There is still nothing happening, and my consulting gig is taking up a lot of my time. I am trying to get ahead of the project so that I can be available for the Winter Meetings next week.
Rule 5 draft is next Wednesday. Last year, the Dodgers lost three in the ML phase, but got one back (Gus Varland). They lost Ryan Noda to the A’s and Jose Hernandez to Pittsburgh. Both had good years at the ML level. They could lose a couple more this year. We will get to more of this next week.
Dodgers seem to be the most aggressive on Dylan Cease, but there are at least 12 teams pursuing him. St. Louis is making a big effort to make a run at Milwaukee for the NL Central. John Mozeliak has said they will stay aggressive, and the rotation and bullpen are not complete.
I hope something pops sooner rather than later so we can get off guessing on Shohei Ohtani. Or whether or not AF changes his stripes this offseason?
Dylan Cease, Corbin Burnes, Tyler Glasnow, and Shane Bieber appear to be the only top of the rotation pitchers who could be on the move. But there is always some crazy a** trade that shocks everyone. Burnes would be my top choice, but he may not be available until the trade deadline.
NYY is leaning against signing Bellinger because his hard hit rate is way down. In 2019 his hard hit rate on 4-seam fastballs was over 50% but was at 33% last year. Overall his hard hit rate was at 31.4%  I personally prefer the current Belli who is not the all or nothing swinger he used to be. When he is down in the count, he tends to favor putting the ball in play more. His K rate was 15.7% the best of his career. Hmmmm, I wonder who had him alter his approach and why it did not stick with the Dodgers.
Per Statcast, Belli is in the 22nd percentile for average exit velo, 27th percentile for barrel %, and 10th percentile for hard hit.
If NYY chooses to pass on him, SF or the Cubs would gladly sign him. I have steadfastly said that SF should go way out and sign Belli. He is a perfect fit for Oracle. The Cubs actually have a potentially elite CF waiting: Pete Crow-Armstrong. They will not be as aggressive for CF. I think pitching will be their key focus, with 3B and 1B (Rhys Hoskins??). Christopher Morel will be a key target for some teams.
NYY seems to be focusing more of their attention on Juan Soto. With only one year of control remaining, the Pads are not going to get near what they gave up, but will get some good talent. NYY has 5 top 100 prospects, but they are from 73-99. I find it hard to believe that NYY will trade Spencer Jones for one year of Juan Soto. And with Scott Boras as his agent, it is extremely unlikely that Soto will agree to an extension before he hits FA.
Next week is going to get fun.
My wife and I will be in Nashville next week to take in a benefit concert for the Country Music Hall of Fame. When we booked the short three-day trip I wasn’t aware the Winter Meetings would be at the same time.
Staying downtown but I’m probably going to visit the Gaylord Opryland Hotel on Tuesday just to walk around and see what I can see. If I happen to bump into AF I’ll get an update and post it here. Maybe I’ll see Ohtani sporting a new Dodger hat or maybe I’ll see AF shopping at the bargain bin or the blue light special aisle.
All the pundits and “experts”agree the Dodgers need starting pitching, most say 2 starters. Another need they agree on is a good hitting rh corner outfielder( or 2). Then there are those who would like an upgrade at 3rd base. All that will tske a large chunk of change.
Nowhere is anyone saying they have a hole to fill for a lefthanded DH, yet so many banter about getting Ohtani being so important. And at what price?
Scanning the chatter this morning I wonder if after losing out on Ohtani SF will mark time for a year then make a play for Soto. He’s going to help some team other than San Diego make a run at it this year then enter free agency in his prime. I doubt it will be LA, unless we lose out on Ohtani, I just hope he goes east to an AL club.
Heading to Cali next week. I will be there until the end of the month. But I do not plan on leaving until after the winter meetings are over. Blue Jays GM says the Bichette trade rumors are just that, rumors. Pundits still think the Dodgers want Adames and Burnes, but the price for two rentals is too high to my way of thinking.
If Kershaw wants to wait until he knows how well he feels/pitches in mid July before signing a contract, what do the Dodgers do if they sign a few big contracts before Kershaw says he is available?
Is Ryu in play to fill the Dodger lefty need? He would not be a huge block should Sheehan, Pepiot, Stone, or Grove push their way into the rotation. Snell would also fill the lefty need and if he only averages 5 innings, the Dodgers have a lot of 3 to 5 inning pitchers to finish his games.
Add Snell and Yamamoto and then defend:
2B Betts
1B Freeman
C Smith
DH Muncy
LF DeLuca
CF Outman
3B Rojas
RF Heyward
SS Lux
or
Add Ohtani and Ryu and Wacha
2B Betts
1B Freeman
DH Ohtani
C Smith
SS Lux
LF DeLuca/Taylor
CF Outman
3B Muncy
RF Heyward/DeLuca
Dodgers have hired Nelson Cruz as an advisor. Cruz just retired. They also lost Tim Laker to the Angels. Brant Brown is going from the Marlins to the Mariners.
I believe Jeff D. has raised the idea of OF Randy Arozarena:
SO!
Who says no?
Busch, Rushing and Stone
FOR
Arozarena, Glasnow and Montgomery?
Jon Weisman, back working with the Dodgers, just posted this from the stadium.
Is it a good omen? Or maybe Vin saying “hi” on his birthday? Or both.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GAJDFttboAAgIWE?format=jpg&name=small
Per TheAthletic:
The Yankees and Padres continue to talk Juan Soto, tho NYY is (so far) reluctant to part w/ its highest-end young talent, and they’re still keeping tabs on Cody Bellinger, whose early ask has been described as very high, source tells The Athletic
The trade simulator says:
Everson Pereira, Chase Hampton and George Lombard
for
Soto
De Los Santos
That way the Yanks hold onto Volpe and company.
FA Signed the last couple of days:
RHP Nick Martinez – 2 years $26MM with Cincinnati
RHRP Emilio Pagan – 2 years $16MM with Cincinnati
RHSP Luis Severino – 1 year $13MM w/ $2MM in incentives with NYM
INF Joey Wendle – 1 year $2MM with NYM
INF/OF Garrett Hampson – 1 year $2MM with KC
Per Rosenthal (and there’s more to this but it’s $$$$)
New White Sox general manager Chris Getz is telling clubs he likely will wait to move on right-hander Dylan Cease until after the top free-agent starting pitchers sign, according to major-league sources briefed on the discussions.
Some movement starting to happen. Meetings start in three days.