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Post by Blunashun on Dec 3, 2023 19:16:29 GMT
Dodgers' President of Baseball Operations remains flexible ahead of winter meetings
By Kevin Skinner | Last updated 12/3/23
During his time with your Los Angeles Dodgers, Andrew Friedman has shown his prowess for amassing talent. Whether through the draft, trade, free agency, international signings, etc. the club is never short of exciting players to watch. He does, however, possess another unique skill.
Andrew Friedman reigns supreme at using a lot of words to say very little. This is to his benefit. In doing so, he never tips his hand, and the Dodgers are always in play for everyone.
Ahead of the Winter Meetings, Friedman flexed this particular muscle when discussing his plans for next week,
“From our standpoint, we’re never trying to time something to happen at the Winter Meetings,” Friedman said. “It is whenever a deal lines up and makes sense, we do it irrespective of the day.”
Andrew Friedman President of Baseball Operations
It truly is a marvel how he can use 32.5 words to not give any real insight as to how he will approach signings during the Winter Meetings.
As mentioned above though, this benefits him and overall the organization. By remaining vague, he keeps the organization flexible. He does not box himself into a timeline and he lets the market come to him.
In part, this is how he has been able to produce a winning roster for the better part of a decade. This mindset also helped him land Freddie Freeman on one of the best contracts in baseball.
It can be frustrating at times, knowing he gives out very little information. However, when it helps him put together All-Star lineups year in and year out, it becomes clear why he does it.
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Post by Blunashun on Dec 3, 2023 19:23:48 GMT
MLB Insider Sees Path For Dodgers To Have Greatest Offseason in Baseball History
Originally posted on FanNation Inside The Dodgers
By Matt Levine | Last updated 12/3/23
The Dodgers have been linked with most of the top-tier players this offseason already, and they are the favorites to land some of them. They are engaged in negotiations with two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani and have a major interest in signing Japanese sensation Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
The team has also spoken with the Chicago White Sox about landing starter Dylan Cease as well. For some teams, one of these moves would make their entire offseason, but the Dodgers aren't most teams and they could make massive waves this offseason.
MLB insider Bob Nightengale of USA Today told Doug McKain of dodgersnation.com that some executives could see LA landing multiple top-tier players this offseason. You can see the entire interview here!
“You know some executives say they could see the Dodgers getting Ohtani, Yamamoto and trading for Dylan Cease. They certainly have the prospects to get a Dylan Cease, Tyler Glasnow something like that”
If the Dodgers were to pull this off, it could go down as the greatest MLB offseason in history. And the scary thing is that it could realistically take place.
The Dodgers have the money to land both Ohtani and Yamamoto, and the prospect capital to make a trade for another top starting pitching. LA is in a great spot to be very aggressive this offseason, and it's due to their ownership wanting to win.
With the winter meetings coming down the line next week, we should have much more clarity on each player's future. LA has the tools to make this a memorable offseason, and now it's just up to them to exercise them.
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jrgreene6
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Post by jrgreene6 on Dec 4, 2023 0:23:44 GMT
I’ll believe it when I see it. How many BIG deals have we been in on over the last decade only to come up with a big old zilch?
This is one I wouldn’t be disappointed on “missing out”. I think Oh will end up being a HUGE overpay, no matter who gets him.
The Japanese pitcher Yama whatever? I’d be MUCH happier with that signing over Oh.
GO DODGERS!!!
