The only time I ever went to the Winter Meetings was in 2009, when they were held in Indianapolis. The Winter Meetings were not exactly how I thought they would be. I would think it is pretty much the same now. Each team has a suite where the President of Baseball Operations, the General Manager, and administrative assistants have offices set up. People who have clearance come and go into those suites, but the press is not allowed. They work on the phones, and scouts, GMs, and a few players come and go to and from the suites. Usually, these suites are in close proximity to each other.
The “higher ups” seldom come out, but in the Winter Meetings held in Indy, guys like the Farm Director (De Jon Watson) and the Director of Amateur Scouting (Logan White) were seen in the hotel lobby frequently. Sometimes they are called back up to the suites, presumably to discuss some players in the minor league system. It was while they were in the Hotel Lobby that I saw them and set up the interview. Here’s half of the interview, just so you can see what is happening, as today, the Winter Meetings start in San Diego.
This might be a Wil Time. With a twelve-team playoff format, some teams are going “all in” this off-season, knowing how easy it is to catch lightning in a bottle next year. The Phillies were a “deeply flawed” team, with poor defense, too many “all-or-nothing” hitters, and little depth, but they got hot at the right time and almost pulled it off. With today’s format, anything can happen in any given year. It’s going to be Wild.
The Texas Rangers are also a team that now operates under that way of thinking. Last year, they signed Corey Seager and Marcus Semien, who had “fair” first seasons with the Rangers, but with the advent of the ban on the shift and bigger bases, both could be in the MVP-MIX in 2023. Add in Nathaniel Lowe, Adolis Garcia, Josh Heim, and a couple of Rookies, and with Bruce Bochy as manager, anything can happen. They just Signed Jacob deGrom and are rumored to be in hot pursuit of Carlos Rodon. Add in Martin Perez, Jon Gray, and new pitching coach Mike Maddux, and the Rangers could also catch lightning in a bottle.
It makes me wonder if Clayton Kershaw is just watching patiently and thinking, “if they keep this up, I’d like to be part of bringing a World Series to the Texas Rangers.” Could Clayton be thinking something like that? Is that why he has not signed, as yet? Hummmm…
The way things are now configured, the best team will seldom win the World Series, but it would still be my choice to be the best team. Even with the players who have left, been waived, or not signed, the Dodgers are still one of the Top Teams because of their depth and front-end players. However, their aim is to get even better. They were never in on Jacob de Grom, and the fact of the matter is that de Grom’s arm could fall off at any time… or he could pitch 200 innings in 2023 with a 28-3 record and win the Cy Young. It’s possible!
Bryan Reynolds & Cody Bellinger
Not likely… but it is a long shot! Anyone can win in a “free for all.” Therefore, lots of teams are going to be in the hunt for players. That brings me to Bryan Reynolds, with whom many Dodger fans have had an interest. Unless you have been living under a rock, you probably know that Reynolds has asked for a trade. You also know that the Dodgers have an opening in CF (if Bellinger ends up signing elsewhere – which is not a given), or LF. The Dodgers have the ability to trade the prospects that the Pirates need. We can speculate who that might be, but the reality of the situation is that if Andrew Friedman wants Bryan Reynolds, he can get him.
Reynolds is another Vanderbilt guy who would slot well with the Dodgers. Now, the Pirates do not HAVE to trade him, but they would be wise to. The problem is: no one has EVER called the Pirates “wise.” Baseball-Reference projects (to me, their projections are usually more accurate than the others) Reynolds to hit .268 with a .350 OB% and a .810 OPS. He is not a superstar but is a very good everyday player. If I had my choice, the Dodgers would bring back Bellinger on a 1-Year/$10 Million Dollar deal with an additional $10 Million in incentives. Belli plays CF and Reynolds plays LF – if Bellinger can’t cut it, Thompson and Outman or Reynolds take over in CF. Yes, I am giving Belli another chance… but I am not Andrew Friedman. AF may have already moved on…
I do not see Friedman in on Verlander for three years or Rodon for five years. Brandon Drury will get a starting job for a second-tier team. Andrew Heaney could be back. Somewhere in the Bible, it says “Do not Judge.” So there is that! Carlos Correa is not coming to LA. Trea Turner still might… Bogaerts is very much in play.
