If you know anything about me, you know that I believe the conventional wisdom is usually wrong… to say nothing of dumb! Insofar as I know, every blog, baseball writer, and a majority of the fans have tried, convicted, and sentenced Trevor Bauer in the Court of Public Opinion. I think that they are wrong! Very wrong – but I am not going to discuss it again… at least not right about now. I have said that I do not believe the Dodgers will sign Freddie Freeman or Nelson Cruz when every media outlet is talking about just that. We are done talking about that too. Of course, signed with the Nats, so he is off the market.
Of course, if I am wrong, you will pile on like goats on stink. So many blogs play it safe. It’s milk toast. They try and play both sides. Me? I am going to give you my opinion… which often varies from the mainstream opinion and I will admit when I am wrong and you are welcome to pile on. The thing is… I am seldom wrong! Well, I thought I was wrong once, but I was mistaken. OK, I am joking… Stop it!
Late last season, over the winter and recently, I said that the Dodger had a Top 10 Farm System. Many fans disagreed… violently disagreed, loudly disagreed. Well, Baseball America ranked them #8, and Keith Law (whom lots of baseball fans worship) ranked them #1. I can’t rank them #1, but they are certainly TOP 4… maybe like #4, in my opinion.
So, just to be clear, here is where we are at:
#1 – I do not believe the Dodgers will sign Freddie Freeman;
#2 – I do not believe the Dodgers will sign Nelson Cruz (they didn’t);
#3 – I do not think Trevor Bauer will be suspended (I am not a fan – I did not like the signing and am fine if AF trades him; and
#4 – I think Clayton Kershaw should have retired (that remains to be seen)!
There is not much wiggle room outta that. Feel free to pile on if I am wrong… and I know you will.
I am not afraid to stand for something… because if I don’t I might fall for anything. Yes, I am not always right, but if you stick with what I say, you will be right more than you will be wrong. Take that to the bank.
There are dozens… maybe hundreds of websites and blogs where you can get game summaries, boxscores, and game time information. LaDodgerTalk is about seeing a different game. We want you to think… think for yourselves and not engage in “groupthink.” I go to many blogs and it is just one party where everyone complements everyone else for their take on the Dodgers… when in fact, it is all the same take.
Blaaaaahhhhh!
This year LA DODGER TALK is going to provide content as you have never seen before, We are going to help you see a different game and there is going to be a HUGE FOCUS on the Dodgers’ Minor League System featuring minor league players nearly every day. Yes, I know I have retired and come back more than Tom Brady, but here I am… right here, right now.
We have Bear (our appointed baseball historian), myself, and we will have another blogger come on board VERY soon, whom you all know. We are going to have some interviews with some very famous baseball people (I’d love to tell you, but I can’t… yet!).
LA Dodger Chronicles
I also want to announce that Jeff Dominique, Always Compete, or AC (he has a multitude of names) is going to be starting his own blog on April Fools Day. This is true! We will have links to it when it is live. I am sure it will be one of the best blogs out there. I hope he doesn’t put me out of business. He had to leave LA Dodger Talk due to illness… he was sick of me! I am sure that DC (Dodger Chatter), also known as Harold Uhlman will be joining him. I think it will be outstanding. Jeff is very well connected and insightful into Dodger Baseball. You will be dumber if you do not read his blog! Wow! That’s some great copy! Good Luck Jeff (AC) and DC!
Actually, in some small way, I hope I helped Jeff move in this direction. I wish him (and DC) nothing but the best! my son is now in charge of our day-to-day operations at US Water Systems and I work on long-term and web projects. It is a dream come true. Bear (Michael Norris) is collaborating with me on a Cooperstown Blog and it will be amazing. Stay tuned. Does anyone know who the President of Cooperstown is? Hint: He’s an old friend.
I am still working on my book. I am still involved with US Water Systems (like 50 hours a week), and I am the Grandfather to 6 little girls (from 16 years old to 18 months). I call the youngest Rey Skywalker and she calls me Obi Wan. I never knew how much being a grandfather suited me.
Clayton looks to have a pretty good belly going right about now.
Discussion (39)
Disagree, not disagreeable
Nothing is going to happen tonight. But games start in 3 days. FF needs to be in camp.
Someone told me that the Dodgers offer to Freeman is 4 years. Not sure how they know. Maybe they don’t.
Some interesting facts I found on Freddie Freeman :
As Jon Paul Morosi notes, Freeman is represented by the same agency as Clayton Kershaw, who agreed to a one-year deal with the Dodgers ) earlier on Friday. Also other than his father, the only hitting coach Freeman cites for helping him establish his approach as a child was Ira Green, father of former major league slugger Dodger Shawn Green, who ran a Los Angeles-area baseball academy.
Legal contract paperwork and a physical must be holding this deal up or a possible trade is in the works to clear roster space.
I’m sure most of you have seen this, but . . . https://buckeyeswire.usatoday.com/2022/03/13/ohio-state-football-espn-trades-buckeyes-football-to-fox-for-joe-buck/
You left out resting a player as he hits the pinnacle of his hot streak.
