THE BATTLE OF THE THIRY-SOMETHINGS
Spring Training doesn’t mean much to veteran players, They have done it before, and it is assumed that they can do it again. It is not always true, but it is true enough that it has to happen with people like Jason Heyward (who was pretty good for a while and pretty bad for the past couple of years), Trayce Thompson (who is 32 years old with 782 MLB ABs and a .221 BA… and then it gets worse), and Chris Taylor (who was an All-Star in 2021 and has had more good years than bad since the Dodgers acquired him for Zach Lee).
The Dodgers also have some other thirty-somethings, including Austin Barnes (rock-solid backup catcher who somehow manages to always get a big hit when he infrequently plays), Mookie Betts (who, with his old pal, JDM, on board this trying to reclaim the magic he left in Boston), Miguel Rojas (if healthy, he will give the Dodgers amazing defense and solid contact from the SS position that the Dodgers used to covet), JD Martinez (who is reunited with his pal Mookie and the hitting coach who made him JDM), Freddie Freeman (who is HIGHLY motivated to have his “career year”), Max Muncy (who is healthy and without the shift, may actually have his career year), and David Peralta (a LH specialist who will only hit against RHP and is expected to murder them.)
That is ten (count ’em 10) offensive players over thirty years old. On the pitching side, the Dodgers have Clayton Kershaw, Noah Syndergaard, Shelby Miller, and Daniel Hudson, who are all over thirty. Since Hudson is on the IL, that means that 13 of this year’s 26-man roster is comprised of Thirty-Somethings! Why all the thirtysomethings? I’ll tell you why… next!
THE YOUTH MOVEMENT HAS STARTED
Andrew Friedman and the Front Office Braintrust know that they have a Farm System that is loaded and ready to spit out prospects over the next three years like there is no tomorrow… only there is. Miguel Vargas was anointed to be the first Primetime Dodger Prospect to advance in 2023, but then, James Outman came and seized the day and took another spot. He had no right to be here, but here he is, and he earned it. It wasn’t given, and that is a plus for him. It’s up to him where he lands.
Miguel Vargas has the requisite hitting skill to someday be a batting champion and perennial All-Star. I think he will be a TOP FIVE in the lineup hitter by the halfway point. Mike Busch, Andy Pages, Jonny LeDuca, Dalton Rushing, Diego Cartaya, Gavin Stone, Mike Grove, Bobby Miller, Eddys Leonard, Jorbit Vivas, Nick Frasso, River Ryan, Emmet Sheehan, Landon Knack, and a few others are not far behind.
This thing can happen quickly!
HOW LONG IS THE LEASH?
It depends upon the player:
- Chris Taylor – It’s long because he has a record that is average to impressive. Chris Taylor will likely be a Dodger all year. If he’s doing good, you won’t want to trade him and if he’s doing bad, you can’t trade him. He’s due!
- Jason Heyward – 138 ABs (OK, I just pulled that out of somewhere), but this is all about “what did you do for me lately?”
- Trayce Thompson – Thompson and Heyward cannot be on the team at the same time. Trayce is a nice guy without the pedigree in baseball. His time is shorter.
- David Peralta – His leash is longer. There is absolutely no reason to believe he can’t hit RHP. I would have rather had Joc Pederson, but Joc got $19,000,00, and I bet there is not much difference in their stats.
THE PITCHING IS ROCK SOLID
No use discussing it. One of the best starters is on the IL (Tony Gonsolin), and another is at AAA (Gavin Stone). Everyone is concerned about pitching – the Dodgers aren’t! Nor should they be. Noah Syndergaard is this year’s project (the Dodgers had two last year), and he will likely be a big contributor… but if he isn’t, then there is always Gavin Stone, who might be the Dodgers’ #2 next year!
For the intellectually challenged, Thompson and Heyward are “safety nets” for the kids. Plan A is the Kids; Plan B is to use the Kids to get another hitter. I like Bryan Reynolds a lot, but unlike what a few commenters here think, you just do not go “tag” a player, and he’s yours. The Pirates have to be motivated to trade him, and the Dodgers have to have a match. I am not going to pretend what kind of package that could be, but I just know he would look good in LF with Outman in Center Field.
