I agree 100% that there are not a lot of pitchers who can go 6-7 innings in a playoff game. But to be contrarian, IMO AF looks for the best deal, and that may not always get the best player available at that time. The Dodgers could have signed Nathan Eovaldi last year. Texas paid $34MM for two years. Certainly not outlandish, and affordable. His fWAR value was almost $20MM ($19.9MM). If his 2024 fWAR is 2.0, he exceeds his contract.
When was the last time the Dodgers have signed a FA starting pitcher to a term longer than 1 year? Early on, but not lately. Instead the Dodgers did sign a reclamation project pitcher for 1 year…Noah Syndergaard ($13MM). I would have bet plenty that Eovaldi would have had a better year than Syndergaard.
Admittedly, there have not been many Aces that have been FA in the last few years, but there have been some. And I think for the majority of them, the decision not to pursue them were good choices. But there were others that worked out.
The top 3 last year, deGrom, Verlander, and Rodón were not good choices. Two were hurt most of the year, and JV earned a little more than ½ of his $43MM salary.
Chris Bassitt may not have been an Ace, but he is a top of the rotation pitcher, and he signed for 3 years $63MM. He had 200 IP last year with Toronto (averaged a tad over 6.0 IP). He had 181.2 IP the year before with NYM. There have been a few of us who wanted to see the Dodgers acquire Bassitt when he was with Oakland.
Last year I advocated for Zach Eflin who signed with Tampa Bay for 3 years and $40MM. Tyler Anderson was horrible last year, but aren’t all LAA pitchers? Would he have been better had he stayed with LAD. He will be 34 and 35 his last two years of his contract.
The year before, Kevin Gausman signed for 5 years $110MM ($22MM AAV) with Toronto, and has been outstanding. Marcus Stroman 3 years $71MM. Robbie Ray 5 years $115MM. Eduardo Rodriguez 5 years $77MM. Ray won the CY in his platform year while with Toronto, and pitched well (not great) his first year in Seattle. He had TJ and flexor tendon surgery last year. You cannot predict most injuries, and I was one who was hoping that the Dodgers would sign Ray. They didn’t, and as it turns out, good for them.
What I want to see is a change in the mindset. Get away from the 1 year reclamation projects. If there are no Aces, get the best #2, then the best #3. If it costs more and/or requires more years, so be it. AF has to look at the FA market (and trade market) differently this year. Whereas he could justify the reclamation projects in the past with his envious pitching staff, this year he needs proven top of the rotation pitchers, and then let the kids be the back of the rotation until they prove themselves.
The Dodgers have lost out on multiple pitchers via trade. The Dodgers very much wanted Luis Castillo and Pablo Lopez. They would not pay the asking price (which I have no idea what that was), and they went elsewhere. How much has the trade value of Diego Cartaya, Michael Busch, Gavin Stone, and others decreased. If the Dodgers had offered Cartaya, Busch, and Stone could they have acquired either Castillo or Lopez? They wouldn’t now because of the prospect capital tumble.
Jordan Montgomery (for 2023, 188.2 IP for 32 starts, and year before 178.1IP for 32 starts) ? Dylan Cease (for 2023, 177 IP in 33 starts, and year before 184 IP in 32 starts)? Mitch Keller (32 starts, 194 IP, average 6.0+ IP). They are out there. AF just has to be willing to spend $$$ or prospect capital, or both. Change the mindset.
Why didn’t Eduardo Rodriguez accept the trade with the Dodgers? I continue to believe that it was because AF would not give him extra dollars to waive the no trade deal. We will see how much he likes Detroit this year as he has opted out of his contract.
Negotiate in good faith with Scott Boras clients. Jordan Montgomery and Blake Snell would fit in nicely at the front of the LAD rotation.
I still believe the most likely top of the rotation FA pitcher in MLB that AF will target is Sonny Gray. Jim Bowden’s projection is 3 years $64MM. That is $21.33MM per year AAV. Not out of line. Is it out of the comfort zone for AF?
