It is time for Dodger Baseball. This is Opening Day, so it must be prediction time. I have selected a few categories for predictions. If you have any other suggestions, please add them.
NL West Final Standings
Divisional Winners
Wild Card Teams
NL Pennant Winner
AL Pennant Winner
World Series Champion
Rookie of the Year
CY Award
Reliever of the Year
MVP
Maybe way out there predictions:
Gavin Stone’s MLB Debut
Bobby Miller’s MLB Debut
Michael Busch’s MLB Debut
Andy Pages’ MLB Debut
Who will the Dodgers target at the Deadline. – No Bear you cannot predict Tyler White or Jedd Gyorko.
NL West Final Standings:
Dodgers
Padres
DBacks
Giants
Rockies
Divisional Winners:
NL West – Dodgers
NL Central – Cardinals
NL East – Braves
AL West – Astros
AL Central – Guardians
AL East – Yankees
NL Wild Cards – San Diego, Philadelphia, NY Mets
AL Wild Cards – Toronto, Seattle, Texas
NL Pennant Champion – Dodgers over Braves
AL Pennant Champion – Yankees over Astros
World Series Champion – Dodgers over Yankees in 7. I can’t help myself. I am the consummate Homer.
NL Rookie of the Year – Corbin Carroll (Arizona) over Jordan Walker (St. Louis) and Miguel Vargas and James Outman.
AL Rookie of the Year – Gunnar Henderson (Baltimore)
NL CY Award – Julio Urías over Max Fried (Atlanta), Aaron Nola (Philadelphia), Corbin Burnes (Milwaukee) and Sandy Alcantara (Miami).
AL CY Award – Shane Bieber (Guardians) over Framber Valdez (Astros), Shane McClanahan (Rays), and Kevin Gausman (Toronto).
NL Reliever of the Year – Josh Hader – It should be Evan Phillips, but the award is not going to go to anyone but a closer.
AL Reliever of the Year – Emmanuel Clase – Guardians
NL MVP – Nolan Arenado (Cardinals) over Freddie Freeman and Juan Soto (Padres). – Others – Manny Machado (Padres), Austin Riley (Braves), Mookie Betts.
AL MVP – Shohei Ohtani over Julio Rodríguez (Mariners) – Others José Ramírez (Guardians), Mike Trout.
Lucas Giolito is the only rental, so the odds of AF acquiring a mid to top of the rotation starter are not good. They will probably stay with what they have and not block any of their prospect pitching. Glasnow is not a rental, but he could be targeted due to his $25MM due in 2024, that Tampa Bay may want to get out of.
Position – Dylan Carlson (Cardinals OF), Lars Nootbaar (Cardinals OF), Tyler O’Neil (Cardinals OF), Royce Lewis (Minnesota SS/OF), Luis Robert Jr. (CWS OF), Eloy Jiménez (CWS OF), Harrison Bader (NYY OF), Willy Adames (Milwaukee SS), Amed Rosario (Cleveland SS).
There are not a lot of OF or 3B available from non-contending teams. No true rentals which is who AF likes to target. Harrison Bader is a rental, but doubtful NYY will trade him. Pittsburgh has made it clear that they are not going to trade Bryan Reynolds without a HUGE overpay, and AF will not do that. Pittsburgh is not going to let Reynolds dictate to them, so they plan on holding on to him until maybe the Deadline of his walk year (2025). Which is why Pittsburgh will always be a loser organization as long as Bob Nutting is there.
They could wait until Josh Donaldson is released from NYY and sign him for ML minimum.
Cardinals may want to trade one of their OF to get Jordan Walker a position (most likely in RF).
The Dodgers could still target one of the Reds infielder prospects, not named Elly De La Cruz. This would not be a primary target, and would probably not happen until next Winter.
The Brewers have a lot of OF, but will they trade one of them to the Dodgers? Sal Frelick or Joey Wiemer. I know it is not going to happen.
Maybe Andy Pages will go off in AAA, and they will not need an OF.
I also predict that during the long season, there will be multiple credits and criticisms allocated to each of the players, manager, coaches, AF, Brandon Gomes, and a whole host of others. And the next day roles will be reversed. There is always someone to blame and to give credit to.
More than anything else, let’s enjoy the next 162 games and then see what happens in the Playoffs.
Darn it, Jeff. You’ve ruined the whole season for me. Now that I know how it’s going to play out there’s no reason to watch.
I’m not going to make predictions in all your categories, but I’ll selectively comment on some of yours.
I think the Pads will win the West but we’ll be a Wild Card. No idea how far we’ll go in the playoffs.
I think the Angels will finally reach the playoffs this year as a Wild Card.
Seattle will be the surprise division winner in the AL West.
I agree that Pages won’t debut until 2024 and I’m going to say the same for Bobby Miller.
I agree with your ROY picks (I’m a huge Carroll fan).
