Not a Damn Thing! That’s what’s wrong. He is just failing to make any dope-fiend moves. Now, I want to give you a full disclaimer: It is possible that some of the dope-fiend moves made by other teams could have good short-term consequences (possible, but also not likely). I am not willing to pay off $300 million for 11 years for Freaking Trea Turner! But neither was Andrew Friedman. Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander may each win the Cy Young… or have their arms fall off.
What do the following pitchers all have in common?
- Jacob deGrom
- Justin Verlander
- Max Scherzer
- Clayton Kershaw
All have won multiple Cy Young Awards. Verlander will be 40 next season. Scherzer will be 39, and deGrom and Kershaw will be 35. What are the odds all of them make 30 starts? I have to ask, what are the odds that any of them will make 30 starts? All of them are on multi-year deals of $37 to $43 Million a year. Clayton is getting $20 million. I’m OK with that. Clayton may get injured and not pitch a full season. I expect that, but when you are paying $37 to $43 Million Dollars a year for a pitcher, you expect him to be in the Cy Young conversation. I am ecstatic that Andrew Friedman did not sign deGrom, Verlander, or Scherzer.
I am extremely happy that the Dodgers are among the best teams EVERY YEAR-OVER-YEAR! To you Dodger Fans who would love to win one World Series and then suck for six or seven years, I say…
This is the best time EVER to be a Dodger, in my opinion. The Dodgers will make the playoffs next year, even if they stand pat. To me, that is really cool! Do nothing and still make the playoffs! However, Andrew Friedman has learned to assess the market and make moves in accordance (he is still getting better). Andrew is not going to overpay and saddle the Dodgers with a boat-anchor contract. The Phillies know that their time is now, and Dave Dombrowski will not even be there for the second half of Turner’s contract.
So, if the Dodgers make a big move… FINE! Swanson and Bogaerts are still possibilities, but I would not look for them to sign before Correa, and Correa is not coming to LA, in my opinion, as he is going to get the same kind of money Trea did.
Andrew Heaney allegedly has multiple three-year offers and is looking for a fourth. MLBTR says this:
Although shoulder issues limited the left hander’s participation in the Dodgers’ season, he was very impressive when he did make it onto the mound, tossing 75 innings of 3.10 ERA ball. A new slider allowed him to punch out batters at a staggering 35.5% rate while walking them just 6.1% of the time. The long ball was still an issue, but there’s plenty there to suggest Heaney can be an incredibly effective starting pitcher moving forward, and clearly a number of major league teams think the same.
Therein is the major problem facing most fans. They see what a player did in the past but have little grasp of how that translates to the future. Many fans did not want Heaney back, but lots of teams think he has a lot left. We shall see. Although the Dodgers don’t have an extreme need for starting pitching, they did rescue his career, and you can never have enough pitching. I think AF might give him a 4th year option.
We could see very little movement with this Dodger team. Allegedly JT has sparked a lot of interest, but I can’t see anyone offering him big dollars. They might bring him back at below $10 million on a one-year deal. I can see AF standing pat and assessing the market at the trade deadline. “Let’s see what the youngsters can do…”
Additionally, the Bryan Reynolds saga may not play out until mid-July of 2023. Good things come to those who wait! Right about now is no time for dope-fiend moves. Bellinger is still out there… just saying! But maybe AF is going to make good on letting the Farm System Depth take over… we shall see. Miguel Vargas is a ROY Candidate, and Gavin Stone is his counterpart in pitching. Mike Busch might be ready, as are Mike Grove and Ryan Pepiot, and at some juncture, Bobby Miller is going to become Bobby Miller. Andy Pages is a year away (most likely), and the MLB Rule 5 Draft will be held on Wednesday, and the Dodgers have a number of players who could be taken.
- Jose Ramos – Incredible upside could cause a second-tier team to stash him all season.
- Ryan Noda – Very likely to get picked.
- Devin Mann – I think he is gone. Maybe a good utilitymann (get it?).
- Adolfo Ramirez – I have not seen him, but I hear rumors.
- Justin Yurchak – A team like KC or Cincy might take a flier…
- Gus Varland – Really improved when moved to the bullpen.
- Ryan Ward – See Rtan Noda
- Hyun-il Choi – Missed 2022, but was the Dodgers Minor-League Pitcher of the Year in 2021.
Someone asked yesterday: Gavin Stone does not have to be on the 40-man and is not Rule 5 eligible. Most players taken in the Rule 5 Draft are very unlikely to stick on a 26-man roster, or by being placed on their team’s 40-man roster. But there are steals to be had! Johan Santana, R.A. Dickey, Shane Victorino, and Josh Hamilton were all Rule 5 Draft picks at one point. The Orioles grabbed Nestor Cortes from the Yankees in the 2017 Rule 5 Draft but returned him the following April.
