A very weird offseason indeed. This year’s free agent class featured some high-end talent and at the top of the list was Aaron Judge fresh off of a record-setting 62 home run season to go along with an astonishing 10.6 WAR. A right-handed bat who plays Right Field and Center Field. Potentially a nice fit for a Dodgers team that seems to have one everyday outfielder in Mookie Betts and a hole in the lineup that a right-handed power bat would fill nicely.
After top prize Judge, a quartet of shortstops were available. The Dodgers’ own Trea Turner was the first of them to sign elsewhere. Xander Bogaerts, Carlos Correa, and Dansby Swanson came off the board quickly once Trea Turner signed. You would think a SS would fill a hole after losing one of the top shortstops in baseball, two years in a row! That’s not how things worked out for us.
On the pitching side of the free agent market, very old and very good Justin Verlander signed a two-year deal to pitch into his age 40 and age 41 seasons to join the top of the Mets rotation with fellow old and good Max Scherzer for the same $43+ Million per year. The other prize at the top of the pitching market, Jacob Degrom, who hasn’t pitched a full season since 2019 got a 5 year deal from the pitching starved Texas Rangers earning $37 million per year to pitch through his age 39 season with a club option for Age 40.
To round out the top 10 available free agents, New York was very busy as the Yankees snatched up Carlos Rodon and the Mets resigned Brandon Nimmo. The Blue Jays signed Chris Bassitt. All of the top 10 free agents were signed before Christmas. A Christmas miracle indeed…
It was apparent the Dodgers were staying out of the deep end of the waters in such a strange offseason. Instead, they turned to bringing back their own legend, Clayton Kershaw on a very reasonable $20M, 1 year deal. Then, they signed Noah Syndergaard on a very reasonable $13M, “Fix Me” 1 year deal, following the likes of Andrew Heaney and Tyler Anderson while hoping for a big payday after a return to dominance. For good measure, they filled the hole for a right-handed bat in the middle of the lineup with another 1 year deal, this time for JD Martinez for $10M. Another “Fix Me” deal in where JD is trusting his future by reuniting with Robert Van Scoyoc, the Dodgers hitting coach that is credited with turning JD Martinez into one of the most productive hitters in baseball early in his career. In addition to these big name signings, the Dodgers also took a flier on Jayson Heyward, signing him on a minor league deal. Another “Project” to work on, but on a worst case scenario, he’s still a very good outfield defender with a plus arm.
Beyond Clayton’s return, this was not the result that most Dodgers fans were expecting. But, at the same time, it could turn out to be a very impressive haul. In fact, if these names were acquired in a single offseason a few years ago, I think everyone would be ecstatic. These names are just as big as any of the top 10. Hell, even bigger when Nimmo and Bassitt are checking in at the end of the top 10 list. And just to put a cherry on top, they got all three of them on risk-free, one-year deals totaling the same AAV and half the length of Justin Verlander’s contract. Our oldest signings, Kershaw and Martinez are both a full 5 years younger than Verlander. Thor is a full decade younger than Verlander and believe it or not, Jayson Heyward is just 33 years old at the time of the signing even thought it seems like he’s been around forever.
Now, consider this. The Dodgers current projected payroll is just a tick below $32M under the salary cap. That number perfectly coincides with Trevor Bauer’s salary.
Coincidence or an Optimal Approach to Maximizing Production while Minimizing Risk?
The biggest cheater in baseball, Rob Manfred, has successfully screwed the Dodgers once again with the Trevor Bauer saga. The Trevor Bauer can has been kicked far enough down the road that all of the most useful free agents have signed. It sure seems like he’s on a mission to derail the Dodgers’ run of success, but AF fighting back the best he can while coming dangerously close to the CBT threshold.
