Mixed Emotions
My definition of “ Mixed Emotions ” is “ seeing your mother-in-law drive over a cliff in your new Rolls Royce.” If you had told me a couple of months ago that the Dodgers would spend $1.1 BILLION DOLLARS on two players this Winter, I would have said that you were out of your…
My definition of “Mixed Emotions” is “seeing your mother-in-law drive over a cliff in your new Rolls Royce.” If you had told me a couple of months ago that the Dodgers would spend $1.1 BILLION DOLLARS on two players this Winter, I would have said that you were out of your rabbit-ass mind! Furthermore, if I would have said that it makes perfect sense, I would have volunteered to enter a mental health facility.
But, the Dodgers did spend $1. Billion on Showtime and Yamamojo! Baseball fans hated the Yankees and George Steinbrenner (who called them the “Evil Empire”) for their ruthless spending. Georgie Boy can’t hold a candle to the Ruthless Dodgers… with Walter, Kasten, and Friedman at the helm.
This was planned… several years ago. The Dodgers were playing the long game while everyone else was running from base to base. The Yoshinobu Yamamoto signing AFTER the signing of Shoehei Ohtani is epic, and (in retrospect), I believe that Andrew Friedman had a blank check for both. The Dodgers knew what they wanted, they knew that the marketing juice would be worth the squeeze, and they made up their mind to do whatever it took.
What happens next is anyone’s guess, but I do not believe it will involve gutting the farm and trading a bunch of prospects for Burnes, Adames, Cease, or Robert, Jr. The Dodgers could go ahead and sign Imanaga, so they have a lefty in the rotation, but I also think they will get Clayton Kershaw back in the summer, so there may not be a need.
At any rate, acquiring the two superstars worth a Billion Dollars was premeditated and only cost about $1 Million Dollars in International Money and two draft picks. If the Dodgers want to keep this roll alive, it is important that they be able to bring along the depth that the farm system offers. As the team stands right about now, it is pretty damn good. Now, it will be up to the kids to fill in as needed. I am talking Pages, Busch, Vargas, Cartaya, Rushing, Fernandez, De Paula, George, Gelof, Vargas, Liranzo, and Sweeney on the offensive side and Frasso, Stone, Ryan, Knack, Martin, Hurt, Kopp, Bruns, and others on the pitching side.
Not all will make the Show. Some will fizzle out. There will be few or no superstars, but there will be some very good role players, and pitchers come from that bunch over the next 3-5 years. The farm system has to be a priority, and maybe there will be a trade or two, but I think that unlike many other teams who win and then tank, the Dodgers’ plan is to dominate year after year and do what they just did makes it highly sustainable.
Rather than make a big trade that costs prospects (player collateral), I would sign Shōta Imanaga and be done. Of course, the teams who lost out to Yamamoto will likely bid up Imanaga’s market, so that may not be easy! As it stands right now, here is the rotation:
- Yamamoto (ACE)
- Glasnow (there – he is not an Ace)
- Buehler (former Ace)
- Miller (Ace-in-waiting)
- Sheehan
- Knack
- Stone
- Kershaw (August – former Ace)
I think Landon Knack will surprise everyone this year, whether it is with the Dodgers or not.
Oh, What a Night…
Late December back in 23’…
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Discussion (128)
Disagree, not disagreeable
Details of the contract are beginning to surface. There are opt outs after 29 and 31. Much of the money is backloaded. I too saw the chatter about Clase. Marisnick signs a minor league deal with the Angels. Angels targeting Blake Snell.
like Benetendi, but another left handed outfielder? need a right handed hitter. too lefty lineup. but if not for that , Benetendi is a good ball player! Robett? heck yeah!
Still need a closer. I like Phillips, but he is not a lock down type pitcher. Hader is out of the equation, Clase makes a lot of sense.
My head is still spinning from the last week or two. I guess ownership had a plan all along. If they were going to go “dope fiend” they’d do it their own way.
I don’t see the Dodgers making any big trades, at this point.
Taking a step back for a 40,000 foot view:
The Dodgers have the most dangerous lineup in baseball. And it’s not even close.
Betts
Ohtani
Freddie
Smith
Muncy
Lux
Outman and the platoon gang
3 MVPs and 6 players in the lineup that have 30-40+ HR power.
Whatever wholes people see are more like a pin prick in Hoover damn.
