The Dodgers Farm System

This is why we need a salary cap (AND a floor). Andrew Freidman has been masterful at playing within the rules. Underestimated is the Dodger front office savvy in generating revenue. Using spending as a percentage of payroll, we actually are down the list a good bit due to the very high revenue income. But while giving AF his due, and also recognizing that some small market teams have been bale to be competitive (off and on), the advantage large market teams have in the post 1980s era of big contracts is just not good for the game. Half the MLB teams have little hope of competing in a given year and at best can hope to perfectly time their spending and roster to compete maybe one to three years before a dismantling of the roster for financial reasons. Arguing against this point is that this problem has persisted for many years and baseball has prospered in those years as a whole, but would you really like to be a Pirates fan in this environment? Marlins? Twins? I would miss baseball something awful if we don’t play in 2027, but if it results in a salary cap that gives all teams a fighting chance, I would accept it. The Dodgers would still be highly successful in a salary cap environment (see AF in Tampa).

Just noticed that Top 3B list doesn’t include the Royals’ young Mikael Garcia. who hit to a .800 OPS in ’25 and also won praise for his defense. Max’s OPS equaled that of Caminero–but Caminero played in 54 more games and hit 45 bombs. Max’s numbers were similar to Parades. But Max led them all with an OBP of .376.

Tarik Skubal Wins Arbitration Hearing “Tigers ace Tarik Skubal has won his arbitration hearing against the team, reports ESPN’s Jeff Passan. He’ll be paid a record-shattering $32MM in his final season of arbitration eligibility and, in doing so, radically alter subsequent arbitration earnings for top-tier starting pitchers with five-plus years of big league service. The Tigers had submitted a $19MM figure, which was more in line with traditional arbitration earnings for elite starters. Skubal is represented by the Boras Corporation”.

2026 World Baseball Classic DODGERS Edwin Díaz (Puerto Rico) Jake Gelof (Israel) Hyeseong Kim (Korea) Antonio Knowles (Great Britain) Shawndrick Oduber (Netherlands) Shohei Ohtani (Japan) Will Smith (United States) Yoshinobu Yamamoto (Japan)

Good point.

Much-maligned Max has always been underrated, so it’s a bit jarring to see him suddenly overrated. Especially at a point when, in his mid-30s, he’s having more trouble staying on the field, and some age-related regression is to be expected. Max is more likely to be platooned now than when he was in his prime and playing second fiddle to Bellinger. I certainly expect guys like Bregman, Caminero and Riley to have better seasons than Max. Probably Machado too, though he’s lost a step. But that’s OK! When he’s healthy, Max is a force. He’ll probably bat 6th, between Smith and Teo. This lineup is awfully good.

His value went down, but the price for Detroit went up. Detroit could cut their losses by dealing him. They just added Framber Valdez, and could theoretically replace Skubal in the rotation with Sheehan plus ???. I’m not saying the Dodgers should swing a deal, but it seems plausible. If AF lusts after Skubal, he could make an offer that is hard to refuse. The two-time Cy winner would move to the front of the rotation, ahead of Yamamoto, Shohei, etc. Does anyone here think Skubal will be a Tiger for life? Seems to me this isn’t a matter of if, but when.

The Tigers will have a better idea re Skubal as the season progresses. A lot could happen, including injuries, that could shape their thinking. The Tigers could win it all and still lose him to free agency with nothing but draft-pick compensation. The Dodgers certainly don’t need Skubal. Getting him might “ruin baseball” all over again.

I meant for the slash marks to suggest a selection of the three names; if I meant all three I’d have used the + sign. (I think Sasaki is untouchable.) We could also add Wrobleski, Casparius, Ferris and Root to the list, as well as Rushing and Freeland, because Tigers would have their own ideas about their needs. It’s all fungible. I’m not sure how the pending salary negotiations might influence the Dodgers’ course of action re Skubal. Maybe it does, but I’m not sure why. What I am pretty sure about is that Detroit will have a very hard time affording Skubal. The bidding could include the Yankees, Mets, Blue Jays and ???. But as the Shohei and Tucker signings showed, AF tends to get what he wants.

Surprised that Bregman isn’t on that list.

HBD, AVF!

I was happy to see Rojas suggest the IKF’s costly too-short leadoff may have been the coach’s fault. IKF has taken a lot of grief for that.

I don’t see why River Ryan isn’t No. 1. He’s the most proven of the bunch, and might be in the rotation now if not for the injury. He has all-star upside. Which is just an illustration of how subjective these rankings are. Another way to analyze these prospects: Who is closest to contributing in ’26? My assessment: 1-Ryan 2-Freeland 3-Ryan Ward (most proven minor leaguer, could help a few small-market teams) 4-Tibbs. Yes, Erhard may be a sleeper. Also Davalan, who has a similar profile. I hope the top OF prospects shake out this season to determine which join Morales as “keepers. ” With Tucker and Pages aboard for the foreseeable future, there may be room for only two. One of the OF could join Ferris and ??? in a deal with the Tigers.

I don’t see why River Ryan isn’t No. 1. He’s the most proven of the bunch, and might be in the rotation now if not for the injury. He has all-star upside. Which is just an illustration of how subjective these rankings are. Another way to analyze these prospects: Who is closest to contributing in ’26? My assessment: 1-Ryan 2-Freeland 3-Ryan Ward (most proven minor leaguer, could help a few small-market teams) 4-Tibbs. Yes, Erhard may be a sleeper. Also Davalan, who has a similar profile. I hope the top OF prospects shake out this season to determine which join Morales as “keepers. ” With Tucker and Pages aboard for the foreseeable future, there may be room for only two. One of the OF could join Ferris and ??? in a deal with the Tigers.

Surprisingly, Zach Erdhard is #7, above Tibbs, #10. Zach has very good numbers, strong arm and speed. Might be a sleeper. Not a lot of power but that speed could mean a bunch of doubles and triples if he can hit the gaps.

Teo & Edman on sac flies

Man, I can’t stop watching World Series highlights. It took almost every single guy on the roster to lock that thing up. Trivia question: which players got the first two Dodger RBI in Game 7?

Username checks out!!!

Cool, thx

Then you’re right Mark. A very good signing. Guy can hit. With Merrill, Machado, tatis, bogarts, andujar., they still can hit. As much as dislike machado and tatis they are still going to produce. Though I believe they will miss Arreaz in that lineup. Happy birthday Andrew F. I have a son named Andrew. I’m sure you are a fine young man too!!

No

Did they lose another draft pick? I haven’t seen that yet.

Agree. Very under the radar signing and at a very modest cost.

LOL ZERO chance they get that much for 1 year of Skubal…his value just went down too considering he won his arbitration.

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