With the Dodgers almost exactly Trevor’s contract under the cap, it seems to me that AF expects Bauer to be in a Dodgers uniform to start the season. All the details about Bauer’s case is under wraps and no one has reported any kind of information regarding his appeal, other than it was expected to be settled sometime this month. Yet, here we are, less than a week until Christmas and the New Year just around the corner and nothing is settled and no new information or speculation has been revealed by anyone. It’s seems that these hearings are more secure than the Ghislaine Maxwell trial! As a result of the payroll uncertainty surrounding Bauer, and the record length contracts that were being handed out like happy pills at a Grateful Dead concert, AF pivoted to the “Sign and fix” strategy gathering formerly great players this offseason. AF is all about risk management and optimization. His approach this offseason sure looks like he’s operating under a plan with the following goals.
- As always, be deep with Starting Pitching.
- Don’t just hand over a starting job to a rookie without having adequate insurance in place.
- Reset the cap when the opportunity arises.
This offseason will be forever known as the offseason of stupid contracts. Has there ever been so many players signed through age 40? For the last couple of days, a lot of the talk on this site was about the decline of two very good, if not prolific hitters in JT and JD. Both are risky moves and most people think one or the other are washed up. Both are considered DH’s only at this point in their careers, even if JT can fill in at 3B and JD can play a little LF. Both have seen their production decline for several straight years. Every GM knows this and sees this, but somehow it seems like every big name signed contracts well past the current age of these two questionable veterans. Andrew didn’t budge and instead acquired talent at a reduced cost. Of course, each of them have their warts, but each is also young enough to have some promise left in their talents.
These signings provide three things.
- Reduce risk by providing insurance in case the rookies aren’t ready.
- Provide flexibility to cover for injuries or poor performance.
- Acquire a lot of upside.
Kershaw, Martinez, Syndergaard and Heyward have all been stars. You can’t teach talent, but you can recapture it. They did so with worse tools last year while turning Heaney and Anderson into highly valued free agent targets that came off the board expeditiously. While JD Martinez doesn’t provide positional flexibility, he does provide an excellent chance of upside to replace Trea Turner’s or JT’s bat. Maybe better, maybe somewhere in between. It’s clear that the Dodgers front office thinks he has more to add than JT does. Max Muncy looks to get the most time in the field as a result of this signing. In a perfect world, Max would be a semi full-time DH. I love great fielding teams and with Max having a full time role at 2nd or 3rd, we aren’t going to see plus defense at those positions. Max says he’s most comfortable at second base and I believe that’s the plan for him. So, if you’re one of those that’s scared of Lux playing SS, you’re gonna love Muncy at second.
Miguel Vargas is a third baseman and the readiest of all of the rookies, even if he didn’t look like it last year. He’s got the longest runway of all the rookies and that runway will be at 3rd base, not left field unless Busch hits himself onto the team. A lot has been said about the defensive challenges of Vargas and Busch. But, both of these top rookies have made vast improvements on the field. That’s not to say there won’t be some growing pains. With a little luck and a lot of talent, their bats might just make up for any holes in their gloves.
Realistically speaking, Busch probably needs more time in the minors and Outman will be there with him unless he plays himself into the outfield in Spring Training. There’s going to be a lot of competition in the Dodger’s outfield come Spring Training. Jayson Heyward is attempting a comeback at age 33 and he’s best suited for LF. But, he’ll also be a very good defensive option if RVS can fix his bat. Chris Taylor and Trayce Thompson can both play all three outfield positions and Johnny DeLuca is a true Centerfielder as is James Outman. Last but not least, Andy Pages could pull a Belli and force the Dodgers hand by bashing his way into the lineup similar to what Belli did when he arrived ahead of schedule. Pages is better suited for Right Field, but has played plenty of Center Field in the minors. With Heyward, Taylor or Thompson flanking him on the left side, his range would be less of a factor.
On the infield, Muncy can play 2nd and 3rd allowing either Vargas or Busch to break in. Management can settle that score during Spring Training. If both Vargas and Busch have a hot spring, they can move one of them to left field, which could work with a Thompson / Outman platoon in Center.