I do not pretend to know if the Dodgers value draft picks more than FA pitchers/players. I am more than positive that AF will not let the loss of draft picks stop them from signing Ohtani. But what does it do with signing Sonny Gray, Blake Snell, Aaron Nola, or Matt Chapman. Would signing Ohtani render the other FA with a QO out of bounds? More opportunities for Yamamoto, Imanaga, and Montgomery. And of course the reclamation projects.
Five pitchers that I would absolutely target for trades:
- Corbin Burnes (RHSP), Milwaukee (193.2 IP, 32 starts)
- Dylan Cease RHSP), CWS (177.0 IP, 32 starts)
- Logan Gilbert (RHSP), Seattle (190.2 IP, 32 starts)
- George Kirby (RHSP), Seattle (190.2 IP, 32 starts)
- Jesús Luzardo (LHSP), Miami (178.2, 32 starts)
A little more cautionary based on medicals, Shane Bieber (Cleveland) and Triston McKenzie (Cleveland), and Max Fried (Atlanta).
Others:
- Braxton Garrett (LHSP), Miami
- Cole Ragans (LHSP), KC
- Brady Singer (RHSP), KC
- Tarik Skubal (LHSP), Detroit
- Matt Manning (RHSP), Detroit
I am sure that there are at least a dozen more that I would never think of. But don’t try to make the perfect deal. It isn’t out there. Make a fair deal that will help the Dodgers in 2024 and not hurt them in 2025. Outside of pitching, the Dodgers do not have elite MiLB talent at the upper levels, and the pitching is a surplus that AF can pick and choose. They can certainly put a package together for pitching or position players.
One player that I mentioned last year, and one I hope that AF/BG pursues this winter. The Dodgers have been looking for a RH hitting OF who hits LH pitching. Washington Nationals OF, Lane Thomas. Against LHP in 2023, in 192 PA, .332/.375/.573/.948, 14 doubles, 1 triple, and 9 HRs. He will cost, as he has two years of control.
Back to my premise…Change the mindset. Don’t try to be perfect, just fair and good.
BTW, MLBTR has just published their annual Top 50 free agents and predictions. I will be reviewing it and commenting.
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2023/11/2023-24-top-50-free-agents-with-predictions.html
Great write up Jeff. I agree with you that AF needs a change of mindset and the way he has gone about constructing the roster the last few years. I am sick and tired of all the bargain bin and dumpster diving for reclamation projects shopping. Dammit, we have the money if we use it wisely.
Reading thru the MLBTR free agent predictions, I found myself wondering how accurate their predictions were from last year. I would be surprised if it was higher than 20%. I think they are guessing just as much as we are.
Not sure how we get those Seattle guys unless we unload some prospect capital. Vargas, Busch, Cartaya?
That is exactly correct. Absolutely, get it done. Rushing has already passed Cartaya who was a former top 10 prospect. How much farther does he have to tumble before he becomes untradable. Vargas and Busch have no business being on the same team. They are both DHs. Max Muncy is a DH and better fielder than either Vargas or Busch. If they sign Ohtani, they have yet another DH. Just how many DH’s does one team need? Pick one and trade the other. I will leave the who to AF.
First step is to collect utility players and step two is to collect DHs. San Diego collected shortstops and that worked so well.
”There is also an understanding that Japanese stars often prefer not to play on Major League teams with other Japanese stars. Would the signing of Ohtani or Yamamoto prevent the pursuit of Sasaki (and other Japanese stars)? The answer is unclear.” Dylan Hernandez.
Sasaki is a 22 year old pitcher that the Dodgers are scouting, but won’t be available this winter.
And the prediction for Ohtani this morning was Dodgers, 12 years $528 million. I just can’t see it. Not without some safeguard clauses to protect the team if he doesn’t pitch again. I just read he’s worth over $200 million as a pitcher, and around $300 million as a hitter. Coming off surgery next year, at least early next year, his ability to hit like he has may be an unknown. That said, I can sure picture a lineup with Betts, Freeman, Ohtani in October.
