The Dodgers want a franchise type SS. They had one in Corey Seager, and decided to let him go to Texas on a 10-year $325MM deal. Trea Turner did not re-sign with LAD after 2022. He gave every indication that he wanted to play on the East Coast and signed a $300MM deal with Philly. Gavin Lux was supposed to be the SS for 2023, but he tore his ACL and missed the season. Miguel Rojas and Chris Taylor were the primary SS for 2023.
The Dodgers determined very early on in 2024 that Lux was not going to play SS, and Mookie Betts started the season at SS. After getting injured, Miggy Ro stepped in and played SS most of the rest of the way. Tommy Edman also played SS for LAD in 2024.
AF/BG has said they are looking for that franchise SS. At 36, Miggy Ro maybe has 2 years left and he is probably best used as a reserve. Tommy Edman – is he SS or CF or super utility? Are the Dodgers going to let Mookie play there? Throw in CT3, and SS is covered as a Plan B.
IMO none of Miggy Ro, Tommy Edman, or Mookie are the franchise SS the Dodgers might be looking for.
I have already gone through the potential SS for LAD ad nauseum. The Dodgers are already at $309MM AAV plus another $51MM in luxury tax. They are going to need to sign Clayton Kershaw and Blake Treinen (or similar high leverage late inning reliever). Teoscar?
Do they really have the budgetary ability to sign another $25MM SS? If so, maybe they do sign Willy Adames. But by the time all the offers come in, he might be more.
Now comes for the real controversy. There are multiple reports that the Dodgers and Twins are talking about Carlos Correa. The Twins have cash problems and are looking to sell the team, and want to get out from under the remaining term of his contract.
I acknowledge that Correa is persona non grata with LAD fans, but apparently not with the Dodger players. Mookie was on board 2 years ago when Carlos signed the longer term deal with Minnesota. I believe Clayton Kershaw, Austin Barnes, and Chris Taylor are the only Dodgers remaining from the 2017 team. Before AF gets too deep into any negotiations, he needs to speak with the three of them, especially Kershaw.
Correa if nothing else is a playoff clutch player. In 358 PA, Correa batted .282/.352/.508/.860. He has 18 HRs with 63 RBI.
He is a GG and Platinum Glove defender at SS.
The Dodgers need to find their own Masyn Winn, CJ Abrams, Gunnar Henderson Bobby Witt, Jr., Ezequiel Tovar, Geraldo Perdomo, Anthony Volpe, Jordan Lawler…I have no idea if Alex Freeland is that guy. But I think the Dodgers can learn more about his game this year. Bo Bichette will become a FA next year, and there could be more potential trades opening up. The Dodgers can put off the franchise SS for another year.
Emil Morales, Joendry Vargas, and Kellon Lindsey are still years away. Austin Gauthier and Noah Miller are utility players.
I am not advocating the Dodgers trade for Correa, but there is a lot of smoke on this one, and I would like to know how everyone else feels. Because regardless as to whether the players are okay with Correa on the LAD roster, the fan upheaval may be too much to ignore.
I am sorry for the delay, but I am not feeling well, and I needed to shut everything down. This has not been a good year for me health wise.
Sorry to hear that Jeff. I hope you get to feeling better soon. Thanks for all you do here.
Focus on your health. Thanks for the new post. I say no on Correa and Freeland could be ready by mid-season and here to stay.
Sorry to hear that Jeff. Some of it we know about, but I’ll bet there’s some old man sh*t that’s happening at the same time. I know I’m dealing with it.
Is there a franchise SS in the Dodgers future. Yeah, probably, but I don’t see him in the organization now. Whoever it is will come with a huge price tag.
Correa? If the players are ok with it I would be. He’s 30 so his best years (age 26) are behind him, but he’s still a 3.6 WAR shortstop. Team options after age 33, but the dollar figures drop to 25, 20, 15, and 10 million. Out to age 37. Sure. Make it happen.
