Earlier this week, Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman told Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register and other reporters that he has discussed a new deal for Hyun-Jin Ryu with agent Scott Boras. For now, though, Ryu’s under the impression his longtime club isn’t particularly interested in bringing him back. “If the Dodgers wanted to re-sign me, they would have told my agent,” the left-hander said (via Yonhap News Agency). “I haven’t heard from him yet, and honestly, I don’t have much to tell you right now.” Ryu and Madison Bumgarner, another potential Dodgers target, represent the two best free-agent starters left in a market that has lost Gerrit Cole and Stephen Strasburg over the past few days. Should the Dodgers fail to sign either of them, it’s unclear where they’ll turn if they’re determined to land another high-end starter.
- Rangers right-handed reliever Jose Leclerc is generating “a lot of interest” from other clubs, Levi Weaver of The Athletic tweets. That said, it’s not known whether the Rangers are open to trading their most valuable reliever – whom they signed to a team-friendly extension last offseason. The hard-throwing Leclerc, 25, is controllable for five more seasons (including two club options) and is only due a guaranteed $12.25MM over the rest of his deal. That’s one of the reasons he’d likely bring back a quality haul in a trade, which could create a conundrum for general manager Jon Daniels.
- It appears increasingly likely that reliever Dellin Betances’ time with the Yankees is up. There’s no “active dialogue” between the Yankees and the free-agent righty’s camp, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports. The 31-year-old Betances was excellent as a Yankee until injuries derailed him in 2019, when he faced a total of two batters. It seems the Yankees have turned their attention to another established reliever, Brewers lefty Josh Hader, whom they’re reportedly pursuing on the trade market. But Sherman throws a bit of cold water on that, writing that the two teams “did not seem to have substantial traction” in talks as the Winter Meetings wrapped up.
- The Mets just added two starters in Rick Porcello and Michael Wacha, giving them at least viable rotation candidates. Those somewhat modest signings won’t affect righty Noah Syndergaard’s place on the team’s roster, though. GM Brodie Van Wagenen continues to insist the Mets are not going to trade Syndergaard, Sherman relays. In fact, with Jacob deGrom, Syndergaard, Marcus Stroman, Steven Matz, Porcello and Wacha as the Mets’ top six starters, Van Wagenen’s of the belief that they have the deepest rotation in baseball.
maxbaseball09
Why haven’t the Padres made an offer to Ryu?
bleacherbum
Idk, they should be
Jumanji
The Padres are probably concerned that Ryu will yell “Hadouken !!!” and throw a fireball at them if he doesn’t like the offer.
the kutch
Fireball??…mmmmmm
black69
It’s really, truth be told, more of a centralized Ki blast, directed at your opponent and channeled through your spirit, then a fireball.
Phanatic 2022
Never played street fighter
reflect
You win
Perfect
Pads Fans
Because they have no money?
pinterman
Oh, they have money. They just don’t know how to spend it.
Geebs
Well we don’t know that they haven’t made an offer, one of the more experienced writers here once hypothesized that at most 1/100th of trade proposals and contract offers become public. Look no further then AA in Atlanta, no one knows what that kats doin till it’s done.
PinstripedPride
He’s perfect for a pitchers park like that one. I’m surprised also. Perhaps their GM is more focused on talks with the Red Sox about David Price. A Myers-Price swap of some kind would make an interesting blockbuster
GabeOfThrones
Nobody is trading anything for Wil Myers. He’s a release candidate next offseason.
black69
Price isn’t far from that. Bad contract swaps have happened before.
PinstripedPride
Red Sox need a first baseman. Ultimately I think a deal would hinge on the other pieces plus the money arrangements
Henry Silvestre
Roxkies should trade for him.. his splits at Coors are ridiculos even for Coors.. he would be the Rocks best player and yes Nolan included.. Myers loves Coors field
paddyo furnichuh
Maybe you’ve had too much of the forementioned fireball? Myers would be better than Arenado? You are reinforcing stereotypes about sports fans and their intelligence.
dmarcus15
Surprised the Cards haven’t tried to give the Red Sox Jose Martinez and it Matt Carpenter yet. I think they would take an organist and someone to sling free hotdogs.
soccer11
He would go great in that ballpark.
gidez1
4 year $75M Dodgers lets get it done
bigcheesegrilledontoast
Should have got it done weeks ago, looks like they’ll miss out.
