I am safely back from Holiday in Reno. It was a treacherous drive home down the hill from Reno, and we hit the window just right. Others not so lucky. Lots of spinouts and accidents creating loooong traffic jams.
While I was gone the Dodgers went and did…well, nothing. Not that I expected them to. I still do not believe they are really in the discussion for Bichette, Tucker, or Bellinger. Some team will over pay. My preference would be Bichette, but he has been my preference since 2016.
I agree with Bear, that once Bregman signs (probably Boston), the other dominoes will begin to fall. Even if Boston signs Bregman, they probably do not trade Duran until they can move Triston Casas and/or Masataka Yoshida. It may make more sense for Boston to hold off on trading Duran until the deadline, where they can get a boat load of prospect capital in return.
If anyone follows or cares what the Baseball Trade Simulator says, a fair trade might be Jackson Ferris and Zyhir Hope for Jarren Duran. I am not sure Boston would do that now, but they could get even more prospects come the deadline when prospects are readily traded.
The most recent smoke is Freddy Peralta. Do the Dodgers need more pitching? Every team does, and I am sure that controllable pitching would go back to Milwaukee in return. Of course it is not a necessity, but adding Peralta to that starting staff would certainly make LAD’s rotation even into more of a monster than it already is.
However, I would bet that the Dodgers would prefer 4 years of Emmet Sheehan over 1 year of Peralta. Plus, the Dodgers are already committed to giving Roki Sasaki a legit shot at the rotation.
Apparently the steam has gone out of the Brendan Donovan trade appeal for LAD. St. Louis is trying whatever they can do to move Nolan Arenado. St. Louis would prefer to move Lars Nootbaar. I would not mind Nootbaar in a platoon or off the bench.
The Dodgers do not have to do anything right now. Of course the LF situation could be better than Alex Call/Ryan Ward. But even that platoon figures to be better than Michael Conforto.
I fully acknowledge that Teoscar Hernández will never be even an average defensive OF, but I do believe that his injury had more of an impact than he admitted to offensively and defensively. He was one of the best hitters in MLB when he got hurt. I see no reason for him not to bounce back this year.
I do agree with those that believe that Hyeseong Kim deserves a shot at 2B. He might become the next Nico Hoerner or Brice Turang. Then again, maybe not. Neither Hoerner nor Turang had good starts to their MLB careers, but are both very valuable defense first 2B who got very good offensively. The Dodgers need to give Kim a clear runway to win the job or lose it. It will not hurt the Dodgers chances if he cannot produce by the trade deadline.
I doubt that Mookie will lose 20 pounds to begin the season this year. IMO that hampered him more than anything else offensively in 2025. He obviously did not have the stamina or energy to play both a stellar defensive SS and elite offensive threat. This year should be different.
I also agree with those who want to see Alex Freeland get a chance to platoon with Max Muncy. See what he can do.
Shohei Ohtani and Emmet Sheehan should start in the rotation to begin the season. Three starters who were hurt for most of the first half should break in the rotation: Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow, and Roki Sasaki. The only pitcher who started and stuck in the rotation in 2025 is Yoshinobu Yamamoto. The rotation figures to be better in 2026, especially with River Ryan, Gavin Stone, Justin Wrobleski, and Kyle Hurt waiting for their turn. Yes, all four may be headed to the bullpen, but that is not how they are going into the season, except probably Wrobo.
In addition, the Dodgers now have a legit closer in Edwin Díaz, with Tanner Scott moving back to a more comfortable LH high leverage setup. Brusdar Graterol will be healthy to start the season.
Will there be injuries? Come on, these are the Dodgers. Of course their will be injuries. But NO team in MLB can handle injuries (even to stars) as well as the Dodgers. Their depth in unmatched in all of MLB, and by a wide margin.
So they don’t get Bichette, Tucker, Belli, Duran, Kwan, Hoerner, Donovan or any of the other players they have been linked to, even if marginally. They are still the best team in MLB going into the season. The Dodgers can well afford to wait until the deadline to see who has produced in MLB and MiLB, and make decisions at that time. They can also look at the bench going into October at that time.
It is not just me who thinks the Dodgers can stand still at this time. Here is a list of projected 2026 fWAR numbers.
