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Post by Blunashun on Nov 21, 2024 9:06:48 GMT
Momentum continues to swing away from the Dodgers in latest Roki Sasaki update
Story by Chris Landers • 10h • 3 min read
From the moment news broke that pitching phenom Roki Sasaki was being posted to the Majors, everyone naturally assumed that the Los Angeles Dodgers would be prohibitive favorites for his services. L.A. has seemingly gotten just about everything it's wanted over the past 12 months or so, from landing Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto last winter to rolling to a World Series win, and the signings of Ohtani and Yamamoto were proof positive of the team's compelling pitch to Japanese stars. Arguably the richest team in the league, with a loaded roster, on the West Coast, with not just one but two fellow members Team Japan to help with the recruiting pitch? How could anyone compete with that?
But if we've learned anything about Hot Stove season, it's that things are never quite as they same on the rumor mill. Sasaki's status as an international amateur free agent erases the Dodgers' financial advantage, and the more we learn about the righty's priorities, the less it seems like he's destined for L.A. after all. In fact, one recent report makes it seem like he definitely won't be in Dodger blue next season.
For more news and rumors, check out MLB Insider Robert Murray’s work on The Baseball Insiders podcast, subscribe to The Moonshot, our weekly MLB newsletter, and join the discord to get the inside scoop between now and the MLB offseason.
MLB insider thinks Dodgers have little chance at signing Roki Sasaki
The Athletic's Jim Bowden hopped on Foul Territory on Wednesday afternoon, where he was asked for an update on the Sasaki sweepstakes. Bowden had poured some cold water on the Dodgers' case before, pointing out that other teams like the San Diego Padres could also make compelling pitches to the 23-year-old. This latest report, however, went above and beyond: Citing sources close to the player, Bowden claimed there was an 85-percent chance that Sasaki would sign somewhere other than Los Angeles.
Granted, we should be taking all of this with a giant grain of salt. Sasaki remains a bit of an unknown, and reporters aren't as familiar with he and his camp's thinking as they are of, say, Juan Soto and Scott Boras. Still, it's noteworthy that someone relatively plugged in would be so bearish on the prospect of the righty going to L.A. It suggests that Sasaki is looking for something different in his free agency — or, as Bowden later pointed out, that he stands to make a lot more endorsement money as the sole Japanese star in his market rather than sharing the spotlight with Ohtani and Yamamoto.
Is that motivating to Sasaki? There's no real way to be sure. But it just goes to show that what we don't know far outpaces what we do at this point, and that there are plenty of appealing landing spots for a pitcher like Sasaki once money is removed from the equation. And if he's looking to blaze his own trail, the Dodgers may be forced to look elsewhere for rotation upgrades.
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Post by Blunashun on Nov 21, 2024 9:07:56 GMT
Bowden says we won't get Sasaki? We're getting Sasaki!!  |
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Post by jrgreene6 on Nov 22, 2024 1:18:53 GMT
Bowden says we won't get Sasaki? We're getting Sasaki!! When was the last, or even FIRST time that idiot was right about ANYTHING? Yeah - pretty sure he’ll be in Dodger blue next season. GO DODGERS!!! |
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Post by Blunashun on Nov 22, 2024 1:47:11 GMT
Shohei Ohtani named 2024 NL MVP: Dodgers superstar makes history again with unanimous win after 50-50 season
Ohtani became just the 12th player in MLB history to win at least three MVP honors By Dayn Perry & R.J. Anderson 30 mins ago • 2 min read Superstar Shohei Ohtani of the world champion Los Angeles Dodgers has unanimously been named National League Most Valuable Player for 2024, and in the process he's made Major League Baseball history (again). When the Baseball Writers Association of America announced the results of the vote on Thursday, Ohtani became the first primary designated hitter in MLB history to win an MVP award. Ohtani, who won MVP honors for the third time in his seven-season MLB career, got all 30 first-place votes after becoming the first player in MLB history to hit 50 homers and steal 50 bases in the same season.
