Rants

Gary Peters too. Also on the Chisox

Lanky

Are you making fun of my name Mark?

Excellent points.

Tom Apfelbaum is intriging but at 17 years old, he is hard to project. This is over a year old:

The Mountain Mover

I’m rooting for Apple Tree.

I’m rooting for Apple Tree.

Why assume it would be for a single year? If AF is willing to spend prospects for Peralta, wouldn’t he try to extend him? Let’s say that AF’s big brain trust puts Peralta at 75-80% of the value of Skubal. In other words: Skubal Lite. Good taste, less filling. And Peralta’s long-term price might be 1/3 of the $400-500m+ that the Mets or Yankees or Jays might be willing to pay Skubal. I’m not saying the Dodgers should go after Peralta. But I understand why they might.

In the Modern Era, Wilbur Wood was the only LH Knuckleballer I remember. Joe and Phil Neikro and Tim Wakefield were all RH and won more games, but Wood won 164 games and had 4 straight seasons of 20-win seasons. Also, 4 straight seasons with 300+ IP. He was a horse.

Cool stuff.. One story about international signings pointed out tht dePaula and Quintero did not get huge money or hype–but became top prospects through player development.

Wilbur Wood passed away at the age of 84. RIP.

The TV contract expires in 2038 . The problem is Boob Manfred wants to sell a national package with rights to all 30 teams in 2029 not sure how that would work with the the Dodgers, Yankees, Mets, Cubs and Rangers having their own networks.

The only trades the Dodgers should make is getting one of the top 10 or 15 international signees for Miller. 3 of the top 6 current prospects were international signings and that speaks volumes to their talent level We haven’t had a top 5 draft pick since 1995 and this is probably the only way we can secure some young talent for the future. Thus team I s loaded and we have a top 3 farm system. If that doesn’t scare the hell out of the rest of ⚾, nothing will.

Kevin Spacey. Can I say that name?

The year to bear in mind with regard to the Dodgers is whenever their RSN deal ends. When that happens the club economics will greatly change as, if the media landscape does not greatly evolve) their next deal will be pennies on the dollar. The next few years are extraordinarily bereft of good quality hitters. https://www.spotrac.com/mlb/free-agents/_/year/2027/level/mlb/sort/contract_value https://www.spotrac.com/mlb/free-agents/available/_/year/2028/level/mlb

No worries! You can do no wrong when you run this kind of place.

Who is Keyser Soze

From Gemini: Based on the current date of January 18, 2026, the 2025-2026 offseason is winding down. The following lists project the notable MLB players scheduled to hit free agency after the 2026 and 2027 seasons. Please note that these lists can shift due to contract extensions, player opt-outs, and club options being exercised or declined. Free Agents After the 2026 Season (2026-2027 Offseason) This class is headlined by elite starting pitching and several young stars who may hit the market early due to contract structures (opt-outs). Top Pitchers Tarik Skubal (LHP): The Tigers ace is set to be the premier arm of this class if not extended. Chris Sale (LHP): Entering his late 30s, the veteran ace (currently with the Braves) is scheduled to hit the open market. Kevin Gausman (RHP): The Blue Jays right-hander will be a free agent at the conclusion of his 5-year deal. Sandy Alcantara (RHP): The Marlins hold a club option for 2027; if declined, he becomes a top free agent. Jesus Luzardo (LHP): A young, high-upside lefty scheduled to hit free agency. Shane Bieber (RHP): Depending on his health and rehab from past injuries, he could be a major wild card. Raisel Iglesias (RHP): The veteran closer is set to be a free agent. Notable Position Players Bo Bichette (SS/3B): Recently signed a deal (with the Mets in this timeline) that reportedly includes an opt-out clause after the 2026 season, allowing him to re-enter the market at age 28. Luis Robert Jr. (OF): The White Sox hold club options for 2026 and 2027. If the 2027 option is declined, he hits the market here. George Springer (OF): The veteran outfielder’s 6-year contract with the Blue Jays expires after this season. Anthony Rendon (3B): His massive 7-year contract with the Angels finally concludes. Ian Happ (OF): The Cubs outfielder is scheduled for free agency. Jazz Chisholm Jr. (2B/OF): Set to hit the open market as a prime-age power/speed threat. Ozzie Albies (2B): The Braves hold a club option for 2027; if declined, he is a free agent. Nico Hoerner (2B): The Cubs second baseman is scheduled for free agency. Free Agents After the 2027 Season (2027-2028 Offseason) This class features heavy-hitter veterans and potential opt-out superstars. Top Pitchers Zack Wheeler (RHP): The Phillies ace is scheduled to be a free agent, though he will be entering his late 30s. Jacob deGrom (RHP): His contract with the Rangers is complex with conditional options, but he could potentially hit the market. Tyler Glasnow (RHP): The Dodgers hold a club option that could keep him off the market, but without it, he is a free agent. Pablo López (RHP): The Twins ace is scheduled for free agency. Nathan Eovaldi (RHP): The veteran starter is set to be free. Luis Castillo (RHP): Has a vesting option for 2028; if he does not meet the criteria, he becomes a free agent. Emmanuel Clase (RHP): The Guardians hold club options that could extend his control, but this is the earliest he could technically be free if options are declined. Notable Position Players Kyle Tucker (OF): After signing a new deal (with the Dodgers in this timeline), he reportedly holds an opt-out clause after the 2027 season, making him a potential headliner. Freddie Freeman (1B): The Dodgers star first baseman’s contract expires, sending him to free agency at age 38. Yordan Alvarez (DH/OF): Scheduled to hit free agency, providing one of the best bats on the market. Gunnar Henderson (SS) & Adley Rutschman (C): Note: Depending on service time manipulation and arbitration, these young Orioles stars are slated to debut on the free agent market around this time (or 2028), making them the future jewels of the class. Austin Riley (3B): The Braves star is set for free agency (barring further extension). Byron Buxton (OF): His long-term deal with the Twins expires. Marcus Semien (2B): The Rangers veteran infielder will be a free agent. Nolan Arenado (3B): His contract is scheduled to expire after the 2027 season. Summary of Key Contract Situations Opt-Outs: Watch Bo Bichette (after 2026) and Kyle Tucker (after 2027). Their decisions will define the top of the market in their respective years. Club Options: Many stars listed above (like Luis Robert Jr., Sandy Alcantara, and Ozzie Albies) have team-friendly club options. If they remain healthy and productive, their teams will likely exercise these options, delaying their free agency by a year or more.