I’m fine with Correa. He isn’t boring whether referring to his bat, glove, or mouth. Average salary is $33M so that asks Jeff’s question of “Do they really have the budgetary ability to sign another $25MM SS?
Can the Dodger offense absorb an offensive question mark at short which would avoid the cost of an Adames or Correa? Does Lux get another look at short because he wasn’t mentally ready to play up to his capability in 2024 and might be now? Can Edman handle short for the first half of the season which would give Outman a spot in CF and Freeland half a season before he takes over at short?
Both Adames and Correa could move to third when and if Freeland takes over at short. Without either of them the Dodgers need offense in the outfield.
Not feeling well sucks. Let the sun come out tomorrow.
Correa can pound sand. Wait for Bichette or sign Adames.
I think we have it covered after Teoscar signs. Lux remains the mystery.
Jeff, thank you for your wonderful site, but your health and your family comes first.Do what’s best for you. We will all survive
I keep fantasizing about trades involving Lux that would immediately upgrade the roster.
But if no such deal emerges, Lux can be dealt for a prospect or two.
And then the Dodgers could bring back Kike to complete the roster.
That works too
Sorry to hear your not feeling well Jeff take care of yourself,
I’m sure everyone can ramble on while you take care of yourself.
my concern about Correa is twofold. First I have a hard time with him concerning the cheating. secondly is his Plantar Fasciitis, that seems like an injury that never seems to go completely away. Pujols had it for most of his Angel career, and we have enough walking wounded already.
Hope you feel better soon, Jeff. Take all the time you need. We can always write and discuss under the older article.
From me a big hard NO on Correa. If the Dodgers and players are okay with so be it.
But the 2017 WS still very much a thorn in my side.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hope you feel better soon.
Take care of yourself, Jeff.
Thanks for the hours of fun I’ve had on your site. I’ll be checking in now and again to see if things are back on track.
As for the SS question, I’d prefer Adames to Correa. And I’d prefer Correa to Bichette–so maybe I don’t hold much of a grudge.
I figure that at least one of those four young SS prospects–Freeland and the teenagers–will eventually succeed. By then Max will be gone and Adames will be playing 3B.
Today’s rumor mill suggests the Dodgers and Teo are close to signing a new contract.
Dodgers apparently aren’t among the four finalists for Soto, and I think that’s good news.
Jeff maybe we all get rooms in the same old folks home and we talk Dodger shxt all day long on the patio! Hope you feel better soon.
Re SS we can cover it this year. I’m always for doing trades so I would like to see us trade for another almost ready young SS and let our young guys battle it out.
I’m a hard no on correa, to old to last much longer, concerning injury issues and that picture of Clayton sitting in the dugout holding his head trying to figure out what happened is etched upon my brain. Cheating can mess with more than the score.
Too old? He’s 5 years younger than Freddie, 2 years younger than Mookie and the same age as Ohtani. I can see why some have hard reservations because of the cheating scandal, but a 30 year old 3.7 WAR SS is not too old. I doubt we get that many wins above replacement with a Rojas (36 in February) Edman/Taylor whoever platoon, but maybe management figures they don’t that many wins from that position.
Ok, forget about too old, but injury issues and cheating us are still deal breakers.
Sorry to hear that you’re feeling poorly Jeff. Appreciate the site which you have really grown into something to be proud of.
Id take Correa in a heartbeat because he’d make us better. Gotta let things go sometimes.
Duke, I can’t understand why we’d be out of the Soto running when we are the Club that would guarantee him a good chance of a Ring every year and we are prepared to pay over $600m to give him that opportunity.
This is is why I have zero sympathy for Mike Trout. He could have signed for anyone and got paid and he chose to resign for the hapless Angels who haven’t looked like contenders for a decade! That’s on him. He could have trusted the waters but decided to stay put and play 162 meaningless games every year. If Soto really does wanna win then he’ll sign with us.
$600m, $650m, $700, does it really make any difference? That’s more money than he’ll ever spend plus all the endorsements.