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Post by lasnoopyla on Dec 4, 2023 16:10:58 GMT
I’ll believe it when I see it. How many BIG deals have we been in on over the last decade only to come up with a big old zilch? This is one I wouldn’t be disappointed on “missing out”. I think Oh will end up being a HUGE overpay, no matter who gets him. The Japanese pitcher Yama whatever? I’d be MUCH happier with that signing over Oh. GO DODGERS!!! I'm with you. All I see is "Blah Blah Blah" when I see these reports about the Dodgers doing this and that. They are always the frontrunner for every big player in the off-season. I'll be surprised to see them pony up for either of these Japanese players, but to get both of them, and trade for Cease, lol.. |
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Post by jrgreene6 on Dec 4, 2023 18:46:53 GMT
I’ll believe it when I see it. How many BIG deals have we been in on over the last decade only to come up with a big old zilch? This is one I wouldn’t be disappointed on “missing out”. I think Oh will end up being a HUGE overpay, no matter who gets him. The Japanese pitcher Yama whatever? I’d be MUCH happier with that signing over Oh. GO DODGERS!!! I'm with you. All I see is "Blah Blah Blah" when I see these reports about the Dodgers doing this and that. They are always the frontrunner for every big player in the off-season. I'll be surprised to see them pony up for either of these Japanese players, but to get both of them, and trade for Cease, lol.. I’d be overjoyed to see them sign a couple of starters that could go more than five innings every start. But that seems to be an impossibility these days with all of the analytic bullshit and pitch counts. I think you could count the number of complete games last year on one hand and still maybe have a finger or two left. Baseball has become as soft as the NFL and the way they use and abuse the IL is shameful. But what else are we to expect in a nation where “everybody plays, everybody wins a trophy and we don’t keep score”? GO DODGERS!!! |
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Post by Blunashun on Dec 4, 2023 22:28:49 GMT
I'm with you. All I see is "Blah Blah Blah" when I see these reports about the Dodgers doing this and that. They are always the frontrunner for every big player in the off-season. I'll be surprised to see them pony up for either of these Japanese players, but to get both of them, and trade for Cease, lol.. I’d be overjoyed to see them sign a couple of starters that could go more than five innings every start. But that seems to be an impossibility these days with all of the analytic bullshit and pitch counts. I think you could count the number of complete games last year on one hand and still maybe have a finger or two left. Baseball has become as soft as the NFL and the way they use and abuse the IL is shameful. But what else are we to expect in a nation where “everybody plays, everybody wins a trophy and we don’t keep score”? GO DODGERS!!! I'll be interested in what Montgomery gets. He too has been very injury prone. But he can flat out pitch when he's in there. I stick by Trout, Yamamoto, Montgomery & maybe even Lugo. Four guys who might earn a hair under twice what Shohei gets by himself. And we know Ohtani isn't pitching next year. Maybe tack on a veteran catcher. |
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Post by lasnoopyla on Dec 5, 2023 1:23:58 GMT
Slow ass start to the Winter Meetings. Whole league waiting on Ohtani. You know damn good and well he knows where he's going. Just do it already so we can get some pitching already.
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Post by 20DodgerMiracle24 on Dec 5, 2023 4:29:09 GMT
I'm with you. All I see is "Blah Blah Blah" when I see these reports about the Dodgers doing this and that. They are always the frontrunner for every big player in the off-season. I'll be surprised to see them pony up for either of these Japanese players, but to get both of them, and trade for Cease, lol.. I’d be overjoyed to see them sign a couple of starters that could go more than five innings every start. But that seems to be an impossibility these days with all of the analytic bullshit and pitch counts.
I think you could count the number of complete games last year on one hand and still maybe have a finger or two left. Baseball has become as soft as the NFL and the way they use and abuse the IL is shameful. But what else are we to expect in a nation where “everybody plays, everybody wins a trophy and we don’t keep score”? GO DODGERS!!! Nolan Ryan is no fan of the pitch count. Neither is Randy Johnson, and they're good friends and the 1-2 career K leaders and who'd argue with them? Ryan was at the extreme extreme. 7 no hitters and his last one at age 46! An amazing 27 seasons and 5386 innings and no arm trouble, save the the last game he ever pitched, which ended his career. And as for Johnson, he was a sidearmer, a motion that puts very little stress on the arm, so he lasted 22 seasons till age 45. Why are there so few sidearmers? |
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20DodgerMiracle24
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Post by 20DodgerMiracle24 on Dec 5, 2023 4:31:11 GMT
Slow ass start to the Winter Meetings. Whole league waiting on Ohtani. You know damn good and well he knows where he's going. Just do it already so we can get some pitching already. Doug McKain of Dodger Nation said right there in Nashville that he doesn't expect Showtime to sign with any team till after the meetings are over. And I bet tomorrow there are lots of trades. Today, the first day, there was just a lot of talking and negociating. |
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Post by jrgreene6 on Dec 5, 2023 6:03:57 GMT
So Daisy is anointing Mookie as LA’s 2B for 2024. Where does that leave Lux? He doesn’t have the range or arm to play either SS or 3B and is coming off a serious knee surgery.