Ohtani now becomes just the 12th player in MLB history to win the MVP award at least three times. It was his first National League MVP in his first season with the Dodgers. Ohtani previously won American League MVP honors in 2021 and 2023 with the Angels. Ohtani is just the second player in MLB history to win MVP honors in both the American and National Leagues, joining Frank Robinson (1961 NL MVP and 1966 AL MVP) Ohtani was a unanimous winner in 2024, just like Aaron Judge of the Yankees, who got all 30 votes for the AL award. Francisco Lindor of the Mets finished second behind Ohtani and Ketel Marte of the Diamondbacks was third in voting. Below are the full voting results. The thirty voters all selected a top 10 on their MVP ballots, and 23 different players got NL MVP votes in 2024. x.com/officialBBWAA/status/1859747249045242296Prior to Ohtani's win, the highest a primary DH -- meaning a player who spent the majority of his games played at DH during the season in question -- had ever finished in the MVP balloting was second. That was achieved by Paul Molitor of the Blue Jays in 1993, Frank Thomas of the White Sox in 2000, David Ortiz of the Red Sox in 2005, and Victor Martinez of the Tigers in 2014. Ohtani previously won the American League MVP award as a member of the Angels in 2021 and 2023 while serving as their DH, but his two-way value as a starting pitcher during those seasons played an essential role in his winning the award. This past season, Ohtani didn't pitch as he recovered from a hybrid Tommy John surgical procedure performed on his throwing elbow and thus was limited to hitting duty only. Ohtani, who is recovering from shoulder surgery after picking up an injury in the World Series, is expected to be back on the mound in 2025. In his first season since signing a record $700 million, heavily deferred free-agent contract with the Dodgers, Ohtani batted .310/.390/.646, which was good for an NL-leading OPS+ of 190. As well, with 54 home runs and 59 stolen bases, Ohtani became the first player in MLB history to top 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in the same season. Ohtani's 2024 WAR of 9.2 topped the senior circuit, and he also became the first player since Barry Bonds and Luis Gonzalez in 2001 to top 400 total bases in a season. Buoyed by Ohtani's production, the Dodgers en route to winning the World Series secured MLB's best record during the regular season at 98-64.
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Post by Blunashun on Nov 22, 2024 3:19:02 GMT
Dodgers Already Met With Blake Snell in Free Agency, Will LA Sign Him?
Story by Dodgers Nation • 8h • 2 min read
The Los Angeles Dodgers are among several teams interested in last season’s National League Cy Young pitcher, Blake Snell. The San Francisco Giants free agent pitcher already met with the Dodgers and Boston Red Sox this offseason, according to The Athletic.
Despite excelling with the San Francisco organization, Snell opted out of his two-year, $62 million contract to elect free agency. He will likely command a lucrative multi-year contract, which the Dodgers have the funds for.
Snell was one of the best starting pitchers, especially in the second half of the season. He was named the NL Pitcher of the Month in August. Snell threw his first career no-hitter against the Cincinnati Reds on Aug. 2. He logged a 1.64 ERA while throwing 53 strikeouts and allowing just one home run that month.
This is the second consecutive offseason Snell is on the market. Last year, the Dodgers made a last minute attempt to acquire the southpaw but he signed with the Giants instead. Los Angeles also expressed interest in Snell at this season’s trade deadline.
San Francisco did not extend a qualifying offer to Snell as he got one last year from the San Diego Padres. Therefore, teams may be more interested in Snell now that there is no risk of losing a future draft pick.
However, the Dodgers may consider re-signing some of their free agent pitchers instead. Walker Buehler, Jack Flaherty, Joe Kelly, and Blake Treinen are all free agents this offseason. Additionally, Teoscar Hernández and Kiké Hernández are two fan favorites on the market that the Dodger may try to keep on the roster.