If he wants to be a Dodger he will be.
About as much chance of an Adames acquisition as a Correa one, or a Soto one.
I don’t think there’s any reporting that the Dodgers are over $600mm. Just that the bidding is that high (or expected to be.)
Where is this Correa speculation?
As stated by others, just take care of your health. This silly board is probably very low on the important things in your life put in proper context.
No sympathy for Trout?
Seems kind of cold. He demonstrated loyalty to the team that drafted him. Yes, he got was then the biggest contract in history–but he may have done better as a free agent. It’s not his fault that management sucks and brought in a bum like Rendon. And anyone could get derailed by injuries.
What are the odds that Juan Soto stays healthy for the next decade? Trout and Pujols had similar stats to Soto but became shells of their former self.
Just another reason why a massive investment in Soto would be the wrong move. Better to diversify your risk by investing in three or four good players.
If Soto wants to be a Dodger, he’ll be a Dodger on AF’s terms, not on Soto’s terms. AF would give him a fair contract–but there’s no reason to be lured into a bidding war.
The Mets and Yankees want and arguably need Soto more than the Dodgers. Losing Soto would piss off their fans.
I don’t think Dodger fans would moan and groan if Soto signs elsewhere. No biggie
A year ago, it was widely expected that Shohei would ultimately sign with the Dodgers. The Dodgers ownership was highly motivated because they understood how his appeal would push the franchise’s global appeal. And I think the Ohtani effect exceeded expectations.
I don’t see how Soto, at a comparable price, could have an impact that remotely compares to Ohtani. I suspect AF would rather have Sasaki than Soto.
For the Mets, especially, it’s Soto or bust.
It will be interesting to watch the ripple effect.
Teo, Santander, Adames, Alonzo, Bregman, O’Neil—all can be Plan B for the teams that lose the Soto sweepstakes. And pitchers will be affected to.
The good news is that the Dodgers have already locked up Snell and Edman.
Per Feinsand:
https://www.mlb.com/news/willy-adames-free-agent-backup-plan-yankees?partnerID=mlbapp-iOS_article-share
Yankees and Mets most likely destinations for Soto.
Adames also mentioned with Yankees (and Giants)
He also says the dearth of catchers could make Rushing a hot trade piece.
Heyman is claiming that the Dodgers are not out of the Soto chase. Their offer is something like 3 years at $50M per, which Soto has not dismissed. Seems he wants opt outs in any contract he signs anyway, so a short term high AAV contract is not out of the question. Sign w/LA for 3 years, win a couple of championships, pocket $150M, then go back into free agency when prices might be even higher than they are now! Hmmm….
I didn’t and haven’t seen that, but would love to see it.
Yeah, me too.
We just won a World Series with Miggy, CT3, Edman, etc playing SS.
On paper (as much as that means), we look even better for 2025. Why do we need a “franchise SS” when we have already have a franchise player at 2b (Mookie), 1b, DH, numerous ones on the pitching staff, and All Stars all over the place?
The teams who have “franchise SS” lack in other areas, so it all balances out.
Carlos Correa can go F himself in the Minnesota snow with his trash can.
I say let’s wait till midseason: let’s see how our 5 SS’s are doing. Let’s see if Alex Freeland shows he belongs or doesn’t belong up here. Then, if need be, let’s see who’s for sale in July.
We won in 2024 without Seager/Trea/Machado at SS. We can do it again in 2025.
Well said!
Hey Jeff. Sorry to hear about your health issues. A many have stated above, take care of yourself. If necessary, LADC can self propel for a while. It’s the offseason, so daily articles aren’t really needed to encourage opinions. Not to speak for Bear, but he has done a fantastic job helping you out. I would hope he wouldn’t mind continuing to contribute to this site in a way that would work for him.
To a speedy recovery.
As to signing Correa, I say no f’in way this should happen. I realize there’s only three players from the 2017 WS team still around, but there are hundreds of thousand fans to consider. Add his salary and injury history, no thank you!
