In 2017, the Dodgers struck out 25.5% of the time and in 2018, it went up slightly as they struck out 25.7% of the time. They were not even close to being the worst in baseball in striking out, but they were in the bottom 30%. In 2016, the Houston Astros almost led the AL in strikeouts. Tampa Bay barely beat them. In 2017, the very next year, the Astros went from nearly the worst in strikeouts to the very best in the AL against the strikeout. Not only did their strikeouts go down, but their homeruns increased from 198 to 238! That change coincided with a World Series Championship. One thing that should not be lost in this is that if there is one team that makes greater use of analytics than the Dodgers, it is the Astros.
I know that the Astros fixed their strikeouts and hit even more homeruns. You know this and you can bet the Dodgers know this. If the Dodgers had the power to increase their home runs while reducing strikeouts, do you think they would do that? We all know the answer… and so do they. Will they try and do that? Of course they will… but they aren’t going to announce it. There will be no press release. However, it’s just common sense to try it.
You can get bent out of shape that the Dodgers are going to use starters and relievers differently in the upcoming season, just like you can get bent out of shape about Manny spiking Jesus, but there’s more to that story, just like there’s more to this story. Other teams have been doing that for a while – specifically the Astros and the Cardinals.
FAZ is not going to tell you that they would like to see Chris Taylor cut down on his strikeouts, but I guarantee that they are planning how to do that right about now. Maybe they should announce that they are going to try and cut down on team strikeouts. Yeah, that would be really dumb to say it! But, it would be really smart if they tried that and I am sure that they are… because they are not dumb… and that would be dumb. Really dumb.
I don’t think the Dodgers can reduce their strikeouts by 25%, but I do think a goal to reduce strikeouts by 5 to 8% is realistic and attainable. The Astros cut their strikeouts by 25% between 2016 and 2017! Grandal will likely be gone and Kemp will have fewer AB’s while Taylor and Bellinger can drop their strikeout totals with some work. It has worked in the past. Joc Pederson more than doubled his HR while dropping his strikeout rate by 4%. The front office is not going to discuss this, but they would be really stupid not to try… and they are not stupid.
How Much Should Change?
The Dodgers got to the World Series two years in a row… and lost. The Astros won it all in 2017 and failed to make it back in 2018. Should they blow up their team? I don’t think so, although there will be changes. Half of the Dodgers World Series Roster changed from 2017 to 2018. There will be changes this year for the Dodgers too. Boston will change and Houston will change. Contracts expire, free agents get signed, players sign with other teams, players retire and trades are made. I would suppose that you will see about the same type of movement as last year… maybe a little less. Here’s a list of changes I recommend:
- The Dodger need a new catcher. Grandal is gone! Kyle Farmer is not a catcher and Keibert Ruiz is at least a half-season away. Will Smith is a possibility. Austin Barnes will improve his hitting next year (because he can’t get worse), but I would look to a catcher like Kurt Suzuki to fill a cap of about 300 AB’s. He’s inexpensive and savvy. For the record, I think Barnes will come back with a vengeance! I also think it’s possible we could see Ruiz after July. Before you mock me, who told you Seager, Bellinger, Buehler and Toles were ready long before anyone else?
- The Dodgers need a RH Power Hitter. The team is very heavy on the LH side and someone suggested a trade I happen to like: Max Muncy to the White Sox for Jose Abreu. That’s the best idea I have heard. If I had to throw another prospect in, I would do it becasue (1) the Dodgers need a RH power hitter like Manny never really was; and (2) I can’t see Muncy sustaining what he did. Sell high. Abreu has two years of control and then move Bellinger back to 1B.
- The Dodgers need to trade Yasiel Puig. After his rookie year, I advocated trading him for Gioncarlo Stanton and was roundly criticized. I do like him (sometimes), but it is past time to move him. Why? (1) He might as well be a LH hitter because he can’t hit lefties. He has reverse splits. He hit .209 against LHP and .297 verses RHP. He’s almost a superstar against RHP, but a scrubb against LHP. (2) He is sliding very rapidly defensively. He’s no longer a TOP right fielder; and (3) His body-type is going to produce some major injuries. He had a 2.7 WAR in 2018. I think he can be moved for a couple of prospects or in a package for another player.
