It has been a miserable December so far. The trip out was painful, then having to go to the hospital and end up getting surgery was worse. But there was a silver lining. The Dodgers extended Edman, signed Snell and Conforto and are starting to assemble next year’s roster.
I had a feeling that Kike would not be back, and I still do. Hudson and Kiermaier retired. Logue signed overseas, Lipcius cut loose. I am holding out hope for Teo, I really like the guy. I doubt AF would pivot to Santander because he has a QO. AF does not want to lose international money. Only 1 roster spot left. Some second tier OF’s who have been mentioned are falling off of the board.
One big surprise was Rancho being sold, and the new low A team will be in a brand-new ballpark in Ontario. Guys like Profar, Canha, Hays, Winker, Grichuk are all out there. One who intrigues me a lot, Dylan Carlson. Only 26 years old.
I am sure AF will have a surprise or two for us. But for now, I am just glad I can get back on my computer. I am still hoping they get at least one good starting pitcher and a solid hitting RF.
I am less sure Teo comes back, but not totally thrilled with some of the replacements Rosenthal suggested. Suzuki would be my first choice. I cannot stand Profar. But whatever AF decides, I am down with.
Welcome back, Bear. It is an early Christmas present.
I wanted to get Bear’s post published ASAP. Per Phil Jones request, I will have my post of the Cohen Tax published tomorrow.
Glad your back Bear !
Merry Christmas !!
Prayers for healing !!!
Hey Bear. Glad to here you are feeling somewhat better and are on the road to recovery. Hang in there.
I too think AF probably has somethings cooking and some surprises up his sleeve.
Oh a outfield of Conforto in leftfield and Edman in Centerfield and Dylan Carlson in right field doesn’t seem to strike fear in other teams. Now hear me out wouldn’t it be better to go like this Conforto leftfield Edman Centerfield and Mookie Betts in rightfield with Muncy at thirdbase Bichette at shortstop and Lux at second base and Freeman at first with will smith at Catcher now that sounds like a LA Dodgers team with Ohtani Dh and pitching if AF does any moves it woild be to trade for bichette and get an every day shortstop and then Rojas edman or lux can play second base and all you have to do is send Mookie back to rightfield all to make your outfield better then a Conforto edman Carlson outfield.
In 2020, Keekay signed a $5.9m deal with us. The next offseason he signed a 2y/$14m contract with Boston, eventually getting a $10m third year added, halfway through which was traded back here. He then signed a $4m deal for 2024.
He’s a great guy to have on the team. I’d want him back for one year.
Score another one for the Trade Value Simulator WRT the Jesus Lazardo trade:
Phillies $22.7
Marlins $23.1
Hope your recovery goes well. Who did your surgery?
You’re right we only have 1 40 man spot left. 3 more spots will open up when Ryan,Stone and Sheehan move to the 60 day IL. That could mean F/ G make agreements with players and just don’t sign them until then. But other than an outfielder do they need to add another fielder?(Kike). Or do they add more depth.
Joc to the Rangers – 2 years $37m
I was at the opening night of the Rancho Quakes stadium (can’t remember the year but sometime in mid 90s), I believe they were a SanDiego affiliate then. That was a nice little park to see a game.
Sad to see Buehler leaving the Dodgers.
47-22 W-L, 3.27 ERA, 713.2 IP, 754 SO, 12.2 WAR.
I think a Jessie Winker leftfield and Edman in centerfield and Conforto Iin rightfield with Taylor and Pages as platoon sound more like a Dodgers outfield and Teo will go to Boston do they go after Kim then to be shortstop and Betts play second base.
Why so many assumptions that the Dodgers did not give Walker Buehler a legit offer? Why are so many so quick to blame the Dodgers if one of their free agents does not re-sign with the team? I have no idea what the Dodgers’ offer may have been after not offering the QO, or even if there was one. But one thing is for sure, Buehler would have cost LAD $44.205MM. I doubt the Dodgers believed Walker was worth that level of commitment.
I know some believe the Dodgers should just have signed him because of his October numbers. A clutch pitcher to be sure. But after the disaster game against SD, Yoshinobu Yamamoto was very good in the playoffs. Blake Snell has also been a clutch playoff pitcher. We have no idea what Shohei Ohtani can do as a pitcher in the playoffs. IMO, the Dodgers pitchers will be fine in the playoffs.
I think the same is true with Teoscar. Because it is the AAV that determines the competitive balance tax, the Dodgers want to keep the AAV down. We have no idea what offer the Dodgers have made to Teoscar. But I am sure that it does involve deferrals, and that is something that Teo does not want. And I do not think he will have to. Toronto will probably give him the years and $$$ he wants, without deferrals.
I may be in the minority, but if Teo does not sign with LAD, I will not assume the Dodgers made the mistake. They have a player budget amount that they are willing to assume the 110% tax for, and if the player wants to exceed that amount, AF is comfortable walking away. Does it have to be one side’s fault? Why can’t it be that the two sides just could not come to terms, even if the gap is miniscule in the fan’s eye. I can read it now. How could the Dodgers let Teo leave because they would not go from $60MM to $66MM?
It could also be true that AF had an amount he was willing to sign Teo for, but he was just as comfortable giving Andy Pages and James Outman a clearer path to succeed. With that being said, I do want the Dodgers to re-sign Teo, but I will understand if they do not.
I think the same will be true when the bidding for Tanner Scott begins in earnest. The Dodgers have a formula which they seem to follow for relievers. If Scott signs for 4 years and $56MM elsewhere, in my opinion AF would not be comfortable with that amount (probably years and $$$) and perhaps he believes he has a bullpen that can do more than just compete as it is.
Sometimes AF knows what he is doing.
Congrats to Walker Buehler, off to Boston for $21.05 million. By matching the QO the Red Sox are able to retain their draft pick. The Red Sox don’t play in LA in ’25, but Buehler may pitch against the Dodgers at Fenway. No doubt those traveling Dodgers fans will give him a big ovation.
And in Ricky Henderson news, I loved this anecdote:
Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic writes about Henderson’s legacy, including a story from former Seattle Mariner and current MLB Network analyst Harold Reynolds.
Boy am I out of the loop, what happened with your back Bear?