My solution to the SS issue has been to find a young prospect that’s ready to play in the MLB or one that already been playing and has been successful. The Dodger farm system is full of many good to excellent prospects that will never play for the Dodgers.
Matt McLain of Cincinnati is one that comes to mind that could be a trade possibility. Jeff has mentioned him in the past. With De La Cruz established at SS for the Reds, McLain could be available. As with most teams, the Reds could use pitching prospects or ones that have had a few starts. There are no guarantees, but a trade of a few prospects by the Dodgers could solve their SS issues for the next decade. McLain had a very successful rookie season in ’23, but was out for the ’24 season recovering from shoulder surgery. I would think there are options out there for the Dodgers to consider. It could help them get younger and give them some payroll relief (although that doesn’t seem to matter with the Dodgers).
Carry on.
Shoulder surgery? Hmm
I wonder what percentage of Dodger fans still hold a grudge against those who were instructed to cheat? I don’t like what the Astros did but I figure that’s on the organization and why I thought they should be punished. Suspend the manager for a year, suspend the GM, fine the organization several million dollars and take the Championship from them. Leave it vacant. A stronger message needed to be sent. Now precedent has been set. Cheat to win the World Championship and you will lose a few draft picks. Uh, ok. Sounds worth it to me.
Anyway, as I said, I’m fine with Correa if the players and the organization is ok with it. That said, this sounds like another move that isn’t likely to happen.
The majority of people aren’t all that concerned with character when ticket prices are too high.
Ted – I see no reason why Miggy and Edman can’t man the Dodger’s SS duties. I’m an unapologetic Rojas fan and thought he was under appreciated last season. I get that he’s getting up there in SS years but until I see a noticeable decline in his skills, I’m not ready to count him out. Edman can carry the mail to keep Miggy fresh.
I would love this Adames business to get settled. I’ve heard way too much speculation ion of getting this guy for about 2 years now. Time to shXt or get off the pot.
I would love to see Freeland improve himself in AAA the first half and perhaps get a shot the 2nd half to be in the picture for 2026. All the money for a new SS for this season can go to Teo.
Edman might play every day shuttling between SS and the outfield. Rojas is a part-time SS who can help at 3B and 2B as needed.
Rojas has performed better than expected for LA, but he is now a year old. I expect to see a lot of Edman and less of Rojas.
Matt McClain is interesting, but I don’t think he’d really move the needle.
Trading Lux will create a roster vacancy that can be filled by Kike. He could figure into a partial platoon with Max.
I hope Freeland plays well enough to get a shot in ’25. From what I read, I get the impression he may not be a “franchise SS” like Seager, Correa or Adames, but more like another UT talent. We’ll see.
Perhaps one of the teenagers–Vargas, Morales or Lindsey– will grow up to be that “franchise SS.”
Phil, I would have no objections to a Rojas/Edman combo to cover SS in 2025. I just think it would be nice to resolve this issue for the next 10+ years. Let’s see what AF/BG have in mind.
First of all, let me add my wishes to those above for your quick recovery, Jeff. I don’t know if you realize quite how much you’re appreciated around here.
Correa – looks like we’re somewhat evenly split here on whether we would want him to become a Dodger. I’m leaning “no” but mostly because of his injury history. That said, if Andrew and the players are OK with his 2017 stuff and he wound up here, I could handle that.
David Vassegh said yesterday that the Dodgers are getting close to a deal with
Teo. He is right more often than wrong, so if that is the case, I’d be fine with installing Edman as this year’s SS and going out to find someone who can play centerfield. Using Tommy in CF against LHP with MiggyRo at SS and moving him to SS with a new lefty hitting centerfielder against RHP works for me.
With Mookie and Max missing so much time last year and the starting rotation spending most of their combined year on the IL, it seems to me we’re already a much better team for 2025.