2026 Projected WAR by Team – Fangraphs Depth Charts pic.twitter.com/p6mRIe7cVL
— Thomas Nestico (@TJStats) January 4, 2026
No team is even close. The Dodgers are #1 in projected pitching fWAR, and #2 in hitting fWAR, behind only NYY. So I am not going to lose sleep if AF/BG do not bring back another star before ST. Yes, of course, I will be happy if the Dodgers sign Bichette or Tucker at a reasonable commitment. I would also be happy with Duran in Dodger Blue all season, as I am sure he would be as well.
Finally, my wish list still is to sign Harrison Bader to play CF on a two year deal. That has not changed since the offseason began. He only costs $$$, and then the Dodgers have 4+ months to evaluate at the deadline.
Good stuff. I wouldn’t be surprised if after all the sniffing around on Tucker & Bichette we wind up with Bader. He solved an immediate problem and leaves space for the prospects in the future.
Kim has to be the darkhorse 2026 key performer. With a full offseason under his belt, I expect him to show up ready to roll and probably our starting 2B.
Love the potential of SP #7-#10 in Wrobleski, Ryan, Stone & Hurt/Knack/?. We actually could afford to trade Sheehan in the right deal but be careful. If Ryan looks ready, he could take Sheehan’s spot.
If we don’t get a big guy, there’s more reason to believe we’ll continue to upgrade the roster. We feel due for a prune.
While it’s true we may not NEED a splash move, don’t most fans expect one? I know I do.
I dunno about splash but we could definitely use an impact offensive player.
Our offense gassing out was almost the story of 2025.
Bader + g = Badger
Bichette. Splash
Bader. Good sign. Not splash.
Badger. Kerplunk.
I am totally with you on Bader.
At least one of our dozen spectacular outfield prospects will be ready for the Big Show by 2028, so with that in mind, and after much thought, I’ve decided that my first choice is to sign Bichette as our second baseman. He’s young enough that we can give him a decently long contract which is what he’ll get from whomever signs him.
Outfield, once he’s back is Edman in CF, Teo in LF and Pages in RF. If AF would prefer to trade Teo, he’ll have to come up with another above average outfielder by trade since he certainly won’t sign Bichette plus Tucker or Belli.
And Kim?
I feel the same about Kim as I do about Rushing. If they aren’t given regular playing time, I’d rather trade them. They’ll never get close to fulfilling their potential by spending most of their time on the bench.
Messrs. Friedman/Gomes/Roberts, the ball is in your court (or on your diamond, as the case may be).
If the Dodgers sign Bichette, Kim moves into a UT role. I don’t expect that, as it seems that the Jays and Yankees have a greater need for Bichette. (The Yankees could play him at SS and bat him ahead of Judge. Taking him from the Jays would also be a “win” for the Yanks.)
I’d rather see a trade for an outfielder. But signing Bader has always made sense.
It would not surprise me if the Dodgers decide they can tolerate Teo in RF and deal for Kwan….if they could do it without giving up a big chip like Sheehan or Rushing.
Instead, they could offer:
— Wrobleski or Casparius or Jackson Ferris as a potential starter
— Ryan Ward to replace Kwan in LF with more power, or perhaps Alex Call.
— Bobby Miller as a rehab project, or perhaps an RP like Henriquez.
Kwan wouldn’t be an exciting move, but a safe one. He’d provide gold-glove defense in LF and provide quality ABs near the bottom of the order. He’d be a counterpoint to all those batters who strike out too much.
Now imagine Siani as a 4th outfielder. When Teo is removed for defense, the alignment could be Kwan-Siani-Pages. Gold-plated.
If. we get Kwan and have to keep Teo in right we are going backwards !
I agree. But the brass may be OK with Teo in right.
Pages turned into a good CF last season. But coming out of spring training, the brass was content with mediocre-to-crappy fielders in left and right.
Bobby Miller has no trade value. Wrobo and Casparius are this year’s version of Ross Stripling and Mitch White. Good valuable swing pitchers who should bounce between LAD and OKC. The Dodgers got low level MiLB prospects from Toronto for them. Jackson Ferris is a AA pitcher that probably did not impress enough to stick in the pre-season top 100 prospects this year. Alex Call and Ryan Ward are #4 OF. Every team needs one, but they are not going to trade a GG LF with 2 years control for a pair of #4 OF and a pair swing pitchers, a AA pitcher, and a pitcher who could just as easily be a DFA candidate. Would you trade Pages for Cleveland’s version of one of Wrobo, Casparius, or Ferris, either Call or Ryan, and Miller?