If the Dodgers were to trade for him (at the deadline), I would like to see them sign him to a five to seven-year extension. He is not a superstar, but he is and could be a very nice “star.” We shall have to wait for this type of thing to happen… if it does.
I never look at a season and think, “this is what the Dodgers have.” Andrew Friedman will do what is necessary to make this team competitive, which is why I still say I expect 95-100 wins. This is one of the best seasons to ever observe as a Dodger fan. Why? The Dodgers lost more WAR this season than last season than any team in MLB history. It is going to be fun watching them recover it.
I have one request: Let’s keep idiocy at a minimum this season!
What are the Odds?
I have read so much negative stuff about the Dodgers this offseason, that it boggles my mind. I can only theorize that mental illness is running rampant among some Dodger fans… but not this one. The Athletic has a great article on which teams are the favorites to win the World Series and ‘What do you know?” the Dodgers are right there!
Teams with the highest win totals
Teams with lowest win totals
Discussion (44)
Disagree, not disagreeable
He, I decipher Bradley posts and afterward realize the game wasn’t even been played. I just want to say, I like very much how the team looks. My granpa used to say “No lleves la carreta antes que los bueyes” (to put the cart before the horse). Let’s give at least 60 games to have a clear look. But don’t get to much trade excited, Dodgers will try more kids first and trade if they come, will be at the tradeline.
Didn’t get to see the game I was busy. Looked at the box score and saw Outman hit a home run.
2 for 3 with a walk. Good start for him.
Smith my other favorite 3 for 4. Another good start.
James just give me my chance Outman! The big stage.
Nice piece of hitting by JDM, to shorten up and go in the other way
Muncy should take note
Can Smith bat third AND cleanup
Did somebody say they didn’t like Smith batting third?
All bat no glove! Well you said that you were most excited about the bottom of our lineup!
Urias is a bum! Don’t resign him! Too early Bobby?
I don’t know; I liked Outman with 77 better than with 33
Some on this site don’t seem to enjoy baseball much. I think some who claim to be fans ( of what I don’t know) actually hate the Dodgers. Lots of energy complains about the things that haven’t happened yet.
Give it time, at least let it fall from the tree before stomping on it!
Win or lose, I can’t wait for tonight’s game.
LET’S GO DODGERS !
Steve Cohen may be learning some hard lessons.
It’s the lessons AF already knows, but buying the biggest, baddest free agents free agents is not the path to winning.
Losing… maybe.
San Diego will learn it too.
Verlander did not last long.
So you feel a great need to replace a guy who was 16-1 with. .224 era in 2022? Now that’s a spoiled fan! And you are truly MAD to want Bumwashedup! Don’t drink and post!
I see it as this by trade deadline we see we are week at left field and at shortstop. So who do we get to improve the lineup and the fielding and are behind the Padres to chase them down. So we look at batters that can hit lefties an righties a good and we will need a veteran starting pitcher for the playoff run now are we okay with winning the west or making it as a wildcard. So Taylor is t hitting Thompson isn’t hitting Hayward has turned into a pinch hitter off the bench. Outman has hit pretty well has 15 homers at trade deadline so he is now the everyday centerfield and Vargas as some.pop and leads national league in homeruns for second baseman so we are good there. So who do we call we call the White Sox see what they have for Anderson a outfielder and a starting pitcher with that move Rojas moves to utility guy in bench and Anderson starts the outfielder we get then becomes the starter. And then the starting pitcher is in the rotation that one senerio. Second option we look at the Diamondback they have Ahmen at shortstop been the starter there what the last three years they have Alek Thomas he would be good in left field for the Dodgers and young to sign him then the Dodgers get Bumgarner for a playing pitcher who loves the playoffs and beats up on the Padres when he pitches. Mad Bum madness in the rotation look at that urias kersh Thor Mad Bum and May. And the third option they trade with the Brewers doe Adames Yelich Burnes to the Dodgers adames becomes every day shortstop Yelich is your everyday leftfielder and can hit second or leadoff a hometown kid like Freeman. And Burnes slides into the starting rotation and you have Urias Kershaw Burnes May and Thor for playoff run and west title to win the division and not play in wild card game. Those three choices and which one I see fit the third one because all those three players can be signed on for 2024 and Ohtani will be a free agent and if the dodgers get him he slides eight into where Kershaw in in the rotation and we might lose Thor and Urias but they will get Buehler back and can always get another starting pitcher . And are lineup is set next year. Without so many question marks like tonite is like. That’s how I see the Dodgers season go.
