2021 could shape up to be the most unusual season on record… and that is saying a mouthful since COVID-19-2020 was absolutely Bat S___t Crazy! Here’s why: It was a 60 game season – some players struggle for 50 games only to shine for the next 100. Other players shine for 50 games and struggle the next 100 games. Some minor league prospects grow by two or three levels and…
Today is the day that pitchers and catchers are due to report to Camelback Ranch for the Dodgers. Tomorrow is the first day of workouts. Full squad reports February 22, with the first full squad workout scheduled for February 23. The Dodgers play their first spring training game on Sunday, February 28 against the Oakland A’s at Hohokam Stadium in Mesa, Arizona. There will be some rules in effect that…
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”…
There has been a lot of discussion as to where the Dodgers farm system currently ranks. It is unquestionable that for eight years, the Dodgers were routinely rated as a top ten MiLB system, mostly residing in the top 5. But heading into the 2021 season, most (if not all) of the major Baseball Publications no longer consider the Dodgers to have a top ten MiLB system. I have included…
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.
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…
This is really hard because we have nothing to go on insofar as for player development in 2020… and it is going to get worse! Next year, MLB is allegedly going to contract 40+ teams (if they stick to the plan). If there are 30 players on a team (counting the IL), that is almost 1,200 players who will be out of jobs. It’s sad, but it’s also a stark…
The Los Angeles Dodgers have reported to Dodger Stadium; or at least some of them have. There are some who have apparently tested positive for the coronavirus, while others (so far only David Price) has opted to sit out the 2020 season. I am perfectly comfortable with any player or management personnel deciding that it is in their best interests to opt out for the season. I just hope that…
We are on the eve of the one meaningful positive news event thus far for the 2020 MLB season. Even the event has warts as we have reduced the number of draft picks from 40 to 5, but it still lends to something good to look forward to. We have all read and heard what a throw of the dice the draft is, and with 6 picks, how does that…
There’s not much to do with the MLB season on hold, the NBA season on hold, the NCAA Tournament canceled, High School Tournaments in limbo, schools closed, and restaurants and theaters are persona non-Grotta. My youngest son and I spent the day plumbing his house, the house he has had since he was 18 (he’s almost 21 now) and has totally gutted and rebuilt it. It was built in 1900…