Are the Dodgers Ruining Andrew Freidman?
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…
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!
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Discussion (81)
Disagree, not disagreeable
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.
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.