2026 in Preview: Centerfield and Rightfield

My opinion is the Dodgers could nothing further till the start of the season and still run away with the NL West. Take your time AF and BG , there is NO rush. If you’re shopping, shop at the top of the market. You have Ohtoni and ownership’s blessing, but only if it makes total sense to get younger and contract-wise.

I didn’t know Edman wasn’t going to be ready. If so, the current OF depth chart is: Pages Teo Call Siani Ward We have to add an OF

I know Kim is not a favorite on this site but the guy has speed, a strong arm and was a good glove infielder in Korea. How much of a reach would it be to make him an outfielder? Mr. Forte is right on. Don’t mess with success. We have 3 solid pitchers in the wings and 3 more getting ready for ’27. We need to trade or get international help for 3B and catching support since we don’t have any strong prospects in those positions. Anything else we have in the farm. Unless we are talking about Tucker,.

“The Phillies announced Monday that they’ve hired Don Mattingly as the new bench coach to manager Rob Thomson. President of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski acknowledged last month that he’d spoken to Mattingly about the vacancy. Last year’s bench coach, Mike Calitri, changed roles this offseason and became the team’s major league field coordinator. Mattingly has spent the past three seasons as the Blue Jays’ bench coach but chose not to return in that role for the 2026 season as he instead explored other opportunities”.

Kim does not have the power to be an everyday player at any position but he is a nice utility man.

The Athletic says that AF likes to hang around the backboard. Good analogy!

It can’t be to get a rebound because of his of height ,but to get a pass for an easy layup or player that comes to him in the right deal.

There is no indication that the Dodgers don’t have interest in Bellinger. I personally don’t think they should sign him but your comment indicating they have little interest is purely speculative and not based on any real info. No way they are trading Sheehan for Duran, starting pitching is too valuable and why would they want to trade a guy who averaged more than 11 K’s per 9 in his first full year. He’s better than Stone too.

Today is the anniversary of Vin Scully being elected to the Hall of Fame in 1982.

This is dingbat, double negative logic. It reminds me of a nonsensical argument I found myself in on the other board when Inpointed out Austin Barnes had never, ever said he wants to be in MLB management.: “But!” the others noted, “Barnes had never said he DIDNT want to be a manager.” Dingbat logic. There is smoke and there is fire. In the case of Bellinger, neither.

AF is waiting around till prices come down on free agents where the player will take a high annual salary and a shorter term and realize there’s a good possibility of making the playoffs each year and advancing to the World Series and playing with the greatest player whoever played the game in Ohtoni in great weather and a packed stadium. Money isn’t everything if you’re signing with a loser. Ask Juan Soto.

To me there’s uncertainty at 2 positions – CF and 2B. They could let Rojas and Kim play 2B while Edman rehabs and then slot him in as primary 2B, play Teo and Pages in the OF corners, leaving CF as a question. Or juggle until Edman returns and slot him in as primary CF and fill a hole at 2B. Tucker or Bellinger can play RF of course meaning that Pages plays CF for a while longer, but since the team’s best position player prospects are all OF it doesn’t make sense to sign an OF looking for a long term deal. They could sign a stopgap like Bader to cover CF for a couple of years. Bellinger isn’t a good defensive CF any more according to metrics. I wonder if signing an infielder makes more sense. Bichette can play 2B and is an impact RH bat. I don’t know if his arm is strong enough to shift to 3B if necessary if Muncy leaves after the 2026 season. In the short run, signing Bichette to play 2B means that Edman can play CF when he comes off the IL and they don’t block their OF prospects when they are ready.

Reasons why the Dodgers aren’t interested in Cody Bellinger: 1. He is not the same player he was when he was in LA; 2. Yankee Stadium was made for him – he road splits are not good; 3. Andrew Friedman is not a moron, and 4. Cody wants to be in NY. Even Ray Charles can see that!

If Bichette wants to come here with what the Dodgers offer, then I am down with it. I did not think he had the arms for 3B, and many agree with that, but there are some MLB Radio guys who think he could play 3B. Opinions!

Nailed it!

I’m completely with you. I don’t see how AF goes against his own counsel and makes a move that reverses 3-4 years of team history. It’s not like we’ve struggling without him!

(1) I like Kim . Can he hit MLB pitching? (2) I like Teo, Can he play right field ? NO! (3) I like Call. Can he be an everyday outfielder? Probably not. (4) l like Bichette. Will he play second? Absolutely in LA! (5) I like Duran . Can a deal be made? Yes, but not easy.. (6) I like Rushing. Will he get enough AB’s? Maybe, but not at Will’s expense. (7). I like Kike. How long will he be out? 2 months minimum? (8). I like Glasnow. Do they go back on their word and trade him? NO!! (9) I like Edman . is he an everyday player? NO! But a damn good one! (10). Is there anything I don’t like? YES ! Sweet potato!!

I don’t like beets

I love beets

Pickled beets are the best. Cooked cabbage. Pinto beans and cornbread.

Ditto!

Pork Fried Chicken Lips

The one thing I hate more than beets is pickled beets!!

Not pickled but cooked. Served in a salad with feta, pecans & vinaigrette. Shallots optional.

It was mentioned earlier that Don Mattingly would be the bench coach for the Phillies. Why? Former Dodger, Preston Mattingly is Philly’s GM! Now you know the rest of the story.