Powerhouse!
I felt Freddie Freeman would get in the vicinity of $200 Million so when I heard $162 million for 6 years, I was shocked. $27 Million a year for the NL MVP… and yet Corey Seager got $325 Million? I’ll take it! Even at his advanced age, I will take Freddie Freeman for half of…
I felt Freddie Freeman would get in the vicinity of $200 Million so when I heard $162 million for 6 years, I was shocked. $27 Million a year for the NL MVP… and yet Corey Seager got $325 Million? I’ll take it! Even at his advanced age, I will take Freddie Freeman for half of what Corey Seager got paid!
Look at this lineup – just for fun, I am going to put the player’s best season stats beside their name:
- Mookie Betts – RF (129 R, 47 2B, 32 HR, .346 BA, 1.078 OPS)
- Freddie Freeman – 1B (113 R, 34 2B, 38 HR, 121 RBI, .295 BA, .938 OPS)
- Trea Turner – SS (107 R, 34 2B, 28 HR, .328 BA, .911 OPS)
- Max Muncy – 2B (35 HR, 391 OB%, .973 OPS)
- Will Smith – C (25 HR, .365 OB%, .860 OPS – he had over .900 OPS his first two years)
- Cody Bellinger – CF (121 R, 47 HR, 115 RBI, 95 BB, .305 BA, 1.035 OPS)
- Justin Turner – 3B/DH (21 HR, ,322 BA, ,945 OPS) – He has hit 27 HR 3 times)
- Edwin Rios – 3B/DH (He has just 174 ABs, but hit 31 HR in 2019 at AAA)
- AJ Pollock – LF (27 2B, 21 HR, .297 BA, .892 OPS)
Bench: Barnes, Beaty, Outman, Alberto, Lux, Taylor (Outman may not make it)
It could be argued that everyone in the above lineup has 30 Home Run Power Ability. Now, I know that all 9 will not hit 30 HR, but the Dodger record for most players with 30 HR is four. That was back in 1977, when Steve Garvey, Reggie Smith, Ron Cey, and Dusty Baker all hit at least 30. Could the Dodger break that with five in 2022… shoot, six is possible. Of course, a lot has to go right, but it could happen.
Mookie and Cody are allegedly healthy and so is Edwin Rios. 3B is Edwin’s job to lose. JT could play there a lot, but Edwin will get the opportunity to play against RHP. He has worked extremely hard to deserve this opportunity. I am rooting for him. P.S. Don’t look over your shoulder, Miguel Vargas is lurking.
Financial Impact
MLB Trade Rumors summed up what we currently know:
The exact financial structure of Freeman’s deal isn’t yet known, but contracts’ average annual values are used for luxury tax purposes anyhow. Adding $27MM to that mark pushes the 2022 CBT tab north of $277MM, in the estimation of Jason Martinez of Roster Resource. Because they exceeded the CBT last season, the Dodgers will be subject to escalating fees as a second-time payor. They’ll be taxed at a 30% rate for every dollar spent between $230MM and $250MM, a 42% clip on overages between $250MM and $270MM, a 75% rate on overages between $270MM and $290MM and a 90% tax on all expenditures north of $290MM.
In addition to the financial cost, the Dodgers will take on some non-monetary penalties for signing a player who had rejected a qualifying offer. Because they paid the luxury tax last year, they’ll lose their second-highest and fifth-highest picks in the upcoming draft and be stripped of $1MM in international signing bonus space. The Braves, as a team that neither received revenue sharing nor paid the luxury tax, will receive a compensatory pick after Competitive Balance Round B in the upcoming draft. Those selections typically fall in the 70-75 overall range.
I guess when your farm system is rated #1, you can afford to lose a couple of picks. I would not look for another significant free-agent signing, but there could be a trade or two. They don’t have to happen now. They could happen at the Trade Deadline. Patience Grasshoppers. The 800-pound gorilla is still in the room (Trevor Bauer)… and maybe the Dodgers know something we don’t… and I am not even suggesting what!
For the record, I did not think this would happen, but I am glad to be wrong. I hope Freddie can age like Justin.
