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Post by Blunashun on Nov 14, 2024 14:50:13 GMT
Batting Around: Are the Dodgers a dynasty after 2024 World Series win or do they need a few more titles?
Los Angeles has now made the playoffs in 12 straight seasons. Is that enough?
By Mike Axisa
41 mins ago
•
3 min read
Throughout the offseason, the CBS Sports MLB experts will bring you a weekly Batting Around roundtable breaking down pretty much anything. The latest news, a historical question, thoughts about the future of baseball, all sorts of stuff. Last week we tackled Aaron Boone's future with the Yankees. This week we're going to discuss the defending World Series champions.
Are the Dodgers a dynasty?
R.J. Anderson: I've raised this point before (I believe last winter with respect to the Astros), but I think we're overdue for redefining and perhaps expanding what we mean by the term "dynasty." It used to be that you couldn't break out the d-word unless a team scored a cluster of titles within a short period of time. Nowadays, with the expanded postseason, I think it's unrealistic to hold clubs to that standard. I also think it would be beneficial to the league as a whole if more emphasis was placed on the regular season. Therefore, I am comfortable calling the Dodgers (and the Astros, for that matter) a dynasty because they combined sustained regular-season success over a decade with a few titles.
Dayn Perry: Yeah, I think they are. You can't apply the definition of dynasty from football and basketball to baseball. The sport just doesn't work that way -- meaning there's just too much noise and randomness in play during the postseason on account of the small sample size. So, yes, the Dodgers are a dynasty. They've been to the playoffs for 12 straight years. They also have six 100-win seasons since 2017, and that total would probably be seven if the 2020 season hadn't been so heavily abbreviated. That's a dynasty.
Matt Snyder: Absolutely, unequivocally not. What makes a dynasty special is the sustained excellence both in the regular season and the postseason and given that it is so hard to achieve, we're going to go through dry spells. We probably haven't had one since the Core Four Yankees, but the Even Year Giants won three in five years and that's a lot closer than two titles in five years. These Dodgers might become a dynasty and I've written as much. Having one or two every few decades would, again, go to how rare and special actual dynasties are. I don't see the need to lower the bar here with terminology when we could simply throw qualifiers on there, such as the Houston Astros were an American League Dynasty (and maybe still are, depending on how 2025 goes) and the Los Angeles Dodgers are an NL West dynasty. MLB-wide, though? They've gotta win a title in 2025 and then maybe I'll consider it. If not, they remain a no for me.
Mike Axisa: No, come on. Two titles in five years and four pennants in eight years? That's a terrific run, but it is not dynastic. The Astros won four pennants and two titles in six years. That's much closer to a dynasty for me. I mean heck, the Giants won three titles in five years and went 12-5 in 17 World Series games those years. The Dodgers are 12-10 in their four recent World Series trips. I understand is it harder to be a dynasty now that at any point in baseball history. The 1990s Yankees didn't have to contend with revenue sharing and the luxury tax and the wild-card round. Still, I don't think it's too much to ask to win the World Series in back-to-back years before we begin throwing around the word "dynasty." The Dodgers are a great team and no worse than the second-most successful franchise over the last 10 years, but a dynasty they are not.
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Post by Blunashun on Nov 14, 2024 15:01:11 GMT
The greatest team I ever saw was the Big Red Machine. Would ANYONE deny a team with Johnny Bench, Joe Morgan, Pete Rose, Tony Perez & George Foster WASN'T a dynasty? Two titles. Lost to the Orioles in 1970, fell apart in 1971, lost to the A's in 1972, the Mets in 1973, the Dodgers won the pennant in 1974, Reds won back-to-back championships in 1975-76, Dodgers won the pennant in 1977-78, Reds lost to the Pirates in 1979.
This expanded playoff format has changed everything. None of these guys even mentioned the World Series the Red Sox won in 2004, 2007, 2013, & 2018.
The Boys of Summer won ONE World Series.
That said, it would be nice to get at least one more.