GabeOfThrones
Dodgers aren’t going to 4. Doubt anyone will. 3-60 with some sort of opt-out/escalators seems feasible. But not from the dodgers. Maybe Angels, or Twins.
Vizionaire
get it done, epp!
great_gumbino
Wow great assessment there. Maybe deepest pitching with 4+ era avg
pasha2k
If Rick Porcello has a good yr the Mets will soar.
Bill M
That’s a big if
ShieldF123
What’s your definition of a good year? Honest question. If you’re aiming for solid but unspectacular I think it’s a possibility
GabeOfThrones
180 innings of sub 4.50era has to be considered a good year for him.
Mrivers
Yes, that would be good and could happen in Citifield. Very good acquisition by Brodie.
fits65
Besides being a Big IF, there are now 3 much better teams above the Mets.
Soar to what, 4th?
Phanatic 2022
If some things go their way the mets could surprise. They have some talent on the team.
andremets
Really 3 better teams? Last I checked, the Mets won 86 games last year, a mere few games behind the champs. Since then, the Nats lost Rendon, the Braves lost Donaldson. Don’t kid yourself; Mets have as good a shot as any of these 4 teams
fits65
Typical Mets’ fans’ response Andre.
And the Mets were a mere few games behind the 2015 WS Champs. FYI-only in your dreams has Donaldson been lost by Atlanta and the Nats learned to win when they needed to which is something that the Mets haven’t learned since 1986.
You can’t talk about the Carlos Beltran series, when he watched strike 3 right? Let’s toss aside all of the would haves and could haves.
The Mets are the Mets. I shouldn’t have to tell you that. There aren’t many franchises that have gone as long between championships.
pasha2k
First as a RS fan I’m gonna miss the class act Porcello is. Second the Angels should go after Ryu.
BobSacamano
As a Tiger’s fan I definitely agree about Ricky. It’s hard to root against him.
ShieldF123
As a Yankee fan, I have nothing bad to say about Porcello. Definitely get why fans like him. Also agree about Ryu
angelsfan4life
Ryu will be the second coming of Jordan Zimmerman. For which ever team signs him. Thanks but no thanks.
GabeOfThrones
Don’t think those two have anything in common. But get ready for Angels to sign him next week.
angelsfan4life
GabeofThrones, I pray to god that you are wrong. Zimmerman led the NL in ERA, in his walk year. Zimmerman had an up and down career until then. Zimmerman always had lingering injuries, that kept him from living up to his potential. But in Zimmerman was finally was able to put it all together, in his walk year. Which got teams excited, thinking he has finally figured it out. Everything I just said about Zimmerman, I could put Ryu’s name instead.
TrueBlue44
I’m done with Boras! He used the Dodgers to jack up prices… Of course they don’t want to deal with him and Ryu now… Go after Bumgardner
kershawsgrandma22
How do you know the dodgers weren’t trying to hack prices up to hurt the other clubs? I seriously don’t think they thought they’d sign anyone they’ve missed out on
Cam
Putting $300million in front of Cole isn’t a throwaway offer – at a higher AAV than what he took elsewhere.
RBI
Dodgers knew that offer would not be accepted. They knew Boras had a higher offer ($24 million), because Boras would have told them that. You gotta ask yourself why the Dodgers finish 2nd so often on Boras clients. It’s not a coincidence. Boras gets to say he has a good offer from another team to get others (Yanks in this case) to present a winnings offer. Everyone wins, Yanks feel good winning, Dodgers get free publicity and are able to tell fans they tried, and most importantly the client gets paid.
Marcoman
Van Wagenen is a joke. I seem to remember last year when he also said they were going to be the team to beat in the NL East. Same old pathetic loser Mets.
AtlSoxFan
But was he lying? Because the mets definitely got beaten a lot in the NL east….
adamontheshore
Not bad…not bad at all.
ShieldF123
Touché
Kevin Michael Farrell
Yeah they did at 40 -36 against NL East.. I mean 12 -7 against The World Champs is horrendous! lol
Could they improve that? YES.
Will they? If they can rite the bullpen then YES! If not, then this team is going nowhere!
LongTimeFan1
I seem to remember the Mets were 10 games over ..500 this past season.
