Double Standard
Even before Andrew Friedman was hired as President of Baseball Operations, I had called for the hiring of someone like him. When he was hired, I supported it from day one with a level of excitement that I had never felt. Immediately, I was attacked by morons who shall remain…
Even before Andrew Friedman was hired as President of Baseball Operations, I had called for the hiring of someone like him. When he was hired, I supported it from day one with a level of excitement that I had never felt. Immediately, I was attacked by morons who shall remain nameless. I have rarely second-guessed anything he does, for two reasons:
- It is usually well-thought-out and grounded in a readily comprehensible strategy, and
- Second-guessers are never wrong because they get their information after the fact.
What I am about to say is not second-guessing, and I know the answer to half of the question. The second half of the question is what looks like a double standard to me. Let me explain. Roki Sasaki is making the Dodgers opening day roster as a starter, while ALEX FREELAND IS NOT! Now, in full disclosure, Alex is my favorite Dodger, and I seldom have favorites, but Alex is because of his backstory: He went from a kid not expected to walk well to an MLB SS! That inspires me.
Alex Freeland could have hit his way onto the roster this season – he didn’t! In 39 ABs, he hit .100 with a .288 OB% and a pathetic .442 OPS. Of course, he didn’t deserve a spot, especially since his competition was 32-year-old Santiago Espinal, who, in 36 ABs, hit .389 with a 1.027 OPS. Clearly, on the face, Espinal won! Except that he has no place or future with the Dodgers – he is just a placeholder until Tommy Edman or Kike Hernandez come back.
Alex Freeland has always struggled as he changed levels, but has learned to play up to his competition. He will not be a star, most likely, not even a starter – he’s a utilityman… and he’s a ballplayer. He’s a Junkyard Dog… and I think he would have risen to his level.
Andrew Friedman obviously has his reasons. Maybe we will find out… maybe not. However, it is a double standard when Alex Freeland, with a .100 batting average, doesn’t make the roster, but Roki Sasaki, with a 13.50 ERA and an inability to string two good innings as a starter, does make it… and I understand the double standard.
The difference is that Roki Sasaki is a mental midget (at his worst), or mentally fragile (at his best). The Dodgers are afraid of breaking Roki’s spirit. They know that Alex Freeland has an indomitable spirit. The only way you break Alex is to kill him. I said I knew the answer, and I hope that both players reach their potential, but I have to ask myself, “who was the last weak-minded player I remember with the Dodgers”?
It was Thor, Noah Syndergaard. How did that end up?
Top 10 Rotations
The Athletic named their Top 10 Rotations in baseball:
- Dodgers
- Mariners
- Phillies
- Red Sox
- Tigers
- Pirates
- Yankees
- Brewers
- Blue Jays
- Mets
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Discussion (74)
Disagree, not disagreeable
Cheaper to fly to Miami Tampa Philly or Baltimore, eat some great food, and watch a 3 game Dodgers series for about $25 a seat. Probably total trip cost is about the same as watching 3 games in Dodger stadium.
He needs to buy a few vowels.
Zach Root 3IP 1H 0BB 8K 53 pitches 31 strikes Dodger’s 1st round pick in the 2025 First Year Player’s Draft (40th overall pick)
Let’s give the 24 year old Sasaki a chance. How many us here could go to Japan at age 24 and succeed at whatever career at the time we were pursuing? The answer is None of us.Without him I doubt we win the 2025 playoffs and eventually the World Series.
17 pitches 2 strikes for Wepf
100%
Zach Woot amirite
Yessir
Fabian Ardaya @FabianArdaya Not that it should register as much of a surprise, but Emmet Sheehan said he’s been told he will be a starter to open the year. Not official what day he will start in the opening homestand.
