Here's My Plan

Mexican League says Urias can pitch there once his legal troubles are sorted out. If he is prosecuted, he pretty much is done in the majors. Kid cost himself millions. Same with Wander Franco who is in a lot of hot water.

My choice if they sign a free agent third baseman is Jemier Candelario. Hit 22 bombs between Cubs and Nats, very good glove, left-handed hitter.

Wonderful news to wake up to.

Trashtros lose, and my pre season wager on Texas to win the American League wins me £1970 or $2201.

If they go on to win the World Series I win another £1120 or $1375

Happy Days

The .500’ D’Backs aren’t doing too bad either……

£1800 or $2207 if they win it all. Great position to be in.

First time in years that I’ve not backed the Dodgers, it being a “ transitional year” and all that. Gonna have a little “Saver” on the Phillies!!

Trashtros lose the pennant! Trashtros lose the pennant! Trashtros lose the pennant!

So now do I root for the Phils or the D’backs, a true Cinderella team?

It’s obvious, now, that AF should have dealt for Montgomery. Whatever he offered–assuming he did–the Rangers offered more.

Oh well.

The way I feel after seeing the trashtros get beat

From one of the baddest rock bands ever

https://youtu.be/_hSiqy9v9FM?si=R8YQO9z6URGqu3oS

Input into the computers how we can become a 90 win wild card team. You guys have it all wrong trying to improve this team! A 100+ win division winning team is the wrong formula!

President of the Corey Seager bandwagon checking in.

Couldn’t be happier for the guy!

The way I feel with the trashtros losing

One of my favorite rock bands

https://youtu.be/_hSiqy9v9FM?si=vsKrii9ypf_1go7S

Seager was named as a finalist for GG this year, but I have my doubts about the methodology. My impression is that stars on offense get extra consideration. Moreover, the O’s had two excellent SS gloves in likely ROY Gunnar Henderson and the spectacular Jorge Mateo–but they shared the position, with Henderson getting a lot of starts at 3B.

I would certainly rate Miguel Rojas’s defense a full grade ahead of Seager’s–does anybody here really think otherwise?–but Rojas is not a GG finalist in the NL. Lindor, Swanson and the Rockies’ Tovar are.

Anyway, the Seager ship sailed two seasons ago. He’s a heckuva player, a very dangerous bat, but he’s no Cal Ripken. He has trouble staying on the field. AF gave big contracts to two guys who aren’t injury-prone: Mookie and Freddie. I assume the risk of injury enters into AF’s thinking. (And I wish he would find a couple of workhorse pitchers. Do those guys still exist?)

I’ve argued that signing Chapman would be a simple way to upgrade the Dodgers’ D, but I think Ohtani is the priority. If AF could snag both Ohtani AND Chapman, then Max would be pretty nice trade chip. His $14-million contract would fit a lot of small market teams. Perhaps Max could headline a package for Luis Robert or a front-line SP.

Just read that the Giants and Mets could bid hard for Yamamoto. Makes a lot of sense to me, especially if they figure that Ohtani goes to the Dodgers.

Well at least the Asstro’s aren’t going to WS! Has a seven game series ever been won entirely by road teams?

Before the comments close I want to say just once- How can people possibly even consider signing Ohtani for a fortune when we already have two DH’s (Martinez and Muncy) who hit over 30 homeruns and had over 100 RBI’s? Of all the positions we don’t need it would seem DH is it. We have NOT ONE proven healthy starting pitcher and people want to sign a third DH? When I say we have no proven healthy pitchers, here is what I mean:

-Buehler- coming back from second Tommy John- Can you count on him?

-Kershaw- either gone or going to be gone with shoulder problems

-Gonsolin- gone next year

-May- gone for most of next year then to the bullpen

-Urias- just plain gone!!!

-Lynn- going, going, gone (as in a home run)

-Miller- hasn’t arrived yet, still a large question mark, especially after the playoff start

-Pepoit- still lots of questions and health concerns

-Sheehan, Stone, Grove- completely unproven

That is 11 pitchers and not one sure thing and we need a third DH at $45 million a year?

Az forces game 7. Struck early and held the lead. MLB’s worst nightmare, a Texas-Arizona World Series. The ratings would suck. Suarez faces Pfaadt.

Watching Corey Seager have such great success in the post season makes me sick to my stomach that he’s still not a Dodger. He’s darn near superstar status and should still be wearing a Dodger uniform.

Never rooted harder for the Texas Rangers in my life!!!

I couldn’t agree more bear and sure I’m hoping he gets at least two young and durable enough that could be around a few years. Not only am I tired of reclamation projects, pitchers going down with major arm issues and other injuries is getting old to

Most of AF major acquisitions have come via trade; I.e. Turner, Scherzer and Mookie…Freddie is the most notable FA signing.

Unless Ohtani’s value drops, I expect AF to explore the trade market yet again to leverage the risk of free agent signings.

