In 2008, Andrew Friedman took the Tampa Bay Rays to the World Series with a $51,000,000 Dollar Payroll. They didn’t win. The $112,000,000 Dollar Phillies did, but it was remarkable that the Rays made it that far on so little money spent. In 2021, the Dodgers did not even get to the World Series and their payroll was $262,000,000 Dollars. That’s more than 5X what AF paid in 2008. Of course, inflation has set in, but not quite that much. Of course, most fans don’t care because it ain’t their money; and they want to win at any cost. Most Dodger fans were overjoyed when the Dodgers traded for Manny “I beat a 64-year-old traveling secretary up” Ramirez.
Yes, Manny electrified LA – who can forget Mannywood? But, Manny Ramirez was not a nice person. In fact, he was a scumbag. I said then, and I say it now, “I’d rather lose without him than win with him.” It is just my opinion, but I do not believe in “win at all costs“. Fortunately, Andrew Friedman has assembled a team of high-character individuals. I like that… a lot. I know that some will point to Trevor Bauer, and if you do, make sure you have a great argument that does not suck… because I doubt you do. I have a rebuttal, but I’ll stop for now.
This is a team built with character, experience, maturity, and respect, but did the Dodgers “do a deal with the Devil” in order to get here? Before I try and answer that, I am going to go all the way back to when I was in the 6th Grade. At my school, 6th grade was part of the Middle School and I was a six-foot-tall gangly country kid. Whenever we played games at recess or in physical education, during summer breaks or on weekends, the 8th-Graders always picked the teams, and they always “stacked” them so that the biggest 8th graders were on one team against the smaller, younger 6th or 7th graders. There are two things they never calculated: (1) How much I hate to lose and ; (2) How much I hate bullies!
It didn’t take long, but pretty soon, they started picking me first. The thing was: I don’t like to play with bullies. I’d rather beat them! The same thing happened when I was a Freshman in high school. I was 6′ 4″ 210 pounds and could dunk a basketball with either hand. I could also hit a baseball out of sight and throw the ball out of the stadium. It didn’t take long for the Seniors to start picking me early (a Bully move to beat the Freshman), but the thing was, I did not like to play with Bullies. I loved to beat them. Several of them came after me once in the shower, but I was tipped off and had a baseball bat with me. After taking the first one out the others left me alone. Did I mention that I hate bullies? It’s a weakness of mine. I cannot tolerate bullies who try and beat weaker people.
I learned to play every sport by playing against older guys. Because I was always big for my age, I had to get “schooled” in sports by the bullies, but I soon learned how to hold my own, and eventually dominate the bullies. In basketball, if they fouled me, I fouled them harder… they soon decided they didn’t like paying that price. In baseball, I knocked out 3 catchers by bulldozing them… and that was just in high school. I hate bullies.
That’s why it feels like a “bully move” when you can outspend anyone by 2 or 3 times just so you can win because of your big pile of cash. In some respects, the Dodgers are like bullies – outspending everyone else and trying to tilt the tables so that they can beat teams with “weaker” pocketbooks. At least, that is how I feel sometimes. I like a level playing field. It certainly does not feel level… right about now.
It’s one thing to sign ’em cheap and stack ’em deep, but money can’t buy what you need. The Beatles said it so concisely:
Sometimes the Baseball Gods simply won’t allow it. Case-in-Point: When was the last time anyone argued about who the best player in baseball might be. Two or three years ago, it was Mookie or Mike Trout? Now it’s just Mike… and maybe Juan Soto. Mookie ain’t even in the discussion. Is Mookie injured? Maybe, but I don’t think so! I have watched him closely. Mookie will be 30 years old this year. When the Dodgers traded for him, I said that I did not think he would age well. Mookie is a small guy – his game is speed and coiled-up power.
From age 22 to 28, Mookie was great (except for one year when he battled injuries). But, even then he was still 6th in the MVP Voting. Mookie is now in his 9th year. The Dodgers traded Alex Verdugo, who is 5 years younger for Mookie. Alex Verdugo is not Mookie, but neither is Mookie! Starting in 2024 through 2032, the Dodgers owe Mookie something between $30 and $35 million every year. The Dodgers have Mookie for 10 more years after 2022 and owe him $319 Million. Tell me that is not going to end badly.
Of course, many of you will try and justify it by saying, “Yes but we won a World Series because of Mookie.” I say that the Dodgers won a World Series with Mookie. He was a part of a team that won it. Baseball is a team game. You are free to believe that the Mookie Betts trade helped the Dodgers win the World Series, but Alex Verdugo was his equal in statistics… a lot cheaper too. Would the Dodgers have won without the trade – you can have an opinion, but you can never KNOW!