- It’s time for Alex Verdugo. I’ve been saying that for a couple of years. Alex has a cannon of an arm and has a chance to be Tony Gwynn… or something close (a chance). I think he’s the leadoff hitter the Dodgers covet.
- Trade Toles or Pederson. The other one platoons with Kemp in LF. See who has the most value and move them. Matt Kemp is virtually untradeable. Every GM knows he loves being a Dodger (Strike one). He makes $21 million and the Dodgers would have to pay at least $15 million of it (Strike two)… and he is a team leader and fan favorite. He’s worth more than the $6 million the Dodgers would still owe him (strike three). Let’s not forget that he hit .290 with 21 HR and 85 RBI this year. He actually hits RH pitching better… but not by that much. A platoon in LF could be very productive.
- Decide on a Second Baseman. I was wrong about Gavin Lux. When they drafted him, I said they made a mistake. They didn’t! He is the real deal and may be ready by July. In the meantime, let Kike Hernandez and Chris Taylor fight out who starts at 2B. I would only sign LeMahieu for a steal of a deal.
- Draw a line in the sand on Bryce Harper. Whoever thinks he will get 14 years and $420 million from the Dodgers has been seriously involved in illegal drug use. The Dodgers will try and get creative, but they won’t go over $275 million…. if that!
- Think about trading Wood, Stripling, Maeda, Stewart (along with Puig and Pederson or Toles). If the Dodgers put together a 3 or 4 way deal that included some of those players, and included some prospects, could they snag a Corey Kluber that didn’t involve Ruiz or Verdugo?
Here’s my roster:
- Verdugo RF
- Turner 3B
- Seager SS
- Abreu 1B
- Bellinger CF
- Taylor 2B
- Kemp/Pederson (or Toles)
- Barnes/Smith/Suzuki
Bench:
Kike, Freese, Toles or Pederson, Suzuki or Smith, Locastro or Ramos
Starters:
- Kershaw
- Kluber
- Buehler
- Hill
- Urias
I think it is 50/50 that Ryu takes the QO. Then there is Gnsolin, Wood, Maeda and Stripling… if not trdaed.
Bullpen:
- Jansen
- Ferguson
- Santana
- Alexander (look for a huge year from him)
- Fields
- Baez
- Floro
- Cingrani or Koehler
Remember, don’t just look at what you see… use your vision. Sight is simply the faculty or power of seeing. “Oh, this guy hit 35 HR this year, we should get him.”
Vision is the act or power of anticipating that which will or may come to be. “Oh, this guy hit 12 HR this year, but he looks to be capable of breaking out soon.”
You can use your eyes… I prefer vision. Get the guy BEFORE he is that guy… not after.
By the way, Albert Pujols was once the best player in baseball. So was A-Rod and Josh Hamilton and King Felix and Robinson Cano. All were paid way past their productive years which hamstrung their teams… Felix and Robinson continue to do so. Forgetaboutit!
It is looking more-and-more like Farhan Zaidi will soon be the President of Baseball Operations for the Giants and some Dodger fans are giddy to lose him. All I can say is “You really have no Clue!” If he goes, the hated Giants just got a huge edge!
Parting Shot
- Getting to the World Series two year in a row is incredible.
- Losing two years in a row is tragic.
- But a lot of luck was involved.
- Steve “Freaking” Pearce was the MVP (no one in the history of the world predicted that).
- David Price who was worse than Clayton Kershaw in the Post-Season and 3 years older, but was lights out in the Post-Season for the first time EVER!.
- Joe Kelly was smoked during the regular season, only to become “Smoking Joe” in the playoffs.
- Nate Eovaldi was unhittable. Who predicted? No one.
- Matt Barnes has a 4.14 career ERA, but was 1.04 in the Post-Season.
- Rick Porcello had a 4.28 ERA during the regular season but was 1.93 in the World Series.
