Dodgers Opening Day Roster?

March 21, 2018

The Dodgers are now one week away from playing for real.  Kershaw vs Bumgarner to kick off the season.  While Kershaw has not been automatic in the playoffs, he is unbeatable in opening games.  The Dodgers have been 7-0 in Kershaw’s opening games, including 2 games against the Giants.  The Giants fans I know have been drooling especially since JT broke his wrist, and the Dodgers and Giants face off…

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There Is No Battle For LF, But the Bullpen Battle Rages

February 27, 2018

Contrary to what the Dodgers say, I do not believe there is a battle to determine who the starting left-fielder will be.  It has already been decided. When Matt Kemp showed up early to Spring Training 40 pounds lighter and looking to be in the best shape of his life, he had a leg up on the competition and when he blasted a HR in his first game, the deal…

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What’s Up With 2017 Free Agents

December 28, 2017

What’s happening to this year’s crop of free agents?  This is December 27, and out of the top 50 MLB TradeRumors free agent predictions, only 19 have signed new contracts, and one decided not to opt out (Masahiro Tanaka).  Of the 30 unsigned players, none of the top 11 have signed new contracts (excluding Tanaka not opting out), and 15 of the top 20 are still unsigned.   Of the…

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Let’s Assume FAZ Does Nothing

December 23, 2017

If the Dodgers do nothing, this is what I would expect come Spring Training.   1B – Bellinger 2B – Forsythe 3B – JT SS – Seager LF – Kike’ and Joc/Toles CF – Taylor RF – Puig C – Barnes Rotation:  Kershaw, Hill, Wood, Maeda, Ryu Bullpen:  Jansen, Baez, Fields, Garcia, Koehler, Stripling, Avilan, Cingrani Bench:  Grandal, 2 of Kike’/Joc/Toles, and Locastro   Grandal and JT can relieve Bellinger…

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What Winter Meetings?

December 16, 2017

Well this has been some Hot Stove League for the Dodgers thus far, right?  The Winter Meetings went just about as most expected…the current 40 man roster is the same as before the meetings started.  I don’t count Koehler because he was post Winter Meetings, and the signing is still pending physical.  I never thought Stanton was an option, but it was fun to fantasize.  My only disappointment is that…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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Ryu is Officially Back!

August 7, 2017

With three straight outings of seven innings during which time he has only allowed 2 earned runs, Hyun-Jin Ryu is officially back to the guy we used to have.  His velocity is back, his curve is wicked and his control is pinpoint.  He now has pitched 91.2 innings and his ERA is down to 3.53… and falling.  His ERA is better than these starters: Carlos Martinez Alex Cobb Chris Archer…

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I Am No Kool-Aid Drinker

July 25, 2017

I am an unabashed and unapologetic supporter of FAZ.  They have built a tremendous team and know how to utilize a full 40 man roster to their advantage because they have the depth to do so.  I also believe that a winning TEAM is greater than the sum of the individual players.  Clayton Kershaw is special.  There is no question of that.  But he is one of 40, and I…

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