Someone mentioned Matt McLain as a possible trade candidate. I’d be great with that. He’s supposed to be the Reds second baseman this year but he could certainly become the Dodger shortstop. How about Lux, Miller and Rushing for McLain? Lux is now superfluous, Miller has dropped so far down the depth chart that we could certainly lose him and Rushing would be the piece to make it hard for them to resist. They might take Rushing plus Lux or Miller but I’m feeling generous this morning.
Here’s what the experts at MLB Pipeline have to say about McLain:
Scouting Grades (20-80 scale)
HIT: 60
POWER: 50
RUN: 60
ARM: 55
FIELD: 50
OVERALL: 55
I saw one bio saying he was 5′ 8″ and another saying he was 5′ 11″
He is from Orange, CA and attended UCLA. He is 25.
I like a good blend of young players and veterans and my hope would be that Both Freeland and McLain play together on the left side of the infield for years. Add Outman in CF until Zyhir Hope can beat him out or maybe one of them moves to RF.
Is there any indication McClain is up for sale?
I haven’t heard any rumors that Cincinnati is interested in trading McCain. And they just traded India who was their 2B..
And I was just listening to the mlb channel talk about him being one of then best players on the team. I’d love to have him but I don’t know if he could be pried loose. They need pitching so you can’t say never but….
I think they traded India to put McClain at 2B.
Include Lux in a trade to fill that 2B hole. Include Miller and maybe another, younger pitching prospect. Cincinnati may not be looking to trade McLain, but AF can get their attention with the right package. Again, the Dodgers have plenty of prospects/MLB players to make almost any deal possible.
No doubt the Dodgers have their own dossier on McClain, which may or may not reflect that glowing scouting report. McClain looked good as a rookie, but was hurt before he established much of a track record at the ML level.
If Dodger braintrust see McClain as that “franchise” type SS, they should make the big offer. But if they see him as no better than Tommy Edman, why bother?
I think the Dodgers will be fine with Edman and Rojas covering SS.
That said, Willy Adames would be a clear upgrade and he could shift to 3B in a few years to make room for Jeondry Vargas, Kellon Lindsay or Emil Morales.
That’s more impressive than my impression!
We really need Outman to rebound and play like 2023. At least against righties. Edman can play CF against lefties with Rojas manning SS.
That would be ideal. Somehow I don’t see Friedman going with it.
It would be awesome if guys like Outman, Freeland, Pages, Rushing had good springs. It would be good to add at least two utes to our primary lineup.
I agree. And they’ve tried. Not exactly working out.
Pages was kinda awful against RHP and in only 98 at bats against LHP he OPSd .917. Since 70% of league pitching is RH I’d rather see someone who clobbers that 70%.
I have no idea what the organization thinks of him but I’m pretty sure they would rather have an experienced full time center fielder. Edman? Yeah, maybe. But he didn’t hit RHP either.
I would roll with Rojas and Edman at SS. Give Outman another shot at CF with Edman. Freeland can be given an opportunity in spring training to see if he is ready.
Bluto, if you’re still gracing us with your presence on this “Siilly” site, I thought you might find this illuminating ~
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5967592/2024/12/03/juan-soto-signing-update-600-million/
Not sure if you consider the New York Timed a credible source, but three writers have put their names to this article.
Hi Watford!
Hope you are well.
ive read that article, it explicitly does NOT say the Dodgers have bid more than $600mm, and elsewhere it has been reported they have not.
The key phrase is:
”The two people briefed on the negotiations said that all remaining contenders have made offers above $600 million.”
that said, there is a tremendous amount of silliness at this time of year
Dodgers say that Freddie Freeman underwent surgery on his right ankle, which included removing some loose bodies from the are.
“Freeman is expected to be able to participate in baseball activities during spring training.”
I am back. Thank you all for your well wishes. I had a scare Wednesday morning around 7:00 AM. I walked into my Starbucks office and started to write when my heart started pounding out of my chest for no reason. I looked at my fitbit and my heart rate was over 140. I went home, back to bed, but my heart rate remained elevated until around 9:30. But then my blood pressure began to rise. I called my doctor. He told me to stop everything I was doing, rest, and drink fluids. He order an EKG which I had done today, and increased my blood pressure medication.
