Last week, I was contracted by a gentleman named Eric Vickrey, who describes himself as an Author and Baseball Historian. Well, I’ll just tell you what he said:
“I’m Eric Vickrey, a Washington state-based author and baseball historian. My third book, Before They Wore Dodger Blue: Tommy Lasorda and the Greatest Draft Class in Baseball History, will be published by August Publications on December 7th.
— Eric Vickrey
In 1968, just three years after MLB adopted an amateur draft, the Dodgers pulled off what remains the best draft in baseball history. That year, they selected Davey Lopes, Bobby Valentine, Bill Buckner, Steve Garvey, Ron Cey, Doyle Alexander, Geoff Zahn, Joe Ferguson, and Tom Paciorek. These players came up through the minors under up-and-coming manager Tommy Lasorda and formed the nucleus of the Dodgers’ next great era.
Enhanced by interviews with 70 former players, executives, scouts, and other team personnel, Before They Wore Dodger Blue chronicles MLB’s transition from the Bonus Baby era to an amateur draft and details how the Dodgers front office pulled off their franchise-altering prospect haul. The book then follows the Dodgers prospects and Lasorda as they climb the minor-league ranks, including the Spokane Indians’ Pacific Coast League championship over Chuck Tanner’s Hawaii Islanders.
If you’re interested, I’d be happy to send you an advanced copy of the book as a PDF. All I ask is that if you like it that you consider a shout out on LA Dodger Talk. And if you prefer a hard copy, I can make that happen in December.“
That’s right up my alley, and he did send me the PDF. I’ve read a little of it and can tell you that I will certainly read the book when it’s released. Here’s an excerpt:
So how did the Dodgers pull off such an extraordinary draft? Was it the genius of Campanis and his venerable group of eagle-eyed scouts? Was it an astute minor-league development system that maximized prospects’ potential? Or was it pure luck? As with many things in life, there isn’t one clear answer. Naturally, there was a certain amount of luck involved. But in the words of Campanis’s mentor, Branch Rickey, “Luck is the residue of design.”
— Before They Wore Dodger Blue by Eric Vickrey
Here’s the Book Cover again:
BTW, my book, “The Mountainmover,” is due out in May 2026.
I thought this was an excellent video (sent to me by Jayne Cobb):
Discussion (27)
Disagree, not disagreeable
Anyone ever try a Greenberg Smoked Turkey?
https://gobblegobble.com
OK – Forget Belli.
Trade Sheehan for Wilyer Abreu. I would try Knack and Miller, but the Red Sox would want Sheehan… plus Sheehan went to college at BC.
Abreu platoons in RF with Call. LH Abreu kills RH Pitchers. He has an .827 Career OPS against RHP. Alex Call has a .748 OPS against LHP.
Book it!
1. Ohtani DH
2. Freeman 1B
3. Smith C
4. Muncy 3B
5. Betts SS
6. Pages CF
7. Teoscar LF
8. Abreu/Call RF
9. Kim/Rojas 2B
Astros and Braves traded shortstops, Braves Allen to Houston for Mauricio Dubron.
And speaking of Bellinger…
“Bellinger just had a strong 2025 campaign with the Yankees. He hit 29 home runs while only striking out 13.7% of the time. His .272/.334/.480 batting line translated to a wRC+ of 125. He stole 13 bases and got strong defensive grades, playing all three outfield spots as well as first base.”
“There were some concerning elements under the hood. None of Bellinger’s 29 home runs went to the opposite field. He had a .302/.365/.544 slash and 152 wRC+ when playing at Yankee Stadium with its short porch in right field. He had a .241/.301/.414 line and 97 wRC+ on the road.”
so if they trade dalton, one would think it’s for an established player or a very talented prospect. but who’s the backup catcher? if Smith goes down, they have to have someone capable on offense and defense!
MLB announced new television and streaming deals with three major players that will reshape how fans watch games in 2026 and beyond. NBC will be part of the new arrangement and broadcast all four of the Wild Card Series when postseason play begins. Unfortunately, not every game will be on broadcast, as some games will find their way to Peacock (streaming) or the newly revived NBC Sports Network.
why does everyone want to trade Dalton? Even if he is never the offensive player Will is, his defense and receiving skills are elite. Can’t replace him! his power is something else. he will hit, bank on it!
looks like belli is becoming a hotter commodity than tucker! mets, blue jays,yankees,dodgers,giants,cubs all rumored to be in on him. The price may just go higher than the dodgers will go. It could bring the price on tucker down or maybe even make it higher!
Brandon Lowe anyone? Rays are expected to make him available. Second baseman with power. interesting!