I think I’m most excited about when Urias gives up 2 in the first, and Cassidy says don’t resign him, and Bear goes off on Cassidy
Bellinger was 0-3 today and hitting cleanup for the Cubs. I’m excited to see some new faces and hopefull on opening day. Go Dodgers
I think the Dodgers have fewer questions than many fans think.
At this time last year, we knew that Bellinger, Taylor, and Muncy had some form of injury or surgery concern.
Bellinger has been replaced with Outman, who it appears should be an upgrade… even if he hits .240. I expect t he will do better than that.
Muncy is healthy and is off to a great start. It’s not silly to expect that he can have his career year.
Then there is LF, where Peralta is a pro against RHP, and CT3 has a much lower strike-out rate against LHP. CT3 had a horrid year in 2022, but in 2021, CT3 hit .296 with a .897 OPS against LHP. If he can come anywhere close to that, all will be well. He’s healthy, and while he has not looked great in ST he has done it before.
That leaves 2B and Miguel Vargas, who has worked hard to learn a new position and has played it credibly. The bat is the deal. Freddie Freeman is very excited about his “hit tool.”
I think people are confounded with Thompson and Heyward, but if both of them and CT3 don’t make it, there are still great options. Some of you are “glass-half-empty people.” The fact is, the glass is not half empty or half full. It’s 85% full.
Pitching duel in Texas. deGrom and Nola!
10:10 PM ET
Diamondbacks (74-88)
Dodgers (111-51)
SP Zac Gallen R
0-0 .00 ERA
SP Julio Urias L
0-0 .00 ERA
Expected Lineup
RF Mookie Betts R
1B F. Freeman L
C Will Smith R
3B Max Muncy L
DH J. Martinez R
LF D. Peralta L
2B M. Vargas R
CF James Outman L
SS Miguel Rojas R
Clear-night
0% Rain
56° Wind 6 mph L-R
Braves left-hander Max Fried departed today’s Opening Day start after throwing just 43 pitches over 3 1/3 innings. The club would later announce that he was removed with left hamstring discomfort. After the game, manager Brian Snitker told reporters, including Mark Bowman of MLB.com, that Fried will likely go on the injured list. Snitker also said Fried has a hamstring strain, per Justin Toscano of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
We can only hope that Cartaya is in the same class as Rutschman. That kid is an absolute stud!
Gonna be tough to win tonight, Gallen has become a ace, finished fifth in cy voting and my man Julio hasn’t looked sharp so far. Next couple games look favorable starter wise. That’s why they play the game. I know I’m excited
Wow and they say no one comes to see the umpires. I used to be dead set against ABS but the balls and strike calls have gotten so terribly bad last couple years quicky changing my view of it and becoming more and more open to the idea
Too bad for Pepiot – just when he was working the kinks out. You could tell in his last tuneup with the Angels that he was not right. I personally think Stone is the best pitcher to come out of the farm system since Clayton. AF is not putting him on the roster now because he would have to drop someone else. That could change quickly!
I think we will see Miguel Vargas move up in the order pretty quickly. Ideally, one would like to see a LH hitter, like Freeman, behind Mookie and Vargas at #3, but he will have to earn that promotion. I also like to maintain R-L-R-L balance whenever possible;e although that is not absolutely a requirement.
1. Betts RF
2. Freeman 1B
3. Vargas 2B
4. Muncy 3B
5. Smith C
6. JDM DH
7. Peralta/Taylor LF
8. Outman CF
9. Rojas SS
…but that won’t happen yet!
t will be an interesting season. I’m predicting 85 to 90 wins. If the stars align it could be better but there are too many question marks, for me. Mark and Dodgerrick have mention many of them. Baring injuries, if JDM, CT3, Thompson and Peralta can hit, if Mookie regains past form, if Vargas is as advertised, if CK gets 20 starts, if Gonsulin’s arm doesn’t fall off, if Thor can find the fountain of youth and if either Pepiot or another young arm steps up in the rotation, we can be better. I think the bullpen is the best in baseball. But there are too many question marks for me to be more optimistic. I think by season’s end we will see the future Dodgers like Mike Busch, Andy Pages, Jonny LeDuca, Dalton Rushing, Diego Cartaya, Gavin Stone, Mike Grove, Bobby Miller, Eddys Leonard, Jorbit Vivas, Nick Frasso, River Ryan, Emmet Sheehan, Landon Knack, dancing on the ladder with some moving to MLB. In doing so, we can reset the Luxury Tax threshold to look toward a bright future with “home grown” talent or used as trade bait. This is a good year to make it a true rebuilding year.