Jonathan Mayo has a great article on the Top 10 Rule 5 Picks of the last decade, HERE.
Back to the insanity…
Discussion (33)
Disagree, not disagreeable
So the Winter Meetings end today and so far we’ve added Shelby Miller and re-signed CK.
TT, Cody, Kahnle, Tyler Anderson, Andrew Haney, Chris Martin have left and we are, as of
right now, facing the prospect of Trayce Thompson/Outman as our CF, Vargas/Muncy as our 3b and Muncy/Busch as our 2b. I liked the idea of infusing young talent, but wow that’s a lot of youth.
I’ve got to think AF/BG are going to swing a trade for either a SS, 2b or CF. Still need SP and I wonder if AF has any idea about the arbitration status of TB? His $34 million AAV for 2023 is in-play and since they don’t want to exceed the CBT he is constrained by that unknown appeal outcome. If Bauer’s appeal is granted in his favor he’s pitching in blue in 2023.
Judge in the NL West would have been fun but since I loathe the Giants I’m glad they were left at the alter. They will now pivot to Correa and most likely sign him by COB today.
Is AF going to use some of that Milb talent to swing a trade? With over $100 million in salary off the books so far we only have Shelby Miller. I can see Duffy, Nelson and others being signed but big names maybe not this year. So much for being pigs.
The New York Yankees are re-signing reigning American League MVP Aaron Judge, reports Jon Morosi of MLB.com. It’s a nine-year, $360MM contract, tweets Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. The agreement is still pending the completion of a physical.
I thought I read somewhere that the White Sox are open to trading Liam Hendricks please correct me if I’m wrong. If it’s true he would really be someone to consider as an option.
Thank you RC Dodger
Good luck Belli!!! Hope you can find a way to contribute more at the plate.
Have the Dodgers shown any interest in the Japanese pitcher Senga, if not, why not.
This just in:
David Price is not retiring.
He just isn’t pitching in 2023.
Alrighty then…
Farhan is under the gun to put butts in seats. He has to sign Judge and Correa or Rodon.
When you don’t have the farm system, you are forced to make dope fiend moves.
Well, now all the Giants have to do is sign Correa and Judge, and they will have a M.A.S.H. Unit.
Farhan evidently did not learn if he signs the other two.
Giants sign Mitch Haniger to a 3 year deal
NOTES!
From Baerga:
Judge and Correa to the SF Giants.
From Dave Roberts presser:
— LAD will add an OF this winter, likely one who can handle CF
— Getting another SP is likely, but might be lower cost add similar to Tyler Anderson last year
— Not a reach for 5-6 prospects (Vargas, Miller, Stone, Pepiot, etc) to “impact” team
Bellinger to Cubs.
Gonna be a very different, but still awesome team.
Jon Heyman reporting Aaron Judge is going to the Giants.
I like it; makes things more fun for us.
Via Twitter.
What’s right about Friedman:
Tyler Anderson, Andrew Heaney, Chris Martin and Tommy Kahnle made about $23 million combined last season
After showcasing improvements with the Dodgers, they’ve now combined for $93 million in guaranteed money as free agent signings this offseason
Heany gets 2y/$25m – Tex loading up.
Lets Go Blue !!
Call it Hot Stove for reason !
Josh Bell signs with the Guardians. Two years 33 million.
Two things I have enjoyed over the past couple of days.
Firstly Clayton Class Act Kershaw signing another 1 year deal at a very fair rate if you are comparing it to DeDrom or Verlander’s deals (and Scherzer’s last year), to play for the team he wants to play for. No touting himself around through his Agent to try and up the anti.
Just good old a good old fashioned hand shake with AF and sign the deal.
We are very lucky to have had such a top guy to watch this last 14? years.
Secondly – Trea’s slap in the face to the Giants. Absolutely brilliant. Another class act.
One thing I didn’t enjoy was reading Eric’s post from above this morning.
So sorry to hear about your struggles again my friend. Really put a dampener on things to read that. You certainly seemed to be In better place over the summer, but I guess that is the nature of the beast?
I think it’s safe to say that every single one of us in here wishes you nothing but the best, and would encourage you to post as often as possible if that would help you in your fight.
There’s a lot of goodwill towards you here Eric, because there’s a lot of very good and kind souls that frequent this place and I’ve witnessed it many times, and I’ve been lucky enough to meet some of them.
You are not alone my friend – we are all here for you.