The Athletic also reported the Dodgers and Red Sox have made contact with Atlanta Braves’ Max Fried and Baltimore Orioles’ Corbin Burnes. It has yet to be reported if the franchises have met with either of the two starting pitchers.
Snell, Fried, or Burnes would be strong additions to the Dodgers. But, each pitcher comes with a hefty price tag, creating difficult decisions for the Los Angeles franchise.
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Post by Blunashun on Nov 22, 2024 3:19:57 GMT
If Friedman brings back Kelly again, please let me throw a baseball at him.
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Post by jrgreene6 on Nov 22, 2024 5:11:36 GMT
If Friedman brings back Kelly again, please let me throw a baseball at him. I get one after you! We can do the smug sneer in tandem. GO DODGERS!!! |
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Post by Blunashun on Nov 22, 2024 15:52:09 GMT
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Post by Blunashun on Nov 22, 2024 15:53:02 GMT
It was good to see his arm wasn't in a sling or anything.
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Post by Blunashun on Nov 22, 2024 18:17:28 GMT
Dodgers Free Agent Walker Buehler Declined To Play In Sacramento For A’s Story by Blake Williams, Dodger Blue • 3h • 2 min read Walker Buehler is one of the more interesting free agent cases on the 2024 market after a mixed season for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Buehler, who was coming off a second career Tommy John surgery, struggled in the regular season with a 5.38 ERA across 75.1 innings. But in the postseason, Buehler was fantastic in the National League Championship Series and World Series, throwing 10 innings without allowing a run and picking up a save to close out Game 5. Once an ace and one of the top pitchers in MLB, Buehler no longer has the stuff that helped make him an elite pitcher. But he has consistently performed in the postseason and was potentially rebounding late in the season. His market is already developing with the Dodgers, Atlanta Braves and Chicago Cubs all showing varying levels of interest, but there is at least one team he will not play for. The Athletics tried to make their case to sign Buehler, but he declined to play in Sacramento, manager Mark Kotsay said via Kasey Kazliner of Annenberg Media of USC: x.com/kaseyjkaz/status/1859737295399813247?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1859737295399813247%7Ctwgr%5Ea3ca649cce1a64939aa51530bb730b9b4b31c986%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.yardbarker.com%2Fmlb%2Farticles%2Fdodgers_free_agent_walker_buehler_declined_to_play_in_sacramento_for_as%2Fs1_17075_41279036The A’s will be playing their 2025 through 2027 seasons at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento while they make the move from Oakland to Las Vegas. The Las Vegas stadium is under construction and is expected to be completed for the 2028 season. Sutter Health Park is a Minor League ballpark, which is also home of the Sacramento River Cats, the Triple-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants. The A’s and River Cats will be sharing the stadium for the next three seasons. It’s likely most free agents will pass on the opportunity to play at a Minor League stadium again, especially those who have a market with other interested teams. And that’s aside from the A’s having a team that is not expected to compete for the playoffs anytime soon. Buehler has choices on where he would like to play next season, and while the Dodgers may be his preferred destination, things in free agency can change quickly. But based on Buehler’s competitive nature, he is likely to prioritize signing with a team that has a chance to win a World Series. Walker Buehler lied to Mark Prior during World Series Buehler revealed he lied to Dodgers pitching coach Mark Prior about throwing before entering Game 5 so he could pitch the ninth inning. Buehler had previously revealed he informed the Dodgers front office and coaching staff the morning of Game 5 that he would be available out of the bullpen. He ended up striking out two of the three batters he faced on 16 pitches en route to his first Major League save. It capped off a remarking postseason run for both him and the Dodgers. |
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Post by Blunashun on Nov 22, 2024 23:20:10 GMT
Dodgers' Tony Gonsolin: Avoids arbitration with Dodgers
Rotowire 24 mins ago
Gonsolin agreed to a one-year, $5.4 million contract with the Dodgers on Friday to avoid arbitration, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.