My doctor was more concerned about my elevated heart rate, but since that was the first time it happened, he just wants a baseline to monitor. I have heart issues in my family, and I do worry about it. My doctor is not nearly as concerned about my heart. All previous EKG’s and stress tests came back positive, and I do get routine tests.
Now back to baseball. I have zero idea whether Alex Freeland is a legit consideration for the every day SS on a team that is yearly considered a WS favorite. Both Seager and Lux reached MLB at 21. Both hit a lot better than Freeland at AAA. That does not mean Freeland will not hit AAA pitching, he just hasn’t yet. He needs more development in AAA before anyone can determine if he is legit.
If the Dodgers have to do an overpay to get Matt McLain, then I say Git-R-Done. Gavin Lux would fit in nicely at 2B for Cincinnati. Cincinnati has exactly 1 catcher in their top 30, and he is 18 (turns 19 in January). Tyler Stephenson is 28 and was a -10 DRS at catcher last year. Maybe Rushing could play in Cincinnati.
As far as Correa goes, I am not as much of a hard pass as many because of the cheating. I figure if Clayton Kershaw is over 2017, then I can be as well. Maybe more than any other player, Kershaw was impacted most by the cheating. I am opposed because I am just not certain he would be a fit with the Dodgers personality wise, and I am concerned that the plantar fasciitis is worse than it is being reported. Two teams declined to sign him because of foot issues. My son was forced to retire because of a ruptured plantar fascia. It was so bad that the 1st baseman heard the pop when Andy hit the bag. Foot injuries tend to hang around a long time.
Glad you’re feeling better. I had my first kidney stone Tuesday so cheers!
Worst pain ever.
That’s not what she said
Whoa…. Glad you are feeling better, Jeff.
Be careful out there!
Lux + ??? for McClain. How about Lux + Wrobleski? We could toss in Feduccia and maybe get a couple of teenagers back.
Pivoting from Adames to McClain would certain spice things up. If McClain falters, both Edman and Rojas could step in.
Speaking personality and clubhouse joy, the addition of Adames and bringing back Teo would be a hoot. I prefer the youth of McLain though.
One of the things that brings me back to the gym is the heart rate measurement I get on the treadmill. If it doesn’t go up it is a message to me to stop and get to the doctor.
I’ve been guilty of thinking without data to support my thought that players that make the MLB at 21 will have a better chance of becoming an all star than those that make it at 25 or later. If I am right, Freeland needs to make the MLB this year.
The A’s found a pitcher willing to pitch in Sacramento. RHSP, Luis Severino agreed to a 3-year $67MM deal with an opt-out after the 2nd year. Severino got an overpay and Oakland is staying true telling everyone they want to spend this year. The face of that franchise is soon to be SS Jacob Wilson. And no Bums, the A’s are not trading Wilson.
If they won’t trade him to Bums will they trade him to me? 😂
Sounds like a pretty scary few hours you went through there. Hope everything is under control now.
Waiting for all of the results of the tests, but the heart rate seems to be under control, and that is what scared the doctor.
Test results are always good. Find out what’s wrong and do what’s necessary to get it fixed! Sounded like some scary stuff.
Stay strong Jeff!!
Thanks for the heads-up Blue. Sometimes you make me think I live rent free in your mind.
An OKC fan favorite, Drew Avans, was granted MiLB free agency and is now signed with The Athletics.
And here is one of his 2024 ST highlights
I wish him luck with the A’s.
If you’re a prospect trying to make the majors, the A’s are probably the best place for you.
Sutter Health Park is a very tough park for pitchers.
Didn’t know that thanks Jeff
Interesting note at MLBTR.com this morning, saying the Cubs are determined to trade Belli OR Seiya Suzuki.