While most “insiders” are playing checkers, the one thing we’ve learned about AF is that he is playing chess when it comes to finding ways to improve the roster.

Very tempting on Ohtani! I just don’t see Friedman matching some of the ludicrous offers he’ll get from Mets , Yankee’s, or Giants. as for Lux, he’ll bring speed and some piss and vinegar to a stoic lineup (I hope)! And no Bradley, Grandal isn’t coming back! lol.

Bear, I meant with Mark’s lineup, switch Mookie to short and Lux to second if Lux couldn’t handle short. I like the quantity with quality of Marks lineup. can you imagine if Ohtani does get hurt after signing a massive contract? You’re money has just circled the drain!

I think this is going to be one of the more interesting off seasons since Ol Andrew took over. I would love to be a fly on the wall in the Dodgers war room. So many decisions, so little time.

With the Padres allowing the Giants to talk to Melvin, it should be considered that Melvin will no longer be the manager of the Padres. Why interview a guy like that unless he is your obvious choice? Now who in their right mind wants to manage the Padres? MLBTR suggesting the Mets might have the inside track signing Yamamoto. They had success with Kodai Senga. Of course, some think the Mariners might have a real shot signing him too. If AF has a real problem dealing with Boras, then you can forget Snell, and several other free agents. And you know Boras is going to try for the most years he can get for both of those 30-year-old pitchers. Nola is a free agent also. Flaherty is only 28, so he might be a very good option, and with the meltdown he had last season, Giolito could probably be had cheap, and you know the Dodgers like fixing things. Montgomery, contrary to some reports, is not represented by Boras.

That means probably four years plus. Only if AF goes out of his comfort zone would he do that. Like I have stated many times, the ONLY pitcher to get more than a three-year deal from Freidman was Brandon McCarthy who got 4/48. And he was traded in the final year of that deal. Dodgers did not get much bang for their buck with him. 33 games pitched in 3 years with 11 wins. That would make any GM nervous.

Okay, I can buy some of it.

As to dope fiend moves, I understand that Andrew Friedman definitely likes financial flexibility. Maybe likes isn’t the right word. He craves it.

But didn’t he go “dope fiend” when he signed Mookie Betts?

Of course, he did. Down the line, the contract probably won’t end well, most don’t, but it’s the price you pay to get the player.

Just recently, many people writing here, including Mark, were questioning if Mookie is truly a superstar. Certainly a very good player, but a superstar? His first year was very good, the next two, good, but not great, this past year superstar level. But disappeared in the playoffs.

Would signing Shohei Ohtani be a dope field move? I don’t think so, but lots of paths to move forward, probably not all equal.

Ownership may push for the deal. Why? Simple, the Dodgers are into a bad trend, win a hundred or more, get bounced out of the playoffs by the division runner-up. The fan base is downcast. What would it take to fix that? Ken Rosenthal said changing the Dodger narrative begins with two words, Shohei Ohtani. I tend to agree with that. He went on to say there is more that needs to be done, like starting pitching.

Maybe all this makes Friedman uncomfortable, but comfort is often overrated. I was hopeful when the Dodgers pursued Bryce Harper, then they stayed within the box and the Phillies got the player. A short time later, Friedman traded for Mookie and signed him to a huge contract, basically blowing up his box.

There are always ideas about trades, some might work, others probably not. Mark makes a good case about Ramariz and the Tampa Bay payroll. Maybe Friedman thinks Mark’s idea is a good one, based on sound analysis and pursues such a deal. Maybe he has other potential trades to pursue, some he might like better. I’m sure he does.

But there are potential free agents who can help. Besides Ohtani, there is Montgomery and Yamamoto. It will only cost money and the Dodgers have plenty coming off the books.

I’m probably not trading Outman. Yes, he strikes out too much, but he can work on reducing the swings and misses. Plus, he’s young.

I won’t be surprised if the Dodgers offer Busch or Vargas in a trade.

Until Clayton Kershaw makes a decision, there will be a spot for him on the roster. Will his shoulder be okay moving forward? No idea. That’s a question for Clayton, Friedman told reporters.

Oh and most of the teams playing for a chance to make it to the World Series all made several dope fiend moves. That’s part of the reason they are still in the hunt. Some times superstars produce and some times they don’t. Ours didn’t.

Bregman? No damn way I want that little prick as a Dodger! before the scandal, yes, but not ever! I like your lineup, Mark! although Muncy not so much. If lux can’t handle shortstop, they can always switch him and Mookie. Also, less platoons with that lineup!

A simple Nohtani option….

To put the pitching aside for a moment, Dodgers could just sign Matt Chapman and move Max to DH.

Chapman had a weak second half, which should reduce his market and price tag. Still, his WAR in ’23 was 4.4, which was the same as the rejuvenated Belli and rising star Bobby Witt Jr. Max’s WAR was either 2.9 or 2.6, depending on the source.