This is an academic exercise. My aim is to illustrate how maybe the Dodgers could acquire Kwan without giving up top talent, but a few second-tier talents. (The Dodgers’ system is loaded with players who would have more opportunity in weaker organizations.)
The Orioles picked up Shane Baz for basically 4 non-elite prospects and a draft pick. The players I suggest for Kwan are more accomplished and more ready. You’ve compared Casparius and Wrobleski to Stripling, a guy who made the all-star team in 2018 and recently retired after 9 years in the majors.
Cleveland has its own agenda. I’ve read that they may want to move Kwan before his salary outpaces his singles-hitting production. Great glove, but his offense tapered off last season. AF reportedly wanted him to replace Conforto last season but didn’t like the pricetag. Has his price gone up or down?
Casparius and Wrobleski are young, promising, ML-tested pitchers with years of contract control. Ferris is the Dodgers’ top pitching prospect. Maybe somebody in the Guardians’ organization thinks Ferris or Zach Root or another pitcher buried in the Dodger system is a future star if given the chance.
You say Bobby Miller, a first-round draft pick, now has zero trade value. But a couple years back, he was ahead of Sheehan on the Dodgers depth chart. Then he faltered, which has been largely attributed more to his emotional makeup than to a physical issue. Last season, he was reportedly making progress as the Dodgers shifted him to a relief role. If the brass thinks he has no trade value, wouldn’t they just release him like they released Michael Grove?
Anyway, Miller strikes me as a guy who would benefit from a fresh start and change of scenery with new coaching. Cleveland is known for developing pitchers, so their staff may see something in Miller that you don’t see.
Every year, teams pull off surprising deals. Last summer, the Dodgers somehow turned Hunter Feduccia into a superior backup catcher in Rortvedt and not one, but TWO promising pitching prospects. This winter, the Taylor Ward-for-Grayson Rodriguez deal seemed to surprise everybody except the front offices of the Angels and Orioles. Both had their own reasons.
First of all, I was one of Strip’s biggest fans. I was extremely disappointed when they traded him and really got nothing for him at the 2020 deadline. I also do not consider a swing pitcher as a negative. Every team needs them, and the Dodgers generally have the best.
I never said that Wrobo and Casparius were not worthy MLB players. Quite the opposite. I like both of them, and I think they are more valuable to LAD than in a trade for low level MiLB players. Yes, Strip was an All Star, and Casparius and Wrobo are not. So Casparius and Wrobo are worth Steven Kwan, while Strip was worth Kendall Williams (Released August 2024) and a PTBNL who turned out to be Ryan Noda. Noda was recently DFA by Baltimore. He was waived by LAD in 2022.
Agree that Ferris and Root and Serwinowski and Copen are potential MLB pitchers with Ferris a potential mid-rotation prospect. Although he has not developed or improved as much as they hoped he would have last year. And to be clear, I am a big Ferris advocate. This will be a huge year for Ferris. These guys get traded at the deadline. Cleveland believes they can compete in the AL Central, and why not? Cleveland has pitching and needs OF bats. Kwan is their only proven OF on the roster. I doubt that Cleveland lets Kwan go without a MLB OF bat in return. I could very well be wrong. Maybe they do accept a Ferris and Hope return. They would be sending a message to their fan base that they are in a rebulld before the season started. That is a trade that has more of a chance at the deadline if Cleveland falls out of contention, and for the reasons you stated.
As far as Bobby Miiler goes, he was not a good reliever last year. 22 games and 31.0 IP, 5.52 ERA, which was only slightly better than his SP ERA of 6.26. 30 K and 21 BB. That is 1.42 K/BB ratio. That is not good. I agree tht his problems are in his head. The Dodgers have had Brent Walker, PhD, as the teams very much respected mental skills coach since 2021. The team is also at the forefront in the mental health programs for their organization. Here is a great article on what the team is doing to helo their athletes:
I am not sure Miller will get any more mental health help than with the Dodgers. Miller is a Chicago native. Maybe the Dodgers should trade him to CWS for the proverbial PTBNL. The pressure for him to succeed with CWS wouod be minimal. I will root for him.
