BRAVES AND THE PEN: Braves have now signed 3 pitchers who will serve as late inning high leverage relievers. On Monday they signed Chris Martin to a two year $14MM contract after signing Will Smith to a three year $40MM deal. Earlier this month, they signed Darren O’Day to a one year $2.25MM contract. They also have Mark Melancon in the final year of his four year $62MM contract. Thus…
Jim “Junior” Gilliam – Mr. Versatility
Last week I submitted a post on Joe Black indicating it was one of my two favorite articles that I have ever written. The other was on Jim Gilliam that I profiled on Think Blue LA on April 25, 2016. AC was/is a huge Jim Gilliam fan and suggested I pull this one out of the mothballs so AC this one is for you, again. As a youngster growing up…
A New LUXury!
In 2018, Vladimir Guerrero, Jr. hit .381 over 4 minor league levels with a .437 OB%. He hit 20 HR and 29 doubles to go with 37 walks and 38 strikeouts in 357 AB’s. His OPS for the year was 1.073. He was the 2018 Minor League Player of the Year. In 2019, Gavin Lux hit .347 across two minor league levels with a .421 OB%. He hit 26 HR…
I Was, and Remain, a Fan of Don Demeter
I was 8 or 9 when my neighbor, Tony Silva, took me to my first-ever Dodger baseball game at the L. A. Coliseum. I can still conjure up in my mind, the images of the bright lights, the smell of the Dodger dogs, and the sound of Vin Scully and Jerry Doggett traveling throughout the stadium over the ever-present transistor radios. My most vivid memory, however, was that of a…
Cooler Heads Will Prevail
Of course, I would like for the Dodgers to sign Anthony Rendon, Gerrit Cole, and Stephen Strasburg while trading for a bonified closer and a set-up man. .. and while I am at it, I want to look like Brad Pitt and be as smart as Jeff Bezos. Oh, and I want Bezos’ money too. The odds of all that happening for the Dodgers is about as likely I look…
Let The Games Begin
Well the first domino fell on Thursday when Atlanta signed LHRP Will Smith for 3 years and $40MM. It is a little less than Craig Kimbrel $$$, but not much. The Braves are in a position to sign multiple FA and still be well south of the CBT threshold. I expect them to make a run at MadBum and Yasmani Grandal, and maybe Josh Donaldson. Some prognosticators have suggested with…
Major Changes Coming to Minor League Baseball… Maybe.
No doubt many of the readers on LADT are familiar with what might be coming down the pipe for minor league baseball for the 2021 season. However, it does make for a quick post and might be new to some readers. It certainly has some broad implications which may or may not be an improvement over the current minor league system. The Professional Baseball Agreement (PBA) between MLB and minor…
A Bit More on Brett de Geus
LADT readers know by now that I have followed left-hander Logan Salow since he was acquired from Oakland on April 25, 2018 in a trade that sent Wilmer Font to the Athletics. All that is needed now for Salow is to keep the plate from moving. That is a big one but 2020 might be the year that happens. I have also been a keen follower of right-hander Marshall Kasowski…
Dodgers 2019 Organizational All-Stars – MiLB
Each offseason, MiLB.com goes position by position across each system and honors the players — regardless of age or prospect status — who had the best seasons in their organization. This is the list from MiLB – posted November 11 – with a brief review by Dodgers Director of Player Development Will Rhymes. Catcher — Connor Wong, Rancho Cucamonga (71 games), Tulsa (40 games): After a spotty April, Wong finished…
Could the Astros 2017 World Series Title Be Stripped?
Stealing signs is part of the fabric of baseball and will continue to be. When the runner on 2B rubs his nose, it means a curveball is coming. You are never going to stop that… nor should you. However, external sign-stealing or electronic sign-stealing are an entirely different matter and it appears, and it is looking more-and-more like the Houston Astros are dirty rotten scoundrels. The Athletic broke an article…