013, 2014, 2015 he has had just flashes of success. I might risk more on him. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.
- Blake Treinen (31 years old) – Once put two good years together and while he was serviceable last year, he was not great. I’d give him $5 million for a year. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.
- Alex Colome (32 years old) – He has been pretty solid for several years so I would consider him, but at what cost. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.
- Mark Melancon (36 years old) – His ship is sailing, but he would bring a different look to the Dodgers pen, but only at a Dollar General price.
The 800-pound gorilla in the room is that you could sign any of those guys and their arms could fall off. Then what? Right about now, Andrew Friedman is kicking the tires and waiting for someone to set the market, but he won’t make a dope-fiend move like signing Charlie Morton and Drew Smyly to contracts for 2021 for a total $26 million.
The point is that any of the relievers the Dodgers could potentially sign are not a sure thing. Relievers are very fickle and injury-prone. One or the other can happen at any time. Of the players, I mentioned above (Uceta, Carrillo, White, Santana, Miller, Beeter, Grove, Pepiot, JoJo Gray), one or maybe two could make the team at some time during the season. The Dodgers already have Knebel, Cleavinger, Alexander, Floro, Gonzalez, Graterol, Jansen, Kelly, Kolarek, May, Gonsolin, and Urias on the roster who all are vying for roles in the bullpen. Then add in non-roster invitees Asuaje, Schwaab, Pazos, Morrow, and Nelson and you have 17 pitchers competing for 7 or 8 spots… along with the other group I mentioned. There are always surprises, and I think there will be few next year – both good and bad.
Remember two things:
- You can never have enough arms in the bullpen; and
- Past performance is no guarantee of future results.
The Case for Going Big
Do You Wanna’ Get Really Crazy? So, everyone knows that Cincinnati wants to cut payroll. Joey Votto is Canadian and has 4 years and $100 Million dollars remaining on his contract. Maybe he is moveable… if some cash is included. Follow along with me:
The Dodgers give up Kody Hoese, Edwin Rios, Clayton Beeter, Jacob Amaya, and Mitch White.
The Reds give up Sonny Gray, Luis Castillo, $20 Million, and Eugenio Suarez.
The Blue Jays give up Jordan Groshans and AJ Cole.
The Blue Jays end up with Joey Votto, $35 Million, and Sonny Gray. This also likely gets them out of the Justin Turner Sweepstakes. Votto finishes his career at home. Gray gives them another solid starter.
The Reds end up with Grohans, AJ Cole, Hoese, Rios, Beeter, Amaya, and White. It’s a nice haul and they get a lot of payroll relief.
The Dodgers end up with Suarez and Castillo.
Just an idea.
If someone gives Turner 3 years and $36 million the Dodgers will not counter, but I have a feeling that 2 years and $18 Million will get it done. Alex Wood is the only other Free Agent I would try and sign.
Lineup:
- Betts RF
- Smith C
- Seager SS
- Muncy 1B
- Suarez 3B
- Bellinger CF
- Pollock LF
- Lux 2B (yu gotta’ show me)
Bench: Turner, Barnes, McKinstry, Raley, Beaty
Rotation:
- Kershaw, Buehler, Castillo
- Price
- Urias, Gonsolin, May, Gray
Pen:
- Graterol
- Jansen
- Kelly
- Knebel
- Cleavinger,
- Alexander
- Floro
- Gonzalez
- Kolarek
- Morrow
- Nelson
- Wood
- Whoever…
I think they would be set. Would I do all that? Maybe… maybe not. Indecision may or may not be part of my problem. Remember Andrew Friedman’s Ten Commandments? Not likely to happen… I’m glad it’s him making these decisions and not me!
Who is the Lead Singer?
I have nothing more to say THIS YEAR!
Discussion (114)
Disagree, not disagreeable
Draft picks in MLB are overrated. Especially when out of the top 10-15. Too much uncertainty.
The examples given with Trout and others do not hold much water IMHO. What makes the author think that the team that gave up the pick would have drafted exactly that player ?
If I would run a team I´d much rather sign a free agent with draft compensation then give up blue chip prospects who already have proven them in the minor leagues at least.
Having said that here is what I would do if I am the Dodgers and serious about a repeat WS championship:
Sign Trevor Bauer for his desired one year contract.