I would have never made that trade and I don’t think Friedman would have either, but I think he was pressured by Kasten and Walter to do it (“We have the money – Go for it!”). It’s done and I am not going to cry in my beer very long, but deals like this are frequently boat anchors. I do not think that Mookie will be a bad player (at least I hope not), but I do not see him as being a TOP 15 Outfielder anymore. Mookie may have some decent seasons again, but he will never be that 2018 MVP that they traded for – No way! No how! I hope to the Big Dodger in the Sky that I am wrong, and I still root hard for Mookie. Mookie happens to be a class act! I am just being realistic…
Dodger Notes and News
- OK, now do you believe me when I say Striker Buehler is fine? 9 IP, 3 H, 0 BB, 10 K’s – HIs ERA now sits at 2.55. The Ace of the Staff is alive an well and maybe the Dodgers knew what they were doing in ramping pitchers up slowly. A 12-4 start ain’t bad!
- Let’s see if the Catman do the same.
- Do I even need to mention the power rankings? I didn’t think so. There is no question…
- I am happy to see the success Joc is having right now. Joc is a good dude and he’s at home. It just needs to stop when they play LA. Also, I doubt that it continues, but if so… carry on, Joc!
- Max Muncy is starting to “Flash his Lumber.” The onslaught is coming.
- Around the League: The Mets are off to a good start, but I see a crash and burn coming. They simply are not that good and Robinson Cano (whom they owe a Billion Dollars) is hitting .182.
As Your Stomach Turns
In a preview of what Trever Bauer will unleash against Rob Manfred and MLB, he file suit in Federal Court against the woman who accused him of sexual assault. In it he claimed that the woman “fabricated allegations of sexual assault against him, pursued bogus criminal and civil actions against him, made false and malicious statements about him, and generated a media blitz based on her lies.” The suit alleges that the woman “wanted to destroy Mr. Bauer’s reputation and baseball career, garner attention for herself, and extract millions of dollars” from him.
Bringing a suit in Federal Court is usually considered more serious, as fewer lawyers are certified (or whatever they call it) to practice in the Federal System. Of course, the morons at many of the other blogs will bring in their shoddy attorneys to refute this, just like last week when someone who said they were an attorney wrote a disjointed and rambling piece about Bauer. Maybe Trevor will sue that b_____d too. If Trevor did what that woman accused him then he should burn in hell, but if she is lying, she should! To me, her case unraveled a long time ago and MLB is likely to get slpped with a Lawsuit if the time is extended again. It’s to for this to end! The Village Idiot who runs MLB needs to just shut up and re-instate Bauer… NOW!
Discussion (37)
Disagree, not disagreeable
Tough game to lose when you only give up 4 hits but 5 runs.
And hit into 5 double plays. A lot of bad luck hitting, but you let any major league team hang around and you can lose.
The Lux error was very costly and makes you wonder about his ability to stay in the infield.
I am a big fan of Gavin, but he has had the throwing yips since he has been in the majors.
It is a long season and plenty of time to work out issues, but the Dodgers show signs of finding ways to lose close games. Very similar to recent years with inability to create runs, poor clutch hitting, terrible base running, and refusal to bunt or advance runners. Just like last year, the Giants play a more aggressive brand of baseball and find ways to win close games. I dislike Kapler, but his approach of bunting, stealing, and adding on runs no matter what the score make them a better team. The talent level of the Giants the last 2 years is not even close to the Dodgers, yet they have stayed slightly in front of Dodgers. Last year the Giants were 31-17 in one run games and 10-9 in extra innings. The Dodgers were 24-24 in one run games, and 6-13 in extra innings.
Aside from the Lux play, another key play to me was Freeman hitting into a DP in the second inning. The Dodgers led off with back to back singles and Davies was almost done with 50 pitches in less than 2 innings. After Betts flew out the Dodgers had Taylor at third and Lux at first and one out. Instead of stealing or hit-run with Lux, Freeman grounded into inning ending DP. The Dodgers did not score the rest of the game.
The Dodgers have the best roster in baseball, and should win the division and make playoffs comfortably. But the playoffs will always come down to execution and winning close games. If you are unwilling to bunt, steal, or hit the other way in the regular season games, you will struggle to execute in the postseason. The Dodgers are talented enough to dominate with starting pitching, bullpen and home runs. But they will vastly improve their chances if they utilize their athleticism and small ball approach as well.
Mark, I am Boricua and Roberto lived about 5 miles from were I was raised. I am not saying in any way Mookie will be like Roberto. My point is if a player have some of tools Roberto had, baserunning, arm, power, hitting, and the chance of staying athletic deep in the 30s can be Mookie. And that and I state again, maybe is the reason AF gave Mookie that long contract . I will add that Roberto had some serious neck issues throughout his career l, but never had a long stint in the DL.