The MLBTR FA predictions. Interesting read. We’re going to be seeing these predictions for weeks. I’ll make this prediction: Below Mendoza line accuracy on all of them.
I have read all year that Sasaki was not going to be posted this year. But he is a 6’2″ 187 pound RHRP who is a lock down closer with a 103 MPH fastball, coming from 3/4. He just turned 22. There are rumblings that there is an approach that Sasaki can take, the same as Ohtani, which will limit his initial earnings, but he will more than make up for in endorsements. Once again Lorenzo Sciarrino will be a big bonus with the Japanese players. I still do not expect that Sasaki will be made available this year. But I do like the Dodgers chances when he does decide.
Please no Sonny Gray. He’s a fine pitcher for a crap team that has no postseason goals. Let him go to Anaheim or one of those type franchises.
He didn’t do well for the Yankees as I remember so you might be right about him not being good in the brightest lights.
Not necessarily in support of Sonny Gray, but NY is a totally different place to play. You cannot predict how well a pitcher will pitch in LA because he did not pitch well as a NYY. NY, Boston, and Philadelphia are brutal places for their players. Philadelphia booed Mike Schmidt. Admittedly I was shocked at how the fans came to the support of Trea Turner when he was playing miserably. That is so unlike Philadelphia.
I will buy that but hopefully the Dodgers won’t need Gray in a WS in Yankee Stadium.
Not to worry. The Yankees never make it to the WS.
Jeff Weaver was lousy in New York. But he came to the Dodgers and pitched much better.
….”The top 3 last year, deGrom, Verlander, and Rodón were not good choices. Two were hurt most of the year, and JV earned a little more than ½ of his $43MM salary.” —— Need to give Friedman credit for what he didn’t do too!
I also like Gray. I will accept the honor for wanting Gray like STB did with Lynn last year.
I also like Lane Thomas. I would have to get a hell no from KC first though before I used trade chips for Thomas. His line against righties is .242.292.427.719 which makes him prone to platooning. His month by month stats were up and down as well so he is streaky.
Might Betts be the righty bat that plays decent defense at third?
I have always given credit to AF for not signing FA pitchers to bad contracts. deGrom, Verlander, Scherzer, Rodón, Robbie Ray. They were all bad deals. I give him a pass on Zack Wheeler because he wanted the East Coast. But why Syndergaard over Eovaldi, Tyler Anderson, Chris Bassitt? Because he was a one year reclamation project. An AF specialty.
I prefer trades for pitchers, and hopefully develop in-house pitchers. This year there are too many questionable in-house pitching prospects, and not enough veterans who could go to the top of the rotation. Would they be looking at a top of the rotation pitcher had they successfully traded for Luis Castillo or Pablo Lopez or Dylan Cease? Now they have to go the expensive and long term risk for FA pitchers…Yamamoto, Imanaga, Montgomery, Gray. This year they may need two of them, and one in the Lucas Giolito and Jack Flaherty group.
If I had my preference, I would sign one of the first three FA pitchers mentioned, and trade for another top of the rotation pitcher (Burnes). Hoping that Buehler bounces all the way back or Pepiot is ready for the rotation full time is not good strategy. Thus they need two top of the rotation pitchers and one from the Giolito/Flaherty group. You need at least two top of the rotation pitchers to compete in October. If Buehler is the old Buehler, if Miller is the pitcher he was for most of the regular season and not NLDS Game 2, and if Pepiot does prove he belongs in the rotation, how much better will they be?