- Eduardo Rodriguez had not pitched in weeks and was Cy Young.
- The Dodgers pretty much neutralzed the big hitters of the Red Sox, but the scrubbs beat them.
The whole point of this is that the World Series is a Crapshoot. We were lucky to see the Dodgers there two years in a row… and a third is indeed possible… We just need the Big Dodger in the Sky to help them finish it!
Discussion (130)
Disagree, not disagreeable
Kim Ng as GM… Extremely sharp woman, been around all facets of the games and would be coming back home…
Did I mention great PR!??!
Let the Giants have their fourth choice, after the guys on the A’s, the Indians, and the Brewers turned the Giants down.
I would love that lineup. I don’t think Friedman will dole out the $$$ to sign Harper though.
What if, Friedman jettisons the following players?
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Puig
Pederson
Muncy
Taylor
Hernandez
Farmer
Maeda
Wood
We are stuck with Kemp for one more year… but that’s OK.
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Would this lineup be productive:
1. Lamahieu 2B (one edict: “Get on Base”)
2. Seager SS
3. Harper LF
4. Turner 3B
5. Abreu 1B
6. Bellinger CF
7. Verdugo RF
8. Barnes and me can platoon
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Fewer strikeouts and more runs. I can see it….
I refuse to look at the loss of Turner Ward and Farhan as a negative. Change brings opportunity, new strategies, a new voice and a new approach. I’m excited with the possibilities and look forward to the next week-10 days where we’ll hear about a new 3b coach, hitting coach and GM. I’m thinking Hasselman gets elevated to the big club in some capacity and someone we’ve never heard about (a la Farhan in 2014) gets named GM.
Winter Meetings start in about 5 weeks.
I agree Mark , Bochy is not as on board as Doc as far as platooning and analytics, plus he has 3 rings and Zaidi has none. With that said, the game always changes, and while I liked both Ward and Zaidi, we do need a new breathe of fresh air to get us over the last hurdle. Sometimes a new direction , while scary, can get players to be challenged, and they will respond in a positive way. We have most of the players in place, they just need a fresh approach. I am gettin excited.
“I am delighted to return to the Bay Area and to join one of the most storied franchises in the game,” Zaidi said in a statement. “I have watched the Giants from afar and I have great respect for the organization’s culture and many accomplishments. I am excited about this new opportunity and I’m looking forward to getting right to work.”
I think that Farhan will do well in SF, but now that he is gone, I have heard that a small rift might have been festering between Zaidi and Friedman. Friedman is on record recently as not being a huge fan of platoons, while Zaidi was very much a fan… to the point of “hounding” Roberts to make lineup changes. I think whoever Friedman hires will be much more “hands-off” with Roberts.
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It will be interesting whom Zaidi hires as GM and how he gets along with Bochy. That could be interesting…
I think he’ll pluck the next whiz kid as the new Dodgers GM. Who that is I have no idea, but my money is a data-driven sabermetric guy who is probably less than thirty years-old and never played baseball beyond high school but can work an excel spreadsheet like no one else.
So, will Byrnes become GM or will Friedman pick someone that is a huge surprise?
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Zaidi is a Giant now.
Roberts just re-upped for 4 years!
Here’s what we know. The Reds FO called Friedman and asked if they could interview Turner Ward for the position of hitting coach… and Friedman said yes.
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From The LA Times:
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Andrew Friedman, not Farhan Zaidi, sauntered into the Parlor room at the Omni La Costa Resort & Spa at 2:10 p.m. Tuesday to represent the Dodgers in the first of the general managers meetings’ two league-mandated media sessions this week. It was the first time Friedman, the Dodgers’ president of baseball operations, had drawn the assignment since his first offseason with the Dodgers in 2014. Zaidi, the club’s general manager, spoke for the organization at this event the previous three years. But Zaidi might not be the Dodgers’ general manager for long.
