Rios will get his chance even if JT returns, but if he doesn’t return, if I were AF, I would stand pat. Stick a fork in me. I am done… at least until the trade deadline. Then, if E-Rio can’t cut it then, the Dodgers kick the wheels on about a half dozen other third-basemen.
I do think it is plain dumb and very short-sighted not to have the DH in the NL. MLP and the Players Association have until Opening Day to change that. I doubt there will be fans allowed into Spring Training, but I don’t know that for sure. The thing is: you never know what you might see at Camelback Ranch… sometimes an old lefthander might be playing catch…
LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Dodgers announced their Minor League coaching staffs for the 2021 season with Travis Barbary (Oklahoma City), Scott Hennessey (Tulsa), Austin Chubb (Great Lakes), John Shoemaker (Rancho Cucamonga), Danny Dorn (AZL Dodgers), Jair Fernandez and Cordell Hipolito (DSL Dodgers) all returning to lead their respective clubs. In 2019, the Dodgers bolstered one of the best systems in the Major Leagues, recording a .556 winning percentage (488-390)…
Up until yesterday, Andrew Friedman had been busy in this offseason, but had not made any “big deals.” Oh, I think Corey Knebel was a significant deal, but other deals were of the “Dollar General variety.” That all changed yesterday when out of almost nowhere, Friedman signed Trevor Bauer. In what is probably the best introduction video ever, Trevor introduces himself as a Dodger and proclaims that he “can’t wait”…
People are offended by team names and no matter what you name them, there is probably another group that is offended. I guess that right about now, you name a team based upon how few people you can offend. How about we name the Washington Football Team the Washington Generics? Oh wait, that would probably offend the Atlanta Brand Names.
In late November after the Dodgers won the World Series, Dodger’s President, Andrew Friedman said: “Let’s be pigs. Let’s do everything we can to go out next year and do it again.” Those were plain and very clear words. Andrew Friedman simply said that he wanted to win again in 2021 and he exhorted everyone in the Dodger’s organization to do everything they could to do it again! End of…
The Dodgers have some Junkyard Dogs, like CT3, Mad Max, Cody, Corey, Barnsie, even Mookie! Justin Turner is one too. I am not sure that pitchers can qualify for the Junkyard Dog Club, but position players can. Are there any other Junkyard Dogs who can step up?
What I do know is that while I cannot individually predict what each pitcher will do, I feel very confident that “collectively” this bullpen can be great. There is a lot here to like, but that’s my opinion. Let’s see if I can rub your noses in the Facts come October!
It’s quite possible that a monkey throwing darts at random reliever names may outperform the deepest pocket GM’s in the game when it comes to picking relievers.
Even if the Dodgers do not sign Justin Turner, they are the class of the NL – It’s just that the gap has lessened! Position-by-position and pitcher-by-pitcher, it is my opinion that the Padres are not the equal of the Dodgers, but they are better than they were last season. The keyword right about now is: DON’T PANIC!