His opinion is elite outfielders who can hit .300 with power are a dime a dozen. I disagree. Mookie’s arm and accuracy have saved more than a few games and you can’t and don’t replace that with Heyward.
I hope this doesn’t backfire on him like his brilliant decision to move an All Star MVP from 1B to CF.
We’ll never know if that was one of the factors in Cody’s decline, but it won’t surprise me one iota if Betts has poor offensive production to go along with this move.
Why he insists on messing with something that doesn’t need to be messed with is almost as curious as him retaining his managing position after years of underachievement.
GO DODGERS!!!
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20DodgerMiracle24
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Post by 20DodgerMiracle24 on Dec 5, 2023 21:31:08 GMT
So Daisy is anointing Mookie as LA’s 2B for 2024. Where does that leave Lux? He doesn’t have the range or arm to play either SS or 3B and is coming off a serious knee surgery. His opinion is elite outfielders who can hit .300 with power are a dime a dozen. I disagree. Mookie’s arm and accuracy have saved more than a few games and you can’t and don’t replace that with Heyward. I hope this doesn’t backfire on him like his brilliant decision to move an All Star MVP from 1B to CF. We’ll never know if that was one of the factors in Cody’s decline, but it won’t surprise me one iota if Betts has poor offensive production to go along with this move. Why he insists on messing with something that doesn’t need to be messed with is almost as curious as him retaining his managing position after years of underachievement. GO DODGERS!!! With all our great pitching prospects on the farm, there are damn few position players. So, we can expect a great OF will be dealt for, or a FA. And Luxy will have the same range he's had before cos soft tissue injuries are much less complicated than bone fractures. They actually can heal on their own, though obviously, much longer than a year. But you raise a great point: With the Mook at 2B, where will Luxy play? I hope his fate isnt' the same apparant fate as Dustin. |
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Post by 20DodgerMiracle24 on Dec 5, 2023 21:34:09 GMT
What Betts' move to second means for Dodgers teammates
11:27 AM MST
Juan Toribio
Juan Toribio
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Betts to play second base in 2024
Dec 4, 2023 · 0:50
Betts to play second base in 2024
This story was excerpted from Juan Toribio’s Dodgers Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.
After a quiet first day of the 2023 Winter Meetings on Monday, everyone in attendance and fans across the world desperately waited for major news to come out of Nashville, Tenn. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts delivered.
During an interview on MLB Network’s High Heat, Roberts casually dropped that the Dodgers see superstar Mookie Betts as the team's “everyday second baseman” next season. While Betts -- who split time between second, shortstop and right field in 2023 -- was always going to get plenty of playing time at second in ‘24, Roberts’ declarations made it much more concrete.
“We both feel strongly that he’s not looked at as a utility player,” Roberts told reporters later in the day, doubling down on his stance. “Mookie is a superstar player, and I think it’s important for him to thrive and to have some clarity. I could see him play the rest of his career at second base. That excites me, and that excites him most importantly.”
Betts makes two great plays
Sep 24, 2023 · 0:51
Betts makes two great plays
Over the past few seasons, Betts has made it very clear he enjoys playing on the dirt much more than in right field, the position that elevated him to superstardom with his six Gold Glove Awards. But after coming up through the Minors as an infielder, Betts never lost the itch to play his original position. At this point of his career, he has made it clear his body feels better when he’s playing second, allowing him to produce more offensively.
Whether Betts ends up playing most -- if not all -- of his games at second remains to be seen, however. Plans change. But as of now, that’s what Roberts and Betts envision. So what does that move mean for some of his teammates? Let’s break that down.
Gavin Lux
With Corey Seager and Trea Turner ahead of him on the depth chart at shortstop, Lux was forced to slide over to second base through the 2022 season in order to get consistent playing time. In ‘23, Lux entered Spring Training as the starter at short, but he had to miss the entire season after tearing his right ACL and LCL in Spring Training.
This offseason, Lux has continued to get healthier, and the belief is he’ll be ready for Spring Training. Now, given Betts’ new position, the Dodgers will need Lux to prove, once again, that he can handle being the team’s starting shortstop. Barring a trade for a shortstop, Lux will get every chance to win that spot in 2024.
