Since the Guggenheim group took over, the Dodgers have had more success and winning seasons than they have ever had in their long history. Not as dominant as the Yankee teams from 1925-1960, but about as good as a fan could hope for. The Boys of Summer were hailed as some of the best Dodger teams ever, but they won just 1 World Series. Teams with lesser talent and better pitching won 3 their first 7 years in Los Angeles.
But as we all know, those were much different times. There are so many specialist’s in the game now. No DHs, closers were usually veteran pitchers on the downside of their careers. Most players who were considered utility guys did not play very often. The trade deadline was the 15th of June. They wore those heavy wool uniforms that some said would gain 20 pounds on a hot or humid day.
Young fans don’t remember many losing seasons, but I remember a team that lost 99 games. They have never lost 100 in Los Angeles. They did it just twice in Brooklyn, 1905 and 08. Then you have to feel for Rockies fans whose team has lost 100 or more three years in a row. The Phillies have the most 100 loss seasons in MLB history 10. The Cubs have 9. We have to be very satisfied that the Dodgers ownership believes in winning and winning consistently.
The Dodgers of the 2020’s have already surpassed the number of titles they had in the 60’s. They have more than a couple of years to add to that total. I hope they win another before Freddie retires. He is one of my favorite Dodgers ever. I love his consistency and the way he plays the game. Gilliam won 4 rings as a Dodger. That is the most of any player who has donned the Dodger uni. I would love to see Mookie and Freddie match that.
The offseason is always full of hope and speculation as to who the team might add, or trade. They have needs, that is well known, but they also have a deep pool of starting pitchers to choose from. The core is getting a little long in the tooth, but that by no means is a deterrent to them winning again. One thing I am pretty certain of is that ownership is going to give AF all the tools he needs to field a winner.
What moves or additions to the championship roster will be made? Fans wait with anticipation. The team has rarely done anything major early. Shohei was signed on December 11th. Yamamoto just before New Years on the 27th. Freidman has made several trades during the winter meetings, he got Glasnow during the meetings in 23. The fringe players he usually gets through free agency.
Last winter he flipped the script some and signed Snell on the last day of November. He then signed Conforto on the 10th of December. Teo, Kim and Sasaki were all signed in January. There are three spots open on the 40-man right now. Does AF strike quickly? I have to believe they will avoid players with a QO, Tucker, Schwarber, Cease, Bichette, King, Valdez, Suarez and Diaz.
He knows exactly what the team’s needs are, and he knows how much ownership is willing to spend to meet those needs. Fans can just speculate. Judging from what I have seen so far, they have interest in several players, Bellinger, Williams, Tucker, who they most likely will talk to. I saw a rumor on Yahoo sports this morning that they have had conversations with Scott Boras about Bellinger. With Evan Phillips non-tendered, there is a need for another late inning reliever. Just who that might be is a mystery.
I have learned to trust the team’s brain trust. They have made the right decisions for a long time now. Anything I do is mere guess work. What I do know is that this team will be right in the thick of the race next year. They have way too much talent not to be. What I wish for is less injuries to major pieces. They have affected the team far too much over the last several seasons. I would love to see what this talent could do with a year when the injuries were not so impactful. In any case, it is going to be a fun ride!
Born June 14th, 1948, in Los Angeles California. AKA The Bear
Rojas, a starting OF & a RH reliever
Rojas might be back. Judging from what AF said right after several teammates beat the drum for his return, management is in a we’ll see mode. I would think at least 1 lock down reliever for the back end of games. But I go with a CF. Pages is better suited for right.
Maybe another starter? Just in case Sheehan is traded for that needed outfielder?
DodgersNation floated the idea of a blockbuster for Buxton and Joe Ryan, which would be fine with me.
I think the Dodgers have a lot of ways and means to improve the team–but I don’t think a starting pitcher is a priority. Upgrades in the outfield and bullpen are the priorities.
Honestly, I think the roster is already in stronger shape today than it was a year ago. Conforto is gone, and we’ve had a season of growth from Sheehan, Sasaki, and Kim.
They have 12 on the roster. I like Stone if healthy better than Sheehan. He already has a solid resume.
And it’s my opinion they will need 12 next year.
Sheehan is probably at the top of the interest list around the league. Trade him in a package for Duran. Or maybe Kwan.
I could see that happening. Take more than Sheehan for Duran with 2 years of control most I have seen has to include Rushing.
Bear,
It seems like you are willing to write for any site that asks you, so I’m gonna take a chance here.
Im starting an Angel blog and would like you to contribute.
As compensation, Arnie will provide you with free beer if you buy a ticket.
Like the team, the articles don’t have to be very good.
And like the team, you get the month of October off every year.
Let me know as soon as possible and if not I will offer it up to Bradley.