If we can’t get Teo back, Suzuki would present an interesting alternative. He has two years left on his contract at $19MM each and is two years younger than Teo. Their stats are not all that different. Both are good offensive players and not the greatest defensively. Suzuki had an OPS+ of 138 last year and for his career he’s at 128. His lifetime OPS is .824 and he was at 3.5 bWAR last year.
He has a no trade clause, but I can’t believe he’d say no to coming to the World Champs and playing with 2 (maybe 3) of his countrymen.
Don’t know what it would take to get him but we could start with Lux and go from there. I would think the Cubs would prefer to move Belli and he seems to be getting some interest from other teams, so maybe Suzuki is just a fall back position.
Why would they want to trade Suzuki? He’s $28 million worth of production for $19 million. He’s only 30. Makes no sense. Bellinger, yes, he’s overpaid, but not Suzuki.
For whatever reason, they seem desperate to save payroll and if they can’t trade Bellinger, they would play him in right and trade Suzuki.
For the past few years, the Cubs have been running their team as though they play in a city with a population of 20,000.
Desperate to save payroll? The Cubs?
Desperate may not be a good choice of words, but they could easily be shopping in the high end bracket of free agents and they simply don’t do it. I haven’t heard them mentioned on any of the guys like Burnes, Fried, Soto, Adames, etc.
Although they have some of the strongest fan support MLB, they don’t spend like it.
This from earlier today at MLBTR:
“The Cubs are “determined” to trade one of first baseman/outfielder Cody Bellinger or outfielder Seiya Suzuki, reports Joel Sherman of The New York Post, with the idea of then redirecting their cost savings to upgrade other parts of the roster.”
If they are determined to trade one, the easiest one to trade is Suzuki. I would think there will be a lot of teams interested in him. I would take him in right field in a heartbeat.
Agree.
Baseball America looks at the draft classes for the NL West:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/baseball-america/id201539011?i=1000679457917
As usual, bullish on the Dodgers and padres. But also took a shot to the Giants draft class.
Shane Bieber has re-signed with Cleveland for one year with a player option for 2026.
Loyalty
Made it to LA on Tuesday evening. I was having trouble with my left ankle on the way out he, but Wednesday it blew up like a balloon, so I have not been very mobile since I arrived. Probably going to the VA tomorrow to get it checked out.
Soto. He knows where he is going to sign. Just do it so the rest of dominos can fall.
Oregon Penn State. Who you got?
Oregon.
If Soto wants to be the center of attention he’ll sign on Monday at the winter meetings in front of the whole baseball world, and get to do tons of interviews.
If he doesn’t want all of that attention, and hub bub he’ll sign today or tomorrow.
I do agree that he knows where he is going at this point in time.
Im rooting for Oregon, I think it would be great for an ex PAC 10 team to come in and win the Big 10 championship in the first year of the expanded league. I can just picture all of the Big 10 bosses looking at each other saying oh “crap what did we do”
Texas went to the SEC and can win it all. Oregon wen to the Big 10 and can win it all. I think the same applies to SMU?
Go Oregon (because why not)
And Arizona State. All 4 major conferences!
Don’t forget Army in their first year in the American Athletic Conference.
And Oregon State and Pac 2
You’re right Bobby I had forgot that Texas had moved over also. I’d love to see Texas win the SEC, I hate that league, there is such a bias for that league, to many times, we’ve seen an SEC team get into the playoffs in front of a team with a better record. Go Longhorns.
AZ ST over Iowa St
More fun at the Winter Meetings!
https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/42833289/sources-roki-sasaki-expected-posted-winter-meetings
Although everyone seems to think it’s a foregone conclusion that Sasaki won’t sign until the 2025 signing period which opens on Jan 15th, he could technically sign in the 2024 period which ends on Dec 15th.
Of course, if he signed with the Dodgers and did it by December 15th, it would just lend credence to the rumors that he’s already had an agreement to sign here.