Trade for Suarez to shore up 3b and bring in the desired right hand bat.
Sign Hendriks or Hand or Rosenthal to give you an option at closer should KJ falter.
Those move proably take the Dodgers over the luxury cap but it gives you a great shot at repeating .
The good thing: By going that route you still have cap flexibility after the 2021 season with huge contracts like Kelly, Jansen and the one year contract of Bauer coming off the books.
Happy new year to everybody!!!
go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I for one am happy that hopefully it got to the ones that really needed it… Now UI, that’s another thing… I got 3 grandkids unemployed (no not from White Castle) and it’s damn rough because they just want their jobs back…
$600 vs. $1200 now that’s tougher than staring down a $100 Nassau putt…
Watford my man, I’m hoping you had a good one… I mentioned in an earlier post that I hope you and I can get together for a lil 301 or 501 when you get here… One of the things I pulled out of the attic was my bristle board and my trusty darts… I didn’t know how much I enjoyed the game… I don’t miss the beer though…
Good morning.
I ended the year with an insult, it was meant in good fun, so I’d like to begin the year with a compliment………
I’ll need a moment.
Well howdy do dee. I just checked my acct, and my stimuli check came in. Amazing, first time I have ever seen the IRS do anything with any amount of speed…unless they are coming after your money.
`Happy New Year everyone from the west coast of Florida.
Hey Watford, How many Neanderthals do they have in the UK? Enough to give genes to everyone?? LOL…Have a happy New Year in the Mother country.
Here you go guys. A study shows that a certain gene passed down from Neanderthal’s helps protect against Covid. And especially against the new strain in the UK. Sufficient doses of this gene could help combat the disease…Mark, you and I could be donors! LOL.
It’s not the same without Dick Clark! That was a big part of my life.
Funny story:
I went into a Liquor Store tonight with my Indiana Jones hat (I wear it when it is cold and/or snowing). As I am checking out, this painter/drywall guy (paint or spackle all over his clothes), says” Hey Indiana Jones guy, that’s an ugly hat.” I turned around and smiled and said, “Yeah, but I can take it off – you are stuck with that face!” It provoked an uproar of laughter, but he was silent (part of the reason I carry a gun – sometimes I can’t help myself).
So much to analyze & digest the last 2 weeks… Surely will keep me busy…
Happy New Years to all the LADT folks and Dodger fans…
I don’t know if I’ll see the ball drop, but God Bless you Dick Clark wherever you are!!!
XX & w.u.
I am celebrating with some Butterscotch Schnaps Tasty stuff, and keeps me from drinking too much. I just realized there won’t be a Rose Parade tomorrow…that sucks.
Cassidy mentioned something above, re. the playoff successes of Kike, Joc (and of course JT). Badger has also mentioned he doesn’t make wholesale changes (except for Lindor, of course)
I look at our team as, barring major injuries, a 98-105 win team (or that type of winning % if 2021 doesn’t give us 162 games) Which means, after the season is over, we’re playing in the postseason. Therefore, unlike most teams, we basically construct our team in April, then July, then September, for 2 seasons: the 162 game grind, and then the October sprint. As we all very well know, a 162 game success doesn’t equal the October success. The construction of the team to get to October is different than the one that goes out in October and tries to get the ring.
So we keep talking about getting guys that can get us to October. But rarely do we consider, and in my mind we should obviously consider, if those players will get us THRU October. Everyone wants to underpay JT because he may not last 162 games, or he’s in decline, or whatever. In my mind, JT will earn his salary in October where he has been by far our best October hitter this last 8 years. JT batting 3rd in October is way more important than wondering how many games JT can give us in the regular season. In my mind, we must resign JT, and rest him as often as we can, via the DH or via Edwin Rios playing 40% of the time at 3b. Who cares what our combine WAR at 3b is in 2021 as compared to other teams. This team is good enough to get to October where JT’s WAR is better than most anyone else in October.
If we want guys that can get us to October, fine. But we already have that. We need to make a major move only for the purpose of getting thru October. That is JT. That is a playoff game starter (which we can determine at the trade deadline if it’s needed or not). That perhaps is a guy who can get big outs against the big hitters in a crucial game 4.