Phiilies2020
I’m under the impression that Van Wagenen is the 2nd worst GM in baseball just behind Preller. However, I agree that the Mets have one of the best (and deepest) rotations in the NL. I’m bullish on Porcello and Wacha turning in solid seasons pitching in that park and playing on one year deals with the potential to score in free agency next off-season.
rct
Shocking that someone with the username ‘Phillies2020’ hates someone from the Mets organization.
Michael Chaney
He gave a good opinion of the Mets’ pitching. Maybe BVW just isn’t a great GM.
BobSacamano
Yeah, I didn’t get the vibe he hated anyone out of that.
stevewpants
Love this handle
myaccount
So if you like their rotation (3 out of 6 in which he brought in), how can we take your assessment of second worst GM seriously?
findingnimmo
Ha!
Pingleja
The cano trade alone is enough to make that assessment. if he would’ve can over and been halfway decent he still would’ve been overpaid. Giving up a top 25 talent for that contract didn’t look good then and it looks worse now. Getting Diaz was the best part of that trade and even that blew up in his face.
LongTimeFan1
Pingleja,
Premature to judge Diaz and even Cano after year one,
The only overt bad decision in that trade was Kelenic.
Moving Bruce’s two remaining years in that deal opened playing time for Pete Alonso and JD Davis both of whom tore the cover off the ball and are excellent team-first players and leaders.
LongTimeFan1
This deep rotation for the Mets also includes options for pulling Lugo and Gsellman out of the pen at some point if needed or perhaps putting Matz in pen or even trading him.
Mrivers
Give the guy a chance. Heck, Cashman is good and he made one of the worst FA signings in history with Ellsbury.
stevewpants
Don’t forget about Jeff Bridich, the Blackmon deal and all those relievers, that guy is ten years behind the times. It doesn’t take a genius to extend Nolan and that’s about it for positives.
jbigz12
Jeff Bridich might be the worst GM in baseball. And by might be, I mean he is. It’d be really hard to defend any ML contract he’s given out aside from Arenado. Murphy, Wade Davis, Ian Desmond, Jake McGee, Shaw, Blackmon,Mike Dunn, Gerardo Parra. All bad to abysmal deals. And that’s not even including letting DJ and ottavino walk.
Id have no faith in that guy if I were a Rockies fan.
PinstripedPride
If he were still GM of the Pirates I’d give that moniker to Neal Huntington. That man was terrible during his time in Pittsburgh
1drefordays6
I feel like there’s more to this with Ryu and Friedman. Like Boras is probably asking for 200mm/5 years or something that high. Otherwise LA or another team would have snagged him already.
BlueSkyLA
Or maybe Friedman simply expects to pay Ryu less than he’d get from another team. Maybe he’s handling this one just like those other guys.
Cam
Another post, another glass-half-full assessment.
You represent Dodgers fans terribly.
BlueSkyLA
Have you attacked everyone who’ve made similar comments in this discussion, or any other? Any? Any at all?
Of course not. You represent yourself terribly.
Cam
No, you’re copping it because every single Dodgers article has 100% negativity from you. Not anyone else, you.
I literally cannot recall the last time you said something positive. At all. It’s bitter garbage all the time.
You’re not a fan, you’re a whiner.
Dalton1017
the only reason the Rangers should trade Leclerc is for Arenado
vtadave
Yeah I’m sure he’d be the centerpiece
stevewpants
Lol
Ralphie
Yes trading a reliever who walks a bunch of ppl and had an era over 4 last year for a superstar makes a lot of sense. The proposals some ppl throw out here are freaking ridiculous.
Dalton1017
he also had a K/9 over 13 and is guaranteed a cheap contract for the next 7 seasons.
ShieldF123
Those peripherals and that team control are big positives. They are not netting you a superstar 3B, let’s be realistic.
Dalton1017
he wouldn’t be alone in three trade
Coal tender
The Rangers will have to cough up at least three more (besides LeClerc) top prospects to get Arenado.
Dalton1017
that probably isn’t true. Arenado contact is market value so his trade value should be amazing. i think Jung Allard LeClerc gets it done
phillyballers
Wacha/Porcello is basically a safety net for when Thor gets hurt again. So couple scenarios. Long relief, skipping a start for someone, setting themselves up for deGrom to pitch the 1 game WC or someone gets dealt to the AL at the deadline.