From The Athletic:
Let’s look at five potential trade partners for a Skubal deal should one come to pass this winter:
Los Angeles Dodgers
Potential trade return: RHP Emmet Sheehan, LHP Justin Wrobleski, LHP Jackson Ferris and OF Zyhir Hope
The Dodgers already have four aces in their rotation and an exciting development project in Roki Sasaki. However, teams can never have enough starting pitching, so the Dodgers have no reason not to add another ace to the top of the rotation, especially when they can offer a competitive package and have the resources to keep him long-term, as well.
Los Angeles could offer two major-league ready starting pitchers in Sheehan and Wrobleski, and a third pitcher in Ferris who’s getting closer to being major-league ready. Sheehan and Wrobleski have already cut their teeth at the major-league level, even getting important innings during the postseason. Sheehan was especially impressive with the Dodgers this year, putting up a 2.82 ERA in 73 1/3 innings during the regular season.
Ferris should start next season in Triple A after posting a 3.62 ERA in 154 1/3 Double A innings the last two seasons. He and Hope were the return the Dodgers got from the Cubs in the deal that sent Michael Busch to Chicago. Ferris won’t turn 22 until January and has plus stuff but needs to work on his command.
Hope has the highest ceiling among this group. He’s at least two years away from the major leagues, but he reached Double A at the end of the season and has above-average on-base skills to go along with a power-and-speed combination at the plate and a strong glove in center field.
Another idea would be to substitute Tyler Glasnow for Sheehan in the deal. This would give the Tigers a top-of-the-rotation starter to replace Skubal and they would control Glasnow for three more years. Glasnow does not have a no-trade clause with the Dodgers and has $94 million remaining on his contract if the team-half of the 2028 mutual option is exercised.
1. If I agree with that scumbag, give me some medicine!
2. The Dodgers are not trading Rushing. If there were any chance of that, they would not have traded Rortvedt.
3. Not only does Rushing have prodigious power, but he is a good defensive catcher, and the Dodgers’ pitchers love to throw to him.
4. Inexperience kept him off the playoff roster. Nothing else. He still has a bright future.
5. Belli costs the Dodgers no draft picks or IBM.
8. Buxton, like a leopard, does not change his spots. He will be injured over 50% of the time. HARD NO!
9. Monty Hall is dead! 😉
FWIW, Dustin Nosler of DodgersDigest put out his offseason plan–and joins Mark on the Belli bandwagon, suggesting a six-year contract of about $157 million.
He also recommends some head-scratchers, such as trading Rushing, Banda and others to target some obscure but allegedly promising young relevers, plus a new backup catchers and a young UT guy that seems pretty meh. He’d bring back both Kike and Rojas.
The argument for Belli is easy to understand, Nosler suggests he’d handle RF, with Pages in CF and Teo in LF. I’f prefer Belli to Tucker, but not as much as a blockbuster for Buxton who, despite his injury history, has a higher upside than Tucker with a very affordable contract at $45m for 3 seasons. The money save could be applied to another OF ilke Bader (as Buxton insurance) as well as a top reliever, and perhaps Murakami or Okimoto.
maybe wrobleski assumes banda’s role. Would hate to see phillips go. Stewart? replaceable, but he really never got to show the dodgers much of anything. probably if healthy would be a better option than trienan considering their age. The fairbanks mumblings are getting a little louder.
Would the phillies consider trading Bryce Harper?? read somewhere there’s a small possibility of that, but not completely unrealistic. He’s not exactly thrilled with the GM’s analysis of him recently. Wouldn’t that be a big deal? Someone posted would the dodgers have any interest in harper. No, his outfielder days are over. he’s a first baseman/dh now. it would be something to see him in a yankee uniform!
Don’t understand Baltimore. trading away a pitcher with 4 years of control for a one year of taylor ward. they still need starting pitching. All that young talent in Baltimore will go to waste! Shame!
won’t it be just like AF to run the price up on bellinger and tucker and then trade for an outfielder! Speaking of outfielders. Ryan Ward is the new starting left fielder for the dodgers!yeah right. Is he really just trade bait? Ward in left. Teo in right. Pages in a body cast!! Alex Call? if he stays, he could be a good 4th outfielder. i like his ab’s. he should get more playing time with teo ‘s defense getting a little worse as time goes by. it ain’t the world series,but this is so much fun!
MLB Trade Rumors predicts that the Dodgers may non-tender the following pitchers:
Evan Phillips
Anthony Banda
Brock Stewart
I get Phillips – he won’t pitch most of the season. Banda is one of 6 LH relievers on the 40 man. Stewart is not expensive and he should be back soon.
Some of these prophets are a little hazy.
just keep sirota and rushing , leave mookie at shortstop. Sign the Wilson kid from the A’s when he becomes available.
When I have time, I’m going to work the trade simulator for a 3 way deal with Nationals, Yankees and Dodgers.
Yanks get MacKenzie Gore, Dodgers get CJ Abrams, Dodgers move off of Rushing, Ryan, Sirota, Knack and someone else.
Either a 3-way deal, or the Dodgers make the deal first and then flip Gore to replenish system.