Betts is not going to play 3B. Why do you keep looking at players to play 3B that have never played it? Why not just find a 3B? I have zero problems with Zach Gelof, but Oakland is not about to trade him. Why not Alec Bohm from Philadelphia? It has been rumored that Dave Dombrowski favors Matt Chapman. Or why not Isaac Paredes from Tampa Bay? Even José Ramirez from Cleveland? None of them will be cheap. I remain on the Royce Lewis train. He can play 3B and that will be much easier on his twice repaired knees. I would still like to see Nolan Arenado in Dodger Blue. There are 3B out there. AF just needs to be willing to spend.
FA 3B? Why not Jeimer Candelario? He can also play 2B, another plus for AF. He loves that versatility.
But if I were a betting man, I think we all know who is going to be playing 3B for the Dodgers next year. Max Muncy.
I prefer some speed at 3rd base along with quickness. Betts can catch ground balls and has played some shortstop. Third base has been a second position for a few catchers and right fielders. If Lux isn’t physically ready to play short then he would move to second for at least a half year and that puts Betts back in RF. I like Betts in the infield–he seems more energized when playing infield.
DeLuca is an athlete and is a very good defensive player plus he is cheap. He is fast and quick and agile. Granted, he might not hit well enough to be a regular third baseman. He has been stereotyped for lack of a better word into playing the outfield where he excels. If Russell can move from the outfield to shortstop where he learned the new position in the major leagues and not the minors, then a fair question can be asked about why not DeLuca? Different times? Too simple of an explanation.
Royce Lewis would be great to have as a Dodger. I like Arenado but would rather spend the payroll elsewhere. Muncy’s best value is as a first baseman.
BTW, just because I reaffirmed that Friedman didn’t sign bad contracts wasn’t an attempt to say you didn’t recognize that. You have clearly and consistently said you didn’t want those type pitchers– deGrom, Verlander, Scherzer, Rodón, Robbie Ray.
Ohtani at $46MM annually for 12 years is 15% of a $300MM payroll. Trade Muncy and that cost basically drops to $34MM annually for the next 2 years. Then add lower cost free agent starting pitchers and believe in Buehler, Miller, Pepiot, Sheehan and add Gonsolin and May back in 2025. Works for me.
Muncy’s best value is at 1st?!?!?!??!
Value to who?
I think his biggest value to the team is at 3rd given Ohtani or JDM.
I’m with Jeff, I don’t understand the concept that there’s an opening to fill at 3B.
Muncy’s best defensive position is 1st base and therefore his best value is as a first baseman. That is the last thing I thought I would get second guessed on.
So 1st base is also Freeman’s best position, and Freeman is a more valuable player.
I don’t think it’s arguable that dynamic makes Muncy the Dodgers’ 3B with occasional stints at 1B and DH.
Actually Fred, his best defensive metrics come at second.
That doesn’t mean he would best serve a team at 2nd instead of 1st.
That’s true, but I don’t think he would do as well without the shift
I’m with Fred on this. The position Muncy is least likely to hurt the team is first base.
‘But if I were a betting man, I think we all know who is going to be playing 3B for the Dodgers next year. Max Muncy.’
This is not an example of changing the mindset. This is a cheap charlie move in the sense of getting Max to play DH plus a full time position. Max is slow, doesn’t throw with power and commits too many errors. Get a bloody 3B!
I think the biggest factor that is sometimes overlooked when looking at past actions is that the Dodgers had a core at the top of the rotation with Kershaw and Urias (at least).
Thus the idea that this off-season may be an outlier makes more sense.
At least to me
“Thus the idea that this off-season may be an outlier makes more sense.”
Could you please clarify this a bit for me? Thanks.
I believe the most obvious outlier this off season is Ohtani. It’s like Babe Ruth is a free agent and a lot of the leading professional guessers have him going to the Dodgers. With as much offense as that lineup would provide, do we need the top available ace, or will 2 or 3 middle rotation equivalent guys do the trick.
If we land Ohtani I can see maybe a middle/ top free agent pitcher coming our way. Maybe someone like Gray or Imanaga who are down the list a bit. If we don’t land Ohtani, we’re there bidding high on Snell, Nola, Montgomery, Yamamoto.