I only write for two, here and Mark’s site for about a couple weeks now. It is a generous offer, but I don’t drink, and Arnie is an ass.
Bradley would do much better at fixing the Angels than the current group running things there.
They like the Rockies need new ownership badly. I really do not think DePodesta is going to have much success turning that franchise around.
Bear from previous thread.
“I almost forgot the terrible events on this day in 1963. I was fifteen years old, at choir practice for the Thanksgiving concert when I first heard the news. I was at lunch when I saw the flag on the quad being lowered to half-staff. Spent the entire weekend watching the events unfold on TV. Watched CBS mostly because of Walter Cronkite, one TV newsman I really trusted to be truthful. This nation changed drastically that day. I still wonder how different things might have been had JFK lived.”
A very sad day in American and World history. I was only 6 at the time but remember it vividly. I was in my 1st grade class when the teacher was called out of the room and returned visibly upset. They sent us home early. We watched all weekend on the 19″ Sylvania black and white TV we had. I was sad but did not fully realize the impact at the time. I don’t think we would have become as involved in Viet Nam if he had lived. Things would have certainly turned out differently.
You are right Ohio. He had already decided he was going to pull our advisors out of Nam. He had said in an TV interview earlier that year that we could not win a guerilla war. Pretty sure he would have been re-elected in 64.
Back then they had a picture of the president in the classroom. Every morning we said the Pledge Of Allegiance to the flag and the Lords Prayer. Very different times.
A different nation then for sure.
My parents have told me, that back in 1963, living in India, they even heard about the news in school. Obviously it would’ve longer for the news to get to India, but it was a big deal everywhere, not just here.
The grief was real and worldwide. The funeral procession was packed with leaders from all over the world. He was respected by many, hated by some. But he showed great strength when this country needed it most.
I am going out to California for the Christmas holiday and leaving on the 30th. I will have my laptop with me, but it is hard to do serious research on it, so I will probably not post a new story. I will be able to monitor the Winter meetings and any Dodger news. Hope all have a wonderful Thanksgiving.
Safe travels and happy Thanksgiving.
Thanks Sam. I am going to check the weather really closely. I usually go out Hwy 50 until I get to Grand Junction and then take the 70 across to the 15 and down into California. But there is already snow on Monarch Pass. All of the 50 is two-lane and much of it mountainous. Treacherous enough in good weather. If the snowplows have done their job, then it is not all that bad. But if the weather is bad, I will go down the 25 to Albuquerque and take the long way.
Buxton , Devin Williams and another RHP reliever and we are good for a threepeat.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!1
Buxton is a solid NO! 32 and injury prone. 3 100 game seasons in 11 years. No thanks.
this team is built in a way that really doesn’t need anyone to play 160 games, with Edman, Pages, Kim, and Ward we wouldn’t need Buxton to play 150 games, his 100 games, if he’s healthy for the off season would be plenty.
saying that, I’m not saying I’m a big fan of a Buxton trade but it is a simple way to fill a hole. If it were to happen I think the team would still be good.
Totally disagree. I would rather see them trade for Robert Jr. He is four years younger, has played 100 or more 3 straight seasons. Kim and Edman are more suited to play the infield. Pages is decent in center, but not elite. I would much rather see him in right every day. Ward does not play center, and we have no clue how his bat will play in the majors. Outside of Pages, Kim and Edman do not have power bats. Robert Jr. would cost less in a trade than Buxton.
I’ll say it again:
Buxton just had a terrific season. On the Dodgers, only Shohei had a better season than Buxton.
Robert Jr. had a mediocre season. The only advantage is that Robert Jr. is younger, but the last time he looked like an all-star was when Bobby Miller looked like a future ace.
I doubt it will be either. If the Dodgers got for Duran or Kwan in LF, we’ll have Pages in CF and Teo in RF. I’d prefer to get a new CF (Buxton), move Pages to RF and Teo to LF. I’d also be happy with Abreu in RF, Pages in CF, Teo in LF.
Sheehan, I think, would have a lot of value in a trade–more so that Stone or Ryan, as they are coming off injuries.
Again, I think the easiest move would to simply sign Bader to form an OF of Teo-Bader-Pages. I’d do that and deal for Buxton.
And yet… and yet….
I am intrigued about the possibility of a Ryan Ward-Alex Call platoon in LF.
To tell you the truth, I don’t want the Dodgers to trade for either of them. One good season out of 11, no thanks. They do not need more OLD injury prone players. Mookie has had injury or illness the last two seasons, and it limited his production. Muncy has missed significant time the last two years. They have enough over 30 guys which is why I would prefer Robert Jr. if I had a choice. Buxton had a good season Trouble is he cannot stay on the field.