Michael Grove was arb eligible and was non-tendered, while Miller is not (arb eligible 2028). If tendered, Grove would get a guaranteeed MLB contract, while Miller will still get MiLB $$$, unless and until he makes the MLB 26 man roster. There is no reason to release Miller.
Finally it is irrelevant as to when a player was drafted. I do not care that Miller was a 1st round draft pick while Sheehan was a 6th round, and more importantly neither will any MLB team. Sheehan is a proven MLB SP. Gavin Stone was a 5th tound in the same year as Miller was drafted, and both have surpassed Miller. Tarik Skubal was a 9th round pick as was Jacob deGrom. Miller is more important to the Dodgers as organizational depth than if he were to be released. BTW, Miller is not the first 1st round pick that was a bust. Should the Dodgers get Diego Cartaya back because he was ranked higher than nay prospect for 2022 and 2023?
If AF can swing a deal to get Kwan for Wrobo or Caspaius and Ward or Call and a MiLB OF (say James Tibbs III or Charles Davalan) he would pull off another heist. Mike Chernoff is not that desperate to deal Kwan, and IMO, he would say no. Here’s to you being right and me wrong.
I don’t expect the Dodgers to make many moves for the time being, and I’m glad for it. In more recent years, the Dodgers have been giving young guys runway over the first half of the season and I’m looking forward to seeing what Ward, Freeland, Kim, Rushing, Ryan, Hurt, whoever else can do. Maybe one or two emerge, otherwise, I’m good waiting until the deadline to dial in the post season roster.
That said, I fully expect the offense to underwhelm again and I don’t think we’ll win a title this year if the offense duplicates last year’s performance. Margin improvers like Kwan, Donovan, Nootbar won’t make much of a difference imo. Going back at least a decade, the Dodgers have consistently gotten big production from a least three bats. Last year, was arguably the first time we didn’t, depending on whether you count Will Smith’s two thirds of the time involvement. The nicks and bruises that notoriously aren’t bad enough to keep guys out of the lineup, but bad enough to wreck production, are only going to accelerate with an aging roster. I’m concerned about Freddie and Mookie continuing to be top 3 performers. At times, sure, but over a full season I have my doubts and I think we need another star bat. Tucker and Bichette would qualify, but I can’t see the Dodgers offering more than 4 years and someone will give them more. To me, Buxton makes the most sense with his remaining contract, remaining productive years, and the high slug the Dodgers crave. Plus, we can afford to load manage him.
Convincing the Twins is another matter. We have sufficient prospects and young pitchers to dangle, but I suspect they’re just as interested in a veteran draw like Buxton is. Maybe it will require a third team with a suitable veteran. I’ve watched 40-50 Loons games since the season ended, getting a feel for our OF prospects. They each have some nice traits, but I’m no longer as optimistic about their star potential. I’d be good trading combinations of any of them and Rushing as well.
I too am somewhat concerned about this offense. There will be an expected downturn on players past their prime, though fangraphs is projecting Mookie to bounce back. Hope they’re right. Edman, who some project as the starting centerfielder (I don’t) is a less than 100 OPS+ career hitter, Smith only played 110 games last year, but does project .800 OPS for a few more at bats this year. Will he do it? Teo appears to be auditioning for a DH role somewhere. Ohtani is expected to dip, as does Freddie. How do the Dodgers appear to be planning for all of this?
By adding pitching.
I have suggested they get better offensively. How do they do that?
It’s obvious isn’t it?
By adding a solid every day bat (or two) along with the stacked pitching staff the Dodgers would have what would take to keep winning through to November. If they choose to go with Edman, Ward, Teo and Call in the outfield? Please, give us one of the guys we’ve been talking about in center every day and I think we’d all feel better about it. Hell I’d take Robert Jr (projected 2 WAR 136 games) out there before Edman.
I find it interesting that Bichette is linked to the New York Yankees as a shortstop, but not to the Dodgers as such. The Dodgers are shortening Mookie’s career and few seem to mind.