Brandon Nimmo somewhat fits the Dodgers player profile:
Plate discipline is his foundational skill. One of the most patient hitters in the sport, Nimmo has walked in over 10% of his plate appearances in every season of MLB career. He’s generally posted walk rates in the 14% range. The uncanny ability to take free passes props up his on-base percentage, making him a strong fit at the top of a lineup. Aside from his 32-game rookie season, he’s never posted an OBP lower than this year’s .367 mark. He reached base in over 40% of his trips to the dish in each of 2018, ’20 and ’21. He ranks sixth among qualified hitters since the start of 2020 in cumulative on-base percentage.
While his primary skill is the ability to work the count and draw free passes, Nimmo has also made marked strides as a contact hitter. After striking out in over a quarter of his plate appearances each season from 2017-19, he hasn’t punched out at higher than a 21% clip in any of the last three years. This season’s 17.2% strikeout rate is a career-low. He’s hit .274 or better in each of those seasons. – MLBTR.com
Of course, he has had numerous injuries, and chicks dig the long ball, so I guess he doesn’t have many chicks. I do see him coming to the Dodgers. The Dodgers will be in on Lodai Senga, but how far will they go? If Josh Bell slips down to the $40 Million range, I could see AF taking a flyer on him and making him the DH, hoping that they could turn him into a 50-HR hitter. The Dodgers don’t need Chris Bassitt, but if Taillon drops into the $40 Million area, they could take a flyer on “fixing” him (he has had two TJs and does not have the QO). Benintendi will draw some interest, but his lack of power is not something that Friedman appreciates. Mitch Haniger is not really in play for the Dodgers. Kenley Jansen could always come back, but I doubt it!
If you go through MLBTR’s Free Agent Predictions, you will understand why you might as well read Mad Magazine – It’s more realistic than their projections. They are morons for publishing it, and we are morons for reading it.
At any rate, this promises to be a crazy week and off-season. Let the Winter Meetings begin!
Discussion (38)
Disagree, not disagreeable
So now I’m reading (in the LA Times) that Rodon is gunning for six years at $30 million per….
Yikes.
All the more reason to consider Senga.
Or maybe AF, having lost Tyler Anderson, will bring back Andrew Heaney. He really did look damn good last season…when he wasn’t giving up dingers. Or maybe he’ll try to swing a deal for Pablo Lopez. Or something.
Or maybe nothing.
MLBTR is reporting that the Padres made a higher offer to Turner. And the money offered would have been more than the Phillies offer even with higher income taxes in California. So we all know for sure, he wanted to go back to the east coast. Andrew Heaney has several three-year deals on the table but wants that fourth year. He isn’t coming back. With Turner off the board, and getting such a large deal, the price for the other three premium SS on the market just went up a lot.
Chris Taylor for Liam Hendricks?
I would like to see a right handed power hitter and, a right handed contact hitter obtained or found this year. One to protect Freeman and, one to move runners and lengthen the lineup.
I’m over 2017 WS and feel we are turning a corner to the next group of players.
I’m OK letting Trea go if he really wanted to go back East. Besides, 11 years with a no-trade is insane!
The young pitchers need to compete this Spring…
I believe in AF, especially this weekend. He plays poker better than most. He wins more than he loses…
Judge turns down Yankees latest offer. Per Google sports.
Eric sorry to hear about your recent battle with depression. Just know you are not alone and we are all with you on your struggle. Let us know how you are doing and if we can help in any way.
Sign a shortstop (stop moving Lux, Betts, etc. around to positions that are not their best positions). We have outfielders coming out of our ass. Let CT3 and Muncy fill in where and when needed. Have JT DH. Sign a few pitchers that Pryor can re-tool and call it a day. Easy!
Eric, there is One who will never leave you or forsake you. Look to Him!
It honestly doesnt matter why we do in the offseason. We’ll be good enough to make the playoffs and then its just get hot….and healthy at the right time….
Dodger fans on Twitter really need to proof read.
https://twitter.com/bruce96590320/status/1599870517087178752?s=46&t=cwBUXGz2Gi9KRacbqChciA
I haven’t posted in awhile but have been reading. Trea Turner will be a big loss but that contract he got is actually ridiculous. I’m not a fan of this year free agent market for position players. I just think the Dodgers should go with who they already have for position players except I think they should sign Justin Turner to a 1 year deal. It would have been nice to get a power hitting RHB but I don’t like who I see on the market, maybe a trade for one. Guys on the 40 man roster I wouldn’t mind being traded are Bruihl, Grove, Jackson, Shelby Miller (Doubt he gets traded since he just arrived), Reed, Amaya, Leonard, Vivas, Pages. The Pirates want young cheap guys, I don’t know if any combination of those I listed would get Reynolds, but maybe. I don’t see Gavin Stone on the 40 man roster and I think he should be because he is ready. So trading any of Bruihl, Grove, Jackson, Shelby Miller, Reed would open a spot for Stone.