I think the point I’m trying to make is that a Buxton deal would work, a Robert jr. deal would work, a Tucker deal would work, a Kwan deal would work, I think the only deal that would be bad is no deal, they have to get one OF and some bull pen help, anything else is gravy.
They will, you can bank on that.
Fun post Bear.
Boy do I remember those old wool, horse-blanket uniforms that you mentioned. Hot, heavy and scratchy. We wore them my first year of proball before the organization switched to the new fabrics. But the minor leaguers still got the wooi hand me downs.
I had the luxury of getting Richie Allen’s hand-me-down pants. Names of the original wearers were stitched into the waistband. The one I got that Richie had worn were lined with white silk so Richie didn’t have to have to suffer the itch and therefore, neither did I. What a find.
Everybody wore long johns, sliding shorts and undershirts to avoid the discomfort of the heavy wool, which added layers long before light fabrics that wicked away the sweat came along.
I’d damn near forgotten about those pants until you mention the wool uniforms.
ps – I hope Miggy Ro gets one more season and stays in the organization as a coach and eventually a manager. He and Justin Turner.
We wore them in high school. Man they were uncomfortable.
I got itchy just reading about those uniforms.
Yeah, having Miggy and JT around here would be great, and I’d like to see them find a spot for Austin Barnes also. He’s probably make a great roving catching instructor.
Great point STB. Barnes would a great to have in that role.
Bench, 1st base, 3rd base coaches. Hitting coach and Turner mentioned in the same sentence?
Joc could be the 1st base coach to finally get him there when his glove couldn’t.
He could wear his pearls while waving runners to second base.
Sonja Chen on MLB.com sort of repeated what has been expected of Dodger’s OF plans- they probably won’t be the highest bidder for Kyle Tucker or Cody Bellinger.
I believe they won’t sign Tucker because of the QO and losing a draft pick. They are low enough on the totem pole as it is. Another reason they won’t go after Diaz.
Sounds like Mets and Rangers are close on a deal that would swap Brandon Nimmo for Marcus Simien
If Texas is going to move Semien, I wonder if they are going to try to move Seager also, and do a reset.
Seager rumors are out there. I read one this morning on Yahoo Sports about him and Bellinger reuniting with LA, but the writer was dumb. He thought Seager hit right-handed because LA needs some thump from that side.
You’ve got to wonder about some of the people writing these rumors. I saw one last week saying the Dodgers should include Outman in a trade. Just click bait I guess.
I saw rumors last week about Seager being available.
Saw that too. Seager and Bellinger both back might be fun.
Makes a lot of sense for both teams. Semien would give the Mets an everyday second baseman. Rangers just non-tendered two of their better offensive players. Nimmo is pretty solid in CF but played a lot of left field too.
Hey guys I’ve heard some guys campaigning for Kwan here, plus I’ve seen a few Kwan rumors on a few less reputable podcasts, but if he only plays LF that means Teo would have to stay in RF. It seems nobody wants Teo defensively in RF next season so if AF we’re to make a Kwan deal are you guys Ok with Teo in right, or what is your plans for Teo.
I wanted a deal for Kwan last summer, when the alternative was Conforto. Reportedly there were talks, but the Dodgers didn’t like the price.
Now I think the Dodgers should seek a bigger upgrade with a bolder move. Kwan doesn’t interest me as much as Buxton, Abreu and probably Duran.
Kwan’s offense dropped off a bit last season, but he still delivers quality ABs, running up the pitch count. And a gold glove would be nice.
The brass may not be as frustrated with Teo’s defense as we are, so we could end up with an alignment of Kwan-Pages-Teo…and an even more multicultural lineup!
Shohei
Mookie
Freddie
Will
Max
Teo
Kwan
Pages
Kim
It looks like the Mets and Rangers are trying to finalize a trade. The Mets will be sending LF Brandon Nimmo to Texas for 2B Marcus Semien. It has been reported that Texas is looking to lower their 2026 payroll. Texas took on a larger payroll commitment, but lowered their 2026 salary and 2026 AAV.
Semien – 3 years $72MM, $26MM in 2026, $24MM AAV
Nimmo – 5 years $102.5MM, $20.5MM in 2026, and $20.25MM AAV
Even though the Mets are taking on more AAV by losing Nimmo, they set themselves up for a clear run at Kyle Tucker. Texas wanted to give Josh Smith a regular role, and now he is penciled in for 2B.
Yes Jeff I think you’re right about the Mets trying to set up a Tucker deal, that’s what it looks like. With that much money being spent I would think that means they would go in a different direction at first base? or do you think they would still be in on Alonso.
Alonso with Semuen’s D helping him.
I hope the Mets don’t lose Alonso, but the brass doesn’t like his defense. I get the impression that both sides harbor a grudge from the difficult negotiations last season.
Fans love Alonso, but does Steve Cohen?
