Dodger Thoughts

July 4, 2019

I stole that from Jon Weisman (I steal most of my original material) – I hope he doesn’t sue me, but it seemed appropriate for today’s Rants and Raves: How many teams have an All-Star RF, who is also a Gold Glove 1B, end the game in CF for defensive reasons? That’s what makes him take the place of Mike Trout as the games best player (other than the fact…

Read More >>

Throw Away Game or Investment

June 28, 2019

In a 401K portfolio, maybe you have only sufficient funds to NOT LOSE, but do not have that little bit extra to think about…what if. Or maybe you can invest your max in your 401K and want to keep that safe but have a little extra that you want to invest for something that may prove to be a very good return on your investment. Some of those investments will…

Read More >>

Get Used to Seeing Joc at 1B

June 27, 2019

Some Dodger fans are up in arms that the Dodgers have moved Joc Pederson to 1B… in the middle of the season, of all things! He has had flashes of good, but mostly he looks like he has never played there before (he hasn’t). The early results have not been great. The Dodgers knew that and were/are prepared to ride through the storm. It makes sense to me for several…

Read More >>

The Bullpen Conundrum Response

June 22, 2019

Mark and I don’t always agree on everything Blue, although I think we are pretty consistent from a Macro view. But when it comes to the bullpen, Mark and I just do not see eye to eye. I have been a relief pitcher wonk since 1959 and Larry Sherry. Clem Labine would have been my favorite Dodger in the mid 50’s. I am not going to go through the history…

Read More >>

The Bullpen Conundrum

June 21, 2019

Hindsight is 20/20 Vision is Rare Foresight is often just luck After last night’s bullpen meltdown, everyone is calling for the Dodgers to trade for an entirely new bullpen and gut the farm system to get Will Smith, Brad Hand, Filipe Vazquez, and Jose Leclerc… for starters. I will tell you right now that the odds of getting two of those relievers are none and getting one is slim. So,…

Read More >>

Why I Hate Joc Pederson

June 17, 2019

Some people evidently think I hate Joc, so I went with that catchy headline. In reality, I am not a hater. I don’t hate Joc Pederson and I don’t even hate the Giants. I don’t like the Giants but I don’t hate them. I love the Dodgers, but the opposite of LOVE is not HATE. It’s ambivalence. When you hate something, it controls you. If you are ambivalent about it,…

Read More >>

It Gets Worse Before It Gets Better

June 11, 2019

Usually when change is involved, things get worse before they get better. That’s true in just about everything: life, business and sports. Since this is a Dodger Blog, you might be wondering what that has to do with the Dodgers. So, I am talking about three pitchers in general: Joe Kelly, Kenley Jansen and Clayton Kershaw. I think that before Spring Training, the Dodgers had a plan with each pitcher….

Read More >>

The Bullpen Dilemma

June 7, 2019

So, this is not meant to be contentious, but rather, an exchange of ideas. Yesterday, AC said this: “I absolutely agree with Mark that AF will not overpay for anyone. Where Mark and I disagree, is that I believe that to AF it is especially true with relievers.” Ummm, Jeff, I mean… AC, I agree. 100%. I totally agree that it is especially true with relievers. However, where we may…

Read More >>

All Over the Place Wednesday

June 5, 2019

It’s hard to imagine a better team in MLB than the Dodger right about now. Yes, I know the Twins are doing well, but I can’t see them keeping it up. Their underlying peripherals don’t support their record, but they have been a pleasant surprise and great story. They are allegedly talking to Dallas Keuchel and Craig Kimbrel, but I think Dallas goes to the Yankees and Kimbrel goes to…

Read More >>

HOW HAVE THE DODGERS DONE IN THE DRAFT OVER THE LAST 30 YEARS?

May 30, 2019

As we contemplate who the Dodgers will select in the MLB Players Draft next week – let’s take a journey back and ponder how well they did in the past 30 years.   Looking at each year, I’ve listed the first overall selection, any significant players taken in the lower rounds, and how many players made it to the majors.  In some years, I also list players that were used in…

Read More >>