When does the greatest lineup in baseball history step up and live up to its bswar
The Dodgers have hit into FIVE double plays in this game.
So I am predicting it will go to the 10th, at least, with the placed runner getting tagged out at 3rd on another double play.
I really can’t see signing Trea Turner either. Maybe Jacob Amaya is the SS next year. If he can hit .220 the Dodgers could live with that!
2023
1. Betts – RF
2. Lux LF
3. Freeman 1B
4. Smith C
5. Muncy 3B
6. Taylor 2B
7. Vargas/Rios 3B
8. DH
9. Amaya SS
Amaya IS a SS! I just don’t know how much he will hit, although he is hitting .326 this year at AA (1.143 OPS). He will be 24 next year. Maybe its his time.
Gavin Lux reminds me of Steve Sax. It’s better get him out of the infield. And some here wants to give him shortstop next year, go figure.
I really don’t get all this Betts nonsense. Go see the 1971 World Series and see Roberto Clemente. Maybe you will see what maybe AF think will Betts will look a little bit alike when he is 37.
You can say what you want about Lux, but I say YIPS!
It is still in his head big time. Just switch Taylor and Lux positions.
Give him one less thing to think about!
There seems to be many more blue shirts than red shirts in that blimp hanger in Phoenix.
https://culturemap90.com/joc-pederson-proving-to-be-perfect-giants-fit-for-several-reasons/
……”But through his first month with Pederson in his lineup, Kapler has focused on something else. He said Pederson’s personality in the dugout is different from what he expected.”
“It’s very calm. Very calm. Very stoic, very focused,” Kapler said. “I’ve known Joc for a really long time but I haven’t really seen him in the dugout for a really long time, so this is, it’s really pleasant. He’s really locked in throughout the game, not too high, not too low. “
It is impossible to directly figure causes and effects when there are so many variables, as in a baseball season, or thirty years of them. But we do know that the Dodgers won one World Championship in a full season from 1966-1988. Then they did not win one World Championship in any season, from 1989-2019. Then they won one in a very short season in 2020.
The Tampa Bay Rays did not win any World Championships when Friedman was General Manager. This was most likely due to the fact that the Rays did not have the payroll to go after the kind of proven star players who would get them over the top.
You do not absolutely need one of those, though it is almost essential,. And two is even better. Fine, we do not want to try to buy our way to titles, but the Yankees and Red Sox have. So I was very tired and upset at what it looked to me was the Dodgers ownerships, from O’Malley, to Fox, to McCourt, to the first years of Guggenheim, seeming to balk at paying the really big contracts which it took to land superstars. Sure, grow your own, but 53 years of mostly doing that got us not too much. Thirty-one years of no titles at all, and from 1989- 2017, no pennants.
Going after Mookie was essential, even if the Dodgers and probably everyone else may have missed a medical condition. That does happen. Betts was crucial in us wining the title in 2020, and we’ll see what he contributes this year. I was very happy to land Scherzer and Turner last year, and exhilarated to get Freeman this year, who is the kind of player that we have wanted for decades; it is only a shame that he is not in his 20’s now. And I liked getting Bauer, and I would not blame anyone for that, either.
At least right now, the Dodgers ownership and management is competing for titles, not bailing out of the bidding. This is what they should do. They make more money than any franchise in baseball except perhaps the Yankees. The should not let other franchises outbid them. Imagine if we did not sign Freeman, we would not win a title this year. I hope we replace Trea Turner with a really good shortstop. I don’t expect an all-star at every position, but I want our team to have as much or more talent as anyone else, just like the Lakers did for many years, and the Rams did last year.
I am not as much of a fan of young prospects as many are. I did follow them more closely in the ’80’s and ’90’s, and there were a few big rewards, and then all sorts of players who disappointed, but we kept around for years. I found the ’90’s to be a miserable era for the Dodgers fans, outside of following Piazza. I remember people calling the Dodgers shows after the game, and continually asking about players in the minors, as a substitute for the fact that we were not one of the best teams in baseball.
I love the fact that we now have a team which can score four or five runs even when the lineup is not clicking. I don’t know how we will do as far as a title this year, with the playoffs being diluted to where any middling team could get hot and win. But I enjoy where we are much more than where we had been. And I hope we do not soon go back to letting other franchises get the big stars in the offseason, while we nibble around for under-the-radar types, often with recurrent arm injuries. So I do not think anyone is “ruining” Andrew Friedman, who for one reason or bad luck or another, never won a world title until the year he was allowed to acquire Mookie Betts.