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In the latest twist in a chaotic young offseason for the Dodgers, Zaidi is considering an offer to become the San Francisco Giants’ president of baseball operations. He hadn’t made his decision as of Tuesday night. Friedman declined to comment on the situation, but he confirmed the Dodgers will not block Zaidi from pursuing the job and Zaidi is not attending the GM meetings this week.
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The obvious internal options are assistant hitting coaches Brant Brown and Luis Ortiz, both of whom joined the organization last December. Friedman confirmed the rest of the coaching staff — Brown, Ortiz, pitching coach Rick Honeycutt, first base coach George Lombard, and bullpen coach Mark Prior — are under contract for next season.
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Turnover in the coaching and front-office ranks isn’t foreign to this regime. The Dodgers lost director of player development Gabe Kapler, vice president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos, and bullpen coach Josh Bard last offseason, and chugged along to another World Series appearance. But constant turnover challenges continuity and replacing Zaidi could be their biggest challenge yet.
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“Obviously, it’s a compliment to our organization, the group that we’ve assembled,” Friedman said. “And on one hand, I’m really happy for these guys who are getting opportunities. On the other, it is challenging for employees. But with that comes opportunity for other people that we have in our organization that we feel can step up.”
From ESPN.com:
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The Dodgers also won’t be shelling out significant dollars for relief pitching, regardless of how much trouble their bullpen gave them. The Colorado Rockies did that last offseason, committing a combined $106 million to Wade Davis, Bryan Shaw and Jake McGee. But Davis (4.13 ERA), Shaw (5.93 ERA) and McGee (6.49 ERA) all struggled, validating what has become dogma in the Dodgers’ front office.
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“You look back over time at free-agent relievers, and it’s not a very good track record,” Friedman said. “So, we’re not going to do it just to win a headline on that day.”
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“Elite relievers come from everywhere,” Zaidi added, “and that’s our responsibility, to be resourceful and try to find those guys. The solution isn’t always, and is often not, just going out and trying to spend money. Sometimes the best relievers come from thinking more creatively about guys who can do that job.”
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As an executive with the cash-strapped Tampa Bay Rays, Friedman would often root for other clubs to sign high-priced free agents because he knew it would cripple them long term. He brought that same logic to the affluent Dodgers and vowed not to let deeper resources trigger impracticality.
I’m not worried about Ward signing with the Reds. There are a number of good hitting teams in MLB, so I guess there are other very capable hitting coaches. My best guess is that the Dodgers are aware of the coaching talent available. Could be that the next great hitting coach will come out of the minor leagues. As Mark is wont to say, maybe the Dodgers will find the next great hitting BEFORE he’s the next great hitting coach.
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I’m not going to lose any sleep over this. But Puig night. 🙂
That does make a lot of sense.
I looked at DJ’s numbers away from Coors the previous three years, before this last season.
And he had pretty decent batting averages, he hit 300 twice, and 297, and his OBP’s numbers were pretty good too, and his OPSes were in the middle 700s.
That would be a lot better then Forsythe ever did, and DJ did have 18 DRS last year.
They say the difference with how off speed pitches break differently from home and away too, is not an easy transition for the players on the Rockies either.
He is certainly not a power hitter, but he can hurt
I don’t care what LeMahieu hit on the road. I mentioned this the other day on this site, and believe I’ve seen it elsewhere. Rockies hitters often struggle on the road because they play half their games at altitude, and have diificulty adjusting to normal conditions away from Coors. Put those same players in normal conditions practically all the time and the numbers in those conditions will normalize.
I just talked to someone in the “Know” and there is nothing sinister to Ward’s departure. He wanted to be closer to Alabama and the Dodgers let him go… That’s the Company line. .. from the Reds point-of-view.
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That’s all I know.
https://www.truebluela.com/2018/11/6/18068758/dodgers-turner-ward-hitting-coach-not-easy-to-replace
Rational piece
Zaidi–I wish him the best. I’m sure he’ll be missed. I hope we can find a suitable replacement. That said, after he goes I won’t give him a second’s thought. Like Tony Soprano says to P—- on the boat before he whacks him, “Did you ever even exist?”