Just saw a video of Bellinger taking BP. It looks like he has changed his stance again. But this one looks very natural. And he was raking.
If you listen to Podcasts, the latest Baseball America podcast focuses on the Dodgers:
Miller, Vargas, Pepilot, Busch (with a nice anecdote featuring Dave Roberts) and plenty more…..
Just read today’s post, not sure I understand why anyone would start a new blog.
Not just the fact that it’s a capital expense (albeit a small one.)
But maintenance is a pain.
Is there a reason they wouldn’t just post content here?
Selfishly, it’s one destination instead of two (or three)
Mark, the reasons you mention why the Dodgers should not sign Freeman are correct and it is what is best for the team in the medium and long term, I am in that boat, the Dodgers should not sign Freeman.
So if the Dodgers go and sign Freeman it doesn’t mean you’re wrong, it’s far more likely that the Dodgers are wrong.
A lot of chatter that Freeman is going to be a Blue Jay.
Instead of Freeman (Although it wouldn’t be bad to have him) it would be much better to sign Joc, Greinke and Bryant, who could occupy 3B after Turner
This gets more exciting than the deadline trade!
Wow: The Reds are gutting the team.
Winker and Suarez to the Mariners.
The words are actually “Ghost Runners in MLB.”
The Ghost Runner is coming back… mercifully!
From MLBTR:
The extra innings ghost runner might be sticking around in Major League Baseball, report Jayson Stark and Matt Gelb of The Athletic. Players, who “heavily support” this new feature from the last two seasons, tell the reporters they expect it to be enacted this week with the announcement of health and safety protocols.
Though the automatic runner on second base in extra innings was originally put in place as a COVID response, ultimately the players like it because it has mostly killed the marathon extra innings game.
Stark and Gelb note that the apparition may not necessarily appear in the 10th inning, but instead could surface in the 11th or 12th. With the National League adopting the designated hitter this year, baseball traditionalists are doing plenty of grumbling this week.
Tatis out for 3 months – broken wrist.
Well Freddie is a free man no longer! Move over Max. You’ve got a new playmate! Just wanted to beat Passan to the punch
It’s always fun to try and figure what AF will do next! If FF signs can’t believe TT is a Dodger next year.
I would think that Freddie would not want to go to the East Coast.
Dodgers must be waiting to get a trade lined up before announcing the FF acquisition. Unless there is a mystery team out there like the Orange County Angels I think FF is going to be a Dodger.
And going to ……. Mark?
Mark ,we may be both wrong on Freddie Freeman unless the Yankees acquire him.
Atlanta acquires Matt Olsen from the A’s.
This means Freeman is leaving Atl…….
Jorge’s passion for the Padres is borderline unhealthy IMHO.
I agree with you about Freeman and Cruz. The Dodgers have preferred to use a revolving DH to rest players and get bench players ABs. Freeman wants 6 years. They have prospects, one of which will be able to play 1B and they have Muncy.
I would never count Clayton Kershaw out.
Don’t be surprised to see Bauer suspended at the beginning of the season. Don’t be surprised if he never wears Dodger Blue again.
Dodgers’ needs:
1 – SP or 2. They have Buehler, Urias and Kershaw and after that, ??? Heaney has never been good. He’s a flier. May may not be back as a starter until 2023. Gonsolin is a ?? Price is done.
2 – bench depth. Last year’s bench was not effective. Don’t know if Rios will be good after undergoing surgery for labral tear. McKinstry is a ?? They have their backup catcher and after that???
We’ve been traveling to AZ to play in baseball tournaments for several years, but our agenda hasn’t lined up with the Dodgers schedule. However, this year we have a window that works perfectly for us. I’m very proud to share that I’m taking my son this Friday to our first game at camelback ranch.
Do you have any tips in regards to how early to get to the ballpark to watch BP and warm ups to take in as much of the experience possible?
Thanks,
Peter
Jorge, is it just the Padres or are you this hateful against anybody not Dodgers?
Dodgers signed Mike Wright and Jake Lamb. Jake had back-to-back years of 30 HR, but that was in 2016 and 2017. He is now 31 and a “project.”
Seriously, that idiotic retarded asshole clown from SD, will he be out for 3 months? That’s the second best news after an agreement was reached to play baseball… Wow, this is starting to look better!
Reports are that Tatis was hurt earlier in the offseason. But only had access to team Doctors this week. The lockout could cost the Padres quite a bit. Especially if Tatis could have had surgery week or even months ago.
In NL West news: Fernando Tatis has a broken wrist and will undergo surgery. He’ll be out at least 3 months.
I remember when Muncy first became a Dodger. I wasn’t that sure about him, especially on defense. I can remember him missing foul balls near the dugout railing. I also remember him looking clumsy chasing foul balls down the right field line. Well, he’s come along way since then. His offense has always been good and I am sure glad he’s a Dodger. Most fans feel that he’s fine as a 2nd baseman and he may well be, but I think the position would be much stronger with lux or Taylor playing there.