Mookie wants to play SS–and now he has proven he’s one of the best. But I guess every silver lining has a cloud.
There are flaws in this diamond of a team. But with Edwin Diaz aboard and Sasaki back on track, the champs are already stronger.
As for the offense, the Dodgers last season were outscored by only one team: the Yankees led by Aaron Judge.
This offensive personnel is basically 94% intact–and Conforto’s departure should represent addition by subtraction.
While this not-young team is a year older and some regression seems likely, there’s no reason to think Mookie will start the season with an illness that saps his strength.
I hope the Dodgers make another big move before Spring training. But this team is already in fine shape.
I agree it’s great team. I also agree as they age there will be some regression. This team plays a lot of games. Each year going forward the bench will play a larger role in winning games.
I’ve heard that illness sapping strength line before, and no doubt it did early. But Mookie led the league in dWAR playing the demanding position of shortstop. If he had enough strength to play shortstop to that level, why didn’t he have enough strength to hit? Could it be because he put more focus on playing that new position than he did his offensive game? I suspect so. Makes sense to me anyway. And if you look at his projections it suggests his OPS will be significantly lower than his career average. At 33 and playing short, I think we can expect his offense will never be the same. Bummer. But Bichette can take his place in the two hole.
The Venezuelan winter league has suspended play in the wake of the United States’ military action in Caracas, leaving players in uncertain situations.
That group includes Dodgers reliever Edgardo Henriquez, a Venezuelan native who was pitching for La Tiburones de la Guaira in Caracas, the Venezuelan capitol. One of the Dodgers’ top prospects, outfielder Eduardo Quintero (another Venezuelan native) also played briefly for the same team.
The Dodgers have two other Venezuelan players on their major-league roster – veteran infielder Miguel Rojas and right-hander Brusdar Graterol. Both have spent the offseason in the United States.
Military action? I thought it was a “law enforcement action.”
Smart move by both. A lot of minor signings right now. Zack Pop got a MLB deal with the Phillies.
Only players left from the 2020 Champs: Will Smith, Max Muncy, Mookie Betts, Blake Treinen, Brusdar Graterol.
Bader has always been a good, pragmatic fit. From what I’ve read, he might be seeking more years than AF is willing (for now) to offer.
The Dodgers have taken one big swing this winter in signing Diaz. They really don’t need to do anything dramatic at this point. Perhaps we’ll see Kim get a real opportunity–and maybe even Ryan Ward too.
By holding on to their prospects now, the Dodgers will be better positioned for the summer, when the drama could feature Skubal.
It has been suggested in a few places that July bidding will be higher than January bidding. If that is believed to be true, wouldn’t it make sense to make the move for a staring outfielder now?
Like most here, and elsewhere maybe, I prefer landing Bichette, Duran, Abreu or Bader. I’m also fine with starting Kim. But I am not ok with standing pat as is. If we’re starting Bichette at second, we can probably get by with the current set of outfielders (gulp). If we’re starting Kim at second, we need Bader, or close to his equivalent, added in center.
I sure hope the Dodgers aren’t done.
3 thoughts:
First. I don’t think other teams are impressed with the Dodgers OF prospects regardless of the rankings, me included. That, combined with the fact that teams are looking for ML ready position players and pitching to build an opening day roster means the only “real” trade capital the Dodgers posses is pitching. Demand for quality pitchers will increase as the season goes along, so i can see the Dodger stockpiling arms now to address needs down the stretch.
Second. Bader does not fit the Dodger model of “slug at every position” and would mean even less playing playing time for Kim. And, it surprised me how little playing time Kim received last year.
Finally. Under the category of necessity is the mother on invention, I wonder if the Dodgers (and other teams) and rethinking relief pitching based on what we saw during the WS–i.e., what if we have more starters, fewer relievers with the idea that 2 starters will be “paired” to pitch a game.
?
You’re not impressed by the Dodgers’ OF prospects? All 12 of them?
Correct, I will be optimistic when they excel at AAA.
Winning it all in 24 was hard. Doing it back to back was even harder. Pulling off a threepeat be harder still. In my opinion will need another big bat to get it done. Sure hope AF and company are not standing pat and get us another difference maker. Three on a row be such icing on the cake. I hunger for it. Would make us the greatest dynasty in modern history going back to Ruth, Gehrig years.