In my mind, we have a deep starting staff that can give us quality innings thru 162 games. We have a deep bullpen that most likely will have a top 5 ERA in the NL. What we don’t have is that dominant back end of the pen guy. That guy will help us win those 100 games in the regular season, and SHOULD help us win big games in Oct. Go get that impact bullpen arm. We’re built for the long haul. With JT (and even Joc), we’re almost built for the short Octuber haul too.
We need a few tweaks, not massive or major changes. Keep this train going for the next decade. Don’t trade all the kids for veterans just to look good now. The farm may be at the lowest it’s been over the last 6-8 years. We need to keep the impact kids and add to them, not trade them away.
Now, I think it’s time to open up a bottle of Baileys and toast to City of Champions!
The Dodgers could stand pat with the relievers they currently have and use Urias as needed in the playoffs to close games. I also think one or more of the scrap pile signings will come through in the playoffs and before.
I have a lot of confidence in Seager and Betts and not a lot of confidence in Bellinger and Muncy. Turner could always be counted on but for how many more years? He might leave so he is even a bigger question mark. Pollock has given the Dodgers one short season and little else.
Realmuto, Springer, LeMahieu would provide the Dodgers with sure things and all hit from the right side.
I really like the Dodger rotation.
The Dodgers will repeat, right?
Happy New Year 2021 to all my DodgerTalk friends. May it be a better year for all of you and a healthy one.
May you have the gladness of the season
Which is hope;
The spirit of the season
Which is peace;
And the heart of the season
Which is love.
-Ada V. Hendricks
Well it is New Years Eve. Back in the day I would be getting my gear ready to go play a gig on New Years Eve. I quit drinking years ago, so that would not be part of the night. I would people watch a lot on those occasions, and there were some really fun nights. The band would always be besieged by boozed up women at midnight trying to plant a sloppy one on you. Luckily, some were sober so the experience was not nearly as frightening. But this year, I will retire early and let one of the worst years in history slip off into the night. Yet, it was a good year too. The monkey is off of the Dodgers back. The Lakers won their first since the days of Kobe. It started off bad enough with Kobe dying in a helicopter accident. We lost a lot of talented people this year. But we also lost a lot of our fellow American’s to a virus that no one really understands. We have gone through political turmoil that still has not ended. Some of us lost close personal friends this year, and some of us made new ones. We have all striven to keep our heads above water and survive the chaos. We have fought the boredom, at least those of us who do not work anymore, the inability to live as freely as we would like. And what draws all of us together on this site is a kids game played by adults. It is a passion we all share for a team that we all have grown to love. We do not always agree about which direction that team should take, but we all agree that we love the Dodgers. It is fitting that the best pitcher I ever saw turned 85 yesterday, the Left Arm of God, Sandy Koufax was the first HOF Dodger I got to watch in all of his great seasons. Happy Birthday Sandy. The memories I have of watching you do your thing will never be forgotten. I wish all of the writers and posters, and those who just come by to see what we are talking about, A Very Happy New Year! Let us all hope 2021 proves to be a much better year than 2020. I wish all of you good health and also happiness. That should be a primary ingredient of everyone’s life, especially those who are quote, over the hill and headed down the slope. Be well all.
I forgot to post this that someone wrote in a chat, I really liked it !!
”I love seeing padres thread and the common trend is “dodgers should be scared” “they won’t win a ring in a non shortened season” all while missing the basic point. The dodgers live rent free in almost everyone’s head in the nl west and for good reason, you can use weak retorts like “they always choke” “they always buy chips” much to the dismay that padres are doing the exact same things as dodgers yet get no flak. Padres will never be dodgers sorry to burst your bubbles. Padres improved but dodgers were in a class of there own last year and likely for years to come. All this comes with the territory of being top dog in the west, all you sad padres stans just further prove the point, you mention us in your own threads and try to insight a rivalry when there has been one (padres are bottomfeeders outside of last years shortened season) 13 winning seasons in 65 years 2 ws appearance losses says it all! Just know we don’t care about you guys, but I will say thank you to friar faithful for allowing petco to be Chavez ravine south every season.”