Now that the roster is set, there will be other minor league signings that typically never work out and some other prospects on the 40-man that aren’t too far away. I can’t see another big signing or a trade considering where the payroll sits and the fact that the 40 man roster looks pretty complete just as soon as they officially add JD and cut Yonny (Cash Considerations) Hernandez. Once that move is made, there’s not a single player on the 40-man that wouldn’t get picked up immediately if the Dodgers needed to clear another roster spot. The team, as a whole, is very deep and talented when Justin Bruihl is your weak link. By the time the Bauer saga is settled, they won’t be any $32M players for the Dodgers to throw money at if the decision goes the wrong way. If Bauer is back in a Dodgers uniform, the rotation will likely be the best in baseball and could open up a trade for another bat at the deadline.
My “Way too early” Opening Day Lineup…
Betts RF R
Lux SS L
Freddie 1B L
JDM DH R
Muncy 2B L
Smith C R
Vargas 3B R
Outman CF L
Taylor LF R
RIP Justin Turner
Justin Turner was not only a productive member of this team for the last 9 seasons, he was a beloved member of the Dodgers family for good reason. A utility player turned star third-baseman, Justin became a fan favorite with clutch hitting and excellent defense at the position. He was an underdog, that became the unofficial captain of this “Almost Dynasty”. His postseason heroics are well documented by reaching beast-mode setting most of the Dodgers post season records as a hitter.
He finishes his time with the Dodgers as the “All-time Dodgers postseason leader in games, hits, doubles, Home Runs, walks, and RBI.”
Justin and his wife, Kourtney’s philanthropy off the field is as well documented as Justin’s heroics on the field. They are very active fundraisers for local charities and have given back to the community that supported him throughout his baseball career starting at Mayfair High School in Lakewood to Cal State Fullerton, then coming home to the Dodgers for most of his career.
Thank you Justin, for the time you spent in “My Blue Heaven on Earth” and for all you do on and off the field. You will be missed.
Discussion (39)
Disagree, not disagreeable
OK Pissle. I do research to form an opinion before I post. You should try that sometime, Met sfan. Vogelbach had his best full season last year and had an OPS of .793. JD had his worst full season in 9 years and was injured and had an OPS of 790. No one in the world except you thinks Vogelback is a better hitter that JDM. Dumbass.
OK Pissle. Taylor has a career 765 OPS vs Kahna 775. Taylor’s Career WAR is 15.6 vs Kahna 12.5. Kahna had an outlier year in those career stats on the high side in 2019, never came close to 100 points of that ever again, or ever before. Taylor’s season was an outlier on the low side last year. It was 100 points lower than any other year in the last 5. Taylor’s better, not by much, but better. Dumbass. Taylor’s also better defensively. Dumbass.
I think this is the type of comparison a third-grader would provide, guy. “No logical person can think the Dodgers are better than the Mets at this point.” So detailed. Dumbass.
Eric, I was talking about his fastball in that sentence. I gave his batting average against on his fastball. 🙂 So, let’s see here. Fastball Velocity is down, Batting ave against that fastball is up, he pitching only 15 innings, he was most likely injured. And you don’t think those are good reasons to avoid him? Give me a break.
After doing a little research. The injury concern is real. It turns out, he had Tommy John at the end of May or early June. So, he wouldn’t come back until August or September. I certainly wouldn’t cut someone on the 40 man right now to pick him up, only to have another hole to fill when you transfer him to the 60 day after Spring Training. No need to.
I’m surprised fans aren’t complaining about not signing Brandon Drury.
From MLBTR’s latest CHAT:
Marco
4:49 In your opinion, is Andrew Freidman being calculated this offseason (by possibly targeting trades instead of free agents) or is he truly trying to take a break from the luxury tax?
Anthony Franco
4:50 Definitely seems like they want to dip back under the CBT to reset the tax bracket and load up for next offseason. They can accomplish that by prioritizing trade and lower-cost but productive free agents like Syndergaard and JDM without getting meaningfully worse
4:51 It’s not the most exciting offseason the Dodgers will ever have, but it’s fine. Still think they’re the division favorites, maybe the best team in the NL
The Dodgers will be outbid for Ohtani when he becomes a free agent by the spending maniac in Queens. Bet on it.
