Lemons or Lemonade? It’s a Choice!

February 4, 2021

The closer we get to Spring Training the more likely Justin Turner is not going to continue his Dodger career. It appears that the Salary Cap. ‘errr Luxury Tax is a real thing. Justin Turner had a great Dodger career, but without the DH and the presence of the salary cap, we need to prepare to move on. It sucks, but sometimes when you get lemons, you simply need to…

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2021 Pre-Season Top 100 Prospects

February 1, 2021

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…

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More CBT, Universal DH, and JT

January 29, 2021

“Well, it’s a significant demarcation,” Mets president Sandy Alderson said. “I wouldn’t say that it’s a line that cannot be passed, but it’s definitely a significant consideration when you get to that level.”  Per Andy McCullough, The Athletic, “by instructing Alderson to mind the luxury-tax threshold…new Mets owner Steve Cohen has conformed with his 29 colleagues in baseball’s ownership class. The competitive balance tax operates as baseball’s de facto salary…

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2021-2025 Payroll Projections (In Progress For Friday)

January 22, 2021

In a November 15, 2015 article authored by Matthew Moreno at dodgerblue.com, Andrew Friedman and Dodgers president and CEO Stan Kasten maintained that the extravagant spending for the Dodgers would not continue, and that the 2016 season would provide a small opportunity to make progress toward balancing the scale. According to Bill Shaikin of the LA Times, Dodgers co-owner Todd Boehly recently echoed a similar sentiment, going so far as to…

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AC Musings for 01-18-21

January 18, 2021

There has been a lot of discussion as to what is the best way to develop a team; a team for sustained contending.  Most LAD fans believe that AF builds his team for success from within.  Others believe organizations can build a winning team by trading prospects for young controllable MLB stars.  Others believe they need to sign affordable free agents.  Most believe you need a bit of all the…

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Dodger Prospect Chat with Kyle Glaser (BA)

January 13, 2021

Dodger fans are no different than other teams’ fans.  They read what team personnel say about their prospects and build them up to be can’t miss.  I like to watch them play, see videos, and read from objective baseball pundits.  Baseball America is that kind of publication.  In short scouting reports, they tell the fan all they want to hear.  But in chats, the pundits can be more objective.  Kyle…

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The Case for Standing Pat

December 31, 2020

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.

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Sign Free Agents or Trade

December 30, 2020

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…

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It’s Been Nice Knowing You All

December 26, 2020

One of the presents I received yesterday was from my wife. She was trying to honor me with a bourbon decanter by showing my age, but somehow it looks like my obituary. So, if anything happens to me between now and January 1, 2021, suspect my wife! But, seriously, I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas! We had 21 people at our family gathering and the food was fabulous….

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The Marketing of Players

November 29, 2020

This is the time of year when we hear that teams will be listening on potential trades for Player A.  However, most of the time those proclamations are simply rhetorical.  The Brewers have said they are willing to listen to offers for Josh Hader.  The Rays will be listening on offers for Blake Snell.  The Reds will be listening on offers for Sonny Gray.  The Cubs are listening on offers…

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