What About the Bullpen… and More?

Merry christmas to everyone on LADT from across the pond!

Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It is Christmas morning. About 2 o’clock. Not tired, just watched a Garth Brooks mini concert on Prime then Kiss the Girls, a Morgan Freeman movie. Everyone is asleep and I am checking out the window for Santa. Might be a long night. Garver signs with the Mariners for 2 years. Nice Christmas gift for Seattle fans.

Thrilled about off-season, go Dodgers, go freedman

Great site, glad your enjoying time with your family Mark, still far and away the best site around.

Merry Christmas to everyone and Happy Holiday’s

Beautiful granddaughter Mark. With grandchildren like that you should have a very merry Christmas. Hope all of the LADT family have the same.

Merry Christmas Everyone!!!

Mark, that picture captures what is all about. Congrats on the beautiful family!

Merry Christmas and a very Happy 2024 season to all!

Merry Christmas to everyone at LADT and their families. ❤️⚾️

Carry on… with me, it’s family all weekend… and we are having a blast! This is my youngest granddaughter, Violet Rey

Shohei Ohtani has gifted Ashley Kelly — Joe Kelly’s wife — a brand new Porsche. This comes after Ashley started the #Ohtake17 campaign, trying to convince Ohtani to sign with the Dodgers. Ashley said her husband, Joe, would give up his No. 17 jersey for Ohtani if he came to Los Angeles — and a few weeks later, Ohtani is a Dodger.

Merry XMAS and Happy Holidays to our Dodger family on this wonderful site! It’s going to be a fun 2024. Can’t wait.

Isn’t Eddie Rosario a free agent and left fielder and Adam Duval a left fielder and centerfield and Jorge Soler a left fielder to three free agents the dodgers could get with some thump and pitchers left say a Michael Lorenzen or a Marcus Stroman or a Carlos Quintana they need a left handed starter. These players could all help the dodgers now if they do trade with someone I see the Brewers for Burnes Addames and Yelich gets the dodgers a Leftfielder a shortstop and a starting pitcher. But that’s how I see it. Any other Leftfielder we would want or a left-handed stating pitcher to trade for. I hope JD Martinez and Jic Pederson go to the Angels and Snell that would be good to see the Angels get those guys.

That is absolutely correct.

He talks to none of us dumbasses!

I am sure glad that AF does not consult the bloggers when considering a trade. The farm would be nothing but weeds.

Unfortunately, Dodgfan makes sense with his take that because the Dodgers successfully acquired BOTH of the Japanese stars this off-season, the other (sore-loser) MLB owners may “peer pressure” the less wealthy ones into avoiding any trade that would substantially help LAD, at least for the rest of this winter. So the earliest any attempt by AF for a “blockbuster” may not be until the mid-season trade deadline, and he’ll be forced to stand pat for awhile.

I really want to take the time to wish all of you a absolutely wonderful holiday season. I hope you are blessed with peace, love and family. God bless all of you and our Dodger extended family.

The OF is a weakness.

Mark mentioned “favorite player” and how he doesn’t have one. I’ve also never really had once since my first ever one (Pedro Guerrero in 1983 when I first started watching baseball). Kirk Gibson doesn’t count as he was everyone’s favorite player back in 1988!

However, how Mark likes guys with nice stories (like Alex Freeland) , my “favorites” tend to be the young kids coming up and hoping they make it or non-hyped guys trying to make it. Last year it was Outman, Vargas, Gavin Stone, and DeLuca. In the early 2000’s, Dave Roberts was on that list, as he just played hard every time and reminded me of a Brett Butler type.

This year, my “favorite” players will be guys like Emmett Sheehan, Kyle Hurt, whichever of Vargas/Busch gets a shot, and of course Gavin Lux to prove he still is a big time talent. Of course, should Pages prove he’s healthy, maybe add him to the list!

I wonder if there is a team that has very little chance at the playoffs that has a star not superstar outfielder that would like to dump salary and would take any of Vargas, Pages, Cartaya, Busch and I’d add Grove too since he’s controlable for awhile and might be appealing and none of the top pitching prospects?

I agree with you Mark. I don’t think they would put him in LF because of the chance of him injuring his arm. As a matter of fact, the Dodgers will have to decide whether it is indeed ok for him to swing a bat as DH come this spring.

Been nice reading all the comments and differing opinions thus far. One thing I’m sure of – AF is plotting to make moves this winter that (I believe) will significantly change the line-up for the positional players on this team. So until he finishes doing his thing, we’re all just guesstimating what we think the positional players and line-ups will be by opening day.

But it’s still interesting to see our “fantasies.”

I had a very small baseball epiphany. I was thinking of Muncy, who is a likeable guy, and has had some great moments here, but who I did not want them to re-sign, as he hit .205, and he either makes an out four out of five official at-bats, or walks, or hits a home run. And batting fifth or sixth, or even fourth, as they did sometimes, does not often add to a rally, because there is little behind him.