What do the Giant fans do with Correa jerseys they purchased and ordered prior to the actual signing.? Expensive car wash rags.
I’ve mentioned this idea before, but now it seems that the Orioles are officially shopping their GG-caliber SS Jorge Mateo because of their depth at the position.
Fantastic range, glove and arm. (Look at the highlights.) Probably more valuable now with the shift. Pitchers would love him–and he’d probably help starters last longer. I’ve read that he rates in top 5 for defensive runs saved.
Can’t hit much–a bit of power–but he led the AL in steals. Good fit for the 9th spot in the batting order.
If Dodger brass, as Mark suggests, don’t really believe their own hype in Lux’s ability to play SS, Mateo could be an alternative for AF the bargain hunter.
Random other observations:
–Denying JT a two-year contract and signing JDM for just one is another sign the Dodgers will be all-in for Ohtani. He would take over the DH role and also be the ace (or co-ace) in a 6-man rotation–and maybe command $50 million per year.
–The Ohtani gambit could also help explain why AF is slow-rolling an extension for Urias and other pitchers–and why he declined Anderson’s desire for a 3-year commitment. He obviously loves Kershaw’s preference for one-year deals.
–Signing JDM means Will Smith won’t DH as much as before. If JDM delivers, fine. If not, not so fine.
–The suggestions that JT can’t catch up to fastballs doesn’t square with his strong second-half production. Obviously the Red Sox must think his second-half performance means more than his poor start; plus he can play 1B if their new kid falters. I just read that in the playoffs it was Max and CT3 who struggled against San Diego’s hard-throwing staff. Terrible BAs against pitches over 95 mph.
–Except for Mookie, Freddie and Smith/Barnes, the Dodgers defense seems pretty shaky. Vargas will play somewhere–but where? So many question marks right now.
Finally, FWIW, I wanted the Giants to get Correa. Would have been good for the rivalry. Now the Mets are officially the best team money can buy.
Gosh, I’d kill to get the Soto package for Urias. I think Soto is and will be amazing.
On the Mets, I’m quite torn (self-import alert).
On one hand, owners spending maximum money is always good. Players should make their maximal value and this is only done (in theory, as it’s never happened) if owners spend their maximal amount.
On the other hand, Cohen’s wealth is, historically, obscene. And sports is a business. Not every owner could spend at the levels he is, there’s no proportionality! Is this good for the game to have an owner without restraint (business restraint) and with unlimited (nearly) assets?
it’s a toughie.
If they wanted a guy like Jorge Mateo, they would promote Jacob Amaya.
Mateo’s fielding percentage at SS is 973. Not Gold Glove Caliber Not much better than Lux. He’s also two years older.
All of this Lux can’t play SS is non-sense. If you can’t see by now, the Dodgers passed on resigning Seager last year, Turner this year and passed on a half a dozen other shortstops. The reason? Because they have Lux. They certainly aren’t going to replace him with a guy like Rosario or Mateo.
If JDM doesn’t deliver, Smith will be DH when he isn’t catching. If he does, he might see some left field to keep Will’s bat in the lineup.
JT can’t catch up to fastballs. He only hit a handful over 95MPH all season and hit less of them than Bellinger, who can’t catch up to heat. What do you think it’s going to look like another year older? You’re assuming that during his hot run he was hitting fastballs, but that wasn’t the case.
Vargas is not as bad on defense as you think he is. And he’s been working all offseason at Dodgers stadium. But, the defense will be worse with Muncy at second, but not as bad as you think it will be. In case you didn’t notice, JT and Muncy set a low bar on defense at 3B last season. Probably why the Dodgers will move him to second base, blocking Busch, but Muncy’s contract is only guaranteed through this season. Club option next year to go back to DH when JDM leaves, Busch takes over 2B next year full-time.
