The Big Blue Wrecking Crew

With the addition of Mookie Betts and the maturation of other YOUNG players, I think it may be time to bring back that moniker. The name “Big Blue Wrecking Crew” has been utilized any number of times throughout Los Angeles Dodger history, even on a LP Album featuring Steve Yeager, Rick Monday Jay Johnstone, and Jerry Reuss.

But, it has generally been applied to the group of Dodgers who bashed 30 home runs each in during the 1977 season: Steve Garvey (33) Reggie Smith (32), Ron Cey (30), and Dusty Baker (30).

That record of four players with 30+ Home Runs could be broken in 2020, especially if Joc Pederson is not traded. I am not worried about Joc getting his feelings hurt in arbitration. He’s a free agent after this year and has every incentive to put up monster numbers. He will play hard for a new contract or hurt himself… I think he’s smart enough to show up, step up and shut up!

Who could hit 30 HR for the Dodgers in 2020?

1. Cody Bellinger – Very likely
2. Max Muncy – Highly likely
3. Joc Pederson – Highly likely
4. Mookie Betts – Highly likely
5. Corey Seager – Likely
6. Justin Turner – Possible
7. Gavin Lux – Possible
8. Will Smith – Possible

Every player at every position has a shot at 30 HR. Of course, that won’t happen, but 2020 could be the best offensive year ever for the LA Dodgers. We don’t know how the lineup will be constructed… Betts could leadoff or hit 2nd or 3rd.

Against RHP:

1. Joc Pederson LF (why not?)
2. Betts RF
3. Bellinger CF
4. Muncy 1B
5. Turner 3B (if he can be healthy for 140 games…)
6. Seager SS
7. Smith C
8. Lux 2B

Against LHP:

1. Pollock LF (what better place?)
2. Betts RF
3. Bellinger CF
4. Muncy 1B
5. Turner 3B
6. Seager SS
7. Smith C
8. Lux 2B

What the Offense Will Look Like

Joc will start 2/3 of the games in LF (until if and when he is traded), but AJ will get AB’s when a LHP comes in and he will also serve as the primary RH pinch-hitter. Both players could be little disgruntled, but that gives them all the more reason to play hard. That platoon could deliver 55 HR for LF. Friedman will trade Joc, but it will have to be an overpay.

The player who could have a “Monster Season” is Max Muncy. If Betts and Bellinger (who both have excellent speed) get on base with regularity, it means that Max will see more fastballs and Max Muncy may be the best fastball hitter in all of baseball. That adds up to a monster season.

I fully expect Corey Seager to get back to his Rookie and Sophmore form and hit .300 with 25 to 35 HR. Justin Turner, as usual, will need to stay healthy and that’s not easy for him. But, if he does, he’s a force to be reckoned with.

I expect the Killer B’s, Betts and Bellinger, to be in the Top 5 MVP Candidates and Max Muncy could be close too. He’s a darkhorse MVP candidate. Pollock and Pederson might be playing to move on, while Seager and Turner are battling to stay healthy and relevant.

Will Smith is a great defensive catcher who will hit .240 to .250 with maybe 20-25 HR and Gavin Lux is a Rookie-of-the-Year Candidate who could (BIG COULD) breakout is his first season.

… and the farm is still massively strong! I hated losing Alex. I like Alex Verdugo (a lot), and Jeter Downs as well. Both may be good to All-Star players. Conner Wong is a backup, if he makes the show. But, they were good players from a stacked farm system that is still stacked. That’s the important part that is still in play. Keep the farm strong. It’s hard for Andrew Friedman to trade prospects because he knows he knows the value of a good prospect who has been properly developed.

How the Pitching Improves

Pitching is a crapshoot. Ross Stripling, Blake Treinen, Joe Kelly, Pedro Baez, Kenley Jansen. Jimmy Nelson, Alex Wood, Dylan Floro, Scott Alexander and others are all capable of good-to-great seasons, but not all will. However, some will!

Kenta Meada, Rich Hill, and Hyun-jin Ryu are all gone from 2019. However, Dustin May, Julio Urias, Tony Gonsolin, Alex Wood, and David Price are ready to try and take their place. Brusdar Graterol has some of the most electric stuff you have ever seen and is a closer in waiting. He will make a huge impact in the bullpen this year. He is an absolute filthy pitcher with a 98-102 MPH Fastball and a 88 MPH “heavy sinker” that looks like the same pitch.

That brings me to David Price, who could have his left arm fall off or he could win 20 games… and anything else in-between. Peter Gammons and Andrew Friedman both know Price very well. Gammons believes Price will be one of the Top Starters in the NL and I am sure that Friedman’s familiarity with him sealed the deal. We don’t know.

But, until the bell rings, we will never know. That’s why they play the games and I am more excited about 2020 than any year I can remember.

I am headed to Phoenix to the Cannabis show. In case it is legal to grow it in your state, here’s the best way.

Today’s Music