I was sure worried when he injured himself last fall. I heard him interviewed during the lock out and he said he hadn’t even held a bat in his hands yet. Most of you guys follow things more closely than I do. What is the lates on his elbow now?
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Thanks Mark for all you do. It’s great to have you committed to keeping this site going strong. I enjoy all the knowledge and opinions shared here. It’s good to be back talking Dodger Baseball.
Joe Kelly to the White Sox, 2 year contract.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!
Good interview with Clayton Kershaw this morning in the LA Times.
Nelson Cruz never made much sense. Just think the Dodgers want to be flexible with the DH, give players a day off here and there.
But Freddie Freeman does make some sense. Makes the Dodgers better, hurts the Braves.
Still think an extension for Trea Turner makes a lot of sense. Turner even said he’s open to it.
Will the Dodgers pursue it, Mark?
Yes, the case against Trevor Bauer is weak, especially from a legal standpoint. But MLB operates in a different bubble. There is some history that indicates MLB may suspend him. But Rob Manfred just finished a bruising battle with the union. Does he want to step into another?
Most of the free agents tied to the Dodgers probably aren’t on Andrew Friedman’s radar.
Just a sense, but pitching seems to be a concern, although I suppose you could make a case for moving ahead with what you’ve got. It would be nice if David Price would step up. Hate to see them trade top prospects to acquire a starter.
Guessing there will be a surprise signing of a free agent, one way or another, maybe a trade in the next few days.
B&P. Can you please elaborate on the Dodgers style of management
You have a good track record, Mark. You also do a good job reading between the lines on most things. You would probably be more right, more often if we weren’t dealing with players, who are highly unpredictable. Clayton is a good example. The reports were that he had a flexor tendon strain in his forearm, but he was recently interviewed and spoke about his elbow injury. PRP is generally a treatment used to cure (more like postpone) a Tommy John injury. So, was this misdiagnosed at the time, or where the reports just lies like Max Muncy’s UCL injury, which also should have required TJ surgery? To me, you were right about Kershaw. But, he’s convinced himself that he’s feeling better and isn’t quite ready to retire at age 35.
Nelson Cruz never made much sense for the Dodgers to me, yet they were still “in” on him. They’re also “in” on Soler, Story, Freeman and others. Freeman makes a lot of sense for me, since they can shuffle things around to make him fit. Story to some extent as well and Soler, maybe? I guess they can use a 4th outfielder, but a lefty hitter would probably make a little more sense.
The truth is, the Dodgers have enough talent in house and most teams are playing catch up. If we sign anyone, we’re blocking someone else. Hanser Alberto was probably a most needed signing as it balances out the bench quite nicely. I still think that Feeman makes a lot of sense for the upcoming season, and the Dodgers really want him. There’s a lot of smoke surrounding Freeman and the Braves are putting on the full press trying to get him back. But, it’s ultimately his decision. Does he want to play for the team he grew up rooting for, or doesn’t he want to play for the team he made his name with? This is where it becomes very hard to predict because everyone has different motivating factors. Some stars will choose to play for whoever gives them the most money, like Seager and Harper. While other will go play where they’re most comfortable like Kershaw. I’m sure some are turned off by the Dodgers’ style of management. While others buy into it. Another determining factor.
To me, the longer someone is unsigned after the rumors begin flowing, the less likely they are to sign with that team. It means they are looking for, or considering other deals. I thought that Freddie would have signed by now. Maybe he’s holding out for more money from the Braves, but I sincerely think there’s some interest on both sides. It’s up to Freeman to make the right call.
Will AC and DC allow political dialogue? And Kersh didn’t retire and you might owe someone a dinner
Mark ,great to have you back fulltime with Old Bear. As I’ve said in the past this is the best Dodger Blog around where you can speak your mind on both sides of the argument, get harassed if you aren’t agreed upon by others and move on in a friendly peaceful way to the next day and next subject. Agree to disagree in a respectful manner. The way it should be.
Love the sounds from the videos of Dodger baseball at Glendale and the insightful interviews. Looking forward to your new format .Appreciate all your hard work and keeping it going for us devoted Dodger loyalists.
Will AC and DC allow political dialogue?
Hey, it is my birthday today and I would not mind if the Dodgers brought in Freddie Freeman as a birthday present.
I think the Dodgers should do what the Rams did last season and go all in for 2022. This team is still loaded and with another big bat in the middle of the lineup another trophy is realistic.
With Bauer, Walker, Julio, Clayton and lots of possibilites for the Nr. 5 spot the rotation is as good as any other in MLB. Back end of the bullpen is also excellent already even without KJ. Treinen, Kahnle and Bazooka is very, very talented. Tons of good vet arms in addion with some great looking youngsters in Miller, Pepiot, Jackson, Knack.
So yes, bring in that big bat and go for it!
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!