The Case for Standing Pat

December 31, 2020

Sign DJ LeMahieu? That would cost the Dodgers a draft pick. Remember when, after losing Mark Teixeira to free agency and the Yankees, the Angels were awarded the 25th pick of the draft as compensation. And who did they use that pick on? None other than Mike Trout. Or look at it another way: Signing Mark Teixeira cost the Yankees Mike Trout.

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Sign Free Agents or Trade

December 30, 2020

There is always the debate as to whether prospects are meant to be held onto so as to build from within, or should they be used as prospect capital to acquire existing MLB stars.  Of course, these trades need to be made at the peak of the prospect trade value in order to maximize the return.  The Dodgers have had a perennial top 10 farm club since AF signed on…

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Andrew Friedman’s Ten Commandments

December 29, 2020

The key thing that Andrew Friedman will not do is Panic! It’s time for countermoves but it’s not time to panic. Maybe “countermoves” is not the right term. Maybe the moves that Freidman will likely make would have been the same moves he makes anyway. I have no way of knowing. I am sure that David Price will be back and that makes the Dodgers better.

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2021 Hot Stove League ???

December 28, 2020

Editorial Comment – This post was written prior to the Blake Snell acquisition by the Padres. The longer this offseason goes without much movement, the more likely AF is going to get involved. The number of teams that want to jettison payroll is growing  and is undoubtedly going to pique the interest of teams like LAD.  While it will stress out fans who continually want to see something happen to…

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Rant & Rave Saturday

December 19, 2020

If you can’t rant and rave what can you do? Dodgerrick and others brought up some good points about the evolution of baseball yesterday. Thought-provoking! I promise to think about them in 2022. I just want BASEBALL in 2021. PERIOD! I want it now! Remember that the Dodgers under Andrew Friedman typically operate with a quiet, say little, close to the vest approach.  That is a fact.  There are very…

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2020 Rule 5 Draft Summary

December 11, 2020

Once again MLB has spoken, and the Dodgers farm system was the #1 shopping source for Rule 5 draftees.  In the Major League Phase, the acquiring team “buys” the player for $100,000 and must keep that player on the roster for the entire 2021 season, or offer the player back for $50,000.  Overall, 2 of the top 7 picks of the Major League Phase were Dodgers.  RHRP Brett de Geus…

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Agony and Anticipation

December 7, 2020

Agony and anticipation. That is what the winter meetings have always felt like for me. I am pretty sure many others feel the same. It has been more that way since the advent of free agency. Back in the day when players got no more than a one year deal and were tied to their teams by the reserve clause. For you youngins, that means that the team that signed…

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AC – Back In The Saddle

December 6, 2020

First of all, I received multiple emails wishing me good health and prayers, and for that I will be forever grateful.  I do not get sick very often, but when I do, I do it right.  The illness occurs once every 5-6 years, and lasts a couple of weeks.  And it is almost always the same.  I start out with a head cold, with a severe sore throat, and it…

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What to Expect From Corey Knebel

December 5, 2020

2020 was difficult for Corey in the start, stop, start again routine because of COVID-19. It was his recovery year and usually a pitcher will be better his second year back from Tommy John Surgery. Here’s one thing to keep in mind: In his MLB Career, Corey Knebel is a perfect 57-0 in save opportunities.

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What if the O’Malley Family Still Owned the Dodgers?

December 3, 2020

Michael Norris (aka Bear) has written two excellent pieces the past two days on the history of the Dodgers, specifically, the O’Malley’s ownership of the team until it was sold to Fox Group in late 1997. It was approved in overwhelmingly by MLB owners in March 1998. Peter O’Malley said the primary reason for selling the Dodgers was “estate planning,” but Tommy Lasorda said the following: “I think that Peter…

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