OK, I think the pitch limit is more about analytics than actual pitch limits. By the time a starter is ready for his third time through the order, he has lost a little on his fastball and his slider or curve may not have as much “bite.” Analytics help hitters to know exactly what to do when that happens. Teams may say it is “pitch count” but I think scouting and analytics have precipitated this.
There is NO WAY we win in 20 with Verdugo instead of Mookie! Just his defensive play alone was a series changer with Atlanta! As one “brilliant” sage once said, patience grasshopper! Ya’ll will be eating your words by the end of the year!
Leaked ‘Yankee Letter’ confirms team stole signs in 2015-16, which MLB hid from public.
The mysterious New York Yankees letter was leaked to the public Tuesday, just a few days before it was scheduled to be unsealed by judge’s order. We finally know what MLB commissioner Rob Manfred wrote to Yankees GM Brian Cashman regarding MLB’s investigation into cheating allegations against the team.
So what did the letter say? There are two main revelations: The Yankees used their dugout phone to relay stolen signs in 2015 and 2016, and Manfred appears to have hid the truth from the public when he said in a statement in 2017 that the Yankees hadn’t cheated.
Yankees cheated
The letter, which is scheduled to be unsealed later this week as part of a now-dismissed lawsuit brought against MLB by DraftKings customers, goes over a number of things that are public knowledge — namely that MLB found the Boston Red Sox had used electronic equipment, including a smartwatch, to steal and communicate signs to give the team an advantage.
What the public didn’t know was that MLB had also found that the Yankees had stolen signs using the video room and the bullpen phone — a scheme which Manfred said was “similar” to what the Red Sox had done. During an interview with MLB’s department of investigations, a Yankees employee — the same Yankees employee who initially noticed that the Red Sox were stealing signs with a smartwatch — said that he would gather info on opposing team’s signs and relay that info to players or coaches, who would then bring it to the dugout to be used on the field. When the team was away, they used a different process. (The name of the Yankees employee has been redacted.)
Here’s a tidbit for all the Will Smith fans out there…
Last night was the 50th homerun of Smith’s career, tying him with former catcher Mike Piazza as the fastest catcher in NL history to reach that mark. He did it in 233 games.
Pedro Baez released by Astros.
They paid him $12.5 million for 6 innings the last 2 years.
Mark often points out how volatile relief pitchers can be!
Also, Joc hit a 2 run HR in bottom 8th last night to give Giants a lead and eventually a win.
Not sure why Brewers did not bring in a left handed to pitch to Joc.
Malpractice to let Joc face a right hander in that scenario.
I am still baffled by Bauer treatment by MLB, Dodgers, and Union.
But Bauer filing a civil lawsuit to prolong this matter seems to make it much less likely he plays for Dodgers.
Astros Designate Pedro Baez For Assignment
By Steve Adams | April 26, 2022 at 3:59pm CDT
The Astros have designated right-hander Pedro Baez for assignment and recalled righty Seth Martinez from Triple-A Sugar Land, the team announced Tuesday.
Baez, 34, is just weeks into the second season of a two-year, $12.5MM contract that also contained a club option for the 2023 season. He missed the majority of the 2021 season due to shoulder troubles, however, pitching just 4 1/3 innings. He’s been limited to 2 1/3 frames thus far in 2022, during which time he’s been clobbered for six runs (three earned) on five hits and three walks with two punchouts. Baez’s fastball, which averaged nearly 98 mph at its peak and sat at 96 mph as recently as 2019, has averaged just 90.2 mph so far in 2022.
SPTony Gonsolin R
1-0 .69 ERA 8K
Confirmed Lineup
RF Mookie Betts R
1B F. Freeman L
SS Trea Turner R
DH J. Turner R
3B Max Muncy L
C Will Smith R
CF C. Bellinger L
LF Chris Taylor R
2B Gavin Lux L
In Domed Stadium
Sounds to me like your high school bullies were also pretty dumb, like Biff in “Back to the Future.: The lesson they could have learned is to come at you with a baseball bat of their own, or something nastier. I think that first guy must have really been especially stupid if he ever wanted vengeance, because there are so many clever ways to get back at Biffs, like molasses in the gas tank.
Funny thing, but Bauer had a reputation as a bully before AF stupidly signed him. So it was double bully-behavior for the Dodgers to get him. And seriously now, Bauer won the Cy Young… IN A 60-GAME SEASON! He has never proven himself to be HOF material–and yet he netted the biggest single-year salary for a pitcher.