Player Profile: Hanser Alberto
Hanser is not a minor leaguer, but he is the only “Hanser” to play in the Major Leagues. He is not a newcomer to MLB but he is a newcomer to the Dodgers, so here is his profile story. Hanser Joel Alberto Peña was born on October 17, 1992, in the Dominican Republic. He previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Texas Rangers, Baltimore Orioles, and Kansas City Royals. Alberto signed as an international free agent with the Texas Rangers in November 2009, receiving a $75,000 signing bonus. He is listed at 5′ 11″ and 215 pounds. Between 2015 and 2018, he bounced around the Rangers organization, getting 182 ABs but missing the 2017 season with a shoulder injury.
In November 2018, he was selected off waivers from the Rangers by the New York Yankees. In January 2019, the Orioles selected him off waivers from the NY Yankees. A month later, the Giants selected him off waivers from the O’s, and then a few days later, the Orioles took him back. 2019 was his best and only full season, where he had 550 ABs, hitting .305, with a .329 OB%. He also put up a 3.5 WAR for Baltimore that year. He had 219 ABs in 2020 and hit .283 and followed that up with .270 in 2021.
He has 17 HR in 1228 plate appearances, so he is not a power guy. He has gap power and learned early on that you do not get off the Island by walking. You have to hit your way off. He has not walked much in the past, but I am sure the Dodgers will try and get him to be more selective. He is 29 years old and may or may not take to that. What you do need to know is that this guy absolutely rakes against LHP! For his career, he has a .333 BA against them to go with a .354 OB% and .815 OPS.
He knows that he is coming to the Dodgers as a role player. A lot of you shrugged when the Dodgers signed him. I think you might be munching on some crow very soon. Many of you thought that Albert Pujols was good against LHP. The truth is: Alberto is even better… about 40 points better (.294 to .333). This is exactly the type of bench player the Dodgers need. The Dodgers struggled to find consistent bench production last year. That’s why the Dodgers signed a guy who doesn’t have big power, but can get you that hit to continue the inning.
Last year with the Royals, Hanser played second base, third base, shortstop, and also DH. Between the four, he had the most appearances at third base (49). Alberto profiles as a high contact hitter that rarely strikes out. Among hitters with at least 250 plate appearances, Alberto had the fourth-lowest strikeout rate in the majors (10.2%). Oddly enough he doesn’t walk either – he had the worst walk rate (1.6%).
I think we are going to love this guy! Bloom where you are planted, Hanser.
More Dodger News
- David Price wants to be in the mix to start: MLB.com I’m from Missouri, David – You have to show me!
- Dodgers Minor Leagie Coaching Staffs: The full list is right there!
- Dustin May expects to return from Tommy John surgery at some point the final third of the 2022 regular season. He is back to throwing and full workouts and is targeting early next month to get off a mound for the first time since the elbow injury that ended his season last May.
- Caleb Ferguson and Tommy Kahnle, who are also recovering from Tommy John surgery, are both expected to throw bullpen sessions this week.
- I believed that the Dodgers would re-sugn Jimmy Nelson – he may not pitch this year, but the Dodgers have stood with him and he has stood with the Dodgers.
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Discussion (99)
Disagree, not disagreeable
The 1997 Dodgers also featured four 30 HR guys, Piazza, Karros, Mondesi, and Todd Zeile. Welcome to LA Freddie. May your success here be as rewarding as in Atlanta.
Well just reported that Roberts told Rich Eigen that he doesn’t expect Bauer to pitch for Dodgers in near future if ever!
Precisely my thinking re Freeman being a better value than Seager. Much better, really. Especially since Freddie has been one of the games most durable players in recent years, while Seager has so much trouble staying on the field.
And yes, Trea Turner will field SS better too.
And Freddie’s durability suggests that he could produce well into his late 30s. Pujols was damaged goods when Arte Moreno paid too much for him. Joey Votto just had a fine season despite his age. And why is my brain blanking on the thumper still crushing the ball at 41???
Some projections have Freeman batting 2nd, between Mookie and Trea, for a right-left-right start, with Muncy batting cleanup. That seems right, since Freddie batted 2nd for the Braves, and his OBA last year was up around .390.
Any word yet on a new SP?
I can’t believe so many people still feel Bauer will be pitching for us this year. I’d bet my left nut he never wears a Dodgers uniform again.
