Here's My Plan
Quite often, I publish blogs to stimulate conversation. It doesn’t bother me if you hate what I say… or even hate me. I don’t hate anyone, but today, I am going to tell you exactly what I believe needs to happen this offseason, and it starts with not signing Shohei Ohtani. Oh…
Quite often, I publish blogs to stimulate conversation. It doesn’t bother me if you hate what I say… or even hate me. I don’t hate anyone, but today, I am going to tell you exactly what I believe needs to happen this offseason, and it starts with not signing Shohei Ohtani. Oh, Andrew Friedman will be “all in” and will say as much, but it’s a dope-fiend move to sign him… just like Arte Moreno was a dope-fiend to sign Mike Trout! Andrew Friedman is no dope fiend! The Angels may have had the two best players in baseball the past few years, but it did not do them a bit of good.
Here’s my plan:
Andrew has made it clear that he wants to try Gavin Lux at SS, and while that does not enthuse me, I have to defer to his knowledge and experience. I also think he would like to move Mookie Betts to 2B, and I know that Mookie would also endorse that. Max Muncy is going to have his option picked up, and he will play 3B. Freddie Freeman is a fixture at 1B.
I want to have Will Smith not to have to catch as much. The Dodgers will need a Leftfielder, a Centerfielder, and a Rightfielder. Here’s my plan:
- I will sign Jung-Hoo Lee to play CF.
- I will trade James Outman and Miguel Rojas to the Rays for Harold Ramirez. The Rays need a SS, as Wander Franco will likely be in a jail cell.
- I will sign Jordon Montgomery, but if the price is too high (or the term is too long) I will sign Shawn Manaea as a reclamation project.
- I will sign Yoshinobu Yamamoto as a starting pitcher.
- I will trade Andy Pages, River Ryan, Michael Busch, or Miguel Vargas (pick one), and Jorbit Vivas to the White Sox for Luis Robert, Jr. The White Sox need to rebuild, and Robert, Jr. is an easy choice.
Will Smith and Max Muncy, as well as CT3 and Kike will alternate at DH, with Will getting at least 50 or 60 games there. Will Smith will be more productive by doing that. By upgrading the lineup, the Dodgers can afford Austin Barnes to be the catcher. There’s nobody better out there that makes sense. If Hunter Feduccia can cut it, fine… but I doubt that.
Here’s the lineup:
- Betts 2B (R)
- Lux SS (L)
- Freeman 1B (L)
- Smith C (R)
- Muncy 3B (L)
- Robert RF (R)
- Lee CF (L)
- Ramirez LF (R)
- DH – Taylor/Hernandez/Vargas or Busch
C – Barnes
Rotation:
- Miller
- Yamamoto
- Montgomery or Manaea
- Pepiot
- Buehler
- Sheehan
That lineup would be the most devastating in MLB. Having Robert at #6, Lee at #7, and Ramirez at #8 is sick.
That’s what Andrew Friedman could do if he did not sign Shohei Ohtani! Tell me I am wrong.
More from Dodger Talk
Dodgers Food Trailer
I did this interview a couple of weeks ago with Chef Mike, who runs the Dodgers Food Trailer for the Great Lakes Loons. They are there for every home and road regular season and playoff game. They prepare three meals a day for approximately 50 people (players and coaches). Since games end late most evenings, they do not prepare breakfast. Many of their hotels have a complimentary breakfast anyway. However,…
Meet LAD 2026 Draft Picks 1-12
3 picks were High School players (2 SS and 1 OF). There was a college OF, college catcher, college SS, and 10 college pitchers. Of all the talk for a need for a catcher, the only catcher the Dodgers selected was Luke Bard, son of LAD bullpen coach Josh Bard. Bard was a 4th year senior from Houston Christian University. He is not a prospect, so the Dodgers are still…
Interview with Paul Beachy – Team Bus Driver For The Great Lakes Loons (LA Dodgers Minor League Team)
It’s been a few days since I did this interview. We have evidently been working my son-in-law (the video guy) like a rented mule at US Water Systems. However, I am taking him to London with me in a few days, so maybe Watford will buy him a pint as a tip, but he’s a dang Red Sox fan, so there is that! I thought that it would be interesting…
Thanks for Your Service: Chris Taylor
I was going to do this post when Chris announced he was retiring, then he changed his mind, but since the chances of him ever playing for the Dodgers again are slim and non-existent, I will go ahead with this post. He unretired, went on the IL, then decided to call it quits on May 24th. Taylor was born in Virginia Beach VA on August 29th, 1990. He attended Great…
Discussion (74)
Disagree, not disagreeable
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.
The way I feel with the trashtros losing
One of my favorite rock bands
President of the Corey Seager bandwagon checking in.
Couldn’t be happier for the guy!
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!
The way I feel after seeing the trashtros get beat
From one of the baddest rock bands ever
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.
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!!
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.
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.