Morosi reporting that the Dodgers are targeting LeMahieu.
https://bleacherreport.com/los-angeles-dodgers
lemahieu is from visalia, ca
*
now i want him
If FAZ wanted a “scapegoat” they could have just dismissed Ward after the World Series, but they let all this happen without a word. It will be intereresting to find out the erst of the story… and we will find out.
I hope Zaidi doesn’t go to the midgets. I enjoy knowing they’re a complete dumpster fire and I don’t want to see a Dodger executive go there and help them turn it around.
I have no doubt that Dale Murphy is correct. Still, it always appeared to me as if Taylor was swinging up. Which might be the reason (along with his uncontrollable hard swings) that he struck out so much.
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And why is it that so many people think that Taylor was a weak hitter before coming to the Dodgers and changing his hitting style. That doesn’t appear to be the case given this:
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https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/t/tayloch03.shtml
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I see no reason why he couldn’t alter his style to strike out less, and hit line drives. Based on his career stats, it appears to me that he could replace HRs with a different variety of extra base hits. And I’m certain he could make better use of his speed if he were on base a lot more.
There’s an interesting article by Dale Murphy in The Athletic today. https://theathletic.com/636256/2018/11/06/dale-murphy-an-advice-column-for-gms-heading-into-the-offseason/
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Here’s a snippet: On sign stealing: “The number of wild pitches and past balls has risen every year since 2015. Velocity has a lot to do with that, but so does miscommunication between pitcher and catcher. When the guy throwing the ball and the guy catching the ball aren’t in sync, confusion ensues. Mistakes happen.”
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On launch angle: “You see, launch angle isn’t created by swinging up; it’s created by where you make contact on the ball. If you make contact with the center of the ball, you’ll hit a line drive. If you get too far under it, you’ll pop up.
Launch angle is a result, not a technique. If you want to hit fastballs, you need a flatter, compact swing.”
And
“Odds are, you’re overvaluing home runs and undervaluing making contact. High-strikeout teams typically aren’t suited to the playoffs. The Red Sox had the fifth-fewest strikeouts in baseball this year. The Indians had the fewest, and the Astros had the second-fewest. ”
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On Bullpenning: “But asking your starter to leave the game after three or four innings? Five, at most? That might work in a short series if you’re lucky; it won’t work over a full season. You need starting pitchers who can go deeper into games. You need pitchers who can go six or seven innings, not four or five. You need pitchers who can throw 120 pitches, not 80 or 100.”
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“If you want to stockpile two dozen relievers and have them shuttle back and forth from the major leagues to the minor leagues to play matchups and keep the big-league team afloat until October, by all means, do so. But you’re probably better off finding and developing two or three horses who can go seven innings a night. ”
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In another article in The Athletic by Ken Rosenthal was a discussion about Farhan Zaidi moving from the Dodgers to the Midgets:
“*Dodgers GM Farhan Zaidi will have numerous factors to consider if the Giants offer to make him their top executive, as Joel Sherman of the New York Post reported.
One major concern: The Giants, with few moveable assets, will not be an easy fix. As one rival exec put it, “There is not a lot of juice to squeeze from that fruit.””
As stated by many above the Boston pitchers looked like Cy Young because the Dodger hitters aren’t that good outside of Turner and Seager. HR’s yes, bat to ball no.
Is Ward leaving a reflection on poor hitting? We don’t know, but hopefully FAZ wants improvement, but why now, it has been ongoing for a few years?
Additionally if we want to win NOW (2019) we need a new catcher – get Realmuto. Too long to wait for Ruiz. And if Ruiz is part of the deal for Realmuto so be it. Part of the goal of an improved farm system is for trade material to fill holes in the lineup. I’d rather have Realmuto starting than multiple prospects in OKC.
Also when Buehler pitched Boston stopped hitting, same with Hill, CK not so much, Ryu not so much. We need another #1 or #2 SP. Do what it takes to get DeGrom which will be a lot, but the next WS outcome will be different with him added to the rotation.