Things are nicely falling into place. Now some resolution on Bauer would be nice. Oh yeah, and “boat-anchor” David Price. Without Bauer, I don’t love the depth of starters but again, I think we will see Bauer and get some mileage out of Pepiot, Miller and May this season. I’ll stand by my reluctance to shop for a rental starter and look to give those innings to pitchers on the roster currently, unless a deal falls in AF’s lap.
There are 3 outcomes with a prospect in an organization, baring injury. One, you get an opportunity and run with it. It might not be quick or linear but given a chance, you seize it. Two, you never get a legit shot. You may be buried behind a better player or 2. They don’t seem to like you and you hope to get out of the organization. And finally, they get a legit shot and don’t nail down the spot. And you run out of chances. I think in this day and age, with all of the information and eyes on players, there are more opportunities.
So let me toss out a complete hypothetical, now that we signed Freddie with Muncy moving to 2nd and assuming he’s healthy. If the Dodgers lock up Trea Turner to an extension and with CT3 doing his thing, Gavin Lux may have gone from untouchable prospect (along with K-Bear) to trade bait. It happens quickly. Lux had a look at 2nd, didn’t run with it and may find himself in a totally different situation with Freeman signing. The window can be short and baseball moves quickly.
What about Jansen. It sure seems like he’s waiting around for the Dodgers to make some kind of decent offer that he could accept. I’d love to have him back. Got to hand it to Dodger ownership. They are all in financially. Thank you Mr Walter! How about another 15 for Kenley!Im calling a huge comeback year from VGon!
Great move AF. Excited as heck to see this line-up grind every game. Heaney, Gonsolin and Price need to grab the #5 SP spot (assuming the first four are Walker, Julio, CK and TB). Hoping Ferguson, Kahnle, Hudson, Bickford, Vesia, Gonzales, Brusdar and Treinen are lights out.
Best line-up Jeff Passan has seen since he began covering baseball.
The Dodgers are beyond loaded, now all they need is health and the pitching to hold up.
Funny how people view things these days. Advanced age, 32. Looks like a player who will hold up well.
So, the Dodgers lose Corey Seager and come out ahead. The luck of the Irish, I guess. The Dodgers the clear favorites to win the World Series.
Are the Dodgers done? Maybe not. Not sure. They may pursue additIonal pitching, may depend on the status of Trevor Bauer. I’m guessing a decision has been made. Reasonable to expect an announcement any day.
Yes, it would be nice if David Price stepped up.
Maybe they should name a bridge after the Dodgers.
This years line up to start the season is intimidating. What’s even more impressive is the leadership that Betts and Freeman will provide. Talent is one thing but having a team with “good guys” is critical to winning championships.
It’s time for Dodger Baseball…………….
Number 5 is available for Freddie. Corey was kind enough to abandon it. This signing makes me forget about Corey.
Happy St. Patrick’s Day! I’m so glad the Dodgers pulled the trigger on this deal. Freddie is one of best pure hitters in baseball. I think batting average is not as valued these days as it should be. Constant contact keeps the line moving. He’s huge in the postseason and with RISP. Welcome home Freddie! I’ll see ya on the peninsula! This is the best lineup in baseball. I can’t wait to see how many records they’ll break as a unit this year.
Well, AF did it again. This is the best team he’s assembled so far. A team full of veterans, mostly in their prime years. The top of the lineup is stacked with some of the best hitters in baseball. The bottom of the lineup looks like the 4-6 hitters on most other teams. Is there another team with so many former Cy Young and MVP winners? I almost feel sorry for opposing pitchers. Hopefully we can have some health on our side.
WOW! I have been a Dodger fan since 1958 and I can’t think of another year that I have been more excited to see “Dodger Baseball.” And, with the rule changes coming in 2023, I look forward to many more years of enjoying my favorite sport and favorite team….Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
You lose Corey Seager, sign Freddie Freeman and the the Dodgers are better team today, Better defense in the infield. and more versatility with the DH to rest guys.. Plus Freddie plays every day and Corey had a history of injuries, some not his fault. Never thought Atlanta would let him go, but Liberty is a stock trading company that owns the Braves and every dollar counts as a return to stockholders. Ecstatic that he is a Dodger. Welcome aboard!!