I read today about MLB looking to promote the ABS System for the 2024 season. With all the current new rules, the ABS has been tabled and hardly mentioned lately. I personally welcome a resurrection in implementing ABS. We haven’t seen piss poor HPU lately but it won’t be long when games start to matter and umpire evaluations begin in earnest. I’ve seen enough poor balls and strike calls and I’m all in on there new system.
Maybe due to age, the new rules implemented or the coming of the ABS System, 10 MLB veteran umps retired after the 2022 season. The most since 1999. 7 were crew chiefs. Half of the umps that retired made up half of the 10 worst umps in 2022 for consistency: Greg Gibson, Marty Foster, Jim Reynolds, Bill Welke and Jerry Meals. The two umps that weren’t in the bottom 10 for consistency, Ted Barrett and Tom Hallion, were still in the bottom 12 for accuracy. Marty Foster and Greg Gibson were among the five worst umpires in the league for both consistency and accuracy. So their retirement is welcome but sadly none of the retiring umpires were named Angel Hernandez, Ron Kulpa, CD Bucknor or Laz Diaz.
Many of the new full time umpires were vacation replacement umpires prior and I’m impressed with the quality. The best three umpires, Pat Hoberg, Jeremy Rehak and Will Little, are young. A nice improvement, hopefully. But that’s still not an adequate reason to balk on the ABS System for 2024, IMHO.
Might see Stone sooner then expected. Hope so. I’m aware of the reasoning behind giving Pepiot and Grove their shot first over Stone but not sure I agree. Hoping they don’t burn out most of the innings he can pitch this year in minors. Gave clay his shot at 20 years old. Galvin is already 24
I’m thinking about changing my name to idiotic moron
I predict Dodgers and Padres tie for the Division, each with 94 wins.
I predict no Dodgers will win ROY
I predict no Dodgers will win MVP, CY, or GG.
I predict Mark will call one or more of us idiots and, he may be right.
Dodgers open season with nine players on the injured list
The Dodgers finalized their opening day roster on Thursday, and in doing so placed pitchers Tony Gonsolin, Ryan Pepiot, Daniel Hudson, Jimmy Nelson, and Alex Reyes on the 15-day injured list, giving the team nine players on the injured list to open the season.
Pitchers Walker Buehler, Blake Treinen, and J.P. Feyereisen were all placed on the 60-day injured list on February 16. Shortstop Gavin Lux, who is expected to miss the season with a torn ACL and sprained LCL in his right knee, was placed on the 60-day injured list Thursday to make roster room for Jason Heyward, who made the team as a non-roster invitee.
The joy of baseball is this team could win 88 games or 108 games. That’s what I like best about the game you never know what will happen. With Pepiot going down Grove could be a ROY candidate or he can fail miserably.
I’m eternally optimistic and think they win 100 games and win the division by 2 games. But worse case scenario they miss the playoffs. I believe the Dodgers depth will be the difference.
That’s the joy of baseball this team could win 88 games or 108 you never know until they play the games. I’m forever optimistic and believe they win closer to 100.
I believe the Dodgers have better depth than the Padres and that will make the difference with the Dodgers in front by a game or 2 certainly not a 20 game runaway like last year. I think the kids will be alright with even more of the young players besides Vargas and Outman making a difference.
Pepiot to the IL Grove to the rotation.
Speak of injuries, Pepiot has just been put on the IL with an oblique strain. Grove is now our #5 starter.
Fried left his start for Atlanta with an unknown injury.
I agree with Summerboy more than I wish I did. Gonsolin MAY be the injury prone type(?) Yet another significant one will prove it to me. Syndergaard is past his best years and will have to be a better pitcher than he needed to be earlier when he had exceptional heat.