Vargas, worst case, will equal JT’s and Muncy’s defense at 3B. Lux will be as good as Trea at SS. Muncy will be worse than Lux at 2B and Freeman remains the same. Not a drastic fall off. If Vargas is better than Muncy and JT last season, it will be close to a wash.
Curious: AF is known for unconventional thinking. If you were in his position, and you had six starters having very good seasons as the trade deadline approaches, would you trade Urias for a return similar to what the Nats received for Juan Soto?
I’ve mentioned this idea before, but now it seems that the Orioles are officially shopping their GG-caliber SS Jorge Mateo because of their depth at the position.
Fantastic range, glove and arm. (Look at the highlights.) Probably more valuable now with the shift. Pitchers would love him–and he’d probably help starters last longer. I’ve read that he rates in top 5 for defensive runs saved.
Can’t hit much–a bit of power–but he led the AL in steals. Good fit for the 9th spot in the batting order.
If Dodger brass, as Mark suggests, don’t really believe their own hype in Lux’s ability to play SS, Mateo could be an alternative for AF the bargain hunter.
Random other observations:
–Denying JT a two-year contract and signing JDM for just one is another sign the Dodgers will be all-in for Ohtani. He would take over the DH role and also be the ace (or co-ace) in a 6-man rotation–and maybe command $50 million per year.
–The Ohtani gambit could also help explain why AF is slow-rolling an extension for Urias and other pitchers–and why he declined Anderson’s desire for a 3-year commitment. He obviously loves Kershaw’s preference for one-year deals.
–Signing JDM means Will Smith won’t DH as much as before. If JDM delivers, fine. If not, not so fine.
–The suggestions that JT can’t catch up to fastballs doesn’t square with his strong second-half production. Obviously the Red Sox must think his second-half performance means more than his poor start; plus he can play 1B if their new kid falters. I just read that in the playoffs it was Max and CT3 who struggled against San Diego’s hard-throwing staff. Terrible BAs against pitches over 95 mph.
–Except for Mookie, Freddie and Smith/Barnes, the Dodgers defense seems pretty shaky. Vargas will play somewhere–but where? So many question marks right now.
Finally, FWIW, I wanted the Giants to get Correa. Would have been good for the rivalry. Now the Mets are officially the best team money can buy.
Just got the text from my Giant’s fan brother-in-law. He’s so pissed.
I think you guys are wrong.
He’s had a rethink and decided he wants to play for a win now team rather than for a team mired in mediocrity for a decade.
And he’s prepared to do it for less years and money!
Does all this mean the Giants are going in circles?
WOW! My “usual suspects” list really came through……Correa (most despised player); the Giants (most hated team); and the Mets (most foolhardy ownership) have energized me on December 21 to hear “play ball” and get the season started! It will be a special treat to watch as this debacle implodes in 2023. In the process, the Dodgers quietly go about their business. If only the Padres could have gotten involved in this mess some way….
The target on the back of the Dodgers has been removed and will be solely on the New York Mets. All the pressure with Cohen’s exorbitant spending will be on them. Can they handle it?
Correa sure switched to being a third baseman very quickly. Methinks he is concealing an injury!
… and Stevie-boy fell for it!
Franco Harris, the former Steeler running back passed away at age 82. RIP.
Those Vegas odds cannot be up-to-date, given that this is breaking news that was just reported this morning. Most people are probably still not awake. Even I saw this because I woke up prematurely, and will probably go back to bed for another couple of hours. And I’m on the east coast, where it’s three hours later than a lot of you.
This is funny.
What a slap in the face to SF lol
I wonder how this is going to be viewed by the other owners. I don’t know what they can do, but I have to believe that they won’t sit idly by while Steve Cohen uses his personal fortune to bring his payroll + CBT to over $400 million. This cannot be good for the game.
I’ll leave it at that for now, and wait for people more knowledgeable than I to offer their own thoughts.
