The offseason has barely started, but it will be a very interesting off-season. There are lots of opinions, ideas, and issues. I am well aware of them. I have strong opinions about what should be done. I have been on the Andrew Friedman Bandwagon since the beginning. The Dodgers are on the right path… in my opinion.
I will always bleed Dodger Blue and I am their biggest fan, but I have been doing this about 20 years and I am going to cutback. Starting TODAY, I am going to start blogging on Tuesday and Sunday. That’s it!
DC posts on Wednesday and 2demeter2 posts on Monday. That leaves three days. I am sure that it will work-out but that is the deal. I love all you guys, even DodgerRick, William and 59inarow. Jeff Dominique (AC) will fill in too.
Keep the faith. I am here and damn happy! My two boys, my amazing daughter, and my wife are the focus of my life. I have a book to finish and this is not “goodbye,” it’s just “until we meet again on Tuesdays and Sundays.
Peace Out!
Discussion (22)
Disagree, not disagreeable
Mark – what you have done, and do, for this sight has been nothing short of awesome! I appreciate having the opportunity to come here on a daily basis and talk Dodgers baseball with friends! Thank you.
It is true that in this preseason a post may not be necessary every day, so here we will be every time there is any new news, good or bad, good luck and to have patience since it will be a long wait …
Thanks Mark for the work you do and to all posters. I do miss Mj. She was thoughtful and considerate. Same as BDM. I do not post that much, but I do come to this site twice a day. In the morning and evening. I think Friedman does a great job. I am not that high on Doc anymore. He has work to do to win me back over.
I do not think a lot needs to be done this winter. I want to see 8 starters. Therefore, Joc needs to be traded. I do think we need a #2 starting pitcher. Maeda needs to stay in the bull pen to help strengthen the bull pen. Redo his contract. I would keep Pollock. He has always been good. We need his right hand bat.
Re: managers:
There’s an interesting article by Joe Posnanski for The Athletic this morning about the changes in the job of a manager. Here’s a taste;
“Field managers used to be men (always men) of power. They were powerful in such a way that they were almost never called “field managers” — it’s weird to see those words together, isn’t it? They’re just managers. Others, like the general manager, need qualifiers. Managers ran the team in every way. They were bigger than life. Few knew who the team president was, who the general manager was, almost no one knew who the director of player personnel or scouting director or bench coach were. Managers reigned — Weaver, Lasorda, Casey, Sparky, Whitey, Billy and the rest. They stood alone.”
“It’s not like that now. The manager, generally, is a middle manager. He is hired, for the most part, to execute a general manager’s vision, to keep the clubhouse buzzing and happy, to be a public face for a franchise, to take the criticism for strategic moves that do not work and to project an image of optimism or toughness or patience or fun or calm or whatever image suits the moment (and ownership).”
I have previously opined that Dave Roberts does a good job at being positive, executing the front office’s directions, getting buy in from players and is a good face for the franchise. He still doesn’t avoid the “screw ups” often enough to satisfy me though, especially in the post-season.
I am old enough that I prefer the old style manager, but doubt that would work with the current generation of millionaire players who truly believe they are entitled because they’ve been told they are since they were 5. Managers have to be “player’s managers” who treat players with kid gloves – that’s part of being positive, a good communicator, etc.
Great (Awesome) article, that I totally agree with the author. I also agree with your assessment of today’s manager and Doc in particular. Thanks for getting me to the Athletic today. I did not have the time earlier.
This re: automated strike-zone.
https://theathletic.com/1344428/2019/11/05/automated-strike-zone-to-debut-in-minor-league-baseball-in-2020-rob-manfred-says/
I’m guessing this gets serious consideration for MLB in the next CBA. Ultimately, given that the technology exists, and is continuing to be refined, I believe that at some point its implementation in MLB is only a matter of time.
And not a moment too soon. Human error among the players and managers makes the game entertaining. Human error among the umpires just makes the game frustrating for everyone…unless we can go back to allowing the players and managers to argue balls and strikes, that’s entertaining.
https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/sports.yahoo.com/amphtml/report-league-discussed-possibility-chargers-043947814.html
Pete – see you in London soon?
I’ve been saying to my pals that an NFL team in London has been inevitable since the first game at Wembley about 10 years ago.
I thought it would be Jacksonville as they have visited the most times, and their owner has a soccer team, Fulham, in West London near to Wembley.
This would be massively supported here. It is estimated that each game here, either at Wembley or the new Tottenham Hotspur’s Stadium would sell out 4 to 5 times over.
For me, I would seriously consider getting a season ticket.
Just need the Dodgers to come and visit. Next year it’s Cubs v Cards for 2 dates in June at the Olympic Stadium in London.
DBM – been a great addition here. Shame you missed MJ, you two would have really hit it off together,
Thank you Watford.
Thanks Wadford. I read some of her comments just before she left and liked her a lot.
In fact, it was MJ who gave me the courage to post on this blog.
That’s cool.
Your comments and demeanour are very similar to hers. It’s very refreshing.
I could not agree more. Both MJ and DBM were/are great participants.
As the title says, Bhuler , Kershaw , May , Gray , Urias , And I may be missing someone.
I came here about a year ago and have made this a part of my regular and favorite morning coffee routine. I have enjoyed and appreciated your management of this site, Mark, and understand your desire to cut back. Family is very important. So, we will have you for 2 days, then AC, DC, and 2D2 will fill in. That makes 5 days. I am sure someone else will step in or as Bumsrap said, we do not need a new blog every day. Hope your book will be a best seller.
More power to you MT and well deserved…
The next couple months will be like chinese water torture for the die-hard Blue fans…
Will he or won’t he???
Sad to hear you’ll be pulling back a little. K-Bear and Verdugo will be disappointed.
This place has been great this season, with the additions of DC and 2D2 to the MT/AC stable.
We are very fortunate to have such knowledgeable and fair writers, and I’m sure LADT will continue to go from strength to strength.
I’ve just seen that Carl Edwards Jnr has elected Free Agency – what happened to him? He had electric stuff and he’s only 27.
Is he worth a look?
I would think so…
MT, your first reply to me a couple years ago when I made my first comment on this blog was ” Winner winner chicken dinner ” Well MT, right back at ya. Thanks
We don’t need a new post everyday during the off-season. I’ll pull a Mark every once in awhile and make a comment to stir the pot.
I expect that Betts, Torres, and Lindor will be Dodgers next year.
Good for you, Mark. Well deserved.
I’m also busy working on a book (trying to decide which of the fifty short fiction stories from the seventy I have had published that I should include in this collection).
Enjoy your quiet time. You don’t need to put up with us hassling you every day.