It Won t be Verlander
The Dodgers will not be trading for Justin Verlander, partly because of a detail in the CBA that would penalize them immensely for an inflated payroll. Here is what was reported by MLB Trade Rumors: MLB’s new Collective Bargaining Agreement contains a previously unknown detail that could potentially affect teams that spend heavily, Baseball America’s J.J. Cooper writes. In addition to the luxury tax, the CBA includes two surcharge thresholds that could
The Dodgers will not be trading for Justin Verlander, partly because of a detail in the CBA that would penalize them immensely for an inflated payroll. Here is what was reported by MLB Trade Rumors:
MLB’s new Collective Bargaining Agreement contains a previously unknown detail that could potentially affect teams that spend heavily, Baseball America’s J.J. Cooper writes. In addition to the luxury tax, the CBA includes two surcharge thresholds that could cost big spenders extra money and that could even lower their top draft picks.
The financial details of the surcharge thresholds were previously known. If a team spends above $217MM in 2018, it will receive an extra 12% tax in addition to the usual 20%, 30% or 50% luxury tax. If a team spends over $237MM, it will receive an extra 42.5% or 45% surcharge tax.
Beginning in 2018, there will be an extra penalty for teams in that second category, Cooper notes. A team that spends above $237MM will also have its top draft pick lowered ten spots, unless that pick is in the top six, in which case the team’s second pick will be lowered ten spots.
As Cooper points out, the new rule could be a significant deterrent to teams hoping to be among baseball’s biggest spenders, since teams are generally quite protective of early-round draft picks. The Dodgers, for example, have had payrolls above $237MM for the past several seasons. Under the new system, they would pay a very significant penalty for spending so heavily. Cooper notes that a $260MM payroll in 2018 would cost the Dodgers over $50MM in luxury tax, plus the lowered draft pick.
No way any of that will happen. Andrew Friedman is not going agree to drop 10 spots in the draft, nor are they going to pay that tax. End of story. “But Guggenheim has the money!” Of course they do and they have that money because they are not stupid! I think Texas is asking a ton for Yu Darvish and with his horrid past four week track record, there has to be some trepidation about his health and/or psyche. I can’t see Friedman paying close to the same for Darvish when he could have Gray… and more years of control. It makes no sense to trade for Darvish.
Darvish and Verlander are fireballers who are on the downhill sides of their careers. Sonny Gray is younger and controllable – his only question is health. I think Gray is the real target, but I would not be surprised if they stood pat. The Dodgers don’t have to do anything and it’s pretty obvious that Clayton has nothing serious wring with his back. He will be back by August 10th-15th. It’s possible he will do one rehab start. That might be fun.
Rants & Raves
- Of course, the FAZ-O-PHOBES are losing their minds about the Dodgers signing of Luke Ferrell. Just liked they mocked the acquisitions of Utley, Dayton, Toles, Liberatore, Taylor, Morrow and others. You would think that the morons would learn sooner or later, but they don’t because that are morons, I guess. 😉 FAZ’s MO is that they like to get THOSE players BEFORE they become THOSE players. Remember that! They churn a lot of players because you have to kiss a lot of frogs to find the prince. I suppose scouts see something and they acquire the player to see if they can “fix” him. That’s not a unique idea – it’s just that FAZ does it better than most.
- It took this team a while, but now that have bought into Turner Ward’s system and they believe. It used to be they would get 12 hits and score 2 runs. Last night they got just 6 hits and scored 6 runs.
- Joc is showing flashes. If he can keep it up, all is peachy!
- Alex Wood is a six inning pitcher – leave it at that – There’s no shame in it!
- The Dodgers’ back of the bullpen is the most filthy bunch there is:
- Stewart – 0.00 ERA
- Ravin – 0.00 ERA
- Baez – 1.48 ERA
- Morrow – 1.66 ERA
- Jansen – 1.39 ERA
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 (89)
Disagree, not disagreeable
Scuttle from around the place:
–
Ken Rosenthal has Sources. And those sources say: the Dodgers’ three main targets are Darvish, Gray, Britton. Not necessarily in that order; the team’s decisions likely hinge on asking prices. To be clear: It’s possible the Dodgers end up with none of the three, and settle for lesser pieces. Fluid.
–
Jerry Crasnick talks about an old friend of the Dodgers: The Marlins are extremely open to discussing Dee Gordon, who has a .694 OPS and is guaranteed $38M after this season. Not much traffic there.
–
MLB’s Mark Feinsand has his own sources and they tell him that Dodgers are “bargain hunting” and appear unwilling to part with any top prospects. Would certainly impact their chances at Darvish.
–
Finally, Jon Heyman sez that his sources tell him barring a “miracle,” justin verlander will remain a tiger though the deadline.
I think he’s the best 1B I have ever seen. His speed to the ball and bag is incredible. Plus he’s long and quick.
What about going after Greinke again. We eat the contract and Arizona would not be in a solid position to ask for any our our top prospects if we take on that contract which is going to eat Arizona alive.
I forgot about Rios. He seems to be a hitter.
–
My prediction is that if A-Gon is on the team next year it is as a sub. Maybe FAZ will re-do his contract and give him a 20 year spokesman deal.