Comments were closed on last post before I could chime in. One thing about LA farm is they graduated a large number of guys in 2020 that project as average or better given their roles: Lux (still TBD), May, Gonsolin, Gonzalez, Rios. They could all be Dodgers for the next 5 years. That’s a lot of value that is no longer counted as future assets in the farm.
I’ve read Votto prefers to have physical separation between where he plays and where he is from. Given his no trade clause, I doubt he ever plays in Toronto under his present contract.
I think free agents are where to improve team for 2021. Turner, LaMaheiu, Hand, Hendricks. One infielder and on reliever at least would be nice. Losing a draft pick for LaMaheiu isn’t ideal, but NOT trading from somewhat diminished farm would give the more promising guys a better chance to develop in a (hopefully more normal) minor league season in 2021.
They won’t all be stars, or even major leaguers. But to me it seems very valuable to have a minor leaguer close to majors in outfield, infield, catcher, and arms, to call up as a first line of depth instead of being forced into a trade. No more Carlos Santana for Casey Blake type deals please (most likely McCheap to thank for that).
Maybe LA needs Padres to be a force to not let them get complacent. LA is still strong, and their window is open for at least the next few years. I believe quality competition is beneficial.
OK, now that I have reeled everyone in, Today’s blog is titled “The Case for Standing Pat.”
I did not say that AF would stand pat.
I did not say that I would stand pat.
I will say that Dolittle will not leave the East Coast.
There’s no way your first lineup wins a WS! Without Turner, Joc and Kike who have been big playoff contributors. That lineup won’t even win the West and wouldn’t even see the NLCS. AF has this figured out and I believe he will sign or trade for a closer. And am I the only one who saw Smith swing and miss every breaking ball in the playoffs? He’s not playing third and he’s not hitting third in my lineup until he proves he can hit off speed.
Mark, just to prove to you that I read every word you write, I have a couple of questions on your three team trade:
“The Reds give up Sonny Gray, Luis Castillo, $20 Million, and Eugenio Suarez.”
How does Votto wind up in Toronto if the Reds didn’t include him in the trade?
How do the Jays wind up with $35MM if the Reds are only including $20MM?
One last thing, Votto has a full no trade clause and has already indicated he isn’t prepared to leave Cincy, even for Canada.
Other than that, if you can get us Suarez and Castillo for what you indicated, I’m all for it, but in my humble opinion the Dodgers are the only one of the three teams that would do that deal.
I tried to follow that trade but was stumped by what the Blue Jays did there. They gave up a prospect, Top 100 but not Top 50, and a pitcher with a 4.65 ERA and get $35 million, Joey Votto and Sonny Gray. Votto as a DH could probably rip it up for 3 years and Gray can still throw 150 innings at sub 4 ERA. The rest looks ok, but I don’t see it happening. I’ve got nothing better so I’m remaining where I’ve been all winter.
I don’t think DJLM is leaving Gnu Yourk.
Does Pollock need to be platooned? I don’t think so but he does need time off and I see McKinstry is on the bench. He can play anywhere so maybe he takes Kiké’s role. I’m not sold on Beaty.
Smith catches, Turner and Rios put up 5 WAR at third and I think Friedman will get a late inning reliever. As long as Bellinger and Muncy return to form we should be fine for ‘21.
Now there’s some ass backward thinking fur ya.
I would love that last lineup though and the double third basemen is some real progressive thinking but the age old question is: Who’s on first?
I’d like to see the Dodgers like I remember Richard Prior and Gene Wilder in the “We Bad” scene of Stir Crazy.
LeMahieu, Bauer, Turner & Wood.
I also like someone else’s suggestion a week or so ago about trading Lux for Hader.
Lot of moving parts in your trade, Mark.
If the Dodgers could land Castillo and Suarez, that’s probably a deal that makes sense. More likely the Reds want to unload just Gray and not Castillo. Certainly Votto if they could.
Interesting discussion on MLB TV yesterday. If the Rockies trade Arenado they would likely have to toss in money to make the deal since he has less value at Covid prices than what he originally signed for — if he was a free agent today, his contract would be far less than what is still owed to him. Makes sense.
I think Turner gets a two-year deal with an option.