Regarding Segura. He played mostly 2B in 2016 when he had a big year with Arizona.
I don’t necessarily think that the offer to Ward has anything to do with the Dodgers wanting to move on from him. I believe that when a team is interested in an employee of another team it is standard procedure to ask permission to talk with that person, and that permission is generally given. This wasn’t a promotion, but maybe it involved more money, years, etc. And it makes perfect sense that Ward would fit in very well with the Reds, given the bandbox they play in. Lift and launch might make perfect sense in that place. However, it may well be that the Dodgers were not averse to a change, and maybe welcomed having the decision of whether to let Ward go taken out of their hands.
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I would love to have Harper and Abreu, and I also still like Puig, not to mention Verdugo. And I also don’t think that moving Kemp is impossible if the Dodgers’ objective is the overall improvement of the team. Kemp would be more valuable in the AL, and I think he showed enough last year to interest some team to take a flyer on him, especially if it involved only money. If the Dodgers could save somewhere between $6-10 million, why wouldn’t they be amenable to moving Kemp? And why wouldn’t some team in need of an offensive upgrade be willing to take on that amount of money, especially with only a one year commitment? Finding another player of his caliber would likely be more expensive, and could involve the surrender of talent.
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And yes, despite the fact that I still like Puig, I’d be perfectly willing to include him in a trade, given of course, that that trade brought back significant value. In any case, given all the variables, I simply get dizzy thinking about all the possibilities.
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And finally, since I am not confident with our 2nd base options for this year, and because Lux is anything but a sure thing in 2020 (no rookie is), I am still in favor of signing LeMahieu. Even a 3-year deal would not deter me (at a price that did not break the bank). If LeMahieu in any way stands in the way of Lux, he will more likely than not be tradeable. And if LeMahieu is playing well, then I would have no problem in delaying a full-time job for Lux until 2021. And then there is the question of JT showing the signs of age. Personally, I have no problems with having high caliber organizational depth, just in case.
Lf-Harper
CF-Bellinger
RF-Puig
3B-Turner
SS-Seager
2B-Segura
1B-Muncy/Freese
C-Realmuto
I’ll go with this until QO’s are accepted or turned down and then reality sets in. I’m adding Familia as the setup guy too.
Offseason to date:
1) Re-signed Freese to one-year deal
2) Extended Kershaw one extra year through 2021
3) Offered Q.O. to both Grandal & Ryu
4) Closing in on Roberts extension (& lost some coaches)
5) Have to think catcher position is next to be addressed
It’s being reported that Dodgers and Robert’s are closing in on a contract extension.
Everyone loved Turner Ward and he wasn’t the problem after 2017 but he is after 2018? Stupid to say the least.
I, like many others knew Ward could not survive the offensive meltdown the Dodgers did in the WS. I am glad they’re moving on, infusing a new voice and hopefully a new approach in the hitting room. Is Roberts safe?
Mariners might be selling. They are a mess. Stay away. Look at the contracts for Leake, Gordon, & Nicasio and tell me that team has any chance of turning it around soon. They have almost no farm system and their best player is a reliever. They obviously aren’t signing Nelson Cruz now. I do wonder whether they would swap us something for Matt Kemp. Or are we all fools for even thinking we’d trade him after last year’s surprise performance?
I think I agree with others that it might be time to make some tough decisions of certain players whose skill sets may be close to redundant. Do we keep:?
Taylor or Keekay
Kemp or Puig
Joc or Toles
Ryu or Wood
Stripling or Stewart
I disagree with your premise on strikeouts. You stated that you do not think that FAZ should acknowledge that LAD strikes out too much and CT3 in particular? My question is why not? It is not a secret that the Dodgers expand the strike zone on the high side and swing wildly at high fastballs. It is known throughout baseball, and the Red Sox exploited it. I agree that Eovaldi, Kelly, Barnes, Porcello, Rodriguez…looked good in the WS, but it was because they threw to the Dodgers weakness. Every team knows that the Dodger hitters can be beat with high velo fastballs up in the zone. To acknowledge that is not going to give away any team secrets. So, go on record and state: “One of our objectives next year is to cut down on the strikeouts. Shorten up with 2 strikes. At least make contact in a run scoring situation.” Sounds superficial, but at least the team knows that the FO acknowledges in public that strikeouts were a problem.