I don’t think AF and Dodgers will ever regret the Betts contract. They knew the risk and accepted it. B
They recognized that Betts is one the best players of his generation–on offense and defense. Five tools. He is esteemed for his leadership and also his community involvement. He is a solid citizen unlike Bauer or either of the notorious Mannys who wore Dodger Blue. He’s a role model. (Verdugo might be a terrific guy, but would you want your son to be more like Alex or Mookie?) Even when Betts is slumping and/or playing hurt, he makes positive contributions. He’s slumping now but still drawing walks and scoring runs. Did you see the web gem a few days back of that sliding catch he made in foul territory? Assuming that age will limit his skills, Betts can transition to 2B, his original position. Several great players have performed well into their late 30s. And hey, when his baseball career is over, he can join the pro bowling tour!
High-A Great Lakes pitcher Kyle Hurt was named the Midwest League pitcher of the week after striking out 10 batters in six scoreless innings last week. The Dodgers acquired Hurt along with left-hander Alex Vesia from the Marlins in exchange for reliever Dylan Floro in February 2021.
As I watched Striker’s excellent performance last night, I expected he would give way to the pen after the 7th. I did the same after the 8th, fully expecting someone to close the 9th. I was actually surprised he was allowed to complete the game despite being very efficient the last innings. But it dawned on my – I’m Drinking the Pitch Count Kool Aid. I’m being conditioned to treat these guys like porcelain dolls. I’m looking at pulling the plug and he was AT 108 pitches! I have slowly fallen into the 100 pitches is the MAX camp.
MLB, MLBPA Allowing 14 Pitchers On Active Rosters Through May 29; 13-Pitcher Limit To Take Effect Thereafter
By Anthony Franco | April 26, 2022 at 10:25am CDT
Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association have agreed to a 14-pitcher limit on active rosters between May 2 and May 29, the league announced this morning. As previously announced, the active rosters will still shrink from 28 players to 26 on May 2.
1 – Innocent until proven guilty ONLY APPLIES TO CRIMINAL CHARGES. You are conflating legal standards. Bauer will be subject to MLB’s rules and determination based on its findings after “investigation”. No one here knows what those findings will be and what MLB will rule.
2 – Where the Dodgers spend big $$ that no one sees (and doesn’t count against the cap) is in the area of scouting, player development, and analytics. This is Friedman being Friedman.
Baseball America published an article in 2020 – here are a couple excerpts:
““They’re the model right now,” one rival NL executive said. “They’re hitting on all cylinders. They’re drafting very well. They’re developing very well. They’re obviously very good at the big league level. They’re doing it all.
With their resources on top of it, it’s definitely a bit of an uphill battle for the rest of us.”
Other high-revenue teams have similar financials, and none has been able to match the Dodgers’ record of consistently winning while maintaining an endless prospect pipeline.
The Dodgers employ 86 professional and amateur scouts, fourth most of any team according to the 2020 Baseball America Directory. Between coordinators, coaches, analysts and directors, the Dodgers list 54 employees in player development, tied for seventh most in baseball.
“As a staff we’re able to spend a lot of time and energy in identifying superstar staff members and recruiting them and bringing them in and developing them,” Dodgers farm director Will Rhymes said. “We invest heavily in staff development. We have turnover because every year people get promotions with other teams and it makes us an appealing place for the high end of the market.” The money allows the Dodgers to bring in among the most, and often the best, coaches and development staffers. It also allows them to provide their minor leaguers with better nutrition and facilities, setting the foundation for superior physical development.
“You go in and watch the Dodgers play and it’s noticeable how good of shape their guys are in,” an opposing scout said. “I just think they’re a little ahead.” The staff, the facilities, the high-quality food—it’s not cheap. What the Dodgers do would not be possible without the money. At the same time, other teams that have the money don’t do what the Dodgers do.
So – the Dodgers’ financial resources allow Friedman to be an uber-Friedman and exploit coaching, analytics, nutrition, scouting etc. to make the Dodgers as good as they can be.
MLB-MLBPA to allow 14 pitcher limit on rosters until May 29. 13 pitcher limit will take effect after that per MLBTR.
Good thoughts today Mark. I checked on the Cano contract to see if the Mets actually owed Cano a billion dollars.
LOL. Actually they owe him approximately $20M this year and next year. They will have paid him $67M over five years. Why? Seattle sent $20M along with a continued PED suspension that saved the Mets another $5M. Then, being the moron he is, Cano got another PED suspension for a full season which saved the Mets $24M. Cano has forfeited $39M in salary with his two PED suspensions. Talk about stupid. And he is hitting .184 after playing only six games. And Mookie is hitting .203 and is owed a billion dollars. So, there’s that. But the bottom line is we’re all pulling for Mookie to be successful and help the team win championships. The money has been spent and it’s assumed that the contract will not end well. AF was patient and calculating in doing a long term deal. He waited years for the right player. I agreed with it and I’m sure many others did as well. At least AF has done this only once and hopefully will not repeat the same mistake.