I don’t think Hernandez has more than 125 innings of acceptable defense in him. I think when healthy he is a force on offense and much better on defense than we remember from last year.
Maybe the Dodgers need to plan his use like they do for Snell and Glasnow. Make sure he is a post season stud. Same thing with Muncy.
If I can’t get a under 27 year old great defender in CF then I’ll accept Sirota there by mid June.
LF. Teo and Rushing
RF. Pages
CF Call and Edman
3rd Max and Freeland or Max and Lewis
Saw a story on Yahoo sports where Rosenthal expects LA to sign Tucker to a 4-year deal with opt outs and a high AAV. Not sure how accurate the story is. Bregman is expected to sign with an AL team.
That would put Pages in CF unless I trade him to the Cubs.
It’s getting less and less likely Tucker will get an 8 to 10 year contract partially due to his injury related fade last year. He protects himself with a 4 year contract should he under perform next year and with an opt out, protects himself if he overperforms next year.
This could happen. Sirota and Hope could be ready should Tucker opt out.
My offer: opt outs every year. $43M, $33, $25M, $25M– 4 years $126M
In fairness, we don’t know this. We just don’t know his ask. $400m vs. $300m? What’s his target?
I would sign Bader for 2 or 3 years at around $12-14M per year. Plays CF which would move Pages to RF, his best position.
Too easy, too practical, two opinions
I really don’t understand the comments about possibly seeing one of our top outfield prospects (Hope, JDP, Quintero, Sirota) here in L.A. this year. They all basically spent last year at High A (Great Lakes). JPD and Hope each got about 20 at bats at Tulsa.
Barring some unforeseen calamity where we have no place else to turn to, I don’t see any of those four getting here until 2027 and I wouldn’t be surprised if it wasn’t until 2028 for some of them.
That’s just the way our front office works. They rarely rush anyone unless they have no other choice and with Pages, Teo, Edman, Kim, Call, Ward and Siani all currently on the 40-man, they seem to have a bunch of other choices. And that doesn’t even factor in the possibility of Rushing.
Sirota will be 23 in June. I want him fast tracked. He is more contact than power. If Conforto was good enough then by mid June by golly so is Sirota. I hope Bear takes me seriously.
Sirota was hurt much of the year in 2025. He had all of 155 PA at Great Lakes (A+). Granted he did extremely well, but he has not even reached AA. Under your scenario, after 155 PA at A+, Sirota pushes past AA and AAA in two months before he is added to the 26-man on June 1. Do you really believe that is a realistic scenario?
I should have included you with my Bear comment.
So you’re saying Sirota may be as bad as Conforto?
You could be right about that.
Defense clearly better and if offense is the same, at least it will be coming from CF and not LF with the latter expected to be an offensive position. Yes, Conforto was offensive last year
Moves involving former Dodgers today. Justin Bruhl traded to the Cardinals by the Guardians for cash. Justin Dean DFAd by the Giants. Kirby Yates signing with the Angels finalized.
Two new rumors out there, Cardinals could possibly release Nolan Arenado if the trade market does not pick up, and the Jays are back in the hunt for Tucker.
This is getting annoying
Jays are like only true spender. I now believe we’re sitting waiting for which guy they don’t sign.
Mets lurking too.
Who else is spending still?
You hit the nail on the head, no one has really ponied up any cash except the Jays. I think they are embarrassed that they were just two outs from the title and beaten by a banjo hitters clutch homer and some big boo boo’s on the bases.
Haha
Just reading all the trade speculation leads me to believe that Tucker ends up a Blue Jay and Bo B ends up in Dodger Blue. I really think his verbalising his willingness to play 2B was a “Come and get me “ call to AF. He is such a good fit.
Interesting that we have enquired on Freddie Peralta. This totally goes with my sentiment of always improving from a position of strength.
I see a couple of major things happening before AF is done.
Happy New Year
I hope you’re right, Wat. As much as I really want Kim to get a shot at the 2b job, I absolutely love what Bichette could provide at 2b for the next 5 years.
Me too.
Kim becomes another utility player. Can’t have too many of those, right? Rojas, Kim. Edman, Freeland, Call, Rushing, Ward, Siani.