I actually hated the Orlando Hudson signing. Not because Hudson wasn’t a really good player, but it cost the Dodgers the 16th pick. Hudson certainly started with a bang, but for whatever reason, his star faded with the Dodgers. Would the Dodgers have inked Mike Trout? Probably not. Logan White would have focused the pick elsewhere. For whatever reason, I really liked Trout, thought he was a right handed version of Darin Erstad. He turned out to be so much more. That was the Angels scouting department who nailed that. One of the scouts was really high on Trout. Great back story.
I think second belongs to Gavin Lux this spring. He’ll stay if he performs. Would not be surprised to see Smith at third in the future. Not unusual to see young players struggle.
I agree with Mark on past success for relievers not guaranteeing future success. Just ask the Rockies about that.
You have to pick and choose carefully. It’s a total crapshoot from year to year. Investing big dollars may or may not make sense.
Expect Max Muncy to have a big season in ’21. Over the past three years has produced better numbers than many of the players mentioned as potential trade pick-ups
Thank you Mark For your interesting article. “The farm system stays intact and all the bats we need may be on the roster already.” This is Pretty much what I am hoping to see. I know it may not work out perfectly (no one knows). But I sure would like to see the team give it a shot. I also hope that JT will be back for a year or two.
You know I am going to play. Past performance is no guarantee. Of course that is correct. However, you seem to believe that minimal success at A Ball is a better gauge for success than those who have been successful closers in the very recent past. Or in the case of Miler and Beeter, why waste time with MiLB at all. After all, Instructional League is as good as any season of AA full game competition and then a season of AAA full game competition. Or maybe we should do like NFL and NBA and bring the players straight to MLB because they do not need MiLB development. I can hear Hoese and Busch now…MiLB? We don’t need no stinkin’ MiLB.
Past performance is no guarantee. I assume that is to give us hope that Dennis Santana is now ready.
Career – 25.2 IP, 6.66 ERA, 1.519 WHIP
2020 – 17.0 IP, 5.29 ERA, 1.519 WHIP
Game on the line against Tatis, Machado, and Hosmer, and Mark would bring in Dennis Santana or Mitch White or any of the others who have never pitched at ML level (most not above A Ball) because he did not want to spend for any of Liam Hendriks, Trevor Rosenthal, Brad Hand, Kirby Yates, or Alex Colome. Why? Because they cost money. Never mind that LAD would make that up and more if they won the WS. I submit the Dodgers have a better chance with Hendriks, Rosenthal, Yates, Hand, or Colome than with Santana, White, Pepiot, Carrillo, Miller, Beeter, or Grove. By the way, when was the last time that Grove pitched well, even at A Ball? And you want to consider him for MLB bullpen? Why not Melvin Jimenez or Zach Willeman or Marshall Kasowski, or even Josh Sborz who is already on the 40 man?
I catch Mark’s ire when I say that AF does not value the bullpen. I have relented somewhat, but not entirely. He may value them, but they are his last thought in building the team. I am a Brandon Morrow fan, and I believe he will pitch well this year. But as Mark says…”There is no guarantee”. I am not nearly as confident in Jimmy Nelson or Garrett Cleavenger or James Pazos. Maybe, but probably not.
This stance of Mark’s is a little different than what he thought just two short years ago. After Joe Kelly was signed, Mark wrote:
“What can we expect from Joe Kelly? Until recently Joe Kelly was consistently inconsistent. He walked too many and struck out too few… but man-o-man… his stuff is fast, filthy and furious. He couldn’t start and couldn’t close. I am betting that Honeycutt, Prior and the Dodgers Brass see something great that they believe they can invoke in JK. Andrew Friedman throws around nickels like they are manhole covers when we are talking relievers, so why is Joe Kelly any different? Because he IS different! 100 MPH different with movement.
Maybe Kenley teaches him the cutter. I guarantee that Friedman did not give him $25 million for smoke and mirrors.
Scott Alexander (I’ll have to work on a name for him) and Machine Gun will form a formidable L-R Tandem in the bullpen next season. Sprinkle in Floro, Ferguson and others and the Dodgers might just have a world-class bullpen. BTW, I am on record as predicting a great season for Alexander in 2019…. Chicken Strip too!
Pedro Moura of The Athletic wrote this yesterday:
Why spend big right now when you already know you have a good chance at another World Series bid as is?