And then I thought, why not bat him ninth? Oh, he would probably not like it, but consider that if he can get a walk in that spot, he sets the table for the Big 3. A Muncy walk from the sixth spot, does little, but getting on base for our best hitters and RBI men, is a big deal. With this lineup, Muncy becomes like a lead-off man, albeit with less at-bats. Actually, I think it is a great use for him; would the Dodgers be inventive enough to do it? Roberts would not, probably, but maybe Friedman would? Just a thought. Teams are going to do everything they can to pitch around our three stars, make it difficult for them. Or bat someone ninth who hits .280, at least.

Unless they get another full time outfielder Mookie needs to be in RF with Rojas at SS, Lux at 2B & Vargas in LF or visa versa. Lux could play LF as well (might be easier on his repaired knee). Better defense this way; good defense wins, too. My opinion.

If memory doesn’t fail me, didn’t Roberts recently state that Ohtani has made himself available to play LF once he’s medically cleared?

Given the amount of influence Ohtani has had in the Glasnow acquisition and subsequent extension, as well as the recruitment of Yamamoto, would anyone be shocked if the Dodgers went into the season with a temporary solution in LF under the guise that Ohtani will eventually take over for the remainder of the season?

Since he is not going to pitch in 24’ I can see the Dodgers committing Ohtani to LF through the end of the season. Opening the DH spot to Busch or a platoon of Busch/Vargas in that role.

Ohtani is a gifted athlete, a freak for lack of a better term. Given what we’ve learned from this special young man I can see him taking a page out of Mookie’s book and diversifying his positional portfolio. At least this season when he knows he doesn’t have to worry about pitching.

ok gentleman, i think we all agree the bench is fairly weak. so can we all agree if barnes is hitting almost next to nothing in spring training-and Hunter F is tearing it up , it’s time to make a change ? that bench is weak, though AF might not be finished.

I don’t know why we can’t just give Vargas/Busch first shot at LF next year. It’s not like we need either guy to get to the playoffs. And LF is not a big defensive position. It’s all about October. If they don’t deliver then there is always the deadline. I’m betting one of them will produce

Mark, I liked your piece until the MIL trade.

We have stunned the baseball world with two massive FA deals. We made a risk/reward trade in which an extension factored in heavily. Now we still have some gaps to fill but the heavy lifting is over.

The rotation, which was a massive problem, has been overhauled with two new TOR guys; we could probably use another back-end FA option.

The lineup still has some issues in the OF; we either need to commit to an internal option in LF [CT3, Vargas or Busch] or add a RH bat to play there.

The bullpen looks deep, but it always does. I bet you we add a high-end guy there to round out the squad.

So sit back and wait. Let the market come to you. Three big strikes are enough. The rest is patchwork. Giolito is the level of talent we should be looking at.

100%

If we have a hole in the outfield , why not leave Mookie out there and try Busch and Vargas at 2nd and see who survives. Wouldn’t that be better defensively and think about the Mookie move next year or at the trade line if they fail?

With MLB owners being a tight fraternity, could teams like the Brewers, Marlins and ChiSox get peer pressured behind the scenes into avoid trading with the Dodgers?

I realize it takes talent, health and luck to win it all, but a potential acquisition of Burnes could give the Dodgers the equivalent of an all star starting rotation. I have a hard time seeing teams like the SFG, NYM and NYY not raising a concern to the rest of the ownership fraternity. Which would be ironic coming from the NYY but I think teams could be pressured into finding alternate trade partners.

Let’s understand one thing:

I do not really have a “Favorite” player. I may like a player’s side story, such as Alex Freeland, who was born with a clubfoot, and it was thought that walking could be an issue… let alone playing SS. He is now a prospect with Great Lakes. I do not believe he will be a big-league SS, but he has defied the odds already. If I had a favorite player, it might be him.

Many of you have favorite players: Outman, Smith, and Lux come to mind. It’s fine to have a favorite player, but I tout a player based upon what I see as as well as what the statistics say. Both are equally important. So, what I am going to say is, “Lay off the childish name-calling about Vargas. He is not my favorite player.” He does, however, have the requisite talent backed up by the statistical analysis to be a better hitter and an LF’er than most players many of you suggest.

Busch could play there too, but the Dodgers have a lot of LH bats. Still, I would not be afraid to go into next season with either player in LF.

Most Talent Evaluators agree that Vargas and Busch will be very good MLB Players (not superstars). I do as well. It’s not about my favorite player – it’s about who will help the Dodgers the most.

I hope that James Outman can grow into an everyday CF’er and improve, but there is a better chance that he regresses – he has a hole in his swing the size of Chavez Ravine. BTW, that is not my sole opinion. It’s shared by many!