I’ve mentioned before. Max started the last season like he has this season. He is working the count to the nth degree trying to get a walk. He has a tendency to do this when he is in a slump. For fear of swinging and not making contact? Who knows his reasoning. But, he ended with a career best 36 HRs at the end of the season. With still recovering from his injury (if it’s good enough for Cody then…) and the shorten ST it may take him a while longer to get back to his consistent long ball production.
Walker was outstanding last night. Fun to watch. You could tell after the game he was proud of his first complete game shutout. His fastball velocity is fine. Like any other successful “pitcher” it’s learning to throw the ball where you need to. Location. With all pitches. Look at Graterol. One hundred plus and his strikeout rate isn’t what you expect for someone that throws that hard. That’s why I don’t understand the Kershaw concern because his fastball is down to 88-90 now days. He adapted and as long as his back and arm hold up he should be an important part of the pitching staff. I’ve been surprise by his performance so far. A true grinder.
Boob Manfred is still an incompetent, vengeful piece of humanity. Trevor is going to sue this woman into financial oblivion. With the “me too” movement they insist the woman should be believed at all times when it comes to assault. Until they shouldn’t. Bill Burr has a routine that gives “the woman should always be believed” idea another viewpoint. Well, I think I best leave this topic to others about now.
I know Lux has cooled off some lately, but he still looks confident when hitting and very good in LF. Damn he is fast and can really cover some ground in the field.
Will Smith should start to get on track offensively. He’s been my favorite player the last couple of years. He’s so unassuming (looks like a teenager) and yet just continues to crush clutch hits.
And, again, Freddy Freeman is still awesome.
Carry on.
Brief message this morning:
1. I couldn’t care less about VERDUGO
2. I couldn’t care less about JOC
3. I couldn’t care less about JANSEN
4. I couldn’t care less about SCHERZER
5. I couldn’t care less about MANFRED (except I dislike him as Commish)
6. I do care about all my Dodgers though and believe the M BOYS- Mookie and Muncy- will be going on tears very soon.
7. If Gonzo pitches his next game like his last game, I’m all on board the Gonzo Train
8. FREE TREVOR!
That’s all for now,
TM
So, now we wait on Busch, Pages, Vargas, Outman, Noda (this guy deserves a shot if anyone does), Miller, Knack, Cartaya, Ramos, Bruns, and about 30 other prospects. Not all will make it, but if 10% do, what a haul!
Now looking at this whole thing about Betts, from another point of view, he was brought up for the playoffs, so if in the season he finishes with .265 15 home runs and 60HR RBI, but healthy and he plays like the star that he is and helps win the championship, then he will make every penny of his contract count.
I can live with that!
Pretty good write-up, Mark.
I suppose it depends on how you look at it concerning Andrew Friedman and his approach with the Tampa Bay Rays and his approach with the Dodgers. If Friedman didn’t adapt, what would that say about him? Living in the box, never to leave it. Not understanding that Tampa is Tampa and LA is a whole different world. Welcome to the world of stars and showtime. Jerry Buss figured that out. So did LA’s new ownership group., which includes Magic Johnson. They opted to hire someone like Friedman, add money and take the Dodgers to new heights.
Why did Peter O’Malley and the Dodgers struggle in the 90s? They failed to adapt. Fox had no real interest in the Dodgers and were so anxious to sell, they found a poorly financed potential owner. Well, not only was Frank McCourt short on actual cash and what extra he had, the McCourts opted for multiple mansions. The guy actually acquired an iconic franchise with a parking lot.
The new ownership group “overpaid” for the Dodgers, infused it with cash, spent it poorly and then opted for Friedman with the idea that he would make better use of the money and create the best team and organization in baseball. It worked. Attendance rose, revenue flowed. What’s not to like?
Was Friedman pushed to sign Mookie Betts to an outrageous contract? I think he really believed in Mookie, thought he was a game changer and I think he is —- what about the deal long term? What about any of the big contracts long term? Many, if not most, don’t end well.
But to acquire the player, you have to overpay. If you don’t somebody else will. Just like with Corey Seager. Who thinks that will end well? As Friedman once said, if you’re not willing to overpay, you probably won’t get the player.
The Dodgers are built on the foundation of the farm system. Walker Buehler, Julio Urias, Will Smith, Cody Bellinger, Seager, Jansen, Gavin Lux and company. Some prospects are used to acquire additional talent like Verdugo for Mookie. Everybody said Friedman would never offer a contract like the one given to Betts, but that was based on history. Friedman is writing a new history, one backed with money and a different approach. Hey, it works.