Mrivers
Porcello is better than Wacha, though.
mrbrklyn
how?
algionfriddo
Ryu seems like a really huge injury risk to me. 2020 will be his age 33 season. The Dodgers should pass.
cornnut
100%
dodgersvictoryagain
Pass on Rye and Boras. There bad blood there from years back with him ( Boras)
MoRivera 1999
Passtrami on Rye, hold the Boras.
amk3510
Bumgarner to the Dodgers would be beyond weird.
jbigz12
Rangers should be shopping Leclerc. He’s volatile. He was volatile last season. They have him on a bargain of a deal. If anybody wants to give up a top prospect for that; I’d jump on it. The rangers missed on their FA targets this year and realistically are battling for 3rd in their division. Minor and Leclerc would both be shopped if I were running the show.
kencaminiti
I 100% agree. They obviously don’t want to compete this year. Sell off the best assets you have if someone is willing to pay the price
angt222
Mets should try and acquire LeClerc. Would make a good setup man to Diaz.
bleeddgrblu
The Dodger Front Office is a Joke!! I’ve been following them for over 50 years. If you believe the hype that this current group of money hungry clowns feeds you then you’re in denial. Get a grip! They’re not going to do a dang thing to win a Championship (maybe a Division Championship or 7) at the highest level. They’ve said it in many interviews… if you LISTEN!! What a complete shame! My NY roots Father is screaming in his grave and I’m screaming with him!!
andrewgauldin
This front office is led by Friedman, who has only been there for a few years now. If anything, along with Chain Bloom and Farhan Zaidi, he’s one of the most innovative, intellectual minds in any front office in the MLB. Sure, Friedman hasn’t put the dodgers over the top by giving out a huge contract like a Gerrit Cole, that certainly would put them over the hump. But he’s installing a Tampa Bay Rays type ball club while still retaining the studs when they hit free agency. He’s running a ball club better than most. He just hasn’t gave out absurd contracts, ones that are more than likely to turn out like Cano, Pujols, Hampton. Friedman will get the dodgers a WS. He’s bound too. Under Friedman, the dodgers will remain competitive every single year, because he knows how to run a ball club with discipline, and the high budget allows him to be flexible. Law of averages man, dodgers will get one soon.
The Human Rain Delay
Your way off base, you have no clue how much these guys owe that scouting dept that was there the day before they stepped in- 80% of what you see now has been brought in internally from “Not Fried & Co””
We are not the “Rays” we are the second or first highest grossing team every year, Its weird to even think a team like that would conjure up feelings for the Rays??
These guys have had 5 years to come up with a bullpen…….. the answer year in year out…..hide under your bed and pray come OcT
They have totally clipped Dave Roberts balls to the point he cant even make a “coaching” descion anymore without worrying what the computers going to say on Monday about it-
They acuired a great team and have shown NO ability to capitalize on it if we are all being honest- Its reasonable to say you could find 20 of the smartest people on these boards who could have done a better job given the same starting point
Cam
Dave’s balls weren’t clipped when he left Kolarek sitting on the pine, to go to Kershaw instead. Common sense said use Kolarek. The numbers said use Kolarek. He used his free will to make a “coaching decision” and blew it.
Your rant would make absolute sense, if it weren’t full of nonsense and flat out lies.
The Human Rain Delay
Circling back to its been 5 years and there still is no plan……. They have shackled Roberts so much that when he has to actually make a gut call he’s like an acclimated inside cat that gets caught outside by the wolf-
Kershaw should have never been in that game, you’ll get no arguments from me there but again we knew it would come to this juncture ….and it circles back to whats the plan Stan?/ shoulder shrug emoji?
No coach is thriving under these circumstances, Roberts ironically is probably the right coach for right team currently despite all he has to deal with
bum4ever
You couldn’t be more wrong. The Dodgers have a total of 8 players (Kershaw, Jansen, Turner, Baez, Urias, Seager, Bellinger, and Verdugo) that were with the team – majors or minors – before Friedman. Friedman’s first draft pick was Buehler and his 2016 draft (Smith, Lux, May, and Gonsolin without counting Peters, Sheffield, White, and Smeltzer who plays for Minn) is already considered historically great. In addition, Muncy and Taylor were traded for or signed for essentially nothing.