One of Busch/Vargas is likely going to be given opportunity at third, unless Muncy is still with the team. It does kinda feel like those two are in limbo. Do we trade both?
The guessing continues. Isn’t this fun?
An outlier in the sense Jeff outlines (outliers outlined!)
An off-season in which the Dodgers sign a top-tier pitcher and maybe even trade for one before the season starts.
EDITED: Er, I just remembered about Bauer. Fucking Bauer. Forget my point.
Isn’t this fun? YES!!
I have talked myself into truly believing that the Dodgers will sign Ohtani. If Ohtani will sign for 12 years $528MM, I think he will be a Dodger. The Dodgers will recoup that easily in attendance, apparel sales, franchise value. Will the Dodgers increase their season ticket allotment? Will they sell out most of the season? Will they pass 4.0MM in attendance? Will we see Ohtani jerseys in every opposing team stadium? Will the Ohtani LAD jersey dwarf the others in sales? The opposing teams attendance will necessarily increase. The Dodgers without Ohtani is a big draw. Did everyone see the number of Dodger shirts and jerseys in opposing stadiums? They were packed.
BTW, ticket prices will necessarily increase, so the fans will also be paying for Ohtani.
Dylan Hernandez recently wrote:
I am not a Dylan Hernandez fan, but I agree with his assessment on this.
So the baseball talent is absolutely there, but it is the business component that will drive the Dodgers to sign him.
I’ve been trying to tell you this for days.
For all the reasons just mentioned I agree he will be worth it but, for the reasons I stated, I’m just not sure AF will do it. Ohtani belongs in LA.
I wasn’t kidding when I said this was fun. The Dodgers are players every winter. But this one does feel different.
I agree that this year is an outlier. Will AF change his approach accordingly?
Excellent articles the last two days Jeff!
it will be tough to replenish the pitching staff and sign Ohtani as most experts predict they will. I am not in favor of paying Ohtani $528 million, when he will only be a DH in 2024 and possibly in 2025. After his last TJ surgery, Ohtani only pitched two innings in the next two seasons. And even his hitting was impacted after his last TJ surgery.
It was amazing to see yesterday how little Friedman has paid for starting pitching in the last 10 years. His top external signings have been Bauer, McCarthy, Kazmir, Brett Anderson, Rich Hill, Maeda, and Syndergard. Most have been failures, except moderate successes with Maeda and Hill.
it is important to understand what a roster Friedman inherited when he became GM in 2014. On that roster were Kershaw, Greinke, Urias, Ryu, Haren, Beckett, Stripling, Jansen. Plus young stars like Seager, Bellinger, Pederson, Turner, Puig, and Kemp.
Friedman has managed to build a pitching staff around Kershaw, Urias, Ryu, and Buehler combined with castoffs and low budget signings. But the inheritance is now running dry, and either the Dodgers must develop their young pitchers or pay in the open market for pitching. At a minimum I would like to see the Dodgers sign Gray or Snell and Imanaga plus the normal pitching rehab project.
Who bunts.
If we get rid of Barnes we won’t have any bunts next year.
I note that amongst the bottom 7 teams are:
Texas, Atlanta, Tampa and the Dodgers
But not Arizona.
Outliers!
Joke.
From Bruce Kuntz on Twitter:
The Dodgers had 27 players in their minor league system elect free agency today. Some notables who are no longer in the org:
-RHP Tyler Cyr
-IF Yonny Hernández
-C Tucker Barnhart
-RHP Ricky Vanasco
-IF Luis Yanel Diaz
-1B/DH Imanol Vargas
-OF Yusniel Díaz
-1B Justin Yurchak
They will be replaced by other AAAA players. There is not one MiLB FA that the team will be upset about.
