The Key to the Dodgers Offense

March 26, 2024

Everyone thinks that Mookie Betts, Shohei Ohtani, and Freddie Freeman are the key to the Dodgers’ offensive success in 2024. I beg to differ. Of course, the Dodgers need the three former MVPs to step up and do what they do, but there are a few other players who could also be the linchpins of their success, namely Teoscar Hernandez, Jason Heyward, James Outman, Gavin Lux, and Will Smith. Teoscar…

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Is Austin Barnes as Bad as You Think?

March 17, 2024

I am just going to jump right into this one: In 2023, the best Caught Stealing Rate by Catchers was +9. That means that the best catcher was good for +9 Runs Over League Average. Will Smith was -1 Run Below Average and Austin Barnes was -4 Runs Below League Average. If Austin Barnes is one of the worst throwing catchers in MLB, then Will Smith is right there with…

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Just Don’t Call it a Platoon

February 26, 2024

Normally signing a utilityman to a $4 Million Dollar Deal is not newsworthy… unless you trade Manual Margot, who was making $10 Million along with Rayne Doncon for another prospect, namely Noah Miller, who is a true shortstop. Baseball America rated him as Minnesota’s #24 Prospect. If you are making a list of the best gloves in the minors, you won’t go very long before you’re mentioning Noah Miller’s name….

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What Now?

December 11, 2023

With the Dodgers no longer in the market for a Designated Hitter, I am sure that the Giants and Diamondbacks will be looking at JD Martinez and Justin Turner, and I would not be surprised to see both in the NL West next year. Also, with Ohtani in the fold, look for the Dodgers to get a little less Lefthanded. I still think it is likely that the Dodgers will…

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Rumors Upon Rumors

December 2, 2023

I heard some commentators on MLB.Radio suggesting that the Dodgers may hit Ohtani with a deal like this: 2023: $45 Million2024: $50 Million as long as he pitched a certain number of innings2025: $55 Million with a higher number of innings and an opt-out You could continue on this trajectory for up to eight years if Ohtani met the requisite innings pitched. I could go for that. I am not…

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Shohei Ohtani and Nincompoops

November 4, 2023

Why Shohei Ohtani is not Coming to the Dodgers It is fun to think about Ohtani in the Dodgers lineup. There is a lot of talk about marketing opportunities, reaching the Japanese population, and jersey sales. However, let us not forget that the Dodgers put more butts in seats than any other team and already are a marketing dynamo. I seriously doubt that signing Ohtani will improve the bottom line….

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Consider the Possibilities – Version1078.1a

October 15, 2023

The only constant is change. Nothing could be more true than what is going to happen with your LA Dodgers this offseason. I am sure that Andrew Friedman has a plan that is better than mine, but I am willing to share my plan, and he is not. He just does not play well with others, and I do. So here is my plan for 2023. Here’s my rationale. If…

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2023 – 1988: Back to the Future!

October 7, 2023

In 1988, the Dodgers had the Stuntmen, but in 2023, they have a team of stuntmen (thanks to Bill Plaschke for that). In 2022, the Dodgers had players who felt they had a pedigree… that they were Bluebloods. In 2023, it’s clear that these guys are really junkyard dogs. This 2023 Version of the Los Angeles Dodgers is 70% built on castoffs (all of the above), oldtimers like Clayton, whose…

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Defense: Just How Important is it?

October 3, 2023

You ask 100 fans that question, you might get 100 different answers. One thing is for certain, bad defense is going to cost you games. It cost the Dodgers a game only yesterday. Max Muncy blew what should have been an easy double-play grounder, and the Giants won, 2-1. As of today, the Dodgers are the 10th best fielding team in the majors. 6 playoff teams are ahead of them….

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