I’m just not that big of a fan of Swanson. For me he’s much more likely to hit his floor rather than his ceiling. He’s a mid .700 OPS hitter and a pretty good fielder but he’s not a 20 mil plus player for me. I like Bogaerts much better but is he worth 30 mil a year for 8-10 years? Just crazy numbers!
Did anyone listen to AF on High Heat today? Sounds like they are still in the market for a SS. Also strongly indicated that they would go to their young cadre of minor league pitchers during the year. Seemed to downplay their interest in Judge unless he fell in their lap. Was unsure about Bellinger and JT–said they were testing the market and that would play out in it’s time. Did you get any different and/or other impressions?
Masataka Yoshida is officially (well, tomorrow) available:
https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/35196602/sources-japanese-masataka-yoshida-posted-now-mlb-free-agent
I get the feeling that San Diego might be willing to break the bank this year to win… and then sell the team!
I also heard that Judge’s wife said that ten years ago, he said he would be married to her and playing for the Giants. He said: I hope that doesn’t get out!” It has!
I think this is what happens to Judge:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6DUwMnDxEs
BELIEVE IT OR NOT:
Padres Offered Trea Turner $342MM Deal — Jon Heyman
Time to focus back on baseball; the insanity of college football has made me turn it off like I do politics – and I am a “recovering” politician myself!
I have read a number of posts about the different paths the Dodgers could take during this off season. AF has demonstrated that he knows what he is doing so I am going to let him make those decisions. I know our collective goal is a successful season for the Dodgers.
So, what is a successful season? For me, I have redefined it from “winning the division and making the playoffs” to getting “hot for the playoffs.” If this is my goal for the season, maybe it is best to give the young talent the opportunity to show what they can do pre-All Star game and then start our championship push at the trade deadline?
Also, I think the fanbase would find the opportunity to see new talent on the field intriguing – if they can stay in the hunt. Whether they do or not, you make your splash at the trade deadline re-engerizing the fanbase and – hopefully – the team. Sneak into the playoffs with little pressure and win it all like ’59, ’63 and ’65.
This approach also allows you to see how all the new rule changes are impacting the game and…. you might find yourself being the new “trend setter.”
My two cents….
My wishlist is as follows:
1. Sign Swanson
2. Trade for Bryan Reynolds
3. Trade for Jesus Luzardo
4. Bring back JT on a 1-year deal
Rosenthal:
White Sox might move Hendriks but said to not want to trade Anderson.
Unlikely the Dodgers start with “say, Lux at Short, Outman in CF and Vargas in CF….”
Dodgers in on Correa according to two agents for other (not CC) players
???????
1. Lux 2B
2. Betts RF
3. Freeman 1B
4. Smith C
5. Muncy/Turner DH
6. Vargas 3B (JT is his personal coach)
7. Outman/McCutchen LF
8. Swanson SS
9. Bellinger CF
Utility Muncy or Turner, Outman, McCutchen, Thompson, Barnes, Taylor
1. Lux and Smith will take steps forward
2. Vargas will be the ROY with .290 BA/22 HR and 87 RBI
3. Bellinger earns Comeback Player of the Year.
Tommy Kahnle back to the Yankees for about $12 Million/2 Years. He will do well.
Remember folks, Andrew Friedman has money to spend and like a hipster at the Apple store, he’ll find a way to spend it.
With that said, I can’t imagine that he’ll spend money on McCutchen to put up Bellinger numbers.
Well, I hated the AJ Pollock trade. Not sure about bringing him back though.
It has been reported the Dodgers are open to bringing back JT and Bellinger — at the right price. Turner has said he wants to be back and is willing to wait.
It was also reported that the Dodgers have around $50 million to spend and get under the cap. Another $30 million more if Bauer loses his appeal.
Not sure where they go at shortstop. Right now it’s Lux. Some thinking Xander returns to Boston.
Did the Padres actually outbid the Phillies for Trea?
Aaron Judge, Yankees or Giants?
Are the Dodgers in the mix? The so-called mystery team. I would say no, but … what did I make of the Friedman grin after being asked.
Hey, the Winter Meetings have been fun.
MLBTR is reporting that the Dodgers have an interest in Andrew McCutcheon. Red Sox making a push to sign Kahnle.
This offseason makes you realize what a steal we got in Freddie last year! You can’t sustain a long term level of excellence if you don’t have an infusion of good and cheap young talent. We’ve got to give Vargas, Busch, Outman, Pepiot and Stone a chance to show what they got next year.
Any info to update the condition of an ex high school player and great friend of mine, mark kertenian? Much appreciated!