Change is in the Air

November 20, 2018

When you get to the World Series, you have a good team and no matter what, you are in position to win it.  Ask the 1988 Dodgers.  It seems absurd to me to blame the guy who assembled the team that got to the World Series for the loss.  In 2017, they were the best team.  In 2018, the Red Sox were, but does the best team always win?  I…

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RH Bat? What About Giancarlo Stanton???

November 19, 2018

What are the Dodgers needs going into the 2019 season?  We know they need a catcher.  I discussed that in great length yesterday.  I think they need a 2B other than CT3 or Kike’, but I know I am in the minority.  I think the Dodgers need a leadoff batter.  That is really not what Alex Verdugo does, but he seems the most logical…if he makes the squad, and there…

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Austin Barnes and ??? at Catcher in 2019

November 18, 2018

We all know that the one thing that the Dodgers must do is to find another catcher.  The Dodgers gambled that Yasmani Grandal would not accept the QO, and won this time.  They will get a supplemental pick between the 2nd and 3rd round, somewhere in the 80’s.  That will be 4 picks before the third round.  At the very least, they should get enough pool funds to be able…

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2019 or 2020

November 17, 2018

Why do I think that there is virtually no chance that the Dodgers will sign Bryce Harper this winter?  Primarily because I do believe the leaked report that the Dodgers will not go over the CBT threshold for the next four years.  I believe the Dodgers are looking at next year’s salaries and next year’s FA class and saying that it makes much more sense to wait one year before…

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The Sophmore Jinx

November 16, 2018

In the United Kingdom, the “sophomore slump” is more commonly referred to as “second year blues”. A sophomore jinx is the popularly held belief that after a successful rookie season, a player in his second year will be jinxed and not have the same success. Most players suffer the “sophomore jinx” simply because scouting reports on the former rookie are now available and his weaknesses are known around the league. Many players have suffered the sophmore…

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This Team Doesn’t Need Much

November 15, 2018

This time two years ago, and again, this time last year, the Rabid Friedman Bashers (RFB) were predicting that Clayton Kershaw would opt out of his contract due to the Dodgers failures in the World Series. The Bashers look for anything they might spin their way to make Friedman look bad and when that fails they move on to something else.  I’m not sure she meant it as a compliment,…

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Logjam of Lefties: The Rotation

November 13, 2018

With Hyun-jin Ryu accepting the Dodgers qualifying offer, the Dodgers are now able to field an all LH Rotation: Kershaw Hill Urias Ryu Wood Of course, they would have to  leave Buehler and Maeda out of the rotation in order to do that. Not only that, but the Dodgers have some prospects who could possibly slot into the rotation as soon as 2019. Everyone has an opinion as to who…

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Dodgers Acquire Justin Yurchak

November 12, 2018

Coming in before the David Freese signing, the Dodgers first off-season transaction appears to be the trade on Thursday that sent left-hander Manny Banuelos to the Chicago for infielder Justin Yurchak. This is no doubt one of many off-season transactions to follow especially at the minor league level.   It also appears the Dodgers did not see a role on the team for the 27-year-old Banuelos who most likely would…

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Hurry up and Wait!

November 9, 2018

The Dodgers Will Win The NL West a 7th Consecutive Season… and then what happens next depends upon what happens over the next few weeks. By early next week, we will find out if Yasmani Grandal takes the Qualifying Offer – my guess is he will not unless some personal circumstances dictate he stay in Southern California.  I think some other team (and there are lots of interested teams) will…

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What Comes Next?

November 8, 2018

Right about now, we have a few more days until we find out if Hyun-jin Ryu and Yasmani Grandal accept or reject the Dodgers Qualifying Offers.  I predict that Ryu will accept and Grandal will reject.  Then the fun begins… in the the measntime, the Dodgers have a few vacancies to fill throughout their organization.  They are in need of a third-base coach, hitting coach and, what else…..  Oh yeah……

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