Unless the Mets make trades the following years, their payroll will be well over the fourth final penalty threshold of $293 million. Steve Cohen doesn’t care. His current payroll is well over $400 million with penalties. Just saw the Vegas World Series odds and even with all the Mets moves, the Astros are +600 ,the Dodgers + 700, the Yankees +700 and the Mets are 10 to 1. Money doesn’t guarantee you anything in baseball.
What do the Giants do now?
Mets To Sign Carlos Correa
By Mark Polishuk | December 21, 2022 at 2:05am CDT
In a shocking development, Carlos Correa has agreed to join the Mets for a 12-year, $315MM contract, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports (Twitter link). Correa had previously agreed to a 13-year, $350MM deal with the Giants, yet reports surfaced yesterday that the introductory press conference was postponed due to an unknown issue with Correa’s medicals.
I count 11 position players on the 26 man roster. 2 spots left. If the Dodgers are planning on Outman and Vargas being on the 26 man roster then you gotta let them start because you don’t want them wasting their time on the bench. So 1 outfield starter spot is left and right now Taylor would fill that spot, but I do see David Peralta still out there, he has a better career BA and OPS than Taylor and isn’t anywhere near a strikeout machine as Taylor. Anyone for Peralta?
Peralta career .281 BA, .796 OPS
Then I’d like to see AF get a GOOD reliever and the best I see on the market is Chad Green. I see only 10 GOOD pitchers if I include Stone for 13 spots on the 26 man roster.
Green’s career 1.02 WHIP, .212 BA, .645 OPS with similar splits. That’s pretty damn good. I think AF should go after him.
Peralta and Green fit for what the Dodgers could use that are still available on the market.
The Giants where scheduled to have a press confrence to announce the signing of Correa and now have postponed it. There seems to be a health issue at hand. The Giants are waiting for some lab tests results. This could get messy.
I congratulate you again B&P, your article today is great, I have the same feeling that you express about the biggest cheater in baseball RM, I agree with you that this man seeks to derail the streak of winning seasons for the Dodgers, he gives the impression that he has a very strong animosity against our team and especially against TB (I imagine it is because of his clashes on social networks), but even so I understand less is why the property does not press for Manfred to rule on the resolution on the TB case, as previously Another colleague has explained to me that these issues do not transcend the general public.
I also think that this indecision has harmed the Dodgers in every way, I hope this matter is resolved soon so that we can outline the team’s 40-player roster, once again I salute you and congratulate you and all who write here for your brilliant collaborations on LA Dodgers Talk.
So, here I am sitting in the Midwest where it is said everything East of the Rockies will be hit by a Bomb Cyclone on Friday with somewhere between 1 and 79 inches of snow.
Bring it!
I’ve got my snow tires on… well actually they are 22″ Mud Off Road Tires, so I can Handle about 30″
I’m looking forward to it.
Another good write up B&P. I think too AF was smart not to pay those outrageous lengthy contracts. They have to pay Mookie until he’s 39 and Freddie until the age of 37. To add another contract to that age range would be a problem in the future. That’s why this may be the last year of Urias with the team. He’s going to to be paid big bucks. As long as Steve Cohen owns the Mets the contract terms are going to be through the roof. It would be painful to lose Urias after this season, but with the pitching prospects the Dodgers have it would allow the team to move on. That’s why it may be a good idea to give 3+ of potential starters some serious major league time this season to see who’s the real deal and who needs more time in the minors or isn’t going to cut it.
I’m looking forward to spring training and see how things get sorted out. It’s going to be exciting getting some new fresh players and prospects on the team. It was time. I will miss JT’s professionalism, leadership, talent, and being an incredible human being. I won’t miss the frustrating saga that is Cody Bellinger. But, I wish him well.
Happy holidays to everyone who writes and contributes to this knowledgeable forum. And a big thanks to Mark for providing and maintaining the site for us Dodger fans. And a Happy and Healthy (more important) New Year to all.
Of course, carry on!
I think one of my posts from the previous article never made it out of jail.
Can it be freed here, or is it confined to history?
Adam’s entitled to his view.
He’s paying his hard earned money.
Personally I’m really pleased with the Thor and JDM pick ups, as articulated so well by B&P above.
