Let There Be Baseball

June 6, 2020

In direct response to KP, dodgerrick, and others who have emailed me, you are correct that this is a baseball blog…specifically a Dodger baseball blog.  I try very hard to keep it topical, but let’s face it, there is not much baseball going on, and news from LAD is even more sparse.  I try to hold posts open for two to three days, but when I see the discussion move…

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AC Editorial – Owners vs MLBPA Tug of War

June 2, 2020

While I absolutely disagree with Mark’s point that the Owner’s caved, I still do not know whether we are closer to MLB or not.  The sides are still too far apart with a very short period of time to close the gap. But in my opinion, the Owner’s did not cave, but launched a surgical strike right at the Players. I am disgusted how the two leaders are acting like…

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Things That Make You Go Hmmm

May 26, 2020

Monday was a bittersweet day for me. On the positive side, it was my wife’s and my 46th wedding anniversary.  It also marked the 16th anniversary of Andy’s MLB debut.  However, it also marked our first anniversary without our son Kris.  Kris was a nomad, but no matter wherever he was, he would ALWAYS call his mother on May 25 and wish her a Happy Anniversary.  Never failed.  I have…

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2020 Draft Prelude

May 23, 2020

As I am sure all baseball fans have learned, the MLB Draft will be limited to five rounds.  I know 2D2 is in the process of preparing a more detail analysis, but I thought a little preliminary might be worthwhile.   The draft will be remote, virtual, and will be held June 10-11.  Round 1 and the Competitive Balance Round A (37 picks) will be held Wednesday, June 10.  Rounds…

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Dodger Zoom Party – 05-18-20

May 19, 2020

I had the pleasure of participating in the Dodgers Monday, May 18, Zoom Party.  To the best of my memory, the following is what transpired. Attendees (as pictured below): Joe Davis Alanna Rizzo Andre Ethier Austin Barnes JT Doc Alex Wood Clayton Kershaw David Price Cody Bellinger Dieter Ruhle for pre-Zoom and 7th inning stretch Later joined by Jo Koy (stand-up comic) – I have no idea who he is…

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West Division Starting Pitching

May 16, 2020

Earlier I listed the teams in each of their proposed divisions.  At the time, it was anticipated that the Braves and Pirates would switch divisions, but otherwise the two West divisions, the two Central divisions, and the two East divisions would join together to form a single West, Central, and East division.  The starting pitching in the West figures to range from terrific to bad to really bad.  The Dodgers…

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Questions of Health, Finance, and the DH

May 14, 2020

Well, if MLB and the MLBPA can get together about health and finances, we figure to have an abbreviated 2020 season.  But that is still a BIG IF. What has been surprising to me is the number of players who are in the demographic of underlying health issues and immunocompromised, and are still willing to play.  The most extreme is David Dahl who had his spleen removed after an accident…

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2010 LAD Draft Revisited

May 10, 2020

We are coming up to the 2020 draft, such as it is, and I was thinking about the 2010 draft.  That was a draft that has multiple superstars.  First round selections included Bryce Harper, Jameson Taillon, Manny Machado, Drew Pomeranz, Matt Harvey, Yasmani Grandal, Chris Sale, Mike Foltynewicz, Christian Yelich, and of course the Dodgers very own Zach Lee; all $5.25 MM.  Compensation picks selected after the 1st round who…

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2020 or 2021 or …

May 9, 2020

Multiple sources have indicated that a plan for a proposed 2020 MLB season is due to be presented to the MLBPA in the “next week or so”.  Former MLB infielder from Crespi High School in Encino, CA, Trevor Plouffe, in a tweet, has indicated that his sources are pointing to a report date of June 10, and a season start date “around”, July 1.  This date is congruent with Ken…

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Do Deep Teams Have an Advantage in a Short Season

May 7, 2020

Much has been said and written about the Dodgers depth and how that makes them a very dangerous team.  I do not think that there is a question (at least not for me), that the premier builder of the 40 man roster is Andrew Friedman.  During his tenure, over the last five years in a 162 game season, the Dodgers have 485 wins, more than any other team in MLB. …

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