Chapman’s career numbers are not spectacular but solid–a .790 OPS with premium defense–and he’s a SoCal native who might have extra incentive to come “home.” His defense would make every pitcher a bit better. Plus, his righty bat would help balance the lefty-heavy lineup, which might look like this.

Mookie 2B

Freddie 1B

Smith C

Max DH

Chapman 3B

Outman CF

Heyward/ Taylor RF

Busch/DeLuca LF

Lux (or Rojas) SS

The quintet of Chapman, Rojas, Betts, Freeman and Smith might be the best defensive infield in the game. The outfield would miss Mookie, but Heyward, Outman, DeLuca and Taylor are all good outfielders. (Busch is probably OK in left.)

Unlike JDM, Max would be a UT option, able to back up at 1B, 2B and 3B. (The notion that JDM might play some LF never really materialized.) Without a full-time DH, Smith would get more starts at DH against lefties, which would reduce his wear and tear.

We also need to realize that the odds Buehler comes back as a Number Five are better than he comes back as a Number One.

Sign Ohtani – 45 million

Sign Yamamoto – 25 million

Sign Lee – 20 million

Pick up Muncy option – 14 million

Trade for Robert – same deal as Mark proposed

Trade for Burnes – Stone, Cartaya and Frasso

Lineup

Betts 2b

Lee CF

Freeman 1st

Smith C

Ohtani DH

Robert LF

Muncy 3rd

Outman RF

Lux 2nd

Rotation

Buehler

Burnes

Yamamoto

Miller

Pepiot

Sheehan

Interesting ideas. It seems like you have some dominoes lined up, but of course you would need plenty of willing trade partners here.

Just read that Lee is being represented by Boras, so that could be a complication. In general, pitchers coming to the MLB from Japan and Korea have fared better than hitters. Could be wrong, but I think Ichiro and Ohtani are the only hitters from Japan and Korea whose production did not diminish somewhat. That said, I would expect more offense from Lee than Lux, at least based on reputation, so I’d flop them in the lineup.

True that the Rays may need an SS, and perhaps Rojas could be a temporary fix in case they have another promising SS in the pipeline. But if I’m the Rays I’d be casting a wide net.

Would the Sox be willing to deal Robert? They certainly should consider it. If so, my inner Dodger GM would start the package with Outman as a proven ML talent who would slide into the spot Roberts vacates. Then I’d add the extras. (I prefer to keep Busch and deal Vargas because of the power potential.)

But of all the potential acquisitions mentioned, I think Yamamoto would fill the greatest need. The rotation is a big question mark. I do like Manaea as a reclamation project and I think Montgomery will command a too-hefty price.

I noticed that your plan doesn’t put a better glove at 3B.

But then I suspect that the Dodger front office won’t try hard to replace Max either–because they’ll be targeting Shohei for DH

I also agree that staying away from the type of financial commitment that is going to take to sign Ohtani is the prudent move. Pursuing someone like Montgomery is a logical move but he is starting to look like someone who is going to require an overpay.

Personally, I’d prefer trading for someone like Burnes or Glasnow to bridge us to next season’s free agent class, which will include Buehler, Bieber, Burnes, Glasnow, Fried, Woodruff, Wheeler and Cole (if he opts out).

In addition, there will be two position players that I believe the Dodgers should pursue: Alex Bregman, who would address an area of need, and a 26 year old Juan Soto, who by all intensive purposes will be just coming into his prime years.

Freddie Freeman is heading into his mid-30s and it would behoove the LAD to consider signing a future cornerstone player like Juan Soto to carry the mantle beyond Freeman or Mookie himself.

Good thoughtful stuff, Mark. Sure to get some excellent comments in the next day or two.

Here are mine:

1) Big yes to Lee, but I’d bat him first or second and drop Lux to 9th where he’s proven very effective.

2) No to Ramirez. I agree with Bluto that Outman is worth more by himself than Ramirez. Also 3 years younger, with three years more control and a lot cheaper.

3) I’m not thrilled with your group of DH’s. Would rather bring back JT for a year or even think about JDM on a 2 year deal.

4) No on Manaea. Way too inconsistent. Would love Montgomery.

5) I think Robert Jr. would take more than what you’re offering but I would consider adding Stone if that would make them consider it.

It’s fun to play GM. I wonder if Andrew thinks so.

Don’t believe that AF would make that trade for Robert. Too much to give.

Interesting, probably will not happen, but interesting anyway. AF will no doubt have a couple of surprises for us this winter. But I also remember at his presser that he said pitching is a priority. We will see if that holds true.

What I’m understanding is our farm system is over rated, trading the kids.

Ok. Everyone who hates Mark for stimulating conversation please raise your hand! No not you B&P!

1 Character on the team.

2 Production in another league doesn’t always translate to production in MLB.

3 Outman has more value than Ramirez.

I mean is it what you would do? I’m sure it is.

There’s no way the Dodgers trade Outman for Ramirez straight up. Much less with something.

It’ll take a lot more to get Robert out of Chicago. He performs, he’s talented and underpaid.