I think there are 4 who accepted the QQ
not a lot of upside! numbers though look like someone they could target! i would pass! they have (had)too many .200 hitters on their roster! read yesterday (rumor). the dodgers do have interest in jared duran from boston. but i guess they have interest in everybody! i wouldn’t mind him being a dodger. but the trade proposal would make you cringe! Hope and 2 others for him. it won’t happen. it’s impossible to predict who the dodgers bring in. whatever they do, all most has to revolve around teo moving to left, doesn’t it? sAt least grisham is off the table. now that he’s gone, let’s concentrate more on bellinger , tucker, and buxton. I do like duran and kwan! not my money!!
Could the Dodgers take a flyer on JJ Bleday?
He’s not a CF’er but he was the #4 pick in the draft in 2019. He has some skills..
For those of you who wanted Taylor Ward, the Angels traded him to Baltimore for Grayson Rodriquez (RHP).
Ronan Kopp added to the 40 man.
Grisham has accepted the QO from the Yanks. They say it won’t change their interest in Bellinger or Tucker. but how many OF do they need?
No to Bellinger for reasons stated before.
I wouldn’t be surprised to see them trade some of their young starters. Miller, Knack, Frasso ?Knack and Frasso lack the upside and Miller needs a change of scenery.
1. Ohtani DH
2. Betts SS
3. Freeman 1B
4. Smith C
5. Bellinger CF
6. Pages RF
7. Muncy 3B
8. Teoscar LF
9. Kim/Rojas 2B
Bench: Rushing (they will not trade him – bet on it), Edman, Ward.
That’s all they need to do with the position players.
I am “all in” with Bellinger. He won’t cost a draft pick or Bonus Money and we don’t have to trade anyone.
Just pay the man, and he can play any outfield position, plus 1B.
Just get it done!
6 years/$195 Million.
I think you will see the big four skip a few starts. There will be an OKC shuffle, and Jackson Ferris may start some games, along with Stone, Ryan, Sheehan, and maybe others.
a 6 man rotation is pretty much a guarantee for the dodgers. ohtani can’t keep up the pace pitching 30 plus starts, and playing 162 games. Snell, Glasnow, sasaki, need rest also. yamamoto? he’s a freak!! but he will not pitch 200 innings. On the other hand hand, there’s Emmit, Wrobleski, Stone, Ryan, & maybe Bobby Miller. Emmit looks to be a bonafide. number 3 starter. maybe even a number 2. Gavin Stone? probably a 2or3 , but not in LA. Wrobleski? a starter or swing guy? great stuff whatever they decide to do with him. Ryan? there’s magic in that arm! Some of the aforementioned won’t be there in spring training. All of them will want a starting job. there’s no room at the inn!! I’m thinking Emmit gets moved in a trade, and Gavin Stone forces his way into the rotation. Bobby Miller? He may not even be a dodger much longer. time will tell if he can figure it out. He’s probably running out of chances.
as far as relievers go. I heard the guys on mlb this morning talking about Edwin Diaz. they don’t believe he’ll get the 5 year 100 million +. contract he’s looking for. i’m sure he won’t get it from the dodgers! I’m still betting on Suarez or fairbanks!
Are the Dodgers on the threshold of an innovative new pitching staff strategy where you have 4 definitive full time starting pitchers on a team so good that they can afford to give them a great deal of rest during the regular season knowing they will still be in the playoffs? Was 2025 the first year of this strategy even if by a combination of accident and intention? Could we see a bullpen consisting of as many starters as classic relievers? In this scenario a 6 man rotation, together with plenty of strategic “injuries”, means that 10 to 12 pitchers get between 5 to 15 starts during the season. What would be the impact on the mental side as starters and relievers have traditionally been of disparate mental make ups? Would the players be on board with such a strategy? Most importantly, would it be effective and leave you with the best preparation for the playoffs?
Passan’s off-season preview:
https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/46999006/mlb-2025-26-offseason-passan-predictions-free-agency-kyle-tucker-schwarber-alex-bregman
“Los Angeles a longer shot” for Tucker.
Beyond the Yankees, who would like a return engagement with Bellinger — particularly if Trent Grisham rejects a qualifying offer … the Dodgers, who nontendered Bellinger three years ago, have expressed interest as they peruse the outfield market.
Teams are gauging the cost to acquire Washington shortstop CJ Abrams.
Teams are trying to get a young bat from the Athletics for controllable starting pitching. They aren’t particularly inclined to mess with one of the best lineups in baseball and will focus on the free agent market.
Ohtani, YY, Glasnow, Snell, Sasaki and Sheehan are what the 6 man looks like now, right?
Then there’s: Ryan, Stone, Casparius, Wrobleski, Knack and maybe Frasso?
Serwinowski, Ferris and Copen ended in AA and probably get a bump at some point?
It feels like one to three of those have to move, EVEN if there are injuries. No?