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Post by jrgreene6 on Nov 14, 2024 19:42:17 GMT
The greatest team I ever saw was the Big Red Machine. Would ANYONE deny a team with Johnny Bench, Joe Morgan, Pete Rose, Tony Perez & George Foster WASN'T a dynasty? Two titles. Lost to the Orioles in 1970, fell apart in 1971, lost to the A's in 1972, the Mets in 1973, the Dodgers won the pennant in 1974, Reds won back-to-back championships in 1975-76, Dodgers won the pennant in 1977-78, Reds lost to the Pirates in 1979. This expanded playoff format has changed everything. None of these guys even mentioned the World Series the Red Sox won in 2004, 2007, 2013, & 2018. The Boys of Summer won ONE World Series. That said, it would be nice to get at least one more. I’d have to agree. And it was BRUTAL being a Dodgers fan in the mid-70’s living in Cincy, their biggest rival at the time. But I do give credit where credit is due and the Redlegs of that decade certainly qualify for dynasty status, even though I hated them! GO DODGERS!!! |
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Post by Blunashun on Nov 15, 2024 15:32:59 GMT
Yankees’ Juan Soto Predicted to Sign $700 Million Deal With Rival
Story by Cole Shelton • 15h • 3 min read
New York Yankees outfielder Juan Soto is the top free agent available and he has several teams interested in him.
The Yankees and New York Mets are the two top teams interested in him. With that, it’s expected Soto could get up to $700 million, but David Brown of Field Level Media sees him exceeding that.
In the outlet’s MLB free agent predictions, Brown has Soto signing a 13-year $702 million deal with the Mets.
“Soto set himself up for the biggest payday in MLB history after batting .288 with a .419 on-base percentage and .569 slugging for the Yankees in 2024,” Brown wrote. “Not to mention a career-best 41 home runs, 129 walks, a league-leading 128 runs scored and 109 RBIs. And Soto didn’t even turn 26 until October, when he helped lead the Yankees to their first World Series since 2009. Even if he doesn’t eclipse $700 million, the value of his contract almost certainly will exceed Shohei Ohtani’s heavily deferred deal.
“Predicted contract/destination: 13 years, $702 million with the New York Mets.”
Soto signing for over $700 million would be a bit of a surprise. But, with so many big market teams after the star outfielder, it could raise the price upwards to the $700 million range.
Soto hit .288 with 41 home runs and 109 RBIs in 157 games with the Yankees in 2024.
Mets Plan to go ‘Full Blast’ to Sign Soto
New York lost in the NLDS to the Los Angeles Dodgers and plans to be aggressive in free agency.
Former Mets star Carlos Beltran who is now a special assistant to president of baseball operations David Stearn, says the team will go full blast to sign Soto.
“The Mets want to improve the team and there’s no doubt they’ll go after all the players on the market, knowing that the piece the whole world wants is Juan Soto, and the Mets won’t hesitate to go after him ‘full blast,’” Beltran said…
“The owner of the Mets is one of the wealthiest in the game and he wants to win,” Beltran said. “When he says he wants to win, he doesn’t say it so the fans will get excited and go to the ballpark. Really, it’s something personal for him.”
Signing Soto would be a massive boost to the Mets roster and cement themselves as a World Series contender.
The star outfielder would immediately bolster the lineup and would help replace Pete Alonso, as the Mets likely wouldn’t have enough money to sign him.
Beltran Expects Boras to Get The Most Money for Soto
Another reason why Soto would get over $700 million in free agency is due to his agent.
Soto is rep’d by Scott Boras who’s the top agent in baseball. With that, Beltran – who was also repped by Boras – thinks the agent will make sure Soto gets paid.
“Scott Boras is going to push the envelope as much as he can. That’s his typical negotiation and, as a ballplayer. He’s the agent you want in that situation,” said Beltran, who was represented by Boras for a portion of his career.
“Soto has the numbers. So it’s not as if Boras has to fool anyone. Rather he’s going to sell his product for what he is. High quality, consistent, young, with playoff experience. And one who has remained healthy over the years.”
Soto is a four-time All-Star in his career.
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Post by Blunashun on Nov 15, 2024 15:33:25 GMT
I'd try Trout first.
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Post by Blunashun on Nov 15, 2024 16:51:18 GMT
Dodgers Predicted to Sign Star Infielder to $155 Million Deal
Story by Cole Shelton • 15h • 3 min read
The Los Angeles Dodgers are the reigning World Series champion and are expected to be active in the offseason.
