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:
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- Tigers
- Pirates
- Yankees
- Brewers
- Blue Jays
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Discussion (74)
Disagree, not disagreeable
You are probably right, and he most likely will play on opening day with Gallen going for the D-Backs.
which is why I said Dodgers pieces.
LOL. Good one, Jack!
I’m a Freeland fan as well. A couple of Posts back I said I thought he would make OD 26.
Bumsrap March 17, 2026 at 12:29 pm I’m going with Freeland on opening day 26. Mark Timmons March 17, 2026 at 1:29 pm He won’t make it over Espinol. Andrew V Forte March 17, 2026 at 4:28 pm Freeland is batting .118 with a .480 OPS this Spring. He is definitely Oklahoma City bound. Daytona Jack March 17, 2026 at 8:15 pm Not with the spring Freeland had. BA isn’t everything but it counts when you’re BA is .118. Yikes! And Kim and Call are hitting over.400.Freeland needs some AA “SEASONING”. Too bad, a nice guy who could platoon with Max a few days to a week.
Yes, a real stunner. Will Freeland prove it’s the right move? Or will he be the new Miguelito?
Yes, I think that was a totally uncalled for knock by our self appointed baseball psychologist.
Yes, I think that was a totally uncalled for knock by our self appointed baseball psychologist.
Uncalled for knock on Roki.
In alumni news, Conforto made the OD roster for the Cubs.
Maybe you see something I don’t. I don’t see with my heart. I see with my eyes, and while I see an excellent reliever, I do not see anything remotely close to a starter. If you think reporting what you see is a “knock,” then I am knocking him…. according to you. However, I think your definitions are a little fishy!
Miggy had a good year last year and looks to be a solid player this year after hitting .280 this Spring.
1st-Round pick Zach Root made his official pro debut yesterday in the Spring Breakout game 3.0 IP 1 H 0 R 0 BB 8 K For those who don’t remember, he was more of a pitcher than thrower when drafted. Well, the Dodgers dev team went to work and…. His sinker averaged 92.8 mph in his last year of college… he was throwing a 4-seam yesterday that sat 97.2 mph & touched 99! For a lefty that’s formidable
I was looking at Freeland vs. Espinol. I was blinded by Kim. 😉 You nailed it! I was also right: “He won’t make it over Espinol.”
He’s one of the subjects tomorrow.
It’s his way.
Go Hawkeyes!
Freeland needs to perform. Evidently, the underlying metrics–“chase rate,” etc–favored Freeland and the brass thinks Kim’s swing needs more work. If Freeland struggles, Nick Senzel might be the next man up.
There should be a “mercy rule” in Anaheim. I mean, their owner is blind, crippled, and crazy! Lord, have mercy!
Yup
Tanner Scott does not seem to be fixed… But the regulars all seem to be ready. JT3 continues to swing a mean bat. He might make several ML lineups right now.
Ronan Kopp has the team’s best Civil War beard. If Treinen falters, he could be in the mix… I’d say that Miggy had an eff-ing GREAT year in ’25!
Wow! Very impressive. With his college experience, Root might be at a level similar to Ferris.
Amazing… A lot of teams would love to have Muncy, Teo and Pages batting 3-4-5.