Disappointment or ???

December 10, 2017

I find myself in somewhat of a dilemma.  I never believed the Dodgers would spring for Stanton.  That is not what they do.  It is not who they are.  But yet I was getting excited about the chance of the ONE true game changer available this year becoming a Dodger. I was convinced that the Dodgers only entered into the discussion to get Stanton to say no to the Giants.  I…

Read More >>

Brandon Morrow’s Replacement

December 3, 2017

By the time Brandon Morrow got to the big leagues in 2017, the Dodgers were ready for someone to set-up Kenley Jansen on the back of the bullpen.  Brandon Morrow filled that bill and while I would love to have him back, there are two problems:  (1) He was healthy last year, but he has generally never been that healthy at any time in his career; and (2) some other…

Read More >>

Luxury Tax Concerns

December 1, 2017

I continue to read that Dodger Ownership/Management wants to get under the luxury tax threshold THIS year.  That is certainly a laudable goal, and under normal circumstances I can see why that should always be the goal.  But is 2018 the year to draw the line?   Sometimes you need to spend money to make money.  In home building, finishes are upgraded to get buyers to sign. Buyers are visual…bling…

Read More >>

FAZ and Unpredictability

November 28, 2017

Anyone who really believes they know what the Master Plan is could be delusional.  One thing I have learned is that one never knows in what direction FAZ goes.  Did anyone truly believe that FAZ would have signed all three 2016 FA?  Most did not even think Hill was a consideration, and that FAZ would only sign one of Jansen and Turner.  I thought that Turner would come back (LA…

Read More >>

Trading For Stanton as a Way to Cut Payroll

November 13, 2017

OK, that headline brands me as crazy, right?  Well, that’s old news!  Everyone knows that Gioncarlo Stanton is going to cost almost $30 million a year right?  Maybe over the life of the contract, but next year, he might be FREE. Here’s a really important fact:  The Dodgers don’t need to do anything, but if they do, it should be significant and it should reduce payroll.  I think the Dodgers can…

Read More >>

Return on Investment – Risk vs. Reward

November 7, 2017

Many have posited (including me) that the depth the Dodgers have generated were critical in their march to 104 wins. I have also written that the depth needs to be pruned at times so that the organization will continue to grow by clearing the way for new prospects or ML 25 man roster help.  That is why I had no problem with sending Jharel Cotton, Grant Holmes, and Frankie Montas…

Read More >>

Oh What A Relief It Is

November 6, 2017

Over the last few years, we Dodger fans have become accustomed to botched relief in post season appearances.  Which is why I have included one of my favorite images of reliever Steve Howe and catcher Steve Yeager following the final out  of the 1981 WS.  I have been fascinated with relievers since my first Dodger hero, Larry Sherry.  From Clem Labine, Ron Perranoski, Phil Regan, and Bob Miller to Eric…

Read More >>

2017-2018 Hot Stove

November 4, 2017

One of the positives about getting to the WS and extending it to 7 games, is that there is only 5 weeks before the Winter Meetings in Orlando.  We are going to have to pack in a lot of thought and suggestions about the restructuring of a 104 win team into a WS champion.  We are all so much smarter than Friedman and Zaidi sitting in front of a computer…

Read More >>

Just Wait Until Next Year…

November 2, 2017

I hate saying that! It was a bitter loss… one that I am not likely to get over… ever! Early in Game 7 I blamed Roberts for leaving Yu Momma in for more than 3 seconds, and maybe that had an effect on the Dodgers psyche, but when you only score 1 run and are 1-13 with RISP, you can’t win.  End of story! Justin Turner hit .160 in the…

Read More >>

If It Ain’t Broke, Don’t Fix It, Doc!

October 26, 2017

The box score said that Brandon McCarthy lost last night game.  I beg to differ.  It was the Dodger’s Manager, Dave Roberts who lost the game for the Dodgers and he lost it in the top of the 5th inning when he removed Rich Hill from the game.  Yes, the next six batters were RH hitters, but everyone knows that Rich Hill has reverse splits:  LH hitters are better against…

Read More >>