As far as pitching goes I think the Dodgers should sign Tommy Kahnle and Reyes Moronta again. I think they would be at a cheap price and their career stats that are important to me are good especially Moronta.
I hope everyone is doing good here, as for me I’ve been drifting back into a somewhat deep depression again. That’s why I haven’t posted in awhile.
Wow! Where are all the TT lovers who wanted AF to sign him! And if you weren’t happy with TT at short you’re really not gonna be happy at the end of next year after a year with Lux at short!
I’m still holding out for
1) – Carlos Correa
or
2) Xander Bogaerts
and
3) Mitch Haniger / Ian Happ / Bryan Reynolds
Mets payroll is projected at 287M. We have a lot of spending to do in order to catch up.
Turner was terrible in the post-season 2 years in a row for us.
Honestly I wont miss him. Never felt like he was a “dodger” to me…
How stupid are the Phillies? 11 years for Trea? All teams have to do is stop doing these stupid ass deals, but they’re like the crack head on the corner. They just can’t help themselves.
Okay, crazy is crazy.
Baseball exists in an alternate reality. It’s about now, not tomorrow or five years from now. No question some of these contracts will end up as dead money.
David Vassegh believes Gavin Lux will be the shortstop and Justin Turner may not be back. I still see Turner coming back.
The Dodgers supposedly came in second in the Verlander chase. Happy to see him with the Mets.
Not sure which way Andrew Friedman pivots. Maybe a trade. Has plenty of money available.
Since the Phillies signed Trea Turner for stupid money (27 million plus through age 40 – good luck with that) maybe they won’t be interested in moving Bryson Stott to 2nd and would part with him? I like Stott’s game a lot as a left handed hitting shortstop. I think he will develop into a better than average big league hitter as he settles in. He hit .340 in college and .300 in the minors and puts the ball in play. I could see him at SS with Lux at 2nd if AF doesn’t want to pay big for a free agent SS. I wouldn’t mind seeing Stott in a competition with Jacob Amaya, who I think may develop into a better hitter then many expect. We’ll see.
Turner also has a full no trade clause.
Now, the Dodgers may get opportunistic.
Turner contract is only $27.3 million AAV. Yes 11 years, but much more reasonable than Seager, Tatis, and Lindor contracts.
Seems like Dodgers could have brought back TT and Tyler Anderson and still be under the luxury tax.
Missed opportunity to retain the core of a 111 win team but maybe Friedman has better plans.
Trea Turner to the Phillies
Verlander to Mets. 43 mil/yr for two years! Wow! I guess AF really does like Stone and Miller!
Kershaw signed for $20 million so my conspiracy theory is done.
Bellinger is still available!
Dodgers Rumors: Justin Verlander Reportedly Nearing Deal With Mets
by Clint Pasillas
Why not just stop screwing around and get Judge?
Of course, Carlos Correa is connected to the Dodgers right now. The Giants want him. AF is at least driving up the price,
How about CT3 at SS. Keep Lux at 2nd. Taylor played SS at Seattle. He said SS was his best position. Of course Taylor needs to lower his strike out rate. Let Vargas play third. I would start transitioning Smith to LF. We need to open up the catching position to our two young prospects. Let Barnes be the starting catcher and bring up who you feel is the best catching prospect and share the catching duties with Barnes. Let Outman and Thompson share CF. Just some thoughts for discussion.
Fred McGriff elected to the Hall in a unanimous vote. Mattingly came close with 8 votes. Bonds, Clemens and Palmiero only received 4 votes each. Lakers actually starting to win some games, Davis poured in 55 points in their win in DC, Rams still snakebit. Lose in the last minute. USC drops all the way to #10 in the final poll. No Dodger news yet, but Oakland is close to trading Murphy to an unnamed team.
Bob Nightengale reporting that a number of execs he has talked to feel the Dodgers are the favorites to sign……………………………………………………………………………..Correa.
Mr. N. is wrong more often than he’s right, but if he’s right on this one, some of you better start shopping for another team to root for.