It would really help Andrew to know if he was going to have him, because if not, I expect he’ll go out and sign another starter (or try to bring back Buehler). That gets very complicated if there isn’t any answer until after Jan 15th because by then most of the better starters will have been signed.
So if Sasaki decides to sign after 1/15/25 then AF has all of the money he saved for the 2024 period to spend. I wonder if there any decent international players left out there to sign.
I don’t think the money carries over from year to year. If you don’t use it in that year, it goes away. I could be wrong on that. Someone here will have the answer.
The money doesn’t carry over.
I think Keith was indicating the AF would have money he could spend by December 15th and wondering if anyone good was still available to sign since it’s so late.
You’re right. Hopefully he will use it before it goes away.
Thanks STB
NYM has reportedly increased the offer for Soto to 15/year $700MM. They have to be getting close to the end, because there are also reports that both NYY and Boston are making significant offers to Teoscar Hernández. Toronto is also known to covet Teo.
Jeff Passan has reported that the decision will be made no later than Monday.
Teo is going to cash in big time. Unfortunately, I don’t think it will be with the Dodgers.
Tyler O’Neal would be a great plan B.
Instead of reaching for Soto, I wish AF had signed Teo right away
Yep. Price is going to go way up.
A trade for Seiya Suzuki would be a good option.
Teo know it Takes two to tango, Kevin..
What that? It’s takes Teo to tango?
Well played!
Plunkett has an excellent piece on deferred money (ironically, it’s paywalled)
“I mean, it’s just a lever,” Friedman said. “We’ve talked about this. We’ve done deals recently that don’t have it (most prominently Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s 12-year, $325 million deal). We’ve done deals that do.
“In a negotiation I think it’s always challenging and so you’re looking to any lever you possibly can to help get to a point where there is overlap…It’s been a useful tool for us. … We just like to get deals done.”
Later on there’s a nod to another old Popeye character…
On the surface, a billion dollars in deferred salary sounds like a dangerous strategy – akin to the old Popeye cartoon character, Wimpy, whose ravenous desire for instant gratification combined with his constant lack of funds led to his catch phrase, “I’ll gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today.”
This is also an amazing and insightful interview with AF.
“The dream is to be in first place and be a seller because my goal is to not buy in July I am setting that out there right now my goal is to do everything we can right now to not buy in July it is terrible yes, a terrible time to acquire talent. And so we’re going to do everything we can to put ourselves in a position to not, obviously, but as we saw last year if we need to we will uh but our goal is to not…
Lots more good stuff.
Bleacher Report: Per ESPN’s Alden Gonzalez, the Dodgers have made a “highly competitive” offer to Soto even though they are “not looked upon as favorites” for the four-time All-Star.
It’s unclear what constitutes a “highly competitive” offer to Soto, but it’s safe to assume it probably starts at least around $600 million. Even in that case, it may not even be close to the top bids he is receiving from other teams.
Willy Adames will NOT be the Dodgers new shortstop.
Going to SF, 7 years, $182MM
Whew….that was close
I’d rather have Mookie at SS.
I think Mookie is much more comfortable at second, I think the less defensive wear and tear they put on him the better his offense will be.
Bummer, I had high hopes early but recently felt like it was a long shot. I don’t think that’s a bad price for him.
Tyler O’Neill to the Orioles, there went your plan B OhioDodger.
Rats!! A good deal for the Orioles.
A trade for Seiya Suzuki is plan C.
100% with the first sentence. Was bullish on O’Neill as a fall-back
I’ll be surprised in Suzuki is actually anywhere close to available.
Depends on if they can unload Bellinger which is their preference.
Don’t think AF was really in on Adames. With him and O’Neill gone he has to resign Teo. The losers of the Soto sweepstakes are going to go after him hard, so he’s not going to come cheap. If the Dodgers lose out then the cupboards going to be bare in the outfield next season.
Remember, all outfields are not by free agents made.
Andrew could also have a trade up his sleeve if he can’t bring Teo back, although I don’t have a clue for whom.