Here is a complete list of the 27 MiLB Dodgers who elected Free Agency
RHP – Adolfo Ramirez
SS – Kenneth Betancourt
RHSP – Matt Andriese
C – David Freitas
RHRP – Ricky Vanasco
RHRP – Tyler Cyr
LF – David Dahl
C – Tucker Barnhart
RHRP – Ken Giles
RHRP – Mark Washington
CF – Steven Duggar
CF – James Jones
SS – Bryson Brigman
SS – Pat Valaika
2B – Yonny Hernández
LHSP – Robbie Erlin
LHSP – Mike Montgomery
CF – Óscar Mercado
3B – Justin Yurchak
SS – Luis Yanel Diaz
CF – Yusniel Díaz
C – Hamlet Marte
OF Imanol Vargas
RHRP – Aldry Acosta
CF – Ismael Alcantara
C – Wladimir Chalo
RHRP – Reinaldo De Paula
While none of the above should be considered absolute future MLB starters, some of them will be re-signed by LAD with MiLB contracts. I think RHRP Mark Washington will get offers from multiple teams.
I think Bluto would be most disappointed with the loss of Aldry Acosta.
I am! And, to a lesser extent, Vanasco.
Oh well, can’t keep everyone.
It is possible that the Dodgers could re-sign both. Doubtful, but not out of the question.
Only a couple of those guys played for the Dodgers in the major’s last season. All are replaceable. None will be missed.
Jeff, you referred to Sasaki as a “lock down closer” above.
I don’t doubt that he’d make a great closer, but isn’t he viewed by most experts as a potential #1 starter?
I think many do, but I have read the reports that say long-term, he is best suited for lock down closer. But you are undoubtedly correct that he will want to be considered a SP to maximize his earnings. His swing and miss is perfect for closer. Josh Hader was viewed as a potential top of the rotation starter, but his swing and miss dictated a move to closer.
If he markets himself as a starter, it’s 200 mil easy.
As a reliever, even a great closer, it would be substantially less.
Let’s sign him, have him spend his first 10 years in the majors as our Ace starter and the last 5 as our lock down closer. Win, win!
This GM stuff is just so easy.
You’re giving a pitcher a 15 year contract? That’s nuts. Make it 8 and 4. That’s considerably safer.
I’m just signing him for the first 8 or 10. If that works out, we extend him and convert him to relief when necessary.
Oh ok. Sound logic. If he doesn’t work out after 8 or 10 it will be a relief when he’s gone.
Badaboom!
From Morosi (ostensibly good for Vargas/Busch/DeLuca/Cartaya/etc.)
At the MLB GM Meetings, a trend to watch:
Team execs tell me trade conversations for position players are more serious now than at this time last year.
One reason: “Buying” clubs have more interest in players under club control than those available in free agency.
I was watching Brian Kenny’s show on MLB this morning and as he was looking at the list of free agents, he was commenting that with the exception of Ohtani, Yamamoto and maybe a couple of others, he wouldn’t spend his money on any of the major free agents, considering what they’ll be going for.
His reasoning was that they have all had such up and down performances over the past few years that you really don’t know what you’ll be getting. Mentioned Belli, Nola, Snell, Giolito among others.
One thing about MLBTR’s predictions, they are the first to tell you that they are sheer guesses. It is a fun exercise for them. They have a contest every year where the readers get to guess. I cannot remember what the prize is. I entered it one year, and I was surprised that I got 8-10 right. I cannot remember the exact number I got right. I did not win.
Tim Dierkes, owner of MLBTR, wrote this when he was criticized for the large contract numbers:
He also told commenters who criticized the MLBTR’s team’s predictions to give their own predictions.
I have used that same approach. It is easy to criticize, but when I asked certain people what they would do BEFORE the season. Who would they target for the LAD roster, and how would they acquire them…crickets. I also find it incredulous when the response is that the Dodgers should have no budget. If it takes a $400MM budget, so be it. It’s not my $$$. I know there are those who believe AF should sign Ohtani, Yamamoto, Snell, Montgomery, and Chapman. And there is no excuse for not signing them. If they say no, just offer them more. There is no such thing as a player who wants to play on the East Coast vs. the West Coast. Just give them more $$$.