Only Kershaw, Jansen, Turner, and Baez remain from the MLB roster when Friedman arrived and every team demanded Seager, Bellinger, or Verdugo in trade talks for Friedman’s first 3 years. He wisely declined.
No he didn’t just acquire a great team and nobody on this board could have done a better job.
wordonthestreet
You lost me when you said they are installing a Tampa Rays style club and did not understand that the Dodgers are a huge market club. If you need to spend on a FA to get the championship then you do it. If you need to trade a prospect for someone you think puts you over the top you do it.
Friedman can run a Tampa style club and be in the playoffs on a regular basis but so what?
Dodgers front office lacks the killer instinct
bum4ever
Sadly I think I have to agree with this although I still expect some trade before everything is said and done.
wordonthestreet
Example. The allegedly offered Cole 8 years at $300 million or around $37.5 AAV.
Going 9 years for “only” another $25 million (much less than the AAV they offered) is chump change on a $300m offer where that player can put you over the top and get a championship or multiple ones (which of course create more revenue as well)
cornnut
Soooooooo Soooooooo TRUE
TheMick7
Kind of surprised that Yankees are not even talking to Betances camp when they are looking for another reliever. Makes me wonder what they know, in addition to his injuries from last year, especially if they’re looking at high level relievers. Before that he was one of the best relievers in the game and he’s homegrown.
rognog
Dodger Brass still upset he cost them a draft pick and 18.1
Fg-3
Anyone shocked that porcello has 150 wins and is only 30? And a cy young. Mets have a habit of getting these former aces.. viola Santana glavine and Pedro. They should have a good staff.. if they all pitch to potential
The Human Rain Delay
Agreed, maybe we will get our raincheck on the fabulous 2019 nL East just a year later-
I really like the pen as well and the offence has a ton of upside ….they will have to deal with the horrid defence but Jake Marisnek was a good sign to get out ahead of it already
I like the Mets, they dont have to get out the gates blazing but they gotta at least be 5-8 games over .500 this year come June 1st
mrbrklyn
There potential is garbage. Wacco, and Porcello have the upside of being bombed an booed out out Citifield.
fair-critic
mets are a joke, and a big no to hader for the yanks
MetsManMetsFan86
Great insight. I’m glad I read it
billysbballz
Here’s a trade scenario that may intrigue both fan bases:
Yanks send Andujar, German, Abreu, and Happ to Brewers for Josh Hader.
Soon thereafter the Yanks announce they have signed catcher Maldonado.
Soon thereafter the Yanks bring shock and awe and sign MadBum for 5/125.
Pitching is set.
Now tinker with lineup.
MoRivera 1999
Not a big MadBum fan outside Oracle Park. Numbers aren’t there recently.
Coal tender
Rangers ought to trade LeClerc to the Cubs for the services of Kris Bryant to fill the 3b job.
MoRivera 1999
LeClerc and what army?
Kevin Michael Farrell
I can only surmise The Mets are trying to stock up to try and maybe make a deal somewhere else! A bunch of mediocre talent added to throw in some kind of package with the thought they may have to part with bigger talent and have this mediocre talent as a back up because NONE of these new guys stand out!
Confortoismyspiritanimal
Can we stop it with the Thor getting traded rumors? It’s not happening. Tired story.
dray16
It’s a rumor site, go elsewhere if you don’t like rumors
mrbrklyn
Van Broken Wagon is deluding himself. The Mets had a below lead average pitching staff and replacing Wheeler with two broken and ineffective old players makes the team worst. If he was serious about winning, they would have signed Cole and Wheeler… no excuses
BartoloHRball
mrbrklyn…..The Mets had a…. “below league average pitching staff….”
2019
Mets: 4.24ERA. 11th in MLB
MLB Avg: 4.49ERA
2019: Post All-star break
Mets: 3.48ERA….4th in MLB
MLB: 4.53 ERA
Keep in mind…this is with the worst (via stats) BP in franchise history.
Now look at their pitching with just their starters….
2019
Mets: 3.84 ERA….7th in MLB
MLB: 4.54ERA
Tell me again how below average the mets’ pitching staff is….despite using stats?
FTR, I agree that they needed to re-sign Wheeler, but let’s not throw all of the stats out to fit the scenario….
moody
Cut loose Ryu, and sign Madbum? Does this make sense to anyone? Serious question…