As to Mookie’s start, shouldn’t everyone just take a deep breath and see how it plays out. He’s looked better lately, getting on base and scoring runs. Yah, I know there were the four strikeouts after the two home run night, but that happened before when he was with the Red Sox. I think Betts will be fine. Whole lot of talent.
As to Trevor Bauer, why are we still talking about him? Oh yah, Rob Manfred hasn’t made a decision. No way this doesn’t go bad for baseball. Bauer is now suing the woman, something to do with a plot and what she told a friend. Does anybody actually believe he won’t be a massive problem for Manfred and MLB. Say what you want, but I don’t think if he’s cleared to play, the Dodgers won’t just walk away, too much money involved, unless his clubhouse presence is an issue for the players.
The Betts signing was out of character for AF. I think, though, his rationale was that, by first methodically building the Dodgers organization up brick by brick, by saving his powder by signing the Brett Andersons instead of the Greinkes, by resetting the luxury tax, by building up a sustainable player development and scouting system, it was finally time to push a big stack of chips into the pot. And he didn’t just throw money at a guy like Bryce Harper. I think he saw in Mookie someone who was really special – a top three player in the MLB – PLUS a high character guy.
I remember arguing constantly with the idiots on Scott’s site about AF not signing Greinke, or trading away Puig for “nothing.” My point always was that AF was laying the foundation for building a SUSTAINABLE dynasty. The typical MLB model was to build up a winning organization by paying big money for players, trading away all your prospects for a star, maybe win a World Series, and then when you start to lose have a fire sale and tear everything down to the nubs and start over. The Cubs, for instance.
If you’re going to spend that kind of money, Mookie was a good investment. There are no sure things in investing.
I had to go look back and find what I wrote a couple of weeks ago:
“2. The Mookie signing will turn out to be a total disaster. Chronic hip pain in athletes is never good. In a lot of cases this signals a degenerative arthritic condition. These don’t get better. They only get worse. He will hit about .275 this year with between 20-25 HRs. His offensive production won’t fall off a great deal, but it’s his defense will take a noticeable step back, and he won’t be stretching the bases or stealing much anymore. After this year, his pain will have to be managed more aggressively. He’ll miss more games. He will never be the player he was with Boston. He will be out of baseball with years remaining on his contract that the Dodgers will have to eat.”
I wrote this mostly to prod, and I embellished quite a bit, but this possibility was still in the back of my mind. This signing could wind up to be a terrible one. Often times having nearly unlimited resources to spend is counterproductive. AF was successful in building the Dodgers because he was disciplined and stuck to a process. Too many resources saps discipline – and drive and resourcefulness. AF was brilliant with the Rays because he maximized winning with little to spend. He had to be resourceful. So did Billy Beane. Perhaps AF being a pig will wind up being counterproductive. There is a such thing as “victory disease.”
Still, I don’t really have too much of a problem with the Dodgers being bullies – though I do prefer the Dodgers creating a winning franchise through player development, smarts, and innovation rather than throwing money around. This is a competitive sport. You can’t feel pity for the Diamondbacks.
You crush them, see them driven before you, and hear the lamentations of their women.
It is what is best in life.
https://youtu.be/WEQ2hXnjSrU
I commented about venom against Betts, and that was probably the wrong word. It seemed more like everyone does not believe he will get better than he is now. I think he is far too much of a perfectionist, and his own worst critic to stay at the level of play he is at. But all that aside, they guy plays hard every night and I at this point am giving him the benefit of the doubt. I think AF has done good work. I did not always agree with some of his buy cheap stack em deep decisions. But I am a fan, what the hell do I know? My brother Steve is home now. Spends most of his time in his wheelchair except when we need to get him up. He is doing better walking with the walker. Hope you all have a great day. Nice job Mark. Great topic. Something else Betts brings to the team, professionalism and accountability. He took the blame for the loss that snapped the losing streak. Would love to see if Verdugo would bite that bullet.
“Would the Dodgers have won without the trade – you can have an opinion, but you can never KNOW!”
True, so lets stick with what we do KNOW:
Dodgers did not win it all since 1988.
They did not win it with their nucleus before Mookie with basically the same players around . Lost the WS in 2017 and 2018. Lost badly vs the Nationals in 2019 in the divsion series.
Those are the undisputed facts we KNOW.
so yes, the argument they won it in 2020 BECAUSE of Mookie is legit.
And I stand by what I said yesterday: Just like Gibson in 88 the difference in 2020 was Mookie. On the field and in the clubhouse.