Dodgers turn sweet DP in the 9th
Sep 19, 2022 · 0:26
Dodgers turn sweet DP in the 9th
Miguel Rojas
When Lux went down for the season, the Dodgers were fortunate to have Rojas on the roster and ready to step in. Rojas is a terrific defender at the position and was certainly an upgrade on defense. Offensively, however, Rojas left a lot to be desired, and Los Angeles would like more production out of the position.
If Lux shows he can handle shortstop post-injury, Rojas will turn into the team’s utility man, handling second base, shortstop and third base, especially against left-handed pitching, which has always been a strength for the Venezuelan shortstop.
Miguel Rojas' diving play
Sep 19, 2023 · 0:23
Miguel Rojas' diving play
Heyward’s deal with the Dodgers isn’t official yet, but last week he agreed to return to Los Angeles on a one-year, $9 million deal. That agreement hinted that Betts was going to play a significant amount of second base in 2024. Heyward had a resurgent season at the plate last season, hitting 15 homers and posting an .813 OPS, all while playing solid defense in right. For Betts to stay at second, Heyward is going to need to do a lot of the same this upcoming season.
Jason Heyward's leaping catch
Sep 6, 2023 · 0:28
Jason Heyward's leaping catch
Miguel Vargas/Michael Busch
With just about every decision, there’s always a player or two who are affected the most. In this case, it’s Vargas and Busch. Both are talented young players who dominated through the Minors, but have struggled to find consistent success at the big league level.
Vargas got a chance to be the team’s everyday second baseman last season, but his offense never translated the way the Dodgers were hoping. Los Angeles has maintained that the club is high on Vargas’ offense, but that production might have to come in left field now that Betts can handle the Cuban infielder’s position. As for Busch, the 26-year-old has struggled to find playing time in the Majors because all of his positions remain blocked by Freddie Freeman, Max Muncy and Betts. Like Vargas, his best chance at playing time next season appears to be in left field.
Things can change fast during the winter. All it takes is one big splash to alter the team’s complexion. But now we know, it’s far more likely than not that Betts is the Dodgers’ second baseman for the foreseeable future.
Vargas makes the diving play
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Post by Blunashun on Dec 6, 2023 4:17:32 GMT
If Betts is that athletic, why not move him to shortstop? Second base seems an awful waste of a great arm. Leave Lux at second.
I'd still kick the tires on Trout. Heyward could platoon with Taylor. These are depth type players.
Dave didn't decide a damn thing. We keep crediting him with having input. He's like a greeter at Walmart.
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Post by lasnoopyla on Dec 6, 2023 4:33:11 GMT
Internet going nuts over Robert's commenting about their meeting with Ohtani. Dudes agent put some presser out that any leaked info from teams about the process will be held against said team(s), and dumb Dave runs his mouth first chance he gets, LOL. Meanwhile Friedman and Gomes just say no comment when asked about either Ohtani or Roberts talking about the meeting. Everyone saying fire his ass when Ohtani goes to Toronto or anywhere but LA, ROFLMAO...
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jrgreene6
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Post by jrgreene6 on Dec 6, 2023 5:03:36 GMT
Internet going nuts over Robert's commenting about their meeting with Ohtani. Dudes agent put some presser out that any leaked info from teams about the process will be held against said team(s), and dumb Dave runs his mouth first chance he gets, LOL. Meanwhile Friedman and Gomes just say no comment when asked about either Ohtani or Roberts talking about the meeting. Everyone saying fire his ass when Ohtani goes to Toronto or anywhere but LA, ROFLMAO... If Daisy running his mouth about their two to three hour productive meeting does end up costing LA Ohtani, it might be the first GOOD decision he has made in eight years. We all know how Froggy and Kasten abhor long term deals and Oh is looking for a lottery like final contract of his career. Ten years is an absurd length to give to anyone, unless you’re getting an early twenties Nolan Ryan type of player. Oh will maybe give a team six or seven good and productive offensive years and possibly two or three on the mound. But is that worth a half billion dollars that close to half that could and should be used to address the VAST other needs of this team? 3B remains a question mark. Lux at SS is worrisome. A backup catcher who can hit more than .100 would be nice. And LA is still two proven starters short of a rotation that will be competitive. Let the Jays or Mariners or Braves overpay for Oh. LA needs VOLUME, not the single shiny new toy that everyone seems to covet. GO DODGERS!!! |
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