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CT3 struck out 25% of the time in 2017. That was too much at the time, and if FAZ really thought they could work with him to cut down on his strikeouts, they should have worked on that for 2018. However, CT3 struck out 29.5% in 2018. So why do you think he is going to cut down on his strikeouts in 2019? There is nothing in his past to indicate that he can. Without the extreme launch angle and extreme hard swing, CT3 goes back to being the good defensive AAAA offensive player he was before 2017.
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Also, Farhan was not shy about telling the world in his opinion the reason the Dodgers were struggling early was due to lack of homeruns. So, it is not because they will not acknowledge a shortcoming in their view. What is the difference in their acknowledgement that strikeouts were a problem…unless they do not think that it is? Farhan especially loves the HR, and the increased strikeout is just an unfortunate byproduct of the HR. I will repeat what I have said before…FAZ may not like strikeouts, but they accept them.
Process of elimination on Harper: Who is left besides the Giants and Nats that can be considered real competitors for him? I’d imagine he’d want to get out of the NL East so I’m crossing off Atlanta & Philly.
Would this qualify as a shocker?
Dodger decline to pick up option on roberts after he demands extension; Joe Girardi announced as new manager with 3-year deal.
haha
It would be nice if they looked at Marlon Byrd as the hitting coach, I think he’s the guy that reworked Turners swing
For the Reds to talk to Ward, they had to get the Dodgers permission. That speaks volumes. FAZ is headed a different direction.
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The Red Sox players look to JD Martinez for hitting instruction as much or more than Tim Heyer.
I thought Turner Ward initially came to the Dodgers to be closer to his wife’s family, so something doesn’t sound right here.
I have no idea if Turner Ward tried to change these players approach, and they either were not talented enough to adjust or they didn’t want to change their approaches.
Remember our assisted hitting coach was hired by the Red Sox the year before.
I will say this, Puig sure did a good job in the prior series before the World Series, and in the World Series this year.
And Puig had problems in the past in high leverage situations.
That tells me FAZ was not happy with the hitting and they probably let Ward know he could look elsewhere. The Dodgers will keep the coaches they want…. unless of course, they are getting a promotion (Woodward).
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I do wonder what this does to Puig?
Maybe Utley will reconsider and become our hitting coach,bench or third base coach.
Turner Ward hired by Reds
Reds hire Turner Ward.
Jim Bowden in The Athletic guess what each of the biggest free agents will get:
https://theathletic.com/630722/2018/11/05/bowden-what-the-top-35-mlb-free-agents-are-worth-and-which-teams-they-fit-best/?source=dailyemail
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He has Grandal at 4 years/$68 million
Good stuff M.T… I’ll still say Boston was the better/luckier/? team…
Your parting shots are why this grand old game will drive you to drink…
Now before I grab about 7.5 MG of percocet, a little breakfast and begin my morning exercise program how about this!?!?
Chg. # 1… How about bringing in A.J. Ellis for a year???
Work with Barnes and make Clayton Kershaw an extremely happy camper… Come July or ?? make an addition with one of the kids or a F.A. or go with the flow… Not very sexy, but good on the payroll for now…
P.S. Hopefully A.J. will begin his coaching career with the Blue after this…..
I agree with everything you said except the last few lines. The reason the Red Sox pitching staff looked so good in the World Series is that the Dodger hitters were so-o-o-o bad. They have the knack of making a minor league pitcher look like a legit major leaguer and a legit major leaguer look like the the reincarnation of Cy Young. That is the root problem. Until that is corrected, they are destined to repeat their recent history.
I’m not sure that lineup is any better than what we used this season.
Not easy for sure in today’s game when slugging is so heavily valued and upcoming prospects are taught elevation and launch. The game ebbs and flows so perhaps we are getting back to simply balance .