Has anyone checked fangraphs projections on these guys? They don’t think much of Ward. Or Edman really. Or Call. Or Freeland. Or Kim. Looks like they think Rojas is on his last leg. When I asked about Siani “who’s Siani?” popped up.
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6948357/2026/01/07/mlb-free-agency-tucker-bichette-bregman-luxury-tax/
Any team that exceeds the base luxury-tax threshold for three or more consecutive years pays a 50 percent penalty for every dollar it goes above. Any team that exceeds the base threshold by $60 million or more pays an additional 60 percent surcharge.
The Los Angeles Dodgers qualify on both counts, so their penalty for signing Tucker or any of the other remaining free agents would be 110 percent. At a $40 million AAV, Tucker would cost them $84 million. At a $35 million AAV, the number would be a mere $73.5 million.
The Cubs’ interest in Bichette, first reported by Jon Heyman, stems from their desire to upgrade at third base – something the signing of Bregman also would accomplish.
Adding either player would create the potential for the Cubs to trade second baseman Nico Hoerner and move Matt Shaw from third to second.
Some weird baseball news
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has denied the A’s request to trademark the names “Las Vegas Athletics” and “Vegas Athletics.”
The club, which intends to move to Nevada in 2028, has three months from when the refusals were issued Dec. 29 to ask for an extension to file a new application within a six-month period.
The A’s were told the nickname “Athletics” was too generic and could be confused with other activities even if associated with Las Vegas.
Aholes might be available
I think that’s already taken by Houston.
Waiting for the Dodgers to do something major is as excruciating as having a dentist pull teeth without anesthetic. Cmon AF, do something already!!!!.
Be patient and no one can hurt you.
Way past being hurt by anyone. I do not let myself get into those situations anymore. Reaction time cut in half!
Last year Andrew jumped right in and signed Conforto quickly. How did that work out?
I’m fine waiting a while longer if it leads to the right move(s).
Early this off season, AF said that the team was ready to make some moves but would have to be patient. I’ve been trying to figure out if he had something specific in mind or was just making a general statement. My guess is that it was someone he had his eyes on but knew it would take some time to play out.
Actually, his first major free agent signing came on the 30th of November last winter. Blake Snell signed that day. Conforto and Trienen both signed on the 10th. When a player sign’s has very little to do with their performance. Conforto tanking was not because he signed his contract in December. He had been a pretty solid offensive player prior to signing a one-year deal with LA. His career stats are decent. He is a 115 OPS+ player. I know AF works at his own pace, and his GM, Gomes is the same. At the time of his signing, I, and most Dodger fans I know thought Michael was a good signing.
You are correct Bear. Everyone thought the Conforto signing was good at the time. I didn’t love it but thought it was OK. At the time
Teo was unsigned and I think if AF would have signed Teo sooner, he would not have signed Conforto. As far as the timing of the signing, I think AF jumped the gun with the Conforto signing and should have waited longer. Most people now consider it to be a huge mistake. I don’t look at it as a mistake as much as a calculated risk based on his track record that just didn’t work out. Much like the Andruw Jones signing.
Jones was a disaster, much worse than Conforto. At least he contributed a little bit. I don’t think AF jumped the gun at all. No matter what, they needed another outfielder and Conforto fit the bill in left. Conforto hit .199. Jones hit .158 and had just 3 homers and 14 RBI’s Conforto hit 12 and drove in 36 playing in 138 games. He also made several very good plays in left field. Jones did not even play in 80 games. Up there with the worst free agent signing in Dodger or MLB history.
Couldn’t agree more.
A colonoscopy is quicker and less annoying.
Seems the Cubs and Marlins are close to a deal that would send RHSP Edward Cabrera to Chicago. A package of prospects would be heading to Miami.
Or they can just sign Bichette and Tucker and go win the 2026 WS via slug!
Some dipshit elswewhere said there’s a 1% they sign either. It’s funny to flex bad math skills. Numbers actually mean tjings.
Dodgers avoided arbitration with Graterol, he will earn 2.8 million this year. Cubs finalized trade for Cabrera. Marlins get three minor leaguers in return.
Dodgers avoided arbitration with Graterol, he will earn a little over 2 million this year. Cubs finalized trade for Cabrera. Marlins get three minor leaguers in return.