–
Cody is sooooo much better at 1B. Than anyone… not just Adrian
BTW, I saw this morning that Edwin Rios has the best numbers against the top 30 pitching prospects in baseball. He’s hitting .398.433/.694 in 186 AB’s. Like Calhoun, nowhere to play. He would make a nice piece in a deal this weekend.
I would trade Alvarez, Calhoun, Sborz and Farmer for Gray. I would even throw in one more prospect.
–
Buehler and Verdugo are off limits. Verdugo will never be a CF in the majors unless a speed coach can improve his speed. However he has a bat that could win Chsmpionships. I’m not saying he will, but he projects as that. You can’t trade that unless you are getting a superstar.
I am 74 and have been a Dodger fan since 1951. I live in South Carolina about 4 hours from Atlanta. For father’s day my four children purchased tickets for the August 1st game against the Braves. There will be about 10 of us for the game and then staying at a hotel over night before heading home the next morning. Are any of you planning on being at that game? I had hoped to see Kershaw pitch, but with him on the DL that won’t be happening. Who should be scheduled to that opening game against Atlanta?
I said that very thing about Verlander this past week. Free-agent compensation is also a factor now when you’re in the luxury tax penalty box.
Darvish did not have a bad four weeks. He had two bad starts with 3 quality starts in between the two. Let’s hope his last outing lowered his value a bit. I have no problem dealing Verdugo in a Gray deal.
Alex Wood pitched fine in the 7th. It was ridiculous that no one got to Posey’s pop up. Then Seager chucks a ball away.
A lefty reliever and either Gray or Darvish is a must. Forsythe vs righties is the only weak spot in the offense right now. I hate to say it but I have desire to see Gonzalez return this year.
Excellent! Informative and right on!
.
You should copy and paste onto that other site as a “Public Service Announcement”. Oh never mind, it wouldn’t help, they are morons.
It is a great time to be a Dodger fan and the team finds new ways to impress almost every game. I agree with Idahoal that Faz will not overpay and my personal opinion is they can win it all with no moves. The off season is a better time to line teams up and get value or trade from surplus, need for need. It is usually the hot team that rolls through the playoffs and who is hotter? However I also believe Faz wants to make a move of some kind to show the team, fans and critics the front office is serious about winning the rings and trophy this year.
Regardless what FAZ does, he will not over pay. Texas wants either Beuhler or Verdugo. Not going to happen. If they want Calhoun, they could have a deal.
–
You are right Mark. The Dodgers have the money. That is not the point. They are going to get down close to luxury tax limit and they will not give up on draft choices. These guys are smart.
–
I still would like a LHRP, but I will take what we have in the bull pen right now. Ravin really looked good the other night. Morrow looked nasty last night. Jansen, what do you say. I am just glad we have him.
–
Right now, I just do not see any weaknesses in this team. Doc plays everybody. The pinch hitters for the night all have a lot of playing time. The other night all three pinch hitters got a hit. Can we improve the team a little? Yes, but at what price.
–
When Agon comes back, how much playing time will he get? He will get some, just like Utley. I am sure Agon can see what is happening without him. Hard for him, but he is a professional. He will take a WS ring.
–
One more thing. They bring up another catcher to give Barnes more opportunities to play. He is another guy that is forcing management for more playing time. Just like Taylor.
I am 70 years old and have been a Dodger fan since 1958. Never in my life have we had a team where we get behind and I still believe that that we are going to end up winning the game. Even in the game the other night when we were down 5 nothing, I still thought we would come back and they did. As last nights Giants pitcher said “they have something special going on”. Fantastic!
I think our pen is fine. Brandon Morrow looked great last night. We can live without getting a lefty with the righties throwing 100 mph. Sonny Grey would be ok as long as we don’t have to give up our best prospects. I am ok if we don’t do anything at the deadline.
It is cool that of the 8 walkoff hits (that leads the majors) have been done by 7 different hitters.
I LOVE THIS TEAM!
Alexy pitched 1⅔ innings and gave up three runs, two hits and three walks. He also had three strikeouts. In the two starts prior to this one, Alexy pitched a combined 8⅔ innings and gave up ten runs, 11 hits, and five walks. He did have 14 strikeouts.
The Loons bullpen would give up eight more runs so it wasn’t all on Alexy. And the offense could not get anything going. As a team the Loons had five hits and struck out 12 times.
Jeren Kendall is 0-for-9 with four strikeouts thus far in his short career as a Loon.
Rookie-Ogden
The Raptors continued to pound the ball as they had 11 hits in their 6-2 win over the Grand Junction Rockies.
The top four hitters for the Raptors had eight of those hits, five of those were doubles. Starling Heredia was 3-for-4 with a double and an RBI, Tyler Adkison and Donovan Casey each had two hits and Hendrick Clementina was 1-for-2 with a double and two RBI.
At the stadium last night and the crowd was freaking electric. What a come-from-behind win. This team cannot be stopped. Love beating the Giants and seeing the Giant fans shaking their heads when Seager hit the go ahead HR.
Can’t go today but I will be at Sunday’s game. Hope Hill pitches well today although Ty Blach is a pretty good pitcher. What will the Dodgers do before the deadline….we’ll soon find out. I see Sonny Gray in our future