NL Cy Young – Logan Webb
AL Cy Young – Logan Gilbert
I don’t think AF will be happy with his outfield production and will manage to come up with a deal that will convince the Pirates to send us Reynolds in July. How about Busch, Pages, Pepiot/Nastrini, Vivas/Leonard. We’ll get a young prospect back in the deal along with Reynolds
I like your Logan Webb CY pick. I hate that he is a Giant, but very possible. Logan Gilbert? That is stepping out there. If I were to pick a Mariner I would go with Robbie Ray. But Gilbert could be this year’s Alek Manoah. I like it.
Actually Castillo was in my original draft. For some reason, I gravitated to Robbie Ray, and then eliminated Seattle pitchers altogether. I do like your Logan Gilbert. As I said, he could be this year’s Alek Manoah who comes out of nowhere to dominate. Or Shane Bieber in 2019.
Prayers out for Matt Williams who has been diagnosed with colon cancer. 🙏 🙏
Oldbear48
1 year ago
Never predict anything because I am always wrong. Gonsolin will be out longer than expected; Now probably not back until June. Pirates and Reynolds close to an extension that would make him the highest paid Pirate ever. Have today as a supposed deadline. Raining here in So Cal this morning, but it is supposed to clear up by gametime.
OK Bum I will think about it and post them later today.
Fred Vogel
1 year ago
Braves over Bluejays in the WS.
Dodgers finish 91-71.
One of Bums fantastical trade scenarios actually comes true.
Our host is right on re: ROTYs.
Fingers crossed that Hader is not the NLRPOTY.
Don’t sleep on the D-Backs in the NL West.
Roberts will be second-guessed a hundred times (a game).
AF/BG will pull something magical out of their collective arses.
Bluto
1 year ago
Controversial take, but the 76ers of the NBA has the best song:
Bumsrap
1 year ago
I think the Dodgers one way or the other will make the playoffs but will need another bat by June to have a chance at the Division.
Bobby Miller MLB Debut – July 2023 I agree with AC
Michael Busch MLB Debut – He will be traded
Andy Pages – July 2023
Who will the Dodgers target at the Deadline?
They will not wait for the deadline and hopefully it will be for someone like Oswald Peraza or Tatis if I might suggest a few before I fully wake up and had more coffee.
Matt Beaty has been reunited with Farhan Zaidi in San Francisco. The Giants acquired Beaty from the Royals for cash considerations.
I am a bit surprised that SF has optioned RHP Sean Hjelle. He was once rumored to be a Dodgers draft target for 2018, so I have always kept a tab on him. He had a very good Spring – 17.0 IP, 1.59 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, 22 K, 3 BB, 1 HR. They may want to keep him stretched out.
At some point this season, Matt Beaty will hurt us. I kept on expecting that in SD last year and it didn’t happen, but I don’t think we’ll get lucky two years in a row. I’m still a Beaty fan (except when he plays against us).
Singing the Blue
1 year ago
We’ve just signed Ben DeLuzio to a minor league contract.
Who is Ben DeLuzio, you ask?
Former 3rd round draft pick of the Marlins. Just released by the Cubs.
28 year old outfielder (plays all 3 outfield positions).
Right handed hitter.
Had some half-decent batting stats in the minors.
I predict we’ll see him in L.A. before the season is over.
Lots of us have concerns about Trayce.
CT3 is being looked at for a fair amount of infield play this year.
Pages and DeLuca may both be at least a year away.
Barring a trade, what other right handed hitting outfielders are there?
Singing the Blue
1 year ago
And, for those who are keeping track of our opening day roster:
Pepiot to the IL with an oblique strain.
Grove is now our #5 starter.
(and this means Stone is a little closer to his debut………or maybe quite a bit closer).
As expected, Jason Heyward added to LAD 40 man, with Gavin Lux to the 60-day IL.
OhioDodger
1 year ago
Dodgers win 93. Make the playoffs as a wild card.
Badger
1 year ago
Nice hit by Martinez but do not make the third out of the inning at third base. He looks like he’s running in sand. Base to base JD.
RC Dodger
1 year ago
Good predictions Jeff.
You picked all six division winners to repeat and 5 of the 6 wild card winners to repeat. Only Texas makes wild card instead of Rays. Not unreasonable, but I could see white Sox winning central and pushing Guardians to wild card.
I hope for a Dodgers-Yankees World Series as well.
Looking good so far with each team 1-0!
Darn it, Jeff. You’ve ruined the whole season for me. Now that I know how it’s going to play out there’s no reason to watch.
I’m not going to make predictions in all your categories, but I’ll selectively comment on some of yours.
I think the Pads will win the West but we’ll be a Wild Card. No idea how far we’ll go in the playoffs.
I think the Angels will finally reach the playoffs this year as a Wild Card.
Seattle will be the surprise division winner in the AL West.
I agree that Pages won’t debut until 2024 and I’m going to say the same for Bobby Miller.
I agree with your ROY picks (I’m a huge Carroll fan).