That seems to be the attitude of many of the commenters. I look at the exercise as it was intended. A fun exercise where they know they are going to be wrong an extraordinary percentage.
I skimmed it and am over it.
Jerry DiPoto said that the Mariners are looking to add contact hitters this year. That was one of the reasons they cut Hernandez loose. Teams are beginning to look for those kinds of bats. LA has enough guys that strike out too much, Muncy and Taylor. That is why I think signing Chapman is a bad move. He strikes out more than Muncy. Another reason why the Dodgers drafted Kendall George.
A few interesting names mentioned as underrated Free Agents in the Athletic. Among them:
Luis Severino, Gary Sanchez, Reynaldo Lopez, Frankie Montas. None linked to the Dodgers, but… if there’s room on the 40?
New White Sox GM, Chris Getz say “there are no untouchables”.
That tells me Dylan Cease will be traded.
And Louis Robert Jr. might be traded if someone presents him with a deal he can’t resist.
Are we interested in either of these guys?
Neither would come cheap.
Just for fun, I went to the Trade Simulator:
Dodgers get Robert Jr.
White Sox get Busch, Pages, Sheehan, Cartaya, Vivas.
Like I said, he wouldn’t come cheap.
I’d rather have Ohtani for $$$
Why not both?
Mookie – 2B
Freddie – 1B
Robert Jr – CF
Ohtani – DH
Smith – C
Max – 3B
Outman – LF
DeLuca/Heyward – RF
Lux – SS
Why not both!
OK, we’re in agreement. I don’t have Andrew’s phone number so I’m going to let you call him with this winter’s strategy.
Of course, neither of those moves fixes our pitching problem for next season and actually subtracts one (Sheehan).
We need pitching too. We just traded everyone of interest for Robert Jr, so while you have him on the phone, get Friedman to sign Yamamoto and Montgomery, then ask him to pick up one of those underrated fixer uppers I mentioned earlier. His choice, they all have potential.
Not sure we can afford Yamamoto and Montgomery after the other stuff.
How about Yamamoto and Ryu?
And then we send Vargas, Stone and Ramos to the Brewers for Burnes (Trade Simulator approved).
I can see I’m taking on a Frank Lane/Bumsrap kind of vibe here with all these maneuverings.
We already used at least half those guys for Robert Jr. That would be Vargas and Sto
Money doesn’t matter anymore. Get who you want to get Andrew. I want Ohtani, Yamamoto, Burnes, Severino and Giolito. I’ll settle for Ohtani, Yamamoto, Imagoner, Burnes, Montas, Arenado and Lee.
Robert Jr was Busch, Pages, Sheehan, Cartaya, Vivas. No duplication. I’m just weeding out the entire farm system.
I’ve studied your list above and I’m particularly intrigued by Imagoner. Is he that lefty pitcher you’ve been wanting?
Yep. That’s him.
Why Severino? He is the ultimate reclamation project. Since 2018 – 45 Games Started and 209.1 IP (average 4.2 IP/start). Most IP in one year since…102 IP in 2022.
I brought his name up a few weeks back (in jest) because he seems to be exactly what AF looks to sign. Talk about an injury waiting to happen.
Because his name showed up money The Athletic as a possible reclamation project, they gsve reasons why, and I bought it.
Not quite. My trades are liked by me and yours are not. Keep practicing.
We have a center fielder–Outman
We have a cleanup hitter/DH–Muncy
We don’t have a third baseman.
We don’t have a left fielder or right fielder.
We might not have a shortstop.
3B Betts
1B Freeman
SS Witt
DH Ohtani
C Smith
CF Outman
LF Taylor
2B Lux
RF DeLuca
Buehler, Pepiot, Sheehan, FA, FA
Traded: Muncy, Miller, Busch, Cartaya
Robert Jr is very athletic. We could convert him into a 3rd baseman or have a competition between him and DeLuca.
