More CBT, Universal DH, and JT

January 29, 2021

“Well, it’s a significant demarcation,” Mets president Sandy Alderson said. “I wouldn’t say that it’s a line that cannot be passed, but it’s definitely a significant consideration when you get to that level.”  Per Andy McCullough, The Athletic, “by instructing Alderson to mind the luxury-tax threshold…new Mets owner Steve Cohen has conformed with his 29 colleagues in baseball’s ownership class. The competitive balance tax operates as baseball’s de facto salary…

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CBT Threshold or De facto Salary Cap

January 27, 2021

There has been a lot of chatter about the cool reception the current group of FA’s are receiving.  DJLM got $90MM, but he is going to be spreading that over 6 years for a team favorable AAV.  George Springer turned a small bidding war between the two teams that figured to spend (Mets and Jays) into a Toronto overspend of 5 years $150MM.  That was about $25MM more than the…

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WINNING UGLY, LOSING UGLY – WHO CARES?

September 15, 2020

Who the heck were those players wearing Dodger uniforms in the Rockies’ and D-backs’ series?   Whoever they were, they certainly did not perform like a playoff caliber team.   They struggled with pitching, struggled with hitting, and couldn’t play defense.  My, my, my, that’s typically a recipe for baseball disaster!!   Heaven forbid that team should have to play the mighty Padres in the playoffs.   The Dodgers may as well go home…

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The Will Smith Era

July 28, 2019

The Will Smith era has officially begun.  In his first game as the primary catcher for the LAD, he caught Clayton Kershaw.  There were no noticeable miscommunications between the two.  Kersh got off to a rough start, but settled in nicely for still another QS.  Offensively, you could not ask for a better game.  3-3 with 2 doubles, a HR, sac fly, and 6 RBIs.  This new offensive threat for…

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NL West First Look – Colorado Rockies

March 16, 2019

Less than two weeks to go before Opening Day, and I still have one more team to give my best shot an analyzing for the upcoming 2019 season. Today I am taking a look at what should be the Dodgers closest competition (only competition?) in the NL West…Colorado Rockies. Last year, after 162 games, they tied our Los Angeles Dodgers with a 91-61 record, tops in the NL West. They…

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Free Agency

January 13, 2019

There has been a lot of discussion on the state of free agency.  Many consider the system broke.  Very few teams can be considered as realistic in offering the likes of Bryce Harper and Manny Machado.  But the problem is that many of the non “generational” type players wait until the top players sign and then hope that those that miss out on the Harper’s and Machado’s may be in…

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Dodgers vs Rockies as of 01-04-19

January 4, 2019

I have no idea what is in the plans for the Dodgers over the next 6 weeks before pitchers and catchers report, if anything.  I know it seems logical that the Dodgers would do something, but everybody is waiting to see where Machado and Harper are going to go.  The Dodgers do not appear to be the leading team for any of the major FA (except for Grandal).  But that…

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Collusion or Just Frugal and Prudent

December 2, 2018

So far, this year is beginning to mimic last year a bit. There has been some movement, but it is for the lesser thought of FA or in one case a player who wants a bigger pay day next year (Josh Donaldson).   It seems that a lot of teams are looking for the trade route first before even considering a high cost FA. Look for Harper and Machado to…

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Is This the 2017 Big Blue Again?

September 20, 2018

I like contrarians.  They keep us thinking.  Sometimes we end up supporting a player more vociferously than may be called for.  Think Bums and Joc, Mark and Grandal, MJ and Toles, and of course me and Wood. Most of us have been frustrated with how this season has unfolded and have made some disparaging comments regarding FAZ or Doc, or players such as Joc, Wood, Puig, Dozier, CT3, and lately…

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Dodgers at a Crossroads

July 17, 2018

The Dodgers are at somewhat of a crossroads at the break.  They are in 1st place in the NL West and are 3.5 games behind the Cubs for supremacy in the NL.  They are 1.0 game behind the Brewers, .5 game behind the Phillies, and are virtually tied with the Braves in the very tight NL race.  There are 11 teams within 5.5 games of the Wild Card. The AL…

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