If the Mets lose Alonso, the fans might react the way Dodgers fans did when Piazza was dealt….
A giant WTF?
Regarding the best era to be a Dodger fan….
This one is obviously pretty great. The Dodgers are clearly the best organization in baseball, but fortunately, the nature of the sport–a game of millimeters and microseconds–creates the circumstances to create a pretty damn magical World Series. The Dodger were thisclose to losing, but now we look forward to a three-peat and more exploits from Shohei and the gang.
But I will always have a fondness for the teams of the early ’60s, because I was a kid when I fell hard for Koufax and Wills and the Dodgers, And since I was learning to read, I devoured baseball books, including those slim hagiographies of players, including the Brooklyn Dodgers–PeeWee, Jackie, Campy, even Carl Furillo.
And so I loved the boys of summer before Roger Kahn wrote his book. Being a Dodger fan enabled me to claim the Bums as my own. That was perhaps the most romantic era: the vision of Branch Rickey, the courage of Jackie Robinson, the trials and triumph… and the eventual tragedy for the devoted Brooklynites, losing their Bums to LA. (Right now I have a daughter living in Brooklyn and a son living in Queens.)
Later the eras of the 70s and 80s kind of blend together for me, perhaps because Tommy Lasorda presided over it all. Some fine teams and great moments: Fernando, Hershiser, Gibson’s HR for the underdog Dodgers. After Lasorda departed, we suffered through some pretty boring managers and uninspired teams and dreadful owners.
But it’s all good now. Thank you, Guggenheim Group. Thanks, AF and thanks, Dave Roberts.
I fully expect a three-peat.
I loved the old Brooklyn team’s, of course Duke was my favorite.
espn.com had an article today about where potential free agents could go. That article projected a 5 year/130mil deal for Bo Bichette. I’d pay that in a heartbeat if that’s his cost!
If all Bichette is expected to get is 5 years/$130MM, there is no way Toronto doesn’t match that and keep him. That is way undervaluing Bichette.
Bobby I’m sure you’re watching the Utd game but I gotta agree with your take on Bo B. That price seems more than fair and his bat would look good hitting 4th behind Shohei, Mookie and Freddie.
I would be happy if he was our only signing.
Could be an answer for 3B going forward. He is not a good SS anymore. Dodgers really need to concentrate on the OF and high leverage reliever. I would like them to sign Bader for CF, move Pages to RF, and Teo to LF if they can’t trade him.
Bichette. I’m in.
Some rumors on the free agency;
Murukami, “Have not heard any buzz about the Dodgers and Murakami,” reporter David Vassegh said. “The one thing that I’ve heard is that he doesn’t hit velocity. So, similar to what the Dodgers did with Kim when they had to rework his swing to be able to compete against high velocity in Major League Baseball.”
Imani, Based on an interview with a Japanese reporter and Google Translate, “(If there were a Japanese player) they’d be able to tell me anything I asked, right? But that’s not what I’m looking forward to. I’d rather experience a sense of survival, or, when faced with cultural differences, how do I overcome them on my own? That’s one of the things I enjoy.”
Murakami was seen at dinner with Yamamoto the other day.
Yes I saw that. Frankly, I’d be very Leary of his strikeout rate. Defense is sub par as well.
Leary? Yes, that K rate might require some LSD.
Okamoto is older, a better contact hitter with some power, and also a better defender.
I assume the brass has already decided whether to woo either of those guys.
For all the buzz that surrounds young OF prospects Quintero, De Paula, Hope and Sirota, I think the next OF prospect who might be called up is James Tibbs III, who was acquired from the Red Sox for Dustin May.
(Can we call him Trey Tibbs? Do any pros have the Roman numeral III attached to their name?)
Tibbs was a first-round draft pick of the Giants who was flipped to Boston in the Rafael Devers deal. At 23, he’s one year older than Sirota, and three years older that the other three. But Tibbs is the only one who has shown sustained success at AA ball.
From mlb.com:
James Tibbs III, OF/1B (No. 8): The No. 13 overall pick in 2024, Tibbs has already been traded twice in his career, both within six weeks of each other. He went from the Giants to the Red Sox in June in the big Rafael Devers deal, but spent just 30 games in Boston’s system before he was on the move again to the Dodgers in the Dustin May Deadline deal. He posted a .900 OPS with Double-A Tulsa after that trade and finished the year with 20 combined homers.
“It’s hard to remember another player who went through more in a first full season — being traded twice and still navigating his way up to Double-A successfully,” Rhymes said. “It speaks to his resiliency, which is such a valuable trait. Everyone knows about the hitting ability, but I was also impressed with his defense in the outfield and at first base.”
The Dodgers probably benefited from the fact that the Red Sox are loaded with young stud outfielders. His ability to play 1B adds to his value, both for the Dodgers or as a trade chip.