Call to the Pen

May 12, 2022

Bumsrap mentioned this last night, but in 1955 in the very first game Sandy Koufax started, he walked eight batters in 4.2 innings. He struck out four and allowed just one run. Walks plagued him for years… until they didn’t. We all know the story of how he fixed his wildness. It just involved taking a little bit off of each pitch. Instead of throwing 100, maybe he threw 98!…

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The Farm Just Keeps Getting Stronger

April 29, 2022

I mean… is that even possible? How is it possible? As you read below what I wrote about the minor leagues, the Dodger system is just “riddled” with these power arms. I have never seen anything like it. Farhan can steal a player here or there (like Nunez) and their farm system is improving, but nothing like what is happening Down on the Farm in Dodgerland. It was announced yesterday…

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Remember, These Games Mean Nothing…

March 20, 2022

Squat, Zilch, Nada. For guys like Tomas Tellis, Andy Burns, Eddy Alvarez, Jason Martin, and Stefan Romero, this is like a playoff game. They know that they have no chance… but who knows – it feels like it might (this is their thinking), so they are all in. In reality, they are “organizational depth.” They will be parked at AAA, just in case of a disaster. These are “salt of…

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LAD PROSPECTS – REAL OR HYPE

December 9, 2021

I continue to read about the sensational LAD prospects.  Mark has the Dodgers as a top 10 MiLB organization while no major publication does.  After the loss of Keibert Ruiz and Jo Jo Gray, the publications dropped them to mid-level (around 15).  Certainly not bad, but also not elite.  Just this week DodgerLover said the team needs to clear the deck for the next wave of prospect talent.  Is there…

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LAD Prospects Need Fans’ Patience

November 15, 2021

Much has been written about the slow start of Gavin Lux’s MLB career.  Mostly by impatient fans.  Fans get excited about players when they read stat pages, and claim them to be a can’t miss player.  Many are now talking about Andy Pages, Eddys Leonard, Miguel Vargas, Ryan Pepiot, and Bobby Miller in the same context today.  And to a lesser degree, Michael Busch, James Outman, Brandon Lewis, Landon Knack…Many…

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End of an Era?

November 8, 2021

Well, let the bidding begin.  A number of publications have put out their top 50 Free Agents list.  MLBTR is one of my favorites to follow.  They are no better with their prognostications than are any other publication.  They run contests every year, and many of the readers have turned out better with picks than the writers.  One year I got 12 out of 50.  Not bad, but there were…

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LAD and Free Agency???

November 6, 2021

There has been a lot of speculation about FA the Dodgers may want to re-sign or sign.  We have no idea what the CBT will be, or what the penalties will be if a team exceeds that limit with the upcoming CBA.  Currently the taxes can reach a maximum 50% for all salaries above the CBT, and can reach a total of 95% for all salaries greater than $40MM in…

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MLB Dates and LAD Roster Manipulation

November 4, 2021

Now that the WS is over, the MLB calendar is set (maybe).  Maybe because we have no idea what will become of the CBA after the current CBA expires on 12-1.    Tentatively, the MLB dates: November 3 – 160 players were declared Free Agents.  The Dodgers have 11. November 3 – 7 – Free agents can only negotiate with their most recent team. November 7 – Options must be exercised….

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AC Thoughts on 2021 NLCS and Free Agency

November 2, 2021

Please excuse the timing of this post.  It was written early last week, however I was rushed to the ER with what turned out to be a TIA or mini stroke.  I was in the hospital being pricked and probed for nearly three days, but came away with a clean bill of health. So now I am publishing, albeit a tad tardy. IMO there was very little difference between LAD…

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2021 Dodger Draft Preview

July 7, 2021

As every semi-lucid baseball fan knows, next week is the 91st MLB All Star game.  The results are close with the AL winning 45 games, NL winning 43 games with 2 ties.  The AL has runs scored 373 runs and the NL has scored 370 runs.  The AL is currently riding a 7 game winning streak. But that is not the only MLB event that is happening next week, and…

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