Our rotation is pretty solid with lots of depth. If Glasnow is 100%, as many are saying, it’s a killer rotation. Even if Walker doesn’t return to his old form.
Our farm system is still loaded. The Dodgers managed to vastly improve the team for 24 and beyond and only lost one good prospect in the process. The Dodgers system is still ranked in the top 10 on many lists. Largely because Miller, Vargas and Outman graduated in 23. The system is still in a position to produce MLB players for years to come.
I think the Dodgers are pretty much done making any substantial moves this off-season. I think they’ve done enough!
If we do trade any prospects I think it will be at the deadline to fill any holes that injuries might create.
The Dodgers are all in. 100% win now mode. While still being in win long term mode. That is not something you see very often. Let just hope all these new assets stay healthy.
I am very interested in seeing what Vargas can do when healthy.
Will a trade happen before Yamamota officially signs or who gets DFA’d to clear a spot on the 40 man roster? My guess is Bryan Hudson DFA’d as a possibility if a trade doesn’t happen first.
Exciting times…
But do the Dodgers clearly now have the best lineup in baseball?
One of the best, certainly. But the Braves are still beastly and the Rangers haven’t taken a step backward.
No need for a big deal now, but I don’t think we should be surprised either.
Perhaps the Marlins could be enticed to deal Luzardo as the rotation’s southpaw. (I’d rather deal for Luzardo than sign Imanaga. )
My lineup card:
Mookie 2B
Freddie 1B
Shohei DH
Smith C
Max 3B
Heyward/Margot RF
Outman CF
Vargas LF
Lux SS
I got off of X permanently today. There were dozens of posts on the Dodger stream from people blaming Israel for the problems in Gaza. I get enough of that crap from the TV news. I do not need it on a baseball stream too.
If Vargas doesn’t produce then go for LF bat at the deadline. And I still say Lux’s bat will be mid 800’s OPS. He’s a star
If you need anything to make you feel even better about the Dodgers, I encourage you to listen to the Baseball America podcast where they just wax rhapsodic about the farm system:
Open on podcasts.apple.comhttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/baseball-america/id201539011?i=1000639482391Blind Joe, you da man! Nice to see someone put a size 10 boot up Bluto’s azz! 🙂
VIVA AZUL!!!
With our super team now established, Is it too early to call for Robert’s firing when we lose our first game?
But seriously is it a win it all or go home year for Doc?
A billion dollar lineup and a two bit manager.
Most of the stuff you write is intelligent.
Did someone hijack your password?
It’s like blaming a bad meal on the waiter.
With lots of prospect-capital still available, and also too many “unknowns” remaining for this team,.. I’ll call it now.
For those advocating the Dodgers should now stand pat and see what the season brings…
Y’all will be sorely disappointed because I’d bet the house the front office will make at least one more move this off season–whether a signing or trade–that will significantly change the make-up of this team.
Mark writes: “Rather than make a big trade that costs prospects (player collateral), I would sign Shōta Imanaga and be done. Of course, the teams who lost out to Yamamoto will likely bid up Imanaga’s market, so that may not be easy! ”
Dodgers have been bullying the market with the checkbook. How about some finesse in employing the prospect capital for a win-win deal?
The Dodgers may pursue Imanaga, but I’d prefer a trade for a lefty. Luzardo is a better target than Imanaga, with 3 years of team control. He’s younger and would draw a lower salary. He’s a power lefty with ace potential, not the proverbial crafty southpaw providing a different look in the middle of the rotation.
I also like the report of the Dodgers targeting Clase for the bullpen.
Does anyone think Dodger prospects want to be hoarded? Saying it out loud would be poor form, but I suspect several would welcome trades to teams that provide a faster path to the majors. Busch might be a bit envious of Johnny DeLuca.
Another homer for the Duke. Very well put on your last paragraph. Some of those prospects most definitely are hoping for a trade.
I’m also a fan of Luzardo and Clase, depending upon the prospects we would need to give up to get them, but hey, a lot of those prospects would probably be happy to be dealt.
Disappointed to wake up this morning to find that we haven’t signed anyone to a record breaking contract.
AF needs to step it up