SponsorUS Water Systems
LA Dodger Talk

Sometimes Your Best Moves Don t Look Like It At The Time

Think about this: One of the first free agents signed last year was Charlie Morton by the Astros. Charlie was a 33 year-old journeyman pitcher who went 14-7 with a 3.62 ERA (1.193 WHIP) in the regular season and then put up a 1.74 ERA (0.581 WHIP) and was the winning pitcher in the clinching game of the World Series. What I remember is that experts from many sources ridiculed

By Mark Timmons2 min readJump to 65 comments

Think about this:

  • One of the first free agents signed last year was Charlie Morton by the Astros.  Charlie was a 33 year-old journeyman pitcher who went 14-7 with a 3.62 ERA (1.193 WHIP) in the regular season and then put up a 1.74 ERA (0.581 WHIP) and was the winning pitcher in the clinching game of the World Series.  What I remember is that “experts” from many sources ridiculed the signing, saying that the Astros “way overpaid.” What did the experts know?
  • In a case close to my home, NBA experts denounced the Pacers trade of Paul George to OKC for Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis. They said that the Pacers were “swindled.” Victor is playing at an All-Star Level and Sabonis (age 21) is averaging 12.5 ppg and 8.7 rpg as a backup to Miles Turner.  Paul George?  The Pacers swindled OKC in my opinion. What did the experts know?
  • What about the signing of Brandon Morrow?  The FAZ-Bashers openly denounced it. What did they know?
  • Alex Wood?
  • Chris Taylor?
  • Cody Bellinger wasn’t ready! He wasn’t?  Well, Keith Law and I said he was, but I digress!

I could go on-and-on, but I will stop there.  The above examples are a few that are fresh in my mind. The so-called “experts” often don’t know any more than we (me and you) do.  Sometimes they know less.

The same is true with who are the finalists in the Shohei Ohtani and Giancarlo Stanton Sweepstakes.  Who the hell knows?  If I were Andrew Friedman I would say to Shohei Ohtani:

“This is LA – we sell out almost every game.  This is the biggest stage in the world.  You will be seen by more people around the would here than in any other ballpark (unless you have Time Warner). It’s not for everyone.  Some can’t stand the pressure.  Maybe you will do well in another smaller market, but in the back of your mind, you will always wonder if you could have made it in LA.  I think you have what it takes, but do you? “

That would be my speech to him with that twist of reverse psychology.  What do they have to lose?

Who the hell knows?

Discussion (65)

Disagree, not disagreeable

Be civil — moderation is real. Links may need a moment of review.

More from Dodger Talk

Dodgers Food Trailer

I did this interview a couple of weeks ago with Chef Mike, who runs the Dodgers Food Trailer for the Great Lakes Loons. They are there for every home and road regular season and playoff game. They prepare three meals a day for approximately 50 people (players and coaches). Since games end late most evenings, they do not prepare breakfast. Many of their hotels have a complimentary breakfast anyway. However,…

By Mark Timmons · July 17, 202673

Meet LAD 2026 Draft Picks 1-12

3 picks were High School players (2 SS and 1 OF). There was a college OF, college catcher, college SS, and 10 college pitchers. Of all the talk for a need for a catcher, the only catcher the Dodgers selected was Luke Bard, son of LAD bullpen coach Josh Bard. Bard was a 4th year senior from Houston Christian University. He is not a prospect, so the Dodgers are still…

By Jeff Dominique · July 16, 202674

Interview with Paul Beachy – Team Bus Driver For The Great Lakes Loons (LA Dodgers Minor League Team)

It’s been a few days since I did this interview. We have evidently been working my son-in-law (the video guy) like a rented mule at US Water Systems. However, I am taking him to London with me in a few days, so maybe Watford will buy him a pint as a tip, but he’s a dang Red Sox fan, so there is that! I thought that it would be interesting…

By Mark Timmons · July 15, 202652

Thanks for Your Service: Chris Taylor

I was going to do this post when Chris announced he was retiring, then he changed his mind, but since the chances of him ever playing for the Dodgers again are slim and non-existent, I will go ahead with this post. He unretired, went on the IL, then decided to call it quits on May 24th. Taylor was born in Virginia Beach VA on August 29th, 1990. He attended Great…

By Michael "Bear" Norris · July 14, 202676