From AI: The family history of Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Roki Sasaki is deeply tied to his resilience following the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami. Born in Rikuzentakata, Iwate, his life was profoundly changed by this natural disaster when he was just nine years old. Family Tragedy and Relocation The 3/11 Disaster: In March 2011, a massive tsunami destroyed his family’s home. Loss of Family: Roki lost his father, Kota Sasaki, and his paternal grandparents in the tsunami. His father had been working at a funeral parlor just blocks from their home when the waves struck. Survival: Roki, his mother, and his two brothers survived by reaching higher ground. They initially lived in a nursing home before relocating to the nearby city of Ofunato in 2012. Mother: His mother, who raised him and his brothers as a single parent after the disaster, has been a central figure in his life and career. Siblings: Roki has two brothers, named Ryuki and Reiki. Marital Status: In February 2025, Sasaki announced via Instagram that he had married his long-time girlfriend.
The Athletic rated the Dodgers Lineup #1 in Baseball: Shohei Ohtani, DH Kyle Tucker, RF Mookie Betts, SS Freddie Freeman, 1B Will Smith, C Max Muncy, 3B Teoscar Hernández, LF Andy Pages, CF Hyeseong Kim, 2B
Kim optioned to AAA. Freeland wins the job by having a lower .BA, lower contact rate, and lower exit velocity.
Once modern analytics came along they looked a t stolen bases differently. Sure Ricky had all those steals but was thrown out 42 times in 1982 (25%)So thats just the same as a strikeout. And your OBP is not really a trure measure any longer
I don’t think it’s a wise move . Is Freeland going to be the 26th man on the roster like Taylor and hardly play? He would be better off this year playing every day at Oklahoma City till Keeky,Rojas and Espinol are all gone in2027. I prefer Kim’s speed on the roster. Freeland has done nothing this Spring to prove to me he is ready for prime time.
The Los Angeles Dodgers made their final cuts of spring training Sunday, sending Nick Senzel, Jack Suwinski and Seby Zavala to the minors.
Stunner and in my opinion, the wrong move. Freeland is going to ride the pine. But he will probably be in the opening day lineup since they will be facing Zac Gallen.
And shortening the base baths, a pitch clock, as well as limited pickoff throws swung the pendulum back the other direction. The Dodgers have always valued .OBP. However, pitchers are going to pepper the strike zone for whomever bats ahead of Ohtani.
Yes, Kim was a bright, shiny object and was good at 2B, but not SS, 3B, or CF. Alex Freeland is a Freaking Ballplayer, and either you trust Andrew Friedman, or you don’t. I think I heard he has a pretty good record! 😉 I was a dumbass for assuming it was Espinol or Freeland. It was Kim or Freeland. Alex does not need more seasoning at AAA – he’s as ready as he will ever be.
I think Freelnd will platoon at 2B with Rojas and some 3B with Muncy! He won’t be riding the pine.
Another trade of Dodger development pieces: The Nationals are acquiring INF Jorbit Vivas from the Yankees for RHP Sean Paul Liñan, per source. Liñan is Washington’s No. 27 prospect
Additionally, the Dodgers value walk rate, K%, OPS, WAR, and Slug over BA.
Spring training only means so much then because Kim had the better numbers there too. Freeland won on process over production
Kim will get traded because as Freeland continues to hit that smokin .120 BA Friedman won’t admit he was wrong and bring Kim up. And Kim won Gold Gloves at SS and 2B in the KBL so he is a good defender at short. Freeland will probably never win a GG in any league and so far in last year and spring training he hasn’t proven he can hit major league pitching. How shortsighted is management!
9:07 PM ET MLB NETWORK Dodgers (93-69) (19-8-1) Angels (72-90) (16-14) SP Tyler Glasnow R 0-0 .00 ERA SP George Klassen R 0-0 .00 ERA Confirmed Lineup DH S. Ohtani L RF Kyle Tucker L SS Mookie Betts R 1B F. Freeman L C Will Smith R 3B Max Muncy L LF T. Hernandez R CF Andy Pages R 2B A. Freeland S 74° Wind 6 mph Out
Linan is also a former Dodger prospect.