David Brown of Field Level Media shared his MLB free agent predictions and he has the Dodgers signing shortstop Willy Adames to a six-year deal.
“Slashed .255/.331/.462 with 32 homers and 21 steals in 161 (173 K's) games for the Brewers. He showed a drop in his defensive metrics in ’24 and might have to move to third base within 2-3 seasons. Predicted contract/destination: Six years, $155 million with the Los Angeles Dodgers,” Brown wrote.
Adames would be a major addition to the Dodgers’ stacked roster. He could play shortstop, or third base for the Dodgers, depending on what position Mookie Betts plays next season.
Regardless, adding Adames’ bat and speed to the lineup would make Los Angeles even more dangerous going into 2025.
Adames has hit .248 with 150 home runs and 472 RBIs in his career.
Betts Planning to Move Back to Infield
The Dodgers announced that Betts will be back playing in the infield in 2025.
Betts played in the outfield in 2024, but due to the toll on his body, Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes says he will return to the infield.
“For Mookie, winning is always No. 1,” Gomes said during the GM Meeting. “So I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s like, ‘Hey, this is the best thing. I’ll play wherever.’ I think catching is probably out of the realm of possibility, although I’m sure he would be good at that as well.
“But yeah, I think it’s a lot of conversations with him as well. I know the toll on the body is less in the infield for him. So you can make arguments on both sides of it,” Gomes added. “But the beauty of Mookie is (he’s) the most selfless superstar we’ve ever been around. And that permeates through the team.”
Betts could play second base or shortstop for the Dodgers as Gomes says that will be a conversation for later.
“I mean, these conversations were like, ‘Hey, let’s figure out Mookie and how he fits into the infield,'” Gomes said. “It could be second, it could be short. We don’t really know yet. We need to continue to have those conversations. But I think it’s much more (that) Mookie’s looking to get back in the infield more than anything else.”
Betts has played second base, shortstop, center field, and right field in the MLB.
Dodgers Also Predicted to Bring Back Teoscar Hernandez
Along with signing Adames, Brown predicted the Dodgers to bring back Teoscar Hernandez.
Hernandez signed a one-year deal with the Dodgers in the offseason and Brown predicts him signing a three-year deal to return to LA.
“Probably his best full season at the plate (.272/.339/.501 with 33 homers) when you adjust for ballpark and league results. Starting to slip on defense at age 32. Predicted contract/destination: Three years, $63 million with the Los Angeles Dodgers,” Brown wrote.
Hernandez was a key player for the Dodgers this past season and a key reason why they won the World Series. Hernandez has also said his priority is to re-sign with LA.
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Post by Blunashun on Nov 15, 2024 16:54:55 GMT
I'm not getting the toll on his body being less in the infield. Sounds like hogwash.
That will be some defensive infield. I can hear Prior to his pitchers right now.
'More spin! We need more strikeouts!'
Hehe...
Adames is talented. But another feast or famine sort. Plenty of K's.