If there is a “lock-out” in 2027, won’t it damage other teams more than the Dodgers and make Free Agents more affordable for the Dodgers in 2028. If so, won’t that also make the Dodger minor leaguers more “tradeable” now than waiting. Also what are some BIG names that will become free agents in 2027 and 2028?

“Who is John Galt.” 😉

Thanks, Bluto. Sorry, it ended up in Trash. I tried to watch that, but I missed it.

Bluto posted this a few days ago, and I found it in “Trash.” Don’t know why, but it’s good stuff. Here it is: Baseball America on the Dodgers’ INTL signings ($$$$) https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/los-angeles-dodgers-2026-international-class-scouting-report/ Dominican outfielder Rubel Arias,.. Scouts highest on Arias praised his feel for hitting, as well—some scouts think it will be a hit-over-power profile Dominican shortstop Ezequiel Melbourne, signing for $750,000, jumps out quickly for his actions at shortstop. Young for the class—Melbourne turns 17 on June 2—he’s a switch-hitter with a slender 6-foot-2 frame… Dominican shortstop Ariel Reynoso is an offensive-minded middle infielder with a strong, thicker 5-foot-10 build. He shows a good balance of both hitting ability and extra-base impact from both sides of the plate. .. Another shortstop from the Dominican Republic, Jose Victorino, has grown several inches throughout the scouting process and is now 6-foot-3 with longer limbs and a chance to hit for power from the right side of the plate with physical upside for that power to jump more once he fills out his rangy build…. One of the up-arrow players for the Dodgers in this class is Tom Apfelbaum, a 17-year-old lefthander from Germany. Apfelbaum, who pitched for Germany in the U-18 World Cup last year, is 6-foot-4, 190 pounds and has seen his fastball steadily rise over the last few years to now sit in the low-90s and touch 94 mph… Another lefty, Miguel Herrera from Venezuela, is 6-foot-1 with good pitchability for his age. He’s up to 91 mph, throws an advanced changeup for his age… Jose Requena is 6-foot-3, 220 pounds, a strong corner outfielder from Venezuela with a power-over-hit offensive game from the right side of the plate. Raw power and a plus arm … Josh Thomas @DodgersDigest has his own look: https://dodgersdigest.com/2026/01/15/rubel-arias-ezequiel-melburne-highlight-dodgers-2026-ifa-signings/ Arias, a 17-year-old outfielder from the Dominican Republic, is the class headliner,… Melburne (whose name also appears as Melbourne in places, but I’m using the spelling from MLB Pipeline) signed for $747,500. … though he shows pop that is at least a full grade better from the right side than the left: Apfelbaum (whose surname means apple tree in German) is a tall and lanky lad at 6-foot-4, 190 pounds…. began receiving more widespread notice last April, as he traveled to the Dominican Republic

Nope…not worth it. Dodgers are deeper in starters, middle relief and closers than they have been in a long time. Don’t trade away the future for one year of Peralta. They have plenty of arms to provide rest and recovery where needed and to have a strong staff for the playoffs.

Congrats on the continued success of your business. Don’t know what Milwaukee wants, but as to whether he is worth that for just one year, considering the fact that they want to threepeat, and that there most likely will be a lockout next year, yep, make the deal.