Mark’s Response:
The obvious answer is TO TRY AND WIN THE WORLD SERIES! ”
Okay Mark. Are the Dodgers not trying to win a WS this year, or are we going to rely on Alexander, Kelly, and Floro, as was discussed back in December 2018, and add in Santana, White, and Cleavenger?
One more thing. Who is going to be the late inning high leverage closer for the team? KJ? Machine Gun Kelly? That is it. Those are your choices. Neither Graterol nor VGon are ready for that just yet. They will be, but not yet. The Dodgers are not the Pirates or Orioles or Marlins or Royals where experimentation is prevalent. The Dodgers are a WS Champion with the thoughts of repeating. They need WS Champion caliber personnel, not MiLB depth. You bring in a Bazooka or VGon and put them in the right spots where they can taste success. They do not get thrown into must win situations. And forget that teams are now saying that they are not going to use a closer, but bring in pitchers where the situation calls for. I say BS. Every team will have ONE guy they can count on to come in and shut down a team in the 9th to preserve a win. Or are you going to end up hoping that Dennis Santana or Scott Alexander will get the 27th out?
Is that Kenny Rogers?
The best time to forego a draft pick is the year you’re picking last. Especially when a very good fit is available for your roster. Friedman has made some mighty high praises about Will Smith’s glove in the past. I don’t see he moving Smith’s glove from behind the plate to 2B on a team that values defense so highly. Not when there’s a pretty good defender who plays multiple positions and hits with a lot of contact and a high average on the open market. I think it’s time they best the Yankees and get DJLM and let the cards fall where they may in Spring Training.
Back to Smith. I’m sure Smith could handle an infield position if he focused on it. It will take a little time, but it certainly won’t be as ugly as Joc at 1B. I get where you’re coming from. You’ve seen Todd Zeile and Craig Biggio make the move from behind the pate to the infield. But, I think this recurring theme is more about your undying support for K-Bear. Which really doesn’t solve the problem at all, since he is mostly a left handed hitter anyways. All it does is block Rios or Lux, both superior left handed hitters throughout their minor league careers and natural infielders to get two catchers into the line up. Basically hurting offense and defense in the process.
I love the rumors that the Dodgers are in talks with DJ. It makes a ton of sense and he’s exactly the type of player that Friedman loves. If they fail, go shopping at the Cubsco and pick up a big ole package of 3b in Kris Bryant. K-Bear would look great in a Cubs uniform.
Interesting read Mark, and logical. I am not sure which way AF goes. But, to me, signing DJLM and losing a draft pick is a win. Simply because you have a player who you know is going to contribute to the success of the team. And the need for one more arm at the back of the pen is still going to be there. The reports on Uceta have been outstanding. Maybe he pulls a Steve Howe and comes from no where to be a solid contributor out of the pen. Graterol will probably improve some, but he still needs a kill pitch. For a guy with his stuff, his K rate is rather low. Cleavenger? Not sure I am putting a lot of trust in a 26 year old who has never pitched above AAA, If I make a trade, I am unloading some of the redundant players in the system, Beaty, or Reks, or Raley who are 3 versions of the same player. I give Peters a long look in spring and see if he can cut down on the whiffs, same thing with Thomas. That guy has some serious power, and I would work him out at 1st base, which means if Lux falls on his ass, you can move Muncy over to second. But that is just me, trying to think outside the box.
Don’t you think you’re making a big leap of faith penciling Smith in at 2b? I know he played infield in the past, but it’s not common to just put someone into a new position at the major league level. Mookie has played more innings at 2b in the majors than Smith!
I could see giving him some innings there in spring training to evaluate that possibility and then some more when the season starts. But doesn’t Lux deserve a longer look?
I love your shirt I got one just like it. Your mask certainly is way above anything I have but u need to work on the hat. 2020 World Series championship hat should do.
You are right about relievers. They are a very fickle bunch. I would not overpay for past performance. Look at guys like Chapman, Kim bro, etc. they have become money pits. I mean look at Jansen who was better than anybody but has been shaky the past couple of years. Short term is best term.
The trade is a bit ambitious but I don’t have a better one. How about what u proposed from the Dodgers to Cincinnati for Castillo and Suarez and just leave Toronto out. Or, price , hoese,Amaya, white, plus 30 million for Suarez and Castillo.