As for me, I’d rather have Trea and maybe even Bogaerts, but I’d be OK with Correa.
In case everyone has forgotten, here is what Andrew Friedman said:
“Typically, we like to have as much optionality as possible.”
Think about how they got Freddie Freeman! When you understand How that happened, you might understand what will happen next.
I have no idea as to what the Dodgers are going to do or which way they will pivot.
I’m guessing they do something. They have money to spend and they definitely have needs.
Some think the Dodgers will go in on Justin Verlander. I’d pass. But will they? Supposedly they want to reduce the payroll. But I’ve heard that song and dance before. Numerous times, actually. But I do think they move forward with the youth movement. Lot of good young players coming up through the system and it makes sense to give them an opportunity.
I can see Miguel Vargas and James Outman getting a lot of playing time. Same with Michael Busch, depending how the Dodgers opt to align the the roster.
A big trade wouldn’t surprise, neither would a free agent signing.
I find it hard to believe the Rangers gave a five year, $185 million deal to DeGrom. Can’t imagine that working out. But maybe that’s where the Winter Meetings are going.
The Marlins are open to listening to offers for everyone except Alcantara. Maybe AF can swing a deal for one of their young stud starters. Rogers or Lopez.
I completely agree on Vargas and Stone.
Vargas is playing like a much more seasoned prospect. Good bat to ball skills translate well when moving from AAA to MLB. Much better than BA and power. Even if Vargas has the typical rookie problems, I can see him ending a full season at .260 to .280.12-18 HRs and a solid OBP in the .330 to .360 range and lots of doubles. I trust a “pure hitter” over a masher when it comes to giving young players a shot. I was high on Billy Ashley back in the day. Heard stories of his moon shots. Had one of the best seasons of a AAA player in Dodgers history. But he was, really, just a masher. And it never translated. My friend DJ Peters has had the same problem. Athletics as hell. Light tower power. But he can’t seem to strike out less than 40% of the time on any level, in any continent. I’m still hoping he turns it around. Vargas is different.
Gavin Stone, like Mark said, has nothing more he can prove and staying in the minors into your mid 20s doesn’t result in a better player. He’s ready and they should give him a solid shot.
That’s really my only input. I’ll let everybody else speculate on the Hot Stove rumors and theocraticals. I’ve found that speculating on what AF is likely to do is akin to a kid endlessly shaking, examining and speculating on every Christmas present under the tree. Growing up, my parents let me and my brother open one present on Christmas eve. I attempted to make in into a scientific exercise to choose the one that had the best gift in it. One year I picked the heaviest present. That turned out to be an encyclopedia. You can imagine how trilling that was to a 7 year old. Another year I was certain a box was a cool toy. It contained a pair of dress shoes.
I learned my lesson. I won’t try to predict what the Dodgers will do. I’ll just wait for the day when the news hits.
Rumor mill is alive and well. Myself, I do not expect much action from the Dodgers this winter meetings. Maybe a couple of fringe signings. There is a report that says the only reason the Kershaw deal is not final yet is because CK has yet to take his physical. Google news reported that the Dodgers are interested in JD Matinez. Can’t see it. He is strictly a DH.
KBO’s NC Dinos Working On A Deal With Jason Martin – MLBTR
Pleaaaase no to Verlander. My fear even if he can last the whole season. He might just ‘Scherzer it’ in Octcber.
At some pt it seems they either need to play up an coming players like Vargas, Outman and Busch, or trade them.
Teams can negotiate with free agents easily but the winter meetings seem like the ideal place to work on trades.
So, the Winter Meetings start today and the question for me is will it turn out to be a flurry of activity (trades and FA signings) or just a whimper? Does AF make a big FA signing or do some bargain aisle shopping? Does he make a blockbuster trade with his “optionality” pieces or make small trades to fill the margins?
It would be helpful for the Dodgers future to know if Bauer’s last remaining year on the books will need to be paid or will his suspension be upheld by the arbitrators? If his suspension is lifted I think he’ll be pitching for the Dodgers in 2023, but if it is upheld we’ll see JV signed to a two-year deal with a 3rd year team option. Unfortunately it doesn’t seem as if the arbitrators are ready to announce a decision any time soon.
Who plays SS, who plays LF or 3B? We might get some idea as to the direction AF is going by the middle of the week or we might just have to wait until the start of ST when both Mookie was traded and FF was signed.
Buckle up it just might be a wild ride.