I think that the Dodgers’ recent string of successful regular seasons and win totals show that their leadership is better at “Moneyball” baseball than anyone else. My objection to Friedman, et al, is not that they haven’t been very successful; I have a general aversion to new age baseball. That’s a different issue.
As to the coming season, I have the same concerns that many have:
2 big question marks for infield defense (Muncy and Vargas)
A huge offensive loss at SS (T. Turner for Rojas)
2 giant question marks in the OF (anywhere that Betts doesn’t play)
A team that’s been a juggernaut for years hasn’t had these kinds of questions. Maybe Vargas and Outman will be great (and I hope that they are) but right now, they are question marks. We don’t know if they can do the job until they show that they can.
They have too many veterans on the downside of their careers – Heyward, Peralta, JD Martinez.
I think that the rotation will be fine as will the bullpen. But offensively, they do not match up with the Padres. Look at a position by position analysis
C – Smith vs Nola – LA
1B – Freeman vs. Cronenworth – LA
2B – Vargas vs. Kim – ?
3B – Muncy vs. Machado – SD
SS – Rojas vs. Bogaerts – SD
LF – Peralta/Taylor/Thompson vs. Tatis Jr. – SD
CF – Outman/Taylor/Thompson vs. Grisham – ?
RF – Betts vs. Soto – ?
DH – Martinez vs. Cruz/Carpenter – LA
I have seen projections that the Dodgers win between 88 and 96. I expect low 90s and a wild card berth. This is a “rebuilding” year and the first part of a youth movement. They are evaluating the youngsters to see who is a keeper and who isn’t and where they need to fill in holes while trying to win, where SD is all in this year.
Mets placed Verlander on the IL to open the season. Their 40 year old 43 million dollar a year #2 pitcher breaks down before opening day.
Robert Murray
@ByRobertMurray
Source: Outfielder Ben DeLuzio has been granted his release by the Chicago Cubs – and is signing a minor-league deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
More depth by AF.
75 year D fan ,good stuff here, thanks to all. As to AF, I suggest the Bauer debacle was a large influence in going from a freespender to a posture that wouldn’t pony up for Anderson, this year’s biggest mistake imo. I am not confident in our rotation past 2. Not sold on Gonsolin, and Thor looks Shaky. Outfield is a mess, not sure Doc will sort thru it successfully. I look for 90 wins, disappointing offense. No Turner, no title. Just my two cents.
It was a long wait but opening day is finally here. In their 1st 10 games, the Dodgers play 8 vs. the D-backs and 2 vs. the Rockies. It sounds like an opportunity for a real good start to the season.
My useless predictions?
1) The offense /defense will get sorted out, but we will have a dominant pitching staff which will carry us
2) Andy Pages will come up sometime this year and take over LF or CF (with Outman in the other spot and Mookie in RF)
3) We are in a dogfight with the Padres for the NL West and Wild Card 1 (Juan Soto will have a normal Juan Soto MVP type year)
4) I don’t like Will Smith batting 3. I feel he’s more of a 4 or 5 hitter and eventually that 3 spot will go to Miguel Vargas (maybe not till next year, however)
Old friend Matt Beaty is a friend no longer.
Was a Padre, recently a Royal, now a Giant.
Reynolds and the Pirates have been discussing an extension and were said to have made significant progress last night towards same. Today is the supposed deadline. Rain predicted this morning, but it is supposed to clear up before tonight’s game. Gonsolin looks like he will now be out until June instead of late May.
Corbin Burnes a good fit? I’m all-in on him at the deadline. Throw in Ohtani and we got the best rotation in NL.
I can dream and Dodgers Nation say it so.
Happy opening day yall!!
’23 is the year of the Dodgers.
Kersh rides off into the sunset with his 2nd World Series Trophy and Mookie and Freddie cement their legacies in LA….
Vargas wins ROY…..
Urias wins CY and WS MVP
May is the comeback POY.
Mookie and Freddie split the NL MVP vote so Goldschmidt wins that….
I can’t recall an Opening Day with such an awkwardly crowded OF.
There’s bound to be a shakeout, and maybe Luke Williams or Yonny Hernandez will get called up.