2020 Rule 5 Draft Summary

December 11, 2020

Once again MLB has spoken, and the Dodgers farm system was the #1 shopping source for Rule 5 draftees.  In the Major League Phase, the acquiring team “buys” the player for $100,000 and must keep that player on the roster for the entire 2021 season, or offer the player back for $50,000.  Overall, 2 of the top 7 picks of the Major League Phase were Dodgers.  RHRP Brett de Geus…

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Agony and Anticipation

December 7, 2020

Agony and anticipation. That is what the winter meetings have always felt like for me. I am pretty sure many others feel the same. It has been more that way since the advent of free agency. Back in the day when players got no more than a one year deal and were tied to their teams by the reserve clause. For you youngins, that means that the team that signed…

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Andrew Freidman Genius or Not?

August 20, 2020

On October 14th, 2014, the Dodgers announced the hiring of Andrew Friedman. Former Tampa Bay GM and Vice President of baseball operations as President of baseball operations for the Los Angeles Dodgers. His contract was for 5 years and 35 million dollars. Friedman was born in Houston Texas and attended Tulane University on a baseball scholarship. His college career was derailed by a couple of injuries. He earned a B.A….

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Meet Tyler Gilbert

February 17, 2020

There has been so much discussion about the Asterisks that I thought I would perhaps break in with a short interlude and introduce a new Dodger that was acquired in the trade for Kyle Garlick on Saturday. Both Garlick and Gilbert were victims of the numbers game.  Garlick was backed up behind a bevy of outfielders with the Dodgers and Gilbert was stacked up against a number of left-handed bullpen…

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Holding On To Prospects…Chess or Checkers?

January 18, 2020

One of the problems the Dodgers have of going “big game hunting” is that in order to get someone special, one needs to give up someone special.  More than most teams, the Dodgers are very reluctant to give up their top prospects.  Is it any surprise that teams are requiring Gavin Lux or Dustin May for an elite difference making pitcher (or Lindor or Mookie)? There is a big gap…

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Let the Young Pups Play

January 5, 2020

Puppies . . .  who doesn’t love them?   Part of the charm of puppies is training them and teaching them to help them along the way in their growth to dogs.  “Raising a puppy is not necessarily easy, but it’s an adventure that’s full of rewards as you develop a deep bond with your pup that will last throughout his life. A lot of patience and a little extra effort…

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Some Random Thoughts on the Past Season and the 2020 Season

December 30, 2019

Despite the frustrating end to this past season, the Dodgers provided me with some memorable moments in 2019. Opening day with the 8 home runs was a nice start to the season. Bellinger just going insane for the first 2-3 months of the year.   Ryu going 6-0 in May.     Buehler’s 16K complete game against the Rockies.  The rookies’ 3 successive walk-off homerun weekends. Will Smith’s first major league home…

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What Minor Leaguers Will We See in 2020?

December 8, 2019

Last year, the Dodgers had Nine (count ’em, 9) rookies on the roster in total. I did a hurried comparison and I think only San Francisco had as many rookies as the Dodgers. I could be wrong … feel free to do the research and get back to me. But the point is: The Farm System is productive and still a TOP 3 system. In fact, if the Dodgers just…

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Dodgers 2019 Organizational All-Stars – MiLB

November 13, 2019

Each offseason, MiLB.com goes position by position across each system and honors the players — regardless of age or prospect status — who had the best seasons in their organization. This is the list from MiLB – posted November 11 – with a brief review by Dodgers Director of Player Development Will Rhymes. Catcher — Connor Wong, Rancho Cucamonga (71 games), Tulsa (40 games): After a spotty April, Wong finished…

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Rule 5 Draft Considerations

November 8, 2019

So many of us have been looking at FA possibilities and trade possibilities that most have not paid any attention to the first date that will impact the 2020 Dodgers roster.  The 40 man roster needs to be set by November 20, 2019 with all Rule 5 eligible prospects protected. The actual Rule 5 draft will take place on Thursday, December 12, 2019. That gives AF and his staff less…

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