Imagine liking your own trades better than mine. And by the way, I’d MUCH rather have Witt than Robert, but he would cost a lot more in prospects, I believe. Maybe still worth it. The other beautiful advantage in getting Witt would be that he would be really cheap, salary-wise, for the next few years.
Love your lineup with the possible exception of CT3 as the every day left fielder. Let’s at least get someone to platoon with him. Lets sign Lee from Korea, who hits left handed. If he hits well enough, Taylor becomes a utility guy, otherwise they share left field.
Oops, just saw you have Mookie at 3B. Not something I want to do. Move Mookie to second and include Lux in the Witt trade. Now we just need to find a third baseman. How about Candelario?
Both you and Bums have Muncy traded. Muncy just signed a team friendly 2 year $24MM contract because he wants to stay in LA. I am of the opinion that Muncy does not sign that 2 year deal without getting some assurances that he will not be traded. His family is comfortable in LA, and he welcomed that he would not have to disrupt his family for 2 years. Do you really dismiss that that discussion did not take place. I am sure it did.
I only trade Max in my conversations with Bums. I completely subscribe to your theory about a conversation having been had prior to his signing.
I can’t imagine that they would trade him before next season even started. Although I also wouldn’t have imagined that the Cubs would hire Counsell while they still had a manager and then kick Ross to the curb. It’s a business, as they say.
Bums, you are trading two LHH DH’s, a rookie pitcher and a tumbling catching prospect for Bobby Witt Jr.? And you think KC will do this? No SS and two LHH DH’s, what can go wrong?
That being said, IMO Cartaya would be of interest to KC. Their #1 prospect is 1st round 2023 draft pick, 19 year old HS catcher Blake Mitchell, who did not play well in rookie ball. Mitchell was a reach for KC. There were at least 2 more highly regarded catchers available when KC picked. So I can see Cartaya as a fit. Bobby Miller is a fit for all 30 teams.
Betts is playing 3B only in your world.
And the Dodgers will have an all-MLB outfield. They will probably lead MLB in strikeouts.
Muncy was extended so he would be more attractive to would be trade partners. I told you that already. Muncy would be even more comfortable in NY or Tampa, both of which have short porches. We’re getting Ohtani. We don’t need Max.
It was Chicago who said there were no untouchables not KC. Witt is untouchable, at least until they can’t afford him anymore.
I bet Smith could play 3rd. Put him there and let Cartaya and Rushing alternate behind the plate. Ok, maybe that’s in ‘25. Vargas or Busch next year. Trade one or the other.
During an appearance on MLB Network’s “High Heat,” Muncy explained that he signed a team-friendly contract with the Dodgers due to his desire of not wanting to play anywhere else:
I cannot be convinced that the Dodgers and Max agreed to a 2-year plus club option deal so the Dodgers would trade him. If Max believed he would be traded, he would not have signed for two years. That way in one year, he gets to choose where he would play.
Perhaps he would choose Texas? His hometown team. If they do not re-sign Mitch Garver, they will need a DH.
If the Dodgers do not sign Ohtani, they will re-sign JDM. Muncy is not going anywhere. He will be the LAD 3B.
I kept things short. KC would flip Max or it would be a 3 team trade. Max probability was told he might be traded if, only if, the Dodgers signed Ohtani.
Betts is having a ball playing 3rd in my mind and I am having fun putting him there.
I’m willing to give KC additional players. I just didn’t want to list suspects.
I misread the report that indicated that Yoshinobu Yamamoto has been posted. The report was that the Oryx Buffalos have agreed to post Yamamoto, but the formal posting has not yet happened. Once he, and any other Asian player being posted, teams have 45 days to consummate a deal.
How about Lee and Imanaga. Has either of them been officially posted yet?
Not that I am aware of.