Are the Dodgers Done?

Should we stick a fork in them? Are they done? I don’t mean “Are they done as in shot.” I mean, are they done signing players one week before Spring Training is set to open? Everyone has been wondering the same thing. Will they re-sign Justin Turner or maybe Trevor Rosenthal?

I have the answer, and you can say you heard it here first. The answer is:

I have no clue!

At least I am being honest and not making stuff up. I think Andrew Friedman has told Justin Turner to get the best deal he can and them let him see if the Dodgers can match it. In reality, they probably won’t match it because they don’t have to. I am sure Justin Turner wants to end his career with the Dodgers, so all Andrew Friedman has to do is “get close”… unless someone like the Mets or the Braves, who are both trying to compete with the Dodgers, make a “dope-fiend” offer to JT. That could happen.

The Dodgers are prepared for this and as fans, we should be prepared as well. I hope Justin Turner returns to the Dodgers, but I am not “in love” with that idea and neither is Andrew Friedman. Be prepared. Keep your eyes wide open. Be prepared for life after Justin Turner, but keep the hope that he will return… under the right deal.

Remember that Justin will be 37 later this year. His best years are behind him. He will need more rest and it is likely the NL will not use the DH this year. If JT returns he may only start 100 or so games at 3B, so E-Rio (that’s his new moniker) would get the rest. E-Rio intrigues me: He doesn’t walk a lot and he strikes out too much (32%) but that can be improved because he is coachable. However “light-tower power” is not something that is taught. Not many have it. Very few do!

Rios will get his chance even if JT returns, but if he doesn’t return, if I were AF, I would stand pat. Stick a fork in me. I am done… at least until the trade deadline. Then, if E-Rio can’t cut it then, the Dodgers kick the wheels on about a half dozen other third-basemen.

Oh and what about Trevor Rosenthal?

The Truth About Clayton Kershaw

Several Dodger Blogs are reporting NEWS about Clayton Kershaw. For example, one blog wrote this: “Clayton Kershaw Unsure of an Extension With Los Angeles” The headline “implies” that Clayton is not sure if he wants to play for the Dodgers beyond this season when his contract is up. The true meaning is that Clayton is not sure he wants to continue playing anywhere after this season.

Clayton has a wife and three beautiful kids. Clayton has made nearly a quarter of a billion dollars in his career. I am certain that he wants his kids to have a relationship and a life with their father that he never had. He is from Dallas, but has no baseball connection there. I suppose it’s possible he wants to pitch at home. but I think it is unlikely. In 2022, I think he will either pitch for the Dodgers or he won’t pitch. Clayton could also be primed for a very big season in 2021.

Jorge Castillo of The LA Times had a nice article on Clayton yesterday. It talked about Clayton’s exhausting workout regimen:

"Kershaw was enduring the workout because he was weeks from reporting to spring training for his 14th — and perhaps final — season with the Dodgers. He’ll turn 33 next month. He’s one of the old guys in the clubhouse, and time doesn’t treat the best any better. 

So he has worked out six days a week to complement his offseason throwing regimen. Monday and Thursday are lower body, Tuesday and Friday upper body. Wednesday and Saturday are cardio. 

He sees a physical therapist twice a week and throws with a small group of professional pitchers at Highland Park High, where he starred down the road. Other than that, he does it all alone, inside the gym he and his wife, Ellen, added to their home a handful of years ago, when he’s not outside pushing the sled or throwing baseballs into the net in the driveway.

After a grueling workout this offseason, Clayton said this:

“I’ll tell you what: I would not be doing this if I didn’t play baseball,” Kershaw said. “I think about retirement workouts all the time. Straight upper body. Some crunches. Maybe mix in an elliptical every once in a while. In and out in 45 minutes, [then] straight to the golf course.”

Clayton is working his rear-end off this winter and still consulting with Driveline Baseball on conditioning and training. It sounds like he has figured out what he needs to do to keep pitching at a high level. I don’t think he’s ready to give up that “Ace” title just yet, but he has a lot of competition on the team.

Here’s reality: If the Dodger starters pitch up to their potential, this rotation could not only be the best Dodgers rotation ever, it has the potential to be the best MLB rotation ever! It should be fun to watch!

Dodger News

• I am sure you all know about Fangraphs Roster Resource. If not, now you do. It’s a great “resource.”
• Striker Buehler signed a 2 year/$8 Million deal with the Dodgers, thus avoiding arbitration. He will also be motivated by “escalator provisions”. He can evidently earn an additional $500K upon reaching each of six games started thresholds (14, 16, 18, 20, 24, 28). Cy Young voting outcomes can also bump the payday: $1.125MM for a win or $625K for a top-three finish. That’s a nice carrot.
• The only player still facing arbitration is Austin Barnes. I think they will work something out. He wants a multi-year deal.

Sundown