Happy New Year 2019!!

January 1, 2019

Since I wasn’t sure if Mark had wifi access or not, on behalf of LADT, let me wish everyone a HAPPY NEW YEAR. 2018 was not my finest year for positive sports results.  Not only did the Dodgers fail to win a WS for the 30th consecutive year, but my Trojans had a less than .500 winning percentage and missed a bowl game (and still retained their head coach????), and…

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The Case For Nick Castellanos

December 31, 2018

There is not a whole lot to talk about that has not already been cut, bit, chewed, swallowed and regurgitated, and probably many times over.  As we have also digested, all of us have favorite Dodgers; many who have moved on to other teams.  I think Bums is holding a spot for Joc for when he gets to the HOF.   One such Dodger fan favorite was Yasiel Puig.  Unfortunately,…

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Bits and Bites

December 30, 2018

The off-season has definitely gotten slow. The transactions have come to a sudden halt during the Christmas season. The Dodgers have even been extremely slow in signing minor league free agents.  Other teams have made moves that appear to have strengthened them but not the Dodgers.   Well folks, it is time to look up some of those patience quotes. Some feel the Dodgers got snookered by the Reds. On the…

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Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes

December 28, 2018

With apologies to the late great David Bowie.  I continue to read about all the possible changes coming to the Dodgers, and I have zero comfort that any one of them will ever transpire more than another.  I do believe that there will be at least one significant change, maybe more, which is why the negative comments on the Reds trade are curious, unless it gives those who just do…

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Theeeere They Go!!

December 22, 2018

Well okay then.  The Dodgers have finally spoken or more appropriately…ROARED.  Once again Andrew & Co. has done the impossible and freed up a lot of cash and moved players who were reportedly upset with how they were being played.  I will miss all three Dodgers, especially Alex Wood.  I know others were very partial to Yasiel Puig and he will be missed.  Matt Kemp’s homecoming was well worth it. …

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We Don’t Know What We Don’t Know

December 20, 2018

I have cautioned everyone (over and over) that we really know very little about what is going on.  Andrew Friedman plays his cards pretty close to the vest and I’m guessing that the Dodgers Front-Office Employees have some pretty stiff, iron-clad Confidentiality and Non-Disclosure Agreements, because there are very little leaks from the Dodgers’ inner circle.  We hear Bryce Harper, Corey Kluber, AJ Pollock and other names banded about in…

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Pruning The Roster To Keep It Healthy

December 15, 2018

Yesterday Mark wrote, “this Dodger Team, right here, right now, is better than the 2018 version.” I will stipulate that the Dodgers may be better just for the loss of Farhan Zaidi and Turner Ward.  That may be cruel, and they may do wonderful things for their new respective clubs, but they were a disconnect for this team.  Friedman wants more of his fingerprints on the roster and approach, and…

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2018 MLB Winter Meetings

December 10, 2018

Okay, I am done arguing with people on this or any other baseball site about corporate finance, which happens to be a subject I am very well-versed in. But that is different than knowledge of the Dodgers balance sheet of which I have none. So, let’s move on.   I am writing this in an El Dorado Hills Starbucks at about 1:30 PM. So this may not be current by…

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2019 or 2020

November 17, 2018

Why do I think that there is virtually no chance that the Dodgers will sign Bryce Harper this winter?  Primarily because I do believe the leaked report that the Dodgers will not go over the CBT threshold for the next four years.  I believe the Dodgers are looking at next year’s salaries and next year’s FA class and saying that it makes much more sense to wait one year before…

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Financial Considerations

November 10, 2018

There are currently 38 Dodgers on the 40-man roster without consideration of either Yasmani Grandal or Hyun-jin Ryu accepting their respective QO.  With the current makeup, the Dodgers will have a salary total of nearly $179MM or approximately $27MM under the 2019 competitive balance tax threshold.  We will all know no later than Monday, November 8 at 2:00 PM PT if either accept.  Assuming they do not accept, below is…

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