Gonsolin missed the entire 2024 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery in August of 2023. He managed to begin his rehab assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma City in September, and across three outings he allowed two earned runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out 12 over 7.2 innings. The 30-year-old right-hander should be available for the start of spring training.
Dodgers' Dustin May: Avoids arbitration
Rotowire 3 hrs ago
The Dodgers and May (elbow, throat) avoided arbitration Friday by agreeing to a one-year, $2.135 million contract, the Associated Press reports.
May -- who had been arbitration-eligible for the final time -- missed the entire 2024 season while recovering from UCL and flexor surgery and later had another operation to repair an esophageal tear. The 27-year-old made a total of just 20 starts from 2021-23 due to injury. May should be healthy for the start of spring training, but it's not clear when he might be ready to make starts for the Dodgers given how much time he's missed.
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Post by Blunashun on Nov 23, 2024 0:09:24 GMT
Dodgers meet with Juan Soto but will they land the all-star slugger?
Story by Tony Kurzweil • 1d • 2 min read
The Los Angeles Dodgers met with four-time all-star Juan Soto this week but unless the market changes the defending World Series champs may have a tough time signing the coveted free agent, KTLA’s David “Ping” Pingalore reports.
“I can confirm through sources that @juansoto25_ did meet with Andrew Friedman and Brandon Gomes in Orange County today,” Ping posted on his Instagram account Tuesday.
Soto is the most sought-after slugger in the free agent market with other big-payroll teams like the New York Yankees (Soto’s most recent club) and the New York Mets expected to engage in a bidding war to land the outfielder who cracked 41 homers and knocked in 109 RBI while recording a .288 batting average in 2024.
The Dodgers and Philadelphia Phillies are also expected to take a shot at Soto but Ping says Los Angeles may be hampered by a hesitancy to offer a long-term deal.
“According to sources if the market weakens the @dodgers interest would only be a 1-2 year deal as Soto seeks a long-term deal for 600m,” Ping posted.
The Dodgers are very familiar with what Soto can offer a team’s offense after facing him as a member of the Washington Nationals and San Diego Padres in the National League.
Soto also played well in the World Series against the Dodgers. Despite the Yankees losing in five games Soto batted .313 and hit a home run in Game 2.
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Post by Blunashun on Nov 23, 2024 0:16:42 GMT
Say 12 years & $600,000,000. Sixty million a year for the first 3 years. That leaves $420,000,000 over the next nine. About 47 million a year. But I would have it steadily decreasing. There would also have to be insurance in terms of health. The Dodgers can opt out if Soto doesn't play in so many games. Soto can opt out after three years. This is a two-way street.
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Post by Blunashun on Nov 23, 2024 0:18:11 GMT
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Post by jrgreene6 on Nov 23, 2024 0:23:55 GMT
Dodgers' Tony Gonsolin: Avoids arbitration with Dodgers Rotowire 24 mins ago Gonsolin agreed to a one-year, $5.4 million contract with the Dodgers on Friday to avoid arbitration, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports. Gonsolin missed the entire 2024 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery in August of 2023. He managed to begin his rehab assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma City in September, and across three outings he allowed two earned runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out 12 over 7.2 innings. The 30-year-old right-hander should be available for the start of spring training. Dodgers' Dustin May: Avoids arbitration Rotowire 3 hrs ago The Dodgers and May (elbow, throat) avoided arbitration Friday by agreeing to a one-year, $2.135 million contract, the Associated Press reports. May -- who had been arbitration-eligible for the final time -- missed the entire 2024 season while recovering from UCL and flexor surgery and later had another operation to repair an esophageal tear. The 27-year-old made a total of just 20 starts from 2021-23 due to injury. May should be healthy for the start of spring training, but it's not clear when he might be ready to make starts for the Dodgers given how much time he's missed. Prediction - they’re both back on the IL prior to or just after the All Star break. GO DODGERS!!! |
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