Change is in the Air

After the craziness of the past couple of days… we are moving on. I have my opinions, and I do not care if you agree or not. In fact, I put my opinions out there so that you can disagree. Disagree with them all you want, but if you have a take and do not suck, that is fine. If you want to misquote me or attribute things I did not say to me, or twist things, then we will have a problem. Dissent and disagreement are welcomed. That is the basis of Free Speech. I generally do not call people Morons, Idiots, or even Racists (for the record, I have never called anyone a racist). However, if you keep doing the same moronic things over and over, I am sure I will have something to say about it. Some changes have been made here at LADT:

1. Evan Bladh is taking some personal time off – for personal reasons – he will be back;
2. Bulldogs & Penguins is gone – he will not be back (I wish him well);
3. Jeff Dominique needs some help at LA Dodger Chronicles after Harold Uhlman’s untimely death and Rob Schelling’s retirement, so Bear (Michael Norris) may be going to help him (I asked Jeff if that would help and presented it to Bear… although I keep threatening to retire. I think Bear wants to do it, but Bear also wants to try and continue to write here;
4. That is all of our writers; and
5. I am here… for now, although I keep threatening to retire!

It’s hard writing a blog for a year, let alone 20 years. I do it because I love the Dodgers and have acquired a lot of unique knowledge along the way. While I am fine with disagreement, I do not like antagonism, and I am a street fighter – I fight back. I don’t need that, and I will not tolerate that. Several people are gone, and while I wish them well, I am not going down that road. You don’t have to be a Dave Roberts fan, but you do have to have a modicum of intellect to post here. I do not tolerate fools very well. If you are looking at every comment for an opportunity to poke Dave Roberts or even Freddie Freeman. (After all, that bum makes an out almost 70% of the time.“) The fools are gone. Lets Ride!

Dodgers Spring Training 2023

Pitchers and Catchers First Workout – Thursday, February 16th.

Full Squad First Workout – Monday, February 20th.

I doubt that there will be any more trades by Andrew Friedman until well into Spring Training or later. Most of the writers who are closest to the team say that the Dodgers want to get under the Luxury Tax. I think that is likely what the plan is. MLBTR wrote this:

“New York is responsible for a $30.8MM tax bill, the second-largest tally in the majors, after paying the tax for the first time in franchise history. The Dodgers will foot the highest tax payment at $32.4MM, Blum writes. While Los Angeles’ $293.3MM CBT payroll trailed that of the Mets, the Dodgers were subject to higher penalties as a payor for a second consecutive season.

The Mets are sure to shatter their own record this coming season, as they’re currently projected for a tax number north of $368MM. The Dodgers have trimmed spending, reportedly in hopes of resetting their tax status this year in preparation for a more active offseason next winter. They’re narrowly above the lowest CBT threshold at the moment. Roster Resource forecasts the Dodgers at approximately $238MM, around $5MM north of this year’s $233MM base threshold.“

So, to discuss trades or free-agent signings is somewhat delusional. Let’s focus on reality… and reality is pretty good.

Despite drafting at the back of the pack, the Dodgers are actually Leaders of the Pack! The Dodger Farm System is about the best it has ever been, and like a fruit tree; it is ready to bear fruit. The Dodgers have ten players in their Farm System who could see action with the Dodgers THIS year:

1. Bobby Miller – Some day (hopefully), the light will turn on, and he will be an Ace. When will that be? No clue! Not every potential Ace makes it, but he has four pitches and can hit 100+ MPH as easily as I can drink a cup of coffee. Closest comparison: Justin Verlander.
2. Miguel Vargas – His time is now. He walks as much as he strikes out (that is rare) and is a guy who hits .300 with 25 HR (maybe not his first year) with great bat-to-ball skills. Closest comparison: John Olerud.
3. Gavin Stone – I actually think he is more advanced than Bobby Miller, but Miller has a higher ceiling. Gavin can be an excellent #3. I think he is ready right about now. Closest comparison: Tim Lincecum.
4. Mike Busch – He probably will not break with the team out of Spring Training, but he will be a factor in 2023. This guy may hit 40 HR some year. Closest comparison: Dan Uggla
5. James Outman – While not a TOP 100 Prospect, he could advance above what is expected in 2023. He is fast, strong, and athletic, but he is not a smooth athlete, if that makes any sense. Closest comparison: Joc Pederson… with speed and not as fat.
6. Ryan Pepiot – In limited time last season, he had a sub-4.00 ERA. Even Clayton Kershaw did not do that. Closest comparison: Mike Mussina.
7. Dalton Rushing – This guy is otherworldly! While a slightly above-average catcher, he is an incredible hitter. He only played in Low-A last year, but his bat plays right about now at the MLB level. Closest comparison: Mike Piazza.
8. Andy Pages – Andy has “light-tower power,” and while it is unlikely he will make the team in 2023, it could happen. He opened scouts’ eyes in the Arizona Fall League this year. He is likely a corner outfielder, depending on how devoted he is to his conditioning. Closest comparison: Marcel Ozuna
9. Eddys Leanard – He is a poor man’s “Kike Hernandez.” He is a solid but not great defender and can play all over the field. Closest comparison: is Donovan Solano.
10. Jorbit Vivas – The odds are long here, and if he makes it to the show, it is likely something tragic has happened. Closest comparison: Jody Reed.

NOTE: The “Closest Comparisons” are what I believe to be the player’s ceiling. I have been wrong frequently.

The thing is, the Dodgers under Andrew Friedman do not deal us in on any of their plans. That is very frustrating to fans… but it is also very smart. There is talk that Mookie Betts may play CF. We do not know if that is true. It’s also possible (but not likely, that Jason Heyward could be fixed and be an All-Star RF’er. This is going to be a very unusual Spring whereby just about every position (except C, DH., and 1B) is up for grabs, and the pitching is going to be amazing.

Someone was talking about trying to get Liam Hendriks (Godspeed for a speedy recovery) when the Dodgers have Evan Phillips, who is rated as the #4 reliever in baseball, as their closer, and Daniel Hudson in reserve. We don’t need any stinkin’ closer – we have one!

Andy Pages Highlights