Very much looking forward to the season already.
Now is the time to feel best to be a fan of this franchise. Homegrown talent is easier to cheer for and victories are sweeter when your club has molded players to be winners. Dodger Stadium is the biggest stage in sports and I find it great that 2023 rides being dependent somewhat on the players they built to contribute to those they’ve bought in the past and the players who took a reduction in pay just to be on this team. I take that as insiders info that players believe in this franchise and what the 2023 season is going to be. That’s investing bigtime. It’s finally time to showcase just how a good farm system can make great ballplayers.
Bulldog, that’s not you. He’s wearing a jacket and tie, you my friend are probably in your
leopard print pajamas.
I have a post in jail
If I’m reading this right, the Dodgers payroll that counts against the CBT is a little over 211 million. That means that if Bauer is reinstated at full pay for this year – 32 million – that puts the Dodgers over the threshold and into repeat offender status.
https://www.spotrac.com/mlb/los-angeles-dodgers//payroll
I really don’t think the Dodgers want to do that this year. This year is a good opportunity to reset the tax. I don’t think they would shed the contracts they did and opt not to sign a FA just to barely cross the threshold and get all of those compounding penalties.
I think AF has a trick up his sleeve in case Bauer is reinstated.
Here’s what I’d do:
Make an offer to a wannabe contender that needs starting pitching – the Rangers come to mind. Offer to trade Bauer and assume 20 mil of his AAV. The other team picks up the remaining 12 mil. Maybe some prospects trade hands just to make it all work.
– The Dodgers get rid of a PR headache
– Still stay under the CBT
– SP poor contender gets a solid 175 inning former Cy Young winning SP on a short deal for 12 mil.
If I were the Rangers or the Indians I’d do it in a heartbeat.
Some of you are still pining for Bauer, but the Dodgers don’t need him. There are already five veteran SPs, and he just blocks guys like Gavin Stone, who has excelled at every MiLB level and really needs to pitch against MLB hitting this year if/when Kershaw/Gonsolin spend time on the IL.
Will the real Bulldog please stand up, and take a bow.
Giants postpone Carlos Correra’s press conference due to medical concerns.
Worst off-season ever, penny pinching Dodgers, cheap owners. Padres and Mwts just keep getting better, why we shop at the dollar store and talk about saving our wealthy owners money. And getting them the luxury tax reset which they claim is about draft picks when in reality is about their Christmas bonuses!! And how Bauer is holding them up, what a joke. My season tickets have gone up over 100 percent in their tenure as owners. And people are sympathizing for them, and their cash position, what a joke.
The line-up looks about right.
If Bauer’s payroll status kept the Dodgers from signing one of those long term contracts an argument might be made that Manfred did the Dodgers a favor. The answer will be known by mid-season if based on how well the Dodgers are doing without any of those big contracts.
Nice analysis there BP ol buddy. If they have to keep Bauer, and he actually does pitch for them again, that rotation is the deepest in the majors, and absolutely the best in the west. SD is going to try and make a starter out of Lugo, but they have no leeway if one of their big guns goes down to injury. Same with the Mets and almost every other team. The Nationals DFA’d Gerardo Carrillo. He went there in the Scherzer-Turner trade. Mets re-signed Ottivino.
I believe JT played college ball at Cal State Fullerton, not CSULB.
Padres To Sign Matt Carpenter
By Steve Adams | December 20, 2022 at 11:52am CDT
11:52am: Carpenter will be guaranteed $12MM on the contract, tweets Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. He’ll be paid $6MM this season and the value of the 2024 player option is also $6MM, tweets Jon Heyman of the New York Post. Rosenthal notes that the pact can max out at $21MM, though Carpenter would need to exercise the player option and reach a full slate of performance incentives in order to secure that total. That seems unlikely unless all of the incentives are baked into the 2024 season; if Carpenter plays well enough to unlock a full slate of 2023 incentives, he’d likely also have played well enough to turn down the player option and return to free agency.