NL Cy Young – Logan Webb
AL Cy Young – Logan Gilbert
I don’t think AF will be happy with his outfield production and will manage to come up with a deal that will convince the Pirates to send us Reynolds in July. How about Busch, Pages, Pepiot/Nastrini, Vivas/Leonard. We’ll get a young prospect back in the deal along with Reynolds
I like your Logan Webb CY pick. I hate that he is a Giant, but very possible. Logan Gilbert? That is stepping out there. If I were to pick a Mariner I would go with Robbie Ray. But Gilbert could be this year’s Alek Manoah. I like it.
Don’t forget the Mariners also have Castillo now. Another potential CY winner. That’s why I think this will finally be their year to win the division.
Actually Castillo was in my original draft. For some reason, I gravitated to Robbie Ray, and then eliminated Seattle pitchers altogether. I do like your Logan Gilbert. As I said, he could be this year’s Alek Manoah who comes out of nowhere to dominate. Or Shane Bieber in 2019.
Prayers out for Matt Williams who has been diagnosed with colon cancer. 🙏 🙏
Never predict anything because I am always wrong. Gonsolin will be out longer than expected; Now probably not back until June. Pirates and Reynolds close to an extension that would make him the highest paid Pirate ever. Have today as a supposed deadline. Raining here in So Cal this morning, but it is supposed to clear up by gametime.
Please make your predictions Bear. If you are always wrong like you said it will help us eliminate those from our picks.
OK Bum I will think about it and post them later today.
Braves over Bluejays in the WS.
Dodgers finish 91-71.
One of Bums fantastical trade scenarios actually comes true.
Our host is right on re: ROTYs.
Fingers crossed that Hader is not the NLRPOTY.
Don’t sleep on the D-Backs in the NL West.
Roberts will be second-guessed a hundred times (a game).
AF/BG will pull something magical out of their collective arses.
Controversial take, but the 76ers of the NBA has the best song:
I think the Dodgers one way or the other will make the playoffs but will need another bat by June to have a chance at the Division.
NL MVP – Ronald Acuna Braves
AL MVP – Mike Trout, Angels
Gavin Stone MLB Debut – June 2023 I agree with AC
Bobby Miller MLB Debut – July 2023 I agree with AC
Michael Busch MLB Debut – He will be traded
Andy Pages – July 2023
Who will the Dodgers target at the Deadline?
They will not wait for the deadline and hopefully it will be for someone like Oswald Peraza or Tatis if I might suggest a few before I fully wake up and had more coffee.
I like the Ronald Acuña Jr. prediction.
Michael Busch will be traded – I agree. That is why I said his MLB debut will be August.
Matt Beaty has been reunited with Farhan Zaidi in San Francisco. The Giants acquired Beaty from the Royals for cash considerations.
I am a bit surprised that SF has optioned RHP Sean Hjelle. He was once rumored to be a Dodgers draft target for 2018, so I have always kept a tab on him. He had a very good Spring – 17.0 IP, 1.59 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, 22 K, 3 BB, 1 HR. They may want to keep him stretched out.
At some point this season, Matt Beaty will hurt us. I kept on expecting that in SD last year and it didn’t happen, but I don’t think we’ll get lucky two years in a row. I’m still a Beaty fan (except when he plays against us).
We’ve just signed Ben DeLuzio to a minor league contract.
Who is Ben DeLuzio, you ask?
Former 3rd round draft pick of the Marlins. Just released by the Cubs.
28 year old outfielder (plays all 3 outfield positions).
Right handed hitter.
Had some half-decent batting stats in the minors.
I predict we’ll see him in L.A. before the season is over.
That would be worrisome. A lot has to go wrong for DeLuzio to be a Dodger. There is a deep queue of outfielders waiting for a chance.
Lots of us have concerns about Trayce.
CT3 is being looked at for a fair amount of infield play this year.
Pages and DeLuca may both be at least a year away.
Barring a trade, what other right handed hitting outfielders are there?
And, for those who are keeping track of our opening day roster:
Pepiot to the IL with an oblique strain.
Grove is now our #5 starter.
(and this means Stone is a little closer to his debut………or maybe quite a bit closer).
I guess that keeps him on the MLB payroll while he “recovers”.
He is on the LAD payroll and accumulates ML service time while he is on the IL.
As expected, Jason Heyward added to LAD 40 man, with Gavin Lux to the 60-day IL.
Dodgers win 93. Make the playoffs as a wild card.
Nice hit by Martinez but do not make the third out of the inning at third base. He looks like he’s running in sand. Base to base JD.
Good predictions Jeff.
You picked all six division winners to repeat and 5 of the 6 wild card winners to repeat. Only Texas makes wild card instead of Rays. Not unreasonable, but I could see white Sox winning central and pushing Guardians to wild card.
I hope for a Dodgers-Yankees World Series as well.
Looking good so far with each team 1-0!