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Post by jrgreene6 on Nov 15, 2024 20:25:11 GMT
He’ll be 39 or 40 by the time that albatross contract ends. I think we ALL remember what happened to the Angles after they signed Pujols to a deal like that. And how many titles did he bring to those knuckleheads? Oh yeah - zero point zero. But these owners will continue to throw money like this to premier players if they thinks there’s any chance it might bring them a World Series. History will show that it doesn’t / won’t. GO DODGERS!!! |
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Post by jrgreene6 on Nov 15, 2024 20:33:23 GMT
I'm not getting the toll on his body being less in the infield. Sounds like hogwash. That will be some defensive infield. I can hear Prior to his pitchers right now. 'More spin! We need more strikeouts!' Hehe... Adames is talented. But another feast or famine sort. Plenty of K's. Yeah - especially when just a few years ago the geniuses moved Bellinger from first base to the outfield to “save the toll on his body” from playing an infield position. Bells was never the same after that move and even with the plethora of injuries, one has to wonder what he could have been had he played his entire career at first, which defensively he was VERY good at. He might have been right up there with old number six. GO DODGERS!!! |
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Post by Blunashun on Nov 16, 2024 2:21:03 GMT
I'm not getting the toll on his body being less in the infield. Sounds like hogwash. That will be some defensive infield. I can hear Prior to his pitchers right now. 'More spin! We need more strikeouts!' Hehe... Adames is talented. But another feast or famine sort. Plenty of K's. Yeah - especially when just a few years ago the geniuses moved Bellinger from first base to the outfield to “save the toll on his body” from playing an infield position. Bells was never the same after that move and even with the plethora of injuries, one has to wonder what he could have been had he played his entire career at first, which defensively he was VERY good at. He might have been right up there with old number six. GO DODGERS!!! First base was where they used to station clods. Prince Fielder, for one. There were some nimble ones. Wes Parker. Keith Hernandez. There was also Ted Kluszewski. |
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Post by jrgreene6 on Nov 16, 2024 2:52:56 GMT
Yeah - especially when just a few years ago the geniuses moved Bellinger from first base to the outfield to “save the toll on his body” from playing an infield position. Bells was never the same after that move and even with the plethora of injuries, one has to wonder what he could have been had he played his entire career at first, which defensively he was VERY good at. He might have been right up there with old number six. GO DODGERS!!! First base was where they used to station clods. Prince Fielder, for one. There were some nimble ones. Wes Parker. Keith Hernandez. There was also Ted Kluszewski. I played first base from little league thru 20 + years of softball. I could do full splits in a stretch and would play even with or in front of the bag with runners on base. It wasn’t the “hot corner” of third; and I rarely had to make throws. But very little ever got by me on the ground or line drives. And double plays were almost automatic on line drives to other infielders & the pitcher because they knew I be on the bag before they even released their throw. I always heard the “cliche” about how teams put their worst players at first, but it never bothered me. I was one of the best on most teams I played for and could have pretty much played any position I wanted to. I chose first because I excelled there and was most comfortable with the position. GO DODGERS!!! |
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Post by Blunashun on Nov 16, 2024 4:06:48 GMT
First base was where they used to station clods. Prince Fielder, for one. There were some nimble ones. Wes Parker. Keith Hernandez. There was also Ted Kluszewski. I played first base from little league thru 20 + years of softball. I could do full splits in a stretch and would play even with or in front of the bag with runners on base. It wasn’t the “hot corner” of third; and I rarely had to make throws. But very little ever got by me on the ground or line drives. And double plays were almost automatic on line drives to other infielders & the pitcher because they knew I be on the bag before they even released their throw. I always heard the “cliche” about how teams put their worst players at first, but it never bothered me. I was one of the best on most teams I played for and could have pretty much played any position I wanted to. I chose first because I excelled there and was most comfortable with the position. GO DODGERS!!! Not the worst players. Bats you had to have in the lineup. But maybe not the most nimble. Like leftfield. Manny Ramirez. Boog Powell was MVP. Look at the guy.  |
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Post by Blunashun on Nov 16, 2024 16:47:37 GMT
Dodgers' Brusdar Graterol: Undergoes shoulder surgery
Rotowire 20 hrs ago
Graterol underwent right shoulder labrum surgery Thursday.
The Dodgers expect the reliever to miss the first half of the 2025 season but be back sometime after the All-Star break. Graterol made just seven appearances during the regular season due to a nagging shoulder issue, although he did return to pitch in the World Series. The 26-year-old will be in his third of four arbitration years this offseason.
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Post by Blunashun on Nov 16, 2024 16:50:41 GMT
Gatorade made 2.7 million dollars last year. He pitched 7.1 innings. This will be a test of the arbitration system I think is so flawed. It's not his fault he keeps getting hurt. But he keeps getting hurt.
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Post by jrgreene6 on Nov 16, 2024 19:10:33 GMT
Gatorade made 2.7 million dollars last year. He pitched 7.1 innings. This will be a test of the arbitration system I think is so flawed. It's not his fault he keeps getting hurt. But he keeps getting hurt. Another casualty and victim of the Dodgers training and conditioning program and staff. I’m guessing their manual is fairly short and simple. Step One: Throw the baseball toward home plate as hard and fast as you can. Step Two: Repeat Step One. Step Three: Prepare yourself for annual surgery and rehab. The end. GO DODGERS!!! |
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