If Busch were to play LF, I think you would see 25-30 bombs and a .750+ OPS in his rookie year. If Vargas were there, think .270 with 15-20 HR and a .750+ OPS.

I mean, only a moron (no let me change that to an IDIOT) would think that two broken fingers had no bearing on his play last year.

Fully agree that the bullpen is in fine shape.

A lot of talent, a lot of depth. So much that Shelby Miller signs with the Tigers and we yawn because Hurt and Vanasco can step in.

With so many SP spots locked up, more SP prospects will see action in relief. (I was just thinking about how frustrating must be for guys like Knack, Stone, Grove and Frasso to watch the Dodgers bring in top-tier SPs that figure to limit their opportunity to rise. But a relief role could be ideal for some.

Would a brand-name closer like Hader or Clase help? Not sure. Roberts seemed to like the security and structure that ace closer provided–even running Kimbrel out there too long. Maybe Roberts should be saved from his bad habits.

A megabucks offer for Hader? At some point AF needs to rein in the costs, right?….Right?

A trade for Clase? From what I’ve read his contract status is team-friendly. We could test the theory that a very good closer on a mediocre team could be a great closer for a great team.

Interesting that the possibility of Burnes and Adames continues to percolate. And then there’s the question of who plays LF too….

Varland does seem more like trade candidate than a bullpen mainstay.

I am still one who uses the eye test. Granted, the old peepers are not what they used to be, but I still trust them. Miguel Vargas had some good moments last year, and a lot of down ones. But I also understand that he was way behind everyone else since for the first two weeks of spring training he could not even swing a bat because of his injury. I have to believe this carried over into the season. That being said, I do not believe he can be a full-time left fielder. I am though more than willing to see how he performs during spring training and where the Dodgers plan to use him. I have to give the team the benefit of knowing the player better than I do. That being said, Margot, Outman and Heyward, are all natural outfielders and all provide solid defense. Outman and Heyward both have significant power. Taylor can play anywhere, but he is not an everyday player. I would like some pop on the bench.

Love how Mark still wants to demote Outman (to a platoon role) and promote Miguelito straight to a full-time position that would be on-the-job training. He also wants his boy Vargas to bat ahead of Outman in the lineup.

A foolish consistency?

Just to review, Outman just finished third in ROY voting after strong performances on offense and defense. He overcame a midseason slump and finished with a .790 OPS, 23 HRs, 86 runs scored and a mighty fine OBP of .353. He was one of the reasons Mookie set a record for RBIs for a leadoff hitter. (While Outman showed little power against lefties, he had an OBP of .357. )

Vargas, meanwhile, got ample opportunity and finished with a .195 BA, a .305 OBP and a .672 OPS. The only good thing about his play at 2B is that prompted Mookie’s move. Vargas, of course, finished the season in the minors, falling behind Busch in the depth chart.

Perhaps Mark should provide proof that he’s really from Missouri. If he says we need “vision,” perhaps we could recommend the optometrist.

Look, I’m fine with Vargas getting another opportunity to prove that he’s more than a really good minor league. If he put up the exact same numbers Outman put up in ’23, that would be a rousing success, right?

These Dodgers are so loaded that they can try him in LF. The brass may not have the faith it once had, however.

I’m also fine with Vargas getting packaged in a deal to bolster the lineup (Arozarena?) or pitching (Luzardo?). There are still some interesting possibilities out there.

But his trade value ain’t what it used to be.

I happen to think Gavin Lux is too talented to be some throw in in a trade for a rental. I happen to think it’d be idiotic to give up that much talent for 1 year of rentals and then let them walk, simply because we have a guy the Yankees just tossed away now in our system.

I look forward to Gavin Lux actually out hitting Willy Adames this year. Seems people forget how good he was becoming, but I guess out of sight out of mind and now we can toss him in deals for rentals.

seems like a common wish amongst majority of dodger fans on this site. a full time left fielder instead of a whole outfield of platoons! the bench is not what i would want santa to leave me under the tree for christmas! please santa clause, shore up the left field position and strengthen the bench! merry christmas everyone! safe travels and enjoy your families! my 2 sons and their beautiful wo are gifting us with 2 more grandchildren in a couple of weeks. 7 total now! wwhen someone asks do i have a favorite? i simply say the one sitting on my lap at any given moment! love them all! again , merry christmas!

I’m still hoping for a Bryan Reynolds trade. It will probably take Busch, Vargas, Stone and B. Hudson.

My hope for our 2024 lineup

1. Betts,2B

2. Ohtani, DH

3. Smith,C

4. Freeman,1B

5. Muncy,3B

6. Reynolds,LF

7. Outman/Taylor,CF

8.Heyward/Margot,RF

9. Lux/Rojas,SS

Mark,

I would like think AF and BG will look at what it takes to pry Luzardo away from the Marlins along with your Brewers thoughts