Go Dodgers!
Well, innocent until proven guilty is bullsh*t. DA’s are allowed to overcharge and you have to prove you are innocent. A little known fact, between 90-97% of state and federal convictions are obtained through plea bargaining. And why would somebody plea when they are innocent? When you face multiple felony charges you WILL be convicted and courts will throw the book at you. According to the Times this morning Bauer is claiming a text from the woman to a friend says they “will be able to travel to Europe in style after she destroys Bauer in her plot.” I wonder how they know that?
I got picked by the older guys too Mark. But it wasn’t because I was big. It was because I was better than most of them.
With $ per WAR likely rising each year, currently it’s 8.5 million, Mookie needs to average about 3 WAR per year to earn his salary. There’s also the Star factor. How many extra b.i.s. does Mookie get each year?
Speaking of butts in seats, I noticed the Dodgers are averaging 48k so far. Only 7 games. 14 teams are averaging over 30k. Oakland, 7.9k is of course is last. Miami, Pittsburgh, Tampa and Cleveland are at the bottom, all averaging under 15k. Did the lock out hurt attendance? I don’t know. Doesn’t look like it.
I think we get the big Bauer announce this week.
Not to nitpick here, but Verdugo was not as good as Betts statistically in 2020 (844 OPS vs 927) and he’s 4 years (closer to 3.5) younger, not 5. In 2020, Verdugo had his best year and for comparison’s sake, wasn’t even as good as Mookie last year, when he was playing with a bum hip. Verdugo also still hits left handed, and it was imperative at the time to get a right handed bat into the lineup.
I’m wondering who everyone is going to be worried about now. Walker Bueller threw 8 pitches over 96.0 MPH last night, 4 of them in the 9th inning. I’m not sure if we’re going to see 98-99 anymore, but he’s plenty effective sitting 95-96.
Max is a bit of a slow starter if my memory is correct. He certainly crushed that ball last night. I think the month of May will be kind to Max.
Manfred is an idiot. Just another bad move by the master of bad moves. I’m not talking about Trevor, I’m talking about the humidors. Way to make the game more interesting by screwing with the ball yet again. This guy just doesn’t learn from his mistakes. He constantly “fixes” things until they break.
Bauer is a bit of a nut job, I think everyone can agree. But, I don’t think he would be suing everyone if he didn’t believe in what he was doing. I don’t understand how the player’s union can keep agreeing to these administrative leaves which is essentially blackballing a player. Hell, even Louis CK is getting work these days.
I liked Joc up until the time he signed with the Giants. He’s dead to me now. The Dodgers have off days before and after the Tigers series which would allow them to skip Gonso’s spot in the rotation if they choose to. That would setup Urias and Anderson for the two game Giants series that follows, relegating Joc to the bench. Hell, they could even skip Gonso and Anderson and let the Giants face Urias and Kershaw with another off day following the Giants series. Who made this schedule?
Just checked with wifey, a paralegal for 20 years. Yes, you must be certified in each federal district you choose to file cases in. Bauer’s legal team is top notch judging by the DC and Beverly Hills addresses of his representation. I hope that hack from Dewey, Cheatum and Howe that writes for TBLA is better at lawyering than he is at writing, but I doubt it. His Bauer article was the first I finished from him and it took me two tries to get through it. His writing style is similar to Orel’s broadcasting. Long, drawn out and repetitious often losing his way along the journey. He uses commas like they’re on sale at Walmart.
Totally agree about Betts, and the same will happen with Bellinger, I don’t think LA is going to sign him long-term.
In fact, I think we will not see another contract for more than 5 years for any player, not for Striker, or Julio, or Trea, not for any pitcher, the only one that I feel I could sign for many years would be Lux.
Not sure Friedman was coerced into signing Betts. He’s on record saying he was watching him for more than a year.
Wonder if Manfred is doing a slow torture to Bauer. Every week he has to wonder is this the week I get released from purgatory.
Good article today Mark. Yesterday when a few of us said the same thing about Betts it was called “venom” so I am curious on what it will be today. The game moves fast, one day your a top 5 player and within a few years you are not. Oh well we all have opinions and that is what is great about this site, a place to voice them but no need to get bully about what other’s view points are. We are all keyboard analysts.
Watched the Giants/Brewers game last night and even though he is playing with the enemies now how could you not like the 2 run homerun from Joc especially after all the heckling in the stands.
The Bauer saga looks like it’s not going to end anytime soon. At this rate I find it hard to believe he ever pitches for the Dodgers again even if he is reinstated. I think if/when he is reinstated that the Dodgers somehow release or trade him.
Good day all.