Armchair GM

Well, basically, that is what we all are in some form or another. I know that I have often thought, damn, I can do it better than he can, or what is he thinking? Armchair GM’s also usually feel they are good managers too.

Over the last several years, I have often disagreed with both Roberts and AF. I still feel Roberts, although a great communicator and player’s manager, still plays favorites sometimes and sticks with his player, even when the player’s skill’s or production have deteriorated. I still also believe he is not a great or even very good baseball strategist.

As for AF, well I thought, especially when he first arrived on the scene that he was just acquiring players who were cheap and hoping for lightning in a bottle. That assumption was made because it seemed at the time that he was claiming almost every pitcher or player who was put on waivers.

Later because of what was written I found he was doing all of that to give the team some minor league depth while he transitioned the minor league system to his way of doing things. There were some very good players already in the pipeline at that time, and the team itself was starting to come together.

I of course, being as old school as I am, did not get all the sabermetric data he was using when he picked these player’s up. So for the better part of the time he has been in charge, I have scratched my head at almost every move. Agreed with some, disagreed with more. And yet, here we are 6 seasons later and they still are winning.

I also admit, I have mellowed a lot in those 6 years. I was more combative then, and more likely to start an argument. I still argue, and I still take issue with some of the moves made by both of those guys. But I also try to understand WHY, more.

The game itself has changed immensely from the game I played back in the day. I think because I have finally begun to accept that it will never be like that game again that I can finally enjoy this version of baseball a little more.

The 3 true outcome hitters have made the strikeout acceptable. Guys like Muncy and Pederson, as long as they keep the power numbers up have a value to the team. Muncy walks a lot. Joc prior to this truncated season, could be counted on to deliver a long ball when the team needed one. Yeah, he still struck out a lot, but he also had days when they could not get him out.

The best contact hitters on the team are Betts, Seager, Smith and Turner. Belli, Joc and Muncy are the 3 true outcome guys. Taylor, Barnes, Kike, Pollock and to some extent Rios and Beaty, are the streak hitters.

Being the armchair GM I am, I do not retain Joc or Kike. There are cheaper options in the chain. The starting staff will no doubt be bolstered next year by the return of Price. So, going into spring they will have Kersh, Price, Buehler, May, Gonsolin, Urias, Gray and White as the potential rotation staples.

My thinking is that they either need to decide on an in house replacement and PARTNER in the closer’s job next year, or at least trade or sign someone with that kind of experience. My thinking, and I am thinking as a GM now, is that Baez, Treinen, McGee, Alexander, Wood, and possibly Floro will not be returning. That is a chunk of salary right there.

I think Jansen will not be moved simply because of the 18 Million he is owed next season. I would resign Turner to a 2 year deal. No longer than that. And after his playing days I would do whatever I could to keep him in the organization.

Bullpen arms are easy to find. Getting the right mix is the trick. This year, at least through the regular season, the mix has been pretty good.

I honestly believe that over this winter, when he can look at film, and also have some sessions with the hitting guru’s on the team, that Bellinger is going to look a lot different come next year. He is too good of an athlete to not make adjustments.

He is also one of those guys who so far in his career is very good year, so so year, and then a very good year again. This year was somewhat of a downer. He should rebound nicely. Muncy has 2 more years on his deal.

I would guarantee he is not going to be happy about how this year has played out, and if healthy, he is going to be one of the harder workers in camp next season.

As for Roberts, his job is safe. Even if the team is beaten in this playoff, he is going nowhere unless the word comes down from ownership and they blame someone for the continued lack of a win in the World Series or not getting there. AF is definitely safe. He is the ownership’s fair haired boy.

I am often wrong, but aren’t we all?  I love the game, and I love the team. They have been, and always will be a huge part of me. I got a message on Facebook from the wife of one of my friends here in town. She is up in the Springs with her daughter and her husband who are both huge Dodger fans. That right there shows we are everywhere.

We have endured over 30 years without the big prize. If it eludes us again, we will all analyze, and critique all off season. Make suggestions for changes that we all know the owners and FO are not even going to consider.

We will watch the winter meetings and the free agent moves and signings and when some star signs somewhere else when we know that guy would have been a perfect fit in blue, we will call the ownership cheap for not fulfilling our fantasy.

Happens every year they do not win. I have often said that AF has done nothing until the team crosses the finish line and brings home the trophy. The thing is, this year, because of everything that has happened, it is about as hard to do as anything they have ever done.

Just being in the bubble, playing for so long with no fans in the stands has changed the entire dynamic. And more changes are coming. The 3 hitter rule is not going away, and I am pretty sure the DH is in the NL to stay.

7 inning double headers will not return, but they still will be part of the minor leagues. The runner on second to start extra innings has garnered some support, but I do not believe it will be adopted. Some old school people dislike it a lot. One of them being Kershaw who said it is not real baseball.

The electronic strike zone is coming kids. Bank on it. For some it is something that should have been implemented a while ago. I also think that MLB, because of all of the controversy about how bad some of these umps are, will re-evaluate many of them before that happens and is implemented.

The QO this season is 18.9 million. I do not see a single free agent on the Dodgers who will be offered that kind of scratch. When the series is over, and after players declare, and teams make offers to the ones they want to keep, and implement the dual or team options they have on their players, it will be a lot easier to see who the Dodgers might target. Right now it would be nothing more than speculation.

I once again later in the year will pull out my armchair GM hat, and make my moves. Whether AF follows my lead or not, well, that remains to be seen!   That is me and my brother Steve……my choice for the new Dodger manager! (Pictured) LOL